Thank you all for still reading! :)


Betty, Amanda, and Marc all knelt on the floor around Daniel, as he was lying unconscious in Betty's office.

"Daniel? Daniel? Baby, wake up! Daniel, can you hear me?" Betty gently shook her husband, then proceeded to exam him, grabbing her penlight from the desk drawer. "His pulse is okay and he's still breathing . . .? His pupils seem to be equal and reactive. I just wish he would wake up."

"Who are you – Dr. Meredith Grey?!" Marc questioned.

"After Papi had his heart attack, Elena gave me some lessons in first aid and stuff like that," Betty shrugged.

"Daniel seems kinda pale, doesn't he?" Amanda wondered.

"Nah! That's just his normal pasty complexion, Mandy," Marc brushed her concern away. "Although it is practically flawless . . ."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Amanda agreed after studying him again. "I wonder if he's changed his skincare routine?"

"Would you guys please focus?! Daniel's been unconscious for way too long. We need to do something! Call someone!" Betty insisted, worried. "Daniel?"

"I've heard a good smack in the face works. Can I do it? Please?! Please?! Please?!" Marc eagerly suggested.

Betty and Amanda glared at him incredulously.

"Not thirty minutes ago, your batshit crazy caveman tried to squash me like a bug under one of Willie's Louboutin stilettos!" Marc defended. "I think that constitutes a good bitch-slap!"

Betty swatted the back of Marc's head.

"Ow!" he whined.

"There's your bitch-slap!" she retorted.

"Snap!" Amanda snickered.

"Well played, Suarez-Meade. Well played," he begrudgingly conceded, still rubbing his head. "Meade-Hartley, have Ashton teach you some new slang. That was sooo fourteen years ago!"

Amanda pouted and looked at Daniel again.

"Hey, Daniel . . . Daniel . . . You'd better wake up – I think Betty's about to take her top off! You know how much you love her big perky boobs!" she coaxed.

"Amanda!" Betty protested.

"Oh, relax, Betty! Seriously. I've heard Daniel mumbling dirty things about you in his sleep sooo many times," Amanda revealed. "I was really jealous. I mean who wouldn't dream of this – especially when they were currently hitting it?"

Betty cringed. Once again, her sister-in-law had shared too much. Then she blushed at the thought of Daniel fantasizing about her long before they were even together – and while he was with Amanda. She actually felt a little bad for her.

"But I totally get it now," Amanda admitted. "You were always his little love burrito, just like Ty-Ty's my big sexy stallion."

"Betty?" Daniel weakly murmured as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Daniel? Are you okay?" Betty asked, caressing his cheek.

"I think so . . . I'm feeling a little dizzy. What happened?" he asked sitting up with her and Amanda's help.

"You took one look at my gorgeous face and got the vapors," Marc mocked in a Southern female accent, fanning his face.

"What?!" Daniel asked, confused.

"You passed out, Sweetie," Amanda translated.

"Have you been feeling okay today? You seemed fine earlier," Betty asked, touching his forehead.

"Yeah. I mean I felt a little tired and weak this afternoon, but I just had a coffee and that seemed to do the trick," Daniel answered.

"What did you have for lunch? Didn't you have that meeting with Michael Kors? Where did you guys go for that?" Betty asked.

"We didn't. I just met them at their office. I don't remember eating lunch," he replied. "I think I maybe grabbed an apple and another coffee on my way out. And after that, I went to my meeting with Coach, then the one at Vera Bradley. They're all in, by the way. I have the contracts in my briefcase. Oh – I got you that new Featherweight Disney tote you wanted to use as a diaper bag while I was at Vera Bradley. I got one in butterfly bush plum and a black one for me. Anyway, when I was done, I picked up your hot chocolate at Starbucks, your candy bars out of the lobby vending machine, and came in here."

"You're such an amazing husband, Daniel. You're so sweet, thinking about me even when you have a million things to do yourself. But no wonder you passed out, Babe. You need to take better care of yourself," Betty told him. "You barely had any breakfast – just half of my onion bagel, because I discovered they now make me nauseated, and a coffee. And then only an apple for lunch? You're not a MODE model. You can afford to eat more than that. Actually, they should, too. Why didn't Jagger order you something?"

"I don't know. He's new and still getting used to this scheduling thing. And I asked him to run some errands . . . He probably forgot. And then I forgot, and you know the rest," Daniel figured.

"Marc, could you get Daniel a water out of the mini fridge and that candy bar on my desk? Amanda, can you buzz Liam on speaker?" Betty asked.

Marc got Daniel the water and chocolate while Amanda alerted Betty's new assistant.

"Yes, Mrs. Meade – I mean Suarez – er Suarez-Meade?" Liam nervously answered.

"Liam, relax. Like I said, just call me Betty," she smiled, amused. "Believe me, it's a lot easier – especially when there are three different Mrs. Meades in the building."

