So Much Beauty in the World…
CHAPTER ONE:
As he pushed the button down to the lobby and the doors closed on the elevator, Daniel sighed, closing his eyes. Having to take over the reigns of his father's company was a huge step back into the world he had left behind years ago. Back when he stupidly walked away, to follow HER, he had envisioned a very different future. One that involved him starting over in the UK, and hopefully, well...whatever he had hoped might happen back then had been a pipe dream. He knew his impulsive nature was something that endeared him to some people. But clearly, Little Miss Independent wasn't one of those people. Whatever. He had moved on. He was over HER now. Finally. Well, mostly.
He stepped out of the building and into the hot sunlight, fumbling in his jacket for his sunglasses. God, he hated the heat! He was born and bred a New Yorker, but he found he missed the somewhat milder and definitely cooler climate in Europe. He hadn't really minded the rain in England or France. Especially the UK. Okay, why the hell was he going down that road again? He blew out a breath, telling himself to get a grip and stop thinking about shit that was never going to happen when he felt his phone vibrate, and answered it without checking to see who it was, "Daniel Meade here."
"You sound happy! I take it, you're not alone, then? DId I hopefully interrupt something fun and steamy for a change, old man?"
Daniel laughed, "Old man? Who the hell are you calling an old man, old man? You're three months older than me, Becks. How's it going? Where are you? Are you in New York? It isn't even Fashion Week!"
"Ha ha! Very funny! Like I'd care about that shit now that I'm a married man anyway!"
"Ah...does the old ball and chain have you on a short leash?"
"You'd better not let Lexi hear you call her that! She'll kick your balls in and you know it! And to answer your question, no she does not! You're just jealous because you're still on the market! You'll see. You have to settle down, sooner or later."
"Excuse me, but I WAS married a long time ago, remember? Back when you were still out roaming with the wolf pack! Before "Lexi" clipped your wings."
"Wolves don't have wings, dumbass! Get your metaphors straight!"
"Hey, Lexi! How's it hanging?"
"Shut up! Sorry to cut short this delightful witty repartee you two Einsteins have going here, but I just wanted to see how things went today? Did you sign the papers? Is it done?"
"Yes, it's done, my darling sister. You and I now own controlling shares of Meade Publications. So, when are you coming back here to start driving me nuts, trying to run things again?"
"I'm almost done here. I just have to try and find someone to run the UK and Australia offices. I'm sort of looking at a nice woman from Brisbane for the Australia Meade CFO job. But I don't know what to do about UK."
"That's...in London, isn't it?"
"Very good! You were actually awake during sixth grade social studies class instead of hitting on your teacher?"
Daniel didn't bite. He knew it was Alexis' way to deal with the stress she was under to be even more sarcastic than usual.
"Sorry. I'll let you talk to my husband. I'm just…trying not to freak out. This is a big deal. I'm happy for Mom and Clive. It's just going to be weird, coming back to New York and working there after all this time. You know DJ is going to NYU, right?"
"He got in to their graduate program? That's great! He told me he was waiting anxiously to get his letter of acceptance last week. I'll call him and congratulate him. When's he coming?"
"Soon. He's probably coming with us on the plane ride. But after that, he might want to room with his "cool uncle". Just don't let him get hookers and booze, please if you do let him stay with you!"
"I'll get high quality hookers and remind him to double bag, I promise! And only the best Scotch, you have my word!"
"You're not funny one little bit, asshole! Here's Becks. Bye, sweetie!"
"Bye, bye, pumpkin! Oh, sorry, was that for you, Becksie, doll?"
Becks laughed, "Jealous much? You know, if you got back out there, and went on E-Harmony or Match dot com or something, you might actually meet someone!"
Daniel rolled his eyes, "Please! Did I ever tell you about my date with Wilhelmina Slater? The damn website matched US together, if you can imagine that! We stared at each other like we were on Candid Camera or something when we realized we were on a damn boat, leaving the harbor! The only thing we agreed on was to get OFF the boat on our "date from hell" as fast as possible! It was a fucking nightmare!"
"I thought you kissed her in the blackout in the elevator?"
"A temporary moment of insanity! And she slugged me for it!"
Becks laughed, "At least she didn't kick you in the balls!"
"True. I guess it could have been worse! Regardless, I'm NOT going on some damn dating site again, okay? I'm not THAT desperate!"
