Ugly Betty
It Takes A Village
A/N: I wont bother with excuses. I just hope that this update is worth the wait.
Disclaimer: I do not own and am not affiliated with Ugly Betty in anyway.
Chapter Thirteen: A War and a Casualty
The war was fought quietly and solely between the two men. No one else even knew that they were stepping into a battlefield everytime the two men had any kind of contact with each other. No one knew that each time one of the men spoke, smiled at or even glanced at Betty, it was an attack against the enemy.
They were devious in their actions. Daniel started keeping her at work a little longer than necessary until Owen, one day so raged on his girlfriends behalf that he came to the office and dragged her away but not before a few choice words with her boss, put an end to that. In response, he started ringing her at work and dropping in to whisk her off to lunch. Eventually, Daniel found ways to interrupt phone calls and lunches. After all, he was the boss and she was the assistant. It was only natural that sometimes he would need assistance.
It wasnt fair, really. Owen, already being the boyfriend, had an unfair advantage. He got the kisses, the sex, the public holidays, the weekends, the special occassions. Daniel got, and he was in no way denying that it wasnt a rather large card and the one thing that Owen hadnt succeeded in stealing, was Sybella.
So the war that no one knew about was fought in the offices and buildings and across the telephone lines of New York and the prize still had no idea that she was being fought over.
Wars do have to end and this wasnt going to end without a casualty. Question was, who would it be?
"Betty, I need the photos from Gywneth Paltrow's shoot like fiften minutes ago," Daniel barked as he rushed past her back into his office.
Sighing, she pushed her chair back enough so that she could stand up and then she followed him into his office. She stood just inside the door and put her hands on hips.
"Daniel," she said. Her looked up and then looked back down at his computer, his hands never stopping.
"Please," he said.
"Excuse me?" she asked.
He looked up briefly again and noted that she looked annoyed, "I'm sorry that I didnt say please. I'm just in a rush."
"It's not about that," she sighed. She pointed to a manila folder on the edge of his desk. "Those are the photos that you asked me to get you ten hours ago which was three hours ago. TEN hours ago, Daniel. As in I have been here for thirteen hours and I havent stopped working."
"I know, Betty, and I'm sorry. It's just that with half the staff off with that weird bug that's going around, everyone has to pull a bit more weight," he replied. Betty sighed again and sat in the chair across from him.
"Daniel, I have been you assistant for five years now and I have never worked this long or this hard," she said.
"You can go if you want," he shrugged. "I'm staying but. I still have to go over the proofs for the pin-up girl shoot and start on my Editor's letter."
"Did you forget that I have tickets to see 'Wicked' with Owen tonight? Not only have I been wanting to see it for months but you were supposed to watch Belle," Betty uncharacteristically snapped. Daniel's hands finally stopped and he looked up at her.
"I'm sorry, Betty. I really am. But the magazine has to get out," he apologised. He did sound sincere but Betty was still mad. He looked at his watch. "I'll call you a car. If you hurry, you can still make it. You didnt call Owen to tell him you couldnt come, did you?"
"No," she said. "But I'm about to. What am I supposed to do with Sybella? I've already asked Mrs. Garbo to have her longer. I cant expect her to keep her all night."
"Don't worry about Belle," Daniel told her. "I'll take care of it. I'll get Ash to pick her up and bring her back here and then we'll take her back to our place."
"I'll drop by and pick her up after," Betty said.
"Or she could stay," Daniel suggested. "I've had enough of the office anyway so I'll probably just finish up some of work at home. And it would be any trouble. We love having her over and it's easy for us to drop her off at pre-school on the way to work tomorrow."
"Really?" Betty asked. For the first time that day, she gave him a genuine smile. "That would be fantastic."
"It's settled then," Daniel said. "Now hurry up and go. I dont want you to be late."
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said. She stood up and practically ran from the room. Daniel watched her as she gathered her coat and her bag. She turned around to wave at him and he waved back.
How he hated that everytime she walked away from him, she was walking towards the person he hated the most but the person she seemed to love the most.
"Hey," Owen said, slipping an arm around Betty's shoulder. She tilted her head to him and he pressed a kiss against her temple.
"Hey yourself," she said brightly. "I'm sorry I'm still in my workclothes. I didnt have time to go home and get changed. In fact, I didnt have time to do anything."
"Have you eaten?" he asked, with real concern.
"Yes," she grinned. "I got the driver to stop at McDonalds. All of a sudden a Quarter Pounder seemed like the best idea in the world."
