Note: We have come to the end but there will you might be more post-Presidential Elizabeth coming soon. I hope you enjoyed this. My apologies for it being so long.
Chapter 50 – Elizabeth
"We can not hold back in our longing to seek what our founding fathers called 'a more perfect union.' For every generation will seek to do better, find peace and create a better world. My fellow Americans, my past four years as your President have brought us closer to the goals we seek. Improving our infrastructure, increasing jobs and making our country a great player in the fight for a sustainable planet. I am honored to serve once again as your President, but today is the dawn of a new day. One that begins a moment in time, where we can finally say we put children first with a bold new education reform, a chance to step away from standardized testing and allow our children to learn and grow free from the anxiety and stress. Renovations and building of new schools that meet the requirements to give all students the opportunities to reach their highest potential. Health care that will provide all children with appropriate medical and nutritional care."
The crowd cheer was loud as Henry walked into the guest area of the residence of the White House, to find his wife watching her Inaugural speech from four years ago. There she was on the steps of the Capitol on a beautiful, sunny but frigid day. She wore a cranberry colored coat and a gray wool suit underneath it. Their children sitting behind them. Eliza, in a navy blue dress coat, had sat herself down at Stevie's feet, an image the world had fallen in love with.
It was their last day. The night before they danced the night away with family, friends and colleagues who had become family and friends. Their children and grandchildren as well as Annie said tearful goodbyes to the staff and agents who doted on them for years. Now tonight, it was just the two of them in the guest area of the house.
Elizabeth had already spent what she hoped would be her last time in the Situation Room. The world was often kind around Inauguration Day, giving way to a peaceful transfer of power for America.
She pardoned three people, another journalist, a mother wrongfully jailed for her son's death and a black man serving time on a drug possession of marijuana, which by now was legal in many states.
When she said goodbye to many staff members she gave each of them with a personal gift from her. Not some White House trinket but gifts that held meaning to their relationships.
At the end of the day, it was just the four of them on the couches in the Oval Office. Elizabeth, Blake, Jay and Daisy having a drink and reminiscing.
Daisy laughed, "I will never forget the look on your face when we were all in here for the first time. "
Elizabeth looked down and swirled her drink, "The day Air Force One went missing."
Jay laughed, "You looked like you had seen fifty ghosts when we walked through that door."
Blake stated, "For the record, she thought her oldest and dearest friend was dead at the time. And she was made President. To fill in his shoes."
Jay added, "After witnessing the Senate Pro Tempore have a memory breakdown."
Daisy finished, "And her daughter had something going on with the President's son."
"Also the night we almost forced her to sing and instead she ended up breathing into a paper bag!" Blake laughed. "Such a memorable day!" He smiled at his boss.
"Well, speaking of memorable. I have a little something for each of you." she handed each of them a navy box with gold ribbon.
"Ma'am, you did not need to do this," they all said in unison.
Jay opened his and it was a gorgeous wallet. He opened it and inside there was a slip of paper. A handwritten note from her that simply said, "Thanks for always being my guy!" He held it up, gave her a hug and said "It has been my honor to serve you and this country."
Daisy opened hers. A beautiful gold bangle lay in the box. "Ma'am, this is so beautiful."
"My mother always said to me, 'make new friends but keep the old one is silver and the other's gold.' Thank you for always standing beside me Daisy. This world is not easy for women and we have relied on each other more times than I can count. Thank you for being gold. Look on the inside." Daisy looked at the quote was inscribed on the inside. She placed the bracelet around her wrist. The two women shared the longest hug, only breaking apart when Blake gasped.
Elizabeth had given him a men's Cartier watch. She instructed him to turn it over. Inscibed was "Thank you for always keeping me on time."
"Ma'am, I love it. Thank you so much but more importantly thank you for the opportunity to be beside you for so many years."
"Well, my hope is that now you will all start calling me either Elizabeth or Bess. I've been waiting for this day when the formality can finally end."
They clinked their drinks together in one last toast to all they had accomplished and for what lay ahead.
Blake would be staying on as her personal assistant and planning her library to be built at UVA with Stevie. Meanwhile, Jay would be working with Jason and Henry on the McCord Family Foundation. Daisy was taking some much needed time off just to be Joanna's Mom. Since they were all taking some time off, Elizabeth wouldn't see them for a month. That seemed like an eternity for all of them.
