Chapter 13

The Meade family dinner came sooner than Betty expected. The week flew by in a blur. With all her therapies and working out she had her hands full. But was so happy with the progress she made. There was nothing holding her back from accomplishing her goal. She took the pain meds on a few occasions, when a work out was very straining and she feels the tenseness of her muscles are holding her back. But she could skip on them on a normal daily routine. Which is such an improvement. She feels so much better. She really has her head back in the game. And now, she really understood what Daniel said about her mind and body being clouded. She had no idea how unaware she was, because of the meds. But it's alright. She knows now and can work on it.

'Daniel, has your family a dress code? Like is it everyday casual, or everyday chic more then casual?', she stands in front of the closet in her apartment in Manhattan. She had moved back in, when she had made a vast improvement with her arm. She was no longer depending on the help of others. And finding an outfit for tonight was hard. Even harder then all her therapy. She felt as comfortable with Claire as if she were her own mother, but Alexis and Tyler. She didn't know them as well and doesn't want to make a fool out of herself. Although thinking of Tyler, she can't really see him in dress pants and shirt. So, she figured she should call Daniel and ask him. He would know.

'Don't know, why are you asking?', his response over the phone.

'What do you mean you don't know. What are you wearing when you have your family dinners', Betty asks again.

'Don't know, this is our first real one, Betty', Daniel says amused.

'Huh? No, this can't be. You brought Sofia to a family dinner. What was she wearing? What was your mother wearing? Casual? Or more chic casual? Come on, help me out here', Betty was getting more and more frustrated.

'Betty, first I don't know what either of them was wearing. I don't remember. And second? I don't care. You will look beautiful in whatever you're going to wear. Whatever your going to pick will be fine and the right choice'

'So you have absolutely no clue?'

'Not the slightest'

'And your mom hasn't said anything, at all?'

'She said she's looking forward to tonight and is beyond happy you're comfortable enough to join us for the weekend', he says. And she doesn't need to see his face. She knows exactly how he looks right now. Big goofy grin stretching out over his entire face. His blue eyes sparkling like the ocean in the midday sun. And so god damn proud of himself for finding the right words. And he did. It soothes her mind at least well enough to figure out what to wear. But wasn't there a little catch?

'Wait, the weekend? Like in - the whole weekend?'

'Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, didn't I. Mom made a whole weekend out of this. She said she needs to celebrate that she has all her children with her for once. If you don't feel comfortable enough though, then it's okay, Betty. You don't have to stay the whole weekend. Blame me and my sieve of a brain', he says matter-of-factly.

'No, no, I get it. I can understand her so well. I know how much this means to her. And I'm so proud of you for mending your relationship with Tyler. Of course I'm going to stay. It doesn't matter when you tell me. The decision would've always been the same. It would've been nice to know in advance, just so I had more time to pack, but I'll throw some things in a bag. I guess the weekend is going to be more casual than chic then. I like that. I always wondered what a casual Meade weekend would look like', she says feisty and makes him chuckle.

'You're the best. I pick you up in thirty minutes', he says happy. 'I can't wait to see you, Betty. And for the whole weekend as well. I'm the luckiest guy in the world'

'I miss you too. And hurry up, the sooner you're here the more time we have together', she says biting her lip.

'Yes, Ms. Suarez, you're wish is my command', he saluted and kicks his heels together. She giggles and throws her little duffel bag on the bed.

Buzzing Daniel in, she let her apartment door open. Only a tiny gap, but he will notice and come right in. That way she could get her bag and take a last adjusting look.

'Hey Betty, do you know how dangerous it is to let your door open? Any perv could come in and do whatever the hell he wants to you', Daniel calls out from her living room. Closing the door behind him.

'And apparently the biggest one is standing in my living room right now', she calls back. Grabbing her duffel bag and throwing it over her right shoulder she makes her way over to Daniel.

'Takes one to notice one', he says when she comes around the corner. And is absolutely speechless. She looks beautiful, gorgeous, stunning, incredible..., he has not enough superlatives to describe her. 'Wow, Betty..., you look..., wow...', he stutters.

