A/n: This was such a difficult chapter write but I hope that I've been able to write it convincingly and thoughtfully - and I'm sorry for putting you all through the ringer once more. It was a necessary evil in order to get where we're going to. Hope you love the update. Thank you all, once again for the lovely reviews, it's good to know that you're all still hanging on in there. Please read and review.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 11

Daniel couldn't remember the last time he'd slept so well. He had to remind himself that he was in a hospital and that the drugs he'd been given over those hours since his admittance had helped but to have Betty by his side was like coming home. Her admission that she'd actually miss him as a fiancé or wife was something he could relate to. Molly had been his world and when she'd died, he'd broken down. He couldn't bear the thought that he could have quite easily have done the same to Betty by making one stupid, fatal mistake. But he was here, by whatever intervention and he was here for a reason, to look after and love the wonderful woman who was still asleep holding onto his hand.

She stirred, opening her eyes and pushing the long tresses of hair from out of her face. "Good morning, beautiful." Daniel croaked, attempting to whisper.

Her smile was broad as she stretched out the kinks in her body. "I'll be sorry when that raspy edge to your voice disappears. So sexy."

He raised an eyebrow, "I can always go and rescue someone else from a burning building if you'd like me to keep it?"

"No. No more idiotic stunts please just to get me to tell you how I feel about you."

"I was joking."

She sat on the edge of the bed, leaning over him, the swell of her breast grazing gently against his chest as she placed the lightest kiss on his lips. His hand played at her waist, he'd never dreamed that having her so close and breathing in her scent could be so intoxicating but she was better than any drug he could've been given. All thoughts of pain and discomfort were washed away as she continued her assault. She pulled back, her face still only inches away from his. "Daniel Meade, if you ever attempt anything like that again, I swear I will kill you myself."

He smirked, "much as I would love to put myself in dangerous situations so that you keep telling me you love me, I'm not going to. I'd much rather be at home with you making up for lost time than being stuck in this bed not being able to show you how I feel." Her cheeks pinked and she looked away. He drew her back to look at him but her eyes were hooded. "Betty, look at me." She did as she was bid, "I told you once before that I didn't ever want you to feel embarrassed by the things I say to you."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I love you so much it hurts and I'm going to show you just how much when I'm out of this bed, in so many different ways." Her blush grew steadily deeper in colour. "I can only imagine how many you're actually thinking of right now." He smirked. She gently punched him. "Hey, no hitting the patient."

"You're obviously feeling much better if you're making jokes as well as thinking of all the different ways you're going to have me in your bed."

"Not just in my bed, either." He confided, "we can make use of the sofa, the shower, the kitchen table, the bath of course."

"You haven't thought about this much, then?" She giggled. "Once you've turned me into a brazen hussy then maybe we can move on from the bedroom."

His fingers stroked her cheek, "as long as I'm with you, I don't care where we are." He pulled her towards him, his mouth seeking hers. The kiss, although intense, was sweet and once they'd come up for air he pulled her closer to him, cradling her head against his chest, stroking her hair. "Hey, mom."

"Good morning, Daniel. Betty. I'm sorry if I've disturbed anything." Her broad smile shone.

Betty sat up straight, combing her fingers through her hair and checking to make sure everything was done up as it should be before she slipped off the bed. "Mrs Meade?"

She walked towards Betty, her arms outstretched as she brought her into her hug. "I think you can perhaps start calling me Claire, or mom, if you'd prefer."

Betty pulled away; she looked back at Daniel who was grinning like the Cheshire Cat before returning her attention to his mother. "Thank you. Claire."

She was drawn into another hug, "I've missed you so much, Betty and you look stunning," Claire paused for effect, "even if a little tired. I'm so proud of what you've achieved. Daniel's been sending me copies of your magazine, to which I'm addicted and can't wait for subscriptions to go worldwide so I can buy my own. You must be thrilled at how well circulation's improving."

"Lesley keeps reminding me of how well sales are going. He's pleased with the results so I guess it means I'm doing a good job."

