Betty stopped outside the door to WENN early the next morning, steeling herself to step inside. She'd spent a restless, sleepless night going over and over her argument with Scott. Try as she might to understand, his behavior remained unfathomable.She knew he loved her, that much was clear; but it sounded as if his reluctance to marry her sprang from some misguided sense that he would hurt her if they carried through with their plans and she realized despairingly that she didn't know how to combat that. She bit her lip, trying to find the willpower to step through the door and face her colleagues with at least the pretense that everything was all right. She wasn't prepared to share a pain that was still so sharp and raw, even with friends whose only thought was for her happiness.
She longed to escape the revolving wheel of her thoughts, however, and the cold, methodical practicality of the station's accounts offered the perfect refuge. If she was lucky, she was here before anyone else and would be able to sneak into the writer's room undetected. If she wasn't, well, she'd just have to do her best to convince everyone that everything was fine, until the time came to tell them all that everything wasn't, she realized with a sardonic frown. That time would come all too soon; the wedding was supposed to have been today and it would be only too obvious that things weren't going as planned. Resolving to be as calm as possible, regardless of the circumstances, Betty at last stepped into the office.
"Well hello, Betty," Gertie could barely restrain her excited smile as she greeted the younger woman from behind her desk.
"Hiya, hon! Today's the big day, huh?" Maple said brightly from her perch on the corner of Gertie's desk. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm just here to work on the accounts, there's some bills that have to go out," Betty answered, her manner subdued.
"How's Scott?" Gertie asked eagerly. "I can't wait to see him."
"Oh, he's fine," responded Betty vaguely.
Maple began to look concerned. "What's wrong, Betty? You look a little pale."
"It's nothing," Betty forced herself to smile. "I just haven't been sleeping very well. I'm just going to go finish those accounts," she said, gesturing over her shoulder.
"Sure thing, hon. We'll see you later," Maple answered. She looked to Gertie as Betty left them, her eyebrows raised in surprise. "What do you suppose all that was about?"
"I'm not sure, but if she's anything like me, she has a bad case of pre-wedding jitters," Gertie confided.
"Who has pre-wedding jitters?" Mackie asked as he came through the door.
"Betty. She just came in here looking a little green around the gills if you know what I mean," Maple explained.
"Is that right? Say, you don't suppose she'd want to talk to someone about it, do you? Maybe an older man, someone she sees as a father figure?" Mackie suggested.
Maple nearly choked on her coffee. "Somehow, I don't think Mr. Eldridge would be very helpful in this case."
Offended, Mackie drew himself up to his full height. "I meant me, Maple. I think she'd appreciate advice from someone who's a little older, someone who has more experience."
Gertie snorted in her attempt to control her laughter. "You're not going to tell her your racy chrysanthemum story, are you, Mackie?" When he only looked outraged, she quickly sobered. "I'm sorry, Mackie, it's a sweet idea, but do you really think you're up to it?"
"Yes, Betty and I have always had a very special relationship. We understand each other. Under the circumstances, with her parents not able to be here, I think I should be the one to answer any," Mackie waved his hands expressively, "questions that she might have. And here's my chance," he finished, as they observed Betty entering the green room. "Wish me luck, ladies."
"I'm afraid it's Betty who's going to need the luck in this conversation," Maple whispered to Gertie with a giggle.
Mackie paused just inside the green room door, watching as Betty, her back to him, prepared the coffee pot at the counter.
"Hi, Betty," he began.
Her shoulders jerked in surprise; she hadn't heard him come in. "Oh hi, Mackie," she said awkwardly, though she didn't turn around.
"Say, uh, Betty, Maple and Gertie said you were feeling a little nervous this morning and I thought maybe you'd want to talk about...things. You know, anything that maybe you're feeling unsure about. I thought maybe I should talk to you, since, well, we've always been able to talk. I mean, we're friends, right, and with your parents stuck in Elkhart because of the rubber shortage, I thought maybe we could...talk," he finished lamely. Suddenly, he smiled kindly, though she still didn't turn around. "Although I seem more likely to babble this morning than talk. Gee, Betty, I'm sorry, I was just hoping to be able to help you, but now that I'm here it doesn't seem like such a good idea."
