Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last chapter. I always appreciate your feedback. Please note that some of this chapter occurred before the previous chapter's events. I wanted everyone to see those events first. The six-hour time difference between our two settings has made this story very interesting to write. This is one of those times.
Chapter 92: Meanwhile, Back in London
September 22, 2010, 8:06 AM London time.
Mom: Do I have new grandbabies yet?
Daniel: Not yet. Not for a while. The doctor just did Amanda's morning check, and Amanda has made it to 7 centimeters. This is good progress, but she needs to get to the size of a Ben and Jerry's lid. She is not there yet. I think we're going to take a walk after breakfast.
Mom: That would be helpful.
Daniel: Wait, shouldn't you be in bed? It's barely 2 AM in New York.
Mom: Do you expect me to sleep while waiting for my grandbabies to be born?
Daniel: I am surprised you weren't on the plane yesterday with Amanda's dads and Marc.
Mom: I considered it. However, I don't want to be in London with Victoria presently. I don't think I can beat murder charges a second time. I would be too tempted to strangle her if I saw her right now.
Daniel: This is understandable. Is this the real reason for spending time with the grandchildren instead of going to the black and white ball last week?
Mom: Partially. From what I gathered; I had a much better time with the children. I am sad I missed Cal acknowledging that Tyler is his son. I would've liked to have seen that.
Daniel: I've heard it was the new girlfriend's influence.
Mom: Tyler told me the same thing. She has the man in Pennsylvania right now helping to look for Tiffany.
Daniel: It's the least he can do.
Mom: This is true. I'm in favor of any woman who can make Cal get over himself.
Mom: I might come up with the others for the Alexandria lingerie shoot in October. It's also about time I inspect some of the other European offices. I've been mostly hands off since some meetings during the spring. That's when I realized how bad the Mode UK situation was.
Daniel: It's on my list of things to do after my paternity leave ends. I would appreciate the help.
Mom: Please tell me you'll take longer than Monique did. I can take over some of the European operational duties for a while.
Daniel: I plan to takeoff for at least a month. Maybe longer. My co-EIC and Creative Director have things handled. They're so good at what they do that I might not need to return. Mode UK is stable again, and I believe Sumreen will thrive without me there. Sometimes, I think we should've given her the job instead of bringing Monique or me in.
Mom: Sumreen is capable, but things were so messy when you arrived this spring that she needed more help. Let's see how they handle the December and January issues without you. Then, we can decide if you stick entirely to European operations once your paternity leave is over with.
Daniel: That makes sense. My biggest headache is Diversity Business UK. I still don't have a replacement EIC. However, Monique has agreed to watch over the magazine during my paternity leave. I'll worry about a long-term solution when I get back.
Mom: Betty can't do it? I heard from Ignacio yesterday that she quit her job.
Daniel: [exasperated emoji] Of course, you two talk to each other.
Mom: Our children are engaged. We like to compare notes.
Daniel: Unfortunately, no, because of her no-compete clause. If I could get Betty in there, I would. Also, Lindsay hasn't accepted Betty's resignation. He keeps calling us. I've already received several calls myself this morning.
Mom: And you're ignoring his calls?
Daniel: Yes, and I will continue to do so until my kids get here. I have more important things to worry about.
Mom: This is true. Focus on the twins.
Daniel: That's the plan.
Daniel: Hey, I have to go. Marc is here.
Xxxx
Amanda has read many books about childbirth since she realized she was pregnant last February. However, none of them prepared her for the monotony of delivery. She was looking forward to taking a little walk after breakfast but before the epidural. Thankfully, she will be getting that soon. Labor is painful.
Daniel was texting Claire, who should be asleep now, as Betty gave her a back massage as she dealt with another contraction—a few moments after the contraction was over, Amanda heard a knock at the door. Hopefully, it was breakfast. This was probably the last meal she would be eating for a while since once she got to the later stages of labor, she would only be allowed liquids. She wasn't entirely wrong because Marc was there holding a bag of food.
"I brought bagels, although British bagels, so I'm not sure how good they are." Marc walked into the room, and Betty took the food from him.
"Hopefully, you got them from somebody who used to live in New York." Daniel joked.
"The hotel. Our concierge had a box of goodies waiting for me to bring to the hospital." Marc explained as he gave another bag to Betty.
"Then they are passable," Betty said.
"I also came with a bag full of Gio's cookies." Amanda perked up as Marc grabbed the bag of cookies from the other bag. Thankfully, he walked a cookie over to her.
"Thank you so much. I'm so glad that you came." Amanda squeezed his hand because she was too hooked up for a hug.
