It was raining heavily outside, the perfect compliment to Daniel's mood. He was sitting on the sofa watching a sappy BBC movie. He wasn't that interested in it, it's just that there was nothing else on and at least it was slightly distracting from the mess that was in his head these past couple of days.

When the phone rang he ignored it at first. Betty had been trying to call him for two days and he really didn't want to talk to her. He knew he was doing exactly what he'd promised not to – shutting her out – but he didn't care. He didn't want to talk to her about this…about Matt. He was afraid what she might say.

Whoever it was didn't leave a message.

He focused back on his movie. The phone started ringing again. Curiosity got the better of him and he looked at the display…not Betty. He picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Daniel? It's Amanda. I'm glad you finally picked up."

"Amanda? What's up?" Daniel thought it was strange for Amanda to be calling him.

"Tell me what's going on with you and my Betty-head." She went straight to the point. "Every time I talk to her she's all mopey and grouchy like someone stole her jelly doughnut."

"Nothing's going on." Daniel did not want to talk to Amanda about this.

"Don't lie to me Daniel. Betty told me you had a huge fight about Matt."

Daniel was slightly irritated. "Why would Betty share that with everyone?" Daniel said half to himself.

"She didn't share it with everyone, dork - just me. That little enchilada and I are pretty tight you know."

"So why are you calling Amanda?"

"I wanted to see if I can help. I can be fairly insightful sometimes. Besides…" her voice softened a little "what you two have is pretty special. I'd hate to see you throw it away because of something so stupid."

"It's not stupid." He argued. "I didn't want her to go out with Matt and she chose to go anyway." To him it was straightforward.

"So she went out with Matt. What's the big deal?"

"What's the big deal? She has a huge history with him...she probably still has feelings for him."

"Of course she still has feelings for him…she used to love him. Someone like Betty doesn't just throw those feelings away. That doesn't mean she doesn't care about you."

Daniel didn't say anything. Amanda continued. "Look at it this way…do the feelings you still have for Molly mean you love Betty less?"

"It's not the same thing Amanda." Daniel wondered how she could even compare the two situations.

"Of course it's not the same thing…" she softened her voice again like she wanted to make sure what she said wouldn't be too painful. "I'm not trying to compare your situation with Molly to Betty and Matt's situation – they are completely different. I just want to say this: when Molly died…there was closure - you moved on because you had no choice. When Matt left for Africa he left a huge door open. She needed to see him, to close that door…you know? So she could move on…with you. The way I see it you have it easier than she does.

"What are you talking about?"

"When she chooses you over Matt…and believe me she will Daniel…'cause I don't think "choosing" is what this is all about for Betty. When that happens…you'll know that you're her first choice. She'll never get to be that lucky."

Daniel didn't say anything. He was too busy trying to process everything Amanda had just said. What did Amanda mean about Betty never getting to be that lucky? Surely Betty didn't feel like she was in Molly's shadow. Daniel certainly didn't feel that way. He had loved Molly passionately. It still hurt to think how cruel life had been to her…to them. But it didn't hurt to think about Molly herself anymore. He could picture her smile now without the stabbing pain in his chest. He knew that was a good sign – a sign he was moving on. He remembered a time when he thought he would never be able to move on; a time when he had to cling so desperately to the only two people in the world that would be able to save him from drowning in the quicksand he was mired in: His mom and Betty.

Betty had been his rock back then…she always was. It was one of the many things he loved about her. And he really did love her…like he'd never loved anyone. What he felt for Betty was the kind of love that made you give up everything just so you could be together…the kind of love that made you want to be a better person (he knew he still had work in that area.) He had followed her to London because he had realized he loved her. But during these past few months together he had realized something more…he wanted to spend his life with her; to raise a family with her; to grow old with her.

The idea that maybe she didn't feel the same way - that maybe she felt that way about Matt – sucked all the life from him.

Could there be any truth to Amanda's claim that Betty wanted to see Matt so she could move on? He desperately wanted to believe that, he just had so much doubt.

"Why didn't she tell me she just wanted to close the door with Matt?" Daniel finally asked.

"Maybe because you're being such a douche and won't talk to her."