"You're doing a fantastic job. I wouldn't be surprised if you won an award at this year's Journalist Review in December."

Betty could see that Claire was giving her that all knowing look, like the one she'd given her when she'd told Betty about her theory regarding Daniel. "You know something."

"Betty, I'm not that good. Ok, so I knew that my theory about Daniel was correct, but even I can't predict who's going to win. I am on the judging panel though this year." She winked, "who could blame me for putting in a good word for you. But we'll chat about that later." She sat on the edge of the bed and took Daniel's hand in her own before stroking his hair. "How is my son doing?"

"I'm good mom," he croaked, "a little smoke inhalation, hence the voice," he shot a look at Betty who had to stifle a giggle; none of which was lost on Claire. "I've been badly burnt though. Debris landed on my left shoulder when I fell, it burnt through the blanket and my clothing. I think that's what took the surgical team the longest to deal with; they had to pick bits of burnt fibre out of the wound before they could properly dress the burn. It was extremely painful."

Hearing Daniel own up to his discomfort made Betty's heart falter, she'd never imagined that he was in pain; he looked so lucid and calm. She only hoped she hadn't hurt him when she'd lain on his chest.

"Alexis tells me they'll be able to graft. I understand that that can be very painful too. How do you feel about them doing that here?"

"Mom, they do private work in the UK too, if that's what you're worried about."

"Daniel, I'd be happy to have you scarred as long as you were alive. I'm sure Betty feels the same." Claire and Daniel both turned to hear her answer.

"When they told me you were unconscious and I could see that you had to have oxygen to breathe …," She drew nearer, "I was afraid I'd lost you. Nothing could stop me loving you Daniel, not even some charred skin. As long as you're here that's all that matters."

"Thanks," Daniel said, "it's something I'll need to think about but I've got a few days to make my decision. The wound needs to heal a bit first before they can even go ahead with any surgery."

"Well, we're here for you darling. Whatever you decide to do." Claire said. Betty merely nodded.

Daniel held out his hand for Betty, and when she took it he pulled her closer. "The surgery might not even be a success, chances are the graft doesn't work or the skin might even be too damaged to do anything with. It's good to know that the two most important women in my life will always love me, whatever I look like." He looked to Betty, concerned that she'd become quiet. He squeezed her hand, "you ok?"

She nodded, "I'm fine, just a bit tired."

"You do look exhausted," Claire agreed. She started delving into her purse handing over a credit card, "why don't you go home, get some rest and come back later on this afternoon when you and I can have a chat."

"I couldn't just leave, what if something happens and I'm not here?"

"Betty, I'm not going anywhere for at least a couple of weeks. Your going home for a couple of hours isn't going to kill me."

And that's when she started to cry, maybe it had been because she was tired or that her emotions were just all over the place, she didn't know why. Claire made an excuse to leave and arranged a car to take Betty home whilst Daniel calmed her down. "I'm sorry," she wailed, sitting back on the edge of the bed before he pulled her into his arms, her tears splashing onto his chest as he gently stroked her hair.

"Shh, I'm the one that should be apologising. If I hadn't just kissed you and run off like that."

Her sniffles slowed, "what would we be doing right now, do you think?" Her fingers drawing circles over his skin.

"Well, if you'd continued with the whole 'we're just going to stay friends' thing and I hadn't been able to convince you otherwise with my parting kiss, then I guess I would be back in my hotel room deciding how to get you to change your mind."

"And if you had convinced me?"

"Then I guess we'd be in my hotel room making love and ordering room service."

She looked up into his face. "Be serious, Daniel."

"I am, Betty. Deadly serious." She could see it too, in his expression, the way he looked at her, his whole persona. He wanted her, there was no denying it.

And if she was going to be brutally honest. "That's what I want to. I guess I cried because I was just so relieved to have you here and not …"

"Stop thinking like that, I promise you that I will never knowingly put myself in any danger ever again. I'm not going anywhere just yet and it's clear that other forces were making sure I got back to you too. Sadly, not in one piece."

