Betty walked into Daniel's office as usual with his coffee and bagel. She was going to have to tell him that she will need tomorrow off. She knew that Daniel was going to give her a hard time about going to the funeral with Gio. She wanted to prove to Daniel that what she was doing with Gio was real. This wasn't like what she had with Henry. This was something that could last.

Daniel had been very protective of her since Henry left. He practically monitored every guy that even looked at her with interest. Daniel was just trying to be a good friend but lately he was getting on her nerves.

"Daniel, can I talk to you?" Betty asked.

Daniel looked up from the proofs from a photo shoot.

"Of course, what can I do for you?" Daniel asked as he looked Betty over. She seemed really nervous.

"I need tomorrow off."She let out. Not wanting to tell Daniel why she needed it off.

"Why do you need tomorrow off?" He asked. He was confused as to why Betty wouldn't tell him why she needed time off.

"I am going to a funeral." Betty said softly.

"Betty, who died in your family? I will go to the funeral with you." Daniel announced as he walked around the desk to comfort his friend.

"Daniel, no one in my family died. I am going to a funeral with Gio. His grandfather passed away on Saturday night." Betty was trying to gage Daniel reaction.

"Oh, I just assumed you were talking about your family. But that's awfully nice of you to go to his grandfather's funeral with him," Daniel said with a smile. He knew that it was time for Betty to move on and he felt that Gio was a good guy.

"So, I can have the day off?" Betty asked

"Yes, and tell Gio I'm sorry about his grandfather,"Daniel let out with a smile.

"Thanks, Daniel." Betty said as she turned around and went back to work.

Betty met Gio at his apartment before they went to the funeral. Gio looked really nice in the black pants and white button down shirt he was wearing. He chose to wear his leather jacket instead of a suit jacket.

Betty wore a simple black dress that stopped just below her knee with a black button down sweater. She looked completely appropriate for the funeral she thought. No tights though she still wanted to look nice. Her hair was pulled back with a head band and she wore a pair of black flats to finish off the look.

When they arrived at the church where the funeral was taking place Betty suddenly got overwhelmed. There were a lot of people from Gio's family and she got really nervous. They hadn't even been on their first date yet and she was already going to meet the whole family.

Gio parked the car, got out, and went around the other side to open Betty's door. Another thing his grandfather taught him to do was be a gentleman. Betty smiled as she hopped out of his van. Gio tangled his fingers with hers as they walked into the church. As they walked in a woman who seemed to be in her late fifties came up to them.

"Gio, how are you doing this morning?" Aunt Anita asked.

"I am hanging in there. Where's my mom?" Gio asked as he looked around the room.

"She is already paying her respects to Dad." Aunt Anita answered as fresh tears came down her face.

"We're going to go find her." Gio pulled Betty's hand gently as they stepped inside the room that everyone was paying their respects before the ceremony began.

Gio spotted his mom and his immediate family sitting in the front row. They walked over to where they were sitting never breaking contact from each other.

"Hey, Ma," Gio announced softly as his mother coco brown eyes found his.

"Oh, Gio, I am so glad you're here. I didn't think you got my message." Carmen Rossi let out as she looked over at the pretty woman that stood next to her son.

"Mom, this is Betty. She's my friend that I met through Mode magazine." Gio stated as he squeezed Betty's hand.

Carmen took a look at the way their hands were threaded together and smiled slightly. Her only son was in love.

"Nice to meet you Betty. I wish it was under different circumstances."

Betty smiled and let go of Gio's hand long enough to shake this woman's hand. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Rossi. I am very sorry for the loss of your Dad." Betty said softly.

Carmen put a hand over Betty's and said "Thank you. But he is in a better place."

The ceremony was beautiful and heartfelt. This man that people were remembering was amazing. Giovanni Anthony Rossi was in World War 1 and won a purple heart. He had owned an Italian restaurant in Italy. Fell in love with Gio's grandmother, Sophia Nicolette Fochelli two years before they traveled to Ellis Island where they got married and had five beautiful children, Carmen being the baby. He had a long and happy life.

Gio's aunt looked over at Betty and said "you know there wasn't a single person in this family that wasn't loved by my Dad."

"I got that just by everyone's comments." Betty said softly.

After the ceremony at the church they went to the burial site. They all gathered around his grave which was very hard since there were so many family members. The priest asked if anyone would want to come and pay their last respects. Gio got up from where he was sitting and walked over to where the priest was standing. He looked over at Betty, and his family. They were waiting patiently for him to say something.

"My grandfather taught me a lot of things about life, family, and most importantly love. I really am going to miss him very much. He meant the world to me. I one day hope… to be the kind…. of man he was…" Gio wanted to finish but it was too hard as tears fell down his eyes. Gio walked back over to where Betty was sitting and sat back down.

Betty grabbed his hand and rubbed his back with her other as he cried. Betty thought his respects where very good.

Everyone watched as they buried him in the ground. Each grandchild got up and threw a rose on top of his casket.

They all followed everyone over to Gio's aunt's house for some food and drinks. Once they arrived Gio stopped the car, but didn't get out right away.

Betty looked over at Gio as she noticed more tears fell from his cheeks. "Gio, is everything alright? Stupid question, of course you're not alright." Betty let out shaking her head at her stupidity.

Gio looked over at her and slightly let out a laugh. "I usually don't cry like this. I don't think I've cried since I was a little boy. Thank you so much for being here with me today." Gio announced. He leaned over and softly kissed Betty's lips. It was a kiss of thanks as Gio pulled away and said "Let's get inside."

Betty smiled at him as they got out of the car and walked into the house.