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MMA Meets MBA

By: qhml1



I've become tired of stories of simpering females being rescued by manly hunks, so this is my variation on that theme. I know there are different federations out there, I just lumped them all together and called them MMA. Enjoy the story.

................................................

He rolled his eyes and wrinkled his nose. He was in a gym, more specifically a gym dedicated to training fighters, with the smell of stale sweat, blood, and other things he wasn't too keen on discovering. 

They were everywhere, punching bags, lifting weights, jumping rope, and sparring. The place resonated with grunts, squeals, and curses, along with trainers yelling instructions. He stood just inside the door, allowing his eyes to adjust to the semi darkness. A man of late middle age approached him, with a look of boredom on his face.

"Another pretty boy in a suit", he thought, taking the guy in, "banker, lawyer, somebody trying to make money off the sweat of the fighters". Still they were a necessary evil, and he tolerated them if they could make their lives better.

"Looking for somebody?"

Mark looked at the guy, fiftyish, iron grey hair, sharp brown eyes, not aggressive but not friendly. He acted as if he wanted him there as badly as he didn't want to be. He fished out a card.

"Mark Stewart, Stewart Financial Systems. I'm here to see a" he paused, looking at some papers,

"Miss Bettina Burke."

"Betty Bang Bang? What for?"

"I've been asked by her manager to help her set up a financial plan. Seems there may be big money in her future and he wants to make sure she keeps it."

The man thawed visibly.

"Great. I'll tell Manny you're here. Come on in, look around, I'll get him."

He did look around. Not surprisingly, half the fighters were women, the gym was getting a reputation for producing some of the top ranked women MMA fighters in the Southeast. He didn't follow the sport, but admired their fitness and determined attitudes, prima donnas didn't last long here.

Manny Torres was short, thick, with a rugged face and a nose that had been broken at least once. A former welter weight boxer, he had risen to number four in the world, losing title matches twice. He made decent money, but managed to waste it all. Not overly educated, he was intelligent enough to go with his stengths. He had a keen and analytic eye, could tell if a fighter had talent, and even more importantly, if they had heart.

He had managed and trained a few boxers, all good but none were ever able to make it to the top. His reputation was well earned, if a fighter broke training or got caught doing something illegal, he was within contractual rights to drop them. He did several times, usually after exhausting all other options. He had gotten more than one fighter help, whether he trained them or not.

He started managing women in the MMA world by accident, helping train and managing a younger sister of a friend and former boxer. She had heart but not a lot of talent. He got her several matches, carefully chosen opponents with the same skill level. He knew better than anyone you could destroy a fighters will and future by overmatching them.

She won three out of four and was getting plenty of notice. Deciding she had outgrown Manny, she signed with another manager, one in it just for the money. Manny gave her some advice she didn't take before she left. Her new manager was anxious to get her name out even more, and booked a fight with the number six ranked woman in her weight class. He never told her, but he knew she couldn't win, but he thought it would be great exposure.

The woman destroyed her, breaking her nose, then grappling her to the floor into a submission hold. The girl wouldn't yield, and the other fighter, who had a bit of a sadistic streak, broke her arm. It was legal, it happened occasionally, but it was frowned upon. She never recovered, losing three more bouts before retiring.

Manny came over, looking at the guy like he did everyone, analyzing him as a fighter.

Tall, slender, he would bet money he was more muscled than he looked in that suit. Moved good, too, admiring the way he wove through the boxers, dodging suddenly as a novice got tangled in her jump rope, even catching the girl before she hit the floor. Great reflexes. Yeah, he could definitely train this guy.

"Manny Torres."

"Mark Stewart."

Manny liked his grip, strong without being overpowering, the shake of a man confident in his own abilities.

"Come into the office, Mr. Stewart, let me explain what I need."

They went into a surprisingly neat but cluttered office. Posters adorned the walls, mostly of fighters in the gym. He pointed to one.

A tall blond in fighting attire, holding her fist up and glowering. The logo read: Bettina "Betty Bang Bang" Burke. He wondered what she looked like when she smiled.

"That's her. She's got a lot of talent, will probably make it to the top, if I can get her to control her temper. We're working on that. She's got a bout coming up with the number eight fighter. I think she'll win."

"What's her rank?"

"Right now, she's unranked. If she wins, she'll probably get ranked. Ten, maybe even nine. She's done really well in her regional fights."

"Record?"

"Seven and two. Two on points, three by knockout, two by submission."

"What about the two she lost?"

"The first loss was her very first fight, and nerves knocked her off her game plan. The second she should have won, but she got mad and lost her concentration. Why the questions about her fighting ability?"

"You're asking me to assist her in managing her money. I invest a lot of time in my clients, that's why I charge more. I'm very successful at what I do, so I can pick and choose. Most of the people I work with already have wealth, they want me to grow it. With her, I'm starting from ground zero. I want to know if I'm wasting my time."

"Then why are you here if you think it might be a waste of time?"

"Once upon a time there was a businessman who worked in New York City. There was also a cop who worked there. On September 11 one year, something bad happened. This particular cop saved that particular businessman, carrying him down four flights of stairs to safety. The cop was named Burke, the businessman was named Stewart. The cop had three sons and a daughter named Bettina. The businessman had a son and a daughter. The son's name was Mark. The Stewart family owes the Burke family, Mr. Torres, more than money. Even if she sucks, I'm going to do the best I can for her."

Manny was stunned. Then Mark smiled.

"Of course, it would be better for everybody if she was really talented and makes a boatload of money. Can I talk to her now?"

...............................................

She came in the office five minutes later, glowering. Still in exercise gear, sweating heavily from sparring. Plus, she lost her concentration when the guy in the suit walked by, and her sparring partner gave her a good shot to the mouth. She could already feel it swelling.

"What a prissy looking man" she thought, taking in the crisp suit and highly polished shoes. Damn, not a hair out of place.

"Miss Burke, I'm Mark Stewart."

She stuck her sweaty hand into his, enjoying the slight frown as he withdrew. She bet it took everything in his power not to whip out a hanky and wipe his hand off. 

"Call me Betty. What are you gonna do to make my life better?"

"My purpose is to advise you how to grow your money. I assume you have a career plan after your fighting days are over. It's my job to make sure you're financially secure to pursue it."

"What's in it for you?"

He seemed surprised at the question. 

"Why, money of course. I charge for my services."

"I hear you charge more than most. Why?"

She's smarter than she looks, he thought, actually did a little home work.

"Because you get just me. Let me explain. Say you go with one of the big houses. They'll probably do a good job for you. They'll assign you a financial manager. He'll be handling you and countless others. He won't have time to watch over you personally, most likely dump your money in some mutual fund plans, maybe a few bonds as a security blanket. The norm is five funds. Every fund has a manager, and that manager gets his fee whether he makes you money or not. Your manager gets his fee. At the end of the quarter, if you make money, great. If you don't, your manager and every fund manager he has you in still gets their fees."

"I don't do that. No mutual funds. I'll investigate a stock and determine its' viability before I suggest you invest. And I don't make decisions for you. I give you the facts and let you make your own decisions. If I think you're about to do something foolish, I advise against it, but the ultimate decision is yours."

"And don't get me wrong. I'm not a one man show. I have a partner and several assistants who do research for me, but ultimately I make the decisions to recommend something to the client. If it flops, the blame is mine."

He paused, grinning.

"Of course, if it takes off and you make a bundle, I take all the credit."

"This was just a meet and greet, Miss Burke, to see if we can work together. If you want to establish a relationship with my company, call and set up an appointment. The receptionist will tell you what to bring for the first consultation.

Good luck to you, Miss Burke, I hope your career is a successful one. Here's my card."

He rose to leave. As he was leaving, he looked over his shoulder.

"Oh, and to prove I do my homework, watch your next opponent's left leg. It not as weak as she leads everyone to think."

Manny and Betty watched him go.

"Is what he said true?"

"About the money or your next fight?"

Manny was smiling. It was the first time he had ever seen a man come close to impressing her.

"Both."

"The money side, yes, he's supposed to be one of the best. On Cindy, I don't know, but you can bet I'll be checking."

Cindy Smith, the 'Memphis Temptress", her next opponent, was reported to have a very weak left leg. All the fight films they had reviewed seemed to confirm this.

.................................................

The night of the fight she was a bundle of nerves. It happened every time, she knew she would settle down as soon as the bell rung.

She had trained hard and was in the best physical condition of her life, one hundred forty pounds of pure muscle. She reviewed tapes of her opponent endlessly, gathered all the information she could about her in and out of the ring. It had gotten to the point where she could just about say with certainty what she would have for breakfast every morning.

Manny made her review her own fights, pointing out weaknesses and lecturing her about her temper.

"Bang Bang, if you can't think, you can't fight. And when you get pissed, you stop thinking."

They were the last on the undercard before the main event. She heard the announcer call her name, and she came in bouncing, trying to stay loose. Waiting in the ring for them to announce her opponent, the higher ranked always came in last, she looked across the crowd, and saw him. 

Mark Stewart, dressed immaculately, of course. Seated beside him was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen. Her whole body screamed "Class!" at the top of it's lungs. They made a very attractive couple.

The Memphis Temptress strutted in. Damn, every thing was a production for her, but she had to admit, she brought the crowd to its feet.

They got their instructions, tapped gloves, and retired to their corners.

The first round was spent feeling each other out, looking for weaknesses. The crowd booed, wanting action. The second round was a little more heated as they both pressed for advantage.

Betty had a black belt in Judo, was an excellent boxer, thanks to Manny, and was very flexible, thanks to her gymnast background.

Cindy was more of a grappler, with Brazilian martial arts and wrestling in her background. She even spent time studying sumo wrestling.

They pitted style against style, Betty dancing in and out delivering kicks and blows, while Cindy tried to gain advantage by pushing her against the fence in an attempt to take her down. Betty got in a couple good head and body shots, but Cindy shook them off and succeeded in wrestling her down once. It was a close call, she almost got a submission hold. Betty barely wriggled out.

They were even going in to round four, then Betty got a couple of good head shots in, splitting a lip and hitting her left eye enough to cause swelling. Cindy knew by experience it would be black in the morning.

