Just after 5pm on 2-12, Amanda and Tyler arrive at Betty and Matt's home, with Amanda making a point of everyone noticing her new ring as she waves her hand in front of their faces in her typical, overt manner.
"You two got engaged, that's wonderful," remarks Betty.
Amanda responds, "Yes, it is wonderful. Who would have thought I would be the one who could wear white without an expandable front panel and you would be the one who had your baby attending your wedding."
Blushing, Betty retorts, "True, not what people would have placed odds or bets on, but all of us ending up with the right person is what is most important."
"Agreed," say all of them virtually in unison.
Matt adds, "Although Betty and I didn't plan on having a child before getting married, Rosalina will always serve as an example of our love during our time apart."
Kissing Matt sweetly yet intensely, Betty announces, "Our love, and Rosalina, were meant to be."
"We'll let you two men have some bonding time while we check on the dresses and agree on the accessories. If you bring her exersaucer into the other room, Rosalina can give her stamp of approval too. And no peaking, Matt," comments Christina.
Laughing, Matt replies, "Betty's already told me that I have to wait until our big day to see how gorgeous she looks in her dress."
As the women examine the dresses, with both Amanda and Betty trying theirs on, Rosalina watches as she bounces, with smiles all around.
"I'm going to have to take this in a bit," comments Christina to Betty.
"Better than needing to let it out," says Betty.
"That design is amazing, you would never know that the top portion is almost a separate piece, I suspect to let both Rosalina and Matt have easy access up top," teases Amanda.
"No harm in either, is there," responds Betty.
Christina asks Amanda, "What are you thinking in terms of jewelry and other accessories?"
"Pearls would actually be great with both Betty's outfit and the bridesmaids dresses too," replies Amanda.
"What about gift cards to Tiffany's with you two indicating which designs you would like the ladies to choose from?" suggests Betty.
"I know money is not an obstacle, but you are likely talking at least a thousand dollars per bridesmaid if you go with Tiffany's," comments Amanda.
Betty says, "I never thought I'd say this, but that is well within our budget, especially with Matt's parents paying for the wedding."
"Then Tiffany's it is," indicates Christina as she pulls up the website on the computer so that they can look at the items together.
Joining the men as the meal is about to be served, Amanda tells them, "The dresses are all fabulous and we've agreed on the accessories, which will also be Betty's bridesmaids gifts at the same time."
"Great," comments Matt as he starts to place Rosalina in her playpen and then decides to leave her in her exersaucer due to her protesting.
"Any suggestions for my gifts for the men?" asks Matt. "I had forgotten about that."
Christina tells them, "Well, the women are getting jewelry, that is pearls that go with their dresses and will also complement other clothes they have as well. Watches are something that most men use."
Tyler comments, "If I have a vote as one of the groomsmen, I say a watch would definitely be useful for the wedding and afterwards, unlike some of the other things men often provide."
"Watches it is. Do I pick them out or give them a gift certificate with some suggestions?" asks Matt.
"Tiffany's will love us. I think the gift certificate route, which is what we are doing for the women," answers Betty.
"Yes, we'll be making the salesperson's month or even their year. I like the gift certificate idea, which will be less hassle for me since everyone has different tastes," states Matt.
They sit down and eat, enjoying each other's company and catching up on things in general and particularly the events at Meade and MODE. Betty looks over and motions to Matt, who gets the camera and captures a few adorable pictures of a now sleeping Rosalina in her exersaucer. Matt gently lays her down in her playpen, with Amanda smiling when Betty allows her to cover the baby with a blanket. They go into the other room so that they can continue their discussions without disturbing Rosalina. After dessert and coffee, Amanda and Tyler excuse themselves and leave for their hotel. Christina goes to the extra bedroom, giving Betty and Matt some time to snuggle on the couch as they proudly watch their daughter as well as rest and relax themselves. Rosalina has one more feeding before everyone goes to bed.
The two weeks leading up to the wedding are exceedingly busy for everyone. To finish the magazine issue prior to the wedding, Betty works every day starting the week of 2-14-11 while Matt works 3 full days himself too. There are multiple emails, texts, and phone calls across the Atlantic as the wedding draws near to decrease the likelihood of last minute details and rushing when Betty, Matt, and Rosalina arrive back in NYC on February 23rd.
