Author's Note : Hello to all of my patient readers…I don't know how so much time has gone between chapters but it has. PLEASE accept my apologies…..as usual, I am anxious for you to enjoy and let me know what you think about this newest chapter. Since it has been awhile, I will remind you where we left off. And, to all my I-C friends, I got your care package RIGHT HERE !!!
Previously…….As soon as they had hung up, she dialed Henry's cell number. He looked at it and smiled.
"Grubstick."
"Hi."
"Hi."
"Ummmm, I was wondering what you were doing tomorrow night ? I thought maybe we could have dinner. You know, like a date, just the two of us."
Betty bit her lower lip with a grin as she waited for his reply.
"I'd love to have dinner with you, Betty. Should I pick you up ?"
"No, why don't you meet me at Bellini's for Italian, say 7:00p ?"
"Sounds delicious."
"Okay, I'll see you then."
"Okay."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Betty and Henry both hung up their phones smiling.
Chapter 10It was especially cold when Betty exited the cab in front of Bellini's and as soon as the swoosh of air hit her, she took in a deep breath. A gloved hand reached out to take hers and she looked up and smiled when she saw it was Henry. She was bundled up in her warmest coat with her gloves on as well. When she stepped up from the cab he immediately wrapped his arm around her and lead her to the restaurant entrance.
"I'll take care of the cab. They have my name and a table ready, I'll be right in."
Before she had time to respond he turned back outside to the cab. She walked to the hostess station and gave them Henry's name. She was ushered to a table near the back. The hostess took her coat, scarf and gloves and handed her a ticket for the coat check, Betty thanked her. As she started to sit down she once again, felt Henry's presence, he pulled her chair out just as she was about to and she sat down.
"My goodness, you are attentive tonight."
He took his coat off and also handed it to the hostess who was back hovering over their table. He thanked her and sat down himself looking across the table at her smiling.
"Hi.
"Hi. Thank you for getting the cab. It is freezing out tonight."
"No problem. Yes, it is, I forgot how cold New York can get. I've actually missed it."
Betty was surprised.
"Really ?"
"Well, cold weather does have its benefits."
"Like what ?"
He grinned just as the waiter approached the table, and spoke quickly.
"I'll show you later."
Betty blushed.
They both ordered water and Henry ordered them a warm appetizer and the waiter left. Neither picked up the conversation that was going on before the waiter had come by although neither had forgotten it either. Betty was the first to speak.
"So, Will made it home safe and sound, I assume ?"
"Yes, his flight was on-time and Charlie called to let me know he had made it."
"Good. He is really an amazing kid, not that I expected any less. He seems so much like you."
Henry gave her a skeptical grin.
"Well, he has his mother's adventurous and sometimes questionable mischievousness, but yes, he is overall a very good kid. He is really smart, I read to him a lot when he was little. You know, being a dad was new to me and I wasn't sure what to do all the time, so I just shared the things I loved with him."
Betty smiled.
"And, he with you apparently."
"What do you mean ?"
"Basketball."
Henry laughed.
"Yeah, that certainly was a new one for me. I was never athletic growing up. But, I have learned. And, now I can hold my own. But, he is getting taller so I am starting to really have to work for it every time we play. I'm not getting any younger."
Betty laughed and reached across the table and took his hand in hers.
"But, you are still just as handsome as I always remember."
"And, you are just as beautiful."
They both smiled at each other and only released hands when the waiter brought their water and appetizer. He asked for their order and Henry looked at Betty.
"May I ?"
She nodded.
"Certainly."
Henry ordered for them both and Betty was not surprised that he picked her favorites and even remembered a couple of details on her preferences. She remembered his as well.
The waiter left and she looked at him, shaking her head.
"What ?"
"Shouldn't this be harder ?"
He furrowed his eyebrows.
"What do you mean ?"
"This, us being out to dinner, out on a date. It's been thirteen years since we sat across from each other alone having dinner and yet I feel like it was a week ago or last night. So many things in our lives have changed, and yet here we are as if no time at all has passed. Neither of us put our lives on hold."
He reached over and took her hands.
"We're the same people. We're older and maybe wiser in some ways. You're right, our lives went on and things changed. But, you and I, Betty, we're the real thing, the genuine article and no matter what, you can't change that. It's what made us so perfect before and it is what makes us so uncomplicatedly perfect now."
She smiled.
"It's what makes us so lucky."
He nodded.
