AN: There have been some references to Maureen and how she views Elizabeth. I purposely chose not to tackle Maureen for a couple of reasons. One, Elizabeth is introduced in a much more vulnerable situation. She's young, pregnant, poor, she may not get to go to college. It seems to be a very different situation than what is portrayed in the show. Two, Maureen just appears very little in this fic, and there's plenty of drama other places, I didn't need to add it with her too. So, for all intents and purposes, in this fic, the coexist, neither being friends or enemies.

I hope you are still enjoying this story and I would love to know what you think.

Chapter 7

Henry held Elizabeth's hand as they walked along the waterfront. The grassy areas were covered with picnic topped blankets as families waited for dark and the city fireworks display. He had been working up the courage to ask Elizabeth something for several days now and each time he went to vocalize it, the timing seemed wrong so he let it go. But, time was getting away and he needed to make a move, so before the night was over, he promised himself that he was going to do it.

He wiped the sweat from his brow with his hand, rubbing the moisture on his shorts. He looked over at Elizabeth and she was glowing. Her blue eyes sparkled, and her hair was pulled into a bun high on her head exposing her neck. He eyed the patch of skin behind her ear, next to her hairline that was sensitive. He wanted to lean over and place his lips there, causing her to make the sound that lit his senses on fire. She'd made it twice the first night they were together and again, just a couple weeks ago, when his lips moved instinctively from her jawline to that spot. She'd backed away, saying it wasn't the right time. Henry had nodded and instead tucked her against his chest and silently prayed for them and their baby.

He let his eyes fall down the rest of her body. She wore a free flowing white floral sundress, with an empire waist and brown leather sandals. Even at almost six months pregnant, most people had no idea. A few weeks ago, she raided his dresser and snagged several t-shirts that were a couple sizes bigger than what she actually wore. Those, coupled with sweatpants or her denim shorts, which she now rolled down under her baby bump and secured with a rubber band, hid their growing baby quite nicely. He wouldn't have minded letting people know, but he understood her reasons and never brought attention to it, even though he'd really like to rest his hand there to see if he could feel the baby move, which she said happened frequently now.

"You're my best friend," he said suddenly. Elizabeth looked over at him and smiled.

"Mine too," she murmured and placed her head on his shoulder.

"I never plan to leave you," he said, and he watched as she tilted her head back to look at him, her brows pulling together as the lines grew deep in her forehead. "I mean because of the baby, but also because I cherish our friendship. I want to stay close to you."

She nodded, wondering where Henry's line of thought was going. "What are you trying to say Henry?"

He took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about something and it's a little unorthodox, but we still haven't solved the living arrangements at school yet and I want to know well-would consider marrying me?"

She stopped dead in her tracks, pulling him back when he took two more steps without her. "Henry, we can't do that."

Henry walked her to the nearest park bench and they sat down. She immediately put some distance between them. "Why not?" he asked.

"Because we aren't in love. We'd be marrying for convenience." She looked away, out over the water.

"Historically, many marriages were out of convenience," Henry pointed out. "And it's not like an arranged marriage. I'm not marrying you for two goats and next year's hay crop." She smirked but still wouldn't make eye contact. "Elizabeth, look at me. I care deeply about you. I want you to have the opportunities that were available before this baby. I care about our baby, and I want our baby to have both parents around and not just you being totally overwhelmed with responsibility and me swooping in occasionally. I want us to raise our baby together. It will still be overwhelming I'm sure, but you can count on me. I don't want you to be in this alone." Henry took her hands in his. "Do you get that? You don't have to be alone."

Tears streamed down her face. "Henry, I don't want you to give up your chance of finding love to make my life easier."

He let his head rest against hers. "I'm not worried about that. At all."

"Honey. I been married ten years to a man that don't love me half as much as this man loves you. You better jump on that train and ride it as far as it will take you." Elizabeth turned to see a woman sitting on a blanket behind them with her two young children and a bag of Cheetos. She sipped her ice water. "Uh huh. I ain't lyin'."

Elizabeth nodded and wiped her tears away. "Uh, thank you," is what she said. "What the hell was that?" is what she thought.

Henry stood, pulled Elizabeth to her feet and grinned at the lady. "I appreciate the vote of confidence. Hopefully I've convinced her."

