Enchanted Christmas

Betty receives a special Christmas gift that has enchanting properties that make everything more beautiful and magical. Will all this magic lead Betty to discover the love that's been waiting for her?

This story takes place after Hilda's wedding, with a little spin on certain events and shift in timeline.

Chapter 1

Betty was sitting at her desk typing on her computer when a beautifully wrapped present was plopped on her desk. She looked in surprise "Mrs. Meade! What is this?" she asked in wonder looking to the gift now sitting on her desk. The wrapping paper was blue with white and silver swirls and faint silver snowflakes, and a pretty silver bow on top. It looked so magical.

"It's a present for you" Claire smiled warmly and Betty got up and hugged the woman she admired most in the world "Thank you so much, but...why are you giving it to me now? Christmas is not until next week"

"Betty, I simply wanted to give it to you now. Actually, it's a rather special gift, that I got from my grandmother."

Betty's eyes became glossy "You want me to have it?" she asked in surprise.

Claire smiled "Betty, you are like a daughter to me. I want your Christmas to be really special"

"Thank you!" Betty hugged her again, tears filling her eyes. "That means so much to me"

Claire hugged Betty tighter, feeling her heart fill with love for this girl. She had made her life better in so many ways. She reunited her with her beloved son, she saved her from going to prison for the rest of her life, she and her family helped her sneak into the hospital to see her dying husband, she saved her son on more than one occasion, and most special to her, she inspired her son to be the man she always wanted him to be.

"Now, come on, please open it!" Claire said excitedly. Betty laughed and cheered "Eek! Ok!" she carefully unwrapped the gift and opened the box, her eyes glowing in surprise "Wow, that is beautiful!" Betty stated in awe as she carefully took out the most beautiful, intricate and magical Christmas ornament she had ever seen.

Claire smiled as she watched Betty admire it, just as she remembered doing when she'd received it from her grandmother when she was a little girl.

"This looks so magical!" Betty exclaimed in fascination. The ornament was a transparent blue on the outside with the most stunning intricate silver little snowflakes etched in the glass, the inside of the glass was also etched with the most beautiful colors in the design of lights. There was a smaller ornament inside that looked as if it was a magical snowy Christmas world.

Claire's smile grew as she said "magic surrounds those with pure hearts"

Betty looked to Mrs. Meade with tears in her eyes again.

Claire placed her hand to Betty's cheek "My grandmother told me that when she gave it to me. And you, Betty, have the purest heart I know"

Tears slid down Betty's face and she hugged her again "Thank you so much Mrs. Meade. You are so special to me. I will never forget this beautiful gift and how kind you've always been to me."

Claire smiled "And you, my dear Betty, have been the most beautiful gift to me"

Betty couldn't help but cry at hearing say such a thing to her. She wasn't even sure if there was anything she could say to possibly thank her.

"Betty, did you happen to have the-" Daniel's voice trailed when he walked in "Betty, what's wrong?" he asked seeing her in tears.

Betty took a breath and looked to Daniel "Your mom just gave me the most beautiful gift I've ever gotten!"

Daniel looked between them in surprise "really, what is it?" he asked as he came over to her. Betty held out the ornament and Daniel's eyes grew wide "Wow...that is…"

"Magical?" Betty finished, as it seemed to be glowing even more now. Daniel looked to her with a smile "yah...magical"

Their eyes met, this strange energy flickering between them. She felt butterflies from the mesmerizing look in his eyes; they seemed to be sparkling.

Daniel felt his heart race at the smile that was on Betty's face. She looked like she was glowing. How in the world had she become so freaking beautiful? She was stunning and he definitely noticed. Ever since she got her braces off she'd been looking more and more breathtaking, her smile was brighter, her clothing was more stylish, and her confidence had certainly picked up, too. He suddenly realized he was staring at her and looked to his mom, who was looking at him with a smirk.

He sighed "Mom, that sure is a beautiful ornament. Where did you get it?"