Then Cindy surprised Betty and the crowd by doing a sweep with her left leg. She would have had her then but the bell saved her.

Manny talked to her while the corner crew checked her out.

"You two are dead even so far. This is the last round so it's now or never. Time to get down and dirty. Stop trying to stay out of her reach. Tap a few times and then go in on her. She won't expect it, get her down and make her submit. Everybody knows you don't like to win by submission. Make it work for you, girl."

Betty danced out and started jabbing. Cindy had gone mostly flat footed, barreling straight ahead, trying to reduce ring space. The right hook seemed to come out of nowhere and she went tumbling, but was on her feet before Cindy could press the advantage. 

Cindy rushed in, determined to end it. Something in her eyes made Betty think 'left leg', and sure enough, she saw the sweep coming. Instead of backing up she did a complete front flip over the leg, landing right in front of her as she came round. She never saw the straight right to her nose coming, and was on her ass and had her arm locked into a submission hold before she could clear the cobwebs from her brain. She had no choice, she pounded the canvas and acknowledged submission to the referee.

The crowd was on their feet cheering. It was a brilliant finish to a mediocre performance.

Betty came to the center of the ring, hugged her opponent, and let the announcer raise her hand in victory.

She was surprised when Manny brought Mark Stewart into her dressing room. The woman wasn't with him.

He offered her hand.

"Well fought, Miss Burke."

She shook it.

"Thank you, Mr. Steward. Thanks for the scouting report. How did you know?"

"I watched her in the gym, reviewed her fights.

I do this with all my clients. How they perform in their professions determine how well they'll be able to invest. Now, a word of advice."

"Be gracious, smile a lot when you do your interview. Give credit to your trainer and manager. Praise your opponent for a good fight, thank the referee for a good job."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because it's good business. I've seen a few of your interviews, when you win you come off arrogant, when you lose you come off sulky.

That doesn't endear you to the fans, and a good fan base is an asset. It'll also make the interviewers spend a little more time with you, and exposure is exposure."

"Well, good night. I have someone waiting. Again, congratulations."

"Going home with little miss rich bitch,"she thought, "I bet they don't even sweat when they fuck."

.................................................

The next Wednesday found Betty and Manny sitting in the offices of Stewart Financial, holding the requested papers.

They were shown into a large office and Mark came in right behind them. He shook hands.

"Thanks for coming. Again, congratulations. What do you have lined up next?"

"We have a tentative bout scheduled in four months time, we want to make sure we're ready. She's ranked nine now, looks like it'll be against the number seven contender."

Manny said this with a great deal of satisfaction.

"Is number seven any good?"

Betty spoke up with a little pride.

"Anybody that's ranked is good."

"Really? How good are you, Miss Bang Bang? And where did that nick name come from?"

Betty blushed a bit.

"I had older brothers, so we played a lot of cowboys and Indians, dad would limit out TV and game time. I had the only two shooter in the universe when I was about five. All I ever said was 'bang bang' when I pretended to shoot, so that was the nickname my brothers gave me."

"Then when I got into MMA, every time I practiced a two punch combo, I would yell BANG BANG, to build up lung capacity. Manny heard me, and all fighters have nicknames, so he stuck me with it."

"Good story. You should tell it in interviews. Still didn't answer my question, Miss Burke. Are you good?"

She held his gaze.

"Yeah, I'm good. Really good. I could be champion. Not now, but soon."

"Good, show me your paperwork, please."

He looked over her folder. Making a note here or there.

He sat back and regarded them for a moment.

"Miss Burke, truth here, you've $25,000 earned from fighting. The sad fact is, most women MMA fighters, even the top ranked, make between a half to two thirds less than their male counterparts. Not fair, just a fact. Realistically, if you become champion in your weight class, and manage to hold onto it for two or three years, you MIGHT make a million two to a million five. Good money, and if you retire by thirty, which most do, you might make another million. Good money, but not enough to last for the rest of your life."

It seemed like a lot for Betty, raised on the disability and retirement pension of a cop. But she saw the wisdom in his words.

"What do I need to do?"

"First, we need to look at a manager for you. Not for fighting, Manny here is well qualified for that, but a personal manager, someone who can get you branded with a shoe or sports apparel manufacturer, get you live appearances, TV spots, calenders, that sort of thing. There's good money there, and you don't have to get hit to make it."

He took in her jeans and sweatshirt.

"Miss Burke, do you ever smile? Do you own a dress?"

She was offended, her face getting red.

"Yes, I smile, with my friends or when something amuses me. I own a few, but have little occasion to wear them. And I am NOT taking my clothes off for a calender."

He held up his hands in a placating gesture.

"I said nothing about removing your clothes, in fact I advise against it, it would probably affect you adversely. I was talking about something like this."

He pulled out a Women Of The MMA calendar.

"I admit some of the ladies are a bit risque, but none of them are nude. As for the dresses, when you start getting close to the top, you stop being a person and start being a commodity. In fact, when it reaches that point, you probably need to incorporate. That's in the future.

But the point I'm trying to make, Miss Burke, is the commodity is you, and any good ad man will tell you, attractive packaging is half the product."

"That's it. I'm not going to invest this money right now, you need to make a few upgrades. Don't think of it as spending money, more as investing in the future. If you're interested, there are some standard forms for you with the receptionist.

Have your lawyer look them over, it just outlines what is expected by both parties when it comes to your money."

He rose to shake their hands, the consultation over.

"How do you know all this stuff?" asked Betty.

"Research, Miss Burke, never underestimate research. If your schedule is clear, there is someone I'd like you to spend some time with. Mr. Torres, I'll make sure she gets home, if she agrees."

She nodded uncertainly, Manny hugged her and left.

Mark excused himself and left, bringing back the woman she had seen at the fight. 

"Miss Burke, this is Ms Johnson."

She stood and shook, and to her surprise Ms Johnson asked her to remain standing as she circled her slowly. She turned to Mark.

"Yes."

"Good, Miss Burke, Ms Johnson will escort you home. Have a pleasant evening."


MMA Meets MBA



"Come with me, please."

She led her out of the building and into a waiting cab. They rode for about twenty minutes before they stopped outside an upscale shopping center.

"Miss Burke, are you willing to listen to Mark and follow his advice?"

"I guess so. What are we doing here?"

She smiled, it turned her into a whole different person.

"Packaging the commodity. Come on, lots to do.

You are free for the rest of the day, aren't you?"

They were taking a week off before resuming training, so she had time.

The walked into a large department store, and went to the cosmetic department. Ms Johnson asked her to call her Alice, saying she hoped they could be friends.

"What are we doing here, Alice?"

"New paint" said Alice cryptically.

For the next forty minutes her face was made up, washed off, and done over until the consultant and Alice agreed it was as close to perfect as they could get. Betty wasn't allowed to look until they were done, and was stunned at the woman staring back from the mirror. She was ...pretty...no. She was more than pretty.

The woman packaged the purchases, and Betty was shocked at the price. She looked at Alice.

"Investment, Betty. Mark said you could afford it."

She paid the lady. Instead of leaving, they went into the dress department. Another hour with a consultant, she had the perfect dress for showcasing her athletic body. Tight but not clingy, allowing her muscles to ripple seductively underneath.

Alice said it was perfect and then laughed. She left for just a second, coming back with a satin thong.

"You need this. Turn around and you'll see why."

Betty turned and look over her shoulder. You could practically read the brand name on her full cut panties. It ruined the look completely.

She blushed when she took the thong, she had little experience with anything but 'functional', and said so to Alice.

Alice laughed.

"Honey, for dresses like this, it is functional underwear. Besides, you've got the tightest butt I've ever seen. That bottom was made to be displayed."

Betty blushed furiously and the salesgirl giggled.

Alice insisted she keep the dress on.

The next stop was for shoes. Again, Betty had little need for high heels, but Alice bullied her into a pair of two inch heels, telling her as soon as she got used to them they would go up an inch.

Next was the hairdresser.

"I'm not cutting my hair!"

Alice calmed her.

"I wouldn't think of it. This is just a trim, maybe put a highlight or two in. You have beautiful hair, you just need to showcase it."

They took down her trademark french braid. It was even longer than Alice first thought, hanging down to the middle of her back. The hairdresser was practically drooling. Alice laughed.

"Be careful dear, the girl is a professional fighter, wouldn't do to make her angry."

Soon the whole shop was clustered around her, asking questions. She had to promise a poster to them.

Alice immediately started working the owner.

"You know, Betty wasn't satisfied with her last salon. I brought her here because I trust you, but the ultimate decision is hers. She's going places, most likely in another year or two she'll be champion. It would be a feather in your cap if she stayed with you."

Before she knew what was happening, Betty was getting a manicure and pedicure, on the house.

Shrewdly, Alice promised a picture of her after the trim, poster size, to be placed beside the fight poster, in exchange for full salon care for the next six months. Betty shook hands with the owner, and entered into her first endorsement contract.

Betty couldn't believe the creation she had become. Men and women alike turned heads, and Alice assured her it would be commonplace.

Alice insisted in treating her to dinner for putting up with her, and they went into the nicest restaurant she had ever seen.

The meal was delicious, but she was nervous.

"What's wrong, Betty?"

"I feel like everybody is staring at me."

Alice gave her assurances.

"Well, I'd like to think some of the looks are for me, but it's not your imagination. Not to be arrogant, but we're the hottest women in here, we're going to get looks. They know me, but everyone is trying to figure out who you are.

Heiress, lawyer, businesswoman? They can't place you, and it's got them wondering. Let's have some fun, come on!"

They left the restaurant and adjourned to the bar. Almost immediately, they were surrounded by men, buying drinks, making conversation, jockeying for attention. Betty didn't drink, so Alice got her a mineral water with a twist of lemon, and a white wine, making sure the bartender knew that was all they were drinking.

Inexperienced with the flirting and the innuendo, Betty said little, letting Alice deflect the advances.

One man was particularly aggressive, making Betty uncomfortable. Alice finally put a stop to it.

"Ben, do you what field Betty is in? I thought not. She's a professional fighter, ranked number nine in the world. I'd be a little more polite if I were you."

Ben looked at her, trying to imagine her as a fighter, before laughing.

