When Betty joined her family in going to the hotel, she was still somewhat in shock at all that had happened over the last two days. Naturally, she was thrilled that they had found Daniel alive and well and hopefully, on the road to recovery.
But beyond that, she was still having a very difficult time wrapping her mind around all she had learned about the man's very intense feelings for her; feelings he had kept hidden from her, from most of the world...up till now, that is.
She couldn't help but wonder what he had envisioned when he started writing his latest novel. What he expected her reaction to be to what would certainly be a very public declaration (far more so than his letter in Mode, especially now that he had achieved esteem and fame as an author).
Hilda, always quick to pick up on her moods, even when Betty didn't want her to, pulled her aside, while the men were showering and getting settled in the rooms, "Mami, come with me, if you want to really live!" she laughed, and Betty rolled her eyes.
"Hilda! Seriously! I don't have time to get drunk with you right now. Besides, you know me, I don't really like to drink."
Her older sister continued to pull on Betty's arm, and ignore her protests, "Well, get over it, Chica. I know you are probably dying to finish reading that book of Daniel's, but you can't always have your nose in books. Any book; even one about you. You have to get out and enjoy your life, actually live a little.
It's been six months since I've seen my baby sister and now that we know the love of your life is alive, I want to spend time with you! And guess what? This bar actually serves those silly drinks you like. I asked. So sit your ass down and drink with your sister!"
When they sat down at a table, Hilda gestured to the waiter, "I'll have a margarita and shot of tequilla, sweetie. And my sister here will have a mango margarita. Actually, keep 'em coming,darlin'. We've got some catching up to do!" she winked at the attractive young waiter.
Betty made a face, "Hilda! Why are you flirting with that waiter? What would Bobby say?"
She rolled her eyes, "Hey, I'm married; I'm not...dead! Besides, Bobby flirts with girls all the time. Well, to be honest, they usually flirt with him. He is a total hottie. But, I never worry. I mean, come on, like he's going to do any better than this?" she gestured at her signature low cut shirt.
Betty shook her head, "Of course not."
Hilda held up her drink and clinked her glass against Betty's, "Now, let's talk about what's really going on between you two all this time."
"Nothing. Well, I mean, nothing HAS been going on...up till now."
Hilda shook her head in disbelief, "How is that even possible? You mean to tell me, not once, not ever did you guys ever...you know, get your freak on?"
"NO! Never! Hilda, come on...you know me better than that. I'm not like…"
"What, me?"
"Well…" Betty smiled, and Hilda shoved her shoulder, "HEY-YYY! Okay, well, maybe you're right. But, you've gotta admit, it's kind of hard to believe. I mean, chica, come on, he's a man, you're a woman.
You two...were always working together, all those late nights. We all thought...you know, you guys had at least done SOMETHING, but just wanted to keep it on the DL."
"No! I swear to you, nothing ever happened between us. We were just friends. All we ever did was talk and...hug! Maybe...hold hands."
"But you sure spent a lot of nights in the office all night, or at his place
...together...I mean, a lot! Or when he quit his job, and followed you to London?
I know you never wanna talk about that little fact. But come on, mami! Nobody does that for a FRIEND! Now...he writes a whole BOOK about you and how great you are and how crazy he has always been about you and you're gonna tell me nothing is going on with you two? Maybe...it was just friends before, but come on, what about now, huh? You can't tell me you don't want him, too!
Betty, you're my sister and I love you but are you frickin' crazy? What is wrong with you? That man is a total hottie! He's sweet, he's smart, he's...well, rich, and he's obviously nuts about you! What are you waiting for? Him to ride up on a white horse or somethin'?"
"Nothing! I don't know. I'm not waiting for...anything, okay? I didn't know ...how he felt about me. I thought he had moved on without me…"
"Well, now you know you were way wrong about that, huh? And we both know you're totally crazy about him, too! You still talk about him all the time."
"I do not!"
"Do, too! And you still keep in touch with his mother!"
Betty bit her lip, "How did you know that? Oh...right, Justin."
