Hello everyone! Here is chapter two! I'm very excited to present this chapter to you all and I hope you enjoy it! This story is about tragedy but more about the families response to tragedy and not letting it break them or their spirits. The McCord family is strong and I believe they can make it through anything. I also love to depict what life with the McCords would be like in the earlier years and I just so thoroughly enjoy seeing Henry and Elizabeth be parents when the kids are younger. While this story is dealing with a hard topic (abduction and some abuse) it is centered around family and I have no desires of keeping them apart forever. So buckle up to see Henry and Elizabeth being the amazing humans they are.

As stated in the first chapter if this story is not to your liking it is your responsibility to find content that is more suitable for you.

-lovelylavenderlady


The door to the McCord house opened with a drawn out creak befitting of an old farm house that needed more work than one person could take on alone but this sound was hard to hear over the crying of three children who were all confused. Stevie and Alison walked in first, their parents right behind them. Henry held Jason and Elizabeth entered the house expressionless. Her body language was slumped in defeat as they had come home with one less child than they had left with. How does one grasp such a concept? How does one simply come home when it no longer feels like home? For the house was not their home, their family was home and their family was no longer complete. Their daughter, Madeline Elizabeth McCord had not left the park with them and Elizabeth had left the park a very different person than she had been when she had entered it.

Jason's cry pulled her from her thoughts and she turned to see her husband trying to calm him and the girls standing there unsure of what to do. "I bet you guys are tired hmm? It's been a long day," she stated reaching her arms out to pull the girls in close. She felt them both nod against her stomach.

"I'm going to get him up to bed, he is beyond tired," Henry stated as Jason finally stopped crying and stared off into the distance with his head on Henry's shoulders. "Girls you want to come with me?" Neither one of them replied but simply left Elizabeth's arms and trailed behind their dad.

"I can help Henry..." Elizabeth spoke up. "I can get the girl's ready for bed while you put him down."

"I can do it," Henry voiced seeing the tiredness and worry clouding his wife's features. "That is if you don't feel up to it but I understand if you want to be near them..."

Elizabeth looked down slightly as she felt the pang at her heart and tried to not let it consume her. "I think I'd like to do it," she answered as she did her best to give her family a small smile.

"Okay then," Henry gave her a small smile back. "Let's go up stairs."

Elizabeth walked the girls to their room and helped them pick out their pajamas for the night before the trio headed into the bathroom while Henry was in Jason's room doing the same. "Shower or bath?" Elizabeth asked as she ran her finger's through Alison's hair.

"Bath," the girl's said in unison.

"Okay let me turn the tub on," the mother stated as she moved and leaned over the tub to turn the water on and plug the drain. She helped the girls undress and put their favorite soap in the tub as they hopped in the bath together. Grabbing the wash rags, she handed one to each of them. "You wash your bodies and I'll wash your hair, how does that sound hmm?"

"Can you wash mine first?" Alison asked looking up at her.

"Stevie are you okay with that?" Elizabeth asked not wanting Stevie to feel pushed aside.

"Mhmm," Stevie answered not seeming to be troubled by Alison going first.

"Okay," Elizabeth nodded as she reached to cup Stevie's chin. "You wash your body while I wash Alison's hair and then I'll wash yours." Elizabeth gently begin combing her finger's through Alison hair, coating her head in the soap. A few minutes went by and she had become lost in the task, her mind going somewhere else. Madeline should be here. She should be washing Madeline's hair as well. None of this was right. This harsh blow of reality brought her from her trance and she tried to shake the thoughts from her head. She didn't want the girls to take on the burden she and Henry were carrying. "There you go Alison," she voiced as she rinsed the soap from her hair and instructed her to wash her body as she started to work on Stevie's hair. The silence lingered, the only thing that could be heard was the trickling of the water as the girl's washed. It was almost deafening, at least to Elizabeth. As her hands worked through the knots in Stevie's hair she tried her best to stay in the moment but it felt impossible as the sound of Madeline's scream kept replaying in her head.

"Mommy?" Alison spoke up. "Where's Maddie?"

It was asked in innocence. Alison was too young to comprehend what had happened but still, it hit Elizabeth like a ton of bricks and her hands froze as she stared blankly at the back Stevie's head. Stevie's hair was blonde like Madeline's.

Henry had gotten Jason down and had come to bathroom in time to hear Alison's question and hear Elizabeth's silence. He walked in and gently laid a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Jason's down for the night why don't you go down stairs and I'll finish up ok?"

