Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, etc, etc...

"Hi…Dr. Jamison. This is Daniel Meade. How've you been?" The older gentleman recognized the voice immediately, leaning back in his leather chair.

"Hello, Daniel. I've been well. And you?" Dr. Jamison heard something in the young man's voice, something he couldn't quite identify. He certainly didn't sound as awful as when he'd rushed out of his office.

"I'm great. Betty and I are great," the doctor could hear Daniel smiling. This young woman really was something else.

"Betty? So you two worked things out…that's marvelous, Daniel. I'm happy for you," he replied.

"Thanks, doc. I owe a lot of it to you. It's been a bumpy road…I'm glad you were there to help me steer clear of some potholes," Daniel laughed, making the doctor grin.

"Well, I definitely don't deserve all of the credit. I just try to help my patients one day at a time. So, I gather this means you want to discontinue our sessions?" he concluded.

"All is well in my world at the moment…so I'd have to say yes. Thanks again for all your advice," Daniel told him.

"You're welcome. Take care of yourself, Daniel," Dr. Jamison said.

"I will. And if all goes as planned, I'll invite you to the wedding in a couple of years," Daniel joked.

"Sounds even better…I look forward to hearing from you then…goodbye," Dr. Jamison ended the call, placing the phone back on the desk.

- - - db- - -

Daniel shifted on the large couch in his living area, his eyes adjusting to the light from the TV. The credits were rolling…he must've dosed off. Another movie night gone awry.

He glanced down at the head of thick brown hair, its owner sleeping soundly on his chest. Daniel's eyes traveled down the length of the sofa, stopping on Betty's Cinderella-themed socks, one securely curled under her, the other resting sideways on his leg. He grinned at this, the intimacy of it all.

He turned his head and saw DJ, sprawled on the loveseat, snoring quietly. Daniel had agreed to let him stay up and watch the movie with them, though he only lasted through the first twenty minutes. He reached for the shawl resting on the spine of the sofa, draping it over them.

Betty moved slightly, breathing in deeply but not waking up. Daniel draped an arm around her, gently placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you," he whispered to her, tactfully removing her glasses so they'd be out of harm's way. "Love you too," he heard Betty mumble, and smiled.

He leaned his head back onto the pillow, a content sigh escaping his lips as he closed his eyes. If this is what pure, unadulterated happiness felt like, Daniel could surely get used to it.

-end