CHAPTER 5

Their footsteps on the pavement had a certain rhythm. Feet hitting at the same time. Since their days at UVA, their bodies had always been in sync whether walking, hiking or running. Soul mates with the magic of bodies and minds always together. They could see their breath in the cold morning air. Elizabeth was more bundled than Henry wearing a turtleneck and a sweatshirt. Henry ran in his black sweats and a winter running jacket.

"For the life of me, Henry, I will never understand the early morning run," she complained.

He laughed, "It's good for you lungs. Clear, cold air gets the heart pumping."

"I could think of a bunch of other ways I could get our hearts pumping that didn't include getting out of bed at 6am," she mumbled. But, everyone heard. Everyone being Henry and her detail.

Ten minutes later they made their way out of Central Park and back in the front entrance of the Plaza Hotel, bypassing the cameras that still seemed to flock to them wherever they went.

"Good Morning, Madam President and Dr. McCord."

"Morning Billy" they answered back to their favorite bellman at the hotel.

On the elevator, they caught their breath. Henry looked at her.

"Babe, you got to let it go." Henry said to her.

"Not a chance. I am speaking to him today before he leaves," she answered him back with a glare that he knew he shouldn't argue with her.

They got back to the room. There was no sign of Stevie and Jason being awake.

Elizabeth checked her Apple Watch. 6:45. She knew Jason would be up at 7am to head back to Boston.

"You go ahead and take the shower first. I'm going to wait out here and have my coffee." She said with her voice trailing off at the end.

"Did you forget your spy craft skills suck with me? But, good luck I am sure the conversation will go well." Henry said and closed the bedroom door behind him.

She sat with her coffee and the New York Times on the couch by the window. Her hair still pulled back in a ponytail.

Jason stepped out of his room with his bags in his hand.

"Hey Mom!" He made his way over to make himself a cup of coffee. "I'm going to take this one on the road with me."

"Leaving so soon?" she asked.

"I told you I wanted to hit the road early. I have a big exam tomorrow." He said not looking her in the eye.

Her spy craft skills may not work with Henry but they certainly work with Jason.

"Jason, have a seat and have the cup of coffee with me." She looked him square in the eye.

He rolled his eyes and started, "I really need to…."

"It's not a request, Jason."

He moved his bags over and sat in the chair across from her.

She put the paper down on the coffee table and smiled at her son. "What's going on with you and Claudia?"

"Not much these days," he looked down and took a sip of his coffee. Purposely not looking at her.

"Did you break up?" Elizabeth asked her eyes wide.

"No, nothing like that," he took another sip and looked back at her. Her head tilted to the side. She had the look that always told her children to tell her more.

"Okay, look," he put the coffee cup down so he could use his hands while talking. "She started bringing up marriage after law school. I love her and I want her to be my wife. But," he paused.

"But, you're nervous so you put yourselves on a break?" Elizabeth asked with a slight grin on her face.

"Just a few days…well, more like six. Mom, I don't know what to say. I want to get the foundation established and settle down before making the big plunge. She was talking about going ring shopping before Christmas. I am just feeling…"

"Pressured?," she answered the sentence for him.

"Yes! I mean, I want to marry her, eventually but just not this fast. Now, every time we talk I feel like she is always nagging me and telling me what to do." He picked up his coffee and took a sip.

"Is it really that fast? You've been together two years and you both graduate in May. Maybe she just wants to have things planned out. But, what I will tell you flirting with your sister's au pair is not okay and not going to help your situation. It will only make it worse." She took a sip of coffee.

"For the record, she started flirting with me…." He began.

Her tone became firm. "Jason, what happens in your life is your business. But, I am telling you, for the sake of everyone involved keep Melanie and Alison's life out of it."

He nodded his head. But, said nothing. He knew better than to answer her back.

"How do you do that?" he asked.

"Do what?" Elizabeth shook her head not realizing what he was talking about.

"I mean, I know you have the whole spy craft stuff going on. But how do you know exactly what I am feeling that you can finish my sentences and verbalize my thoughts?"

"Oh Jason, you are just like your father! More than you will ever know. You need to go back to Boston. Go back to your apartment and talk with Claudia. Be honest with her. Strong relationships only get stronger when you are able to talk about how you truly feel. If your love is as strong as you feel it is, you both will find your way," she paused. "Together."

The bedroom door opened and Henry stepped out in jeans and a black sweater. He looked between both of them nervously.

"Mornin' Jayce! You ready to head back?" he asked while pouring himself a coffee. A very, strong black coffee.

"Hey, Dad. I was just about to go." He stood up and stepped over to Elizabeth. She stood and gave him a hug, whispering to him, "It will be okay. I love you."

"Love you too, Mom."

"C'mon Bud, I will walk you down." Henry put his arm around his shoulder and they walked out the door.

Later, after they had brunch with Allie and her family, they were back on the plane. Stevie was asleep across from them.

Elizabeth put her book down in front of her and leaned her self into Henry. He kissed her head and said, "The weekend turned out better than you thought it would."

"So much better," she answered and closed her eyes.

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