Thank you all again for the great responses! Here's the next chapter. Mostly fluff, but I figure it's deserved considering everything they've been through. Enjoy! :)
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"Did you ever think we'd be here – you know, four years ago?" Daniel wondered, lying beside Betty in her hospital bed, absently toying with their interlocking fingers. "No. I mean I cared about you, but I think you were the last guy I thought about dating – much less marrying or having a baby with. You?" she giggled.
"Me neither . . . well at least not until that night on the bridge – after we hung out all night singing karaoke and crashing that wedding reception . . . I – I don't think it even crossed my mind about being with you specifically, but I knew I wanted to change – to someday be good enough for someone like you," he revealed. "Aww . . . well I'm happy we finally got here," she said. "Me, too. God – I can't believe we're having a baby!" he grinned. "I know!" she quietly squealed.
"Oh, that reminds me – I need to call my mother," Daniel realized. "I thought you already did that?" Betty assumed. "No, I was going to today and give her some good news for once, but with everything that happened, it slipped my mind," he explained. "Well you'd better do it before she gets worried. She hasn't seen or heard from you in three weeks. Oh – I was supposed to call her, too. Can you tell her I'm fine and that she was right?" she asked.
"Huh?" Daniel was confused. "She'll know what it means," Betty secretly smiled. "Ok . . . She's gonna flip when I tell her we're getting married and having a baby," Daniel mused. "Wait – I don't think we should tell anyone about the baby yet," she hesitated. "What? . . . Why?" he asked, not following. "When were you thinking about getting married?" Betty began.
"I don't know, I hadn't really thought about an actual date. But it usually takes about six to eight months to book anything decent, right?" he answered. "Yeah, it usually does . . . I – I just think we should wait – maybe until after the wedding to tell everyone?" she hoped. "Um . . . Baby, don't you think everyone's probably gonna notice by then?" he gave her a skeptical look.
"Well that's just it . . . I was thinking maybe we could get married a little sooner – well – a lot sooner than the normal wedding planning period takes – like maybe in a couple of months? I really want to get married before the baby's born, and I don't want to walk down the aisle carrying a basketball," she joked.
"A couple of months? Uh . . . yeah, I guess we could pull off something in that amount of time," he covered up his panic. It was a little longer than what he and Molly had to plan their wedding, but not much. And that was a disaster until Betty saved the day. He wanted to make their day unforgettable and amazing for her, but he hoped she didn't have very high expectations.
"Good! And don't worry – I was thinking of just having something simple. Maybe here, since it'd be easier to plan, with our immediate families and Marc, Amanda, Christina . . . possibly Wilhelmina?" Betty suggested. Daniel exhaled – not as bad as he imagined. "Sounds great," he kissed her temple.
"That's only around twenty people, counting their plus-ones, so I'm sure we could book a small ceremony and reception somewhere. Have anywhere specific in mind?" he asked, brushing her hair back. "Well, the weather should be really nice by June, so maybe something outside would be nice – or inside's fine too. I don't really know London that well, so I'm not sure what's available," she replied.
"We can do some research tomorrow . . . Oh! What about your boxes?" Daniel remembered. "It's okay – I made sure that someone had to sign for them before they could be delivered – just in case," she assured him. "Okay . . . speaking of moving, are you sure you even want to move into that place with the baby coming? I mean, even if you just wait until the lease is up, do you really want to deal with moving again when you're almost seven months pregnant?" he asked.
"No, but I don't know how I'm going to get out of it without losing all that money – I haven't even earned my first paycheck yet," she pointed out. "Why don't we talk to the superintendent and explain our situation – and if all else fails, I'll just pay the six months' rent in order to get you out of the lease?" he offered. "Daniel, that's so sweet, but I can't let you do that," Betty turned him down.
"Babe, I was all for living in that postage stamp when it was just you and me. But we've got someone else to worry about now and I don't want you to have to deal with the extra stress of moving. Plus, as far as I'm concerned, my money is your money," he insisted. "Well, I guess if my magazine takes off like I'm hoping it will, then I'll be able to pay you back," she thought out loud.
