Chapter 10: Coming back to New York.
For Christmas, Daniel and Betty decided that they would go to New York to spend the holiday season with Betty's family. Claire, Alexis and DJ were also invited and had accepted.
One day, a few days before Christmas, Daniel asked Ignacio where Betty was. He replied that she was probably at the cemetery paying her respects to her mother. She always went there whenever she came back from a long trip. Ignacio gave him the directions to go there.
He found Betty immediately under a red umbrella. He approached to hear her say these words:
"Hi mom. I wanted to say good morning to you and tell you how happy I am. You always encouraged to believe in and follow my dreams. I love my new job. I am editor in chief of the magazine I always dreamt to run. I am in love and engaged to the most wonderful man I've ever met. He is my former boss Daniel meade, can you believe it? He is perfect and he makes me so happy. He is the one I always wanted to meet.»
«And you're the one I always wanted to meet.»
Betty startled, jumped and turned to face him : «Daniel! What are you doing here?"
«Your father told me where you were.» He took her in his arms and kissed her. "And I wanted to pay tribute to your mother. He turned towards the stone and added: "Mrs Suarez, it's Daniel Meade. I wanted to thank you to have brought to the world such a wonderful woman. I could not live without Betty. She gives me all the love, honesty and uprightness that I never believed existed in one person before I met her. She changed me so much. The man I am today, it's thanks to her. She inspires me both in my work and my life. I can assure you that I will do everything to make her as happy as she has made me. Thank you, Rosa.»
Betty was crying moved both by the words Daniel said but also that her mother was not present to take part in her happiness. She buried her face on Daniel's chest saying with a small voice: "I miss her so much.»
«I know. Believe me, I know. I would like to go see my father and Molly. »
«Let's go.» She put the flowers into the vase in front of the stone and murmured «I love you, mom.» Daniel put a bouquet also.
When they arrived at the other cemetary, Betty asked him if he wanted to be alone. He replied that he wanted her to be there. At the Meade family plot, his wife Molly was not present since he has spread the rest of her ashes elsewhere. But she had her epitaph as well as Bradford.
«Dad, it's Daniel. I wanted to thank you to have hired Betty as my assistant. Without knowing, you made me discover a priceless treasure. First a faithful and honest friend that inspired me and still does to make good choices. Then a future wife that I love above anything else and that gives me all the love I always dreamed. I think you would be surprised to see that the initial reason that made you hire her has failed. But now, I know that she is the only woman with whom I want to spend the rest of my life. You and I had our differences but I know you will be happy for me. Thanks to Betty, I have at least found my place in the world and the part I want to play in it.»
Then Daniel stared Molly's epitaph and added: "Molly, I want you to know that I loved you with all of my heart. I know you well and I am sure you would have been happy for me. Betty is a wonderful woman. It is thanks to her that I could love you. You know what type of man I was before. I told you all about it. But Betty changed me for the better. She is my savior. The time I spent with you was too short but I loved it. Thank you Molly!" He caressed the name on the stone.
Betty also thanked his father and Molly and said a few words to each. Daniel looked at her regretting once again not meeting her sooner. If he had, he would not have been immature for so long. He would have liked that all the arrogant, spoiled playboys had a Betty to oblige them to choose the right path.
Christmas with the Suarez family was spent lots of laughter and good cheer. Marc and Amanda have been invited to join. Like he was before them, Claire, Alexis, and DJ have immediately been charmed by the joyful, festive hospitality of Betty's family. Alexis was even quite bewildered like Daniel before her when Ignacio gave her an ornament to put in the tree.
During the Christmas meal, Ignacio tapped his glass and said: "I would like to propose a toast. I am proud to have raised my two wonderful daughters Hilda and Betty. Hilda, I am delighted to see your happiness with Bobby. I always knew you will find someone worthy of you and I am proud of you. I love you mija."
"Thank you, Papi." Hilda was near tears.
"Betty, I am proud you have followed your dreams and honored to be the father of the editor in chief of one of London's top ten magazines. I know your mother would have been very proud and happy for you. And I am even happier that you have found such a wonderful man to share your life. Daniel, I know of your love for my daughter and trust you will take care of her. When I first met you, I could immediately see that you were a good man. Welcome to the family son."
Betty hugged her father. And Daniel smiled and said: "Thank you dad."
Ignacio added: "Justin, I am proud of you. You have always followed your own rules and dreams and overcame any difficulty you may have encountered. And I am pleased that you have found someone who shares the same ideals you have." And he nodded smilingly at Austin.
Claire tapped her glass and said: "I would like to say something too."
"Of course, Mrs Meade."
"First, I would like to be called Claire. We will soon be family." And she smiled delightedly at Daniel and Betty who were looking at each other and smiling lovingly. "I wanted to say thank you to the Suarez family for welcoming us for this Christmas meal. I am glad to be a part of the family that made my son so happy. First because of his love for Betty, second for all the support and care you have given him over the years. Betty, it's been a long time since I considered you as a second daughter. You helped us so many times. You never judged Alexis for her life changing decision. You helped me to deal with my problems head on and not hide in booze. And above all, not only you became Daniel's best friend and helped him grow into a man I am proud to call my son but you also love him for what he is. I am delighted to witness the love between the two of you."
Betty was at the same time deeply moved by Claire's words and a little flustered to have so much compliments said about her. She hugged Claire.
"I am so happy for you. I love you." Said Claire.
"Thank you Claire, I love you too."
"Since this is announcement night, I have one to make as well." Said Hilda. "I am four months pregnant." The whole table exclaimed in joy. Ignacio, Betty and Justin hugged Hilda and the other women congratulated her while Bobby was looking rather proud and was congratulated by Daniel, Austin and Marc.
The meal resumed and Daniel looked at Betty. She was radiant basking into this joyful mood. She glanced at him and their looks could not separate. They were lost into each other's eyes. Daniel was thinking about Hilda's announcement. He hoped that soon they will be the ones to make such an announcement.