Chapter 5: If it's meant to be – it will be…
Three days had passed and the Condiment Bar's launch was tomorrow. With everything ready to go for the launch, Gio had nothing better to do than to lose himself to the thoughts that had clouded his mind since meeting up with Betty. 'It was great seeing her again, but why didn't she tell me she was pregnant all those years ago? I would've done anything for her; I still would. If only she told me.'
Getting out of the apartment occasionally, Gio would walk through the park opposite his shop. Feeling the fresh breeze rush past his face, helped him to clear his thoughts. Pulling out his phone, he started dialing Betty's work number. When she answered or voicemail picked up, he would stay on the line for a few seconds before hanging up. He noticed she wasn't sounding the same and he was sure it wasn't due to the stresses of work – it was because of him. Continuing to stroll through the park, Gio came across the bench that he and Betty used to snuggle on in the winter afternoons all those years ago. Sitting down, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Reschedule my meetings for the rest of the day, I'm not well. I'm going home; call me only in an emergency." Betty told her PA. Her thoughts had been all over the place lately and work was furthest from her mind right now. Picking up Diego from daycare they walked out of the building together. The sun was shining and the breeze was beautiful. Deciding to take the long way home, they walked towards the park.
Hearing
children squeal with delight, Gio opened his eyes. Blinded by the
afternoon glare, his eyes adjusted and focused on the children on the
adventure playground. Watching them idly, his thoughts drifted to
Diego. 'I
have a son. I thought there was something familiar about him. I guess
I saw a bit of me in him. How could Betty hide this from me for all
of this time?'
His train of thought was derailed before it could become more
negative by the sight of a child waving at him from the playground
slide. Squinting slightly, he realized it was Diego. A smile broke
out across his face and he waved back. Betty noticed Diego waving to
someone; looking in the same direction, she recognized Gio and he was
waving back. 'He's
everywhere now. After disappearing for four years, he appears now and
he's everywhere! Omigod, he remembers…he's sitting on our
bench.'
"Come
on Diego. We're going home now."
Betty said as she walked towards the child. Looking at Gio, she
smiled bleakly before turning to look at her son and holding out her
hand for him to hold on to.
Still sitting on the bench, Gio just watched as Betty and Diego walked off down the path. Bringing his hands up to his face, he buried it deeply within his palms. Finally rubbing his face roughly, he let out a small frustrated moan before standing up and walking off in the opposite direction. 'Tomorrow's the launch. I have to concentrate on that. She obviously doesn't need or want me. I have the business and we've got separate lives now.'
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The
morning rolls around and Gio's been up since first sunlight. After
getting ready, he headed off to the business. Walking through the
park again, he felt as lonely as one could feel, despite the morning
joggers that were passing him by. Strolling past that
bench, he looked at it with such a sad face, but stopped to briefly
look at the playground; he pictured himself playing with Diego and
Betty. He'd be pushing Betty on the swing set while Diego played on
the merry-go-round. Smiles and laughter would illustrate the
happiness that they were sharing and enjoying together – as a
family.
Shaking his head, he rid himself of the daydream. 'Pull
yourself together Gio! Today's the biggest day of your life –
your future.'
He said to himself before walking off towards the shop.
The lead up to the launch at midday was enormous. Checklists were double checked and everything was organized twice to make sure nothing was out of line. It had to be perfect. This was the first Condiment Bar in the chain that was being opened this year.
The pre-launch was by invite only, however, journalists with photographers showed up early wanting to capture a glimpse of the next generation sandwich chain. Once the pre-launch and interview session was over, some of the general public were invited in as well as the awaiting journalists. People started mingling and Gio was pulled in every possible direction by the press and customers alike. Finally getting some fresh air, Gio stood outside the front of his shop and looked out into the busy street. 'What a day! Finally, the shop is open and the feeling is fantastic! I haven't even had one thought about Betty either – DAMN!' Kicking himself mentally, he gazed straight ahead. A puzzled look came across his face as he looked to the park. Staring into the distance, his heart was yearning for the happiness the playground held from this morning's fantasy. Suddenly, something caught his attention.
There
she was. There they
were; standing directly opposite the shop and in front of the park's
entrance. Diego smiled, but Betty's head was lowered as she looked
at her cell phone. Gio's pocket started to vibrate. Pulling out his
phone he found a new message;
'Congratulations
on Hero Worship! Meet us in the park when you're finished. You know
where we'll be.'
Smiling
from ear to ear, Gio looked back up, but they had disappeared.
Returning to finish the launch, Gio's mood was higher than the skies. Betty had made the next move. He thought he would never see her again and if they were to accidentally bump into each other, it would be like bumping into a complete stranger. Giving thanks and accepting praises from the attendees, Gio ushered the guests out as nice as he could. Finally, the last of the guests left; Gio and his team cleaned up the shop, so it was ready for their first day of business the next day and finally locked up.
