Chapter Nine
Monday, April 28, 1997
He was in the office writing his dissertation. The setting sun out of his window bounced a golden hue off the fields of the farm. The bookshelf to his right behind Elizabeth's desk was filled to the brim. The place came up for sale about four months ago. Elizabeth had always talked about raising their family at horse farm near her childhood home. It was the perfect time and she committed to commuting to Langley while Henry worked on his doctorate at UVA.
"Charlottesville is home," she had said to him at the time. He couldn't agree with her more.
He paused in his writing to gather a thought and stared at the photo of the three of them in front of "Libby." Greg took that photo and his eyes glanced over to the photo of he and his best friend hanging on the wall besides his Marine Corps commendation.
"Say Good Night to Daddy," Elizabeth instructed Stevie taking him out of his thoughts. He looked up and noticed Elizabeth had ditched her suit and was now in a black tank top and light pink sweatpants as Stevie walked by her side in her onesie pajamas.
"Night, night, Daddy!" the toddling one year old babbled to him.
He made his way over and swung her up in the air. Her hair still damp from her tubby. She giggled back at him.
"Okay," Elizabeth took her from him, "If you want to celebrate the one year. I need to get her to bed."
"Mmmm, I do!" he joked and winked at her, his hand coming to rest on her rear.
She gave him a passionate little kiss and said, "Be right back."
Twenty minutes later, stories were read and eyes were closed until morning. Elizabeth made her way back down the mahogany stairwell into the living room which was now a had a fire going and golden glow from the candles.
Henry was laid back on the couch, his legs up on the ottoman as he handed her a glass of scotch. They took a sips simultaneously, as she settled herself into him.
"Oh I have missed this the last few weeks," she said, feeling it warm her body.
"Really?!" He smirked at her, "If that is your way of getting over the miscarriage, then okay."
She attempted to answer him but he placed his index finger on her lips. "Shh, let it go, babe!"
She shot him that look. "It's wasn't THAT. That trial was so stressful. I am glad it is over."
"Me too," he said quietly and took a bigger sip of his drink. "With Saslov and McWilliams behind bars at the Hague, the world is a much better place. I'm proud of you, Babe."
She turned and looked at him, "You had more to do with this than me. Henry, take some credit. Your testimony is what put them there."
He shrugged his shoulders at her and redirected the conversation, "So, on my way home today, I heard this new song on the radio. It struck me as we both know what transpired to save us."
He stood up and gave her his hand. Pulling her off the couch and into his arms.
"This is for us and us alone." He tapped her glass with his as they took another sip in sync. "Only to be danced to in private between us as we and only a few others will ever know. For on this day alone, time will always stand still for us."
He took her glass and set them both down, took her in his arms and hit play.
The raspy voice of Bryan Adams mixed with the dulcet tones of a piano filled the room. (When you get here, just go listen to the song. :) )
When you love someone
You'll do anything
You'll do all the crazy things
That you can't explain
You'll shoot the moon
Put out the sun
When you love someone
You'll deny the truth
Believe a lie
There'll be times that you'll believe
That you could really fly
But your lonely nights
Have just begun
When you love someone
When you love someone
You'll feel it deep inside
And nothin' else
Could ever change your mind
When you want someone
When you need someone
When you love someone
When you love someone
You'll sacrifice
Give it everything you got
And you won't think twice
You'd risk it all
No matter what may come
When you love someone, yeah
You'll shoot the moon
Put out the sun
When you love someone