Claire smiled "My grandmother gave it to me when I was a young girl, and it was so special to me when I got it and I wanted Betty to have it because she is very special to me"

Daniel looked to Betty with a warm smile, seeing her teary eyes. He loved how much his mom seemed to adore Betty. She certainly was special, that was for sure. She was his best friend.

Betty bit her lip, feeling butterflies with how sweet Daniel was looking. He seemed to be looking extra handsome today, which was saying something, because he always looked handsome. He was wearing this bright blue shirt that seemed to make his eyes shine brighter, and the fit of it seemed to define his chest and arms and- she shook her head feeling nervous all the sudden at the train her thoughts had taken.

"I better get going now. I'm so glad you like the gift Betty" Claire said with a curious gleam in her smile as she glanced between Betty and her son before she walked away.

"Thanks again, Mrs. Meade!" Betty stated as she left. When she left, Betty looked to Daniel, her heart racing as he looked to her "Uh…I'm really glad my mom loves you so much, Betty"

Betty smiled, looking down "Me too. She's like...my second mom" she said in a soft voice.

Daniel smiled, his heart expanding, "So...uh...have any plans tonight?" he asked.

She shrugged "Not really. My sister is busy buying Christmas presents with Bobby, and Justin is hanging out with Austin, I think, and my Papi and Elena are going on a date" she said with a funny smile.

Daniel chuckled. "You still think that's weird?"

She sighed "I don't want to. Elena is...nice, and I know she makes my papi happy, it's just…"

"I know, Betty. You don't have to say it"

She looked to him with a smile again, and then held up the ornament "Look how pretty this is!" She said in awe. Daniel smiled watching her look at the ornament, her eyes were shining through her glasses, her smile was simply dazzling. "You are really pretty, Betty. In fact, you've been looking so gorgeous. You're nearly glowing today" he blurted, unable to stop himself.

Betty looked at him in surprise "Really?"

He nodded with a brighter smile "Yeah, definitely! Betty, you have to know how breathtaking your smile is, and well, you've been dressing so nice lately, and your hair is looking really pretty too!" he said as he took her in. She was wearing this rather gorgeous red wrap sweater and dark pants, her hair was straight with a few twists, and he noticed a hint of makeup around her eyes. She was definitely looking gorgeous.

"Aw, thank you so much, Daniel!" she felt flutters in her stomach. He smiled "So...if you don't have any plans...wanna go out or something? Uh! I mean, hang out?"

Betty looked at him in surprise "Are you...asking me...on a date?" she asked, her heart starting to race. He grinned "Yes. Betty, would you like to go on a date with me?"

Betty stared at him. Was she dreaming right now? Daniel Meade was asking her, BETTY, on a date!

"Tonight?" She asked to be sure. He grinned "Yes, what do you say? I can come pick you up around 7:30?"

She smiled brighter and said "Ok!"

His own smile grew brighter "Great! uh...I mean, that's cool!"

She blushed at how excited he was. She couldn't believe this. He watched her with a charming smile that gave her butterflies. What in the world was happening?

She knew things had been a bit different between them since she'd gotten her braces removed. She started to see him differently, especially after the way he looked at her. The look in his eyes had touched her heart.

And then there was Hilda's wedding. Things had become even more...different. There was this special sort of energy between them that night. It made her a bit nervous, especially when she noticed him staring at her during Hilda's speech about marrying your best friend.

They had so much fun that night. Secretly she was glad he didn't bring that annoying Trista! And she knew she really didn't want Henry to be her date. That was an entirely awkward situation. Daniel had seemed just as glad that she came alone. Except they'd come there in hopes of being together. She loved spending time with Daniel and dancing with him all night was the most fun she'd ever had in a long time. She blushed, as Daniel looked to her with a smirk "What are you thinking about?" he asked noticing this thoughtful look in her eyes and the small smile on her face.

She blushed brighter "Uh...I was just thinking... I think we haven't really spent time together since Hilda's wedding."

