Baby It's Cold Outside CH 7
Betty had fallen asleep and Daniel lay watching her when he woke up, smiling at how adorable she looked. He honestly couldn't describe how elated he felt after making love all night with Betty. Betty Suarez. His assistant. His frumpy, clumsy, goofy assistant. Who right now, looked like the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
She brought out a passion and desire in him he had never felt before. He had been with a lot of beautiful women in the past, it was true.
But for one thing, he had never been in love with any of them. Sofia was the closest, perhaps and she only pretended to love him. Even then, she never had Betty's passion and love for him, her warmth, that made him feel like...well, singing!
And Renee, had been possessive, and somewhat demanding. She seemed out to monopolize him, and perhaps piss off her sister just by being with him. Plus, she was extremely jealous. Now of course, he understood why.
He stroked his hand across Betty's face, just looking at her. She seemed so peaceful, so relaxed, so adorable. And very sexy.
Yes, something he may have never thought about the girl himself just forty-eight hours earlier, perhaps. But Betty was in fact, extremely sexy. He could see it now.
He couldn't help but go over in his head what she had said about not feeling like she 'deserved' to be with him.
He understood how insecure she was and he hated it whenever people at work gave her a hard time about her looks.
He determined he was going to make her feel better about herself. Give her a reason to see herself how he saw her, to show the people at Mode, show the whole world just how beautiful she was to him.
It was time for Betty Suarez to finally become that butterfly she dressed up as for Halloween. And as the Editor-in-chief of Mode, he knew he was just the man to make that happen!
He quietly got out of bed and slipped his boxers on, going down stairs to make some calls.
"Mom? Hey, it's Daniel. Yeah, sorry to call so early. Merry Christmas to you, too. Listen, I was hoping you could do me a huge favor.
Do you remember that one photographer we had that did the whole Hitchcock tribute? What was his name again?"
"Cliff, I think. St. Peter perhaps? I'm not sure. But I can find out. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I really liked his work, that whole old Hollywood thing. Do you think we could get him to photograph Betty for us, doing that kind of thing?"
"I heard he and Marc were together, I believe. Don't you listen to any of the gossip, dear?"
"Hell, no! Although, maybe I should have. I guess if I did, I would have slept with Betty a long time ago."
He smiled, knowing from the silence, he had actually managed to stun his mother. Not an easy thing to do.
"You actually slept with Betty? It's about time! That's wonderful, dear. Congratulations! So, how was it? Is she still there?"
He rolled his eyes, hating it when his mother asked him about his sex life, "How was it? Mom...I'm not talking about that to you! But, if I did, I would say it was…
incredible, life-changing. I really do love her. She's so wonderful, so sweet, so fantastic!"
Claire laughed, "Daniel! Slow down! I've never heard you...gush before!"
He laughed, "Am I gushing? Yeah, I guess I am. I can't help it. I'm so happy! But, listen, I really want to surprise Betty. I want to do something nice for her. She said she was afraid to get involved with me…"
"Because of your past? Well, dear. She should know how much you've changed, though. You're no longer the womanizing jerk you used to be when she first met you. Thanks to her, you're a lot nicer."
"Thanks, Mom. But no, it's not my past; it's just because…"
"Because of Henry? I know how impulsive you can be, dear. But the man did just leave, after all. Be patient with her."
"Not him, either! Actually, I think I managed to pretty much get him off her mind."
"Kudos, dear. I'm sure you did."
He smiled, ignoring his mother's sly innuendo, "No, if you'll let me get in a word edgewise! It's not either one of those things. It's something she said about feeling insecure about how she looks.
But, you should see her out of those crazy clothes she wears, Mom, she's...totally hot!"
"Daniel Meade! I can see where this is going and you are NOT going to photograph Betty naked!"
"MOM!" He lowered his voice, fearing he would wake Betty, "No, I didn't mean naked! Please, give me a little credit, will you? I mean, sure I'd like to photograph her naked. But I wouldn't want anyone else to see that!
No, she showed up wearing a plain black dress at first, and I could see potential. She looked really good in it. She had on these sunglasses, too, with her hair up and I told her she kind of looked like Audrey Hepburn.
