Kiss Me Slowly/CH 8

Claire looked up when she heard a tap on her door, "Come in, Daniel."

The moment he stepped inside, she smiled, "So, you told the evil bitch that she finally got her wish? Did she turn into a bat and fly away, she was so surprised?"

He chuckled, "No, but give her time. It is still light out! Maybe tonight."

She leaned back in her chair, "I know you're happy to be leaving Mode and God knows not having to butt heads with that witch every day is enough to put a smile on your face, but your smile today is on a whole new level. Could this be something to do with Betty, perhaps?"

He didn't even try to play games with his mother. Claire knew him far too well. He twirled around in his chair and his grin spread even further as he nodded, "I might have an appointment this afternoon."

"Really? An appointment with whom, do tell?"

His eyes twinkled with boyish excitement. He couldn't wait to share his news with his mother. He knew she would be surprised at how quickly he was doing this, but he was also aware of how much she loved Betty, too, "With Nigel at Tiffany's. And I left a message with Betty's dad earlier to see when I could talk to him. Do you think he'll think it's too soon?"

"I have no idea. What about Betty? Do you think SHE will think it's too soon? That's really all that matters. If she's happy, I'm sure her father will be, too. That's the way we parents tend to be. Mr. Suarez is a very good father."

He nodded, "Well, believe it or not, I sort of brought it up when we were talking about her moving in and surprisingly, she didn't tell me I was nuts. She seemed almost...I don't know, like she was maybe thinking about it, too."

Claire smiled, "That actually makes sense. It's not as if you two just met! You've gotten to know one another quite well these past few years. I can't tell you how proud of you and happy for you I am, son!

Not only for deciding to take over for your father, but even more importantly for finally figuring out what a wonderful young lady Betty is and how good you two are together. Congratulations!" she rose and stood as Daniel came and hugged her, "Thanks, Mom!"

He stopped at her door, holding onto the frame and raised an eyebrow, "Hey, did you get in on some crazy BET about Betty and me getting together with Marc, and Amanda, and Betty's whole family? What's that about?"

"I plead the fifth. Go, have fun talking to Nigel, dear!"

He shook his head, laughing, and saluted her, "Yes, mommy!"

Through all the years of pain and anger, and all his father's lies and betrayals, Daniel had always tried to be his mother's champion. And even though Alex had sided with Claire against their father's infidelities and stood by her, too, helping her deal with her drinking problems, he had also been Bradford's "golden child" and had a far greater bond with the man than his kid brother ever had.

Daniel found comfort in the fact that now, in spite of being thrilled that his brother was alive, he also didn't have to compete for his mother's attention anymore. Now that Alexis was a woman, that meant they enjoyed their own special relationship, of course. But he was the "man of the house" now that his once older brother had parted with the family jewels. And he liked that, very much.

Betty found she had a hard time staying focused. It wasn't every day she quit her job of four years! It was a scary feeling, not having another position to start. She knew what her sister was implying, that now that she was "Daniel's girlfriend" she didn't need to work!

But just as Hilda had found great satisfaction in starting her own beauty salon and fully intended to continue working even after the baby came (and whenever Bobby proposed to her), Betty had no intention of not continuing on the career path she had set for herself years ago when she was a little girl, and had to watch her mother lose her fight to cancer, and she had found some small amount of solace in the pages of magazines. They had inspired her and given her hope of a future that didn't involve hospitals or pain.

Besides, as much as she truly believed in Daniel's love for her, her "practical side" told her that the man wasn't the safest bet for a long-term relationship. Of course, she was nothing, if not loyal and even as that nagging little voice in her head cautioned her not to get her heart broken by a man who had admittedly was a "former man-whore", she simply wouldn't allow her own insecurities to dampen her joy and optimism that the key word was FORMER! The man she loved had changed drastically inside for the better from his former self.

Just as she now looked in the mirror, and barely recognized herself with her bright new brace-free smile, smooth hair, and far more flattering outfits, she knew how truly different Daniel now was from the self-involved playboy she had first met four years ago. That person who was sad and lonely and had given up even trying to live up to the impossible expectations of his father no longer existed.

