Betty slipped into Henry's long, muscular arms, pulling the thin blanket over her; her mind on overload. She pressed herself back against him on the narrow couch to avoid the potential of winding up on the floor later in the evening, but more importantly, to seek safety, solace, predictability. Everything Gio was not. Henry exemplified the saying, "what you see, is what you get" and she loved that about him. He was sweet and loving and although he could be complicated at times (mostly where Charlie was concerned, or Gio for that matter), overall, he was simple. He was the color brown. Dependable and practical. She knew his likes and his dislikes. He loved her, she loved him. It was an easy equation. They fit. They were not flamboyant people. They were normal, everyday average people and anyone could see that they were right for each other. Couldn't they? She closed her eyes tightly and shook her head as the shadows of doubt lay like a wet blanket over that final thought. If they were meant for each other, why was she imagining what it would feel like to lay here in Gio's arms, versus enjoying being lovingly encased in Henry's? Was she an emotional cheater?

Gio was agitation and heart palpitations and the unexpected. Gio brought out a side of her that most people didn't. She had always taken pride in herself for being a patient person, even keeled… level headed. Gio made her a snapper, sarcastic, prickly. What was the word people used? SNARKY! She didn't yell at people on a normal basis, but she always amazed herself with her immediate reactions to his taunts. Even Henry had said something to her after first meeting Gio at Wicked and how quickly she had responded to him about picking up a trampy blonde. "Betty," he had said, "that was really unlike you to attack someone for no reason or for any reason at all." She had mumbled something about Gio being a pig and that he had deserved it and Henry had let it drop with a strange look on his face.

But tonight, tonight something different had happened. Something she had been afraid of for quite some time. She had let her guard down and let him in just a little bit more. Gio had not been like a little kid poking a stick at a monkey through its cage. He had been thoughtful, charming and oh so easy to be with. He was a true gentleman and she had actually trembled when he had extended his hand so chivalrously for her to climb up on the carriage. Tonight he had played a whole different game and yet, even she knew it was not a game. She truly sensed his concern for her happiness. He had made it ALL about her. Her throat constricted at the thought of it. It was a rare day when it was all about her and somehow he had made her birthday more special than anyone else had ever been able to do, Papi's cupcakes included. She bit her lip as she felt her heart hammer in remembrance of the feel of his hand wiping hot chocolate from her cheek. So gentle…

Her face flushed. He had teased her that day she had lied to Daniel and told him he was her boyfriend, but now, after this evening, there was no doubt in her mind that Gio would be a gentle lover and yet, based on the way he had swiveled his hips that day they had danced, he would be energetic as well. She gasped, horrified with herself and sat up abruptly, causing Henry to moan uncomfortably at being disturbed. Cautiously, she peeked over her shoulder, hoping that she might have awakened him so he would talk to her and change the track that her traitorous mind was taking. To her disappointment, Henry nestled his face into the pillow and breathed a sleeping sigh. Betty turned and slid her palm down the angles of face and leaned over to kiss his forehead. She smelled the spiciness of his cologne and couldn't help but compare it to Gio's clean fresh soapy smell. It was ironic really, that it wasn't the reverse. She loved Henry's cologne, but tonight, leaning against Gio, her face so close to his neck… Ugh! She stood up in self disgust and ran to her room to take a shower, hoping that would help steer her away from this obsession with Gio.

Betty stood under the spray of the hot shower, relieved to get the stickiness and smell of the hot chocolate off of her. She giggled as she thought of Gio trying to make her feel better by teasing her that instead of getting a new cup of hot chocolate they could just wring out her dress and save 1.95. He really had been wonderful. She still could not get over his sincerity when he told her how nice she was and how she deserved some fun. And what had she done after all he had gone through and said? She had left him, with her tail between her legs and a ridiculous good bye. Shame overwhelmed her.

EARLIER…

Betty's face shone as she lost herself in the glitter of sparks falling from the construction workers welder. She felt Gio's arm holding her lightly from behind and it felt nice, not uncomfortable. Her head fit just right against his chest. She was lost in the moment. As if on queue, and perhaps just in time, the construction worker called down to them from his perch. "Hey, lovebirds, sorry to disappoint ya, but we gotta stop, it's quitting time. You can come back tomorra if ya want."

Lovebirds? Betty panicked and immediately jerked away from Gio, bumping her shoulder into the carriage in her haste. If her eyes hadn't deceived her, he had actually turned red and coughed in embarrassment, as he reluctantly dropped his arm from around her waist.

"OW!"

Gio immediately reached out his hand to stroke her shoulder in comfort. "Oooo Betty, are you ok?"