"I'm happy to be here even though I had to deal with your dads. God, I miss you." Marc leaned over and kissed her on the four head. She missed her best friend too.
"Even though I am an absolute mess right now." She hasn't looked at a mirror since yesterday but is sure her hair is a mess currently.
"You look fabulous. Christina did a great job with your custom robe."
"This is true, and she brought me two." This means she has something to wear while the other was being washed.
"Besides, you are pushing a porcupine through a hole the size of an ice cream container. Rumpled clothing and puffy hair are entirely excusable."
"Two porcupines. Porcupine one wants to get out. Porcupine two does not care." Marc laughed at her joke. "I'm pretty sure they were sucking their thumb on the last ultrasound. The other one is in position to come out."
"I want a copy of that," Marc told the group.
"I'll send it to you later. Where are Spencer and Mr. Tannen?" Daniel asked.
"Spencer is dealing with the press outside." Amanda sighed at Marc's words.
"Your dad is waiting for you to give the security guard permission for him to come back. His name wasn't on the list." Marc explained.
"Of course, the paparazzi found us." Daniel sighed.
"Which means Victoria knows," Betty added.
"I'll go talk to the security team." Daniel reluctantly got up from the nearby couch.
"No, you guys talk. I will talk to security and bring Amanda's dad back. Are you OK with him being here?" Betty asked.
"For a little bit. However, can one of you please comb my hair before they arrive and give me my makeup bag?" She wants to look put together for her dad because otherwise, he would worry too much about her.
"You know you don't need to redo your makeup. We understand that you're in labor." Daniel reminded her.
"I don't want to worry my dad," Amanda explained.
"Okay, point me to a hairbrush." Marc offered, and Daniel passed over her mini hair and makeup kit.
"Thank you. Also, everyone will be taking pictures of me. I want to look good. Especially the ones we're sending to Matt." Daniel sighed, but Marc glared at her as he brushed her hair.
"I don't want him back. I want him to know I'm the best thing he'll never have." Amanda explained.
"I'm paying for pictures to be retouched. Those will be sent out to the family later." Daniel explained.
"I'm sure Cliff will want to do a baby photo shoot. Hopefully, things will work out, and Cliff can bring Jade with him next month for the Alexandria lingerie shoot. We need family pictures." Note to self, ask more about that when she's not in pain.
"We definitely need pictures. Show me pictures of baby Jade to distract me from the pain." She's happy her labor has progressed to the point where her doctor is okay with her getting an epidural.
"The doctor wanted to wait until this morning for the epidural. The anesthesiologist should be in soon. Hopefully, after I have time for a bagel."
"Let me put on your lip gloss, and then you can have one. Are you allowed to eat? Cliff said Jade's mother wasn't allowed to."
"Europe is different, and it is still allowed until I reach the transition phase. After that, it's ice chips and maybe some juice." Amanda explained. "So, give me half a bagel and a cookie."
"I'm going to check with your nurse first. I know you have breakfast on the way." Yes, something light and nutritious. Amanda wants a cookie.
It isn't fair that she's the only one being forced to eat the underwhelming hospital food. She responded by pouting. However, he still went to check with the nurse.
A few moments after Daniel left, her father walked in with Betty. He walked over and hugged her or as much of a hug as he could do with the IV. He ended up kissing her on the four head.
"I miss you, my little girl."
"I miss you too, Daddy. I'm so happy you could be here." One of the things she hated about being in London was being away from her parents. She's glad to have this time with at least some of them.
"I'm glad I could come. Although I hate leaving your mom behind." She knew it was a busy time here for her mom's business. Amanda is not surprised at all that she couldn't be here.
"Sorry for the last-minute notice."
"You can't predict when you're going to have twins. Faye had you early." Father told her as he brushed the strand of hair from her face.
"I didn't know that."
"She was waiting to ask us to take care of you. She was actually in labor when she finally did," her dad explained.
"And you said yes."
"It was the best decision I made. I'm glad I'm your father." Click of the week
"I'm glad you're my father." Unfortunately, that was about the moment another contraction hit. She didn't see Spencer's sad face when he entered the room during that father-daughter moment.
Xxx
#1 Assistant: How is my roommate doing? Do you need me to bring breakfast to the hospital before heading into the office? I can.
Daniel: Her doctor said she could have an epidural, so she's doing great. Or will be as soon as they get here. Hopefully, that won't happen until after she finishes her breakfast.
#1 Assistant: That's good.
Daniel: Marc is also here, along with the Dads. Marc brought bagels from the hotel, probably the best I've had since moving to London.
