Elizabeth McCord had exactly one hour to herself for the first time in three days. A pack of idiot teenagers had decided to play a "joke" outside the Chinese embassy, and she'd spent every hour of her life trying to mop up the mess. It was exhausting. And just when things seemed to be settling back into a tenuous peace, the entire Middle East decided to blow up. She hadn't stepped inside her own house in three long, grinding days. Even now, she had only an hour to shower, change and glance at her children and husband's face and rush right back out into more meetings. Things were precarious and it would take finesse to prevent a bloodbath - finesse and a miracle.
"Babe!" Henry's face lit up with joy as she stepped inside. "I thought you were sending Blake!"
"He cannot be trusted. He brought three black blouses in a row. If I can't leave the office , I should at least have variety in what I wear!" She moved into his embrace. "Don't get comfy. I've got 59 minutes."
His face sank. "Yeah, well. A man can dream." He squeezed her shoulders. "Hungry? I've got some leftover chicken."
"Oh, God, yes!" She glanced over her shoulder. "Ali? Jason?" She called.
"Who is that?" Jason stepped into the hallway pointing at her, a mischievous grin on his face.
"You are lucky I miss you too much to be mad." She stepped out of Henry's arms hugging Jason. "Are you taller? You can't be taller?"
"Seriously, Mom?" He shook his head. "Could you be anymore basic?"
"Is that an insult? What?" She looked at Henry. "What does that mean?"
"It means he missed you and is thrilled to see you, right?" Henry said to Jason.
"I did and I am." Jason said kissing her cheek.
"Where's Noodle?" She looked around.
"Upstairs." Jason said. "She's got her headphones on though. Want me to get her?"
"No. I'll go up." She glanced at Henry. "I'm gonna take a quick shower. Then maybe dinner?"
He sighed and nodded his head. "Sure, babe." He kissed her again before turning to the kitchen.
She took the stairs two at a time and went immediately to Ali's room. She was staring at her laptop, lying across her bed on her stomach, headphones on her ears. Elizabeth reached out squeezing her daughter's shoulder.
"Mom!" Ali jumped up in surprise, tossing her headphones aside. "You're home!" She threw her arms around her mother.
"Just to change, I'm afraid." She kissed Ali's cheek. "How are you?"
"Good. I'm taking a break from studying. Midterms are next week. Did Dad tell you? My chem teacher said I didn't even have to take the midterm! He said even if I got an "f" on it I'd still have an "A" in the class!"
"He did!" She ran a hand through Ali's long dark hair. "I'm so proud of you, Noodle."
"You have to go back today?" Ali asked.
"'Fraid, so baby. I'm sorry. Things have been kind of chaotic."
"It's because of those bombings. But they said on the news that things were nearly settled."
"Nearly is still open to interpretation." She sighed.
"You leave for Nepal is three days. Will you be home before then?" Ali sank back onto her bed.
"I don't know. But it's just a quick trip and then I'll be home." She sat down, hugging Alison to her. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, I am."
"It's fine." Alison said softly. "I just got spoiled growing up. You were always around. I'll get used to it, I guess."
"Dad's a way better cook than me, anyway."
"Jason a better cook than you!" Alison offered with a sad grin.
"True." She kissed Alison's forehead. "I'm gonna take a shower. I won't leave without a goodbye, okay?"
"Okay."
She rose and walked to the hall but hesitated in the doorway. "You hear from your sister?"
"Mom, just call her." Alison said.
"I did. She didn't answer."
"She has classes and work. It didn't mean anything. Try again."
"I will."
***MS***
Standing under the hot water, she wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep. She couldn't remember the last night she had slept longer than six hours and she couldn't picture when she'd be able to again.
There was a rush of cold air as the bathroom door swung open. She rubbed the glass door to see Henry leaning against the counter, a towel in his hands.
"Blake called." His voice was flat. "They are coming back early."
"Oh." She sighed. "I guess I better get back."
"Yeah." Henry sighed. "I packed up some chicken and Ali made a cheesecake the other day. It was really good."
She turned off the shower, and stepping out took the towel he handed her. "Thanks, honey." She said wrapping it around herself. "I'm sorry. I really am."
"For what? You didn't plan that prank at the embassy or blow up fifteen markets in Islamabad, did you?" He smiled at her. "It's just the job."
"The job sucks ass, Henry." He followed her into the closet.
"Pretty talk, lady." He teased her.
"How are you anyway?" She asked as she dressed. She slid into a pair of black pants and reached up for a green blouse.
"I'm doing fine, but babe, we need to talk."
"Henry, I've got like twenty minutes. I can't deal with anything right now."
"I know and I'm sorry, but who knows when you'll be home again and tomorrow is . . ."
