AN: ok, ok here is an additional update! I fear I may have broken all of your hearts. BUT being further ahead with writing I can confirm that I will mend them again. Not giving away the ending, if they come back together or not you won't know but they will be in a good place and the heartbreaking angst pretty much dies out from here...
Chapter Eighty Five - Different Times
5 Months Later
'So, just to revise, we land in London at 1100hrs GMT time, You have a Meeting with the Prime Minister at 12.30, 2pm you have a video call scheduled with the president and Russell Jackson, 3pm we are expected back at your hotel where you will then be relieved of duties to get ready for the pre-wedding dinner at 5pm' Blake smiled as he tapped his pen down on the itinerary. 'Oh and your brother is expected to land around 2 o'clock' he continued.
'And what will you two be doing this evening?' Elizabeth asked, her eyes flickering from Blake to Nadine.
We will be at the hotel should you need anything Ma'am' Nadine reassured her.
'You mean in case I completely fall apart and Dr Sherman ends up being right, that I should have reached out to Henry before our daughter's wedding?' She replied sarcastically
'And not avoided him for five months, you forgot that bit' Blake bit his lip nervously as the words tumbled from his mouth. Elizabeth gave him a side glare as she inhaled deeply.
'We will be there should you need us for anything, regardless of the wedding, this is a State trip too, we are here to work' Nadine confirmed, turning and raising an eyebrow at Blake. A gentle reminder that despite his close relationship with the secretary, he was still her assistant. Blake sheepishly sunk back in his seat as he dipped his head.
It's fine, Thank you Nadine,'' she smiled softly. She leant forward and placed her head in her hands, using her fingertips to massage her forehead as her thoughts surrounding Henry started to surface. She inhaled softly and tried to reflect on her sessions with Dr Sherman, utilising all the skills she had taught her to help manage her anxiety. She slowly exhaled and closed her eyes, regaining control of her thoughts and sitting back up straight.
'Have any of you heard from Henry recently? Honestly, I know I said I didn't want to know if he called unless it was an emergency, but now I want to know' she spoke with a nervous giggle. Nadine and Blake both turned to glance at one another before looking back at Elizabeth.
'No Ma'am' Nadine let her down gently.
'Nothing at all?'
'Initially yes, but nothing in the last three and a half months, I'm sorry' Blake's lips fell into a sad smile as he looked at her, physically watching the colour drink from her face, like it had done every single time his name was mentioned over the last five months.
'I can't say I blame him' she cleared her throat.'Lets hope this dinner goes smoothly, I've quite enjoyed not being in the papers recently' She sighed heavily as she rose from the seat and smoothed her trousers down. 'How long before we land?' She pressed her lips together, glancing down at her watch and back to her staff.
'Roughly another four Hours Ma'am'
'I'm just going to go and see if I can get some sleep' she excused herself and walked off towards her office, as she lost control of her mind once again, only this time she made no effort to stop the spiralling thoughts, she chose to feel them.
'Do you think she will be ok? Seeing Henry again I mean? Dr Sherman doesn't seem to think so, that's why she broke confidentiality and asked us to talk to her about speaking to him sooner, if she is that concerned, should we be?' Blake asked openly
'Blake, I know you have a friendship with the Secretary, and that you are Dr Shermans point of contact for her concerns now, but you need to remember that she is also your Boss. The Secretary is ok, until she tells us otherwise' Nadine sighed.
'That's what I was afraid off' he whispered
MS -
'Henry will you sit down, you've not stopped pacing all morning' Erin spoke sweetly as she watched her brother tearing holes in the hotel carpet.
'Sorry, I didn't realise' he sighed, stopping at the corner of her arm chair and softly placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
'You don't want Stevie to see you like this, she is nervous enough' Shane chuckled
'Yeah I know, I'm nervous too' he resided, his words full of emotion.
'What are you nervous for? She is the one who has refused to speak to you over the last few months. She should be nervous.' Maureen hissed
'Maureen' Shane warned
'What it's true! Henry, how many times did you try to call her? And did she answer any of them? No, she sure didn't. She good as invited him over for a weekend, dangled the carrot of potential in his face then threw it out the window' She continued, her accent getting thicker as her anger towards Elizabeth manifested.
