Elizabeth opened her eyes and glanced around the tiny room. It felt so strange to be in Henry's childhood home, and even stranger to be there without him. She had managed about 3 hours sleep at best, her mind too full of whirling emotions and thoughts to properly shut down. She just wanted Henry - Nothing else mattered.
Having used the bathroom and got herself dressed, she crept nervously down the stairs. She had been in too much of a state to notice anything when she'd arrived and was now rather unsure of how her presence would be received. She figured it would probably be best to slip out quietly without alerting anyone. She could call Marie later when she figured out her next course of action.
She managed to get as far as touching the front door knob before she heard Marie's voice.
"And where do you think you're going young lady?"
Elizabeth turned slowly and glanced through to the kitchen, where Marie was sitting at the table.
"I — errr — I was just going to—."
"Yes — I know exactly what you were doing missy and it won't wash with me! Get in here." Marie's voice was soft yet commanding.
Elizabeth tentatively made her way through to the kitchen and sat at the table. She was feeling embarrassed and emotional and her instinct had always been to run when she felt closed in. This was no exception.
"Did you honestly think I would let you go without talking things through? Come on Elizabeth, I care about you far too much for that."
"I know — I'm sorry." She glanced around and muttered quietly "Is there anyone else here?"
"No — Just me. After the state you were in last night my little lovely, I didn't want you to feel overwhelmed."
"I really am so sorry for just showing up at your door Marie — I wasn't thinking straight!
I don't want to hear another apology leave your lips my girl— "Right, you need to eat! I'll get you some breakfast."
"I'm really not hungry Marie — I just need to get to Henry." Elizabeth felt safe with Marie. That's why she'd felt compelled to go to her in the first place. That and the need to feel close to Henry in any way she could. But menial things such as eating were only standing in her way.
"All in good time. You aren't going anywhere until you've been fed Elizabeth. You're far too pale for my liking and look at how tiny you are. If you're not going to look after yourself, then I'll have to." Marie popped some bread in the toaster and poured the coffee.
Elizabeth figured arguing would take up more time than actually eating so obediently nibbled at the toast when it was placed in front of her. Her appetite had been waning for a while but her stomach was grateful for sustenance.
"Elizabeth — Sweetheart — Are you going to tell me what's going on now? I'm worried about you." Marie took Elizabeth's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze "I only want to help."
Elizabeth let out a sigh "I miss him, Marie. I knew it would be hard but we're struggling to connect and I'm scared he no longer wants me. That's why I have to get to him — I have to tell him that he's the love of my life. He'll always be the love of my life — He is my life." She swallowed thickly, "I don't know what I'll do if I lose him."
Marie smiled. Her son was a lucky boy to have someone so devoted to him "Have you ever heard of a telephone my sweet? — Give him a call."
"No!" Her frustration rang through that one simple word and her tone shocked Marie a little "I need to see him. I have things to tell him in person that can't wait - I really must go." She got up from the table and Marie could see the sheer desperation in the poor girl.
"Elizabeth - Just hang on a second."
The rather upset and very determined Elizabeth was already halfway to her car before Marie caught up with her. "You really want to drive all the way to Florida to see him?"
Elizabeth nodded furiously.
"My goodness Elizabeth, you're so stubborn! Okay — But I can't in good conscience let you go alone. Not in the state you're in. I'm coming with you."
"That's really not necessary Marie. I'm more than capable of getting there and I promise I'll be safe."
"Oh I know you're capable girly — I've never met anyone quite as headstrong. But one day soon you're going to marry my son and then with any luck provide me with gorgeous grand babies — So right now I need to make sure you stay in one piece."
Elizabeth sighed and dropped her gaze to the floor "I'm not sure any of that will ever happen."
"Well, let's go and find out shall we?"
Marie had managed to convince Elizabeth that attempting to drive straight through to Florida would not be the most sensible of options, especially in her heightened emotional state. They had reached a compromise and agreed to drive back to Virginia and stay the night at the apartment. Elizabeth desperately needed to get some rest before attempting to tackle the rest of the trip. And where better than her own bed.
They had managed to get halfway through their 6 hour journey in relative silence. Elizabeth had kept her eyes on the road and really hadn't felt like talking. She wasn't expecting to have a companion and was trying to figure things out in her own mind before she could even attempt to articulate them to Henry.
Marie had been watching the young girl and was becoming increasingly worried. She was almost a shadow of the Elizabeth she'd first met all those months before and it made her heart sink. She'd gone to speak several times, but thought better of it. Then, as she saw the tears forming in Elizabeth's eyes, she decided to forge ahead.
