Henry slowly started waking as he stretched out his back. Sleeping in a chair all night hadn't been the most comfortable of options but he would do it a million times over if he got to be near Elizabeth. A smile crossed his lips as he thought of her and as his eyes slowly opened — There she was, staring at him, her eyes tracing every inch of his face.

"Good Morning." Her words were quiet and timid but her smile was wide and beautiful. "You stayed."

Henry stretched his arms above his head and sat upright. "Good Morning beautiful! Of course I stayed, I told you I'm not going anywhere — Have you been awake long?"

"A little while, unfortunately! I was ordered to rest and then I had a nurse waking me up every hour to take my temperature or my blood pressure or change the drip bags — Honestly, every time I drifted back off they woke me up for something else." She rolled her eyes and Henry chuckled.

"I have to hand it to them - They're brave for waking you up. Not many have lived to tell the tale."

Elizabeth pushed herself up against the pillows and rested her hands on her bump "Thank you for coming to be with me yesterday Henry — I'm not sure how you found out but I really am grateful you were here."

"Conrad called me. Apparently Isabelle got on his case and told him to make sure I got my ass up here quick smart or she would drag me here herself."

Elizabeth smiled, "That sounds like Isabelle."

"How are you feeling now?"

"A lot better thank you. I think the fluids and antibiotics have done wonders and the antiemetics she gave me have stopped me vomiting — for now, so I almost feel human again. I didn't mean to scare everyone."

"You do look a lot better, not that you don't always look beautiful. But seeing you like that yesterday terrified me."

"I'm fine Henry, you really don't need to worry."

Henry moved to sit on the edge of the bed and first, took hold of the hand with the cannula in, the drip still attached. "This looks sore."

"It's nothing I can't handle — I'm a tough cookie."

He then gently placed that hand down on the bed and took hold of the other one.

"I want you to listen to me and not interrupt."

Elizabeth smiled, "Okay."

Henry raised a brow which made huff out a laugh.

"Fine — I'll listen."

"I love you Elizabeth — I have always loved you. Taking you home from Calico's that night was the best thing I have ever done. You have broken my heart —."

"I'm sorry Henry—."

"Elizabeth! What did I just say?"

"But I was just — Ok, sorry, carry on."

"You broke my heart but you also taught me how to love so deeply and passionately that it consumes you. I never really knew what love could be like until I met you and now that I feel it - I don't ever want it to stop." His fingers tangled with hers as she stared at him intently.

"You fill every thought in my head and every ounce of room in my heart and you are it for me. I will not let you push me away or tell me you don't want me because I know you do Elizabeth - I know you do. So, I will tell you this one last time — I am not going anywhere, not today, or tomorrow or any other day. Don't expect me not to worry about you because I always will. You and our daughter are everything to me and I will spend my whole life trying my very best to make you both happy — You just have to let me."

Henry was relieved that his thoughts and feelings were finally out in the open, but Elizabeth was just looking at him, not saying a word or showing any emotion — just staring straight into his eyes.

"Elizabeth?"

She untangled her fingers from his and grabbed a fistful of his shirt, her lips crashing into his forcefully. It had been so long since she had last kissed him — Her beautiful Henry — That she couldn't help herself. How could she possibly respond to his words in a way that would convey everything she was feeling without falling short, so she didn't try.

She got lost in the sensation as his fingers weaved through her hair, pulling her deeper into the kiss. His tongue moved against hers in a more sensual way than she ever remembered it and as she slid her hand up his neck, she could feel his pulse thrumming under her palm. When she pulled back ever so slightly, her eyes opened slowly and the taste of him was still on her lips — She smiled.

"I love you too Henry."

Henry leaned in for another kiss when the door opened.

"Good morning Elizabeth." Dr Murrow was her annoyingly chirpy self.

"Don't tell me — You need to take my temperature or my blood pressure or change the drip for the hundredth time."

"I see you're feeling better? I actually came to listen in on baby again before I let you go."

"I can go home?"

"If you do as you're told then I can't see any reason why not. But I want you to come straight back in if you have any concerns or you feel unwell! Do not leave it to get that bad again Elizabeth."