"This baby doll, no way! I don't know much about fighting, but I'd be glad to teach you about horizontal wrestling. I'm sure I could show you a thing or two."

Betty hopped off the stool, angry, fists balled.

"Apologize."

Ben had more alcohol than sense in him.

He sneered.

"You gonna make me, little girl?"

Betty was just about to swing when a hand enclosed hers.

"There you are girls. I thought I missed you."

Mark held her hand as tightly as possible, then shocked her when he kissed her cheek.

The look he gave Ben was cold.

"Ben, I think you owe this lady an apology. Now."

Ben immediately apologized, saying it was just a joke, he meant no harm. Betty thought he looked scared.

"Betty, accept his apology."

For some reason her anger was gone, and her cheek seemed to tingle where he kissed it.

"No problem."

Mark smiled, his white teeth seemed to glow.

"Well, now that that's settled, let's grab a table."

When they settled at the table Mark immediately launched into a lecture.

"Save the fighting for the ring, Betty. How you behave in public has a direct impact on your image."

"I could have taken him! I had it handled."

"Think about it, Betty" Mark said impatiently, "do you really want to read about how a trained fighter kicked the ass of a harmless drunk in a bar? Plus the lawsuits, you could be broke before you make any money. Temper, Betty, temper."

Her good feeling was gone. Damn, he treated her like a child.

Alice saw her frown and jumped in.

"Don't get angry, hon, remember, we're here to look out for your best interests. We've GOT to get you a manager."

"Why can't you do it?"

Betty said, looking at Alice.

Alice looked stricken for just a second, before Mark jumped in.

"Yes, Ms Johnson, I think that's an excellent idea. Please consider it."

He turned to Betty.

"Before she made a career change and moved here, she was a top publicist in California. Still has a contact or two, no doubt."

He turned to Alice.

"Please consider it. I can do without you in the office for a little while. It might be fun."

Alice considered it.

"All right, but there will be rules. You listen to me completely. Don't question my decisions, at least until you catch on to what I do. I won't need to spend much time with you right now, that will come later as you become more into the public eye. And I insist on a two year contract, it will take me that long to make you, understand?"

Her voice had gone all business, the friendly tone gone.

Betty said meekly "Yes ma'am."

Alice smiled.

"Good. Now, I have to get home. Clear tomorrow afternoon, I'll text you when and where to meet. Mark, will you escort Betty home? All right, kisses."

She air kissed them and strode off.

Mark smiled at Betty.

"You don't know what you're in for. That's the most focused woman I've ever seen. She can be downright brutal when she needs to be. You're in for a wild ride. Now, shall we?"

The ride to her home was quiet. It was on the lower end of middle class. She still lived at home. She said nothing as they parked.

"Goodnight, Miss Burke."

"Mark, would you walk me to the door? My dad is old fashioned, if he thought you just dumped me out it would change how he views you. He's not too keen on letting someone else get hold of my money as it is."

His smile was downright warm.

"Your father sounds like a good man. I'd like to meet him. I apologize, I should walk you to the door, my mind was elsewhere for just a second. Shall we?"

He opened the door and escorted her to her house. She held out her hand to shake.He took both her hands in his, reached down and gave her a light kiss on the cheek.

"Good night, Miss Burke. I hope you sleep well."

He turned to walk away, before stopping to look back.

"I almost forgot. You look stunning, Miss Burke, quite stunning indeed."

He drove away smiling, and Betty realized she was still stroking the cheek he kissed her on five minutes later.

..............................................

Her dad was in the living room when she walked in.

"Who was that? Why didn't he come............WOW!"

He had just noticed her makeover.

"John, Harry, get in here and look at this!"

Just great she thought, two of her brothers were here. She had three, all married, none far from home.

They came in a rush, thinking something was wrong.

Harry froze, and John ran into him.

"Harry, what the hell, you made me spill my beer.

What's the problem?"

He managed to get around Harry and beheld Betty.

"WHAT THE FUCK! Who is this hot woman, and what did she do with our little tomboy sister? Damn girl, you look HOT!"

Betty was blushing furiously under the inspection.

Her dad came over and gave her a hug.

"Don't get embarrassed, we just noticed our baby is a full grown woman for the first time, and as John said, you definitely look 'hot'."

They praised her look, calming her down, until John took a picture and sent it to Terry, her oldest brother. He showed it to his wife, she sent it to the other two wives, and in forty minutes they were all in the living room, admiring her.

"What happened? How did it happen?" the wives all clamored.

"Well, I met a man and......"

That was as far as she got before the men in the room went into protective mood.

"Who is he? Did he talk you into this? What does he do, is he a good man, how long have you known him."

She started out wrong again.

"I've only met him twice, he seems a good man, for someone who wants to make money off me. He......"

That was as far as she got before her dad went into cop mode.

"Define making money off you, and it better be good." 

She had finally had enough.

"Damn it, Daddy! He's the guy you sent me to for money advice, Mark Stewart, remember? I'm dressed this way because he got me a publicist, and she's trying to polish my image. We had a dinner meeting, all three of us, and he was courteous enough to escort me home. Any more questions?"

Terry's teen age daughter had tagged along to see the new look, Betty was kind of her hero. At the name, she had hit her grandfather's computer, googling him. She spoke up.

"I got one. Is he as good looking in person as he is in his photographs?"

Betty got bright red as the family gathered around the screen to look for themselves.

There were oohs and ahhs from the women, a few "You go, girl!" and other comments that kept her glowing.

Jane, Johns' wife stood back, smirking.

"He's pretty. But as good as he looks, you know what would look better on him than that suit?

Of course everyone fell for it, wanting to know.

"Betty!"

That was the last straw, Betty fled to her room.

The girls came in and soothed her, praising her look. They did admit he was handsome, and Betty should make the most of her time with him. Her dad came in after everyone left.

"Jane's right, baby, to a point. You would look damn good on his arm, the women would hate you, and the men would hate him."

"Don't worry about the rest. They were just teasing you. Everyone went on about how beautiful you were. I always knew the swan was in there somewhere. Is this the beginning of the end? Are you growing up, leaving your poor old dad in the dust?"

Her hand grasped his. "No! Daddy, I would never leave....

He shushed her.

"Yes you will baby, it's the way of life. You'll find someone, maybe like this guy, and you'll be gone, making your own life. I don't begrudge it, actually I'm looking forward to it. I could use a fresh set of grandkids, and a little privacy. It won't mean you or I love each other any less, and I know your mom would be proud."

Her eyes misted, thinking of her mom. She had passed when Betty was eleven, of cancer. She was her baby and only girl, so she was closer to her than her brothers. The whole family took it hard. That was one of the reasons they had moved South, to get away from the memories.

She said goodnight, and strangely, the last face in her mind before she drifted off was Mark Stewart.

................................................

She woke in a good mood the next day and did four miles, no need to get too far out of shape before beginning training in earnest.

Alice sent her a text, telling her to come to her office. The meeting consisted mostly of lectures about her need to maintain a clean, proper image, how to detect and avoid gold diggers and users, people who like to hang on the coat tails of successful people. She also set up etiquette lessons so not to embarrass her in upper class company. Image, Image, Image, was burned into her head.

She helped her pick out two more dresses, some nice casual clothes, two bikinis, and arranged a 

photo shoot. Then she had a website designed to showcase her and posted a bio, schedule of fights, and photos of her in and out of the ring.

Between training and lessons she kept extremely busy. She saw Mark occasionally, and he was always pleasant. Once he took her to lunch, but disappointed her by talking money and about her career. She did manage to get a peck on the lips.

It made the gossip section of the paper the next day.

The logo read: "Nationally ranked fighter beating notorious bachelor and financier into submission? Ninth ranked and up and coming MMA fighter Bettina "Bang Bang' Burke was spotted with financial wizard Mark Stewart at lunch in Cafe Wa."

Alice called her.

"Did you see it?"

"See what?"

"The paper, you and Mark are in it. Free publicity is priceless."

Betty was suddenly suspicious.

"Did you set this up?"

"Of course sweetie, that's what you pay me for, remember."

"Did Mark know?"

She heard her laugh.

"Of course not. He's already called and chewed me out. It'll do him good, maybe now the gold diggers will stop chasing him. Did you know he's ranked the fifth most eligible bachelor in town?

Gotta go. Good luck Saturday. Mark and I will be in the front row."

It was a sold out venue. The top billing was two males, lightweights, for a vacant belt. Her fight was scheduled two bouts before, the highest ranking woman present.

Alice was there with a bag, waiting in the dressing room. She had talked Candy, her new hairdresser, into being there, just in case.

She gave her a few words of encouragement before going back to her seat. 

She and Mark were ringside, right behind her corner. She had managed to get a bunch of under priviliged kids free tickets, and had them wearing

"BANG BANG, THE BEAST AND THE BEAUTY, ROLLED IN TO ONE" T shirts, with a picture of Betty on the front in her ring wear and holding up her fists, and a picture of her in her prettiest dress on the back. They were screaming her name when she entered the ring. She waved to them as she bounced around.

Her opponent, number seven in the world, entered with an entourage and her own theme music.

Manny had her work extra hard on her hand and kick speed, and had her working with a former fighter with jui jitsu experience, to improve her submission techniques. The woman was heavier and taller, increasing her endurance.

It was a slaughter. The other woman had badly underestimated Betty and didn't have the same commitment to her training regimen.

Betty knocked her down twice the first round, the second round was even, the third she almost got her to submit but she was saved by the bell.

The fourth round, knowing she was losing on points, she threw her fight plan to the winds and came straight at her, hitting mostly empty air as Betty wove and bobbed. She over committed, and Betty hit her with a straight front kick to the midsection. She bounced off the fence, wind knocked out of her, hands down, and Betty knocked her out with a left uppercut. She was counted out as the crowd screamed.

She retired to her corner, came out and let the announcer hold her up in victory, hugged her opponent, and left the ring.

Alice was beside her as she left the ring, shoving a marker in her hand. She shook hands, received pats on the back. The kids appeared in front of her in the shirts, and she signed every one of them.

When she got back to the dressing room she hugged Manny as he twirled her around.