Their food arrived and they ate, talking more about Will and work. Everything was easy and enjoyable. When the table had been cleared and coffee brought out they were both content and happy.
"So, what happened with the house, I never heard."
"Oh, right. We made an offer on the one Will picked and we got it."
He smiled.
"Henry, that's great. What next ?"
"Well, my mom is going to stay in the house in Tucson, she was living with me anyway. It's too big for her alone, but Will can visit her there and then at some point, she might move here although she may stay there because she is not too fond of the cold. Maybe she'll split her time between here and there, it is up to her. So, I have to go shopping for furniture and I can move in around the middle of January."
"That's great. Where is it ?"
"It's in the same general area where Daniel and Lindsay have their house. A few streets over."
"That is a great neighborhood."
"It is. I can't wait for you to see it. I hope you'll help me with the decorating if it isn't asking too much."
She smiled.
"I'd love to."
He was glad since he hoped it would be her house too, soon.
"Good."
The waiter came over with the check and Betty snatched it up before Henry could. He frowned at her.
"I asked you out."
He laughed.
"Okay, me next time. I'm going to call a Meade car to come get us, I'll drop you home."
She smiled. She had hoped he might.
"Okay."
She paid the check while Henry was on the phone.
"They'll be here in ten minutes, let's go get coats."
They wandered to the front and got their coats, Henry helped her get bundled up and once her gloves and scarf were securely in place he pulled her forward by her scarf, leaned down and planted a light kiss on her lips. She smiled up at him.
He got his coat, scarf and gloves on and told her to wait while he checked for the car. A few minutes later, he came back and led her outside. The car was warm and welcoming and after they were both in and Betty had given the driver her address, Henry wrapped his arms around her and they snuggled close for the drive to her apartment.
When the driver pulled up they both stepped from the car and Henry told the driver to wait for him. The doorman opened the door from them as they rushed into the lobby to escape the cold. Betty shivered.
"Brrrr….."
Henry smiled.
"Thanks for dinner."
"Why don't you come up for a bit, you haven't seen my place."
"You sure ?"
"Yeah. Um, it's still early. I can make us some coffee and we can talk some more. If that's okay with you."
Henry knew that as much as he wanted her, she was still wary of her own feelings in that regard and he didn't want to push her. He was perfectly content with any time he could spend with her to put those worries to ease.
He leaned down and kissed her nose.
"Okay, let me let the driver know."
He turned and walked outside. A few minutes later he was back and they headed upstairs. After hanging up coats, she gave him the two-minute tour of her place and he was impressed.
"I see you are on the fifth floor….."
She smiled.
"The highest that the ladder trucks can reach."
"You remembered that ?"
She smiled.
"Of course, I remember everything you tell me."
"Everything ?"
She looked at him seriously.
"Yes, everything."
He would leave that for now. They headed back to the living room and she watched as he lit a fire in the fireplace and then motioned for her to join him on the couch. They sat wrapped in each others arms and talked more about the house and Will and the past thirteen years.
"Well, I guess I need to get going. I have to meet with Anne in the morning to go over the schedule for this week. Now that she is here, we need to get our routine in place. I have a lot of work to do."
They got up off the couch and walked toward the door. Henry pulled his coat, gloves and scarf on and pulled her in for a hug and a kiss. It was meant to be a quick goodbye kiss but this one lasted longer than intended. As their kiss deepened, both moaned in response and wrapped their arms more securely around each other. Henry pulled away first, clearly trying to remember to let her lead their pace and maintain their current level of intimacy. He stepped back with a frown.
"What's wrong ?"
"Betty, I know we have only been back in each others lives for a month but with Will gone, it is going to get harder and harder to keep my feelings for you in check. Maybe we need to get some space from each other for a few days while I get settled in at the office."
Betty felt like someone had just jabbed a knife in her heart as she backed away from him, clearly hurt.
"What ?"
Henry moved forward and pulled her nearer to him. She resisted at first then saw something in his eyes as he tried to gain her attention.
"Betty, don't take this the wrong way. I love spending time with you and I want nothing more than to continue down the path that I know we are headed. But, I am only human and I know you have things to reconcile about all of this before you're going to allow yourself to be that close to me again. It is getting harder for me to walk away from you at moments like this."
"Moments like what ?"
"Like this…."
He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her more passionately than maybe he ever had with more emotion, feeling and intention than she had experienced, maybe ever. When he drew away from that kiss, she knew just what kind of moment he was talking about.