"I'll make sure they are both well taken care of." Henry was gripping Elizabeth's hand, keeping that connection between them.

"I'm glad to hear it. Now, let's have a quick listen to this baby girl and then I'll get the nurse to come in and remove that needle from your hand."

The beautiful sound of a heartbeat echoed through the doppler and Henry could feel himself getting emotional again. "Should it be that fast?" He had so many questions and so much to learn because of the time they had wasted being at war with each other rather than letting their true feelings take over.

"Babies heartbeats do sound very fast but it's perfectly normal. You have a very strong little girl in there."

Henry smiled "She definitely gets that from her mother — I just hope she inherits my culinary skills."

Elizabeth feigned outrage "Are you saying I can't cook?"

"Absolutely! I've witnessed your attempt at cooking twice and you almost burned down my kitchen both times. You are not safe."

"Well, I hope she inherits my taste in music — Because yours sucks." She stuck her tongue out at him and he responded by tickling her side, making her squirm.

"No Henry —." She was giggling under his touch "Bad kidneys — Stop."

He held up his hands in surrender "I'm sorry — It's not a fair contest while you're so poorly! But you wait until you're better."

He winked at her and she was pretty sure if she'd been standing, her legs would have turned to jello. He always did know how to set her alight with just a look, but a hospital room wasn't the time or place for those particular thoughts.

Dr Murrow shook her head and laughed "Right Elizabeth — You can go but I want to see you in a week and if you feel unwell again or you have any concerns then come straight back in."

"I will - Thank you doctor."

"You two take care of each other. You're such a lovely family."

With the doctor out of the room, Elizabeth grabbed Henry's neck, pulling him towards her "I reckon we have about five minutes before a nurse comes in here so I'm going to kiss you while I can."

Her whole mouth covered his as the feeling of his tongue against hers set goosebumps erupting all over her skin. His hands were resting on the small of her back but with the drip still in her hand, she couldn't quite get as close to him as she wanted. She tried to move but the tube got caught under her other hand, tugging at the needle.

"Owwww — Fucking thing." Elizabeth frowned as she sat back "I will be glad to get out of here."

"We must have made a really good impression on you." The nurse came in and smiled "Let's get that thing out of your hand, get a couple of scribbles on this paperwork and then you're free to go."

"That would be great, thank you. I don't suppose you know what happened to my clothes yesterday by any chance? As fetching as this gown is, I don't really want everyone getting an unobscured view of my ass."

Henry grinned at her and she narrowed her eyes at him "Not a word Henry."

"I didn't say anything."

"Your thoughts were written all over your face."

The nurse got rid of the needle and pointed to the locker beside the bed "Your clothes are in there. Right, that's us all done - You're free to go Elizabeth."

"Thank you." She turned to Henry "Out you go — I need to get dressed."

Henry pouted "Don't I get an unobscured view of your ass?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and laughed "Out!"

Elizabeth was nestled on the couch under a blanket where she had been since getting home. Henry had insisted she rest and she was actually enjoying being looked after for a change. Henry had stopped on the way back from the hospital to pick up some groceries - All things that Elizabeth felt she could stomach - And was now cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

It felt strange having him in her apartment, but strange in a good way. They had always been together at his place and then in Iraq but never in hers. It felt like she was finally letting him into her world, into her home and into her heart. She couldn't hide from him here - She was completely exposed and for the first time ever, she relished that. She wanted him to know her completely and she wanted to know him.

She tried reading a book but her focus kept drifting. There had been so many nights of dreaming that Henry was back in her life, crying over the fact they weren't together and feeling guilty over the way things had ended between them. But now — He was only a few feet away from her — He had rushed to her side when she needed him the most and professed his love for her and for once, she felt ready and able to do the same. They were finally on the same page at the same time — And she didn't want to be away from him.

Throwing back the blanket, Elizabeth padded through to the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe. Henry didn't look up or turn around, he just smiled to himself

"You should be on the couch resting."

"How did you know I was standing here? I didn't make a sound."

