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Betty woke up. Today was gonna be a good day, she felt. Today was the first birthday she would experience in London. Today was also the first birthday she would spend with Daniel as her boyfriend.
She looked over at him sleeping, worn out from the night before. Betty didn’t know it was possible to love someone as much as she loved Daniel. She thought she experienced that love before with Henry, then with Matt. But none compared to the partnership she found with her best friend and former boss. Being a team for four years prior to their relationship gave them the foundation to get through anything.
Daniel stirred awake.
“Good morning,” Betty said.
“Good morning,” he woke up and gave her a kiss.
“Do you know what today is?” she asked.
“Of course, how could I forget?”
She leaned in for another kiss.
“I get to collect my earnings from the office pool.”
“What?” She leaned back in confusion.
“Yeah, I won the bet on the last polo match. Felt pretty proud of myself considering I still have no idea how that sport works.”
“Yeah, you should be proud,” she said disappointed.
“You okay?” He asked, putting his hand on her shoulder.
Betty debated with herself over reminding him. It’s not like this would be the first time he forgot her birthday, but that was when they were boss and employee. She thought Daniel would step up his game now that they were dating. On past birthdays he usually planned something ahead of time to account for his forgetfulness. Betty still hoped her boyfriend had something up his sleeve, so she decided against reminding him.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” she smiled.
“Great, I’m gonna make breakfast. Do you want anything?”
“Eggs and bacon are fine.”
“Perfect.” He exited the room before returning again. “How do you like your eggs again?”
Ugh, so much for today being a great day.
When Betty walked into work there were flowers on her assistant Rochelle’s desk.
“Betty, these are for you.”
“For me?” Betty said in shock. “See, I knew Daniel wouldn’t forget.”
“Um, actually Betty-” Rochelle started.
“He always does this, you know. He forgets and then turns around and does the most sweetest thing.”
“Betty, they’re not from-”
Before Betty could let her finish she started reading the card.
Dear Betty, Happy Birthday, from your office colleagues.
“Oh,” she muttered.
Betty looked around and saw everyone in the office smiling and waving at her. She tried her best to hide her disappointment and put on her best fake smile.
“Thank you everyone.” She grabbed the flowers and headed to her office with Rochelle following closely behind.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.
“No, no, it’s fine.” Betty insisted.
Rochelle started to turn around and walk away just right as Betty started talking.
“It’s just, I thought this year would be different now that we're together but nope. He put just as much effort into this year as he does every other year. Maybe even less effort.”
“Oh, I’m sure that is not true.” Rochelle replied.
“Oh it’s true. This morning he couldn’t even remember how I like my eggs.”
“You like them scrambled. It’s the easiest form of eggs to remember.”
“Right?!”
“Betty…” Rochelle started slowly, “could it be possible he has a surprise planned for later?”
“I don’t think so. Daniel’s a terrible liar. You should see him play two truths and a lie on game night. He starts blinking rapidly whenever he gets to the lie.”
“Okay, so not a surprise. Maybe he just has a lot on his mind.”
“Yeah, or maybe I have a boyfriend who just doesn’t care.” Betty said sadly.
“Aww Betty. I’m sure that’s not true. Maybe-”
“Maybe it doesn’t matter. Can you forward all my messages please?”
Rochelle stood there for a moment before saying, “of course, right away.”
Betty sighed, sitting at her desk all alone. Maybe she and Daniel didn’t have as great of a foundation as she had thought.
Betty was heading out of the office for a lunch break when she got a call from her best friend Christina.
“Well, if it isn’t the birthday girl. How is the day going so far?” Christina greeted her over the phone.
“Well, let me tell you-” Betty began to say before Christina interrupted her.
“Wait Betty, hold on. I can’t hear a bloody thing.”
“Christina?”
“The connection… is… breaking up.”
“Christina? Christina?”
“I… guess.. I just have… to show up in person.”
Betty felt a tap on her shoulder, turning around she faced her best friend.
“Ahhh!!!” They both screamed.
“What are you doing here?” Betty cried.
“I came to surprise you!”
“Well, I’m glad somebody did.”
“Whatever do you mean love?” Christina asked.
“Ugh, if I’m going to get started, I need food in my system first. Let’s go eat.” Betty replied.
“Now we’re speaking the same language.”
So they grabbed a bite to eat at a local cafe and got to talking.
“So you haven’t told him yet?” Christina enquired.
“No, and why should I need to? He’s the boyfriend, he’s supposed to remember! Have you ever been through something like this with Stuart?”
“Yes, but Stuart was high off of god knows what, so in that regard, Daniel is light years ahead in terms of meeting standards.”
Betty kept picking at her food, “I guess so.”
“Hasn’t he forgotten your birthday before? This isn’t exactly out of character for the poor lad.”
“I know, I know. I just thought this year would be different because you know… we’re different.” Betty sighed.
“I see. Well if that bastard can’t appreciate what’s right in front of him, I say you put on the sexiest dress you’ve got in that closet, and we go out and paint the town red. Show him what he’s missing.”
“I don’t know Christina.”
“Well I do. Do you really want to sit around on your birthday sulking? Or do you want to have fun?”
Betty pondered for a moment before saying, “I want to have fun!”
“Atta girl! Now, are you gonna finish that or let me have a bite?”
She let Christina have some of her food. Maybe this birthday wouldn’t be so bad after all.
After work, Betty walked into their flat to find Daniel sitting on the couch watching tv in his sweats.
“Hey, you’re home. How was your day?” he asked.
“It was good. Christina came by. We had lunch together.”
“You saw Christina? That’s great, what is she doing here?”
Betty gritted her teeth. “Guess she wanted to surprise me. We’re actually going out tonight.”