"I was there, Henry!" She interrupted sharply. "I know what tomorrow is!" She slid the shirt over her head and brushed past him, going back into the bathroom. He followed after.
"Elizabeth, I'm not . . ." He leaned against the counter, shaking his head in frustration. "We haven't talked in days, okay? I just wanted to . . ."
"I've got the weight of the entire Middle East on my shoulders and you thought this would be a great time to talk about it?" She opened a drawer, setting make-up and brushes on the counter. "I never said she couldn't come home."
"Thanks," he said angrily. "That's fair!"
"That's not what I meant! I'm just saying, she is perfectly capable of calling us!"
"But she hasn't! I know I shouldn't have . . ." He struggled momentarily. "But she knew what she was doing when she broke that glass! We had talked about it over and over. She was damn clear about your triggers! It was cruel!"
"I didn't say it wasn't!" She paused her hand mid air, make up brush in hand. "I can't talk about this right now! I can only manage so much!"
"You think this is how I want to spend the only time I will have with you for the next week? I can't even get you on the phone! You leave in three days. I just want to . . ." He slammed his fist in frustration. "Baby, please! I don't want to fight with you!"
"Then don't!" She responded.
"She's twenty-one tomorrow." He said softer. "Should we call her?"
"Henry, please!" She shoved her makeup back into the drawer. "I can't . . ." She stood with her palms flat against the counter, her eyes studying the surface. "I should've just sent Blake." She said softly. "This was a mistake."
"It was." He agreed as he turned away, leaving her alone.
***MS***
Her hair was still damp as she came down the back stairs that led into the kitchen. She was too impatient to really fix it. Both Ali and Jason were sitting at the table, Alison with her books spread in front of her, and Jason eating a bowl of ice cream.
"Well, I've got to go back." She said standing beside Jason, a hand on his shoulder.
"Thanks for stopping by." Jason teased but he paled when her eyes filled with tears.
"I'll. . . I'll call tomorrow if I," She swallowed hard. "If I can't get home."
"Mom, I'm sorry. I was just goofing. We are fine."
"Don't worry about it." She kissed his forehead, running her hand through his bangs. "I'm just tired and homesick."
"Here." Alison handed her a lunch bag. "I made the cheesecake myself."
She accepted the bag and wrapped her arms around Alison. "Thank you, Noodle. I'll see you guys soon, okay?"
"Bye Mom! Love you!" Alison smiled at her.
"Love you!" Jason said in a soft echo.
She left the kitchen and went out to the front hall to get her coat and bag. Henry was nowhere to be found. An overwhelming ache filled her heart and she was struggling with tears, as she slid into her coat. She couldn't believe how horrible her visit home had been. She actually felt worse; she felt a million times worse.
***MS***
"So, you are never coming home?" Alison said into her phone.
"I didn't say that." Stevie said. "What about Mom?"
"Stevie just call her! I know she called you. And everything is a mess! They are both really upset."
"You don't understand. I can't just come home and say sorry."
"Yes, you can!" Alison pleaded. "Things are super stressful at work. I mean, have you watched the news at all?"
"So this is about her?"
"Stevie! You are being such a jerk! You know she cried for hours after you left! You threw her into a panic attack! Dad was pissed, and Jason cried himself to sleep!"
"Listen, if I wanted a lecture, I can call Dad."
"You should call Dad! You need to fix this!"
"Kid, I am sorry I threw that glass. I really am. But I don't know if this is something that can be fixed."
"Yes, it can!" Alison's voice rose. "Fix it, Stevie!"
She hung up and threw her phone across the room, covering her face with her hands.
***MS***
"So," Hannah flopped onto the couch next to her. "Twenty-one tomorrow."
"This is true." Stevie said.
"I cannot wait!" Hannah smiled. "Everyone's gonna be there - well except Louis and Pauly - Louis has to work and Pauly's only nineteen. He has the saddest looking fake id you've ever seen. He can't get in anywhere!"
"It will be fun." Stevie tried to sound enthusiastic.
"Ah, c'mon! Everyone fights with their parents! Don't sweat it!"
"Right."
"And listen, about next week, you found a place right?"
"Yeah." Stevie lied. "Don't worry."
"Great! I can't believe Alex is actually going to visit! I'm so excited! It's been four months since I've seen him! But you can move back if you want after he leaves - unless I can convince him to transfer!"
"Thanks. I really appreciate you letting me stay."
"Well, it's no problem. Besides you are a way better cook than me! I should have you cook for me and Alex! Who taught you?"
"Basic survival." Stevie said with a shrug. "My mom can't cook."
"I thought she was perfect at everything!"
Hannah said surprised.
"Nope," Stevie said bitterly. "She's pretty damned flawed.