Then, I got her a few designer dresses for Christmas and she sort of got snowed in over here at my place. She tried them on for me, and...well, she looked great in them, too."
"And even better out of them, I imagine. Well, I guess the weather man will be on your list of people to start tipping. This storm surely worked to your advantage!"
He grinned, "Yeah, it did. I never believed in Christmas magic before, but...put me down as a Santa believer, now!"
Claire laughed, "So, what do you need from me? You expect me to be one of Santa's elves?"
"In a manner of speaking, yeah. I know we can get hair and makeup and that should make a difference, and if we could get Cliff to do just a few pictures; not really a whole photo spread, I don't want her to get too nervous.
But maybe a play off the whole Breakfast at Tiffany's or something like that, real old school Hollywood? I mean, her body's pretty...uh, you know, Marilyn Monroe.
So, especially with a black and white picture….I can just picture how great she'd look!
Plus, I remember he was a little a heavy himself, so I think he could make her feel more comfortable to pose for, and she might not freak out. Plus, he's got a good eye, so he will make her look her best.
She might have contacts she could use, because she's got the most incredibly beautiful brown eyes, Mom. They're...just so intense and soulful.
The only other thing is the braces. I think she's had the braces on two years already.
Do you know someone from the hospital board who could recommend a good orthodontist to take a look at them, see if she really even needs them anymore?
The guy she's got may be just soaking her for more money. She's too nice to question him, I'm sure. But some of the things she told me about the guy makes him seem like he's sort of obsessed with her or something.
Let's see, that's all I can think of. Oh, no, wait, I almost forgot, I told her she should be a junior features editor instead of my assistant.
I offered to just give her that raise we talked about, but you know her. I know she really doesn't even like working at Mode that much, anyway."
"Except for her handsome boss, of course."
He grinned like a little boy, "Well, yeah, of course. That's what I told her, too. You know me so well, Mom."
"I did give birth to you, dear."
"Very funny."
"I wasn't joking. It hurt. I've told you how much you weighed! And I have small hips!"
"Yes, I know, mother. Gross! Not the small hips thing again! Look, I'm really sorry about that. So, anyway, I was wondering, if we couldn't figure out a magazine she could move to as an editor. What do you think?"
"Well, I'd love her at Hot Flash, she really is a good editor. I know she edits all your stuff. You're not that detail-oriented."
"Gee, thanks, Mom. Sorry, now don't get offended, but I think Betty's a little young to be working at a magazine called Hot Flash!"
"Well, why should I get offended, just because you're embarrassed of my magazine? Or that you're calling me old? I am old. I'm not ashamed of it. I've earned it. It's not the end of the world.
I'd rather own my age, and be proud of it, than run from it like some ridiculous women like Wilhelmina and Fabia, shooting my face full of duck crap or cow dung, and my lips full of my own ass!"
"Okay, okay. Sorry to pull at that thread, Mom. You're right. I think you're still very young-looking for your age, without all the 'crap'. And of course, still very lovely. I agree. But, then again, I am your son, so I'm biased."
"You don't need to flatter me, Daniel. I'm your mother. Of course, I'll help you get into Betty's pants. Oh, wait, you already did."
"Mom! Knock it off! Have you been drinking?"
She laughed, "No, I don't need to. You're just so adorable to mess with when you're actually...in love. I think I like you like this!"
"Okay, are you done? So, anyway, do I have your support in promoting Betty to editor in-house to another magazine?
I mean, you know, as a member of the board of directors and a shareholder of Meade Publications. And...as my mom?"
"Yes, of course, Daniel. So, this is what you want for Christmas? Should I just get a nice red bow to put on...Betty?" she teased.
He laughed, "See, Mom? This is why I almost got kicked out of prep school. Nobody else gets my humor. It's all your fault. Dad really wasn't that funny."
"You mean, no one except your wonderful mother and Betty?"
"See, you do understand me."
"Well, yes, after I survived your teens and twenties! Thankfully, you're much more agreeable in your thirties. More mature."
"And I have better taste in women? Right, well, speaking of which, I think I'm going to go give her a nice wake up call."
"Wonderful, dear. More than I needed to know, perhaps."
He laughed, "Bye, Mom. Thanks for your help with this. Oh, can we do that today, maybe?"
