AN: Thank you all for your continued reviews and support! Sorry I have not updated as frequently as normal, things have been really hectic in the lead up too all the festivities. Having young kids who believe in the magic and being a Health Care professional in the Winter/During Covid times certainly takes up a lot of my time!

Fear not! I have some much needed annual leave starting xmas eve so after the festivities I will hopefully have some free time to write.

Enjoy...

Chapter Fifty Three - Time is a healer

'Thank you for being there today, I really appreciate it' Henry's voice danced through the air, as he joined Elizabeth out on his fathers front porch. Elizabeth broke from her thoughts, blinking softly as she tilted her gaze to look at him. 'May I?' He asked. Elizabeth sifted along the bench making space for Henry to take a seat.

'How are you holding up?' She asked, her gaze softly moving back to the view of the street in front of her.

'Ok, Today was hard but I was nice to have all the family together, even if it was for dad's funeral' he sighed, his hand rubbing his face as he tried to cover his thoughts.

'I think it's nice that you, maureen, Shane and Erin kept your close bond after all these years, it makes things like this easier to bare when you're not alone'

'I was never going to be alone through this, I think you coming all the way down here and staying here has shown me that' His words falling soft like his gaze upon her.

'I came for the kids' she teased, but couldn't contain her serious tone, a gentle giggle falling as Henry nudged her playfully in the side. 'I've done this alone, I'd never let you endure that Henry. Whether this happened now or in ten years, I'd have always come to support you and our children' she reassured him. A moment of silence fell between them as they sat in a state of contentment with one another.

'Can I ask you something?' He hesitated and Elizabeth inhaled deeply, not giving him a direct answer but not offering a refusal, allowing him to continue. 'That letter…'

'Henry-'

'No, we need to talk'

'I know we do, I get that, I honestly do but now isn't the time. You've just been to your fathers funeral Henry' She tried hard to reason, emotions laying thick in her throat

'If not now, when?' He pushed and she shook her head, her heart not willing to entertain this conversation.

'I don't know Henry, but I know that you're grieving. I'm grieving and remembering my own loss of my parents. Being here as a family unit is confusing, despite the fact I don't want to be anywhere else. I just think doing this now, here, after everything is complicating things' she sighed heavily. 'I know you came to this very house weeks ago, and I don't know what was said but you left here and came to me with divorce papers, I find myself… I don't know, it feels chaotic somehow, it's hard to think straight' she rambled. Henry nodded slowly, understanding her sentiments.

'That kiss-'

'Shouldn't have happened Henry, it was foolish of us' she whispered, her head dipping as she tried to push away the thoughts of his hands on hers.

'Yeah, I can agree with that' his mouth was running dry as he exhaled loudly through his nose. He repositioned himself, sliding back into the bench and leaning back. Elizabeth remained next to him, back straight and perched forward.

'Maureen mentioned that they're going to go through some of your dad's things next weekend, I've offered Ali and Jase to come stay with me, in case you wanted to come down here' she explained.

'Thank you. I don't know if I want to come here but a weekend alone to just think doesn't sound like a bad idea'

'I am sorry I never sent the letter to you Henry, you didn't deserve to find It the way you did. I know you probably have questions and I am not trying to avoid talking to you about it, I just can't right now. I never sent it because I was not ready to talk about it' Elizabeth spoke out into the silence, her mind constantly drifting back to their marriage despite the difficult situation they found themselves in.

'I only really have one question from it' he explained, his mouth twisting in response, unsure if he should tell her.

'I feel like I am complicating things by being here Henry, I am going to leave in a bit, head back the same time as Stevie and Jareth' she pushed their conversation in another direction.

'Ok' he whispered, unsure of how to respond to that. 'All of this is just as difficult for me as you know' he continued, his eyes falling on the back of her head, silently wishing she would turn to face him.

'I know, I haven't been easy for the last few months, then when things are over between us I finally start turning up when you need me, that cannot be easy to process, which is why I know I am complicating things by being here Henry.'

'I never had an issue with the fact you worked later; despite what I said about it, it was more that you needed to heal after Geneva, the kids needed that and I needed that. We as a married couple needed time and it felt like it was never important enough for you to sacrifice one early finish' his tone calm, as his hand slowly reached out, rubbing her back softly capturing her attention. Elizabeth's head tilted to the right, her elbow resting on her knees as she laid her chin in her palm, fingers covering her mouth as she looked at him, just watching intently as her eyes silently carried her guilt.

'Do you want this divorce Elizabeth?

'Henry-' A large expiration of air left her after she spoke his name. 'I don't think that's fair, none of us are thinking clearly, there is so much left unsaid and it's-'

'It's a simple ask, yes or no' He responded, a little grit to his words

'It's not that simple, and if you think it is, then you haven't understood the full scope of the failings of our marriage.' She shook her head and rose to her feet.

'That's my question; from your letter. Do you want this Divorce. I spent days here agonising over it and somehow came to that conclusion, but I never intended it to be a final thing, more of an ultimation, trying to show you where we were heading because I didn't feel you were listening to me' he tried his best to explain, his emotions rising as a slight irritability filtered into his tone.

'But I knew long before you did that a divorce was coming Henry, I told you and expressed my worries so many times, each time you told me that we were ok, we were safe and could get through anything. You lied' she spoke flatly, her words loving in her throat as she dug deep for the strength to speak.

'Elizabeth I-'

'It's not the time Henry. Right now you need to grieve'

'I am, I'm grieving the loss of my father and our marriage' He huffed

'I am not saying we cannot talk in the future and right our wrongs at some point, but, yes Henry. I want this divorce, I need it, and I think you do too. We cannot keep pushing and pulling one another the way we are. We need to go our separate ways and If it's meant to be, maybe it will be.' She pressed her lips together, swallowing her sadness.

'I resent the fact that I agree' he cleared his throat, trying to suppress his own tears.

'At least we can finally communicate' she whispered almost silently before offering him a comforting smile and heading back inside.