Elizabeth locked eyes with Henry as he held the phone. "I knew something was off. What are my options, Mike?"
"Since there is a conflict of interest between the judge and Farhad's lawyer, we can submit a document that says we know about their friendship and ask that he disclose the nature of their relationship. If he refuses, we can ask him to recuse himself from the case and get another judge assigned."
"And that will work?" Henry asked.
That seems too simple.
"I mean we would have to show that the judge and the lawyer are more than just acquaintances, but yeah, it should work," Mike B replied.
"Should work?" Elizabeth said, exasperated.
"It's the best I can do right now."
It's okay. We'll keep trying until it works. Henry rubbed her shoulder.
Elizabeth sighed. "All right. Thanks, Mike. When are we moving forward with this plan?"
"As soon as you're ready. I'll give you a call tomorrow if you're feeling better," he replied.
"Sounds good. Talk soon."
Henry hung up the phone. Elizabeth leaned back into Henry's side and rested her head on his chest again.
He checked the IV bag and it looked to be about three-quarters full still. "Why don't you get some rest? The bag will be empty soon and then we can go home and get you into a proper bed, Babe."
"I'm not tired," she said, yawning.
She's exhausted but her mind won't let her sleep. And I can't blame her. Now we have to worry about making sure the judge recuses himself from the case.
Henry chuckled and rubbed her back in slow, soothing motions. "Babe, your eyes are closed."
"I'm awake," she mumbled against him.
"You don't have to be. I'm not going anywhere."
Her body relaxed further into him and he tightened his arms around her. As her breaths evened out, Henry thought about all the ways this trial was going to make Elizabeth's life harder. Hopefully we can get the judge to recuse himself, but who's to say another judge won't be biased as well? That's unlikely, but there is still a chance and I can't watch her go through that trauma. She's had enough for a lifetime. We both have.
About an hour later, Henry and Elizabeth sat in chairs outside the hospital pharmacy anxiously waiting to get her antibiotics prescription filled.
"You okay?" he asked her.
"Yeah, just tired. Ready to be in pajamas and out of this robe." She pulled it closer around herself, clearly chilly and uncomfortable.
"We'll be home before you know it," he replied, kicking himself for not getting her a different set of clothes to wear.
"McCord?" the pharmacist called from the window. Henry stood and went to go grab the pills. "Thanks," he told the pharmacist, before walking back over to join her at the chairs.
"You ready?" he asked Elizabeth.
She nodded and stood, gripping his hand tight. Both Secret Service agents moved to walk in front of and behind her as they exited the hospital. She walked very slowly, leaning heavily into Henry.
"How's your pain level?" he asked, as they continued their trek to the car.
"It's fine. My leg just feels sore like I worked out too hard. Kind of a dull ache."
He rubbed her shoulder. "That's an improvement."
"The bar is pretty low, Henry," she replied.
I know. I wish your pain level was zero and none of this happened…
They reached the SUV and climbed inside the backseat. Henry let out a loud breath, hoping that things would be calm for at least tonight. Elizabeth rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes as the SUV took off toward the house. "I never wrote that statement for Daisy…" she mumbled against him.
"I think it can wait, Babe."
"The longer I wait, the more the public believes the affair."
Henry stroked her hair, giving her comfort as much as he needed it himself. Why can't our lives be simpler?
"Do you need me to help you write it? Or edit it?" Henry asked.
She shook her head against him. "No, I think I know what I want to say."
"Just let me know if you change your mind."
I hate that you have to say anything at all, but the world is cruel to presidential cabinet members. Especially cabinet members that are women.
Her stomach made a loud noise in the back of the SUV and Henry chuckled. "Hungry, Babe?"
She pressed more in Henry's shoulder, eyes still closed. "Tired more than anything else."
"You have to eat. I made stir fry. I'm sure the kids saved some of the leftovers."
"Hmm," she said, drifting off with the motion of the car ride.
Henry studied her face as she rested against him. Everything from the last few days has really taken a toll on her. She can usually function on very little sleep, but her body is trying to heal from all the horrible things Farhad inflicted upon her. I know she won't be able to actually relax until he's put behind bars for life and truthfully, I wish he could be put to death to pay for his crimes against her. He made her feel weak and damaged which I know is absolutely not the truth. Maybe I'll suggest that we go on a week-long vacation when this is all over so she can rest and be rejuvenated physically and emotionally.
The SUV rolled to a stop and Henry gently shook her. "Babe, we're home."
"Already?" she asked, drowsily.
He smiled and then opened the door to the backseat. "Yeah. Come on. I'll bring you a plate while you write that statement." Elizabeth grabbed his hand and gave a quick nod to the Secret Service agents as they walked into the house.