"A Quarter Pounder, huh?" he asked. He pulled a bouquet from behind his back and presented it to her.
"Oh, Owen," she breathe as she looked down at the flowers. The bouquet was a mix of irises, lillies and roses. "They are the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen."
"You forgot, didnt you?" he asked. He didnt seem disappointed or even surprised. Just detached.
"Forgotten what?" Betty asked sheepishly.
"It's our two-year anniversary," he said, keeping his voice level. Her expression betrayed her even though she shook her head vehemently.
"No, I didnt forget. I did forget your present but. It's at home on the kitchen counter," she replied.
"You did forget," he sighed.
"I am so sorry," Betty whispered. "I didnt realise it was today but I really do have a gift for you at my place."
The lights flashed three times and a beeping sound followed.
"We should get our seats," Owen said.
"Do you have the tickets?" Betty asked.
"Well, I didnt forget them," he answered. He didnt put any emphasis on the word but Betty felt it anyway. He grabbed her hand and began to walk towards the doors. She tugged on his hand and, exasperated, he stopped in his tracks and whirled around. "What?"
"I really am sorry," she told him. "Things have been so crazy and I am so sorry. I should never have forgotten this. You mean so much to me and I love you so much. These two years have been two of the happiest of my life so please dont think that I forgot on purpose or that I havent loved our time together. I have."
"It's okay, Betty," he whispered, in a tone that told her that it wasnt. He leant down and kissed her which appeased her a little. "Let's hurry up and find our seats. I dont want you to miss anything."
"Daddy," three-year-old Sybella squealed as Daniel reached over and pulled a knife from her hand.
"Sybella, how many times do Mama and I have to tell you that you dont play with knives?" he asked.
"I not playing. I eating," she told him petulantly. Daniel rolled his eyes. She had her Aunty Hilda and Aunty Amanda's sass in spades but she was still only three and she still talked like it.
"I think someone is tired," Ashleigh murmured. Both Daniel and Sybella looked at her.
"Not me," Sybella answered. She jumped up from the table and ran around it three times as if to prove her point. "See, Ashleigh? I not tired."
"Well, I know Daddy is," Ashleigh called out. It had once been difficult for her to push out the word 'Daddy.' It killed her a little bit inside knowing that their children (if they ever had any) wouldnt be the first to call him that. It had irked her even more that the child who did call him 'Daddy' wasnt even if his child but over the almost three years they had been together, she had come to see that even though she wasnt his biological child, she was his daughter through and through.
"Daddy is tired," Daniel admitted. He reached out and grabbed Sybella as she ran past him. She settled into his lap and rested her head against his chest. "We can snuggle in bed if you want. Maybe you can read me a story?"
"I cant read," Sybella reminded him. She held three fingers up awkwardly. "I'm free."
"How about you guys snuggle and I'll read you both a story?" Ashleigh asked. She looked over as the tiny dark-haired girl and the larger brown-haired man both yawned. She held out her arms to Sybella who climbed across the dining table and stood up so Ashleigh could scoop her up. "Let's go get your P.J's on and brush your teeth, missy."
"Daddy will come soon?" Sybella asked as Ashleigh carried her into her bedroom. It was a little girls paradies. All pink, frills, butterflies, doll and princesses.
"He will be in before you even know it," she replied. She helped Sybella into her fairy printed pyjamas before marching her into the bathroom and helping her brush her teeth. When the two returned to the room, Daniel was already lying in Sybella's tiny single bed. She climbed in next to him and reflexively turned to him and started running her fingers through his hair. He kissed her on the nose and she giggled.
"Ash, will you read Madeline?" Sybella asked.
"Of course, sweet one," she replied. She walked over to the well-stocked bookcase and picked up a well-read copy off the shelf and then sat in the pink armchair. "Are you two ready?"
"Yes," they chorused.
"Okay," Ashleigh replied. "In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines..."
"Hey, Daniel," Ashleigh whispered. She gently shook him, trying not to move him so much so that Sybella didnt wake. He opened his eyes and blinker at her. "Come to bed."
"Okay," he said. He kissed Sybella on the forehead and slowly slipped away from her. He gently crawled to the end of the bed and got off. She stirred slightly but Ashleigh smoothed her hair back and she was immediately lulled back into sleep.
The two adults quietly left the room and after making sure the night-light was still burning bright, half-closed the door behind them. It wasnt long before they were themselves in bed and Ashleigh was running her fingers lightly over Daniel's stomach.
"Does it make you jealous thinking about Owen and Sybella together?" Ashleigh asked as they lay in bed together.
