On Monday morning, Betty alternates between writing a brief article about their visit to Montle Dijo and revising her article that details her interview with Mothusi for the debut issue of Compassion's Compass. Matt is reasonably satisfied with how his pictures that will accompany the articles are set up, pending any changes in said articles by Betty, of course. He attempts to focus on researching topics for the second issue of their magazine, but finds himself distracted by his plans for Betty's first Mother's Day.
Giving Betty a sweet kiss on the cheek, Matt informs her, "I am having trouble concentrating and don't want to disturb you. I think I'll go take a brief walk to try to clear my head."
Glancing up from her computer, Betty smiles as Matt and replies, "Do whatever you need to do so you can get your ideas flowing since we'll need to start on the second issue right after this one goes to press."
Smirking, Matt teasingly responds, "Whatever I need to do for our magazine to succeed? That brings several things to mind, many of which directly involve you."
"Matt!" exclaims a blushing Betty, "I will be happy to assist you with any "couple time" related inspirations, but that will have to wait until tonight or this weekend."
Pointing at the door, Betty continues, "Now you've distracted me, go for that walk and try to focus on the magazine without putting us in there."
"Yes ma'am," answers Matt with a mock salute, which earns him a look followed by a swat on the behind as he departs the office suite.
Matt decides to go outside to make his initial phone call that will put key parts of his Mother's Day gifts into motion, as he doesn't want to risk Betty overhearing him. Daniel, who is on his way to a meeting, enters the elevator. The men nod at each other.
"So, will everything be ready for the premiere of Compassion's Compass in about 6 weeks?" asks Daniel.
Matt replies, "It is coming together very nicely. Betty has only a couple of shorter articles left to write, with the longer ones in the revision and fine tuning stage. I know which pictures are going with the articles, as long as Betty doesn't alter things too much, that is."
Laughing, Daniel says, "Betty will likely find something to change at the last minute, but usually it is for the better."
Matt responds, "I agree, Betty has very good instincts when it comes to magazine related "stuff," especially the writing part, and I'm fine with her directing the majority of it."
"I hope she has begun to believe how talented she is with writing and editing. I had to remind her of how good she is with such tasks while a Junior Features Editor at MODE due to some of the personalities and personal conflicts she was having at that time," comments Daniel.
"Yes, when I initially was Betty's boss, I was a jerk and made things difficult for her. I'm glad she had you to go to, even though I don't think my jaw will ever totally recover," states Matt as he rubs his face, which leads Daniel to chuckle.
Matt adds, "We are equals at work now or, if one had to choose, I'd say she's the boss. She has gained confidence from her experience in London and I'm sure it will be evident in Compassion's Compass."
Daniel replies, "I care about Betty a lot and, for a brief period of time, mistook that for romantic feelings. I can see how strongly you both feel about each other and believe together you will be successful."
Smirking, Daniel continues, "Since I've never been much of a fighter you can't totally blame me from reminding you of knocking you flat."
Matt answers with, "I'll forgive you for gloating about that lucky punch as I've ended up with the love of my life and you were there for her when she needed it."
As they exit the elevator, Matt says to Daniel, "Please excuse me. I need to make a call related to Betty's Mother's Day gifts."
Daniel responds, "No problem, that reminds me I still need to get something for my mother. I predict Betty will like your gift since it seems to be taking some planning on your part."
Matt replies, "I hope you are right and I'm guessing Betty will want to share some of it with those she cares about, which includes you."
"I won't ask what it is as you seem to want your gift to be a surprise. Good luck on coordinating it and I look forward to finding out what it is in about a week," answers Daniel as they go in different directions in the lobby of the Meade building.
Once outside, Matt dials the Suarez residence, with Ignacio picking up the phone and saying, "Matt, I'm glad you called. I wanted to confirm that you, Betty, and my gorgeous granddaughter Rosalina would be joining Elena, Bobby, Hilda, Justin, and Rosemarie for the Mother's Day brunch I am cooking on Sunday."