After their fourth round of drinks, both sisters were getting louder and sillier. Finally, Betty blushed, telling Hilda about their kiss in the hospital room and Daniel's "problem" after they kissed, then how Alexis and Tyler had walked in on them.
Hilda burst out laughing, "Ohmygod! You're kidding, right? No, of course you're not. That's frickin' hilarious! Was he like...huge? I would have loved to seen that!"
Bobby walked up behind his wife, and put his hands on her shoulders, "Seen what? Hilda, are you two done getting drunk down here, yet? I'm bored! Why don't I join you ladies and then you and I can go upstairs and enjoy this great hotel room for a while?
Come on, honey. There's nothing on right now. This is the worst time of year. Basketball season is over and football doesn't really get going until the end of the month."
"You're kidding; right? This is FASHION WEEK! This is the best time of year, ever! Hey, Mom, AB. Whoa, are you guys like...drunk?" Justin came to stand behind his mother and aunt.
"NO! And what are you two doing down here? Can't I have any girl time with Betty? It's not like she comes home from London all that much. And we've only gotten to see her there once! Come on, guys! Give me a break, will you? I see you two all the time. Betty's my sister! I miss her."
"Sorry, Mom. I was just on my way out to see if they have any kind of night life here. DJ is meeting me at what passes for a nightclub here. We're going to do some dancing. Don't do anything I wouldn't do, AB! Goodnight!" He kissed his mother and Aunt Betty.
Hilda grinned, taking another drink, after her son had left earshot and whispered rather loudly to Bobby, "Besides, it was just getting really, really good! Betty was about to reveal something very personal about Daniel! Something I've wanted to know, ever since we made out at Fashion Week, ten years ago!"
Bobby sat next to his wife and looked at Betty, "What the hell is she talking about, Chipmunk? Is that really true? Hilda made out with...Daniel Meade? Why have I never heard of this? Is he one of the eight?"
Betty looked at her sister dubiously, "No, they just kissed. Eight? OH, I get it. Hilda, is THAT what you told him your "number" was? Eight?" She giggled.
Bobby narrowed his eyes, "What? It's really higher than that, isn't it? Is he one of...her ten, then? Fifteen? Twenty? Geez, Hilda! How many were there, really? I think that's a fair question! I told you my real number!"
Hilda rolled her eyes, "Come on! No, you didn't. I know you exaggerated how many girls you've been with the other way! Everybody knows that guys always double what they say and women always divide our number by two! I thought that was like...common knowledge!"
"So it WAS actually what, like FIFTEEN, then? Is that what you're saying?"
She glanced at Betty, who rolled her eyes, knowing full well her sister's "number" was in reality probably higher than that, "Yes! Okay? And yours was really only ten?"
"Yeah, maybe. Something like that. So? Does that make me like...less of a man, somehow, because I didn't sleep around more? I mean, believe me, I had plenty offers for way more than that, but…well, to be honest, I was still hung up on you, Hilda! But I never told you cuz I didn't want it to go to your head!"
Hilda sat on his lap, and kissed him sensuously as she ran her hand through his hair, "Awe, really? That's so sweet! Oh, believe me, baby, I know you did! Cause you are SO freakin' hot! Um...bye, Betty! Sorry, I love you, but...well…"
Betty shooed her sister and brother-in-law away, as they . They were clearly enjoying the time away from home and Elena's offer of free childcare and wanted to make this a sort of second honeymoon now that they were sure Daniel was safe.
She didn't blame them for leaving her alone in the hotel bar. In fact, she was grateful for the opportunity to go back to her own room and curl up with a good book she was dying to finish.
She paid for the drinks and stood, just a little tipsy. She saw the back of a woman's head that seemed somewhat familiar, "Diana?"
The woman turned and smiled when she saw Betty, "Miss Suarez?"
"Please, call me Betty."
"Of course. Betty, how lovely to see you! I just came from the hospital. Claire was nice enough to let me check on Daniel then she insisted on getting me a room here. She invited me to come have dinner with you all tomorrow.
That was very thoughtful of her, but I'm afraid I really have to get back home tomorrow. I called my husband this morning, and told him what happened and why I've been gone so long.
