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The hospital had released Betty on Wednesday. Because of everything that had happened to her, the doctors wanted to monitor her for a few extra days. She and Daniel had been staying at her dad's house while she recovered. Even though it was small and crowded with everyone coming and going every day from visiting or staying over, she felt more comfortable there than she would have at a hotel or even at Claire's. She needed the sense of familiarity in a world where she still felt lost.
Daniel had offered to stay in Hilda's old room, but Betty insisted he stay with her. Even though she was still confused on how to feel about him, the warmth of his arms around her helped. She missed being held by a man, and there was something special about being held by Daniel. She couldn't describe it, but even if she had to wake up ten times in the middle of the night for the baby, the hours she did sleep were quality ones.
Plus, it was more convenient having Daniel there when Scarlett had her 2AM feeding or needed a diaper change. They were all in the same room at the same time. Once, Daniel even told her to go back to sleep and that he'd change Scarlett himself. It was a very sweet gesture, except he didn't put her diaper on correctly. The next time it was full, it got all over the place – including both of them.
"Hey," she opened her eyes to find him staring at her.
"Hey, my beautiful Butterfly Queen," Daniel gave one of his sexy smiles and brushed the hair away from her face before softly kissing her nose.
"How long have you been up?" she wondered, his stubble tickling her cheek as he playfully nuzzled her.
"Long enough to watch you sleep . . . you were mumbling something about me and London," he replied.
"Oh . . . I was dreaming about you finding out that I took the job when Marc sent a mass email . . . I was hurt that you didn't seem upset about me leaving . . . Did that really happen? Did I not tell you?" she asked, still half-asleep.
"It did. And I was angry . . . so angry that I bottled it up inside and tried to play it cool. You didn't tell me you even got an offer and then all of a sudden I read this email from Marc that you were leaving," he recalled. "Those days were not my finest moments, but I'm glad you remembered something else."
Betty felt guilty and started to say something when Scarlett started to wail.
"What time is it?" she asked.
"10:30AM," Daniel said, glancing at his watch.
"It's time for her to be fed," Betty realized.
Daniel got up and calmed their daughter down while Betty grabbed her feeding tent and adjusted herself. He handed Scarlett to her when she told him she was ready, then turned back around as she got their baby settled. She knew it was a natural thing and Daniel was her husband, but she wasn't sure she was comfortable enough to be that intimate with him yet. And Daniel hadn't seemed to be offended. He'd respected her privacy.
The few memories she had of them even discussing 'boobs' always ended in him being very uncomfortable . . . Except for when he read about her flashing Gio – then he'd seemed extremely fascinated – even jealous. And who knows, maybe he secretly had been.
"Okay, you can turn around now," she told him.
Daniel sat beside her on the bed again, an awkward silence filling the air.
"Is she latching on? I know she had a problem with that last night," he asked. "She wouldn't stop crying and settle down."
"Yeah, she's good . . . I think we were both tired, that's all," Betty answered.
"Good," he nervously cleared his throat.
"You don't have to stay, if you don't want to," she said, sensing his nervousness.
"No, I'm good . . . I want to be here . . . To be honest, I'm curious to know what's going on in there. She keeps making these sucking noises . . . Does that hurt?" he asked.
"Not really, she's just coming up for air. It only really hurt the first few times I fed her, but now I'm getting used to it," she replied, and wondered if she should let him watch. Scarlett was his child, after all. And even if they stayed together and had other children, she wouldn't be able to breast feed them like she was with Scarlett. "Do you want to watch?"
"Betty, it's okay. I don't want to make you uncomfortable," Daniel assured her.
"No, Daniel. You should see this . . . it's really amazing," she told him and carefully unfastened the tent.
"Wow . . . look at her go . . ." he chuckled. "You just fed her a couple of hours ago. She acts like she hasn't had anything to eat all day!"
"I know," Betty smiled.
Scarlett unlatched her mouth and leaned her head against Betty's breast, giving a little yawn and closing her eyes.
"Wait, is she falling asleep right in the middle?" he laughed. "That's hilarious! Look at her little face . . ."
"I know. Sometimes she does that . . . she'll get so tired she'll take a tiny nap in the middle," Betty giggled.
Daniel tenderly kissed Betty's temple.
"What?" she curiously looked up at him.
"Thank you for this . . . I know it took a lot for you to let me in," he sincerely told her. "This is a moment I'll never forget – sorry – I didn't meant it that way – I –"
"Daniel, it's okay – I get it," she smiled at his adorable stuttering. "And you don't have to thank me. She's your child – you shouldn't have to miss a minute of her life."
