Chapter 11: Tie the knot.
(A.N: I do apologize sincerely for the very long wait between updates. I don't have any excuse except to say that I didn't have the time to do it with four children to look after. And plus I have the status of "super au pair" which means 30 hours of work per week. Here is the first of the last three chapters. The wedding dress and hairstyle that Betty wears in this chapter is the one America has in "Our family wedding".)
Two months has passed since that beautiful day and both Betty and Daniel have planned together with their families the wedding. Claire was ecstatic and Bradford, faithful to his temperament was quietly pleased. They both loved Betty. She grounded Daniel and made him focus and grow. And above all, they loved each other deeply. That's all that they have ever wanted for him.
The day after their engagement, Claire has come to their shared apartment and has hugged Betty and said: "I am so happy for you both… daughter." Betty extremely moved has hugged her back: "Thank you… mother." Bradford has put his hand on his son's shoulder and nodded at him with a smile. Then he moved to Betty and gave her a kiss on the cheek which made her blush and smile.
Both Daniel and Betty did not want an extravagant wedding. Something more simple yet elegant suited them more. Betty asked Christina to design her wedding dress and Hilda to do her hair. So on the day, she felt like her. She felt beautiful, elegant and radiant. Daniel had to remind himself to close his mouth when he saw her walk down the aisle on the arm of her father. His smile stretched on his face.
Ignacio kissed his daughter's cheek. His eyes were at the same time a bit sad but also extremely proud of her. He placed his hand on Daniel's. A silent communication passed between the two men. Ignacio was "telling" him to love and not to hurt his daughter, that she deserved the very best. Daniel nodded slightly and smiled at him reassuringly.
Then came the wows: "Betty, I used to be afraid of falling in love, of giving my heart away. How could I trust a woman to love me, to give to me all that I wanted to give to her? I never imagined that I would find someone that I could love that would love me back unconditionally. You are my soul mate. You have renewed my life. Where there has been cold, you have brought warmth; where my life was dark, you have brought light. You have given me a direction. I no longer feel I am drifting aimlessly. You have brought love, colour, enthousiam, purpose into my life. You are everything that's good, pure and true. You make me a better person every day. I promise to be there when you need me, to help you reach your goals, to be your best friend ever and to love you all my life with all my heart." He slipped the gold ring on her finger while they were both reveling on the words and the smiles shared.
"Daniel, I love you. From the moment our paths crossed, you've surprised me, distracted me, captivated me, and challenged me in a way that no human being ever has. You are my best friend and my soulmate. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. You make me happy. You make me feel alive. You make me feel loved. You captured my heart by being exactly who you are. The sweetest, most loving, compassionate, and sensitive person I have ever known. You have been the reason that I smile and you have given comfort beyond measure when I have cried. You have believed in me when no one else would, and you have shown me how to love with passion, purity, and unconditional acceptance. And for that I love you...with all of my heart, and all of my soul." She slipped the ring on his finger.
"Now by the power vested in me by the state of New York, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Daniel tenderly bought Betty on his arms and kissed her. Betty's hands went directly to his neck as she held him there longer than it was considered "proper". There was some giggles and clearing of throats. Finally Tyler, one of Daniel's best man tapped him lightly on the shoulder and Daniel regretfully ended the kiss.
The reception went smoothly though Betty and Daniel didn't stay too long. They both wanted to be alone together.
"Ready, Mrs Meade?" said Daniel with a full blown grin as he used her new name for the first time.
Betty's smile was no less wide as she replied: "Ready Mr Meade."
They ran under the rice to the car who will take them to the airport to the Bahamas. When they both saw the Bahamas episode, they both agreed that it was the place they wanted to go on their honeymoon. After a fortnight there, they will fly to Mexico to visit Betty's family who could not come to the wedding. Betty especially wanted to meet her maternal grandmother.
The wedding night was tender and passionate at the same time. They slept very late and missed breakfast and had room service. After that, they went swimming on their own which inevitably followed by a passionate lovemaking in the water. They went diving with an instructor, and swan with the dolphins. They explored the island. Daniel loved to see his wife's eyes as she discovered new things. She blossomed into this confident woman that left him breathless at the realization that she has chosen him for the rest of her life. He saw how other men were gazing at her. Betty was sensual without even her realizing it. He was jealous which she teased him about but secretly she loved his possessive nature. He was relieved that her whole attention was bestowed on only him.
