Just Like You

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Chapter 2: London Blues

Betty couldn't seem to focus at all today. Her thoughts frequently went to her family, and she was tempted to get up and leave without saying a word several times. She stared into space, the meeting fading into the background.

"Betty..."

Betty bit her lip, her eyes focused on an invisible spot in front of her, until a hand was waved in front of her face. "Yoo-hoo, Bettyy?"

"Hmm?" Betty snapped out of her daze and looked to her associate "oh, uh, sorry Clara"

Clara smiled "where are you off to today?"

Betty bit her lip, a slight blushing crossing her face seeing that the meeting had ended and she had been off in dreamland. "I guess I've been missing my family."

Clara nodded "I understand, love. If you need to take a few days I'm willing to work double-shifts so you could spend time with them."

Betty smiled "thanks so much, Clara. I appreciate that, but well... my family is in New York. I only thought I'd be here a few weeks, and now I think I might need to be here a couple more months…" her eyes become glossy "I'm just not sure if I could make it that long without them."

Clara hugged Betty and Betty felt glad that she'd made a friend while she was here. Clara reminded her a lot of herself when she first started in the publishing world, but of course, much more stylish. She had a positive uplifting personality and Betty really enjoyed working with her, and was grateful for her kindness.

Her hug only seemed to remind her of Daniel, though, so she pulled away and swiped at the tear that slid down her face. "Um…"

Clara looked at her with a small smile "I know my uncle is so grateful for all that you've done for him in his time of need, Betty. I can see why he talks about you all the time. I always wanted to meet you. I'm so glad I get to work with you. You're an inspiration to me."

"Aw. Thanks so much, Clara. I'm happy to help Mr Dunne, really. It's just hard being away from my husband and daughter."

Clara nodded "no problem, Betty. If there is anything I can do to make your time here better just let me know. Isn't your birthday coming up?"

Betty nodded "mhm"

Clara smiled in thought, "hmm… why don't you go home and take the day off tomorrow. I'll cover for you"

Betty shook her head "you really don't have to Clara. It's not like I have anything else going on."

Clara laughed "I know, but take it as a personal rest day. Go for a walk. Treat yourself. Get some ice cream. Relax. Take your mind off work."

Betty hugged her "thank you"

"Ciao, Betty" Clara left, a conspiratorial smile crossing her face as she got a great idea to help Betty.

Once Clara left Betty sat in the silence of the conference room. Most people had already left for the day, so she was one of the few left, the stillness of the offices doing nothing to help in her already lonely and homesick state.

She was honestly happy to be here for Mr Dunne. She had been working on and off with Dunne for the past few years as a freelance editor since she married Daniel, but was thankfully able to work in New York for the most part.

When Mr Dunne got a heart attack several weeks ago, he'd asked her if she could come in temporarily to help for a few weeks while he was recovering, since she had the most experience running a magazine, and he didn't have the time to bring in someone new, or train someone in his condition.

She really enjoyed getting to work with his niece, Clara, who'd just graduated from college, and was happy to be able to help out, but missed Daniel and Isabelle so much. She felt like her heart was missing. She was so lonely here, since most of her time was spent working, with a lot of new people, and barely getting much time to herself, let alone to talk to Daniel or Isabelle.

Tears filled her eyes from both the sad news of Mr Dunne having complications with his heart and possibly needing more tests, and also having to be away from her family longer than she wanted. She was hoping to be home on her birthday, but now… she had to spend it alone away from her loves.

She bit her lip, trying to keep from breaking down at how much she missed them. She took a few deep breaths and decided to call Daniel as soon as she got 'home'. Talking to him always made her feel better.

Daniel hugged Isabelle as they exited the store where they got Betty's birthday gift. Well, one of Betty's many birthday gifts. He knew him and his daughter were a terrible combination because they always wanted to spoil Betty. "Princess, we make such a great team. You mom is gonna love your gift."

Isabelle smiled bright, "yay, I love mommy so much."

He smirked "how much?"

She spread her arms wide "as big as the whole ocean"

"Wow!"

"How much do you love mommy?"

He held her hand as they walked together "I love her and you more than all the stars in the universe. You are both my everything"

She pulled his hand to stop him from walking and hugged him. "Wow. I love you and mommy that much too, daddy."

He hugged her tighter "thanks princess. Hey, I got an idea for a gift for mommy from both of us"

Her eyes sparkled in curiosity. He kissed her cheek. "I'll tell you when we get home tonight. We still have a lot of things to do to accomplish our mission."

She shook her head and they continued on their way back into work. For the next hour they set out to cross off a few 'mini missions' on their checklist of things to do.

After some time, Isabelle said "daddy, can I go visit Auntie Wilhelmina?"

He nearly choked on his sip of coffee "Auntie... Wilhelmina?"

She nodded "yes, Mandy told me to call her that"

He rolled his eyes, but smiled "uh… sure princess. I'll take you up and if she is ok with it, you can stay there for a little while."

"Yay!" She jumped up and hugged him happily. "I love Wilhelmina!"

He smirked "you do, huh?"

She nodded enthusiastically "yes, she is soooo nice! And she dresses pretty!"

He laughed both from the craziness of that statement of Wilhelmina- the once wicked witch of Mode -being nice, and how happy Belle sounded.

"She is? That's not how I remember her" he teased "I think she just likes you. I'm not surprised, though. You're sunshine just like mommy"

Betty sighed as she unlocked the door to her apartment, feeling both physically and emotionally drained. She had to do a few little things before she left the Dunne offices, and then picked up some dinner.