#1 Assistant: This is not a high bar.
Daniel: Unfortunately, this is true. Mr. Tannen is currently sitting with Amanda. I haven't seen Spencer yet because he's dealing with the press. Can you check to see if there's anything about Amanda being here?
#1 Assistant: Yes, they know. However, it was speculation until Spencer was spotted about 20 minutes ago. I'm emailing you news articles. You should rescue him.
Daniel: I'll look for him in a couple of minutes. Please send it to my personal account. I regret Victoria making them go public about Amanda's parentage.
#1 Assistant: She is a monster.
#1 Assistant: Although this means that I no longer have to drop off your suit for you to do the cocktail party tonight.
Daniel: This is probably best because we might have a baby or two by then. She's at 7 cm.
#1 Assistant: This is good.
Daniel: Spencer just got here. It's obvious the dads they don't like each other very well. A lot of bitterness that has not been worked through.
#1 Assistant: This should not surprise you.
Daniel: It doesn't. I hope this isn't me and Matt in 25 years.
#1 Assistant: I hope you two will put the twins first, no matter what.
Daniel: I hope so, too. I am just glad the anesthesiologist just showed up before it could erupt in complete chaos.
#1 Assistant: Yep, that's for the best.
Xxx
A few hours later
Ex's new boyfriend: Hey, how's everything going?
Betty: I appreciate you waiting until a decent time of the day your time to text message. It's been a busy morning.
Ex's new boyfriend: Matt hasn't slept all night, and I tried my best to get him to sleep. I ended up hiding his phone around 1 AM local time. I'm sure he will live on caffeine and orange juice today.
Betty: I appreciate your efforts. We haven't got much sleep either. Marc arrived with the Dads, so Daniel is forcing me to go back home and get a few hours of sleep.
Betty: Unfortunately, I couldn't drag him with me. He doesn't want to leave Amanda, even with Marc there.
Ex's new boyfriend: I only know Daniel from work, but I feel like he's not sleeping until after the babies are born.
Betty: Amanda just got an epidural, so I'm kind of hoping they both take a nap. Marc can keep the dads occupied.
Ex's new boyfriend: I'm sure he's good at it.
Betty: He's doing his best, which involved coaxing Spencer out of the bathroom earlier. I don't know why he was in the bathroom, but I think he might've been crying. They keep arguing about who is better for Amanda. It's been frustrating.
Ex's new boyfriend: Amanda is fortunate that her biological father cares so much. Not all of us are that lucky.
Betty: This is true. Unfortunately, because Spencer showed up, the Paparazzi now realize that Amanda is in the hospital getting ready to give birth.
Ex's new boyfriend: Does this mean the evil grandmother is now aware Amanda is in labor?
Betty: Victoria Hartley is not the twin's grandmother. Cal's current girlfriend has more claim to the title of grandmother than she does. Andie had a hospital survival kit sent over this morning via Breanna and Alexis. She gave them the list of things to get, and they had them delivered.
Ex's new boyfriend: That feels like something she would do. Although I feel like her boyfriend probably paid for it. He likes to say he's sorry with gifts. I've already received a cookie basket.
Betty: Claire gave me her apology cookies after the breakup. They're delicious cookies.
Ex's new boyfriend: They really were.
Betty: Besides worrying about Amanda, why didn't Matt fall asleep last night?
Ex's new boyfriend: He had the misfortune of having a text message conversation with his dad before going to sleep.
Betty: Which made it impossible for him to go to sleep afterward?
Ex's new boyfriend: Exactly. Cal is in Pennsylvania working with investigators. They're planning for him to interview some old friends of Tiffany's that he knows. Matt is also worried that the body they found will be Tiffany's. Or if it's not, they'll find another body nearby. Cadaver dogs are searching the whole area.
Betty: It is understandable that he's not sleeping. When will they know something?
Ex's new boyfriend: Hopefully, today. I think they're planning to interview the first person early this morning.
Betty: That's good. Let Matt know that Amanda is progressing well. She's up to 7 centimeters. So, we're getting into the transition phase. I'm trying to talk Amanda into letting us call Matt while she's delivering the twins, but we might have to settle for live texting.
Ex's new boyfriend: Considering Amanda's heart rate went sky high the last time she spoke with Matt, I think you should text.
Betty: Probably.
Ex's new boyfriend: When are you heading back to the hospital?
Betty: Daniel wants me to sleep for at least four hours. I don't think that's possible. I will probably shower, grab a new set of clothes for Daniel, and head back to the hospital at least three hours earlier than I said I was.
