a/n: I'M SO SORRY! So, fun fact: my laptop got infected with malware over the summer and it took for-ever to get fixed. I don't know if anyone is even interested in reading the last few chapters of this story, but I didn't want to leave it unfinished!

orphic: (ajd.) mysterioud and entrancing; beyond ordinary understanding.

There were voices around her and Elizabeth could not distinguish them. She could barely open her eyes and she struggled to lift her eyelids but it was useless, everything was blurry. Blinding even.

Elizabeth tried to move, but her whole body seemed to be made of stone while an anchor hanging on her chest dragged her to the bottom of the ocean. She had a headache. The blinding light faded until it allowed the darkness to consume it again.

Shadows above her. Whispers. She faltered when they touched her.

"No." She spoke, but the grunt of pain that escaped her lips hid her displeasure.

"Shh."A woman's voice. Her eyes tried to follow the sound, and she shook her head to chase away the fog.

Hands on her. She shuddered, struggling again when she heard the noise that accompanied the voices.

Her body felt numb and hands kept her from moving as the same female voice tried to calm her. Moisture on her forehead.

"Shh." The voice repeated.

The fog thickened, and maybe Elizabeth had just given up, resigned to stay paralyzed, or maybe her instinct was telling her she was safe, she was not sure. She calmed down. Her arms were trembling and she was conscious enough to realize she was lying on a soft surface. The shadows talked to each other, and Elizabeth closed her eyes to focus.

"Elizabeth." A voice, distinct, familiar, inspiring safety and comfort. "Babe."

Her blue eyes suddenly opened as the remnants of her dream dissipated.

She looked at the ceiling and the heat that had enveloped her had disappeared while Henry was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Elizabeth." Henry whispered softly.

"I'm okay." She replied, knowing it was an empty promise after what had just happened. "Lay down."

Hesitantly, he lay back down and she crawled into his embrace, cuddling close.

"Henry?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't want you to think that I'm in any way blaming you but.." She started, unsure about how to correctly formulate her question.

"But?"

"Why did you believe I was dead? I know the world thought the same but I never knew why. How did I presumably die?"

"I don't know. They found a bathtub with traces of sulfuric acid. In it they also found your blood and Franks, as well as your wedding ring and on the ground nearby one of Frank's teeth. Forensics confirmed one or more bodies had been disposed of in that bath tub."

"So you thought I was completely gone?"

Hearing her talk about her own death like that caused the emotions from the past year to rise back up.

"That's probably what they did to Frank. I guess they took your blood and wedding ring and used it to fake your death." He sighed as he rubbed his face with his right hand. "I shouldn't have believed it. I should have fought harder."

"Henry, stop." She begged with tears in her eyes. "There was no way you could have known. I don't blame you for anything, how could I? You're what kept me sane in there. You're what kept me going."

"You're my wife. I should have known better."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and felt him rub her shoulder. His heartbeat was steady and soothing.

"Stevie showed me the tree."

"We planted it for you. After your funeral, the kids refused to return there so we planted it to remember you." Henry explained and Elizabeth thought about the irony for a moment as she sat up.

"There's something I've never told you."

"What is it?"

"Every year on the anniversary of my parents' death, I drive up to Black Top Mountain where they got engaged. I spend the day there and I find them."

"Yeah, I know. I think it's a beautiful way to reconnect." He knew this so he wasn't sure why she was telling him this.

"It's the only way." She admitted and he frowned in confusion. "I've never been to their cemetery, Henry. I mean not since the burial."

"What? I had no idea." He wondered why she had never told him. And more importantly, why he never noticed.

"It's just something about their names etched in stone. The horrible finality of it all." She took a deep breath and looked at him. "I want to go to mine."

Henry's jaw dropped slightly. He was aware they had buried an empty casket, but there was still a grave with her name on it. A grave that shouldn't even be there.

"Babe-"

"No, I want us all to go there. Find some kind of closure for the whole ordeal and move on."

"Babe. You weren't buried at Arlington." Henry admitted. He was aware they had always postponed the conversation, but figured when the time came they would both choose it anyways.

"Then where?"

"With you parents." Henry told her. "The kids and I talked about it and they wanted you close to your parents. We hoped it would bring you some kind of comfort wherever you were."

"Oh." Elizabeth simply stated before slowly laying back down. Henry pulled her closer and she let him.

"I'm sorry."

"No. Don't be. I love that idea." She assured him but the tears on her face gave her away.

"Baby, I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted." He wrapped his arms around her and let her cry for a little while in his embrace.

"That's not it." She told him and wiped her tears away. "Just the fact that my kids had to plan my funeral."

"I know." Henry nodded knowingly and took a deep breath. Every time he got to hold her, he cherished it like it would be the last time. Because last year, it had been the last time. Or so he had thought.

"Tell me what you've been up to the last year."

She had heard him tell her a few things here and there, but the past week she had mostly caught up with her kids. If she talked to Henry, it was mostly about her past year.

"I switched jobs, as you know. I also started writing a new book but nothing official. Just to get my mind off things at times." He started. "I started running again."

"Really? Maybe we could go together some time. I can barely walk up the stairs without being out of breath so I think I need to start doing some sort of exercise again."

"I would, but I already have a running buddy." He teased her and she lifted her head from his chest to look at him.

"Who?" She narrowed her eyes.

"Blake. But I'd much rather run with you." He kissed her nose and she lay back down, smiling.

