A/N: Hi everyone! So sorry for the hiatus. I've been preoccupied with Christmas things as well as a busy time at work. I've missed writing this story so much that I just decided to write this little bit. It was supposed to be longer, but as always, I've grown impatient and am splitting it into two chapters. I hope you like this one! I must admit I'm posting this after a glass of wine, so I hope it makes sense, and is actually interesting. Haha. I might come back and fix it later, but in the meantime, enjoy!

Chapter 16

Opening her eyes, Elizabeth found herself in the cold stone room. It was quiet. Too quiet. She frantically looked around the room, searching for her husband. "Henry?" She whispered.

She was met with more silence. "Henry, are you there?" She tried again as panic consumed her. Where was he? She couldn't remember. Memories of him pushed onto his knees in front of her, the gun pressed to his head filled her mind, making her stomach churn uneasily. Did they really kill him? No….

Think, Elizabeth. She willed her memory to return, but was left with emptiness.

A sudden weight on her hip made her jump. Looking down, she saw a hand resting on her. Ivan's hand. She jolted away from him, the searing pain in her abdomen causing her to cry out.

Elizabeth's own cry startled her awake, and she took in the familiar ceiling of her bedroom. Briefly, a feeling of relief washed over her, until she realized that she could still feel the weight on her stomach. Dread filled her. Was this the dream? Was she actually still in that cold, stone room?

Her mind couldn't comprehend what was reality. She hesitantly looked down to the weight still present, finding it was Alison's arm sprawled across her, her hand curled unknowingly over Elizabeth's stitches.

Elizabeth closed her eyes. She breathed a sigh of relief, steadying her rapid heartbeat. She looked around the bed, taking in the image of her children and husband sleeping peacefully around her, reminding herself that this was her reality, not the nightmare she'd just experienced.

She gently removed Alison's hand from her stomach, easing the pressure the slight weight of her daughter's hand was causing.

She briefly thought about waking Henry to comfort her, but more than anything he needed sleep. He'd been up for nearly two days straight, and she could see the stress that alone was putting on him.

Let him sleep.

She glanced over to her nightstand, checking the clock. It was only 3:30 am. Being in the complete middle of her family, she'd have to wake all three of her kids in order to get up, and that didn't seem fair to them either.

She settled back into her pillow, enjoying the comforting feel of the blankets over her as well as both Alison and Stevie's bodies pressed against her. She leaned her head slightly to the left, and raising her hand to Alison's head, she gently kissed her. She looked over to Jason before turning her head to her right, taking in the sight of Stevie cocooned against her other side with Henry embracing her from behind.

A smile formed on her face, and she relished the feeling of her family being so close together.

Elizabeth didn't consider herself a religious person, but in that moment she prayed.

Dear God, thank you for bringing Henry and I back home to our kids.

She picked up Henry's hand, still extended over Stevie from when Elizabeth had held it the night before. She re-clasped their hands together and let herself fall back to sleep.

Elizabeth woke up again four hours later to the daylight streaming in through the windows. A void filled her as she realized her kids were no longer surrounding her. Turning her head, she took in the sight of Henry still asleep next to her, and she relaxed again.

Stiffly, she shifted her body closer to his. She pushed through the discomfort as her muscles protested. She wanted to turn into him, but knew the right side of her stomach wouldn't be able to handle that, and so instead she turned onto her left, shuffling until her back was pressed against him.

Henry's breathing deepened as her movement drew him from his slumber. He opened his eyes, his wife's blonde hair filling his view. It warmed his heart, so grateful for the simple luxury of waking up next to her in the safety of their home. He gently put his arm around her, and he felt her grasp his hand, pulling it more securely around herself. He shifted closer, pressing their bodies even closer together.

"Good morning baby." He whispered, kissing her hair.

"Good morning Henry." She whispered back. She held his arm tight to her. It caused pressure to her stomach, but the comfort of him encircling her overpowered her pain.

He pulled the blankets tighter around them, curling his head into the back of her neck, blocking the daylight out with her hair. He inhaled deeply, taking in her scent, letting it relax him. They stayed in each other's arms, content to be starting their day from their own bed, just the two of them.

"Mom? Dad?" Jason called softly to his parents.

The couple had fallen back to sleep, and upon entering the room, Jason couldn't help but smile at the scene. Normally his parents' displays of affection grossed him out, but now he found it familiar and comforting. Neither of them woke, both deeply asleep in each other's arms.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Jason turned, seeing Alison and Stevie in the hallway. Stevie held a tray with two glasses of water and two empty mugs while Alison carried a carafe of coffee. "Should we wake them?" He asked his sisters.

"No, let them sleep. They need it." Stevie answered. "Let's just leave this here for them when they wake up. The coffee will stay warm for a few hours in the carafe."

"Okay." Jason said, clearing some books off Henry's nightstand to make space for the breakfast tray. Stevie set the tray down, and Alison placed the carafe on it.

"They look so peaceful." Ali whispered.

Stevie nodded, silently waving her hand, signalling them all to leave the room quietly.

Ring ring. Ring ring.

Elizabeth and Henry's eyes flew open at the startling sound of the landline ringing. A second later the noise stopped, signifying one of the kids must have answered it.

Elizabeth groaned at being woken up so abruptly, and she had to settle her rapid heartbeat through deep breaths. She could feel Henry's heart beating equally as fast, pressed against her back.

He let out a breath and kissed her hair. "Did you sleep alright babe?" He asked her softly.

"I actually did sleep. Much better than I have the last two nights." She answered. She wanted to turn to face him, but was enjoying the feeling of him holding her too much to move. "How about you?"

"Yeah." He breathed. "I feel so much better today."

"I'm glad. You needed the rest." She answered.

A soft knock on the door was followed by Alison entering the room.

"Hey guys, that was the DS agents on the phone. Mr. Jackson and the President are on their way over."

Elizabeth sighed, not wanting to remove herself from her bed or Henry's arms. "Okay. I'll be right down. Can you put a pot of coffee on for them?"

"Yeah sure. Umm.. they want to talk to both of you." Ali clarified.

"Oh… of course, that makes sense." Elizabeth answered. Finally shifting out of Henry's arms to get ready for their visitors.

"We left you some water and coffee." Ali said, pointing to the nightstand.

Henry and Elizabeth looked over, seeing the breakfast tray.

"That was really sweet of you guys. Thanks Noodle." Henry said warmly.

She nodded, before closing the door to let them get ready.