CHAPTER FOUR

Most of the evening was spent exploring the tower and delighting in the views as they talked more about their lives since they had been apart. It felt as if they had never stopped being best friends in many ways. The conversation flowed almost as easily as the champagne, once they made it to the summit and to the champagne bar to celebrate their ascension.

Daniel raised his glass, "To finally reaching the top! And to finally having a second….no wait...if we really do count New York as our first date, and the one in London as our second, then this would be our THIRD date, wouldn't it?"

She blushed, "Daniel…"

He smirked, putting up his hand, "Don't worry. I'm not expecting anything. At least...not yet. Right now, I'm just enjoying your company. Anything else is icing on the cake."

He squeezed her hand, then put his arm around her. "Are you hungry? There's a great little place to eat near here. Hell, we could eat here, if you want. They have a decent restaurant. French food. Hey, maybe they even have french fries."

She laughed, "Just not snails!"

"Are you sure about that?" he teased.

After dinner, he took her back onto the second level of the tower to view the city, now lit up at night. It was quite a different perspective, but just as spectacular.

"Daniel...I want you to know how sorry I am if I hurt you in any way. I didn't realize…."

"That I was...make that AM in love with you? Yeah, I figured you didn't know. How could you? That wasn't your fault, Betty. It's totally on me. I should have had the guts to tell you back in London five years ago. I mean...how could you know? I never said anything. I was too chicken."

She reached up and put her hands gently on his chest, "Right. You were afraid because you didn't want me to hurt you and so….that's just what I did. And I should have known! You did leave New York and followed me to London, after all!"

He smirked, "Yeah, I guess that Might have had a little to do with you. But don't get your head too big, lady. You were a huge part of why I left, but not the ONLY reason! I did need a fresh start, away from New York, away from all my past mistakes, too. London was as good a place as any to make a name for myself. I think I did pretty well while I was there. I put Mode UK back on the map and branched out into my own advertising firm."

"Not to mention, all the philanthropic work I know you did behind the scenes, Daniel."

He looked at her in surprise and she shrugged, "What? Come on, you KNOW I have mad research skills, Daniel. Did you really think I wouldn't check up on you? I also know the names and background of all the girls you dated for the past few years. I care about you, too. I didn't want you to have another Sofia fiasco!"

He smiled, shaking his head, "You're not still my assistant anymore, Betty. You didn't have to do that! Keep tabs on me. I don't need you to babysit me."

She nodded, "I know that. I didn't do it to 'babysit' you, Daniel. I did it because…"

He rolled his eyes, "I know, I know. You "care" about me."

She put her finger on his lips, "Daniel. Don't be stupid. I did it because I was crazy jealous, of course! Because...because...I'm in love with YOU, too!"

"You are?"

She smiled and pulled him down to her level for a searing kiss. As Daniel held her face, kissing her so intensely that she felt flush all over, Betty felt as if the past five years, make that the past NINE years since she first met the man had been building to this moment.

She could scarcely believe that her once upon a time super hot boss was now obviously totally into her! It made her knees feel like they were turning to jello.

And truth be told, she felt like so much putty in his oh so talented hands. She didn't know if she would be able to resist if he wanted to act on that whole "third date" thing! Except...her stupid phone was ringing! Now? Really? She had the worst timing sometimes!

She pushed Daniel away ever so lightly, "Sorry!"

He shook his head, "No, go ahead. I know you're waiting for the deal for your promotion, right? Good luck!"

She smiled as she answered the phone immediately. The number had been one she didn't recognize, but it was from somewhere there, in Europe, so it COULD have been about her job.

"Hello? This is Betty Suarez."

"Betty? Hey, sorry, but I can't seem to get through to Daniel. He must have his phone turned off. I'm very sorry. I promise, I normally wouldn't interrupt your date, because I know how long it's been since Danny has been on one! but this is an emergency. Can I please speak to my brother? He said you guys were on a date."

"Sure, of course. He's right here." She nodded, handing her phone to Daniel, "It's Alexis. Unless you have another sister I don't know about."

"Very funny! God, I hope not! But with my family, who the hell knows? Hey, Alexis, what's up? I'm uh...kinda busy right now. You interrupted a very nice kiss. Are you watching me, TRYING to bust my balls here, or what?" he looked around, goofing off for Betty's amusement, making her giggle at his antics.

"Daniel, listen, I really am sorry, but...this is serious! It's about Mom. Something's wrong. She won't tell me what, but she called from the plane a few hours ago and she sounded either like she was really ill or…"

Daniel's face went white suddenly, as he stiffened, "You think she's fallen off the wagon? Really?"