The Daniel she had grown to know and love was kind, and caring, and loving with his mother and to Betty. He had been there for her, offering a shoulder to cry on and gentle words to help her grow up as she dealt with her own rather crazy love life. Daniel had told her she was better than any model and he proved how much he meant that over the past four years. He held her in his arms and told her she was beautiful when no one else thought so, including her.

He put on a fashion show just for her and was always her biggest cheerleader. He told everyone at the UN that nobody had better mess with her. He sent her entire family to Mexico, and got them a Christmas tree, then more importantly, spent the day with them, decorating it. He had pushed her and encouraged her to have the guts to learn and grow in her job.

She felt as if she was trying to prepare herself to jump out of an airplane and free fall before opening her parachute. She had spent several hours searching for jobs online, and even submitted her resume to a few places.

But somehow she wasn't as terrified that she would end up as a chip chick again when she resigned from Mode. The bottom line was, working at a fashion magazine wasn't the right path for her. It was time to change the road she was on in order to reach her ultimate destination and she knew Mode wasn't going to get her what she wanted. Who cared what hemlines were on trend and what kind of shoes she walked a mile in anyway? These particular ones she had tried looked good, but they were killing her feet!

As she waited for Daniel to join her at the restaurant he had said to meet him at, she sat down, taking the offending shoes off as she let her feet recover temporarily from their agony when she noticed from her lower perspective all the other types of shoes of her fellow diners.

She furrowed her brows, thinking for a moment, then noticed two familiar feet, and looked up, "DANIEL! Hey!" She stood and greeted him with a hug and brief kiss.

As they both sat down, he grinned at her, seeming to have some kind of secret she would have to get out of him throughout the evening. He grabbed her hand, seeming amused at her, "What's up? You look like you just discovered cold fusion or something. What's with that aha expression, cutie?"

She blushed, "You think you know my looks?"

He rolled his eyes, "Yes, honey. I DO know your looks! And you definitely have the look of having one of your cute little I'm going to change the world ideas! You do realize I can't put on a fashion show for you now that I made such a big deal of handing Mode over to the ice queen, much as I'd love to see you strut your stuff on the runway again? You can model for me, though. Out with it, Miss Suarez! What's got your wheels spinning?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, "You should talk! You look like the cat who swallowed the canary yourself, MISTER Meade! What gives with you?"

He shook his head, as he gulped down the glass of water thirstily, and somewhat nervously, and held up his hand for the sommelier, "Oh no! You first, Betty! My day's revelations can wait until dessert. You show me yours and then I'll show you mine, I promise!" he flirted, as he noticed she had taken her shoes off and discreetly took one of his off to tease her, sliding his foot up her leg.

She leaned forward, eager to share her ideas with him, although she was extremely curious to hear about his day and find out what had him seeming so thrilled, too. She put her hand on top of his, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "I just had a great idea for my own blog! I was thinking about calling myself "Former Fashion Fiasco" maybe. I don't know, but I definitely want to call the site, "Be Inspired" and I had a thought for my first article, "A Mile in Her Shoes".

I will interview people from all different careers and 'walks of life', and find out about their lives, along with pictures of their shoes. I figured it could maybe work as my last article for Mode, before I quit, but knowing Wilhelmina, she might think it's too deep, so I could just post it myself as my first entry on my blog if she passes on it. What do you think?"

He kissed her lips and smiled, as he looked at her with such love and adoration, shaking his head, "I think I love you, my former Fashion Girl! Yes, that's a fantastic idea, Betty! You really are brilliant, sweetie!"

She rolled her eyes but smiled back at him, excitedly taking out her pen and small notebook, jotting down some notes, "Are you making fun of me? You and I both know I'm no fashionista, but I just figured, as long as I let my readers know I'm being ironic calling myself that, it could work. You really think it's a good idea? I figured, if nothing else, it will give me something to add to my resume. And if I do get enough followers, I can use that as a selling point that I already have my own readership."

