Author's Note : Okay, this is a new fic. On the Instant Connection Henry/Betty fansite, we have pondered just where Season 2 will pick up - maybe right after the finale or maybe in real time, four months later. This fic goes under the idea that it picks up four months later and that the finale issues have basically been resolved. It is a Henry/Betty and more...a surprise. As usual, dedicated to those that inspire me in the HB Chat Room every night !! You guys are the greatest.

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Chapter 1

She stood with her arms resting on the railing of the ferry. Looking out over the water. She sighed and took a deep breath. After a few minutes, she felt a presence behind her and arms soon wrapped around her. She leaned back into them gratefully, hugging the arms to her. He moved her hair from her neck and rested his chin on her shoulder so he could whisper in her ear.

"What are you thinking about ?"

She sighed.

"I was thinking that when I look out across this water and I feel the wind on my face and your arms around me, I am so peaceful. And, I wish……"

She turned in his arms so she was facing him and he brushed her hair from her face.

"I wish that Hilda could find just a little peace. She is still in so much pain, even after four months. I can't do anything to help her. And, I feel so guilty….."

He frowned.

"Why do you feel guilty ?"

She smiled.

"Because I have you."

"Betty."

"I mean it, Henry. I know I shouldn't and I am so glad that everything with Charlie, the baby and Dr. Farkas came out as quickly as it did and that you were back here within a month."

She looked up at him and smiled before she continued.

"I needed you. With everything that happened, I really did and then you were here. And, even though I knew about the Dr. Farkas connection with Charlie, I couldn't focus on that with Hilda, Justin, Daniel and Mrs. Meade…..it was just too much."

She leaned into him resting her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms tighter around her and rubbed her back.

"I know, sweetheart. I know. I am glad I figured it out and got back here too."

They stood like that for a few more minutes and then Henry stepped back slightly and lifted her chin with his fingers. He leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips like he had done a million times before since he had been back and then he pulled away and smiled at her.

"And, we will both help Hilda. She just needs more time and we'll be there for her every step of the way. Why don't we get her to go out to dinner Friday night? We'll go somewhere away from Queens where she won't run into anyone, someplace quiet ?"

She smiled at him.

"That sounds like a good idea. Are you sure because I know you had something planned for our three month anniversary ?"

"Well, actually, that plan has nothing to do with dinner."

"Henry !"

He grinned at her and she laughed.

"What ? If you don't want……"

She lifted her arms and put them around his neck and pulled him to her before he could finish. She brushed her lips across his and lightly bit his lower lip at which point he leaned into her deepening the kiss until they were both breathless.

Her eyes smoldered as she replied to his unfinished remark.

"Oh, I want…."

He laughed and kissed her again.

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It was Tuesday night when Betty turned her key in the lock at the Suarez house and walked in.

"Hello, anyone here ?"

Her father quickly came from the kitchen, towel and wooden spoon in hand.

"Betty, mi hija, what are you doing here ?"

She feigned a hurt expression.

"What ? I can't come home for dinner on meatloaf night ?"

He laughed and as they met midway in the living room he pulled her into a hug.

"Mmm….I miss you."

She pulled away and smiled.

"I've missed you too, Dad. How is Hilda ?"

He shrugged and frowned.

"The same. She is going back to work at the salon next week. I think she is finally realizing that she has got to get out of the house. I mean, she is fine with Justin and he is doing good, but when she doesn't know I am looking I can see pain in her still."

Betty nodded in understanding.

"Well, it's good she is going back to work. She just needs time and the more things get back to normal, the better."

She dropped her head and looked at her hands. Her father lifted her face with his hand and looked at her.

"What is it, mi hija ?"

"Do you think I should have stayed ? Maybe I should have waited to move in with Henry until later, until she was better ?"

"Betty, moving in with Henry was exactly what you should have done. Hilda has to see that life goes on. She needs to see that."

Betty nodded.

"I guess you're right. Well, how can I help you with dinner ?"

He took her hand and pulled her to the kitchen.

"You can sit here at the table and talk to me. I am almost done."

She sat down at the table and he went back to work finishing dinner.

"So, how is Henry ? He didn't want to come for dinner ?"

"Oh, I'm sure he did, he loves your meatloaf. In fact….."

He interrupted her before she finished.

"I'll make you a plate to take to him."

She smiled.

"Thanks, dad. He brought home some work tonight so he was deep into numbers and spreadsheets when I left and he thought maybe I might want to spend some time with Hilda."

Ignacio pulled the meatloaf from the oven and put it on a serving plate. He got the rest of the meal into serving dishes and started to move everything to the table.

"Why don't you go call her and Justin to dinner, they are both upstairs."

"Okay."

Betty left the table and went to the stairs.

"Justin ! Hilda ! Dinner !"

Justin came bounding down the stairs first and ran into Betty's arms.

"Aunt Betty ? What are you doing here ?"

She hugged him and then pulled away. It was good to see that he was adjusting to the loss of his father even though she was sure it was still on his mind.

"If one more person asks me that. Just because I don't live here anymore, I can still come for dinner, can't I ?"