“Oh tonight? I was hoping we could watch ‘The Great British Bake Off’ today.” Daniel said.
“Can we take a rain check?”
“Okay, but you’re missing out on the Raspberry Lime Rickey Cake being brought to life.” Daniel replied.
“That’s not the only thing I missed out on today.” Betty said.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about… You know what, I don't want to ruin my mood before I go out with Christina, so why don’t we put a pin in this conversation?”
“Okay, but we’re good right?” Daniel checked.
“Honestly, I don’t know.” Betty sighed.
“Betty-”
“I've gotta go change.” She walked into their bedroom, shut the door and started to tear up.
No, not today she thought. She’s not gonna be the girl who cries on her birthday.
Just then her phone beeped. It was a happy birthday text from Marc. It was more tame than the one she had gotten earlier in the day from Amanda that read, ‘Happy Birthday to my sister sleeping with my old mister.’ She knew it was Amanda’s version of being sweet. Great, even they remembered. Maybe she was the girl who cried on her birthday, just a little.
“What’s a girl gotta do to find a bite around this place?” Christina yelped.
Christina and Betty went out to a club but left early because Christina claimed the chef wouldn’t know real food if it bit him in the arse.
So instead they looked around for a restaurant, and Christina shot down three of Betty’s suggestions. Since when was Christina such a picky eater?
“Can we just pick a restaurant already? I just want to have fun tonight.” Betty impatiently asked her friend.
“I’m sorry Betty, I promise this night will turn around fast once we find a place.”
“It better. I just still can’t believe Daniel forgot my birthday. It makes me rethink our entire relationship.” Betty said sadly.
“Mhm.”
“Like, is he really invested like I’m invested?”
“Right, sure.”
“Maybe he’s not who I thought he was.”
“Yup.”
“Christina, are you even listening?” Betty asked her.
“We’re right here.”
“What?”
“This place. This is the place where your night is about to turn around. I can feel it.” Christina assured Betty.
“Did you hear a word I said?”
“I heard you loud and clear. Now push up your tits and walk right in there.”
Betty didn’t know why Christina was being so pushy, but she had a feeling Christina would only be coy if she kept questioning it. So she walked inside.
The room was pitch black and it was quiet enough that you could’ve heard a pin drop.
“What happened to the lights?” Betty wondered.
“Surprise!” Several voices yelled loudly.
The lights turned on, and in the restaurant Betty could see the faces of her family members, plus Daniel’s mother Claire.
“What are you guys doing here?” Betty cried in surprise.
“Daniel flew us out.” Ignacio said happily.
“We wanted to surprise you chipmunk.” Bobby said.
Christina walked up behind her. “Sorry for all the secrecy love, but Daniel made me promise to go along with it.”
“He booked out the whole restaurant for tonight.” Hilda added.
“So, are you surprised?” Justin asked.
“Very!” And that was the truth. She couldn't believe Daniel had actually managed to pull one over on her. She wasn’t sure if the next time she saw him she would want to kill him, or kiss him. Maybe a bit of both, she decided. Speaking of which, where was Daniel?
As if reading her thoughts, Daniel appeared from the back of the room. “I hope you’re not too mad at me.”
“Not too mad,” she kissed him and then quickly swatted him on the shoulder. “But never do that again.”
Daniel, rubbing his shoulder, said, “I won’t. I knew when we started dating I would never forget your birthday again so I figured this was the one year I could truly surprise you like this.”
How could she stay mad at that?
“Just please, tell me no more surprises.”
“Well, darling, there is one more.” Claire chimed in.
“Mom!” Daniel yelled.
“Well, better now than never hun.”
“What is she talking about?” Betty asked Daniel.
Daniel looked nervous. He took a big gulp before proceeding to reach into his pocket and pulled out a box.
Betty gasped.
“She is talking about this.” At the last word Daniel got down on one knee.
“Oh my god.” Betty gasped.
“I promised myself I could get through this without crying but we both know it’s a 50/50 shot...”
Betty giggled.
“Betty Suarez, you are the love of my life. There is no better place in this world that feels more right, than standing by your side. Will you do me the honor and let me stand by your side for the rest of our lives? Will you please marry me?”
Betty pretended to ponder his proposal for a moment.
“No.” She answered.
“What?” He asked surprised.
“What?!” Everyone echoed.
“Just kidding. You know, like when you say you forgot something, but really you remembered.” She winked.
Everyone let out the biggest sighs of relief.
“The answer is yes. Yes, yes, a million times yes!” Betty cried excitedly.
Daniel picked her up and spun her around.
“I can’t believe it, we’re rich!” Hilda yelled.
“Um, we’re?” Betty asked.
“What? He’s family now!” Hilda laughed.
“Please, he’s been family since I made him that stocking.” Justin piped up.
Everybody nodded in agreement. Betty could tell that made Daniel feel special. Plus he knew Betty would never marry him just for his money. It was simply an added bonus.
“Alright, can we eat now?” Ignacio asked.
“Your father’s been in the kitchen showing the cooks how it’s done.” Daniel said.
“Who knows authentic Mexican food better than a real Mexican?” Ignacio said.
As they sat down they all started to swap stories; Ignacio explaining how Daniel called him up asking for his blessing, Justin talking about how he helped pick out the ring, and Claire stating how she knew Betty was going to be her daughter-in-law someday when Daniel told her he was going to London.
“What can I say other than, I told you so?” Claire turned to Daniel, “I told you so.”
“You know what Mom, I've never been more happy to admit that you’re right.” Daniel smiled.
He picked up Betty’s hand and kissed it. "Just so you know, I do actually remember how you like your eggs," he said with a wink.
Betty laughed.
Yeah, today was a good birthday after all Betty thought.