Sorry it took so long for me to post another chapter. It was a busy week. Thank you to all who are still reading! Comments are always appreciated! :)


Was this a nightmare? Daniel couldn't believe the words that were coming out of his mother's mouth. Ever since he'd heard her voicemail message he'd been obsessing over it . . . constantly analyzing what was going on with her, who this guy Peter was, if she was okay. Even though she wouldn't say it, he knew he'd been driving Betty crazy over it. And now his mother was right there in front of him, saying all these things that sounded nothing like herself . . . so impulsive . . . so ludicrous . . . And even worse - Betty was saying how great it was! It was like he was living in another dimension! With everything else going on, he honestly didn't know how much more he could take.

"Married?!" Daniel exclaimed. "You're married?! So you just got out of a presentation at a publishing convention, bumped into some goddamn stranger and instantaneously decided, 'Hey, we're both single! Let's shack up for the rest of our lives. Who gives a shit if you could be a psychopathic killer in disguise?!' What the hell, Mom?!"

"Daniel, darling, lower your voice. You're making a scene," Claire discreetly reprimanded her son as she, Daniel, and Betty waited for the credit card to be returned at the restaurant.

"So what?! It's not exactly like it's a first for our family . . ." Daniel dismissively retorted.

"Daniel, your mom's right. I don't like having to mediate these things every time, but you know I will if I have to," Betty warned her stubborn husband.

"Peter Cameron is not a stranger. He was an old acquaintance of your father's," Claire defended.

"Wow . . .! That changes everything!" Daniel sarcastically exclaimed. "Dad had a thousand acquaintances. What makes this guy so freakin' special you had to have a shotgun wedding without your family there?! I'm pretty sure there's no way you're pregnant. Although, if Dad could father a child after death, who the hell knows?!"

"Daniel, please," Claire pleaded.

"No. You're the one who sprung the news on us in a public place, Mom," Daniel pointed out. "Did you think I wouldn't react as badly if you did it here? Or maybe you thought I'd just throw my arms around you and say how happy I was? Host a reception for you and my new stepdad? I'm not my wife!"

"Hey! All I said was that I was happy that she was happy. I never said anything else." Betty protested. "But seriously, Daniel, calm down. Unless you want to be on Page Six and Fashion TV, labeled as the villain in your mother's love life, we need to table this discussion until we're in private."

"Fine," Daniel reluctantly conceded. "But this is not over. Not even close! I have a meeting with advertisers right now, though."

"Claire, why don't you come over for dinner tonight so we can talk more. Around 7:30pm? Don't worry - I promise Daniel and I won't be cooking," Betty tried to ease the tension. "Oh! You'll get to see our new house!"

Their waiter returned with the black folder containing Claire's credit card. Claire put it away in her black Chanel clutch.

"Thank you, Sweetheart. I'll be there," Claire smiled and hugged her favorite daughter-in-law.

"Great! See you tonight!" Betty said, before leaving with Daniel.

They walked hand-in-hand out of the crowded restaurant.

"You said you have a meeting to get to? I don't remember it being on your schedule?" Betty wondered.

"I do . . . At 4pm," he answered.

"Good thinking. You need some space to think," she replied. "I'm worried about you, Babe. With all this stress you already have, and then your mom springing this on you, too . . . You could give yourself a heart attack if you're not careful."

Daniel was silent. Once they were away from prying eyes, Daniel abruptly let Betty's hand go and pushed it away when she attempted to take it back.

"What?" Betty asked, perplexed, as the company town car pulled up to the curb in front of them.

They both got in and Daniel pushed the button to close the divider.

"What do you mean, 'What?', Betty? You know goddamn well, 'What'! How could you do that to me? How about being on my side, regardless? I thought you cared about my mom?" Daniel snapped. "I thought we were a team?!"

"Of course I care about your mom! I love Claire! How could you doubt that, Daniel?! She's been like a mother to me. What I'd like to know is why you're not being more supportive?" Betty questioned. "And for future reference - not that you'll remember - being on Team Daniel doesn't mean always agreeing with you. I have a mind of my own and the right to my own opinions. We've had this fight a million times now."

Daniel scoffed.

"Supportive? You want me to be supportive of my seventy-five year old mother suddenly marrying some guy in his sixties she's only met maybe once or twice before in passing?" he replied, incredulously.

"No, Daniel. I don't expect you to be supportive of your mother's rash decisions, but I do expect you to be supportive of her as a person. If you attack her instead of trying to understand her reasoning, we'll never figure out what's going on with her," Betty replied. "And it's really hypocritical of you to judge their age gap, considering ours."

