Sorry it has been so long since a chapter was posted, life can be very busy and hectic sometimes. Hope you enjoy it with feedback always appreciated.

CHAPTER 24

On Friday, April 29th, Christina, Stuart, and William arrive at the Compassion's Compass office suite shortly after noon, where they are greeted by Betty, Matt, Rosalina and Kristin.

Betty asks Matt, "Are you sure that you don't mind Christina and I going to lunch?"

Handing Betty her purse, Matt replies, "With Kristin's help, I think Stuart and I can manage these two for a few hours."

"Good, then we won't rush back," answers a smiling Betty, who proceeds to give Matt a long, stirring kiss that leads both of them to catch their breath.

Matt whispers in her ear, "With a kiss like that we need to have a couple's meal tonight."

Blushing, Betty softly says, "As long as we save room for dessert."

Christina teases, "You two can have private time later, right now Betty and I need some girl time."

"Yes, ma'am," states Matt who helps Rosalina wave goodbye to Betty.

As they sit down in the restaurant, Betty asks, "How were your meetings with the clothing manufacturers?"

After taking a sip of her drink, Christina responds, "They went very well, ending with a 1-year contract and a 2-year contract. Meade has also agreed to advertisements for 6 months in three of their publications."

"So, your hard work and talent are helping your dreams come true. I am so happy for you," says Betty.

"I know you are. I am happy for you too, as your work and personal lives seem to be on a similar path to mine," answers Christina.

Betty replies, "My personal life is definitely going very well and I couldn't be happier there. If our magazine is successful than my career will be beyond what I could have imagined just a year ago or ever, actually. At times I am tempted to pinch myself to make sure it is all real."

Pulling out a chair, Marc sits down and says, "I will do that for you if you would like," making a grab for Betty's arm.

Quickly moving out of range, Betty retorts, "No thanks, I had enough imaginary and actual torture from you when we worked together."

"Well, while we were once frenemies, I'd like to think that we are friends now. I know that your work ethic and talent helped make me a better editor and will help you in whatever you choose to do," states Marc.

Christina comments, "Apparently, you've matured some since I left MODE. I couldn't agree with you more about Betty's chances of being successful in work and also in life."

Seeing a hand signal from the cashier, Marc announces, "My meal is ready so I have to go. Betty, please bring your other half and Rosalina by Meade soon as that always gets people talking and smiling, even Willie."

Betty replies, "I'll keep that in mind. I am looking forward to seeing this month's issue of MODE as it is your first one as Asst Editor in Chief. I'm sure it will be fabulous."

"I certainly hope you are right about that, and you usually are. Good day ladies," states Marc, who bows and then leaves.

Betty and Christina manage to enjoy their meal with no more surprise visitors. They reminiscence a bit about their time together at MODE and how far they have both come in the past few years, most especially the past 6 months or so. They arrive back at Compassion's Compass, where they find both of the children napping. Kristin and Kelly have gone to lunch together, with Matt and Stuart eating sandwiches at the conference room table, glad to have a few minutes of peace and quiet. The adults make arrangements for a couple's date when Betty and Matt return to Europe. Matt helps Stuart get a sleeping William into the car as the McKinney's flight back to Scotland is that evening and they have yet to pack.

"How was your lunch?" Matt asks Betty as he changes Rosalina's diaper and then hands her to Betty for her mid-afternoon meal.

"Great, just like old times but also different, in a good way. We talked about how much is going right for both of us, including the special men we have in our lives," responds Betty.

As he burps Rosalina, Matt says, "We belong together and I will do everything I can to let nothing get in the way of us ever again."

Betty responds, "While I'm sure we won't always agree on everything, I, too, think we are meant for each other and tonight will be a great time to demonstrate that."

Putting Rosalina down on her playmat, Matt then embraces Betty as he announces, "I love every beautiful inch of you. I welcome the chance to show you that later."

Betty replies, "Good, because you have the ability to make me feel like nothing else matters, just the two of us."

"When we are alone, everything else seems to go away as we get caught up in each other. I can think of nothing better than spending time in our private world of passion, understanding and sharing," answers Matt.

Smiling at him, Betty says, "Only about 6 hours before we are in our own special universe."

"It can't arrive soon enough or often enough for me. I don't ever see that changing," responds Matt.

Betty reluctantly calls Kristin into the office nursery so that they can focus on magazine-related tasks for the remainder of the afternoon.

Leaving the office later than expected, Betty and Matt decide to eat one of Ignacio's casseroles instead of ordering take out. With Kristin and Kelly having the weekend to themselves, Betty and Matt work, side by side, on their computers as they watch the news. Betty nurses Rosalina at 11:30pm and then joins Matt in their bedroom.

"I wasn't gone that long, how did you manage to get all this done?" asks Betty as she looks around at the candles and fresh flowers.

"I can move quickly when it is important, such as our time alone together," responds Matt with a smile.

"Although we didn't have time to order take out, I thought these would do for dessert," comments Betty, who then places a box with some of their wedding chocolates on the nightstand.

"While they can't taste as good as you do, they are a nice appetizer," says Matt as they feed each other one.

Placing the box on the table, Betty sultrily announces, "The rest will need to wait until later, take me to bed."

