Chapter Twenty Six - Repetition
2 months later…
Henry sat at his desk in the brownstone home, he was just finishing up with some emails when he heard the sound of his wife's motorcade pull up outside. He glanced at the clock in the bottom of the screen and sighed inwardly to himself, this was the fifth time in the last two weeks she had been home late. Henry didn't look up from the computer screen upon hearing Elizabeth enter the family home, instead he continued to bury his emotions within.
Elizabeth spotted Henry out of the corner of her eye and noted instantly that he hadn't lifted his head to greet her; she didn't need to weigh up the options, she glanced down at her watch and silently cursed herself for being home late. With a sharp inhale of breath she entered their offices sheepishly.
'Hey' she bit her lip nervously, watching him as she took a seat in the chair on the opposite side of the room.
'Evening' he cleared his throat. Henry had never been great at hiding his emotions, Elizabeth knew that, but lately she noted it was becoming harder and harder for him, something she was aware that she was causing. She dipped her head as a wave of guilt flooded her, unable to speak. She sat in silence, because within that moment she didn't want to leave him, so an uncomfortable silence was the only option.
'Everything ok?' Henry broke the icy tension. He closed his laptop and for the first time since she walked through the door nearly ten minutes ago he looked up at her. His heart sank, often when he looked at his wife lately he found a similar reaction, the stress and uncertainty behind her eyes shook his core. He knew it was an expression reserved only for him, within the privacy of their home because when he had seen her over at state, or on the TV she looked poised and professional.
'Sorry I'm late again' she mumbled. Elizabeth lent back in the chair and locked her eyes on his; how had they become like this. She often found herself tormented when she looked at Henry, a mix of emotions, wanting to give him everything but also desperately wanting him to understand she was the secretary of state, and she needed to work late some nights.
'It's the fifth time' he couldn't help himself, he had to say it. His inside voices cursed as the words slipped from his mouth.
'Yes, you're right, but Henry it's the fifth time in two months, you asked me to be home more and I have stuck to that. The last two weeks have been extremely busy, I can't help that' she tried to reason calmly.
'But those five times have come within the last two weeks, I know you're doing your best, I know that, but it doesn't make it any easier. I'm struggling, we're struggling and it just makes it so much harder when you're not home' He sighed heavily.
'Struggling? I thought we were getting better…'
'Nothing's changed has it really let's be honest with ourselves for once Elizabeth' he groaned at the frustrations of his marriage failings.
'Henry, I didn't come in here to over analyse this marriage once again, I came to see you, spend time with you and to invite you out. Maybe that's what we need, a night to dress up and I don't know, put some magic back into this'
She was met with silence, Elizabeth shook her head in frustration as she watched Henry stare right through her, not even entertaining her offer. He was sitting with his elbows on the desk and his glasses perched on his face, a vacant expression filled him. Elizabeth stood and walked towards him, she ran a loving hand across the top of his back as she continued to walk out of the office doors behind him.
'Silence doesn't help Henry. You've got to find a way to get through this anger of yours. I can't help if you don't communicate with me' She stated before exiting the office and heading upstairs away from the animosity.
It wasn't too long before Henry came through the door of what once was their sanctuary, but now felt like a wreckage site. She clenched her jaw as she saw him, knowing from his body language alone that he wanted to have things out with her. She took her glasses off and sat up in bed watching him once again stare through her. She pulled the blanket up around her, trying to add a layer of protection from Henry's glaring eyes.
'What was this event?' He asked simply. Elizabeth was thankful for the diverted conversation but restless with the fact he continued to hide his true thoughts from her; how are they ever meant to progress If honesty is one sided she often thought to herself.
'There is an alliance getting married. Conrad and Lydia are going, and Russel and I have been invited, with plus ones. It's only in the evening, I just wondered if you wanted to attend with me?' Her soft tones floated across the room to him, what once was soothing now irritated him. He knew it was down to his own lack of communication but he couldn't bring himself to give her another ultimation.
'No thanks' he replied flatly as he walked further into the room and began to get undressed and ready for bed.
'Oh… Are you sure? It could be good for us' she attempted to persuade him.
'For us or good for the optics?' He questioned as he threw the covers back and climbed into bed next to her. Elizabeth let out a forceful huff as she turned to face him.
