Chapter 9
Three weeks into her recovery and she was finally able to walk a few steps on crutches. The doctors decided that she could go home. If she promised to maintain her regular physical therapy. Elena made sure that they have everything at home for the change of her wrappings at her fixation. And just like that her dad arrived and brought her home to Queens. She was deliriously happy. Being at home, being surrounded by the people you love. That's what you need to recover. She was sure. From here on out everything would get better.
And everything got worse. She couldn't really walk the stairs. It was straining on her still weak muscles. She got half the feeling back, but her muscles weren't cooperating with her. So most of the times she would sit on the stairs and scoot step by step downwards. On the last step her father would give her a helping hand to boost her up. Cause she couldn't get up herself. Going up was a fifteen minute workout routine for her. Still maintaining the physical therapy didn't seem to help. She has no idea what was happening. She thought going home meant she would be as good as knew. Maybe she fooled herself.
In her fifth week when she had a doctors appointment she decided to stay in the city and go see Daniel at work. Maybe a change of scenery would help her. Cheer her up and make her forget her problems for a little while. And she hasn't seen Daniel in almost a week. He was so busy with the issue. And she was so busy with her therapy and not being able to really walk. By now, she missed him terribly. And was a little curious who's his new assistant is. He told her that he finally hired the perfect one.
Making her way up to MODE she adjusts her soft yellow summer dress one last time. Her white sneakers a permanent feature now. At least she knows that her hair and make up looks good. Hilda made it her mission to do it everyday. To make her feel good about herself. Adjusting the crutch under her left arm to support her weight, she steps out of the elevator.
Never in a million years she would've thought that she would miss this place. The people, perhaps two or three yes, but the place? No. She limps her way over to the donut to see the new receptionist. She was just as blond as the old one. God, she really misses Amanda. Limping further down the corridor to Daniel's office, no one was really paying any attention to her. Which in her condition is probably best.
And there on her old desk sits a middle aged beautiful woman, blond with a few grey strays in a very put together pencil skirt and blouse. Her hands were fidgeting around. She looked a little confused and lost.
'Hey, I'm Betty Suarez, you must be Daniel's new assistant', she limps forward and rests at her old desk to stretch her hand out and greet her properly.
'Oh, my you are the famous Betty Suarez. I heard so much about you. I'm telling you, yours are big shoes to fill. If I can believe everything that goes around about you. And I have to be honest, I imagined you a little different. My, where are my manners. I'm Sarah Harding', she stretches her hand out to me.
'Please, it's more infamous really and I believe the MODEES gave you enough intel already. But you should only believe half of what they told you. The tricky part is to find out which half'
'I had a feeling. Can I ask how you're feeling? Mr. Meade told me all about your accident. And you. He seems quite taken by you, when you allow me my boldness'
'It's allowed and very welcomed. No one holds anything back here. Believe me. If you want to survive, stand up for what you believe in. And I'm feeling alright. The pain isn't as bad as three weeks ago and I can finally limp around. Please Sarah, tell me has Daniel any conference calls or meetings right now? Anything where he should be?'
'No, not until 13.30 p.m. You can go right through.', she says a little mischievous.
'Thank you, Sarah. It was really nice meeting you and welcome in hell. We like it cold around here, just like our wicked witch from the east side. You should hide your red shoes', Betty says cryptic and hops slowly over to Daniel's office. Standing in his doorway she's astonished that he hasn't heard her already. She is clumsy and loud on a normal day, but with crutches? She feels simply like an elephant.
'Hey you, long time no see', she limps over to his chaise.
'Hey', his face lights up immediately. And all the measly little texts from last week are forgotten. She can't hold it against him. He is so busy running the magazine. It's not his fault. And fair. He walks over to her, helps her down on the chaise. 'You make progress, last time I saw you, you were clinging to the crutch like it was your lifeboat', he sits down beside her, wounds his arm around her shoulders. 'What did the doctor say?'