Daniel smiled lovingly at his wife.
Betty leaned her head on his shoulder and he rested his head on hers as they contentedly waited for their daughter to finish her meal.
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"JELL-O! I'm here for Princess Pudgy's afternoon chocolate fix! It's mousse this time and get this – only 60 calories! Who knew you could eat mousse without the caboose? Okay, okay, even I knew that was lame! Daniel – catch! No more Ben & Jerry's for you, Flabby McSaggy! Your sympathy binge is over today!" Marc insisted, plopping on the bed beside Betty and taking Scarlett. "Hey, Mini-Meade! Did you miss your Uncle Marc? Anywhooo . . . I talked with the hot PT guy downstairs – you know, the one with the abs? He was helping Mandi with her leg. And I think my tennis elbow is acting up again."
"Marc, that 'hot PT guy' is Bobby's cousin. He's here to help both Amanda and Betty – not for you to fake an injury and waste his time," Daniel told him. "And since when do you play . . . anything?"
"So? He can multitask," Marc scoffed. "And it's a Wii injury."
He and Betty both looked skeptically at him.
"It's a real thing," he maintained. "You try playing with Mandi after Tyler turned her into a virtual Billie Jean King!"
Betty snorted and Daniel rolled his eyes.
"Marc, I really don't think Bobby would appreciate you hitting on his cousin. Especially since he just broke off his engagement," Daniel warned.
"What a coincidence – I just broke off my engagement," Marc countered. "Troy and I are more like Taylor & Kanye, right now - and I've been on Kanye's side since the beginning. Girl's got nothing on Beyoncé. I never understood -"
"Wait – Marc, since when did you get engaged?" Betty asked, feeling like she'd missed a decade of her life instead of a year.
"I think that's my cue to leave . . ." Daniel replied, getting up and grabbing his phone and laptop. "I'm going to check in at work and see how they're doing at the shoot."
"It's Saturday, Daniel," Betty argued.
"I know, but they've been working overtime to get everything in on time," he explained. "It's too crazy here with Amanda and Christina and everyone downstairs. I'll be at Mom's for a few hours. She's been pulling one of her guilt trips on me again about never seeing me except in times of tragedy. Want me to pick up dinner?"
"Sure, Papi needs to rest for a change. Hilda said he's been cooking like crazy ever since the accident. And bring your mom, too - Scarlett wants some Grandma-time," she replied.
"And it'll get Mom off my back for a while – you're a genius!" he grinned.
"I know," Betty smirked. "Just call the house when you're ready to leave . . . I really miss my phone."
"I'll take care of it while I'm out," he promised, giving her a brief but loving kiss on the lips.
"Thank you," she smiled and brought him down for another kiss.
"Whatever you do, don't get her one of those hot pink cases with the all the hideous butterfly bling," Marc warned. "I managed to stop her the last time – don't give in to the madness!"
"Oooh! They make those for the new IPhones, too?" Betty's eyes lit up.
"Damn it! Me and my big gorgeous mouth!" Marc groaned.
Both Daniel and Betty laughed.
"And have some dignity, Woman! You're the EIC of a semi-fashionable magazine – not iCarly!" Marc reminded her.
Betty rolled her eyes.
Marc whipped out his phone and showed her a pic from the Coach website.
"Here. Now this is tolerable. I wouldn't pick it, but then again, I wouldn't pick 99.9% of what you do -" he scoffed.
"Marc!" Daniel and Betty both yelled.
"As I was saying . . . it's Coach. And since you must, it has butterflies on it. But it's subtle – not all Aaaaaaaahhhhh! . . . like you used to be," he described.
"Marc, you're lucky I'm still weak from the coma. But if you don't zip it – I'll kick your ass when I'm back to normal!" Betty warned.
"Bitchy, bitchy . . ." he grumbled.
"I'll get you whatever one you want, B," Daniel offered.
"Thank you, Daniel. As much as it pains me to say it, I think Marc's right. Go with the Coach one," Betty decided, reluctantly. "I promise I'll pay you back for everything when I figure out my financial situation."
"Baby, we're married. You don't have to worry about it," Daniel assured her. "My money is yours and yours is mine – literally. We have a joint checking account and everything."
"Wow . . ." Betty responded, surprised. She had assumed with Daniel being a Meade that he'd want a pre-nup and separate bank accounts. "You trust me and our relationship that much?"