"We're home!" Henry shouted.
Stevie and Ali came in from the living room to greet them. "Mom! Are you okay?" Stevie asked, reaching out to hug Elizabeth.
"I'm fine, Baby. Just tired."
Alison hugged her mom tightly. "Are you sure? You passed out upstairs earlier and what if…"
"I'm sure, Noodle. I got some antibiotics. And your dad is taking good care of me," she replied, pulling out of the hug and then smiling at Henry.
"That's right." He smiled back. "And right now I need to get your mom some food and into bed. I'll make breakfast tomorrow, okay?"
Stevie and Alison both nodded, but Henry could see in their body language that they were still uneasy about Elizabeth being okay. He couldn't blame them. He was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. The only way he was surviving this ordeal at all was by focusing on one hour at a time. Stevie stood there in front of them, her weight shifting from foot to foot, nervous energy spilling over with nowhere else to go.
She just wants to feel like she's doing something. She gets that from me.
"Tell you what. Why don't you girls go get a plate of stir fry heated up and bring it up to our room?"
"Okay. We'll bring that right up. Do you want anything, Dad?" Stevie asked, eyes suddenly brighter and hopeful.
"I could go for some Mocha Fudge ice cream. What about you, Babe?" he asked, bumping Elizabeth's shoulder with his.
She laughed. "I'm always up for ice cream."
I love knowing these things about you.
"We'll see you guys upstairs," Henry said, turning away from the girls and leading Elizabeth toward their bedroom.
The stairs proved to be challenging as Elizabeth's breaths became heavier. "You need to stop?" he asked.
"No, I'm okay. Just ready to be horizontal in the bed."
"I'll carry you if it's too much," he offered.
She shook her head. "No, we're almost there." She lifted her injured leg up to the next step to prove a point, wincing in the process.
She needs to do this.
They finally made it to the bedroom and Elizabeth all but collapsed on the bed.
"Take it easy, Babe. Be right back," Henry said. "I'll grab your computer so you can write that statement." He leaned down to kiss her before leaving the room.
I need to check on Jason.
He turned down the hallway and knocked on Jason's door before entering. "Jase?" he called out. Henry looked at the bed and saw Jason with his headphones in, eyes staring at the ceiling. He took another step toward the bed before Jason saw him and jumped, clearly startled. "Dad! You're back. How's Mom?" he asked, taking his headphones out.
"She's okay. It was an infection from the surgery on her leg. I just wanted to see where you were because you didn't come downstairs like Ali and Stevie."
Jason shrugged. "Sorry, I didn't hear you come in."
"It's no problem. You good otherwise? Your mom and I are going to bed."
He stared down at his lap, avoiding eye contact with Henry. "Yeah. I'm fine."
Something is bothering him, but I don't know what. His shoulders are practically sitting up by his ears. He's anxious but won't admit it.
"You sure? I'm here if you want to talk, Jase."
"I know, Dad. I'm good."
He'll come to me when he's ready. I do not miss this part of being a teenager.
"Alright. Goodnight then. I'm making breakfast in the morning. Any special requests?" Henry asked.
Jason looked up to meet Henry's gaze, smiling slightly. "Chocolate chip pancakes."
Henry beamed. "You got it."
"Thanks, Dad."
Sometimes I forget he's still a kid even when he thinks he's grown.
Henry shut Jason's door behind him and walked quickly downstairs to retrieve her computer from the office. He had to move a stack of papers and a book, but he spotted it and then turned to walk back up the stairs to Elizabeth, but paused when he heard the girls talking about their mom while heating up the stir fry in the microwave.
"Do you really think Mom is okay?" Stevie asked.
"I don't know what to think anymore," Alison replied. "What if she's dying? Would Dad keep that from us?"
Henry stood frozen, hidden just outside of the kitchen, shocked that their kids would think they would lie about something like that.
"I mean I know that Dad is doing everything he can to keep Mom safe," Stevie said.
Henry smiled. Glad the kids know that much.
"But are we sure that it's enough? Is this house even safe?" Stevie asked.
The microwave beeped, signaling that the food was ready. "I don't feel safe here anymore. Not really," Alison said so quietly that Henry had to strain to make sure he heard her correctly.
"Me either," Stevie replied.
Our kids don't feel safe? It's my job to protect them and I've failed.
He heard the cabinet opening while one of them plated the stir fry. The freezer door opened as they grabbed the ice cream and Henry quickly moved from his listening spot so he could make it upstairs before they did.
Entering the bedroom, he smiled at Elizabeth curled up with his pillow in her arms, sound asleep.