"Good job, baby, good job. Now, I'm going to get out of the way, you have to get ready for your interview."

Candy and Alice swarmed her, shoving a BANG BANG t shirt on her and working her hair into a swirl of curl and highlights. The dryer felt like a blast furnace on her sweaty hair. They didn't try makeup. Just a swipe of muted lipstick, and they were out the door.

Alice watched the interview closely. Manny sat at her left, and she started out by thanking him, saying she was his creation, and kissing his cheek. Manny turned bright red and stuttered. They ate it up.

Then she thanked her opponent for a good fight, acting like it was much closer than it was, hugging her again.

The woman returned the favor by honestly saying 

she kicked her ass, then promising to be a lot more careful the next time. The crowd ate it up, watching and listening on the big screen while the main event was being set up.

Finally, Betty thanked her fan club, the children of St. Agnes group home, saying they were her good luck charms. She also thanked Candy, 'her miracle worker from Shear Delights', for her hair. Lastly she thanked Alice Johnson and Mark Stewart, for being there. Mark appeared at her side and guided her to the seat beside him, to watch the title fight. Mark, Alice, and Betty each held a small child from St. Agnes on their laps. The cameras loved it.

..................................................

Later Alice wrangled an invitation from the champion to pose for pictures with the children and Betty. Another golden PR opportunity. Betty was walking on clouds on the way home.

Alice, Manny, Betty, and Mark held a war conference the next day. The ranking were due out, Betty was expected to rise to six.

Alice apologized for the group home incident. 

"It's a charity I'm close to. They don't get much, so this was a real treat to them. It would do you good to be seen as a positive influence on these kids."

Betty hugged her.

"They were great. Can we get them to every local fight? I'll pay."

Alice hugged her back.

"I'll take care of it, but you know, if you visited every once in a while it would mean more to them."

"Set it up."

Then the mood got serious.

"What's the next step, Manny?" Mark asked.

"It's too early to be sure, but it might be against five, or three. Both tough contenders, if it's three and you win, it may lead to a title shot. Five and you win you'll probably be ranked four."

Alice smiled.

"On a lighter note, I managed to trademark you, BEAST AND THE BEAUTY ROLLED INTO ONE can only be used with your permission, and thanks to the exposure last night, your website has requests for over a thousand t shirts so far, at twelve ninety five a pop. I've got a contractor who wants to license it and get first choice on anything else we come up with. Your profit is four fifty, the rest goes to the contractor to handle everything. This could be very profitable, Betty, very profitable indeed."




MMA Meets MBA



Mark broke in. "That being said, it's time for you to incorporate, protect your assets and lessen your liabilities. Here is the lawyer I want you to see, you have a four o'clock appointment, Alice will be with you. You don't have to use him, that's up to you, but listen to his advice."

"You got a good paycheck last night, time for me to actually earn my money and set you up a portfolio. Call me when you're ready to discuss it."

He had to leave, citing another client.

...............................................

Four months later she had her next match, with the number five ranked fighter. Manny wanted to slow down, not rush into a fight they weren't prepared for. Betty grumbled, the impatience of youth kicking in, but she listened. Mark had a talk with her.

"Patience is a hard learned virtue, Betty, but you've got to start looking past these fights. You're only twenty four, you have your whole life ahead of you. I assume at some point you'll want to start a family and a new career. Remember to keep the long term in mind."

She often wondered about Mark. He was thirty two, unmarried, the only woman he seemed close to was Alice. She wasn't at all sure what the relationship was, just that they were very close.

"What about you, Mark? When are you going to marry and sire a bunch of future tycoons?"

It was hard to pinpoint the expression on his face. Sadness, some anger, but mostly loss.

"I tried that once. Didn't work out, come to find out we had different goals in life."

She put her hand on his arm instinctively. 

"I'm sorry. Didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

He smiled sadly.

"Thanks, but it doesn't matter now. It's in the past."

In the meantime, Alice was earning her money.

She got her on the local morning shows, talking about her career. Thanks to her careful coaching,

she came off personable, friendly, a joy to interview. Betty thought it was all fake and was surprised at how Alice reacted.

"Fake? Baby if you were fake the audience would know it in a heartbeat. That's the real you out there. Please, don't change. If you feel jaded or tired, tell me. We'll take a break."

"Sorry, Alice. This is all still new to me."

Alice took her hand and looked her in the eye.

"Don't apologize for what you feel. Please, always be open with me, we'll get along much better. You don't know much about me, but at one time I handled some pretty big names. I saw a few go from being decent human beings to cartoons, doing absolutely anything if it helped their careers, including doing harm to others. It made them less than human in my opinion. It's one of the reasons I quit, even though I loved it, and moved back here."

She changed the subject and asked about Mark. Alice smiled, seems like they spent part of every time they were together discussing him. Alice said little about his private life now, it was up to him if he wanted to share, but she did give Betty a little history now and then.

"Alice, was Mark ever married?"

Alice chose her words carefully.

"Yes he was. It ended badly, and he never discusses it. It's made it hard for him to get close to anyone now. They've been divorced for three years, and as far as I know he hasn't had a serious relationship since. He dates a lot, he is handsome and rich, and I'm sure he probably gets laid a lot, but they never last more than a few weeks. Why the questions?"

Betty blushed.

"No reason. Just curious about who I work with."

Alice smiled as she watched her face.

"She has a crush on him, it's as plain as the nose on her face. I hope they don't end up hurting each other, they're my two favorite people in the world. Maybe I should say something." swirled through her head.

"What about you, Betty. Anybody in your life right now?"

"Yes, you, Mark, Manny, and my family. I'm in training right now and don't have time for a relationship. Besides, I'm like Mark, my last relationship ended badly, and I don't want to rush into anything."

"Good thinking."

................................................

Her next fight came. She had worked hard, studied her opponent, watched a copy of every fight she had been in. Spotted weaknesses, spotted things to watch for.

She was confident, relaxed, upbeat. And she almost got her ass kicked.

Apparently she wasn't the only one who studied opponents. Neither could gain an advantage.

It was a hard fought match, but in the end it was declared a draw. Betty was extremely disappointed.

As usual, Alice and Candy were beside her in the dressing room, prepping her for the interview. Mark made an unexpected appearance.

"Good fight Betty, even if you didn't win. The upside is you didn't lose. Remember, be upbeat, be gracious, don't appear petulant. Remember, be professional."

He surprised her by kissing her cheek and whispering in her ear "if you can't outfight them, out charm them".

She did just that. Once again she had the crowd on her side, and did photos with her opponent and the winner of the main event with children from a group home in the city they were in.

..............................................

It was a somber group at the post fight meeting the next Monday. The rankings had come out, and both Betty and her opponent dropped a spot.

She was disappointed, but they all cheered her up.

"You're still a top ranked fighter, honey" said Alice, "and your popularity is increasing. How long until your next fight?"

She deferred to Manny. He shrugged.

"Don't know yet, we're negotiating now with the number four in three months, but it's still up in the air. If that falls through the number eight ranked wants a rematch. It won't get her closer to the title, but it'll keep her name out there and bring in some money."

"Can you spare her for about a week, if she trains on her own while she's gone?"

Mark wondered what Alice was up to.

Manny frowned, thinking. "Yeah, if it's not too close to the fight. Why?"

Alice smiled that smile Mark loved so much. This had to be good.

"I got a message from an old friend on the coast. One of the shows he's involved with is doing a storyline featuring MMA fighters. He wants her to do a cameo."

Betty sat up. "I don't think that's a good idea. I have no experience with acting. I'd look like a fool."

Alice actually laughed.

"Honey, honey, what do you think you do when you're on a post fight interview? Don't worry, I've seen the script, you only have about ten lines. You could probably shoot your part in one or two days, be back home before you know it. Think about the exposure. As your manager, publicist, and friend, I strongly advise you to do this. The exposure will do you a world of good."

Almost as an afterthought, she added "oh, you'll get paid, too. A tidy sum. Let me know by tomorrow, if you don't want it, he's going to try to get someone else."

Betty looked at Mark.

"What do you think?"

"I think you should do it. Who knows what doors could open up on account of this."

"Will you and Alice be with me?"

He seemed surprised.

"Alice will, of course. If it's important to you, I'll try to."

In the end they all went. Manny even got a bit part as her trainer. She was surprisingly good, a natural. The producer praised her, saying he would keep her in mind.

The show, a cop drama about the death of an MMA fighter, aired between her fight with the number eight, a knockout, and her match with the number three.

Alice was bringing her along slowly, knowing the danger of exposing her too much too soon.

................................................

As her star rose, so did attention from others.

She was surprised when one of the top managers in the business stopped by her table while she and Alice were having lunch.

He congratulated her on her victories and her TV appearance, then hit with what he really wanted.

"Are you happy with your management? What about your trainer? If you sign with me, I could take you places, help your career. You know I have three champions and four top fives under contract. I could do for you what I did for them. We could make a lot of money together."

Alice stiffened, but before she could speak Betty grabbed her hand and squeezed.

"Thank you so much for your offer, but I won't train with anyone but Manny, and I love my manager. Tell me, do you have contacts in the film and TV industry? Do you think I got that show by accident? My VERY WELL CONNECTED Manager did that for me. Good to talk to you."

She turned and resumed her conversation with Alice. The man was not used to being dismissed and stood for a few seconds before he colored and strode off. Alice laughed when he left.

"MY goodness, Betty, aren't you the little bitch! Think you were hard enough on him?"

She giggled before she got serious.

"I don't like the things I hear about him. He pushes fighters too hard. I hear a lot of them use steroids. We're not as well regulated as other sports, so it may be possible. Besides, I don't love him, I love you. And Mark. You're part of my family now."

She stopped as Alice teared up, thinking she had gone too far.

"Thank you Betty. I've never had a baby sister until now. Why do you think I work so hard for you? It's not business, it's love. Give me a hug."

They hugged and cried for a few seconds.

Betty smiled. "Well sis, I'm guessing as much as you love me, there's something else on your mind. What is it?"

Alice smiled back.

"I want you to consider something. You know, every year, just before Christmas, there is a national adoption telethon on one of the major networks. I've been contacted about you participating because of your work with St. Agnes.