To his surprise, her shoulders slumped forward and her head dropped, a muffled sob escaping her throat. She sniffled dejectedly and Mackie hurried across the room, standing beside her so he could see her face. He reached out a comforting hand to her arm, causing her tears to fall faster. "Betty, whatever it is, it can't be that bad. Come on, Scott will never forgive me if he knows I made you cry," he cajoled.
"Oh, Mackie, it's not you, it's him. I just don't know what to do," sobbing, she threw herself into his arms, confusing him further.
"It's okay, Betty," he murmured soothingly. "Let's go sit down and you can tell me all about it."
Gently, he steered her towards the couch, whipping out his handkerchief and handing it to her as they sat. He wrapped his arms around her and rocked her gently, her head pillowed on his shoulder. He smiled sadly. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen you cry. Whatever he did, Betty, I'm sure he's sorry for it. Just remember how much he loves you. I know men can be a little insensitive from time to time, except me of course," he added with a confidential air which coaxed a small smile from her. The door to the room suddenly opened and Mackie looked up, ready to warn away whoever was there. To his surprise, Scott stood framed in the aperture, a sad frown darkening his features. Mackie looked at him beseechingly for a moment before continuing pointedly. "I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you."
Betty, completely oblivious to the fact that Scott had entered the room, wept all the harder. "Mackie, I wish you were right, but he just doesn't want me anymore."
Scott crumpled, allowing the door to swing closed behind him. "How could I want anything more?" was his anguished reply.
Betty abruptly straightened, meeting Scott's eyes which held hers relentlessly. Mackie got the uncomfortable impression that he'd suddenly been rendered invisible. He quickly stood. "Well, I can see my work here is done. I guess I should go- start work," he finished lamely. He looked from face to face and smiled, knowing that somehow, everything was going to be fine.
Scott barely acknowledged Mackie's exit. His every thought was focused on Betty relentlessly, as if everything else had ceased to have meaning or substance. His resolve of last night crumbled completely. He'd meant to be unselfish, to protect her, and in a situation that had required him to use every ounce of con man finesse he'd ever possessed, he'd failed utterly, the shattering of his own heart causing him to blunder. Scott knew now that everything had gone awry last night for a reason: his destiny was irrevocably intertwined with Betty's and trying to break free from that would be akin to ripping off his own right arm...and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Betty stood up and moved as if to leave the room. "Wait," Scott said urgently. He crossed the room in three long strides, stopping only when he was close enough to hear her rapid breath. He reached out to cup her cheek. "Don't pronounce me guilty before I've had a chance to plead my case," he said softly.
Betty searched his face as his thumb stroked along her cheekbone. "The only plea I want to hear you make is that you were insane last night."
"I was," he returned with a shrug, a smile flitting across his face.
"Oh," Betty answered in a small voice. Then her eyes narrowed. "What exactly does that mean?"
"Betty," he began before glancing quickly around the room. Seeming to come to a decision, he sat on the couch, tugging her down beside him. Deftly, he reached down and swung her legs up over his, nestling her back securely in the curve of his left arm. When she started to protest, he only grinned. "Don't worry, I'm sure Mackie's told everyone to leave us alone for a few minutes. And even if someone does walk in, so what? We're not doing anything unusual for two people who are getting married this afternoon." His right hand settled snugly at her waist and he leaned in, softly nibbling at her neck.
Ignoring the chills racing across her skin, Betty struggled to sit a little more upright, then threw her arms around his neck in resignation. She felt Scott's grin against the side of her neck, his warm breath ghosting across her flesh. "I thought someone said something last night about not getting married today," she inhaled sharply as his teeth delicately grazed along her jawline.
Scott sighed deeply and drew back a little. "I'm sorry, Betty, I don't know what I was thinking."
"What were you thinking?" she asked, a little quiver of fear coming with the question.
