First, I am so so sorry. I had some real-life writing assignments. So, I needed to wrap those up. Then, I got really into writing this and practically forgot to post. Good news is, you will have a bunch of chapters posted this weekend. Let's start with the longest one. Enjoy!
Chapter 17
It was just a little after 6:30 in the morning. Elizabeth walked quietly down the hallway, feeling the chill of the floor on her feet. Daylight was just breaking bringing a faint glow to the hallway from the small window at the end. She stepped over to her old childhood bedroom, the one that belonged to Stevie for years and creaked the door open.
The most beautiful face she had ever seen smiled back at her. Four-year old Eliza was lounged back against pillows with about five books in her bed, "Good Morning, Grammy."
"Good Morning, Sweet Pea. How did you sleep?" she asked.
"Okay, how did you sleep?" she asked back as Elizabeth sat down on the bed and cuddled in with her.
"Same. Do you want to go take a quick riding lesson?" she asked her. "Mitch is here early today and Grandpa is going to get the turkey in the oven. He might have said something about making you pancakes too."
"I would but I am not allowed out of my bed until after 7," she pouted back at her.
"Well, I was planning on 'No Rules Saturday' this week but how about 'No Rules Thursday' too?" she asked.
Eliza jumped up and immediately started jumping on the bed. Her dirty blonde hair bouncing with each jump as her blue eyes beamed down at her grandmother.
"C'mon sweetheart. Let's get you dressed!"
Twenty minutes later, Henry slid the turkey in the oven as he heard the clammering of little feet and bigger feet down the stairs.
He peeked out of the kitchen and Eliza ran to him. Elizabeth following behind her in her light blue striped sweater with a plaid shirt peeking out underneath and skinny jeans. His favorite.
"Grandpa!" she squealed as he scooped her up.
"Hey darlin' you going for a ride?" he asked her. He leaned over and kissed Elizabeth while holding her in his arms.
"I am with Mitch. He's already here. Grammy says she is going to watch and coach."
He chuckled and put her down. "Well, get your boots on and I will meet you out there."
He went back into the kitchen and put the coffee pot on while he watched Elizabeth and her namesake make their way over to the barn holding hands. He picked up his phone and snapped the photo.
She was leaning back against the white fence. Her elbows resting on the top rung. Her hair braided in a low easy braid. The collar to her plaid shirt peaked out over the collar of her barn jacket. Her jeans clinging to show off her amazing legs to the tops of the green Hunter boots.
Eliza was riding her new pony with Mitch holding the rope and instructing her how to give commands.
Henry watched the scene in front of him as he made his way to Elizabeth's side. The morning fog was lifting in the pasture on the other side of the ring. Four agents lurched near Elizabeth but not too close. Three more on the other side. He approached her from the opposite side of the fence staying out of the ring. He gave her the green travel mug filled with hot coffee.
She took it and said a quiet, "thank you" never taking her eyes off Eliza.
"She's a natural," he said to her.
"She rides exactly like her mother did at that age." She smiled as she glanced over at him.
His hair was still tousled and he hadn't shaved yet. He had on a gray sweater, Levi jeans and his navy wool coat unbuttoned. He stood just watching Eliza as the sun continued to rise. "Definitely better than Alison."
"Oh gosh! The first time I put her on a horse, I wanted to scream, 'Get off before you hurt someone!' She was so awkward and couldn't find the rhythm." Elizabeth laughed taking another drink of her coffee. She then breathed out, "Henry."
"Allie will work things out. It's just a shock and a bigger shock for guys. She just came downstairs and said he texted her late last night," he said.
Elizabeth turned to look at him again, "Really?"
"Yeah," he took a sip of his coffee. "They are going to talk when she gets back. But, she said she is staying for the weekend. She is not ready to go back yet."
"Do you think she didn't want to come for Thanksgiving because she didn't want to tell us? Like if she was forced to tell us it would make it more real?" she questioned him the worry coming through in her voice.
"I don't know, maybe." They each sipped their coffee at the same exact time and watched Eliza finish riding.
Mitch brought Eliza over. Elizabeth greeted Misty pulling a sugar cube out of her pocket and holding it to her.
"Oh Sweet Pea, you are riding so well. Let's bring her back into the stall and have breakfast. Maybe by the time we are done your Mom and Dad will be awake," Elizabeth handed Henry her mug, took the reins from Mitch and walked the pony and Eliza into the stall.