Elizabeth only nodded afraid that if she spoke she would crack and she knew that it couldn't happen in front of the girls. So she stood slowly, unable to move quickly and she leaned down placing a kiss to both of the girl's heads before she left the bathroom. She walked, she didn't know where she was going but walking carried her way from the torment of thinking. She didn't want to think right now, the only thing she truly wanted was her child and that she could not have. As she came down the stairs her eyes landed on the same pile of dishes in the sink she had forgotten to do this morning. That pile of dishes had seemed like such a big thing this morning but now it seemed like most unimportant thing in the world. She walked forward now standing in front of the sink simply staring at them, well to the eye of a person who had no context, she was simply staring at dishes but Elizabeth McCord was staring at a very particular dish. Madeline's plate. The same plate she had cleared from the table this morning before she and Madeline had gone out to the barn. Her mind replayed all the moments in the day she had spent with Madeline like a movie reel in her brain. She spent almost every morning cleaning stalls with Madeline but if had she known that this morning could have potentially been the last morning she got the chance too, she would've taken all the time in the world cleaning those stall. Had she told Madeline she loved her? She couldn't remember. How could a mother not tell their child they loved them?

The sound of feet coming down the stairs interrupted her thoughts and she turned worried that it was going to be one of the girls. It was Henry.

"Jason is asleep and I set the girls up with a Disney in their room..." he voiced softly as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

Elizabeth felt the tears welling and she turned away from his gaze staring out the kitchen window. This couldn't be real. She would wake up soon and this would be a distant terrible dream. It had to be for she could not face a reality so cruel as this.

"Elizabeth..." he said her name softly as he walked up behind her. In her name alone he had stated so much. He was in torment as well. He tenderly placed both his hands on her shoulders.

"What have we done Henry," her voice broke and her world shattered as she turned around looking at him hopelessly. "How did we miss it? She was-she was right there!" For a moment Elizabeth McCord fell apart and everything came crashing down as she fell into Henry's arms. Henry's world fell apart too and together they cried, grieving the absence of their child. It didn't make sense to either one of them. How was she not here? How did they have no idea where she was? It seemed inconceivable. Incomprehensible.

The doorbell rings

The ring of the doorbell shook them both and they both stared at the door unmoving. They knew what it was and yet a thousand different scenarios played through their minds. What if they had come to tell them the unimaginable? That they had found their daughter but she was longer alive. The worst thing in the world could be waiting for them outside that door and neither one of them were sure they had the strength to open it and face it.

The doorbell rings again

"I'll get it," Henry made the first move and headed towards the door. Elizabeth watched in silence as he opened it. Two agents stood there. A male and a female. She didn't recognize either one of them. They were agents of the FBI, not the cops she had spoken to at the park. She should expect no less. She had called her boss Dalton at the CIA almost immediately fearing that somehow this was connected to her work. That somehow this was her fault. The list of people who hated her was most likely very long and anyone of them could have chose to use her child as a way to get to her. Dalton had told her not worry and to take a breath. He was going to get in touch with his friends at the FBI and this would be resolved and Madeline would be home before they knew it but, that was something nobody truly knew. It was something that was said to comfort families and give them hope, she should know...after all she was the one saying this to the families most of the time.

"Please come in," Henry said and she was sucked from the trance she had been in.

"Thank you," the woman nodded as the two agents entered their home. "I'm agent Miller and this is agent Roland." She pointed to the man who was quite tall and was standing at her side. "We have been assigned to this case and have come here in hopes you could answer a few questions for us.

"Of course," Henry nodded and looked at Elizabeth who was still standing in the same spot. "Why don't we go into the living room?"

Henry and Elizabeth along with the agents moved to the living room and took seats parallel to each-other. Henry grabbed a hold of Elizabeth's hand for support and they both took a deep breath preparing themselves for what was to come.

"So to start off," Agent Miller began. "I'd like to say that as a mother myself I can't imagine what you both must be feeling right now but I promise I will do everything in my power to bring your daughter home safe and sound."

"Thank you," Henry nodded solemnly and Elizabeth said nothing.

"Mrs. McCord from what I can understand you are no stranger to how this works given your line of work," the woman expounded. "Now we have a search surrounding the whole area at the moment to try and find any clues that might aid the investigation. So far we have nothing but we are still waiting for the results from the tire tracks so we can hopefully pin the make and model of the car since sadly, there were no cameras at the park entrance. We have people trying to get warrants for the cameras in the surrounding streets and shops in hopes we are gonna get a hit somewhere. That being said we'd like you both to walk us through the day if you can. Any detail even the smallest could help us understand what happened. Is there anything out of the ordinary concerning today that you can recall?"

Silence. It resounded as both parents thought about what the agents had asked and after a while Henry spoke up first.