"Yet, don't you mean? Okay, okay. We'll see if you're still singing that tune when you hit fifty, grandpa! And it's not THAT far off, you know!"
"You really know how to annoy the shit out of me, you know that? Oh, hey, sorry, Becks. DJ's calling me. He's probably calling to tell me about NYU. I'll pretend to be surprised. Talk to you later!"
"Yep. See ya, Buddy!"
Daniel smiled, "Hey, Deej! How's it going?"
"Mom already told you I got in, didn't she?"
"What? What are you talking about? Got in where?"
"Oh mon Dieu! Oncle Dan-yel! You are still the worst liar ever! Yes, yes, she couldn't wait to spoil my news! Oui! I got in!"
"That's fantastic, DJ! I'm so proud of you! You're going to have such a great time there! Do you need a place to crash? Your mom mentioned you might want to stay with me for a while at least at first. She made sure and tell me to get you lots of girls and liquor while you're at my place!"
DJ laughed, "Right! I'm too sure she did! Are you sure it won't be an inconven…."
Daniel cut him off, "Don't be silly! I'd love it! You're more than welcome, anytime, buddy. You know that!"
"I won't be in the way of your love life?"
"Haha! You've been listening in to your stepdad's conversations with me, huh? I'm just fine, thank you very much! I still do alright with the ladies. But I promise I won't bring any women home while you're staying with me."
"You know who I miss?"
"Don't start with that, Deej!"
"But she was so good for you! And…"
"DJ, enough, alright? It's not up for discussion! Anyway, I'll manage. You don't have to worry about me. We can make it guy's night anytime you're not studying or out with your young friends and too busy for your old Uncle Daniel! Deal?"
"Deal! Merci! I arrive on the seventh! Can you pick me up at the airport, please?"
"Sure. Just text me the time and flight number. I'll be there with a huge embarrassing sign or something and bring Grandma with to kiss you and make sure no girls come anywhere near you. Sound good?"
"You suck!"
"I know. That's why you love me, Deej! See you next week! Bye, buddy. Love you! Oh, and congratulations!"
"Je t'adore, aussie! Merci et au revoir, Daniel!"
A week later came and went. As Daniel checked his phone for the umpteenth time, he finally called his sister to ask about his nephew's itinerary, only to be met with her answering machine yet again.
"Hey, Sis! It's me, Daniel. Your brother. You know, the one with the same father. Have you heard from your son about his flight time? I never got the flight number...wait, it's you now. Hello, Lexi?"
"Don't call me that, Danny! Only my husband gets to call me that. Listen, I'm sorry to bother you about this, but...have you heard from DJ lately?"
"Not since he called me last week, no. What's up?"
"I have no idea! He won't answer his damn phone! We got into a little fight a few days ago about his allowance and he is still pulling this shit where he thinks it's okay not to pick up the phone and freeze me out. He won't take Mom's or Becks' calls, either. He must think you're "in on it" with me or something stupid and be sending yours to voicemail, too.
The little shit! This is really not funny anymore! Becks and I have gone to everywhere he usually goes and I don't know what he has in mind! He's not there already, is he?"
"No, definitely not. LIke I said, he never gave me his flight information, so I just called like a minute ago to leave him another message and I've texted him half a dozen times over the past few days asking him when to pick him up but nothing. Did you...um...call the police just in case?"
"SHIT! Do you really think I should?"
"I don't know. Maybe. Has he ever pulled this before? Like...disappearing like this?"
"No! DAMMIT! You're right! I should call the police! I'm such a shitty mother!"
"No, you're not! Cut it out! When was the last time you actually heard from him? For me it was last Thursday. So that was five days ago."
"We had our fight two days ago. I'm hanging up and calling the police right now! I'll call you back. SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! He'd better be alright. So I can kill him!"
"I'll be there as soon as I can get a flight. I'll tell…"
"NO! For God's sake, don't tell Mom! She'll have a heart attack! Just...come!"
"Sure, Sis. I'll be there tomorrow morning. It's going to be okay. I'm sure he's fine. He's probably just being an ass cause he's mad at you. Try to...well, I'll see you soon. Love you!"
"You, too. Thanks!"
Daniel quickly made a call to the pilot who worked for his family's private jet and told him the situation and NOT to say anything to his mother to unduly alarm her about her grandson's welfare.