Mitch and Henry talked about the renovations until the two of them returned from the stable.
On the way back to the house, Eliza held both her grandparents' hands as they swung her while walking her back to the house.
Hours later, family began to arrive. They house smelled of turkey and the apple pie Stevie made. The dining room table was set with a gold tablecloth and hunter green napkins with Elizabeth's parents' cream colored china. The sun filling the room brought a glare off the wine glasses.
Football was on the TV but none of the kids were watching. They were all too busy chatting.
Will and Shayne were in the kitchen helping Henry and Elizabeth get ready.
Elizabeth turned to Will with a glass of wine in her hand, she took a sip and said to everybody "So, we're renovating the house."
Will grinned and said, "It's about time you tore this old place down and started anew."
Henry laughed as Elizabeth glared at him, "No sibling fights today. It's Thanksgiving."
"We're not tearing it down. Well, the barn is getting torn down but the house stays. It's getting partially gutted. I will show you the plans after dinner," she said grabbing a bowl of squash and moving it to the table.
"Well, wait," he followed her into the dining room with the basket of rolls, "You can't honestly think this place only needs a simple gutting."
"Will," she placed the squash on the table and held a hand up to him. "The house belongs to Henry and I and it is our decision. There's a ton of work being done. I am not completely tearing down what Mom and Dad built."
"What they built over 50 years ago. It's time to let go of that," he pushed her. She felt like it was his favorite hobby.
"After Aunt Joan died, we were given a choice to keep the farm or sell it. You said you didn't care. I chose to keep it. You gave up your choice that day to have any say in what goes on here. House stays. Call the kids for dinner please," she stepped away from him and back into the kitchen.
Dinner was more peaceful. An easy Thanksgiving dinner which Elizabeth was so thankful for. Just some peace with family after the last week. She kept a close eye on Sarah, who did more pushing food around her plate than putting it in her mouth.
She and Henry were cleaning up in the kitchen while the others played a card game at the table, Jason making the most noise as he tried to bet his uncles for money.
The house phone rang and Henry answered, "It's Jay," he quietly said to her.
She threw the towel on the counter and grabbed her glass of wine. She headed into the office with Hope following her. Closing the door behind her as she took solace in the room and sighed. It had been her father's office. Despite Henry taking it over, it still held the closest memories of him for her. The wooden built-in bookshelves, the leather armchairs that still sat across from the desk. Her father's green banker's lamp still sitting there. She would sit in the chair with her legs hanging over one side her hair draping down on the other as she did her math equations while he graded papers. On bad weather days, she would grab a book and curl up in here with a blanket. Now that was all about to change. Will was right, "It was time to let go."
She sat down, picked up the phone and turned the desk chair to face the window while she put her feet up on the bookshelf. "What's up, Jay?"
"So, Murphy Station has been working around the clock. They found Disah in Iran," he told her.
"Oh boy! That's going to be difficult. Get with Isabelle and see who she has in there that can track him," she looked down at Hope, who was laying at her feet.
After hanging up, she texted Henry and asked him to quietly send Sarah into her office.
There was a faint knock at the door, Elizabeth said, 'Come in" quietly.
Sarah poked her head in. She had lost a considerable amount of weight, which wasn't lost on Elizabeth.
She picked the file off her desk and pointed to the chairs. "Have a seat with me. I just wanted to check in and see how you were feeling."
"I'm doing okay," she said as she sat down.
"Okay is not pushing your food around at dinner to make it look like you ate when you didn't even take a bite," Elizabeth smirked back at her.
Sarah knew nothing ever got by her aunt.
"I'm just not ready to really eat yet. My ribs are still killing me so every time I do, I am nauseous," she complained.
"What did they make you drink?" Elizabeth asked her knowing the ways of kidnapping and torture all too well.
"A very strong alcohol. It was definitely not water. I never swallowed. Just let it sit in my mouth and spit it out as soon as they left," she looked down.
"Good," Elizabeth said.
"How are you sleeping?" she asked.
"A bit better each night. I think I am at two hours a night," she said evenly. "The nightmares are still waking me up."
"That will happen for a long time," she answered her kindly. "I need a few things from you. The first is a commitment that you will stay with us both here and in Washington. I know your Dad wants you to go to Pittsburgh. He doesn't know the full story. It is not safe for you. You can stay with Stevie and under her detail. We have added members to her detail for the time being and you will have three for yourself. Having you at the White House will tip others off. I am about to tell the others about the added details."
