The Watergate Hotel, Henry, 2014
I will not lose her again. I won't make it. To this day, I cannot describe the constant pain I was in for the years that followed her death. When I saw her again in that UCLA hallway, I knew instantly that I would never lose her again. I no longer know how this day ends. But I do know, that Elizabeth and my kids will walk away. So I sent the kids away.
Congressional Cemetery, Henry, 2007
"Hey baby." I tell her as I lay the blue hydrangea's I brought her down. I take a seat on the ground, sitting with my legs crossed, right in front of the stone.
"I brought you new flowers, your favorite ones. The kids are doing better now. Stevie misses you the most, I think. She's twelve now. I gotta say, I don't know how well I'm doing with the whole puberty of it all. We agreed you'd handle it for the girls, remember? Allison, got a good grade on that report I told you about last time I was here. She was very happy about that. I told her that if she got nervous while presenting she should just think about you looking down on her and helping her through it. And Little Jason, well he's not so little anymore. He can read now babe. His homework last night, was to read me one of those easy readers and he didn't need help with any of the words. God, Elizabeth, you'd be so proud of them. We had a cake for you last night. Chocolate, served with Mocha Fudge ice cream of course." I fall into silence for a few moments to let my tears fall but I swallow the sob that wants to follow.
"I don't have a lot of time today. But I had to come see you. I miss you beyond words Elizabeth. It feels like there's a hole in my heart that will never be able to be repaired. I love you so much, babe. Happy Birthday." I kiss my hand and press it to the stone. It's cold. Now the sobs come, Elizabeth was anything but cold.
The Watergate Hotel, Elizabeth, 2014
I nod at Isobel as we walk separate ways once entering the Hotel. I send up a silent prayer on my way upstairs that I can trust the guy Isobel called to help us. I think we can, I could tell by the accent I heard over the phone that he was French, so clearly not under the command of the President of the United States. The French guy hacked the security cameras and we know that my kids along with Henry's twins were sent to a different room, three floors down from the room number Henry gave me. That is the room Isobel is on her way to. I on the other hand, am headed to Henry. And hopefully, when I give the prearranged signal, a group of French spies will be my calvary.
I take the walk to the room slowly, watching my own back. Worried that I've run out of luck. But I raise my hand to the door to knock on faith, well on the faith I have in Henry's faith anyway.
The Watergate Hotel, Henry, 2014
It's been the longest wait of my life. I have sat on the chair facing the door waiting for her to knock. I've watched Jessica pace the room, as she tries to plan Elizabeth's demise. And I've prayed. I have spent the last forty five minutes praying harder than I ever have. I have always believed that God simply insists. And I believe that in this moment God insists in Elizabeth and me. He insists that we will make it through today.
Her knock is light, almost timid. Jessica looks at me and I rise, talking small measured steps to the door. I reach for the knob and open the door.
"Hi." She smiles slightly, but she doesn't look at me. She looks past me into the room, accessing it. As she takes a small step into the room, her hands don't leave her pockets. She knows- what she is walking into, the only missing part being, she has no idea that I am married to her want-to-be assassin.
The Watergate Hotel, Elizabeth, 2014
I walk into the room surprised that the only other person in here is the woman I know to be Henry's wife. The last time I saw her she was holding her newborn, while my son referred to her as his mom. I know that she is the only one in the room, because both of the doors that lead to bedrooms are open, bearing their emptiness.
I hear Henry close the door behind me and, a horrifying thought enters my mind. But I fight past believing it, Henry would not be in on this. But one of the only people who could hold all five of his children over his head, she is. I will play the game, and when the time is right, I will give my signal. I just need Isobel to have the kids first. She only needs fifteen minutes to get them out.
"I'm Elizabeth." I turn my head towards his wife and extend right my hand, thankful that it's not shaking.
"Jessica." She plays the spy game too, as she grasp my hand in a just barely too tight handshake.
The Watergate Hotel, Stevie, 2014
"Get in the bathroom and lock the door!" I command my sister and brothers. I run up to the main door and put on the chain lock as someone tries to enter the room.
"Stevie, sweetheart. It's Aunt Izzy. I need you to let me in." I don't budge. My dad wouldn't want me to let anyone in. And if what I think is right about Jess, how can I trust anyone?
"Stevie, I know you're scared. This might be hard for you to hear, but your mom sent me. I'm here to get you somewhere safe." I don't believe it.
"Prove it." I tell her.
"She was worried that you would be scared, so she told me to tell you that you know you come from the best lines of heroes and villains that the Commonwealth of Virginia has ever seen and that she needs you to be brave." I shut the door and remove the lock. My mom is the only one that would know about that conversation. I must look very scared, it's the only reason why my Aunt Izzy would even think about hugging me, it's not really her thing.
"Where are your siblings? We have to get out of here."
And within a single minute, I'm carrying Bobby, while Allison carries Drew. And we fast walk down the hall and then the stairs making it to a car.
"Where are we going now?" I ask.
"We are supposed to wait for your mom at the Capitol Building." And that's where we go.