Once everyone left, she sat at her desk looking out the windows at the view. She sipped her drink and thought of the countless times she sat here talking to her children on the phone. She downed her drink and slid off the desk. She threw her suit jacket over her shoulder and walked to the door. Looking back at the room where so much history and her life had happened. She turned off the lights and closed the door.
She would enter the office in the morning to slip her letter in the new desk. It would no longer be her office. Her desk would be gone back to the archives, new furniture, new carpet and new drapes would be hung. The paint job would come later.
She was elated with the chance to go back into society. A few speaking engagements here and there, a book to write, students to teach but most importantly, family time. She couldn't wait to make up for missed birthdays, soccer games and time alone with Henry.
Furniture was being moved from the residence to the farmhouse, some to the Georgetown home where Stevie and her family moved out of just last week to their new home in Maryland. Henry and Elizabeth would still use it for necessary D.C. visits.
Now, on her lap sat an amazing gift from Jenny, their main White House photographer. A large black photo album with so, so many images of their eight years in this house some in color others black and white. She scanned through it while listening to her Inauguration. The book was filled with professional photos, head shots, ones of her sitting on her desk with her feet on her chair while she talked to the kids, playing with the grandkids on the Oval Office floor, photos of her with other heads of State. She and Henry dancing at State Dinners as well as their private moments. She picked out her favorites that she would request to be framed. Her number one was she and Henry in the waiting line at a reception. Her hair swept into a simple updo, her favorite navy gown from Alison, Henry in a tux. She was turned into Henry, his head tilted down listening to her whispering something in his ear, each of them oblivious to the world around them. Just their circle of two.
She felt the warmth of Henry's hands on her shoulders, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. Walked around the couch and plopped himself beside her. She was now between him and Hope.
"Eight years, babe. I am so proud of all you have accomplished. I just had CNN on and they were saying 'one of if not the most consequential president we have ever had.' Think America's going to miss having a woman in the White House?"
She turned to him, "No, Pete is going to be a great President! I am so excited to welcome him, his husband and those cute dogs here tomorrow."
"Think Carlos will ever get over you not supporting him?" Henry asked.
"Eventually, he knew he wouldn't have my support the day he told me he was going back to the party to put in place immigration reform laws that I don't agree with for moral reasons," she answered, tossing popcorn into her mouth. "It inevitably cost him the election."
"You tired?" Henry asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"Yes," she looked at him and saw the grin on his face. "No, no I'm not," with a mischievous grin smiling back at him. He took the popcorn and placed it on the coffee table, he slid her down on the couch underneath him. He leaned in for a kiss but instead whispered in his deep voice,
"Last time, Lincoln bedroom?" he stood and put his hand out to lift her off the couch.
"Lead the way, FGOTUS!" she smiled as he took her hand, she grabbed the popcorn to take with her.
Morning came sooner than they wished. They had a quick breakfast with Marie and then headed down to greet the new First Family.
It was a cold but bright, sunny day. Elizabeth ran her hands over her arms as she stepped out of the White House in a navy coat and matching suit designed by Alison.
She and Henry greeted the new family and headed inside for a bit of personal time. They led them up to the residence and introduced them for a second time to their new house staff.
Once at the Capitol, Henry and Elizabeth greeted Conrad and Lydia where the Presidents and their wives sat. Following the ceremony, Elizabeth and Henry were escorted to Marine One. Once inside, Jay presented her with her new phone. She could finally have normal conversations with people. She would keep her secure phone for conversations with the new President. Her last trip, she looked out the window at D.C. below her. A little nostalgic, for it had become home. The kids had gone to school there, they cried, laughed, stressed, fought, healed but most of all grew to love each other more down below in their beloved city. A small tear found its' way down her cheek.
Upon arrival at Andrews, her now only four agents got out of the helicopter before her, Henry and Hope. Hope struggled as she was getting old. Henry and Elizabeth often talked about maybe it was time. But, it just didn't seem right and they wanted to do it at a time when they and she would have some privacy.
They stepped out of the helicopter and Elizabeth caught her breath. "You have got to be kidding me?" She hit Henry on the arm. "Is that ours?"
He pulled the keys out of his pocket and dangled them in front of her. "Fourteen years, give or take a few detail slips, but at least eight years of not driving, want to drive?"
She laughed and grabbed the keys. "Yes!" She was almost skipping as she headed to the brand new navy Mercedes C-Class sedan.
