Christmas in Paris/CH 3
More than anything, Betty wanted to know if she and Daniel might not only be able to renew their friendship, but bring things up a notch, as he had said he wanted to do in the beautiful letter he had written to her for the whole world to see.
Although she realized that that public declaration of his feelings for her had been written four years ago, she couldn't help but hold out the hope that he still felt the same about her. Was it too late for them? Had she waited too long?
Yes, he had flirted with her at the store and at lunch, but she knew better than anyone that Daniel was nothing if not a huge flirt. And although that kiss he had given her had sent her senses tingling, she also noticed he couldn't seem to get away from her fast enough afterwards. Had it been a disappointment for him, perhaps?
The truth was, she had been honest when she told Daniel that she had compared all her relationships to him these past five years and found them all wanting in comparison. She had been totally surprised by his first attempt to kiss her after their "date" in London, never having even considered that he might want more than friendship with her then.
But now...things were very different. Her job was still extremely hectic and probably always would be, but she had learned how lonely things were without a certain someone there to cheer her on, to encourage her, and to tell her how amazing she was. Nobody she had met in London in the past five years had made her feel half as good as being with Daniel did. No matter how busy her days were, her nights were often lonely, and that's when she couldn't keep herself occupied enough from those dreadful what if's.
After searching her heart, (and several drunken nights out with Christina), she realized what she had very possibly walked away from when she left New York. And only after he had left, she realized not only how much she meant to him and exactly WHY he had come to London, but how much Daniel meant to her, as well.
Finally, after hearing it over and over from everyone in her life over the past five years, especially Claire, Betty started to wonder if they could be right. Could Daniel actually have romantic feelings for her?
She started to lose faith, thinking she had surely let far too much time go by, until Claire called, sounding both desperate and determined that Betty HAD to go to Paris, the sooner the better and told her exactly where she could find her son shopping.
Now Betty looked at the mess of clothes on her bed and made a face. She had packed almost everything she owned on this trip and had already gone through five different outfits trying to decide what to wear to lunch. Luckily, she had brought a lovely dress for the evening.
She had a list of places she wanted to see while she was here. Of course, reconnecting with Daniel was at the top of her to do list and far more important to her than any tourist attraction. She took a quick shower and slipped into the blue dress she had bought, with lots of encouragement from Christina.
She started drying her hair, until she heard a knock on the door and panicked, trying to shove her clothes back into her suitcase, and kicking it under the bed to hide the mess. Then, she smoothed her hair and dress, taking a deep breath as she looked in the mirror, before opening the door to see Daniel standing there in a black Armani suit, holding a bouquet of white and red roses.
His eyes widened and his smile spread across his face when he saw her, "Whoa! Betty! You look….gorgeous!"
"Thanks. So do you. I mean...you know, hot, or...um...handsome!"
He laughed, "Thank you. Where are your glasses?"
She blushed, "I have contacts, too." I figured I didn't want to lose my glasses off the tower, knowing how clumsy I am!"
He grinned, nodding, "Yeah! Good idea. Your eyes are….just as bright as your smile." He had a hard time talking or thinking straight, she pretty much made him speechless. Finally, he came to his senses, and looked around, "So...do I get the nickel tour of your swanky suite here?" She briefly gestured around her suite, pointing out the great view of the Champs-Elysées.
"What, you mean this fancy place doesn't have a bathtub in the living room?" he teased.
She laughed, rolling her eyes and shoving his shoulder, "Very funny! No, I don't think that floor plan is a regular feature anywhere other than my old New York apartment!"
"Yeah, probably not. So...young lady, are you ready to go check out the city of lights, la cité de l'amour?" He held out his arm, grinning at her and she took it.
"Absolutely! I can't wait."
As soon as she hooked her arm through his, Betty felt like she was home. Something about being with Daniel again made her feel safe and happy, yet her heart was racing at the thought of what might finally happen between them after all these years of thinking Daniel would always be "the one that got away". She noticed how he kept grinning as their hands touched and kept looking down at her.
She, too, couldn't resist looking up at him and smiling. He looked so sexy, and smelled so wonderful! He really was making it hard for her to even think straight. They kept walking. Finally, she said, "Are we walking the whole way to the Eiffel Tower?"
He nodded, "It's not that far! Only about twenty minutes. Besides, if you want to see Paris, it's a little like New York. Walking is the best way not to miss the good stuff."
"Right. Like...the Brooklyn Bridge?"
"Yeah...like that. So, you remember that night, too, huh?"
"I do. I guess I'm a little surprised that you do, though."
"Why wouldn't I? That was hands down the best date I've ever had."
She blushed, looking anywhere but into his eyes. Those incredible blue, hypnotic eyes that he was using to stare at her. All she could manage was a whisper, "You thought that was a date?"
"Hell, yeah! Funny, our first date was an all nighter, huh?"
