TIMELESS/CH 11
Two Years Later…
As soon as Betty heard the certain notification on her phone that meant her best friend was trying to FaceTime her she went into a frantic tailspin, throwing things off her bed, out of sight, and glancing quickly in her mirror to straighten her hair and button an extra button on her cardigan.
She was well aware that Daniel had been having a rough time lately and was talking about feeling lost and alone. She tried to think of something amusing to share with him to cheer him up before she pressed the button to accept his call.
"DANIEL! Hey, that's so weird, I was just thinking about you! How's it going?"
He forced a smile, looking almost sheepish, "You were NOT just thinking about me! You don't have to say that."
"I was, too! I was actually going to ask you a big favor."
"Really?" He seemed eager and happy to oblige her.
She chewed on her bottom lip nervously, as she tried to think what the best way to ask him to do something that might be difficult for him. "I was hoping you could...maybe, just if you're not busy, take me to Hilda's wedding next month?"
"I see. Do I know the guy?"
She shrugged, "I doubt it. Unless Justin dragged him into Mode when he did his summer internship for Marc! He's a mechanic and has a side gig, teaching driving lessons at the high school Hilda and I went to. That's where she met him. They dated years ago, before Justin was born."
"He's definitely NOT Justin's dad, though? That was that guy who you said got killed in a convenience store holdup a few years ago?"
"Right. Santos. He and Hilda almost got married, it was really hard for her and Justin when Santos came back into their lives, only to be killed like that! But Bobby is a great guy! I'm really happy for her! She deserves it. But...I don't know anybody here that would be willing to fly to the US with me."
"Yeah, I know that you said she was engaged. You told me you and your sister had a great time there for her party, remember? So...let me get this straight; you want me to take you to your sister's wedding as your...date?" he grinned.
She blushed, bowing her head, "Well, only if you're not busy! Never mind. You're probably already doing something."
He grinned, "A MONTH from now? I think I can clear my schedule that much in advance for an old friend, Betty! Besides, we never really got another date after you left me here! You sort of took off!"
She rolled her eyes, "Daniel, please don't start that again! You signed my release form...eventually! After trying to burn it! You know why I had to take the offer from Mr. Dunne! It was my dream job! Did you really expect me to stay there and be your assistant for four years?"
"No, of course not! Don't be silly! I would have promoted you to editor or something by now!"
She looked at the screen doubtfully, "If you say so. Whatever! Sorry, so you'll do it? You'll take me to Hilda's wedding?"
"Yeah, sure. Oh, wait, what date is it? I think I promised Trista we would go apple picking at least one weekend next month before it gets too late. But...what? What's with that face? Why do you hate her?"
Betty rolled her eyes, "I don't! She's very sweet. She just sort of...makes you dumb!"
"WHAT?!" He realized how high his voice sounded and tried again in a lower register, "What? What do you mean? How?"
Betty shrugged, "Never mind. It's not my business."
"Okay, whatever, now you sound just like my mom!"
"I'm just saying, the girl thought it was 'blessing in the SKIES'! I mean… really?"
"You know, now you just sound jealous!"
"Hey, it's fine. I don't care what you do. Date whomever your heart desires, Daniel! Sleep with a different girl every night, just like you used to when we first met. It's no skin off my back. Hilda's wedding is on the twenty-first. So
as long as you take me to that, you and Miss Einstein can pick apples off each other's trees whenever you want for as long as you want! Knock yourselves out!"
He raised an eyebrow, "Well, that was pretty mean! And I still say you sound jealous! What's wrong, Mr. Billionaire Boy is too busy saving whales in Africa?"
"Whales in Africa? You've really been hanging around Trista too much, Daniel! He IS actually building bridges so the locals can get safe drinking water. And yes, he's still...there. He's staying at least six more months. But...that's fine. He's a nice man, but...you know, we're not...together. Obviously!"
"You're not waiting for him or joining him?"
"No. We broke up. Sort of. I mean...he never said he wanted to, but it's a little hard to date someone from another continent!"
"Tell me about it!" he sighed under his breath.
"What's that?"
"Nothing. So...fine. I'll see you...when? When are you coming back here? Surely not just before the wedding day. How long are you staying this time?"
"For at least three weeks. I'll be there next weekend."
"Wow, that's...that's...great! What day? Do you need someone to pick you up from the airport?"
She nodded, "That would really be nice, thanks, Daniel. I'm looking forward to it. I'll text you my flight number and info. I get there next Sunday. I'm trying to make sure I'm all packed for the holidays, because I'll be staying until at least the New Year."
"Awesome! I'll...I've missed you, Betty. It's been too long. I missed my best friend."
"That's very sweet. But I know you have other friends since I left. It's been a long time since I've even been in New York. Do you really remember me?"
He closed his eyes, "Of course I do. You're hard to forget. I remember everything like it was yesterday, Betty. I remember that night we stayed out all night, I remember the day you first ran into that glass door and told me...what you dreamed about us. Then, you got freaked out, and took the first job that came along! You followed Christina to the UK and it's been very hard to keep in touch."
