Chapter 29
Elizabeth practically jumped out of the motorcade before it came to a stop. She had been gone for the better part of two weeks in Europe with Allie. A trip that included shopping for wedding fabrics in Milan, Paris for a meeting with the French President, Geneva and then London to meet the Queen and pick up Annie from relatives and bring her back to the States.
Henry stepped off the brand new white pillared wrap around porch at the farm to greet all of them. Elizabeth leapt into his open arms after missing him during her time away. She pulled back and he asked, "What do you think?"
"I love it," she beamed. She stared at the gorgeous porch in front of her mostly white with a colonial blue floorboards. She turned back to the girls, "What do you think?"
Allie simply said, "Amazing!" As she stared back at the house which looked so much like the old farmhouse but updated and simply beautiful. New windows, new white clapboards, new black shutters. The front door was now a double door made of natural wood with large paned windows. The beautiful black outdoor sconces on either side of the door matched the chandelier above.
Annie glanced at her aunt, who knew exactly what she was thinking, "Go grab your boots!" Annie grinned and took off into the house and flew back out the door to the stables. Her boots swinging from her arms.
She must have woken Hope as the dog came flying out the front door behind her and leapt off the porch to run circles around Elizabeth. "Hey baby girl!" Elizabeth crouched down to greet her and get some kisses.
The renovations had been delayed by numerous issues but was now ready for the whole family to enjoy. Everyone was excited to be here and relax for the July 4th weekend. Henry had spent most of the time she was in Europe at the house unpacking, getting the horses settled and the house ready for the big weekend.
As they stepped through the front door the hallway closets had been moved to open the front hallway for a beautiful view of stairwell which looked the way it always had except with a shinier coat.
Elizabeth threw her hand up, "I still can't get over that. It looks like it just got a clean up. Just the way I wanted it. The white rungs look amazing. They came out great."
They stepped out of the hallway and even though Elizabeth and Allie saw photos, the kitchen and dining room were absolutely stunning in person.
The white cabinets and subway tile backsplash brightened the whole room. Elizabeth dropped her bags as she stepped into to see all the pieces of the puzzle they picked out come together. The large clear glass pendants hung over the island where the gray cabinets contrasted with the white cabinets on the perimeter. The window over the new farmhouse sink was wider and looked out over the side yard and the garden. The large planked wooden floors extended into the dining room which was now open to the kitchen.
The teak dining room table was grand but did not take away from the kitchen. Elizabeth turned from the dining room to the kitchen looking at the appliances that all had a perfect place. Henry put his arms around her as he came to her, this place was really theirs. They had made it their own without abandoning the memories of her parents. She turned in his arms with tears of joy in her eyes.
He wiped a tear away as she said, "I love it not only because it is beautiful but because it is truly ours."
"Want to go see the rest?" he asked.
Allie had already made a beeline up the stairs to her room.
As they walked through the living room was brightened by the warm buttercream yellow paint she had picked. Sunshine beamed through the large windows bringing warmth that matched the rooms cozy décor. The large navy sectional couch wrapped the room and faced the new flat screen TV on the wall. Enough room to fit the whole family to watch a movie.
A few of their family portraits from the White House hung on the walls as well as a beautiful photo Stevie had taken of the kids.
They headed up the stairs as Allie came out of her room. She was changed into a yellow sundress and flip-flops and refreshed. "I absolutely love my room. Especially the queen sized bed. That's a nice surprise. Liam is almost here. I'll be out on the porch."
She blew by them and left them staring back at each other. Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "All this work and she comments on the queen size bed. That girl, Henry, is going to be the death of me."
"Well, let me introduce you to heaven then," Henry winked at her.
"Oh. My. God. That was so bad," she laughed entering their bedroom.
Her laughter stopped as her breath was taken away. It was the one room Henry wanted to surprise her on and she let him. In part because she just didn't have it in her to be on top of all the renovations while being leader of the free world.
"Henry," she exclaimed as she stepped into the room. The room of them as parents was gone. The wallpaper was gone and the walls were painted in the gray-beige tones Revere Pewter . The wood floors were refinished and a cream color rug covered most of the room. Their new bed was simple black four poster bed with an open canopy. The white comforter welcomed them in while their red quilt from Georgetown folded at foot of the bed. New white built-in bookshelves were opposite the bed, with all the books put back and framed photos of the kids at different stages growing up.
They had new black nightstands that matched the bed. When Elizabeth looked to hers, that is when she saw it. A copy of the photo of them from their first visit to the farm in a beautiful silver frame. She smiled at Henry with no words needing to be spoken.
She turned in the room and stared into their ensuite which was now white with light gray tiles on the floor. The shower was huge and had white tiles on the walls with charcoal tile for the flooring. He didn't say anything to her as he watched her walk in and take it all in.
"Henry, I love this so much! I love all of it. I didn't think I would be this happy with it but it truly makes it all ours," she had tears in her eyes.
He put his arms loosely around her waist and tugged her in a little bit. She put her hands up on his chest. "Maybe we can make some of our own fireworks in here this weekend?"
