Chapter 2

Daniel couldn't believe it. Did he really just do that? Did he really just hand over the reins to Mode to Wilhelmina, tell his mom that he was leaving, and hop on a plane to London? When he got home that evening after making his huge decision he had slapped himself once to make sure he wasn't dreaming and that he had really done what he thought he had. He stayed up all night writing his last letter from the editor, and hoped that anyone who read it would be able to guess his intentions, or at least anyone who knew him and Betty might be able to guess, but he hoped the news of it hadn't made its way across the pond. He needed to talk to her. He needed to see her. He had used the word love in his letter, and he knew that he loved Betty, but he still wasn't sure if what his mother had said was true. Did he have feelings for her? Real feelings? Did he see her as more than just a friend? Was he in love with her?

After Molly, Betty was the one who was there for him. He counted on her. He needed her. He never wanted to admit it, but he didn't know what to do with himself when she wasn't in his life. It wasn't until recently that he realized that his day began and ended with thoughts of her. It wasn't like she would be a rebound or anything either if she would have him, because he had dated a few women after Molly, but if he was being honest things had slowly started to change after that night she stayed with him instead of covering the UN shoot. When Matt had suggested that they had slept together all he felt was rage. It wasn't the idea of it that angered him; it was how Matt was speaking to her. How dare anyone treat her that way? Beyond that, all he wanted to do was protect her. He knew she was very capable of protecting herself, but he couldn't help it. He never told anyone, but he hated it when they got back together. He didn't think Matt deserved her. Daniel would do anything for her, and at Hilda and Bobby's wedding when he heard Hilda's speech about how love means knowing your partner better than they do, and how you would do anything in the world to protect them, he knew he was in some kind of trouble. Seeing Betty with Henry had ignited something within him he had never known himself to recognize feeling when it came to Betty, jealousy.

When he saw her with him with a kid in Henry's arms his gut sank at the thought of her choosing to be with him again, because she really would be going backwards, but even he had to admit he had gone too far by trying to keep them apart. He really could be like a five year old sometimes, acting like he was fighting over his favorite toy. When he felt that jealous rage, it was like he had an epiphany because he recognized the sensation and the pattern. He knew that what he hadn't been able to name that he was feeling when he saw her with Matt, Henry, or even that Zachary guy, was in fact jealousy. It was like he had just been smacked across the head. He hated that he acted this way when it came to her, but the more he thought about it and especially after that speech things started to click for him. What he said in his speech when Betty received her Blobby was true, he adored her. She made him happier. So when things finally started to click, and it felt like things were just starting to turn his way. It felt like things were just beginning.

When he found out she was leaving he was devastated, it was like his worst nightmare was coming true. He didn't want to lose her. When his mom suggested that he was having such a hard time with it because he might have feelings for her he denied it, but he couldn't deny it was at least partially true. He couldn't live without her that had to mean something right? Then she decided to leave anyway and he knew he couldn't hold her back. It'd be like caging a bird, and he could never do that to her. Then she left. He knew what he had to do.

He took a couple days to settle everything and sign some paperwork. He buttoned up his apartment and caught a flight as soon as everything was good to go. He knew it had been about a month since Betty had left, and he hoped that she was doing well, but he honestly didn't know what he was going to do once he got there. He never said goodbye, never called. Does she even want to see me? He had made reservations for a hotel and looked up the contact information for the Dunne offices, but beyond that he didn't have much of a plan. Nobody but his mother knew where he was going.

He settled in to the hotel and ordered some dinner while he unpacked. If he was going to truly make a go of this, he wanted to get comfortable. This was a chance to start over, to figure out what he really wanted to do. He wasn't sure where to start, but he wasn't necessarily in a hurry. What he was in a hurry about was seeing Betty. She was his primary focus. He kept having waves of nerves rush over him. He was a grown man, but this was actually a bit scary. What if she really didn't want to see him? What if he had done all of this, gave up everything, flown to London, just to have her tell him she never wants to see him again? After she signed her release form, he hadn't spoken to her, at least not in any meaningful way, only work related and quickly at that. He found himself having to avoid her, just the sight of her and knowing what was coming was too much for him. It hurt to see her. Before he realized what he had to do, every day was just that, another day, the sunshine was gone from them. In a weird way, just being in London, knowing they were in the same city again brought some comfort to him. It was almost like feeling the pull of a magnet.

He decided that he should take the evening to rest and come up with a plan of sorts, which essentially consisted of one thing to do. He had to call Dunne and see if he could speak to her. When he awoke the next morning, he showered and put on a button up shirt, some jeans, and some casual loafers. He realized that it was still quite cold out and grabbed his long coat before leaving the room to head down to the lobby. He asked the concierge to order a car for him for the day, unsure where he would be needing to go, and when the driver asked him where he would like to go he requested to be taken to the nearest café. When they arrived at a little place called Lawson's he hopped out to talk to the driver for a moment apologizing for not knowing the plan for the day and tipped him extra for his trouble. When he turned around his breath caught in his throat. He couldn't believe his luck. He leaned against the car, watching in awe as Betty walked down the street, coffee in hand, talking on the phone to someone. She was already halfway down to the corner when he had noticed her. He knew it was her, the brightly colored coat matching her perfectly, her hair shining in the morning light, and her laughter ringing out like bells after her. He watched as he saw her turn the corner, and smiled to himself. He wondered if he should follow her, but when his stomach rumbled he knew he needed to eat first. He would follow his original plan and call her office.

