Ugly Betty

It Takes a Village

A/N: I can feel this story slipping into full-on gooey, fluff. It's getting way to mushy. There are only two, maybe three chapters left. I'm determined to finish this story even if it is a little bit rushed and I'm sure you're all eager to have it finished too. You have all been an amazing support though and I appreciate it more than you will ever know!

Disclaimer: I do not own nor am I affiliated with Ugly Betty in anyway.

Chapter Twenty One: Good News Day

"Betty, Betty, Betty!" Amanda screamed as she raced through the MODE office. She careened to a stop at Betty's empty desk. She looked around and then ran to Daniel's door. "Daniel, where is your wife?"

"Down in the Closet," he replied. He smiled at his half-sister. "Welcome back, by the way. How were your holidays?"

Her boyfriend of two years, Patrick Jenkins, had taken her to New Zealand for two weeks.

"Cold. Beautiful. Gotta go find Betty and Christina," she yelled as she ran away. She was so fast that she didn't see Daniel smile and shake his head. He already knew what she was so excited about.

Betty was sitting on an ottoman watching Christina pin a tall, lanky model into a frothy, gauzy, red creation. Christina added a spiky leather belt and nodded once.

"The belt helps the dress not be so serious," she explained. It was a lovely Grecian style dress with only one shoulder and a long skirt. "We'll add some black platform shoes and voila! Perfection."

"You're quite proud of yourself, aren't you?" Betty asked with a grin.

"I'm good at what I do," Christina replied. She finished pinning the model in and making markings before dismissing her. She came to sit next to Betty who was looking at her watch.

"Amanda should be here any minute," Betty said.

"Ten bucks she went to look for you at your desk first," Christina said but before they could make the bet, Amanda came running in. Her heels clattered on the floor and announced her presence long before they actually saw her.

"Why didn't you tell me you were down here? I went up to Betty's desk first," she cried. She was unaware as Betty and Christina exchanged a glance as she was too busy pulling her maroon leather glove off. "Look at this."

She shoved a large princess cut diamond in their faces.

"Holy shit," Christina gulped. "It's the biggest diamond I've ever seen in my life."

"It has to be at least 3 carats," Betty added quietly.

"Patrick proposed!" Amanda cried gleefully, ignoring her friends shocked reactions. "We stayed in this gorgeous chalet in the mountains with a spa and a fireplace. One night he hired this gourmet cook to make us dinner and we ate it on a blanket in front of the fire and then he proposed! It was so romantic."

She pulled her hand out from under her friend's noses and then all hell broke loose. There was a cacophony of screaming, jumping, hugging, and crying. It was so loud that you could hear it from the elevator.

"Amanda, that is great!" Betty enthused. "I am so happy for you."

"Congratulations!" Christina added as she threw her arms around her friend. "You have to let me design the dress. I can already see it in my head."

"And you two will be bridesmaids of course," Amanda said.

This let off another round of cheers and crying. Eventually they stopped screaming and Amanda produced a bottle of champagne.

"Ooh, yummy," Christina said.

"A champagne toast to me," Amanda squealed.

She handed Betty and Christina a glass each. Betty held Amanda's in her other hand. They all screamed as the cork popped. Amanda quickly poured it into the glasses. Daniel entered the room, a big grin on his face.

"None for me?" he asked. He raised an eyebrow at his wife who was still holding both glasses.

"I only have three glasses," Amanda shrugged.

"He can share mine," Betty offered. "He should be here for this too."

"Be here for what?" he asked cheekily. "To celebrate my sister's engagement?"

"How did you know?" Amanda gasped. All eyes directed her towards the large yellow stone on her finger. "Oh right. Anyway, who wants to start?"

"I'll start," Betty offered. "To Amanda and Patrick, even though he isn't here. I knew as soon as I saw you two together that you were meant to be together. I hope you have all the happiness in the world because you deserve it. Anyone can see how in love you are. Congratulations!"

"Me next," Christina demanded. "I don't want Daniel to take up the rest of the nice things to say. To Amanda, you are going to make a beautiful bride and an amazing wife. You and Patrick are probably going to have a few brats and leave us behind but at least you'll be happy. I'm a little worried that Patrick doesn't realise what he's getting himself into. Anyway, just remember that we're always here for you. We love you, Amanda."

"Anything you'd like to say, brother?" Amanda asked. There were already tears brimming in her eyes. He winked at her and nodded.