"You never stop, do you?" he chuckled. "What?" she asked. "Thinking you have to survive on your own. Betty, we're getting married – we're having a baby. And I want you and our child to have the best that I can offer you, without you feeling guilty about it," Daniel told her.
"I'm sorry. I – I just don't ever want you or anyone else to think I'm a gold-digger. I feel better about myself when I can manage on my own - even though I know you and your mother have helped me and my family out before . . . you really spoiled me when I was your assistant," Betty pointed out.
"Only at least then I knew I had gone out of my way to do my job, working late hours and doing unspeakable things – mostly because I cared about you more than I realized - but I was still technically working for you at the time. Anyway I just don't feel right not contributing as much as I can," she admitted.
"I get it. And you don't have to worry about anything, because once your magazine takes off, you'll be making just as much as I did at MODE. But I want you to know that I wouldn't care if you didn't make a dime - I love you," he told her. "I love you, too – and you know it doesn't matter to me that you're rich or famous – that's not who I fell for," she said.
"Yeah, I do. So you can stop trying to prove it to me. I do have money, and I want us to be able to enjoy it. I don't want you spending the rest of your life obsessing over not paying me back or not putting in your share," he replied. "But Daniel –" she protested. "Shh . . . Promise me," he insisted. "Okay, fine," she relented. "Say it," Daniel commanded.
The corners of Betty's mouth unwillingly twitched. ". . . I . . ." she teased him slowly with her lips. "Mmm . . . yeah, you what?" he prompted. ". . . I'm hungry. You think maybe you could go get us some dinner? I hate hospital food just as much as you do," she answered, avoiding his request. "Sure, no problem," Daniel answered.
"Mmm . . . thank you, baby," she smiled and kissed him again, secretly gloating in her success of distracting him. ". . . But not until you say it," Daniel demanded. He knew exactly what game she was playing and it wasn't going to work. Betty sighed in defeat. "Alright! I promise," she complied. "Good. I'll be back," he grinned and kissed her cheek before heading toward the door. "Babe?" Betty called. "Yeah?" Daniel turned around.
"Could you get my laptop and my glasses, too? I wanna get a head start on looking at venues and dresses and everything," she asked. "Baby, you're supposed to be taking it easy, not getting all stressed. And I know you – once you get started looking you'll insist on creating spreadsheets and charts and comparing numbers and colors and styles and dates and all that crap and end up staying up all night until everything's decided," he pointed out, as he walked back toward her and sat down on the bed.
"No I won't – I swear! I just want to look a little – just get some rough ideas," she defended herself. Daniel gave her a look. "Okay, yeah I would . . . but we really do need to get started. Places book up and dresses need time to be ordered and altered . . ." she added.
"Why don't you let me worry about it, okay? You can pick out the dresses, but tell me the colors you want and I'll take care of everything else – deal?" he suggested. Betty hesitated. "Deal . . ." she pouted. "Really?" he said, doubting that it really was. "Really – I trust you," she assured him, giving him a hug.
"Okay, I'll be back with the food," he got up. "And . . .?" she grabbed his hand, pulling him back. ". . . And your laptop," he groaned. "But dresses only!" he reminded her. "Dresses only," she satisfyingly agreed, drawing him in for a kiss to seal the deal. As Daniel left feeling calmer now that everything had fallen back into place, Betty smiled and settled in for a short nap. She knew she'd eventually get him to cave . . .
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"Hi, it's me," Daniel spoke into his phone, on the way back from picking everything up. "Daniel! Where the hell have you been?" Claire greeted her son. "Mom –" Daniel began. "Do you have any inkling what you put me through the past three weeks? I've been worried sick not knowing if you were all right. And that's not including the way you just up and abandoned your magazine! Wilhelmina's having a field day, I'll have you know," Claire berated him.
"Let her. I'm starting a new path and I'm leaving MODE behind. I have faith in Wilhelmina's capabilities to carry on as sole chief," he replied. "Well, I can only assume from your nonchalant, cheerful attitude that you've finally taken the time to pull your head out of your ass and go after the love of your life," she brashly observed. "Mom!" Daniel protested. He hated the way she immediately pointed out everything he didn't want to hear about himself – and more times than not in a not-so-motherly type of way.