She really is exhausted.
He put the computer down on the chaise lounge and walked over to the drawers so he could grab a Frampton t-shirt and pants for her to put on. She always got cold at night, and wearing only a robe would mean that she would steal all the covers and he would be left shivering. Chances were that she would sleep right next to him tonight due to her nightmares, but he wanted to make sure she was comfortable regardless.
"Here's your dinner and ice cream," Stevie said, entering the bedroom. She paused, taking in the sight of her mother asleep on the bed.
"Sorry guys. She fell asleep."
Stevie lowered her voice. "Should we wake her?"
Henry debated. On one hand, she needed all the rest she could get. But she also needed to eat to keep her strength up. "Yeah, let's see if she'll eat and change into pajamas," he said.
"Mom?" Alison said, loudly. "We have your dinner ready."
Elizabeth shifted and opened her eyes. "Hmm. That smells good, Baby."
"Here you go," Stevie said handing her the plate. Alison put the ice cream container down on the nightstand. Elizabeth sat up against the headboard, reaching for the plate of stir fry. She took a bite and sighed, eyes closed. "Oh, this is good, Henry."
He chuckled. "Thanks. I try."
Stevie couldn't help but smile at her parents' easy banter. "Anyway, we'll leave you guys alone. Goodnight. Love you." Stevie leaned down to kiss Elizabeth on the cheek.
"Love you," Elizabeth replied.
Alison hugged her mom, avoiding the plate of food in her hands. "Goodnight, Mom. Love you."
"Love you, too."
Both girls left the room, pulling the door shut behind them.
Henry stood still, admiring Elizabeth and how cute she looked eating a plate of food in bed. She felt his eyes on her and put her fork down. "What? Do I have something on my face?"
"Nope. Just thinking about how lucky I am that you're mine." He sat next to her on the bed, kissing her shoulder through the robe.
She took another bite of stir fry. "You're extra sentimental tonight, Babe. You okay?" she asked, concerned that something happened.
He reached over to grab the carton of Mocha Fudge ice cream and a spoon, twisting the top off and getting a big scoop. He took a bite. "I love you," he said, suddenly misty eyed and overwhelmed with how happy he was that she was home and sitting next to him.
Elizabeth searched his eyes, trying to figure out why he was overcome with such emotion.
"I love you, too. But Henry. What's wrong?"
He took another bite of Mocha Fudge. "Nothing. A guy can't tell his wife he loves her?"
She knitted her eyebrows together and placed her hand on his arm. "Henry."
He sighed and put the spoon back into the carton of ice cream, locking eyes with her. "I overheard the girls talking in the kitchen while they were heating up your food."
"Okay. And?"
"They both think that we're lying about you being okay. Alison thinks you might be dying. And neither one of them feels safe here."
Elizabeth sucked in a breath. "They said that?"
"Yeah, I was walking back from the office and I heard them talking about it. Babe, our kids don't feel safe. What are we going to do?" he asked, desperately.
She averted her eyes. "This is all because of me. They don't feel safe because of my job."
Henry reached to take the plate of food from her hands and put it down on the nightstand along with the ice cream carton. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to his side. "Babe, I'm not blaming you. If anything, I blame myself."
"How is this your fault? Did you hire a sniper to shoot me? Or pay Farhad Azimi to assault me?"
He kissed her forehead. "Of course not."
I would never let someone hurt you if I had any control. It's why watching you from afar during the extraction was so hard. And why I don't want to let you out of my sight any time soon.
"So then I don't see how this is your fault."
He took a deep breath. "It's like this. If I can't keep you safe, then I failed at my job as a husband. If the kids don't feel safe at home, then I failed at my job as a father."
"Henry…some things are out of your control. I had to go to Geneva for work."
His eyes turned serious. "I should have never let you go."
If I had been more insistent, none of this would have happened. You wouldn't have been beaten and shot. You wouldn't have been in a car accident or shot at through the window at our home. You wouldn't have an infection in your leg right now.
"There is no way you could have predicted all that has transpired. Unless you had knowledge of the plot by Teresa Hurst. And if that's true, then we need to be having a different conversation…"
"Babe, I would never betray you like that."
I could never willingly let you be hurt. Physically, emotionally, or otherwise. I would rather take your place a thousand times over.
She scoffed. "I know. Henry, I was joking."
A tear rolled down Henry's cheek. "I hate this, Elizabeth. I feel powerless." He wiped a hand down his face, trying to reign in his emotions.
