Chapter Ninety Two - Parted Paths

'I don't know why you're sat there laughing at me' Elizabeth huffed. She placed her hands on her hips and pouted as she stood staring at Henry, sitting on the hotel bed surrounded by all her clothes as she attempted to pack them into her suitcase.

'I just can't believe that you still cannot pack, all of your life, your jobs have revolved around travelling and yet you still can't do it.' He chuckled 'It's quite cute' he teased her. Elizabeth picked up one of her shirts, screwed it into a fall and threw it at him

'Its quite cute' she mimicked playfully. Henry laughed out loud and stood up off the bed, walking over to her and slipping his hands around her waist.

'Hmm' she melted into his embrace

'Better?" He whispered into the nape of her neck as he started to kiss her softly.

'The best I've felt in a long time' she admitted. Her head rolled back and onto his shoulder, her lips planting a kiss along his jawline as she closed her eyes, soaking up his embrace. 'Henry I'm scared' her voice gentle with her whispered tone. Henry turned her body into his, his hands cupping her face as she bowed her head before them.

'I'm not going anywhere' he whispered, his heart breaking that she felt this way.

'I know, I know that and I trust that. I trust you and I trust me. Rationally I know, but I don't want to ruin this' she admitted

'We won't. If we keep doing this, we keep talking and showing each other our vulnerabilities and our love, then we will only become stronger.' He smiled down softly at her, his eyes capturing hers as she glanced up in hope.

'Why don't you ring Dr Sherman? With the kids staying in London for the week with my family we have the freedom to make an appointment? Would that help?' He asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

'Yeah ok. Ok I'll message her, I have an appointment Monday before I go into work, maybe you could stay the weekend and come with me?' She asked hopefully

'Sounds like a plan' he leant down and kissed her softly 'Please don't ever hesitate to ask me to be around you. I'll always be there when I can'

'Thank you' she let out a breath of relief. Henry slipped his hands down her body, falling to her fingertips and fiddling with them as he kept her close to him.

'Ok?' He asked, his head processing just how much she had been struggling.

'Ok' she smiled nodding slowly as her heart settled.

'You go and give her a call and I'll pack all of this up for you' he winked, slowly guiding her away from the bed. Elizabeth nodded silently, she grabbed her phone from the bedside table and walked out onto the balcony to make her call.

Henry started to fold and back her clothes, his head spinning with questions and concern for her, only now was it dawning on him just how much she was struggling when they were married, and how her seeking couples counselling then really was a cry for help. He turned to reach inside the wardrobe for her make up bags and hair brushes. Placed them inside the suitcase strategically.

Once confident that everything was packed he checked all the draws once again, his foot treading on something. He glanced down and noticed her necklace. He slowly scooped it up and held it in his hands, his thumb rubbing along the white gold band, her wedding ring still attached to the chain. He took a seat on the bed, being here with her was wonderful, but moments like this forced him to look at reality, they were no longer married. He clutched it tight within his grasp as he inhaled deeply, fighting away moments of their past.

'Oh that was quick, thank you Henry' she grinned as she stepped in from outside. 'Good news, Dr Sherman is happy for you to join us on Monday' she confirmed. Elizabeth placed her phone back on the side and walked over to him, concern growing a little as she noticed the silent response from him. Elizabeth knelt down onto the floor, her body placed between his legs, her hands resting on his thighs as she lovingly gazed up at him.

'Henry?' She asked tenderly

'Sorry, I just, I found this and' he paused holding out her necklace 'the past caught me off guard I guess' he shook it off.

'It does that from time to time' she sighed 'Henry this necklace doesn't have to be negative, you don't need to see it as my wedding ring which is no longer on my finger because of the divorce, but maybe that I loved you so much despite the divorce, I still couldn't let you go, and kept you close to my heart this whole time' Her tears pricked at her eyes as she spoke, it wasn't often she was the one comforting him, but when she did it always hurt her heart, seeing him so upset he needed that from her hurt more than anything.

'I love you Henry McCord and I don't care that were no longer married, because you're here with me, and we have so much history and love and our story is ours' a stray tear fell, dropping down her cheek and to their now entwined hands.

'I love you too, one day, when the time is right. I'll put that ring back on your finger where it belongs' he cleared his throat.

'That will be nice' her voice barely a whisper as she allowed herself to dream about their future. She leant up and brushed his lips with hers. A kiss so delicate but strong, the perfect balance of their love.

'I have to leave in forty minutes, I really don't want to leave you' she whispered, leading her forehead onto his. His hands grabbed at her waist and held her close.

'I know, but just think, I'll be flying back out to Virginia a little over an hour after you leave for DC, then I'll grab some things and make my way to you, we've got the weekend of just us' he squeezed her waist a little at the mention of time alone. Elizabeth grinned at his words, nodding eagerly.

'Hmm, I can't wait' she placed the palms of her hands on his legs and carefully pushed herself up off her knees.

'In the mean time, I can think of something we can do to kill the time' Henry playfully pulled her in close, grabbing either side of her top and pulling her down towards him. Elizabeth giggled and pulled back, resisting his pull.