"Babe, listen it had some modifications done. Bullet-proof glass and exterior so it's a bit heavy to drive. You need to get used to that. You still have to drive in the motorcade and that is not easy. Are you sure you want to do this? It's a long drive to the farm." Henry hesitated.
"Hell-yeah!" She opened the back door and Hope jumped in the back. Cecile laughed and jumped in beside Hope. She had left Stevie's detail that morning and would now be Elizabeth's permanent agent with Matt. For the first month or so, they would be with her most of the time just not at home. She would decide after that when and where she wanted them to be with her.
Henry shook his head and jumped in the passenger side. The motorcade took off out of Andrews. Music blared in the car and the phone did not ring with texts or calls on the ride home. As they cruised down the road leading up to the farm, the song switched to a familiar guitar sound. Survivor's "I Can't Hold Back." Elizabeth turned to Henry and laughed, "This was the cheesiest song you ever played. It was the first time we pulled up here together."
"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" he smiled.
"That it did." Elizabeth put the car in park in front of the house leaned over and kissed him.
They got into the house, it had gone through some renovations, was cleaned and had a fully stocked fridge and kitchen. Hope found her spot on the couch and immediately fell asleep. Henry and Elizabeth looked around and then at each other.
Henry had the look on his face as he approached her and put his hands on her hips, "Finally, completely alone! Are you thinking what I am thinking?"
She smiled and ran up the stairs with him hot on her heels. He began to tickle her around the waist as they got to their room he picked her up and placed her on the bed, laying himself over her.
She beamed up at him as he began to kiss her. He pulled back "The next month with nothing to do. Then, seven months before we go back to teaching. What will we do with ourselves?"
She squirmed and laughed underneath him. "Exactly what we are doing now and see the kids and the grandkids. Go riding. Take vacations. Oh and eat cake!"
He laughed and slowly began taking her clothes off. "We have all the time in the world, babe."
They woke up in each other's arms at the sound of Hope's whimpering at the closed door. It was dark in the room and just before dinner, they were still spent from their afternoon alone. Clothes strewn all over the floor.
Elizabeth checked her phone. Three texts from the kids checking in and one from Annie asking if they could ride this weekend. Stevie's text indicated that the girls were looking for Grammy.
She turned to Henry and said, "I have a feeling our days won't be so quiet after all."
It didn't take them long to ease back into life after politics. Elizabeth took the horses out almost everyday. Patriot was her new favorite. He was from the same lineage as Buttercup. He was super gentle and sweet. As long as she stayed on property she was finally able to go out and ride by herself. It gave her peace of mind. In her head she would write her speeches, her book chapters or thoughts on her classes while riding. Sometimes bringing her notebook with her, finding a spot to sit under a tree and write. Patriot would often stand there and wait or roam around eating grass. She also loved when the grandkids or Annie came to ride with her.
Matt and Cecile moved their families to Charlottesville. Henry ran with Matt just about every morning. He would then spend time working on the Foundation with Jason, puttering around the farm or reading.
Spring and Summer were lazy days for both of them. It was one particular hot July afternoon. Henry was reading pages for Elizabeth's book in the living room while she was out working in the stalls.
He heard her come in the house and went to greet her. She had gone straight for the kitchen. As he stepped in the doorway, he froze. There she was leaned over into the fridge, her blue shorts hugging her backside, her long tan legs running out from under them down to her boots. She wore tight yellow t-shirt. It reminded him of their college days, when they lived together and she would wear the shortest shorts turning him on in so many ways.
When she stood up from the fridge, holding the pitcher of lemonade she caught her husband staring at her. Her hair pulled back into a braid with that one stray hair falling beside her beautiful face, which now held some dirt and sweat.
"Like what you see?" she poured the drink into the glass and took a sip staring back at him.
He stepped over to her and took the glass from her hand and took his own sip. "Always,' he responded putting one hand behind her neck to kiss her while placing the glass on the countertop.
He kissed her deeply despite the fact that she smelled like the barn. He could deal with the smell but couldn't tame his temptation for her. He lifted her up on the counter as their lips never parted. Running his hands up her stomach to her breasts.
She pulled back and paused. He stopped, "What's wrong?"
She made that face when she was doubting herself and asked "Aren't we told old to be doing this here?"
"Babe, really?" Henry sighed and went back in for more.
She put her hands on his chest. "No, Henry, I am serious. We are way too old to be having sex in the kitchen."
