In Your Arms/CH 4

For as long as she could remember, Betty was always the "smart, nice girl". All through school (especially middle school!) and even through college to some degree, she had never particularly been thrilled about what she saw in the mirror. Yes, she knew she was bright, she always tried to be kind and give everyone a chance to redeem themselves.

Of course, when she first started working at Mode magazine, she soon realized there couldn't possibly be another magazine for which she was less suited (okay, maybe that terrible one in the basement, with all the disgusting guys, Player!)

But during the five months she had worked there, she had seen that she was hardly the only one who didn't necessarily feel good about themselves, insecurities abounded even among the "beautiful people". But her curves were NOT meant for high fashion!

Not only did she realize it that first awful week, when Daniel himself had put her through her paces until he finally felt bad for torturing her and put a stop to people laughing at her, and later came to her house to apologize. Every time Christina (or Amanda) had tried to get her to wear something other than her thrift or department store clothing, she felt extremely uncomfortable.

She didn't want to be on display. What was the point? She'd still be Betty, the girl with glasses and braces and frizzy hair. Tight clothes would just make it more pitiful (like the time Hilda had tried to help her, and Wilhelmina had just reduced her to tears!) She vowed after that she would just do the best she could with what she had.

"HDOiaHFAOH!" Betty could barely contain her excitement.

"What's that? Sorry, sweetie! Just hang on one more minute, and let's take a look, shall we?" The kind orthodontist stepped away, handing Betty a hand mirror, "There you are! Much better! What do you think?"

Betty's eyes misted over, as she saw, peering closely in the mirror, then holding it out, that the Invisaligns were barely noticeable from a distance. She simply appeared to have beautiful, straight teeth and a very nice smile. Her hand went to her mouth, outlining her lips, "WOW! I...my smile! It's...it's…"

"Gorgeous! You have quite a dazzling smile, young lady! I'll expect to see you next month for your first check, to make sure you're wearing them as often as possible, though. I'll have my assistant call. You're lucky you have friends in high places. I'm not really accepting new patients normally. But the Tannens have been such good friends for years and I had such success with little Amanda here…"

Amanda smiled uncomfortably, escorting Dr. Frankl to the door, "Okay, Dr. Frankl! Thank you so much for this! I'll be sure and tell my dad you did this for me! Byee!"

"So, wait, Dr. Frankl treated you, too, Amanda?"

"Maybe. That was a long time ago. I was only fourteen. But she is a miracle worker! A regular fairy godmother. Speaking of which, check out the furry...I mean, look at Betty, Braveheart! Is she a knockout, or what? With the outfit and smile, all we need to do is lose these ugly glasses and once her sister does her hair and makeup, she'll look...well, good! Damn good! I do good work!"

Amanda took several pictures of Betty with her phone, then smacked her on the butt, "Let's take this show on the road! To your Papi's empan...what are they called again?"

"Empanadas." Betty smiled. She honestly didn't care whether paying Sofia back for her betrayal of Daniel, Amanda's own career ambitions as a future stylist or simply the promise of her father's delicious cooking was the reason for the girl's assistance in helping her update her look. Betty was grateful, regardless of the true cause for her desire to help.

"That custard stuff is really good, too. Does he have some of that?"

"Flan? Papi ALWAYS has flan!"

"Good! Let's go! I'm starving!" Amanda and Betty helped Christina gather up the wardrobe they had finally agreed for Baby Chutney.

The crew was all buzzing once they arrived at her father's house. Betty was sure she had never seen so many people in front of their home. Hilda spied Betty and pulled her inside and upstairs, while Amanda waved to her, "Okay, HIlda. You finish her up. She's all yours now. I'm going to the kitchen! Ooh, Uncle Papi! It smells amazing in here!"

Justin was directing many of the crew how to set up their cameras and Daniel was on the phone with Tim and Chloe's manager, getting an estimate on their arrival, "Wilhelmina never made it to the airport? I'm so sorry! Do you need me to send a town car for you? A cab? Okay, great, I'll text you the address, it's actually not far from JFK, it's in Queens, so it shouldn't take you long."

As soon as he hung up the phone, Daniel looked to Justin, "Hey, have you seen Betty yet? She sent a cab service for Tim and Chloe,thank God, because Wilhelmina and Marc are MIA! Their manager said they should be here in half an hour or so. Thanks, Justin! This is exactly what I had in mind!"

"Of course!" Justin shrugged, and ran after one of the photographers, "Uh, excuse me! Please don't unfluff that pillow! It's just where I put it!"

Daniel grinned at Justin, who looked to be in his element,ordering the staff around just like his aunt.

He walked over to the door, "Oh, hey, Christina, is that the outfit Betty picked for Baby Chutney? It's cute! Where is she, anyway?"

"SHE is right here, WHY is everyone HERE? What idiot changed my concept from the Garden of Eden in Central Park to...this dump in Queens?"

"This idiot, Sofia! What the hell are you even doing here? I thought you were going off to spend the holiday with your new "fiance"! What's the matter, did he get a better gig at Chippendales?"