'Stop Maureen, It wasn't like that' Henry huffed
'She needed space, Henry said that, after everything the two of them went through maybe it was a good thing' Erin shrugged
'A good thing? Do you think watching your brother become a shell of the man he was a good thing?' Maureen continued
'Stop! I am right here and my kids are due down in this lobby at any minute! Yes Erin, whilst the space for Elizabeth might have been needed, it was hell for me-'
'See' Maureen smirked
'But-' he cut across her, his glaze icy, 'But Maureen that does not mean I have become a shell of myself. A little quieter at times yes, but I am fine' He warned
'Well, let's see how fine you are at this dinner later tonight' she shrugged, as all of her siblings shook their heads at her. Deep down, they all knew she was telling the truth.
'This trip is about Stevie and Jareth, Elizabeth has not been mentioned during our time in London prior to doing so let's just keep it that way. She is coming here for her daughter's wedding, and that's all."'Henry laid the ground, his voice shaking a little as thoughts of her continued to circle in his mind, like they had done for the last few months.
'Hmm, well lets just hope she doesn't twist the knife in further'
'Maureen Stop!' Erin snapped 'You're making out like she is the worst person in the world, you alway have done and she isn't! For god sakes the woman needed some time to sort her head out, why are you treating it like such a crime?' She continued to rant, standing up and addressing her older sister.
'Because she broke my brother's heart!' Maureen yelled back, her gaze falling to Henrys as she watched him sit there, already uncertain about everything that had happened, and what was to come.
- MS -
Elizabeth stood alone in the hotel, her two DS agents slipping behind her as she braced herself for impact, but she couldn't do it. Her shaking hand was not strong enough to reach out and push open the door to the hotel restaurant. Her knees felt weak, her chest tightened as her palms dipped in sweat. Not this again she inhaled, holding her breath for a few seconds, willing the nervousness to pass, but on exhale it didn't quite work like that. What was supposed to be a slow and composed breath ended up being forced out with a groan of frustration.
'Is everything ok Madam Secretary? Would you like me to get the door for you?' Matt asked but she stood rooted to the spot, body facing forward and her head shaking, she had to do this.
'It's fine Matt, Thanks' she cleared her throat. She took another slow inhalation, filling her lungs to the maximum capacity, holding it for a few seconds and getting ready to slowly exhale.
'Right we ready?' Will come running up behind
'Arhh' She groaned in frustration, her slow exhale ruined once again.
'What did I do?' He looked confused
'Nothing' she puffed 'Nothing, It was me' she sighed. Will took a step forward and pushed the door Handle down, pulling the door back and revealing the full room to them both.
'Woah, that is a lot of people, Stevie knows how to throw a pre party, party' he joked
'Hmm, that's a lot of McCords,' she whispered, slowly stepping into the room. Her eyes frantically searched for one man in particular, who was nowhere to be seen.
'Mom! Uncle Will! Hey you guys' Stevie came rushing over, Jareth in tow.
'Oh it's the happy couple!' Will embraced Stevie with a hug, grinning happily as he stood back and shook Jareths hand.
'Mom' Stevie smiled, Elizabeth opened her arms and closed her eyes as her daughter sunk into them.
'I've missed you,' she whispered into her shoulder.
'Missed you too Mom'
'Jareth, how are you?' Elizabeth grinned, putting on her best fake smile and wrapping him up in her arms.
'Ms McCord, Hi' he greeted her.
'How was your lunch with the Prime Minister?' Stevie asked
'Did you give him one or two tips on how to lead efficiently?' Jareth teased but Elizabeth shook her head
'No, no shop talk, It's all about you both. I've missed you both so much!' She smiled with a glint of sadness in her eyes as her mind reflected on how empty the house had been.
'We've missed you too, but in the new house-'
'Oh Yes, I've been so excited to tell you Mom!' Stevie giggled, pausing for a moment to contain herself and let Jareth finish.
'In our new house we went for the one with an extra room, so should you ever visit the UK again, you don't need to stay in a hotel, although I am sure what they offer the secretary of state is far more comforting than our little overpriced home, but still, there is a room with your name on it' Jareth grinned, the happiness pouring from them both. Elizabeth giggled a little at their offer, her heart feeling a flutter of warmth, knowing she still had a place in someone's life.
'Thank you, I'll be sure to arrange something' she winked
'Listen we don't want to be rude but we need to keep rotating around everyone, sit and grab some food, have some drinks, mingle with everyone, just relax and have fun, that's all we want' Stevie explained, kissing them both on the cheeky before slipping off into the background with her husband to be.
'You ready to eat, drink and mingle?' Will teased his sister and she shook her head.
'I'll just take the drink' she sighed.
'I've already got you one…' A voice came from the side of her.