"I understand."
"No, I don't think you do. I think you think this is easy for me, to walk out that door right now. But, it isn't Betty. I want nothing more than to stay here and be with you ….."
He paused and looked directly at her, lifting her chin.
"….to spend the night here with you."
He heard her sharp intake of breath at his admission.
"But, more than that, I want to take things slowly and be patient with you because this is it for me. I just need you to know, that when I back away, it isn't because I want to, it's because I know you need me to. Now, do you understand ?"
"Yes, I do. Thank you Henry for understanding and for being honest with me…."
She paused as if to say more. He looked at her and she looked conflicted, like she wanted to say something else but didn't have the words.
"What is it Betty ?"
She ran her down his face and he closed his eyes at her touch.
"I owe you the same honesty. The truth is, I want to be with you too, I really do. This was our first night, really alone and it was wonderful and I want you to know that this has always been it for me, too. But, I do appreciate your patience."
She adjusted his scarf around his neck and smiled up at him.
"You do what you need to at work this week and then we have Hilda's wedding Friday. Okay ?"
"Okay."
Betty looked up at him for a kiss and was properly rewarded. They drew apart a moment later and said their goodbyes.
Once Henry was gone, Betty changed into her PJs and called Hilda.
"What's up, Betty ?"
"I need another one of your talks."
"Henry ?"
"Yeah."
"What now ?"
"We had dinner tonight, alone. It was great, just like always. This is the first time we've spent alone since, well, since he's been back. And…"
"And….."
"…he just left."
"You haven't ……"
"No, we didn't. But, I know he wanted to and I ….."
"What ?"
Betty stood up and started pacing.
"I don't know Hilda, it's been thirteen years."
"Didn't we already get past this time thing with you two ?"
"No, I mean …. it's been thirteen years….you know……"
"It's been thirteen years since you've been with anyone ? Oh my God, really ?"
"Well, I've had dates and even people that I have seen for a few months, but yeah, as far as you know, sex, it has been thirteen years. The night before he left."
"Wow. Not even Gio ?"
"Ewww, God no. Gio thought he had a crush on me but he didn't. I went out with him until he figured it out. No, I never even kissed Gio."
"Okay, so back to the present. You haven't been with anyone for thirteen years and the one person you love more than any other person in the world is back in your life. And you need my advice on what to do ?"
Betty smiled. Hilda always put things into perspective.
"No, you're right. I know exactly what I need to do."
On the other end of the line, Hilda smiled.
"I sense a seduction in the works."
"Hilda !"
"Well……"
Betty laughed.
"Okay, thanks. I love you, Hilda."
"I love you, too. Lunch Wednesday ?"
"Yes, absolutely. And, thanks again."
"No problem."
Betty hung up the phone and stood from the edge of her bed and walked toward her dresser and mirror. She smoothed her hair from her face and touched her lips where Henry had kissed her so thoroughly earlier.
She picked up her phone again and dialed.
"Christina, I am sorry to call so late. Listen, can I see you early tomorrow, I need your help with a little project this week."
"Of course, what kind of project, by the tone in your voice it sounds like it might be a little dodgy."
"Trust me, you'll love it, it has all of your favorite elements; sex, mystery and seduction."
"Oh, it sounds hawt. I'm in."
Betty laughed.
"Seven ?"
"I'll be there and I'll bring the coffee and donuts."
"Perfect, see you then."
Betty closed the home and headed to bed, still planning her week in her mind.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next morning Betty arrived at the closet bright and early. Christina greeted her with a steaming cup of coffee, a smile and a question.
"So, what is this all about ?"
"I want you to dress me this week ?"
Christina fell into a chair as if she would faint.
"My dream come true, are you playing with me ? Where is the real Betty Suarez ?"
"She's right here and she wants to put a subtle seduction in motion this week. Look, I don't want you to make me another person, I still want to be me, I just want some subtle changes every day."
"Let me guess, our new CFO ?"
"I'm holding back and he knows it, so he keeps backing off too. I want to move forward and I want the confidence to do it. We're taking a break this week while he settles into the office but we're going to Hilda's wedding Friday night. I thought maybe I'd spend the week building my confidence with a little subtle seduction and at the time let him know that I am ready, because I am."
Christina smiled.
"I know you are, Betty."
"I never stopped loving him. I have a second chance, I want it."
"Then, let's find you something subtly seductive for today."
Betty smiled.
"Thank you."
- - to be continued - -