BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE CH 5

After kissing again for some time, one of the logs suddenly fell, making them both jump slightly and laugh at how carried away they had both gotten again. Betty looked at Daniel, "I...need to use the restroom."

He nodded, handing her the flashlight. "Okay. Here. Be careful. You know where it is. Yell if you get lost trying to find it in the dark."

She got up, trying to straighten herself up as she did. Her hair was a mess, and her top button had somehow come off, and she was missing an earring.

As she splashed off her face, she shook her head, "What is wrong with me? What in the world am I doing? This is Daniel! He doesn't love me! He can't! He's just...confused or something.

There's no way he really feels that way about me. I have to stop. We can't keep going like this. Things are getting out of hand."

When she walked back out, Daniel was in the kitchen. She came up behind him, quietly, and shined the flashlight at him, "Boo!"

He jumped. "Betty! Geez! You scared the crap out of me."

She laughed, then looked at him, curiously, "What are you doing?"

He grinned proudly, "Close your eyes. I made us something."

"What?" She closed her eyes, dutifully.

"Now open your mouth."

"Daniel! Don't be gross."

He laughed, "My but you have a dirty little mind, girlie. Must be why we get along so well. This is delicious. I promise. No snails and no...dirty stuff. Open a little wider. You look very cute like that, by the way. Like a little baby bird with braces."

She blushed, and started to close her mouth, but he fed her a bite of sandwich. "There. So...what do you think? Pretty good, huh? I made it myself. I bet you didn't know your old man wasn't the only guy who's a culinary expert!"

She finished chewing as he jumped up on the kitchen counter, chewing his own sandwich and grinning at her.

She smiled, "It's a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

"Yeah. Nothing better in the world, huh? Simple, obvious now to everybody. Two very different tastes, that go together perfectly. Wouldn't you say? Who ever thought to pair those two things up was a genius!"

She reached for another bite, and nodded, "It was Julia Davis Chandler, in 1901. New York tea rooms were serving peanut butter as a delicacy with things like pimento."

He rolled his eyes, "Of course you would know that!"

She shrugged her shoulders, "I did a report on it once a long time ago. Because I like them so much."

He nodded, taking a sip of milk and handing it to her as he laughed, "Yeah. Me, too. It's one of the few 'delicacies' I can actually make!"

After they finished eating, he pulled her close to him, "See, Betty. You can't tell me we don't make sense. Just because we come from different backgrounds.

Would you have me with some...pimento girl? Or you? You're my jelly. Without you...I'd be boring. And without me, you'd be too sweet. We're a perfect balance."

She laughed, "Daniel...you're crazy! But...very cute. This was...sweet."

He smiled at her, putting his legs on either side of her, and leaning down, with his hands on her shoulders, "Well, I just wanted you to see. I may like escargot.

But I love...you. You make me happy. Ever since I met you, I feel like I became a totally different person. Someone I actually like looking at in the mirror for a change.

I didn't really like myself before. I felt like I had to get wasted or sleep around just to numb myself to my life. Now I have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Mainly...to see you. You make everything, I don't know, fun."

"I don't know what to say, Daniel. You seem like you really mean what you're saying."

"That's because I do mean it. Do you think I'm just trying to get you into bed or something? I've had that. I've had girls throw themselves at me. You're not like that.

That's not what I want. I mean...well, of course, I do want that, too. I want you, Betty. But, I also like that you make me think. You never let me get away with anything.

With you, I know you'll tell me if I'm screwing up. You always have. You're straight with me. I need that. I need a challenge." He took her hands, and held them, looking down at her.

"Daniel...I do care about you. It's just so soon."

He nodded, "I know you need time, Betty. I get that. And I know this might seem crazy. You and me, us. But, if you really think about it, what's so crazy about best friends falling in love? Don't you think that's a good thing? We already care about each other."

She nodded, "I know. I do agree with you in theory. It's just...well, what are people going to say when they see us together?"

He rolled his eyes, "I don't know. Who cares?"

"I do! Because I'm the one they're going to say doesn't deserve you!"

He ran his hands down her arm, leering at her dress, and softly let his hands fall down her sides to her hips, pulling her closer to the counter.

"Uh, not when they see you in this, Betty! You're hot! I've barely been able to keep my eyes and hands off you all night!"

She blushed, "Thanks, but...that's one dress."

He jumped down and pulled her behind him by her hand, "No, correction, you have two to start, at least. Come on, Cinderella. Let's see you in your other ball gown.

I'll give you my honest opinion as the Editor-in-chief of Mode. Here. Try this one on for me. Please?" He picked up the bag containing the red dress he had bought for her earlier.

She sighed, "I'll try. But it's a little dark in the bathroom. I'll take the flashlight and set it up."

He smirked, "You could...always change out here. There's lots of light coming in the window. I won't peek. Much." He put his hand over his eyes.

She took the dress and the flashlight. "I'm not that stupid, Daniel! I'll be back."

He shook his head, "Spoil sport!"

Several minutes later, she came out, somewhat sheepishly, wearing the red dress, which had a much lower neckline, with ruching on the side, that emphasized Betty's small waist and fit snugly enough to show her assets to their full advantage.

Daniel's eyes widened as she entered the room, "Wow! Uh...that is a dress! You look...incredible, Betty!"

She looked down, seeming a bit embarrassed by how low cut the dress was. "Really? You think it's okay?"

"Oh, it's way more than okay!"

He pulled her to him and 'waltzed' with her. She giggled, "There's no music, Daniel!"

