Chapter 21

They stood in the middle of the cafeteria, the rest of the family staring over from their table by the window. A small 'oh my gosh' could be heard whispered under Justin's breath as he placed a hand to his chest, watching his aunt and her former boss. Anyone watching could see and feel the electricity in the air. Bobby and Hilda unknowingly reached out to one another smiling at watching Betty with Daniel sending each other pointed looks while Elena smiled on contentedly. No other words had been spoken, but the two didn't seem to need words, volumes being spoken through a physical conversation only meant for them. It was unclear who reached out first but it took mere seconds for Daniel to have Betty wrapped in his arms as she rested her head on his chest and he buried his face in her hair, breathing in unison.

The onlookers in other parts of the room looked up, smiling genuinely, this being a small bright spot in their no doubt very long and stressful days. They may not have known who the couple was exactly, but the love was evident even to strangers. It could thaw a heart as cold as Wilhelmina's used to be because it radiated such warmth and safety and complete comfort with one another. Any ideas of hatred, or anger, or potential arguments were thrown out the window as soon as they caught eyes with one another. They just needed each other, and he couldn't imagine anywhere else he would rather be than here, holding her, trying to offer the same comfort she had offered him when in a similar situation.

Of course he had been angry at her that time, but after learning the truth about Wilhelmina and her father, he would never forget the feeling of her coming up to place a comforting hand on his shoulder while sitting in an empty hospital room with Alexis just after Bradford's passing. He was so glad that this wasn't as grave a situation as that had been with regard to Ignacio, but he would go where she went no matter the reason. He just wanted to be here with her, and he could tell that she wanted him here. It was all he needed. It made his heart soar. They could talk about what happened between them later, for now she just needed his comfort, and he was happy to help. She sighed, feeling safe in his arms. This was what she needed. To have him here, this could have been so much worse and she didn't want to imagine what it would have been like if her father had passed and she didn't have Daniel's arms to run to. It was unimaginable. Here he was, and that was all she needed.

She suddenly began to cry, it all being too much. Whether they were tears of happiness or grief for her father's situation she wasn't sure, but as soon as he heard the small whimpers and sniffles and felt dampness on the front of his shirt he brought his arms down and held onto her wrists.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here. You're alright." He hated when she cried. He wasn't entirely sure what to do except reassure her that he was there for her. She looked up into his eyes. He was looking at her with concern written all over his face. She sniffled again.

"I know. I know. It's just been a lot." She tried to sound strong, but this was so much more than she felt like she could handle. She used to feel like she could do anything, she was always the backbone holding everyone else up, but this was too much coming at once. The old smile and shrug it off Betty was gone. She let her emotions show more now, at least with him, and she didn't feel like she had to hide and stay strong for everyone else anymore. Here, in this moment, with him, she could let it all out. She was safe, in the same way she felt with her family because he was part of her family. He was her better half, and she was his.

"I know, but it will be alright. I promise." He reached up to wipe away a falling tear with his thumb, letting the touch linger. She unknowingly closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. She let him cup her cheek as he slid his other hand down so that he was holding her hand now. "I mean… look I don't know what's in store for your dad, and I know this won't be easy, but I promise to help you and your family in any way I can. Okay? I'm here." She reached up and held his hand to her face, letting the warmth from his touch burn into her skin, feeling like it was radiating throughout her.

She opened her eyes and looked up at him again. "Thank you." She managed to whisper. "I'm really glad you're here." She repeated those words that first gave him hope when he found her again in London. He couldn't help the small smile that spread across his lips, happy to know that she was in fact glad to see him. He had been so afraid that he had ruined everything, but he knew now that he had been foolish to think so.