'Thank you, kind of what I was going for', she says mischievously and wraps her arms around his waist. 'You look pretty amazing yourself. We sorta match'

'Great minds think alike', he says chuckling. Taking her hand in his, he twirls her around, mesmerized by the way the short grey skirt flows around her very toned legs. Combined with a simple white cami, that has the most intricate little lace details at the neckline and hugs her in all the right places, she looks incredibly sexy. It doesn't leave much to the imagination. And how perfectly she wears it. Ever since they started dating she became more and more confident. Within herself, and her choice of clothing. And by now it seems like she wants to torture him. Telling him through her clothing, that if he decides for them to wait then she's going to show him exactly what he's missing out on. And boy does he miss out. She only gained a few of the pounds back, that she lost during her physical therapy. Her leg and arm muscles get more toned with every passing week. But she's still real and soft to the touch and curvy. And he can't wait til next weekend. Letting out a breath of air he closes his eyes. 'Betty, you look so hot'

'Thank you, the feeling is very mutual', she says, sliding her hands over the front of his crisp white dress shirt. Feeling his well-trained chest muscles, before clasping her hands in the nape of his neck. 'Do you kiss me already or do I have to beg?'

He's head drops down, takes her lips in an intense and passionate kiss. His hands gliding over her back, up and down, her top inching upwards a bit, inviting him to let his hands slip under her top. His fingers softly ghosting over her spine, making her shiver and moan into the kiss. Her own hands drop down, snake around his waist under his grey jacket. Her right hand toying with the waistband of his jeans before slowly slipping her hand in his back pocket and grabbing his butt through the jeans.

He's ready to internally combust. She's so hot. The way she wants him. How she touches him. It's all a little too much. Especially knowing that they still wanna wait for one more week. But god, they're going to be so good together. He knows it.

Forcing him to break away from her, he takes deep breaths. Touching his lips to her forehead. Placing a row of soft kisses. 'One week, Betty. It's only one week. We can do this. We handled worse', he whispers throaty.

'Mmmmh, you smell so incredible', she buries her head in his neck, places wet kisses along his neck and jaw. He gulps down and takes a small step back.

'You sure you wanna wear that? Makes me a little crazy', he says, voice waving.

'It's not the complete outfit', she turns around, grabs her jeans jacket from a hook and throws it on, slips into her white sneakers and grabs a hot pink scarf out of a small cabinet. She puts the scarf around her neck and turns around to him. 'Better?'

'No, it's worse. You look chic and sexy but casual enough to seem comfortable. It's the perfect outfit for an evening like this, when you don't know the dress code. I hate it, well, I hate that I love it so much', he pouts.

'Who's Mr. Grumpy-pants now, huh?', she chuckles, delighted in his showing frustration.

'Yeah, enjoy it. But do me a favour?'

'Anything'

'Next week for our first date? Wear it again?', he asks small, voice hopeful.

'No problem-o', she laughs, grabs her bag and walks out of her apartment. A grumbling Daniel behind her. He can only assume how torturing the weekend is going to be.

Arriving at the huge Meade Mansion, Betty is in awe of the building. She was only one time here and that was, when Bradford Meade was still among the living. It looked scary and intimidating back then. But now, it seems so inviting and happy. It has a friendly aura. Was it Betty's imagination? Could one person make such a difference? Was it Bradford Meade who made it seem like that, or was it the house itself? Had Claire changed anything or rather everything to make it more inviting? It's a good question. But Betty thinks she already knows the answer. The way Daniel sighs next to her, it seems like - Home sweet home. So it must've been his father all along.

Taking his hand in hers she gives him a reassuring smile. He lifts her hand up to his lips, places a sweet kiss to her knuckles. They were quite, the significance of the meaning behind this weekend lingers between them. Though they didn't take the last step in their relationship yet, they knew what this is. You don't just spent a weekend with your boyfriend of two and a half months and his family for the fun of it. Well, maybe a lot of people would do that. But not Betty. And Daniel either. Doing this means they are committed. Very committed. Though they knew that before. This shows their commitment not only to themselves but their families and friends. This is important.

'I love you', she whispers, leans over to his side and pecks him on the cheek.

'I love you too', he says sweetly, turns his head around and kisses her sweetly on the lips. His hand softly cupping her cheek. 'Are you ready for this? There's no way back once we're inside'

'With you on my side?', she asks cupping his chin.

'Uh huh', he nods.

'Always', she smiles.