She laced her fingers with his and turned so that she was facing him straight on. "I was wondering when you were going to let yourself go. You're allowed to be upset, Henry. You've been so strong for me through everything. I know this has all been a lot to process, but we have to lean on each other."
Henry pulled her in for a hug, clutching her to his body.
"It's okay. I'm right here," she said, rubbing his back.
I'm supposed to be the one comforting you. You're the one who's been tortured.
He pulled her closer, fresh tears soaking her robe.
If you didn't make it out of Geneva, I don't know how I would be able to function. I can't lose you. Listening to you getting slapped and begging for me on that first phone call broke my heart. I thought I was listening to you die and I wanted nothing more than to run to you and save you from that monster.
"It's okay, Henry. Let it out," Elizabeth said, as he continued to cry against her.
I've had my heart broken a few times—dropping bombs on civilians in the Marines is on my list of 'worst days of my life,' but that phone call from you tops that list now. I never want to hear that desperation in your voice again when I'm thousands of miles away and powerless to stop it. You're everything good and right in my life and I can't bear for something to happen to you. And I know other people look at us and think the love we have is cheesy, but I don't care. I need you to be okay. I'm not okay when you're hurting. I'm just not wired that way.
They sat in the bed, hugging each other for a long time. Eventually, his tears died down and Henry pulled out of the hug to lean in and kiss Elizabeth.
"Hmm. You taste like ice cream," she said, smiling.
He laughed. "You taste like stir fry. Kind of a weird combination."
"You're still my hero, Henry. I need you to know that. I will always feel safest when I'm with you." She leaned in to capture his lips again. He deepened the kiss, needing to show her how much he appreciated and loved her.
Elizabeth patted his chest. "I love you Henry, but I really need to put on real clothes and write that statement."
"I pulled pajamas out for you," he said, getting out of the bed and grabbing them from the open drawers. He threw them at her and she ducked as they almost hit her in the face. "Henry!" she yelled, laughing.
"Oh, sorry. I thought you could catch." He smirked.
She took off her robe and threw it at him, reaching for the Frampton shirt to pull over her head. She put on the pajama pants and then shimmied back under the covers.
This right here. This is what I live for. The moments where we can laugh and be ourselves.
He picked up her computer and brought it to the bed, cozying up next to her. "Thanks."
"Of course," he replied, reaching for the carton of ice cream again.
"You better have saved me some of that," she teased.
He took a big bite and raised his eyebrows. "Oh, did you want some?"
"Henry Patrick McCord." She smacked him playfully on the shoulder. "Give me a spoon."
"Sorry, Babe. We're fresh out."
"You're impossible," she said, rolling her eyes, while grabbing the second spoon out of the carton. She took a bite and moaned. "Oh my God, that's good ice cream."
"Do you need a moment alone with the Mocha Fudge?" he asked.
"Don't tempt me." She scooped out more ice cream and took another bite.
I wish this could last forever. Eating ice cream in bed where nothing can hurt her.
Several bites later, the ice cream carton was empty and Elizabeth opened her computer to write her statement. "You sure you don't want help?" Henry asked.
"I'm sure. This won't take long."
He picked up a book from the nightstand and opened it to where he left off. It was one he had read before, but he found comfort in the familiar, predictable words. He listened to her type, wishing more than anything there was no need for a statement speaking out against an affair in the first place.
Her fingers flew across the keyboard, and he knew that it was her way of just getting her thoughts down on paper, so to speak. She would clean it up once she said all she needed to say. His editing process was a little different than hers. He always agonized over word choice and edited as he wrote.
We really do complement each other.
He read several more pages of his book, letting himself get lost in the world of religion.
"There," she said, shutting her computer and moving it to the end of the bed. "I sent it to Daisy and Jay, so they could tweak it or send it to Matt."
"That's great. Do you feel better now that it's done?" he asked, closing his book to give her his attention.
"Yeah, I guess. I just hate that it had to be done at all," she replied, yawning.
He reached for her hand and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. "Me too, Babe."
Elizabeth leaned over to turn off the lamp on her side of the bed and then settled under the covers with her arm around Henry. He put his book back on the nightstand and then turned off his lamp too.
He pulled Elizabeth closer and she sighed, finally relaxed. He could just make out the outline of her face with the moonlight coming in through the window and he marveled at how she still took his breath away after all these years. There was no one else who could ever love him as much as Elizabeth and no one he would ever feel so connected to. Whether fate or free will brought them together, Henry thanked God for Elizabeth every day. He sent up a silent prayer as he drifted off to sleep.
Thank you for bringing us together. She deserves some peace. Please, God, let this trial go our way.
Henry finally breaking down was a long time coming. I hope this chapter was okay. Enjoy!