Hi! So sorry it's been so long, but I do have a few new chapters. Thank you so much for reading and for all of your reviews - they mean a lot to me! We're nearing the end of Daniel & Betty's story, but I think you'll enjoy the last few additions to it - at least I hope, lol. :)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The day of Daniel and Betty's wedding came before they knew it. It was a warm change from the sadness that had surrounded them the past months. Now they had their family and closest friends to help celebrate the bond between them. The connection that had grown deeper and stronger with every year they had known each other, with every tragedy or joy that had happened to one or both of them.
"Are you ready, my little Chimichanga? Ugh, I can't believe yet another hetero couple is about to tie the knot – we can never get a break –" Marc started to complain. "Marc . . . You promised no comments. Now you're positive this online ordained priest certification is real – because I don't want to find out five years from now that Daniel's not legally my husband," Betty checked.
"Yes, my British Bridezilla, don't worry your hairspray-plastered head about it. My ceremonial skills are legit," Marc insisted. "Now let's do something with that makeup – you're all blotchy from this jittery sob-fest. Mandy – get my emergency kit," he told her. "What is all this stuff?" Betty asked as Marc rifled through a makeup bag. "It's what Wilhelmina had him use on her bad days – most of it's foreign and not FBI approved, but it works in a pinch," Amanda shrugged.
"I'm not going to break out even more, am I?" Betty cautiously inquired. "Probably not – right, Marc?" Amanda tried to assure her. "Willie's been using this stuff for years – you'll be fine," Marc scoffed. "Hilda? Christina? Should I trust them?" Betty called, needing unbiased opinions. They turned around from the large mirror in the castle's parlor to comment just as a voice answered for them.
"The skin tone-evening cream is fine – questionably manufactured – but fine. However, the moisturizer is oily and will ruin your pores. I'll spare you the ghastly horror of what it's really made out of . . ." Claire responded, entering the room. Amanda cringed and gingerly dropped it back in the bag.
"Claire!" Betty exclaimed, surprised, thinking she'd be helping Daniel get ready. "You didn't think I'd forget my favorite daughter-in-law, did you?" she smiled, giving Betty a hug. "I'm so happy for you both," Claire told her. "Thank you! How's Daniel?" Betty wondered.
"A nervous wreck, afraid he won't remember his vows. I caught him trying to sneak off to see you. You have always had a way with him. But I told him it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding," Claire answered. "I'd better go to him – he's probably flipping out right now, wearing a hole in the floor. I told him he didn't have to memorize what he wanted to say," Betty headed for the door. "Betty, sit down," Claire commanded, smiling and shaking her head.
"Daniel's a big boy now. He needs to learn to handle these things for himself . . . And you need to learn to let him. You're going to be his wife – not his mother. Love him and support him, but don't baby him. That is my sound advice to you," she told Betty. She nodded, agreeing to heed Claire's words. "Besides, Alexis is already telling him to 'suck it up and be a man', despite the immense irony in that phrase coming from her mouth," Claire mused. Betty giggled.
"I have something for you . . . My grandmother wore them when she got married, and I want you to have them," Claire revealed a pair of blue turquoise and diamond antique earrings. "Oh, Claire I couldn't –" Betty politely hesitated, taken aback by her generous offer.
"I insist. I know I'm not your mother and could never replace her in your heart, but I've thought of you like a daughter for quite some time now. You have always been very special to me, Betty, and I want you to officially feel a part of this family," Claire told her. "Aww . . . Thank you! You mean a lot to me, too," Betty hugged her, trying not to cry. "Well, I'd better let you finish getting ready. Good luck, dear," Claire smiled as she broke from their embrace and left.
"Well, that was sweet of Mrs. Meade to stop by. What did she give you?" Hilda asked as Christina finished zipping up her dress. Betty walked over to the mirror and showed both of them the earrings. "They're gorgeous!" Hilda drooled over them. "These are antiques – a rare vintage style. They must be worth a bloody fortune!" Christina's jaw dropped wide open. "Vintage? Fortune? You'd better let me borrow them sometime!" Amanda demanded as she immediately left Marc to fix his own tie, bounding over for a look.
"I hate to break up the fashion show, ladies, but we've only got twenty-five minutes to get the bride in her gown and get out there. And judging by all those empanadas she ate this morning, it might take all day," Marc interrupted the girls. Betty rolled her eyes and glared at him. "Hey – don't blame me when we can't fit all that pudginess into your dress," he held his hands up in defense. "I eat when I'm nervous – I can't help it!" she innocently protested.
"I know. That's why someone should've distracted you - Mandy . . .!" he jabbed Amanda. "Ow! What? I couldn't hurt Uncle Papi's feelings . . . !" she whined. "You were supposed to be on Queen B duty – not stuffing your own face with an entire plate of them! Do I have to remind you of the 'big-ass' summer a few years ago?" Marc scolded.
"Okay, Marc – enough with the insults, already! You're not helping my sister or anyone else for that matter. If you can't make yourself useful, wait outside until we let you know Betty's dressed," Hilda snapped. "Bitchy . . ." he mocked. "Out!" Hilda and Christina both shoved him out the door. "I don't know how ye two put up with him. He gets on meh nerves – an' when I was pregnant with little William, I wanted to kick his scrawny arse!" Christina shook her head. "It's an acquired taste . . ." Betty laughed.