"Ok. Sorry. Betty," he apologized.

"Anyway, I was wondering if you could put in a delivery order at Gio's for me?" she requested. "Two Betty combos, two Daniel combos, a Marc, and an Amanda. And get something for yourself and Jagger, too. Just put it on my business card and remember to use the discount code 'SUN-DRIED'. Thanks!"

"Got it! Thank you, Betty!" Liam replied.

Amanda hung up.

"I so love having my name on a menu for the world to see!" she grinned.

"I'm happy Gio and his wife are so successful. He has chains here and in Europe. It's amazing!" Betty, smiled. "So Daniel, do you think maybe you could manage to make it to the chaise with some help?"

"Yeah, I think so," he answered after taking the last bite of his candy bar.

They all helped him up and got him settled.

"Do you think you'll be ok or do you want me to call the doctor?" Betty asked.

"No, I'm feeling a little better. And I think once the sandwiches are here I'll be back to normal," Daniel assured his wife.

"Whatever that means," Marc muttered.

Daniel sighed, took in a deep breath, and began to speak.

"Marc, I'd like to apologize for earlier. I shouldn't have tried to attack you," Daniel said.

"Thank you," Marc accepted.

"Marc, isn't there something you'd like to say to Daniel?" Betty prompted.

"Actually there are a lot of things, but I'm afraid your trigger-happy hubby will come after me again," he replied.

"Marc . . ." Betty scolded.

"Fine. Daniel, I'm sorry you're so sensitive –" he began.

"You wanna try that one last time?" Betty warned.

"Okay! Daniel, I'm sorry I said all the things I said," Marc apologized. "And I'm sorry that submitting that footage to Fashion TV embarrassed you."

"Thank you, Marc. Can I ask why you sent it to Suzuki?" Daniel inquired. "I thought we were friends – at the least, you're Betty's friend?"

"Publicity. We needed some press. No one was talking about us anymore. Now everyone is," Marc explained. "Mode, Modest, and Meade are all back to being buzzed about – thanks to your lovable stupidity and my brilliant mind."

Daniel sighed.

"Why didn't you run it by me first?" he asked.

"You think you would've approved?" Marc skeptically questioned.

Daniel struggled to respond.

"Exactly, my friend!" Marc smirked. "So. What I came here for before all the chaos, was to give Betty the Mode monthly fashion picks. Justin was going to bring them to you, but Willie had him doing something with her, last minute."

"Oh! Great! I can get them to Sasha in Fashion after Amanda searches for knockoffs," Betty replied and squealed. "I love that we're doing a collab together!"

"Hey, Sassette Smurf! Take it down a few octaves!" Marc covered her mouth with his hand. "With two children under five, I've heard enough screeching for a lifetime without your ear-piercing merriment adding to it!"

Betty pried his fingers away.

"Sorry! I'm just excited!" she exclaimed.

"I know. Me, too!" Marc agreed, grinning.

"Me three!" Amanda chimed in, as they all hugged at once. "I missed this. I mean, I loved London and working with my favorite SIL and BIL, but it wasn't the same without my vintage bestie, too."

"I hate to break up the love fest, but could someone please get me another water and ask Liam the ETA on food?" Daniel asked. "I'm feeling nauseous."

"I'll get the barf bin!" Amanda volunteered, quickly retrieving the trash can just in time.

"I'm sorry you're nauseated, Babe. Here's your water and some ginger ale," Betty brought the bottle and can to him. "It should help settle your stomach."

Daniel hands were so shaky, he had to have her open them for him.

"There you go correcting my grammar again. I'm sick, Betty! Back off!" Daniel snapped.

"Ooo . . . Bitchy Daniel. Haven't seen him in a while . . ." Marc cattily remarked.

"You're hangry right now, so I'm gonna to let that go . . ." Betty calmly dismissed Daniel's outburst.

"Uh-oh. Looks like Mom and Dad are fighting again . . ." Amanda observed.

"We're not fighting, Amanda. Daniel just gets a little cranky sometimes when he's not feeling well," Betty explained, handing him some saltines.

"Yeah, I know. He can be a real baby when he has a hangover," Amanda agreed. "Sooo whiny and needy . . ."

"Not to mention, stubborn –" Betty added.

"I'm right here, you know!" Daniel huffed, munching on a cracker. "And stop treating me like a toddler! I just need my sandwich with the crust cut off and I'll be okay. Where the hell is it, anyway?"

"Trouble in paradise?" Wilhelmina interrupted, walking in the office.

"No. Everything's fine, Willie. Thank you very much for your concern," Daniel answered sarcastically.

"My, my, Daniel. Aren't we in a pleasant mood? Grab your son's Underoos out of the laundry by mistake, again?" she quipped.