She laughed, "Oh Henry…." she grimaced as he made his way in for a kiss.
"Want to go see the office?" he asked her.
She looked around, "I would love to stay here but yes."
"Okay," he laughed. "Let's take a look around. Have some dinner and then head back here. Good news. Will got called in for emergency surgery. Stevie was here this week so she is not arriving until tomorrow with Jason and Claudia."
"Oh My God. I love you. I am so jet-lagged and I just want to sleep," she said.
They came down the stairs to find Allie, Liam and Annie chatting in the kitchen.
"Liam it is good to see you again," Henry reached around Elizabeth to shake his hand. He then leaned in and hugged Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was so tired she leaned back against Henry's chest as they talked to the kids.
"How are the stables?" she rubbed her hands together smiling at Annie.
"So awesome. Two new horses. Where did those come from?" she asked taking a drink of her water.
Elizabeth turned to look at Henry not sure what to say. "Well, your Dad wanted to be here but he got called into an emergency surgery," Henry began.
Annie almost dropped her drink. "Are you serious?" A grin spread across her face.
Elizabeth nodded.
"Both of them?" she asked.
"Noo," Elizabeth laughed. "Maeve is yours. She is young and you will have her for a while. Wilbur is going to retire here at the stables. He's a champion thoroughbred that needed a home."
Liam laughed, "Wilbur?! I don't think that is what thoroughbreds are normally named."
Elizabeth shot him a look, "I picked out his retirement name."
"Mom, seriously?!" Allie was laughing at her now.
"It was the name of my first bunny," she tried to defend herself.
Henry stepped to the cabinet to get them both a glasses for water. "I told you the kids would never go for it, babe!"
"What's the second choice?" Alison asked still laughing at her mother.
Henry glanced over at Elizabeth with that cocky fighter pilot look while he filled her glass and handed it to her.
Elizabeth took a sip of her drink to cool down her senses, "Captain" she smiled coyly.
"You mean like after Dad's rank in the Marines?" The eye roll came along with the words coming out of Allie's mouth.
"THAT…is way better than Wilbur!" Liam pointed at Elizabeth, while Alison glared at him.
"Captain, it is!" Elizabeth lifted up her glass of water in celebration. Everyone laughed and Henry gave her a wink.
A knock on the door and Henry said, "Dinners here!"
The detail walked in holding a pile of pizzas and salads from their favorite pizza place in Charlottesville.
Elizabeth's mouth was already watering. "Yes!" she exclaimed looking at Henry. "Thank you!"
As the guys set the pizza down, she asked, "Did you guys get the crew some? Best pizza ever."
Nick, the newest guy on Henry's detail who looked like a model spoke in a deep voice, "We did, Ma'am. Enjoy." They walked out.
"Who's that?" Elizabeth said looking at Henry, grabbing a slice out of a box.
"Nick. He's new," Henry replied shooting her a look.
"Hmm," she shrugged her shoulders as Alison and Liam followed the conversation with their eyes.
"Well, he's hot!" Annie piped up, shoving a slice of pizza in her mouth while she walked over, sat at the table with a plate full of pizza. .
Elizabeth turned back and smiled at Henry.
"Stop checking out the detail!" he whispered back to her.
Alison heard him and said, "Why? It's our favorite part of Mom's job!"
He rolled his eyes as he headed for the table.
After dinner, the kids cleaned up while Henry brought Elizabeth to their new office. A room she thought was just getting painted with refinished floors. In an effort to surprise her, Henry moved their desks and office furniture from Georgetown down last week so they would once again share an office.
He opened the door in front of her and her mouth fell open. She immediately knew…"Hennnryy! Are you serious? When did you do all of this?"
"I had a lot of time on my hands the last two weeks," he smiled at her.
Any books that hadn't been moved to the White House were now in beautiful bookshelves behind their desks, which were set up exactly like they were in Georgetown, which had replicated how they were set here originally.
She stepped in and immediately sat herself down in their old armchair. "I love it!"
He leaned back on his desk and gave her the look, "Remember when we started the shared office plan?"
She tilted her head, "Was it something we started or did it just happen? Our first place at UVA. We didn't have any room for separate spaces so we just got two cheap desks and put them together just like this," she answered him, laughing.
"Who would have thought back then, we'd be where we are today?" he asked.
"Not us. We thought we would be right where we are as professors," she laughed.
"I'm proud of you." Henry began as Elizabeth gave him the quizzical look, leaning her head onto one of the fingers. "That was a very successful couple of weeks. But, you did it all while being a mother and an aunt. Allie is beaming with happiness. Spending all that time with her was not only great for you but an amazing bonding experience for her. Your years as Secretary of State were hard to be in two places at once, but these past four and half years you have shown the world what an exceptional woman you are. With this trip you showed the world you can be a successful leader at the same time as being a Mom and Aunt. Something that is so important for all women. I am proud of you."