"No," Henry shook his head. "Not that I can recall. It was a normal Sunday for us."

"We got up and got the kids ready like normal. We had breakfast and then-" her words faltered when she tried to say her daughter's name. "Madeline and I went out to the barn to care for the horses like we do almost every morning-" Elizabeth stopped momentarily her voice cracking as she thought about her little girl so happy and full of joy this morning but, where was she now? Most likely terrified and afraid having no idea what was going on or where she was. Or worse-but Elizabeth could not go there.

"Take you time Mrs. McCord," Agent Miller stated as Agent Roland took notes.

"Please, call me Elizabeth" she offered trying to refocus her mind. "When we were finishing up in the barn I had the idea of going to the park and asked Madeline if she'd like to go and she-um she was all for it." Stopping Elizabeth tried to brush aside the blame she felt, for if she had not suggested the park maybe Madeline would still be here. "Henry and I got everything ready and we all headed to the park as a family as we have done many times before. I'd say we frequent that park the most compared to others in the area. It's the kid's favorite."

"And have you ever noticed any strangers that seem to be around often or have taken an interest in Madeline in particular?" she questioned.

"I mean we know almost all of the families who go there and a lot of the kids have even come over here for play dates with our kids," Henry explained. "It's very rare we see new faces there."

"Elizabeth? What about you? Did you notice anybody at the park today who is not normally there?" she leaned forward interested to see if Elizabeth had picked up on something Henry had not.

Elizabeth sat quietly racking her brain for what seemed like the millionth time since the whole thing had taken place. What had she missed? She was a CIA agent for gods' sake, she should've noticed. "I have been going over the time at the park but things were hectic. I mean we had eyes on her and then Stevie our eldest got hurt and chaos ensued from there. We were trying to pack up quickly because the kids were starting to unravel. We thought she was right there but when we went to leave...she was no where in sight."

"So you can't recall anytime Madeline has wandered off before this or a person you weren't use to seeing talking to Madeline?" Agent Miller asked.

Silence again as both parents scrolled through the memories in their brains.

"Well there was this one time a few weeks ago that she had wandered off but she was only gone for a few minutes before a very nice woman had helped her find us," Henry elaborated on the memory he had recalled.

"Write that down," Miller looked at her partner. "And had you ever seen this woman before?"

"I had seen her in the park a couple times but we had never spoken to her until that day but Madeline seemed to love her," Henry informed not seeing how this was going to help them.

"And you Elizabeth can you recall getting her name or did she seem familiar?" Miller pushed further on the subject.

Elizabeth dove deeply into her mind trying to replay the memory of that day and the woman's face. "I don't remember getting her name. I was just thankful Madeline was alright but no she didn't't seem familiar to me," she sighed feeling the weight of the questions beginning to take their toll.

"Are you sure? Given your line of work, are you sure she couldn't have been someone that held a grudge or was looking for payback?" Agent Miller looked at Elizabeth. "In fact is there anyone you could immediately think of who has threatened you or your family before?"

Elizabeth rubbed the same spot on her hand over and over again turning it red from the repetitiveness of the action. She really was most likely to blame for this. How could she have ever decided to subject her children to these threats when she knew how many people hated her and despised her. Elizabeth was good at her job and there were very few cases she had not solved which meant there was a long list of people she had put away and even longer list of family who wished her ill for putting their loved one away. In some cases killing their loved one. "I had never spoken to that woman before, that is not until that day," Elizabeth answered. "But they're a lot of family members of people I have put away that have expressed their hate for me over the years but that always came in the form of letters or emails. Never any physical threats."

"Are you certain this woman could not be related to one of your cases from over the years?"

Elizabeth rubbed the spot harder, her jaws tensing as she did so. Henry saw his wife's body language and gently extended his hand stopping her from the nervous tick. "I'm pretty sure my wife would remember something like that," Henry spoke feeling slightly agitated at their assumptions to his wife's incompetence and also that he knew Elizabeth was already blaming her herself. It was eating her alive, even if she wouldn't admit it.

"I'd like to hear it from her lips Mr. McCord," the Agent stated. "Like I said and your wife knows, we need to rule out all of these options so we have the best chance of finding out what has happened to Madeline. While this kidnapping could have been completely random, with your wife's background the answer is that it most likely isn't random."

At this, Elizabeth pulled away from Henry and stood quickly looking around everywhere but at the agents. Maybe she was subconsciously looking for Madeline. Praying to god that she'd turn and her daughter would be standing there and this would all be over but something nagged at her that this was far from over. Something told her this was only the beginning.