"Today? You are joking! Daniel, you do realize it's Christmas Day? Not to mention, the transportation is going to be a nightmare today after all this snow!"
He smiled, absently, not seeming to notice the panic in her voice, "Yeah, the snow. It was really...pretty, wasn't it? And the storm kept Betty here, so…"
"Daniel Meade! Come back to earth, dear. I love you, but you're insane if you expect me to contact an orthodontist, a photographer, hair and makeup, and get a photo shoot organized all with no notice whatsoever on Christmas day after a blizzard! It can't be done."
He smiled, "Mom, you're Claire Meade. You can do anything you put your mind to. Other than Betty, you're the one woman I can always count on to help me.
I believe in you. You know I'd make the calls myself, but if I want to surprise Betty, I can't let her hear me on the phone!
Oh, and thanks for...the book. I think you may have been right about it helping a little. She laughed at my British accent."
Claire rolled her eyes, "No problem. Glad I could help, dear. If you really want to get her attention, put on a white shirt and get wet...never mind!
I forgot who I was talking to for a moment! Merry Christmas, Daniel, dear. I'll...make a few calls, at least. I'll see what I can do for you."
"Merry Christmas, Mom. I love you."
"I love you too, son. I"m glad you finally opened your eyes. I'd say give Betty my love, but I'm sure you'll be giving her yours."
"You bet I will." He smiled, wondering if Betty was up yet. He knew he couldn't wait to wake her and enjoy their day together. This was the first of many wonderful days with Betty and he found himself grinning like an idiot in anticipation.
As he headed upstairs, coffee, toast, and eggs on a tray, he saw that Betty was awake and was sitting in his bed, with the sheet draped around her.
He smiled, "Good morning, gorgeous! Merry Christmas!"
She put her hand over her mouth, "Good morning, Daniel. Merry Christmas. Wow! You...made me breakfast in bed? How sweet! No one's ever done that for me before."
He sat down on the bed, next to her, and fed her a bite of the toast, as he kissed her forehead, "I figured, after last night, we both needed our strength. You uh...sort of wore me out, girl!
That was really amazing, you know. Like..off the charts. I was scared to death when I woke up I would realize I was just having a really excellent dream for Christmas, and that you weren't actually here."
She looked at him, surprised, "I thought the same thing! I thought I was just having some kind of erotic dream about you."
He laughed, leaning down to kiss her cheek, "Well, I guess we could both be having the very same sex dream about each other at the same time. Maybe I should pinch you to see if this is real, huh?"
"Daniel! Stop! Don't even think about it. Here!"
She fed him a bite of the eggs, and he chewed and swallowed them quickly, taking the jelly he had brought and smearing it on her cheek, grinning as he licked it off her, "You are in so much trouble, girl!"
Betty gasped, putting her hand on her cheek, then reached her finger into the jelly and smiled as she held them up, "Oh no, you are!"She smeared it on his chest.
"Oh yeah? Two can play this game." He grabbed the jar and put it on his fingers and arched his eyebrows, "I knew I should have brought the peanut butter, too! I could have made a Betty sandwich!"
She laughed, "Daniel! Get away from me with that!" She got up, putting the tray on the night table and wrapping herself in the sheet as she ran towards the bathroom, with Daniel following her.
"You can run, but you can't hide!"
She peeked around the door as he appeared, "Got you!"
He pulled her out from behind the door, close to him, making her drop the sheet, as he grinned at her, "No, I've got you. Finally. Come here, you."
He began kissing down her shoulders and neck, then suddenly smiled as he smeared the jelly on her breast, raising his eyebrows as he slowly licked it off.
She gasped and looked at him, "Daniel ...you're so bad!"
He closed his eyes as he swirled his tongue around her, then looked up and smiled, "Oh, believe me, that's not where I was going to put it! You got off easy...this time."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "Let me see your other hand."
He smiled, "You know me too well, Betty." He took out his other hand from behind her, revealing that it had jelly on it as well. As he wiggled his fingers, she grabbed them and smirked as she put his fingers into her mouth, sucking the jelly off them slowly.
