A/N: Thank you again for the reviews. Sorry for the wait. I will try be faster with the next chapter.

CHAPTER 3

The family spent the rest of the evening watching TV, joking and laughing together like usual. They made plans for tomorrow. Mary had insisted on booking a fancy restaurant for after the courthouse. Much to Patrick's dismay. He didn't like spending money on unnecessary things and he deemed eating out most unnecessary. But one sharp look from Mary had stopped his grumbling.

Everyone slowly went upstairs to bed until just Henry and Elizabeth were left. As the evening had gone on Henry had noticed that Elizabeth had become quieter and had withdrawn in to herself.

"Come here," he said patting the couch next to him. She practically threw herself across the room and buried herself in his side, draping her arm across his stomach. He pulled her in and kissed the top of her head, inhaling the sweet smell of her shampoo.

"What's up babe?" he asked, "you have been quiet all evening."

"Its nothing, I'm just tired I guess," she shrugged.

"Baby you know I hate when you do that, when you act like nothing is wrong. You know I know you better than that. So come on talk to me. Let me be there for you."

It was true Henry did know her better than that. He knew her better than anyone did and he always knew what she was thinking and when she was upset. At the beginning of their relationship she hated that, hated how easily he could read her, hated how he could see over the walls she had put up. She hadn't made it easy for him. She had pushed him away and had held him at arms length. But he didn't give up and slowly her walls came down and she allowed herself to be vulnerable with him, allowed him to see right in to her soul.

She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "They should be here Henry. I guess we have been so busy that I haven't had time to think about it. But today it hit me I am really getting married and my parents won't be there." By this point the tears were streaming down her face.

Henry's heart broke for her. He pulled her on to his lap and wrapped his arms tightly around her. She clutched his t-shirt tightly and cried in to his chest.

"They might not be here in person baby but they are always with you in spirit. Always looking over you, I believe that." He ran is hand through her hair soothingly.

"I wish I had your faith" she mumbled. "I will keep the faith for both of us" he replied.

"I wish they could have met you, could have seen how happy you make me," she nuzzled his neck, peppering him with soft kisses.

"I wish I could have met them too. If they were here now I would tell them how much I love you, how you are my everything, my whole world." He wiped her tears with his thumb and gazed in to her eyes. "I would tell them that I will always look after you and protect you, not that you need it. I will do anything to keep you happy and to prevent you from being hurt."

She couldn't reply. She didn't have the words to express her feelings. Instead she pulled him in for a passionate kiss. She swung her leg over him so she now straddled him. Henry understood that what she needed right now was to feel a connected to him so he kissed her back with vigor. Their hands were roaming each others bodies.

They broke the kiss, both breathing heavily. Henry pressed kisses to her face. He kissed her cheeks, then her eyes, then her lips and finally her forehead.

He reclined out on the couch, pulling her down with him. She draped herself over him, he head resting on his chest, her leg between his and her arm tracing up and down his side. They lay quietly for a long time, content to just be cuddled up with eachother. Eventually her breath became slower and Henry knew she was fighting sleep.

"We should get some rest," he said softly against her hair, "big day tomorrow." She tilted her head up towards him and drew him in for another kiss.

"I really don't want to sleep away from you tonight" she mumbled between kisses. "Just one more day and then I will actually be allowed in your bedroom." She giggled, as the image of her and Henry trying to squeeze in to his tiny single bed popped in to her head.

Henry's parents were very old fashioned and not to mention very Catholic. Even though they knew that Henry and Elizabeth had been together for almost four years and had lived together for two years they still wouldn't let them sleep in the same room when they came to visit. "Not under my roof you won't," Patrick had said sternly the last time Henry had brought it up. It was best not to argue.

"Me either baby. You know I don't sleep well when you aren't with me." He traced his hand up and down her back. "Why don't we just stay down here, and we can sneak up to our rooms before everyone gets up in the morning?" he suggested hopefully.

"Hmmm" she sighed contentedly as she nuzzled in to him, "that sounds perfect."

He grinned down at her and pulled the blanket from the back of the couch over them. "Goodnight my love" he said softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"Goodnight baby, I love you," she whispered, letting sleep overtake her.

"I love you too, more than you will ever know" he whispered back. She didn't hear him as she had already fallen in to a deep sleep. He followed soon after, hugging her tight to him.

The next morning Mary came downstairs and broke in to a big grin at the sight before her. Henry and Elizabeth were fast asleep on the couch wrapped in each others arms. They were so in love. From the moment Henry had mentioned Elizabeth,Mary had known that she was special to him. The way his eyes lit up when he talked about her was so different then his pervious girlfriends. He was able to be himself around Elizabeth and that made Mary very happy. She had always worried about Henry more than his siblings. He was more sensitive and was so different from his father and his siblings. Now that he had Elizabeth she didn't have to worry anymore, Elizabeth would look after him.

"Isn't it bad luck for the bride and groom to see eachother on the day of the wedding?" Erin asked, snapping Mary out of her thoughts.

"It is, but somehow I think they will be fine" Mary replied. "And they technically haven't seen each other yet."

Henry woke with a start when he felt someone clamp their hand over his eyes. "What's going on" he exclaimed, bolting upright and elbowing Elizabeth in the ribs.

Elizabeth let out a groan and Mary and Erin burst out laughing. "Its bad luck for you to see eachother so Mom and I are making sure that ye don't," Erin explained, her hand firmly clamped over Elizabeth's eyes.

"That's ridiculous, we aren't superstitious," Henry grumbled, trying to pry Mary's hand from his face. "Elizabeth, tell them they are being ridiculous."

"This is ridiculous" she agreed "but also rather sweet." Henry let out a huff at this.

"Right, time to get moving. Henry you need to collect Will from the bus and Elizabeth you need to shower and start to get ready," Mary ordered them.

"Okay fine I give in but at least let me give her a kiss good morning. We will keep our eyes closed I promise," Henry said as Elizabeth giggled and nodded in agreement.

Mary agreed to this and Henry fumbled around until he caught Elizabeth's hand and pulled her to him. They shared a far quicker kiss then either of them had wanted but they were keenly aware of Mary's eyes on them. "See you later," he whispered to her. "See you later," she repeated with a quick kiss before she turned around and quickly ran up the stairs.

The day was finally here and she couldn't be happier. Her sorrow over her parents was buried under her excitement. She was counting the minutes until she became Mrs. McCord.