What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

Overview of chapter 1: Daniels father has died. In a desperate moment to forget and Betty's overwhelming need to take Daniel's pain away they sleep together. Betty feels as though Daniel regrets it and knows she's just what she never wanted to be, Daniel's one night stand.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. I already know the beginning of this chapter is going to confuse some folks but just continue reading and It will all fall into place. As always, I love to hear your feedback.

Rating: This chapter is rated PG

For disclaimers please see first chapter. Thank you.

Chapter 2

8 years later.

" Mia…about that assignment you gave me." I started but Mia just raised her eyebrow, as she turned around in her chair to face me. I had this all perfectly planned out, what I was going to say and how I was going to say it. But the moment I thought about him, my words got mixed and I had forget all my perfectly good explanations except the one big obvious one. I braved it anyway and continued on.

"I can't do it. The more obvious reason being that I have Jamie. Secondly I..I am really not about flights and traveling. You know I'm more of a land type of girl…you know preferring to live and all.-"

" Betty, you're the only one not working on a story and I really need this coverage. Daniel Meade starting his own fashion label is like huge. Really it's genius. Since he already heads a fashion magazine it only makes sense that he'd be the driving force behind some rags. At his fashion show I want you to ask invading, prying questions. I want everything he didn't mean to let go. Which is also why I really want you to go I know you'll give me a hundred and ten percent. And about Jamie, just take him with you. I mean, that's why I made sure you had two tickets. Plus you get to call a fancy hotel home for a few days. All paid for by moi. All this for a little five minute conversation with Daniel Meade. Really I'd say it is a kick ass deal." My Boss said with a smile that almost had me questioning, what was really so wrong. But Then I remembered that I hadn't seen Daniel in almost 8 years and…

" Go along now. In two days you'll be in glorious Los Angeles." In two days I would be in hell. I gave her my just kill me now smile and left her office.

I sat on the porch for a long time that night. It was nice out, it would be summer soon and Jamie's birthday was in about a week. He would be Seven. Seven years is a long time. In seven years time I had managed to become an article writer for a now very prominent Latino magazine. Although sometimes they used me as a back up copy editor to when Maria was out. Lucky I came aboard when it was just getting it's wings so I felt really proud to see the magazine blossom. Unfortunately for a while I had to take a pay cut because the company was just out and coming and so we still needed a lot of exposure and made little profit. Finally I moved out from dad and Hilda about 4 years ago. Dad had died about 2 years ago. Somehow I'm still getting used to that one. But now that the magazine was very successful I was doing ok for me and Jamie.

Jamie. He was the purpose of my existence and I loved that little boy, more than I had loved anything in my life. But there was someone who came close. His father.

My thoughts were interrupted when a just awoken Jamie came at the mouth of the balcony, where the door was slightly ajar from the apartment. He was rubbing his eyes, but when he dropped his hand his blue eyes looked like the sky after a storm. It almost knocked the wind out of me in its familiarity. God, how familiar those eyes were. They always seemed the most intense after Jamie woke up. His hair was a disarray but he was still the cutest little boy on the block, yeah maybe I'm biased.

" Mommie, what are you doing out here?" His voice was soft, little boy-ish and still a little sluggish from sleep.

"Thinking honey. Just thinking. Come here sweetie." He padded his little feet over to me and I picked him up and he laid his head against my chest, as I wrapped my arms around him.

" What do you think about going to LA with mommy on Friday?" I asked in soft tones.

" Los Angeles? Cool! Do we get to ride in an airplane?!" I was surprised at Jamie's excitement, his head jolted up and his eyes were glowing. My boy was excited about traveling.

" Yup we get to ride in a plane. You're not scared?" I asked because I sure was.

" Nope. It's gonna be so cool, wait till I tell all my friends." He jumped off me and I knew he was heading for the phone. I laughed behind him.

When Jamie was done with the phone I called Hilda.

" So what are you gonna do?" Hilda asked kind of angst-y.

" I am going to go do my job and then come home." I said with a easiness I didn't feel. No the churning, retching feeling in my stomach was definitely not calm.

" Your sure?"

"Yeah. It's what's best."

"You know I don't get back till Friday morning but I could notice Jamie until you got back."

" I probably would have taken you up on the offer. But Jamie's all excited about it now. I wouldn't dare take it away from him. Hopefully everything will be fine. It will be fine." I said hoping my words proved to be true.

The packing and getting ready for the trip was actually more of a pain than I had imagined. Jamie insisted on picking out his own clothes but when I went back to check he had forgot underwear, undershirts and socks.

Then I had the most difficult time picking out what I wanted to wear. Nothing seemed right. I mean really what was right to wear to a fashion show where everyone was likely to upstage you anyway? I will say that over the years my fashion sense had gotten better, a lot better. I still have my own funky flare but working in the business for a while you pick up a few things.

We finally got to the airport but it was night out and I could tell Jamie was tired even through all his excitement about riding in a plain. He had lasted through take-off and then was out like a light.

I couldn't fall asleep. I couldn't even get comfortable. But I knew it had nothing to do with the seats. My nerves were shot and I couldn't get my thoughts to slow down. I had that trapped feeling like I was being kept somewhere till I would be delivered some place where I knew I would be hurt and unable to stop it. Dramatic? Maybe.

The only thing that seemed to calm me was the sight of Jamie balled up, sleeping peacefully in the chair. He brought a smile to my face and most of the ride I concentrated on him. I closed my eyes briefly and said a prayer. Please let us make it safe. Please let us survive this trip and allow us to return home in one piece. Amen.

A/N: Please R/R. Thanks.