"Me too." He whispered back. He started to believe the words Hilda had told him. She wasn't angry, she didn't hate him. If he could find the time to talk with her properly then he would be able to let her know that the kiss wasn't the mistake, it was the timing. Holding her like this, feeling this way, it gave him far more hope than he ever dared allow himself to feel before. Something had changed. This was new. They had moved from friendship. This wasn't how friends held each other, this spoke to a deeper connection, and if he hadn't suddenly become very aware of their surroundings at the sound of a cafeteria tray dropping back in the kitchen he may have shown her just how much he was feeling. They both jumped at the sound, having been lost in their moment. It snapped them back into attention of the room and they reluctantly released each other from the embrace. He cleared his throat. "Have you eaten yet?" he managed to think of something safe to say. It seemed he had taken on the task of feeding everyone this morning, and he was glad to offer what little help he could in the form of sustenance.

"Uh, no, not yet. Breakfast didn't work out this morning." She wrinkled her nose at the remembrance of Hilda's stress cooking that morning. He giggled at her expression.

"You'll have to tell me the story behind that face later." He laughed some more. "Would you like something? I'll buy." He offered, grabbing hold of her hand once more and gestured towards the counter.

"Yes please, I'm starving." She wiped away the last of the tears, smiling at him. They walked over towards the food line, still holding hands. Whether they were aware or not, everyone in the room thought they looked lovely together, as if the two were made for one another. Whispers and contented sighs followed them as they crossed the room. Betty looked over to everyone else and they turned away, not hiding the fact that they had been watching very well at all, busying themselves with their food and pretending to make conversation. She shot Hilda a look, not sure what she was trying to convey, but Hilda's expression was full of nosy satisfaction. Watching the two of them had been completely engrossing, and as they walked towards the food counter Betty thought she heard Justin whisper excitedly that he could have sworn they were about to kiss, having a giddy look on his face. Elena's had been harder to read but the smile on her face was hardly contained, and Bobby's was much the same, looking like a proud papa smugly smirking.

Betty and Daniel returned to the table and sat down. Bobby moved over so the two could sit together. Justin held his hand in his chin leaning forward looking at them as if they were movie stars who deigned to sit at his table. He was completely enamored. There was a slight awkwardness, nobody exactly sure what to say. Finally it was Daniel who broke the ice.

"So, can I ask, how is Ignacio doing… really? What did the doctor have to say?" Betty looked to him, setting her drink down.

"Um, it's not too good. It looks like he had a stroke during his heart surgery, and now he's lost a lot of function in his left side. The doctor says with physical therapy he has a good chance of getting it back though."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, but it sounds like there's some hope. What about his heart?" Elena answered him this time.

"His heart is good, well as good as it can be. He's been through a lot." Daniel nodded in agreement.

"That's good to hear. At least he's still here right? All you can do is keep moving forward from this point. If I can help, please let me know. I can make a few calls, my mom is on the board at a couple hospitals, I might be able to pull some strings and get him into a rehab center."

"Oh no Daniel, that's okay." Betty immediately dismissed it thinking it far too much. The Meades had already helped by setting him up with that doctor once before, and the staff hadn't been very nice to them, leaving her with a feeling as cold as Ignacio had been sitting in that exam room.

"No, please, let me help. It's the least I can do." Daniel pushed, looking into her eyes, pleading to be able to help her.

"We couldn't ask you to do that." Hilda spoke up sensing that this could lead to some tension.

"Well, if you change your mind it's really no problem." He reassured them, looking over to Hilda. Betty may have dismissed it, but he knew it was out of politeness and tried not to let his previous feelings of not being allowed to help cloud in. This was much different. He let out a breath.

"Thank you Daniel." Betty smiled at him. That was a good sign. He knew it was alright.

Everything will be alright. They thought in unison. They both looked over to the other, smiling again content to be here with each other. This was where they belonged. Everything will be alright.

Well, my loves, what did you think? I finally got them back together, if not together... yet. ;) Don't worry, there's more to come. I'd still like to try and get to the point of having a holiday chapter before or on the holiday so please stay tuned and keep reading. Don't forget to leave a review, it helps to know if I'm headed in the right direction. Mwah! xxx