Love Never Goes Out of Style/CH 10
After they had gotten out of the town car and lost the paparazzi, as Daniel held onto her hand tightly, Betty got the strangest sense of Deja vu. She smiled as she looked up at him.
She remembered vividly the man he was almost four years ago when they had
run like this. She was proud of how far he had come, knowing that today Daniel was twice the man he had been back then.
Betty stopped suddenly and placed her hands on his chest, looking up at him.
He seemed pleased at her actions, but slightly confused. "What is it? Is everything okay, Betty?"
She nodded, "Mmhmm...everything's great. I just wanted to say I'm really proud of you."
He looked at her strangely, "For coming onto you in the car? If you're so proud of me, why'd you slap me?"
She shook her head, "Not that. Sorry, that was just...instinct. A lifetime of riding the subway. A girl feels a hand go there, she slaps."
"Not all girls." He put his hand on his cheek. "Nobody better mess with you on the subway, that's for sure! That hurt!"
She smiled, biting her lip, "I'm not that sorry, Daniel. You DID deserve that slap, you know!"
He rolled his eyes, "Fine, whatever. Tell me what it is you're proud of me for, besides being able to take a slap."
"How much you've changed since we did this before. The night we ended up on the bridge. You're a much better man now than you were then, Daniel. You're so much...stronger, wiser, kinder.
You still had a lot of great qualities, even then. But you were kind of a spoiled and selfish rich boy.
You're not, now. You're a wonderful man, that I...love very much."
He put his hands over hers, and smiled, "Well, thank you, Betty. I don't really know what to say to that. You've always been someone I admired.
I guess, you were a sweet, kind girl back then and now...you've grown up into a sweet, sexy, wonderful woman And...I love you, too. I just wish you trusted me more."
"Daniel, it's not that I don't trust you."
"Isn't it? What is it then? After all the time we've known each other, you can't honestly be worried I'm out to get you into bed, then disappear or something, Betty.
Come on, you just said you think I've matured, become a better man. So, if you really believe that; prove it. Show me that you know I'm not the same guy I was four years ago."
"By sleeping with you?"
"Well...yeah. For one thing. You think I say I love you all the time, Betty? You of all people should know me better than that."
She rolled her eyes, clearly frustrated., "Can't we just enjoy a nice moment together without it having to be about...sex?"
He nodded, "You're right. I'm sorry. You paid me a compliment and I tried to turn it around to my benefit. I didn't mean to do that. Well, actually, I did. But, anyway, thank you, Betty. I do appreciate all the sweet things you said about me.
You've definitely changed in the time I've known you. You're turned into a really amazing woman right before my eyes. One I can't live without."
"Thank you, Daniel. Now let's...go sign up for karaoke!"
He groaned, as she pulled him inside, "Fine! But I'm not eating that pizza. It was too greasy and besides, I'm already full."
She giggled, "I am too. We'll just have a few drinks. At least this time, you didn't try and make me eat snails first!"
He shook his head, laughing at her, "I try to show you some culture and that's the thanks I get!"
After they shared a bottle of wine, they finally got the courage to get up and sing a few songs together, laughing at themselves.
"This is a good one, Daniel." He looked at her first song choice and nodded, "Okay. At least I know it. I guess I do want to hold your hand. As long as you are eventually going to let me do more than that!"
She shook her head, rolling her eyes, "Yes! Don't be so silly!"
When they got off stage, they later walked to 'their bridge' and looked out at the city. "It's a little cold tonight." Betty remarked.
Daniel rubbed her arms vigorously, and laughed lightly, "Missing your blue puffy coat?"
She laughed, "A little, maybe. It was really warm!"
He nodded, "I'm sure it was. Come here. I'll keep you warm, Betty." He pulled her close to him, resting his chin on the top of her head and hugging her tightly.
He whispered, "You know all those things you said earlier about what a better man I am now?"
She nodded, "Mm hmm."
"It's all for you, Betty. Every day since I met you, you've made me want to be better. You've helped me be the kind of man you saw in me even back then.
You don't know how much you've inspired me to work hard and try to improve. I did everything I did because of you.
Because...I love you. I think I always have. In one way or another. I know I always will.
Before you came along, frankly I didn't really give a damn about much of anything or anybody. I was spoiled like you said, and selfish. I also was...I don't know, maybe apathetic is the best way to describe how I felt about my life.
I didn't care if I lived or died back then. I was just out for whatever thrills I could get out of life.
You've changed me. Made me not only look for the good in other people, but to see it in myself, I guess."
She smiled, stepping away enough to put her hand on his cheek. "I'm glad you see the good in yourself, Daniel. You deserve that. I'm sorry you didn't see it all along. I did."
