Chapter Eight

A/N: Reviews have been very kind, thanks to everyone!!! To all the ladies and gentleman over at I-C, thanks for all you words of support. You have been a big inspiration for me!!! Enjoy!!!!

Saturday afternoon found Betty and Henry in Central Park. Betty had taken Daniel's advice and called Henry. He had suggested taking Maddie and her friend Katie to the park. Betty had been relieved Henry suggested it and had hurriedly packed a picnic lunch for the four of them earlier that morning. Now as the girls ran laughing around the park, Betty and Henry sat together on a blanket that Henry had brought for them.

"Thanks for bringing lunch Betty." Henry said as they got settled, "Those two will work up an appetite running around here." Betty smiled shyly at him.

"It was no trouble." Betty said, "I wanted to bring something along today." They pulled the food out of the basket and spread it out over the blanket in front of them. When the food had been laid out and the girls were chasing each other through the grass in front of them, Betty and Henry looked at each other, neither of them knowing what to say. Finally Henry cleared his throat and looked at her.

"Betty," Henry said, his voice compelling her to look over at him, "I heard about you and Gio. I'm really sorry you two have separated." Betty shook her head and tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Thanks Henry." Betty said simply. She turned away from him, her eyes searching the landscape in front of her. Henry watched her for a long time, wondering what was going through her mind and if this had been such a good idea after all. Henry softly said her name, only to receive no response. He waited a few more minutes then tried again.

"Betty." Henry said, touching the sleeve of her sweater. Betty's eyes focused on him.

"What….oh sorry Henry. I'm sorry, did you say something?" Betty asked. Henry smiled fondly at her.

"You just looked like you were a million miles away just now." Henry observed. Betty looked at him.

"I was just thinking…about Gio and that it's really over between us. The marriage I mean, wondering if I did the right thing. Then I thought about something someone else once said to me." Betty said.

"What's that?" Henry wanted to know. Betty looked deep into his eyes.

"That if I didn't love him, then I did the right thing." Betty replied. Henry's eyes widened, remembering those very words he'd spoken to her a lifetime ago about Walter. He nodded solemnly at her.

"Well, it still holds true." Henry said, "There's no use being with someone if there's no love there anymore."

"There's still love there, though." Betty said, "Just not the kind of love that sustains a marriage and keeps two people truly happy." Henry stared thoughtfully out into the park, looking at other couples and families enjoying the sunny day.

"I'm glad you suggested this today Henry. I really feel better getting out and the girls are so much fun!" Betty said. Henry chuckled at her.

"Well the girls are fun, but they can be a handful together." Henry replied. He leaned closer to her, his lips close to her ear.

"So how are you holding up really?" Henry wanted to know, "I know it's got to be hard and I hear you've been keeping yourself busy at work, but are you all right? I mean, sure you're not all right but are you……"

"Henry", Betty interrupted, "I understand what you're asking. No, I'm not all right. I've ended a relationship, a marriage with another person. I always thought that when I got married, it would be romantic and beautiful and would last forever. I found out the hard way how wrong I was." Betty finished. Henry looked at her in sympathy. He hated seeing her so sad and so down on herself.

"Betty, I've never been married, so I don't pretend to understand what you're going through. But I can tell you that a marriage between two people who love each other and are meant to be together I'm sure is exactly how you've pictured it. There's nothing more powerful than being next to the person who loves you completely and to the fullest. You'll feel that power with the right one, I know it." Henry said. Betty turned to Henry and tentatively touched his arm.

"Henry…I've wanted to talk to you. I've been avoiding everything and everyone it seems lately. Daniel gave me the idea to call you this weekend. You've been a good friend lately, giving me space to think, but I need to ask you about something." Betty said. Henry reached over and brushed her hair back off her shoulder.

"What is it Betty? You know you can talk to me about anything." Henry said. Betty sighed and scooted closer to him.

"Henry, I know that I'm not the same person I was when you left over five years ago. We've both changed and matured; I got married, and you became a father. But some things haven't changed; my palms still get sweaty and my mouth goes dry every time you walk into the room. I feel like I can't breathe every time you're close to me; I wake up from dreaming about you, and I fall asleep every night with your face in my mind. I love you now more than I ever have. Tell me that we have another chance together….I can't imagine my life without you and Maddie in it for another second. I know I'm not the same person I was back then, but……." Henry silenced her with a finger to her lips.