"I have a confession to make. Patrick actually asked my permission for your hand in marriage before you left. I guess with Dad being gone, I was the logical choice. I told him that I couldn't imagine my baby sister with anybody else and he had my complete blessing. On one condition. He had to always take care of you and never leave you. He assured me it would be no problem and I believe him. He loves you so much, Amanda, and I know you love him too. I'm not going to lie to you. Marriage can be hard but you two have what it takes," Daniel said. He put his hand on Betty's and they raised their glass. "Be happy, Amanda. You deserve it. To Patrick and Amanda."

"To Patrick and Amanda," Betty and Christina agreed.

"To me and Patrick," Amanda cheered.

They all clinked glasses and everyone but Betty took a sip. But no-one noticed and that was exactly how she wanted it.

"I thought we were done for when I came in and saw you holding a champagne glass," Daniel babbled. Betty was lying in bed watching him change out of his work clothes. "And then I thought for sure they'd notice you weren't drinking."

"So did I," Betty agreed. "Thanks for saving me."

"No worries," he replied. He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Do you want something to eat?"

"I don't think I can," she said, shaking her head. "I don't see why they call it morning sickness. I'm almost never sick in the morning."

"I know, babe, I know," he comforted her. He ran his fingers through her hair a few times. "Just think about the baby at the end. It's so worth it."

"You've obviously never been pregnant," Betty joked weakly.

"When are you going to tell the girls? You're almost eleven weeks along," Daniel asked.

"I was going to tell them today when Amanda came back but I want her to have her moment," Betty replied. She had held off telling Christina while Amanda had been away because she wanted to tell her friends together. "I've had a kid before but Amanda's never been engaged before. I've never seen her so happy. She deserves this."

"Don't you think they'll be mad at you for not telling them?" Daniel asked. It was a logical question.

"I don't care. I'm not going to take Mandy's thunder away from her," Betty replied. She groaned and sat up in bed. "Clear the path."

Daniel jumped out of the way and watched her beeline for the bathroom. He listened to the telltale sound of food hitting the water and he gulped.

"I'll make you some oatmeal," he sighed. He left the room quickly. He still couldn't handle his wife throwing up.

She waited a week and a half before she told them. Amanda was talking dates with them and it was only when one coincided with the due date of her and Daniel's child that Betty decided it was time.

"You can have your wedding on that date if you want, Mand. The only problem is you might be having it in a hospital delivery room or with a pregnant bridesmaid," she said. There was the expected silence as her friends processed what she had just said.

"You... you're pr-pregnant?" Christina sputtered at the same time Amanda asked, "You're having a baby?"

"I was going to tell you when Amanda came back," Betty explained. "But then she was engaged and I didn't want to take anything away from that. Please don't hate me."

"How far along are you?" Christina asked.

"Twelve weeks," Betty said. She grimaced and waited for the barrage of angry yelling but there was nothing.

"We're waiting for you to explain why you waited so long to tell us," Christina said finally. "Why didn't you call us when you were peeing on the stick?"

"I didn't find out until I was almost ten weeks and the only reason I found out was because Daniel forced me to go to the doctor. We've been trying for two years and I'd all but given up hope so I hadn't even considered pregnancy. There was no peeing on a stick," she explained. "And Amanda was leaving for New Zealand the next day and I knew I couldn't just tell Christina. You'd never forgive me if I did that."

She aimed the last part at Amanda who sighed.

"I'm still not sure I've quite forgiven you but..." she started. Her face broke into a smile. "Congratulations, Betty. I am so happy for you."

"You've waited a long time for this," Christina smiled. "Yay! A wedding and a baby."

"If you want someone else to be in the bridal party, I'd understand," Betty said. "I'm not just being polite. I mean it."

"Betty, shut up," Amanda ordered. "You're going to be one of my bridesmaids so deal with it. In case you hadn't realised, most of my dates were after the due date anyway. It doesn't change my plans at all."

"I'm probably still going to be fat though," Betty reminded her.

"You're not going to be fat. Besides, haven't you ever heard of control underwear?" Amanda asked.

"I'm offended," Christina huffed. "As if I would make you look fat. I am an amazing dressmaker."

"Sorry," Betty offered meekly. She looked at Christina. "Amanda is getting married and I'm having a baby. Do you have any news for us, Christina?"