"Why would it?" Daniel asked.
"It's just that I know Betty isnt jealous of me, and why should she be? She's Belle's mother and it's always going to be like that but if Betty and Owen get married, he's going to be pretty much taking over your role," Ashleigh explained.
"You think they are going to get married?" he asked, hoping that she didnt hear the hitch in his voice.
"Maybe. It sure seems like it," she answered. "Anyway, I was watching you two in bed and Belle was playing with your hair and I dont know if she is like that with Owen but I wondered if it would make you jealous if she was."
"Of course it does. She's three, Ash. She's three, she's impressionable and he's always there. I cant be there for her as much as I want to be and he is always at Betty's so yeah, it does make me jealous. It does make me jealous and it worries me," he snapped.
"I'm sorry I made you mad," she apologised quickly.
"What did you think asking a question like that was going to do?" he asked. "Prompt a conversation about how wonderful it will if they do get married and it meaning that Owen can take my place and I wont be needed anymore?"
Ashleigh realised something then that she had never considered before. Her boyfriend was in love with Betty Suarez and he didnt just want to be in Sybella's life. He wanted to be in Betty's too.
She wouldnt say anything though. Ever. Because maybe Daniel hadnt realised it yet and maybe he never would. Maybe if he never did realise it, he would propose to her and they could get married and start their own family.
"You really think Owen and Betty will get married?" Daniel asked again.
"I think so. It's natural progression. Most people get married when they've been together for awhile," she said.
"Do you want to get married?" he asked.
"Me?" she replied. "Yes. Of course I want to get married."
"So, let's do it," he said.
"What do you mean 'let's do it?'"
"Let's get married, Ash. I love you and you love me so let's get married," he said. He rolled onto his side and kissed her. "Say yes?"
"Yes," she whispered. And she both loved him and hated him for what had just happened. And she both loved and hated herself for saying yes.
"That was amazing," Betty sighed. She twirled around and grinned at Owen who was watching her tenderly. "Didnt you think it was amazing?"
"I think you're amazing," he said.
"Even though I forgot?" she asked.
"Even though," he answered, though his voice was a little strained. "Why do you keep looking at your watch?"
"I was just wondering if its too late to ring Daniel. He has a breakfast appointment and I dont want him to forget."
"You're too involved with your job," Owen snapped but Betty knew what the real problem was and she instantly regretted saying anything. How could she remember that and not something as important as their anniversary?
"I know I am," she said. She pasted on a smile and shrugged. "Hey, if he forgets, it isnt my problem. I've punched out."
"You never punch out, Betty," he disagreed. He hailed a cab and they slid inside it. After giving Betty's address to the driver, he turned back to Betty. "Don't give me that look. You never punch out."
"Daniel is my friend. I see him all the time. It's hard to unblur all the lines sometimes," she explained.
"So stop seeing him outside work then!" Owen cried.
"You know I cant. What about Belle?" she asked.
"What about Belle? I didnt tell you to stop Belle from seeing him," he replied. "Besides, why does she need him when she has me? I've known her since she was one. I know her just as well."
"You know why she needs him. He's her father," Betty replied.
"He isnt even her real father!"
"Really?" Betty cried. "Well, Owen, here's some news for you. Neither are you."
"Ouch," he responded.
"Dont," she said. She fixed him with a glare. "I dont know what your sudden problem with Daniel is but dont. Just stop it. He is my friend and he is my boss. I dont want him to stop being either of those things and if you cant accept that then you and I dont have much of a future together."
"I think the real reason we dont have a future together is because you want one with him," Owen said. Betty recoiled and visibly blanched.
"What on earth are you talking about?" she whispered. She was too shocked to speak any louder.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," he answered.
"No, I dont," she said. Her voice was back now and it was pained. "Owen, I love you and I want to be with you."
"Is that why you forgot our anniversary but remembered his breakfast appointment?" he asked.
"I'm his assistant. I'm meant to know things like that," she answered quickly.
"This isnt the first time it's happened. What about all the dinners and dates you've forgotten about or you've been unable to come to because of something to with Daniel? Or when you couldnt come out for my birthday because Daniel had the flu and you were at the doctors with him? He has Ashleigh, for goodness sake," Owen retorted.
"She was in London," Betty argued weakly.
"Betty, I'm not saying that you dont love me because I certainly love you but this isnt going to work," Owen said. He, too, sounded pained but he was also resolute.
"What are you saying?" she asked. "Are you breaking up with me?"
"I'm saying that you have a choice to make. It's me or him," Owen replied simply.
