Chapter Three

Elizabeth rushed out of her motorcade, her feet lightly running towards the entrance of the nearby park as she hurried to meet Henry. She glanced down at her watch and sighed in frustration as she quickened her pace ever so slightly. A few hasty moments later and she noticed Henry sitting on a nearby bench, an instant smile filled her face whilst guilt coursed her body.

'I'm so sorry, so sorry!' She repeated as she approached him, stopping before the bench looking down at him as he sat patiently waiting for her. Henry laughed

'When you said the state department runs late I didn't think you meant it would run nearly forty-eight hours behind schedule' he teased and she instantly dipped her head shaking it.

'I know, I am sorry Henry, there was this thing with France and some emails and well, things got a bit carried away, But I am here now, thank you for agreeing to meet me' She grinned

'Thank you for asking,' his soft smile greeted her like an old friend. 'Are you going to sit?' he asked, his hand gesturing to the space beside him. Elizabeth remembered what he said recently about starting a walk and ending a walk sat on the bench, her body filled with warmth as she grew fond of him. She slowly took a seat next to him, this time edging slightly closer as she settled into the cold wooden space.

'Here, this should warm you up' he offered as he reached out and handed her a hot chocolate. She gracefully accepted it and thanked him with a simple nod. Henry watched as she took a sip of the liquid. Her eyes were tired, yet every aspect of her was still radiant. She was wrapped in a dusky blue coat and her hair fell loosely to her shoulders, Henry had dreamt about running his hands through her hair, softly gripping around the back of her neck as he drew her in close for a tender kiss…

'Henry?' She spoke louder and waved her hand in front of his; he shook his head and cleared his throat.

'Sorry' he blinked the thoughts of their intimate moment away.

'What had you so caught up' she giggled. Henry smiled awkwardly and looked over at her.

'Your coat, Blue, brings out the color of your eyes. I was thinking about how much I like it' he half lied. Elizabeth wasn't expecting an answer, let alone a compliment so she was left a little stunned and speechless.

'Shall we?' She reverted to her earlier question he had missed and gestured for them to start their walk. Henry stood and glanced over his shoulder waiting for Elizabeth to join him. Once by his side they began walking in sync, both pacing themselves as the gravel moved beneath their feet, the familiar scenery filling Elizabeth's eyes as she glanced around, this time a little less unsettled by the quietness between them.

'You don't notice it the first time do you' Henry's thick voice danced through the air. She turned to look at him, his face glowing under the moonlight as she pressed her lips together.

'How did you know what I was thinking?' she quizzed, she liked it. Elizabeth had found that over the last few days since their first walk she couldn't stop thinking about him, how thoughtful he was, how handsome he looked under the night sky, how patient he was with her, and that, that moment right there, how he always knew what she was thinking.

'I guess I am good at reading people, I am a doctor, it's my job to figure out what's going on underneath' he teased but she shook her head,

'That's not it, I was in the CIA for years, I am good at reading people too, but it's different with you.' She glanced in his direction, her lips twisting as she attempted to figure him out.

'You must have had some intense training in the CIA' he shook his head, part of him still in awe of the history she holds.

'Oh Yes, some still useful now. I know when someone is lying to me, like back then on the bench' she playfully teased him. Henry blushed and immediately looked down to his feet. He felt his body tense as he stumbled upon his words. Hearing her talk about her time in the CIA sent shockwaves through his body, a sudden surge of energy causing him to remember this wasn't an ordinary woman he was trying to get close to, it was the Secretary of state. Elizabeth playfully nudged him and giggled,

'It's ok' she laughed and watched as he struggled to find the words to speak. 'Yes, to answer your earlier remark, yes you were right, I hadn't noticed half of the flower beds the first time we walked through the park' she nodded, bringing them back to their reality.

'That's why I suggested coming here again, it's familiar so you don't have to think about too much, giving your mind space to think of other things. Switch your autopilot off' He explained.

'Arhhh, I see, but in the hope that it wouldn't be the extra flowers I noticed, it would be more my own personal thoughts and feelings right?' she raised an eyebrow and Henry stopped to look at her. He paused as he slowly turned her body towards hers.

'Elizabeth I told you opening up to someone takes time. I don't care if we have to walk the same route a thousand times before you stop noticing everything and finally start talking'

'A thousand? Don't you think you'll get sick of me by then?' She questioned.

'How could anyone get sick of you Elizabeth Adams?' His words slipped through his mouth before he had a chance to stop them. Her breath hit her throat, her core tightened as her stomach fluttered; all at the sound of hearing him say her name.

Her eyes danced as she watched the serenity within him. This feeling wasn't something that came to pass Elizabeth before, she paused for a moment trying to pinpoint what feeling that was exactly but her thoughts escaped her when she heard Henry speak again.

'So, you have a son?' He swiftly steered the course of the conversation, mistaking her quietness as an awkward moment rather than one filled with intense thoughts of him.

'Yes, Jason, he's thirteen and a handful' she laughed nervously, 'I think he causes me more sleepless nights and panic attacks than my job' she shook her head as she recalled some of the stresses that Jason had brought her just recently, blissfully unaware of her slip of the tongue.

'So you've had more than one panic attack?' He asked gently, a sudden realisation dawned on Elizabeth and she gasped, her shoulders rising as she hitched her breath. Henry placed his arm on her shoulders and gently applied pressure, pushing them down, causing her to exhale and sigh.

'It's ok Elizabeth, Like I said, I'd do a thousand walks if I have too' he allowed her hand to linger on her coat a little longer, she tilted her head and looked over to him, a loving smile spread across his face instantly comforting her.

