CHAPTER 4

The whole way back to his new home, Daniel contemplated staying at Betty's. He knew he had to trust her to come back to him, though. This had to be her decision to end things with David... or not. He had to face the very real possibility that he had simply waited too long to 'make his case' to her.

After all, one could say he had already blown his chance. She had been there, all along, right in front of him for four years and he hadn't made his move when he could have, when he should have.

Now...well, she was someone else's girlfriend. He was the 'other man'. The 'ex' who wasn't really an ex… anything, other than her boss, her friend...nothing more.

He touched his lips, closing his eyes and thinking how perfect hers had felt when they kissed. God, he had so wanted to take things further, right then. But he knew Betty needed more time. Time to process the fact that he was here now, that he wasn't going anywhere, that his love for her was real.

Why the hell HAD it taken him so long to own up to what his mother had told him six months ago? He really was an idiot sometimes! Hell, if it weren't for him hearing rumors of Betty 'moving on' with someone, he wasn't even sure he would have still admitted how he felt about her, at least not to her.

But he knew he simply didn't have a choice now. He had to 'stake his claim' or she'd be in David's arms, not his and he would be left standing on the sidelines yet again. Like he had been, watching her and Henry, her and Gio, her and...Matt Hartley!

He realized now in hindsight he had always hated all of Betty's ex-boyfriends. He grinned, shaking his head. Yeah, you dope, because you've been in love with her all along! You were just too stupid to see it.

He went back in his mind, remembering how he had simply stood by, while she went through one goofball after another, none of whom deserved her. Not that he did. Nobody was good enough for his Betty!

He winced, thinking about himself yelling at everyone at the UN shoot that 'nobody had better mess with Betty or they messed with him!' Okay, yeah, even he had to admit his mom was right. He had it bad...for a long time.

He arrived at his London home, and after a long shower, he flopped onto his new, big, empty, lonely bed upstairs. The bed he told Betty he would be waiting for her on….IF she came back to him, that is! He let his hand run over the covers, and pictured her there, lying next to him.

Her soft skin against his, kissing her full, beautiful lips, and using his skilled hands to tease her, to entice her to make her call out HIS name.

He desperately wanted to make her his, to touch and kiss every lovely inch of Betty, to plunge into her over and over, until they crashed together into that sweet oblivion ...SHIT! If he wasn't careful, he was going to need another shower…. maybe a cold one this time!

He tried to think of anything 'non-Betty' related as he slipped into a much needed nap. When his phone rang, he startled, almost falling off the bed, "Hello?"

"Daniel? Daniel Meade?"

"Yeah, this is Daniel. Who is this?"

"It's Christina McKinney."

He sat up, smiling, "Oh, hey, there! How are you, Christina? I hear you're doing quite well for yourself over here in the UK. Congratulations!"

"Yeah, thanks a million, luv. Listen, I just got a very strange call from Betty. She…"

"Let me guess; she told you she is getting ready to go on holiday with her new guy, David and wants to meet you in Newcastle tomorrow for tea, right?" He had heard enough of Betty's conversation with David to get the important details.

"How did you know that? And what'd'ya mean, over 'here' in the UK? You really are in London, then? It's true? Gah! I could tell something was going on with her. She sounded very odd when we spoke earlier.

She said something about needing to make a decision and that she was still mad as hell at you, but she also...had some unresolved feelings she needed to sort out.

She wanted my advice, and I told her I thought David was a freaking Adonis and she was mad not to shag him on the spot. But she started crying and didn't tell me what was going on with you two.

So...I'm asking you, straight out. What's your angle here, eh? Let's hear your side of it. Go on, then. Convince me I should help you...win her. Because as of right now; I'm on the English fella's side! At least he's never broken her heart!"

Daniel took a deep breath, running his hand to the back of his neck, as he got up and started pacing back and forth, nervously. SHIT! So, thanks in part to Christina's great advice, Betty was now on her little road trip to be with David!