"Damn it, Wilhelmina! I swear, if I weren't –" Daniel attempted to get up, but became too dizzy and laid back down.

"Daniel, you need to calm down. You're not strong enough right, now. Plus, it isn't worth it," Betty told him.

"What's wrong with him? Other than the usual things, of course," Wilhelmina asked.

"Daniel forgot to eat enough today. He's sick because of it. So we'd appreciate it if you wouldn't bait him right now – although, ever would be preferable," Betty explained.

"Alright. Daniel, I apologize. I hope that you recover from your bout of illness soon," Wilhelmina replied. "Now. Is there a valid reason why you're keeping my Creative Director down here? Or are you all just sitting around on your asses wasting time?"

"Marc, Amanda, and I were just about to go over Mode's monthly fashion picks before I hand them over to Amanda to search for knockoffs for Modest," Betty answered.

"Very well. It's almost dinner time, anyhow. I promised the girls and Conner we'd go out tonight. Nico and her new fiancé are supposed to meet us," Wilhelmina replied. "I'm hoping this one's better than the last disaster of a husband. But who the hell knows, with that girl's judgment!"

"Hopefully everything goes well," Betty replied.

"Thank you, Betty," she told her. "So. What are you all up to, tonight?"

"The cousins are having a 'Welcome Home' sleepover at Papi's," Betty replied. "So we're all free."

"I told Ashton and Ava they'd better save Mommy a batch of Grandpa Papi's flan," Amanda said.

"Amanda, we're gonna be there at the party, tomorrow. I'm sure Ignacio will make more flan for that," Daniel pointed out to her.

"You can never have too much of Uncle Papi's flan," Amanda replied.

"Six children under twelve all at once? Isn't that a lot for your father to handle on his own?" Wilhelmina questioned.

"Oh - no worries! He has Elena, Justin, and Xander helping him," Betty assured Wilhelmina. "And Papi loves spending time with his grandchildren."

Wilhelmina nodded.

"It's actually seven. Slater wants to go to 'Grandpa Nacho's' and hangout with his fave 'cousins' - Ava, and Bella."

"What about baby Wintour?" Wilhelmina inquired.

"Troy's taking our new little princess over to his parents in Columbus, so they can have some more quality time with Winnie. Plus, he and his mom are going to go to the OSU football game. They were both cheerleaders there, so they like to go to a few games each season," Marc explained.

"Xander's a saint for volunteering to help watch all of our kids," Amanda said.

"I know! He's such sweet guy. I'm glad Justin found him," Betty replied.

"Justin mentioned to me today that he was thinking of proposing to Xander," Wilhelmina told them.

Betty, Marc, and Amanda started screeching and jumping up and down like crazy.

"I think we need to get each other new noise-canceling AirPods for Christmas," Wilhelmina told Daniel, rolling her eyes at the giddy shrieking threesome.

Daniel chuckled.

Betty, Marc, and Amanda finally calmed down.

"Frankly, I can't see what an elementary school teacher and a fashion editor would have in common. However, it has worked before . . ." Wilhelmina looked at Daniel.

Daniel tried to ignore her bringing up his deceased ex-wife. He was too sick figure out if she was criticizing his past or complimenting it.

"I hope you didn't discourage Justin, if that's what he really wants. Opposites do attract, Willie. Just look at Betty and me," Daniel replied, taking Betty's hand.

"Yes. I suppose you're right. You and Betty are polar opposites and yet still seem to belong together," Wilhelmina agreed. "By the way - congratulations, you two, on your pending bundle of joy!"

"Marc! Did you tell while Daniel and I were in his office?" Betty asked.

"Moi?! Since when have I ever been a leaker?" he feigned innocence.

"Me taking the job in London, my engagement, my first pregnancy, my second pregnancy, our moving back to New York –" she began proving her point.

"Okay, okay, okay! I blabbed. Only to Willie, though. And maybe it shouldn't be about me spreading the joy, but about you learning not to tell me until you're actually ready for the world to know in the first place. See. Your fault - not mine!" Marc replied, smugly.

Betty grumbled incoherently.

"Oh, relax, Betty! It's not exactly like you're subtle with that giant case of diet ginger ale and the box store size container of saltines over there. Not to mention, you left your prenatal vitamins out on your desk," Wilhelmina remarked.

"Oops . . ." Betty's face turned red. "I forgot to put them back when I was grabbing my penlight to check on Daniel."

"It's okay, Baby. We've only got a couple of weeks before we're in the clear, anyway. And you're doing great. So don't worry," Daniel reassured her.

Betty nodded.

"I'm sure everything will turn out fine, Betty," Wilhelmina agreed.

"Yeah, Bestie. You got this! And we've got your back and your belly!" Amanda told her.

"We won't let anything happen to Mama or Baby Chimichanga," Marc chimed in.

"I appreciate all of your sentiments! But it's not really up to any of us, you guys. We just have to think positively," Betty replied.

