Author's Note : So, this is the last chapter, I hope you enjoy it. As I mentioned before, I also plan to do a fluffy epilogue in the next week that looks into the future.

This one goes out to my homies over at Instant-Connection where the Henry/Betty posse hangs out.

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Chapter 10

Betty was working on some paperwork for Daniel when he strolled back in the office around two-thirty. He kept walking into his office as he passed her desk.

"Betty, my office, please."

She saved what she was doing on the computer and grabbed her notepad and pen before heading into Daniel's office.

"What's up ?"

He had sat down behind his desk and looked up when she spoke.

"What time is my meeting with Jim ?"

"Your attorney ? Seven o'clock at your club."

"Okay, good. I'm going to ride over to see the space for the salon, do you want to go with me ?"

Betty was going to ask him about the lunch but decided she should wait and ask Hilda but this sounded promising.

"Sure. I haven't seen it myself, although I know the general area."

"Okay, we'll leave in thirty minutes and when we are done, I'll take you by your place before I go meet Jim."

"Okay."

She wanted to say more but turned to leave his office instead.

"Betty."

She turned around.

"Yes."

"I'm going to make the investment. The business plan was exceptional. You did a great job."

She smiled.

"Well, Hilda and Henry……"

He interrupted her.

"I know, but you did a great job."

"Thanks."

She stood there for a moment not knowing what else to say and with so many things running through her head. Daniel looked at her and smiled.

"Twenty-five minutes."

She came out of her daze.

"Oh right, okay."

She left his office and headed to hers. She sat down and picked up her phone.

"Henry, Accounting."

"Hey."

"Hi. How did it go ?"

"He's going to do it. He really liked the business plan."

"Of course he is and of course he did. It was perfect."

"Thank you. Anyway, he wants to go drive by and look at the property so I am going to go with him. He said he would drop me home after, so I will see you there."

"Okay, sounds good. I should be getting out of here on-time tonight."

"I'll see you when you get home, then."

"Okay, sweetheart, bye."

"Bye."

Betty closed down her computer and cleaned up the papers she had on her desk. She called down and told Christina she was leaving for the day and then forwarded her phones to Amanda.

Daniel came out of his office a couple of minutes later.

"I'm going down to talk to Alexis before we leave and then I will be ready."

"Okay, I'll call your car and meet you at the elevator."

Daniel walked off and Betty grabbed her purse and called Daniel's car.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When Henry walked into the apartment later that night from work, there were four or five candles lit in the living room and the stereo was on the local jazz station. Betty was nowhere to be seen so he hung up his coat and headed to the bedroom. There was one candle lit in the bedroom and he could see several lit in the bathroom. He walked to the bathroom door and there she was, immersed in a steaming bubble bath that was almost overflowing with bubbles. Her eyes were closed and she looked completely relaxed with her hair piled on top of her head.

He walked back into the bedroom and took off his jacket, tie and dress-shirt and tossed them on a chair in the corner of the room. He took his shoes off and flipped them into the bottom of the closet.

He went into the kitchen and got a large plastic pitcher from under one of the cabinets and then went back to the bathroom. He grabbed a folded towel off the shelf and placed it on the floor next to the tub and knelt down on it beside her.

Before she even knew he was there, he leaned over and kissed her lips. She didn't start, instead, urged him on and leaned up to deepen the kiss. After a minute or two he pulled back and her eyes fluttered open.

"Hi."

She smiled.

"Hi."

"You look peaceful."

"I feel peaceful."

He held up the pitcher.

"I thought I'd help wash your hair."

She smiled and sat up in the tub as the bubbles slid down her body, revealing herself to him. His mouth went dry.

"That would be nice."

He swallowed, unsure if he could concentrate on the task at hand with the sight now before him. She reached up and pulled out the clips that were holding her hair in place. It fell down her back and around her shoulders. She scooted forward in the tub and he dipped the pitcher in the water and let it flow through her hair and down her back.

