Circle of Two - Chapter 4
Henry moved the wood around with the poker to get the maximum flame going in the fireplace. The old farmhouse did not hold the heat well. But, they loved the coziness of it.
Without looking back at Elizabeth who was under a blanket on a couch reading a book, "I think we should do a full renovation in the Spring." He always treaded this subject lightly because she wanted to keep much of it as close to her childhood in remembrance of her parents.
She put the book down and looked straight ahead, pausing before she answered, "The house is fine, Henry. It's cozy!"
"Babe, the kitchen needs a full remodel. It needs new windows, roof and gutter and a better insulation job. It is so drafty in here. It is just not efficient anymore. If you want to retire here it needs to be done," he turned to face her. She didn't look up from her book.
He sat down on the other end of the comfy worn, brown leather couch, reached under the blanket and placed her feet on his lap. He began rubbing them staring at her, waiting for it.
She glanced up at him over the book, her baby blues hitting him just right saying nothing. After over 30 years it still amazed him that she could send a message without saying a word.
"Listen, when I called Mitch yesterday, he spoke to me about it. It is costing us more to keep the house this way than do the renovations. We made the choice to keep it and that means we need to maintain it. I am not asking to raise the buildings and replace them but they need massive renovations," he was making a strong case.
"Buildings?! Henry, you just said renovating the house!" she argued back.
"You want the horses living in a barn that is rotting and could be a fire hazard?" he asked quietly, knowing this was a battle he would win.
She leaned her elbow on the back of the couch and rested her head on one finger, furrowing her brow at him, "Don't do that."
"Do what?' he laughed, "You know I am right. I'd like to start looking for an architect this week."
"I don't," she paused to change her statement. She placed the book on her lap and sighed, "It's just that when I come back here I feel close to my parents."
"I know. But, it has been over forty years and this house needs work to keep it, babe. We will still incorporate your parents into it," he reached over and cupped her cheek.
"Okay," she gave him the small smile and he kissed her lightly.
"What are we talking about for renovations?" she asked closing the book.
"Let's start with the barn," he began.
"Demolish and rebuild, right?" she asked because she already knew. She was the smartest person he knew.
"I'm afraid so. It is rotted and has a ton of mice," he stated.
"Henry, barns always have mice!" she laughed.
"Not as many as this one." He rolled his eyes. "Do you want to stay with white or go with a red barn?" he asked.
"I like the white. It's a long barn, red would make it look smaller than it is" she told him.
"I agree," he said. "See, one decision made with no problems."
"I'm sure we will face many problems with this project, Henry," she said picking her book back up.
"Nothing we can't get through," he remarked picking up his book.
They glanced at each other, threw their books and glasses on the coffee table. Henry laid out over her, kissing her passionately as the fire crackled in the fireplace.
Sunday morning came like many other Sundays. They were generally quiet except for Jay's voice during his appearance on "Meet the Press" that was filling their bedroom. Henry was laid back against the headboard finishing a cup of coffee with a copy of the Sunday Chronicle in his lap. He glanced over at Bess as she pulled a pair of skinny jeans over her black lace panties. Her black bra and her tight core giving him one of his favorite views.
"Should I get up or just wait for you here?" he asked.
She turned to him and laughed, "It's been a busy week for my body and I think I need a break. Besides, my daily briefing is downstairs in about 15 minutes." She pulled her white blouse on. He made a mental note to bring that memory up at a later time.
"Hmmm….I will wait here," he stated, taking a sip of his coffee while drinking her in.
She raised a finger to him, "Don't. That's not fair. Besides, Mitch arranged for an architect that he knows and a contractor to come after the meeting. And after that, I plan to ride my horse before we head back. The horses are getting jealous of you, Henry!"
She turned back at him, winked and walked out of the room. He winked back at her and shamelessly grinned.
"Oh hey Henry," Daisy caught him coming down the stairs and into the living room. The meeting took way longer than he expected.
"Who's up for some coffee?" Henry asked.
Daisy immediately answered, "Me!"
Jay who was on speaker phone sighed, "Ohhhh, wish I was there."
Henry headed to the kitchen but overheard Elizabeth say it. Those five words that had been a mantra in their relationship.
