Elizabeth gets her glasses back.
Elizabeth McCord was standing next to her three children at Andrew's Air Force Base waiting for him to return. She put a lot of effort into her appearance today. She wanted to look good for him. She is wearing her best tailored black suit with a simple white button-down. On her lapel is a UVA pin that felt appropriate.
The plane has landed and is taxiing to the hanger. Elizabeth takes a deep breath as the ramp of the cargo plane lowers down and six marines step up to remove the flag draped box that contains the love of her life. Elizabeth barely registers her children's tears until Jason grabs her arm. She takes in the moment and holds the three of them as close as she can, but her eyes don't leave the metal coffin. It is placed in front of the remaining McCord's. Behind his coffin Jose and Jane are walking off the plane. Elizabeth feels the sharp pang of anger as she watches Jose reunite with his wife and children.
Jane walks over to the McCord family, and hands Elizabeth a bag.
"He asked me to make sure you got this." It's all she says before nodding to imply her condolences.
The rest of the day is a whirlwind. Elizabeth and the kids met with the priest who will be preforming Henry's funeral mass, as well as the director of Arlington, where Henry and eventually Elizabeth will be buried. She had to make sure all of Henry's siblings had gotten their travel plans arranged. She had to take his Dress Blues to the funeral home.
It's late when she is finally alone in their bedroom. She made sure that her kids ate some food that had been dropped off from spouses of cabinet members and even the First Lady. And then she excused herself to bed.
She stares at the bag that was handed to her for a long while. Finally she opens the bag taking a deep breath. It contains four items. The first is his pocket Bible. He has had it since his confirmation, it is worn in and highlighted. It has his notes written in every margin. The second is his rosary. It's the rosary he always carried into battle with him. He sent it to Iraq with her, when she forward deployed too. The third is her reading glasses. Tears spring to eyes at the broken promise they represent. With shaky hands she reaches for the fourth item, a letter. The envelope is marked "if I don't make it back" Writing this kind of letter is not uncommon in the course of their chosen careers, but she never thought she'd have to read his.
Dear Elibet,
I am so sorry. You should know that I tried everything I could to get back to you and our kids. God must have had other plans for the course of our lives. I want you to know that I am not scared of dying. I'm simply scared of leaving you alone. I know you have lost so much family and I'm sorry to add to that pain. I love you, babe.
Please tell the kids that I love them. Please find it in yourself to walk our precious little girls down the aisle. I know it isn't traditional, but I want you to do that for me. Please help to guide Jason through his anger at me.
I know it's impossible to think about now, but it will be important later. I want you to make the most of life. I want you to be happy. You deserve the world, and there will be a man out there who will give it to you, when you're ready.
Play Amazing Grace for me at the funeral.
Until we meet again.
All My Love,
Henry