He nodded at the bookshelf behind her desk. She raised an eyebrow at him and went to check out what was on the shelf. In a line were old photos that Stevie found in a box, Elizabeth as a baby being held by her mother. Her mother's blonde hair glowing in the sun with Elizabeth up on her shoulder as she smiled at the camera. Next to it, a photo of Elizabeth holding Stevie in a very similar pose. The second photo was taken of Elizabeth a day after she had returned home from Iraq. Four-years old Jason smiling from behind her with his arms draped around her neck with Allie sitting on her outstretched legs, resting against her.
"This one is from Stevie's soccer game the day after I got back." She pointed to it smiling over her shoulder at Henry.
When she turned and looked at the next frame, her hands went up to her mouth, she looked back at him with tears, "Where did you find this?"
She took the frame off the shelf and stared at it running her hand over it. A photo of her and Will with their mother. Photos that Elizabeth thought had been tossed by Aunt Joan.
"Stevie found them in a box upstairs in the attic last week. She went up there looking for something. It was in a small box tucked into a back corner. All dusty. God only knows how long it had been there. We must have missed it when we went through things up there years ago." Henry turned and reached over to take the small box off his desk behind him. He handed it to her as she made her way in front of him.
The box was cream colored, still a little dirty from the dust. In her hands, it smelled like the attic. She backed up and sat in the chair, preparing for what she was about to see. Henry followed her and sat on the arm of the chair with a hand on her back.
"Go ahead. Open it," he said quietly, rubbing her back.
She flipped the cover off, placing it gently on her lap. Photos of her parents when they were young and just dating, their wedding, some of their baby photos.
She pulled one out, "This is Wilbur!" She laughed showing Henry the photo of her and her first bunny. A rather large, black-lopped ear bunny that looked miserable being squished in Elizabeth's arms.
Henry chuckled, "How old were you here?"
"Maybe 6?" she shrugged. They gave him to me on Easter." He took the photo out of her hands.
"Keep that one out. I want to show Allie," she said.
"Show me what?" Allie walked in. "Woah! Wow! You brought the old office back. I love it!"
"Right?!" Elizabeth said, looking around. Handing her the photo, "Noodle, look here's Wilbur."
Allie took he photo, "Aww. He was adorable." She handed the photo back to them, "I love it here now. So much better than the old place. Liam and I are going for a walk. Bye," she walked out clueless of her mother's pouted reaction.
By the time, Henry made it out of the bathroom, Elizabeth was sound asleep in their new bed with Hope next to her. He scooted Hope off the bed and slid himself in behind her. Sliding his arm around the cream silk of her lingerie that clung to her waist. The smell of her hair and her body let him fall right to sleep. He hadn't slept well while she was gone as neither of them ever slept well apart.
The morning light hit the room in a different way now. It was subtle as the light seemed to slowly fill the room brightening it as the minutes passed by. After being in Europe for two weeks, Elizabeth naturally woke up before Henry. She turned herself over and placed her head up on his chest listening for his heartbeat. Her hair tumbled behind her casting a light weight on her back and tickling his arm. Henry stirred a bit.
"No, shhh! Let's stay here for a few more minutes while it is quiet," she whispered to him.
He laid his head back down not quite awake. They were cushioned in the comfort of their new bed. Soft and welcoming the type of environment that doesn't let go of you on a weekend morning.
As he moved his hand from the small of her back and up her spine, tracing a line up and down with his thumb. On the way back down, he skirted his thumb just under the hem of her lingerie dipping just a bit lower to her backside. His hand eventually resting there as he felt her breathing deepen and she fell back asleep.
7am came around almost too fast for them. Her alarm going off with an easy melody to wake them. She pulled herself up off of him and smiled down on him as he opened his eyes.
"Good Morning," she whispered quietly. To him she was a vision to behold. Her hair messy and falling around her face, her crystal blue eyes boring right into his soul. Her new lingerie scooped right down to her cleavage giving him just enough of a show. No lace just silk that fell perfectly with her body.
He tugged on the spaghetti strap a little, "Is this new?"
"It is. Picked it up in Paris," she leaned up and kissed him gently.
He wrapped an arm around her pulling her closer to him, then laid her back on the bed. He was leaning over her left side as he ran his fingers down her body. The silk sending a wave of senses through her as his fingers danced on top of it.
Tracing a sensual line from her collarbone, to her cleavage, over her core, tickling her spot as he made his way down the outside of her thigh and back up the inside brushing his knuckles over her spot again.
The whole time she moaned into his mouth as they made out. Her fingers in his hair as her other hand held on to the strength of his bicep. Her thumb tracing circles on the inside of his arm.
She lifted her hips as he tugged the lingerie up over her waist. She sat up as he slipped it off of her exposing her breasts that were not shy to show off how much she missed him.
She laid back down as he ran his hand over her nipples taking all of her in. He didn't waste any time as they had missed each other way too much. They reconnected easily as she wrapped her long legs around him pulling him closer to her. She wanted to feel every bit of him.
He thrust into her taking all of her in as he went to work on the sweet spot on her neck. She took him over and rolled so she was on now top of him. Their panting taking up the room. He opened his eyes to meet hers…dark meeting light, one soul meeting the other becoming one.