Sofia narrowed her eyes at Daniel, "You have a lot of nerve, talking about poor Hunter, when you were here, bedding your own assistant! I really thought we had something, Daniel! I thought we shared…"

"If this is your way of telling me you have some kind of STD, Sofia, thanks, for your honesty. I'll be sure and get a shot of penicillin! I thought I made it clear...Mode won't be needing your help for this shoot. You're free to leave. Sorry to mess up your 'sixty day' deadline for your article, but…"

Sofia's eyes widened, "Sixty days? What are you talking about?"

Daniel rolled his eyes, "Oh, you know, Sofia. How you were PLANNING on to dump me on national television after you tricked me into proposing? Please, just how stupid do you think I am? Like I would even WANT to propose to you! Somebody's awfully full of themselves!"

"I see. I had no effect on you? I'm sorry, but I thought Bet-ty said you were so jealous and upset about Hunter that you got drunk last night? And as far as that...sixty days...I don't know what you're talking about! Bet-ty must be confused!"

Amanda came out of the kitchen, holding a pan of flan as she gobbled it down, and she handed Daniel the notes Sofia had accidentally left on Betty's desk, "HEREIIIDI Arewoyhrura hhuh fjush yoha!"

Daniel raised an eyebrow, not really sure what Amanda was trying to say with her mouthful, but she pointed furiously at the papers he held in his hand, "READ that, Daniel! That's her plan to humiliate you! She had it in her papers she put on Betty's desk!"

Daniel held up the mock cover picture of them, sitting together with the headline and read the article outline, "How to get any player to fall for you by using these tricks. What the HELL were you trying to pull, huh, Sofia? I may be a "player", but you're just a... " he glanced at Justin and Ignacio, choosing not to use profanity out of respect since he was at their home and in front of Justin, "You know what you are."

"She's a BITCH!" Betty came down the stairs, holding the paperwork for Sofia's Garden of Eden concept. She started to walk over to the woman, but lost her footing and almost fell down the last few stairs.

Daniel rushed to her aid, and caught her in his arms, "HONEY! Are you...alright? WOW! BETTY? Is that...really you?"

She blushed, nodding, "Uh huh. It's still me, Daniel. Thanks for...the rescue!"

"Sure! Betty...you look...you look...GREAT! Your smile is...really beautiful! And your eyes are absolutely...gorgeous! But can you see, honey?"

"WILL YOU STOP calling her THAT?"

Sofia was seething. Daniel ignored Sofia and smiled, as he helped Betty stand and she blushed, "I'm fine! Thanks! I guess I'm just not used to these heels!"

Daniel raised his eyebrows, "Okay, I hope this doesn't emasculate me too much, but can I just say...those shoes are...YOU, Betty! They're very cute!"

Sofia rolled her eyes, "She's ADORABLE! Why don't you two get a room?"

Betty narrowed her eyes, and whispered to Daniel, patting his shoulder and smiling at him, then reaching up to kiss him on the cheek, and pat it, "I'll be right back. Don't...run away! I'm not done with you, Mister Meade!" she smacked his butt.

He grinned, nodding, "Okay, boss! Whatever you say!"

Betty strode over to Sofia and threw the papers in her face, "HERE! Daniel's idea of having Tim and Chloe decorating a Christmas tree here for the holidays is much more authentic and appropriate than yours. Take your fake help and your fake friendship and…"

"Fake ass!" Amanda offered, watching all the drama unfold, but not letting go of the pan of flan.

Sofia ruffled, glancing back at her own derriere, "Excuse me! Nothing about ME is fake!"

Daniel walked over to her, and tossed the article and picture at her, "Except your "love", huh? You heard Betty, you're not welcome here! This is her home. Or especially not in my life! Goodbye, Miss Reyes. Consider this your pink slip.

I've already spoken to my father and he said you need to clear out of the Meade offices ASAP or he'll have you thrown out. I AM still HIS SON, after all! You literally picked the wrong person to fuck with, lady. Now if you'll excuse me, I just got a text. I think Tim and Chloe should be here any minute. Don't let the door hit that ass of yours on the way out, okay?"

He turned his back to her as she huffed away and turned to Betty, "Okay, uh...I must still be drunk, what is going on here? Where are your brac...oh, I see! You got the invisible ones, huh? That smile! It could light up a room! And...can you see without your glasses? Betty, I'm sorry to stare but you look ...um...GREAT, honey! Where'd you get that dress? You're totally HOT!"

Justin rushed over to Daniel and handed him a tied bunch of greenery, "Here you go, just like you asked for, Daniel. Merry Christmas! This is the REAL thing, just like AB!"

Daniel smiled and nodded, "Thanks, Justin!" He pulled Betty into the kitchen, allowing the staff to stop listening to his "fight" with Sofia and getting Betty to himself. He held the gift over his head, and winked, wagging his eyebrows, then took a deep breath as he looked down at her, holding her face in his free hand, "Betty, um...Betty, creo que estoy enamorada de tu trasero."

She giggled, putting her hand over her mouth.

He looked puzzled, "What? What did I say?"

She thought for a minute, "I'm pretty sure you just said you think you're in love with my butt!"

He shrugged, wiggling the mistletoe, "Well, yeah, okay, I guess that works, too! Can I...put Justin's thoughtful gift to use, please? Nobody's watching."

She nodded, pulling him down to her level and slid her hands around his back and down to rest on his ass, "You bet your sweet ass you can, HONEY!"