The next couple of weeks pass very quickly, with Betty, Matt, and Rosalina back to their work and home routines as if they had never left England. With their planned 4 day long weekend wedding-related trip to the US at the end of January combined with a week off in February for the actual wedding, Betty's hours at Dunne are over 30 per week while Matt is working nearly 20 hours per week. With Betty putting in a half-day on 1-19-11 and a full day on 1-21-11, the Suarez-Hartley's are enjoying some family time with Rosalina in the late afternoon on 1-22-11.
"Both of our blackberry's are indicating emails at a very fast pace," remarks Matt as he kisses Betty.
Returning his kiss with a more intense one, Betty replies, "Yes, our wedding invitations have apparently arrived around the globe and many people can't seem to wait to mail in their response cards."
"Are you wishing that we had decided to elope instead?" Matt asks Betty as he embraces her.
Smirking at him, Betty says, "Honestly, for a few brief moments now and then yes, I do. But, most of the time, I think the occasional aggravation will be more than worth it when we share our love with each other with family and friends alike."
"In some ways, our wedding celebration is more for others than ourselves, but I expect that we will have a great time too. I didn't agree to ballroom dancing lessons to not end up using them," teases Matt.
"We are both getting much better with the various steps and I'm certain we'll surprise a few people with how smoothly we'll glide across the dance floor when the time arrives," responds Betty.
"You've always been elegant and classy even if others haven't recognized it. On the other hand, I am known for steering clear of the dance floor, so that may be a shocker for some. With you in my arms, my coordination naturally improves," comments Matt.
With her mouth curved teasingly so that Matt gives her an intense kiss, Betty says, "We complement each other nicely both on the dance floor and beyond it."
"Any thoughts on what song we should have for our first official dance as husband and wife?" asks Betty.
"Actually yes, I've been researching it along with some ideas for our magazine-I take turns between the two," indicates Matt.
He continues, "While Make You Feel My Love will always be our song, I can't dance to it if I am playing the piano. My top picks are "I Knew I Loved You," by Savage Garden, " Always" by Atlantic Starr, "You Are So Beautiful," by Joe Cocker, and "You're The Inspiration," by Chicago."
"That is definitely a mix of songs, let's listen to them and see if we rank them similarly," suggests Betty.
After listening to the four songs on the computer, with both of them smiling at Rosalina's pausing her playing and attempts to move with the beat, they look at each other and both announce, "Always" is my favorite."
"Well, that was relatively simple, our great minds apparently continue to think alike," states Matt.
"There are some other songs that I've been looking at that I might want to dedicate to you. Do we each want to select at least one that is for each other too and leave that as a surprise?" Matt asks Betty.
"Sounds like a wonderful idea to me!" exclaims Betty as she gives Matt a full, yet soft kiss on the lips that is so electric it makes them both shudder.
Glancing at her blackberry, Betty says, "Hey, I've got one non-wedding related email from Daniel and Jennifer. Apparently, he is here to oversee an expansion at MODE London and they want to know if we want to join them for dinner tomorrow."
"Fine with me, but I suggest we ask them to come here since we don't have a sitter readily available and Rosalina is not always predictable with her moods," replies Matt.
"I'll tell him 6pm here, then, our first "real entertaining" at our London home," responds Betty.
Matt states, "Now back to our wedding "chores" since Rosalina is being so cooperative. We should probably work on the registry too, given that many people do not like doing gift certificates and prefer to select an actual gift," comments Matt.
"Yes, sir," responds Betty with a mock salute.
"Let's start with the china and accompaniments since that is something we do not have," suggests Betty.
Matt replies, "I am thinking we need three sets-everyday, family, and formal for entertaining given that we will have to do that with our own magazine."
"I'm glad there is a lot of cabinet space in our townhome in NYC," comments Betty.
She asks, "Do you think 10 place settings of everyday, 16 of family, and 20 of formal china are enough?"
"Since we are limiting, somewhat, what is on the registry given that we are "mostly furnished" as it is, let's up each a bit to 12, 20 and 30 sets. Once you get above 30, one often hires a caterer per what I recollect my mother doing," indicates Matt.
"We'll need to select stemware and cutlery to go with each. With three different designs, that should give guests plenty to look at even with what we already own," responds Betty.
As they look at the various choices, Betty points and says, "I like that relatively simple, but elegant silver only pattern for the most formal design, that colorful design for our everyday dishes, and something in between for the family design."
"Those all look great to me. I am usually more interested in the food than what plate it is on. We should probably be getting your father's opinion on this since he is the one that does most of the cooking," teases Matt.
Laughing and giving Matt a brief kiss, Betty replies, "I'm sure Papi will be fine with what ever we choose."
Matt suggests, "Given that we are still currently in "wedding mode" let's call Hilda and Robert on 3-way, related to the Bachelor and Bachelorette parties. They have both been sending us lots of emails about the parties, especially over the past few days."
"Yes they have and I am beginning to suspect that they may want to do some type of combined party, which is certainly different," responds Betty as she dials Hilda's number on the videophone.
"Glad we caught both of you without waking you due to the time difference. We take it that you have some ideas related to the Bachelor and Bachelorette parties by the number of emails from you both wanting to talk about it," remarks Matt.
