GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN/CH 16

Betty was pacing nervously as she waited for Daniel to leave his "surprise" party later that afternoon. She had spoken to Justin who said he was on his way to come pick them up at Mode.

Justin had done several internships there during and after high school and even worked at Mode as an adult numerous times during Fashion Week, but his interests lie more in the theater, and when he received a scholarship to Juilliard in acting, he couldn't pass it up.

This past year had finally given him the role he had waited for, one of the leads in The Book of Mormon at the Eugene O'Neill Theater on Broadway. He had been in rehearsals so much his family barely saw him anymore. But his opening night was less than a month away!

As Daniel grinned when he saw her and walked towards Betty, she noticed he wasn't slowing down and slammed right into the same glass doors she had run into way back when! She ran to help him, "DANIEL! Oh my God! Are you alright?"

Marc stifled a laugh, but helped Betty get Daniel up, "Wow, I can't believe you rubbed off on Danny boy, here, Chimichanga! Look at him, he's running into doors just like you used to! I will say you've definitely improved your look since your poncho days!"

Betty rolled her eyes, ignoring Marc's backhanded compliment mixed with his offensive slur to her with that stupid nickname of his! She knew he THOUGHT he was being funny! Still, enough was enough! "My name is BETTY! Got it, Weiner boy?"

Marc gasped at her reveal, looking around to make certain no one had heard her use his former name and hit her arm, "HEY!"

"What? You started it! Oh, Daniel, honey, are you...okay? Do you need a doctor? Marc, here, put him on the sofa, and I'll go get a cold cloth for his head. It's not bleeding and I don't feel a lump or anything. But, I hope he doesn't have a concussion or something!"

"Who knows, maybe he just knocked his memories back! It works on old movies and um...something Cliff made me watch. The Three Stooges, maybe?"

"Laurel and Hardy and The Muppet Movie." Daniel volunteered, rubbing his head as he opened his eyes.

"Daniel! We need to take you to the hospital!" Betty was obviously terrified.

"I'm fine, Betty! Like Marc said, maybe I knocked my memories back! I do remember seeing you here."

"You do?" her eyes widened with hope.

He nodded, rubbing his temples, "Yeah! Definitely! I remember you in that red poncho of yours. You did what I just did on your first day! And Marc made fun of you but now I...I'm thinking about what I told you I want to do to you under that crazy poncho. I want to lift you up onto that conference table and…"

Marc made a face, "OHMYGOD! Excuse me! There are gay people present who don't care to listen to such disgusting talk! Are you in need of medical service? Should I call nine one one?"

"Nine one one? Wait, isn't it...oh, right, we're in America now. That IS what you call. I remember!"

"Great! Now, if you two sex fiends are done making me want to vomit the few snacks I had earlier, I'll leave you lovahs alone to make love or...whatever! Good to see you again, Monsieur Daniel! We missed you!

Mode has not been the same without Betty and Daniel, that's for sure! You guys made it so much more fun to work here! But if you repeat that to anyone, I'll deny it! Tell Justin…"

"Tell Justin what, Marc? Oh, hey guys! DANIEL! What's wrong? Are you okay? What happened? AB, why is he laying down? Did he have a fainting spell or something?"

Justin rushed over to the sofa and Marc stood, "Justin, he's fine! He just decided to do a reenactment of your aunt's first day at Mode and nailed that damn glass door! I've told Willy I don't know how many times we should have something painted on that thing so silly people don't do a Betty!"

"Do a "Betty"? That's what you call it?"

He laughed, "Well, of course! I mean, come on chimich...Betty. You've got to admit...it WAS freaking hilarious! I mean...when you did it, not just now when Daniel did!"

"I see. So it's funny when I fell down, but not when Daniel does it?"

"Well, no, actually, that was funny as hell, too. I just said that because I know you're worried he damaged his poor brain even more. I think he's okay, though."

"YES, yes, I'm fine! I kind of remember YOU being annoying sometimes, Marc! Were you mean to Betty?" he asked angrily.

Marc looked at Betty for help but she merely shrugged, "Sometimes. He DID get better, though. Before I left for London he was almost...nice!"

Daniel nodded, "Okay, sweetie. As long as he didn't hurt you. I'd hate to have to kick his ass!"

Justin laughed, "That's funny! Oh, wait, you're like...serious?" He grinned, glancing at Betty, "Oh, that's right! AB told me you're like...Jason Bourne and can do badass stuff now! You speak French really well and fight and are like a hot assassin!"

Marc's eyes widened as he backed away slowly, smiling fakely, as he took out his inhaler, looking terrified, "No need for violence! You heard your woman, there, Daniel! She said I was nice to her! I'd never hurt Betty!

I love Justin and he is her son...I mean nephew! I'm leaving now. Glad you're okay! See you later, Justin! BYEE!" He ran away quickly as Justin and Betty exchanged amused glances and laughed.