She smiled, "nothing's broken that can't be fixed, Daniel. At least your most important asset is still intact."

"And there was me thinking you wanted me for my brain."

"I think after last night's drama I can say with some degree of certainty that you don't have one."

He held his hands up, "ok, ok. I'm never going to hear the end of this am I?"

"No." She was shaking her head. "What do you mean 'other forces'?"

"You're going to think I'm crazy."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"Please, Daniel. Just tell me already."

He stalled, not quite sure how to begin. "You remember the whole Community of the Phoenix thing?"

"Where you thought you saw Molly, but it was the drugs Bennett gave you and you ended up kissing my eyebrow. How could I forget?"

"Well, let's just say I didn't need drugs to see Molly last night."

"What?"

"I think I could've been a lot worse off if Molly hadn't told me to leave when she did. In fact," he held her hands, "I might not have made it."

"If you're trying to pull a sympathy card here, Meade?"

"I'm not, I'm just telling you what happened. If I hadn't had that vision then maybe I wouldn't be here now." He searched her face before kissing her, and before noticing Claire was stood at the threshold of his room. "You know you really do look very tired, go home and sleep. I'll see you later." He kissed her forehead and held her hands until she was safely off the bed. She held onto Claire's arm until they reached the elevators and then she was gone.

"I've told her to bring a weekend bag with her when she comes back," Claire said as she returned to Daniel's room. "She can stay with me for the time being as it's closer than her apartment."

"Thanks mom, I'm sure Betty will really appreciate that."

"I'm thinking I might also invite Christina and Will. If Christina goes into labour then there'll be both Betty and Alexis around to help her, whilst I look after Will. It will also give Betty a break from doing so much."

"You really love her."

"Yes, Daniel. I do. I love her because she is warm and caring and she absolutely adores you." Claire stood by his bed smiling down at him, "You are very lucky to have found her, Daniel."

"I know."

"Do you have the ring I gave you?"

"Yes, but it feels weird. I gave that ring to Molly. I don't think I could give it to Betty too. I think she deserves something of her own."

Claire smiled, "I agree. Betty should have her own ring." She hugged him.

"I love you, mom."

"I love you too, darling."

.oOo.

Betty, Claire, Alexis and Philippe had all taken it in turns to sit with Daniel, and once Philippe had had to go and prepare for the boat show the three women changed their routine to fit in with the series of operations that Daniel was having to attend for the grafting and to look after Christina in her final days of pregnancy.

Betty had pulled the evening shift after Daniel had had to endure one of his most painful sessions ever. She sat comfortably next to him on his bed, her jacket slung over a chair, her shoes kicked off onto the floor, reading from her battered copy of 'Jane Eyre'. Daniel listened attentively, it may not have been his book of choice but he loved how Betty took on the different characters and had become intrigued as to what would happen between the plain governess, Jane and her enigmatic boss, Mr Rochester.

"Daniel, are you ok?" Betty's question broke through his thoughts.

He looked towards her, "Yes, sorry. Just zoned out for a while." She studied his face for a considerable amount of time, attempting to ascertain what could be troubling him or even if he was in a lot of pain, before returning to the passage she was reading. His hand crept up to the book and pulled it from her grip, knowing that it would probably be one of the only ways to get her attention. "Betty?"

"Hmm?"

"You love this book, right?"

"Yes, it's the way Rochester and Jane fall in love, you know, by the road less travelled; they're both fascinated by the other. Not to mention the way that he finally draws her confession out of her so that he knows she's in love with him before he tells her he loves her too."

"They're a bit like us."

"Do you think?"

"Well, you're Jane, the innocent young woman who falls in love with her boss, who is obviously me!"

"Who happens to be a bit of a Georgian player, yeah I get it."

"Don't tell me you haven't thought about it."

"Ok, I may have dreamt about it a couple of times, I could definitely see you as Rochester, although I don't think you'd be as callous as him when it came to wanting to marry me even though your mad lunatic of a wife was locked up in the tower in Thornfield."