He laughed.

"Of course."

He left her and went to the kitchen and then Betty saw Hilda coming down the stairs. Her father was right, there was still so much pain in her eyes. But, when she got closer Betty saw her put on another face, for her.

"Betty, did you come for dinner ? I'm glad."

Betty smiled and as Hilda hit the bottom step she stepped forward and hugged Betty. Betty pulled her tighter and patted her back.

"Me too."

They walked to the kitchen together and sat down for dinner. It was one of their usual talkative meals and even though Betty knew Hilda was still not herself, she did participate in the conversation and seemed to be content. She told Betty about going back to work next week and Justin reminded her that school started then too. Betty thought it would be good for both of them to be around other people.

Once dinner was finished, Ignacio recruited Justin to help him with the dishes and Betty and Hilda went outside to sit on the front steps. They just sat for awhile and then Betty spoke.

"So, how are you, really ?"

Hilda laughed.

"Really ? Really, I feel like crap. I feel like I am empty and like there will never be anything to fill the emptiness. And, you know what ?"

Betty's heart broke for her, she couldn't even imagine losing Henry like Hilda lost Santos. Even losing him to Charlie had not been the same.

"What ?"

"I really want to feel better. I really want to be happy on some level. I just don't know how to move on."

Betty put her arm around her sister and leaned her head on her shoulder.

"You will, it just takes time."

Hilda smiled.

"I guess. So, how is Henry ? He wasn't at dinner tonight."

Betty sat back up.

"Yeah, he had work to do that he brought home. He is fine. In fact, he wanted me to ask you to come to dinner with us Friday night. We're tying this new Italian place in The Village that one of his co-workers told him about."

Hilda laughed.

"Oh right, I'm sure he wants me tagging along."

"He does, it was his idea. He thought maybe you could use a night out away from Queens."

Hilda looked at Betty and smiled.

"Really ?"

Betty nudged her with her shoulder.

"Yes, really. So, will you come ?"

Hilda thought about it for a minute and then looked at Betty and nudged her back.

"Yeah, I'll come."

Betty smiled.

"Good."

They sat for a few more minutes and then the door behind them opened and Justin came out.

"Mom, Aunt Betty, I am going up to take a shower and go to bed. Goodnight."

Justin leaned down and hugged his mom.

"Goodnight, baby. I'll come up in a bit to say goodnight."

He reached down and hugged his Aunt.

"Goodnight, Justin."

He went inside.

"Well, I guess I need to call a cab and get home. I'll call you tomorrow with the details about Friday and you can meet us there."

"You know what ? How about I come and have lunch with you tomorrow ?"

"Really ? I would love that."

Hilda nudged Betty's shoulder.

"Really."

Betty was glad she had come over.

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Henry was hunched over his desk pouring through paperwork when he heard a key in the lock. He looked at the clock, nine-thirty. He pushed his fingers under his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He needed to turn his computer off.

Betty sat her keys and the plate from her dad on the kitchen counter and walked up behind him and put her hands on his shoulders massaging them gently. He looked up at her and she leaned down and kissed him.

"You're still working ?"

"I guess I lost track of time. Let me save this and turn it off."

"Dad sent you a plate."

Henry smiled.

"Oh, good. I am starved."

She leaned down and kissed his cheek.

"I'll warm it up and meet you on the couch."

"Sounds good."

"Water ?"

"Yes, please."

Betty left him and headed to the kitchen. Henry saved his latest change to his flash drive and shut down the computer. He put all of the paperwork back in his briefcase and turned out his desk lamp.

He walked into the living room where Betty was setting his drink on the coffee table. She sat down with his plate of food and he walked over and sat down next to her. She turned sideways tucking one leg under her and handed him the plate and fork.

He dove in with appreciative moans throughout which made her laugh a couple of times.

"Hilda is going to meet us for dinner Friday."

"Good."

"Actually, she is going to come have lunch with me tomorrow, her idea. And, she is starting back to work on Monday. I guess you were right, time seems to be healing her."

"Well, she still has a ways to go, but I'm glad."

When he was done, he sat the plate on the table and downed his water.

"That was so good. Your dad makes the best meatloaf."

"I'll tell him. I'm sure he will appreciate all of those moans you made while eating."

He grinned at her and moved closer.

"You know what else makes me moan……??"

She laughed loudly and put her hands up to his chest.

"Henry !"

He ignored her attempt to stop him and moved in for a kiss. He settled his mouth over hers and she smiled into his lips. He stayed a mere whisper from her lips and she replied quietly.

"What ?"

He smiled.

"You."

Without giving her a chance to reply, he demanded entrance to her mouth which she freely gave him and he devoured her lips with his usual hunger for her. She leaned back into the couch and he stretched out beside her never losing contact with her mouth. After a few minutes of kissing, he pulled back.

"Let's go to bed."

She smiled.

"Let's."

He got up off the couch and pulled her to him. As she started to walk toward the bedroom, he reached behind her and lifted her into his arms to carry her the rest of the way. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

As he stopped so she could turn out lights on the way, she was thinking that she hoped Hilda could have this someday too.

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