It's a worthy cause, and the exposure would be tremendous for you. Interested?"

"Am I ever. What do I have to do?"

"I'll handle it. I'm thinking about some print ads in some major magazines leading up to the telethon. I'll have the details later."

The telethon was filmed in New York, coinciding with her next bout in Madison Square Garden five days before. Alice confirmed her attendance with the producers, wrangled a meeting, and laid out her ideas. They were on board immediately if she could pull it off.

It was a publicity success. Ad agencies around the world wished they had thought of it. Alice got several very lucrative offers of employment out of it.

Starting in September, magazines like GQ, Cosmo, Better Homes and Garden, Time, and just about every major magazine began running full page ads, with a professional athlete, music star, or actor in them. They got permission, and they were a variant on the "Got Milk" campaign that had been so successful.

It would be the star, surrounded by children from various agencies who needed parents, all holding glasses of milk with the famous milk mustache.

The caption read "GOT LOVE?" and contained a plea for people to consider adoption. There was also a flyer saying for every successful adoption that was a result of these ads, a local dairy would donate a specified amount of milk to homes and orphanages. Betty was the very first celebrity to be featured, along with some of the children from St. Agnes.

She and Alice ended up doing interviews on the national morning shows the week before the show.

Alice did manage to plug the upcoming fight. The Garden donated a thousand tickets to various orphanages and group homes.

.................................................

Betty had never fought in a venue as large as the Garden. It felt like everyone in New York was there to watch the fights. She got a slight case of the jitters.

"It doesn't matter how big the audience space is, the ring is exactly the same size as always. Live inside the ring, focus on why you're there, and you'll be fine." Manny told her as he massaged her shoulders and put her through her warmup routines.

She was third on the bill. Atlantic City was giving six to four odds in favor of her rival. The woman wasn't quite as big as Betty, but was incredibly fast. They had a plan for that.

"Get her against the fence, cut down on her room to maneuver, and go inside, but do it quick! She'll think you're gonna stay outside on her, use your reach. That's exactly what I want you to do for two rounds, then go in and give it everything you got, before she has time to adjust. Got it?"

She nodded to Manny, her mouthpiece already in.

Damn that girl was fast! At one time she would have sworn there were two of her in the ring, she seemed to be everywhere. Betty gave as good as she got, staying with the fight plan, dancing in and out, jabbing, kicking, grappling a little when the opportunity was right. At the start of round three they were dead even.

"Now is the time, baby. Go in on her and stay in. Keep her on the fence, don't let her loose. Time to bring it home." Manny was right in her face, making sure he had her undivided attention.

It might have been luck, karma, or just plain hard work and planning, but it went exactly the way Manny wanted. She gave her a short kick that rocked her against the cage, closed, and never let her out. Her opponent had no chance to use her speed pinned against the fence, and Betty took full advantage. The referee stopped the fight after two minutes in, her opponent was out on her feet. Technical knockout, two minutes thirty seconds into the third. The crowd went wild.

Betty was estatic. She kissed Manny, her opponent, hugged the referee.

Alice and Mark were standing by the ring when she left. She kissed and hugged Alice. Mark surprised her by picking her up and twirling her around. Had he always been that strong? When he put her down she grabbed his face and kissed him, for about a minute and a half. It was a tossup who was more surprised. The whole thing was flashing across the jumbotron, and the crowd ate it up.

Alice grabbed her and she and Manny hustled her into the dressing room. They were laughing the whole way while Betty glowed.

"Well, hon, I guess you stated your intentions."

laughed Alice as she helped her change into a nice dress. Candy was there, laughing while she teased her hair.

"I didn't mean to! It just happened. Think he's mad at me?"

Alice stroked her cheek.

"Oh, baby, did he try to push you away? I don't think so. In fact, you're the one who backed off. If it was up to him, your lips would probably still be locked. Be careful with him, he's still a little fragile. But go for it! You two would be good for each other."

The post interview went well. She even got a plug in about the upcoming telethon when they asked her what her plans were for the new future.

"We'll be watching" laughed the commentator doing the interview, "and judging by the way you kissed your boyfriend, you're going to have a very Merry Christmas".

She went bright red, and everyone saw it on the jumbotron. There were a lot of cheers and whistles. Mark chose that exact moment to appear by her side. Without thinking he leaned down and gave her a light kiss. He looked over at the commentator.

"Yes, I believe it will be a Merry Christmas for all, don't you think so, dear?"

He looked at Betty and she got even redder, but she held his hand tightly as they left.

There were pictures, autographs to sign, hands to shake. Mark faded into the background while Alice orchestrated everything. She didn't see Mark until the next day, during the post fight meeting.

Manny went first.

"She'll be ranked two, definitely. The next fight will be a title shot, I'm sure. I'll have to set it up with her people, and it will probably be five to six months before it happens. The champ has a match with what was the number one contender in January. I figure May at the earliest, giving us plenty of time to train."

Alice jumped in.

"Good. The producer who used you in the crime drama has a movie coming up. He's interested in Betty for a prominent bit part. It's a romance by a best selling writer. It could be start of her second career, after the fighting days are over.

No more than three weeks. Can you do it?"

Betty was overwhelmed, things were happening so fast.

Mark added his input.

"You should do it, Betty. Good actresses make a lot more than good fighters, and again, you don't have to get hit to earn your money. You got a really good paycheck this time. It's time to diversify your holdings. With real estate in the slump it is now, there are some very good opportunities out there. I've found a set of four duplex apartments that are being foreclosed on. You can get them for about half what they're actually worth. You can comfortably pay half down, and with a minimum of repairs and improvements, they will be at full occupancy in no time. The rent would handle the payments with a little left over.Say the word and I'll make it happen."

Bettina Burke, landlord. She didn't know if she liked it or not, but the more Mark explained it to her, the better it sounded. She wouldn't actually be involved, a management agency would handle it all.

Her dad was impressed. He was even more impressed when she bought him a new truck, a small Ford. His old car was worn out, and she knew he liked trucks. He had tears in his eyes when he tried to make her return it.

"Save it dad. I live here and don't pay anything. Consider it past payment for room and board. I did it because I love you, and believe me, I can afford it. Now, take me for a ride."

For about a month afterwards he bragged to the neighborhood about the successful daughter who didn't have anything better to do than buy her old man a truck.

She and Mark started dating. Lunches, dinner. He took her to the opera and she was enthralled. She took him to a rock concert and he surprised her by dancing in the aisles with her. Despite some steamy goodnight kisses, they had not yet become intimate. Both felt they had to be sure, before committing.

He told her about his ex wife, how she refused to have children after they had agreed before marriage to start a family in two years. How she became bored and cheated, looking to trade up. The divorce was bitter. Despite the prenup, she tried to take almost everything. The sad fact was she was more wealthy than he, and the judge dismissed her attempts out of hand, ruling that the prenup stand, and granting the divorce.

"She still calls, about once a month, at the office. She doesn't have my private numbers any longer. Says she regrets everything, wants to start over. Begs for another chance. I try to be polite as possible, but every time I decline. What's done is done. I'm pretty much over it now, so I hope she finds what she needs. It just isn't me."

This pleased her immensely.

She told him about her last romantic episode.

He was a boxer at the same gym. He was personable, attractive, Hispanic. They dated seriously, she even gave him her virginity. He turned out to be controlling and extremely jealous. If she even said hello to another man he would try to start a fight. Actually beat a couple people, ended up in jail overnight and got sued once. When she told him it was over he attacked her. She didn't expect it and got hurt pretty bad before instincts and training took over, and she beat him up. Had to get a restraining order, and a few of her father's cop buddies suggested to him strongly he respect that.

He stormed the gym, screaming. Bad move, in a room full of fighters.

They escorted him out, after trying to pound some sense into him. He got expelled from the gym and his trainer dropped him. Last she heard, he was working as an enforcer for a gang he joined. He was currently on trial for assault with intent to kill, most likely looking at two to four years.

Mark was appalled, then grinned.

"well, I ended up with a broken heart for awhile, he ended up with a broken jaw. I'm not the jealous type, as long as you understand if you're mine, you're mine. I don't like promise breakers."




MMA Meets MBA



She agreed.

..................................................

She went on location and made the movie. Three weeks turned into five as they changed direction and reshot some scenes. Her training suffered because of fifteen hour days on the set. She was alone, exhausted and miserable. Although they hadn't made their relationship exclusive, Alice made sure that she knew Mark wasn't seeing anyone else.

One of her costars was an up and coming actor, and they went out to dinner with some of the cast and crew twice. Naturally the gossip shows got hold of it, and manipulated the pictures to make it look like they were having a romantic evening. Since Betty didn't watch those shows, she didn't know what was being said until she was interviewed by MMA Magazine about her upcoming fight.

As he was ending it, the interviewer asked if Tony Cragen was attending.

"I have no idea. Why were you ask?"

The interviewer seemed surprised.

"Well, he's your current love interest, isn't he?"

She was shocked.

"He's not even really a friend. I barely know him. We had six scenes together in the movie, we went to dinner twice with a group from the set, and even then we barely talked. Where did you get the idea we were dating?"

It's on all the gossip shows, and in the magazines. He's even given an interview about where you and he would vacation after the movie wrapped."

She was furious.

"I need you to print this. I am not romantically linked to Tony. I haven't been around him enough to know if I even like him. And, if I find out he's been spreading lies about me, He'll get to know me a lot better, and I don't mean in any physical way. I'll sue his ass off for slander and libel. Got all that?"

"Yes I did. Probably won't use it all. I'm not involving this magazine in the little war you're planning. I will say that there is no romantic link between you, you were just coworkers on a project. That's as far as I'll go. Thanks for the interview."

Betty was so furious she couldn't see straight. When she calmed down she reached for her phone.

Alice would know what to do.

.................................................

Alice laughed, surprising her.

"Honey, this stuff goes on all the time. You just need to learn to be less trusting. You're a celebrity, everyone you meet is going to want something, or want to be seen with you to improve their image. I wish I could be there with you, but I'm tied up right now. You've got two weeks left, I'll be able to come out in three days. We'll straighten Mr. Cragen up then. Love you, little sis, got to go."