'Yeah, I still am. I'm better at overplaying it now. And the doctor said I'm making very good progress. He said, that he never would've thought that I can limp around by now', she leans into his warm side, lays her head on his shoulder and buries her nose in his neck. 'Mmmh, I missed you'
'I missed you too, so much. I swear. I was so happy when I finally found Sarah. She takes a lot of my workload. Before, I had to handle your workload and mine. Well, simply impossible. And if some people weren't so hard to replace, I wouldn't had such a hard time finding the right assistant', he nuzzles his nose on her cheek. Taking in her scent.
'Damn straight', she calls out with all her feisty Latina attitude. But places soft kisses down his neck.
'I was thinking of coming into Queens tonight. With Bobby and Hilda being at their new house I thought maybe I could stay the weekend over at your families. You have enough rooms unoccupied. I could stay in Hilda's old room', his hand softly cups her cheek, moves her head a little back to look into her eyes.
'I'd love that. And I know Papi would love it too. Then he won't be the only one around to help me. I know he doesn't mind but I worry about him. I don't want him to overdo it. And I like having you close. You do realize it's an entire week?', she pouts at him a little.
'I know, that's why I wanted to come out to Queens. I miss you so much. I feel like I'm going crazy without you', he cups her chin and kisses her featherlight. Barely touches her lips with his own. Ghosting over her lips, before crashing his lips down on hers for a hungry passionate kiss.
'Mmmh, I told you before, keep kissing me like that and I have the feeling back in my legs in no time', she smirks up at him. Her left hand draws through his hair.
'We have a whole weekend. What do you say?', he says, his ever so familiar lopsided grin in place.
'Perfect', she shivers in his arms.
The weekend went by to fast. And then it was already Sunday evening and Daniel had to go back into the city. It was maddening.
The week went by and they weren't able to see each other. His workload too much. But Betty made progress. The weekend with him gave her hope and reassurance. She was able to walk the stairs on her own, now. Finally. And next week she has to go in for the second surgery. She will get the fixation removed and has to start her physical therapy for her shoulder. But she was more determined then ever. She wanted to have most of her legs back, before she went in for the second surgery. She wanted to check one thing off of her list. She knew, that she had to remain a muscle strengthening workout for months to come, but she wanted to make enough progress to focus her main physical therapy on her shoulder and wrist.
The weekend came and went by and Daniel again was so busy with next month issue, that he couldn't see her. She thought about going into the city to his place. But thinking about his apartment made her cringe. So she comforted herself with the few sweet texts and calls they made.
The next week she had a new appointment with Dr. Cooper. He wanted to see her and make x-rays from her shoulder. He wanted to make sure everything was healing properly. He said the fixation will be removed on Friday. Betty would have to stay over the weekend but could go home on Monday. And start her physical therapy possibly within the week, if the pain level would allow it.
And Friday came. And she was in the hospital, alone. She told everybody, especially her family, to not worry about her. This was a piece of cake. She would go in, text them before going into surgery and text them again when she wakes up again. She won't need the support. Though she would've liked it, she doesn't want them to loose even more income. They had to call in sick to work so many times while she was in the hospital. They couldn't afford it. It was a good thing the accident happened on her way to work, so as bad as it made her feel, the main costs would be covered by MEADE PUBLICATIONS insurance company. While she waited till she was up for surgery she wished to see Daniel. Really the only one she would love to see right now. Or at least get a text or a call from him. But nothing. And with how busy he was, she felt bad for calling him. So she didn't. But she was really feeling under the weather. When a soft knock on her door makes her jump up in the hospital bed.
The door opens and Dr. Cooper comes in. 'Good morning Ms. Suarez, you ready to get the fixation removed?', he asks happy.
'As ready as ever, I guess', she sighs.
'Great, we will get you in the next fifteen minutes and you will be back in your room in no time', Dr. Cooper excused himself and walks out. Betty's face drops to the side. A silent tear falling from her eye.
'Hey, yeah, thank you', that was when she hears his voice at the door. Running into Dr. Cooper. He closes the door behind him and looks at Betty. 'Silly girl, thought I wouldn't come for your big day, huh?'