He smiled, taking her hand and kissing it, "Yes, Betty. I really do think it's a great plan. So, did you finish your letter of resignation?"

She nodded, handing it to him an envelope, "Here you go, boss."

Daniel shrugged, but hesitated before sticking it in his jacket, and stared at the envelope on the table, "Soon to be your former boss, Betty. Do you want me to read it now especially? Or can I just look at it at work tomorrow? It is after hours. I'd really like to talk to my girlfriend."

She took a deep breath and returned his smile, "Sure! Just read it tomorrow. So, what's YOUR day been like? Did you talk to your mom? How did that go? Where were you all day? I came by your office to see if you wanted to go out for lunch but Marc acted all weird and secretive and wouldn't tell me where you were!"

He squeezed her hand, and tried to read her thoughts. Was she worried about his fidelity? He realized, he certainly wasn't the safest bet for a boyfriend. But he felt sure of Betty's loyalty and faith in him and raised his eyebrow, teasing her, "So, what, a man can't surprise his girlfriend? What's with the twenty questions?

Marc didn't say anything because he doesn't have a clue where I was all day! I just told him I was out for the rest of the day after I finished meeting with Mom. But believe it or not, I have seen hope in him for being able to be discreet when his boss tells him his job is on the line! I was really touched that he is even considering leaving Mode to stay being my assistant! That was really a shock!"

She nodded, but furrowed her brow, "You're changing the subject. You're really not going to tell me where you were? I trust you, Daniel. I certainly don't think you were doing anything wrong, I just am curious, that's all. You have a surprise for me? You already gave me keys to your apartment. Which I had anyway, from when you would drunk-dial me when you lost yours."

She touched her ears, showing off the lovely butterfly earrings he had given her, "And I know you didn't buy me more jewelry!"

He cleared his throat, rubbing circles on the back of her hand as he held it, being careful not to look too closely into her eyes, for fear she would get it out of him right now and spoil his surprise, "Later, Betty. I promise. Trust me. Say...are you up for karaoke after dinner? I know it's only Monday night and it's a 'school night' and all, but both of us leaving Mode after four years of working there together is kind of a big deal, you know?"

"I know it is. A very big deal for both of us. Karaoke, huh? Okay, sure, Daniel. That sounds fun, actually! You're not going to try and make me eat snails again, are you?"

He laughed, relieved that she seemed to drop her questions for the moment at least. He knew Betty was rather like a detective when she got her curiosity on overdrive and wouldn't let it go. It served her well as a journalist but he needed her to drop the Columbo routine tonight if he was going to pull off surprising her at all. He was able to quite effectively distract her, playing footsie under the table, and kissing between courses as they laughed and talked pleasantly throughout dinner.

After their meal, and a rousing rendition of both "their song" and one or two other duets, they left, flushed with excitement. She looked up at him, pouting so adorably that he had to kiss her, "So, do I get my surprise sometime tonight? It is technically, after midnight, Daniel. I haven't bugged you. But come on, you know me. You know how curious I am! You have to know this is driving me crazy not knowing what you're up to!"

His smile spread as he leaned down to kiss her even more intensely while holding up his other hand for a taxi, since he had waved off his driver hours ago, not knowing when they would need a ride home, "Yes, you HAVE been a very good girl all night, Betty! Sorry, but...not sorry! I will tell you for certain that part of my evil plan is to continue driving you crazy for several more hours as soon as I get you alone!

But that's all your getting out of me, Miss Detective! I know how smart you are and how nosy you are, woman! I mean, one career path for you if you change your mind about publishing would be becoming the star of your own detective show, I have no doubt, but...just let it go and trust me, okay? I love you so much, Betty! I just want to make you happy!" He stopped himself from saying anything else even more obvious. He knew she suspected what he was up to, surely, but he really wanted to make this special for her if she would let him.

She giggled, still a bit tipsy from their drinks, "Let it go...let it go…"

He laughed, shaking his head, as he kissed her, helping her slide into the back seat of the taxi, "Alright, Celine! Enough singing! It's time to move on to the adult entertainment portion of our evening, don't you think? A little private lap dancing, maybe?"