Daniel grinned, "That was pretty awesome, JUSTIN, right? I only wrestled MY nephew as a joke, you know. We were just goofing off. It's not like I'm really some fighter! Yes, I learned to speak French. Finally, after ten years of being surrounded by it. But it wasn't easy and I'm definitely no spy or assassin!"

"I know. She told me. But Marc doesn't know that." they all chuckled at Marc's obvious fear of Daniel.

Daniel stuck out his hand, "Thanks for giving us a ride! It's nice to meet you, Justin. I mean...well, I know you know ME, but...would I recognize you even if I DID remember you from ten years ago?"

"Probably not. I've gotten taller since then. And the last time you saw me I was pretty skinny."

Daniel laughed, "You're still pretty skinny. But I hear you're officially a Broadway star? That's fantastic! Congratulations!"

Justin smiled, "I would hardly call myself a STAR! Not yet, anyway! I see my aunt, the publicist here has been giving you my resume?"

"Just the highlights! She told me your Stanley Kawalski from Streetcar and your Tony from Westside Story were both fantastic! And that you got a scholarship to Juilliard! Nice! Then you came to visit her in London and studied there for a semester, traveled to Europe a bit with Betty and then with your friends.

And that you also worked here at Mode before, because you're a real Fashionista! Did I forget anything? Oh and now you're playing a Mormon missionary in a musical and she can't wait to see you dance and sing

on stage!"

"No, it sounds like you've got all the good stuff! Aunt Betty has always been one of my biggest fans!" Justin grinned, as he and Betty made sure Daniel was steady on his feet, before escorting him down to the elevators and to Justin's car in the parking lot.

They said goodbye to Daniel's family and the employees at Mode. As they got in the elevator Daniel put his arm around Betty, "You don't have to coddle me, honey. I'm fine! I didn't really hurt myself that badly, I promise. It mainly just hurt my pride, falling down like that.

I can see why you ran into that stupid door. It's hard to see if you're not paying attention. I felt like I sort of had a flashback...when I was on the floor, then stood up it was weird! Was I wearing a blue suit that day?"

"YES! You were! Well, to be fair, though, you wore a lot of blue suits back then."

"Did anything else seem familiar while you were at Mode?"

He shook his head, "Not a lot that I can make sense of yet, anyway. I told your aunt that over the years, I was always seeing the number twenty-eight and a building with a blue roof with an M. So, that's self-explanatory. Wilhelmina definitely seemed familiar, especially her perfume and I kind of recognized Marc a little. Oh, and this elevator! Did I...ever…"

"YES!" both Betty and Justin made faces.

"Oh, right! I was...the MANWHORE then!"

"Well, yes at first. But you got better."

He smirked, squeezing her, "Yes, after I met YOU, right sweetie?"

Justin watched them and smiled, "I remember seeing you guys dancing at my mom's wedding all night and I could tell back then how crazy you were for each other. It's like a Greek tragedy that we all thought you were dead for so long, Daniel! And that whole time you were kidnapped by crazy old French guys who lied to you about your past? That's insane! It would make a great movie! Your whole life is pretty dramatic, though!

The Meades have always been so cool! I can't believe my aunt is going to be one...ohmygod! WOW! That's your ring? Canary diamond, huh? Absolutely beautiful! Two carats, right? You got this at Tiffany's in NICE? Whoa, Aunt Betty! You are still a rock star!

And Daniel...you're like a prince! You've aged very well, I must say. You do have sort of a rougher edge, now. Like you had to live below your usual means. I can't wait to show you the Christmas stocking I made for you when you bought us a tree! Maybe it will help your memories."

Daniel and Betty both exchanged smiles at her nephew's rapid-fire talking and as they got into the back seat of Justin's car, Daniel whispered, "He's exactly like you told me! So smart and funny! Just like his beautiful aunt!"

"So, since I'm your chauffeur today, I have to tell you, Jeff is going to be late to Grandpa's because he said he wants to get a babysitter for Mara and come over when she's asleep! I don't agree, I told him he should just bring her but he's so crazy about her being fussy and too many germs and whatever!"

"Jeff is your husband and Mara is your daughter, right, Justin?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah! We got married three years ago and just got our sweet little Mara last year! " he flashed his wedding ring.

"Congratulations! That's wonderful. When we get to your grandfather's house, I'd love to see pictures of your little girl. I want kids, too. IF I can have them. Well, and you know, if Betty's up for it!" he smirked, squeezing her hand and reaching it up to kiss.

"But we've lost so much time…" he tried not to let his thoughts of that fact get him down. He was so thrilled that Betty had FOUND him after all these wasted years. But sometimes, it was difficult not to get lost in the mire of could have, should haves.

Justin glanced in the rear view mirror at his aunt, who he could see was valiantly trying to be tough, as she always did. He swallowed, "You know, Daniel, I doubt she's told you this story, but when my father got shot in a store robbery, he was a hero. He saved the clerk. I was really having a tough time.

