Betty's First Trip to Rome The Prequel - Chapter 1 – Dreaming up a menu

Everyone was up early in the Suarez household on the morning of the day of the Elle versus Mode baseball game.

Hilda giggled and peeked into the sunlight filled kitchen. "Hush" she murmured behind her to Betty while she looked around the door frame. Justin was alone in the kitchen seated at the table with a glass of orange juice in one hand and a spoon in the other. He was poised to plunge the spoon into the bowl of cereal in front of him.

"Go, go." Hilda said as she pushed Betty into the kitchen in front of her. Justin looked up with a look of bemused curiosity. Hilda started to hum as Betty held her hands in front of her clasped around an imaginary bouquet of flowers with Henry's engagement ring sparkling on her finger. "Here comes the bride…" Hilda sang out, delicately holding up an imaginary veil between her perfectly manicured and painted finger nails and walking one step behind Betty. Hilda wailed out "… all dressed in whi-i-i-ite!"

Justin jumped up with a surprised expression "Aunt Betty, really? Is it true!" he clapped his hands in glee. He knelt down and pretended to touch the hem of the imaginary gown. He exclaimed "Is it Valentino? Vera Wang?" He said "Say it isn't so!" while obviously wishing it was so. Hilda laughed, Betty giggled and Justin admired her ring. He then pretended to admire bows and puffed sleeves and other details of the dress. Justin delighted in describing Betty's amazing Cinderella transformation in as much detail as he could imagine. Betty blushed and smiled. The sisters had imagined their own and each other's wedding day many times over the years, but not as often after Justin was born. They always imagined with hope and optimism that the day would be the start of a life as 'happily ever after' as any fairy tale could ever be.

Suddenly the door opened and Ignacio entered the room carrying a bag of groceries. He saw Hilda and Justin fussing over Betty admiring her ring and describing her wedding. The sight sent Ignacio into a state of nervous shock. "No! It can't be. Mija! Tuscon? No – you are killing me." he protested. He placed his hand to his chest and shuddered. He looked pale.

"Papi" screamed Hilda grabbing the bag of groceries from him. Betty took his arm and led him to his comfortable chair. Hilda shouted "Justin, bring your grandpa a glass of water!" while Betty reassured Ignacio by explaining that getting married was the furthest thing from her mind.

"I'm giving the ring back to Henry today" Betty announced. She was sure of her decision. It was sad but she could not continue her relationship with Henry. His sudden reappearance back into her life and his proposal had stirred up a lot of strong unresolved emotions inside her but she was very sure of one thing. She had moved on. The life he offered her was something which she had at one time sincerely thought was her fairy tale coming true but that was definitely over.

"And Rome?" Ignacio asked obliquely, not needing to explain himself further. Hilda and Justin turned to look at Betty. Betty knew what he was asking. It wasn't a question of whether she would be traveling or not although that was part of it. It was a question about her and Gio. Of the answer to this question, Betty was less sure. She was hopeful and nervously excited about being together with Gio. Was this the beginning of her 'happily ever after'? But starting a relationship with Gio and going on a huge trip at the same time seemed much too impulsive and more than a little risky. It was Claire's admonishment to not play it safe that convinced her to say yes. Left to herself she would never have had the nerve to say yes. It feels right. She hoped she knew her own mind. Adopting a tone more confident than she felt she said "Yes, Papi. I'm going to Rome. I want to go to Rome. But don't fret about it. I promise you I will be back in New York safe and sound in a month." Ignacio and Betty were both well aware that she had carefully avoided answering his real question.

Gio turned his van into the parking lot. Shielding his eyes from the glare of the sun reflecting off the car's windshields he searched for an empty spot. The lot was crammed with cars of the players and spectators for the Elle versus Mode baseball game. Gio was late arriving and cursed out of habit as he drove farther and farther away from the entry to find a spot. His hope of finding a good spot faded and eventually he found one in a remote corner and quickly turned into it before another car could take it. Feeling relieved that he was finally parked and he was already attired in his baseball gear he grabbed his glove, the orange baseball hat and cell phone and hopped out. Just as he was locking the doors his cell phone rang.

"Ma! Where have you been? I left you three messages to call me since yesterday afternoon!" Gio said with exasperation.

Gio's mother answered "I was out at my book club last night. We talked so late I didn't want to call after I got home. You might think I lead a tame life but let me tell you - people who read a lot have very interesting lives! We have imagination and we get very carried away with our views almost to the point of obsessing. Who am I kidding? Of course we obsess over the stories we read! Gio, what did you call me about?"

"Yes, Ma, I know. I know all about your beloved book club! But I have something serious to ask of you. My friend Betty has agreed to come to Rome with me and you'll need to let Grandpa and Grandma know there will be another guest at their 60th anniversary festivities. And talk to Auntie R too. Tell them to expect one more guest at their son's wedding. Is that going to be okay? I don't want them to go crazy about last minute changes to the guest list. Tell me you'll take care of it, okay? I don't want them freaking out when I show up with a date."

"Who is this Betty? Is she that red-haired girl that Antonella was telling me about?"

Gio had been concentrating on his call but he suddenly noticed the other people rushing by him to get to the game before it started. "No. Nella is making up stories; do not believe anything she says. Ma, listen, this is really important. It has to be perfect. But I have to go now!" he said urgently and ended the call. He slipped the phone into his pocket, checked that his shirt and pants were smoothed properly, tightened his laces, and put on his hat twisting it slightly to one side.

Gio jogged to the entry. He was eager to see Betty. He was unaware of the big happy grin he wore on his face. He'd been walking on air and happier than he'd ever been in his life since the moment Betty has agreed to go to Rome with him and he didn't care who knew it. Nothing he'd experienced before came close to this feeling of euphoria. He was committed to making their trip the best one possible and the most romantic. Every detail would be planned perfectly. He knew Rome, since he'd visited the city a few times before, but he'd also purchased and studied a few up-to-date guide books just to make sure he was fully prepared.

Gio had not slept well the night before, he had lain awake thinking about their hotel accommodation. He imagined they would share a room and a bed of course. He'd imagined them together many a time before. But this was real and it was now. He was more than a little excited about the prospect but his excitement was mixed with nervousness. He needed to ask her about sleeping arrangements today so that he could make the hotel reservations. It was going to be a bit awkward and he wasn't quite sure how he would broach the subject. This was not a problem he was used to dealing with. In prior relationships the first time had occurred very naturally without much talk or planning before hand. And the fact that he cared very deeply about Betty and what she thought of him was not making it any easier. Gio knew Betty was very shy and reserved, and he found it enjoyable to tease and joke with her because of it. But he also knew that locked inside her was a hot and passionate woman. He had met that woman for a split second during their kiss in the deli. He was confident that he could liberate that woman if given half a chance. And he was sure there was no way that a trip to Rome would not give him far more chance than he needed.

Gio walked onto the baseball field just as the game was about to start. He spotted Betty talking animatedly with Amanda and Marc and sauntered quickly towards them.