"Jason and I are moving in together," she shrugged. He was a ridiculously hot twenty-five year-old model that Christina had dressed for a shoot. She'd unwittingly charmed him with her dry, sarcastic wit and he'd pursued her relentlessly. They'd been together for just over a year now. "It's not a big deal. He basically lives at my place anyway and there is more room for us there."

"And you were mad at me," Betty said with a big grin. "I don't know, girls. This all just seems too good to be true."

But it wasn't too good to be true. Betty's pregnancy progressed without problems or complications. Amanda's wedding plans progressed without problems of complications. Christina's living situation progressed without problems or complications. Life truly was good.

"Bella!" Betty yelled from her bedroom. "Belle!"

It was morning. Daniel had left for work early and Betty had been napping as Sybella raced around getting ready for school. The seven year-old raced into the room, half-dressed, to find her mother still in bed.

"Do you want to stay home from school today?" she asked.

"Why?" Sybella asked suspiciously.

"The baby is probably going to come today," Betty replied. She'd started having contractions in the early morning. Daniel had gone in early to try and get some work done before the labour well and truly started. "I might need you to call Daddy later."

"Can I come to the hospital?" Sybella asked.

"Sure. I'll see if Marta or Aunty Alexis can sit with you. Would you like that?" Betty asked.

"Yep. I can't wait to see my baby brother," Sybella agreed.

"You and Daddy are so sure it's a boy, aren't you?" Betty asked.

"Because it is a boy," Sybella replied.

"I should probably get my suitcase finished," Betty mused. She pulled herself out of bed. "Can you grab me the baby name book from the lounge room?"

Sybella bounced off just as Betty experienced another contraction. She looked at her watch. Eleven minutes apart. Time to be alert but not alarmed. She paced the room breathing evenly to stave off some of the pain. Sybella came back in just as the pain was receding.

"Did you have another pain, Mama?" she asked.

"Just a small one," Betty answered grimly. She placed her half-packed suitcase on the bed and opened it. Only the baby stuff was in it so far. A few toys, blankets, singlets, bodysuits and lots of nappies. All that was left was Betty's things. Sybella sat on the edge of the bed as Betty filled it with her clothes. "Can you go and get my toiletries bag from the bathroom?"

Sybella obediently retrieved it from her mother. They finished the bag and then moved into the living room. They put a movie on. When it was finished, Betty let out a small gasp. The pain was becoming worse and more frequently. Sybella looked worried.

"Is the baby coming?" she asked. Betty nodded and grunted. "I'll call Daddy."

She grabbed her mother's mobile and dialled Daniel's number.

"Betty, can I call you back?" he greeted her. "I'm just about to go into the board meeting."

"Daddy, it's me," Sybella answered.

"Belle, why aren't you at school?" he asked.

"The baby's coming," she explained.

"Tell Mama I'm on my way and tell her I'm bringing Aunty Amanda and Aunty Christina with me," he asked. She could hear him shutting his briefcase. He told someone that his wife was in labour and could they please reschedule the meeting? "Belle, how is Mama doing?"

"She's in a lot of pain and I think she's crying," Sybella answered.

"Are you scared?" Daniel asked.

"No, I've seen her cry before," she answered, although she was a little scared. "Daddy, I have to go. Mama's calling for me."

"I see Aunty Christina anyway. Okay. Tell her I love her and I'll be there soon. I love you too, Belle," he replied.

"Love you, Daddy," she said before snapping the phone shut. She raced over to her mother's side and climbed back onto the couch with her. "Daddy says he loves you and he's on his way. He's bringing Aunty Manda and Aunty Christina too."

"I'm sorry you have to see this, honey," Betty whispered. She kissed her youngest child on the forehead. She was calmer now but alert and waiting for the next contraction.

"Is this what it was like when I was born?" Sybella asked.

"Almost exactly like this. Daddy was so frazzled that he almost drove straight to the hospital and forgot to pick me up. Luckily Manda was with him," Betty explained. She laughed lightly. "You were so cute when you were born. You did nothing but sleep."

"Am I not cute now?" Sybella asked with a slight pout.

"Of course you are," Betty grinned. And then grimaced. "Why don't you pick another movie? It might distract me."

They started another movie but about a quarter of the way through, the door slammed open and out of nowhere, Daniel, Christina and Amanda appeared.

"Suitcase," Christina called as she ran into the bedroom to get it.

Daniel ran straight to Betty's side. He knelt down and pushed her hair back from her forehead.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm scared," she admitted. "It hurts."