'You're really busy with the magazine and helping Sarah with her work. I wouldn't have blamed you if you couldn't come', she says with a small voice. A few tears pooling in her eyes. She is so glad he's here. He is her biggest cheerleader through this whole mess.
'For you I make time. Come on, you ready to get rid of this metal cage?', he embraces her in a big hug. Fixation and all.
'I don't know. I'm quite attached to that little guy by now. Maybe it looks better like that. Makes me interesting', she teases him.
'No, I want my Betty back. I can't wait for you to finally start your rehab for your shoulder'
'Because I look like Frankensteins bride?', she smirks up into his face.
'No, because I know as much as it helps your bones to heal, it also causes you pain and holds you back. And because it would bring you so much closer to coming back to work. I miss seeing you everyday', he kisses her temple.
'Mmmh, work. I really miss work. I'm so bored at home', she muses.
'And the best part. We could finally have a real date. I've been waiting for so long', he nuzzles her neck, making her giggle.
'Excuse me, we've been waiting for so long. It's not like I've been enjoying my time here, not being able to do anything. You know how badly I want to go on our first date. It's all I can think about. The only thing that motivates me', she says into his neck, kissing him under his jaw.
'I know, it's kind of funny when you think about it. Four years of friendship where we did nothing but hug and the second everything changes between us and we can still do nothing but hug', he chuckles, stroking her cheek with the back of her hand.
'I know, it is funny', she chuckles. 'But really, this sucks. At this point I would celebrate if I could at least hug you with both my arms. Don't get me wrong, I love how you hug me, makes me feel safe, but I would like it even more if my arm wouldn't be like a dead snake, dangling limpy around'
'You're so cute when you're frustrated, you know that?', he chuckles.
'Yeah, well that's great, enjoy it while it lasts. I hope that we could change that soon', she grumbles darkly.
'Yeah, very soon, I promise. Just focus on your arm for now, and before you know it, I whisk you away for our first date', he says winking at her, making her blush a lovely shade of pink. 'By the way, I can't believe you told everybody that you can do this on your own..., wait, no I take it back. This is so you', he sighs, disapproving of her decision to not be a 'burden'.
'Well, I thought it would be easier. I know Papi is worried enough as it is. Being here might not help. And Hilda is so busy. Her salon really took off and I worry that it would be bad for her business if she closes to often, just to help me or keep me company while waiting. And you are so busy as well. We rarely see each other these days. And I thought it would be a burden for anyone to come today', she says, small voice, downcast look.
'You could never be a burden, Betty. Get that into your thick skull', he says firmly.
'Ay, insulting the poor cripple. That's not nice, I can't even defend myself properly. My good arm is in a metal cage', she calls out.
'I know, I have to do this before you are your old self again and chase me around the room for a comment like that', he says, teasing her hair.
'Ay', she calls out, swatting at his hands, his low chuckle sending goosebumps up and down her spine. She can't wait until they can finally be together.
'But really Betty, you know that we don't care right? We only want to be there for you, like you are always there for us. We never wanted this to happen to you, but this is our time to give you something back', he says gentle. His hand cupping her chin, making her look up at him. His eyes huge and serious. The way he always looks at her, when he wants her to understand something. He could've said that Wilhelmina's boobs were real. She would believe it if he looks at her like that while saying it. She nods, to touched by his words to say something. And he bends down and claims her lips in a passionate kiss. Making her forget where she is right now and what she wants to do here. Her name a faint memory in her mind. It was something with B wasn't it? Her hand lays over his heart, feeling the material of his sweatshirt under her fingertips.
'Ok, Betty your up', Hailey says coming in. Interrupting them.
She pulls him against her for a hug again, their foreheads touching. Her breaths shallow and when she looks up into his eyes, she sees her world. Right here in front of her.
'I'll see you later, alright?', he looks at her and kisses her one deep sensual time.
'Sorry, but we really have to go', Hailey apologizes. 'You both know I'm a sucker for you. But we can't hold up the surgery schedule'
'Hey, I'm going to wait for you', Daniel says walking beside her bed.
'I know', taking his hand in her left one and kisses his palm one final time. 'See you later'