She sighed. Alice, with Mark's encouragement, had left his firm, and now managed four more clients besides her. All were fighters. Two boxers that Manny had brought her, one female MMA that Manny trained, and another that worked out at another gym.

Manny had come to Mark for advice. He was getting a good name and actually turning down fighters that wanted to train with him. He wanted his own gym, but knew little about business. Mark was helping him look for a suitable location and financial backing. 

Mark was also benefiting from the association with fighters, and had a few new clients because of it.

Everyone was getting busier, and Betty felt she was getting lost in the shuffle.

................................................

The movie finally wrapped.

Alice and Mark met her at the airport. Both gave her kisses, and Mark stepped back.

"Cragen, huh? A pretty face beating me out? And I thought we meant something to each other."

Betty went white, then started trying to explain. About halfway through Alice started laughing and Mark was grinning.

"Relax, honey. Alice told me all about it. And I have trust in you, and will continue to have trust in you until you prove otherwise, and I don't think that will ever happen."

She didn't know whether to be pissed or relieved, and finally said it wasn't a smart move to tease someone who beat people up for a living.

She had the weekend off before starting her training again. She spent Thursday with her family, taking a ribbing over being a movie star. She had brought home some autographed photos the stars had given her for her nieces. They loved them.

She spent Friday morning with Manny, discussing strategy for the upcoming fight. Lunch was at St. Agnes, she had movie posters and a promise of free tickets to the ones old enough to see it when it came out.

She noticed a little boy, maybe four, sitting off to the side. She asked Sister Anne who he was.

"That's Jeremy. We just got him. His mother and father had been fighting, they were both heavily into drugs. One day his dad snapped and killed his mother, then turned the gun on himself. He did it in the living room, right in front of Jeremy. He had no close relatives, so he ended up with us. His therapist says he'll come out of his depression soon. We're all praying for him, poor thing."

She had brought presents, some sports equipment, including jump ropes. Waving the other children away, she went to sit beside him.

"How's it going, dude?" She said it with a smile, trying to draw him out. He didn't look up.

"Okay, I guess."

"I brought some new stuff with me today. Do you know how to skip rope?"

"He looked up briefly.

"Jumping rope is for girls."

Pleased to get his attention she pressed forward.

"Who told you that? Every fighter in the modern era has jumped rope as part of training, for endurance and speed. Watch this."

She shook out one of the ropes. Dressed in jeans and sneakers, it was almost like training. Using all the moves she had ever learned, going faster and faster.

"See, it's fun. Wanna try it?"

He nodded shyly.

"Okay, but we're gonna use the big ropes."

She grew up doing 'Double Dutch' in her neighborhood. She got two of the nuns to turn a single rope. They stepped in the center.

"Ready? All right, slowly girls. Jeremy, watch me and jump when I do."

He made the first two, then missed the third.

"No problem. Keep going."

After about three minutes he had the hang of it. Betty surprised him by turning around in one skip and back to him in the next.

"Try it, you just have to be a little quicker. Ready? Now!"

They both turned back to back without missing a skip, then turned back on the next swing. Jeremy was smiling. proud of his skill. They jumped for a few more minutes before stopping. She gave him a high five, praising him.

"Practice, and the next time we'll add some more stuff."

The nuns thanked her, saying it was the first time they had seen him smile.

Betty had a rule. Everyone, from the smallest child to the nuns had to give her a hug when she left, no exceptions. If they didn't she would miss the next visit. Jeremy was the last to hug her, wrapping his small body as tightly as he could into her arms. It surprised her when she felt the tears slide down her cheeks.

.................................................

Friday, she met with Mark, going over her portfolio. He tossed the folder on his desk when they were done.

"Business over babe. You're almost six weeks behind on kisses, care to start getting caught up?"

They must have kissed for twenty minutes before Mark pulled back. She was badly disappointed.

"Go home, Betty."

"Why? What's wrong honey? Have you found somebody else? I knew it would never last, I knew you couldn't want someone like me."

Tears were rolling down her cheeks. Mark looked stunned.

"What in the world are you going on about? If you would have let me finish, you would have heard me say that when you got there, pack a bag. I need to get away for a weekend. I was hoping it would be with you. If you don't want t........."

She was in his arms, kissing him hard. 

"What should I[kiss]pack[kiss]. Formal[kiss]casual?"

"A little of everything, I guess."

They went to Maine, enjoying the fall colors at a small town bed and breakfast. They ate lobster rolls by the seaside, went to a diner famous for their pancakes and syrup made from their own trees. They each bought a gallon to take home.

The first night was awkward and amazing. She worried about her lack of experience, he worried about having enough stamina.

She wore a teddy that Alice helped her pick. It was little more than wisps of lace and silk, and framed her athlete's body perfectly. He felt the oxygen in the room get thinner when he saw it.

She in turn, was impressed with the muscles that were hidden behind those expensive suits.

They started slowly, trying to learn every nuance of teach others' bodies, but when he started nibbling her nipples, rolling them over his tongue, she started, in her own words later, overheating.

When he nibbled his way down to her pubes, she almost passed out. She had experienced it only twice before by a man that didn't know what he was doing. Just before she peaked the second time, waves of bliss radiating out of every pore, came the realization that she absolutely, positively, loved this man. 

She almost pulled his hair out, trying to get him up and into her. She loved the light covering of hair on his chest, so different from other men she was around. They started out missionary, but her lust exploded and she rolled him over, slamming into with ferocity and need. Neither could last that long, and they both exploded at almost the same instant, his groan and her scream heard throughout the house.

The landlord and his wife chuckled.

"Newlyweds?" She asked.

"I don't think so, but new lovers, I'm sure."

said the husband, as he rolled her nipple, remembering. Soon they were off on their own journey, fueled by love and experience.

The gay couple across the hall were soon engaged in their own rapture, fueled by the sounds.

A good night was had by all.

.................................................

Everyone was a little sheepish at breakfast the next day until one of the gay couple asked tongue in cheek, "Everyone sleep well last night?"

That brought out the grin and chuckles, and rousing conversation laden with innuendos.

When Mark and Betty left they were shown the honeymoon cottage.

"Just in case, dears" said their hostess, "but you need to book early".

Alice took one look at her face the next day at lunch, and hugged her.

"About time. Is he as good as everyone says?"

Betty went bright red.

"Wouldn't you know?"

That set Alice off into laughter again.

"Betty, haven't you figured out by now we've never been intimate? That would be so wrong, since we're brother and sister."

Betty went even redder.

"What? But you've never said, and you don't look anything alike."

Alice hugged her.

"Our mom had trouble with Mark and couldn't conceive again. They both wanted a girl, so they adopted me when I was four weeks old. We didn't know, Mark and I, until I was nineteen."

"They were never going to tell me, but I got sick and they had to do blood work. When our blood types didn't match, they had explain. I think Mom almost had a breakdown, thinking I might not love her anymore. It took a lot of tears and hugs, but we got over it. I actually met my biological mother. She seems a nice person, but I feel absolutely nothing for her. Mom will always be Mom. Nothing could come between us."

She sighed, remembering.

"Now you know why I support St. Agnes so strongly, and was more than willing to get you to participate in the telethon."

The crowning achievement for the telethon came when Alice organized a photo shoot and a few commercials featuring famous people, actors, politicians, singers, business magnates, all together with their parents. All were adopted, and everyone in the shoot had a milk mustache.

they were all gathered under a banner.

GOT LOVE? WE DID!

Underneath was a plea to consider adoption. 

................................................

Betty was training intensely. She got to be with Mark twice a week if she was lucky. A few times she fell asleep in his condo, and he would put her in the bed and snuggle, making sure he set the alarm to get her up. The first time she fussed at him for not giving her enough time to go home and change. He kissed her silent.

"I can solve that problem. Either pack a bag just in case, or leave some clothes over here."

Alice was stunned when she heard the news.

"He actually asked you to leave clothes? Girl, you'll be moved in before the month's out. He's got it bad for you girl, bad. Lucky you."

She did bring over enough clothes to last a long weekend. Mark gave up two of his dresser drawers, and moved some stuff out of the bathroom so she would have room for her cosmetics and other necessities.

"A fair trade" he said, "I give up half of my storage space. In return, I get to store that hot little body on half my bed. Although, it seems like your half is in the middle, right where I am. Odd how that works out."

Her father smiled when she started spending nights with Mark. He liked the young man, telling Betty in no uncertain terms it was time to bring him around to meet the family. She promised she would soon. Maybe right after her next fight.

...............................................

This was it. The big one. The championship.

She had trained hard, harder than she ever had. She wanted it, bad. There were in Las Vegas, at the arena. It was packed to the rafters. She liked to think it was for her, but the heavyweight mens' title was on the line. Still, she had second billing.

Her opponent was nicknamed "Snake", because she was so flexible. They had watched endless hours of her fights, analyzing, looking for weaknesses. There appeared to be none. 

Manny had brought in a friend to help train her in the last three months. From the Philippines, he was a master in several of their styles, notably blade work and grappling. She had to learn a lot of control, most of their submission techniques weren't designed to allow an opponent up. He used the blade techniques in bare hand styles. 

He was short, heavyweight man, quiet, but still laughed if he saw humor in something. Betty wasn't impressed until he rolled her around the mat like a beach ball, ducking and avoiding most blows, absorbing the ones he couldn't without changing facial expression. She stayed bruised the first two months until she caught on. It turned out he was an excellent corner man, so he was there for the match.

It was Vegas, and they liked a show. Alice had lined up a very lucrative agreement for Betty to wear and do commercials for FUBU sportswear. They actually met Daymond John and he seemed happy she was on board. He insisted her fight wear be custom tailored. Alice also managed to get the rest of her fighters outfitted for a lesser deal, contingent to change should they become champion. She was becoming a household name for her clothing endorsements and acting, many actually never knew she was a fighter.

She was dressed in black and gold, her bottom was skin tight and looked like boy short panties. Her top was between a small tank top and a sports bra. She looked amazing with her blond hair in her trademark french braid.

As challenger, she had to appear first. They had planned her entrance for months, set to a song that Mark had found on a classic rock station.

The venue was all for it. They had rehearsed it secretly at a club for three days. 

