Supper was long over with and Angela was curled up in front of the fireplace a book lying in her lap. She had been trying to read for the past twenty minutes but thoughts kept intruding so she finally gave up. She missed Billy but there was more to it than just that. After the agonizing months she and Tony had spent dating other people Billy had brought them back together. Well, not quite. They still weren't where she wanted them to be but they were a lot closer than they were before that night. But, taking care of him had somehow restored a little bit of harmony in their home and especially in their relationship. Who knew that a sweet little boy from Brooklyn could have reunited Tony and her after their relationship had been nearly destroyed? But, that was what he had done and she would be forever grateful that he had come into their lives. If only his Grandmother hadn't taken him back. She knew she was being petty. After all she should be happy that she had recovered and was now able to take care of her grandson. She knew how much Billy had missed her. Even though the entire family had tried to make Billy feel at home none of them could take the place of his beloved Grandmother. She understood it. She did. But, still she missed him.
She sighed and rested her head against the chair's back. The cackling of the fire was soothing to her and a nice hot cup of tea would make it even more relaxing.
Tony was in the midst of cleaning up the kitchen but his mind wasn't on the task at hand. Instead it was on the quietness that had occurred since Billy had left. What had for a while been a house filled with his childish voice and laughter was now void. He had welcomed the chaos because for a brief time he and Angela were able to forget the horrible months they had spent dating others. But, with him gone they had to confront the awkwardness again. He put on the tea kettle because he felt like Angela could use a cup and because they needed to discuss a few things. They always were able to talk about any problem over a nice hot cup of tea. While he knew this was way more serious than problems they had in the past he hoped they would be able to. After the tea kettle whistled he poured two cups and went into the living room.
She was curled in front of the fireplace gazing into the flames her book unopened in her lap. A jolt of domesticity coursed through his veins. In a way it felt like he was about to bring a cup of tea to his wife. All the months he had spent dating Kathleen had never been like this.
"What would I do without you Angela?"
He had asked her that when they had visited Billy's Grandmother. The truth was he didn't want to know. He had almost found out and he be damned if he ever made a colossal mistake like that again. They were slowly working their way back to what they had before. This time he would do everything in his power never to mess up again. He walked over to her and handed her a cup of tea. She smiled her thanks.
"I thought you could use this."
"You always know don't you?"
"Yes." he said deeply causing a shiver to go down her spine. How did he do that? Just one word and she turned to mush She loved the feeling. No other man had ever made her feel like this.
He sat down on the other chair and sipped his own tea taking in the warmth of the fire and her.
"So, how are you doing?"
"A little better. I mean I miss him but I know how much he missed his Grandmother."
"Well at least we'll still be able to keep in touch."
"Yeah." she said softly causing a shiver to go through him. How did she do that? Just one word and he turned into jello. He loved the feeling. No other woman since Marie had made him feel like that.
They continued drinking their tea the silence and warmth from the fireplace cocooning them like a cozy blanket. There was so much that needed to be said but for the moment they reveled in the silence. For far to long they hadn't felt like this. He had been racked with guilt and remorse. She had been racked with pain and distress. But things were a little better now even though they had a lot to work through. Neither one wanted to bring up bad memories but if they were going to move on they needed to address the elephant in the room. They both knew it was going to be painful but the healing needed to begin.
He looked at her in her blue night gown-the same one she had been wearing their first night together. The same night he told her that she would never catch him doing something as stupid as sleeping with his employer. He chuckled silently to himself. Even though she was still his employer she was so much more now. She was his best friend. His co-parent. His confidant. His true love. His everything. He had nearly ruined it all over another woman. UGH what had he been thinking? STUNADA! he berated himself.
She looked over at him. He was gazing at her in pensive thought. She wish she knew what he was thinking. Or rather what she hoped he was thinking. But, what if he wasn't? What if all her hopes and dreams about being with him never came true? She had nearly found out a few months ago. Of course they still would have had their friendship but that was all it was going to be if he had stayed with Kathleen. Thank goodness that hadn't happened. But, how did she know it wouldn't again? She didn't want to think it but they weren't an official couple so it was possible he could-NO- she wouldn't go there. They had grown much closer since then. True, they weren't were she wanted them to be but maybe they would be some day.
While he knew that the conversation would be one of the hardest they had ever had they had to if they ever wanted to get past what had happened.
"Angela? We need to talk."
"I agree." She didn't even have to ask. She knew.
Tony took a deep breath….
