Chapter 13

"Woah, Babe! I say we skip the State Dinner and stay right here," Henry was fixing his cufflinks on his tux as he walked out of their walk-in wardrobe and glanced at Elizabeth in a striking navy blue gown. The sequins on it giving it a shimmer. They way it hung down the sides of her open back and settled just above her rear made him want her so badly. She was sitting at her vanity putting her earrings on. Sapphires that he had given her years ago to match her engagement ring.

"As good as that sounds, this dinner is going to have the most amazing food and chocolate," she turned and tucked her feet into her stilettos. She smiled at him as she stood up allowing the dress to do its' thing by showing off her amazing body. The skinny straps on her shoulders the only thing holding it up as it hugged every curve of her body to her core and then magically flowed down her legs with a slit halfway up the front.

Henry looked her over and made a face to show her how much he wanted to stay home. She turned to him fixing her earring, "Henry, don't. Don't do that! We are going. I can't not show up."

He walked toward her and put his arms on her waist. "It's the first time we have had the house to ourselves in over a year. Jayce is at a friend's house. Stevie is going to be here in about 10 minutes to pick up Allie drop her at a birthday party sleepover and take the twins for a sleepover. I made all these arrangements, how could I not want the night all to ourselves?" He dipped his head down and kissed her neck taking in the scent of her.

"The Swiss are waiting. Let's go," she stepped aside and made her way out of the bedroom.

Leaving him to drop his hands to the side, she turned back and looked at him, "Besides I love that tux so I promise you, we will be leaving early." She winked and was on her way down the hallway.

As she made her way down the stairs, Aamira, who standing between the fridge and the island taking a drink of water paused what she was doing and stared at her mother.

"Mommy, you look beautiful!" her eyes were wide open.

"Isn't it stunning?" Allie gushed. "I found it online last week and Roxanne was able to get it for tonight complete with the shoes. It's a…."

"Allie, stop. Nobody cares about the details," Aamira fired back at her waving a hand to make her stop.

Allie shot her younger sister a disappointing look as Henry said, "I care about the details."

He was stepping behind Elizabeth and had his hand on her backside.

"Uuugghhh!" Aamira made her way back to the television, rolling her eyes at her parents' display of affection.

"Gross!" Allie said. "I'm going to go get my bags and bring them down. You are dropping us, right?"

"No. Stevie is picking you up. Mom has to swing into the Oval before the dinner for a meeting with the President," Henry said.

"Nooo!" came the complaints all around.

"She is the worst driver ever!" Asim yelled out from the couch

"She's not that bad," Elizabeth countered as Allie gave her the look letting her know that Asim was right.

"Not that bad?! We almost got hit the last time she drove me to gymnastics!" Aamira complained.

"Alright, alright. We will drop you," Elizabeth answered as Henry threw her a look. "Call Stevie and tell her we will meet her at her place."

The music was loud! The ballroom floor was packed. Drinks were flowing heavily in the White House ballroom, which was decked out for Christmas, only two weeks away.

The Swiss Economic and Education Secretary had just handed Elizabeth her third glass of wine when Jay gave her the look that told her "last one." These events often found her deep in conversations that she would forget how many she had and they all knew after three she became a bit tipsy. So, they set up a system to keep it in check.

She nodded back at him looking over the shoulder of the secretary. He was a short, rotund man with white hair and a white curled up mustache. In her stilettos, she towered over him. He wore a black tux with an international flag bowtie.

"Nice tie, Hans. It's good to see you again," Elizabeth reached out with her other hand to shake his.

"As well, Madam Secretary, where is your husband tonight?" he took her hand and kissed it as she blushed a bit, glancing at the bar where Henry was caught up in a conversation with some guy she didn't even know.

"He's deep in a conversation at the bar," she smiled at Henry as she spoke. "Would you like to meet him?" She was chuckling to herself as this was not the first Henry request of the night.

"I would. No sense in talking business tonight. I have read his books." he was following her to the bar like a puppy following a small child with a cookie.

She turned back to him as they walked, "You have?"

"Yes, he is quite the religious scholar. I have learned so much from his books on St. Francis," he was geeking out to meet Henry.

"Maybe I can get you to convince my kids to read them," Elizabeth laughed.

She ran her hand down the back of Henry's arm when she approached him, "Excuse me, Henry. This is Hans Lander, the Economic and Education Secretary from Switzerland."

Henry turned to greet him. As they shook hands, Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at him and said, "Hans, has read your books as well."

As the night went on, the crowd and atmosphere got lighter. It was just after 11pm and Henry was chatting with Russell and Daisy at the bar. They were laughing at one of Henry's jokes. It was almost as if they forgot this was a State Dinner. It wasn't often State Dinners were this much fun but celebrating the US and Swiss relationship made the party that much better.