"My mother is actually away this weekend with her boyfriend and I've sent her a gift and cards from both myself as well as Rosalina already, so I don't have to worry about dividing my attention among the most important mothers in my life. Betty and I will definitely enjoy the homecooked meal and, if some of it is on the milder end, perhaps we'll expand Rosalina's food experiences too," responds Matt.
Ignacio replies, "Excellent, I take that as a yes, you will be there. We'll expect you around 11 then."
"I suspect there was another reason you called, other than to accept my Mother's Day meal invitation," continues Ignacio.
Matt tells him, "You're correct. Being Betty's first Mother's Day, she is missing Rosa. I am hoping you have some pictures that I could borrow that include all of you-Betty, Hilda, Justin, yourself, and Rosa, in both separate as well as group shots. I am planning on using modern technology to both restore and integrate them together."
"Sounds intriguing and likely a wonderful gift. I will look through our picture boxes and albums and select several for you. Shall I drop them by the townhome or the office?" asks Ignacio.
"I'm actually not telling Betty what her gifts are, so either would be fine, we just need to try to keep what you are giving me our secret," answers Matt.
Smiling, Ignacio says, "Betty is a pretty good detective, but we'll soon see if you can keep this from her. Since it is only for a few days, you might be able to pull it off. I've baked some more casseroles for you all, so I will bring the pictures along and give them to you when Betty is not looking."
"Yes, Betty is quite perceptive. If Betty figures it out, that is fine, but I at least want to try to have it be a surprise. We will see you later. Thanks for your help," states Matt as he hangs up the phone.
Matt goes back into Meade Towers and in the direction of the Compassion's Compass office suite, becoming concerned and hastening his pace when he hears Rosalina crying, with her sounding distressed and her cries rather loud even though he is still in the hallway.
"Hello ladies, Rosalina does not seem happy, what is going on?" asks Matt.
"She appears to have come down with her first real cold," responds Betty as Rosalina, who is in her arms, sneezes.
"We've given her some Tylenol, but I think she would be happier at home if you two could work from there," comments Kristin as she loads up the baby bag.
"Sounds like a good idea," replies Matt, with Betty nodding in agreement as she hands Rosalina to Matt while she gathers her things.
Matt whispers soothingly to Rosalina and sways her as he waits for the two women, with the baby calming down a little.
Giving Matt a quick kiss Betty tells him, "You're a great Dad, you've got 'the touch' with her."
Smiling at Betty as he continues to rock a now sleepy, congested Rosalina, Matt responds, "Thanks. It helps that I love her and am in love with her mother."
On the way back to the townhome, the Suarez-Hartley's call the pediatrician, who suggests use of Tylenol, a humidifier, and elevating the head of the crib. They make a brief stop at the drugstore to add to their supplies. Betty calls Ignacio to let him know about Rosalina's cold, with him agreeing that he will meet Matt at the door to give them the meals as he is not supposed to be near people with respiratory illnesses. Matt is able to get the pictures hidden and upstairs without Betty noticing as she is nursing Rosalina, which is one of the few things that quiets the Princess.
As the adults sit down to a late lunch, Kristin warns them, "Be prepared for Rosalina to wake up during the night while she deals with this cold. I wouldn't pump before you go to sleep until she is less congested and not so irritable."
Betty replies, "Thanks for the advice. I don't look forward to disrupted sleep, even if for only a few days, but it will be worse if she wants to nurse in the middle of the night and my milk supply is low since she hasn't done so in a while."
"I actually have some things that I am working on in my studio. If you have things handled here, it seems like a good time for me to make progress on them," states Matt.
"Anything to do with my Mother's Day gift?" asks Betty. "A homemade, personal gift would be thoughtful and sweet."
"Can't get anything by you. Yes, I am making part of your gift and purchasing other parts of it. Together, I think they'll make you quite happy," answers Matt.
Betty states, "A gift made by you will be that much more special, so get to it Mister," with her tone leading them all to laugh.
"At least working from home for a few days seems like it will be helpful to one of us," adds Betty, who then has to catch her breath as Matt gives her a passionate kiss that makes her heartbeat flutter.