Adjusting her glasses in a nervous panic, Betty stammered…"I'm fine, I'm fine. I… this was…, Gio, you really shouldn't have…"

Gio cut her off by extending his arm out in front of him and shook his head with his eyes closed, warding off any further comments. "Betty, please. It's ok. I told you, I wanted you to be happy and I knew that Eggy…" He held up his hands in mock defense at Betty's defensive glare. "Sorry, Henry. When Amanda told me about Henry's message…"

It was Betty's turn to interrupt, as she finally puzzled over why Gio had the message from Henry. "Wait, when did you see Amanda to get my message?"

Gio shuffled his feet and looked down at the ground. This girl was going to think he was a total sap. "I uh, I brought you a piece of birthday pie." He looked at her, waiting for a reaction, his lips pursed, his eyebrows raised.

"Pie?" She felt a flutter in her chest. "You brought me a piece of pie?" Her mind shifted to Amanda's comments about Gio liking her and she had blown it off then, but, maybe, just maybe Amanda had been right. It frightened her or did it thrill her? She had thought he just got a kick out of tormenting her. The carriage ride was one thing. He was trying to make her feel better, but the pie? He had brought her a piece of pie before he knew that Henry was blowing her off completely. Intrigued, she spoke, her voice soft, "What kind of pie?"

"Key Lime."

"Gio! How did you know I liked Key Lime pie?"

Gio shook his head laughing. "Betty. You don't think I see you drooling all over the dessert display when you come into the shop? I always have to wipe off the smudge marks from your hands and face being pressed up against the glass, right around the key lime pie." He mimicked the action of wiping a smudge from the glass.

Betty looked up at his smirking face and let her arm fly, hitting him in the arm. "GIO! You do not!"

Gio grabbed his arm in mock hurt. "Hey, hey, Laila Ali, easy, easy."

Betty rolled her eyes, a wide grin on her face. "Tsk, that didn't hurt."

"Says you!" He sobered and looked at her thoughtfully. "So Betty, did you have a nice birthday?"

His question didn't surprise her as much as the tone of his voice when he asked it. It hinted of vulnerability and hope.

"Sure Gio," she answered nonchalantly, suddenly cautious about letting him know just how much she had enjoyed it. "It was… nice." Her voice fell a little flat and she cursed herself. It had been more than nice, but something in her would not allow her to elaborate.

Gio tried hard not to be deflated. Perhaps he was wrong in thinking the spark of fire he thought he saw in Betty when he was around meant she felt a little something for him.

"Nice?"

"Well Gio, it's just that…"

"No no, Betty, it's ok. It's good, I get it." He glanced at his watch trying to hide his disappointment. "Wow, it's late. I better get Snowflake back to my cousin or she'll make the rest of my family boycott the shop." He smiled brightly, his insides twisting. "And not to mention, I am sure your family is worried about you and Henry too," he added for his own benefit, as well as Betty's. He never should have thought that he could replace Henry in her heart.

"Gio," Betty spoke hesitantly, hating herself for making him feel bad, but still unable to rectify it.

Gio ignored her and flipped open his cell phone and punched speed dial. "Hey, Uncle Hector, how you doin? I need to get a cab down at 7th Ave and 54th to head over to Jackson Heights. Yeah, yeah, thanks. Oh and hey, DON'T send cousin Manny ok? He drives like an idiot." Flipping the phone shut, he turned to Betty. "You are all set."

"Gio, I can take the train and what about you? How are you going to get Snowflake back without a wheel?"

"No train Betty. You don't need to spend the rest of what is left of your birthday on a smelly train or sitting here on the curb with me. Snowflake and I will be fine." He had walked around to the front of the carriage as he spoke and patted the horse. "Won't we Snowflake?" He kissed the horse on the nose and Betty's eyes widened; Gio had layers. "I'm going to call my cousin and have her bring another wheel, and we will be set."

Betty spotted the cab coming around the corner and realized she didn't really want to leave. "I can stay with you."

Gio shook his head vehemently as he opened the door to the cab and gestured for Betty to climb in. "No, no, I'll be fine Betty." He moved to the front door of the cab and shook the cabbie's hand, exchanging money that Betty had not even seen him pull out of his wallet. "Hey, Najam, how you doing buddy? Take care of her alright? Let me know if I am short."

The cabbie laughed and Gio grinned good-naturedly and waggled a warning finger in return. He hit the top of the cab to signal good bye and Betty frantically rolled down the window, but it would only open half way. She leaned her face towards the opening and stuck her hand out the window.

Gio looked at her quizzically and took her hand. She shook it awkwardly, exclaiming, "Thank you Gio."

He smiled, a hint of sadness in his eyes and brought her hand to his lips, kissing her hand ever so gently, causing Betty to hold her breath. "Feliz cumpleaño Betty." He released her hand and signaled to the cabby to pull away and waved good bye as the cab rolled down the street.

Najam looked at Betty in the review mirror, noticing her state of ambivalence.