"I'm sorry, Daniel. I don't mean to be crude, but it's the truth. You're stubborn and impulsive, just like your father. And in consequence, people you love get hurt. I just hope you've learned something from this, because I want you to be happy. And I know Betty makes you happy. Have you had an opportunity to speak with her, yet?" Claire asked.
"Yes, I have," Daniel answered. "Well? How are things going?" she inquired. "Good – great actually . . . We're um . . . we're getting married," Daniel revealed, beaming. "Darling, that's wonderful! Oh, I'm so happy for both of you – please send Betty my love," Claire exclaimed. "I will, Mom. Oh – she said to tell you 'you were right' – whatever that means," he remembered. Claire chuckled. "It's just a little secret between us – nothing to worry about," she brushed off.
"So, when is the blessed event? Fall and winter weddings are so beautiful," she commented. "Well, actually we were thinking a little sooner than that – more like the end of June?" he told her, cringing in anticipation of her response. "Sweetheart, that's only two months from now – that's not enough time to prepare for a wedding! She's not ill, is she?" Claire asked, concerned.
"No, Mom. We just love each other so much that we don't want to wait – and with Betty starting her new job, she knows things will get so crazy that she won't have time to plan everything," he explained, hoping she wouldn't catch on to the real reason. "Daniel, I'd be happy to offer my services if you two are unable to handle everything," Claire sincerely told her son.
"Thank you, but Betty and I really want to do this ourselves. And it shouldn't be that hard since we were thinking of a smaller, more intimate ceremony," he replied. "Daniel, three-hundred people is still a lot to plan for –" Claire began. Daniel chuckled. "No, Mom. We were thinking more like twenty," he informed her.
"Oh. Well I suppose that will make it a lot simpler to plan . . . In a way, I wish my wedding to your father had been a little smaller. Having to greet all those guests was exhausting and the sad thing was that I didn't even know the majority of them at the time," she reflected.
"I think your father had decided to invite practically everyone he had ever met. We barely had a minute alone to celebrate ourselves without having to tend to the guests. But I'll still cherish that day for the rest of my life . . . I'm sure whatever you two decide will be perfect," she assured him.
"Thanks, Mom," Daniel said. ". . . I will be on the guest list, I presume?" Claire checked. "God - Mom! Of course you will," he rolled his eyes. "I was only making sure. After all, with only twenty guests, more than a few people have to be cut . . . Well, I will let you go, but please keep in touch. It would be nice if a mother got a phone call from her son at least once a week," Claire replied, pouring on the guilt.
"I will, Mom. Love you," he promised. "I love you too, sweetheart. Give Betty a hug for me," she told him. "I will. Bye," Daniel hung up. Shockingly, it went better than he expected.
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"So I talked to my mom while I was out," Daniel remarked as he and Betty were eating. "Oh, good! What'd she say when you told her about our engagement?" she smiled. "She kinda flipped about the two months to plan the wedding and the size. But she told me to tell you she sends her love and to give you this," Daniel hugged Betty. "Aww . . . I just love your mom!" she said.
"Oh! I need to call my family!" she realized. "Oooooooohhhhhhhhhh!" she whined. "What? What is it?" Daniel worriedly asked. "I forgot to have you get my phone and I don't have anyone's number memorized . . ." she answered. "Here, use mine," he handed it to her. "You have my family's numbers in your address book?" she asked, surprised.
"Yeah . . . don't look so shocked," he replied. "I'm . . . not. It's just a little weird," she commented. "Weird? Why?" he innocently inquired. She raised an eyebrow. "Don't give me that look – I hate when you give me that look!" he whined, defensively. "And what look would that be?" she replied. "The 'I can't believe Daniel's such a pathetic moron' look," he groaned in embarrassment.
"Baby . . . I don't think that. I think it's really sweet," she assured him. He gave her a skeptical look. "Okay, maybe it's a little weird that my father's number's been in here for four years now," she admitted. "He's a really good listener and gives great advice!" Daniel grumbled, embarrassed. "Yeah, he is," she patronizingly patted his cheek.