"Yeah, I know." He grabbed her hands, rubbing them to warm them, then kissing them. As they stared at each other for a moment, they were drawn to one another and Daniel leaned down, holding onto her by her arms and kissed her, tenderly.
Betty reached her arms up around his neck and deepened the kiss. They both stood, getting lost in that kiss for quite some time.
Eventually, when the need for air caused them to part, Betty whispered, "Daniel... I...do trust you, you know. It's me I'm worried about."
He seemed slightly excited at her words, and hopeful, but still cautious, in case she pulled the rug out from him, "What do you mean?"
"I just don't want to mess things up. You're so...perfect. I'm such a klutz and goofy and...everybody knows I don't deserve you.
I'm afraid of getting hurt, of getting teased, of all the mean things everyone is going to say."
He held her face in his hands, "Hey! Knock it off! I don't want to hear you say stuff like that about the woman I love, okay?
For one thing, I sort of think the klutzy thing is cute. And come on, you know very well I'm not perfect in any way, Betty!
As far as people saying we don't belong together, that's just silly. Look at you; you're gorgeous!
I've told you for years how beautiful you are. I do know a little about beauty, as Editor-in-chief of Mode, you know.
And if anybody teases you, they'll have to answer to me. Nobody messes with my girl! Anything else? What other concerns or objections do you have?"
She smiled, shrugging, "None. That's really all. You've sort of answered them all, I guess, Daniel. So...let's see. This is our second date.
Even though it's still on the same night as our first one, we'll still count it as number two. So, only one more to go!" she teased.
He sighed, shaking his head, "Thank God! I was beginning to think I was going to have to spend half my time taking cold showers!
Come on, let's get you home. It's starting to get really nipply...I mean nippy out here."
He grinned, glancing down as her coat had come undone slightly in front, so she hastily buttoned it back up, taking his hand, and blushing.
Once they got back in the car and just held each other's hand silently on the way back, there was a growing heat between them.
Finally, as he leaned down to kiss her good night at her door, Daniel smiled, "Well, thanks, sweetie. This was fun."
"Yes, it was. I think you'd better go, though. You do know me pretty well, actually.
I did want to keep us busy and in public. I know myself enough to know how totally irresistible you can be. So, go now, please, Daniel. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
We'll decide what we want to do for our next date."
"You mean...our third date? I know what my vote is." He raised his eyebrows and kissed her quickly, "Goodnight.
I had a really good time. Oh, here, I almost forgot to give you this." He handed her a single red rose.
She smiled, "Where'd that come from?"
He shrugged, grinning mysteriously, "Magic! You said I had to pick you up and bring you flowers before it was a date, remember?
I'm trying to meet your requirements. I don't want to get called out on a technicality."
She rolled her eyes, "Don't be silly. Thank you. This was sweet. I had a really great time tonight. Today at the brunch was...interesting.
Admit it, Daniel. It wasn't nearly as bad as you thought it was going to be, was it? Aren't you glad you went?"
He shrugged, "It wasn't as bad as I was worried because YOU were there, Betty!
You cheered me up and gave me a pleasant distraction, trying to see how far I could get under the table with you.
That was freaking hilarious when you kicked Tyler accidentally when I grabbed your ass!"
She rolled her eyes, "I'm glad you were amused, Daniel! I was SO embarrassed! I felt terrible. That was mean."
He shook his head, "No it wasn't. Hell, Betty, even my mom thought it was funny."
"Maybe a little."
He kissed her forehead, "Sleep tight, cutie. Third date rule, you know."
She pretended to give him a dirty look, but couldn't help smiling slightly. "Good night, Mr. Meade."
He bowed, laughing, as he grabbed her hand and kissed it, "Good night, Miss Suarez."
She shook her head and laughed too as she closed the door, then sighed, leaning against it with her arms behind her back. Then started to go to the living room, shedding her coat and hat.
After a few minutes, she heard a noise outside, and pulled open the door, only to see Daniel, standing there, pulling out the daisy he had hidden around the corner.
She looked shocked, "Daniel! I thought I heard someone out here. What are you doing? So, that's your secret. You had a hidden stash!"
He shrugged, handing it to her, "You caught me."
She looked slightly puzzled, "What's this for?"
He stepped back inside, his eyes blazing, "Uh, it's after midnight, and I'm picking you up, Betty."
"What?" She didn't have time to ask questions as he scooped her up into his arms. Then she realized what he meant, as he kicked her front door closed and kissed her passionately on his way to the bedroom.
She giggled, putting her head down and blushing slightly, "Um...do I get a say in this?"
He shook his head, "Hey, your rules, Betty. I played fair."
"Okay, Daniel." She whispered softly, and held on to his neck tightly as she buried her head against his chest.
"You're sure?" he asked as he kissed her cheek.
"Oh yeah!" She nodded enthusiastically.