The next several days are long and tiring ones for all of them, but most especially Betty as Rosalina seems to get the most comfort from nursing and is up once or twice during the night because of her cold. Luckily by Saturday, Rosalina is no longer running a fever and is starting to act like her cheerful self again.
The Suarez-Hartley's arrive at Ignacio and Elena's home shortly after 11 on Sunday, with all of the adults and Justin taking turns holding the babies, admiring them, and then putting them down on the playmats, where the girls seem to enjoy interacting with each other. Bobby and Matt manage to get several candids of the sisters and babies together. Ignacio serves a delectable meal of omelets, homemade bread and muffins, and fresh fruit. The babies each end up needing a wardrobe change based on their participation in the family meal.
Ignacio announces, "Now that everyone is presentable again, I believe Matt has a Mother's Day gift for Betty that he also claims is a gift for all of us."
Hilda orders, "That is intriguing, show it to us now, please."
As Matt goes over to the DVD player, Bobby can't help but announce, "What can be so special about a DVD?"
Turning around, Matt replies, "Wait and you'll see."
Matt's eclectic work history and knowledge base have come in handy, as he has managed to integrate pictures of Hilda, Betty, Ignacio, Justin, Rosalina, and Rosemarie, and even Bobby and himself, among photos with Rosa so that she seems to be in the pictures with them. Elena is in some of the pictures too. The room becomes virtually silent as they watch the 10-minute video, with an occasional gurgle and giggle from Rosalina and Rosemarie the only noises heard.
Coming over and sitting on Matt's lap, a slightly tearful Betty embraces him as she whispers in his ear, "You outdid yourself. This is the perfect present for me and likely everyone else too. Thanks for bringing my mom here to share Mother's Day with me."
Giving Betty an erotic, intense kiss even with the current audience, Matt tells Betty, "Your first Mother's Day is an important one and I'm glad that I could help make Rosa a part of it."
"Please tell me you made copies, as it will be something that I will treasure forever," says Hilda, with Ignacio and Justin nodding in agreement.
"Of course I did, while Rosa may only be able to be here in spirit, she carries on in all of you, especially her grandchildren," announces Matt as he hands Hilda and Ignacio their DVDs.
After socializing for a couple of hours, the Suarez-Hartley's excuse themselves and go back to their townhome, as Rosalina is still not 100%. A beautiful bouquet of flowers is waiting for Betty just inside the door.
"I have a few more gifts for you," Matt tells Betty as they snuggle on the couch in the early evening.
"Really?" asks Betty with the surprise evident in her voice, "The flowers and the DVD are more than enough."
"Perhaps, but one can never have too many gifts," comments Matt, as he unveils a portrait that has Rosa sitting in a chair holding Rosalina with Betty standing behind her.
After regaining her ability to speak, Betty exclaims, "I can sort of get how you could photoshop and such the pictures, but how in the world did you manage to do this!"
"I used several pictures as a guide and hoped for the best. Apparently, I was successful since I believe those are happy tears," answers Matt as he hands Betty a tissue.
"Most definitely happy tears, I love you so much and your gifts show me how much you love me too," responds Betty.
Upon entering their bedroom following Rosalina's last feeding of the day, Matt comments, "And here is the last gift," as he hands Betty a jewelry box.
Opening it, Betty remarks, "These earrings are beautiful and match the necklace you gave me when Rosalina was only a few weeks old."
"Correct," replies a grinning Matt. "You deserve to be treated like a Queen and they will look spectacular on you whenever we get a chance to have a dinner out to celebrate us."
"I think that we should celebrate us right now," states Betty.
Betty puts the earrings and necklace on and then proceeds to slowly remove Matt's clothing. Their eyes meet, which immediately quickens their heart rates. They give each other long, deep kisses as their mouths slide expertly over the other. As Betty's hands stroke up and down Matt's body, awakening every pore, his hands gently close over her breasts and mold them, leading her to arch invitingly against him. With their bodies merging as their minds blur, they both moan and shudder as a storm of sensation overtakes them. Betty eventually curls her body into Matt and they both fall into contented, peaceful sleep.