A/N: SO SORRY!!! I know I said I would update like almost three weeks ago, but Winter break has been so great without any worries so I enjoyed my time off and all the relaxing. This chapter is all Henry's POV, and if there are some parts where it changes, I haven't checked. I only read over it once so in advance I apologize. I hope everyone had a great New Years and let's start off 2009 with a great start!

Previously:

"Told ya, he was back!" Amanda exclaimed.

"Nerdlover, where have you been all my life?" A very drunk Marc added making his way over to Henry.

Before, I allowed them anymore humiliation at my expense, I screamed for them to "Get out!"

Henry chuckled nervously as they made their way out the door with a shrug.

"Sorry you had to see that Henry. I never thought Amanda would abuse her key that she apparently still has for my apartment."

"It's quite alright, Betty." He paused and then lifted my face with his forefinger before seductively adding "I would much rather have preferred to see you in that underwear though." Wink included.

Not like you haven't before.

"Right, um.. I'll be back." And I turned away leaving a stunned Henry. I came back feeling guilty for leaving him confused. "Please, sit, make yourself at home. Oh, you choose the move. I'll get the ice cream."

I made my way to the bathroom sink patting water on my face. I was in for a long night.

Chapter 5: Big News

HENRY POV

I would never had imagined myself sitting here on Betty's couch and wondering to myself how I could make this work after six months of being away from her. I was more than sure of my feelings for Betty, and I could very well tell that she still felt the same, even though she was holding back. Deserves me right, I suppose. She could have moved on to bigger and better things though, and yet here we sit.

--Flashback--

Betty looks so adorable in her softball uniform. And that baseball cap is too cute. I really hope she says yes, and soon. I can't take the torture much longer. Life will be so great with her and Nate in Arizona. I know I'm asking a lot of her, but we could make it work.

Oh, crap. There's a fly ball and it's headed straight for Betty. I can't let her get hit by it, and it looks like Gio has the same idea.

"Oh! I got it. I GOT IT!"

*SMACK*

The next thing I knew Betty was passed out from the small blow to the head and was incoherently mumbling something about pancakes and dandruff shampoo. Standing helplessly over her motionless body, I vowed to myself that I would never let her get hurt again. A few minutes later she awoke practically gasping for air. "I know what to do." The game had ended shortly after because no one wanted to end up with a bump, the size of an orange, on their perfect little heads. I walked towards Betty meeting her halfway between her position and mine to help her off the field should she need it. I was not prepared for what happened next.

Betty stood their absentmindedly fidgeting with her nails, a nervous habit. Nervousness. Oh no. This can't be good. She stood still quiet for a moment, with a solemn look on her face. She reached in her pocket and pulled out something too small for me to see. Then she reached for my hand with hers placing the object into my own. It was the ring.

"I'm sorry. You're so special to me. But as much as I love you, I'm just not ready to marry you."

--End Flashback--

"Henry, what movie did you pick?" I heard a voice ask.

"Huh?"

I looked up to see Betty standing before me with two bowls of ice cream in her hands.

"Henry…"

"Oh, I got distracted, I didn't pick one out. Why don't we just find something on TV to watch?" I offered.

"Sure, that works." Betty replied while handing me my own bowl of ice cream.

"So Betty…"

I lost my trail of thought after that because I was too preoccupied looking into her big brown eyes and realized how close we were. Just a few more inches and we would be back in each other's personal space. We seemed to be doing that a lot this evening, but I just can't seem to help myself when I'm around her. She broke the silence before I got my chance to lean in and caress her cheek, something that made her melt under my touch.

"Yes Henry?"

"Uh..I was wondering, what flavor ice cream did you pick out?"

The mood in the air seemed to change with a flick of the wrist as Betty suddenly became very quiet and distant. It seemed she didn't want to answer such a trivial question.

"Uh, er.. I mean… it's… Hazelnuts for Henry.." she drifted off, clearly avoiding eye contact.

My heart swelled. I gently but firmly pulled her face to mine placing gentle kisses along her jaw line before settling on her lips and moving up to her nose, and lastly her forehead. I pulled her into my lap and placed my head in the crook of her neck breathing in her scent. Betty pulled the blanket off the top of the couch to cover us, and repositioned herself to where she was comfortable forgetting the ice cream.

"Betty" I murmured into her neck to receive her attention. She pulled back slightly so that she could look into my eyes. I brushed back that one stray hair that refused to stay behind her ear and let my hand fall down her back through her long locks playing with the ends.

"Betty, I need to tell you something."

It's now or never Henry, take a chance.