"We've agreed on what we would like to do for you two, but would like your approval first before arranging it," replies Robert.
Smirking, Hilda tells them, "We'd like to have the guests have a joint casual dinner followed by the groups separating into the men versus the women where each group would then be entertained by a female or male revue."
Giving Matt an intense kiss, Betty says, "Fine with me even if the revues are more for our guests than ourselves."
Matt adds, "And the entertainment cannot cross the line into possible legal action since that is not something we need as young parents and as we start our magazine."
"Having already done some inquiries, we promise that it will be tasteful and nothing that the police will raid," replies Robert.
"Now, deciding on the date it is held. We know it is short notice, but since many people won't get into town until the day or so before the actual wedding and will also have the rehearsal dinner to attend on Friday night, how do you feel about having it this Saturday, assuming we can arrange it?" asks Hilda.
Glancing at each other, Betty responds, "That is fine, it may help break up all the planning and details we are going over with Victoria related to the wedding on Saturday. Also, if someone overindulges at the party, he or she will now not be out of sorts for the primetime event."
"We'll need someone to watch the babies, since I am not comfortable with Rosalina attending a party with such entertainment even if she will be too young to remember it," comments Matt.
"Now, if your children were boys, I wonder if that standard would change," jokes Robert, which gets him a look from Matt, Betty, and Hilda.
"I'm just teasing," says Robert, "Hilda and I have already spoken to both of your parents and they've agreed to work together and baby-sit their granddaughters for the night."
"We've also put out feelers to most of the likely attendees, especially those in the wedding party, and they indicate that they are available this weekend," states Hilda.
Robert informs them, "My father has said I can close the studio at 5:30 instead of 7 and we could hold it there, but we'd have to bring in tables and such for the dinner and likely the "shows" will be audible to the other group."
Hilda says, "The other location I thought of was Meade since, with the photo shoots and all, it essentially has stages in it that would work for the entertainment, plenty of space so that the men and women don't hear the other group's comments to the "revues," and also tables and such for the dinner."
Rolling her eyes, Betty responds, "I'll ask Daniel about it when he and Jennifer join us for dinner tomorrow and let you know."
Sunday evening is quickly upon them, with Jennifer and Daniel arriving right at 6pm. Matt shows them to the family room area and offers them something to drink while they wait for Betty to finish nursing Rosalina.
"Nice to see you," comments Betty as she enters the room and deposits Rosalina in Daniel's lap, where she proceeds to giggle loudly as she plays with his watch.
"Is that ring new?" asks Matt as he glances at Jennifer's finger.
Blushing, Jennifer replies, "Yes, it is, Daniel gave it to me when we arrived here in London when he asked me to marry him."
"It's gorgeous!" announces Betty as she admires the ring, "Congratulations and you both seem very happy."
"We are," responds Daniel as he kisses his fiancé intensely, "You were correct, there was someone out there for me and that person is Jennifer."
"Since you are in such a good mood, we need a favor. As you know, Hilda and Robert are planning our bachelor and bachelorette parties for this weekend. They are thinking Meade would be the best place for the dinner and "revue shows" they want to have. Is that possible?" Betty asks.
"I'll make the arrangements, just make sure I have their contact information. We've had many a wild party at Meade in the past, so this event shouldn't raise too many eyebrows," jokes Daniel.
"Thanks," responds Matt, "We really appreciate it. The alternative venue they suggested was Robert's family's photo studio and I don't think it would work as well there."
They sit down and enjoy the Italian food that Matt and Betty had delivered, with Rosalina watching intently from her bouncy seat. They discuss the plans for Betty and Matt's wedding as well as when Daniel and Jennifer might get married, which they indicate will be at least 6 months or more down the road. Betty and Matt excuse themselves to start the coffee.
"Here you go," says Matt as he hands Betty the decaffeinated coffee from the cabinet.
"I knew I kept you around for some reason, even if it is just to get items down from shelves that I would have trouble reaching on my own," teases Betty.
"So, that is the only reason you want me around," responds a smiling Matt as he comes up behind her and nuzzles on Betty's neck.
"I can think of a few more reasons," answers Betty as she turns around and kisses Matt sultrily.
Matt gently pulls Betty against him and runs his hands through her hair, deepening the kiss spontaneously. They both prolong the kiss, with both of them groaning slightly due to its unusually sensual, yet soothing, combination of sensations.
Smiling and clearing his throat, Daniel announces, "Sorry to interrupt, but Rosalina here has made a large, but luckily not very stinky deposit in her diaper and you two are much better at dealing with that than either of us."
"No problem," responds a very red-faced couple as they reluctantly end their embrace and kiss, "parenting duties don't always come up at the best time."
"We'll leave soon after dessert since Daniel and I are looking forward to some couple time and it appears as if you two are more than ready for such yourselves," indicates Jennifer.
"No direct comment," replies Matt.
"However, in my opinion one can never have enough couple time," adds a smiling Betty.
Blushing, Daniel whispers in Jennifer's ear, "Here's to hoping that our couple time continues to be as exciting and anticipated as Betty and Matt's seems to be."
The couples spend about 30 minutes more socializing before the guests leave. Kristin arrives just after Daniel and Jennifer depart. Betty and Matt go to bed early since they both anticipate very busy workdays prior to their 4-day wedding-related visit to NYC.