'That was a little below the belt, I don't know why you're in such a bad mood but please do not take it out on me.' she warned him with a harsh glare.
'Sorry' he mumbled, 'I Just don't think it's my thing' he shrugged
'Not your thing? Since when have two people in love not been your thing?' She raised her eyebrow, 'Actually don't answer that' she huffed and turned her head away from him. Silence crept in between them once again. Her insides twisted with anger, but she never let it surface, she knew that it wasn't her overriding emotion. Elizabeth twisted her wedding ring around her finger and bit down on her lip in an attempt to control her true feelings; sadness.
Her body felt heavy, she glanced out of the corner of her eye and watched Henry stare into space once again, a clear barrier between them. She often found these moments worse than arguments, because at least when you're arguing you're communicating, but now there is nothing. She inhaled a shaky breath as her eyes glistened and her vision became blurred. She sniffled softly, something which caught Henry's attention, before he could respond he was shocked by her forwardness…
'Henry please can I have a hug' and with the final word she broke into a fresh set of tears. Her shoulders bounced lightly as her cries escaped her. Henry immediately sat up and moved closer, wrapping a protective arm around her and using the other arm to slowly caress her leg in an attempt to calm her down.
'Shhh' he soothed as she continued to get herself worked up within his arms.
'Sorry, it's just been a difficult few days' she admitted. Henry continued to hold her and sway her softly as she eventually calmed. He kissed the side of her head and inhaled her scent as he held her close. Once her sobs had subsided he slowly moved a little and she turned to face him,
'That's not all is it?' He whispered. He tucked a small strand of hair behind her ear and used his thumb to wipe away some of the tear residue.
'I'm fed up of feeling like I've upset you Henry, and I'm in pain,' she admitted, her voice thick with emotion.
'Oh Babe, I am sorry, you've not upset me. I'm such an idiot. Where is the pain? What can I do to help?' His own question shocked him, a realisation that he no longer knew what his wife needed. Elizabeth saw the opportunity to be completely vulnerable with him and for once decided to take it,
'Could you rub some ointment into my leg?I haven't done it for a few days and It's burning a little' The hesitant words escaped her. Henry was shocked, not once had she asked him to help her, he knew In that moment just how much she was trying and he knew he had to do the same, he owed her that much. He nodded and climbed out of bed to retrieve her medical kit. He walked over to her side and helped her peel the covers back. He was unsure of what to do when he noticed her pyjama bottoms, suddenly he didn't feel so confident as to just remove them.
'Can, urm, May I..?' He stuttered and she nodded
'It's ok Henry, you can remove your wife's trousers' she whispered softly, desperately trying to reassure him. He placed the medical bag down and slowly slipped her pyjamas down, the coolness of her skin on his fingertips sending shockwaves through him, it had been a long time since he felt her skin on his. He shook his head and reached for the bag once more. He took a seat on the edge of the bed and squeezed the tube of cream into his hand before reaching over to rub it softly around her wound.
'Is that ok?' He asked and she nodded, closing her eyes to try and hide from the discomfort of physical pain. Henry continued to rub the ointment in for a few more seconds before retrieving the bandages and covering it securely. He cleared the items away and went to wash his hands before he returned to her bed side, sitting in the same spot she was in moments ago, his hands gently resting on her thigh.
'Thank you' she whispered. Henry lent over and brushed his lips over hers. She pushed herself up towards him a little, wanting to be closer to him. Henry pulled back and allowed his hand on her thigh to circle and slowly move towards her core. Elizabeth's body twitched beneath his touch, she herself wanting more from him. He traced his fingers down the centre of her underwear, slowly taking It up and down, feeling the warmth generated inside her. He looked up at her and watched as she relaxed under his touch, her core burning for contact.
Henry used his finger tips to trace the outline of her knickers, but he found himself slightly hesitant, aware that they had not been intimate with one another for around four months.
'More' she purred, picking up on the sensation of him stopping. She ran her hands down her own body and pulled her underwear down, revealing her sodden Core to him. She then reached for his hand and allowed him to trace her folds, showing him just where she wanted him. She opened her eyes and locked a loving gaze onto his,
'I miss you. I want you Henry' she smiled. He grinned back at her and felt his own boundaries relax as his fingers danced around her centre. He slipped his fingers inside and groaned aloud as he felt her warmth wrap around his fingers. He circled her sweet spot for a few moments, watching the lustrous moans escape her lips before dipping down and slipping his fingers inside her.
