A/n : Sorry for the lack of update but I had some things going on and then because of school I had to cut down to updating only one of my Detty's, but I am currently on spring break , and soon my semester will be over and I will be able to update regularly, enjoy the new chapter .
Thanks to :Historianic , UzuNamikaze , abovetherim and didi6 for reviewing the previous chapter, I appreciate it and hope you enjoy the new chapter.
-Pessi Rom
Chapter : Four
Betty closed her laptop and grabbed her purse. She was running late for a fitting with Christina. She had gotten absorbed into the new chapter for her new book, making her lose track of time. Daniel and her had settled on a date and had decided to get married August 16th 2009, which was five months away. Two more months had passed since Bradford was exonerated and released from prison , and Daniel still wasn't ready to talk about it, which worried Betty. She would catch him starring off as if in deep thought, but when she'd asked what was wrong he would act like nothing was wrong or change the subject.
She broke away from her thoughts, when she arrived at Christina's home studio,which she had opened a year ago. Christina had switched to writing part time, so she could open and focus on her own fashion studio, it was still small ,but she was gaining new clients everyday. She knocked on the door and heard a Scottish voice say,"Come in". She opened the door and walked inside, Christina was standing next to a mannequin working on Betty's dress.
"Wow, Christina, did you do all that in just a week." Betty asked looking at the changes and additions to the dress, since she last saw it.
"Yep, I got inspired, what do you think of this design on the hem." Christina asked pointing to bottom of the dress.
"It's perfect, sorry I'm late , I got inspired too , I wrote two new chapters for 'Heartless'." Betty said referring to her newest book in progress.
"It's ok, you're my only client for today, plus I can't wait to read your new book." Christina said.
" I can't wait to be done with the writing processing, I love writing, but it's a long process, before its published." Betty said as she admired her dress.
"So I just need to take a few more measurements then I want to see how it looks,so I can make any other adjustments." Christina said .
"Sounds good." Betty said stripping down to her undergarments, then taking the unfinished dress from Christina.
Christina, pinned a few things together and took some measurements. They'd spent a month working on sketches and different ideas and finally settled an a simple but elegant design. They'd picked out the material and Christina had started working on it a few weeks prior and so far things were coming along nicely. Christina finished her measurements and Betty changed back into her regular clothes.
"I'll add the changes later, so how are things with Daniel, has he talked about it yet." Christina asked noticing her best friend seemed to have something on her mind.
"No, he acts like everything's ok, but I can tell somethings troubling him, I just wish he'd let me in." Betty said sipping a cup of coffee Christina had handed to her.
"I'm sure he'll let you in, when he's ready, he thought he left everything from his old life behind, now that Bradford's out, he's probably afraid he'll get sucked back in." Christina said.
"I know, and I get that, but I hate seeing him so torn, and not being able to do something to help him, when he hurts I hurt too." Betty explained.
"You just have to be patient with him, just let him know you're there for him and you love him and that when hes ready to talk, you're here to listen." Christina said.
"You're right. I should get back to WPB, I have an article due later today." Betty said, referring to the Wayne Publications building, after she finished her coffee.
"Don't worry Bet-ty, everything will be fine." Christina said giving Betty a hug.
"I know, thanks for listening and for making my dress." Betty said.
"You're welcome Bet-ty, that's what friends are for." Christina said as she walked Betty to the door.
Betty finished typing up the last sentence in her article for LWM, a Latin woman's magazine run on the third floor. She looked it over twice then saved it in her email before printing a hard copy. As she went to retrieve the article from her printer Daniel walked into the room.
"Hey." Betty said flashing him one of her smiles. He had a couple of meetings so they hadn't seen each other much during the day.
"Hey, I was thinking we could stay in tonight for dinner, I could make chicken Alfredo." Daniel said smiling at her.
"That sounds wonderful, let me just pack up my laptop." Betty said giving him a quick peck on the lips, before gathering her things.
She turned off ,and packed up her laptop, then grabbed her purse before walking out of her office, with Daniel, her left hand intertwined with his right.
