"You'll get addicted to those." I teased Betty as she ate the gummy bears.

"There fine." She whined. "I'm just eating a few of them."

Hayes was on my lap as we sat by the park bench. Betty was sited next to me and leaning on my shoulder. "Do you think he's hungry?" She checked his stomach. Slowly massaging it.

"We fed him two hours ago, he could be hungry."

"He hasn't said juju." Betty pouted while tickling Hayes. "why haven't you said juju baby? Say juju...." She played with him and Hayes was giggling cutely. "Tell mommy you are hungry."

"Mama..." Hayes giggled

We both froze.

Did he just??

"James.." Betty whispered.

"Yes babe." I whispered back.

"Did you hear what he said?" She whispered again.

We both just stared at Hayes.

"I think...." I spoke but Betty shushed me quickly.

"Don't talk loudly, I wanna hear him say it again."

We stayed in a frozen state for may be ten seconds until Hayes called out "Mama.." again and Betty was already bursting to tears.

"He called me mama, James, did you hear that? He finally calls me mum." She took him from my lap and onto hers. Hayes stared at her with big blue eyes, smiling cutely as his mother cried tears of joy.

I was happy for her. She doesn't tell me much but I know she always second guesses herself. The look of guilt she sometimes hides from me when she looks at Hayes but I notice it. I wish she'd tell me how she truly feels, I assure her everyday that it's okay to confide in me but Its just not enough. There so many things I feel she wouldn't tell me and I don't know what to do.

_____________

After the day in the park, we visited a cute restaurant for dinner and then headed home. We put Hayes to sleep and took a quick shower before getting to bed.

"We have a date for the debut of the new company branch here. It was finalized yesterday by the board members." I broke the news to Betty.

Her eyes glistened instantly. "That's amazing." She hugged me and I put my arms around her. "Congratulations my love. You deserved it after putting so much effort."

I kissed her forehead. "I wouldn't have done this without you."

"You did all the work, don't flatter me now." She smiled. I pulled her closer to me as we laid in the sheets.

"You designed half the buildings decor, which was absolutely perfect and brilliant. You did that with just five months of training and the company looks spectacular."

Betty flustered uncontrollably. "Thank you for trusting me with that task." She said politely.

"I would trust you with my life."

I knew how much it mattered to Betty that she offered contribution to every thing we both achieved. She wants to be more reliable and efficient and she works hard to deliver. I'm so proud of her for always offering support. It bothered her so much that she couldn't make her own money, when she told me about wanting to learning about decor design so she'd offer some support on building the company, I was so happy she wanted to be part of my achievement. And she did an excellent job. There's a touch of her taste all over that company, I can feel her all around. She truly is the greatest thing to happen to me.

She is planning to start her own decor design brand, Betty is loving her new passion and that is the most important thing. She wanted to do languages at first but now she is too connected with her new pursuit to endeavor in language anymore. Betty does hope to continue with medicine in the future, but until then, she had other plans now.

______________

The night of the official opening of our new branch, we walked into the dorm of a huge celebration. Betty wore the most mesmerizing red dress I'd ever seen. She looked spectacular.

As for me, a suit and tie would do. I've never been a fan of these events.

The dorm was crowded, the board members wanted a huge ceremony to introduce the company to England. The most important and influential people in business made an appearance and I wished that my mother was alive to see this. It was everything she dreamed of.

On my behalf, I asked Betty to present the speech. She carried herself so professionally and elegantly , her words moved everyone and I just sat there Wondering how I landed this woman.

A few more board members made speeches and then dinner was served.

An interesting number of deals were presented on the table. The company manufactures one of the best fabrics in the United States, I'm sure we shall chart higher in England as well. The type of textile we invest is top class, rare. We are gauranting big money this year..... A couple of hundred millions. May be even 400 million Euros profit if we earn a wider market.

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Any thoughts??

-Lynn