Lowering his lips to Betty's, Matt slowly draws out a kiss that seems to go on forever. Groaning, Betty is completely undone by the sweetness of the kiss, literally melting in his arms. Matt gently lifts Betty onto the bed, lingering on her mouth, changing the angle, depth, and tone of the kiss to the delight of both of them. They shift against each other, leading both of them to murmur the other's name. Removing Matt's clothing, Betty spreads her hands across Matt's chest, enjoying the tautness of his muscles and the immediate quickening of his heart rate. Betty has to take deep breaths herself as Matt's hands skim across her body lighting fires wherever he touches. Their hands and mouths are seemingly everywhere at once, intensifying their lovemaking exponentially. Their bodies are linked as they move together stroke for stroke, eventually arching against each other in a bone splitting climax.

As he holds Betty against him, Matt whispers somewhat haltingly, "You feel so good and so right in my arms, there is no better way to start the weekend."

Running her hands through Matt's hair, a still slightly breathless Betty responds, "I couldn't agree more, especially because we don't have to worry about moving from this extremely pleasurable position until the morning, since we bolted the front door and there is no well meaning relative or friend with a key."

Matt teasingly says, "Most of them would be well meaning, but not all. I think some would like to find us in a compromising position. Luckily, our new locks won't let them spoil our time alone and I plan on savoring every moment of being together."

"Likewise," replies Betty, as she snuggles against Matt and they fall asleep entwined with each other.

Just after 7am, Matt glances at the clock and smiles as he listens to Rosalina's increasingly loud babbling through the monitor. He gently kisses Betty, and rubs her back, to help her wake up.

Cuddling closer to Matt, Betty yawns and asks, "Is it morning already?"

"Yes, it is, and Rosalina's babbling is getting more irritated sounding by the moment," responds Matt.

"Hold me for a minute longer and then we can go greet her Royal Highness together," states Betty.

"I enjoy our time with the Princess, and can't imagine life without her, but have to admit that one thing I will treasure about our official honeymoon whenever we finally take it is that we will be able to wake up on our own and do as we please for a few days rather than you, and your lovely breasts, being on call," remarks Matt.

Betty says, "Yes, I agree that having no interruptions, baby related or not, will be a nice change from our current schedule. Of course, we'll probably be on the phone several times a day with whoever we choose to take care of Rosalina while we are away."

As they enter the nursery, Rosalina stops crying, sits up, and reaches for Matt, which leads him to smile as he changes her diaper.

"Here's Mommy, Ms. Hungry," states Matt as he places Rosalina in Betty arms, where she nurses noisily and happily.

Betty quietly says, "We luckily can decide how much contact, either in person or over the phone, that we have with Rosalina during our honeymoon, an advantage of your wealth."

Matt responds, "You mean OUR wealth, Mrs. Suarez-Hartley, along with both the pros and cons that go with it."

Betty replies, "Very true, Mr. Suarez-Hartley. The Princess is done here, let's give her a few minutes and offer her something other than cereal this morning."

"Excellent idea, as we can't have Rosemarie getting ahead of her in the food department, especially with Mother's Day coming up next weekend," jokes Matt.

Upon entering the kitchen, Matt places Rosalina in her highchair while Betty looks in the cabinet and asks him, "Bananas or peaches?"

"Bananas are probably a little milder in terms of flavor, so let's start with that," responds Matt.

After getting accustomed to the new taste, Rosalina opens her mouth wide and bangs her spoon on the tray, leading Betty to announce, "I believe bananas get Rosalina's stamp of baby approval, much more than the cereal."

"Most definitely," agrees Matt.

He adds, "It also has seemed to put the Princess in the mood for peek-a-boo."

Betty suggests, "I think we should wait for that game until she is out of her highchair."

"Sorry, too late for your warning," responds Matt sheepishly as he looks around the kitchen, "her having food and waving her arms was not a good idea. How about I clean up in here, including the ceiling, while you bathe Rosalina."

"I think this room is a two person job," replies Betty.

"Princess, here are some of your stacking toys, while I take that bowl," comments Matt, who manages to distract Rosalina so that they can clean up.

As Betty and Matt bathe Rosalina, who splashes as she plays with her bathtub toys, Matt asks Betty, "What do you want for Mother's Day, it is just over a week away?"

"I truly don't know. It is hard to believe that at this time just a year ago we were half a world away from each other and didn't know we'd be parents. Now, nearly 8 months later, we are married, times 2, and have a gorgeous, healthy, and typically developing baby," responds Betty.

"Being apart for those 6 months was extremely difficult and I never want to be separated for that long again, but it was what we both needed," answers Matt.

Betty nods and says, "Yes, I needed to spread my wings career-wise and not be just Daniel Meade's former assistant and you needed to prove that you could finish something."

Matt replies, "I also know that part of the reason I was so focused on my work in Africa is that it helped me think less about missing you."

After placing Rosalina in her exersaucer, Matt embraces Betty and gives her a sensual, yet soothing kiss.

"Not that I am complaining, but what was that for?" asks Betty.

"You seemed like you needed it, you are looking a bit misty," responds Matt as he continues to hold Betty in his arms.

Betty replies, "Thanks, you are right, I did need it. Thinking about Mother's Day makes me think about my mom and wish she was here to share it with me."

"Of course you wish your mom was here and I am sure she would be proud of the woman, and mother, that you are," says Matt.

"What is that gleam I see in your eyes?" asks Betty.

Matt responds, "Our discussion just now gave me an idea for a unique present for you for Mother's Day."

"I suspect you are going to make me wait until Sunday to find out what that present is," states Betty.

"Yes, I am, but I think it will be worth it," answers Matt.

Betty replies, "Since I likely can't convince you otherwise, here's to hoping you are right about my special present."

Betty, Matt, and Rosalina have a lot of family time over the weekend, with the adults proud of their ability to leave work obligations at the office the majority of the time.