Henry read her like a book and stood as well clasping his hands together feeling anger rising in him. "Listen while I understand you are trying to do your jobs, speculating isn't gonna to bring our daughter home," he nodded curtly. "She has already answered that question, now unless you have anymore questions that might actually help we have three kids upstairs that we still have to take care of and I'm sure you can understand that we have reached the end of our ropes for today."

The agents stood recognizing that it was time to give the frazzled parents a break. "I understand that this is very hard but we only want to explore every avenue to hopefully bring your daughter home. So if there is anything at all you remember or something new pops up please give us a call," she offered them her card and politely nodded. "We will give you a call if we receive any information on our side. That will be all for tonight Mr. and Mrs. McCord. Thank you for your time."

With that both agents took their leave and the house was silent as neither parent said a word still reeling from the all the questions. Henry looked at his wife and then followed her gaze to what she was looking at. It was a picture of Madeline from her first grade graduation. He looked at it too now, replaying that day trying to remember every little detail. "She was so proud of herself that day," Henry stated with a small watery smile. "She was at the top of her class in all subjects." Elizabeth didn't say anything but her eyes never moved from the picture. Henry could feel the guilt dripping off of her, swallowing her like a predator swallows its prey, not even leaving the bones behind. It was eating him alive too but the only thing worse than what he was feeling himself right now was watching her experience the same thing. Grappling for answers when there were none. Clinging to a hope that you weren't even certain was truly there. He knew one thing for sure though and that was that their kids still needed them...Madeline was still out there and she still needed them. "I know what you are thinking and its's not true. This isn't your fault Elizabeth. None of this is your fault."

Elizabeth started shaking her head and Henry heard her inhale shakily. "You don't know that Henry," she replied in a low, defeated voice.

"I do know that!" he implored as he walked closer, turning her to face him. "I know that because you weren't the one that abducted our little girl. You are her mother who has loved her unconditionally everyday of her life and who I know is gonna fight with all she has to find our daughter and bring her home...even if it means it kills you. I know you Elizabeth and this is not your fault."

"Then who's is it Henry?" Elizabeth looked at him in with a hint of rage seeping into her eyes. "Tell me who's it is so I can go after them and make them pay for what they have done!"

Henry looked down at his feet understanding exactly what Elizabeth was feeling. If he was put in a room alone with whoever had done this, he wasn't sure he wouldn't end up in jail himself. "I don't know Elizabeth...I don't know," he said brokenly. "But what I do know is our little girl is still out there somewhere waiting to be found. Waiting to come home to us and if we let this swallow us she won't come home to the same parents she knew and god forbid we let that happen."

"Henry..." Elizabeth said her tone low as she look at him helplessly. "I became a different person the moment I heard our little girl screaming for me and I did nothing to stop it. I did nothing to save her! With all my years of training, with all my years of experience and watching this happen to people all the time. I completely missed it! I missed her being taken by a complete stranger right in front of us!"

Henry looked at her a tear slipping from his eye. "I missed it too Elizabeth...I missed it too," he looked away as he sniffled.

Her features softened at this and she reached out, softly wiping the tear away before she cupped his face. "Henry?" she said his name question and her voice wobbled. He raised his at to meet her eyes. "What are we going to do? She's gone and all I want is to-is to touch her and I can't Henry. I can't reach her Henry!" she broke down and a sob escaped from her throat and tears began to flow freely.

"Come here," Henry said tenderly as he pulled his wife into his arms and he too cried for the child they could not hold and so they instead held each other. There was nothing left to say. Nothing at least that would change how they felt or bring their daughter back. So they didn't speak. They simply grieved together for what else could they do? Their daughter was gone and all they could do now was pray that someway, somehow she would come home to them.


At some point in the night Henry had finally fallen to sleep, he didn't know when he just knew that he had. He had begun to stir and almost immediately felt the absence of Elizabeth in the bed next to him. He sat up trying to rub the sleep from his eyes as he looked around the room for her. The first few seconds of conciseness had been blissful for he did not remember the events of the day before but it did not take long for them to come back and he sighed heavily having a feeling of where Elizabeth was. He slowly pulled the covers back and exited their room. He walked down the hall towards the kids rooms. He looked in on Jason who was sleeping peacefully, young enough to have skipped right over the horrendous of the previous day. Alison and Madeline shared a room but giving the way things had taken place Alison was sleeping with Stevie in her bedroom and so he checked on them next. He almost had expected Elizabeth to be on the floor of their room but she wasn't. There was only one place left to look and this was where he found her. Madeline's bed. There she was curled up in Madeline's small bed clutching the girl's baby blanket to her chest. Clinging to it as if it was her lifeline. At first he thought she was asleep and then he heard the soft muffled sobs and sighed knowing Elizabeth would most likely not sleep until she ran herself into the ground and eventually passed out from exhaustion. He knew there was nothing he could do but walk through with it with her and so he entered the room and crawled into the bed next to her, sitting up against the headboard.

