Party
Hi this is a fairly long one-shot inspired by Betty's going away party =)
For entertainment only :P
Betty looked at the banner strung across the MODE offices for the hundredth time that night. She had mixed feelings. She was a contradiction of emotions: she felt happy and sad, hopeful and nostalgic, felt loved and shattered.
She was at the best and worst party she had ever been to. It was the best because it was thrown for her to wish her well in London. She was the type of person to think optimistically. Rather than it being a goodbye party, she thought it better to think of it as a good luck party.
However, that optimism was quickly extinguished since the one person she had hoped and wished would show up hadn't, so that turned it into the worst party she'd ever been to.
She loved so much that Marc and Amanda were happy for her, and heck, they had become her friends over the years, so it was so much fun to dance with them and have fun with them. She even loved that Justin was able to show up and celebrate with her.
Things seemed to turn up as she began having fun and letting go, except when she saw Claire. At first, she had felt an ounce of hope that perhaps Daniel decided to show up, but when she had asked Claire if Daniel was coming and was responded with an 'I don't know', she felt upset that she ruined her friendship with Daniel.
Then Claire had the courtesy of planting this pesky thought in her mind that the reason Daniel wasn't there and had given her such a hard time about this whole London fiasco was because he had feelings for her.
HER?
Daniel Meade.
Had feelings for her? Yeah, right. She laughed at the thought.
Except now, she couldn't stop her thoughts in relation to that 'information' that Claire so wonderfully shared with her.
She sighed as she stood outside her party hoping some air would...would help or...something. Except, it didn't; it just reminded her of the void she felt at the current moment.
She let out an even deeper sigh as the 'all-knowing-look' Claire gave her played in her mind, and she couldn't help it when she flashed back to the image of Daniel unsuccessfully burning her release form, or him saying the words 'I can't live without you'. Of course he had followed up with a raise, and made it seem like a professional reason. For that brief minute she had thought he meant it in a personal sense and she had felt her heart pound like a drum in her chest. But that moment was fleeting.
As she gripped the rail of the balcony and let out another deep breath, she thought about how much fun she had with him at Hilda's wedding, dancing and joking around. Now, all she could see was Daniel staring at her as her sister gave her infamous speech. Yes, she had noticed him staring at her. It made her nervous, but she had pretended it was her imagination, but now it was so clear. She could feel his eyes on her, even now. Those incredible blue eyes
Ok, and so, that speech did a lot more than make her smile for her sister; it made her think about Daniel.
Wasn't he that friend? That best friend? Who would do anything in the world to protect her? Who would jump in front of a bus to stop anything from happening to her?
Or, so she thought. Until she went and screwed everything up!
She felt sadness flood her as the image of Daniel finally signing her release form filled her. The look on his face killed her when she walked in. The way his voice cracked as he spoke, the fact that he left and she hadn't seen him since then made tears fill her eyes.
She picked out her phone. She needed to see him. How could she live if she didn't at least get to see Daniel before she left? That thought tore her heart open. She quickly hit the little green symbol next to his name.
She inhaled deeply waiting for an answer, but was met with his voicemail. She felt her heart shatter a teensy bit more, but spoke "Daniel, hi...this is Betty." she didn't like that her voice cracked as she spoke. "It's my going away party and you're not here" she stated hearing her voice get higher and sound more shattered with every word. "Um...I really want to see you before I leave" she bit her lip. "Bye" she whispered unable to come to terms with the fact that he simply wasn't showing up.
It was official. Daniel Meade hated her.
"You have two bosses, you know" Betty spun around, a hand to her chest in surprise as Wilhelmina joined her on the balcony. "Wilhelmina"
Betty stared at the diva as she looked her over. "It's about time you left this place" Wilhelmina stated. Betty didn't realize it was a compliment until she added "You have big balls, Betty Suarez"
Betty stared at her in shock, but smiled at her, surprised even further that she was returning a smile. Even Wilhelmina was here to wish her well.