"I guess so. I had a great time that night, too. I always figured you would have forgotten all about it, though. I mean...you've had so many beautiful girls over the years and I'm sure you've had tons of really fancy, glamorous dates. Who am I…"
"Who are you? Are you kidding me? Betty, please, you're the best person I know. And as far as all those "glamorous dates with so many beautiful girls" thing goes, I'm on one right now. I happen to be in the company of the most beautiful woman I've ever met in the most glamorous and romantic city on earth.
So I'd say...I'm a very lucky man. And you bet your sweet ass I remember being with you. Every minute of every day I got to be in your company. If you want to know the truth, I've been torturing myself these past few years for ever letting you get away.
I should have stayed in London and waited until you were ready to see me as something besides your old boss and friend. I know that now. Forgive me for giving up too easily just because you hurt my pride?"
"I...did? Really? Daniel...I'm so sorry. I never meant…"
"To hurt me? Yeah, I know that, Betty. You're too sweet a person. You know, I can't believe you actually let me get away with that sweet ass remark. You must be getting soft in your old age!"
She shoved him, "Old age! Look who's talking!"
He laughed, "Just kidding. You think turning thirty is scary, just wait till you reach the big FOUR OH! I wanted to hide, I was so afraid of it! It was almost as scary as Wilhelmina!"
She laughed, "I'm okay with that. Besides, I still have a little while yet."
"Yes, you do, youngster. Ooh...rub it in!"
She narrowed her eyes, "And...I did hear what you said before about my…"
"Assets?"
She blushed, "Whatever. Yes. I didn't know what to say…all this is...a little overwhelming. Especially after all this time. I just assumed you had met someone by now."
He stopped to face her and grabbed her arms, then brushed back a strand of hair from her eyes, "I did. A long time ago. I met you. And nothing has been the same ever since, Betty. You changed my world. I've been thinking about you and coming after you, doing something like this forever. It figured you'd be the one with the balls to come find me, I guess!"
Betty laughed lightly, as she looked up at him and couldn't breathe. She didn't know how to answer him. Her heart was beating out of her chest and when he leaned down to kiss her, his lips set her on fire.
When he finally released her, she could tell he was affected as much as she was. "Wow! That was….awesome! You know, I really hate it when my mom is right! She's going to say she told me so forever now, you know. She's almost as annoying as you are when you tell me I'm messing up, doing that whole judgy thing you do."
She laughed, "Me? I know what you mean about your mom, though. I love her, but she is a little bit of a know-it-all, isn't she?"
He nodded, "She sure is. I know you and she have kept in touch, Betty. Be honest, is she the one who told you where I'd be today? You didn't just "happen" to be shopping here in Paris and accidentally run into me, did you?"
She bit her lip, "Well...no. I mean, yes, it was her."
"Yeah, I figured. So...does that mean you really wanted to find me? You had my number, you know. All you had to do was call. I would have answered. Hell, all you had to do is say the word and I would have jumped on a plane to London, actually."
"I wasn't sure. I figured you had moved on. Your mom said she didn't know for sure if you were seeing someone or not."
"Not. It's been just like you said before about me, every woman I met had something seriously wrong with her. She wasn't you."
She smiled up at him, not sure of what to say. The man quite literally took her breath away.
She looked up and saw the tower, "We're here."
"Are you up to climbing the stairs?" he pointed towards the somewhat intimidating steps.
She looked up, "Are you hiding from Sofia or something again?"
Daniel laughed at her expression and looked down at her shoes, waving dismissively, "It's okay. I was only joking."
She looked at how long the line was for the elevator, then sighed, leaning on him while she took off her shoes and handed them to him, "What, you think I can't do it? I walk around London all the time.
Besides, check out the view of the sunset! That's nothing like the inside of the stupid stairwell inside the Meade building! THIS is so worth a little climb! I'm game if you are. Come on, old man. See if you can keep up with me."
He smirked, "Hey, I work out. Keep up? You're kidding, right, shorty? My legs are longer. You're toast, Suarez!"
She was no longer listening and had already started running up the stairs, "Hey, wait up!"
Once they made it to the first level, she stopped and looked down at the city below, catching her breath, her eyes grew wide with wonder and amazement, "Oh my God! This is...so beautiful! Thank you, Daniel!" She hugged him, then gazed out at the city below.
"Don't thank me. I didn't do anything. I just happen to be the lucky guy who's in the right place at the right time to share this with you, Betty. But you know, we could be back in New York, or in London or wherever. It doesn't matter where we are. Being with you makes anyplace feel just as special and beautiful as Paris at Christmastime."
After he gave her several minutes to enjoy the view, he turned her to face him and put up both his hands to intertwine with hers, then stepped closer, ducking his head to meet his lips with hers in a kiss that started out soft and slow, then grew in desire and longing, as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in closer, and sliding one hand up through her long, silky hair. The sound of her soft moans were giving him just the encouragement he needed to boost his confidence.
When they finally came up for air, he leaned his forehead against hers and blew out a long, measured breath, sighing, "Betty! Damn, girl!"
