Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last chapter. This was supposed to be the last chapter without being baited previously because I was planning on combining two chapters together from the original version for the sake of cohesion. Instead, I combined the material and then re-cut it into two chapters with new material added to both. Keeping in the spirit of Ugly Betty there will be a lot of celebrity name dropping. Don't take it any more seriously than you did on the actual show.

Chapter Six: Oh MAMA

Matt was expecting to wake up next to his girlfriend considering she slept over. Instead, he woke up alone. Matt was sad but focused on more important things like the bathroom. That was when he overheard his girlfriend in the middle of a conversation with someone in the living room. It wasn't until he was washing his hands after he was done, that he realized his girlfriend was in the middle of a web chat with her ex. He didn't let it worry him because it was probably work-related.

"Shawn just emailed. I have a lunch meeting with him today because that's the only time I have free." Matt wondered why his girlfriend would be meeting with Daniel's personal lawyer. Could it be baby related? He hoped not.

Matt doesn't hate Daniel. It's kind of hard to hate a guy when you share a half-brother. Although, he doesn't hate Daniel, he still is a little wary about his relationship with Amanda. (Especially because there's still a chance Amanda could be pregnant with her ex's child.)

"I know it's chaos over there, but it's better to deal with this type of situation before things get complicated. Like DJ showing up from out of nowhere complicated." Why did he mention DJ?

"I know. I just don't know how to tell him about this if what happen did happen." Who are they talking about?

"Anything but letting him over here you in the bathroom."

"I'm sorry."

"No you're not." Daniel laughed.

"Thank you for helping me with this Marc situation." Matt exhale that that. Relieved that everything was about Marc although he is still confused. Why would any mark related problem involve the need for Daniel's lawyers?

"You're welcome."

"Now let's talk about the important stuff. Betty told me in a text message that your 15 year old nephew saw her topless, covered in chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Why did you open the door during ice cream sex?" Only Amanda could ask that question in complete seriousness.

"We were not having ice cream sex." Amanda glared at the screen. "I was eating ice cream off of her stomach in the kitchen not the living room. It just so happens that you can see the kitchen table from the living room. I wasn't aware of that until yesterday."

Just because he didn't hate Daniel did not mean he wanted to hear details of anything he did with Betty. It was time for a strategic retreat to the bedroom.

"First of all, if you get off from an activity, it is sex. You should know better." Amanda chastised. "Why were you having ice cream sex in the kitchen?"

"We're not having—never mind Amanda." Daniel sighed in annoyance before continuing. "Betty didn't want to get chocolate sauce on the sheets." He just rolled his eyes as he picked up the pre-approved outfit chosen by his girlfriend waiting for him in his room.

On top there was a note that his aunt was coming over at 7:30 AM sharp to go to breakfast. He wondered if it would be rude to take a shower when Amanda was chatting with someone? He got his answer when Amanda glared at him as he tried to make his way back to the bathroom. Then signaled for him to come over and sit next to her. He essentially told her no and went back into the bedroom where he could still hear too much.

"Oh please. You had ice cream sex in the kitchen because you couldn't wait long enough to get to the bedroom. You never could. We broke a coffee table in November." Matt doesn't want to think about the logistics behind that at all.

"What I really want to know is why you stopped and actually open the door?"

"I wasn't planning on it, but Betty made me after the knocking got loud enough to wake up the neighbors. It was the right thing to do considering DJ was on the other side of the door."

"Which is why you ended up giving a 15-year-old a true sex education." His girlfriend joke.

"Not funny. Betty was too mortified to even ask him why DJ was there before she retreated to our room. Which is bad because I don't believe the London field trip excuse and Betty's the only one who can get the truth out of the teenager. Unfortunately this morning she could not even make eye contact." Matt realized he was completely over Betty when he broke out laughing.

"Amanda, this is serious."Daniel reprimanded.

"I'm not laughing anymore." Amanda said choking back an almost giggle. "That's my baby's daddy laughing in the background."

"Matt, it's not that funny. For all I know DJ could've ran away from home and Alexis has yet to return my phone calls." Daniel yelled at him.

"Oh yes it is." He said walking over to the computer. He could see the irritation on Daniel's face. Good.

"If he doesn't tell you the truth by the end of the day I will talk to him." Amanda offered.

"Thank you."

"Also don't worry about Betty. I just sent her a text message telling her that DJ probably would have seen your chest anyway when he eventually came across your collection of nude paintings of her." Amanda quickly ended the web chat before Daniel could start yelling at her.