"Who knows?" He grinned. "But what about St John, who does he remind you of?"

"Oh, I always imagined St John to be Matt."

Daniel laughed. "You have got to be kidding me?"

"No. Why? St John wants to become a missionary but won't do that without taking a wife, so he asks Jane but Jane won't marry for anything less than love. A bit like Matt and me never being in the same place. As well as Matt not really knowing what he wants, don't you think?"

"Ok. What about Mrs Fairfax?"

"Oh, that's Christina."

"That makes perfect sense, although I hope she'll see me in a different light soon enough. How is she, by the way?"

"She's doing ok, just wants to get it over with I think. She's just hoping that the baby will come of its own accord before her due date. I don't think she's particularly looking forward to the birth if the doctors decide to induce the labour. I can't say I'd be too happy either." Betty moved her hand absently over her stomach as if in consideration of what she imagined Christina must've been feeling.

Daniel curved his hand over Betty's; she glanced over catching his eye and smiling. Was she thinking about having a family of her own and with him? "It will be our worry one day I suppose." She remarked, taking his hand and kissing it.

I hope so. "And how is your relationship with her now?"

"Much better once I'd confronted her about the whole London Eye thing. In fact, she and Alexis confessed to everything. They'd even set up an operation, the BDTF."

"Oh my God, that is so Alexis. Let me guess, Betty and Daniel Together Forever?"

Betty nodded, "yep. We've been well and truly had."

"But it was a good kind of 'had'?" He asked.

"The best." She let him put his arm around her shoulders and kiss her forehead before snuggling into his shoulder.

He smiled; this was what it was all about. "So how long had you been picturing us as Rochester and Jane in your head?"

"Oh, I don't know. Since I had my braces off, I suppose. You were so kind to me, holding up that stupid bra whilst Dr Frankel was cutting off the metal, and afterward when you said that I looked great."

His mouth dropped open, "so, in fact, you've been thinking about us a lot longer than I have."

"Oh my God, you're right." She covered her face with her hands.

Daniel pulled her hands away from her face. "And do these little fantasies ever get a bit steamy?"

Betty was mortified. "Yes, sometimes."

"Sounds like we've got a bit of role playing to look forward to. Anything else you'd like to share?" She shook her head. "Are you sure because it seems like I'll find out one way or another?" He teased.

She looked away for a moment before turning back and looking him straight in the eye, modesty be damned. "Well, I've often wondered about food."

"Food?"

"Yeah, Henry and I tried to spice things up a little one night with some ice cream and toppings and well it didn't go too well."

"Never use Henry and ice cream in the same sentence ever again." He joked. "Seriously, Betty?"

She shrugged. "It's a sensation thing, I guess?"

"Yes, if done correctly. This is what I was saying before about meeting in the middle, although it already sounds like you're up for a bit of adventure."

She bit her lip, "is that good?"

He managed to move her so that she was lying against his chest encased in his arms, her head resting against his shoulder. "That's great," his grin was wolfish. He watched her swallow. "I can't wait to get you out of here." He closed the distance and kissed her hungrily.

Betty's phone suddenly sprang into life. "I hope that's not Matt," Daniel deadpanned.

"No, it's a text from Alexis. Christina's contractions are starting to come close together. I have to go." She swung her legs off the bed and slipped her feet into her shoes before turning back and kissing him hard. Daniel laughed as she went running from the room before having to complete a one eighty and run back in to pick up her jacket. "You better be quicker than this when I'm pregnant." She mumbled as she ran back out.

Daniel was still sniggering as he picked up Betty's book and began to read. He really had to find out what happened at the end.

.oOo.

By the time Betty got back to the maternity ward, Christina and Alexis were already in the delivery room. "It was just all so quick," Claire commented as Betty took a seat next to her.

"Where's Will?"

"Christina's mother has him." Claire took Betty's hand, "how's Daniel this evening?"