"A good man that one."

Betty's head fell back on the seat in frustration, tears pricking the corner of her eyes. " I know."

End flashback

Betty slapped her hand against the shower wall and turned the knob off aggressively. Gio may bring out the worst in her temper, but he also expected the most from her. He believed that she could do great things and would never allow her to settle. He supported her, challenged her and went out of his way for her, not just tonight, but so many other times as well. She had behaved poorly and her father would be ashamed of her lack of manners, but no more than she was at this very moment. She owed him an apology and a real thank you and tomorrow she was going to do it.

Hurrying down the street, Betty reviewed her morning. She had almost been outright rude to Henry when he had woken her up at seven o'clock with a soft kiss on the cheek as he caressed her hair away from her face. She pondered on the reasons why and assessed that it was for a variety of factors that she didn't really want to grasp at this moment. Lack of sleep, guilt, resentment for standing her up on her birthday and for even getting Charlie pregnant for that matter and a crazy desire to see Gio as soon as possible with little to no distractions, and yes, more guilt. Henry had moped a little when she told him she had plans and that she would call him later when she was done, but he had conceded rather quickly, probably out of his own guilt that he had ruined her birthday. Her gait transferred to a run as she approached Gio's sandwich shop. She had to get this over with before she changed her mind and ran back home.

Swinging open the door, Betty's eyes widened at chaos. Rolls were spread out on every table, some sandwiches under construction and Gio was running from one end of the shop to another like a mad man, telling a handful of people Betty had never seen before what to do.

Gio turned quickly as the bells over the door rang, cursing the fact that he would have to handle a customer in the midst of the mess. His eyes widened in shock at the sight of Betty standing at the door, wringing the straps of her purse in her hands. She had never looked cuter. Composing himself, he approached her.

"Betty? What are you doing here?"

Betty panicked and motioned to go back out the door. "I am sorry Gio, I just wanted to…" She stopped mid sentence as he grabbed her arm and pulled her back in the door, yelling to the people in the room. "Everyone, this is Betty. She is another angel here to help."

Betty waved meekly as the room erupted in a chorus of greetings.

Gio patted her shoulder. "Great timing Betty. UNCLE SAL! Toss me another apron for the pretty lady here!"

Betty blushed at Gio's words and the feel of his fingers whispering against her neck as he placed the apron over her head and the warmth of his hands as he proceeded to grab her waist and turn her around to tie it in the back. She felt warm and tingly and utterly speechless as he grabbed her purse and hung it on the coat rack by the door and drew her towards a table where a diminutive, white haired woman of eighty or so stood layering baguettes with spinach and sautéed mushrooms. "Bisabuela, this is Betty. Betty, this is my great grandmother." Gio beamed as his great grandmother ran her hand down Betty's face and spoke appreciatively, "lindo cara"

Gio nodded his head in agreement and spoke in Betty's ear. "I am so glad you are here Betty. I am in a real bind. I had a call on my answering machine last night from a woman whose caterer got a case of the food poisoning and couldn't cater her luncheon for one hundred people today. We've got to be done by twelve thirty so we only have a couple of hours. This could be a really big break for me."

"Gio, I…" Her eyes flew open and she let out an exclamation of shock as Gio snapped her bottom with a swish of the dishtowel that had been hanging at his waist and moved away, admonishing her with his trademark grin, "No talking, get busy!" She closed her open mouth at the soft giggle from his great grandmother and the feel of plastic gloves being thrust in her hands.

The next couple of hours progressed quickly and Betty could not help but be impressed at how capably Gio handled the pressure of a last minute request and the management of inexperienced workers. She watched in awe as he moved from table to table, working with his family and friends, offering words of thanks and encouragement and whipping together side salads and tempting sandwiches. She was knocked out of her trance at the feel of a tiny elbow in her side. Horrified, she looked down at Gio's great grandmother and bit her lip hard as the older woman winked at her knowingly. This could get messy.

Clearing her throat to hide her embarrassment, she made her way over to Gio, who called out as she reached him. "Ok, people, we are done. Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart. My assistant Betty here will help me deliver our delicious lunch to my customer and when I get back, cerveza's and wiches are on me!" Betty once again closed her gaping mouth as the cheers erupted and she allowed herself to be led out the door into Gio's van, without protesting.

Betty surveyed the inside of the van, which had changed considerably since the last time she had been in it. "Wow."

Gio looked around his van with pride. "Looks good doesn't it? My cousin Juan owns a body shop down neck and he fixed it up for me so my customers would know I was legit."

Betty shook her head. "Gio, just how big is your family?"

Gio shrugged his shoulders in response. "We stopped counting. I am not even sure who is related to me anymore and who isn't. My mom just really loves people and she always says, "the more the merrier," so we stopped worrying about who was family and who wasn't and focused more on who is always there for us, whether it is to party, mourn, pitch in or just relax and have a bite to eat or play a game of domino's."