"I know but remember that's what you said with Sybella," he reminded her. "Look how she turned out."

"You were such a big help to me today," Betty said to her little girl. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Her face contorted with another contraction.

"Come on, let's get you to the hospital," Daniel said.

"This is so boring," Sybella sighed. Alexis laughed at her. "I just want to see my little brother."

"You and Daniel are both so convinced it's a boy," Alexis said, repeating Betty's earlier words.

"Because it is!" Sybella exclaimed. She grabbed Alexis's wrist and read the time out. "Three-fifteen. How long have we been waiting?"

"Almost six hours," Alexis replied. They were both bored. They'd spent some time with Betty before she went into the delivery room, eaten, watched some TV, had a nap and Sybella was currently 'helping' Alexis do some work.

"How long do babies normally take to be born?" she asked.

"It can be two hours, it can be twenty-four hours," Alexis answered. "There's no way of knowing. Sorry, Belle."

"It's okay. It's not your fault my little brother is taking so long," Sybella sighed. She lay down on the couch and sighed again. "Just wake me up when he's here."

"He's here," said Daniel's voice from the doorway. He had a huge grin on his face.

"It's a boy?" Alexis asked incredulously.

"It's a boy," Daniel repeated. He held out his arms to Sybella. She ran over and jumped into them.

"I knew it was a boy," she said with a nod.

"So did I. You want to see him?" Daniel asked.

"I have been waiting all day," she replied.

They all made their way to Betty's room where in a small, clear crib lay a ridiculously (according to his much-larger sister) tiny baby boy. He had a small patch of dark fuzzy hair, big lips and Betty's nose.

"Isn't he gorgeous?" Betty asked.

"He kind of looks like an alien," Sybella answered truthfully.

"He'll grow into his cuteness. You looked like a monkey when you were born," Daniel told her.

"I did not," she shot-back.

"You kind of did," Amanda agreed. "But we still thought you were beautiful."

"I guess he is kind of cute," Sybella gave-in. She peered closer at him and smiled. "He's really cute, even if he does look like an alien."

"Do you want to help us pick his name?" Betty asked. Sybella nodded eagerly. "We can't decide but we were thinking about Christopher Tomas or Eric James."

Hilda and Justin turned up as Sybella was musing over the names.

"Where is my nephew?" Hilda asked. She went over to the crib and started cooing immediately. "He is so adorable. He looks like you, Betty. What's his name?"

The whole room looked at Sybella who smiled and announced, "His name is Christopher Tomas Meade."

When her brother was two weeks old, Sybella Ines Meade was sitting in an armchair nursing him as Betty watched.

"Does he ever wake up?" she wanted to know.

"He's awake a lot while you're at school," Betty answered. "Babies sleep for a long time, you know. You slept this much too."

"I just want him to wake up," Sybella said.

"Trust me, Belle. When he's older, you'll want him to be asleep most of the time," Betty chuckled.

"I wish I didn't have to go to Dad's in the holidays. I'm going to miss seeing him."

"It's only two weeks," Betty replied. "I'll ring you every day and you can talk to him, okay?"

"Okay. I suppose," Sybella agreed. Her arm was getting tired now. "Mama, he's getting heavier."

"Do you want me to take him now?" their mother asked.

"I suppose," she replied, even though she didn't want her mother to take him. She waited and watched as Betty laid him in bed and tucked him in. He definitely had two (three, four, five) mothers, not unlike Sybella herself. "Mama, can I sing him a lullaby?"

"Sure. If you want," Betty shrugged. She went and sat in the armchair. When she was settled, she found Sybella looking at her. "What?"

"You don't have to be here," she said.

"Sorry," Betty said. She quickly left the room but she stood outside and listened as Sybella sang 'Twinkle, Twinkle' to her little brother. She jumped when Daniel came up behind her.

"What are you doing?" he asked with a laugh.

"Listening to Belle sing Christopher to sleep," she whispered. "It's so cute. She's really good with him."

"She is growing up fast," Daniel agreed.

"But not too fast. I just want them to stay this size forever," she replied.

"I can hear you," Sybella called from the bedroom.

"Sorry," Betty called back. She and Daniel giggled as they walked into the lounge-room. They sat down on the lounge. Betty immediately curled up to her husband. "I think we've been spoiled."

"I think things are just the way they're supposed to be."