After learning that several of his fellow volunteers from Botswana, including Leigh, have been able to arrange their duties abroad to attend the wedding, Matt decides to pursue a special, surprise gift for Betty. On Tuesday afternoon, February 15th, while Betty is out on location, Matt, who kept the phone number for Dave Sheehan, Adele's manager, gives him a call.
Matt tells him, "Hello, this is Matthew Hartley, you may remember me from Adele's tour of the US last summer when you so graciously arranged for her to sing while I played the piano in Washington Park in NYC when I proposed to my girlfriend, who is now actually my lovely wife."
"Yes, I remember you, and you were correct, Adele got a lot of publicity from your proposal," responds Dave.
"I actually have another opportunity for Adele, which, while not so public, I promise to let the media know about if she agrees. I will also pay her for it, of course, with the price set by the two of you," states Matt.
"Go ahead, I'm listening," replies Dave.
Matt says, "Make You Feel My Love will always be our song. What I want to do is arrange to have Adele record several of her songs, perhaps 6 in all, with my playing the piano portions of them. I would then give the CD to my wife on our wedding night."
"That certainly sounds romantic. But, didn't I just hear you say that you are already married?" Dave asks Matt.
"Yes, we did get married in a civil ceremony at the hospital the day our gorgeous daughter, Rosalina, was born. But, we are having a wedding celebration and renewing our vows on February 26th, which is the anniversary of our first date, a week from Saturday, so it would still be a wedding gift," says Matt.
"Well, it would have been hard for even Adele to compete with the arrival of your daughter," teases Dave.
Dave informs him, "February 26th doesn't leave much time to get this done. She was planning on taking tomorrow off, but I'll see if she will make an exception. We'd then have to do edits sometime next week."
"I'll find some excuse to be away from home tomorrow if you can arrange it. Lucky for me, Betty has to work everyday this week to be able to be finished with this issue of her magazine, her final one actually, before our "event." I've got to hang up. I see her coming back into the office right now. Please call me when you know either way," comments Matt as he closes his phone.
"How did it go?" Matt asks Betty as he gives her a sweet kiss.
"I got my interview, now I need to edit it. Next Wednesday can't come soon enough in my opinion," responds Betty.
"I could not agree more," says Matt.
He whispers, "Then again, I'm particularly looking forward to Saturday night after the festivities."
Blushing, Betty smiles as she quietly says, "Yes, a luxurious suite to ourselves with no distractions and a party of our own."
"Precisely," replies Matt, "I'm glad that your Dad will help Kelly and Kristin out by staying at the hotel too. That way, no issues with breastfeeding yet time for us to be alone too."
Betty states, "Yes, having Rosalina in our room on our wedding night would definitely change things. We are already sharing our first of two wedding dates with her, the evening of 2-26 needs to be for us only with privacy necessary as far as I am concerned."
Nodding in agreement, Matt comments, "Staying at the Plaza until Tuesday will give us a few days of "we" time before flying to Botswana to work on our magazine."
"We need to have a "true" honeymoon sometime in the fall, when Rosalina is no longer nursing. We both deserve it," adds Matt.
"A "real" honeymoon sounds lovely. Since I want to have nothing hanging over my head workwise, I am going to get back to work. See you later," Betty tells Matt, giving him a passionate kiss that results in him blushing prior to her leaving his desk and going into her office.
Matt gets a text from Dave Sheehan, indicating that Adele has agreed to his idea and that Matt should be at her studio the following day at 9am to do the recording. Matt escorts Betty to Dunne on Wednesday morning and tells her that his research for their magazine will make him hard to reach for most of the day. He is relieved that she accepts his explanation for his day without questions. Matt then goes to Adele's studio, where they spend 5 hours recording Make You Feel My Love, My Same, Crazy for You, Daydreamer, Chasing Pavements, and One and Only.
Adele tells Matt when the session is completed, "If you decide to change careers, let me know because you are a talented pianist and I suspect you'd be good on the keyboards too."
"I've actually had more careers than should be allowed already, but I'll keep it in mind just the same," responds Matt with a smile.
The editing of the CD takes less than an hour on Tuesday, the 22nd, with Betty being so busy that she doesn't take much notice of Matt's absence from the office. Betty finishes her portion of the magazine around 7pm on Tuesday evening. The majority of staff is at the office both to celebrate the completion of the issue as well as to say goodbye to the Suarez-Hartley's, as the "putting to bed" of the current edition means that they will be visitors at Dunne rather than "regular" employees.