He raised his eyebrows, and blew out a breath, then laughed, "Wow! I didn't see that coming. That was pretty damn sexy! Now that you've got me all turned on….while we're in here and all...sticky, I have a pretty great shower head. Care to...share it with me?" He offered her his hand and she followed him, smiling.
After they got done 'playing' in the shower, they both emerged, in towels, as they heard knocking on his door. Betty narrowed her eyes, "Were you expecting someone? You didn't order something to be delivered, did you, Daniel?"
He shrugged, "Um...not really. Hang on, sweetie. Let me see who it is."
He went to the door and immediately, several people entered, looking somewhat annoyed, but very purposeful as they walked past him, towards Betty, surrounding her.
Betty's eyes widened, "Daniel? What's going on?"
He smiled, seeing Cliff, carrying his equipment, with Marc, Amanda, and three women, all carrying various items with them.
Daniel was happily surprised, but tried to save Betty, who seemed totally overwhelmed. "Daniel! What in the world? Did you sell tickets? Is this a prank?"
She looked terrified and upset for a moment. He shooed everyone away from her, telling them to all go into the living room while he spoke to her alone.
He pulled her close and whispered, "Betty, honey, you're shaking. God, no! I'm sorry...please don't be mad.
This is all my mom's doing. I just asked her if she thought we could do some pictures with you in that black dress, sort of a Breakfast at Tiffany's thing, and I knew uh...what's his name, Marc's boyfriend…"
"Cliff?"
"Yeah. Cliff was really good at that genre. So, I guess since they were together, Marc just came with him. I have no idea why Amanda's here.
Maybe she was with them for Christmas, too and came along. The other three women, I'm guessing are hair and makeup stylists, and maybe...a really nice orthodontist who was willing to make house calls?
I honestly didn't think Mom could pull it off so quick. I should have known better than to question my mother's power to influence people. She's kind of like you in that way!"
Betty put her head against Daniel's chest, "Daniel…now they're all going to know, we...you know...slept together. This is...embarrassing."
He took her face in his hands, and looked into her eyes, "Not to sound mean, Betty, but...get over it. I'm sorry to tell you sweetie, if you're with me, it's going to get out that we're together sooner or later anyway.
So, I say, we by-pass all the sneaking around and denying and come right out with it. I'll be happy and proud to pose right next to you if you want and put it on Times Square. I'm so happy right now, I want to shout it from the rooftops, that I'm in love with you.
I'm not embarrassed in the slightest. I think you look fantastic right here, right now. But I want you to feel a little more comfortable with yourself. So...uh, sorry, is one of you an orthodontist?"
Marc shot his hand up, "Oh, yes, that's me! Please let me pull those hideous things off her. I'll get the pliers! Mandy, you hold her down."
Daniel glared at him, leaving Betty for a moment to confront Marc, "Marc, you can get out right now if you're going to insult Betty. What the hell are you even doing here? You weren't invited!"
Marc tried to seem intimidating, but as Daniel stood over him, he cowered against the counter, "I'm Cliff's boyfriend. Your mother bribed him to leave me alone on Christmas Day! Just as we were about to do eggnog shots! So, where he goes, I go!"
Betty came over, "Daniel...look, Marc's right. Whatever you had in mind, can wait, can't it? We don't have to do it right now. Let them just go home and enjoy their holiday together."
Daniel nodded, "You're right. I'm sorry. I just get carried away with these crazy ideas of mine. Betty, I love you. And I don't need you to change. But I I just wanted you to feel better about yourself, that's all.
But you're right. This was incredibly selfish and thoughtless of me to drag everyone out in the bad weather on a holiday. I'm sorry, guys. I'll see that you're still all paid, but…"
Amanda held her hand up as everyone started to leave, "WAIT! I say, let's do this thing now! The sooner we make this poor girl easier to look at, the better for all of us who have to look at her! I mean, actually, she looks way better with her clothes off than I've ever seen her. So, there's hope.
This is a beauty emergency. We need a Christmas miracle. First, who is the REAL orthodontist? Marc, do NOT raise your hand again, or I'll hurt you!"
A woman in her forties with dark hair smiled, raising her hand, "That would be me. I'm Dr. Frankel.
I got a call from a friend of mine at Styvessant Hospital that Claire Meade had offered to pay back all the student loans for whichever orthodontist was willing to come to this address today and just take a few minutes to assess whether a young girl was ready to have her braces removed or not.