He reached up and got the bottle of shampoo she used and poured some in his hands before massaging the soapy substance in her hair. She closed her eyes as she felt his fingers massage her scalp and the scent of the shampoo invaded her senses. He stopped and she felt the warm water flow over her head again. He shampooed her hair again and rinsed it with clean water from the sink until all of the soap was out.

He poured some conditioner in his hands and ran it though his fingers into her hair. He knew she liked to leave the conditioner in for couple of minutes so he took this opportunity to massage the back of her neck and with his other hand he tilted her face toward him for a kiss. He kissed her thoroughly until she was practically coming out of the bathtub to him. Her wet and soapy hands had wound around his neck and into his hair. He pulled away reluctantly and kissed her nose.

"Let me rinse your hair and we'll get you out of here."

She looked at him dreamily and smiled. He rinsed the conditioner from her hair and then stood, lifting her to him and wrapping a towel around her and fastening it in the back. She leaned into him for a kiss but he held her at bay and got another towel from the shelf. He wrapped it around her hair and began to rub it through her hair drying it the best he could. When he was done, he grabbed her robe from the back of the door and slipped it around her, dropping the towel just before he closed the robe and tied the belt around her.

She leaned in to kiss him but he leaned down and put his arm under her and lifted her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he carried her from the bathroom. As he approached her side of the bed, he finally gave in to her and kissed her.

He let her stand as they broke the kiss and he pulled the covers back. He lifted her up again, only briefly to lay her down in the bed. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"I'm going to go blow out all these candles you have going and turn off the stereo, I'll be right back."

She nodded with a slight frown. He went to the other room and blew out all the candles and turned off the stereo and then went back to the bedroom. She was further under the covers and he saw that the robe had been tossed into the corner. He smiled at the visual of what lie beneath the covers. She was sleeping as he expected her to be, she had been exhausted.

He went into the bathroom and drained the tub and picked up the towels. He took the pitcher to the kitchen and then came back to the bedroom. He went to his side of the bed and stripped down to his boxer-briefs before climbing into bed with her. Once under the covers, he gathered her warm naked body to his and he also fell asleep.

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"Jim, thanks. I appreciate you meeting with me on such short notice."

"No problem, Daniel. The messenger service delivered the business plan this afternoon and I looked over it. Everything looks good. I drew up a preliminary contract for you too look at and we can make changes Monday if necessary."

"Well, let's take a look."

Daniel and his lawyer looked over the contract and as far as Daniel was concerned it looked perfect.

"Now, I did put in these provisions you asked for at the end, but those seem to make you kind of vulnerable, Daniel."

"I know they aren't standard, Jim, but this is somewhat of a special situation."

"I gathered as much."

Daniel smiled.

"So, if I don't have any changes, these are good to go ?"

"They are."

"And, Hilda is covered on all angles, right ? Because she is going to count on me to give her a fair contract, I don't think she'll have an attorney look at them."

"It is more than fair for her."

"Great."

Daniel and Jim had dinner and caught up since their last get together.

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Henry rolled over in bed and realized Betty was not there. He looked at the clock, midnight. He climbed out of bed and looked toward the living room. It looked like there was a light in the kitchen. He walked sleepily in that direction and when he entered the kitchen he smiled at he sight before him.

Betty was standing at the open refrigerator in the dress shirt he had worn earlier that day to work and nothing else. He could tell from the refrigerator light shining right through the shirt leaving little to his imagination.

"Betty ?"

She turned around slightly startled.

"I was hungry."

He walked toward her and he could see her eyes darken as she took in the sight of him.

"Let me make you something."

"Actually……"

She closed the door to the refrigerator and walked toward him.

"……I'm not that hungry anymore."

"Oh, yeah."

She walked up to him and he wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned in and kissed him.

"Yeah."

He smiled.

"Well, then let's go back to bed."