"I know my son Elizabeth - He loves you unconditionally and he would not have put that ring on your finger if he hadn't been certain." She gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze.
"Things were different then though. We barely talk to each other now."
Marie smiled "Maybe if the pair of you want to have a proper conversation, you should try keeping your clothes on once in a while."
Elizabeth felt her cheeks burning but it didn't deter Marie
"I get it — I was your age once too. I know how exciting it can be. But the key to any relationship is communication, you need to talk to each other. And I'm not ready for those grand babies just yet."
Elizabeth couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her. She had been so focussed on getting to Henry, she hadn't realised just how lonely and lost she'd been feeling. Whatever force had drawn her to Pittsburgh, she was incredibly grateful that it had. And as she glanced over at Marie — She knew things would be okay.
Henry walked into his tiny one bed apartment after a particularly challenging 48 hours, totally ready to crash until he next had to report for duty. He had taken out a 6 month lease on the rather underwhelming dwelling as he desperately wanted somewhere Elizabeth could come and stay. The problem was, her visits had become far less frequent as had his visits back to Virginia. And when they did manage to see each other, they rarely conversed.
Having pulled a beer from the fridge, Henry picked up the phone and dialled Elizabeth's number! She'd been invading his thoughts incessantly all week and he needed to hear her voice. She had a way of soothing him and that's exactly what he craved at that moment. Getting no answer, he sunk into the couch and ran his hand across his face. He was starting to wonder if she was creating a life without him. He wouldn't blame her if she was. Expecting her to wait around for him wasn't fair and more than anything, he just wanted her to be happy. The problem was, he wasn't entirely sure if he was even the one who made her happy anymore.
Henry was just starting to doze off when he heard a rather quiet knock at the door, which intrigued him. His marine buddies would have been banging the door down by now and he didn't know any of his neighbours so was unsure who it could be. He dragged his ass off the couch and opened the door.
He couldn't believe his eyes. There she was, his stunning Fiancée, right in front of him, in the flesh.
Elizabeth looked rather shy, biting on her lip a little as she glanced down at the floor and then back up at him. "Hey Henry — Surprise."
"Oh my god — What are you doing here? Why didn't you call? Is everything okay?" He was rambling and couldn't believe she was actually there.
His garbled questions had her concerned that she'd made a big mistake "Is it okay that I'm here? Am I disturbing you? Because I can go—."
Henry grabbed her, lifting her off the floor effortlessly, his mouth meeting hers in a passionate kiss as her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist.
"Mmmmmm Henry —-." She tried to form a coherent sentence but his touch felt too good, she was losing herself to him rapidly.
Henry had Elizabeth pressed up against the open front door, completely oblivious of anything around them. His hands were wandering under her shirt and the faint moan she let out only spurred him on.
Marie tried clearing her throat to get the couple's attention but when Henry moved his hand down and unzipped Elizabeth's jeans, she decided more direct action was required.
"Son — I urge you not to go any further unless you want me to see things that can't be unseen — For goodness sake put her down." Marie couldn't keep the amused tone from her voice, especially when she saw Henry's reaction.
His head shot around to look at his mother and he dropped Elizabeth to the floor as quickly as he'd picked her up. Zipping her back up in the process.
"Mom — What are you doing here?" Henry had now put a little distance between himself and a rather flushed looking Elizabeth and was staring at Marie in disbelief.
"If we could move out of the hallway, I'd tell you." Marie pushed past the young couple and immediately busied herself in the kitchen. "Where is all your food Henry? Is this how you live?" She was searching his cupboards for anything remotely edible, but drew a blank.
"Sorry mom, I haven't been shopping. There are take-out menus in the top drawer." Henry's head was spinning. He'd wanted to hear Elizabeth's voice so badly, and now she was standing right next to him, looking as beautiful as ever and smelling divine, he couldn't think straight or take his eyes off of her.
Elizabeth had stood very quietly and was desperately trying to conjure up the words she needed Henry to hear. The problem was, he was in his fatigues and the only thought racing through her mind was how to get him out of them.
They were both brought back to the room by Marie's voice "Okay you two, we all need to eat and as there's clearly nothing here, we'll go out and get some dinner — Then you two really need to talk." She made her way out of the front door, leaving the couple alone.
Henry looked at Elizabeth and instantly saw the ruminative look on her face. He was pretty sure he wore the same expression. They both knew a conversation was long overdue, that things needed to be discussed and that the option to ignore it was no longer viable. But the outcome of such a discussion scared them both.
She took hold of his hand, lacing her fingers with his and looked up at him "Henry—."
She didn't need to say any more, he completely understood "It's okay baby — I know."
As they followed Marie to the car, they both knew things were about to change for good, one way or another.