"Okay. I hope I can catch them while they're all still at Papi's," she dialed Hilda's number. "Ugh! Daniel, enough already! If my sister didn't take you back, it's your own damn fault! I did all I can do for you, so stop bitching about it and get over yourself!" Hilda greeted her. "Uh . . . Hey, Hilda – it's me!" Betty stopped her from hanging up.
"Betty! Why didn't you tell me it was you?" Hilda gasped in excitement. "Well, it was kinda hard to get a word in edgewise with you going off on Daniel like that . . ." Betty explained. "Sooo . . . you two are back together then - or did you kick his ass and steal his phone?" Hilda guessed. "Well . . . he's sitting on my bed, so you tell me," she ambiguously replied. "Ay! Chica, you are sooo baad!" Hilda squealed.
"Is everyone still around?" Betty asked. "Yeah, we were getting ready to leave, but I'll go get Papi," Hilda answered. "Good – put me on speakerphone," Betty requested as she did the same and pulled Daniel closer to the phone. "Hi, Aunt B! Hey, Chipmunk! Hola, Mija!" Justin, Bobby and her father greeted her. "Hi, everyone! Daniel and I have something we want to tell you," she said, taking his hand and smiling. "We're getting married!" they both exclaimed.
"Eeeeee! That's so great! You have to send me a pic of that rock! It's about time, Daniel!" Hilda shrieked. "Congratulations, AB and UD!" Justin added. "Way to go, Chipmunk! You snagged yourself an amazing girl, man!" Bobby chimed in. "I'm so happy for you, Mija! Welcome to our family, Daniel! I know you'll take good care of my little girl," Ignacio responded to the news.
"Aww . . . Thank you! I miss you! We've gotta go, but Hilda, Justin – I promise we'll talk wedding stuff soon! I love you guys! Talk to you soon!" Betty told them. "Thanks, everyone! Thanks, Justin - I'm looking forward to being your uncle. We miss you! Bye," Daniel added before everyone hung up.
"Better now? I hope you didn't feel rushed – I could've left if you wanted to talk to them alone," he asked, rubbing his hands along her upper arms, hoping he hadn't made her feel uncomfortable. "No – it was great! I was happy we got to tell them all together. Besides, Hilda and Justin and I will end up talking or texting every day, anyway. And Papi's finally learning how to email," she assured him.
"So, did you bring my laptop and glasses?" she asked. Daniel got up and handed them to her before lying back down beside her. "Yay! I'm so excited!" she squealed. He chuckled in amusement, loving how perky she was.
"So for Hilda's dress I was thinking either plum or an apple red. What do you think?" she looked at Daniel for advice. "Well, plum's the 'in' color right now, but pick whatever makes you happiest," he told her. "Well, I think I'll go with it. I'll just have to figure out what style looks best . . ." she answered.
"What about your dress?" Daniel inquired. "Daniel . . . you are not going to see what I'm wearing – it's bad luck," she scolded. "Come on, babe – it's not a big deal when it's just a picture," he argued. "Nope. Not gonna happen," she smirked. "Fine . . . I know you'll look gorgeous in whatever you pick. Hell, you'd look sexy wearing a paper bag," he kissed her neck.
"Mmm . . . thank you . . . So, I was thinking this would look great on Hilda – or maybe this style . . . Ooh! What do think about this black and white one for Alexis . . ." Betty continued to eagerly look at all the different possibilities as Daniel drifted off into his own thoughts.
He loved how excited she got about every little detail. He just loved everything about her. As he absently rubbed her belly, he thought about how lucky he was. Aside from his pending career, he had all that he could possibly want in life. He loved Betty more than anything in the world and knew she felt the same about him, now they even had a baby on the way. Life was good . . . life was . . . He felt Betty's hand cover his own.
"Daniel? Are you okay?" she asked. "Yeah. I was just thinking . . . how everything's . . . perfect," he smiled. Betty paused in thought. "I guess it is," she smiled back and softly brushed her lips against his before continuing to look at dresses, making sure he paid attention that time.