The lights went out. The announcers' voice boomed over the PA system.

"Ladies and gentlemen! This is for the middle weight title. Introducing the challenger, Betty "Bang Bang Burke!

The lights flashed on to a four piece rock band set up in front of the ring. It was Pat Travers. The bass and drums were thumping as he stepped up to the microphone.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen! I'm gonna play a little song for you, most of you will remember it. I'm gonna change it up just a bit. Instead of 'boom boom', I'm gonna sing 'BANG BANG'. I want you guys to get behind me here, and sing 'OUT GO THE LIGHTS!', think you can do that for me? OK. Ready? Let's practice."

He screamed out "BANG BANG" and listened to a feeble response.

"That's not good, not good at all. Let's try it again. Here she is people, the next middle weight

champion of the world, BETTY 'BANG BANG 'BURKE!"

He launched into the song as flash pots went off.

Betty came dancing out in her fight outfit, with six professional dancers, all dressed alike. The jumbotron showed a split screen of her and the singer, and every time he sang BANG BANG' she did her double pump. The crowd was eating it up. 

It had been timed out to the second. She jumped into the ring and grabbed a microphone, singing the last verse with him.

"Been looking for her all night,

and when I get her in my sights,

there's gonna be a fight

BANG BANG, OUT GO HER LIGHTS!"

She threw the microphone over the ropes, jumped into the air, and landed in a split with fists up. The crowd roared for five minutes.

The champion, waiting in her dressing room, watched the whole thing on the big screen. She was furious. Her entrance, while choreographed, 

couldn't match that. 

She delayed her entrance by ten minutes in spite, only coming out when the federation representative threatened to cancel the fight and strip her of her title.

The first round went by as they felt each other out, tapping, avoiding holds, assessing capabilities.

The champion won the next round, and the third was split. The scorers had her ahead slightly, on points.

Emile and Manny worked on her between rounds. She had a bruise on her cheek and a lump on her forehead.

"Pick it up, Betty. Remember what Emile taught you, time to use it."

Emile nodded, gripped her head so she was looking at him, and spoke in Spanish.

"What did he say?"

Manny grunted.

"He said focus, and kick her ass."

She came out in round four more confident. The champ, knowing she was ahead on points, wanted to dance in and out and protect her lead.

Betty surprised her with a leg sweep, knocking her down. She straddled her instantly and got in two head shots before she wriggled loose.

Off balance, her blows were ineffective and Betty caught her with a nice front kick under the ribs. Overconfident, she relaxed her guard and never saw it coming. The champ jumped high in the air, bringing her heel down on Betty's nose. She heard the cartilage crunch. She dropped to her knees, stunned. Only the bell saved her.

Manny and Emile worked over her feverishly, stopping the blood. She jerked as Emile grabbed her nose and pulled it straight. It made it appear normal. The doctor checked her over and almost didn't let her continue, but relented when she assured him she was fine. The crowd was screaming for the champ, sensing another successful defense of her title.

Manny tried to rally her.

"This is it, baby. You'll have to knock her out or pin her, you're way behind on points. And If I think she's hurting you, the towel goes in. Now go out there and finish it!"

Up until now, she had used the moves Emile taught her sparingly. Knowing it was do or die, she gave it everything she had. Weaving, picking her shots. waiting for an opening. When it came she was ready. Landing a straight right hand that stunned the champ, she dropped down on her hands, sprang up and wrapped her legs around her and rolled her to the ground. She almost had her submitted, but she got loose, screaming in anger. She had lost her mouth piece.

Betty twirled like a ballerina, missing with the first kick, but nailing her with the other. She saw the surprised look as the air went out of the champ, and Betty wrapped her up. bending her arm at a painful angel. The champ tried to last until the bell rang, but the pain became so intense she tapped out forty seconds before the bell.

They both lay there for a second, each stunned.

Then Betty jumped up and the crowd started screaming. Manny, Emile, Alice, and Mark were in the ring, hugging her. Mark surprised her by putting her on his shoulders and parading her around the ring. She got blood all over his suit. Neither cared.




MMA Meets MBA



They had to clear the ring for the official announcement.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the decision, at four minute twenty seconds in the fifth round, was victory by submission. May I present the new middlewieght champion of the world, BETTY 'BANG BANG' BURKE!"

She left the ring in a daze, the title belt draped over her shoulders.

She remembered the hug, the kisses. She remembered her dad, her brothers and their families hugging her. She remembered Manny clearing the room so Alice and Candy could dress her for her interview. The nice dress and the styled hair couldn't hide her bruises or the split lip she didn't remember getting, but it helped.

She, of course, was gracious, praising everyone.

The interviews and pictures seemed to last forever. Alice wrangled the pictures with the winner of the mens' bout, with children from group homes, of course.

Thanks to Alice and Betty, it was the official cause of the MMA. To date their efforts had resulted in seven hundred adoptions. The federation had made serious overtures to Alice, to run the publicity arm of the organization. She had asked for time to think it over.

She was almost comatose by the time Mark got her back to their suite. He ran her a bath, bathed her, gave her some over the counter pain medicine, and put her to bed.

He lay beside her carefully, knowing a hug would cause her pain. This was the part he hated. He thought about how much longer her career would probably last. Six years, at least.

He didn't want to wait that long The engagement ring had been custom made and had been ready for three months. He didn't want anything to distract her while she was training. He wanted children.

If they waited until her fight career was over he would be almost forty before their first was born.

He knew it was selfish, and that kept him from asking her to quit. But still...

Restless, he got up and retrieved the ring out of his briefcase. He held it up to a lamp, admiring it, before he quietly slipped in onto her finger.

Tomorrow would tell the tale.

................................................

Betty woke and groaned when she tried to move. Every muscle on her body ached. She had a headache and she couldn't breathe right. She reached up and touched her nose, wincing in pain.

Mark had been up for several hours. He was by her side instantly, helping her up and into the shower. He bathed her gently, trying to fight his erection. He lingered over her breasts. She giggled and pushed back against him, before groaning.

"Sorry, babe, the spirit is more than willing, but the flesh is week. Soon, my love, soon."

She was still in a fog, running on the remnants of adrenalin and pain, and while she felt the ring on her finger, her brain couldn't process the significance.

All the sports channels were anxious for interviews. Sports Illustrated wanted to talk to her about the cover for next week. Alice had things lined up and organized in no time.

They started with ESPN, that night. The interviewer was sharp and knew the sport. He pulled up clips and they discussed them. After the reviewing the fight, he asked her what her plans were.

"Well, right now, my priority is to recover."

She laughed as she stroked the metal guard the doctors had placed over her nose.

"Understandable. But I think you have other things going on in your life. Like your acting career, and your charity work. I'm also sure your upcoming marriage is pretty important, have you set a date?"

Betty was stunned.

"Huh?"

"Your wedding. That is an engagement ring, isn't it?"

She looked down at her finger and held it up. They zoomed in to a close up of the ring. The host grinned

"That's quite a rock. He must love you a lot. I bet he'll be too scared of you to ever fool around. Who is the lucky man?"

She didn't hear a thing he said. She sat there, looking at the ring. Looking up, she saw Mark grinning while tears rolled down Alice's cheek.

He had told Alice what he'd done, but forbidden her to mention it. They waited, wondering when she would notice it.

Betty looked at the host. Her face went red and the tears came.

"I...I..,"

She fainted. When she came to the cameras was still running. She looked down and saw Mark on his knees.

"Bettina Dorothy Burke, Will you marry me?"

She dissolved into tears while Alice held her. In between her sobs she managed to squeak out a faint "yes". She grabbed him so hard she lost her balance and fell on top of him, knocking him to the floor. Their lips never disconnected. It took twenty minutes for her to regroup enough to finish the interview.

The interview was a smash, picked up by ever network and service. The youtube video got five million hits in a week.

Off camera, she apologized to her host. He hadn't stopped smiling since she collapsed.

"Are you crazy? I'll never get higher ratings than this, I guarantee it. Thanks for the interview, and congratulations. He's a very lucky man."

Mark had walked up, catching the last comment.

He kissed the top of Betty's head.

"Yes, he is indeed." 

...............................................

She made the circuit of talk shows. They all insisted Mark be with her. He talked little, this was her time, she deserved the limelight.

Sports Illustrated did put her on the cover, showing her at the beginning of the bout, in her split with her hands up. The title of the article said it all. BANG BANG, OUT WENT THE LIGHTS, with pictures of her at the exact moment her nose was broken, and the submission of the champ. They also had a picture of her when she fainted , with the caption 'Knocked Out By Love'.

It took three months to get back to normal. They had their regular after fight meeting, planning the future.

Manny said it best.

"You've arrived, baby. Best of the Best. They'll be chasing you now. We have to let you nose heal up. I don't see you having to defend your title for at least eight months. That doesn't mean you shouldn't train, but you can take it easy for the next few months. Keep you roadwork up, and when it's time we'll start you out with some light sparring.

Her sponsors were going crazy. FUBU was designing a whole sportswear line around her. Nike and New balance were negotiating with Alice for a shoe endorsement. Acting offers were coming in, along with commercials. 

She did one for Mabelline cosmetics that only took half a day. In it, she was running, lifting weights, sparring. Finally she was sitting on a stool in the middle of the ring, sweat pouring off her. She looked up, straight into the camera. Her mascara was perfect.

"When Mabelline says it never runs, they weren't kidding."

It was an instant favorite, and she made more off it than she did for her title fight. Mark laughed when she showed him the check.

"Remember what I told you the first time we talked about your future? Now, wasn't that easier than getting hit?"

Her money grew in leaps and bounds, and Mark made her review where she was on a weekly basis. She complained, once.

"Why do I have to do this? When we marry it will be your money too. Why can't you just watch it?"

His answer surprised her.

"No it won't. I proposed to you, not your money. There will be a prenup before we marry. Your money will remain yours. I'll never touch it."

She tried to argue but he stood firm. Alice got to hear all about it until she lost her patience.

"Hush, little sister. I bet you he never said anything about keeping his money separate. He's kind of old fashioned, he means it when you get to the part 'and all my worldly goods endow'. Don't complain, be happy he loves you that deeply."