'And what do you suppose we do with the other thirty minutes once we've finished that' she teased him, smirking as she bit down on her lip. Henry scoffed in response, shaking his head and pulling her down with a little more force.

'Oh I think we can go again, and again, and again' he flipped her over, his legs straddling either side of her body, holding her hands in placed as he leant forward and crashed his lips onto hers.

*Knock * Knock*

Elizabeth giggled into the kiss quietly, she could almost hear Henry's eyes rolling at the sound of the door.

'Get off the door is open' she whispered, quickly swatting him off her and sitting up. Henry standing up off the bed and walking towards the door.

'Come in' she called just as Henry opened it.

'Mom, oh hey dad' Jason looked to Alison and back to Henry. 'Didn't expect to see you here' He looked at his parents suspiciously as he walked into the room

'Hey Dad'

'Hey noodle, and Jase I was just saying goodbye to your mom' he clarified, which was the truth.

'Hey Jase, Noodle, you ok?' Elizabeth asked, avoiding Henry's eye contact.

'Actually mom we wanted to talk to you, and well dad you might as well stay, mom will just tell you later anyway' Jason rambled. Alison nudged him and steered him back to his original thought. 'Right yes, Mom, We're sorry'

'So sorry mom, we've been so rude to you and aunty Erin just told us everything' Alison explained

'Oh' Elizabeth was a taken back, she had not expected that.

'Mom I'm sorry I've been a pain in the backside since you and dad split' Jason mumbled

'Jase you've been a pain in the backside since the day you were born' Henry quipped, making Elizabeth giggle, something that didn't go unnoticed by Alison

'Hey!' Jason moaned

'It's fine, Jase ignore him, he's the one who wanted to go for three anyway. Thank you, but you don't need to apologise to me, either of you. Things have been really rubbish over the last year and you've both been in the middle of it. Your father and I should be the ones who are sorry' she explained, standing up and wrapping an arm around them both.

'Yeah, your mom is right, but things are going to change now, for the better. Your mom and I have cleared the air, there are no hard feelings, it's ok now kids' he reassured them, smiling loving at Elizabeth as he spoke.

'I love you two' she kissed them both individually on the head.

'Love you too Mom' they both spoke in unison.

'Now go, go and enjoy London with your aunts and uncle! And Alison please remember your sister has just got married, do not pester her to take you shopping' Elizabeth warned with a gentleness to her tone.

'About that, can we have some money?' Jason asked sheepishly. Henry laughed out loud and shook his head.

'Always a motive' Elizabeth mocked, standing up and grabbing her phone. 'I'll transfer you both some money for the week, but that is all you're getting!' She warned.

'Thanks Mom!'

'You're the best!' Alison grinned.

'Go on you two, get out of here. I'll come find you before I leave' Henry laughed, shooing them both out of the room.

'Bye Mom, Safe Flight'

'Bye!'

Henry closed the door with a chuckle. 'Now, lets go for four' he joked with a cheeky growled as he locked the door and grabbed Elizabeth, walking her towards the bed and resuming their earlier position.

*Knock * Knock*

'Henry groaned in frustration as Elizabeth giggled into the kiss once again.

'I locked the door, they'll go away' he whispered and started to kiss her once again.

*Knock * Knock*

'Madam Secretary' Blake called. Henry slipped off her and pulled her up off the bed, walking towards the door and opening it, letting Blake in. Elizabeth tried hard to hold in her laughter as Blake came walking into the room and spotted Henry there once again.

'At least you kept your mouth closed this time' Henry whispered in sarcasm. Elizabeth stifled a giggle before pressing her lips together and holding her smirk whilst she looked at Blake.

'Ma'am, oh god I just interrupted something didn't I' his eyes widened as the reality dawned on him.

'Yes'

'No' Elizabeth answered at the same time as Henry. Her eyes narrowing as she glared at him.

'No you didn't, how can I help?'

'Your plane is ready Ma'am'

'Oh, so soon?' She glanced at her watch and then to the clock on the nightstand. 'Damn it, this thing has stopped' she tapped the glass on her watch and sighed.

'Ok, thanks Blake, give me five minutes and I'll be down' she nodded firmly running her hand through her hair.

'Yes Ma'am, I'll meet you in the lobby. See you soon Dr McCord' he smiled as he left them alone.

'Henry I am so sorry we don't get to have a proper goodbye. These last few days have been wonderful. I can't wait to spend the weekend with you again' she wrapped her hands around his neck, planting kisses on his lips between her words.

'Hmm, It really has, I'll see you soon' he pulled her in close, kissing her passionately as they finally got another moment alone.

'Safe flight, I'll see you in a couple of hours yeah?' She asked, her eyes holding his gaze longer than necessary as she was searching for the answer.

'I'll be there, don't worry. I'll be on the runway right behind you' he reassured her. 'Go' he kissed her lips once more before grabbing her suitcase and sending her on her way without him. Only this time it was easier to tolerate, he knew that their parted paths did not mean their destination was different, not anymore.