"Considering what he's been through today, he's been great tonight." Betty's face was slightly pink; she certainly wasn't going to tell Claire about how her conversation had gone with Daniel, a mother didn't need to hear those things she figured.

Claire smirked, "Betty, I was young and in love once upon a time. I can't profess to know everything that my son has got up to with other women but I have a good idea."

"You think that Daniel and I? I'd never, not in a hospital." She whispered, "we haven't got much past first base."

"Good, because you two have all the time in the world. I'd hate to see you rush into things."

Betty smiled. This was about more than just her and Daniel sleeping together this was about expectation. Claire expected there to be a relationship, a wedding and a family. But what she was really saying was that there was still scope for trouble and heartache if they didn't tread carefully. What could possibly go wrong for them now?

"When I met Bradford, I fell in love with him immediately. The whole courtship didn't take long and I was soon married to him with Alexis on the way. I sometimes wonder what our lives would've been like if I hadn't caved into his charms so easily."

Betty took in Claire's sad profile. "Do you wish things could've been different? Perhaps with Cal?"

"No, Betty, I do wish that Tyler wasn't Cal's. However, that is a cross I have to bear. In truth he should've been Bradford's and would've been had I not been such a lush and Bradford more of a saint."

"Claire, things happen for a reason."

Claire looked Betty in the eye, "yes, they do. And I'm so happy for you and Daniel, but Daniel is very beguiling, like his father was. I don't want to see you make the same mistakes I did. Married within six months, my first child within a year. I had nothing for myself, Betty, it was all for Bradford and the children."

"I'm confused, you don't want me and Daniel to get married and have your grandchildren?"

Claire sighed, "No, of course not Betty. I would love for you to become my daughter in law tomorrow if you could make it happen. What I don't want is for you to landslide into a life that you're not completely happy with. It has taken you two well over a year to start a relationship that has been bobbing along for a long time. I get the impression that now you and Daniel have finally realised how much in love you are that it won't be very long before Daniel manages to charm you into his bed. You're still very young Betty in comparison to Daniel. He would start a family with you tomorrow if he got the chance, but you're just beginning to make something of your career and I'd hate for you to lose that because you were having my grandchildren. All I ask is that you take some time to think about what you really want out of life before you jump feet first into a marriage and family with Daniel."

It made sense, Betty considered. It was like her pregnancy scare with Matt all over again. How could she give up what she had worked so hard to create? She'd built up her own magazine in a city that she loved and maybe she'd even win editor of the year, if she was lucky. Would Daniel really ask her to give it all up for him? Of that she had no doubt. He'd built up his own new career, he'd invested in a family home that he'd created entirely for them to live, work and grow in, in an environment that already had all the amenities that they could ever need. It was totally overwhelming. "I'll think about it, take my time." She said to Claire.

Claire nodded, "I know that you'll make the right choices and even if Daniel doesn't agree with them initially he'll come around. He has before."

And that's what Betty was most afraid of, Daniel. How would he see things from her perspective when everything he'd already done had been for her, could she ask him to do anymore? Give up Salcombe, move his work to London? Would he even be prepared to do what she asked of him? She had to speak to him; she had to see if they could at least compromise. She got up from her seat and started for the exit, stopping just by Claire's chair. "I need to go and speak with Daniel."

Claire nodded, "yes."

"Christina appears to be coping with Alexis' help; I don't think I could do any better. Please just apologise for me and tell Christina I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Of course." She smiled, "Betty? He will see it from your side eventually."

Betty nodded, unsure if she could feel the same way as Claire but hoping that Claire was indeed right again this time.

She took her time strolling through the corridors back to Daniel's ward contemplating what she was going to say as an opener and how it would all pan out. In each new scenario it all ended the same way. Daniel turning his back on her and hoping to never see her again. But she had to do this, she had to find out what Daniel had in mind for them and if she could make him understand what she needed, at least for the next few years of her life, then she'd do it.

When she arrived back at his room, she caught him dozing, her book in his lap, his thumb keeping the page open where he had last read. Gently, she extracted the book from his grasp and checked out what he had been reading. Reader, I married him. That was all she needed.