"I can feel you whenever you're near me."

Elizabeth felt herself gasp at his words "Is that true?"

"It's very true. I'm drawn to you by some invisible force, I can't really explain it."

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and folded her arms "You can see my reflection in the microwave, can't you."

Henry turned to face her with a cheesy grin plastered all over his face "Yes, I can — But that doesn't make what I said any less true."

"This pregnancy is making me lose brain cells, I swear. I never would have fallen for that crap before."

Henry moved towards her and gently slipped his arms around her back. "It's not crap — I am drawn to you and I'm afraid you and peanut are stuck with me now."

"You know you can hug me a little tighter Henry, I won't break."

"You're fragile and you're carrying precious cargo — I don't want to squidge either of you."

"Peanut? Why are you calling out little girl peanut?"

"Because that's what she looked like on the scan."

"Our child does not look like a peanut so you can lose that little nickname straight away! I guess we should come up with some names though at some stage."

"I need to cook your dinner first - Back to the couch and rest!"

Henry watched as Elizabeth pushed her vegetables around the plate. She hadn't put a single mosrsel into her mouth and although Henry knew the nausea was constant for her - He could see the crinkle in her forehead and knew she had something on her mind. He had seen it before and it was never followed by anything good.

"Are you going to tell me what's on your mind?" He reached over the table and brushed his thumb over her knuckle.

"Why do you assume I have anything on my mind?'

"Because I know you Elizabeth and something is bothering you. We can't play these games any longer. We have to be honest with each other."

Elizabeth tilted her head to look over at him "Henry —"

"Yes my love."

"It's amazing having you here and you've been so sweet —"

Henry suddenly became concerned "I sense a but coming."

"I was just wondering how long you are staying?"

Henry let the worry go and smiled "We don't need to talk about that right now."

"I want to talk about it."

"I have taken some time off work so I'm here and will be here until we figure out what to do next."

"You can't just up and leave your life Henry."

"You are my life Elizabeth - I know I've told you that before but I haven't exactly been true to my word so I don't blame you for doubting me."

"It's all very romantic that you rushed to my side and professed your love for me —" Elizabeth couldn't help the smile that danced on her lips. "But you have a home and a job that you need to get back to. I can't keep you here like a prisoner just because I'm pregnant. I will be okay, I promise Henry."

Henry got up from the table and pulled Elizabeth up too, his arms snaking around her back to pull her closer, his lips tantalisingly close to hers "Stop it."

"I'm not doing anything." She wasn't sure why but her words came out as a whisper.

Henry looked into her eyes as he ran his fingers up her neck and into her hair, holding her in place. He paused for a heartbeat, waiting just long enough to see how much she wanted the kiss and when she moved her head a fraction closer, Henry closed the gap. Her lips felt so soft against his and when his tongue touched the roof of her mouth, the soft moan she let out made him smile against her. Oh how he'd missed that sound. It did things to him that he needed to control.

He broke the kiss and stared at Elizabeth - Her eyes were closed, lips parted and she had a rosy glow to her cheeks. At that moment, he didn't think he had ever seen her look more beautiful. Why had they spent so much time denying everything they felt for each other — It was pure lunacy. When you love someone so deeply that they inhabit your very soul, you should hang onto them with everything you have - But they had danced around each other and denied their feelings for far too long.

Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes and chewed hard on her lip, a sign Henry knew oh so well.

"Elizabeth —."

A cheeky grin appeared and she walked her fingers up his chest, popping open the first couple of buttons "Henry?"

"Isn't this a bit too soon?" He tried to step back but she moved with him, making quick work of the rest of his buttons.

"Too soon?" The look in her eyes was one he hadn't seen since the night their little girl had been conceived and he knew he was in trouble.

"You're not well." He was now reaching for a reason they shouldn't do this.

"No — I'm pregnant and extremely horny and you are the only thing I'm craving." He didn't know how it had happened but she was walking him back towards her bedroom "But if you don't want me —-?"

"You know I do, Elizabeth."

She grinned at him "Correct answer — Now get in there." She pushed him through the doorway and kicked the door shut behind her.