"I guess I was...scared," his eyes raised quickly to hers, looking as if he expected some sort of retribution for admitting such a weakness. When he found none, he continued. "I wasn't so much scared for myself as I was for you. It's like I said last night. We don't know what's going to happen and I might never come back. I don't want you to feel like you're tied forever to the memory of a man who never returned."
"Scott, I want to be tied to you," her arms tightened more snugly around his neck. "Married or not, I already am. No ceremony is going to change that, but I do want to be married to you."
"Betty, there's something else," Scott began haltingly and coming as close to blushing as Betty had ever seen him.
"What is it?" she asked softly, frowning again.
"What if..." Scott took a deep breath and then spoke in a rush, "what if after tonight, you're pregnant..."
A sudden smile broke out on Betty's face. "Then I'd be perfectly happy," she told him.
Scott couldn't stop himself from briefly smiling back at her quick answer. "I couldn't be here with you. You'd be all alone."
Betty snorted in exasperation. "I'm hardly alone in a city full of thousands of people, some of whom are actually my friends, I might add. This is not the Scott Sherwood I know. When did you start worrying so much?" He only shrugged noncommittally. "Scott, if we don't snatch at every bit of happiness we can, then the Nazis have already won. If we put off getting married and having a family they'll be destroying our freedom to make choices and I won't let them do that. You might be going off to fight in the war, but I'm fighting it in my own way, too, and I'm not going to lose my first battle," she announced decisively.
A grin slowly spread across Scott's face. "Why, Betty Roberts, does this mean you still want to marry me?"
"I do," Betty said archly before kissing him firmly on the lips.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Butterflies danced vigorously in Betty's stomach, forcing her to take a deep breath. Maple smiled reassuringly from across the small foyer of the church and Betty was once again grateful for her presence, though she still paced anxiously to and fro.
"Don't worry, hon, it'll all be over soon," Maple said, her eyes twinkling wickedly.
Betty answered with a shaky smile. "I'm being silly. I know this is the right thing to do, so why am I so nervous?"
"Hey, it's natural. Gertie said she felt exactly the same way the first time she got married and everything turned out just fine. Just remember what a good guy Scotty is. You two are perfect together and I've never seen him so happy," Maple confided. "Have you heard anything from your folks?"
"Just this telegram I got earlier today," Betty pulled a thin slip of paper from her handbag and studied it again, her parents' loving words calming her and bringing a small tug of sadness at the thought of their absence. "They say how much they wish they could be here and that they're happy for us. I can tell my dad is heartbroken at not being able to give me away, but they like Scott so much that I'm sure he doesn't really mind."
"Speaking of giving you away, where is Mr. Eldridge?" Maple asked curiously.
"He isn't here yet; I hope he didn't get lost," Betty frowned as a new anxiety pushed it's way to the surface.
As if in answer to her fear, the door suddenly opened and Mr. Eldrige's head popped into the room. Seeing Betty, he said, "Oh, there you are!" and came fully inside.
"Mr. Eldridge, I'm so glad you're here! I was afraid you may have gotten tied up at the station," Betty said in a rush of relief.
Tom looked at her reproachfully. "I'm far more careful with the telephone cords than that, Betty," he informed her solemnly. "I was on the phone with Mr. Berger. He's most anxious to speak with Scott about 'Footsteps in the Dark.' I told him he'd have to wait quite some time to speak with Mr. Sherwood."
Betty's face blanched. "You didn't leave Mr. Berger on hold did you, Mr. Eldridge?"
"Well, of course not," Mr. Eldridge waved the idea aside. "But I did tell him he may have to wait to speak with Mr. Sherwood until he gets back from overseas."
Betty groaned inwardly, knowing she'd have to deal with the sponsor, who disliked doing business with women. "Don't worry, Mr. Eldridge, I'll call him first thing when I get back from the honeymoon."
Gertie peeked into the foyer from the door leading to the church. "Oh, Tom, you made it! Are you all ready then?" she asked excitedly.
"All ready, Gertie. How does the groom look?" Maple asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
"Not a bit nervous," Gertie assured them, "and so handsome in his uniform." She gave Betty's hand a comforting squeeze before ducking back into the church and signaling Eugenia to begin the wedding march.