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She was in the middle of a great dream when she heard her phone ring next to the bed. She answered groggily.

"Hello…."

"Hilda, it's Daniel, I'm sorry I am calling so late."

Hilda looked at the clock, it was just past midnight. She sat up in bed.

"It's alright. Are you okay ?"

"Yes, yes, I am fine. I met with my attorney tonight and we've got a contract drawn up. Can you meet me with the realtor at the space tomorrow afternoon around one ?"

Hilda smiled.

"Sure. I'll call her in the morning."

"Great. Tell her to bring the paperwork and the keys. I'll have a check with me."

"Okay. And, Daniel, thank you."

"No, thank you for letting me in on such a good deal."

"See you tomorrow."

Hilda hung up the phone smiling and went back to sleep.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It was ten the next morning when Betty woke up to her cell phone vibrating on the nightstand. Henry was wrapped around her and she tried to grab the phone without waking him. She flipped it open. Hilda.

"Hold on one second, Hilda."

She laid the phone back down, open and managed to free herself from Henry without waking him. She slipped from the bed and grabbed her robe from the floor, tying it around her waist. She picked up the phone and tiptoed from the bedroom into the living room.

"Sorry, hey, what's up ?"

"Sleeping in ?"

"Yes, it has been a long week."

"Tell me about it. I'm meeting Daniel at one to sign all the paper work and get the keys. You are coming to dinner tomorrow night, right ?"

"Oh Hilda, that is great, I am so happy for you. Yes, we'll be there."

"I couldn't have done it without you two."

"We were glad to help."

Hilda chuckled.

"Okay, I'll let you get back to bed. See you tomorrow."

"Hilda. Okay, see you tomorrow."

Betty closed her phone and laid it down on the coffee table. She walked back to the bedroom where Henry was still sleeping. She slipped out of her robe and back into his dress shirt and then slid back into bed. When she scooted over to him, he wrapped his arms around her and snuggled into her.

"Who was on the phone ?"

She turned to face him.

"Did I wake you ? Sorry. It was Hilda."

"I just missed you. What did she want ?"

"She's meeting Daniel today to sign everything. Looks like it is a go."

"Good."

She laid there for awhile, looking at him with his eyes closed. She knew he wasn't asleep by his breathing and the way he was stroking his hand down her back. His eyes opened and he looked at her.

"Are you going back to sleep ?"

She smiled.

"I'm hungry."

He leaned forward and kissed her.

"You want to go to brunch ?"

She smiled.

"Yes, please."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ignacio stood at the bottom of the stairs and yelled.

"Hilda ! Betty and Henry just pulled up. Are you ready ?"

"I'll be right down."

Ignacio walked back through the living room on the way to the kitchen.

"Aye, your mother."

Justin nodded at his grandfather as he finished with the last of the streamers and balloons.

"Dad, Hilda, Justin………..we're here."

Betty and Henry came in the door. Henry took their coats to hang up as Betty made her way to the kitchen.

"Hey dad. Where's Hilda ?"

"Still upstairs getting ready. She's been on a cloud since she signed her life away yesterday."

Betty hugged and kissed her father just as Henry was walking in. Henry stepped forward and held out his hand.

"Ignacio."

Ignacio took Henry's hand and pulled him into a fatherly hug.

"Henry, m'hijo. Bienvenido."

Betty watched Henry smile while being hugged by her father. He pulled back with a smile.

"Gracias."

Hilda came into the kitchen at that point. Her father was right, she looked radiant. Everyone said their hellos and then went to the living room.

"What's for dinner, dad ?"

"Tacos. I figured it was easy."

"Sounds good."

The doorbell rang. Justin jumped up to answer it. And, a minute later, Daniel came into the living room. Ignacio stood up to greet him.

"Daniel, welcome. We're glad you could come."

Betty looked up at him.

"Daniel, I didn't know you would be here."

Her father replied for him.