"Okay. I don't mind staying with Stevie and Eliza. I love her. She's adorable." The two of them shared a smile.
"Kids are the ultimate healers. Trust me, I know," they both laughed.
"The second thing is I believe you met Dr. Sherman?" she asked.
"Yes, she came to the hospital," Sarah answered.
"Blake has arranged appointments for you to see her once a week. They will start at the house first. You should be safe to go out in a week or so. Then, they can move to her office," she told her.
"I don't think that will be nec…"she began but her aunt, the President, held up her hand not giving her a chance to respond or complain.
"For you to get better, you need to do this. It is necessary. I didn't think it was when I needed it. But, trust me on this one, it is." She pulled out the file.
"The final thing I need is to know who the man is that you were with in London and went to Paris with you?" she asked, handing her all the surveillance photos of the two of them.
Sarah looked them over as Elizabeth said to her, "You were warned in your training that you could potentially be followed at any time especially when you are out of the country."
She said back to her, "This is Alexander Strombold. He is an Army Ranger who was shot in Afghanistan. I took care of him in his recovery. Well, one thing lead to another. He's stationed in Germany going through rehab. We met in London. While I was there, your contact reached out to me so he came to Paris with me to make sure everything is okay. You must already know this. Is he okay?" she began to panic.
Elizabeth answered, "He's fine. He's on a plane to Washington to be questioned as to why he never reported you missing to his superiors or others?"
Sarah was a smart girl, "You think he had something to do with this?"
"Thought is definitely crossing my mind. We will find out when he lands," she looked down and then back at Sarah. "In the meantime, your job is to get yourself better and stay put here and in Georgetown. Okay?"
"Yes, Ma'am," she answered.
Elizabeth stood up and sighed. She texted Henry that she would be out for the family meeting in a few minutes. She called Isabelle letting her know she confirmed the relationship between Sarah and Strombold. Information that could be used during his interrogation.
Making her way into the living room, Will started humming "Hail to the Chief" as the kids all laughed.
"Very funny!" she said.
Annie raised her hand.
"It's not school, Annie. Put your hand down," Jason fired at her.
She glared at her cousin the same way her Aunt does then asked "Is this meeting about Inauguration behavior? Because for the record, Jason started all of that last time. He suggested blowing the bubbles in my soda and the green bean sword fighting!"
"Woah, she just threw you so far under the bus," Stevie commented.
Elizabeth threw her hands up and looked at Henry, 'So, not about that."
Jason's voice took over, "For the record, I did not start the green bean war and you kicked me during her speech!"
Henry's whistle filled the room and they all sat up straight and looked to him. Elizabeth's eyes were on Allison, who didn't react to any of this. She sat with her head down.
Elizabeth rubbed her forehead and took a breath. She sat in the armchair near the fireplace. Henry caught on to her uneasiness. He moved behind her, putting one hand on her shoulder.
"Listen up, guys. This is serious. There is a very credible threat out there. We can't get into the details," he began.
"Woah. Does this have to do with what happened to Sarah?" Jason asked.
Elizabeth jumped in, "It does and as your father just said we can't get into details but we know that this threat is very credible. So here's the deal. No bars, no clubs, no crowded areas."
Eyes rolled.
Henry finished with the security details. "Stevie, Jason and Allie: You have two extra details in plain clothes watching over you. The rest of you will have a detail until further notice. That includes you, Annie."
She threw her head back, "I hate this," as she glanced at her father. She looked so much like his sister when she was seventeen. They were almost twins. "Josh and I just started dating and now I can't even go to the movies?!"
Jason interrupted her, "Wait…who's Josh?"
Stevie talked over Jason, "You could always invite him to the White House for a movie?"
Annie moved her hand in a sideways motion to Stevie, "The novelty of that has worn off!"
Elizabeth threw her head back as Henry said, "Guys we are getting off track here."
Will noticing the look on his sister's face turned to the kids and said, "Why don't you guys head upstairs?"
With everyone else upstairs, it gave Elizabeth and Henry time to explain what they could to Shayne and Will as they finished cleaning up.
Elizabeth eventually turned to Henry and said, "You know Allie seemed a little down, I am going to let the three of you have a guys' night and go check in on her." She took the last sip of her red wine knowing she would need it and headed up the stairs.
