AN: It's The Statements birthday! I cannot believe I started posting this one year ago! I am sorry i was not great at updating at the start, but I hope I am making up for it now.

You can all thank Timeafanx (sorry I don't know your name) For this update!

As Always, thanks for reading and reviewing.

Hope everyone is well, Love to you all.

Lauren x

Chapter Twenty Five - Normality

Elizabeth walked through the door at a reasonable hour much to everyone's surprise. She slipped her coat and bag off and followed her nose into the kitchen where her children were cooking.

'Hey Mom' they all chorused and Henry stood up, following his instincts towards her and she smiled warmly. She walked towards him and opened her arms, she wrapped them around him, taking them both by surprise and softly kissed him. She pulled back and smiled lovingly at him.

'Thank you for today, I needed it' she whispered and he responded with another kiss, instantly wanting more of his wife. His hands wrapped around her back and he pulled her in deeper for a longer kiss, trying hard not to let the passion grow as all three of his kids were in the room.

"Ew Gross, come on you guys cut it out I don't want to be in therapy too' Stevie laughed, instantly ruining the brief moment of normality between her parents. Henry pulled back and turned to face her

'Excuse me!?" He snapped, instantly seeing red.

'Jeez dad calm down It was just a joke'

"No Stevie it was insensitive, you want to make it in this world then I suggest you engage your brain before your mouth' he snapped, his glare fixed upon her.

'Yeah, educate yourself or stop talking' Jason folded his arms and winked at his dad. Henry inhaled sharply and shook his head.

'You kids don't have a clue'

'Dad don't you think you're overreacting a bit? It was just a comment'

'IT'S NOT ABOUT THE COMMENT STEVIE' he roared, Elizabeth stepped forward and placed a hand on his back trying to calm him but he shrugged her off, and stormed upstairs.

'What the hell?' Stevie muttered and rolled her eyes 'Someone clearly had a bad day'

'Actually Stevie I think the point is that you just ruined a good one' Elizabeth warned. 'Goodnight kids' she sighed and followed him upstairs.

She leant against the door frame and watched as he sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. She folded her arms and gave him a few moments, she just silently watched.

'I know you're there' he commented

'I know you do, I just thought you'd appreciate the space' she offered a rationale. He glanced up to her

'I didn't mean to shout, I just… Why? Why did she have to say that? She heard the argument days ago, and she cannot keep her thoughts to herself for five bloody minutes' he cursed. Elizabeth watched him

'I guess they were just trying to be normal? It can't be easy for them hearing us tear strips off one another then kissing the next'

'That's the point though isn't it. We're not kissing every five minutes, that was the first time in the last five weeks that you've come home and kissed me. I..I..-' he couldn't finish his sentence as the frustrated swirled inside him.

'If you wanted another kiss all you had to do was ask' she smirked and pushed off the door frame walking towards him, she sat next to him and waited for him to look at her before softly kissing his lips.

'Is that better?'

'Yes, and whilst I don't want to ruin this moment…'

'Why have I come home and been loving?' She finished this sentence for him and sighed. 'I don't have an answer, other than when I really needed you today you were there, I just wanted to show my appreciation and love for you for that I guess' she shrugged.

'I went to all of them you know' he confessed, and she glanced over confused. 'I went to all the previous appointments too, even the ones you didn't show up for' he looked at her softly.

'You never said?'

'I just assumed if you wanted to talk about it you would, given the state we were in, I didn't think shouting about it was going to help' He explained. She slowly stood and walked around to her side of the bed, she slipped her heels off and climbed onto the bed, tucking her legs beneath her as she faced him. Henry slowly turned to face her, bending his leg and sitting up on the bed more.

'I couldn't go to that appointment a few weeks back, I knew my memory wasn't the best at that point, my hip was still painful and my thigh wound was worse. I felt ashamed and I just couldn't face it,' she admitted heavily. 'It's been a difficult few months since the attack Henry'

'I'm sorry, for my part in all of that' she nodded

'It doesn't fix anything though, does it? I don't know how to fix this' she stressed and instinctively grabbed her chest, scratching her skin as a burning sensation rose.

'Why didn't you tell me about the anxiety?' He asked softly.

'How was I supposed to do that? When? In-between us shouting and arguing?' She shook her head, trying her best to not get worked up but it was difficult. 'I am sorry I didn't tell you, and about my leg, believe me I wanted to reach out so many times but I just couldn't'

'I know that, I'm sorry you didn't feel you could come to me. That's one thing I always assumed wouldn't change. I've been ignorant to our issues' he admitted. Elizabeth raked her lip through her teeth in anxiousness and dipped her head.

'So many times I've tried to speak to you Henry, I've tried to tell you our marriage is struggling, that I am struggling with our marriage but I do feel you've ignored it' she confirmed, her voice a gentle whisper as the truth tore through the air.

'There is a lot we need to wade through' he looked up at her.

'Do you think we can?' She asked honestly. He hesitated and closed his eyes, the lack of trust within their relationship hurt him.

'I hope so, I think there are things that need to change and we need to air truthfully in order to move forward' She nodded and pulled her legs up into her closer.

'So many things have been left unspoken' she confirmed as the silence fell between them once again.

'We're not going to get through everything in one night, we need to just take our time through this and both put effort into having these moments' he spoke. Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and looked at him

'Is that a dig?' She chewed her lips, seeking confirmation before she fully responded.

'Not a dig, just, please come home to me when you can. I am not unreasonable I know some nights you need to work late, but I also know that…' he trailed off

'That we were hoping Conrad is returning next month' she nodded, holding her breath. 'Henry we need to air this Conrad issue, I cannot continue working with him as my boss and come home to tread on eggshells with you' she spoke through gritted teeth.

'I know, and I am aware that it's my issue but it's one I need you to respect whilst I work through it, please' he asked softly. She nodded slowly and reached her hand forward. He captured her hand with his, slowly pulling himself closer to her and kneeling before her. He ran his hand behind her hair and held her neck as he placed a loving kiss on her lips, brushing them tenderly, savouring the moment.

'Baby steps' she whispered and he agreed.

'Would you like me to rub that ointment into your leg?" He asked and she shook her head, politely declining.

'I can't, not yet' she whispered, her voice shaking.

'Ok, Elizabeth, it's ok' he reassured her. 'How about we grab an early night instead?' He smiled and she agreed. She slowly let his hand go and slipped off the bed, she grabbed her pyjamas as stepped into the en-suite to shower and freshen up before bed. This time her own mind was in overdrive, it felt as though they had both cleared the start of a path, yet neither of them confessed their love for one another in words, Elizabeth couldn't help but feel conflicted over the situation, but then again, three little words wouldn't make this right.

AN: -LilacMermaid Prompt used for this chapter - Madam Secretary Prompt: One of the McCord children mocks or criticises their parents for kissing again, but this time Elizabeth (or Henry) responds with real anger. This was the first time in months they'd been ok.