Author's Note: Well, here it is, at long last... The wedding from Henry's POV. I'm hoping to be a little more active again in the future, especially for reading. I don't know if I'll ever get over Madam Secretary ending, lol. I'm going to be honest, though, my . fan fiction was mostly written in the middle of the night when I had a little baby who didn't sleep. He started sleeping through the night, and I stopped writing fan fiction. I do, however, have several drafts in the notes on my phone. If you guys aren't too appalled by my midnight writing skills, I'll upload some more of them! Let me know what you think! Enjoy.

"I can't believe you're making such a horrible mistake. You've changed since Elizabeth came into your life, Henry, and not for the better. You're going to regret this," Maureen spat.

Henry bristled at her words and stood to defend his girlfriend - nay, fiancée's - honor, but he didn't have a chance.

"Sit down, both of you," his father, Patrick, barked. "Shane, Erin, go upstairs and finish your homework. Now."

Henry could tell from the look in his father's eyes that he also had doubts about Elizabeth's suitability, but it didn't matter. Henry's mind was made up.

His mother — ever the voice of reason —spoke next.

"You've always been the most level-headed of our children," she said, drawing a snort of disagreement from Maureen. "I know that you must have a good reason for rushing to get married before you leave, and I respect that, even though I don't understand. Tell us."

Henry drew a sharp breath. He shot a pointed look at Maureen that said "See?" and began.

"First and most importantly, I love her. She challenges me in ways that I didn't know were possible. I would end up marrying her anyway, so I don't see any reason to wait. But more practically, I'm going to fight for our country. If something happens to me, I need to know that she will be taken care of."

"And the rest of us? We're undeserving of you, I guess. Honestly, Henry, I don't know where you get off thinking you're better than us," Maureen retorted, as their parents exchanged a series of glances.

Finally, Patrick spoke.

"Well, Henry, we're not exactly happy, but you're an adult. You're going to make your choices whether we approve or not, so you have our blessing to do what you have to do. It's just as well that you don't have a big wedding. Why would you spend all that money when the marriage might not work out? Stay married for 10 years and then have a party."

Henry's mother stood and wrapped her arms around him as Maureen sighed loudly and left the room, dragging her husband, Tom, with her.

"She'll come around eventually," his mother whispered to him.

Henry had his doubts.

•+ MS +•

As the morning of the wedding dawned, Henry busied himself with every small task he could think of while trying not to get cold feet. Maureen's words echoed through his mind.

"You'll regret this."

He wondered if he would. Not in the way Maureen intended, though. Even if Elizabeth destroyed him, he wouldn't have any regrets.

He thought of Tennyson: "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." She needed his love as much as he needed hers, and that made it worth it. Instead, he worried that he would be the one to destroy her. He didn't want to be another name on her list of lost loved ones.

He shook his head, attempting to eradicate the thoughts.

It was too late. Even if he called it all off now, it would still be a catastrophic loss for her. It would be for him, too. Instead, he firmly resolved not to let a force on earth keep him away from her. He would come home to her, even if he had to defy the laws of physics or sell his soul to the devil.

She was worth it.

•+ MS +•

The weather that Friday afternoon was frigid, and the judge had an attitude to match. He was not making any effort to hide his displeasure with them for showing up at the close of business.

Elizabeth stiffened as the judge looked at the time and chastised them for not coming in earlier. Henry knew that Elizabeth might say something they'd both regret if he didn't intervene, so he jumped in with an apology that placated the judge enough for them to continue.

The ceremony was basically a blur for Henry, whose heart was pounding in his ears. He could fly fighter jets into war zones, but this was testing his limits emotionally. He absolutely did not want to tear up. He started to wonder if other grooms felt the same way on their wedding day, but his internal dialogue was interrupted by the judge.

"I presume you two have rings to exchange, correct?"

Henry started to panic for a moment. Had he remembered to bring the rings? Thankfully, they were indeed in his pocket, tucked safely inside their velvet box.

"Yes, sir," he responded audibly, while silently reminding himself to keep it together.

When it was Elizabeth's turn to repeat her vows, Henry noted that her voice was shaking a bit as well. He found it strangely reassuring to know that he wasn't alone in his feelings.

"Okay. Henry and Elizabeth, by the power invested in me by the Commonwealth of Virginia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. A certified copy of your marriage license is available at the records office, out the door, to your left, two doors down."

Henry froze. He hadn't been to many weddings in his life — only Maureen's and a couple of college buddies — but this was not how he remembered them ending.

"Oh, and yes, you may kiss your bride," said the judge, who was already stacking up the paperwork and standing to leave.

Henry grinned and leaned in, lifting Elizabeth up to lock lips. This was more like it.

•+ MS +•

Henry was secretly relieved that Becky declined their offer to join them for dinner. There was no tactful way to say it - the woman was awkward - and he really just wanted to spend the evening soaking up Elizabeth's presence instead of listening to Becky babble on about Jane Austen.

"I made us reservations at Palermo, but if you'd rather—"

"Ooh, is that the place with—"

"The amazing strawberry zabaglione? Yes."

"Oooh, Henry McCord. You know the way to this girl's heart."

"I guess it's settled," he said, opening the car door for her and ushering her in with a kiss.

•+ MS +•

The next morning, Henry woke before Elizabeth. He lay beside her for a few minutes admiring her soft, blonde curls splayed across the white pillowcase, watching as each peaceful breath escaped her slightly parted lips. She was the most beautiful creature on the planet, he was sure of it.

He wanted to stay beside her all day, but he also knew that he ought to get a run in. Glancing at the clock, he realized that he could almost certainly be back before she awoke if he left immediately.

Henry dressed in silence, then scribbled a quick note on the small notepad beside the phone, just in case.

E—

I've gone for a quick run. I'll probably be back before you wake up and see this, but if not, stay in bed!

I love you.

—H

He needn't have gone to the effort, though. When he returned 30 minutes later, coffee and bear claws in hand from the coffee shop next door, she was still asleep.

Quietly, he crept across the room and set their breakfast on the bedside table. Brushing a strand of hair from her face, he kissed her delicately on the forehead, causing her eyes to flutter.

"Good morning, Mrs. McCord."

"Mmm," she sighed, eyes still closed. "Say that again."

"Which part?"

"The latter... but on second thought, maybe not. You smell."

"Sorry, I slipped out for a run. You could help me with that in the shower, but I brought you coffee and a pastry, so you'll—"

"Oh, you know what my choice is, McCord," she replied with a wink.

Henry just laughed. He did indeed.