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Chapter 2 :
My Baby/My Daddy Just Cares For Me

Angela walked slowly to the window and rested her forehead against the frozen glass. She watched her breath slowly blurring her sight as it created a white screen on the glass and wiped it away with her finger. Why is he always late ? What will be his excuse this time ? A wave of anger began to surface. She stared absently at the snow covering the front steps. Oh, Angela, don't jump to conclusion. He's probably stuck in the traffic. I'm so tired. I'm not in the mood for another fight. I just want to spend a nice, quiet evening with my husband. My husband... it used to have a nice ring to it. She looked down at the golden band on her ring finger.

Eventually a car pulled in the driveway. Angela opened the door and went to greet her husband in front of the steps.

" Hi darling ! " said Angela with a smile.

" Angela ! What are you doing outside, it's freezing ! Go back in the house ! "

" It's nice to see you too Michael " Angela rolled her eyes as she stepped back into the house.

When he closed the door he turned to his wife and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. " Sorry honey. I just don't want you to get sicker. You know what the doctor said. "

" Michael, I'm a big girl ! By the way, what took you so long ? You know it's already 8. " she crossed her arms over her chest.

" I had to take care of a few things... " then, noticing the lavender dress his wife was wearing he took step back to check her out " hey you look great ! What's the occasion ? You finally got a promotion at Wallace & McQuade ? "

" Michael don't be silly... "

" Yeah, I didn't think so. Were you planning on going out ? " he hang his coat by the mirror.

Angela glared at him.

" What ? Did I miss something ? " When Angela saw the confused expression on his face the anger surfaced once again.

" I can't believe you forgot ! " she turned her back to him and walked towards the fireplace, fuming.

" What are you talking about ? "

" Well actually there's nothing to be surprised about. This is so typical of you. " she continued, refusing to look at him " you told me you'd make some efforts, you act like you care for a couple of days and then you start all over again. And if you don't know what I'm talking about well I'm not going to tell you. I won't make a fool of myself once again ! " she abruptly turned around and was surprised to find him so close she almost bumped into him. He was smiling at her. She lowered her eyes and saw he had a bottle of champaign in his hand and a bouquet of roses in the other.

" Oh Michael ! It's beautiful... I'm sorry I yelled, I thought... " she said with glistening eyes. She suddenly hit him on the arm " Never. Do that. To me. Again ! "

" Alright, I got it " laughed Michael. She smiled at him lovingly, all trace of anger now vanished.

" Thank you, darling. They are gorgeous. I'll put them in a vase. "

" Oh that's alright, I'll do it. Why don't you start pouring the champaign ? I'll be right back. " winked Michael.

She gave him a quick kiss and went to the table by the fireplace.

Tony was sitting on the edge of his daughter's bed. " So, how was dinner baby ? " he gently rubbed her ankle through the covers.

" Good "

" Good ? That's all ? Are you kiddin' me ? I've never seen somebody swallowing meatballs faster than you did tonight ! " Tony moved his hand quickly pretending he was throwing meatballs in Sam's opened mouth and making fireball noises until Samantha let out a small laughter. They both kept quiet a few seconds, looking into each other's eyes.

" Daddy ? "

" Yeah sweetie ? " He said somehow relieved she broke the silence.

" Are you gonna be here tomorrow ? "

" Aaah... you know I'd love to but I have to practice. I have a big game in a few months. "

" Oh ! Can I come see you practice ? Please please please ? "

" I don't think... "

" Oh please ! "

" I'm sorry Sam... "

" You never let me ! "

" But you have school tomorrow, honey. "

" Not fair " she pouted and turned her back to him, burying her face in the pillows.

" Aw, come on, baby... " Tony chuckled softly as he tried to turn her around.

" I'm not a baby ! " she said covering her head with the covers.

" Sam... " he reached out and tried to remove the covers but she shrugged his hand off.

" Now Sam, you stop that. If you're not a baby then stop pouting " Tony was exhausted and he was starting to lose patience. Samantha started to push her father's lap with her feet " Sam that's enough ! What is this ? You've never acted like this before. "

Samantha didn't reply but he heard her sniff. Tony instantly understood something was wrong and his face softened. " Alright I got it " He went to the other side of the bed and got under the covers as well. Lying in the small bed he was now facing his daughter, their faces almost touching. Even in the dark he could tell she was crying.

" What's the matter sweetie ? " he whispered. When she didn't answer he continued. " You know you can tell me anything, we're a team, right ? " he was barely audible. Tony dried her tears with his thumb. " Come on Sam, tell me what's botherin' you. Your mother wouldn't like to see you crying like that... "

At the sudden doubling of her tears Tony painfully realized what was going on in his daughter's mind. His heart broke in million pieces. He enveloped her in a comforting embrace and kissed her hair, letting her sob in his shirt. " I know sweetheart. I miss her too. " he tightened his grip around her, wishing he could take all her pain away but he was in so much pain himself that he felt helpless. He caressed her hair a moment, waiting for the two of them to regain composure. Luckily the darkness created by the covers still covering their heads allowed him to hide his own tears from her.

When he found his voice back he whispered in her ear " Tell you what, this week end you can come watch me practice at the ballpark. I'll ask grandpa to take you saturday mornin' "

Sam sniffed " Grandpa Nick ? "

" Ah... no I don't think that he'd be able to make it "

" How come ? "

" Well... the judge won't let him out just yet "

" Oh " she said not really knowing what he was saying.

" No, I was talking about grandpa Matty, myfather. "

" Okay "

" And then we'll stop by Mr. Softee and I'll get you a chocolate ice cream ? With whipped cream ? " He rubbed his nose against his daughter's. Tony was relived when he finally heard Sam's timid laughter. The pain wasn't gone but he felt a faint sign of peace gaining his heart as Sam put her small hand in his.

Tony thought about how Christmas was approaching faster than he wished. It would be the first one without Marie. Don't think about that now. One day at a time, Micelli. One day at a time. He put Samantha's head on his shoulder and rocked her slowly until they both drifted off to sleep.