Chapter 45 – Friends
It was Friday and after the week they had, Henry knew they needed some time with friends. They would be leaving on Sunday for Sergeant Tull's funeral. The events of the week had put a halt to them celebrating her re-election. So, he scheduled dinner plans with friends they could trust.
In the past few years, they developed a friendship circle with Isabelle and Jim and Claire Unesco. It was easier because their top security clearance made it easier for them to be able to talk. Bess didn't have to constantly watch what she said. They were both looking forward to the dinner that night.
Henry woke that morning, reached over across the cool white sheets looking for warmth but all he got was dog fur. Elizabeth was already gone and Hope had taken her place. He woke up Hope and they went for a run.
Elizabeth had been in an early morning meeting in the Situation Room to discuss the latest in the investigation and she wasn't liking what she was hearing. Four of the captors were Iranian nationals and apparent leaders of the group along with the one being held in custody. Their plan had been to fly the Marines and Mariam to Iran.
She directed Secretary Thompson to reach out the Shiraz for her. The meeting adjourned and she asked Isabelle to go with her to the Oval Office.
As they walked in, Isabelle turned to close the door and said, "So, I have some news for you."
Elizabeth answered while still heading for her desk, "So, I hear."
Isabelle sighed, "Literally NOTHING gets by you."
"I have to admit, it's Blake. He loves to gossip. At least it is only to me. But, we are excited for you to bring your date tonight and very happy for you. Isaac Bishop, interesting choice? I thought he was married?" she stood leaning back on the front of her desk fixing her messy bun. She hadn't had time do her hair that morning. Thankfully, there was nothing formal planned for the day.
"'Was' being the operative word. They got divorced three years ago." Isabelle answered crossing her legs while sitting on the couch. She took a sip of her coffee.
Elizabeth gave her the furrowed brow stare after taking a sip of her own coffee, "So, how did you meet him?"
"He worked an op for Susan and I about six months ago." She said back to her looking down at her files.
Now, her crystal blue eyes went huge on Isabelle. "You've been dating six months?! This is the first I am hearing of it. Wow, our friendship has taken a backseat to our jobs. Not like we don't see each other every day for you to TELL me. I had to hear it from my assistant?"
Isabelle tossed her files on the coffee table. "THREE months! So, don't go all big sister on me. We didn't make it serious until last week so calm your britches down."
The private entrance door opened. "Ohh I thought I heard a sisterly argument going on." Henry smiled at both of them. "Good Morning, babe."
Hope came bounding in, went to Elizabeth and leaned on her legs. She gave her a pet on the head.
"Not an argument, Bess is just mad because for once she's the last to find out about something." Isabelle grinned at him.
"Ohhh this is about Isaac joining us tonight," Henry answered.
"YOU KNEW?!" Elizabeth threw her hands up in the air while Henry and Isabelle laughed.
He hesitated, "On…only because I am planning the dinner with Marie and Blake told her yesterday. It's been a busy week. We found out when you were greeting the soldiers and Mariam at Andrews."
"With Isabelle," she answered with her annoyed voice.
The rest of the day went by smoothly just normal daily briefings with her staff. Jay scheduled her time with Mariam for Saturday morning. Susan planned a call with Shiraz for Saturday afternoon. She had a lot to think about over the next twelve hours and decided to end the day early.
She headed back up to the residence at 4:30. She wanted to workout and shower before the others got there. Henry greeted her in the kitchen wearing a gray shirt and jeans.
"Oh we are going casual?" she asked.
"Of course, it's just the group," he answered, leaning in to kiss her.
"Well, I am going to workout and shower," she gave him the eye and walked away. He checked her out as she did so.
At 7pm, they were all seated around the table. The ladies were at one end of the table talking about everything except work. The men at the other talking about football and work.
Elizabeth took a sip of her wine and caught Henry's eye. Her hair was down, parted sideways, the way she knew he loved it. Done but messy. She was in a v-neck sweater that showed him just enough. Her eyes lingered on his almost letting him know she couldn't wait until they were alone again.
Claire asked about the girls. Elizabeth was brought out of her stare, "I almost forgot to tell you Amelia took her first steps this week in the Oval Office. Super cute."
Isabelle laughed, "Did your favorite photographer grab the photo?"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. She loved Jenny personally but hated having every aspect of their lives documented. "Of course she did. Daisy immediately wanted to release it and I told her absolutely not. They can save it for my book."
Claire asked, "When does that start?"
"Hopefully not for a few years." Elizabeth laughed. "Again, so weird. I can't just deal with people wanting to know about my life, it's so weird. Half of my life is classified anyways."
They laughed, sipped their wine.
Isabelle piped in like only she could, "At the rate, Stevie's going, it's more like three quarters of your life." Isaac heard it and he placed a hand on her back. He was still getting used to her close relationship with the First Family.
Elizabeth said, "Ain't that the truth? She's been chatting with Ellen's son which makes me nervous." She took a swig of her wine.