"Did you have to tell her that? She had no idea that Daniel bought all the nude paintings of her. I am not spending another day dealing with "how do I fix this" text messages from Daniel." or angry text messages from Betty, which would be worse. It's going to be a very long day.

Xxxxxx

His aunt and her bouncy ball daughter Alexis (that everybody calls Lexis) arrived 35 minutes later at exactly 7:30 AM. Ever since Lexis mysteriously arrived five years ago he's considered Lexis to be his niece rather than his cousin. Family relationships are always a little skew when your aunt is less than 10 years older than you are. Even as her favorite nephew he has no idea who Lexis's father is because his aunt would not share.

"Is it just me or are you slumming?" His aunt said kissing him on the cheek as he got into the car. "This explains why Victoria is so panicky."

"Amanda already lived here and there was an apartment available next door. Spend a couple of months in another country in the real world and you'll have a completely different definition of luxury." He said as he extended a hand to his girlfriend who was already having difficulties getting in. She was technically 20 ½ weeks pregnant but she was starting to look like she was at least 26.

"Hi, baby Lexis. What are you doing here?" Amanda asked as she kissed his baby cousin on the cheek. Apparently they've met before. Probably when she was at the studio working on the dresses for the wedding.

"Aunt Bictoria said I was going to be your little kid until Uncle Matt came back to his senses." Matt was unsure that the mispronunciation of his mom's name was an accident.

"I thought she was your cousin?" Amanda said looking directly at him.

"She is. The uncle is only an honorific fortunately in this case. Your mom called me yesterday." His aunt explained with a laugh.

"She actually called you?" He couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice. "The last time she called you voluntarily dad was in intensive care after an accident. What did she say?"

"The last time she called me voluntarily was to schedule your career intervention two years ago because you actually listen to me. I just think it's funny that you have finally chosen a path for yourself and she wants you to change your mind." His aunt side.

"She thinks it's a mistake."

"Of course she does because she's a stone cold…word I can't say in front of my daughter. Anyway, your mom asked me to talk some sense into you."

"What exactly did you say to that?"

"I can't repeat it in front of Lexis. I think it's funny that she even called considering I support your decision fully. However, we did reach a compromise."

"Which is?" Matt asked warily.

"You and Amanda will spend the whole entire day with Lexis so you can find out how difficult being a parent really is. It works out because my nanny has suddenly come down with a case of the "my boyfriend is in town" flu. Otherwise I would've arranged for my friend Jody to have a baby free weekend." She explained as Amanda got a weird expression on her face before she started babbling a little bit.

"I had that once. It's the best flu ever. I should get that next week sometime. I'm sure it would be better this time with a real boyfriend." He just smiled at her. Considering how much she's been throwing up lately Monique would probably encourage it.

"Due to the fact I'm supposed to council teenagers about being a parent starting in two weeks complete with spending time with Jody's baby, I think I'll get enough practice. Dad set it up." He said that last part with a groan.

"That was me. My name is on the Hartley foundation as well. You can use the practice and Jody can use the help considering she's too terrified to tell her baby's daddy the truth." Like you. However, Matt wanted to get through this practice without a fight breaking out with the one family member he actually likes.

"I should've known. It seemed too much like caring for dad."

"Your parents care about you in their own narcissistic way. I found out that your suspicions were correct. Your mom pressured Spencer into not making the announcement." His aunt explained.

"Why?" Amanda asked with a touch of anger.

"The normal reasons: image, money, and power." Her words just made him very sad and extremely wary.

Marc sat in Wilhelmina's apartment munching on half a low fat no sugar added blueberry muffin as they watched the nominations for the 2010 MAMA awards. It was a tradition for the two to watch the nominations together in Wilhelmina's office or at her apartment. Of course this year it was different because Wilhelmina was actually eating her half of the muffin. You need to eat after almost dying.

Another thing that was different was he was skipping the morning managing editors meeting with Monique to be here with her blessing. Strangely enough she actually believes family is more important than work.

He has been coming over a lot in the last few weeks even though he no longer works for Wilhelmina to make sure she actually follows doctor's orders and is truly on the road to recovery. Dr. Whosits or whatever got very upset over Wilhelmina's sex marathon with her fiancé. He was there for the screaming session that followed. He never thought there would be a doctor brave enough to yell at Wilhelmina Slater, but he was wrong.

He was actually surprised that they were still friends. He was worried that Wilhelmina would be upset that he chose to stay at Mode. She wasn't. She actually let him order himself a really nice bottle of champagne on her credit card to celebrate his promotion.