"Wow is right . . . Hello, Mrs. Moneybags! I love you even more, now!" Marc reacted. "I was considering a Mustang, but now I'm thinking more like a Ferrari . . ."
"Of course I do, Betty. I know everything's happening so fast for you, and it might scare you to hear this, but you're it for me. This wasn't a 'Hey, you know what'd be crazy?' type thing. This is forever," Daniel told her.
"Aww . . . watching straight love is like eating an entire black tie cheesecake. It's sweet while it goes down, but then you need to throw up afterward. Now I'm forced to skip my cup of mousse," Marc cringed.
"Daniel . . ." Betty felt butterflies forming in her stomach again. She didn't know why his words got to her. Of course it was forever – that's what marriage was supposed to be – 'til death – not 'til you find someone better. She was never sure if Daniel felt that, though. His parents cheated on each other, Molly died not long after he married her and he knew that going in . . . what basis for marriage did he really have to go on? And how could she promise him forever when she wasn't even sure if she loved him that way?
"Oh! And I knew you'd worry, so I already called the credit card companies and the bank about you losing your cards in the crash," he said.
"Is there anything you don't do?" she flirted. "I feel like you're my assistant now."
"Hey, I always said it would happen," he shrugged with cute smile.
Betty giggled.
They caught each other's eyes for a moment, before Marc got tired of the display.
"Hello . . .! There are two other people in this room. So if you wanna make love or whatever it is you two do – go somewhere else!" Marc complained.
"Well, I'd better go. I'll call you," Daniel said and kissed her again. "Bye, Butterfly. I love you."
"I-I . . . um . . . Bye," Betty stammered, unable to utter those three words yet.
He nodded and walked around to the other side of the bed.
"Bye, my little Caterpillar," Daniel quietly said, kissing his child's head. He patted Marc's shoulder and left.
"Sooo . . . aside from the hetero display that made me want to gouge my eyes out, that last part was a little awkward," Marc questioned. "Are you and Insta-Hubby still not back to being luvahs yet?"
"I can't say it . . . I want to . . . but I can't," Betty confessed.
"You mean the L-word? Oh, pisshhh! You cannot be telling me this! You survived a plane crash and a coma! You gave birth to a baby you didn't know about, and you're whining about one freakin' little word?!" he scoffed. "What's the big damn deal? You married Mr. Uni-ab, I'm sure you've said it a zillion times before."
"But that's just it - I don't remember marrying Daniel. I can't just say the words when I'm not sure if they're real to me yet . . . I can't do that to him," she explained.
"So what do you feel when you're with him – and don't get too gushy. There's only so much I can take in a day!" Marc asked.
"Different, but good . . . and a little awkward. I'm still getting used to the fact that he's not my boss anymore and we're not just friends," she said.
"Taquito, you two were never just friends – you were luvahs," Marc corrected her. "You know all the skeletons in Danny Boy's closet just like I know Willie's. You've done so many unthinkable things for him and he's done an equal amount for you. Adding in the facts that you're both hetero and have moral compasses that put Gandhi to shame made it inevitable that you'd one day fall for each other."
Betty smiled and rolled her eyes at Marc's exaggerated perspective.
"His kisses are amazing . . . I could get lost in his gorgeous blue eyes – I never really noticed them before . . . and I feel safe in his arms," she admitted.
"He does have incredible biceps – you're welcome!" Marc remarked.
"What?" Betty asked.
"When I was his assistant, I set up a time every day for him to tone his arms and abs. I could tell he was slacking off at the gym, after Molly. He must still be keeping up with it – well, until you know," he clarified.
Scarlett started to cry.
"Hey there, Scary Spice," Marc rocked Scarlett in his arms, trying to calm her down. "Don't go getting all Naomi on me. I will teach you sooo many things your mommy and daddy won't. I'll even show you pics of when your mommy first started at MODE. They are hi – wait for it – larious!"
Scarlett smiled and cooed.
"See - I knew even before you were born we were gonna be besties. Pretty soon it's gonna be Babymania around here. You'll have two new cousins to boss around. But you wanna know a secret, Baby Red? You'll always be my favorite little Luvbug – just don't tell your aunts or cousins. Ulchh . . . I've gotta go, Miss Baby Phat, 'cause it looks like you wanna get Juicy all over my Couture," he handed the drooling baby back over to Betty and kissed Betty's cheek. "Bye, Big Mama! I'll come back tomorrow and we'll catch up on those telenovelas with your Papi."