'Yes, I have, only two more' she acknowledged. 'Ok three' she grimaced. Something within her determined to be honest with this man that she wanted to keep around.

'And?' he pressed on

'And they're horrible, each time I continue to wish I was having an actual heart attack, and the most recent one caused me to break my watch' she groaned, lifting her wrist to show him, also signalling that it was fairly recent. Henry looked on at the thin navy strapped watch with the glass smashed so bad you could no longer tell the time.

'When?'

'Today-' She paused, a sense of shame flooding her as she bowed her head in disappointment. Henry instinctively wrapped his arm around her shoulder and walked with her, his hand cupped her shoulder with a gentle reassuring squeeze, pulling her into him a little closer. 'I got stressed about a work thing and then a Jason thing and then another work thing. I suddenly found myself struggling to breathe. Jason was going on at me about his father and I just wanted to scream and tell him how lucky he is to have a father, especially after Iran and –' She stopped herself. 'Sorry, I shouldn't have said that about Iran' she sniffled, her emotions threatening to lay bare for him to see the true depths of her vulnerability exposed, but Henry was ready to catch her, and to her own surprise, she was somewhat ready to fall.

'It's ok, what is said here stays here' he reassured her

'Trying to get me into trouble for espionage? We won't be able to walk and talk if I go to Prison you know.' She laughed and he rubbed her shoulder, loosing his hold as she eased into the conversation.

'No, I couldn't let you go to jail, but I could stomach a bit of espionage if it gets you opening up' he teased lightly before continuing 'You're not in battle with anyone right now, you can allow yourself some freedom from your thoughts' he whispered and she pressed her lips together, an attempt to suppress all feelings.

'Thank you, but I'm not ready' she mumbled. Henry stopped her and turned her to face him. 'I know, you'll do a thousand walks with me' she winked and giggled, but as she laughed her barrier broke, the work thing and the Jason thing collided with her thoughts right in the cold night air and silence consumed her as she gave into tears. She cupped her face as she sobbed into her free hand.

'Oh Elizabeth' Henry sighed heavily and instinctively pulled her in. His arms enveloped her and held her close. 'I've got you' he whispered into her hair as he caressed her back. His grip was strong and supportive, everything she had been longing for.

After a few moments she pulled back and wiped her face, her natural response to apologies was stopped immediately by a simple gaze from Henry. 'I don't want to hear you say you're sorry, have a sip' he encouraged as he gently lifted her arm signalling for her to finish her drink.

'Thank you' she whispered before letting the lukewarm liquid slide down her throat. Taking a moment to further calm herself.

'I was thinking about you earlier, I had these thoughts about you-' he paused, looked at her, his eyes burning with desire as she lowered her drink and watched him speak. 'I'm not trying to…, I just wanted you to know that I felt vulnerable earlier too, it's ok to feel exposed sometimes' he smiled and she nodded. Henry went to take a step but she pulled his arm, bringing him back to her.

'What were you thinking?' she asked, her entire being fluttering, hoping for more from him. He paused and contemplated lying to her, but decided against it. With a rub of his head and a fur of the brow he gave in to her alluring eyes and chuckled.

'I didn't lie, your coat really does bring out your eyes. Buuuut I was also thinking that-' he paused and chucked at the thought of his, playground confession 'I was thinking about how beautiful you are' he shook his head, a total wave of disbelief flooded him as he just admitted that out loud.

She blushed and dipped her head as she allowed his compliment to wash over her. 'Whilst I am not quite sure your eyes are working properly, I appreciate the honesty, thank you.' she whispered.

'I wish you knew how remarkable you are, I haven't known you for long. Well, not personally known you for long and I cannot stop thinking about you Elizabeth' he confessed, his heart leading his voice. 'Sorry, I should not have said that' He bit down on his lip, silently cursing himself for his openness. Elizabeth shook her head and smiled.

'You're fine' Elizabeth shook her head and smiled warmly.

'I don't want you to get the wrong impression of me. I genuinely want to help you Elizabeth, I care. I just had a terrible habit of not always engaging my brain before I speak' he attempts to explain himself. Elizabeth held up a soft hand to stop him.

'Henry, it really is ok. I've not exactly kept you from my mind either' she offered her own confession. She glanced at him, her thoughts consumed by him. 'Oh look, we're back at the start' She flashed him a smile. A clear sense of awkward tension between them as they walked back over towards the bench. Henry took a seat and signalled for her to sit with him, but she didn't. She softly gazed on and shook her head,

'I need to get home to Jason, it's-' she paused and groaned as she glanced at her watch '-Stupid thing. You know my dad had a watch once, it was beautiful. I loved it, but I swear it was indestructible, I need a watch like that,' she joked.

'Please sit with me' he pleaded but she still declined

'Maybe next time, Goodnight Henry' She nodded and began to step away. Henry sighed heavily and watched her walking towards the motorcade when he suddenly found himself calling her name.

'Elizabeth!' she spun and looked confused, she slowly walked to him as he walked to her.

'I hope I didn't make things awkward by speaking openly about my thoughts of you' He bit his lip and she shook her head.

'If anything my own thoughts about you make it awkward for me, there is something about you Henry, you captivate me and my mind. You're unlike anyone I've ever met' she whispered before turning to head back towards her motorcade once again.

'Wait, Don't I get to know what these thoughts are?' He teased, the glint in her eyes when she spoke said it all for him. The gravitational pull towards her he felt, was reciprocated.

'Maybe, depends if you ask the right question next time. Perhaps you'll arrange that next walk soon' she teased as she walked away leaving Henry speechless. Elizabeth Adams captivated him.

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