"You and Blake kept in contact much after what happened?"

"Yeah." He thought about how much support his wife's former assistant had provided. "He called every Monday. He helped the kids and me. He was actually the one who convinced me to run and it was a weekly thing as well."

"I was thinking of inviting everyone next week. I'd really like to see them all and of course meet little Joanna."

"Are you sure you're ready?" His tone very gentle, to make sure she didn't feel attacked.

"No, but I have to try." She admitted in all honesty. "I can't avoid social interaction forever."

"You can give yourself another week or a month if you need it. They will understand."

"I'll be fine." She promised him. "With you by my side, I'll always be fine."

They lay tangled in each other's arms for a while until they figured they should get out of bed.

Elizabeth knew her husband well enough to know something was going on. His mind was clearly preoccupied. "What is it?"

Henry finished putting on a pair of sweatpants and sat on the bed; his back facing her.

"I know you said not to feel guilty, but I can't help blaming myself for giving up on you so soon." He turned around to face her. "You know I would have moved heaven and earth to find you if I thought you had still been alive?"

Elizabeth climbed over the bed to his side and sat next to him on her knees. "You were there for the kids. You maintained a job, a household and three kids through it all. You don't need to feel guilty or bad about anything."

"I just-"

"Will you please stop being so hard on yourself? I knew you were perfect when I married you but these past ten-ish days you've shown me you are much more than I ever could have imagined."

"It still feels like I'm dreaming." He spoke and she nodded. Waking up next to him every morning felt like a dream to her too. Being with her children and her family again.

"Me too." She smiled before finishing getting dressed.

They found their kids already downstairs and working on breakfast. She eyed the bagels and realized she was pretty hungry.

"Are those from Danny's?" She asked as she pointed at the delicacies. Danny's was a nearby bakery she loved. They had the best muffins and bagels.

She noticed her family share worried looks and a frown stretched across her face. "What is it?"

"Mom." Stevie started carefully. "I'm sorry but Danny's closed about a month after you- after you left."

"Oh." She simply stated and grabbed a cup to fill it with water.

"But they opened a new bakery and they have some really good blueberry muffins." Alison tried to cheer her mother up while holding out a muffin.

"Thanks, noodle."

"Anything you want to do today, mom?" Jason asked as he took place next to her at the breakfast table.

"Go outside."

And that's what they did. After eating, the entire family got dressed and they walked around the compound. There was a watery sun shining, and a few clouds in the sky, but other than that a beautiful day.

"Jason, remember when you tried to build a tree house in there?" Stevie laughed as she pointed at a tree.

"And fell flat on my face, you mean?" Jason groaned.

"You refused to climb trees for an entire year." Alison teased and Jason got ready to play defense.

"I did not."

"Oh yes you did." Elizabeth now cut into the conversation. "You were too scared to even climb the ropes in gym class."

"Whatever." Jason replied embarrassed and felt his mother put an arm around him as they continued on their walk.

The Sunday was perfect. They spent the day being with each other and enjoying each other's company. Elizabeth tried to grasp every moment and remember it because she knew that tomorrow life would go back to normal.

Her kids would resume their normal life and she would continue to process. She wanted to tell Henry everything, finally letting it all out, but something was holding her back.

She was terrified he wouldn't look at her the same ever again if he knew everything. She was certain things would change and not for the better.

Tomorrow the FBI would come by for more questions. She desperately wanted him there with her. He provided safety, comfort and a steady pillar for her to lean on. That did mean he would hear everything she said.

Every horrible thing she went through, every traumatic thing he did to her. Was she ready for him to hear more?

Henry was making dinner with Stevie, while the others were finishing packing their bags. Once Alison finished, she walked into her parents' bedroom to help her mom. She found her mother, sitting on the bed while folding her clothing.

"Mom, do you need any help?"

"No, thank you noodle. I'm almost finished." Elizabeth folded the last of her shirts and closed the suitcase.

"Did you enjoy coming back here?" Alison sat down next to her mother on the bed. She helped set the suitcase down on the floor.

"I loved it. I missed this place, I missed the-" Elizabeth stopped her words. She didn't want to be too vulnerable in front of her daughter.

"Missed the what?" Alison asked and she heard her mother sigh. She knew she was pushing, but she just wanted her mom to open up.

"The fresh air." She admitted. She felt weak for confiding in her daughter. Alison shouldn't be the one she leaned on. Her daughter should be able to lean on her.

"We can come back any time you want." Alison jumped off the bed and grabbed her mother's hand before taking her downstairs.

"Dinner is almost ready." Stevie said and Elizabeth sat down.

After dinner, the family put the bags in the car and drove back to their house. Once again it was a quiet, peaceful drive. The scenery passed by and the calming landscape quickly turned into the busy city life.

Once they settled into the house and the kids scattered, Elizabeth decided to head to bed. The weekend, no matter how lovely, had been tiring.

So many emotions had risen up and memories flooded her mind. Both from the past year, and memories of her family.

"Thank you for these past few days." Elizabeth whispered once she lay in bed with Henry sitting down next to her.

"You don't have to thank me. We can do it anytime you want." Henry scooted down so he lay next to her with his head popped up on his hand.

"I honestly don't deserve you."

"Stop." He sighed. "Elizabeth, I made a vow in sickness and in health, and I intend to keep it."

"You also made a vow till death do us part. Which it did."

"No it didn't. You came back to me and I promise I will protect you better. I will be by your side, now and forever."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

TBC