"I don't know. I hope not! But if not, she might have had a stroke or something. She didn't sound like herself at all. But she said she's landing tonight. I'm really worried. You know what a planner she is and to show up a week ahead of time on the spur of the moment like this isn't like her.

I really do hate to mess up your date with Betty, but DJ left his damn phone here at home again and since I'm still laid up, I was hoping you could meet her at the airport and check on her? Just make sure she's okay."

"Right now? Seriously?"

"Look, Daniel, trust me, I know how important getting into Betty's pants is to you, but, hey, why don't you bring her along? And look, whatever is going on with Mom, I'll be glad to babysit her. Just pick her up from the airport and drop her off here with me.

Hopefully, DJ will be home by then, too and you can go back to seducing Betty, okay? Come on, Danny. Betty likes Mom. They're buddies. She'll be happy to see her, too. Then, I promise, I'll deal with whatever is wrong with her until you're ready to come up for air. I just really need your help right now."

"You need me, huh? Gee, what a hard thing that must be for you to admit, big brother!"

"Don't be a jackass, Danny! Mom needs our help."

"FINE! I'll go. Is it Charles de Gaull? She's coming in on the Meade jet?"

"Yeah. It should be here at ten thirty, in about an hour. Thanks. Tell Betty I'm sorry, too. I really am sorry to ruin your date."

"Okay, okay. No need to get all mushy and emotional about it. I'll bring her home."

He looked up at Betty and she smiled, "I heard. Something's up with your mom? Why can't Alexis get her?"

He rolled his eyes, "She broke her stupid leg, skiing in the alps last week. So, she's laid up for a bit. Ha! You would think after pretending to get killed by jumping out of a damn helicopter skiing she would have learned her lesson, huh? But I guess, you can take the balls off….well, there's an appropriate analogy there somewhere, but I can only think of very INappropriate ones right now!

Anyway, I guess you heard, she's scared Mom's maybe back to drinking again. Or worse-well, I don't know which is worse. I guess if she is sick or something that's possibly even scarier than her drinking. Alexis thought she might have had a stroke! But she's been doing so well for such a long time now, that would be pretty shitty, too, so it's a toss up. I'm really sorry to cut our date short, though, but…"

Betty raised an eyebrow, "Don't be ridiculous, Daniel. I'm coming with you! I love your mom like she was my own mother. Besides, we're a team, remember?"

He grinned and put his arm on the small of her back to lead her to the elevator. Once they were on, he looked around and saw there were only a few other couples in the lift with them. He pulled her to him and kissed her firmly, then smiled again, "Thanks!" he held her hand tightly.

They arrived at the airport and saw the Meade jet taxi onto the runway. They both looked as Claire Meade descended the stairs, looking slightly worse for wear, but clearly not inebriated.

Daniel wasn't sure if he was glad to see his mother sober or not. That meant...something else had to be wrong.

He forced a smile and went to greet her, "Mom! Hey, Alexis told me you were coming and she can't get around with her cast that well, so she asked me to come pick you up. How was your flight?"

She kissed Daniel on the cheek, but made a face, then looked at Betty and Daniel suspiciously, "Terrible! You know how much I hate flying! The only way I ever tolerated it in the past was by getting loaded. And clearly, you expected me to be now. What's going on? I can't believe you cut short your date with Betty to come pick me up from the airport, for goodness sake! I am a grown woman, Dear.

There are these things called cars, and taxis. I could have made my own way to your sister's place without an escort. Does she seriously think I have dementia or something or don't know how to make a simple telephone call?"

"NO! Of course not! Don't be silly, Mom. We both just missed you so much we couldn't wait to see you. You came early, huh?"

"Mrs. Meade! It's so good to see you in person!" Betty hugged the older woman warmly.

Claire looked at her, "I've told you a thousand times to call me Claire, Betty. Or is it Mom for you, too?" She grabbed Betty's left hand and shrugged, then rolled her eyes, "Daniel, seriously, dear, how long is it going to be before you grow a pair and tie this poor girl down? Or up? At this rate, I'll be a hundred before I see any grandchildren!"

Daniel's face turned as red as his scarf, "MOM! GEEZ!"

What in the hell was wrong with her? But then again, Claire Meade always did have the audacity to say anything to anyone at any time without thinking of the consequences. Diplomacy had seldom been a trait she exhibited.