YOU helped me with my jump shot the best you could considering I really SUCK at sports! I took the basketball to remember my dad, though so I asked you to show me how to shoot hoops or whatever it's called.

At home, everything was total shit! My poor mom was in a real daze at first. She wouldn't come out of her room, she told us later she was imagining dad was still alive and she knew if she left her room, she would lose him, so she just couldn't make herself leave and face the truth that he was gone.

In the meantime, I sort of went through this weird thing where I tried to be more like the son I thought my dad would be proud of, to be more like him. Which meant I stole a car! Not this one! This is mine! Well, it's Jeff's, but we both use it, of course.

Anyway, my grandfather was still in Mexico, fighting for his immigration, so poor Aunt Betty was trying to help me, she had to come get me when I ran away from summer camp and be like a temporary mom to me, and she was fantastic! The woman seriously canNOT cook, though!

I had more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and canned soup and nachos than anything that summer. But she is...well...a pretty amazing lady! She's always been my hero. Just in case you had any doubts!"

Betty reached forward and squeezed Justin's shoulder and kissed the back of his head, as she whispered, "Thank you, Justin! You're a pretty amazing young man, yourself! Not that I'm proud or anything!" she smiled, her eyes shining at the man he had become.

The moment Daniel, Betty and Justin walked inside the Suarez home, everyone yelled, "Welcome HOME!" loudly.

Daniel looked around and wrapped his arm around Betty, as he whispered, "Wow, honey! It looks like your family 'after party' has almost as many people as there were at Mode! And the food looks MUCH better! Your dad is the cook in your family you said? Not you or your sister?"

She nodded, laughing, "Nope, Hilda and I both totally suck at cooking! The night I came home from our all night date, she almost burnt a batch of cupcakes!"

Daniel cocked his head to one side, "Wait, what did you just say? We were on an all night DATE? You and me? When was this?"

"In 2007. But it wasn't REALLY a DATE date! You had just gotten dumped on national TV by Sofia Reyes and you were upset. I tried to set you up with Giselle, but Amanda called and cancelled the date, so it would look like you got stood up.

So, I came to the restaurant and acted like I was your date, dinner guest, whatever. We had a great time, though. But it was more like a 'work thing', maybe...I guess. I don't know. I know I had a lot of fun. We sang karaoke at this pizza place, and we crashed a wed…"

Daniel closed his eyes for a moment, then started singing, "They say we're young and we don't know…"

Betty and Justin stopped in their tracks, as did the rest of the Suarez and Talercio family. Betty's eyes widened, as she pulled Daniel close for a hug with tears in her eyes and whispered, "OH my God, Daniel, you remember?"

He opened his eyes and nodded, smiling, "I do! I remember that night, Betty! I remember singing I've Got You with you at the pizza place then talking for a long time on the Brooklyn Bridge, right? I told you...you were better than any model! Oh my God, I remember YOU! I know you...I know all of you guys!"

He excitedly walked over to Hilda and hugged her, "HILDA! You look great! I remember what you said at your wedding about Love was knowing someone better than they know themselves and protecting them no matter what! I looked over at Betty and that's when I knew I was in love with her!

Damn, it's so great to see all of you! Bobby, I remember dancing with Betty at your guys's wedding! And...these must be your kids! I haven't met them, though, have I?"

Everyone was stunned by Daniel's revelation, but Hilda and Bobby quickly introduced their eight year-old twin girls Maita and Maria and their six year-old little boy Sam. Daniel could barely contain his joy as he walked over to Ignacio and took Betty gently by the hand and pulled her with him over to face her father, "Mr. Suarez, I definitely remember YOU!

I remember talking to you when I had a problem and you were always so kind and considerate! You treated me like your son, hell you were nicer to me than my own father, I know that for sure! I'm so sorry I...was gone and that I put Betty and everyone through so much grief and heartache, thinking I was dead all this time!

I'm also very sorry that I didn't get a chance to do this right. But I'm asking you know, may I please have your blessing to marry Betty? I knew I loved her, even with the rest of my memories gone! All I had to do was meet her again and my heart recognized her for the angel she is!"

Ignacio Suarez nodded, then hugged Daniel warmly, patting his back, "I feel like I got my son, back, too, Daniel! Betty's voice when she called and told us all about the miracle of her finding you again after all this time told me all I need to know; that she never stopped hoping and never stopped loving you, either! Of course you two have my blessing! Congratulations and welcome home, son!"

Bobby threw Daniel a beer and held his up as he hit the volume on the remote control for music that was playing and turned it up loud, "Party time!" He took Hilda by the hand and they began to Salsa, as did Ignacio and Elena, and the girls danced with Justin and Sam.

Daniel looked at Betty dubiously, "Do I know how to dance?"

She shrugged, taking his hands to pull him towards her and started dancing, getting him to follow her steps, "Sure! Just follow me, you'll catch on!"