"Henry?" She voiced through her sobs.

"I'm here," he murmured softly and reached out touching her face.

"Hold me...please," she spoke so quietly he barely heard the last word as she crawled onto him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Their daughter's blanket resting between them as she clung to him in vulnerability finally letting it all out in the safety of the night. She seemed so small to him right now in this state. It was a side of her she never let anyone but him see but still it happened so rarely. Elizabeth was a strong person who almost never meant something that caused her to crack but this obliterated both of their structures and so he wrapped his arms around her tightly holding her close. "I'm here," he whispered for the second time as he stroked her hair and her tears dripped down his neck. "I'm here now."

He stayed there unmoving as he cradled her while she cried and his eyes began to shed tears as well. There was no moving forward from this. They might be able to pick up the pieces but that did not begin right now. Right now that had to mourn for the morning would bring with it the reality they did not wish to face and so now they had to cry and accept the truth that tomorrow they would have to face the first day without their precious Madeline. Eventually, like he had predicted, Elizabeth had cried herself to sleep in his arms plagued by exhaustion and sorrow. Carefully he had picked her up and carried her back to their bedroom, placing her in their bed hoping he did not wake her. He tucked Madeline's blanket by her face and gently placed a kiss to her head before climbing into bed next her praying as he fell to sleep they would find their daughter and their family could put this whole thing in the past but he was not naive but he was also not hopeless. So he let hope burn brighter for tonight and went to sleep next to his wife knowing they were going to need all the sleep they could get to face the morning.


"Will thank God you are here," Henry sighed in relief as pulled Will into a hug. He had called Elizabeth's brother before they had gotten home yesterday knowing Elizabeth wouldn't be able to do it herself.

"Hey Henry," Will patted his back. "I came as quick as I could."

"I appreciate it," Henry nodded closing the door behind him. "We need family right now."

"Yes but does she think the same?" Will asked before three sets of feet came running straight at him.

"She doesn't know what to think right now..." Henry voiced quietly.

"Uncle Will, Uncle Will," the kids said excitedly as they all engulfed him hanging onto his legs.

"Whoa! Look at you guys!" Will said happily knowing it was important to be normal for their sake. "Man Stevie you are gonna be taller than me soon!"

"What about me?" Alison giggled as she stood there proud of her recent growth spurt.

"You too Alison! Soon you are gonna be able to beat your dad in wrestling," he said which made her giggle even harder.

"Uncle Will I don't wrestle! I'm a princess!" Alison laughed.

"And what a beautiful princess you are," Will smiled as he picked her up and twirled her around.

"They sure are glad to see you Will," Henry chuckled softly thankful to see his kids laughing again.

"I'm happy to see all you guys," Will stated as he put Alison down. "I just wish it was under better circumstances..."

"You and me both," Henry patted his back. "Kids why don't you go finish your breakfast ok?" Henry looked at the three kids.

"Awhhh but we wanna keep playing with Uncle Will!" Stevie frowned.

"After he settles in you can but for now go finish your food," Henry instructed and nodded at them to run along.

With only a little bemoaning the kids returned to the table and started going about their normal morning which is exactly what Henry wanted. The last thing he wanted was for the kid's world to be shaken as much as their's was right now.

"How are you holding up?" Will asked now that the kids were out of ear shot. Henry looked away momentarily not knowing exactly what to say. "That was a dumb question I'm sorry Henry I know this isn't easy."

"It wasn't a dumb question Will," Henry shook his head. "I'm just not sure how to answer yet...I mean how do you even stay standing after your daughter is taken?"

"What about Lizzie? Where is she?" Will asked looking around momentarily.

"To be honest..." Henry bit his lip as he took his glasses off. "Not good Will. She is still upstairs, she hasn't come down this morning." Henry's eyes welled as he thought about his wife upstairs.

"That bad huh?" Will looked down at his feet knowing there wasn't much that kept Elizabeth down.

"Um yeah," Henry answered shakily. "I called you because um I wasn't sure Elizabeth could and as close as I am to my wife I have never walked through trauma like this with her and I'm pretty sure you about the only person who has. I have never seen her like this and the only thing I can think of that's even close to what she going through right now is when you both lost your parents.

Will nodded remembering what that had been like and his own eyes pooled with tears. It was the only time he had ever seen his older sister so broken and felt his own world crumble as well. "I think it's time I see my sister..."