'Oh Henry…' she moaned pleasurably. Her body twisting as she felt him drive deeper into her, his fingers curling and hitting that spot, her spot. She gripped his arm and tried to move but the pleasure quickly turned to pain for a split second, something Henry noticed and immediately retracted his fingers.
'No don't stop' she moaned and he chuckled
'Elizabeth I can see the pain on your face, you need to be careful with your hips, you've not long recovered from a fracture in the pelvis.' He reasoned but she pouted
'No, Henry please I want you' she groaned and sat up, her hands reaching down to his hardened member 'Hmm, I think you might want me too' she teased and pushed his lips onto his. Henry responded by deepening the kiss, his tongue dancing around her mouth, the familiar territory being explored as his hands roamed her body.
'Oh God Elizabeth' he bit down on her lip and she arched her body into him. He slowly lowered her to the bed and began to plant kisses down her neck.
``We can do this, but it's about you,' he explained, seeing her wet and burning with desire for him left him hungry to please her. He slowly slipped his fingers back between her legs, he used his free hand to help steady her body as he picked up his motions once again. His fingers dipped in and out of her, curling at her peak and circling her swollen clit as he hungrily increased the pace. Soft pants escaped her parted lips as she gripped onto his arm, her body involuntary trying to thrust up into him as he continued to pleasure her, her body completely at his mercy.
'You' she panted heavily, trying to hold onto her climax and enjoy the shockwaves which danced around her entire body. Her hand moved down to his bugle, caressing it, signalling she wanted him. 'You' she repeated and used her free hand to pull his body on top of hers. Henry couldn't resist her any longer, he pulled his boxers down and revealed his length to her. She moaned hungrily and she guided him between her legs. Henry slowly slid himself deep inside her, their moans drenched in lust echoed around the room as he felt her core wrap around his thick, hardened length.
'Henry' she panted heavily, her hips pushing up into him.
'No, I don't want to hurt you, just feel me' his voice thick with gravel as he bit down on her neck, trailing her skin in sloppy kisses. He slowly rocked inside her, never letting the momentum build through fear of hurting her. Their hot sweaty bodies remained close together, their movements intertwined as they worked together for the first time in a long time.
'I. Need. More' she moaned as her body called out for a release. Henry slipped out of her and pushed himself back, his mouth colliding with her core. His tongue danced around her velvet juices as he bit down on her clit, sending the shockwaves he wanted through Elizabeth's body. She screamed out his name and dug her nails into his shoulders as her body attempted to twist and ride the wave of pleasure beneath him. Henry continued to suck and lick her core as she spilled down into his mouth. Henry grinned sexily into her as he cleared up every drop she had on offer.
She slowly pulled him back up to her and collided her lips onto his, the taste of her within him mixed with the pleasure of Henry making her come undone made her body shake. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close as he covered her body with his and kissed her repeatedly.
'I didn't know I needed that' He chuckled and rolled to the side of her, remaining close.
Neither did I,' she laughed, trying her best to turn and face him.
'It's ok, I know it's painful for you to lay on this side, turn over, let me rub your back' he offered and she accepted. She got comfortable on her side and Henry slipped the covers up over them, his groin pushing into her naked bum as he gently tickled her back.
'I do love you Elizabeth, I hope you know that' he whispered into her skin and she nodded.
'I love you too Henry…' She paused
'But?' He questioned calmly
'No but's, I just wish you would trust me enough to communicate what's wrong.' She sighed, sinking into her pillow. Henry didn't respond, instead he continued to tickle her back and watch as she relaxed further into the pillow and her breathing slowly began to change as she started to drift off to sleep.
'I want you to quit your job,' he whispered sheepishly after he thought she was asleep, finally admitting the truth. Elizabeth didn't move, instead her heart dropped as an intimate moment between them was ruined. She let the words of Henry skin deep into her, all their efforts to put everything back on track had come undone with one single sentence.
Lilac Mermaid - Madam Secretary Prompt: In the middle of an argument (or high-stress moment), Elizabeth suddenly breaks and begs Henry for a hug. (Or vice versa).