In a response to Jay providing details of a dangerous military operation that she would oversee from the Sit Room later, she raised her voice a bit for her husband to hear, "Nothing we can't get through. Is that all for this morning?" She checked her watch. 11:00am on the dot. The renovation meeting was at 11:45 and her anxiety level was ramping up.
"That should be it, Ma'am." Daisy said closing her tablet.
"Okay. Jay we should be back in the residence by 5:30ish. See you then."
"See you then, Ma'am."
Henry handed Daisy a travel mug on her way out the door. "That's Stevie's. Make sure it finds its' way back in here before we leave. Where's Elizabeth?"
"She headed back upstairs. Thank you for this. I am going to need it." Daisy said taking the mug and walking out.
As soon as the door closed, Henry bolted upstairs.
He opened the bedroom door slowly, there she was waiting for him. Sitting on the bed, her long legs hanging off the side reaching the floor. She spoke to him quietly, her voice taking the hoarse tone.
"July 3, 1990. You got orders to the Middle East for Operation Desert Shield," she paused holding back the tears. Her voice cracked a bit, "The first time our careers crossed paths. I would be handling intelligence that would put you directly in harm's way. I was so fearful of losing you. It was and still is my greatest fear in this life. I told you that I wasn't sure I could live if something happened to you. You said.." He had made his way to the bed and sat on the side of the bed facing her. He wiped the tear off her cheek, as they said it together, "Nothing we can't get through."
He finished, "It was my last "96" for a long time. We made every moment count in those three and half days. I can still see the fireworks over the Washington Monument as well as feeling the ones we made." He leaned down to kiss the sweet spot on her neck.
She laughed a low laugh, "Those five words have always been a tribute to our strength." Wiping away another tear.
He pulled back and stared into her eyes brimming with tears, "What's with the tears, babe? Usually those words bring on some of our best moments," he asked cupping her cheek in his hand and stroking it lightly.
"I don't know. Maybe nerves about tonight. Thinking there's one half of a couple out there worried about their significant other. I am making the decision that could put them in harm's way. My toughest decisions ever," she said looking up at him. "The worst part of this job." She didn't let on to him her biggest worry yet. She wasn't ready to read him in.
"I know. But, that is what makes you so good at it. You're a military wife and a spy. We've been on both sides. The one out there serving and protecting this country as well as the one at home praying for a safe return. Which is why you are usually steadfast in these decisions, what is it about this mission that makes you so nervous?"
"I don't like it. It has me twisted up in knots, sick to my stomach," she complained.
"Too many moving parts?" he asked knowing it was usually her biggest complaint. If there was too much movement around an op, they would be made too easily.
"Not that. I just have a bad feeling about it. The intel is wonky," she said.
"Do you want to head back early?" he asked as he leaned down planting a small kiss on her shoulder.
"No, but let me give Jay a call after we meet with the contractor guys. I feel like there might be a better solution," she smiled slightly back at him.
He looked at his watch. "We've got 10 minutes."
She grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him into the bed.
Kissing him passionately, he rolled over on his back and pulled her on top of him. As she straddled his waist, he joked, "Horses can't be that jealous."
"You just said we have about ten minutes, Captain. You want to keep talking?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at him and showing off her beautiful smile.
"No, I'm good," he smiled back at her. She unbuttoned her shirt and tossed it aside as he pulled her down to kiss her. In no time, their clothes were off and they we together as one for like the fifteenth time that week.
As Henry moved inside her, he said, "I really like this memory game."
"Me too," she moved herself just that much to make them both feel it.
Fifteen minutes later, Blake was nervously checking his watch in the kitchen. "I'm sure they will be here in just a moment." He sent her another text. While Matt, kept an eye on the two men in the house and glanced at Blake with a look.
Blake: "Where are you? The architect and the contractor are here. Did you slip your detail and go for a walk with Henry? I swear to God, if you did that again, they will lock you up! Matt is about to search this house looking for you."
"Hey Blake," Elizabeth walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. By the looks of her hair and the grin on her face, he knew right away where she had been. He shook his head at her, quickly made the introductions and walked out.
The two men didn't change their stance like most people do but just shook her hand and greeted her with "Madam President."
She looked at one of them, stopped and pointed at him, "Are you Greg Sanders?" Matt gave her the side eye and turned the other way.
"I am. It's nice to see you after all these years, Madam President," the architect answered.