"Hey," his voice was groggy with sleep.

"Hey," she said. "I didn't mean to disturb you."

"It's ok. Has Christina had the baby yet?"

"Not yet."

"Then what you doing here," he smiled. "Not that I mind, but I thought Christina wanted you to be her birthing partner?"

"Honestly? She's better off with Alexis. They've been really bonding over this baby. Maybe it's because Alexis can't have a child. I don't know. Anyway, whatever it is, Christina is in the best place and in the best hands."

"Are you ok, Betty? You seem kind of down." He held his hand out for her to take but she couldn't, not yet.

"Daniel, before we go any further there's something I have to know."

"Ok, what is it?"

"How do you see our lives panning out?"

His eyebrows furrowed, "if you mean, do I see us married with children then yes. Yes, I do. It's what I wanted when I followed you here and it's what I want now."

"Ok. Do you have any fixed ideas about how we're going to do this, when, where even?"

"Well, I was hoping for a quick engagement, married before the years out perhaps. Children when they turned up. I mean neither of is getting any younger, I'll be forty next year and you'll soon be thirty."

"And where do you see us living?"

"In Devon, of course. I had the cottage arranged especially for us."

She closed her eyes, "and do you see any room for movement on this? Like spending some of our time here or my commuting here for work?"

"Why would you want to? I can provide you with everything you'll ever need?"

"Not quite, Daniel. What about my job? My career? My magazine?"

"Do you think you'll have the time when the first baby comes along? All kudos to you Betty if you think you can?"

"Well, I would like to think that I could at least carry on in some kind of capacity but I'd rather just put the baby making on hiatus for the moment until I'm really ready for that part of my life to change."

"We can't wait too long; I'm going to be an old dad as it is."

"I knew it," she blew, "this is and has always been about you Daniel, about how things will affect you, how people well perceive you. Who cares if you're an older father? Who cares how much money you have? I don't."

"Well, I do. I'm now in a position where I can truly provide for my family, Betty. I want children whilst I can still run around with them and enjoy them. I thought you understood that."

She sat down in the chair, "I do. But I also have to have something for me, I want my career and my magazine like I've always dreamed of. And I want to be able to carry on with it too. I don't want to have to give it up to provide you with a wife and mother for your children because you can't compromise on any part of your dream."

"I didn't say I wouldn't compromise. What do you want?"

"To live in London where my work is, at least for the time being."

"I have work too, but it's in Devon."

"Couldn't you work form London as well? I know the boatyard's down there and soon Philippe, Jay and Alexis will all have a hand in running it. You could work from here at least for part of the week?"

"I don't know Betty. I don't really want to move back into the rat race if I can help it."

"Then we'll find somewhere between the two, I'll commute up here. Then at the weekends we can go to Devon."

"And how long do you think we could keep that up for?"

"People do it all of the time?"

"I don't think I could, I'm sorry."

"You won't even try?"

He shook his head; his smile had faded into a grim line. "No."

"I thought you loved me?" She cried.

"I do." He growled out, "very much. And what about you? You returned the favour?"

"I guess I was blinded by your charm." She retorted sarcastically, before picking up her jacket. "Goodnight Daniel."

"Betty, don't go. We can work this out."

"Can we?" She snapped, "how? You won't compromise. I just need something for myself first before I throw my life into becoming what you want me to be and you can't even give me that. Well fine. I'll see you in three or four years. Perhaps by then we'll both finally be able to meet in the middle."

"Betty?" He called out but her retreating figure wouldn't slow down or stop. He'd really messed it up this time. "Betty, please?"

As soon as she'd got into the elevator and the door had closed she let go of her emotions, her eyes flooding with tears and her aching heart causing her to cry out in pain. Had she made the right choice? Was Claire right that Daniel would eventually come around? Whatever happened now it was all in the lap of the Gods and she was merely a servant to their end game. She only hoped that they would be able to sort out this sorry mess, once and for all.

TBC