Betty smiled sweetly and determined that Gio's family's philosophy was spot on. In fact, in most cases, Gio's approach to life was admirable, when he wasn't be obnoxious, he truly focused on the positive. He did not dwell. It impressed her. They drove the rest of the way in silence as he navigated the directions and construction around the city, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

"Woooo Hooooo! That was OFF THE HOOK!" Gio bellowed as they drove away in the van. He was euphoric, not just due to the bank roll of money that sat in his pocket from a very grateful client, but because he had just spent a great day with one of his favorite people, making up for the misery he had felt last night at her departure. Henry aside, he had to believe that she enjoyed his company in some way or she would not have shown up at his store this morning. He looked over at Betty, his smile bright and immediately sobered at the expression on her face. She looked miserable.

"Betty? What's up? You ok?"

"No," she answered despondently. "Stop the van."

"Betty?"

"I am sorry Gio, stop the van." Her voice rose in mild panic.

"Ok, OK, there is a little park up the road, I will pull over there."

His concern grew as he pulled over and Betty immediately jumped out of the van, her agitation evident. He hopped out of the van and watched as she paced, literally talking to herself, her arms flapping against her sides as she wrestled with her feelings.

"Betty?" he asked again, softly.

Her voice came out louder than she had anticipated. "Why do you have to complicate everything GIO!?"

Gio approached her, reaching out for her hands and Betty backed away. "Betty, I am sorry; I was in a zone. I was so psyched about what this could do for my business, that I didn't even think that you might have other plans with… with Henry."

Betty whirled on him. "What are you talking about? This is not because you made me stay. You make me feel things Gio and I don't like it!" Her heart hammered in her chest as she watched Gio's eyebrow raise and a slight grin form on his face.

"Oh yeah? What kind of things Betty?"

"SHUT UP GIO!" she responded vehemently, turning away from him, hating him and yearning for him at the very same time.

He held his hands up in defense, "Ok, Ok, I am sorry."

Betty began rambling. "I came here to apologize for last night. I freaked and left in such a hurry and I didn't tell you what a wonderful time I had and I was horrified that I had hurt your feelings because it was one of the best birthday's I ever had and I don't know if that was because I was so down about how my plans got turned around or because you were so thoughtful and charming and…"

"Ooooo, go on." Gio teased.

"SHUT… UP… GIO!!"

Gio shut his mouth abruptly, realizing his smart mouth could blow the whole thing but bursting with excitement that he was getting the fiery Betty that intrigued him so much.

Her voice lowered to the point he could barely hear her and she sounded exhausted and his heart felt heavy that she was so tormented. "You scare me."

"Why," he asked sincerely, somewhat afraid of the answer.

"You make me feel so many emotions. Anger, happiness, exasperation, frustration…"

"That's not sounding too good Betty," he teased half-heartedly.

"You make me feel special and capable and powerful and… excited." Her hands covered her face and her body trembled slightly as her emotions threatened to get the best of her.

Gio frowned, afraid he had pushed her too far. His hand reached for her wrist to guide her back to the van, but she stayed still.

Her voice was barely a whisper. "I just wanted to come back and thank you properly for last night and tell you how much it meant to me that you were there for me. That you are always there for me." She dropped her hands from the side of her face and stared at him intently.

He shuffled his feet. "Betty, I"

She stepped forward before over thinking her actions and her arms enveloped him, pulling him closer as she buried her face in his neck, murmuring her thanks. She could feel the pulse in his neck throbbing and her own heart pounded harder as his arms wound around her body and pulled her closer, her soft chest cushioned against his harder one, the muscles of his thighs pressing up against hers. Everything seemed to fit in the right place. He rocked her slightly in comfort, sensing her distress and she stayed there, allowing her shivering limbs to settle. Betty wasn't sure how long they stayed in their embrace, but what she knew was, she didn't want to leave and suddenly her future became clear. Pulling back slightly, she kissed the side of Gio's cheek and murmured as he nuzzled into her for more contact. Reluctantly, she pulled from his embrace, now knowing what it felt like to be in his arms. She looked into his expressive dark eyes and saw patience, acceptance and understanding.

"I just need to…I still love him but…"

"I know."

"I'll need some time."

"I know that too." He grinned ever so slightly.

A tear trickled down the side of her cheek and he immediately caught it with his thumb and brought it to his lips. "I'll be here Betty Suarez." He jerked his head towards the van. "Let me take you home.

She smiled as he opened the door for her and held her hand as she climbed aboard. Twenty-four was going to be an interesting year. Betty knew now, she had not stayed away from Gio because Henry had asked her to… she had stayed away from Gio because she was afraid. Afraid to wonder, to wish… That was no longer the case.