His eyes grew wide "Wow! You're right, and that was months ago!"

She nodded "Mhm"

He smirked "Well, then it's great that we will be going out tonight! I've missed you!" he admitted. Since Hilda's wedding, Daniel had felt differently about Betty. She'd always been special to him, but that night she became the best thing that ever happened to him. He was so grateful to have her in his life. He didn't want to ever take her for granted, so he'd really tried to become a better person these past few months.

He made amends with Tyler and now he could happily say he had a brother. Him and his mom's relationship had gotten better, too. He'd worked harder in these past months, then he'd ever worked before. He even gave more creative liberties to Wilhelmina, and apologized to Connor for betraying him by pursuing Molly, thus getting him to apologize for stealing from Meade. They were slowly becoming friends again.

He knew if Betty wasn't here to inspire him, he'd be so lost. "I'm so happy to have you in my life, Betty. I hope you know that" he admitted.

She placed the ornament back in its box and did what she wanted to do since she saw him. She pulled him to her for a big hug "I missed you, Daniel. Thank you!"

Daniel smiled and wrapped his arms around her more, pulling her in closer, her pretty scent making his heart lift. How in the world could one of Betty's hugs be better than anything else? Her hugs had always been special to him.

"Oh God, do you luvahs ever actually work?!" Marc commented as he came through. They pulled apart, blushing at his comment. Marc looked to them with a smirk "What is going on? Something's...different" he stated.

Betty blushed, and Daniel smirked, taking a glance to Betty. "We are going on a date"

Betty blushed and pushed him "Daniel, do you have to tell him?!"

Marc looked at them with a grin "Well, it's about freaking time! What the hell has taken you luvavhs so long?!"

"What?" Betty looked at him in surprise. Marc rolled his eyes "Everyone's been taking bets on when you'd both finally make a move since Hilda's wedding! I guess I win, I said it was going to be by Christmas! I should get double since it was before!" he grinned.

Betty looked to Daniel, and he shot her a playful wink. She blushed and pushed him "stop! You're the worst!"

He grinned "Am I?"

Betty rolled her eyes "Please go away now! What did you even come in here for?"

"To ask you out, remember?" he teased. She made a face "yeah right!"

He grinned "Uh, actually, I meant to ask you if you had your article done. I wanted to check it out."

She smiled "I actually just finished it. I'll print it and bring it over in a few minutes"

He nodded with a smile. "Great! See you" He said, but simply stood there staring at her. She blushed and Marc sighed at how exhausting it was watching them sometimes.

Daniel shot her a wink "bye!" he left and her smile got brighter until Marc was standing over her. She looked to him and he was grinning.

"What do you want? Shouldn't you be collecting your bet from Amanda!" she said, hoping he'd leave so he wouldn't annoy her.

"Oh, don't you worry, I will. What I want to know is what the hell are you going to wear?! Your clothes are terrible!"

"Hey! That's mean!" Betty frowned. Marc sighed "Ok...not terrible. Your wardrobe has definitely improved, but we need you looking fabulous! I'm counting on you!" he said, and she wondered what he meant, but was afraid to even ask.

"Um...I was just going to wear this" she said as she glanced down at herself, thinking that she had looked pretty. Marc pretended to gag "Oh Prada, you need my help more than ever!"

Betty sighed as he said "We're leaving work an hour early and I'm gonna make you fabulous!" he said with a grin. She looked at him strangely, but said "Fine!"

She sighed as he went back to his desk. She finished her article and sent it to print.

Before she got up she looked into the box with ornament, her eyes shining. She took it out again and stared at it in fascination, a smile crossing her face. "So beautiful" she whispered in awe. She felt so happy that Mrs. Meade gave her such a special gift that obviously meant a lot to her.

As she admired the ornament she felt she was being transported into this magical world. She placed it back inside the box carefully and smiled as she got up to get the papers from the printer, a brighter smile sweeping across her face.

She was going on date with Daniel!

Please let me know what you think! :D