Henry pulled his Jeep in the circular driveway of Elizabeth's "family farm" as she called it. But really it was a beautiful French country styled estate. "Wow!" Henry said as he exited. "Your mom designed this place?"

"Even down to the landscape design. Come on inside, I can't wait for Alice to meet you!" Elizabeth said with excitement, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the front door.

Before Elizabeth could even open the door; there stood Alice welcoming her home with open arms. "Oh Elizabeth! It's been so long, I've missed you. It's lonely without you here." She said with a smile, her British accent still present in her voice. Alice was a middle aged woman, who resembled Julie Andrews circa The Princess Diaries, who used to be Elizabeth's nanny, but had stayed on at the house to do the cooking and cleaning for her father after Elizabeth was sent to boarding school. Alice was wise and caring, just what Elizabeth needed following the loss of her mother.

"I've missed you too, Alice." Elizabeth said into the hug. "Is dad home?"

"Not yet. Come inside my darlings." Alice said, ushering them through the door.

"Alice, this is Henry. The one I told you about it my letters."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Elizabeth has told me so much about you." Henry said as the older woman hugged him.

"Elizabeth, he is as you described, very handsome." Alice said, giving Henry a once over.

"He is. Alice, I want to tell you something because I just can't hold it inside any longer. But you can't say anything to Dad yet okay?" Elizabeth began as they all sat on the couch in the sitting room.

"Okay dear, what is it?"

"Alice, Henry isn't my boyfriend. He's my fiancée; we're engaged!" Elizabeth said with a bright smile.

Alice held a hand to her heart as tears welled in her eyes. "That's just wonderful! I'm so happy for you both." She continued, pulling them both into a hug. Elizabeth knew that Alice would genuinely be happy for them and she hoped her excitement would make Henry feel welcome in her home.

"Thank you, Alice." Elizabeth whispered

Alice still couldn't contain her emotions. "Look at you my dear, all grown up and getting married. Where did the time go?" she said through her tears, as she wiped Elizabeth's. Alice took a deep breath and finally stood.

"Okay, you two run along now. I need to star dinner. Your father will be home for dinner, so be back by 6:30 and cleaned up."

Alice began to walk to the kitchen, but turned and waved her hand at the couple still sitting on the couch. "I'm serious, go show Henry around the property. You and I will talk later, I want all the details about you and Henry."

"Okay." Elizabeth said pulling Henry by the hand off the couch. She kissed Alice on the cheek as she walked past her and took Henry on the grand tour of the house.

********Promises*********

Dressed in black dress pants and a white sleeveless blouse, Elizabeth was ready to have dinner with her father. He often expected that she be dressed properly for dinner in case clients had come home with him unexpectedly and she suspected the rules hadn't changed since last time she was home.

"You ready?" Henry asked her as he finished buttoning his short sleeve dress shirt.

"I guess." She said quietly.

"Honey, it's your dad, why are you so nervous?" he asked, pulling her into a quick hug.

"Well I haven't seen the man in two years. I don't know how he is going to take this."

"It couldn't go any worse than how my dad took it." Henry reasoned.

Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders, she hoped not. But Henry didn't know her father. This was uncharted territory for her too, she'd never brought a boy home to meet her father, let alone the one she was engaged to.

"Elizabeth!" John Faulkner bellowed as he entered the house, setting his briefcase on the front table.

Elizabeth sighed, leaving Henry's embrace as they made their way down the elegant staircase as they heard her father calling.

John Faulkner was a tall, handsome man. He had dark hair that was starting to go a bit salt and pepper and was clean shaven with a perfect smile, dark eyes and olive skin. He looked like he belonged on the cover of Fortune magazine when dressed in a suit. "Elizabeth!" he called again.

"Coming!" Elizabeth called as she picked up her pace.

"There you are. Come give your father a hug." John said as Elizabeth walked over, giving her father a hug.

He kissed her cheek as he pulled back, taking note of her appearance. It has been two years since he had seen her. She wasn't a kid anymore, but a grown up, beautiful young lady. "You look fantastic! I can't believe you are all grown up and graduated from college."

Elizabeth nodded and smiled, motioning to Henry behind her who smiled at the interaction. "Dad, this is Henry. Henry, my father, John."

"Henry, good to meet you." John said, extending his hand in a very business-like manner.

"You too." Henry said, giving a firm handshake with a smile.

"Elizabeth, you didn't mention-" John began but Elizabeth cut him off.

"I was going to introduce you at graduation." She insisted

John nodded and motioned them to the dining room. "Oh yes, I'm so sorry again about missing that. But I hope you know how very proud of you I am. Let's have dinner and we can talk about your present." He said, completely missing her point.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at Henry at her father's ignorance and Henry gave her a re-assuring smile as they followed him to the table. John sat at the head of the table with Henry and Elizabeth sitting across from one another on either side.

