A little background information and a fun fact about the movie that Elizabeth, Henry, and the kids are watching: How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days is a movie from the early 2000s. I included it because the actress that plays Nadine in Madam Secretary is in How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days! I'm aware that parts of this chapter are cheesy and would never happen on the show, but that's what Fanfiction is for, right? Thank you to everyone who is still reading this story. I love this fandom so much! Enjoy!
Henry sat on the couch next to Elizabeth and grabbed her hand gently. "Babe, the President is here to see you."
Stevie, Ali, and Jason all froze, movie forgotten.
Elizabeth's eyes widened. "Did he say why?" she asked, softly.
"No. But I'll stay with you," he replied.
She nodded. "Okay."
Henry turned his attention to the kids. "Don't start the movie without us. We'll be in the office for a little bit."
Solemn looks passed between all three of them.
"We'll be waiting," Stevie said.
Elizabeth rose from the couch with Henry's help and he walked with her over to the front door. His arm remained wrapped around her shoulder, trying to instill comfort into her so she could handle whatever Conrad was about to say.
"Good evening, Conrad. How can we help you?" he asked, opening the door and ushering President Dalton into the foyer.
Dalton locked eyes with Elizabeth, taking in her bruises for the first time in person.
"I am so sorry this happened, Bess."
Elizabeth looked down, avoiding his gaze. "Me too." Henry rubbed her shoulder and she leaned into his side more.
Sorry doesn't erase everything that she's been through.
"While we appreciate the apology, that cannot be all that you came for," Henry said, a little too harshly.
"Henry…" Elizabeth whispered.
"No, that's not all I came for," Conrad said. He sighed. "You should probably sit down, Bess."
She nodded and Henry led everyone into the office, pulling the door closed. He helped Elizabeth sit down in a chair, while he leaned on the armrest, his arm still around her shoulder. She laced their fingers together. Conrad took a seat in the chair in the corner, coat laying across his lap.
"I have an update on Russell," President Dalton said.
"Oh, God. He's dead isn't he?" Elizabeth asked, clutching Henry's hand towards her chest.
"No, he's in surgery. They expect him to make a full recovery, but his leg is broken and he has a bad concussion. He won't be in the White House for a little while."
"I'm glad he will recover," Henry said. He stroked the back of Elizabeth's hand with his thumb.
"I saw both of your statements about the car accident. The police are working the FBI to continue an investigation, but as of right now, it looks like it really was just a drunk driver and some bad luck."
Henry cleared his throat. "Do you really believe that after everything that happened with Teresa Hurst and Farhad Azimi?"
President Dalton clasped his hands together and let them fall into his lap. "All the evidence we have right now says that she wasn't targeted in the accident."
Henry scoffed and leaned forward to stand up, but Elizabeth's grip on his hand kept him leaning against the armrest next to her.
"Yeah, and everyone said she would be fine in Geneva a few days ago too. Instead she was—"
Tortured. Beaten. Assaulted. Scared. Hurt. Shot.
"Henry, stop. It's okay," Elizabeth said, lightly touching his arm to get his attention.
It's not okay. Not even a little. I cannot stand by and let the people that did this to you get away with it. Especially because Teresa Hurst is part of his administration.
"Bess, I can only imagine how you feel right now. I meant what I said when I told you to take some time to heal."
"I appreciate that Mr. President."
There was a pregnant pause and Henry was attuned to Elizabeth's shallow breathing in the silence.
She's nervous about something.
"I do want you to be aware of a story that is breaking in the news in the next few days," Conrad said, keeping his voice even.
"Regarding?" Elizabeth asked.
"You and Farhad Azimi."
Her breath hitched, and Henry pulled her closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
"What do you mean?" Henry asked.
"His lawyer is building a case that he and Elizabeth met in Geneva because they were…involved romantically."
Elizabeth tensed against Henry.
"That's defamation to the utmost degree," Henry replied. Elizabeth was shaking against him.
President Dalton cleared his throat. "I'm aware. We have people trying to stop it from circulating, but you know how the media is."
Tears rolled down her face. "Why would he say that? We have evidence…" she said softly.
Henry rubbed her shoulder.
It's okay, Babe. We'll fight this.