Henry had a few more drinks than usual so much that he hadn't noticed Elizabeth and Conrad leave the ballroom. In fact, none of them had noticed except Russell. Blake approached him, "Dr. McCord, the motorcade is ready." Henry surprised by this move looked over to where he last spotted Elizabeth. She was gone. Once again making a stealth CIA move on him. He smiled back at him and drained the last of his drink. "Gotta go, guys! The boss must be tired." They all laughed at him as he made a beeline for the door.

Henry made his way out to the SUV expecting her to be waiting, as he stumbled in Frank looked back at him and said, "She'll be right along."

"Where is she? Sit. Room?" he asked.

"Yes, they went in about an hour ago," Frank added.

'Wow! I didn't even notice," he shook his head a bit stunned.

"Nobody did," Frank said back. "That was the point."

Henry chuckled at him. "Still the best spy." He undid his bow tie and the top button of his shirt and leaned back to get comfy on the seat.

Frank laughed back.

Matt opened the door as she pulled up her gown and hopped in the back. The bottom of her gown peeking out under her long cream winter coat.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yep, all good!" she smiled at him and leaned in to kiss him. As she pulled away, she said, "Oh I see you had your nightcap without me."

"Well, it was just one with Russell. We can have another when we get home," he reached over, moved her hair behind her shoulder and tucked his hand under the collar of her coat over her bare shoulder, rubbing his thumb on her smooth skin sending shivers down her spine.

She pressed the button on her door, moving the privacy screen up and into place.

They waited in silence as it went up.

As soon as it closed, she turned to him, "Sorry I had to abandon you." She slid out of her coat.

He grinned back at her, "It's okay."

She ran her hands over the skirt of her dress, "Well, of course, because you were the belle of the ball tonight," laughing as she said it.

"Nobody else is belle of the ball when you are in the room, Babe," he grinned at her, walking his fingers down her thigh.

"Ooohh, well played," she leaned over, put her hand on his cheek and placed her lips gently on his. His hand drifted down her curve to make its' way around her hip landing on her backside. The warmth of her back forcing him to tug her closer to him.

She took her left hand and unbuckled her seatbelt so she could slide across and lean on him. He pulled her even closer their lips and tongues never leaving each other.

Henry could feel the bulge forming in his pants. Elizabeth could too. His right hand slid its' way up her thigh. The warmth of his hand matching the warmth between her thighs. He let out a moan when he realized she was only in thigh highs. The fact that she had been like that all night without him knowing made the windows in the back of the car steam up fast.

He had been holding back all night waiting for this moment. There had been many small touches on each other and hand in hands as they walked or in a quick passing. The look she gave him at dinner when he told a joke. Her smile lighting up her crystal blue eyes as bright as the ballroom's chandeliers.

She got herself up on top straddling him as the car moved.

"No, babe. You have to wait until we get home. We're almost there," he laughed.

She was laying soft kisses along his neck ignoring his comment.

"Babe, come on!"

He now knew whatever happened in the Sit Room must have been a doozy because she had energy she needed to release.

Still nothing as the car rolled to a stop, "Elizabeth! We're home!"

As she was unstraddling herself the door opened, Matt peeked in then rolling his eyes, he closed the door and waited.

She burst out laughing as Henry was blushing. She sat herself down throwing her head back in laughter and sliding her heels back on.

"C'mon….move!" Henry smirked at her. She tapped the window and Matt opened the door.

"Have a good night, Matt," she threw him the mischevious grin.

"You too, Máam!" he smirked back at her as Henry got out.

"Have a good rest of your night," Matt chuckled as Henry just basically nodded at him and said a quick, "Thank you, g'night."

He put his hand on Elizabeth's back while her coat rested across his other hand, "Let's get you inside." He whispered to her from behind her ear.

She laughed as they tumbled up the stairs. Getting into the house, Henry hung her coat on the stand. It immediately slid down to the floor as he barely got it on the hook.

She immediately turned and grabbed hold onto each end of his tie, pulling his mouth to hers. He wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her tighter and never losing contact. Her hands made their way from his tie to around his neck and up to his hairline where she made slight circles, a move she knew drove him crazy. She felt his body quiver.

Breaking away to take a breath, she turned still feeling the heat from him on her back, her hand behind her pinky and ring finger resting easily between his thumb and index finger where they always fell, she tugged him and led him upstairs.

As they made their way in the upstairs hallway, he ran his fingers down her back making her shiver. Just as she stepped through the doorway of their room, he reached for the zipper at the curve of her rear and unzipped her dress.

As soon as they got to their bed, the warmth of her hands her shoulders as he slipped the straps off her arms and the dress fell in a puddle at her feet. Revealing her black lace strapless bra. He took a breath and groaned as he made his way to the sweet spot on her neck. She held her hair over to the side.

Turning to face him, she slid his jacket off and pulled his tie out from his collar discarding them beside her dress now pooled around her ankles.

She stepped out of the disregarded dress on the floor but left her stilettos on to match his height. Their kiss was passionate not frantic sending each other the message that this was about being together not a hurried get it done before the kids walk in moment.

