Branching out from my usual fandom. Hope this works. The first part is all from Ignacio's point of view.

IIIIIIIIIII

Ring ring

"Hola." The voice of Ignacio Suarez answering the telephone broke the silence of the kitchen. He gently stirred a concoction bubbling on the stove and tentatively smelled the resulting aroma.

"Needs something," he muttered and tossed in a couple of spices and stirred to blend them in. He tasted and smiled as the flavors erupted on his palette. Cooking was not just about nutrients and eating to survive. It was memories: a home cooked meal by a loving wife, a congratulatory surprise for an achievement, a solace for heartbreak…ah mi amor, how I miss you. A voice chuckling on the other end of the phone nestled between ear and shoulder interrupted his reverie.

Ignacio laughed too. "I'm sorry my friend. You know how I get when I cook." Placing the wooden stirring spoon down and turning down the heat on the stove, he sat down and focused his whole attention on the caller.

"So how are you? Have you been eating enough? Don't lie to me now."

He smirked at the response and retorted, "I am not hovering like a mother hen, my friend!" He chatted quietly for the next few minutes until a key in the door lock interrupted his conversation.

"Ahh, Betty's home," he murmured as he walked over and kissed his daughter on the forehead as she entered. He smiled a sad smile when he saw the familiar features of her mother in her.

"Mm hmm," he replied to his phone companion. "You go to bed early now and eat something." He paused then began laughing quietly. Well cluck cluck to you too." He disappeared back into the kitchen to hang up the phone. Just before he did he spoke softly, "I'm proud of you. Goodnight."

"Hello mija," addressing Betty. "You made it in time for dinner. You and Daniel get a lot done?"

"Yeah Papi, and I'm starving." Though exhausted, she set the table and asked about his day.

BBBBBBBBBBB

Her day was long but coming home to a home cooked meal made up for the long hours. Well, she couldn't say it was tortuous. Spending hours with the most eligible bachelor in New York who actually asked and valued her opinions were a plus. She could see thousands of women who would sell their soul just to be in her position..

Somewhere buried beneath the layers of confidence and happiness, a bitter voice retorted, "Yes, but he has to look at you all day. What a joy for him, Betty, the ugly one." She shoved that demon away. Family, love, a job she looked forward to… beauty fades but happiness, true happiness, does not. Amanda, Wilhemina, and Alexis did not have a loving meal cooked by their fathers waiting for them. They didn't have a sister who could just sit and gossip with. They didn't have a fantastic nephew who could sing musical tunes with. Yes, beauty fades…

As she helped herself to the meal, she thought maybe the fickleness of beauty was why Daniel had a different girl of the week.

DDDDDDDDDDD

Daniel Meade sighed in his empty office, leaned back in his chair, and entwined his fingers on the back of his head. This was the best part of his day. No, it wasn't when a gorgeous model was hanging on his arm at a ritzy party or even when she was in his bed. It was a productive day of work with a completed book, lots of ideas to pitch for the next issue, and a certain assistant's million dollar smile-of-approval as she hopped into his town car for her ride home. After the hustle and bustle of the day, Daniel always looked forward to the evening silence. Well that and…

He glanced at the cell phone in his hand. To think it all started when Betty left her cell at the office. He was stressed and the sympathetic ear and soothing voice soon led to a heartfelt conversation until she arrived home to be informed of her wayward phone. The next time Betty and he had one of their late nights he called Ignacio to make sure she got home alright during a bad storm. Ever since his and Alexis's accident with their car, he shuddered to think if something like that ever happened to Betty. The phone calls not only provided a source of comfort for Daniel, but it also ensured her safe arrival at home and thus the guarantee of seeing her brilliant smile at the next day of work.

"I'm proud of you," he half whispered to himself. Four little words so easily spoken by Ignacio Suarez yet Bradford Meade had never said the words to him. Sure there were statements told to the reporters, but they were empty words. When Betty's father said the words he really meant them.

It was strange how his thoughts kept drifting back toward the Suarez's. His family was so twisted and broken, who wouldn't turn to the loving family? Ignacio was the proud father Daniel never had. Justin the kid brother he played basketball with. Hilda the snarky sister who would stand up for him no matter what… and Betty…was Betty. He sighed quietly. She was probably eating with her family, basking in their joy and happiness. Maybe later she'd call her accountant boyfriend of hers. Heck, even that sandwich jerk had eyes for her. Betty may not be a model but she was certainly desired. He was happy someone loved her for her smiles, her laughter, her quiet concern for others, and made her happy.

Speaking of models, he flipped his phone open to select his companion of the week.

Strange, why were his palms all sweaty?