"I know. But he has a right to build a defense before the trial."
Henry stood up abruptly, ready to defend his wife. "That's disgusting. He doesn't deserve a fair trial. He committed a war crime!" He balled his fists, barely restraining himself from punching Conrad.
He's the President of the United States. You can't hit him.
Elizabeth touched the back of his arm.
President Dalton leaned forward slightly. "I don't like this either, Henry, but I thought Elizabeth deserved to know what was coming so she could prepare herself."
Elizabeth let out a shaky breath. "Thank you, Conrad. Is that all?" Elizabeth asked.
He nodded. "Yes. Take some time to heal. Call if you need anything." President Dalton stood up and stuck his hand out for a handshake. Henry remained motionless and refused to shake Conrad's hand.
I don't respect him right now. Even if he is the leader of the free world.
President Dalton's eyes darkened.
"Goodnight Bess," he said, and then let himself out of the office and through the front door.
Silence filled the office for several minutes.
What kind of nerve does that monster Farhad Azimi have surmising that he and Elizabeth had a relationship when he clearly kidnapped her? What lawyer would take that case? And doesn't the President have the power to stop this story form getting out? I don't believe for one second that he even tried…
"Henry, you can't treat the President like that."
He turned toward Elizabeth and his eyes softened. "Babe, I can't stand by and let this happen. You've already been through enough." He cupped her cheek gently and she leaned into the contact.
"Thank you for that."
He kissed her lightly and she wrapped her arms around him, needing his comfort.
"As much as I hate this, and it isn't fair, President Dalton isn't responsible for what Farhad says," Elizabeth said softly.
Henry sighed. "I shouldn't have taken it out on the President. I'll admit to that. But, Babe. I will always defend you against the liars of the world. Especially people who violate you and then accuse you of having an affair. I know that could never be true."
Elizabeth leaned forward to put her head in the crook of Henry's neck as he wrapped his arms more fully around her. "I love you," she said through tears. "You're so good to me."
He stroked her hair. "I love you, too."
I should have protected you better.
"What are we going to tell the kids?" she asked, still hiding in the safety of his arms.
"We'll tell them as much as you are comfortable with, Babe."
I wish we could deal with what happened to you as a family and not in the public eye.
"I hate that they'll have to listen to these horrible things said about me on the news."
He rubbed her back. "I do too. But we raised some smart kids. None of them will believe it."
Elizabeth's tears soaked Henry's shirt.
None of this is fair. At this rate, I want to keep you in the house with me forever. At least then you'd be safe.
"I'm here. It's okay."
"I'm so tired…"
He kissed her temple. "I know, Babe. What can I do?"
Elizabeth pushed back from his chest to look him in the eyes. "Be you." She smiled at him through her tears.
There was a knock on the office doors. "Mom?" Stevie asked. "Are you guys coming back to watch the movie?"
Henry turned to look at Stevie. He held up his hand to tell her to wait a minute.
"You okay for now?" he asked Elizabeth.
"Yeah, let's go cuddle on the couch and watch a cheesy movie."
He gave her a quick kiss and then stood, pulling her up with him. They walked out of the office hand-in-hand. "Hey, Baby," Elizabeth said to Stevie.
"What did President Dalton want?" Stevie asked, walking to the couch with her parents.
Henry and Elizabeth exchanged a look.
I don't want to share anything with the kids right now. We can talk to them tomorrow.
"He was updating us about Russell's condition," Henry said.
Stevie stopped. "Is Russell okay?"
Henry nodded. "Yeah, he broke his leg and hit his head, but he should recover."
"That's good."
"Yeah, so that means you still have to go to work on Monday," Henry joked.
Stevie rolled her eyes. "Haha. Very funny."
The three of them made it back into the living room and Elizabeth slowly lowered herself down onto the couch. Henry took a seat next to her and she leaned back into his chest.
"Everything okay?" Ali asked, eyeing her parents with suspicion.
Elizabeth reached for a handful of popcorn. "Yeah, let's watch the movie."
Alison pressed play and the intro to the movie started.
"Where do I know that guy from?" Stevie asked, a few minutes later.
Ali gasped and then stared at her sister. "Are you seriously telling me that you don't know who Matthew McConaughey is?"