Alice had prepared lasagna, salad and garlic bread for dinner and already had their plates made up. As Elizabeth placed her napkin on lap her father began speaking again. "Elizabeth, we need to do something to celebrate your graduation. And your birthday."

"Dad, it's fine." Elizabeth insisted, not wanting to dwell on it any longer. She knew he was just going to try and buy his way out of it with some elaborate gift and tried to change the subject. "Henry just finished his masters at Princeton." She gushed over her fiancé.

"That's wonderful. Congratulations." John said nicely as the phone rang, "Excuse me." He said, taking the call in the other room.

Henry watched across the table as Elizabeth's face dropped; put on the back burner once again due to a business call. When the phone call was finished he sat back down and set the phone next to his plate. "I'm sorry sweetheart. Where were we?"

They both offered a polite smile but didn't say anything.

"Ah yes, we were talking about your birthday and graduation gift. Is there anything special you would like?" he asked his daughter. She nodded in the negative and opened her mouth to say something but he kept talking, "I have a couple ideas…."

"Dad!" Elizabeth said loudly, stopping him. "We can talk about it later. You're being rude to our guest. I want you to get to know Henry."

"Alright then." Her father agreed.

"So Henry and I have been together since I started at Princeton." Elizabeth began with a smile.

"Is that so?" John replied, interested.

"Yes, we met in a class we had together." Henry confirmed.

The phone rang again. "Excuse me, just one second." John said apologetically as he stood and moved away from the table. "Hello, this is John…."

Elizabeth rested her head against her palm as she muttered under her breath. "Unbelievable." She willed her tears back as she reached her hand across the table for Henry's. "I'm so sorry." She apologized for her father's behavior.

"It's okay. It's not your fault." He assured her and took another bite of his lasagna.

From the other room, John observed his daughter's interactions with Henry as he took the phone call. He noticed the way their hands met across the table and how they smiled at one another. He saw Elizabeth giggle at something he had said and watched his lips curve into a smile when she laughed. Her mannerisms reminded him very much of her mother. Even though she'd been gone for so long, when he looked at his daughter it was like looking his wife's twin.

Walking back into the dining room, John sat back down and apologized again. "Sorry about that. Work never stops it seems."

Henry started the conversation this time. "The house is absolutely beautiful. Elizabeth tells me her mother designed it."

"Ah yes. She did. She was a very gifted architect." John smiled at the memory of his late wife.

"While I was in Pennsylvania with Henry, he took me to Falling Water. You know the Frank Lloyd Wright house mom talked about. It was absolutely beautiful." Elizabeth dotted.

"That sounds like fun."

"Excuse me, Mr. Faulkner." Alice said with a sad expression, knowing it would upset Elizabeth, entering the room with papers. "These just came for your signature."

"Thank you Alice." He said, signing the papers quickly.

As Alice left the room, she patted Elizabeth's shoulder as Elizabeth took a deep breath to curb her frustration at the third interruption. This time when her father returned she didn't try to re-start the conversation, just kept nibbling at her salad.

"I'm so sorry guys. There's a lot of stuff going on right now at the office. Please tell me more about your trip to Pennsylvania." He encouraged. He could tell he'd upset his daughter and was trying to fix it.

For a few moments the only sound was forks clicking on plates. Elizabeth sighed and set down her fork, deciding it was time to get to the point, maybe if she blurted out she was engaged her would stop long enough to listen to her. "Henry is from Pittsburgh, so I went to spend a couple weeks and get to know his parents because -" She said quietly, not making direct eye contact.

Then the phone rang again, interrupting her mid-sentence. Her father politely held up one finger as he reached for the phone but Elizabeth was quick and snatched it first, pressing the red button to silence it.

"Elizabeth!" her father exclaimed, not happy with her behavior. "That is an important client."

Tears welled in her eyes. "And what, I'm not important? I've had enough of this!" She began quietly, shaking her head. "I don't know why I thought tonight would be different. Can't you see I've been trying to tell you something all night, and you just keep answering that stupid phone." She continued wiping at her tears. "I don't want some expensive gift for my birthday, another fancy piece of jewelry or a new car, or whatever ridiculous thing you have in mind. What I want and what I have always wanted is just for you to pay attention to me for more than 5 minutes. I haven't seen you in two years for god sakes, and you can't even give me an hour of your undivided attention for dinner…" Now she was sobbing so hard she couldn't even speak.

John's face fell as he realized what he had done not only tonight but ever since her mother had died, ignoring his only daughter when she probably needed him the most. "I'm sorry sweetheart." He swallowed, reaching for her arm. "What is it? What do you need to tell me? I'm listening."

