Chapter Ninety Nine - Her Smile

Henry scooped up the glass of water from the kitchen table, taking a sip and savoring the coolness in his mouth. His mind free to wander to thoughts of Elizabeth as he took a moment to pause. He grinned into the glass and chuckled in excitement as the weekend had approached once again, he couldn't wait to drive and see her.

'Kids you ready!?' He shouted out as he walked to place the glass in the sink, his mind occupied still as his lips curled back into a smile.

'Why are you so happy?' Jason teased as he threw a plate into the sink.

'Can't I smile without there being a reason?' He asked

'You can, but not that happy, it's like you're excited or something. Dad, you know the archives are boring right?' Alison mocked as she came into the kitchen, thrusting her bag onto the ground beneath her feet.

'I don't find them boring, they're a great place to learn and get lost in all the history, knowledge, wisdom' Henry chuckled as he raised a brow at her. Alison shook her head and laughed at his dorky behavior.

'Yeah, I believe this is the part where they say, you're definitely getting laid' Jason mocked his father.

'Excuse me!?

'Ew, Jase Gross'

Both spoke in unison, Alisons tone lighter than Henrys as he turned to scowl at his son.

'What?' He laughed 'Tell me I'm wrong, man to man' he winked.

'Jason a man wouldn't divulge such information with a boy.' Henry's voice was low in tone as he sent a warning to his son.

'Ok fine' he held his hands up in defeat, he grabbed his back and Alison copied as they both walked towards the door. 'You didn't deny it though' He pushed back

'Jason!' Henry snapped. He knew deep down the only reason he was getting so easily irritated was because Jason was hitting a nerve. In truth he would love to tell the kids that he was in love with the most beautiful woman in the world; their mom. However, he respected her too much to go against her wishes.

'Let's head to DC' Henry cleared his throat as he locked the door behind them and followed them to the car.

'I can't believe I haven't seen mom since Stevie's wedding. You know when we left DC I never thought I could last a week without seeing mom!' Alison explained as she slipped into the back of the car.

'Yeah, I can't wait for the telling off for spending money, that's what, nearly six weeks overdue…' Jason rolled his eyes. Henry chuckled as he climbed into the driver seat and looked at Jason through the mirror.

'Lets go'

'Dad, do you think we could go to State? Surprise mom? I'm kinda missing her,' Alison smiled sweetly.

'Urm, sure, I'll message Blake and see if it's ok' he smiled, sending a text message and setting off to see Elizabeth, his heart already dancing with excitement.

A few hours later…

The three of them walked down the corridor of the seventh floor, neither Jason nor Alison able to remember the last time they ever stepped foot in this building. Henry slipped his hands in his pockets and hung his head a little lower, he hadn't been in this office since he walked out the day of the official announcement of their divorce, his heart sank a little as his mind forced him back to darker times.

'Hello you two' Blake smiled as he stood to greet Ali and Jase. 'Dr McCord, welcome back' he grinned. Henry smiled and nodded sharply at Blake, a smile falling to his lips.

'I told your mom she has a meeting now, which is really time blocked out for you all, so wait here a minute' Blake grinned, he loved being able to help Elizabeth spend time with her family. He walked over to her office door knocking and waiting for her command before opening the door.

'Ma'am, your next meeting is here' He smiled and nodded, signaling for them to come in. Blake stepped back and allowed them to rush in.

Elizabeth looked up at the sound of feet on the ground. She gasped in shock and happiness, immediately rising to her feet and rushing around her desk to greet them with open arms.

'Ohh it's the McCords!" She shrieked as she wrapped both her babies in a loving embrace.

'Hey Mom' they spoke in unison, clinging to her as even Jason let his guard down, they really had missed her. Elizabeth almost laughed in happiness into them as she clung to them both, her love for them bursting through her barriers and flooding the room. She pulled back and looked between them both, her pearl white teeth on display as she grinned.

'This is a pleasant surprise!'

'We didn't want to wait to see you. I miss you mom, so much' Alison confessed as she dived back in at her mothers side for another hold. Elizabeth wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head delicately.

'Oh noodle, I've miss you too'

'I just came for the ride' Jason mocked

'Ha! Well you didn't come for the telling off for using my credit card did you!' She spoke with a playful harshness to her tone, winking at him as he held his hands up, surrendering to his crimes.

'I thought if I left it long enough you'd miss me more than you wanted to kill me' he teased, smiling innocently as Elizabeth giggled at him.

'Lucky for you I have really missed you' she spoke softly as she reached out her hand and softly rubbed his hand. Her gaze fell from his back to Alison wrapped at her side, then to Henry and Blake stood in the doorway.

She smiled with her eyes as Henry winked at her, she inhaled a content breath as she mouthed her thank you's to him.

'So mom, what's for dinner?' Jason broke the silence, jumping into her swivel chair and placing his feet up on her desk.

'All you do is eat' Alison scoffed as she pulled back. Elizabeth walked over to his feet, gently pushing them off the table and shooting him a waning look.

'Don't make me think about killing you again' she suggested, causing everyone but Jason to stifle a laugh.

'Take out?' She suggested

'Yes! Pizza'

'No chicken'

'No Pizza!'

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, watching her two youngest argue over food. A moment she would never take for granted again.

Henry shook his head and stepped away from the door, following Blakes steps back towards his desk. Blake smirked at him as Henry furrowed his brow.

'What?' He asked

'Oh please, there is only one person I've ever seen make her smile like that before' Blake scoffed.

'Like what?'

'Like that, in there. Thats a McCord smile' Blake paused and watched as Henry chuckled happily to himself, her smile lingering in his memory. 'I'm pleased it's working out for you both. You both deserve happiness' he acknowledged.

'Thank you'

'If you take that smile away from her again Henry, I'll force Nadine and Russell Jackson to come and tell you off' he warned sternly. Henry laughed but then caught wind of Blakes serious gaze.

'I promise, her smile is here to stay. So am I' He nodded with sincerity, his gaze wandering back to the office as laughter from the McCords filled the air he breathed.