He's been worried sick that I was dead! He said he and my son went out to the cabin to look for me, and they just got back a few hours ago with the note I left. Anyway, I'm very glad Daniel's doing better. And can I tell you something?:
"Of course!"
She put her hand on Betty's and looked deeply into her eyes, "That man...loves you very much, young lady." she laughed, "I was very worried about him right after the accident especially, that's why I was afraid to move him, and I'll be honest, at first I think he thought he was really dying.
He had me write you a letter to you on his behalf and made me promise I would give it to you if anything should "happen" to him. I kept it, just in case. I think you should have it" Diana handed Betty a carefully folded letter. She looked down at it, her eyes moist at the thought that Daniel was thinking about her in what he truly believed at the time might be his last moments.
"Thank you." she whispered, grasping the note.
The older woman smiled and gestured for Betty to join her, "Please, join me for one drink. I'm heading up to my room to get some rest before my husband and son get here in the morning. I wanted to drive home myself, but Paul told me to stay put. I think he's worried about me driving. You know men. He thinks just because he has a penis, that makes him a better driver than me!"
Betty laughed slightly, as she sat down at the table. "I think I'll have a cup of coffee. I've already had a few too many Mango Margaritas tonight with my sister!"
Diana smiled, remembering what Daniel had told her about Betty's clumsiness, particularly when she drank, "Yes, Daniel told me about your fondness for that specific drink!"
Betty looked surprised, and glanced down at the letter, wondering what Daniel had dictated this woman to write to her, as he thought he was dying, "What else did he tell you about me?"
Diana's eyes twinkled, as she shrugged, taking a drink of her glass of wine. She ordered a coffee for Betty and placed her hand on top of the letter, "You mean besides what he had me write to you? Well, he was in a lot of pain, dear. Especially at first. He seemed to have quite a few regrets, particularly about all the time he wasted, not...being with you.
He told me that you had been his assistant and his best friend, but that he had stupidly not pursued a more romantic relationship, and he had been kicking himself about that fact for the past several years. He said he went through one meaningless affair after another with women that couldn't hold a candle to you. He also said he watched you waste your time with idiotic boyfriends who betrayed you and he hated to see you get hurt.
He had always fought his baser instincts when he was your friend in New York, because he didn't want to lose your friendship. Then, after you left, he was lost without you, so he followed you there, but he tried to be unselfish once he saw how hard you were working to make a name for yourself in publishing, and that you simply didn't have time to start something up with him then. Because you're so much younger than he is, he knew you had all the time in the world.
But he said he lived in fear every day in London that you would meet the man of your dreams, someone younger and far better than him that would sweep you off your feet. So he left, and buried himself in his writing, trying to prove himself to you, to everyone, so he would be worthy of you. More than anything, he wanted you to be proud of him."
Betty wiped at her eyes, as she listened to this woman, this total stranger in so many ways, who was telling her of Daniel's inner thoughts about her; thoughts she never realized he had! She shook her head, "I didn't know! I was so...stupid!
I can't believe I thought I knew him so well, and I had no idea all this was going on in his head, in his heart! Why didn't he ever SAY anything to me? I loved him, too. I've always loved him! I mean, yes, of course I've been busy, but I would have never been too busy for him!"
Diana nodded, knowingly, as she rose to cross the room, "Well, you'll have to excuse me, dear, but I see my husband and son arriving. I believe I'll let you enjoy your letter and decide which road you're going to choose to go down next. It was very nice meeting you. You're everything he said you were. Don't let that man get away again!"
Betty nodded, somewhat absently, staring at the letter she had been given. Then, she glanced back to Diana, who was already at the door, happily reunited with her family, hugging and kissing her husband and grown son. Betty was envious. She was happy with her job, it was challenging, and exciting, yes, but who did she have to share that joy with? She desperately missed her family, she missed home, she missed...HIM!
She sat, looking at the letter for a few minutes before she carefully unfolded it and began reading:
To My Beautiful Betty,
Darling, I have to tell you everything that's in my heart. I don't know if I'm going to make it and in case I don't, there's so much I want to tell you, so much unfinished business between you and me. It literally hurts my heart to think of all the time we had together, all the time we spent together in those precious four years that I so desperately wish I had back now, so I could spend them with you, and only you.