Her lips pursed as she swallowed down a fresh batch of tears as she met his eyes. He'd ruined the moment, she couldn't even smile as she spoke in her softest, saddest voice before throwing her napkin on the table and running out the back door. "Henry and I are engaged."

John closed his eyes as a guilty expression washed over his face. He closed his eyes he pictured her as a little girl, sitting at the dinner table in pigtails, when the most important thing she wanted to tell him was that she had learned how to do a cartwheel and wanted him to watch her on the lawn after dinner. He pictured that same little girl sitting across from him saying "Daddy, I'm engaged." It hit him like a ton of bricks. When did his baby girl become this beautiful, intelligent woman he knew so little about?

"Elizabeth, wait!" he called trying to catch up.

Henry watched the interaction and just looked down, suddenly no longer hungry. He felt so bad for his fiancée. All she wanted was five minutes of her father's time. It made him grateful for his own father, while judgmental, at least he was there. But he did notice how genuinely guilty her father looker; maybe just now Elizabeth had finally gotten through to him.

Alice had entered the dining room and placed a hand on Henry's shoulder. "She'll be okay."

"I should go check on her." He said, his voice breaking.

"Give her a few minutes." Alice said, as she began to clear the dishes. Henry instinctively stood to help and followed her to the kitchen. "Thank you dear. You are so sweet. Here." She said, handing Henry a ziplock bag with apple slices and carrots. "You'll find her in the horse stable. Take these – treats for the horses."

"Thank you Alice." Henry said, taking the bag and heading off to the barn.

Meanwhile Elizabeth was heaving for breath when she reached the barn. The four horses immediately turned their attention to her as she opened the door. They all loved her.

Stepping through the hay in her high heels, she grabbed a brush off the hook on the wall and walked over to her horse, Secretariat. She pulled open the wooden gate to his stable and he slowly walked out, a sad look in his big brown eyes. He could tell Elizabeth was upset. He ducked his head to her level so she could pet his nose. She smiled at him sadly as she ran her fingers over his nose and cheek. "Hi buddy." Her voice broke as the tears came again. She wrapped her arms around the horse and cried for a few minutes as the horse nuzzled her.

Pulling away she planted a kiss on his head and wiped at her tears. "You like Henry right?" she asked him quietly as she began to run the brush over his neck. He made a soft nose as if responding to her. "Well good, because I'm going to marry him. Did we tell you that earlier?" she continued

The horse made another soft noise and she smiled and continued "I just wish he would listen. That's not asking a lot right?"

Secretariat literally moved his head back and forth as if saying no, agreeing with her. She smirked at him and continued to brush him.

Henry has been quietly observing her from the barn door, waiting for the right time to enter. It made him smile to see her interact with the horses. When she seemed to have calmed down substantially and was silently brushing Secretariat, he entered.

Elizabeth didn't notice him come in, but Secretariat did and nudged her leg. "Secretariat, don't be sassy." She scolded. Then he did it again and she turned to see Henry. When she noticed him Secretariat snorted as if saying "see."

Henry walked over to her and took her hands in his. "You okay?" he asked, concerned.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Yea."

He let go of her hands and pulled her into his arms. She smiled sadly and rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. "It just, I hate when he lets me down." She confessed. "And it's my own fault for getting my hopes up."

"No, it isn't your fault." He promised. "If it makes you feel any better he looked really sad after you ran out. I think you got through to him. You should talk to him later."

"Well good. I'm glad he realized what he has done. And he can come talk to me, I'm done being the only one who makes an effort." She said, getting a little worked up again.

"Alright, pipe down." He warned, tightening his hold on her.

She took a deep breath to calm herself again. "Sorry."

"It's okay. But I don't think it went as bad as you think. At least he didn't accuse you of being pregnant." He said, half joking.

She laughed and pulled back to kiss him. "That's true. I love you, you know."

"Love you too." He smiled at her laugh and kissed her back. They kissed softly for several minutes before Secretariat nudged them .

"Oh, you want in on this?" she said, reluctantly pulling away from Henry's lips, turning to the animal. "Okay. We love you too. Henry, give him a hug and kiss."

Henry followed her lead and they both hugged the horse and kissed his cheek. "He likes you, you know." She said as she stroked his fur.

"He's going to like me even more, Alice sent these treats out here with me." Henry said producing the bag of apple slices and carrots.

Elizabeth smiled and took the bag from him. "Look what Henry brought for you buddy." Secretariat nudged Elizabeth's hand that held the bag of treats. "Okay, just a second…" She took out one of the mini carrots and held it flat in her palm and Secretariat gently ate it. "Henry, hold out your hand." She instructed. He could tell he was nervous to feed the large animal, but did as she asked and she placed one of the apple slices in his palm and Secretariat just as calmly ate from his hand.

He smiled, amazed. "He's so gentle."