"Oh, I thought you were staying for dinner?" Betty asked.
"Not tonight – I'm having Italian . . ." he sinfully grinned.
Betty rolled her eyes.
"Be careful, okay?" she advised. "He's Bobby's cousin. And I don't want you hurt either."
"Fine," he huffed.
"Marc?" she said.
"Yeess . . ." he responded.
"Thank you for being here for me," Betty smiled, gratefully.
"Well I couldn't very well lose my little Chimichanga, could I? Who else would I make fun of?" he teased.
"Marc," she berated.
"I'm really glad you're okay, Betty. You're my bestie . . . you've managed to eat your way into my heart," Marc admitted
Betty ignored the latter part of his comment.
"Aww, Marc . . . But I thought Amanda was your bestie?" she wondered.
"She is – but she's my fun, irrational bestie. You're my boring, sensible bestie – the one I can go to with the serious stuff, like when Dolce fights with Gabanna," he explained. "But if you tell anyone that, I'll steal your new Balenciaga bag and give it to my clueless assistant – kidding . . . mostly."
"Marc, I don't have a Balenciaga bag," Betty reminded him. "Unless, I got one in the last year?"
"No, you're right – wrong bestie. Then I'll find your secret stash of fattening snacks and steal them," Marc countered with a yawn.
"I think you need to go home and rest. You look tired," she said.
"Well, my schedule is as screwed up as Lindsey Lohan before rehab, because Miss Scarlett decided she was ready to make her grand debut into this world. And frankly, my dear, she didn't give a damn that people needed their beauty sleep," he good-naturedly teased the baby. "Then her Memory-losing Mama decided she couldn't possibly be outshone, so she had to go and bleed all over the place and freak everyone out. Talk about me being a drama queen – you're definitely the Queen from Queens!"
Betty giggled.
"You do realize I didn't ask for any of this to happen – especially waking up in labor with no previous knowledge of the baby I was delivering? Not to mention having no clue I was married to Daniel," she reminded him.
"I know. I'm just doing what we always do," he winked. "And I'm sorry about you not being able to carry another baby . . . But hey, at least you won't have to get any fatter than you already are . . ."
"Marc!" she glared at him. "You remember that ass-kicking? I think I might just leave it up to my brother-in-law. He'd be all for it – especially when he finds out you're dating his cousin . . ."
"Gaaahhh! Fine. Did that coma make you lose your sense of humor, too? You can never take an insult anymore!" he relented. "Do you really think Bobby would have a problem with it?"
"Only if you treat Joey like you treated Cliff and Troy. Just be the nice guy I know you are deep down, instead of trying to play it supercool and like you're better than they are. These guys are people, Marc – not boy-toys. They have feelings just like you do. Remember that and you'll be fine," Betty advised.
"Look at you, my little Enchilada . . . giving me love advice . . . Are we in Oz?" he teased.
She laughed.
"Shut up! I know I'm screwed up, too. Here I have a husband who any girl would consider the man of their dreams, a precious new baby girl, and I'm still confused on exactly how to feel," Betty sighed in frustration. "It's like I'm living someone else's life. And I can't feel what I know I need to feel . . . what I'd felt before. I just wish I could remember how I got to this point, instead of having to have people tell me."
"Well, maybe you don't have to feel just one thing . . . Maybe it's okay to feel a little bit of everything. And stop pressuring yourself. If I were you, I'd be screaming at the top of my lungs until you slapped me like Cher and told me to 'Snap out of it!'. But you, you are Betty Suarez-Meade. You can take anything that literally hits you in the face and walk away smiling. And what you've got right now is a good thing. I know I talk smack about the Grinning Idiot, but Daniel really is a great guy. And you two are made for each other. Just give it some time and relax," Marc told her.
Betty squeezed his hand.
"Thanks, Marc," she smiled.
"And if that doesn't work, I could give you a good bitch-slap and fling you across a wall?" he offered a little too eagerly. "Although, I'd probably need a forklift to do it with . . ."
"Marc!" she objected.
"What?! It always works on TV," he innocently shrugged.
"I think I'll take my chances and let it happen naturally," Betty turned him down.
"You take all the fun out of everything," Marc pouted.
"Oh, quit yer whinin' an' bugger off!" Christina lightheartedly teased as she came in the room. "Yeh know, yeh get her the entire week – I only have two days, so shoo!"
