An: here you go!! I promise not to break your heart with anymore chapters...
Thank you for being fiercely loyal readers/reviewers and also, thanks for always having my back.
Chapter Eighty Six - Watering a Plant
'I've already got you one' A voice came from her side. Elizabeth looked over her shoulder and spotted Henry, leaning against the pillar holding a Tumbler of whiskey out for her to take. She glanced back at Will with confusion and back to Henry.
'Can we urm-' he paused, his head tilting out into the lobby of the hotel, gesturing for her to join him in a quieter place.
'I'll go get myself a drink, Good to see you Henry' Will smiled and stepped away from them both. Henry stood upright and walked closer to her, he handed her the drink, lingering his hand over the glass as she took it from his grasp.
'Are you ready to talk yet?' He asked a little harshly. Her mouth ran dry, almost fearful of him, or rather what he was going to say. She swallowed hard and pressed her lips together, stepping back a little and walking out into the hotel lobby. She glanced around and found a quiet spot in the corner, Henry following her silently until they both sat down.
'Hi' she croaked
'Hey' his anger nipping at his words
'Thanks for the drink' she smiled awkwardly at him, her hands lifting the glass to her mouth as she took a sip.
'Figured you'd need it, that room is quite intense' he half joked and she nodded in agreement.
'Henry I-'
'I don't want your excuses Elizabeth, I just wanted to steal a moment with you, We haven't spoke for a while and our daughter is getting married in the morning, I just wanted to clear the air a little, for Stevie's sake' he dismissed her, cutting right through and getting straight to the point. Elizabeth looked at him, her brow furrowed, I must have really hurt him.
'For Stevie's Sake' she echoed, her lips pressing together as she softly shook her head. Disheartened by his words, but once again, she knew she couldn't blame him.
Silence.
Both of their eyes danced around the room, awkwardly glancing at one another whilst neither opened their mouth. A thousand and one thoughts swimming in their brains, memories, moments, things unsaid all demanding to be given a chance to be heard, but they both kept silent. Elizabeth took another sip of her drink, letting the brown liquid burn its way down to the pit of her stomach.
'I think it's best if I head back inside' Elizabeth announced, she stood up and brushed her dress down before looking back at Henry with a soft smile. 'I look forward to celebrating Stevie's wedding with you tomorrow, above everything we are parents, we're a united front on that' her words are soft and tender, the kindness Henry had been longing to see from her seeping through.
'Are we?' he whispered, watching as she stepped around the table.
'Yes, for what it's worth, I'm sorry I hurt you Henry, truly sorry' the sincerity flooded out of her words and lay gently upon his ears, all he could do was listen to her words as he watched her walk back into the room. Fear gripped a hold of his heart as it fought to be free for her again.
Twenty Four Hours Later
Stevie and Jareth stood in the middle of the dance floor, gently swaying to the soft tunes of a love song as their first dance as Husband and Wife slowly came to an end. The wedding had been a wonderful event, everything had gone smoothly, the glorious sun beamed down and kept everyone warm whilst they all celebrated the happy couple. Elizabeth couldn't recall the last time she had relaxed and unwound like this, she hadn't thought about the state department at all, it was something quite refreshing.
She placed her glass down and clapped as the dance ended, a beaming smile etched on her face, as she looked down the head table to Henry, watching him as he clapped and grinned at his daughter and husband. Her eyes fell over his body, dressed in a light grey suit with a blush pink tie, he looks good she thought to herself. A moment of sadness creeped in as she felt her heart tug, wanting to be near him. She glanced away and back into the room, brushing her thoughts aside and smiling at Alison and Jason dancing with Stevie on the dance floor.
Henry glanced down the table, stealing a moment to stare at his ex wife. She looks beautiful he thought as his eyes walked over her body, dressed in the most beautiful dress he had seen her wear. A blush pink floral gown. Not an inch of her skin showed as the higher neckline fell just at the bottom of her neck, her long sleeves effortlessly flowed down her arms and cuffed at the wrist, a band of material synching her waist as the gown fell to the floor. What lay underneath was still an image that he welcomed in his mind. He sighed inwardly, despite the happiness of today he couldn't stop the sadness from creeping in. He glanced back at the dance floor, laughing as Jason tried to escape but his sisters pulled him back for yet another dance.
"Good Afternoon Ma'am' Blake smiled as he and Nadine walked over to her at the head table.
'Oh you made it, Welcome, Welcome' she slurred her words a little as she stood up, greeting her staff with a hug as they joined her at the wedding after party.
'Here, there is a table over there which Stevie kindly set up for my security detail, you two and well, me once I'd had enough of the family' she joked, both Nadine and Blake looked at her in shock
'Ma'am how much have you had to drink?' Blake questioned and she rolled her eyes
'Oh shh, it's a wedding, everyones been drinking since this morning' she giggled 'Please call me Elizabeth today, I don't want to be Madam Secretary right now' she pleaded
'Ok, you look Lovely Elizabeth' Nadine smiled
'Thank you, you too. Can I get you anything?' She asked and they both shook their head in unison
'No thanks, we will get it' Blake shook his head. Elizabeth rolled her eyes and glanced over her shoulder. 'Now the party is in full swing, I am going to go and speak to some of Henry's brothers and sisters for a bit, please help yourself to drinks, there is a buffet later and well, mingle' she waved her hand around a little before smiling and walking across there room
'Oh boy' Blake sighed
'Arh, she'll be fine' Will laughed as he sat down at the table with them
'Dr Adams, Hi' Nadine smiled
'She's not as bad as she seems, she's just nervous. Plus, I'm sure the alcohol will give the edge to speak to Henry like she wants too' he shrugged
'Or pass out in his lap' Blake widened his eyes as he watched Elizabeth wobble in her seat as she sat talking to Erin.