The moment Betty walked away from Daniel at Trafalgar Square seemed a lifetime ago, now as she thought of it. He had come there...for her, she knew. After Justin and Hilda (and Marc, and Amanda and Claire) had all made sure individually that she read his declaration in the One Hundredth issue of Mode that he clearly wanted to finally, after four years be "more than friends" how could she not know his feelings for her, just as his mother had told Betty the night of her farewell party at Mode?
Unfortunately, the timing for them had never seemed right. At first, although she was of course, immensely flattered that the former playboy and bachelor-of-the year, her super hot boss had done something so romantic (and impulsive) as quitting his job and leaving his life behind to pursue her across an ocean! (take that, stupid Sofia Reyes!) Still, Betty had been SO busy back then she could barely think straight, let alone find time to date anyone and Daniel soon felt...ignored.
She could sense he was hurt, but he never let on, of course. He was far too proud for that. In fact, he chose to save face and never mentioned directly to her that he had feelings other than friendship on his mind when he made the trip across the Atlantic. He merely made some excuse that he was going to visit his sister and nephew for a bit in Paris. He acted like he would be back in London soon. But just like he never came back from the "meeting" he told her he had to attend when he finally signed her release form, he also never came back to London.
He stayed in France for several months, and Betty heard from him once in a while; that he was traveling, spending time getting to know Tyler, then working on a non-profit in Molly's honor out west, and eventually back in New York, working with his mom, getting ready to take over his father's company. Their conversations grew increasingly shorter and less personal. Till, over the years, they only heard about one another through their friends and family.
As she rushed through the familiar busy square, she heard her name and turned, looking back up at those steps she had just been remembering and saw the junior version of the man himself. She smiled, and stopped, as he bounded down the steps towards her, "Bet-ty! I've been calling you for hours! Where have you been? We really need to talk!"
"DJ! Oh my God, it's so good to see you!" She put her arms around the young man who had grown so tall, he now towered over her. "How have you been? It's been...way too long! I almost didn't recognize you!"
"How did you?"
She shrugged, smiling, "I have my sources."
He rolled his eyes, as they both walked briskly towards a little cafe she pointed to, "Grandmere Claire, non?"
She nodded, "Yeah, of course! She came to visit me a few times last month and showed me a fairly recent picture of you. Hey, she's a proud grandma! So, what brings you to London?"
"You."
"Me?"
"Well, actually you and my stupid uncle!"
Betty furrowed her brow as they sat, drinking the iced teas they had ordered, "Your Uncle...Daniel? What's wrong with him? Is he...okay?"
He smiled knowingly, seeing the look of concern on her face, and pointed to her, "Aha! I knew you still cared for him! You do, don't you?"
"DJ...it's not that simple. Your uncle and I…"
"Are both stupid! Just because he came here and you did not have time for him...he ran away and you did not chase him, so he is too proud and you are…"
She laughed, "I swear if you say too prejudice, DJ?! Are you really going to NYU for English literature?"
"YES! But do not change the subject! No, I was not going to say this, but...perhaps it is true, non? You did not give my poor Uncle Daniel a chance because you think he is 'out of your league', am I right?"
"Well, yes. Maybe a little. I don't know. It doesn't matter, DJ. It was a long time ago. It doesn't matter anymore. That's really none of your business, anyway. Besides, you don't understand. We were only ever friends. We never…"
"Yes, you never did anything because you were too scared! And so he got scared and ran away and you both were...so ridiculous! You're like children!"
"I'm sorry, but how did you get involved, anyway? Did Daniel...put you up to this?"
"Mon Dieu, non! He does not know I am here! He would kill me if he knew I came to see you!"
"Does your mother know?"
"No, of course not….I mean….yes! Yes, of course she does. Not that I came here to see you, but…"
Betty glared at the young man suspiciously, "DJ...you are a terrible liar! Honey, does ANYBODY know you're in London? Or did you just come here without telling your family where you were?"
DJ shrugged, "You do not understand. First of all, I am a grown man now. I am no longer a child! I don't need to tell my mommy where I am all the time! And also, you don't know how he suffers! I know Daniel is not my biological father, but he is the only one who is the closest to a real father that I have.
Becks is...funny, I like him. I am happy for my mother that she married him. But they only recently got together. Daniel is like my only true papa! I love him very much. I only want him to be happy! Bet-ty, YOU made him very happy! Whether he or you admit it or not! It is true."