The last couple of days had been tough, to say the least. No one in the McCord household had expected the news that shook them all so hard on that cold winter day. Patrick McCord had died in his sleep, peacefully, just like he himself had wanted it.
Henry and Elizabeth took their kin all the way to Pittsburgh to pay their grandfather a final goodbye. Little did they know that things could get so heated in times of sadness. Maureen, who else, had put everyone, especially Henry, on edge. Her words cut through his heart like a knife. She blamed Henry for not being there, for not reaching out when his father needed him the most, for always choosing her side, Elizabeth's side.
As he and Elizabeth went for a walk, he finally managed to tell her why Maureen felt this way and why his father might have done what he did. And it had been a relief to tell his wife everything that was on his mind. Again, she was his touchstone, his confidante, his soul mate, his everything. And he would always choose her, no matter what.
They had left Pittsburgh on a good note. Hugs were shared and arrangements were made to spend Easter together as one big happy family. He looked forward to it, but he looked forward to going home as well. He looked forward to spending time with Ali, Stevie and Jason. Jason. It would be different with him. He would make sure their father-son relationship ended like it should end. That was a promise Henry had made to himself that day. And Elizabeth. His Elizabeth. How he longed to sleep in their bed again; to be comfortable in her arms again.
As they walked into their townhouse in DC; the kids asked if they could order some Chinese food. It would be a nice change from all the casseroles they had eaten in Pittsburgh. Henry and Elizabeth agreed and let the kids make the order. Henry took everyone's bags upstairs. While Elizabeth started unpacking theirs, Henry made sure the kids' bags were all in their respective rooms. He went back to find Elizabeth who was putting the unworn clothes back in their dresser and the dirty ones in the hamper. He hugged her from behind and took in her scent for quite some time. He swayed her while holding her, whispering in her ear a heartfelt 'thank you' for holding up with his family. And for always being there for him. Unconditionally. She turned around in his arms and put her hands on his broad shoulders. She brought her lips closer to his and locked her lips with his in a lingering kiss. He sighed leaning into the kiss. Elizabeth's hands left his shoulders and she grabbed both of his hands with hers. 'Come on, let's go downstairs and get dinner,' she said. Letting go of one hand, but holding on to his other one with both of hers, they left their room and headed back downstairs.
Downstairs, the kids were on the couch browsing through some old family books that had hundreds of pictures of them when they were little, of their parents when they were young and obviously head over heels in love, of their grandparents who seemed happy and complete when they had all of their children and grandchildren present at their house. Elizabeth and Henry stood hand in hand behind their kids. 'Who wants to watch some family footage?' Elizabeth asked. Henry eyed her suspiciously. Elizabeth noticed and immediately added: 'We still have some VCR tapes of our wedding, of your grandparents' 40th wedding anniversary.' The kids were all eager to watch those fragments again. 'I'll set it up,' Henry said just as the doorbell rang. He grabbed Elizabeth who turned to open the door. 'Thought you wanted to show the kids our M-rated movie.' She swatted his hand away and released a snort while she continued towards the door. She turned around to him once more and was surprised when Henry did the same thing and gave her a seductive wink. Elizabeth felt the flutter in her stomach but managed to pay the deliveryman while Stevie accepted the three bags filled with greasy noodles and spring rolls. 'I'll set the table,' Allison offered but Elizabeth turned down her offer. 'Today, we can eat it in front of the television,' she said.
Elizabeth and her kids went into the living room to find Henry sitting in the middle of the couch watching himself, his brother Shane and his father Patrick waiting for Elizabeth to walk down the aisle. Patrick's hand was on the groom's shoulder, Henry noticed just now. His father never seemed too fond of Elizabeth but this gesture showed Henry he was giving his son his blessing to marry the girl of his dreams. He swallowed as he watched the scene unfold again before his eyes.
Elizabeth sat next to Henry while handing him a box of his favourite Kung Pow Chicken and a pair of chopsticks. She made sure the kids, who were sitting on the carpet floor got whatever they wanted, and then helped herself with some Pecan Chicken. She settled next to Henry, her feet tugged underneath Henry's leg.
'Mom, you looked gorgeous,' Alison stated as they finally got a shot of Elizabeth who started walking down the aisle. Elizabeth blushed and looked away from the screen into her box to pick some piece of broccoli out of it. Henry looked at her and when she finally dared to look up again; he simply said: 'You do.' It made her blush even more but she didn't look away this time. She kept staring into his sad brown eyes. And she could see the sadness making room for utter love again.
They watched the entire movie; all had tears in their eyes but a wide smile on their faces. The final scene was when Henry and Elizabeth were slow dancing to one of their favourite songs when suddenly Henry picked her up in his strong arms, whisking her away from their own party ignoring their guests. All his attention on her as he took her away to consume her as Mrs McCord. Now, back in their living room, Henry stood up and put his empty box on the small coffee table. He did the same with her carton and chopsticks and picked her up in his arms again, like he did almost 30 years ago. He ignored their kids, just like he had ignored the people present at their wedding.
'Of course, we'll clean all of this up,' Jason yelled sarcastically after them when they were halfway up the stairs. Elizabeth had her arms wrapped around Henry's neck and she couldn't wait to be with him. Alone.
I thought I'd tease you guys with a whole different kind of home movie. But we're getting there! Soon! I promise!