Grabbing their bags, they made their way over to the front door. Betty wraps her arm around his waist under his jacket. Feeling his warmth. He wraps his arm around her shoulders, placing a row of kisses on her hair, before pulling her further into his side. Her fingers slip into the waistband of his jeans, eliminating the last remaining space between them.

Daniel was already stretching his arm out, ready to ring the bell, when the door flung open and a rocket with arms and legs shoots through the doorway and into Daniel's body. Betty could entangle herself quick enough to not end up on the floor with the both of them. Hair curly and wild, smile huge and infectious. A fifteen year old DJ on top of Daniel.

'God, buddy, I'm happy to see you too, but I'm not getting any younger', Daniel groans out from under him.

'Allo Daniel, it's so great to see you', DJ bubbles, demeanour carefree and happy.

'Yup, hello to you too, could you get off of me?', Daniel grumbles.

'Oops, excusez moi. 'Allo Betty, it is so nice to see you again. You are tres jolie', DJ hugs her tenderly before kissing her on both cheeks and the back of her hands. When DJ sees the suspicious look of Daniel out of the corner of his eyes, he decided to mess a little more with his uncle. He winks at Betty and throws her a mischievous smirk.

'Hey DJ, it's good to see you again as well. And boy did you grow up. Is it really just two years? Wow, teenagers really grow like weed, huh?', she smiles at him brightly. Knows exactly what he's trying to do.

'Oui, oui, I'm nearly as tall as my uncle now', he says, standing next to Daniel, who's dusting of his jeans and jacket.

'Mmmh, yeah, I would say your not even missing an inch'

'Not long and I'm a real man', DJ says with an almost straight face. The corners of his mouth twitching threateningly.

'Are you two done now? I know what your doing, and it's not going to work, buddy', Daniel says, flings his arm around his neck and rubs his hair, messing it up even more.

'Daniel, not my hair', DJ calls out.

'Oh, come on, it's just hair or are you trying to tell me there is something special about yours?', Daniel jokes, keeps messing with him.

'Non, non, please stop it', DJ begs. Betty couldn't stop the brilliant laughter bubbling out of her. They both stop, looking at her. It was such a funny picture in front of her. Daniel absolutely dumbfounded but delighted by her amusement, while DJs head was still clutched under Daniel's arm and tried to look up to Betty as best as he could.

'Sorry, you two are just too adorable. The resemblance is almost scary. If there wasn't a DNA Test to prove it, I would say, you really are Daniel's son', both break out their lopsided grins. And when Alexis walks up to them, with the same look on her face, Betty gasps. 'I take back everything I said. You all look pretty much the same. God, someone should take a picture. What a gene pole', Betty says, holding up her hands in defeat and lets out a huff of air.

'Your one to talk. Let me look at you, Betty. Would it be too much to ask you to turn around for me?', Alexis asks fake mocking her. But Betty does it nonetheless. She twirls around before taking a bow. 'Wow, it's a good thing, Danny finally got his head out of his ass and asked you out'

'Well, not really, but that's a different story'

'Huh? I thought you two are together?'

'Oh, no, we are, but with the accident and everything, we couldn't really go on a date just yet'

'What? I don't get it. I know about your accident and I'm glad your ok, but you seem fine, Betty. You can walk again, you even seem a little bit more coordinated then before. Mom said you can use your arm again. What are you guys waiting for?'

'It's called a final good doctors report, Alexis. I'm not expecting you to know what it means', Daniel grumbles, letting go of DJ and saying hello to his mom, who just appeared in the doorframe.

'Wait, so you guys haven't yet..., you know?', Alexis says shocked and seeing the looks on Daniel's and Betty's faces started to laugh hysterically. 'Well, who would've thought. Danny, you really are a changed man', Alexis claps him two three times on the back.

'Stop it, Alexis, you have no idea what these two have been through. Betty's status was very critical. We all thought the worse. It's nothing short of a wonder that she stands here in front of us. Walking, talking, laughing. She is doing so well in such a short amount of time', Claire says, giving Alexis a firm look before embracing Betty in a huge hug. 'Betty, I'm so happy you're here. You look absolutely radiant'

'Thank you, Claire. You look fabulous as always', Betty says warmly.

'Sorry', Alexis mumbles apologetic, bumping her shoulder into Daniel's.

'It's alright', he says, smiling lovingly at Betty and his mom.