If you haven't had a chance to read my latest novel, I should have asked your permission to write our story. Hopefully, you won't be too mad that I used your name, both in the title and...well, the whole book is about you. It's about how you truly became that adorable little butterfly you dressed up as that first Halloween. You spread your wings and flew...away from Mode, away from me. And how terribly I miss you now that you're gone.
Betty, I know I should have had the guts to tell you how I felt about you, how I wanted you, how you touched me in so many ways. You saw me, me as I truly am, the real man under the hype, the crap, all the superficial nonsense that I hid behind my whole life. I don't know why I didn't take my own advice that night when I told you how beautiful you were.
Remember the night I hugged you, and tried to comfort you when that idiot Jesse guy hurt you? The words I tried to console you, how guys always choose the "obvious", I wasn't just talking about him, I meant me, too. I was talking to myself as much as you. I SHOULD have made love to you that night, I should have took you in my arms and kissed you and taken you home with me and showed you that I had changed, that I was already crazy about you then. But I was stupid. Not you; me.
I was also incredibly jealous of Henry. The time you were so mad at me for calling you stupid? I knew I was just driving you into his arms. It drove me crazy. I saw you up there on the stage, kissing that moron and it made me nuts. You were right about me, prostituting myself. Of course you were right. You were always right about all the dumb things I did.
But I was right, too. I knew Henry would only hurt you and it made me mad that you loved him that much that you chose not to listen to me and let yourself get hurt more. It seemed like nothing I could say or do would break you up with Henry.
That's why I gave you the tickets to Rome to go with Gio. Because I didn't really think you would go. I just couldn't stand to think you might actually marry Henry and leave me.
Then, even when I followed you to London, I can't believe I chickened out again. I guess I thought you would just jump into my arms because I had written you that letter in the anniversary issue and showed up in London. When you didn't, I was too scared to put myself "out there" all the way and make a move, because I couldn't stand to think you might reject me. Me, the "great Daniel Meade". But that's what I was afraid of, that you knew you were always way too good for me, that I didn't deserve your love. So I ran away.
I wanted to show you, to show my old man, or myself that I could do something right. Because you gave me the confidence in my writing, I've been trying to prove myself good enough for you.
Anyway, what's done is done. But you need to know...if I'm not here to tell you this stuff, I never had the courage to just lay it all on the line and tell you I am in love with you, Betty. I have been for a very, very long time. On some levels, I probably was the minute I met you. I knew you were different than any girl I had ever met. I think I instinctively knew you would change me, that we would change each other, somehow.
You made me want to be better, to do better, to ask more of myself. Before you, I was such a mess! I was selfish and lazy and a privileged trust fund "kid" that had never worked a day in my life. YOU changed that; you changed me. And everyone else at Mode. You made us all better for having known you.
You're an amazing woman, sweetie. I need you to know that. Your honesty, your kindness, your true beauty rubbed off on all of us at that place of fake "beauty" and showed us what it really meant to be a beautiful person. Okay, I know, I need a thesaurus (like you?)
I have instructions with my publisher, Patricia Badgley in Boston to let you read my draft and give your permission before my last novel is released, since it is all about you, about the love affair we had...in my head, anyway. About the love affair we SHOULD have had, about the love affair I wish we could still have, even after all these years have come between us. I never thought anything would come between you and me, my sweet, adorable Betty.
But anyway, I want you to know, my last thoughts are of you, of how mad I am at myself for not reaching out to you in all this time. I should have shown up at your door, just like stupid Henry, on my knees, with a ring and told you I was in love with you, and asked you to be my wife.
If by some miracle, I do survive….well, consider this my proposal that I WILL propose. I love you more than I can tell you. Words fall flat...words just aren't enough to say how much I love you, what you mean to me. I pray that I can show you.
-Your Daniel, forever.
Betty folded the letter back up and placed it to her lips, not even trying to stop the flow of tears, then stood, running outside. She spotted a taxi and hailed him, "Take me to the hospital, please!"
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