Chapter Thirty - Six
Et meus ventus semper — 'You will always be my favourite'
August 17th 1989
11.53am
The sun shone down brightly; it was the kind of day where the sunshine hit through to your bones, its heat radiating outwards into the day. When the sun shines people glow differently, their aura is happier; Elizabeth could resonate with that, she was glad the darker months were over. She smiled in the sunshine as her summer dress blew gently in the breeze as she walked up the path towards the house in front of her. Once she reached the door she knocked gently and entered upon hearing the call for her to come in
'In here' Maureen called from the kitchen of her home. Elizabeth walked in closing the door firmly behind her.
'Hey! Oh hey baby!' She grinned as Maureen was holding her daughter, the little baby wiggled and pushed forward when she seen Elizabeth
'You coming to aunty Lizzie, oh come on then' she grinned scooping her from Maureen and swaying softly. Elizabeth glowed every time she spent time with Lily.
'Gosh she's gotten so big!' Elizabeth exclaimed
'Yes she doesn't stop growing, and well I suppose it's been a few weeks since you seen her now' Maureen smiled
'I know, sorry I was always down Pittsburgh when she was first born but since I've started moving my things slowly to DC the travelling has exhausted me' she explained
'Oh don't be silly, it's fine. Elizabeth she is only four and a half months old and you've seen her more times than most of my friends, but I do appreciate your help today' she sighed sadly. Elizabeth walked over to her and placed her spare hand on Maureen's shoulder
'Anything you need, anytime ok?'
'Oh I know but you're finally joining the CIA and I don't want to interrupt your life and-'
'I am not starting with them for another five weeks, so use me as much as you like for the next five weeks; then if you need a helping hand we can work it out ok?' She smiled and maureen nodded 'How is your mom?' She asked softly
'Not good, she misses Henry terribly and well…all these appointments are getting her down I think; I don't think it will be long' Elizabeth stepped back and looked at Lily smiling instantly as her soft brown eyes sparkled.
'Henry doesn't know…' Maureen whispered and Elizabeth looked over to her immediately
'Sorry?'
'Mom won't let me tell him'
'Oh Maureen no, I don't want to hear anymore, I don't want to be apart of this decision making' she stepped back taking Lily to the other side of the kitchen, picking up a toy for her to play with
'What do I do?' Maureen asked. Elizabeth stopped and took a deep breath. She sucked on her tongue as she took a moment to think.
'Maureen your mother is terminally ill; he deserves to know'
'But what if he comes home? What if he gives it all up, he's only just getting over being without you, how can I crush him like that?' The emotion began to rise in her throat, Elizabeth dismissed the comment about her before speaking
'But you can't hide it from him; you cannot give him that call one day; he will never come back from that' Elizabeth stressed
'You still care about him don't you?' Maureen tried to change the subject
'Of course I do, always will but it doesn't change the fact you cannot, and I repeat cannot keep this from him. He doesn't deserve that kind of betrayal' Elizabeths heart ached at the mention of his name still, despite how everyone commented she was glowing and looked like she was doing better, his name was still a bitter pill to swallow. Her eyes closed for a moment as she pushed thoughts of him away.
'She should be ok for a feed, and I've kept her inside as its far too hot outside today, and she should probably have a nap soon' Maureen cleared her throat and began packing things into her handbag
'It's ok, we got this don't we baby girl?' Elizabeth smiled bouncing Lily on her hip who gurgled
'Thank you. Bye baby, you be good for auntie Lizzie. I won't be long' She kissed her daughter goodbye
'Don't rush!' Elizabeth called after her as the door shut.
'Just you and me baby; shall we go and play?' She smiled as lily showed her excitement. Elizabeth walked into the lounge and placed Lily on her back, kneeling over her coo'ing her and playing. Elizabeth placed a toy on the table to create a little more space. As she placed It down she noticed a letter sat unopened
'Henry' she sighed as she ran her fingers over the envelope, she knew it was a military letter one he has written as it was his hand writing on the front. She sat back onto the floor, untucking her legs from under her, she picked up Lily and cradled her in her arms. She looked down at her and smiled sweetly
'You tired baby?' She soothed softly rocking her as Lily's eyes flickered slowly
'You haven't met your uncle Henry yet' Elizabeth whispered softly as Lily began to fall asleep in her arms
'You're going to love him so much, he is just the most amazing person, he really is the best Lily' she smiled sadly as tears pricked at her eyes. 'The best' she whispered as she swallowed hard. She smiled as Lily had fallen asleep in her arms. Elizabeth stood up and laid her down to rest on the sofa, Elizabeth sitting next to her staring at that letter from Henry wondering why she didn't get one from him but then again why would she, they're no longer together.
'I'm sorry Henry' she whispered to herself.
That is the thing with the summer, it has a glorious and warmth perception; but It can be too hot, it can be like a breath of hell, scorching down onto your skin. The sun intensifies everything, what once burned, burned even more under the heat. The sunshine can be the biggest illusionist of them all.