"Oh, c'mon, Betty! That's totally different!" Daniel argued. "You were intellectually more mature than I was. And we knew each other for four years and were as close as two people can be without having sex. Actually closer, because sex can be just that, but what we had was much more intimate."

"True. However, we not only had sex for the first time, but also admitted we were in love, and got engaged the second you confirmed you wanted to be with me. I'd consider that rushing things a little," Betty countered.

Daniel softened a little, reflecting on one of his favorite memories of them together.

"Technically it was four years and three weeks before we had sex and said 'I love you'. We got engaged after our fourth round – seven total that day. But who's counting?" Daniel corrected, full of himself.

"Daniel, don't be pedantic," Betty rolled her eyes. "Or disgusting. The guys aren't around to hear how many times you scored with me back then, so you can cut it out."

"Sorry if I happen to remember that day very fondly," he pouted. "For many reasons – not just that, Betty."

"I know. But we're getting way off track, here," she sighed. "We need a plan on how to handle your mother that won't cause her to go on the defensive. So you can't freak out tonight like you did at lunch.

"Okay. I promise I'll try to keep my cool," he assured her.

"Do you think Claire could be drinking again?" Betty wondered aloud. "I hope not. But if she isn't, the lack of support from her family could lead her to drink again. I think you should to talk to Tyler, Alexis, and D.J. I know she claimed that Alexis, Becks, and D.J. were happy for her and that she hadn't talked to Tyler and Amanda yet, but we should see how they really feel about all of this."

"You're right. I'll call Alexis when we get back to the office. And I'll see if Tyler has some time to talk after that," Daniel agreed.

"Wait. We could be making a big deal out of nothing?" Betty had second thoughts.

"Jesus, Betty! My mother got married to a guy she barely knows after only a matter of days," Daniel repeated the situation. "That's not normal. It's batshit crazy! Only drunk people in Vegas do that! Or the Old Becks . . ."

"They were in Atlantic City . . . The Boardwalk and beach are very romantic from what I've read. And don't you remember that movie we watched one time? The one based on a true story in the 1930s about a girl who dove with horses at state fairs, went blind, but kept on diving? She sings that song about Atlantic City where 'Cinderella finds her fella' and it's 'romantic and enchantic'?," Betty asked her husband.

"Betty, we watch a lot of movies together. You know I don't always pay attention or remember all of them," Daniel responded.

"What was I thinking? You're right, you're either snoring through the romantic parts or on your Switch playing a video game. Never mind," she dismissed, annoyed and slightly amused. "My point is, what if Claire really has fallen in love with a nice man? What if all she wants is someone to share her Golden Years?"

"You can't possibly be serious!" he groaned, hating how his wife insisted on playing Devil's Advocate.

"Look at my father. Hilda and I went crazy when we found out about him and Elena. We thought that he was just being a horny older man harassing his nurse, because he was going through a crisis after his heart attack. Or that Elena was taking advantage of him. But neither of those were true. They simply happened to fall for each other," she recalled.

"That's totally different. Your dad and my mom are totally different. My mom's a romantic, sure, but she's not passionate like your dad. She doesn't think with her heart first. Not that that's a bad thing," Daniel maintained. "After dealing with all of my dad's indiscretions, she knows to keep her guard up. My dad was still the love of her life, though. Sure, she had that affair with Hartley. But she'd never marry someone else without careful thought and consideration. Which is why I think something is going on – either with my mom, this Cameron guy, or both. I can't even begin to fathom how she made such an irrational decision like this otherwise."

"Daniel, deep down, I'll admit I'm still not crazy at the thought of my father being married to a woman who isn't my mother, either," Betty confessed. "It's not like they were divorced or had a bad marriage – Mami had cancer. However, I also realize my own hypocrisy. And Elena is a wonderful person who makes Papi happy and makes him stick to his heart-healthy lifestyle. Hilda and I don't have to worry about him being alone now that we have our own families."

"I don't feel like that, Betty," he told her. "I have no memories of my parents being the perfect couple. Hell, there are only a few times I can remember them truly being happy at all. They did always come back to each other, though."

"I'm sorry you and Alexis had to go through that. I can't imagine what that would have been like for you," Betty said, sympathetically rubbing Daniel's thigh and leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Your family isn't like my family. And we're vulnerable in a way your family isn't. People can take advantage of us if we're not careful," he reminded her.

