A/N

This one is a short chapter, but I wanted to update to thank you all for the amazing reviews/messages you have left me regarding this story and wish you a happy 2022!

Let the new year bring us more MSec stories so we can keep reading and enjoying our favorite characters :)

PS. This is the chapter where I say that this story is based on the following lilacmermaid25 prompt because now I'm not giving anything away: Rochana ends up sleeping on Henry & Elizabeth's couch. (Or just Elizabeth's or just Henry's, if they aren't living together yet).I don't know if she's reading but I loved seeing all her MSec prompts on my tumblr!

(heart emoji)

He got up off the couch and started to make his way upstairs, unaware of the grin on Rochana's face.

Henry hurried upstairs worried that something happened to Jason or Elizabeth. He could swear the sound was of a door slamming, but couldn't quite place where it came from. He opened Jason's room's door and he was absentmindedly playing video-games with his earphones on. He closed the door and kept walking through their bedroom. He slowly opened the door and the room was dark and quiet. Elizabeth seemed to be sleeping peacefully under the covers and he didn't want to wake her and disturb her needed rest so he closed the door again.

Little did he know that she was crying silently under the covers, her head swimming with thoughts about how her husband, her best friend, her touchstone may have regrets about marrying her and how he might have reconnected with his old college girlfriend after this trip.

He made his way downstairs to find Rochana in the kitchen cleaning up the tea mugs they finished hours ago.

"Was everything ok? She asked as she was closing the faucet and drying her hands with the closest kitchen rag.

"Yes, Jason was playing games and Elizabeth is already asleep… I don't know what that noise was…" He responded while scratching his head as searching for an answer.

"I'm sure it was nothing. Anyway, I took enough of your time Henry. Thank you for being there for me, I really appreciate it. It's late now, I should probably get going…" Rochana stated as she started getting close to Henry and embracing him.

Henry did not feel comfortable at that moment, remembering this was the same feeling he had when she took his hand in the restaurant back in Thailand. When she let go, he tried to shove it down and started making his way to the foyer to see her out, Rochana following closely. A moment later, Rochana was suddenly behind him sitting on the floor; hand on her ankle, her face contorted in pain.

"Are you hurt?" Henry asked, stepping back to her.

"Yes, I think I sprained my ankle. I don't know how I did that…It just feels so silly." She said quickly while massaging her ankle and giving him her best puppy eyes.

"Ro, you can't leave like that. You can stay on the couch for tonight. Text your children, you'll be back tomorrow so I can take you in the morning." Henry kindly offered while helping her stand and helping her reach one of the armchairs.

"Are you sure I will not be a bother? I wouldn't want to intrude…" she responded.

"Nonsense. I'm not letting you go alone this late with a sprained ankle. Let me just get some clothes for you to be comfortable and fresh sheets." And with that he was off to the laundry room and started to prepare the couch for his friend in need.

...