Monday through Wednesday are exceedingly busy at Dunne, with both Betty and Matt needing to occasionally remind each other, and Betty remind the staff, to take a deep breath. The person scheduled to be interviewed for the main feature story of the present edition of Betty's current magazine is no longer available, so the staff have to scramble to find a replacement. Betty and Matt's wedding, wedding related activities and time off for such are added pressure as they approach the magazine deadline. In fact, at Mr. Dunne's suggestion, Kelly will accompany them to NYC so that she can assist Betty with some magazine related tasks. Betty, Matt, Rosalina, Kelly, and Kristin do not board the Hartley jet, which is luckily not on a strict schedule, until nearly midnight London time on Thursday evening given how late they left Dunne publishing.
"This is impressive," remarks Kelly as she sits down in her seat, "It makes me hope you do need an assistant for your Good Works magazine with travel to the locations to get first person stories and interviews."
Sighing as she sits in her seat next to Matt, who is holding Rosalina since they are anticipating her protesting the change in air pressure, Betty laughs and replies, "Well, at least one of us is finding the need to work on this long weekend a good thing."
Giving Betty at light kiss on her cheek, Matt adds, "A private jet does have its advantages, including setting our own schedule, and hopefully a quiet flight where we can all get some much needed rest."
"Neither of us has been to NYC so we are glad we can do it together," comments Kristin.
"Well, with all of our relatives located there and willing and able to watch Rosalina, you should be able to get some free time to do some sightseeing," responds Betty.
The flight is a smooth one, with everyone sleeping for most of it. Arriving at NYC in the middle of the night Friday EST, they take the Hartley limo to Betty and Matt's townhome, where they all manage to get several hours more rest prior to starting the day. They talk with both sets of grandparents and confirm that they will baby-sit Rosalina and Rosemarie in a secluded room appropriately, yet temporarily furnished for young children at the Meade building for the bachelor/bachelorette party on Saturday night. Friday and Saturday are productive, yet hectic with visits to both the Country Club to discuss the rehearsal dinner and the Plaza to go over additional details for the wedding. Betty and Matt, with the help of Kelly, also both spend about 4 hours on Dunne-related matters.
At 6pm on Saturday evening, Betty, Matt, and Rosalina are in a town car en route to Meade, with Kelly and Kristin meeting them there as they are doing some shopping. The motion of the car puts Rosalina to sleep, with Betty lightly grasping Matt's hand and leaning her head on his shoulder as she has trouble stifling a yawn.
Rubbing Betty's shoulders, Matt comments, "It has been a long few days, but hopefully we'll get some relaxation in tonight along with our guests."
Glancing lovingly at Matt, Betty softly replies, "I can think of a few other private ways for us to relax once we get back home."
Raising his eyebrows, Matt whispers, "Well, apparently we'll have to discourage any encores by the entertainment since that will allow us to get to our own, personal show earlier."
As Betty gives Matt an intense kiss that leads both of them to emit low groans, the driver is unable to stifle his laughter as he states, "I don't think it will do if the guests of honor don't show up for the festivities and replace them with their own private ones instead."
"We'll manage to get through the party, even if we excuse ourselves somewhat early since we don't want to disturb Rosalina's schedule," retorts a blushing Matt.
Smirking, the driver responds, "Oh, going to use the Princess as an excuse to call it an early night. I don't blame you though, since it is nice to be around people who so obviously adore and enjoy each other."
The towncar arrives shortly thereafter at Meade, with Rosalina continuing to sleep as Matt places her car seat in the stroller. They make their way to the MODE floor, which has been designated as "party central." Robert is already there, directing the caterers. The small conference room is where the meal, buffet style with a mix of traditional and Spanish items, will be served. Rosalina awakens and loudly announces that it is time for her to nurse.
Coming out of his office, Daniel tells Betty, "Hilda is already in my mom's office, feeding Rosemarie, you can join her if you would like."
"Thanks, I think I will," replies Betty as Matt follows her down the hall with a very vocal Rosalina.
Matt calls into the room as he knocks on the door, "Rosalina has decided that she wants to eat dinner with her cousin, so this is my warning to cover up while I help my ladies get situated."
"Come in," responds Hilda, "Rosemarie just finished her meal, but I think we'll stay here with Betty and Rosalina. You two men can scoot."
"We'll go see if Robert needs any help," says Bobby as he gets up from the chair and kisses Hilda.
"Be careful what kind of help you offer or your after the party party could be eliminated," teases Hilda as a blushing Bobby leaves the room.
Smiling at Hilda as Rosalina nurses, Betty asks her, "I take it you two have been given the go ahead to resume "bedroom activities?"
"Yes, I had my postpartum check up yesterday. We actually planned on having sex last night, but Rosemarie decided she wanted her feeding early and then we both fell asleep," admits a red Hilda.
"Then you'll probably want to get out of here early tonight. Matt and I plan to leave relatively early, with keeping Rosalina on her schedule the reason we are giving. You can certainly borrow that excuse if you want to," Betty informs her.
Hilda replies, "So, having a baby hasn't negatively impacted your intimacy. I hope Bobby and I are as lucky as you and Matt are in that department."