"Daniel, I'm far from naïve," she insisted. "You know I've known that for a long time. And I've experienced it myself, because of my association with you, and because of my status as an EIC. Don't tell me you think your mother would blindly get involved with someone. We both know she's smarter than that!"

"She never said she had him checked out," Daniel defended.

"We never asked her, either," Betty countered. "I think we should give her the benefit of the doubt – at least for now."

Daniel sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Alright. I'll ease up on my mom," he conceded. "But I still think we should do some background research ourselves."

"Agreed," Betty said. "Babe, I know you're worried about your mom. So am I. But I promise no matter what happens, we'll get through this together. I love you."

She kissed her husband passionately, assuring him exactly how much he meant to her. Daniel reciprocated, feeling some of his apprehension dissipate, knowing at least his wife would be by his side through this ordeal.

"Thank you, Baby. I love you, too," he gave her a bittersweet smile. "I'm sorry I flipped out. I just feel like everything is coming down on me at once."

"I get it. With all that's happening right now, it's a lot to take in," she agreed. "Promise me you'll try not to let your blood pressure get up so high. Think calming thoughts – like building Lego sets with the kids, or playing basketball . . ."

"Or you?" he smiled lovingly at her.

"Sure . . . if that's what keeps you centered," she humbly replied.

"You've always been my center, Betty," Daniel revealed. "Even all those years ago when everything was utter chaos - like with my dad dying, my mom breaking out of prison, you quitting even after I rehired you, the computer hack at MODE, and Wilhelmina poaching my staff. When you came back to help, I knew as long as you were with me, everything would be okay."

Betty smiled, shyly.

"Hold onto that thought, now. We'll all be okay," she told him.

He nodded.

The car pulled up to Meade and Daniel and Betty got out. He took her left hand, kissing it before holding it tight as they made their way back to Modest.


"I talked to the rest of my family and they feel the same as we do. We need to proceed with caution," Daniel said as he walked into Betty's office and closed the door.

"Good!" Betty replied. "I did some digging on my own – you know, Google, etc."

"Any luck?" he asked, hopeful.

"Nothing. Squeaky clean, so far. Sixty-eight year old Australian-American real estate developer, involved in charities for children who have cancer, those who are orphans . . . an animal rights activist . . . vegetarian . . . environmentalist . . . Was married three times before – all women were from different countries . . . has a twenty-five year old adopted daughter from Columbia with his third wife who was a professional singer there, a thirty-three year old biological son with his second wife from England who's a distant cousin of the Prime Minister, and a forty-year old biological daughter with his first wife from California who's a former film producer," she answered, reading from her laptop as she snacked on carrot sticks and dill pickles with ranch dip.

"Interesting, but not much to go on except he obviously couldn't commit to a relationship," Daniel remarked, stealing a carrot stick and dipping it in the ranch.

"I think I'm going to call in that favor Detective Averaimo owes me. Maybe he can dig deeper, run a thorough background check?" she considered.

"Averaimo? Wasn't he the guy who arrested me for the attempted murder of Christina?" Daniel remembered. "Why would he owe you a favor?"

"He begged me to set him up with Hilda. And it turned out that not only was he a super dull date who wouldn't stop talking about his ex, but he also wasn't even divorced from his wife yet – just separated. He basically used Hilda to make his wife jealous. They got back together – no big surprise. Anyway, Hilda was pissed at me for weeks after," Betty explained.

Daniel chuckled.

Then there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" Betty answered.

"G'day, Betty! Daniel, I was wondering if I might steal you away for a few rounds at the gym? That is, if your beautiful wife doesn't mind?" Conner entered her office. "Oh, and I brought you some peppermint tea. I've read it helps with the nausea. Congrats, by the way!"

"Thank you, Conner, that's very thoughtful!" Betty smiled.

"I'd love to, but I have a meeting in a half an hour and my mom's coming over for dinner tonight. Tomorrow, maybe?" Daniel replied.

"Sure thing, Mate!" Conner said before he began to leave.

"Oh! Conner? Before you go, we were wondering if maybe you could help us out with something?" Betty stopped him.

"Of course. What do you need, Sweetie?" he asked.

"And could we keep this conversation between us?" Daniel requested. "I'm not comfortable with Wilhelmina knowing yet."

"Not a problem," Conner promised and shut the door.

"Have you heard of Peter Cameron?" Betty asked.

"Everyone under the Monarchy's heard of Pete the Poacher. Why?" Conner wondered.

Betty turned to Daniel.

"My mom married him out of nowhere over the weekend," Daniel told his friend.