"No, Owen, no. You cant make me choose between the two of you," she cried desperately. "I cant. I wont."
"Then I'll choose for you," he answered. She whimpered quietly and buried her face in her hands. "This is only difficuly because you know you've already made up your mind."
"Arent you even going to fight for me?" she asked from behind her hands.
"Arent you going to pretend to pick me?" he asked. He gently reached over and pulled her hands away from her face. "Dont be upset. It's not your fault. You cant choose who you love."
"I dont love him. I love you," she protested but he shook his head. "I want to be with you."
"If you wanted to be with me, you would have said so right away," he retorted. He wasnt angry. He had obviously resigned himself to this fate a long time ago. It was only Betty who was taken by surprise.
"Owen, I am so sorry," she told him.
"I know you are," he replied. "And it's okay."
"No, it's not. I've hurt someone I love very much and that is not okay," Betty said. The cab pulled up outside her apartment. Owen leaned over and kissed her one last time.
"I'm sorry things didnt work out the way I hoped they would," he said.
"Me too," she replied. Then she lifted the latch for the door and slid out. She walked away and into the building without turning around.
She wanted to make it upstairs before she broke down.
"Hey," Betty called out from the doorway the next morning. "How long have you been here?"
"About three hours," he replied. "Come in."
"Did you forget about your breakfast meeting?" she asked as she crossed the room. She sat down in the seat she had sat in the night before.
"I did not forget about my breakfast meeting," he answered. "I've been, gone and eaten."
"I was hoping you did because I didnt have time to pick up your bagel," she answered.
"Betty, I have some news," he said.
"So do I," she replied.
"You go first," he offered. She smiled and shook her head.
"Mine isnt something I'm dying to share. You go first," she demanded.
"Okay. Ash and I are getting married," he blurted out. There was a smile on his face but to Betty, who knew him oh-so well, it seemed forced. His eyes didnt sparkle like they should but she wasnt thinking about that now. She felt like she had been punched in the gut and the tears welled up in her eyes before she could stop them. "Hey, Betty, what's wrong? It's good news. You should be happy for me."
"It is good news and I am happy for you," she lied. "Really. I'm crying because I'm so happy. You've really come a long way."
"Dont insult me by lying to me," Daniel snapped. "There is something wrong. The Betty I know doesnt cry like this when she is happy."
"It's just that Owen and I broke-up last night," she said.
"You what?" he asked. He closed his eyes and lowered his chin to his chest.
"He broke-up with me because I couldnt choose him over you," she explained. "Only now I wish I had of."
"What do you mean by that?" he asked, his eyes snapping open.
"Nothing," she shrugged it off. "I'm okay, anyway. Owen wasnt always very nice anyway. He was kind of condescending and a little bit controlling. Still hurts like hell but. But enough about me, you're getting married. Ash must be over the moon. Speaking of Ash, was she okay with Bella staying overnight? And how is my daughter?"
"Ash was fine. She actually got Bella ready and dropped her off at school for me," he answered. He was distracted but. "What do you mean Owen broke-up with you because you didnt choose him over me?"
"He didnt really give me the chance," Betty answered and she realised for the first time that it was true. "It doesnt matter anyway."
"It does matter. He hurt you and that makes me want to hurt him," Daniel puffed.
"No, Daniel. You see I hurt him," she said. He looked at her questioningly but he saw her close-up. He wouldnt get much more out of her. "It's a long story and it's one I dont really feel like talking about. Hey, do Christina and Amanda know about you and Ashleigh?"
"Do they know about you and Owen?" he shot-back.
"No, they dont," she admitted. "I didnt really feel like talking to anyone else last night. Anyway, I guess I should get to work."
"Betty..."
"I'm fine, Daniel," she said. She stood up and straightened her navy blue skirt. "And I am happy for you. And Ashleigh. I hope you'll be really happy together."
She looked sincere but why then to Daniel did it feel like the words had been forced out through gritted teeth.
He shook his head and sighed as she closed the door behind her.
"Betty, what have I done?"
Owen was reading the paper when he saw the notice. Daniel Meade was to marry Ashleigh Woodford. His heart fell a little when he saw it but he knew he had done the right thing. The engagement wouldnt last and even if it did, the marriage wouldnt. He would put money on that. Betty and Daniel were soulmates and when they realised it, nothing would keep them apart.
He knew he had done the right thing by walking away. In a war between only two people. there had to be one casualty and it was better that he had figuratively killed himself than be killed.
At least it would hurt less that way.