Elizabeth laid in bed with a box tissues still clinging to her daughter's blanket unable to find the strength to get up. She felt like a little kid again. Helpless without someone to show her the way out of this for there was no way out of this. There was nothing that could take this feeling away other than seeing her daughter and right now her precious daughter was so far beyond her reach. She could feel her but she wasn't tangible and it split Elizabeth's heart right down the middle, leaving it feeling unrepairable. Even though light was shining into her room she felt like she was in a world made up completely of darkness. The fear of the unknowns of what had happened to her baby left her feeling like she was being sucked down a hole she didn't know if she could ever find her way back out of again. Hopelessness had begone to set it in and she couldn't see a way forward.

The door opened to their bedroom and Henry's head popped in. She turned looking at him wordlessly knowing her voice would come out as more of a croak than anything if she did. "You have a visitor," he spoke softly looking at her with eyes full of love and care.

"Henry I can't," she choked as she shook her head the thought of seeing someone overwhelming her.

"I don't think you have much of a choice with this one babe," Henry gave her a small smile and the door opened further revealing her little brother Will.

She looked at him, scanned him up down and looked away sliding her hand down her face. "What in god's name are you wearing?" she asked now meeting his gaze. He was wearing what seemed to be some form of riding attire but made him look like a complete fool.

"You don't like it?" he joked looking down at his outfit pretending to be hurt.

"Please don't tell me that's your idea of riding gear?" she sniffled as she looked down hoping to avoid him seeing how bad she truthfully looked.

"Damn right it is," he said confidently.

"Well you have fun with that because you are gonna spook the horses the moment they see you comingt," she sarcastically scoffed.

"Well you are gonna get front row seats to their reaction so come on," Will gestured for her to get up.

"No," Elizabeth shook her head pulling the covers tighter around herself. "I can't Will-I just can't."

"Put your boots on Lizzie," he said giving her a look that said you don't have a choice in this. "We are going riding."

She looked at him unmoving for a moment, just staring at him to see who was gonna get their way. She looked away first. "I hate you," she spoke as she slowly threw the covers off and begin finally getting out of the bed.

He smirked knowing he had gotten her up. "Come on you have been trying to get me back on the horses for years. Don't pretend you aren't pleased with this," he said following her to the bathroom.

"The only thing I am going to be pleased with is seeing you get bucked off," she smiled but it quickly fell as she expressed her annoyance and shut the door in his face.

"You are gonna enjoy this!" he said louder speaking so she heard him through the closed door but there was no response only the sound of the sink being turned on.

"Well you got her up at least," Henry offered from the doorway.

Will turned around walking towards him. "I'm persistent like that," he smiled at his brother in law.

"She loves you a lot you know?" Henry spoke. "I mean most people she probably would've thrown the box of tissues at."

"She wanted to believe me," he chuckled softly.

"It means a lot to her and I both that you have come Will," Henry stated as they walked out of the room together knowing Elizabeth wouldn't come out for a few minutes at least.

"It's the least I could do," Will nodded. "You guys are family and so is Madeline."


"Well I'm not exactly sure where to begin but I know you would say something along the lines of 'We can't ride till we take care of em'," Will stood at the front of the barn with his hands on his hips.

Elizabeth turned glaring at him as she too made it to the barn. "And you would be correct," she said monotone.

"Boy it sure does smell pleasant out here," Will pushed his shoes in the dirt as he looked around. "Nothing like smell of horse shit to get the morning started. I mean I prefer coffee and some breakfast but this works too."

"You know sometimes I look at you and I simply think, 'dumbass'," Elizabeth shook her head as she walked further into the barn.

"Oh come on Lizzie," Will picked up in a quick jog. "We are more alike than you'd like to think."

"That's Henry's line," Elizabeth let out a sarcastic laugh as she threw a pick at him and began dragging the wheel barrel towards the stalls.

"Whatever you say, but you know it's true," Will shot back. "So which stall do we start in?"

"Well we normally start in Buttercup's-" Elizabeth stopped suddenly looking away from him and at the horse that was standing in the stall calm but looking around almost like he was looking for someone.

"What?" Will asked confused at to what was happening.

"Well we normally start in his-" she said reaching out to touch the horse's face and she tried her best to gather her voice. "-Because he is the oldest...at least that's always what Madeline says."

Will looked around understanding what had happened and ran his hand through his hair. He and Elizabeth had always had a certain type of relationship. They would bicker and they would tease each other but there was a certain level of understanding between them. The day they had lost their parents created a whole new dynamic between them. In many ways it had added pressure to the relationship and in other ways it had drawn them closer together. It was an experience only they had shared. They were orphans together and grieved together. Going through something like that gives you the ability to say things to a person you wouldn't consider saying to most. He walked forward leaning against the stall door next to her. "So you always did this together huh?" he asked looking at the horse as well.