The other thing that was different this year was Wilhelmina didn't have an office at the moment, even if her things haven't left the Mode building yet. It was like the ghost of Wilhelmina Slater still haunted the halls of Mode even if she didn't. With Miss Everybody-Is-Beautiful-Osborn in charge Wilhelmina's Mode is becoming just a distant memory.

Finally, he was at Wilhelmina's so he could have a few more precious hours without having to see his ex -boyfriend. He was already uncomfortable just going back and forth in e-mails with Cliff over the last few days for today's shoot. He was a complete coward who could not even pick up the phone to ask a simple question. E-mail was just impersonal enough that he can pretend he's not talking to his ex-boyfriend.

"It's almost sad that this will be the last time we will be watching the nominations together." Marc said in an effort to distract himself from his earlier boyfriend - he means ex-boyfriend thoughts.

"I don't know why. I planned to be nominated next year. Isabella under my guidance will receive a nomination next year easily. I'm sure once Monique turns Mode into the New York Review with style, Mode will get nominated in one of the other categories. She did receive her second consecutive nomination for best men's magazine for the 21st Century Masculinity issue."

"Has my EEO friendly replacement found a creative director to fill my shoes yet?" Apparently, there still wasn't any love lost between the two but there may have been a complement in there.

"No one can replace you. It's completely impossible for somebody else to wear your Prada heels. Even if they were the same size, they just do not have your flair." He said in the voice he reserves for Willie flattering.

"You're not on my payroll anymore, you don't need to suck up to me."

"Willie, I only say these things because they're true. She is only nominated again because she put Adam Lambert on a cover surrounded by sexy fireman and some really famous basketball player that I can't remember the name of. Just the concept alone deserved the nomination. Although I wonder if a magazine with articles such as "The Secret Life of Players on the Down-low", "I'm not a bitch, I am just a player in a skirt", and "Players change the world: I found my soul in Gaborone" is still a men's magazine despite the high level of cleavage that fills the pages."

"Most of the old readers do not actually read the articles, they are just looking at the picture of the doctor wearing a skirt that shows her cheap hooker panties wearing 4 inch heels that belonged to women of that same profession. The 30% increase in readers over the last two years were from people who actually read the articles. I'm sure she's hoping the readers of Mode are just as clueless. It's going to be a lot easier to pick up on the fact that the models now have breasts and then the articles actually have substance. Your only hope is getting a creative director strong enough to challenge her, otherwise you'll never get to enjoy the perks of being a managing editor. Don't worry, I will have a desk ready for you as soon as she runs the magazine into the ground." She said in her normal Wilhelmina way.

"Thanks for the offer, but I think we'll be ok despite the lack of a Creative Director. Yesterday's choices were horrible. Betty knew more about the fashion industry during her blue poncho days." Marc shivered.

"She allowed you on the interview panel?" Wilhelmina asked just as Tyra Banks, the host for this year's event, took to the screen.

"Since I worked with you she said I was the most qualified to find a decent Creative Director." He said quickly before the nominees were announced.

"For best fashion magazine 2010 your nominees are Vogue magazine for the Young and Modern issue, Isabella magazine for the Young Hollywood Style issue, Mode magazine for The Million Dollar Bra issue." He expected Wilhelmina to be happy, but she wasn't.

"I can't believe we received a nomination for an issue that I sabotaged. God really must love Daniel. There's no point in watching the rest of this. It has lost all credibility for me." Just as Wilhelmina went to cut off the television the host continued.

"For the first time in MAMA history, Mode magazine receives a second nomination for the 100 Years of Swimsuit Style issue." For the first time ever Wilhelmina Slater was completely speechless.

That speechlessness continued when Both Mode magazine and Player magazine were nominated for magazine of the year. It was the first time that either magazine was nominated for that particular honor.

Betty also received a nomination for best article for "Confessions of a Fashion Misfit" from the Million-dollar Bra issue.

Cliff was nominated for the Lambert cover. Marc really wasn't that surprised. His work has gotten even better since the breakup. Maybe he would actually win this year.

The absolutely truly shocking moment of the morning was Matt Hartley receiving a nomination for writing the articles he wrote for Player. Marc may or may not have crushed his muffin when that particular nomination was announced.

Betty sat at her desk editing articles (in hard copy for the sake of her scrapbook). Once Lindsey gave final approval for the content for the first issue she became inundated with work. She almost wished for two days earlier when she was semi board and could have lunch with her boyfriend.

Unlike Mode, with a staff of just under 200, London Hub currently only had 14 staff members including herself making life extremely busy. She was still hiring, but she probably will never have more than 25 people. Most of the work will be outsourced or done by freelancers. This meant that Betty was going to have to become familiar with every aspect of her magazine that she was allowed to touch. (Yesterday Lindsey decided to hire a photojournalist who used to work with National Explorer without consulting her that will start with her new assistant Betsy a week from Monday.)