"Well, it is a celebration for the new salon, so Hilda's new partner had to be included."

Daniel smiled.

"Well, I am honored to be here."

They all visited and ate tacos. Apparently, Daniel had chosen the larger investment option to get some immediate things taken care of on the building. According to Hilda, contractors would be out next week to get started.

Betty and Henry promised to come out next weekend to help with the painting and cleaning. Justin had apparently already come up with a color-scheme.

Everyone was having a great time and Daniel seemed to fit right in. But, soon Henry saw Betty yawning and decided it was time for them to leave.

"Okay, everyone, I need to get this one home. I think she is coming down with something because she had been overly tired lately and we have work tomorrow."

"I'm fine really, just had a busy week."

Ignacio looked over at his daughter.

"Henry is right, you look tired and I don't want you getting sick before the holidays."

Daniel looked around the room.

"I need to go soon, too. Henry, why don't you and Betty take my car home and send it back for me. I need to talk to Hilda about a few things for next week and by the time the car gets back, I'll be ready to go."

Henry looked from Betty back to Daniel.

"Are you sure, Daniel, I can call a cab."

"No, that's silly, I insist."

"Alright, thank you."

He looked back to Betty.

"Sweetie, let's say our goodbyes and get you home."

Betty and Henry got up and said their goodbyes, again wishing Hilda good luck on her new venture. They left a few minutes later in Daniel's car.

Ignacio cleared glasses from the living room.

"Justin, time for you to go to bed, school tomorrow."

"Mom…."

Hilda gave him the look. Daniel thought it was similar to the all-judging-butterfly look and smiled. Justin grudgingly said his goodnights and went upstairs to bed.

Ignacio finished his cleaning and also headed up to bed.

"Wow, we sure know how to clear a room."

Hilda laughed.

"Right. So, what plans do we have for next week ?"

"I just wanted you to let me know who is coming out and what is going on for the next couple of weeks, so I can clear my calendar if I need to. Will you call Betty tomorrow and let her know and then call her anytime something changes ?"

"Sure, of course."

"Great. I just want to be involved in the construction work and set-up so I can help as much as possible. And, then I promise you will only see me for haircuts."

Hilda looked away for a minute and spoke to herself.

"I hope not."

"What ?"

She turned back toward him.

"Nothing."

There was a moment of silence between them before she spoke again.

"Why don't we wait outside for the car, it's nice out tonight."

He smiled.

"Sure."

Daniel grabbed his coat and put it on and Hilda grabbed a long sweater of Betty's from the coat tree in the entryway. They walked outside and down the steps to the gate.

They were both silent for a few minutes and then spoke at once.

"Hilda."

"Daniel."

They laughed.

"You go."

"No, you…."

"Hilda."

"Okay, I was just going to say thanks, again."

"You don't have to keep thanking me. It was a good investment. And, I am proud of you for moving forward."

"New beginnings….."

"What ?"

"Nothing………..Betty and Henry said this symbolizes new beginnings."

"It does."

They had another moment of awkward silence.

"What were you going to say ?"

"Oh, I have another thing I have to go to in two weeks and I thought maybe you could go with me again. Would you ?"

"Daniel, I would love to, but I don't know…..things seem different lately. I don't know……."

Before either of them knew what he was doing, Daniel leaned down and silenced her with a kiss. It was brief but meaningful. Hilda stepped back, shocked and something else.

"Hilda, I'm sorry…...that was……I just.….."

She shook her head no at him and placed a finger to his lips.

"New beginnings….."

She leaned up and gave him a brief kiss on the lips.

"……just don't expect everything to happen overnight."

"I've got all the time in the world."

He leaned his forehead to hers then drew her in for a hug. They stood that way for another several minutes until Daniel's car appeared at the curb.

He pulled back and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight. Thanks for inviting me and I'll talk to you this week."

"Goodnight."

Hilda watched as he got into the car and drove off.

She smiled and walked inside.

the end