She turned him and used her weight to move him down onto the bed. Her hands running through his head. The crystal in her eyes turning a shade bluer as her emotions rose. She was above him and in control for the moment. She leaned over him as her hands were working his belt. He felt himself grow even more. His button. Now it was tighter. As she unzipped him, her hand ran its' warmth down him. This was not going to be easy.

"Worked up tonight?" she asked him in her low, whispery voice.

He caught a glimpse of her, "That makes two of us. Are you just going to stand there or do something about it?" He gave her his cocky, fighter pilot grin.

"Lay back, Captain," she spent a good amount of time on him taking advantage of the amount of drinking he had done. Something she didn't get to do often.

When he was satisfied, she laid on her side on the bed over him. Her hair draped over her forearm as she leaned on her elbow.

He smiled up at her, lift a hair off her face, "three babies, two adoptions, a job that doesn't quit. Talking about motherhood," he clarified. "Another job that doesn't quit….the most powerful woman in the world. And still the best title you hold for me is my wife, my best friend, my lover. I am so proud of you and so more in love with you every day!"

She aimed to answer him, but he was already kissing her before she could answer. He rolled her on top of him and reached over into the nightstand. As his hand reached her toy, he took a breath and whispered to her, "But, now it is time for you to relax. Really, relax!"

He hit the button and the sound of her vibrator filled the room. She laid back on the bed almost splaying herself out and whispered, "You're my favorite."

He laughed, "Me or this?" he joked, holding the toy up.

"Both," she laughed back at him, as he went to work on her and she settled down in the comfort of their bed.

Over an hour later, they laid there for several minutes, panting and recovering. Only their hands connected. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. He got up and gently laid the blankets over her, she was almost asleep.

He turned the shower on hot and got in by himself. As he was finishing, Elizabeth made her way in.

"Mind if I join you?" she asked. "I have got to get this hairspray out of my hair!"

They rolled back into their bed around 1:30am. Stevie was taking the kids to their activities on Saturday and keeping them for most of the day so they didn't even bother putting pajamas on or an alarm clock.

Hours later, the rays of sunshine peeking through the sides of the curtains, gave the room a bit of a glow. There was no movement from the bed as Elizabeth and Henry laid sound asleep.

"Why are your fancy clothes on the floor?" Aamira's voice filled the room and shocked her parents to an awakened state.

Elizabeth opened one eye to see her standing there, pointing at their clothes from last evening. Henry wiped the sleep from his eyes and said back to her, "Because we were tired last night and didn't feel like picking them up. Why are you here?" he glanced at the clock. 8:30 glared back at him, making his headache worse.

"I left my gymnastics bag by accident. Why are you both still in bed?" she asked.

Elizabeth didn't dare move off of Henry's chest because she still had nothing on, and the sheet sliding down was not an option right now. "Because you are not supposed to be here and I am exhausted. Please go get your bag and we'll be down in a minute." Her headache pain matched Henry's.

Aamira headed out of the room and said behind her, "Don't bother. We'll be gone by then. There's donuts on the counter." The door latch closing was the last thing they heard before falling back to sleep.

Stevie turned the coffee pot on when she heard Aamira's footsteps come down the stairs. Her pink gymnastics bag in her hand. Stevie's first thought was "Dear God, everything she owns is pink. Need to talk to Allie about that."

"All set?" she asked her, leading her to the back door.

"Yes! By the way, Mom and Dad are like dead to the world," she paused. "With no clothes on."

Stevie stopped short, "I told you not to go in there."

"The door was open and their fancy clothes were all over the floor!" she argued

back.

"Stop talking," she shushed her towards the door, while turning back and making an eye roll at the stairs, which was meant for her parents.

An hour later, Elizabeth pulled herself up off of Henry's empty side of the bed. The sheets were cold and felt so good to her. But the smell of bacon filled the house and that was more tempting.

She threw the covers off and sat up, the headache pain swinging from one side of her head to the other. She found the Tylenol and water Henry had left for her on her nightstand and threw those down her throat. She got up, put on Frampton shirt and pajama pants and a robe. Surely, Allie and Jason would be strolling through the door any moment.

"Did you know we got a text from Stevie at 8am?" she said to him as she made her way down the stairs, not looking at him.

He stopped what he was doing and was staring at her.

"What?" she asked, when she looked up.

"Nothing. You're just beautiful," he smiled at her placing her cup of coffee at the other side of the island.

"I'm also hungover with a massive headache..." she joked back at him.

"That makes two of us," he laughed, put scrambled eggs on her plate and handed it to her.

"Good news is the twins won't be home until later in the afternoon. Stevie's taking them to the zoo. My day is wide open and we can have the couch all to ourselves," she sat down at the table.

"Shh…" he put a finger to her lips, "don't jinx it."

Her breath caught at the sight of him being all sexy like that.

"You keep it up, we'll be back in that bed," she winked at him.