"Bloody, hell! Sorry 'bout that, guys! Anything I can do?" he offered.

"Yeah. Just tell us all you know about him. We need to be prepared," Daniel requested.

"You said he's a poacher? I read he's an animal activist and a vegetarian?" Betty asked, confused.

"Not literally. He poaches real estate clients," Conner explained.

Betty nodded.

"Anything else?" Daniel questioned.

"Let's see . . . charming, ruggedly handsome, conman . . . He's not worth as much as he claims to be. He borrows from other countries, makes shady business deals, doesn't always pay his contractors, workers, lawyers – I personally know a couple of guys he's screwed over. Cameron also grifts off of his charities and cheats on his taxes. His name's on the Epstein list multiple times. He preys on wealthy women, convincing them not to sign a prenup. Then he bilks them for all they're worth when they inevitably divorce him for cheating on them with underage girls, prostitutes, or his next victim. Sometimes he drains their accounts dry first and then leaves them," Conner listed off what he knew. "Now I know I'm no saint by any means, but this guy makes me look like one."

"How has he not been caught, if he's really as bad as you say he is?" Betty wondered.

"Money, extortion, threats, skirting the laws . . . He's like a mob boss in a lot of ways. He has fixers in high places. Whatever despicable act or crime he commits gets buried one way or another. Or he drags out cases against him in court till the other side can no longer afford it or the statute runs out," Conner answered. "And while he's tinkered with the idea in the past, he's been smart enough not to get too involved in politics. Therefore, he's been able to fly under the radar without as much scrutiny."

"If Cameron's so slippery, how do we go about proving it? How do we stop him before he hurts my mom, my family, and Meade?" Daniel questioned. "They're already married."

"I'm assuming there's no prenup?" Conner inquired. "And no grounds for an annulment?"

"Can you count shear stupidity?" Daniel rhetorically asked.

"Not that I know of . . ." Conner replied, chuckling.

"Shit! They were married so goddamn quickly I highly doubt my mom took the time to draw up a prenup. And it's not exactly like anyone would carry around a backup on the off-chance a wedding happens," Daniel said, sighing in frustration.

"Wait," Betty said. "I know this is a probably sore spot for all of us, so sorry to bring it up. But when obtaining a marriage license, if a person was previously married and their spouse died, don't you always have to have the death certificate with you? I know Daniel had to have Molly's when we got married. What are the chances of Claire carrying around Bradford's death certificate?"

"So maybe mom and Peter Cameron aren't even legally married . . ." Daniel assumed, his face lighting up. He soundly kissed his wife on the lips. "Betty, you're a genius!"

"Don't thank me, yet. For all we know, Claire could have had her assistant overnight the certificate," she pointed out to him.

Daniel buried his face in his hands and groaned.

"What about her bank accounts? If she hasn't allowed him access to them or set up a joint account, wouldn't that help?" Betty contemplated.

"Sure. But knowing how this asshole operates, I'm betting he's already got it," Conner replied. "You remember how quickly I accessed yours, Betty? We weren't even married."

"I may have forgiven you, but there's no way in hell I'll ever forget what you did to both Daniel and me, Conner," Betty glared at him. "Not to mention his family's company. And that you threatened mine."

"Betty, I've apologized to both you and Daniel a thousand times. And I will apologize a thousand more, if it will help," Conner sincerely told her.

"No. It's okay. I realize you've served your sentence and have evolved. Talking about embezzlement brought back bad memories, that's all," she explained. "You've been a honest friend to us, since."

Conner nodded.

"She's right, Conner. And we appreciate all that you've told us," Daniel said.

"My pleasure," Conner told them.

"Could Claire legally transfer her assets to someone else? Temporarily, I mean?" Betty asked. "Like a trustee, maybe? Or is there another way Cameron couldn't get to them?"

"I'd love to assist you any way I can, Betty. However, as you know, I'm not exactly an expert at being clean when it comes to circumstances such as these. I think you should discuss legalities with an attorney," Conner advised.

"I need to see if my mom will come over a little sooner," Daniel picked up his phone. "And contact our lawyer."

"I'll call Hilda and my dad," Betty said, taking out her phone. "Thank you so much, Conner!"

"Anytime, Sweetie. Good luck, you two! Daniel, I'll see you tomorrow," Conner told them and left.

"Daniel, this is so much worse than what I thought. What are we going to do if Cameron's already gotten into your mom's bank accounts?" Betty asked, worried.

"I don't know, Baby. But we need to find out all of the facts – and fast," Daniel, told her before calling Claire.