See disclaimers in Chapter One
A/N: Thanks to Aiden's godmother Ginger and too all his Aunties at the chat room.
Chapter Three
Betty hurried up the street, quickly dodging other pedestrians as she walked quickly up towards Central Park. This was the third Friday that she was meeting Aiden. He was always there in the same spot waiting for her. He would sneak away from the other kids playing as Betty was spreading her blanket out. Betty had begun packing a baggie with snacks for her and Aiden to eat while they talked. Aiden seemed quite content just sitting with her, asking her questions and telling her everything he had done at school that week. He asked her where she worked and she explained to him about MODE and what she did there. Aiden still didn't quite understand what an administrative assistant was, but Betty figured he was way too little to know about all the drama she had to deal with on a daily basis.
Betty was totally amazed by Aiden. She loved his cute little smile that brightened her whole week whenever she thought of it. She was completely blown away by the seemingly endless facts his mind could hold and then recite at random. Most of all, she enjoyed his companionship. Sure he was only five, but she'd had more meaningful conversations with him over the past three weeks than she'd had with anyone in a long time. She smiled as Aiden tugged at her sweater.
"Betty, can you stay a while longer? I want you to meet my daddy." Aiden said. Betty smiled sadly at him. Aiden might only
be five, but he was a matchmaker in disguise. He had asked her no less than six times every Friday to meet his daddy.
Betty had tried to stall, then flat out outmaneuver him, but Aiden was persistent. Betty ruffled his hair.
"Aiden, do you remember when I told you that I had a boyfriend a long time ago?" Betty asked. Aiden nodded. "Well he had just become my boyfriend when something happened and he had to go away. I loved him very much and I still do."
"Even though you don't see him?" Aiden asked.
"Yes, especially since I don't see him. I know this is hard for you to understand, but when two people really love each other
and they're apart, that love doesn't go away. You understand?" Betty said. Aiden nodded sadly and looked down at his lap.
Betty felt bad for not wanting to meet his daddy, but she had no room in her heart for anyone right now. Maybe she never
would. Aiden looked up at her as his glasses slid down his nose. Betty smiled and pushed them up for him.
"I'd better go." Aiden said, "I don't want to get into trouble." He stood up and turned to head back to his classmates. Betty bit her lower lip as she watched him walk away.
"Aiden!" Betty called out. Aiden turned. "I'll try to make some time to meet your daddy soon ok?" Betty said. Aiden nodded and ran off smiling.
Henry listened patiently as Aiden chatted constantly through dinner about his new "friend". He said she was nice and
pretty and smart and talked to him about anything he wanted to talk to her and was pretty. After the third "and she's really
pretty daddy" Henry stopped him and made him take a few bites of his dinner. Henry was glad that Aiden had found a new
friend. He had been worried when they'd moved here despite what he'd told Aiden on the plane. Feeling that Aiden was
not going to finish his dinner, Henry let him leave the table and cleared the dinner dishes. As he washed and rinsed them,
Henry's thoughts returned to Betty. He hadn't ran into her since they'd moved back and he wasn't sure if he was relieved
or not. He hoped she was having the wonderful life he'd wished for her years ago, but in reality if her feelings still
ran as deeply as his, he knew she wasn't. He actually walked past the Meade building on his way to work every morning,
his heart racing as he tried to see her. He knew he was going to have to get past his fear and go see her. See if she was all
right. See if she had moved on. His chest tightened at the thought as Aiden called out to him.
"Daddy, I'm ready for my bath."
Henry finished drying the last dish, stuck it in the cabinet, and turned to give Aiden his bath. Betty would have to wait, again.
Daniel pulled Betty forcibly from the office the following Thursday at 7pm. He wanted a late dinner and Betty seemed to want to talk. They walked from the Meade building to the bistro down the street. As they were seated, Daniel smiled at Betty. She had become more than just an assistant, she had become a friend. One of his closest actually. They placed their orders as Betty smiled back at him.
"So who's this boy you've been seeing?" Daniel teased.
"His name is Aiden, and sometimes i forget he's only five. He's so smart and talkative, he seems so much older than he really is." Betty said.
"Sounds like a really cute kid." Daniel said, "what are his parents like?"
"His mother left when Aiden was just a baby, and I haven't met his daddy yet." Betty answered.
"Why not?" Asked Daniel.
"Well, I met Aiden in the park. He came over to get a soccer ball, and stayed to talk to me. We've met there the last two Fridays. It's so cute how he sneaks away from his class..." Daniel cut her off with a look.
"Betty, don't you think it's about time. Time to get yourself out there again. Meet some new people. I know you still love Henry..."
"That's just it Daniel, I still DO love Henry. I go to bed at night thinking about him, and wake up every morning with him on my mind. I thought I even saw him walk past the building the other morning. Am I going crazy?" Betty asked. Daniel reached across the table and patted her hand.
"No Betty, you're not crazy. You're just a woman in love." Daniel said as he squeezed her hand.
At the same moment, Henry and Aiden were walking towards the subway, passing the restaurant front. Aiden was happy
that his daddy was letting him be grown up enough to let him walk without holding his hand. As they passed the restaurant,
Aiden saw his friend Betty sitting there. She had a man with her and he was holding her hand. Aiden stopped right there
and stood with his mouth open as he watched the man squeeze her hand. Betty had lied to him!! She had told a grown up
lie to him because he was just a kid. Henry turned around, not seeing Aiden beside him.
"Aiden, come on buddy. We've got to get home." Henry said. Aiden gave the couple one last look as he ran to catch up
with his daddy. Unbeknownst to any of them, one of Charlie's dormant genes had just kicked in inside the little boy.
Aiden decided to find the prettiest, funniest grown up lady for his daddy. That would show mean, lying Betty.
TBC...