She felt angrier now than upset that the one person who should be here for her wasn't. She decided that she wasn't going to let that bother her, so she turned and left the balcony. She smiled when she saw Marc. She wrapped her arms around him from behind. He squealed "Ah!"
"I'm going to miss you" she said. He turned slightly to look at her. She looked at his eyes. "You take care of things here" she said, hoping he could tell what she meant without having to say it. When he nodded, she knew he did.
"I'll miss you, too, Betty"
She smiled and hugged him more, when Amanda came over and said "Hey!" she wrapped her arms around both of them and said "I love this song!"
They both grinned "me too!"
They all started dancing and having fun. Betty tried her best to stay in the present moment and not let her mind drift, however she felt as though she could feel him. It was insane. He wasn't even at her party. How could she possibly sense him? She was insane!
When the party had ended, Betty found herself taking a cab and ending up strolling along the bridge that so many years ago she'd come to with Daniel. That night that she had become friends with Daniel. That night that he made her feel special.
As she looked at the city before her, her eyes began to glisten. She didn't want to cry. She wanted to stay happy, but it was incredibly difficult. Especially, when that friend that had always made her feel so...wonderful and special, decided it was better he didn't see her anymore.
She couldn't leave if she didn't see him. It was out of the question. She had to see him. Whether he wanted to see her or not!
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Daniel stared at his door as he held his key near the doorknob. He sighed and stuck the key in, unlocking the door and walking in. As he shut the door behind him he rested against it closing his eyes as he envisioned Betty dancing with Marc and Amanda. She looked so beautiful. He wanted to see her. More than anything, but knew he needed to let her go.
He knew if he saw her he wouldn't be able to control his emotions. He would say something selfish and it would make her stay. He couldn't let that happen. He knew that this is what was meant for her. She deserved this. She had better things to live for.
He felt heaviness in his chest.
When he got her voicemail, he had actually been at MODE. In fact, he was able to see her leaving it to him from where he was hiding. Now, he felt like a total asshole, hiding and spying on her. Making her think he hated her.
He could never hate her, even when he found out about London from that stupid mass email. He was pissed, and felt hurt, but he could never hate her.
In fact, he...he let out a sigh as he opened his eyes taking several steps into his apartment before he tossed his keys on the table. He looked to his door again, wondering if he should find Betty. He hated to think that she would think he hated her. He wanted her to know how he felt about her. But he just couldn't.
He walked to his kitchen to get his favorite scotch, but as he poured himself the drink, he couldn't do anything but simply stare at it. He sighed as he somehow made it to his couch and plopped down closing his eyes wishing that he could figure out something to do.
Could there even be a way for them to be...together? At least on the same damn side of the ocean?
He wondered, maybe he could move to Paris, stay with Alexis and DJ for a while. That way he could at least be closer to her. Hell, perhaps he could find something in London. He didn't care for MODE anyway.
He couldn't bare the thought of living without her. He meant it when he told her he couldn't live without her. He chickened out and made it seem like it wasn't because he could barely breathe thinking about not seeing her smile every day; that incredible luminescent smile of hers. He grinned at the image of her at the Guggenheim when she got her braces off and gave him her first bright brace-free smile. She looked so perfect.
She was so beautiful. She was transforming into this stunning butterfly right before his eyes. He often times couldn't stop staring at her. He was positive she'd noticed a couple of times. He couldn't help it. She was breathtaking.
When she had walked into his office for him to sign those stupid release forms, he had to control his desire to kiss her senseless. She looked so beautiful. It took all of his willpower to not look at her as he signed them and quickly left because he knew he wouldn't be able to take it, all of it, how beautiful she was, how hurt he felt that she wanted to leave, how helpless he felt, just everything.
He let out a groan as he picked his head up from the back of the couch and looked to the door. He could have sworn he heard a soft knock. He was crazy. He stared at the door again in contemplation. As the image of her and him dancing at Hilda's wedding crossed his mind, he couldn't stop himself as he jolted up from his couch, picked up his keys and charged toward the door. That was when he heard a knock, louder this time.