Betty whispered, staring at his handsome image on her laptop, "I'm sort of surprised you did! I thought…"
"You thought I would forget all about you as soon as you left? Betty, you know I had my hands full here, when Alexis showed up and then my dad died and all the crazy stuff Wilhelmina tried to pull. I don't know what I would have done without Justin here to help me and trust me, I am grateful he helped me keep my head above water. And we kept in touch, too. Your advice was invaluable. I knew I could always call whenever I really needed you. Which was a lot!
I missed you like crazy and hell, I wanted to show up there, to follow you to London, maybe be YOUR assistant or something when you first moved. But I also knew you were too young. I had to let you go. Let you spread your wings. That doesn't mean it was easy all this time. Watching you…" he cut himself off before he made an even bigger fool of himself.
Playing "big brother" from across an ocean for the past four years had been an absolute nightmare. One he hoped would end soon. He couldn't help but be extremely grateful for the opportunity her sister's wedding would afford him to pick her brain about the possibility of both of them being on the same side of the Atlantic again sometime in the very near future.
She was still the best friend he had ever had. Every time he needed her, irregardless of the time difference, she had told him to call her. And he had taken her up on her offer. She lost track of how many times the man had drunk-dialed her, often declaring his love for her, telling her about yet another crazy dream he had had starring them as Mr. and MRS. Meade, and their son, Michael.
Or sometimes, he would ask her advice about some stupid other woman. She always listened and tried to be objective. She remained a true friend. Wait, was 'irregardless' even a word? Maybe Betty was right; he HAD been hanging around Trista too much.
"Hey, tell me the truth. The other night when you drunk-dialed me, acting all flirty, and reminding me of our little sex mentor agreement we made years ago, did you call ALL your exes? Or just me? You were really drunk!"
"Exes? I don't really think of you as...that! I mean...we never...you know."
"Oh, trust me, I KNOW we didn't ever, Betty! You're the only girl I've ever met who managed to hit on me instantly, win me, my old man and my mom over, then somehow still leave me with the bluest balls I've ever had!
I still say you ran across the ocean to get away from me as fast as you could because you were scared to death your little fantasy would come true and you weren't ready to give up on your dream of owning your own magazine and meeting the man of your dreams too soon would have messed up your plans!"
She tried not to blush at his reminder of the past she had done her best to put out of her mind for the last four years. She rubbed her temples, then the bridge of her nose, "I didn't run away, Daniel. I ran TOWARDS my dream! You know that!"
He toyed with the cord on his laptop charger, trying to avoid looking her straight in the eyes, because he knew damn well she would read his expression and know instantly when he wasn't being completely honest with her, "Sure, Betty.
If you say so. But...I just...wish sometimes that...never mind! I'll see you soon. Have a safe flight. Bye!" he hung up quickly, leaving her to wonder what was going on with him. Was he trying to avoid her seeing him upset?
He had shown up about a month after she arrived, but seemed very unsure of himself and then when all hell broke loose back in New York at Fashion Week, with his sister showing up, and his father being arrested, then his mother turning herself in, then...well, it just seemed as if poor Daniel constantly had one crazy family drama after another. Justin had kept her apprised of what was going on back at Mode and she often texted Daniel advice, or they called and spoke.
It wasn't easy to stay close when they lived on separate continents. But she was determined. And her family often invited Daniel, Alexis, and Claire over to the Suarez house to feed them after Bradford passed away. Their families had oddly seemed to draw comfort from one another. Betty had insisted and Justin was always eager, being the fashion "elf" as his idol, Miss Slater called him when he showed his knowledge at a shoot while he was there as an intern.
Sometimes, it got very strange when he and Christina, or Claire Meade seemed to have some kind of conspiracy theories that she was certain involved her and Daniel. He would keep talking about 'Detty" whatever the heck that was!
The next week flew by, as she managed to check everything off her to do list before her trip and said goodbye to her friends at work. The embarrassingly huge bouquet of roses and daisies Daniel had sent was absolutely lovely. She grabbed one of each flower then handed her assistant the vase, "I can't take these on the plane with me and they'll die in my apartment when I'm gone, Sally. Would you mind taking them for me?"
The young girl pushed her glasses up on her nose, eyeing the gorgeous display with awe, "Oh no, Miss Suarez! They're lovely! Of course I'd love to take care of them! Here, you'll want the card from your gentleman!" She reached in and handed Betty the card that read simply, "To Michael's mommy. Love, Your future Baby Daddy."
The young girl looked at Betty strangely, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to be a snoop, but...you have a child? I thought you said that the young man who visited was your nephew? Is he really a love child? You must have been a baby yourself!"
Betty blushed profusely at Daniel and his silly inside jokes! Now everyone at the office was going to think she was some kind of deadbeat mom who left her husband and child or 'baby daddy' and son behind! Good grief!
She shook her head, grateful for Sally's discretion she knew she could count on, "No! It's a...well, it's just a crazy joke between me and my friend! He THINKS he's being funny! I promise you, I do NOT have a child! Justin is my NEPHEW, NOT my SON!"
Sally nodded, "Of course! I believe you! But this Daniel fella did say he wants to be your 'future" baby daddy, so...sounds like he has some pretty big plans! Make sure you take protection!"