Ex's new boyfriend: You should rest when you can. It's going to get worse before it gets better.
Ex's new boyfriend: I coached my ex-boyfriend's sister-in-law. I learned that the hard way.
Betty: I feel like there is a story there.
Ex's new boyfriend: That men on that side of the family are assholes. I should have realized that before I was dumped for the beard.
Betty: I have to go. My former boss is sitting on my doorstep.
Ex's new boyfriend: Good luck.
Xxx
#2 EIC: hey, how are things at the hospital?
Daniel: Amanda is now 7.5 cm and has an epidural in her system. We decided it is just best that she delivers a little early.
#2 EIC: Which is magical. I braved through my first child without it but knew better for the second one. However, my second birth was more challenging. I was in labor for three days.
Daniel: That's not something I want to hear since we've already been in the hospital for over 27 hours. The doctor wanted things to go naturally since she just made it to 36 weeks. Although they did give the twins medication to make sure their lungs would be as developed as possible
#2 EIC: I am sure Amanda will deliver within the day. I don't think you should do the cocktail party anymore. There's no point now that even the Daily Mail is talking about Amanda being in labor.
Daniel: Candy already suggested not to, and I agreed. Sorry, I should've texted you, too, but I was busy getting Betty to leave after Amanda got her epidural.
#2 EIC: Were you successful?
Daniel: Yes, but I am concerned that she won't nap. Honestly, I expect her back in under an hour.
#2 EIC: Hopefully, with food.
Daniel: Marc brought bagels and cookies from New York. Although the dads have consumed most of the snacks you brought yesterday. So we do need more supplies.
#2 EIC: If she doesn't, I'll stop by with more snacks later. DJ wants to come by anyway. Although, I hope you save me one of the cookies. DJ keeps telling me about these magical cookies his friend's brother makes. I'm sure these are those cookies.
Daniel: Yes, they are, and yes, I saved you one.
#2 EIC: You should know that DJ offered to go with me to a show this morning. There are already tweets.
Daniel: How did that go?
#2 EIC: There's a reason there are tweets. There's footage of your nephew possibly cursing out your girlfriend's former boss in French. I'm not entirely sure what was said, but I did recognize at least one curse word. French is one of the languages I don't speak. I already had to learn English. I did not want a fifth language, even if it would be helpful when dealing with Mode Paris.
Daniel: You make me feel horrible for barely learning French now. I can almost curse out DJ's grandparents without switching back to English.
#2 EIC: Unfortunately, you were learning DJ's mother instead of the language.
Daniel: Did you at least ask DJ if he avoided mentioning where Amanda is?
#2 EIC: I didn't because it's all over the Internet now. I actually wouldn't be surprised if Lindsay showed up at the hospital. He approached me initially to ask if I had information about his former employee. That's when the rapid French started. I'm just glad the new Isabella America EIC wasn't there.
Daniel: I'm glad she wasn't there either. Candy just forwarded me the tweets with translation. DJ cursed the man out for conspiring with Victoria. Now I'm thrilled I'm not going to the party tonight. There's going to be some questions about that. I am surprised my 15-year-old didn't punch the guy.
#2 EIC: So am I. It is definitely for the best you're not there. It would be horrible for the magazine if you punched out Lindsay or Victoria during the middle of the party. It's harder to make things like that disappear over here. I am tempted to ask you to invite Marc instead.
Daniel: That may also result in Victoria being punched out.
#2 EIC: But not Lindsay, so I consider that a net positive. Can you ask Marc if he's willing to come?
Daniel: Marc is willing to do it because it will get him away from the dads. Also, he doesn't believe in hitting after getting punched out by his then boyfriend at the Department of State last summer.
#2 EIC: I hope they broke up quickly after that.
Daniel: Very quickly. I think I paid for the lawyer responsible for the restraining order.
#2 EIC: Good. Tell Marc I look forward to seeing him tonight. I've heard good things about him. Maybe we can get an actual dinner afterward. The drinks are great if you drink alcohol, but the food leaves much to be desired.
Daniel: Will do.
XXXX
Betty wasn't expecting to see her former boss sitting on her front steps. But he was. Betty was halfway tempted to tell the driver to take her back to the hospital. But she knew she would have to deal with this eventually, one way or the other. She did text the nearby security team quickly before finally getting out of the car. (She also told Cory what was happening because she was not an idiot. The more people that knew, the better. She learned to be prepared after four years of working around Wilhelmina Slater.
"What are you doing here?" She asked as her driver pulled away.