He stepped into the café and waited in line, looking around the room and smiling because this place suited her perfectly. It was dimly lit so it was calming, and creatives of all kinds were strewn about the room, working away at their laptops fueled by the caffeine. It had a distinct aroma of coffee, freshly baked bread, and old books. He could see why she liked it. Anybody would, but when he stepped up to the counter and saw the middle aged woman with a name tag reading "Abigail" he couldn't help but smile because she exuded the same kind of loving and excited energy that Betty always did. When she asked him what he would like in a heavy Scottish accent it all made sense to him. She reminded him of Christina and he knew that Betty must like her too because of that. When she caught his American accent she smirked at him, and he wasn't sure how to take that.

"So, you're American then?"

"Uh, yeah. Yes I am. What gave me away?" he laughed, finding it odd to be the odd one out.

"Where are you from love?"

"New York."

"Oh yeah? And what brings you to London then?"

"I'm hoping to meet up with a friend. She recently moved here so I wanted to surprise her by coming to visit." He tried to keep things vague, but he also knew there was a high chance this woman knew Betty, it was the best chance he had so he hoped he added just enough detail to drop a hint.

"Really now? I've just recently met a young American woman who moved here not too long ago."

"Yeah? How's she liking London so far?"

"She seems to like it, she's always smiling at least, and she loves our coffee. She's been in nearly once a day for a few weeks!"

"Wow, I suppose that's the highest recommendation then." Abi nodded proudly at that.

"I wonder. What's your friend's name?"

"Ummm…" he cleared his throat not sure if he should say. "Betty. Her name's Betty."

"Betty! That's the one! I believe I know your friend. In fact I've just seen her!"

"You do? You did? Well now I have to try the coffee!" He laughed, secretly freaking out. He couldn't believe his luck. The very first coffee shop he entered and it was the one that Betty just so happened to frequent every day? The stars were definitely in his favor.

"Tell her I said hello again!" Abi told him as she handed him his coffee.

"I'll do that." He smiled at her. He didn't want to seem like a stalker by asking for more information. He found a booth and sat down, pulling out his phone.

When a young man answered the phone, his voice shook ever so slightly as he asked for Betty Suarez's office. He was connected and he waited as the phone rang. He rang a few times and he started to wonder if anyone was going to pick up. It rang once more before he heard a beep and a robotic voice began to tell him that Betty Suarez was unavailable and gave him an option of leaving a message. He decided against that, and hung up the phone. He wasn't sure what to say. He finished his coffee and stepped out to find his driver waiting for him. When the man who he learned was named Lionel asked him where to go next he decided he should take the opportunity to buy some new outfits, as he had only packed a couple of days' worth of clothing, and the air was chillier than he had expected it to be. Plus it would give him time to come up with what he should do. After shopping around, he told Lionel to take him back to the hotel to drop off his purchases, but that he would be right back down. He decided that a drive around London to get himself acquainted with some of the sights and to get a general layout in his mind again of where things were would be good for him. A couple of hours passed and he decided to give Lionel the chance of a break, so told him to drop him off near Trafalgar Square and get some lunch. He would call him when he needed to be picked up again.

He started walking around the fountain, lost in thought, deciding if he should try calling again when he looked up and saw it again. That brightly colored coat was walking right towards him. She was on her phone, smiling, seeming happy, and he moved before he knew what he was doing. He couldn't help it. She was here, right in front of him, walking in his direction. He stepped directly in her path… "Betty?"

Daniel paced the floors of his hotel room. He was excited, but every time he got excited his stomach would flip and he felt like he might need to sit down a moment. How was it possible that someone could make you feel this much? Just seeing her, having her smile at him, was enough. Even if the night went horribly he knew that she didn't hate him. When she joked back with him he knew he couldn't pass up the opportunity. He had to see her again, and soon, so he asked to take her to dinner. She said she'd love that. She was glad he was here. She said it herself. He felt like he was on a high. So why was he this nervous? Calm down, Daniel. You can do this. He didn't know what tonight would bring, and he certainly didn't want to pressure her into anything, but he couldn't help the thought that he would be taking Betty to dinner tonight meant much more to him than just old friends catching up. For him, this was about seeing her, really seeing her, and trying to decide if everything he had been thinking and feeling was true. Was his mom right? Was he in love with her? He had to figure it out. He had to see her again.

He nervously began to tie a tie around his neck, but couldn't get his hands to stop shaking, so gave up entirely with a loud sigh, and unbuttoned the top couple of buttons and inspected his outfit in the mirror. He realized it actually looked better that way, and brushed his hands across any wrinkles straightening them out. He had always taken great care and pride in his appearance, but this was different. He wanted to look good, but not just for him, he wanted to look nice for her. He grinned thinking he had at least accomplished that.

His phone lit up telling him he had just received a text and he couldn't help the genuinely broad smile that appeared when he saw that it was Betty telling him she was on the way.

Okay great! See you soon! :) He replied excitedly, and jumped up to grab his coat and his new scarf. He couldn't try to stay still knowing she was on the way so he would wait in the lobby. He practically ran to the elevator, feeling years younger at just the thought that she would be on here any minute. When he reached the lobby he burst out of the elevator and tried to contain himself. He waited by the doors, pacing, she said she would be here in about ten minutes. He counted them down until there were just a couple minutes left and decided he would wait on the street. When he stepped out under the awning he looked back and forth not knowing which direction she would be coming from. Finally a bright pink coat caught his attention as he saw her walking down the sidewalk as the sunset glow bounced off the glass on the buildings above. He started waving to grab her attention and couldn't believe how fast his heart was racing at the sight of her walking towards him again. When she got close enough he called out to her.

Daniel didn't care what happened tonight, so long as he knew they were at least still friends because even just the sight of her smile brightened him more than anything he had ever experienced before. He had to know that they could at least be friends and everything would be okay. He had to tell her how sorry he was. This night was now or never for him, for them, for their friendship. He was going to make every moment count, but when she finally reached him he suddenly felt like a teenager again seeing his crush. He almost felt tongue tied. This might not be as easy as he hoped…