Chapter 9: Moving in and engagement

Four months have passed since Daniel had arrived in London. A lot of things have happened. Betty's magazine has hit the hands and has become an instant success. Betty was delighted that a lot of people felt the same about the issues she was introducing in her magazine. The things she was passionate about pleased an ever increasing readership.

During the summer, Betty's family came to London accompanied by Austin. Ignacio was glad to see his daughter so happy with him and welcomed him into the family. One day, while Hilda, Betty, Justin, Austin and Bobby were out, Daniel took a deep breath and told Ignacio that he wanted to ask Betty to move in with him so he wanted his approval.

"This looks serious between the two of you."

"I hope it is. I love your daughter, Ignacio. I would like to ask her to marry me soon. But I don't want to rush anything. That's why I want to ask her to move in with me so I could see what she feels about marriage."

"You have my approval Daniel. I've seen the happiness you have brought to Betty's life."

"Thank you Ignacio."

Daniel asked Betty to go with him at dinner. Her family said they will be busy that night since Justin has reserved some tickets for a show. Daniel reserved at the same restaurant they had their first "unofficial" date.

At the end of the meal, Daniel took Betty's hands: "I wanted to ask you something specific tonight."

"What is it?"

"I was wondering if you will move in with me."

"Oh my god, Daniel! Yes! I would love that!"

Daniel smiled with relief and taking her face between his hands kissed her passionately. He then detached one of her hands from his neck and put a copy of his kees on it. Then he kissed her once again.

With the help of her family who was thrilled that their relationship has came so far, Betty began to pack up her things to move in with Daniel. He was delighted to come home and know that Betty was waiting for him or that she will come home to him when she left work.

Four months after Betty's moving in, Daniel was decided. He was going to propose to Betty. He sent an email to Ignacio to ask for his approval. Ignacio replied that he was more than happy to grant it though he did add the traditional paternal threat of killing him if he hurt her.

One night of November Betty came home to see the entry way entirely littered with roses petals. She followed the path towards the dining room where the room was alight with thousands of candles. At the center of the room, Daniel stood looking extremely nervous. He swallowed and began.

"Betty, you know I love you, right?"

"Of course. I love you too."

"I don't know how I lived without you all these years. There's something about you that is irresistible. You are beautiful both inside and out. You are intelligent and funny. You always know what to say to soothe and cheer me when I am feeling down. I can't live without you because when I am, I feel at home. When you are not next to me, I feel empty. You make my life so beautiful, full of passion and love and so interesting. You taught me to be a better man, a man who I hope is worthy of you. I was always seeking for the right woman for me without realizing that she hab been under my nose all these years. I am in love with you Betty and… » He knelt down while Betty was speechless. "Will you marry me?»

«YES !» Betty shouted and she threw herself at him making him laugh with delight and relief. "YES! YES!"

Daniel laughed and put the engagement ring on her finger. It was a beautiful gold ring with a diamond at the center surrounded by smaller ones. Betty was moved.

"It is perfect. I love you, Daniel."

"I love you too."

They kissed.

The next morning, Daniel woke up to find once again Betty sleeping in his arms. He was contemplating her with a happy smile which got larger when he saw the ring on her finger.

Mrs Betty Meade, how well that sounds. Mrs Meade, my wife. He thought about the future. He would like to be married soon and he would like some children. He was sure that Betty will be a wonderful mother both loving and just. And he would love their children and never let them doubt his love like his own father has done.

He felt at peace knowing that thanks to Betty, he has at least found his place in the world. Before meeting her, he always felt disconnected, always on the surface of things, never delving into them. And above all, he felt many times he was not wanted, not taken seriously by anyone. And always on the back of his mind, he felt he was better than his reputation of an arrogant playboy. And Betty has allowed him to reveal his real persona. She allowed him to be generous, to think of her happiness before his own. He felt wonderful to know that Betty when she first met him saw the man, not the last name or the fortune. She saw what seldom people have seen: A good man struggling to play someone he was not. She saw that he craved love, acceptance and support and has given him exactly what he needed. Under her influence, the man he was underneath that spoiled manwhore bastard began to emerge. It has not been easy and sometimes he has slipped into his old habits. But Betty has taught him that using women or pills to get over your problems was not the right solution and that he should face anything that came his way instead of trying to avoid it. And now, he could really say that he felt happy to be the man he was.

Betty has woken up and had been observing him with a smile: "Good morning, my lovely fiancé."

"Good morning, soon to be Mrs Meade. Did you sleep well?"

"Very well. What were you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about your influence in my life, Betty. I cannot thank you enough for coming into it. It is thanks to you that I feel really happy to be the man I am today."

"Daniel, I always saw that you were better than the persona you presented to the world. Do you remember the first thing you said to me when I crashed into Mode conference room glass on that first day?" Daniel grimaced when he remembered his actions on that first day.

Betty added: "You said: Are you all allright? That's when I saw that you were a good man underneath all that swager. And you forced me into that horrible photoshoot, you came to my house to apologize. Tell me, if you were really just an arrogant playboy, would you have done that?"

"I suppose not."

"You see."

"Yes, but you were the only one back then to see something good in me. You knew how I craved support and acceptance and you and your family gave me that. And your good influence was not only spread on me, but also on my mother. She adores you, you know."

"I love Mrs Meade. In some ways, she reminds me of my mother."

"I wish I could have met your mother."

"She would have loved you."

"Tell me about her."

Betty told him the games they played, the love she gave her, how she always encouraged her to follow her dreams. She talked about her disease and death frequently crying while he tried to soothe her with kisses and caresses.

Then he talked to her about his childhood which he described as "lonely". He hardly saw his parents and often were left to the nanny. He has lacked nothing in material things but he has lacked parental love and guidance for many years.

"You know Betty, I always envied you your family. For me, you were close knit, supporting and loving. It was something I always wanted but never really got."

"As soon as we became friends, you have been a part of the family. You helped us when we had problems. You accepted Justin for who he is. You helped my father and Hilda."

"I know your family is an essential part of you and I love them also on their own merit."

They talked for a while about many subjects getting closer and closer and deepening their knowledge and love of each other.