The first notes of music sounded gaily throughout the church as Betty and Maple quickly hugged. Betty threaded her arm through Mr. Eldridge's and Maple performed a couple of last-minute adjustments to Betty's veil before throwing the doors open and marching buoyantly down the aisle. Betty and Mr. Eldridge followed, a little more sedately, though the butterflies in Betty's stomach seemed to be waltzing to the organ music now. She took a deep breath and glanced at Mr. Eldridge who smiled back benignly and patted her hand. Her eyes found Scott's and he grinned, chasing the butterflies away and reminding her that she should be enjoying the day. Pale yellow sunshine spilled through the windows of the little white church, casting a soft glow over the pews and altar. The simple floral arrangements, courtesy of Hilary's artistic eye, flanked the front of the church with dazzling elegance and the small group of people clustered in the front pews were smiling radiantly. Warm affection engulfed Betty and she was glad to find that the pain over her parent's absence had lessened considerably. The friends she'd made at WENN were as much family to her as her parents and brothers, she realized as she accepted Scott's outstretched hand.
He pulled her arm under his, drawing her near. "You're beautiful," he whispered softly in her ear sending a warm little thrill down her spine. She smiled up at him, their gazes locked, until the man in front of them cleared his throat. Betty turned to look at him, then stared in blank astonishment.
"How did you...?" she began in confusion.
"I tracked him down this morning," Scott said with an impish grin.
The justice of the peace who had very nearly married Betty to Mackie beamed at them and leaned forward with a confidential air. "I had a feeling about you two the first time we met. We've wasted a lot of time, you know, let's not waste any more." With a wink, he stepped back, lifting his book to begin the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved," as the familiar words slipped effortlessly from the justice's lips, Betty found her focus wandering momentarily. She keenly felt the warmth of Scott's arm under her hand, the slightly rough texture of the wool in his uniform scratching her fingers. By turning her head just so, she could look up to see his profile, noting how tall he seemed, how solid, and for a brief moment, she felt he was indestructible and utterly infallible, as if he would emerge from the coming dangerous months unscathed and return home to raise a family as she'd been imagining, as if their lives had never been disrupted by the war. For a moment, she was lost in the idyllic picture, seeing their children and long, lazy days filled with laughter and affection.
An utterly different picture suddenly exploded in her mind's eye. In it she was cold, bereft, standing completely alone in a thick, impenetrable fog, one hand stretched outward as if in search of someone made elusive by the encroaching mist. The fog intruded, clogging her throat, suffocating her breath. Unconsciously, her hand curled tighter on Scott's arm, holding him back and cutting into his flesh as for one startling instant the picture in her mind and reality blurred into one. He looked down at her questioningly, and the image vanished as quickly as it had appeared in the warmth of his smile. She smiled back, then dismissed the errant vision, focusing wholly on the ceremony with the overriding desire to remember every detail, especially during the lonely months to come.
She softly murmured her vows to him, tears of happiness glistening in her eyes as he slipped the delicate gold wedding band that had been his mother's on her finger. He spoke his vows to her, the hint of his roguish grin playing around the corners of his mouth, but not detracting from the heartfelt sincerity of the age-old words. At last he raised her veil, her arms lifted to encircle his neck, and their lips met sweetly in a prolonged kiss, thoroughly delighting their audience which burst into spontaneous applause. Betty turned to them with a slightly embarrassed smile and was surprised to find her eyes were not the only ones shining with tears. Eugenia snuffled into Mr. Foley's handkerchief while Maple and Gertie each dabbed at their eyes with their own; Hilary sniffed delicately and raised a gloved hand briefly to her cheek. Jeff smiled at her indulgently and reached across with his handkerchief to tenderly blot away a tear. She sent him a grateful look and accepted the caress, for once allowing him to see her true feelings. Victor, Mackie, and Mr. Eldridge though dry-eyed, were not unmoved and smiled with almost fatherly indulgence at the happy scene created by co-workers who felt more like family.