"We just had sex in the shower last week. What's the difference? We should be glad we CAN still have sex in the kitchen," he was kissing her neck.
"I mean, I get the adventurous part of it but it just feels out of place now. At our ages," she continued trying to ignore the vibes his neck kissing was generating down through her core.
He backed up. "Couch? Floor? Where do you want to go, Babe?"
She raised an eyebrow at him.
Less than 10 minutes later, she was on Patriot and Henry was riding their larger black stallion, Hornet, named after the fighter jets he flew. It was late afternoon but the sun wouldn't set for a few more hours.
They rode out beyond the meadow, down the wooded path until it opened on a clearing. Just to the right of there was their spot, that only the two of them knew about. It had been theirs since there college years. There was a forsythia bush that had formed into a ring, making it's interior hidden and almost like a fort. Their fort.
They tied the horses to a small tree nearby and made their way under the brush. Henry placed the picnic basket down while Elizabeth laid out the three blankets. Two for under them one for on top. Once laid out, Henry laid her down with ease. They made love there for at least an hour. Just exploring each other, with the hot sun beaming down on their naked bodies and the cool breeze blowing through every now and then to send just a bit of a shiver over Elizabeth as she finished on top of Henry. She rolled off of him and laid herself down on the green and navy plaid blanket. Henry pulled the red blanket up over them. They lay spent for a while. Eventually, getting dressed and pulling their dinner out of the picnic basket.
The rode back to the house at sunset, the sky an orange-pinkish glow to it with the moon rising in the East. After tucking the horses in for the night, they sat side by side in the Adirondack chairs in the garden where the kids used to play. Each with a glass of wine, waiting for the navy blue tone of twilight to change to the sky full of stars.
"There it is. I see it. Beat you to it!" Elizabeth pointed up to the sky at the very first star to come out. It was a competition they had played for many years here. One that she often won, due to her experience with her parents as a child.
Henry beamed at her and laughed, "You win again, babe!"
It was early August. They were back in Martha's Vineyard. Sitting by the pool with Conrad and Lydia, Isabelle and Isaac, Russell and Carol and Aiden. Some of the kids were down at the beach. Lily and Annie walked by them wearing bikini tops, really short shorts, flip-flops and sunglasses. The two had become close friends so whenever they were with the Humphrey's, Annie always tagged along.
Henry stopped them, "Woah! Where do you think you are going?"
Lily dropped her sunglasses down to look at him as Annie answered, "What? We're going to go walk on the beach."
Russell quipped to the group, "Did they pay half-price?"
Elizabeth and Isabelle laughed. Isabelle turned to Henry "Henry, I think they look cute."
He fired her a look. Aiden said quietly, "Girls go change if you are going off property. You both should know better than that."
The girls threw their heads back and complained but marched themselves back into the house.
Elizabeth looked to Lydia and said "I never had it that bad with my girls. Did you see their little butts sticking out?"
Lydia shook her head and laughed. "The clothes keep getting riskier. Wait until you start teaching in a few weeks." Elizabeth rolled her eyes at that.
"The buzz at UVA must be crazy to know America's best President will be teaching there. " Isabelle commented.
"It is two graduate studies classes in foreign policy. I don't think it will be that big of a deal." Elizabeth answered in her usual humble manner.
Just then, drinks showed up. Conrad held his glass up "To the inner sanctum. Friends, colleagues, noble warriors." They all raised their glasses and tipped them back.
Conrad took a seat next to Elizabeth, "Bess, I have some news for you. "
She turned to him and said, "No we're retired and on vacation, so unless the world is about to be a smoldering ember. I don't want to hear your 'News.'"
Conrad laughed and rolled his eyes. "Not that kind of news. UNICEF wants to honor you at their annual gala for the work you have done on behalf of the world's children."
She sat up and placed her drink on the table beside her lounge chair. "WHAT?! Wow."
Lydia chimed in. "So well deserved and the best part is we will all be there. Party in New York City."
Elizabeth still sat their stunned.
Two weeks later, she ran down the stairs, dressed in one of Henry's favorite outfits, her gray suit with the pencil skirt, carrying her heels in her hand. Henry had made them breakfast. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table next to him. The two of them sat alone reading the newspaper, the only ones who needed to get out the door.
"So you are going with the more business look for the first day?" he asked glancing at her over the newspaper. Her hair was down straight, not styled.