As soon as she set her things down she picked out her phone and called Daniel. She missed him beyond words. Thankfully, she didn't have to wait even a second for him to pick up. "Hi, my glowing ray of sunshine!" His sweet and happy greeting already lifted her heart.

She beamed "Daniel! I love you!"

He chuckled "I love you more, sweetie. I miss you so much"

Her eyes were glossy again "I miss you more. I feel like my heart is missing"

"I was just telling Isabelle the same thing today. We miss you so much, Betty. what's going on? Why do you have to stay longer?"

She took a shuddering breath "um… it looks like Mr Dunne is having problems with his heart. They can't seem to figure out what is happening, so they're doing more tests. He's going to be checked into the hospital next week and there's a possibility he might need surgery, but nothing is official."

"Oh, that's too bad. I hope he'll be ok"

"Me too." Tears slid down her face.

There was a long pause. Daniel was listening and could hear her soft crying.

"Betty, talk to me, honey. What are you feeling? Please don't cry, sweetie. I'm sure Mr Dunne will be ok"

"I just feel so… selfish! Here Mr Dunne is going through something so difficult and possibly life-threatening and all I can think about is when I can come home to you and Isabelle. I'm the worst person!"

Daniel laughed "Betty, are you crazy? You are the sweetest, kindest, most amazing person in the world. Honey, you are the least unselfish person I've ever met. You are always there for everyone when they need you, whether they ask for your help or not. you go out of your way to help the ones you love and care about. And even perfect strangers, for that matter. You make everyone's life so much better and sunnier with your light."

He sighed, "I think I'm the selfish one, honestly. I miss you so freaking much, and am probably not helping asking you all the time when you'd be back. I at least have Isabelle here with me, and you're… honey, I promise I'm going to make this easier for you." He knew what he and Isabelle were planning was going to make things much better for all of them.

"Daniel, you are the best husband. Thank you so much for always supporting me. You're not selfish, Daniel. You always inspire me and never hold me back from anything. I'm sorry. I guess I was just missing you both so much. You always know how to make me feel better."

He smiled "likewise, babe. You're always thinking about everyone. Let me think about you" he teased. She laughed. "Thank you…"

He smiled at the sweet sound of her voice. "It's so nice to hear your voice, honey"

"Hmmm… it's nice to hear your voice Daniel. You have such a calming and sexy voice. You make me feel so warm and tingly, and give me butterflies."

"Is that so?" His voice took on that gravely tone she loved. She blushed, feeling butterflies "mhm...I miss you so much"

"You have no idea how much I wish I was next to you, baby. You're so beautiful. I want to kiss you all over"

She took her sweater off feeling warm and flushed, her thoughts drifting to more intimate situations she wished she was in.

She bit her lip, her heart racing, her face coloring at the sexiness in his voice as he continued with his imaginative reverence "I want to make you feel so beautiful and nice…. and tingly." He teased.

She giggled. He chuckled "I bet you are blushing, huh?"

She blushed despite herself "no" she protested. He chuckled "yeah right. I know my wife. You are so darn cute and sexy when you blush. I love that no matter how long we've been together I can still say and do things to make you get all blushy"

She laughed, her face warming further "Daniel, stop. I miss you so much. I wish you were here!" she bit her lip, realizing she let that slip.

"Believe me, sweetie. I want that too. I've been pretty damn close to buying a ticket, responsibilities be damned" he didn't want to let the surprise he and Isabelle were planning slip. "Did you find out how much longer Mr Dunne will need you there?"

"Um… he wasn't very specific. I get the feeling that he is trying to pretend that it's not so serious and that he'll be fine, but I know he knows I miss you and Isabelle."

"Don't worry, honey. We are here for you no matter what. Hey, Isabelle just got back"

"Mommy!" Betty heard Isabelle's voice and her heart nearly exploded. "Isabelle! I miss you so much, my sweet warrior princess"

"I miss you, too, mommy."

"Where were you before?" Betty asked curiously.

"I was at Mode visiting aunty Wilhelmina!"

Betty giggled "wow! Aunty Wilhelmina, huh?" She wondered how Daniel's reaction was when he heard Isabelle call Wilhelmina her aunt.

Isabelle beamed "Yah mommy, she gave me a scarf from the Closet! It's super pretty and sparkly! And I saw Marc too! He let me dress a model and take a picture"

"Wow, sweetie, sounds like you had a lot of fun over there."

"Mhm, but I miss you telling me bedtime stories, and brushing my hair, and your hugs"

Betty bit her lip, her eyes becoming glossy of their own volition "I miss that too. I promise I will try to be home when I can."

"It's ok, mama. You are soooo nice! You are like a superhero!"

Betty's tears escaped hearing her daughter's sweet sentiment. "Thank you my love" she whispered. "Can I talk to daddy?"

"Mhm. Love you"

Daniel took the phone from Isabelle with a smile.

"Hey honey"

"Daniel…" Betty sniffled "I love you so much. Thank you."

"For what Betty?"

"You know, Daniel. For everything. I have to go now or else I think I'll be selfish again."

"Betty, trust me, you are the strongest, sweetest, smartest and sexiest woman in the whole universe"

She laughed. "The whole universe?"

"Absolutely! You bet! Even Belle agrees"

Betty smiled "I love you Daniel. Thank you for making me smile."

"Love you too, hotness! Get some sleep"

"Good night sexy…"

"Bettyyy…"

"Ok, ok… but… call me before you go to sleep, please. I want to hear your voice again..."

He felt the heat sweep over his body at the sound of her breathless voice. "Ok… I uh...better go. Belle is here"

Betty giggled "k. Love you."

When she hung up she felt a million times better.

Hope you enjoy the story! thanks for reading!