He shrugged, "We don't need music." He put one hand on her face, looking at her, "You being here tonight is all the music I need. You look...so beautiful, Betty."

She reddened, "Thank you, Daniel. But, it's not me. It's just the dress."

"I beg to differ, that dress wouldn't look nearly as good on the hanger. Or on any 'model'. Believe me, you're the one who makes it hot! In fact, you need lots more clothes like this. Let me…"

"Daniel, you're not buying me a new wardrobe! It's not right. You're my boss."

He thought for a minute, "Fine! Then, how about we find you another job? One that pays better. And that way I won't be your 'boss' directly, at least. Seriously, Betty. I know you don't even like it at Mode, really."

She was shocked, "That's not true. I like my job."

He smirked, "You like your nice boss. Come on, Betty. We both know if you worked for Wilhelmina or something, you would have quit a long time ago! You hate it there.

But there are twenty-three other magazines at Meade Publications besides Mode. Surely, we can find you a position that works for you somewhere. One that you're qualified for, but where you're not directly under me. At least, not at work." He smiled.

She furrowed her brows, but shook her head, "Daniel! That's...favoritism!"

He rolled his eyes, "Uh, right. Kind of like...nepotism? How the hell do you think I got MY job? Who cares? I've got news for you, sweetie. It happens a lot! Not just at Meade, either! I told you before, it doesn't matter how you get the job.

It's what you do once you get it. So...how about we find you a job as a junior features editor at another magazine? That should pay enough to warrant a new wardrobe.

And in the meantime, I suppose you can get contacts, maybe. Although, I sort of think it's hot taking glasses off to uh...do stuff. Like the whole stripper librarian thing. I could totally get into that!

But, whatever, that's your call. What else? What's going to make you feel like you're hotter? Like you 'deserve' to date me? Just consider me your uh...wish granter."

She smirked, "You mean, my fairy godmother?"

He rolled his eyes, "I knew you were going to say that! I may work with fairies, but you know damn well, I'm not one. And make that god-father, I guess! Yeah, that could be cool. I'm your god-father. Let's say magic, not 'fairy'!"

She giggled, "Am I supposed to kiss your hand, 'magic godfather'?"

He nodded, "Sure. Go for it. You can kiss whatever you want, baby. We can start with my hand. Work our way uh...down, maybe."

"Daniel!"

He laughed, "Sorry! I'm just kidding. Sort of. I know! It is Christmas. You could always come sit on good ole Santa's lap and tell him what you want for Christmas."

"Santa, huh?" She giggled.

"Sure, Betty. What you don't believe in Santa Claus? I sure do. You being here like this is my Christmas wish come true. That's for sure! So, have you been a good little girl all year, Betty? Or have you been naughty?" he teased, pulling her behind him to the sofa, and sitting her on his lap.

She blushed at first, but couldn't help laughing, "Daniel, you really are crazy sometimes. I love you."

His smile spread, "You do?"

She realized what she had said, and seemed a bit panicked at first, but then relaxed, and nodded, "Yes. I really do.

I know it's crazy, and we're both being insane right now, this is so sudden and maybe it's just because it is Christmas and it seems magical with the snow outside and everything, but I do love you, Daniel. You're the sweetest man I've ever met.

And if you say that you love me; I believe you. I know maybe once we leave here tonight, things will change, but right here, right now, I can't think of one good reason why we shouldn't be together."

He smiled, pulling her closer to kiss her, then leaned his forehead on hers, and whispered, "Then, maybe we should never leave."

She smiled and whispered, "I don't want to."

He drew a deep, measured breath, "You don't? Are you...sure about that, Betty?"

She put her hand on his face and nodded, her breath hot on his, "I'm very sure."

He gulped, seemingly in disbelief at first. Then he smiled broadly, and kissed her slowly, holding her face in his hand. After a few minutes, he stood up, then scooped her up, carrying her upstairs.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning against his chest, neither of them daring to speak, as if they would break the spell.

Once he reached his bedroom, he placed her gently on the bed, and crawled over her, kissing her intently, as she held his face, sitting up with her back against the headboard.

He started unbuttoning his shirt, then looked down at her, somewhat nervously, "I can't believe you said...you love me."

She raised her eyebrows, "You can't? I can't believe you said you love me. And that you think we're soul mates. Tell me you haven't said anything like that to other women, Daniel."

He shook his head, "You think all that was a line? No, believe me. I told you, Betty. I meant it. That's why...well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm a little nervous here."

"YOU'RE nervous? You? Mr. Bachelor of the Year?"

He nodded, as he took off his shirt and threw it across a chair next to his bed, then unzipped his pants and sat down next to her, smoothing back her hair, then kissing her forehead,

"Yeah, me. Betty, don't you get it? I just told you I'm madly in love with you. I don't just say that to every girl, you know.

And I honestly didn't think you were going to tell me that you loved me or to say yes. At least not tonight."

She looked at him, "So, I'm too easy. Do you need me to make you work for it more?"

He laughed, "No, please! I'm exhausted. I never danced so much since you had me dancing around like an idiot that night you talked me through trying to do the salsa!

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that you said yes, Betty. I just don't want to mess this up. I want our first time together to be special, to be a miracle, just like this whole night has been up till now.

I don't want you to have any regrets. God forgive me for asking this, but...are you sure you don't need more time to get over… uh …Henry?"

She smiled, holding out her arms, and pulling him closer, placing her hands on his bare chest, then bit his ear and whispered, "Who?"

He grinned, "Nobody. That's all I needed to hear, Betty. I love you."

"I love you, too, Daniel."