Liam knocked on the open door.

"Sorry to interrupt, but your food is here," he said, coming in and placing it on Betty's desk.

"Thanks, Liam! You and Jagger can go home, if you want," Betty said.

"Thank you, Betty! Have a great weekend, everybody!" Liam replied as he left.

Betty handed the bag of food and a drink to Daniel.

"It's about damn time!" Daniel exclaimed as he rummaged through the bag for one of his sandwiches and started scarfing it down like an animal.

"Charming, Daniel. I'm sure Betty is very pleased to claim you as her husband right now, what with your impeccable table manners," Wilhelmina facetiously commented. "Well, I believe that's my cue to leave. Betty, please apologize again to your father for being unable to accept his invitation tomorrow. Conner and I are going to the junior varsity football game to watch Sumari cheer. And later that evening, Samaya has a varsity volleyball scrimmage."

"I will. Have fun this weekend!" Betty said.

"Have a good weekend everyone. I'll see you all on Monday," Wilhelmina said.

"Bye, Willie!" Marc replied.

"Later, Slater!" Amanda told her.

"See you, Monday, Willie," Daniel smirked, his mouth intentionally full of food.

"Have you guys decided on names yet? 'Cause I think Axl or Brick if it's a boy would be killer," Amanda suggested.

"Ulchh . . . Mandy . . . ! That's only because you've been binge-watching 'The Middle' with Ashton and Tyler," Marc groaned. "What about Melvin or Bertram?"

"Okay, Marc. Now you're just screwing with us! We would never subject our children to those names! Right, Daniel?" Betty laughed.

"No way in hell!" Daniel assured her after swallowing. "Are you trying to get him picked on by all the bullies?"

"Of course not! He'll already have enough problems to overcome with your guys' god awful genes," Marc quipped. "Thankfully, your other two have managed to bypass them so far."

"You know what, Marc? I'm starting to feel a lot better now. You wanna continue to talk shit about my family?" Daniel warned.

"Sorry. Habit," Marc surrendered.

"That's what I thought," Daniel smugly replied. "So, I hear Ohio State's number two in the country. Do you know who they're playing? Maybe we can watch the game at Ignacio's tomorrow? You might see Troy on tv."

"Do you know me at all?!" Marc asked, offended.

"What? You were a cheerleader in college, too. Right? You had to have at least some understanding and interest in the game," Daniel defended. "Plus, the possibility of seeing someone you know on tv is always cool."

"Betty, will you get your husband away from me?" Marc pleaded. "I don't know how you stand him, sometimes!"

"Babe, are you teasing Marc again?" Betty asked, amused.

"No! I was simply taking an interest in his husband's hobbies and suggesting we bond over them. Is that so wrong?" Daniel innocently questioned.

"Oh, Daniel. You still have so much to learn . . ." Amanda smiled and shook her head.

"Maybe I'll start hanging out with Troy more . . ." Daniel pondered.

"Daniel . . .! You take that back! You'll turn him into a full-blown jock!" Marc warned. "It's bad enough that every Saturday Troy wears a hideous football jersey and a weird buckeye necklace and wants me to watch the entire game with him. Did you know it lasts for at least three hours?! Then he hums the fight song for days after when they win. He even has a jersey and a cheerleading uniform for our kids – and Schmoopie, Jr.! What did I marry into?! What happened to my sweet little puppy dog who followed me around and only did what I wanted?"

"Oh, grow up, Marc! So Troy likes something you don't and wants to share the experience with you. Do you honestly think I like line dancing with Tyler and listening to that ridiculously annoying ho-up music? Hells no! And I still don't understand what kind of hooker would bang to that, anyway . . .? But I suck it up and I go, because it makes my hubby happy. Speaking of, I have to meet him to do just that, tonight," Amanda said, checking to make sure she had her AirPods in her bag before leaving. "I'm outie 5000!"

"Bye, Mandy!" Marc replied. "Remember – new slang with Ashton . . . Seriously!"

"Bye, Amanda!" Daniel said.

"Have fun! See ya, tomorrow!" Betty told her.

"Okay. Things you hate doing with each other. Go!" Marc prompted Daniel and Betty to share. "And I just thought of the first one . . ."

"Marc!" Both Daniel and Betty exclaimed at once.


Meanwhile, Daniel had left his phone in his office and had missed a call from Claire:

"Daniel, darling, this is your mother," Claire began. "I'm just calling to inform you and Betty that I will not be able to make it to your party at Ignacio's tomorrow. I happened to meet an absolutely charming man on my business trip! We're having a fabulous time in – where are we again? Atlantic City? Ocean City? Never mind. I will see you and Betty on Monday! We'll do lunch and I'll have Michael make your favorite to celebrate. I love you all! Oh, Peter, stop! I'm still on the phone with my son . . ."