"Well, it's the first day and I am the former President. I can't exactly wear jeans," she checked under the table and noticed Henry was in jeans. She threw him the look. "Really? Am I overdressed?"
Henry looked at his watch. "Babe, as much as I love you in that suit, you walk in like that, they are all going to panic. They are going to be nervous anyway."
She furrowed her brow at him as he glanced at his watch.
"You have ten minutes before we need to leave. Eat and then go change."
They drove together to campus in their new Jeep. Henry pulled into the special parking spot set aside for her and the Service's SUV. She had moved to just two agents and only when she went out in public. They walked hand in hand to her new office, their od leather bags thrown over their shoulders. When they reached the door, Henry kissed her and said, "I've got to get to class. See you later."
She replied, "I love you."
Once inside her office, Matt chuckled and she shot him a look.. The office wasn't that small but considerably smaller than her last two offices.
"Just thinking it's gonna be tight in here with both of us, Bess."
Elizabeth snapped back "Keep it up and you will be with Blake on library duty across the hall. Where is Blake by the way?"
As if on cue, "I ran to get you a muffin before class." He handed her the white bag. He was still dressed in suit pants, a pressed shirt and jacket as he stared at her in jeans.
She smiled at him and gave him a hug, "This has to stop. You don't have to wait on me hand and foot. You can dress casually here according to Henry. Just work with Stevie on the library and don't worry about me. I got this."
She walked into her new classroom adjacent to her new office, to make it so she didn't have to roam the halls too much. Her detail loved it. She hated it and complained wildly to Henry about it weeks ago in their bedroom, "I am not a caged dog!"
"Babe, when you said you wanted to teach again they agreed with precautions. This is the precautions you need to live with, okay?" He put his arms around her waist and kissed her gently smoothing over her angst.
The fifteen students began to trickle in most of them non-descript to Elizabeth, but one stood out. She came in and sat with a friend but Elizabeth could already tell she was quiet and reserved. She was medium height with a fit build, long brunette hair and the lightest hazel eyes she had ever seen.
"Good Morning, welcome to Diplomacy and International Conflict Resolution. I am Dr. Elizabeth McCord, which I am sure all of you already know. If you are sitting here you will be pleased to know you now have a very high security clearance."
They chuckled as she walked around her desk and leaned back on it attempting to make it more a relaxed atmosphere.
"I know I don't need much of an introduction but at the door is my agent, Matt and to my right here is Cecile. They will be in every class but don't ask them for help." More laughter to ease the nervous tension in the room.
"However, I will be holding office hours twice a week. You must book those appointments online and wait for their confirmation back to you. Since we are a relatively small group, I will ask to go around the room so you can introduce yourselves."
Weeks passed as she watched her student, Mia intently. She was smart. She could hold her own in a debate and often won. Nothing got passed her in class. She reminded Elizabeth of herself.
It was a particularly beautiful day on campus. The sun was beaming through the orange and golden leaves on the trees given the day an autumnal glow. She and Henry pulled in, to their spot, she was beaming with excitement as she said to him, "This is it. This is the day. I get released from the cage!"
He smiled at her and said "It's not a cage. It's your office. And it is not that small. It's like the best one on campus."
They got out of the car, Henry looked at Matt and said, "She's all yours. Good luck."
At the end of class, the rest of the students left. One remained. She stayed in her seat and let Elizabeth come to her, nervous that not only her professor but the former President through her assistant had asked her to stay behind today.
"Mia, how about lunch and a walk?" Elizabeth asked.
The girl looked at her and hesitated. "Um, sure. Have I done something wrong?"
"Oh no. Just the opposite and I'd just like to get to know you more."
Elizabeth threw her bag over her shoulder. They headed to the nearest coffee/sandwich shop. On the walk there, Mia asked, "I thought you normally had lunch with your husband."
"Not today. I figured it was about time, I ventured out on campus more. I miss the days of just being able to walk around." Elizabeth answered.
Mia laughed, "That must have been hard."
"Oh you have no idea. So, tell me about your time in the Marines?"
Mia stopped. "How did you know I was in the Marines?"
Elizabeth leaned into her, "I was your Commander-in-Chief, remember?"
They both laughed and the conversation got easier. Elizabeth bought her coffee and a sandwich at the shop. They made their way over to a bench. Elizabeth paused before sitting down. It was THE bench. The very same one, she sat at with Conrad the day he recruited her.
And so the circle begins again.
###