He tried not to panic. Maybe Betty would simply tell the man about him on the road and they would either go to Newcastle, and Betty could meet with her old friend, then send David back on his way, or...or...they could go straight to some damn hotel and do what they hadn't done so far in the three months since they started dating! What Betty said they had both been waiting to do! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!

He grabbed his jeans and shirt and took his jacket off the hook on his way out the door, running to the street to hail a taxi, ""Listen, Christina, I...have to know. Did she tell you where they were stopping?"

"I dunno, Daniel! And I don't know as I'd tell you if I did! They'll probably stop for lunch somewhere random on the way, I expect, then drive straight on till they get to the Bed and Breakfast in Newcastle where I'm to meet them tomorrow for tea."

He had no way of knowing where they might stop along the way. But maybe he could still intercept them at the Bed and Breakfast, "Okay, what's the Bed and Breakfast called? Please, Christina? I love her, okay!

I know I'm too late and I should have told her way before this, before she came to London. But I didn't know; I didn't realize it myself until she left me behind. Until I tried to stay in New York and go on without her and my whole life was just total shit!

I can't live without Betty! I'm completely in love with her. My mom tried to tell me but I was too stupid to see it. I saw her and David last night at the pub Justin told me they went to a lot and then she called me last night, so I went over to her place. We talked all night and...kissed and I think she cares about me, too. At first, she said she would tell him about me.

But...she was still pissed that I ignored her for so long, I know. She got kind of mad and said I didn't have the right to tell her how to handle things with David, when I told her to dump him.

I'm in love with Betty, Christina. I quit my job at Mode, and came her to follow her. I handed the EIC position over to Wilhelmina so I could start over here. I told Betty that. I...put my cards all on the table, because I know I waited way too long to play it cool anymore.

I bought a house here and I told Betty I want to marry her and have kids with her and...I still don't know if she believes me, but I really need you to! I need you on my side.

Otherwise, I'm going to lose her to this guy. Maybe he's better looking, maybe he's a great guy, and he deserves her more than I do.

God knows I put her through hell cleaning up after me and doing my job for me all those years back in New York, but...I don't know what else to say, Christina...I need her.

Betty makes me do my best; she brings out the best in everybody. I'm sure I'll never be good enough for her, but...I'd like to at least have the chance. To show her how much she means to me, how amazing I think she is."

Christina shook her head, "You'd better make good on every word of all that, Meade or I swear, I'll hunt you down and take my pinking shears to yer willie, are we clear?"

"Crystal! Now where are they going?" He got a taxi to pull over, and got in, as Christina told him, "Jesmond Dene House" It's...quite lovely!"

"That's in Newcastle...upon Tyne, right? How far is that from London?"

"Five hours, give or take, sir." The cab driver thought Daniel was asking him. "I'm afraid I'll need a retainer if we're going that distance."

"Wait! Okay, thanks, Christina! I'll see you there tomorrow. You did the right thing." He turned to the driver, "I need to get to Heathrow. There's...um...an extra two hundred pounds for getting me there in less than an hour, okay? Can you do that in this traffic?"

"You bet I can, mister! It's only half hour with no traffic and I know my way round."

"Don't run anybody over, just...do the best you can, thanks! It's an emergency! Here!" Daniel handed him three hundred pounds, and sat back against the seat, trying to decide if he should actually try to call Betty herself or not.

He opted to send her a slightly ambiguous text, "Just spoke to C. Looking forward to seeing you both very soon. I trust your judgment always. Remember tornado girl-BCD."

He hoped to God she was able to receive text, that she had her phone with her and that she could read it somewhat privately. He knew if so, that she would crack his little 'code' to get her to call him.

After he got out of the rushed taxi ride and had managed to secure a private plane ride to Newcastle, he tried to relax. The pilot assured him it was only a little over an hour flight, so he would be able to arrive at the hotel in advance of Betty and David if possible.

Although, he was certain they had a huge head start on him, so he still might not get there first.

He texted Christina of his plan to fly there on a private plane and 'head off' his competition before there was any serious wooing to be done at the hotel.