"Okay, okay! Don't go all Loch Ness Monster on me!" he complained. "You're still making me that couture suit for free, right?"
"Oh, bollocks! Not that again!" she groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Please . . . I need it for MODE's charity event next month. Christian Bale is gonna be there and I sooo wanna get in his Bat Cave!" he begged.
"Ewww!" both girls exclaimed.
"Oh, come on! You two were thinking it, too!" he accused.
They both reluctantly agreed.
"I'll get you into the Red Carpet premiere of Matt Damon's new movie?" he offered to Christina.
"Fine. But only if yeh stop yammerin' 'bout it an' bein' a pain in meh arse!" she retorted.
"Going!" Marc scurried out of the room.
"Yeh know, I didn't think I'd missed that little wanker so much until I saw him again this past month. He sorta grows on yeh like a big hairy wart, doesn't he?" Christina joked.
"He's an acquired taste," Betty admitted. "But he and Amanda and I have been through a lot together."
Christina nodded in agreement and sat down on the bed.
"And Daniel . . .?" she asked.
"I'm working on it," Betty answered, sighing.
"Oooo . . . That doesn't sound good. I thought you two were like bangers and mash?" Christina questioned.
"If you mean getting along, we are. The beyond-friend stuff is tricky for me, though," Betty admitted.
"Not enough memories, huh?" Christina assumed, taking Scarlett in her arms.
"Not the right ones, no," Betty replied, frustrated. "I keep remembering bits and pieces, but I can't recall actually being in love with Daniel. And I'm trying to fall in love with him now – without the memories. But it's not happening like I thought it would. He's done everything right and then some. He's so patient with me. And when we kiss or when he holds me, I feel like I'm right where I belong. But every time I feel like I'm close to actually saying the words, I can't get friend-Daniel out of my head. I'm not sure if I ever will . . ."
"Well, this is the same numpty who's slept with hundreds of skinny models an' couldn't remember how to tie his own shoes if yeh weren't around. I can see why that might be a wee bit of a problem fer yeh," Christina sympathized.
"He's changed, Christina . . . or at least I thought he had . . . until he started dating Trista. She's got the IQ of a napkin and she makes Daniel dumb whenever he's around her. Why would he want to regress to his old habits when he's come so far?"
"Betty, yer talkin' like he's still datin' the bimbo. He's not – he's married to you, love," Christina reminded her.
"I know . . . but what if he starts going backward again? What if he gets tired of boring old predictable me? What if I let myself fall and . . ." Betty trailed off, attempting to control her tears.
"Oh, Betty . . . is that what yer afraid of?" she asked. "I know I always pissed and moaned 'bout the way Daniel treated yeh. But if yeh could've seen the fear in that man's eyes when he thought he'd lost yeh . . . it was as if someone had yanked out his heart and torn it to pieces . . . An' the way he looks at yeh every time yer eyes meet . . . I don't think he'd ever stray. An' if he did, Stuart an' I would both come an' beat on his scrawny arse."
Betty weakly smiled at the thought of her friends coming to protect her.
"He means everything to me – he's my best friend. I-I don't want to lose that – I don't want to lose him . . . I-I'm scared," Betty sniffled and buried her head in her hands.
Christina tried to comfort her friend the best she could with the baby in her arms.
"Shhhh . . . It'll be okay, love . . ." she soothed. "Try not to think of what could happen an' concentrate on what yeh have right now – a randy young gent who's rich and adores yeh. I'll never get to live out my fantasy as Mrs. Matt Damon, but you get to be Mrs. Daniel Meade and that's far from terrible in my opinion – especially when yeh know the real man an' not the celebrity."
Betty nodded. She knew in her heart that Christina and Marc were right. If only she could make her head think the same.
"Yeh know, you two made one gorgeous little one," Christina said, smiling at Scarlett. "Oohh, now there yeh go spittin' up again . . . s'pose I need to get used to that . . ."
"Wait . . . you mean . . . are you?" Betty questioned, surprised.
"Mmmmhhhhhmmm . . ." Christina beamed.
"Oh my god! Christina! That's amazing – I'm so happy for you!" Betty perked up at the good news.
"I found out the day of the crash. I tried to call yeh and Amanda, then Daniel called me with the news . . . I'm five months along. Bugger me - I thought I was only puttin' on a few extra pounds . . . Hope it's a girl this time. I'm surrounded by two messy unkempt boys who muck up their knickers an' leave a trail of mud on meh kitchen floor. Would be nice to have a girl to dress up in frilly frocks an' have tea parties with," Christina wistfully smiled. "But I know I'll love this baby either way. An' at least I know it's mine, this time."