As she started to review articles for the first issue Daniel showed up to her office with a bag of takeout that included all of her favorite foods. She didn't have time yesterday to ask him about what Amanda told her due to the ice cream thing and DJ showing up. But his actions were showing her that Amanda was right about Daniel taking the job in England for her.

"I'm happy you here." She said kissing him on the lips gently. "But, I thought you were supposed to be in meetings all day and couldn't get away for lunch?" She was so busy any way that she was planning on eating at her desk from things scavenged from the vending machines anyway.

"That was before my nephew showed up mysteriously on our doorstep without an explanation other than he was on a school 'field trip' and wanted to check out the new house. I decided that Diana could take a few of the meetings by herself so I could focus on DJ." He pointed to his nephew speaking in French with the guy everybody thinks should have her job.

"Why is he still here? Not that I don't love your nephew, but isn't he supposed to be on a field trip?" Honestly she was a little nervous about being around DJ after what happened yesterday.

Also, there was no way she was going to ask Daniel about the naked pictures that Matt painted of her with DJ there. Maybe she shouldn't be so upset about that because if Daniel had all the pictures that meant no one else did. Why did Amanda tell her that in a text message?

"He refuses to go back to the hotel this morning or meet up with his tour group. Contrary to what I thought an hour ago, there actually is a field trip. Thank god Alexis put me on his pre-approved "people who can take care of DJ" list otherwise things would really be bad right now."

"You thought that he lied about the field trip?" Betty asked.

"Yes. Since you have more experience dealing with allusive 15 year olds with mood swings, I thought you could get an explanation from him if you're comfortable speaking with him." 'After everything he saw yesterday.' Thankfully, that part was left unsaid.

"Otherwise Amanda volunteered but I'm afraid to have her talk to DJ."

"Because she still hasn't learned the importance of being discreet with children sometimes?" Or anybody else for that matter.

"Exactly, but we need to know what's going on. I know my mom will start calling as soon as she knows DJs here." She forgot that Justin and DJ were the same age because they seemed nothing alike. "Amanda knows so you know that my mom will know in an hour."

"Or less." She sighed regretting her earlier text message. She just needed to talk to somebody about what happened.

"I really hope she doesn't tell my mom about the kitchen thing. Candy is a great assistant, but is just not as good as you were at putting off people I really don't want to talk to."

"I don't think I am the best at that. I could never come up with anything as good as sympathy morning sickness." Betty smirked at him.

"When did you hear about that one?" Daniel said with a groan as he covered his faced with his palm.

"Your mother told me after I found out about the baby. I can't believe I thought that Amanda was developing bulimia again." She also couldn't believe she missed the fact that Matt was still infatuated with Amanda. She really can't believe that she missed all the signs that Amanda was pregnant or in love with Matt.

"People believe what they want to believe. Everybody thought you were ugly because you chose not to dress in the latest styles and had braces. Nothing could have been farther from the truth." Daniel said giving her a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Are you sure you really need me for this. Can't you find out what's going on from Alexis?" She said hesitantly looking at him.

"First of all, how many 15 year old boys tell their mom what's going on in their life?" She instantly thought back to the fact that Marc knew about Justin's first boyfriend before they did. Then there's the fact that right now her father has no idea she's living with Daniel in the true sense of the word and not just being roommates.

"You're right, Justin doesn't tell my sister everything," or really anything half the time.

"Think of it this way, your sister and Justin have a very good relationship and yet they still don't tell each other everything. With DJ and Alexis it's worse because she was completely absent from his life for the first 13 years and is technically his biological father." She forgot how messy that relationship was.

"Another good point, but you should still call her. At least let her know he's okay." She said as she pulled him in for her own kiss. At that moment she wondered if she should closed the blinds.

"I already tried that. I couldn't get a hold of her. She's not picking up her cell and her assistant said she couldn't be reached for the next few days because she was at a corporate retreat." Daniel's voice sounded highly skeptical.

Daniel's relationship with Alexis is still very complicated. The DJ situation and the fact that Alexis did not even bother to come in for Molly's funeral made the situation even more dysfunctional.

Betty only knew about Alexis becoming the president of a small company that Published books in France six months after leaving New York because Claire told her. Apparently, Alexis wanted to make a name for herself independent of her family and that's why she didn't work for any of the European versions of Meade publications. Of course, Daniel would not go over this with her because Alexis was a very painful subject for him.