They arrived at their condo ten minutes later and after both changing into some comfortable clothes Daniel started cooking the chicken Alfredo , while Betty baked some muffins for desert and made a salad. An hour later the food and desert was ready and the couple sat down together for a romantic candle lit dinner. After they finished eating , they cleaned up then cuddled up on the couch in the living room.
Daniel stroked Betty's hair as she snuggled against him. She loved moments like this with him, where they could just relax in each others company without worrying about work, or preparing for their wedding, but just enjoying each other in comfortable silence.
"I've been thinking.."Daniel said suddenly break the silence.
"About what?" Betty asked noticing her fiancee's serious expression.
"My Dad...he sent me a letter." Daniel said.
"Really, when?" Betty asked glad that he was finally opening up.
"A week after they released him, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I needed to figure out what I was going to do." Daniel said.
"It's ok, I understand." Betty said trying to hide the fact that she was a little hurt that he was telling her almost three months, after he received the letter.
"It just took me by surprise, him getting out and all, I know I've been shutting you out and I'm really sorry." Daniel said running his hand through his hair.
Betty took his hands in hers and squeezed them as she looked lovingly in his eyes. She could tell keeping that secret from her had been hurting him.
"It's alright Daniel, I remember how hard it was for you, when you left that life behind. What did the letter say?" Betty asked.
"I've been carrying it around since he sent it, but ,I haven't been able to open it, would you do it?" Daniel said pulling out a worn looking unopened envelope.
"Are you sure you don't want to open it yourself?" Betty asked thinking it would help him if he opened it.
" I guess...I'm kinda scared of whats inside." Daniel nervously admitted.
" Why don't we read it together, whatever he had to say in the letter doesn't matter, because I'm here with you, always."Betty said gently touching his face.
"I knew there was a reason I was marrying you." Daniel said flashing her, his first real, playful, smile in awhile.
"You ready?" Betty asked grabbing a letter opener off of the table.
"I think so." Daniel said.
Betty used the letter opener and pulled out the letter ,unfolding it and reading it out loud as Daniel followed along silently.
Dear, Son
I'm sure by now you know that I have been released from prison and cleared from all charges. Even though we have not spoken in almost three years I have been keeping myself informed about your life. You may have started over and changed your name, but Meade or not, you will always be my son. I know that I was not the greatest father to you and that I made many mistakes, that I wish I could take back. I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness, or a second chance,but I'm asking for one anyone. I know I can never fully make up for everything that happened, but I would like to try. I've included my phone number and my current address below, if and when your ready to talk to me, you may contact me there.
Your Father, Bradford Meade
After they both finished reading the letter, they both remained silent for about ten minutes, neither knowing what to say about the letter or to each other.
"Are you ok, what are you thinking?" Betty finally said seeing that he was lost in his head and wasn't going to speak first.
"Um, I dunno, what should I do?" Daniel said looking at bed, when it came to tough situations she always seemed to be able to help find a solution.
"I can't answer that,it has to be your decision, what do you want to do?" Betty asked him knowing only he could make the choice to see or not see his dad.
"I don't know, on one hand he's my father,but, I left that all behind I'm not a Meade anymore, that isn't my life anymore." Daniel said.
"I know honey,but he's still your father, talking to him once wont make you a Meade again,you'll still be Daniel Winters,editor and chief of WPB, and my handsome fiancee, nothing about this life you've built, we've built, is gonna change if you reconnect with your father." Betty giving him a reassuring smile.
"You're right, it wont make me who I used to be...I'll call him tomorrow." Daniel said still looking a little worried.
"I love you. It's going to be ok." Betty said looking into his eyes.
"I know. I love you too." Daniel said then kissed her.
A/N: So that's it for now, I wrote this in a couple of hours , I'm really proud of myself, because this is my third update in one weekend. The next chapter will be Daniel's meeting with his Dad. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, I'll try to update again before the end of the week, then there will probably be another hiatus until school gets out because I'm nearing the end of my semester. for those who read my Detty "Believe when I say you're beautiful" I will probably be updating that this week as well. Thanks for reading and as always a review/constructive criticism is always welcomed and appreciated.
-Pessi Rom