"He looks young here!" Stevie said, defending herself.
Ali crossed her arms, disgusted. "We are not related."
"Should I know who he is?" Jason asked.
Alison groaned. "Oh, my God. This family is seriously lacking in pop culture."
Elizabeth tried to contain her laughter.
Henry grinned and felt her sink deeper into his side.
I love watching her laugh. Relaxing here with the kids is good for her.
"Shhhh. I can't hear the movie!" Elizabeth told the kids.
The movie continued, and Henry tried to pay attention to the plot, but it just didn't interest him. While holding Elizabeth on the couch, he let his mind wander to a time when he was deployed and she wrote him weekly letters. He couldn't wait to hear about everything going on in her life and how much she missed him. He cherished every single one of those letters and wrote her back so she knew how much it pained him that he couldn't be with her every day. He used to lay awake at night wishing that she was lying next to him and not thousands of miles away. Those letters got him through some terrible, lonely nights while deployed.
Henry smiled to himself.
I'm so incredibly lucky to be here, a quarter of a century later, holding her, surrounded by our kids. Even after everything we've been through…
Overwhelmed with love for her, Henry kissed the top of her head and she turned to look at him.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing, Babe."
"Oh! This is my favorite part! Turn it up!" Elizabeth said, clapping her hands together, and sitting up more fully on the couch.
Jason rolled his eyes, but Henry beamed at his wife.
This is the important stuff. Right here.
Elizabeth sang along with Kate Hudson's character. "And all the girls dreamed that they'd be Ben's partner. They'd be Ben's partner and…"
"Did she just change the words to that song?" Stevie asked.
Elizabeth smiled. "Yes and it's perfect. Don't ruin this movie for me."
Stevie put her hands up in mock surrender. "I wasn't going to!"
"What kind of gift is a plant?" Jason asked.
Ali scoffed. "It's a baby fern, representing their relationship. He has to nurture and love it. Are you even paying attention, Jase?"
Jason crossed his arms. "I've never seen Mom and Dad give each other plants."
Henry laughed. "That's because we're already married. We're past the plant-giving stage of our relationship. Right, Babe?" he asked.
She laughed. "Totally. Our home was practically a greenhouse before you all were born."
"You guys are so lame," Jason said.
Henry looked at Elizabeth. "Did you hear that? We're lame. And here I thought we were all set to win parents of the year."
"Maybe there's still time to win them over. You haven't asked Ali and Stevie yet," Elizabeth said with a twinkle in her eye.
"Is anyone still watching this movie?" Ali asked, ignoring her mom's question.
"Yes, sorry," Elizabeth replied, settling back against Henry.
The movie played on for a while with no interruptions. Henry found himself laughing at a few parts, but overall it was the definition of predictable and cheesy.
Elizabeth's weight sank further into him and he could tell she was close to falling asleep.
"Babe?"
She turned her face more into his chest and made a soft humming sound.
"You ready to go to bed?" he asked, rubbing her shoulder.
"No, we're watching the movie…"
He chuckled. "Your eyes are closed."
"I'm still listening to it."
"I really think you'll be more comfortable in bed," he said.
She pressed more into him and wrapped her arms around his midsection. "I'm good here."
"Mom, it's okay. We can watch the rest tomorrow. You're exhausted," Stevie said.
"But I didn't get to see the end. The end is the best. Everything works out and the guy gets the girl."
"Well thanks for spoiling the ending for me…" Henry joked.
"I'm going to bed," Jason said, standing up.
"Me too," Ali said, turning the TV off and grabbing the empty popcorn bowl. "Goodnight." She hugged Elizabeth and Henry and then left the room.
"Goodnight!" Jason yelled, while trudging up the stairs.
"Goodnight, guys," Stevie said, following Jason.
"Goodnight!" Henry called back.
"Ready, Babe?" Henry asked, looking down at Elizabeth. Her eyes were still closed and she looked peaceful for the first time in several days. He couldn't help but be grateful that they made it home together.
Elizabeth groaned and sat up. "Walking up the stairs sounds horrible right now."
He kissed her. "I can carry you if you'd like."
"Hmm. That's tempting," she said, kissing him back.
I know she needs to feel like she can make it up the stairs to regain some semblance of normalcy.