When he opened the door, his eyes grew wide when he saw an equally wide-eyed Betty right in front of him. "Betty?"
Her eyes watered and before he knew what was happening her lips were on his and she was kissing him. Betty Suarez, his beautiful Betty, was kissing HIM! He groaned and wrapped his arms around her waist wondering if this was all some amazing dream. Did he fall asleep and was now dreaming his wish?
She seemed to pull him closer to her by grabbing more of his shirt in her hands as she deepened the kiss. Her lips were amazing. God, he had wanted to kiss her perfect lips for the longest time. He slowly let his hands move up her body and rest at her cheeks. She seemed to melt and relax when his hands cupped her face. He pulled back, still holding her face and looked at her eyes.
She was staring into his, with this curious look. He wondered what she was thinking. "Betty?" he didn't know what to say.
Her hands were still holding onto his shirt tightly, as if she was to let go he might disappear. She watched his eyes, her eyes seemed glossy. He let his finger brush along her face admiring her. Her eyes closed at his touch. "Do you love me?" she asked in a soft voice.
He gulped nervously. Her eyes remained closed giving her the courage to ask what she wanted. "Please tell me. Anything, Daniel. I just..." tears slid past her shut eyes.
He brushed the tears away with his thumbs. "I...I'm not sure how to answer that" he replied, honestly worried his response could either be the best or worst thing he could say.
She opened her eyes this time and said "Anything"
He stared at her trying to think of something logical to say. He could see that she was getting nervous.
As Betty stared at Daniel in front of her she felt too many emotions to comprehend at once. She felt confused, certain, uncertain, hopeful, scared, hurt, happy, sad, and scared; she was terrified, and it was all making her dizzy.
She really had no clue what she was going to do when she saw Daniel. She really just wanted to see him, so she had made it to his apartment hoping he was there. When he opened the door, seeing him just did something to her heart and she couldn't stop herself from kissing him. When he wrapped his arms around her with a groan and kissed her back, her heart seemed to lift and she understood why she'd felt the way she'd felt.
As she continued to stare at Daniel waiting for him to speak, she never felt so nervous, and scared and unsure in all her life. She had to wonder if Claire's observation was true, and the longer she waited for Daniel to respond, the more uncertain she felt.
Just as she was about to let go of him, he closed his eyes and whispered "Yes"
She stared at him, still not sure what that meant. He took a breath and opened his eyes "I love you"
Her eyes grew wide.
As Daniel looked back at Betty, he knew he needed to tell her the truth. It was now or never. He looked into her eyes and with all his breath said "I love you, Betty."
He paused for another breath and continued "That's, that's the reason why I...why I reacted the way I did to everything. Why I hated stupid Grubstick and fired him, why I didn't take stupid Trista to the wedding, why I couldn't take my eyes off you all night, why I worked late with you every day"
"why I burned your stupid release forms, why I signed them, why I ran away, why I didn't see you at your party, why I decided to let you go! Why I do everything!" he stated, his resolve vanishing rapidly.
She continued to stare at him in complete surprise and wonder, her eyes wide, yet, he swore he could see hope and acknowledgment.
"Don't you see, Betty? I love you. I'm in love with you. I have been for...God knows how long. I can't stop thinking about you. I can't live without you, I can't!" he said with the shake of his head. "It kills me to think of not seeing you every day, but it would kill me even more if it was me who kept you from your dreams"
At that, tears spilled down her cheeks. He cupped her face and pulled her closer. "I love you so much, I don't know how to function." He said with a small smile.
She tried to smile, despite her eyes scrunching as tears continued to escape.
He looked into her eyes, his own become blurry. "Betty, you're...you're the best most amazing beautiful thing that ever happened to me" he said as he admired her face again. Those warm eyes, that lovely smile, those equally lovely lips, her sweet cheeks.
