AN: Thanks again for all the support! Some review have mentioned about Henry's insight, he has a moment where he talks about Charlotte and his reasons why in about ten chapters why. I'll admit its not long, but she is not the main focus of this story. So much more is to come...

Enjoy...

Chapter Sixty Eight - Under One Roof

'Ooo It's the McCords!' Elizabeth bounced in happiness, there was nothing she loved more these days than having all of her children under one roof again. She rushed to the door and wrapped Jason and Alison in her arms, squeezing them tightly, rocking them side to side in excitement as she held them close to her.

'How was the trip? Are you hungry?' She fired questions at them as she began to step back and allow Stevie to get in between them and steal a hug from her siblings. Elizabeth glanced to the left and smiled softly at Henry. Her stomach flipped a little as she thought about how normally she would have hugged him next, but circumstances dictate differently.

Henry returned her smile, instantly noticing something different about her. She was at ease with him, like there was no malice, no underlying tension, nothing from her just genuine happiness to see her children. It left him wondering if there was a slight bit of happiness to see him?

'Trip was loooong' Jason broke the silence within the room, 'And I am starving, but I don't want too much, I am meeting some of the boys later' He announced

'Excuse me?' Both Henry and Elizabeth asked at the same time, causing them both to glance at one another and blush.

'What? I am doing as you asked and coming to DC for this stupid children thing tomorrow, so please let me go and see the boys tonight!' He moaned, causing his mother to folder her arms and raise an eyebrow.

'That 'Stupid Children thing' is a conference on Women's Education-'

'Yeah because it's clearly wasted on boys' Alison cut across and teased

''It's an important event for me, and I do appreciate you coming, but Jase, I wanted us to spend the night together, can't you see them tomorrow night?'

' Can't we spend tomorrow night together mom?' He smirked

'Jason,' Henry warned. Elizabeth gently raised her hand to him and softly shook her head, signaling he did not need to defend her.

'Fine, Home by Eleven though please' she warned.

'Come on you lot, food is cooking' Stevie cut across, calling them all over to the kitchen.

'Cheers Mom!' Jase called behind him while he and Alison followed their sister's orders.

'Hi' Henry shifted on the spot as he spoke nervously to her

'Hey'

'Listen' they both said at the same time, stirring up a small giggle from Elizabeth.

'You go first' she offered

'I just wanted to make sure that you were ok with me staying here? We haven't really spoken since the divorce was finalized and I don't want to make things awkward' He explained himself, the word divorce sinking his heart every time he said it.

'Nonsense, I wouldn't let you stay anywhere else Henry, this is your home too whenever you need it to be.' She smiled, her hands gripping at her cardigan sleeved as they craved the feel of his skin.

'`MOM, DAD FOOOOOD'

'Hurry up I'm starving!'

'I think we should go and eat before Jason starts claiming he is malnourished' Henry joked.

'Honestly that boy' Elizabeth giggled as she turned and walked towards the commotion in the kitchen.

'Finally' Jason rolled his eyes as he flopped himself down at the dining room table.

Elizabeth looked at Henry in disbelief and he chuckled in response before taking his own seat at the table. Elizabeth smiled inwardly, she found it somewhat heartwarming to watch him sit in his space at the table once again.

'Stevie this smells so good, Thanks for cooking again' Elizabeth grinned as she joined everyone at the table

'Well some of us can't be expect to cook when they have to keep the country going' Stevie winked

'Wait mom, I didn't realize you were the president now?' Jason mocked

'Oh Ha Ha, It's not just the president who keeps the country going you know, I happen to have a very important job' she shook her head as she played along with her son.

'Oh Yes, Blake get me coffee, Daisy speak to people for me, Matt write my words, Nadine manage my staff, Jay… wait what does Jay do?' He paused which caused the whole table to laugh in response to him. Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief at her son's mischievous ways. Her smile infected the room, and Henry as he sat back, watching her, a pastime he had missed, and one his heart could spend all day enjoying.

As the evening drew to an end Elizabeth, Henry and Alison were the only ones left in the house, all still sat around the kitchen table just spending some time talking about life, friends, school and the world in general. A rare moment that Alison relished in as she enjoyed the company of both her parents under one roof.

'Well this has been a lovely evening but I am so tired, I am going to grab a shower and head into bed if you guys don't mind?' She asked

'Not at all sweetie' Elizabeth smiled, opening her arms and gently hugging her daughter goodnight as she walked past and amended up the stairs.

'Night Mom, Night Dad, Love you'

'Night Noodle, Love you'

'Night Baby, Love you too'

Elizabeth stood and began cleaning the empty dishes away, carrying them over to the skin ready to be washed.

'Here, let me do them' Henry requested

'No it's fine, I am only giving them a rinse, I'll load the dishwasher and empty it before work tomorrow' she flashed him a genuine smile before turning back to the sink before her.

'So has Stevie spoken to you much about the wedding? Or moving to London?' Henry asked, as he started to help clear things away

'Not a great amount, she has tried but my head just hasn't been in that place of excitement about love' she confessed, silently cursing herself as she let the words flow with no real thought process. 'Sorry, I didn't mean-' she grimaced as she turned to face him.

'Hey, we can't keep apologizing for our truth' he smiled sadly back at her, watching as she leant against the work surface watching him. Elizabeth dipped her head and let her fingers curl around the edge of the surface, silently nodding to herself as she let his words sink in.

Silence engulfed them, both of them stood with more things to say than ever before, but neither held the courage to do so.

'I er, I hope my interview a few days ago didn't cause too much of an issue for you, I tried to tread carefully'

'I think Daisy had a few moments of panic during it, but no, you were fine' she smiled

'Phew' he mocked, causing her to stifle a laugh once again.

'What?' She asked, her eyes narrowing as she watched Henry look at her

'Nothing' he shook his head, he placed the tea towel down on the surface and cleared his throat. 'Wine?' He asked

'No Thank you, I am trying to cut back' she lied as she polity declined his offer. Deep down she knew that she couldn't be around him for too long, her emotions were finally in a calming place, she didn't need them to start going wild for Henry McCord again. 'I think I might grab an early night, it's not often my phone is this silent so I think I'll make the most of it' she chuckled, taking her phone from the counter and walking towards Henry to pass him.

As she stepped beside him his hand instinctively grabbed her, his lips desperate to gravitate towards her own as he stopped her, holding her in place and pooled his eyes down at her. Elizabeth's breath caught the back of her throat, her core pulling tight as she watched him watch her, she could see his want and desire for her burn through his eyes, something she once thought was lost.

'Henry' she whispered

'Sorry' He cleared his throat and stepped back from her, instantly realeasing his grip and setting her free. Elizabeth pressed her lips together and swallowed hard, unsure if that was the response she wanted from him or not.

'Goodnight Henry, sleep well' she reluctantly drew their time to an end as she headed up to their old bedroom.

'Goodnight Elizabeth'

'I still love you' he whispered to himself silently in the empty room.