"Mhmm," Elizabeth choked as she tried to fight the tears that wanted to pour out.

"When I was younger my big sister once said to me the best way to keep on going when you don't feel like you can is to keep doing the things that are important and I'd wager this horse is real important to Madeline and I'd bet she'd be real happy to know you are taking care of him since she can't," he reached out stroking the horse's face too.

"I think your big sister might have known what she was talking about," Elizabeth kicked the stall door gently as she felt her hot tears begin to trail down her cheeks.

"Yeah I think she did," he chuckled softly as he extended his hand and placed it on her shoulder.

"Will I-" she stopped her voice getting smaller as it faltered. "Every time I try to catch my breath I remember I don't know where she is and I-and I" she stopped a sob over took her and she placed a hand over her mouth.

There was nothing else for Will to do but wrap his arm around her and pull her into a hug. "Come here Lizzie," he whispered as she turned into him giving up the hope of trying to hold back what she was feeling.

"I feel so helpless Will," she sobbed. "When I think about how I felt when our parents were gone and we had no one to turn but each other, I imagine what she must be feeling right now and she has no one turn to and see a person who loves her. She must feel so alone and afraid and I can't do anything about it. I can't help my daughter Will!" she pulled away and turned her back to the stall and put her weight against the door as she leaned over and braced her head in her hands and let out a guttural wail.

Will looked at her feeling a little helpless himself. He wasn't used to seeing her like this and it hurt his heart to know her's was so broken. Slowly he crouched down in front of her and placed a hand on her knee. "Words can't fix this Lizzie so I won't pretend they will. There is no guarantee that you will see your kid again and that is enough to take the strongest person down but..." he paused as she looked up at him with desperation written on her face. "You can't give up hope because there is also no guarantee that you won't see her again. For Madeline and the three other beautiful kids that are in that house right now you have to have hope.

"When did you become so wise?" Elizabeth sniffled as she reached out and grabbed Will's hand.

"Somewhere between 20 and my sister finally beating some into me," he smiled at her as he squeezed her hand.

"Dumbass," she choked as she used the other hand to playfully smack his arm.

"See she is still doing it," Will chuckled as they both stood.

"Shut up and give me a hug," Elizabeth wiped her tears as she pulled him into her embrace. "Thanks for coming little brother."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else," he hugged her back. "Now I say we clean these stalls and take a ride. What about you?"

"Your'e on," Elizabeth wiped her nose as she picked up her pick and got to to work.


When Will and Elizabeth had returned from their ride, Elizabeth walked into the house feeling as though she had a semblance of clarity and though the pain had in no way left her heart she felt like she knew why she could not let it take her. She took a deep breath as she walked into the kitchen and saw her kids sitting down at the table for lunch and Henry was in the midst of making two plates of food which she assumed were for her and Will. "Hey kiddos!" Elizabeth smiled as she walked over to kids and placed a kiss to each of their heads.

"Mommy!" they said excitedly and Jason got down from his seat coming to her, asking to to be picked up.

"Hey buddy," Elizabeth murmured as she picked him up and pulled his head close to her, running her fingers through his hair. She inhaled the scent of it and grounded herself in this moment. It smelt like baby soap and syrup.

"Did you two enjoy your ride?" Henry asked as he came over and placed a kiss to her cheek.

"Yes we did!," Will spoke as he stole a chip from Stevie's plate which made her laugh.

"Is there a need to steal from the mouth's of children Will?" Elizabeth asked scowling at him.

"There is if you don't know the next time you are gonna eat," he shrugged. "Plus it makes her laugh."

"Don't use her to get out of it," Elizabeth responded flicking his head. "Plus Henry made you plate, we have no intentions of starving you."

"At least Henry loves me," Will looked at her as he used his fingers to trail fake tears down his cheek.

"Don't be a child," Elizabeth smirked as she took a seat at the table in front of the plate Henry had placed there for her. "Now get your plate and eat."

"Better listen before she gets fiery," Henry laughed as he patted his shoulder.

"What do you mean? I can already feel the flames from here," Will said expressionless as he grabbed his plate and took a seat.

"Girls don't forget to get your school books and bring them to the table after you finish your food," Henry reminded them as he took his apron off and grabbed a plate of his own.

"Daddy says he is gonna help me with my math," Alison spoke up with a smile as she stuck a bite of food in her mouth.

"And he is gonna help me with history," Stevie added.