"Betty, I love you. I still do, Always will. It feels so right being here with you, and I don't know how I'm going to be able to leave New York again in one week's time. The only thing that will keep me going back to Tucson is my son. But, I know we can find a way to be together, we just have to. Please…tell me you feel the same."

"Henry..." She paused. The silence was killing me. I had to know what she was thinking.

"Betty, just tell me. What are you thinking, please?" She placed her hand gently upon my cheek, slowly taking in a breath, preparing herself for her answer.

"Henry, of course I love you too. I always have, but how can we make this work. You're going back to Tucson and I can't just pick up and leave my life here in New York. I want nothing more than to be with you and start a life with you, but I can't see how it can happen, not now."

I was torn. First off, I was ecstatic because Betty admitted she still loves me, and secondly, I had to admit she was right unless by some random act of Fate that we could make things work, and be back in each other's arms forever. Yes, I would definitely have to make this work.

"I know Betty. I know. But everything will work out for the best. It just might take some time."

With that the two of us snuggled closer taking in each other's body heat. I closed my eyes to relish in the body contact we shared and her sweet fragrance as I slowly drifted off into sleep.

The next morning…

I heard my cell phone ring faintly in the background as I scrambled to search for it in this unfamiliar place I had awoken in. I found it in my coat pocked frantically trying to answer before it went to voicemail.

"Hello?" I heard a groggy voice sputter out.

Oh, that was me. Wake up Henry.

"Good morning Henry. Did I wake you?" I heard Steve say on the other end of the line.

Crap. There was a reason I was back in New York. Work.

"Uh, yeah Steve. It's quite alright though. Is there something wrong with the account? Did something not add up? I can come in, when did you need me?"

"No, no Henry. Everything is just fine. We are actually prepared to open a bit earlier then we had anticipated."

I internally sighed. So much for that week left with Betty. Betty. Oh, no. I can't leave now.

"Oh." Was all I could say.

"Right. So do you remember me asking you about that business proposition? It's really something I'd like to talk about face to face rather than over the phone so if you could stop by my office today… say around one o'clock, that would be great!"

"Of course, Steve."

"Great Henry. You won't be disappointed. I'll see you at one."

I silently made my way back to the couch to find Betty had gotten up sometime during my phone call with Steve. I then realized I probably didn't look like a million bucks with my tie loosened and slightly askew glasses and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. I pulled on the handle to open the door and came face to face with Betty wearing nothing but a towel. Instantly, my eyes raked over her body as I tried to remember the feeling of her curves under my skin. I sighed and felt a sudden snugness in my pants as I watched her grasp the now falling towel to keep it from getting any lower on her perfect bodice.

I heard a gasp come from her soft luscious lips before I realized what was happening.

"Oh, um, I- er..." Dammit. Hear I go stuttering again. "What I mean is…what I'm trying to say is.." Get it together man. "I'm sorry Betty. I didn't know you were in here. I was just going to freshen up."

She smiled nervously and let out a small giggle. "It's okay Henry. I mean, you didn't know."

"Okay. Well, I'll just be going then."

Whoa. Was that just me or did I see her face fall? I would have loved to stay locked in that room forever but we aren't even 'together' at the moment.

The bathroom door suddenly opened as I was making my way to her kitchen to start a cup of coffee and felt her pull me around to face her. As fate would have it though I tripped on my shoe lace and protectively put my arms around Betty bringing her towel clad body in tow as we hit the floor.

Betty looked perfectly at ease, as if this could have happened a million and one times before as I lay there on the floor with her on top of me, very short of breath.

"Henry. You don't have to go." She said urgently.

Go? Where else would I be?

"I mean you can stay just a little bit longer right?"

Realization then hit me; my poor choice of words from our encounter in the bathroom.

"Betty, when I said 'I'll be going then' I meant that I would let you take your shower in peace." Unless you want me to join you I thought to myself.

"Oh." She sighed in relief. "I just wasn't ready for you to leave yet." She added and then swiftly placed a kiss upon my cheek before relieving me of her body weight. I slowly stood up and brought her up with me making sure she was okay.

"I know Betty, me either. But my boss just called and I have to meet with him at one, so I need to get back to my hotel to get some clean clothes. But I'd love to stay and make you breakfast if that's okay?"

"Okay Henry. That sounds great."

I nervously sat before Steve listening to him talking about how excited he was for this branch to open and how he was still in need of a Chief Financial Officer wondering why I was there exactly until he asked "So, what do you think? Are you up for the job Henry?"

I think my jaw may have hit the floor. Me. A CFO. In New York. Wait, New York? New York means Betty. Betty means no Charlie. No Charlie means no Nate. What am I going to do?

"Henry?" Steve asked.

"Oh, um…"