"Since you have not returned my calls, I thought I would try in person. I felt it necessary after my conversation with your nephew earlier. I'm grateful I caught you on your way home." Betty felt it was more than a coincidence; she would text DJ once she got the man off her front steps.
"I have been at the hospital for the last 24 hours. I just want to take a shower and rest a little bit before having to go back. We can discuss my resignation after my stepchildren are born." Betty did not have the energy for a long conversation. She only got about three nonconsecutive hours of sleep last night, even though she and Daniel could share the pullout sofa in the birthing suite.
"I feel that you don't see them as only your stepchildren." As her niece and nephew at a minimum, but she's not telling Lindsay that. "I know it's important for you to be here for their birth. I'm sorry for asking you to take an assignment overseas so close to their impending arrival." She's a little surprised that Lindsay was apologizing.
"It is important for me to be there, especially since they are a little early. Amanda is family, and family is there for each other through everything. So, if you're here to ask me to take my job back, you can return to fashion week. Thank you for apologizing, but I don't think London hub is where I need to be right now." She hates that it came to her quitting, but she's felt freer in the last two days than she has in a while. This needed to happen.
"You don't? Your boyfriend can't hire you for one of his magazines for at least two years because you resigned. It's impossible to stay in the country without a visa." Of course, he would mention the immigration issue.
"I'll think of something. I could always move the wedding to Daniel up." Betty's been doing a little googling, and she will have more visa options if she's married to Daniel despite him not being a UK citizen. He is a UK business owner, and that means something.
"You wouldn't have to if you came back. It was wrong of me to ask you to take over for Victoria. I don't want us to part on these terms."
"It was wrong of you to make me fix her mess."
"I realize that. I just felt it was better if you were far away from her. Since I couldn't get her to leave, I thought it would be best to get you to leave." Betty wasn't sure she believed that.
"I can't leave right now. I'm not leaving Amanda vulnerable. You realize your business partner is after her.
"I'm aware. And if I weren't before, I would be after your nephew yelled at me. He's quite displeased with me. I feel I need to have at least a passable relationship with the son of my niece's girlfriend." Maybe that's why Lindsay is trying to make nice with her. Perhaps it was good that Jordan lied about the relationship.
"DJs very protective of me."
"He is."
"Leaving the magazine is not just for me, I'm doing it because I care about London Hub. I'm not the right fit for London Hub. I can't make it the magazine you want it to be. That's obvious because you keep redoing half of the magazine each month."
"I wouldn't have hired you if I didn't think you could do the job." Betty scoffed at Lindsay's comment.
"I've accepted that you hired me solely to destabilize Mode US because you've been planning to buy Isabella for a while. There's no need to keep up with the pretense anymore. I'm ready to move forward."
"I still wouldn't have hired you if I didn't think you have talent. I'm willing to acknowledge that hiring an American to do a London culture magazine was the wrong choice. That's why I had to step in as much as I did." That makes sense to Betty.
"Maybe after four or five years of living in London, I could do it, but not now. My managing editor would be a better choice, and maybe he should've gotten the position in the first place. I need more experience before I should be the magazine's EIC." Even if there weren't the no compete clause issue, Betty wouldn't let Daniel give her Diversity Business UK.
"He's not as creative as you are. Many of your ideals were good, and even though we did not use them for London Hub, I passed them to other magazines." Betty was surprised to hear that. She hopes it is something that actually happened, not him trying to be nice to her now.
"Maybe, but I'm sure you'll find someone else. Somebody who can do everything that you need." Betty realizes that she isn't that person, and she accepts that. But she's glad she at least tried. She doesn't regret trying. She's not sure she and Daniel would ever get together if she stayed at Mode America. At least her leaving forced them to act.
"And what will you do?" Lindsey asked.
"Spend time with the twins. Write the book I've always wanted to write." Call an immigration lawyer to find the best way to keep a work visa. "I have options."
"We do have a separate division that publishes books. Your boyfriend does not."
"What about children's books? That seems to be what I'm best at writing. I have a few drafts already. DJ is helping me with the art."
"I know some literary agents that specialize in children's books. I can send you a list." He seemed very happy about this for some reason.
"Thank you."
"I'm sorry to see you go," Lindsay said as he leaned over to shake her hand.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out, but I hope London hub continues to be successful."
"I'm sure you'll do great things moving forward. Although, please be wary of my business partner. I'm sure Jordan would be upset if I allowed anything to happen to you. She said all nice things about you in New York last week." Now Betty is extra thankful Jordan lied to her uncle.
"Thank you for the warning. Maybe at some point, our paths will cross again."
"I'm sure they will." With that, Lindsay let go of her hand and walked away.
To be continued.