"You daddy is one smart man isn't he?" Elizabeth laid her hand on Henry's leg as he sat next to her.

"He's the smartest man in the wholeee world," Alison drug out the word with her arms expanded.

"Thank you noodle," Henry leaned to his side placing a kiss to her cheek which made her giggle.

Elizabeth watched the scene with mixed emotions. Madeline should be enjoying this day with them. She should be with her family and doing her homework with Stevie and Alison. She should be eating lunch and laughing with her siblings while not having a care in the world other than her homework. Given the circumstances, they had decided to keep the girls home from school until the investigation had more leads and an understanding of the motive behind Madeline's abduction. This gave Elizabeth some peace knowing her other children were safe but what about Madeline? She wasn't safe...Elizabeth didn't even know if she had eaten today and this shook her to her core.

"Hey," Henry whispered softly as he squeezed her hand. "We are going to figure this out..."

Elizabeth nodded knowing she was not strong enough to speak and simply leaned her head on his shoulder. How did he do it? She knew he was feeling the same things she was and yet he was carrying on with stoicism that matched that only of a saint. Sometimes she thought he was a saint. Especially now as she watched him nurture and love their children while also caring for her. He was grieving just like she was but yet his face did not falter and he continued being a dad to their kids even though one of the kids was missing. She looked down at their hands intertwined, she had never loved more than she did in this moment.


As the day came to close and the investigation into the kidnapping of Madeline McCord seemed to have no leads or traces as too where she was, Elizabeth felt herself spiraling as she fought the urge to leave the house and go look for her daughter herself. She knew it was pointless and futile to do such a thing but as she paced the floor of the living room as she couldn't think of anything else she'd rather do. She would do anything to make her feel like she was doing something. Something to bring her daughter home quicker. Doing nothing seemed like the worst fate of all right now, it made her feel like she was being suffocated with no way to obtain air. What could she do?

"Everyone's asleep but you," Henry spoke softly as he leaned against the wall, watching her pace the same spot, wearing the carpet thinner with each step.

"Oh Jesus Henry," Elizabeth gasped as she reached up placing a hand over her chest. "You scared me."

"I'm sorry babe," Henry gave her a half smile as he extended his hand which held a glass of scotch for her. "I didn't mean to."

"I know you didn't," Elizabeth tried to smile back as she took the drink. "Thank you for this." She gestured to the drink and took a seat on the couch.

"I thought we could both use it," he sipped from his own glass as he took a seat next to her.

"Is Will asleep too?" Elizabeth asked softly her nails tapping on the glass.

"Yes I think between you and the kids he could sleep the through whole winter," Henry chuckled but it did not last and his face fell. "I know what you are thinking..."

She turned to him reading his features as he looked down into his glass. "You've always been good at that..."

"You won't help by searching around aimlessly for her," Henry turned now as well locking eyes with her.

Elizabeth's eyes immediately welled and her lips trembled as she held his gaze. He was right but that conclusion did not feel right. "I don't know what to do Henry," she choked. "What do we do?" She looked at him begging for an answer that would fill the hole of helplessness inside her but she knew no person had such an answer but if anyone could, it would be her husband.

"We keep doing what we have always done," he nodded his head as he reached out and squeezed her hand. "It sounds too simple to be true but we help her by continuing to live our lives and keep taking care of our kids even if one of them isn't here. The other three still need us Elizabeth. They need both of us and I can't-" his voice cracked. "I can't do it alone."

"Oh Henry," Elizabeth choked as she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm here."

"I need you with me to get through this Elizabeth," he sniffled as tears fell from his eyes.

"I'm with you my love," she whispered as she placed a hand behind his head. "I'm with you and we are gonna get through this together."


As the moon rose in a different part of Virginia, it's light shone through the car window and onto the face of a little girl, glistening off the tears that streamed down her face. This little girl was seven year old Madeline Mccord who was more afraid than she had ever been in her whole life as she watched the reflection of a woman in the window. She turned finally brave enough to look at the person who was driving the car and gulped trying to work up the courage to speak. "Where are you taking me?" she asked her voice small and frightened.

"Why, I'm taking you home, of course," the woman answered in a sickeningly sweet tone that sent shiver's down Madeline's spine.

Madeline didn't know where this woman was talking about but as she turned looking at what laid behind her in the mirror of the car she knew that this was the farthest away from home she had ever been.


And there is it! Chapter two! We finally get a glimpse through Madeline's eyes! I had such a good time writing Will and Elizabeth and also the scenes between Henry and Elizabeth. Truly a couple that melts my heart! Leave a review and let me know if you enjoyed this chapter and would like to see chapter three.

-lovelylavenderlady