A/N: Hey guys! I know it's been a while. My busy self has been traveling like crazy and crazy work life. My very good friend Kristin wrote this chapter for me. As I think I told some of you, I had the idea where I wanted this chapter to go but I didn't know how to put it in words. Chapter 11 is definitely coming soon. Let me know if there is something you are hoping for. I am thinking about jumping a few months into her pregnancy and see how the family and job/press is handling. Thoughts are always welcome. I have 3 days off this week so I will have the next chapter up. As I had told some of you, I had chapter 11 written before 10. Thank you Kristin! Your Amazing! Enjoy and please leave comments and reviews.
Chapter 10 ~ Together As A Family
Ringing. That's what Elizabeth heard as she looked in the direction of the front door.
She's here.
Slowly taking a deep breath, Elizabeth glanced back into the kitchen where Henry and Noodle were still very much hard at work with their cooking. Smiling to herself, she turned, and started making her way to the front door. Stopping in the hallway, Elizabeth gave herself one final "beauty check" as she calls it in the mirror. Fixing her hair, checking her lipstick, and straightening her blazer gave her a small boost of confidence, not that she truly needed it, however with Maureen, you never know what could go down. Hearing the doorbell go off for a second time is what made Elizabeth snap back into the moment, and make her final way to the door.
This is it.
It's Now or Never.
Taking one final deep breath, Elizabeth slowly opened the door with a smile upon her face.
"Hello Maureen! It's so nice to see you." Elizabeth said, as she moved to the side so Maureen could walk into the house.
"Elizabeth, it's always a pleasure."
Maureen looked around the foyer of their beautiful Georgetown home. It wasn't often that she came to their home, so it was clearly a tad overwhelming. However, she was right with her thoughts of them living well, with rich things around them.
"May I take your coat?" Elizabeth asked, as Maureen's head shot back to her, snapping her out of her daze of looking around.
"Oh. Yes. Thank you" Handing her the coat, Maureen walked further into the house, into the living area. In the distance, she could see her brother, and niece making what smelt like an amazing dinner. Smiling to herself, Maureen turned and walked slowly into their office where she saw pictures of Henry and Elizabeth on their wedding day, along with plenty of books, a desk, chair, and a bunch of papers, which she assumed were Elizabeth's work load. Walking back into the main living area, she saw Elizabeth heading back over to her.
"I'm so glad you could make it. Henry and Alison are in the kitchen, if you'd like to go say hello." Elizabeth gestured with her hand and turned as Henry and her youngest daughter were laughing in the distance, making her smile, and feel love in her heart.
Maureen nodded. "I would, thank you."
Walking past Elizabeth, Maureen walked into the kitchen, and smiled as she approached her brother and niece. Sensing someone else in the room, Henry looked up first, and smiled.
"Maureen. So glad to see you." Henry strode over to his sister, taking her into a hug, which she reciprocated.
"You too, Henry. Looks like you still got the cooking skill." Maureen responded while smiling, and made her way over to Alison. "You even have helpers now, too. Hello, darling."
Alison turned, with a huge smile and gave her aunt a hug. "Hi Aunt Maureen! You're going to love the food, tonight! Dad and I are great teamwork!" She turned to Henry, who nodded and gave her a high five.
Watching from the doorway of the kitchen, Elizabeth smiled to herself at the scene in front of her. It was so peaceful at this moment, and she cherished it while it lasted. She watched as Henry hugged Alison, and made small chat with Maureen for a bit. Alison told her about school, one boy, William, and even about fashion, before turning back to focus on the food, remarking that they'll talk more later. Elizabeth stood up straight, realizing this was her chance to finally get Maureen alone before dinner, to talk. Walking into the kitchen further, she stopped at the front of the island, and smiled at Henry who noticed her right away and went over to her.
"Hey, Babe. We're just talking about Erin, and Shane. They're doing well." Elizabeth nodded in response while Henry kissed her forehead, and rubbed her back, almost giving her a "you can do this" sign.
"Glad to hear it. Maureen, if you don't mind, could I speak to you for a moment?"
There. She said it. There's no turning back now.
Looking at Henry, then Elizabeth, Maureen nodded and placed down a cup of water she was holding. "Of course."
Nodding back, Elizabeth looked at Henry, who just smiled at her, before turning and walking into the main living area, next to the staircase.
"Please, have a seat." Elizabeth spoke, while watching Maureen sit down in front of her.
"Alright. What is it, Elizabeth?" Maureen looked up at Elizabeth, watching her as she pulled a chair closer, and stood behind it.
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth spoke. "It's time we had a heart to heart about this situation… I know you don't agree-and have some things to say, so please. Speak them now before I continue."