She closed her eyes; her body seemed to melt infinitely within his grasp, her trust in him eminent.
"I honestly don't think I can survive without you. I decided that I'm going to come to London with you"
Her eyes shot open, surprise, shock and wonder crossing them. He smiled "At least, if that is ok with you?" he asked, hoping she'd say yes.
She bit her lip and she seemed to get even more teary-eyed, if that was possible and nodded with a breathless "Yes" before she grabbed him by his shirt again and kissed him. He felt his heart sky-rocket this time, since he'd admitted that he loved her. She had to love him back, he was sure. He really wanted to hear her say it, but he was just happy she was kissing him right now, and had agreed to let him go to London with her. He'd think about the love part later.
She moved back and looked into his eyes. She was amazed that Daniel had said all that he did to her and told her that he wanted to come to London with her. She felt a rush of air fill her lungs as she looked at him. He smirked at her "So...what do you want to do now?" he asked casually, but she could see that flicker of flirtation in his eyes.
She bit her lip and wrapped her arms around his waist "we could always have a private party, since you didn't come to my real one" she said with her eyebrow raised. He grinned "Oh yeah? That sounds like a brilliant idea" he grabbed her hand and pulled her along to his bedroom causing her to laugh playfully.
When he sat on the edge of the bed he pulled her to stand in front of him and looked at her eyes as she stood there. He had to be dreaming. Betty was really standing in front of him, willing to expand their relationship into a romantic one. He tugged on her hand and pulled her close placing a quick kiss to her lips and looked into her eyes "I did come to your party." He admitted as he watched her. Her eyes seemed to shine "but"
He sighed and lifted a hand to her cheek. "I...I wanted so badly to see you, but...I had decided to let you go"
She leaned closer and placed a hand to his face "I don't want you to let me go"
He smiled at that and pulled her over him and started to kiss her, his heart lifting more and more with each kiss. It felt amazing to admit that Betty Suarez was the light of his life, the puzzle to his heart, the woman he couldn't imagine a life without. "I won't let go. I promise" he whispered to her before he placed a kiss to her cheek.
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Betty had woken up several times during the night; it was as if her heart was fully aware that she was sleeping beside Daniel. Never in her wildest dreams, ok, so maybe in her wildest dreams, she thought of them together, but she never thought it would actually be possible. Just like the possibility of her getting the job of her dreams in London. Yet, those both seemed to be happening.
As she watched Daniel sleep, her heart continued to skip with each soothing breath he took beside her. She turned on her front, resting her chin on her knuckles as she watched him sleep. He was so sweet. And gorgeous.
And hot! She felt her cheeks flush as she relived their extended connection. She bit her lip wondering if she could take a quick peek at his body. She traced her finger down his chest very lightly and reached the sheet as it stopped at his hips. She gripped the fabric between her fingers and just as she was about to lift the cover, she felt his hand on her shoulder causing her heart to jump. She lied back, so she was on her side and slipped her arm around his waist amazed that he was really beside her, his arm around her.
She did not expect this to happen. She simply wanted to say bye to him and see him before she left. This turned out so much better.
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As Daniel began to wake up, he felt like his heart was lifted. He smiled at the thought of waking up to Betty by his side. When he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see that Betty was lying on top of him somewhat and watching his face.
He grinned brightly and said "Hey" his voice had come out somewhat hoarse from sleep. When she smiled with that breathtaking smile of hers, he felt like his whole heart had expanded in his chest. "Hi" she spoke softly.
"This is beautiful" he stated as he folded his arms underneath his head. She looked at him, wondering what he meant by that. He looked at her face and smiled "Life is beautiful with you in it." he clarified. All of her features seemed to melt at his words and the smile she gave him was the sweetest he could ever see. "It's beautiful with you, too" she said before meeting his lips in a kiss. His hand reached her cheek as he pulled her closer.
Betty moved back and looked at Daniel feeling so perfect to be able to see him wake up, those spectacular blue eyes of his reaching her heart. She bit her lip as she continued to admire his face. He seemed to just watch her, his eyes expressing only one thing: love. She loved him, too.