I need to grow my business anyway, and I figured, I'm Jewish! It doesn't bother me to work on Christmas! So, who's my victim?" She looked around and spotted Betty's braces, then smiled.
"You're Betty, I presume?"
Betty looked scared, but nodded. covering her mouth.
Daniel held her hand tightly, "It'll be okay, Betty. She's a doctor. She's just going to check you out. I think that stupid guy you had was ripping you off. He sounded like he was obsessed with you or something to me."
After examining Betty's mouth, Dr. Frankl nodded, "You're right, Mr. Meade. Betty's braces could have been removed months ago. I say let's get these things off you right here and now, Betty. Are you ready?"
Betty looked around somewhat fearfully, "In front of everybody?"
Daniel squeezed her hand, "I'm here. sweetie. Whenever you're ready, Doctor."
After several tense minutes, as people gathered to watch, Doctor Frankel smiled. leaning back, "All done! Let's see that smile, girl!"
Betty ran her tongue across her teeth, then smiled.
Marc, and Amanda gasped, "Oh my God, she's actually pretty! It IS a Christmas miracle!"
Amanda teared up, "Run, Betty, run!" She turned to Marc, "Can she walk, too?"
Marc looked at Amanda, "She already could walk, sweetie!"
"Oh, right. I got carried away."
Betty looked at Daniel, who was staring at her, with his mouth open. "Daniel? What's wrong?"
He shook his head, "Nothing. You look...you look great, Betty!"
The hairstylist and makeup artist went to work on Betty, and Amanda and Cliff fussed over accessories while Daniel went upstairs and got dressed.
Soon, she emerged from the bathroom, in the black dress she had worn before, with her hair up. She had on her signature pearl necklace with the B on top of a few other pearl necklaces Cliff and Amanda had brought, along with long gloves and a skinny black cigarette holder.
Cliff called to everyone, "Okay, the limo's ready. Let's go to the location, people! I have word from Marc that Tiffany's is all set up for us.
There's a chance we won't be able to get there in the snow, if the streets haven't been cleared yet, but if so, we can always use the fake backdrop I brought as a backup. I know I'm not walking four miles! It's cold out there!"
The 'crew' all piled into the waiting limo. Betty looked at Daniel, noticing he hadn't taken his eyes off her. She rolled her eyes, "Daniel! You're really freaking me out! Stop staring at me!"
He grinned, "I'm sorry. I can't help it. You look incredible, Betty. Even better than I pictured. You really do look like a movie star with your smile now. It's...so bright! Like sunshine or something."
Cliff heard from the front seat and shook his head, leaning to Amanda, "Do girls really believe those kind of lines?"
Amanda nodded, her eyes glistening, "Yes! We do! Shut up! It's romantic. Betty's a lucky girl. Daniel's hot. I wish I had braces!
And had my rich, hot new boyfriend so into me that he did something crazy like this to show how much he loved me." She looked into the car vanity mirror at her teeth, "I wonder how I would look with braces?"
Cliff thought for a minute, "Probably like that one girl I saw on the twenty-seventh floor that works for MYW. She has braces. She could be your twin."
"Lucky girl. Why do the ugly girls always get the cute guys and then turn out to not be that ugly after all? That's so not fair!"
After some time to set up in front of the legendary jewelry store, Cliff called for quiet and he posed Betty, handing her long gloves and adjusting her tiara.
Daniel watched, smiling, "You look great, 'Holly'! You know, I heard they considered Marilyn Monroe for this part. But thought she'd be too sexy. Just like you."
Cliff looked at Daniel, seeming surprised that he knew anything about the movie's background, "That's right. They did. They didn't think Audrey would do the part as Truman Capote wrote it. They thought she was too high class to consider playing a hooker."
Amanda's eyes widened, "She was a hooker? I just thought she was sort of a party girl who liked cats. And had good taste in jewelry. The guy in it was kind of hot in his day, I guess. Daniel, you could play him."
"Yeah, Daniel. Why don't we get YOU into the shot?" Betty glared at him, pulling his arm, "This was all your brilliant little plan. But can we hurry? I'm freezing out here!"
