AN: Just to clear up some confusion in the reviews, people do not only read on review on here, many DM me on twitter, or What's app me and I have a beta reader, all of whom are also suggesting it's right E and H part ;) (Not saying they will/they won't).

You can all thank Maureen for this update, hope you like a cliffhanger...

Enjoy...

Chapter Thirty Two - Decisions made

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It had been five days since Henry had left the family home late one night. Four days since Elizabeth had heard from him, not a single reply to any of her calls or texts, no response from him on his fathers home telephone number, nothing. She only knew he was ok because Maureen had responded on occasions or the kids would mention that they had spoken to him. Elizabeth didn't know what cut deeper the fact he wouldn't come home, or the fact he was purposely ignoring her but responding to everyone else.

The radio silence from him had not helped Elizabeth in the slightest, if anything It made her drift further apart from him and everyone around her, slowly becoming a shell of herself. The woman who was always in control had lost all control and had no idea how she had managed to even function in recent times. Their argument had not blown over in the press and the media attention was circling rapidly, despite her team's best efforts to dampen the rumours, the fact they had found Henry in Pittsburgh and were constantly snapping Elizabeth looking worn just continued to add fuel to the fire.

She sat in her office late into the evening once again, she knew that she should make an effort to go home but she felt unable to do so. Stevie had been staying at Jareth's more frequently, Alison was staying over at her friend's house and Jason was with piper. The only option she had was to answer Dr Sherman's calls and rearrange her missed appointment, once again. The fact the house was empty turned her stomach, it wasn't just empty as in the fact no one was home, but it felt empty, like everything had been removed from there, all the love and warmth was gone, the home had become a house.

Henry and Elizabeths love once burnt a fire through that place, now that love is ashes. The wind catches it every day, covering every surface with a macabre confetti. Why was she going to return home and patiently wait his return, await the anger and watch the ashes of their love rise and fall once again.

Elizabeth placed her head in her hands and squeezed her eyes shut, something deep inside telling her this was it. Her barriers broke and she silently sobbed into her hands, her fingers gripping at her hair as her body slowly rocked, the level of despair making her a victim and forcing her to give into her emotions. Her shoulders shook as her eyes cried an ocean, grieving the relationship they once had. Her soul yearned for Henry, willing him to walk through the state department and right to, in that instant she knew she would do anything to have him back, even quit right on the spot.

The office door opened and Mike B came in unaware that she was in fact sobbing at her desk.

'Just me with another annoying update, Madam Secretary? Elizabeth what's happened?' He asked and walked over to her side of the desk. She lifted her head and waved him off

'Nothing, please leave Mike' she begged through her heartbroken sobs, her chest rattled as she sucked in as much air as her lungs could consume. Mike watched her crumble before him and felt helpless. He respected her wishes and exited the room, instantly searching for Blake…

Elizabeth's muffled cries threatened to grow louder as she felt her heart shatter, every single last piece splintering her soul. She slowly lifted her hand and reached for the phone, hesitantly dialling it and holding it to her ear, pleading for it to be answered.

'Wow my sister is calling me and I am not in a hostage situation, who died?' Will joked but Elizabeth couldn't laugh, she broke down on the phone, her cries flooding through the speaker and sending chills down his spine.

'Elizabeth what's wrong? Is everyone ok'

'Everyone's fine, I…I…oh god I feel sick' her voice shook violently as she tried to speak. 'Will, I…I, I think my marriage is over' she cried, she clasped her hand around her mouth to silence herself as she fought with herself not to scream into her hand.

'Oh Lizzie,' he sighed heavily. 'What's happened?' He asked

``It's too much to explain, Will what do I do?'

'I'm probably not the best to advise here Lizzie, I run from commitment you know that. Henry means the world to you so things must be bad, Do you want me to call him?'

'No, No please don't, I need to speak to him. Will I'm scared? I don't know who to turn to,' she admitted as she wiped the tears which continued to fall.

'It's times like these you wish mom and dad were still here huh?' he asked and heard her cry harder into the phone 'Yeah I know that feeling' he sympathised with her. 'Lizzie I don't know what's happened but I know you, now I mean this in the nicest way possible but sometimes you can be so stubborn, just try getting out of your own way and maybe it will create some room to fix this?' He offered cautiously.

Elizabeth glanced up and noticed Blake walking into her office, she wiped her tears and cleared her throat.

'Will, I've got to go. Talk soon, yeah?' She replied flatly

'Ok, Love you Lizzie' he sighed at the sound of her so deflated

'Yeah, you too' she blew a kiss and ended the call. She glanced up and flashed Blake a smile.

'Blake, what can I do for you? Is that the paperwork Mike just brought in? What is it?'

'Ma'am, go home' he told her as he took a seat in the chair opposite her desk. Elizabeth jolted her head back shocked, she was not expecting that from him. 'Mike told me, I can see it written on your face. You're exhausted, I don't think you've had anymore than maybe five hours sleep over the last five days, you've hardly eaten, you've read more policy documents and treaties than I even knew existed, go home and rest, please Ma'am' he finished his orders politely which made Elizabeth stifle a little laugh.

'What for? There is nothing at home for me anymore Blake, ' she lent back in her chair and rested her hands upon her head, one palm gripping the other tightly as she attempted to squeeze the emotions out of her.

'Things might look better after a decent night's sleep? The evening is drawing in, there is no work we can do right now, so go and have a bubble bath, maybe a glass of wine and rest'

'Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine' she quoted, her sorrow sinking deeper.

'I heard a rumour that one of your cars returned earlier today, I think Henry might be home. The kids are out, why don't you go home, before it gets late. Go and see him because all of this is just manifesting into something scary when in reality you just miss him, and you need him' His voice lay softly upon her ears as she listened intently. She glanced down at her watch and noticed it was coming up to seven o'clock in the evening. She slowly nodded and didn't argue.

'Yeah you're right, thanks Blake. Can you get my motorcade ready and give me five just to freshen up? `` she smiled, Blakes words making sense and her soul hopeful that Henry had returned home. Blake nodded and left the room giving her space. Elizabeth waked into her bathroom and leant on her skin, her Hands shaking as she reached for her flannel, her panic attempting to consume her but she refused to let it grow. She stared at her reflection and slowly patted her face with the damp cloth trying to cool down.

Elizabeth heard her office door once again and rolled her eyes wondering what Blake wanted now. She stood up straight and let out a sharp exhale before brushing herself down and stepping out of the bathroom.

'Henry…' She froze, her breath hitting the back of her throat as her husband stood before her, someone who looked just as lost and tormented as her. She glanced down at the floor and slowly scanned him as her eyes walked back up to his face and that's when she saw it, Henry stood before her as emotional as her, his hands gripping tightly around documents, ones she could only assume were divorce papers…