A/N: I don't own Ugly Betty. This is a future-fic but it does not take place in the same universe as any of my other stories.

Title: She was gone.

Rating: K+

Summary: Daniel Meade suffers the greatest tragedy of his life.


She was gone. And worse, she was gone forever. He could never get her back. He'd never thought that he would get to this place. He never thought that she'd leave him forever. He never thought he could lose her. It was one of those things that belonged in a horribly tragic movie or in a nightmare.

But it did not belong in Daniel Meade's life. He should be sitting at his desk staring at a picture of his wife who was now forever gone from his life. Two weeks ago, his life had been fine. He had a wonderful wife, a great job, an adorable daughter, a hyperactive son, and a third baby on the way. He still had the job and the children. But his wife was gone. He was now the widowed father of three children. Sleeping in the bassinet by his desk was his newborn daughter, Eliza Rose Meade. But her mother was gone. She had been walking across the street when she was run down by a speeding drunk. The paramedics had been able to safely deliver Eliza but they hadn't been able to save Betty. And now he was alone with three beautiful children.

Eliza was sleeping peacefully while her father worked. He was still trying to keep up with Mode but he was also trying to be the best possible father. He looked through the glass to see Amanda playing with Emma and Josh. His assistant adored his children, something for which he was undeniably grateful. Life as a widower was not something anything ever could have prepared him for. Oh sure, his wife had only died ten days earlier. But he was alone. And he wanted his wife back. Daniel Meade had loved being married. Betty had been the best thing in his life. And now she was gone.


"Hey, boss," Amanda said as she suddenly came into his office. "I thought you might like some coffee. And Emma wanted me to give you some pictures she drew for you."

Daniel smiled. "How are they doing?"

"They want to see Daddy."

"Then bring them in here. Daddy would love to see them."

"Marc took them to get hot chocolate, but I'll send them in as soon as they get back."


And sure enough, a few minutes later, Marc came in with Emma hanging on to his leg and Josh in his arms. "A special delivery for one Mr. Daniel Meade," he announced as Amanda let him in.

Daniel jumped up and hurried over to Marc. He retrieved his four-year-old from Marc's leg and kissed her forehead; she looked so much like Betty. "I love you, princess. And thank you so much for the pictures."

She kissed his cheek and clung to him for a minute. "I miss Mommy," she said.

Neither Amanda or Marc was prepared to see Daniel Meade turn into a waterworks. Tears started flowing down his cheeks and his shoulders were shaking violently as he whispered, "I do too, sweetie. I really want her back. I need her back."

"Do you want me to take them back out?" Marc asked.

"No," Daniel replied firmly. He walked over to his desk and sat down with his daughter in his arms. "I need them with me. I need my babies. They're all I have left of her."

Marc nodded grimly as he handed two-year-old Joshua Meade to his father. Daniel held his two older children in his arms as tears streamed down his sad but determined face. On his desk was a pictures of his then-pregnant wife holding these same two children. She looked so happy, so beautiful, so peaceful, and so excited about the upcoming baby.

And now she was gone forever. And he was left holding their children and trying to pull his life back together.


A/N: I know it's very short. It came to me last night and I had to get it out. But please review!