"Let's get you into that gorgeous gown, Mamita!" Hilda tried to steer the focus back on the bride. They all aided Betty into her gown and fixed her veil. "I can't believe my baby sister's getting married . . ." Hilda cried. "And to a sexy millionaire!" she added. "Hilda . . ." Betty warned. "Sorry. I know Daniel's a really great guy and you love him for him. I'm just happy he can take care of you, that's all – plus a little extra cash never hurts, right?" she explained herself. Betty rolled her eyes.
"I know, I know - not that you need it. You've been taking care of yourself and our family for a long time. And you're a fancy editor-in-chief, now. Pretty soon you'll be making millions of your own, doing all those great things you always dreamed about . . . I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't be getting all emotional, but I can't help it . . ." she trailed off.
"Now, you've got the blue earrings, your new dress, the shoes I wore at my wedding, and Mami's veil. I think that covers it!" she sniffed, trying to control her tears. "Hilda, you're not pregnant, are you?" Betty wondered, noticing her sister was twice as emotional as normal and had eaten twice as many empanadas as she and Amanda had had that morning. Not to mention, she hadn't indulged herself in a celebratory mimosa.
"Whaaaat? No . . . Are you kidding?" she attempted to brush Betty's suspicions off. Betty crossed her arms, giving her a perceptive look. "Okay, you got me – Three months," she confessed. "That's wonderful, love!" Christina exclaimed. "Congratulations! Well, except for the getting fat part – I wouldn't wish that on anybody!" Amanda chimed in.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Betty asked, hurt. "At first, we wanted to make sure . . . and then, there was no way we could tell you . . . and I didn't wanna ruin your big day – there was never a right time to say anything," she solemnly admitted. "Aww . . . Hilda, you didn't have to hide it from us – it's a good thing. I'm happy for you and Bobby!" Betty told her sister.
"Really? You aren't upset or jealous or something?" Hilda skeptically questioned. "Really. Well . . . maybe a little jealous. But I'll get over it," she smiled. "Thank you," Hilda sniffled, hugging her younger sister. "I can't believe I'm going to be an aunt again!" Betty marveled. "And you'll be a mama someday, too. One way or another – it'll happen," Hilda assured Betty. "I hope so," Betty said, drying her tears.
"Careful, don't smear your makeup!" she warned, realizing what time it was. "We have got to get you dressed and outta here before Daniel starts to think you stood him up!" she half-joked. "Yeah, I think he's nervous enough as it is, from what Claire said," Betty giggled, grabbing her bouquet. Christina and Amanda gave her their final best wishes before rushing to take their seats in the courtyard.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Did you guys ever have trouble remembering your vows?" Daniel asked Bobby and Ignacio as he apprehensively paced around the room. "Hilda wanted us to write up everythin' and memorize it. Only, I kept puttin' it off and pretty much had to wing it," Bobby shrugged. "I'll admit I freaked out a little bit at first, but once I got goin', it came easily. You just say it from the heart, you know?" he added.
"Rosa and I only recited the traditional lines. All I had to do was repeat after the priest. But you know what, Mijo? I was so nervous, I stuttered the first few lines and then dropped the ring when I tried to place it on Rosa's finger," Ignacio smiled fondly at the memory. "And then I remembered the lucky handkerchief my father had given me; it was passed down from my grandfather on his wedding day. I knew that if they could get through it, I could too," he said, holding a handkerchief out to Daniel.
"And now it's time for you to have it," Ignacio smiled. "Oh, Ignacio – I couldn't –" Daniel said, surprised at the gesture. "You are my son, now – just like Bobby is. It is your turn to wear it," Ignacio insisted. "Thank you," Daniel smiled and placed the handkerchief in his jacket pocket.
"Wait – didn't you give me the same one for my wedding to Hilda?" Bobby pulled Ignacio aside. "Hush, Mijo. There is no family handkerchief. It's just something I made up to calm you boys down," Ignacio revealed. "Oh," Bobby sheepishly smiled.
"Alright, Danny Boy, I found your boutonnière," Alexis scurried in the dressing room and proceeded to pin it on her brother. Daniel stiffened, predicting an inevitable prick from the pin. "You, know what? On second thought I'll let Mom do this. You're always such a baby about these things," she smirked, detecting his fear. "Shut up, Alex," Daniel grumbled, not wanting to start anything. "Oh, awesome comeback! How long did it take ya to think of that one, Einstein?" Alexis obnoxiously retorted. Daniel began to lunge at her.
"Gentlemen – er ladies – er – enough!" Ignacio tried to come between them when Claire appeared. "Boys, don't make me have to separate you two!" she threatened. "Sorry, Mom!" they both mumbled as Ignacio and Bobby snuck out of the room, unseen.
"Alexis, why must you antagonize your brother on his big day?" Claire reprimanded her eldest child. "And Daniel, why do you play right into your sister's hands? She's been doing this since you were both still in diapers," she grabbed the flower and pinned it on her middle son. "Now apologize to each other before the guests begin to wonder why we haven't started the ceremony yet – Tyler and Justin just informed me that they're getting restless," she commanded.
"Danny, I'm sorry. You know I love ya and I'm happy for ya. It's just easier to mess with ya – crying's a bitch with these stupid hormones," Alexis joked. "Thanks, Alexis," Daniel smiled and hugged his sister. "Damn, you're gonna make me do it, anyway," she complained, shedding a few tears. "Payback," he chuckled. "Come on, we've gotta get you hitched," Alexis dried her eyes and led her brother out to the courtyard.