She couldn't explain how her heart reacted every single time he told her he loved her. He'd probably said it a hundred times. She had been near the brink of saying it several times, but...he sort of distracted her with his...skill. She blushed thinking about how... how freaking amazing he was. He noticed her blush, his eyebrow rose in curiosity. "Ok, what are you thinking? I know it's naughty if you're blushing. So early in the morning?" he teased.
She blushed further, but leaned into him and said "You know you are really...skilled Daniel, don't you?"
He grinned, but said "Hmm...in what, exactly?" he wanted to make her call him a sex god. She bit her lip, "You know"
"No, really, tell me" he said, all while grinning. She blushed "You're...good."
He raised his eyebrow "Good, huh? I'm afraid that's not good enough. I'm going to have to prove otherwise" he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows and somehow she ended up underneath him, causing her to gasp and look at him in surprise. He grinned brightly "Come on, Betty. Tell me what I'm good at"
She bit her lip, blushing brighter "Um...you're..."
"Come on" he trailed his fingers down her throat and chest, and down her body "Um, uh...you're uh, oh good" she gulped as his lips brushed along her sensitive skin over her chest and torso, all while his hands traveled further down her body and gripped her hips "Mm...uh...so good."
Daniel watched as Betty lost it to him. He couldn't smack the grin off his face. He knew he was 'good'; he never gotten any complaints before, that was for damn sure. Hell, he knew he was cocky, but he wanted her to call him a sex god. "Betty" he whispered her name as he trailed his lips down her body. "Tell me, sweetie"
Her breathing was becoming more shallow, and she began to wiggle underneath his touch. He grinned knowing she was losing control. "Huh Daniel, oh god, please" she wanted more of his touch. He was teasing her, but he wanted to hear her.
Betty was going mad with desire. She knew Daniel was teasing her. She didn't want to give in. He had a big ego as it was; it didn't need to get any bigger. She sank her teeth into her bottom lip at the dirty thoughts that washed over her, especially, as he ran his hand up along her legs and torso and met her lips with a deep kiss before he cupped her ample flesh in his hands. She moaned and left his lips with a breathless "Please Daniel"
He grinned shaking his head "not until you tell me what I want to hear."
She sighed, not sure if she could keep it together enough. He placed a kiss to her throat as he let one hand travel down her torso; he let his lips stop close to her ear "Two words, Betty. That's all you have to say" he whispered in his deepest sexiest voice that sent chills down her already oversensitive body.
"Mm... I...oh, please, I want to feel you, anything" she said breathlessly. He grinned further. Hell, it was so hot what she was saying, but he still wanted to hear those two words. He moved up her body and captured her lips in a passionate kiss and said "Look at me, Betty" he wanted to see her eyes.
She opened her eyes and saw his beautiful blue ones looking right into hers. He smiled "I love you, you know"
She nodded "Mhm..."
His smile turned into a smug grin as he lifted her hips and wrapped her legs around him causing her to moan "Oh goodness, yes" He looked into her eyes and smiled at her. She nodded "Fine Daniel, you win, you're a sex god, okay! Now, please do something!"
he chuckled at her desperation and in a surprising unexpected move from her he was under her. "Holy crap! Oh god, Betty!" he looked at her in shock.
She bit her lip and sunk down on him, causing him to shut his eyes and groan. She leaned closer and whispered "open your eyes, please"
He gulped but opened his eyes and he was surprised to see her sweet smile. Her eyes softened and she lifted her hands to his face "I love you, too, Daniel"
He smiled at her and reached up to meet her lips in a kiss. Hearing her 'I love you' to him made his heart swell. He knew they could make this work between them. Hell, he was excited to be starting this new chapter in their lives together. He sure as hell loved this more intimate party that just the two of them were having. He grinned as she lit his world on fire.
AN: Hope you enjoy! :D