MS -
'It really has been a wonderful day, you must be so Proud Elizabeth' Erin smiled as Elizabeth sat back in her seat, she wobbled slightly but held on to the table to steady herself, flashing a smile back in Erins direction.
'It's so lovely to see you Erin, and you Shane' She reached over and placed a hand on Shane's, giving him a gentle squeeze before pulling her hand back to her lap. 'I wanted to apologise, to you both, I know this maybe isn't the time or the place but I don't know when I'd get the opportunity again. I'm sorry if you've got caught up in anything between Henry and I, and.I want to thank you for being there for the kids, I know Jason really values time spent with you Shane. And you Erin, thanks for everything' She smiled softly.
'I'm just sorry you and Henry couldn't work it out' Erin admitted
'Yeah, I second that. I know Jase is pretty gutted about it too' Shane agreed.
'I hoped we could but, in the end it was my fault' she inhaled deeply, trying her best to remain composed and focused in the moment 'Anyway, where is that brother of yours? I have been meaning to tell him how wonderful his speech was earlier'
'He was just outside with Jareth's grandma or something' Erin giggled
'Ok, well if you see him, can you tell him I'd like to steal him for a moment please?' She asked softly. Both Shane and Erin nodded sweetly as she rose from the table.
'Leaving so soon?' Maureen asked from behind her. Elizabeth swallowed harshly as she turned to face Maureen, a fake smile plastered over her face, an empty champagne flute in her hand.
'Maureen Hi, had a good day?' She asked but Maureen just scoffed at her. Elizabeth glanced down at her glass, cursing herself for finishing her drink already.
'I see you lived up to the title of Queen Elizabeth in the end'
'Maureen' Erin scowled
'Maureen what went on is between Henry and I, now I want to thank you for being there for him-'
'Huff, that's rather rich. Of course I was going to be there, we are his family, we don't just cut and run at the first sign of trouble' she hinted, pressing all of Elizabeth's buttons. Elizabeth felt her stomach twist in knots, half of her wanting to shout and scream at Maureen but the other constantly reminding her it was her daughter's wedding.
'Maure-'
'Do you even know how much you hurt him? Do you even care?' She stepped a little closer
'Yes, yes I do know'
'No you don't, how could you possibly know' Maureen spat in a hushed tone.
'Because I told her' Erin stood up, defending Elizabeth.
'Excuse me?'
'Elizabeth called on evening and I told her I was concerned about Henry, I spoke to her weekly about him and took all of her advice to support him-'
'Erin' Elizabeth tried to stop her but she shook her head and continued
'No Elizabeth it's fine, everything that I have suggested we do to support Henry over the last few months have been as a direct result of following Elizabeth's advice, she knows how much she hurt him, she's been the backbone trying to mend him' she snapped. Elizabeth glanced down at her feet, unsure of what to say or do in that exact moment.
'Typical, can't even come to the surface and admit your wrong doings, you've got to help from way out in sea' Maureen spat. 'Talk about a queen and her puppets, if you really loved him you'd have come yourself.' Elizabeth had heard enough, she walked past Maureen and glanced around the room with a beaming fake smile.
'Oh no' Will whispered, alerting Blake and Nadine to a very unsettled Elizabeth heading for their table. "That was definitely more nerve than alcohol earlier" he whispered. She pulled the chair out and sat down with a thud.
'I did warn you not to run into Maureen' Will raised an eyebrow at her
'Don't!' She snapped, her chest twinging as her heart thumped a little harder.
'Drink?' Will retreated
'Water please' She mumbled, causing confused glances from those around her. Will silently excused himself and slipped away from the table, heading for the bar.
'Is everything ok Elizabeth?' Blake asked
'Was I wrong?' She asked, her eyes focusing on him
'For what?'
'For advising Erin on how to help Henry? Or for even pushing Henry away in the first place? For not speaking to him for months? All of it? Was I wrong?' She asked again, her desperate tone seeking an answer. Blake looked to Nadine for support as his mouth ran dry.
'Yes you were!' Will announced as he sat back down, placing a cold bottle of water and a glass in front of her. 'You were wrong for a lot of it, but you know that, otherwise you wouldn't be questioning yourself, so what's the real question Lizzie?' He pushed her further as he resumed his seat at the table.
'You really think I was in the wrong?' She pushed back at him
'Yes I do, I think from what you have told me has happened that you were in the wrong for a lot of things, for pushing him away, for avoiding therapy, for putting Blake down as your main contact rather than me-'
'Will I am being serious here,' She moaned, noting in the corner of her eye that Nadine had slipped away.
'So am I, you have done wrong Elizabeth, but so has Henry. It's what makes us human, it's part of our story, it's not always about what you've done wrong, it's how you redeem yourself that matters' he threw at her. She sat back in her chair and sighed heavily.
'Elizabeth, I think by pushing Henry away that night you intended to water both your roots, but instead you drowned them' Blake offered. Elizabeth's eyes watered at the mere thought. All those months of loneliness slipping past her lips and settling in her lungs, the air she used to breathe now foreign in her chest.
'What's the real question Lizzie?' Will repeated. She blinked repeatedly trying to reduce her tears before they spilled. She clasped her hand around the glass and brought it to her mouth, Her mouth drenched in the coolness as she paused for a second.
'How do I get him back?' She asked, her voice loud and clear.