A/N: This is just a short 3 chapter story, so here's Chapter Two for you. Thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed!! Thanks to all my friends over at I-C who always give me the best inspiration.
Chapter Two – Sunday and Henry
Betty and Henry met on Sunday morning. They went out to brunch together and then went to the Natural History Museum. They spent hours looking at the exhibits and just being together. They studied the dioramas of early man, looked at the Star of India, and listened to the history of the universe at the Planetarium. They finished up the day at the Queens Botanical Gardens. As they walked through the rose gardens Henry found a bench for them to sit on in the fragrant display. Betty sat down on the bench as Henry stood in front of her for a moment, looking as if he were trying to figure out what he wanted to say.
"Henry, there's something I need to talk to you about. I'm sure you already know what it is." Betty said. Henry smiled down at her as he walked over and sat down next to her.
"Betty….I'm leaving tomorrow to go back to Tucson. I hope that you want to talk and let me know that you've made a decision." Henry said, taking her hands in his. Betty looked over at his hopeful face.
"Henry…." Betty began, "I've enjoyed the time that we've spent together the past few days. And I want you to know that even though I was shocked by your proposal I have been thinking about it for the past couple of days."
"Plus the offer that Gio made you I take it?" Henry said quietly.
"Well yes Henry." Betty said, "Look Henry, I've been really confused and pulled in two directions lately. I didn't think you would be coming back since the baby's been born and like I told you when you came back the first time earlier this year, I can't get my heart broken again. I know the time we had together was worth it even though you're leaving again, but I'm not sure where my life is heading right now and being here with you is wonderful but…"
"But what? Did you….have you stopped loving me?" Henry asked looking down in his lap.
"No Henry that's just it. I DO love you. But right now I can't make any life-changing decisions. I can't go to Rome with Gio……and I can't marry you." Betty said as Henry looked up at her and sighed deeply.
"I had a feeling that's what you were going to decide." Henry said, "I guess I was still living in that fantasy where everything would work out and we could both finally be happy. But I guess that would be too easy huh?" Henry finished with a hollow chuckle.
"That's what I want Henry. To finally be happy; but I think right now for me to start on the path to being happy I have to be happy with myself and I think that means I need to be on my own." Betty said. She reached into her purse and pulled out the ring Henry had given her tied around a pink ribbon. She untied the ring and held it out to him.
"Here, I want to give this back to you." Betty said as Henry shook his head.
"You keep it for right now Betty. I'm not asking for you to wait for me and I'm not asking you to put your life on hold; just keep it for someday, maybe." Henry said. Betty tried to smile as she saw the tears in Henry's eyes. She tied the ring back onto the ribbon and tucked it securely in her purse. Henry reached over and smoothed away a strand of her hair from her face.
"Betty I know you need time and space and I'll give you all of it that you need. But I want you to know that even though I'm leaving and that we're not getting married right now that I will never stop loving you. You've got my email address and my phone number. If you ever just need someone to talk to or you need anything I'll be here for you no matter what." Henry said. Betty reached over and pulled him into a hug as she buried her face against his shoulder.
"Henry I do still love you. And who knows what's going to happen in the future. I can't cut you out of my life completely, not when we've shared so much together the past two years. I just can't commit myself to a relationship until I'm ready to give myself to it completely. There are so many things I still hope to accomplish." Betty said.
"And you will; I know you will." Henry said, "You're a strong woman and I know you're going to become a great writer." Henry tightened his arms around her as they held each other.
"I'm going to miss you, more than you know." Henry said after a while.
"I know…and I'll miss you too." Betty said. They sat together for a few minutes more and then Henry pulled back from her.
"How about we go and get some ice cream. My treat." Henry said. Betty smiled as he stood and held out a hand to her. They left the park hand in hand as they set out into the New York evening. Betty was relieved that she hadn't lost Henry as a friend and an important person in her life.
And maybe something else……someday.
TBC……...
