In My Heart (Three or Four)

By Mary

Disclaimer: I still don't own Ugly Betty or any of its' characters. They belong to ABC, Silent H productions, etc. I am just borrowing some of them for just a bit and will return them to their regularly scheduled programming shortly.

A/N 1: This story is the next one in my series "From the Heart" and follows after "Amor Caliente".

A/N 2: This series is dedicated to all my wonderful friends over at I-C. All the ladies there have been fantastic muses and terrific inspiration!!! Thank you all!!! This story takes place about 2 months after the events in "Amor Caliente".

Chapter One

Betty tiptoed out of the bedroom she and Henry shared as the darkened skies above New York City began to lighten with the first rays of dawn. She quietly used the bathroom, and then walked into their kitchen, pulling down a glass for some ice water. She poured her drink, and then walked back into the living room to sit. As she sat on the couch, she stared out the window, not seeing the city waking and stirring to life below her.

The past two months had been incredible. She had come back from her "vacation" with Henry even more in love than ever. They had quickly found an apartment and had settled into their relationship. Their first Thanksgiving as a couple had been celebrated by a dinner filled with laughter and stories from Ignacio and Hilda. Henry had laughed along with the Suarez family as Ignacio and Justin each took turns beating everyone in dominoes.

Now December and Christmas were slowly creeping up on them. Betty was going with Henry after work to pick up a real Christmas tree. Betty knew she should be more excited, this was her favorite time of year but Betty was never more scared in her life as she was now.

Something was wrong with her!!

She had been feeling more tired than normal for the past couple of weeks, since right after Thanksgiving. She'd been starting to feel like she couldn't concentrate at work lately, then there had been the dizzy spells.

Betty had gotten lightheaded at work more than once the past week; Once right before a staff meeting she'd stumbled in the hallway. She'd managed to right herself and pass it off as sheer clumsiness, but when she had stood up from her desk and went to deliver a fax to Daniel and everything swayed nauseatingly, Betty had clutched the edge of her desk and glanced around nervously hoping no one had seen her. Betty knew that she was beginning to worry Henry also. She caught him looking at her with concern on more than one occasion recently. Betty wished she could reassure him that everything was fine, but she was too scared.

Scared she was going to die young like her mother…..

Henry woke slowly, not feeling the solid warmth of Betty next to him. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, feeling for his glasses. He swung his legs over the side of the bed as he stood and headed for the kitchen. As he passed the bathroom he heard the shower running. Henry paused outside the door, contemplating surprising Betty in the shower but thought better of it. He continued into the kitchen where he poured himself a cup of coffee that Betty had started.

Henry sighed and ran his fingers through his bed hair, sticking it up further. He knew something was going on with Betty; he just couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was. Things were perfect as far as Henry was concerned. They had found this perfect apartment and Henry was deliriously in love with Betty and was sure she felt the same way. Henry was worried that the stresses of working at MODE and so recently moving in together were taking a toll on Betty and maybe she was having second thoughts about them. Henry shook his head to clear the negative thoughts away as he heard the bathroom door open. Henry carried his coffee cup into the bedroom as he watched Betty walking around, picking out her outfit for the day. She had her head wrapped in a towel and her skin was pink and sweet smelling from her shower. Henry felt his groin tighten as her scent drifted over him.

"Henry!" Betty exclaimed, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." Henry crossed over the carpet and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her as she stood looking into their closet.

"You didn't." Henry said, nibbling at her neck, "I just missed you next to me this morning." Betty bit her lip and stiffened as Henry stopped and turned her around to face him.

"Betty, something's wrong. Please talk to me, tell me what's bothering you!" Henry said softly, his eyes searching hers tenderly. Betty looked up at him, his dark brown eyes moving over her face. He looked so cute in the morning with his hair mussed and a shadow of stubble that Betty couldn't bear to upset him. She quickly smiled up at him as she hugged him close. Betty felt Henry's arms tighten around her as she whispered to him that everything was fine. She buried her nose in his t-shirt, inhaling that scent that was uniquely Henry as her eyes filled with tears.

She just hoped he wouldn't be too mad when he found out how sick she was..

TBC………