Claire chimed in "I saw them spending a lot of time together at Alison's wedding."
"You and everyone else," Isabelle said, taking a sip of her wine.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and said, 'Why don't we move to the living room where it is more comfortable?"
Walking to the living room area she said to them, "I just don't understand why she can't date somebody who is not affiliated with me or my job."
"Like the stick she was dating before Dmitri came back?" Claire asked.
"Oh God, don't even get me started on him. I wanted to fire Blake for setting them up." Elizabeth was clear about her feelings with that relationship.
The three of them were all laughing.
"Who knew Jason would be settling down with one of the top catches in Boston? You must be so proud." Isabelle smiled at Bess.
"We love Claudia. They truly are the perfect couple. I wish it was not so public," Bess answered as Henry came behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Well, it's just like his parents," Isabelle answered.
Jim laughed, "Who saw that coming? I never thought Jason would following your footsteps," he said staring at Henry.
The group all laughed.
Elizabeth set her eyes on Isaac, who was now seated across from her with his hand on Isabelle's thigh. She had a large glass of wine and was feeling more comfortable nestled under Henry's arm.
"So, Isaac, tell us about how you and Isabelle came together?" she eyed Isabelle when she asked. Claire and Jim looked down at the floor attempting to make it less awkward. They all knew Elizabeth's feelings on Bishop.
"We worked the Venezuelan rescue op together about six months ago. Susan had brought Vesuvian in for it, assuming you would be okay with it since it wouldn't be the first time," he stared right back at her.
Jim chimed in, "Ouch!" Everyone laughed.
"No, really it's okay. I may have hired his firm before. Sometimes you gotta do, what you gotta do to get the job done." Elizabeth answered back.
"I met Isabelle during that. We started talking. She complained that she never gets to date because of her work." Elizabeth's stared at him and turned her gaze to her best friend.
She rolled her eyes , turned to Henry and said "We never had that." Her voice trailing off as they turned their attention back to Isaac.
"Anyways, I said that I'd be up for the challenge since we are in the same line of work. And here we are," he rubbed Isabelle's thigh and looked back at Elizabeth.
'Similar yet different," was her only reply as Henry gripped her arm telling her to stop. Jim and Claire both stifled their laughs.
Isabelle glared back at her while Elizabeth took a long sip of her wine.
When everyone left, they walked them down. Saying goodbye, Elizabeth turned to Isaac and said, "Well, it was good to see you again." Nothing else. Henry jumped in, "Yes, hopefully we'll get together again soon."
Isabelle was clearly unhappy with Bess. The first couple took Hope for a walk. The cool D.C. air felt cozy as Elizabeth snuggled into Henry. They made their way towards the Rose Garden.
'Similar yet different?! C'mon you had to know your were poking the bear that Isabelle can be with that. Don't be surprised if she gives you the cold shoulder for a week." Henry said to her.
"So, you're okay with her dating ISAAC BISHOP? The man is not trustworthy," she answered back indignantly.
"Elizabeth, you are not her parent. Second, just because YOU don't like his business, doesn't mean he is not trustworthy or that Isabelle can't date him. You used his business on more than one occasion. And you don't have a say on who she dates." Henry argued.
"He didn't vote for Dalton," trying to defend herself.
"How do you know THAT?" he asked suspiciously.
"He told me," she answered.
"When?" he stopped walking.
"Henry, are you jealous?" she stopped and asked him still holding on to his ring and pinky fingers together.
"No, you just never mentioned it," he replied as they continued walking down the path.
She laughed, "Oh My God, you are! You're going to put him on your list aren't you?"
He laughed at her. "I am pretty sure I don't have to worry about you and Isaac Bishop. Your feelings are pretty clear. But, I do think you have to cut Isabelle some slack. She's never had a serious relationship and they are clearly in love, whether you approve or not."
"It was after the embassy attack that they helped us with. He completely disrespected Conrad on my behalf in the Situation Room. So awkward. He told me after that out in the hallway." She answered quickly.
"Elizabeth, stop deflecting!" he said back at her.
"Okay, I will back off." she pouted.
While Hope roamed around, she leaned up to kiss him passionately. She never wanted him to feel jealous. He put his hands on her hips to steady himself. It had been a long time since there had been that much to drink.
He leaned down to her neck and kissed the sweet spot taking in the scent of her perfume. He hit play on his phone and the music began. He swayed with her back and forth. Their agents had become used to this and gave them their space. They would often take Hope out and on the warmer nights, when the stars filled the sky they would dance for a bit in the Rose Garden. Tonight it was "Let Me Hold You." Josh Krajcik strong voice played softly, reminding her that even in her worst weeks, Henry was there. It was a private moment for just the two of them. No photographer, very few secret service agents.
They rocked back and forth until Hope came back and ran circles around them. Then, the three of them headed back in for the night.