She snorted, still laughing as she started pulling off his tie and unbuttoning his shirt frantically, "Sure! Let's see you do it now, Daniel! You're so sexy!"

He shook his head, placing his hand on top of hers, and laughing at her lust, "No problem-o, baby. And thanks, you're very sexy, too. Um, maybe let's WAIT until we get home first, though? I'm not sure how I can do much in the back seat! At least not as far as lap dances if that's really what you have in mind." He put his hand on his chin, winking at her, "It's been a very long day! I may need you to shave me again!"

The night caught up to the "dancing from Queens" girl, however. He put her to bed, sighing as he went downstairs to get some water. He knew she would no doubt be awake early enough the next morning to more than make up for falling asleep. He went to retrieve his jacket and took out the blue bag he had purchased, kicking himself for not having time to stash it and scared to death all evening Betty would find it.

His phone was lit up with a text he hadn't noticed from hours ago. It was far too late to answer. It was from Betty's father.

"I got your message, Daniel. I think if we want privacy, I can meet you tomorrow morning before work for coffee if that's soon enough? Let me know. I'm an early riser, so anytime after five thirty! Just kidding! Maybe after six, though, since both my daughters and nephew are very nosy and might be up if we wait any later."

He hesitated to even text, but assumed he could do so without disturbing Mr. Suarez, so he confirmed they could meet at six at a coffee shop he knew of in Queens that was walking distance, so he could "sneak out" easily.

It was killing him not to go upstairs and climb into bed with Betty right now, but she was out like a light and he didn't want to disturb her either now or when he set the alarm on his phone for five am so he would have time to freshen up a bit and dress (a whole three and a half hours from now!) He sent an emergency message to his driver, Phil to be ready to pick him up outside and text him the minute he arrived.

He grinned, feeling a bit like he was a secret agent, trying to pull anything over on his little Miss True Detective! SHIT! He was so wired, he found it hard to make himself go to sleep on his couch.

His stupid brain started playing the Bond theme song as he smiled, closing his eyes and picturing himself in a tux, holding a water gun and saying, "The name is Meade, Daniel Meade!" to Betty, wearing a very sexy red silk dress, and smiling at him, as she pulled him down to her level by the collar of his tux, "Oh, Mr. Meade! You have a license to KISS me!"

It seemed just as his little movie in his brain was getting really interesting, he groaned, hearing the alarm vibrating against his head, where he had placed it so he wouldn't oversleep. He hurried, leaving Betty a note on the kitchen counter, telling her he had an early meeting and would try to be back before she left for work. Jeez, he hoped so, anyway!

But the traffic was going to be a nightmare coming back into Manhattan, that was for sure. He wondered if he should take the stupid subway Betty was always going on about. It would be crowded, sure, but it would probably be the only way he could actually get back in time all the way from Queens to beat the morning rush.

He hurried to leave and at the last minute, grabbed the bag from Tiffany's, trying to decide where he could hide it so that his nosy girlfriend wouldn't find it in the next few days. Maybe he could have his driver take it to the bank and put it in his safety deposit box? That way, she wouldn't "accidentally" run across it.

When Daniel arrived at the coffee shop, he ordered two coffees and pastries, not sure how Betty's dad took his coffee or even if he liked pastries as much as his daughter. He paced a bit, feeling nervous about this. He had already asked this man to trust him enough to have his daughter move in with him. Now he was going to ask for his blessing to propose to her right away, too? Still, they had known each other for almost four years, so it wasn't really rushing that much, was it?

Would Ignacio Suarez tell him there was no way he wanted the former "man whore" of Mode to marry his daughter? Would he be worried that Daniel would cheat on Betty like his father had on his mother? He closed his eyes, trying not to hyperventilate. Just breathe, Daniel! You can do this!

He smiled to himself, trying to picture Betty, giving him a pep talk. But then she started doing a strip tease out of the sexy red silk dress she had been wearing in his earlier fantasy. SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!