Alice was very pleased with her when a national chain of hair salons courted her and she refused. Shear Delights was her very first endorsement contract, and she was loyal.

The owner had to expand, twice. It got so bad Betty had to have Candy come to her house to fix her hair. She did make a point of appearing every few months or so, signing autographs and having her picture taken. Alice was shrewd, and her two boxers and female MMA fighters were patrons.

When Candy talked about going out on her own, the owner sold her a percentage of the salon to stay.

................................................

Betty was devastated with the lump on her nose.

Mark hugged her, laughing.

"It makes you look tougher. Besides, until you retire it makes no sense to fix it."

Since she had a lot of free time, she spent more at St. Agnes. She and Jeremy grew very close.

The first time she visited after the championship the kids were concerned over her face. She still had two discolored eyes, and the metal guard on her nose.

"Did it hurt?" asked Jeremy.

"Yes, baby, it hurt a lot. But it was a chance I took. And I'll be all better soon. I just can't jump rope with you right now."

He surprised her when he got up on the bench they were sitting on and kissed her eyes and nose, soft, wet little kisses. 

He leaned back. 

"Now they'll get better faster. I love you, this much."

He spread his arms out as wide as they would go, just like in his favorite book.

She was so moved she hugged him fiercely, crying.

Sister Mary Elizabeth ran the home. Barely forty, her job made her wise beyond her years. She watched the interaction between Jeremy and Betty, seeing the affection grow between them.

She asked God to forgive her for the little lie she was about to tell. As Betty got her customary hug, Mary Elizabeth whispered in her ear.

"You've been so good for Jeremy. He's come out of his shell and participates now. He lives for your visits. It's too bad really."

"Why is it too bad, Sister Mary?"

"Because we have an interview next week with a couple who are looking for a small boy. They saw his picture on our website and want to meet him."

Betty felt despair clutch her heart. Her Jeremy, leaving? She knew she should be glad for him, but it hurt her to think of him gone.

Mary Elizabeth watched the emotions cloud her face.

She asked her into the little office she used.

"Betty, Have you ever thought about adoption yourself? You're a natural mother, I see it every time you stop by. Single parent adoption has gotten a lot easier lately. You're a prime candidate. Well off, mentally stable, strong family network."

She paused, letting Betty digest what she said.

Betty held up her left hand and for the first time the nun saw the engagement ring.

"That's just it. I won't be single for much longer. He's a good man, sister. The best. And I know he wants kids, but we've never talked about adoption."

Sister Mary gave her some information.

"Show him these, find out his feelings. I'll pray for a good outcome. Now, as a test, why don't you take Jeremy and spend a few days with him. Show him to your man, let him see you together."

"Can I do that? Just take him, I mean?"

"We do it, occasionally. Normally there's a pretty extensive background check, but I think we could vouch for you. Think about it."

She did for two days. Calling the home Thursday she made arrangements to pick up Jeremy Friday morning. They reminded her she needed a childs' seat for her car. 

Betty called Alice, asking if she had time to help her shop for a few things. Alice knew Betty wasn't really a shopper, and with her endorsements she had closets full of clothes. Something was up.

They went to Childs Play, an upscale store for clothes and supplies. Alice assumed they were there to get gifts for her nieces. 

They went to the car seats first, and Betty told the salesgirl she wanted the best. She showed her several models, based on the weight of the child.

She picked one, making sure it would fit into her a car.

It was her biggest splurge, bought with some of the money from the Mabelline commercial. A sporty little Volvo, bright red. She loved how it handled. Being one of the safest cars in the world made her Dad and Mark happy.

When they went to look at clothes for a small boy, Alice couldn't stand it.

"Betty, what's going on?"

Betty started talking and didn't stop until the whole story was out. Alice hugged her for a long time.

"Good for you! Have a little faith in Mark. I know my big brother well enough that he'll at least be open. I'm going to tell you something, something you have to promise me you won't tell him. He was talking about how much he loved you the other day, and how happy he would be when you were parents. He loves kids, but he's concerned that by the time your career is over, the window for children will be closing. He would never tell you this, he wants you to make your own choices. He doesn't want you to look back and wish you had stayed with it a little longer, or resent him for asking you to stop."

"This could be a good thing, a very good thing. You could continue your career and still have a child to love. Take the child home, see how it goes, and sometime over the weekend I want to meet my prospective new nephew."

................................................

They didn't tell Jeremy until she showed up, asking him if he'd like to spend a few days with her. He couldn't talk, he was so excited.

He recovered his voice in the car, chattering nonstop until she pulled up at Mark's office.

"Why are we here?"

"We're here, baby, because I want you to meet someone else very important to me. Be on your best behavior, all right?"

They went in, Mark had blocked some time for her when she called. She would always remember the look on his face when she led Jeremy in. He had a death grip on her hand.

He recovered nicely.

"Hi honey. Who is this little man?"

Betty was so nervous she was sweating.

"This is Jeremy. Jeremy, this is Mark, the man I'm going to marry."

He could see the pleading in her eyes.

"Mark, Jeremy is from St. Agnes. He's going to spend the weekend with me, with us I hope. Jeremy, will you wait outside a moment?"

Mark had gotten up and squatted down beside Jeremy, getting as close to his level as possible. He held out his hand.

"I'm happy to meet you, Jeremy."

They shook, both looking solemn. Then his assistant came in and led him out, saying she had a computer set up with a game for him to play.

Mark looked at her expectantly.

She told him the whole story, especially the part of how he came to be an orphan.

"He's a good kid who hasn't had many good things happen to him in his short little life. I like him, a lot. I have him for three days, all the way until Tuesday. If you don't want to spend time with us. I'll understand. I'll make it up to you next week."

He stared at her until she became nervous before picking up his phone.

"Gail, I need you to reschedule my appointments for the rest of the day. I've had something important come up, and I'll be out of the office until next Tuesday. If something big comes up, you can call me on my cell. You may as well leave early too."

Betty heard Gail giggling as she said "yes, boss."

He looked up at her.

"Well, it appears I unexpectedly have a clear schedule. Can you think of anything you'd like to do this weekend?"

She dove over the desk into his lap.

"I can think of a lot of things I'd like to do, including right now, on this desk. But we've got someone waiting for us. And I seriously intend to christen this desk, and your conference table, and your couch, and the floor..."

She had to stop. It's hard to speak with a tongue in your mouth.

................................................

Jeremy and Mark took to each other right away. Sometimes she actually felt jealous. They went to McDonalds and let him get a happy meal and play for a bit. She held his hand tightly, getting anxious when she couldn't see him, relaxing when he popped up, laughing.

They took a ride out in the country. Jeremy was excited, he had lived in a city for all his life.

The wide open spaces scared him just a little.

They went by a farm that had a sign up. 

"Petting zoo, parties, special events, reasonable rates."

Mark turned into the driveway. Jeremy could see the goats, sheep, and ponies. He had never seen them before except on television and books. He was so excited that he was trying to get out of his seat.

The farmer came out, and after a quiet word with Mark, opened his barn and gave them a tour, letting Jeremy and Betty pet the animals. He got to hold some baby chicks, but the highlight came when the farmer saddled a small pony, put Jeremy in it, and led him across the pasture and back. Betty was snapping pictures with her phone as fast as she could.

After the ride was over, the farmer's wife came out with some lemonade and fresh made cookies, straight from the oven. Jeremy ate four before Betty made him stop. She promised she would give him more that night for a snack if he behaved.

She sat on the porch later with the wife, watching as Mark and the farmer walked around, Jeremy on their heels. He reached up and took Mark's hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. Mark picked him up, settling him on his hip. 

"You have a nice family" the wife said as they watched."

Betty smiled.

"Yes I do, the best."

They came back later, with Jeremy carrying a basket. Fresh eggs, just collected. They let him keep them.

He was asleep within minutes when they drove away.

She held tightly to Marks' hand.

"Thank you for this. I wish there was a way to love you more for it, but that's not possible. I can't love you any more deeply than I do right now."

He held her hand tighter, and eased her car off the road. He kissed her gently.

"Yes."

"Yes what? "

"Yes, we should adopt him. I see the look in your eyes and his. You were meant to be his mother. I'm just glad you picked me to go along. That's all right, isn't it...Mom?"

She lowered her head into her hands and sobbed lightly, shedding great tears of joy. Mark's face was lined with tears as well, dripping into her hair as he held her. Jeremy slept through it, one of the most important moments of his whole life.

When she was composed, she sent a text to Alice, Manny, her Dad, and brothers. 

There was a flurry of messages back.

"Uh Mark, Dad insists we stop by his house. He wants to meet his soon to be new grandson. And my brothers and their family, and Alice, and Manny, and Emile. They're all going to be there. Is that ok?"

He grinned, glancing at his soon to be new son in the backseat, still asleep.

"Like we have a choice? Call ahead and order the pizzas, I'm sure no one will be in the mood to cook."

The pizza and soft drinks arrived just before they did. They had to park on the street because there was no room in the drive. The whole crowd watched expectantly as she unbuckled his car seat and pulled him out. There was a second of quiet before the whole crowd rushed them. Jeremy clung to her, frightened.

Mark held his hand up, motioning them quiet.

"Every one, this is Jeremy. Before you speak again, I need to talk to him."

He reached for him and he held out his small arms.

Once settled in his arms he seemed calmer.

"Jeremy, do you love Betty"

Suddenly shy in front of the group, he said a quiet "Uh huh".

"Good, because Betty loves you. Now, would you like to come live with her all the time?"

He was smiling and nodding his head rapidly.

"Better. But you need to know, if you come live with her, you have to live with me too. Is that all right?"

Again he nodded.

"That's great! You understand, if you do come live with us, Betty will be your mom, and I'll be your dad.

Still want to come?"

The realization of what he was saying hit his young mind, and he began crying and reached for Betty.

"Momma, Momma."

There wasn't a dry eye in the yard. Mark summed it up.

"Family, meet our newest member. This is Jeremy, our son."

Frightened at first, he soon relaxed as he was handed from family member to family member. Her nieces, ranging in age from ten to sixteen, tried to monopolize him. The highlight of the evening was when he was sitting in her father's lap asleep, the first grandson in the family.