Halfway up she heard them. She would know that laughter and giggling anywhere. As she came upon Allie's room she found the girls sitting on Allie's bed with her sketches up against the headboard. She leaned on the doorway and watched them all. Sarah was in the desk chair with her feet up on the bed. Stevie sat near her with one leg bent over the one tucked underneath her as always. Allie sat closer to the sketches, picking one up at a time and explaining why she loved each one. Annie was laying on her left side, her head nestled in the palm of her hand with her wavy blonde hair covering the rest of her bent arm. Claudia was kneeling on the floor with her elbows leaning up on the bed.
"I love the red, white and blue one the most," Annie exclaimed.
"I feel like the purple one has to go. It's too glittery. That's not Mom," Stevie said.
"Oh hey Mom," she beamed as she saw her mother standing there, in her skinny jeans and light gray sweater.
Allie smiled at her, "Mom, join us. I was going to show the final ones to you and Dad later but you can see them all now."
"Are you sure? I can go take a bath and see them later," she said not wanting to interrupt them.
"No, come in" Sarah encouraged her as Annie scooted herself up to make room for her. Elizabeth snuck in beside her, cuddling the teenager to her side.
"Ohhhhhh, Allie. The choices are going to be really difficult. These are gorgeous. Has Roxanne seen them?" she asked.
"She did and she narrowed it down to these ten. We were trying to get it to five," Allie winced.
"Okay girls what do we think? I already heard the commentary on the red, white and blue one. That is definitely in. Allie, as pretty as the purple is, I agree with Stevie, so not me. Although I do love the way you drew my hair in that one." she stated.
"I know, right? I definitely think you should wear your hair that way that night. I will take the purple one if you aren't going to" Sarah laughed.
They all chuckled. Annie popped up, "Yes, that's a great idea. We should all pick dresses from the Allie Collection."
Elizabeth looked at Alison, who looked like she was either going to pass out or lose whatever dinner she ate.
"Allie, do you think you could handle that?" Stevie asked remaining hopeful. "Mom, how many do you plan on wearing?"
"I think I will keep it to two this time. There were too many changes last time," Elizabeth said, waving her hand about.
"Well, if Mom is only going to do two then I can probably do the rest as long as each of you only has one. I was going to get measurements on Eliza tomorrow so I can do everyone then,"
Elizabeth thought to herself that Allie was agreeing to this way too easily.
Annie bounced off the bed and gave a "Yes!"
Elizabeth looked around at the girls and said, "Hey, can you give Allie and I a moment, please?"
"Yeah, sure. I am going to check on Dmitri and Eliza. They were reading bedtime stories," Stevie answered.
As the girls left, Allie scooped up the drawings, Elizabeth closed the door behind the girls. "For what it's worth I love the patriotic and the navy one, so don't let Stevie pick those."
Allie chuckled, "I won't. Should we show Dad?"
"Nooo," she shook her head at her, "After what he did, I would rather make him wait!" she laughed.
Allie let out a little chuckle, "Okay! What else did you want to talk about?"
Elizabeth sat down on the bed, her legs crossed off the side. She tilted her head down a bit, "Allie, you are not clueless. So, stop acting that way. You know why I am in here."
"I'm fine, Mom. Today was the first day I didn't get sick." She answered her ignoring the elephant in the room.
"Oh well that's good. How are things otherwise?" She leaned her head over on her shoulder trying to get Alison to look her in the eye.
Alison stayed busy with her sketches leaving the two dresses she liked out. "Okay I guess. Now, he feels bad about all of it and he keeps apologizing. He says he just freaked out." She paused as a tear rolled down her face.
She finally met her mother's eyes.
"Have you ever heard the story of our engagement?" Elizabeth asked her, now leaning back on both her elbows.
"I may have heard it once or twice," Allie flopped herself on her back beside her mother.
They both stared at the ceiling. Elizabeth said evenly, "The thing is Noodle, a lot of men go through things like that. Including your Dad, who is one of the most even keeled men I know. It just happens. They freak out!" She put her hand up, "And we've given him plenty to freak out about."
"Don't you mean I have given him enough to freak out about,' she ran her hand over her belly.
"Oh baby, you will both figure that little one out. Dating or committing to the President's daughter is not so easy. But, hopefully you won't need to have the extra detail for too long," she sighed.