Had he failed to convince her he was the 'better choice'? Or had she simply decided he wasn't the man for her after all this time? He couldn't really blame her.

He had taken four years (and six months) to figure out his feelings for her, after all. It had only taken David a few minutes to see her, and ask her out and he had already willingly waited three months till Betty was ready to sleep with her.

Well, he was fairly certain that had been Betty's choice and not David's to wait so long, but still…

What did he really hope to accomplish, though? Maybe he just needed to see her again, before she merely jumped into bed with David out of anger, to punish him. Is that what Betty was doing here? It didn't seem like her to do something like that.

Even with Christina egging her on, telling her to 'go for it' with David...he thought they had an agreement. She would tell David about them, all about her and Daniel. What they meant to each other. How special their little 'team' had been for the past four years.

Betty was getting frustrated that David wasn't listening to her. He hadn't answered his phone when she tried to call and cancel their little holiday plans and he had shown up, using the emergency key she had recently given him and insisted on them still 'taking a little drive' together, even though she tried to decline politely, telling him she was too tired.

She had finally agreed to get into his car, but only after he promised to listen to her. "David, I told you we needed to talk before things go any further. I...I...don't really think I can go with you to Newcastle after all. I'm sorry. I tried to call you.

But...something's come up. I think...we should say goodbye. You're a fantastic man. It's just...I ...well, to be honest, it's Daniel. He and I…aren't really finished after all. I called him last night and we talked."

He looked hurt, but determined, and failed to turn his car around, "Okay, I'll tell you what, Betty. I'll listen to what you have to say, and if you can persuade me that you're actually in love with this bloke Daniel that you told me before you absolutely hated, I'll turn the car around. Otherwise, I say we never speak of him again, agreed?"

"NO! Look, I know I said I hated him before. He really hurt me and I was mad when I said that about him before, okay? But part of me...still cares for Daniel very deeply. And he told me…"

"Let me guess, he told you he's mad for you and that he's come here to sweep you off your feet and you should come back to America with him? Run away from your new life here, is that it?"

"No. He would never ask me to leave my job here. He knows I love what I'm doing at Dunne. Daniel's really not...a bad guy, David. I know I told you all the bad stuff about him, but...there's also a lot of really good things Daniel's done that I never told you about."

He sighed, leaning back, "Fantastic! Now I get to hear all about how wonderful this jackass really is, huh? Go ahead, Betty! I'm sure it will just make the five hours go by famously, hearing of Daniel Meade's greatness."

"David...I'm serious...maybe we should just…"

He looked over at her, "Turn around? I'm not doing that. Look, fine, tell me the 'good stuff' about this Daniel of yours and I'll listen, I promise.

Persuade me how you two belong together and I'll come dance at your wedding, alright? I would just like to take a nice little drive with you and...talk."

"That seems to be the story of my life lately. Fine, we'll just...talk. David, I'm really sorry. But…I don't know what to say. It's hard to explain."

David shook his head, and pulled over, "No, I'm sorry, Betty. Look, it's no use me...practically kidnapping you like this and forcing you to go with me when you're so obviously besotted with this Daniel bloke.

I'll tell you what. I...made arrangements for..well, for us, but here. You go on, have yourself a little holiday. It sounds as if you've got some big decisions to make.

Maybe a change of scenery will help you think better." He handed her the itinerary of the Bed and Breakfast and they both got out of his car.

David started to hug her, but smiled and instead shook her hand, then leaned down to kiss her on the cheek, "Good luck, Betty. I hope you two will be very happy together. It's been lovely knowing you. Do you need me to call a car for you?"

She looked down at the itinerary, and shook her head, "No, thanks. I'll probably take a train and spend the night there. I can still meet up with Christina tomorrow as planned.

You're right; I need some time to think about this. Thank you for this! You deserve all the best, David." She reached up and kissed him as he turned away and waved.

She called for a car to take her to the train station. She didn't really know why, but she thought maybe David was right; maybe going up to meet Christina and spending the night up there alone tonight would clear her head a bit.