Once safely out of earshot of the woman, Elizabeth giggled into his shoulder. "Should I take the advice of a random, eavesdropping stranger?"

"She totally seemed on the up and up to me," Henry shrugged and gave her a small smile. She pushed him playfully.

"I'll think about it," she said.

Three days later, she was still thinking about it. In fact, she could think of nothing else. Outside, the heat was oppressive. It was muggy, even more so than the average Pennsylvania summer evening. Elizabeth sat on the front porch step, swatting mosquitoes and wishing she'd had the forethought to put some bug spray on. Being well after midnight, everyone else was in bed, but Elizabeth couldn't sleep. She heard the creek of the screen door behind her and thought that it was Henry. She didn't bother to turn around, but jumped when Patrick sat down next to her. "Sorry, I thought you heard me," he said.

"I just assumed it was Henry. You surprised me is all. Don't you have to work tomorrow?" she asked, knowing that he was often up and off to work before she ever made it out of bed.

"I could say the same for you. I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep." She nodded her understanding.

"What's keeping you up?" Patrick asked offhandedly, but he rarely spoke to her, so Elizabeth was a taken aback.

"Henry asked me to marry him."

"And?"

She paused. "What was that supposed to mean?" Then she sighed. "I haven't said yes."

"Because you don't love him?" Patrick offered.

"That's a hard question to answer," she mumbled. Patrick turned to look at her, obviously surprised by her response. "Henry is the friend I've longed for. We are close. I know him. I feel connected to him and I think he feels the same way. I love our friendship. I love him in that way, but I don't think that's how you are supposed to love the person you marry."

"I've been married almost 25 years, and I can tell you that's exactly how you need to love the person you marry." Elizabeth's head snapped around to stare at him, eyes wide. "When you're young and hung up on the romance, it seems like that is what you are supposed to be in it for. But at some point that lessens. You don't get the butterflies in your stomach when she leaves all of the kitchen cabinet doors open, again, or when he uses the last of the toilet paper and you're stuck waiting for someone to rescue you. The infatuation fades. It doesn't necessarily go away, but when you're young and in love, that's what you focus on. That's the thing you want. But that's not what makes a marriage strong or meaningful. The marriages that last are the ones based on respect and generally liking the other person, not wanting to do life without that person and working through the hard times because you know there will be better times ahead."

Elizabeth sat quietly thinking about Patrick's words. She'd really never considered that point of view before. "He's in love with you, you know." Patrick stated after sitting in silence for a few minutes. "I'm not sure he realizes it, but he is. And so are you, but you're too scared to admit it."

Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest and Patrick held up his hand to silence her. "Think what you want, but I've watched you, and you do. Don't give up on the chance to have the things you want because you're scared to take the leap. Just think about it." Patrick rose from his spot and went to the door. "You have work tomorrow too. You should try to get some sleep."

Elizabeth thought about Patrick's words and the more she thought, the more confused she got. Finally rising, she went back into the house and hoped she could at least get a few hours sleep before her alarm went off.

Sleep came in short spurts and she slept through her alarm the next morning. Henry woke her up and she threw on some clothes, brushed her teeth and pulled her hair up into a ponytail as she walked to the car. "Are you feeling okay?" Henry asked when she pulled into the lot outside the construction site.

Looking at him, she could see the concern that engulfed him, and it was a confusing feeling to be cared about that way. It seemed like an eternity since someone truly cared about what she was doing or how she was feeling. She forced a small smile. "I'm fine, just a little tired."

Henry reached over and squeezed her hand. "Take it easy today." He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "Please." There was a pleading in his expression that caused a pressure in her chest and she had to will tears not to spill down her face.

He pulled his hand away and gathered his things. Henry started to get out of the car and she grabbed his arm. "Do you love me?" she asked.

Henry studied her for the briefest of moments. "Yes," he said simply and leaned over to kiss her cheek before getting out. "Take the leap," She heard Patrick's words echo in her head. Elizabeth stepped out of the car.

"Henry," she called. He was halfway to the site, but turned when he heard her. "Yes," she said. Henry looked confused. "If the offer still stands, I'd like to be your wife." He broke out into a wide smile.

"Pick me up at 3. We need to go by the courthouse this afternoon." She nodded and climbed back into the car. She let out the breath that she'd been holding for days. Elizabeth was getting married.