"Speaking of that, how would you and Dad feel if I stayed with you for another week or so?" she asked.
Elizabeth turned her head to look at her, "Allie, we would love that but running from this isn't going to make it any better. You also just booked yourself for a lot of inauguration work. You've only got two months."
A soft knock came to the door, Allie flipped her sketches over and said "Come in" knowing it was her Dad.
"How are two of my favorite ladies doing?" he tapped Elizabeth's knee as she made room for him to sit on the bed.
'We're fine," Elizabeth said easily.
He went to reach for the sketches but Allie grabbed them, "No way. No early peeks this year."
"What?! Come on, hand them over," he put his hand out.
"Nope, decision is already made. You are going to have to wait," Elizabeth smirked at him.
"Says who?!" he asked.
"Says me, and I am the President so too bad," Elizabeth got up off the bed and turned to him. "Holiday Great British Baking Show starts tonight. Care to watch?"
"Absolutely," they left her room wishing her good night.
Alison sat down on her bed thinking maybe someday she will find a love as strong as theirs. But, she knew Michael was not the one.
Elizabeth came out of the bathroom in her pajama pants and tank top expecting to climb into bed with her laptop but she caught Henry sitting in the chair with his guitar.
"Ohhh, that's going to have to make the trip back with us. We can't leave it here during the renovations," she smiled at him.
He began to play "Thinking Out Loud" as she climbed under the covers. She listened to him playing and it soothed her to almost fall asleep. When he played like this she knew he was drinking whiskey.
He finished playing and climbed in behind her sliding his hand over her waist, over her core and up under her left breast. He kissed that spot behind her ear. She chuckled and turned to face him.
"How was Allie?" he asked in a low whisper.
"She just agreed to make everyone's dresses for the inauguration," Elizabeth gave him the look.
"Really?" he asked.
"Really. She says she can handle it," Elizabeth kind of chuckled.
"She's just like you," he smiled at her and leaned down to kiss her.
He pulled back just a little bit and under his breath where his voice got the super sexy depth to it he began, "You had just been sworn-in after a long week of hearings. We moved everything to the Georgetown home."
She threw her head back laughing, "There were boxes everywhere. You and the kids had set up the kitchen and the family room. As you said, 'Most important rooms in the house.' Then you whispered into my ear, 'Besides ours.'"
She reached up to him and pulled him down to her, not able to resist waiting for him to finish the memory. Her hand on the back of his neck, running her fingers through the hair that rests there drawing him in.
Their house was full but in that room it was only them, their circle of two. Her hands drifted down his arms feeling the tightness and strength of his biceps. She kissed him like the rest of the world didn't matter.
He scooted her up and helped her slide the pants off, his hand slightly brushing against her folds giving him a hint of her wetness. He slid his boxers off and jumped back in with her, making her laugh too loud.
"You have to be quiet. Remember full house," he said placing a finger on her lips.
"I do remember," she burst out laughing again. "It's just the kids they are used to hearing us laugh at night."
"Elizabeth," he reprimanded her. "Here I am thinking I am the one who had too much to drink."
He laid himself over her using his legs to separate hers and entered her. It as quick and furious, their passion had no time for lovemaking. Also, the fact that the house was full they couldn't really go much longer.
As they laid in the bed in each other's arms, he finished the memory. "You came home from your first few hours at State to a box-filled house, a beautiful dinner, and a cake celebrating how wonderful you are."
"Ohh that was the chocolate cake Stevie made. It was so delicious. We need to get her to make one of those again," she sat up with her hand on his chest grinning from ear to ear.
"Back down, Commander," he moved her back down to rest her head on his chest. He ran a finger in circles on her bare back as he continued, "We finished the cake and the kids begged you to watch a movie. But you said…"
"I'm exhausted and all this cake makes me want to get in bed and watch the Great British Baking Show," she finished talking super loud and giggling.
"Seriously, how much wine did you have tonight?" he asked her laughing along with her.
"I..I..don't know. But, I do know how that day ended and it was not watching the Great British Baking Show," she rolled up over him, giving him the full view of her beautiful body.
He put his hands on her waist, "Only if you promise to be quiet," he joked.
"Keep kissing me, Captain and I will," she leaned over him, kissed him lightly as she slid herself back over his hardness.
His hands slid up to caress her breasts as they hung so perfectly in front of him. She moaned loudly and he bit her lip to remind her to keep it in check.