Whatever happened when the book closed on the ending of Ugly Betty? What if Betty's publishing company with Mr. Dunn became a bigger success? What if Daniel stopped being stupid and settled down once more with Betty? Almost 30 years and two kids later, here they are. Maria Meade, Betty and Daniel's daughter, at the ripe age of 22 is setting out to find her own path alongside her brother Luis. What happens when her path collides with everything from not only her parents past, but her family's past in general?
AVERAGE MARIA: CHAPTER 5
Maria
“Well. Maria, Daniel. Welcome to MODE as the newest Co-Editors In Chief.” I’m sorry, what now?
”Huh?”
”What?” Grandma manages to take both Daniel and I’s hands into her own.
”Grandma, did you take your meds today?”
“I did, my sweet Maria.” Did she take the right ones?
“Why us? You remember what it was like when mama and Uncle Daniel were Co-Editors in chief.”
“What he said.” I point to Daniel as I say that.
“Yes, I know. Daniel, you’re nothing like Alexis and that’s not entirely a bad thing. Maria, you’re nothing like Daniel and that’s a good thing.” My eyes shift over to Wilhelmina and it looks like Grandma’s serious.
“Why did you pick us instead of the possible thousands that have been waiting for this spot to be open?” Grandma lets go of our hands.
“Well, since Meade Publications is back within the family.” Grandma side eyes Wilhelmina. I guess from what I’ve heard that it was a part of the agreement between Grandma and her. Once she finally stepped down from MODE, that automatically all of Meade Publications went back to Grandma. Even though her and Grandpa were divorced at the end of his life, she is still the mother of his children. No matter how much Wilhelmina has tried to rip this company away from this family’s hands.
“And I still own MODE, it makes sense to reinstate family into it.”
“And you didn’t pick Aunt Alexis, why?” Grandma looks Aunt Alexis in the eye before Aunt Alexis looks away.
“Because of what had happened during the era of Daniel and Alexis being Co-Editors in Chief, I thought it was time to move on to their children. At least they won’t argue so much that it’ll ruin the magazine.” Grandma’s eyes slowly shifted from Aunt Alexis to dad. That explains why all of a sudden his shoes are the most interesting thing in this room.
“Grandma, this still doesn’t make any sense! It’s not like Daniel or I have done much work regarding magazines!” And Grandma’s looking at me now.
“Didn’t you help your mother with hers when you were 16?”
“I mean, yes but-“
”What about the issue of MODE that involved what I believed to be fairytales that you were a model for when you were 18?”
“Well, I- Um. What about Daniel?”
“Yes, what about me? I haven’t done much with magazines!” Grandma and Wilhelmina look at each other, then look at Daniel.
“That French ‘Art’ magazine in Paris.” Daniel’s face goes flush. Art? Oh. OH! Ew, not the image I want of my cousin.
“But, that was only modeling!” Okay, how the hell did they get copies of that magazine? They flip pages and pages of articles that Daniel did. And they’re good ones.
“Oh.” Grandma stands up.
“Wilhelmina publicly steps down on Friday. I want both of you to be there. You both start Monday.” Grandma walks out. I don’t know how Tia’s going to feel about this since I’m probably no longer going to be working at her salon.
“Aye, Maria, that’s wonderful news!” Tia hugs me. Tight. Okay, that’s not the reaction I was expecting from her.
“You’re okay with me not working at the salon anymore?”
“Yes, I’m okay with it! My niece is in charge of a magazine! Maybe you’ll run a company one day like your mom.” And another tight hug.
“I’m technically Co-Editor in Chief with Daniel.”
“Still!” I swear Tia is trying to kill me.
“What if it doesn’t work out with us being Co-Editors? What if we destroy MODE?” Tia lets go and puts her hands on my shoulders.
“Maria, you couldn’t do worse than when your father and your bitch of an aunt were Co-Editors. Maria, you’re also my sister’s kid. You will do great.” I look over Tia’s shoulder to look at Tio.
“Help me out here?”
“I’m on her side.” I shift my head over to where Justin is.
“Justin?”
“I agree with mom. You’ll be wonderful as an Editor!” Wow, such help. I turn my head.
“Abuelo?”
“Your Tia’s right.” I look over at my pain in the ass little brother.
“Luis?”
“I’m with Abuelo on this.” I groan.
“Mom?”
“Honey, your Tia Hilda is right. You and Daniel will do great.”
"Okay, am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea?”
“And why do you think it's a bad idea?” I turn to completely face both of my parents.
“Because Grandma’s entrusting two of her grandkids, the only child of her daughter and the eldest child of her son to be in charge of a magazine that even her children couldn’t run without butting heads! Doesn’t that sound like a recipe for disaster?!?!” Mom walks over to me and puts her hands on my face. She gently pulls my head down to look her in the eye. Since I’m 5’8” and mom’s 5’1”, she has to look up and I have to look down to look each other in the eye.
“I’m sure you’ve heard this a lot today but get this through your head! You and Daniel are nothing like your father and your aunt! Yes, because of them being siblings is the reason why you two are cousins. But that is it. You and Daniel will do wonderful things for MODE as Co-Editors in Chief!
Alright?”
“Alright.” Mom smiles and kisses me on the cheek.
“Good.” We head for the table for dinner. Hopefully it won’t end up in flames with Daniel and I being Co-Editors. We’ll just have to wait and see.
The press conference of Wilhelmina officially stepping down just started and I already want this to be over. A lot of media outlets came out today for this, which no duh since this is the first time in 28 years that MODE has had a new Editor in Chief since both dad and Aunt Alexis stepped down. Both for very different reasons. Aunt Alexis leaving to avoid more jail time and dad wanting to do something that wasn’t just handed to him. Which led to him following mom to London which eventually led to now.
Currently standing off to the side with Daniel, Grandma, and Luis. He didn’t have class today. I’m wearing the suit I wore last week for that photoshoot and a different pair of heels. Daniel’s wearing more of a suit than what he wore at the photoshoot and mom made Luis wear a suit with his camera. Grandma in a very nice blouse and dress pants. No dad or Aunt Alexis because Grandma thought it would be less bloody if they weren’t here.
“While my contract isn’t technically up until Monday, I’m as of today officially stepping down as sole Editor In Chief of MODE after 28 years.” Gasps from the crowd and lots of cameras snapping.
“As much as it is a shock to everyone, it’s best that I move onto the next stage of my life. Thank you.” Wilhelmina walks away from the mics as Grandma walks on.
“Thank you, Wilhelmina. I have already chosen her successors.” Confused faces all around.
“You heard me right. Successors. For the first time in 28 years, there will be 2 Editors in chief of MODE. It is my pleasure to introduce the newest Co-Editors in chief and MODE’s newest photographer. Please welcome my grandchildren, Daniel, Maria, and Luis Meade.” Daniel, Luis, and I make our way over to Grandma. Daniel and I end up standing on Grandma’s right while Luis on her left. Many cameras snapping pictures of us. Maybe this won’t be a terrible idea. I look out at the crowd. Why is that creepy janitor here?
“Jim”
It’s official. Meade Publication and MODE are back into the hands of the Meade family. I pull out my notepad and write down everything.
Daniel Meade: Co-Editor In Chief
Maria Meade: Co-Editor In Chief
Luis Meade: MODE Photographer
Barring Wilhemina trying to snake her way back into this company, no more Slater influence into this company and I hope it stays that way. For Claire, Alexis, Daniel, and the rest of the family’s sake.