"Mr. Suarez! Good morning, sir!" He opened his eyes, seeing a rather amused look on the older man's face as he held out his hand, "Buenos Dias, Mijo! You look very happy for such an early hour!

Ooh, coffee! Perfect! My daughters only let me drink that nasty decaffeinated swill! Pastry, too! Are you trying to get on my good side? What can I do for you, Daniel?"

He sat down and eagerly enjoyed the coffee and pastry Daniel was feeling guilty for not keeping in mind that Betty's dad had a heart condition. Oh well, this was a special occasion, so hopefully it would be fine for the man to enjoy a rare treat. He cleared his throat, gulping down his water, and trying to gather his thoughts.

"I just want to say, to tell you...that I um...I'm in love with your daughter, Mr. Suarez. I have been for a long time, really, but I was too stupid and blind to see how much she meant to me. I only want her to be happy. And I know that...maybe I have a terrible reputation.

But, since I became a widow and...actually, ever since I first met Betty, I've been trying to change, to become a much better person, someone who would be worthy of her. I know that I never will be good enough for her. But I'd like to at least try. With your blessing, hopefully, sir."

Ignacio smiled, "Well, I can't say that isn't what I suspected today's clandestine meeting was all about. And after seeing you two around each other the other night, it doesn't really surprise me. Honestly, the more I listened to my nephew, I started really thinking about how close you and mija have always been and realizing just how right he was.

I always wondered a bit at how often she ran off after you if SHE didn't have feelings for you that had nothing to do with how much she loved her job! But I also know neither you nor her could possibly distract her from her dreams of running her own magazine. Not to be accusatory here, but please keep in mind my eldest daughter's … situation...again!"

Daniels eyes widened, "No sir! Betty is NOT pregnant, I promise you! I mean...we haven't...uh...it's not possible! Anyway, that has nothing to do with my feelings for her. We both know Betty well enough to know that wouldn't make her feel pressured to marry me even if it were the case, anyway. By the way, you HAVE spoken to Bobby, right?"

Ignacio sighed, nodding, "I have. I assume you mean him asking my permission to propose to Hilda? He plans to propose to her as soon as Justin has approved his choice of rings later this week!" he laughed, then leaned forward, looking surprised and amused, "Why do you ask? Have you already …got one?"

Daniel winced, feeling bad for having beat Bobby to the ring shop because of his wealth and wondering what he would have done if he hadn't gotten his money back when he was so determined to propose to Betty, "Yeah. I already...bought one, actually. I don't know if Betty will really want a big wedding, if that's what you're thinking about."

The older man smiled, "Oh, you mean how can I afford to pay for BOTH of my daughters getting married at practically the same time? Actually, my Rosa was quite well off when we met. She sold some extremely valuable family jewelry she had and insisted before she died that we open a savings account for both girls for wedding expenses. So I never touched those funds. It's not a lot, but...it was one of Rosa's last wishes that our girls have nice weddings."

"I wonder if...as a wedding present to Hilda, you would let me take care of mine and Betty's costs and maybe...use her money towards a nice honeymoon fund for Bobby and Hilda instead?"

"Perhaps. That's sweet of you to offer, Daniel. But I think AFTER you two do your asking of my girls, we men should let them decide that! Hilda may not choose to take advantage of your generous offer, not wanting to deprive her sister of having her mother's gift, too.

Knowing Betty, you're probably right; she may decide she doesn't want to 'upstage' her older sister simply because you are wealthy and not even want a big wedding. She's never been one to dream of walking down the aisle with some Prince Charming like many girls. She's always known exactly what she wanted and that had nothing to do with some man, riding up on a white horse to 'rescue her'.

No offense, Daniel, but any man lucky enough to earn Mija's love will never be truly worthy of her as far as I'm concerned. On the other hand, if you're good enough for her to be in love with you, that's good enough for me. And I can see how much she loves you. It's in her eyes. Just promise me you won't ever hurt her and you have my blessing, son!"

Aretha and George Michael: I Knew You Were Waiting:

watch?v=fDxzQJaA228&ab_channel=georgemichaelVEVO