Henry sat up and took her hand in his. "We'll take the stairs slow."
She smiled at him. "Lead the way."
He wrapped his arm around her back and she leaned into his side heavily, trying not to wince.
"Leg hurting?" he asked, as they made their way up the stairs.
"It's not that bad. I was just laying down too long."
Henry sighed. "I hate that you're hurting."
She laid her head on his shoulder momentarily. "It's okay. It could be a lot worse."
Elizabeth was leaning more and more of her weight into Henry the closer they got to their bedroom.
"Almost there, Babe."
Henry led them to the bed and Elizabeth sat down immediately. "Walking shouldn't be this hard," she said, clearly out of breath.
"You were shot in the leg a few days ago. Give yourself some grace. It will get easier," he reminded her.
She scrunched her nose, not liking that answer. Elizabeth could never sit around and wait for things to get better on their own. She needed to solve things. It was how her brain worked, making her an excellent Secretary of State.
I'm proud of you every day.
"Maybe I should do physical therapy. I'll just text Blake and let him know to put it—"
Henry froze.
Realization hit Elizabeth all at once and her face crumpled. "I can't text Blake anymore because..."
He reached forward and pulled her into a hug, while she sobbed into his chest. "It's okay. I'm upset too. None of this should have happened."
"Blake can't be dead. He didn't deserve to die for me. None of them did," she mumbled.
I had a feeling it was going to hit her again when we got home.
Henry rubbed her back and then wrapped his arms around her. "You can't blame yourself, Babe."
Tears soaked his shirt. "I hate this. How am I supposed to move past it?"
He kissed her temple. "One day at a time."
"And this stuff in the news that's coming out…Farhad accusing me of disgusting things…not to mention testifying at a trial. I can't face him Henry. I can't."
Henry pulled her closer. "You don't have to. I'll support whatever you decide."
"I feel like no matter what I choose, I'm letting everyone down."
No, Babe.
"You could never let me down. I am so incredibly proud of you."
Elizabeth sobbed harder into his chest and Henry was at a loss for how to comfort her.
"You're exhausted, Babe. You don't have to make any decisions tonight."
She pushed back from his chest to look at him. "It feels like everything is happening so fast. Like I can't catch my breath. And if I stop for even a second, something else is going to happen that's out of my control and I can't take one more thing right now."
"It's normal to feel that way."
She sighed. "But it's my job to have the answers and foresee things. I'm failing at that."
Henry cupped her cheek. "You aren't failing at anything. You went through something traumatic and you need to take some time to rest."
Elizabeth looked down at the covers, avoiding his gaze. "I was in the CIA. This shouldn't be affecting me this much."
He knitted his eyebrows. "Were you kidnapped and assaulted in the CIA? Because if you were, that's an entirely different issue I want to talk about."
"No, but…"
"Then it's not the same. Every situation is different."
"I'm the Secretary of State. You sure spiraling right now doesn't make me weak?"
"You. Are. So. Strong." Henry replied, kissing her in between each word.
"You're just saying that because you married me." Elizabeth joked.
Henry smiled. "Guilty."
Elizabeth laid her head on his shoulder. "Tomorrow will be better, right?"
"Absolutely."
A crash was heard downstairs and then the house alarm blared.
Elizabeth jumped and Henry's hand automatically reached for hers.
What on earth was that?
"MOM!? DAD?!" Stevie's voice yelled from down the hall.
Henry and Elizabeth both stood up from the bed and ran out of the bedroom. All three of the kids were standing in the hall, hands covering their ears at the sound of the alarm.
"What's going on?!" Ali yelled.
"I don't know yet," Elizabeth called back.
Jason moved so that he was standing closer to Henry. "Did you guys hear the crash before the alarm?" he asked.
Henry reached out to squeeze Jason's shoulder. "Yeah, we did Jase."
"Can we turn it off? I can barely hear myself think!" Stevie shouted.
"Madam Secretary!" one of the Secret Service agents yelled, while running up the stairs and into the hallway where the family stood. "We need to move you to a secure location now!"
Henry instinctively stood in front of Elizabeth. "Why? What's going on?"
The alarm stopped.
"There's been a security breach. Someone shot through a window."