Taking a deep breath, Gio crossed the street and headed into the park. Following the well known path, he walked towards the park bench. There she was. Sitting on the bench, waiting; like she said she would be. Nearing the bench, he noticed Betty was concentrating on her cell phone.
"Hey
B."
"Gio! You made it. I was thinking of sending you a message
or calling you. I thought you didn't want to see me again; see us
again."
"No way! I've been thinking A LOT lately about you
and Diego…and us. I'm here for you Betty. Where is the lil guy
anyway?"
"He's playing on the merry-go-round."Betty said
pointing to the playground. "Do you remember when we used to sit
here and talk about the days that we would have a family of our own?"
Betty questioned. Sitting down next to her, and scooting closer, he
put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer in. Looking
into each other's eyes, he answered;
"Every
time I sit on this bench, it brings back all the memories of the
things we spoke about; including the ideas for the wedding that we
were going to have one day as well as the names for the children that
would then follow. Diego was your favorite name!"
"Why didn't
we get married Gio?"
"Is that what you wanted at that time in
your life? Sure, I wanted to marry you. God Betty, I thought for
days, trying to think of the most romantic way to propose to you, but
they were too cheesy and then the job offers came in for both of us;
so I put off the proposal. We would've been too busy to organize a
wedding and then have a honeymoon."
"True…I probably wasn't
ready to get married back then anyway. I guess we chose ourselves
when the job offers came around. What does that mean? Did we not love
each other enough? Were we too selfish?"
"I gave you my heart
and soul Betty, everything I had, I invested in you. Perhaps it just
wasn't the right time back then. We had an exploratory phase of our
own, that we had to do by ourselves. Possibly it was so that when we
did meet up later in life, we could appreciate what we have a lot
more."
"What are you saying Gio?"
In
one swift movement, he let go of Betty's shoulders but holding her
hands in his, he knelt in front of her, on one knee.
"Betty,
I know we haven't been together for four years, and you have our
child, which you brought up on your own, I know this and what I'm
about to do, is a big risk – for both of us – but it's one that
I'm willing to take. B, I haven't stopped thinking about you or
loving you. I want you and Diego in my life. I want us to be a
family. I don't want you going through anymore on your own. I'll
understand if you don't want – "
Before
he was able to finish his speech, Betty leant forward and kissed him
gently. Gio let go of her hands and cupped her face. Pushing her
backwards as he deepened the kiss, he managed to sit back down
without breaking their kiss. Exhilaration and love overflowed from
both of them as they rekindled their love and bond for one another.
A few moments later, a squeal of excitement was followed by some clapping hands which distracted the pair of renewed lovebirds. Pulling away, they turned their heads to the side and spotted Diego standing beside the bench. Blushing and feeling slightly embarrassed, Betty hid her face in Gio's chest. Feeling his heartbeat, she felt safe and content in his embrace. Finally, what she lost all those years ago was in her life again. Fearing she'd never find another soul mate, she was overjoyed to know that her one true love was in her life again.
Gio rested his chin on the top of Betty's head and kissed it. Reaching out his right arm, he offered his hand to Diego. Taking it happily, Gio tugged Diego towards them and helped him onto the bench. Betty moved aside slightly and made sure Diego was comfortable. Gio watched Betty as she did the motherly thing. He gazed at her with such adoration and respect; he couldn't help but caress her cheek. Closing her eyes to savor his touch, Diego interrupted again by blurted out loud, "I've missed you daddy". Looking to Betty with a surprised look, she told him how she explained everything to him after they met at Tino's. Pulling her closer her, the threesome cuddled tightly. Betty and Gio rested their heads against one another and joined their hands in front of Diego. They sat there for the rest of the afternoon, enjoying each others' company.
As
the sun was setting, Gio stood up and helped Diego get down from the
bench. Then he held out his hand for Betty to grasp. "May
I have your hand Betty?"
he asked.
"Huh?
As in marriage?"
"Actually, I was helping you to stand up. Of
course marriage B! I want us to be a family. I've been thinking
about it all and want us to have what we thought up all those years
ago. Be the family we always wanted to be. I want us to start a
family – together this time."
"Oh Gio! Of course I'll
marry you! Wait…are we moving too fast?"
"B, I only asked if
you would marry me! I still have to get you the ring and then we can
get married whenever you want. As long as we're all together, I'm
the happiest man alive."
"Gio! I love you so much!"
Betty said as she stood up and threw herself into his arms. He held
onto her tightly and spun her around. Coming to a stop they kissed
with such urgency and passion.
Diego
stood there watching his parents and couldn't contain his giggles.
Hearing the laughter, Gio pulled away and ruffled his son's
hair.
"What
are you laughing for? Huh?! Come on, let's go home."
Gio said as he put his arm around Betty's waist and took hold of
Diego's hand. Together, they walked as a family, back to Betty's
apartment, where they would continue their lives where they left off
so many years ago…
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Ugly Betty – characters : ABC Studios
No copyright or infringement intended