She didn't actually have any luggage, since David had been in so much of a hurry for them to get on the road earlier.

Part of her felt terribly guilty for dashing the poor fellow's plans, especially when he had so obviously been expecting...them to...spend the night together, but she couldn't possibly have slept with him now, knowing how she really felt about Daniel. DID she know how she actually felt about Daniel, though? Really?

She sighed, thinking at this point, it would probably take her almost as long on the train as it would have for her and David to drive there. Still, three and a half hours wasn't that long.

And she would have time to herself, to think about all Daniel had told her last night. She could get some rest, too. She was extremely tired from staying up all night.

Once she got on the train, she set the alarm on her phone and took a much needed nap. The idea that Daniel might be waiting for her at the house he had bought in London when she got back from her visit with Christina was exciting, and overwhelming, to say the least.

She found herself dreaming that she was back in New York, playing softball for Mode again. Only this time, she saw Daniel and David both running towards her, just like Henry and Gio had done, and she somehow got knocked down and saw both men standing over her, talking about her, doing 'rock, paper, scissors' to see who slept with her.

David chose paper, and Daniel chose rock, so Daniel merely shook his head and walked away, sadly, giving up on her, it seemed.

"NO! Daniel, don't give up!" she woke up and sat back, embarrassed, as she realized she had yelled out loud in her sleep, causing a few other fellow passengers to smile at the silly American girl.

Finally, she arrived at the hotel and checked in, going upstairs to lie down for a bit before she went to look for some clothing to wear tomorrow in the local shops.

She decided to treat herself and order a massage, and room service that night, and stay in bed, watching 'tellie' and try to sort out her feelings before she met Christina Sunday afternoon.

Daniel got a taxi from the airport and arrived at the hotel, looking around. It was a very beautiful place. He shook his head, "What the hell am I doing here? Do I really want to do this? I'm such a jackass! If Betty really wants to be with this guy…"

He jumped as his phone buzzed, "Betty? Hey! How are you? Where are you? Can you talk? Is...HE there with you?"

She laughed, "Didn't we already do that routine last night? No, I'm alone. What's with the secret code? Tornado Girl is dead! She hung up her cape a long time ago. What did that even mean? BCD? OH!...I get it, Betty, call Daniel? Is that it? Very cute, Daniel."

He grinned, "You just now got that?"

"Yeah, but I was taking a nap. I'm still a little out of it. I just got into a lovely tub and I'm really tired, since somebody kept me up all night talking!

And...kissing a little. SO...what is it that was so urgent? I thought you said I had the weekend to think about things?"

"Yeah, but...well, that was before a little Scottish birdie told me she talked you into taking your trip anyway with Lord Byron."

"How did you know David's last name? I never told you it was Byron. Daniel, did you do some kind of background check on him?"

"Hell yeah! The minute I found out you were dating the guy. Hey, somebody has to look out for you, Betty. So...how is the service there at the hotel?

Is it nice at least? I mean, I would hope the guy would spring for a really nice place if he's going to take your virginity." He looked around at the lobby and saw that it was in fact a very nice hotel.

"My...what? You're an idiot, Daniel! Look, I don't know what Christina told you, but she's wrong. I didn't go to Newcastle with David."

He narrowed his eyes, "You didn't?"

"No… I didn't." She relaxed back in the claw foot tub. "Listen, I'll call you back when I get out of the bath, okay? I'm fine. Just relax. We'll talk later."

"Okay…" He looked down at his phone, then walked up to the desk and asked, "Have um...David and Betty uh...Byron checked in yet? I'm supposed to meet them either in their room or at the bar. I can't remember what we said last we spoke."

He cringed at the thought that the man would have checked them in under the same last name but it's what he would have done and he wasn't too thrilled that Betty had lied to him about coming there with David, but...first things first.

Although the girl at the front desk didn't tell Daniel where Betty and David were, he had seen the room number over her shoulder when she got another call to distract her.