Maple rushed at the newly married couple then and engulfed them both in a warm hug. Before long, everyone else had joined in and it was several minutes before Victor could tactfully remind everyone that Lester could only hold the fort for so long and that there was sandwiches and cake waiting for them in the green room. The laughing, boisterous throng trickled towards the exit, dragging the justice of the peace with them.
Scott pulled Betty to a stop halfway up the aisle, drawing her into his arms and kissing her thoroughly.
"Well, I guess you've won your first battle, Mrs. Sherwood," he teased her with a roguish grin.
"Oh, I knew I'd win," Betty assured him confidently. "You've never been able to resist me."
Laughing, they kissed again. "So you think I can't resist you?" he asked. He leaned in towards her, his mouth against her ear, and in a low, seductive voice began, "Just wait until I get you home. I'm going to-"
An anticipatory shiver raced down Betty's spine as his lips tenderly caressed her ear and his strong arms pulled her closer to him. A small sound of longing formed in her throat but before she could give it voice, a peremptory cough from the church door cut the moment short. Maple stood in the doorway, a barely suppressed smile on her face.
"I thought I might find you two- here," she paused suggestively. "But we can't start eating without you and we're all starved. C'mon, there'll be plenty of time for this later."
Scott grabbed Betty's hand and led her towards the door. "Mapes, have I ever told you you have incredibly bad timing?" he asked, with an ironically raised brow.
"C'mon, Scotty, give me a little credit. I'm only thinking that the sooner you get to the party, the sooner you can leave the party," she winked mischievously, noting Betty's furiously blushing face.
"I take it back, Maple, you have better timing than the finest Swiss cuckoo clock. Oh, without the cuckoo, of course," he hurried to add.
Maple laughed gaily and Betty's embarrassment dissolved as they made their way back to WENN and the reception which they would afterward recall as one of the few truly happy times during the war and the last time they were all together before some were scattered to other parts of the world and they were all changed irrevocably by the war.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I hope Mr. Foley gets home all right," Betty had to stifle a giggle behind her hand as they ascended the stairs to their apartment, not wanting to disturb their neighbors.
Scott shook his head in disbelief. "I have never seen anyone put away that much champagne! And when Foley is a little the worse, you can't shut him up. Did you hear that joke he told about the giraffe and the strawberry shortcake?"
"I think so, only by the time I heard it, it was about George Murphy and a strawberry blonde," Betty answered with a subdued laugh.
Scott reflected for a moment. "I think it makes more sense that way," he said in disbelief.
Unthinking, Betty laughed aloud, prompting Scott to press a warm hand to her lips, though he laughed softly with her. He sobered quickly as his hand settled on her mouth and their eyes met, sparking electrically. Betty's mouth parted slightly in a sigh as Scott's hand slid downward, his thumb lushly caressing her lower lip. Her breath constricted, the unnamed longing that had been building within her over the last several weeks pushing to the fore. Scott's hand moved to cup the back of her neck, his right arm circling around her waist to crush her against him. Their mouths met hungrily, without restraint, Betty pressing closer to his body, feeling the brass buttons of his uniform delicately biting into her flesh through the thin fabric of her dress. Scott nibbled gently at her lower lip before they parted, breathless, their eyes seeking each other in the gloom of the hall.
Scott drew a ragged breath. "Maybe we should go inside," he suggested, his voice rough.
Betty struggled to get her hazy mind to focus on his words. "Mmmhmm," she agreed, her head nodding vaguely.
Scott smiled into her dreamily unfocused gaze as an undeniable frisson of excitement coursed through his body. He took the key to their front door from her hand and leaned over to unlock it, his left arm tight around her waist. Betty kissed and nibbled at his neck as he leaned across her, making the simple task of unlocking the door nearly impossible for him. The door at last came open and he stifled a groan as her mouth found a particularly sensitive patch of skin. Wasting no time, he lifted her into his arms to carry her across the threshold, his lips once again finding hers as he kicked the door firmly closed behind them.
Far From Pittsburgh
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