"He likes you," she smiled at him, "Don't you, boy?"

The pair continued to feed Secretariat his treats and he alternated taking each piece from their hand. "So, how did you come up with his name?" Henry asked. "Doesn't seem very original, Elizabeth."

She smiled at her fiancée and at her beautiful chestnut brown horse. "Well, I was only 10 when I named him, give me a break."

"So he's 11 years old?"

"Yea, most horses live like 25 years. But anyway, when I was really little, like 3 or 4, I was watching the Triple Crown races with my mother. She loved watching the races on TV. One year she even took me to the derby when I was maybe 5 or 6 – it's that photo I showed you. We both had on new dresses and fancy hats." She paused, reaching in the bag for another carrot. Henry remembered the photo, she kept it on a frame in her bedroom at college. Her mother had picked her up and they were both smiling brightly at each other, and Elizabeth had her tiny hand on the brim of her derby hat. It was a beautiful candid photo.

"Anyway, that year we watched on TV, Secretariat won. She was so excited," Elizabeth remembered, a lull in her voice "I remember afterward she was saying to me 'Lizzie, did you see Secretariat?' and I just was repeating her, I couldn't even say the word Secretariat. It was more like Secer-tat." She laughed. Henry smiled warmly at her as she remembered. "When Secretariat was born, it had been a year or so after mom died. Daddy said this foal could be my horse. So I named it Secretariat, sort of in honor of my mom's favorite horse, I guess. One time I even made a string of roses that I picked from the garden and hung it around his neck, like he won the derby and I lead him around the pen for his victory lap. Silly right?"

When she was finished he put his arm around her. "No. Not even the slightest bit silly."

"I think Secretariat wants to go for a ride tomorrow." She said turning her attention to the horse. He seemed to nod up and down. "Secretariat says yes." She said to Henry, "You up for learning to ride tomorrow?"

"Well, whatever Secretariat wants."

She giggled and they finished off the last of the treats. "Okay buddy, we should head back in now. We'll spend the day together tomorrow– show Henry how it's done." She said, kissing the horse and motioning him back to his stable.

After saying goodnight to the horse, Henry wrapped his arm around her and they began walking back to the house.

Little did she know her father had been nearby, observing them in the barn. He had come to check on her and have a talk, but realized Henry had beat him to it. Perhaps it was for the better, he noticed Henry knew exactly what to do and say to comfort his daughter; whereas he did not. He knew how to make her tears stop and how to make her laugh. Henry McCord knew his daughter much better than he did. He could tell immediately he was the one for her. As he watched them exit the barn, he doubled back to the house so they wouldn't see him and tried to think of a way he could make up all those years to his daughter before he lost her for good.

"So is there an ice cream joint around here?" Henry asked as they walked back; the moonlight shining down upon them.

Elizabeth laughed. "There is. It's called the freezer. Closest actual ice cream store is 30 minutes away, so they would be closed by the time we got there. "

"Well what kind of ice cream is in the freezer? I can make you a sundae when we get back."

"I think I just want to go to bed. It's been a long day between this and the driving. Besides, if you want to go riding, we have to get up early." She mulled.

"Okay." He said, kissing her forehead.

"Promise me something?" she asked softly, looking up at him when they reached the door.

"Anything."

"Promise me we'll never take phone calls during dinner."

He smiled softly at her. "Promise."

***Promises****

John Faulkner sat at his mahogany desk inside his home office, a glass of whiskey in his hand as he mulled over the decisions he had made since Elizabeth was born. He knew he had to have a long talk with her and explain things. Getting up from his chair, he drained his drink and went off in search of his daughter.

He walked around the house, but it was silent. "Alice, where's Elizabeth? I need to talk to her."

"Oh, she went to bed a while ago Mr. Faulkner."

He smiled sadly at Alice. "I guess I'll just talk to her in the morning then." He began to walk away but stopped, and asked another question. "Alice? Did you know about the engagement?"

"She told me when she arrived home. It's wonderful isn't it?" Alice said, sipping her evening tea.

"She does seem happy." He agreed. "Goodnight Alice."

John quietly climbed the stairs on his way to bedroom and stopped by Elizabeth's room. It had been empty for so long, the house in general had felt empty without her there, it felt good to stop and check in on her again. Her door was cracked slightly, and he pushed it open with a finger, peering inside. He smiled when he saw her peacefully tucked under her fiancé's arm in the middle of her king size bed.

He crossed the room quietly and pulled the blankets up higher around them. He bent to kiss her cheek softly. "Goodnight baby girl."

A/N: Apologies for the delay in this; life has been busy! Hope you are starting to get the theme here with the various promises; a lot of background to get to 2005! I am working on part 4 as we speak...John has a heart to heart with Elizabeth and we will learn why he sent her away.