Maureen paused for a second, before taking a breath, and nodding. "Elizabeth, while I'm…still not sure what to think here, although support you in ways, how do you see any of this pregnancy working? You're the Secretary of State for god sake. You travel, all the time. You work late hours, you're constantly stressed out-Henry's never home, he's busy, too. How do you expect yourself, or Henry for that matter to take care of this child? He's not going to give up his career for this. You certainly can't. Oh, and the kids. You're going to put so much on them, too. They have lives, Elizabeth, you all do. How do you see ANY of this working out? No-one is going to stop their life just for this baby! Not even myself, or our other siblings! I'm surprised Henry is alright with th-"
Elizabeth had enough. "Maureen. Stop." Elizabeth interrupted, and stood up, moved the chair away from her, and looked at Maureen who was taking a deep breath about to speak again, but Elizabeth stopped her. "No. Maureen, look, I know what you're thinking. I know you're judging and criticizing me in your head, and that, I can take. I deserve it. Henry and I were reckless, who assumed the common assumption of that because I'm older, it couldn't happen. We were wrong, clearly. Nevertheless, this is happening, and a new baby is being brought into this world and our family. I know it's going to be difficult, and change all our lives in so many ways, but I'm okay with taking a risk here." Elizabeth walked over and sat down next to Maureen, before continuing. "Maureen, I know you know this, but my parents died when I was just twelve years old. For the longest time it's just been myself, and my brother, who means the world to me. I know what it's like to not feel accepted, and to be alone. I know what it's like to be without family who loves and supports you, every second of every day, and I don't want that life for my children. I know, in your eyes, I've failed at things, and constantly. You've told me before, and I've taken it, every single piece of it. It's been going on since forever. Since the day we first met twenty-seven years ago when Henry brought me home to meet his family. That was the first time in many years that I felt loved, and truly accepted into a family. However, I never understood why you were so….cold, is the word I'll use. Every time we'd come over with Stevie, Alison, and Jason, you'd always have something to say, and like said, I've taken it, but never got why it was said. I know it wasn't your intention, but Maureen, for a moment, you made me feel like a failure as a wife, and mother. However, I'm a strong woman who kept quiet, and let it go, because Henry was my family, and he's apart of yours, which makes you mine, and I don't want to lose family again. I'd rather take the heat and be loved, than speak out and lose everything."
Elizabeth took a breath, but before she could continue, Maureen spoke.
"Elizabeth, I never wanted you to-" but was cut off yet again, by Elizabeth's hand.
"Please…Don't." Elizabeth continued, "My whole point is, Maureen, I don't want this child to grow up in the atmosphere and way that my three other children already have. I want this child to grow up knowing that family gets along, and regardless of feelings or thoughts towards one person, they still love each other because family is about love. I want him or her to know that family can put things in the past, and move on as if nothing ever happened. Yes, there will always be disagreements, but I want my child to know that despite all those moments, we're all cherished, loved, and can accept everyone for who they are. Maureen, basically what I'm asking you to do is put everything between us in the past and move forward. If you won't do it for me, please do it for the sake of Henry, and our future child, because the last thing I want to do Maureen, is have to tell my son or daughter that they won't see family because we don't talk, or because of something worse. I don't want and refuse to take from them what was taken away from me so early on in my life."
Elizabeth looked up at Maureen, who was staring back at her so intensely. Grabbing her hands, Maureen smiled up at Elizabeth and nodded.
"The past is in the past, Elizabeth. While I can't promise you we won't have disagreements, and things I won't approve of in your family, I promise to not hold it against you, and speak out, unless necessary, and apologize when wrong. Just as long as you're along with me, we'll be alright. We'll be a team effort. Like they say, The Merry McCords always stick together. However, we might not always be merry, but clearly always stick together through thick and thin. We'll do this."
Maureen stood up, and opened her arms, surprising Elizabeth. Maureen wasn't always a huge hugger, but always did with family. While placing one hand on her stomach, Elizabeth stood up, and walked into Maureen's hug, hugging right back.
It wasn't until she pushed back from the hug, that she saw Henry standing in the entry way of the living room, which a huge smile upon his face. She knew he heard bits of their convo, and would be lying if she said she didn't know by the look on his face that he was incredibly proud of her. Smiling back at Henry made Maureen aware that someone else was in the room, and made her turn to see who it was.
"Good talk, girls?" Henry asked, while walking over to his wife, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Yes. Elizabeth and I cleared the air." Maureen responded, quickly, and smiled at both Elizabeth then Henry. "The Merry McCords are back at it." She joked, making all three of them laugh.
"Well, good. The kids just finished setting the table, so we're all ready to eat if you are."
"Oh, food sounds delicious right about now, Babe. The baby and I are starving!" Elizabeth moved away from Henry's hold, and started making her way into the kitchen. "This smells wonderful!" she remarked, making Maureen and Henry both chuckle from the living room.
"So, you guys okay?" Henry turned to his sister, raising an eyebrow.
Nodding in response, Maureen placed an arm around her brothers waist. "Yes, and I promise you, Henry, Elizabeth will always feel like family. She's one of us though, that's for sure. Made of steel."
Laughing and nodding in response, Henry and Maureen made their way back into the dining room.