He still asked himself what the hell he was doing there. He knew this was crazy. He shouldn't be here. If Betty was here to have 'one last fling' with this guy shouldn't he be the last one to worry about it? He'd certainly sown enough wild oats over the years. But he couldn't help himself. This was Betty. He had to stop her or at least go down swinging.

He tried to think how he was going to get David to open the door for him. As he sat in the lobby, arguing with himself whether he should just get up and go back home, he heard the woman at the desk taking a room service order for their room.

So, he decided it was now or never. He rushed back to the kitchen, and saw the staff hard at work. He noticed a waiter's coat on the back of a chair and slipped it on, and asked one of the prep cooks, "Do you have the order ready for Room fifty four yet?

They have called down twice already asking for it! Must be bloody hungry!" Daniel hoped his fake accent was convincing enough.

The man merely smiled and nodded, handing Daniel the tray, "Yeah, mate. Here it is. I just finished it up. Tell them, bon apetit! Who knows, maybe they've worked up an appetite, shagging!"

Daniel made a face, thinking he hoped the man wasn't right. He took a deep breath and straightened the jacket that didn't completely fit him, and softly knocked on the door, "Room service."

He heard her. Betty's soft voice calling out, "Can you leave it inside, please? I'm busy."

Busy, huh? He answered, "Sorry, I...um….don't have a key, ma'am." He waited, then heard her again. "Oh. Okay, just wait a second. I'm coming."

He blew out a breath, praying she was alone. But where could David be?

He heard the door click and saw her in her bathrobe, as she turned and started to hurry back to the bath, "I left a tip on the dresser. Just leave it there. Thank you!"

He set down the tray and grabbed her wrist, "Betty…"

She turned back around and her eyes widened, "DANIEL!"

"Well, ma'am...now that we've established that you're NOT here, maybe you can explain to me exactly why you lied to me and where your lover boy is hiding? Was he in the bath tub with you?"

Daniel started to look in the bathroom and Betty put her hands on her hips, as she waited for him to see for himself that David wasn't there. "I'm sorry, I may be HERE, but I AM alone and just why are YOU here? You followed me? What happened to you trusting me?

Obviously, Christina can't be trusted anymore than Justin! Why are you sneaking into my room dressed like a bellhop? Oh, I get it...you thought I was going to 'sample' David anyway and you decided to play detective and check out my 'story'?"

"Why did you come here? He's not...with you then? I don't understand. Where the hell is he?"

She shrugged, "I don't know. He told me good luck and gave me the receipt to come here by myself to think things over. I told you he was a good guy. I'm just...so mixed up right now."

He sighed, and sat on the bed next to her. "Me, too. I'm sorry. You're right. I should have trusted you. It's not Christina's fault. I just couldn't stand the thought that you might be tempted to...be with another man.

It drove me crazy, thinking of him...touching you, kissing you, doing all the things I wanted to do to you, Betty. I know I'm a jealous idiot, and I'm sorry. I have no excuse. I should have just waited for you like I said I would. Do you...hate me?"

She shook her head, "No. I could never hate you, Daniel. Well...I thought I did before. A little. But..obviously I didn't."

"Are you mad?"

She smiled, "Yes! I'm furious!"

He grinned, "Funny, you don't look mad, really."

"Well, I did just have a massage, then a really long bath, so...I'm probably going to be relaxed till next week. You look kind of tense, though. That jacket is too tight on you."

She helped him take the jacket off, and he turned towards her, "I feel bad that another man paid for this room. Should I send him a check?"

She shook her head, "I don't think that would be very nice. Sort of like the dream you had of him, coming to our wedding as our tax attorney to rub it in or whatever you said before."

He leaned forward to kiss her, brushing back a strand of her hair, "Yeah, but...I said he hooked up with one of our guests."

She pulled him on top of her, helping him out of his shirt quickly, as he struggled to untie her robe, "What did you do, triple tie this thing?"

"It doesn't really matter. I don't have anything else on underneath. You caught me with no extra clothes."

He grinned, "That's terrible. I'm heartbroken. So, listen, do I get a bigger tip if I provide excellent room service tonight, ma'am?"