"True. I still shudder every time I think about what Wilhelmina did to your family and Daniel's," Betty recalled.
"She's come a long way though, love. She was actually worried about yeh. Maybe there is a tiny little heart in her somewhere," Christina joked.
Betty giggled.
"So are yeh an' Daniel movin' back to London?" Christina wondered.
"That's where we live and work now, I guess . . . It feels strange . . . and I'm so happy right here. I've got my family and Claire . . . Marc . . . Hilda's due in a month . . ." Betty contemplated. "Amanda and Tyler are moving back – she's got her job with you -"
"No – Amanda's stayin' here. I just had a long talk with her an' we decided that I should start a line in New York," Christina informed her. "She'll be runnin' it an' eventually start another one of her own under my label – once she gets some inspiration that doesn't scream bloody slut, that is."
"Oh my god! That's so great for both of you!" Betty exclaimed. "I can't wait to congratulate her! Maybe I can get Bobby or Tyler to carry me downstairs in a little bit. I know that they did therapy on my legs while I was in a coma and it's helping now, too. But I still feel so wobbly on them that I don't trust myself. Not to mention, just having a baby and a hysterectomy doesn't help, either."
Christina nodded.
"I'm so sorry 'bout that, love. As if yeh didn't have enough bloody shit to deal with," her friend patted her hand.
"I know . . . I wish I could at least remember what it felt like to carry her . . . feel her first kick . . ." Betty sighed, wistfully.
"How's Daniel dealin' with it?" she asked.
"He's been amazing . . . I couldn't have asked for a better husband," Betty replied. "Which is why this has been so hard for me. He's so irresistible in every way, it's like it's too good to be true. I don't want to hurt him, but I don't want him to end up hurting me either."
"Yeh still haven't answered meh question about moving back, love," she reminded her.
"I don't know . . . Daniel and I haven't talked about it. I guess I just assumed that's where we'd go once the baby and I could travel again – not that I'm looking forward to another trip on a plane after what happened," she pondered. "It never really occurred to me that I had a choice. I mean, my new life is there . . . I have responsibilities and so does Daniel. I can't really ask him to quit his job and stay here – especially since he told me he's already done that before."
"Well, yeh've got a while to think about it, love. But yeh need to talk to Daniel - an' don't be afraid to let him know how yeh feel. If yeh don't, neither one of yeh will be happy," Christina advised.
They looked up when they heard a knock on the open doorway.
"Hey," Daniel said. "Christina, can I talk to Betty for a minute?"
Christina handed Scarlett back over to Betty after cooing at her one last time. She got up and headed for the door.
"Take all the time yeh need, love," she smiled and patted his arm as she left.
"Daniel, why are you back so early? I thought you were working and spending time with your mom? She came with you, didn't she?" Betty asked, confused.
"Yeah, she's downstairs talking with Hilda and Amanda and your dad," he answered. "Uh, Betty, I'm not really sure how to say this . . . I tried to go over it on the way back here . . ."
Betty put a sleeping Scarlett down in her bassinette.
Daniel came over to the bed and sat down.
"Daniel, what is it? It's us, isn't it? I'm not who you married and it's too hard for you, right?" she automatically assumed. "You're ending this?"
"What?! No! God, no! Betty that's not it at all!" he insisted, shocked. "Don't ever think that even for a second!"
Betty nodded, trying not to cry. Unfortunately, her emotions were out of her control. Damn her stupid hormones – they were all over the place!
"C'mere, baby," Daniel said in a soothing voice as he took her in his arms, put his lips to her forehead, then held her as close as he could without affecting her incision. He placed gentle kisses on both of her cheeks, erasing the tears that had fallen from her saddened and fearful eyes. "I will never leave you, Betty – not even if you asked me to. I'm not giving up on us. No matter how long it takes, I know someday we'll make it through everything. I promise."
Betty slightly pulled away from Daniel and gathered her composure.
"So . . . if that wasn't what you needed to talk about, then what is it? What's so terrible?" she wondered. "Is your mom alright? Wilhelmina didn't pull something on her again, did she?"
"She's fine – she and Wilhelmina have been getting along better recently . . . I, uh, I checked in at work . . . approved everything at the shoot through the webcam . . . Anyway, Lindsay came on . . . They're scrapping the magazine after this issue goes out," he nervously told her.