"Please we went to grade school together, you both can call me Elizabeth. Wow. How have you been?" she asked grabbing mugs out of the cabinet. "Do you want coffee?"
She poured herself and Henry a cup as the men declined.
"I'm good. Running a successful architect firm. My wife and I have four kids. Two are out on their own and two are in college," he told her. "I don't think I need to ask how you are doing," he joked.
Henry came into the kitchen, hair a tousled mess and that gorgeous smile on his face.
"Hi guys, Henry McCord." He reached out and shook their hands they moved to the table.
"Henry, Greg and I went to grade school together! I didn't put two and two together until I saw him," she said with a smile on her face.
Henry laughed, "Feeling better about this project already," he put his arm around her waist as they moved to the dining room table. The same spot where Conrad offered her the Secretary of State job and their whole lives changed….for the better.
Greg laughed, "Well, many here thought you would never renovate. I know this home means so much to you, my intention is to keep it that way."
Elizabeth turned to Henry and smiled.
"So, with that being said, tell me your thoughts." Greg began placing a notepad with some drawings already on the paper. It didn't go unnoticed by Elizabeth.
The door opened and Mitch came walking in laughing, "Sorry, I am late. Misty opened the pasture gate again."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "Misty is the new pony Henry and I got for our granddaughter. She is also an escape artist."
"Well, hopefully with Greg's plans she won't be able to escape next year." Mitch said.
Henry sat up and put his elbows on the table. "Our biggest concerns are the structural ones. The house needs new shingles, new roof, new windows. The barn needs to be leveled and rebuilt."
Elizabeth piped up, "With the interior, we need a new kitchen, probably new floors throughout and new paint jobs."
Greg said, "I looked around a bit while we were waiting, I think the crown molding and the baseboards are in good shape. But, the flooring needs to be done and it might be best to just replace the baseboards."
Henry replied, "The staircase is a bit creeky."
Elizabeth eyed him as she loved the staircase. It was one of the reasons she insisted their DC home have a beautiful staircase.
The contractor, Mack, answered, "There are ways to fix that without replacing them. New floorboards for instance."
Elizabeth caught Blake standing in the hallway out of the corner of her eye giving her the signal to wrap it up.
"Why don't you guys get with Mitch over the next week or so and get us your plans? I'd like the barn to stay the same so once the horses go to their winter barn, you can start the work out there." She stood, they all followed her lead. She shook their hands, "Thank you for coming. Greg, it was good to see you. I look forward to seeing all of you soon."
With that she excused herself and stepped out greeting Blake in the hallway, "Jay needs to meet with you immediately." He gave her a jacket and they left across to the private office the staff had in the small house near the barn. It was built during her first term to act as a situation room when she was here.
As she made her way over, Henry continued the conversation in the house.
"I guess our vision for this home is renovating what needs to be done. I would agree with Elizabeth on the kitchen and bathrooms. The stairs worry me, just replacing the floorboards may not be enough. So, we should plan to replace them but keep the style, does that work?" he asked.
"Absolutely," Greg answered. "I am not sure you will need me for the barn. Probably just the house. What is your time frame?"
"I think having everything done by late Spring would be amazing. Elizabeth prefers to come here instead of Camp David so having everything done before the horses come back would be great. If we agree on the plans and have a contract signed by the end of the week, you could start right after Thanksgiving. The faster we can get it done, the better. I will work to have samples brought in for her to choose so we can make the process easier. Does that work for both of you?" he asked.
Mack spoke, "Absolutely."
"Also, Elizabeth has always wanted a big wraparound porch for the house. I'd like to surprise her with that in the plans. Would that work?" he asked.
"I think we can work that in," Greg answered.
In the office, it was like Jay could read Elizabeth's mind, "Ma'am, I think we should slowdown the op. The latest intel is showing us this cave is expansive and heavily guarded." They were looking at drone surveillance on the screen. "Do you really want to risk the lives of multiple soldiers for three spies?"
"Please have Isabelle call me. I want to see who she has on the ground. We need more intel. You are right. I am not willing to send our troops in without a better picture." Elizabeth was steadfast with this.
As she made her way back across to the house, the horses made their way to the pasture fence. She stopped to greet them, pulling some sugar cubes out of her coat pocket. "I'm sorry we can't ride today. But, we'll get extra rides in next week, I promise."