"Okay another good point. What about the grandparents?" Betty said pulling Daniel to her as they sat on the edge of her desk together.

"Betty, most people don't have families as good as yours. DJs grandparents only wanted custody of him so they could have a piece of the trust fund that Lucy left him. They were already booking modeling jobs for him before Lucy's body was cold. They saw him as one big checkbook, like they used to see her. I never told you the real reason why they sued me for custody when we thought I was DJs dad because I legally couldn't, but I will tell you now. Apparently, they were looking forward to a very large child support check. When they tried the same stunt with Alexis, she sued for full custody and won." Betty stood there shocked for a moment, not believing anybody could be like that.

She knew DJ didn't want to go back with his grandparents. He was absolutely terrified at the thought of going back to France to be with his grandparents. He also knew that Claire pretty much despised DJs grandparents and tried to avoid them at all cost when she visits France. However, Daniel never told her it was this bad.

"Why didn't you tell me before besides the legal thing? If it was that bad, I wouldn't have convinced you to give DJ back to his grandparents."

"I didn't know until later and then I couldn't say anything about certain parts because of a gag order which I am technically violating right now. Everything fell apart the week of Molly's..." Which now explains why Alexis wasn't there.

"I won't say anything," She said kissing him again.

"The ability to stay in denial about certain aspects of your life is a genetic thing in my family that we are apparently very good at. We didn't know how bad it was until Alexis hired a private investigator after they hit her with a monster child support lawsuit. Did you ever wonder why it was so easy for Alexis to get full custody in another country, especially in light of the fact that she narrowly escaped prosecution for pushing Christina down the stairs?" Daniel asked.

"I really never thought about it. I just thought that the judge felt it was best for DJ to be with his biological parent. Maybe I should have known better. DJ was so desperate to stay." Now she felt horrible about that speech she gave Daniel two years ago. If she knew how bad it was she would have fought to keep DJ with them.

"Daniel you have to know if I knew I would have helped you hide DJ myself."

"I know. You can't change the past. I need your help now. He trusts you and respects you. He will tell you things that he won't tell me."

"I seriously doubt that after last night." She said remembering the shock look on his face. Just the thought of spending time with DJ right now made her squirm. But Amanda knew things that even she didn't know and would say too much.

"He's a 15 year old boy. Most of the shock was caused by getting to see a beautiful woman topless in the flesh." That got Daniel a smack on the shoulder as she started to blush again.

"See that's exactly why I don't want to have lunch with your nephew. That had to be like walking in on your parents having sex. I've done that before and I was emotionally scarred for life." She sees a smile from him when she says this.

"I had the misfortune of walking in on my parents as well. Actually I caught my mom with her new boyfriend. That is much more traumatic. Other relatives are nowhere near as bad. Besides we were not actually having sex despite what Amanda said when I talk to her this morning." At that moment her phone started playing Justin's ring tone.

"Aren't you supposed to be in first period right now?" She asked her nephew as she did the time conversion thing in her head.

"My algebra teacher came down with the flu or more accurately the "my girlfriend is in town flu" and they don't have a substitute. It's going around campus right now." Justin snickered.

"As long as I behave myself, I can watch the MAMA announcements on my phone. I just wanted to let you know that you were nominated."

"You mean Mode got nominated again?" She asked switching the phone to speaker so Daniel could hear.

"Yes but that's not what I'm talking about. Actually Mode got nominated for the Shakira cover and The Million Dollar Bra issue." She was surprised.

"What? That has never happened before." Daniel said in shock. Just then, Daniel's phone dings to signal a text message. It was a congratulations message from his mom. Since she did not ask about DJ she must not know yet.

Her work phone was starting to ring and she could see about 15 messages pop up in her inbox with subject lines like "congratulations Betty" and "we knew you would do great things". There was even one from Marc that said "I hate you and you better let me pick out your outfit".

"Yes Mode was nominated in the best fashion magazine category twice. The magazine is also up for Magazine of the Year. However, that's not why I called. You're nominated for writing Aunt Betty. Your article "Confessions of a Fashion Misfit" was nominated for best writing in the monthly magazine category along with Matt's article series. Hey, I got to go. The teacher who's watching the class is starting to look at me funny. Congratulations Aunt Betty." As soon as Justin hung up she heard her sister's ring tone. She never got to answer the phone because her boyfriend pulled her into a congratulatory kiss that had her almost knocking things off her desk again. They are definitely going to have to learn not to make out on the desk but not today.

To be continued…

It may be a little while before the next chapter goes up because I'm going to have to do some heavy rewrites, including doing an entire new opening sequence. We will just have to see how it flows.