"Betty, you don't have to try and sell your qualities to me. I'm the one who's always seen how beautiful and caring you've always been. That part of you will never change. Yes, I'm a father and you've been a married woman, but my soul is empty without you beside me. I want to spend my life with you and Maddie and if you want to have more children, that's fine and if you don't that's fine too. I just want to know that I have your heart, as firmly as you've always had mine." Henry said, reaching over to gently touch her cheek with his hand. Betty closed her eyes and leaned into his caress. Henry's fingers felt warm and soft against her skin. She sighed, and then pulled back from his hand.

"Henry, I want to take this slow. I know we know each other and we've been here before, but I don't want to ruin anything we have or rush into anything." Betty said. Henry smiled at her.

"Betty, we can take this as slowly as you want. I'm not going anywhere and I promise you I'm never leaving you again." Henry said. Betty smiled back at him as the girls ran up to the blanket.

The rest of their day went wonderfully. They devoured Betty's lunch of fried chicken, rolls and salad. Then they packed up their picnic and the four of them strolled around the park, walking over the bridges and past the pond. At some point, Henry cautiously took Betty's hand in his. Her palm was warm and slightly sweaty in his, but his heart soared. Betty didn't pull her hand from his; in fact she closed her fingers tighter around his. When it finally got dark, Henry stopped and got ice cream for everyone and headed back to his apartment. Katie's mother stopped them in the hallway and asked if Maddie wanted to stay over. Maddie hopped from one foot to the other, pleading with Henry to say yes. Betty grinned as he quickly gave in to his daughter. Maddie hugged him quickly and headed into Katie's apartment as Henry thanked her mother. They strolled back down in the cool evening air to the subway.

Henry insisted on riding the subway back to Queens with Betty. Both were quiet and contemplative as the subway carried them back to Betty's father's. When they were walking down her street approaching her house, Henry finally decided to break the silence.

"I had a really good time today Betty. Thanks for coming along." Henry said.

"You're welcome, and thanks for inviting me. Tell the girls I had a lot of fun with them." Betty replied. Henry nodded. As they stood in front of Betty's front gate, she looked up at Henry an unreadable expression on her face.

"Well……I guess this is……goodnight Henry." Betty said. Betty watched as Henry's eyes ran over her face, settling on her lips. Betty shivered at the look in his eyes as his head inclined towards hers.

"Betty, I want to kiss you. But if you think it's too soon….stop me…….before I….." Henry lost his train of thought as his lips settled over hers. Betty felt encased in a plastic bubble as all the oxygen left her lungs in a rush. She felt Henry's hands at her waist, lightly holding her to him. She closed her eyes and sighed as Henry gently explored her lips with his tongue. She opened her lips and allowed him access, his tongue gliding along hers. She ran her hands up his arms to his shoulders. Betty tried to pull him closer, but Henry broke the kiss reluctantly. He rested his forehead against hers as he tried to slow his breathing.

"Betty….You wanted to take things slow….I've got to stop now or……" Henry gasped. Betty nodded her head against his.

"I know Henry. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to get carried away." Betty said shakily. Henry pulled back from her, keeping his hands at her waist.

"Betty, it's all right. I seem to lose whatever control I have when I'm around you." Henry said, his grin deepening. Betty blushed as Henry turned and walked her up her stairs.

"I'll call you tomorrow." Henry promised, brushing a kiss on her forehead. She smiled and waved as he headed back down the street. She turned and opened the door, finding Ignacio on the couch idly channel surfing.

"Dad, are you waiting up for me?" Betty said, amused.

"Of course not mija, I was just trying to find something good to watch." Ignacio said. He took in Betty's flushed face and dreamy expression. He was happy to see the sadness disappearing from her face.

"Goodnight Dad, see you in the morning." Betty said, smiling as she headed upstairs. Ignacio watched her go, and then switched off the television. As he stood and went to turn out the light he looked around the empty living room.

"Yep, Betty's going to be just fine." Ignacio said to the empty room as he flicked off the lights and headed up to bed.

TBC……………………………….