"I expect you will be," responds Betty as she helps Rosalina emit several loud burps, "while having a baby can effect timing on certain things, with less opportunity to be spontaneous, we've found that being in love and committed to each other makes those moments even more special."
As they head back to the conference room, Betty and Hilda are greeted by several of the guests, who have recently begun to arrive. There are compliments all around regarding how well both the new mommies and their babies look. The babysitters, namely Cal, Victoria, Elena, and Ignacio, accept the invitation to join the younger people for dinner prior to going into the makeshift nursery area during the entertainment portion of the evening. The adults take turns holding Rosalina and Rosemarie so that everyone can eat.
Standing up, Robert announces, "I am just going to say a few words. I'll save most of my comments for the toast at the actual wedding. Hilda, my fellow party planner, and I want to thank you for coming tonight. I'm sure we'll all have fun but I've promised our favorite couple here that there will be nothing that will garner police attention."
After the laughter from the guests quiets down, Hilda comments, "I do think we need Betty and Matt to practice for the wedding, so every time we clink our glasses that means they should kiss."
Several guests tap their glasses, with Matt raising his eyebrows and proceeding to give Betty a long, highly sensual kiss that is both intimate and exciting, with their intense feelings for each other evident to all their friends and family.
Marc teases, "I don't think we should encourage them to kiss too often or we'll be calling the fire department due to the sparks between our happy couple."
"Don't worry, we haven't set off an alarm, yet," responds Matt with a smile.
As the caterers begin to clean up, Robert suggests, "Let's open the gifts now since the dancers are not due to arrive for almost 30 minutes."
"I believe that is our cue to leave," states Victoria as she rises from her chair, "I suspect there are some gifts that I'd rather not know about."
Several guests laugh and reply, " Yes, I don't think you'll appreciate what we got them."
"Here you go," remarks Hilda, as she hands Betty and Matt the various gifts, which includes lingerie of varying brevity for both of them, babysitting coupons, and several books.
"This is from Daniel and Jennifer," announces Betty as she shows everybody the book entitled "The Married Couples Guide to Keeping Love Alive," along with a gift certificate to a department store.
"Yes, the book is a gag gift since you two don't seem to need any help showing each other how much you love the other," indicates Jennifer.
"Glad we can set a good example for all you couples out there-there's nothing comparable to true love," responds Betty as she gives Matt an impassioned kiss on the lips.
Robert tells everyone, "I've just received a text indicating that the entertainers have arrived. The women are going to be in conference room A while we men will be in conference room C."
The groups quickly disperse and wait for the dancers to come out on the temporary stages. There are 3 dancers per group. Both the men and women seem to enjoy their respective shows, with many a cat call and request to the dancers regarding preferred moves, motions, and music.
"Any volunteers want to join us on stage for our final number?" asks Jim, the lead male dancer.
"I was simply waiting for the invitation," replies Amanda, who is quickly on the stage with them, dragging Allison and Kelly along with her.
The guests attempts to mimic the dancers results in boisterous laughter from virtually all of the those present, including Betty, who is enjoying the show and, even more so, the actions and reactions of some of the guests.
Meanwhile, the men are also enjoying their entertainment, but none of them are willing to join the female dancers on stage.
As the show ends, with a few of the guys joking about exchanging numbers with the performers but no one risking doing such, Matt's cousins Paul and Greg come up to him and ask, "How come you were sitting back here? We would think as a married man you would be one of those most enjoying the show."
"The show was very nice and I certainly didn't mind the view, but I didn't need it from a personal perspective," remarks Matt.
"It doesn't scare you to know that you'll be with only one woman for the rest of your life?" asks Paul.
"Yeah, you aren't worried about things becoming boring?" continues Greg curiously.
Glancing at Bobby and Gio, Matt replies, "No, I am not concerned about being with one person for the rest of my life. Actually, it is exciting and relaxing at the same time. I've found the person I want to be with forever."
Blushing slightly, Matt adds, "I think we are both less inhibited since we've got all the time in the world and no need to try to impress the other person."
"What about her being pregnant and having a baby-that didn't damper things?" asks Paul.
"Let me take this one," comments Bobby, "While my wife being pregnant and then nursing a baby has certainly resulted in intimacy being different than it was previously, there is no greater gift than having a child with the woman you love."
Gio adds, "And, since you have to wait 4-6 weeks after the baby is born to make love, it certainly makes one appreciate it more once given the approval to do so," with both Matt and Bobby nodding in agreement.
"Four to six weeks!" exclaims Greg.
"Obviously, I've gone longer than that when I've been between girlfriends but I would think that would seem like an eternity if one is in a relationship. I guess that is something I'll just have to take your word on as true," says Paul, with all three married men having trouble not laughing at his comment.
Daniel, who is sitting nearby, states, "I, for one, am looking forward to being married even if Jennifer and I might hold off on kids for at least a little while. There is nothing like waking up with the woman you love lying next to you, knowing that you can have that contentment, security, and pleasure most everyday for the rest of your lives."
"I second that statement," states Matt, with most of the married or engaged men in attendance nodding in agreement.