Cliff put his eye to the camera. "I'm ready. I tell you what, if it rains and washes all this snow away, I'll do the kissing in the rain scene at the end, too with you both in the shot.
Call it a two for one. At least we don't have to worry about traffic. I have a new respect for limos. Okay, quiet everybody.
Betty, are you ready?"
She nodded, putting on the sunglasses, "Ready, Cliff! Let's do this bitch!"
Cliff directed her, "Now, look in the window, and Marc, you've got the mirror up to catch her reflection, right?"
"You know, we could film it from inside the store where it's warm and just let Betty stay out in the cold!"
"That wouldn't be authentic to the original shot. Just hang in there, sweetie. I'll do Mr Gutley for you later if you're a good boy and help me…."
Marc's eyes widened, "Cliff! Let's not talk about THAT right now, okay? Just take the picture, please! So we can all get on with our lives. Betty you look...surprisingly good. So let's not waste that. She might turn hideous again if we take too long!"
Cliff had been ignoring his boyfriend and snapping pictures of Betty and he quickly turned around, yelling, "Cut! It's a wrap! Ha! I always wanted to say that!"
He turned to Daniel and shook his hand, "This was awesome, Daniel. Thanks for letting me do this! It was kind of a dream come true for me to get to recreate a famous film like this.
I'm usually more into horror films than romantic ones, but Capote was just as famous for In Cold Blood of course, so...this was really great! Betty, honey, you looked great. You look beautiful. You do sort of look like a cross between Marilyn and Audrey."
Marc put down the mirror and walked to Cliff, "Alright, stop flirting with the girl. You like me, remember?"
Cliff rolled his eyes, and put his arm around Marc. "Yes, dear. God, you're so jealous! It's sort of cute."
Their little 'crew' went inside the store, where Nigel greeted them with hot coffee.
Daniel had his arm around Betty, "So...anyway, sorry about dragging you and everybody out in the cold to do this. But…"
She shook her head, putting her fingers on his lips, "Shh...it's okay. This was really fun, Daniel! I sort of felt like a movie star! Hey, do you know what..in the movie, 'Fred' as Holly Go Lightly calls George Peppard's character, Paul in the movie's favorite food is?"
He shook his head, and shrugged, grabbing a bite of the donut from the bag Cliff had handed her. "Donuts?" he said with his mouth full.
She shook her head, taking a bite, then kissing him. "Mm mm….peanut butter!"
He laughed, as they continued to kiss.
Marc rolled his eyes, and commented to Amanda, "That's disgusting! She's looking at him the same way she usually looks at those damn donuts!'
"I think it's adorable." Cliff smiled, "They're in love."
"Yes, but it's not fair that we can't act all lovey-dovey like that in public without having some idiot homophobe call out the riot hounds or something."
"Well, we're probably pretty safe here. I didn't know you were into PDA, sweetie. You should have said so sooner." Cliff grabbed Marc and kissed him as he 'dipped' him. Everyone turned and clapped for them, smiling.
Marc blushed, and hit Cliff on the chest, "Put me down!"
"You loved it and you know it, snook-ems!" Cliff laughed.
Marc rolled his eyes, smiling and flushed."Maybe. But warn a girl next time."
Betty looked at them and turned to Daniel, "I think Marc's jealous of us."
"Well, tough. He can't have you. He had his shot. He and Cliff seem pretty happy."
She laughed, "I think so, too. I just hope he doesn't get scared and mess it up. He's got a problem with commitment. His mother's not very supportive of her son's lifestyle."
"Yeah, I remember. I can honestly say, that's probably the only time I was ever jealous of Marc.
He got to kiss you and pretend to be your boyfriend. I remember even then thinking that might be kind of cool to do."
"Well, now you know. What do you think so far?"
He looked down at the rings in the case, "Hm...what do I think about what? Commitment in general or being your boyfriend? I think...I'd like to look at some of these, Nigel."
Betty's eyes widened as Nigel opened the display case for Daniel, "These sir?"
He nodded, "Yes. Thanks, Nigel.
He turned to Betty, "Any questions? Because I have one."
As he got down on one knee, Marc's eyes widened, and he elbowed Cliff, who smiled "Aww...don't cry, Marc. It makes you look like a girl."