Betty's eyes widened, "I...yeah! Right! Good idea! He and I are...just friends, though!"
"Of course you are! Have fun! Let me know you've landed safely!"
She didn't bother to keep trying to correct Sally's ideas about her and Daniel. Why should she? Heck, she struggled to define their relationship herself after two years apart, yet remaining such close friends, and staying in each other's lives, even from such a long geographical distance.
She often wondered if she had stayed in New York if they would have already "hooked up" and burnt out due to her young age at the time, or Daniel's reluctance to "setting down". Had she stayed in New York, it would have been almost impossible for them to have stayed in the "friend zone".
Besides, coming to London to start her own magazine had been the opportunity of a lifetime! There was absolutely no way she could have passed it up. Not even for Daniel.
She slid her hands over his eyes, and leaned up to whisper, "No peeking! Just turn around and stand there, and wait."
He turned around and she caught her breath at how handsome the man was. Not that she could ever forget, really. It just was something she had to keep reminding herself that he was really her husband. His muscular frame was evident in the black, custom-made suit, with his navy, silk shirt and slightly open collar that she couldn't wait to run her hands over, before she took it off of him at the end of their evening. IF they lasted that long!
His dress slacks fit his perfectly-shaped rear just so and she even liked his dress shoes. The man knew how to dress! But she had learned, too. And she knew he would love her dress. But unfortunately, she forgot she needed his help to zip it up. "Okay, wait, I forgot, you need to zip me up. But don't look yet! I want to step away and give you the full effect."
He chuckled, loving his funny, crazy Betty. She never ceased to make him laugh, and to bring him so much joy. Not to mention, of course, being the mother of his son. The best gift she could possibly give him. She was brilliant, and kind, and sexy as hell. Adorably sexy. Something only Betty could pull off, he thought as he grumbled, teasingly, "Close your eyes, Daniel, open your eyes, Daniel. Will you make up your mind what you want, woman?"
As he zipped her up, she turned slightly, and whispered breathily, "I just want you."
He took a deep, shaky breath, resting his hands on her back as he smiled at her with desire in his eyes, "Don't start. We're already running late."
"Then close your eyes again! Hurry! This will just take a second."
"Wanna bet? Since when do WE only take a second?"
She rolled her eyes and waved her hand until he put one hand over his eyes again, "FINE! See, I'm NOT looking. Go, stand against the wall and give me the 'full effect', okay? But no teasing me! I don't have time to take out Sir Richard! Well, I do, but...WE don't have time to let him do his thing and put him back away."
She giggled, shaking her head, "Sir Richard? That's what we're calling him tonight? You're so silly about your penis, sometimes, honey! What happened to calling it the 'babymaker'?"
He kept his hand up, and laughed, "Are we really having a conversation about my Willy Wonka, now, sweetie pie? Can I please look, already? Are you ready? I mean...for me to see your dress?"
She laughed, "You know me, stud. I'm always ready!"
"BETTY! Come on! You said, no teasing! Can I take my hand down?"
She looked down and slid her hands down the sides of the red silk material, then smiled, "Yes. You can look. I'm READY."
He let his hand fall to his side, and his startling blue eyes widened in appreciation, "WOW! Betty, honey, you look...GREAT!"
"Miss? Excuse me, but we landed ten minutes ago! Everyone is off the plane! Is someone waiting on you?"
"Sir Richard. I mean Willy Wonka...I mean...my husband. Bab...um, my friend!" she hurriedly grabbed her things from the plane and rushed out, horrified at whatever she must have been mumbling under her breath as she had yet another of her crazy 'married to Daniel' dreams!
Thankfully, they didn't happen as often lately, but when they did, it always took her awhile to calm down from them. And now...she had to actually see the man in person again for the first time in over a year.
She got her bearings, glad she hadn't bothered to check a bag. Her family still had a lot of her things in her old room, and she would be picking up her bridesmaid dress at the tailors later this week. It was drier in New York than London, that was for sure. But not really any less chilly, she noted as she pulled her bright fuschia wool coat against her, and searched through her carryon bag to find her scarf that she had stuffed inside when she first boarded the plane.
The sign welcomed her to New York and she scanned the crowded area, when she saw him waving wildly outside his town car across the little parking area. God, he looked amazing! He smiled, and walked towards her.
His eyes brightened as he approached her and grabbed her bag, "Is this it? I thought you were staying like a month? What's in here? Are you only planning on wearing bikinis or something? I mean...works for me, but you might get cold. Nice coat! What, no poncho?"
She laughed, as he hugged her warmly, "Very funny, Daniel. It's so good to see you! It's been…"
"Forever!" he sighed wistfully, brushing back a strand of her long, dark hair, and before she quite knew what was happening, he leaned down to kiss her briefly, but intensely, holding her close, "I missed you! Thank God you're back. I don't think I'm going to let you leave again now that you're finally where you belong, Betty."
Her eyes widened, "Seriously?"
He held her face for a moment, then offered his arm to escort her to the car, "Let's just see how things go. I'm so happy. All's right with the world again."