Chapter 74
Michael left Heathrow as an American and returned as a British citizen. Having dual citizenship made traveling back and forth easier, especially post 2001. As soon as he was eligible, he didn't hesitate in applying for British citizenship. Mostly as a romantic gesture to his wife.
The only time traveling on dual passports wasn't ideal, was on their occasional family trips, when his wife and sons needed to go through US Customs without him. Still those trips were rare, because of their schedule constraints and the fact they were always miserable. Truthfully Angela was a good sport and didn't mind visiting the States, even though his family really didn't treat her kindly. She always said, "Family is important." She liked to see their friends, Karen and Jeff, who'd been married longer than they had. She also loved to shop and often returned with an extra suitcase.
His mother was harping at him to stay longer, visit more, or move back. He reminded her of Angela's career which his mother couldn't understand and said, "You must make enough that she doesn't need to work."
"She wants to. She had wanted to be a doctor since she was a young child and studied hard to become one. She is very good at it too," he explained defending his wife. "I love England. Our children are English, we are very happy living there. I wish you'd accept it."
"Well, I'm too old to travel," she said and Michael acted disappointed, but was secretly relieved. Whenever his mother visited they were all miserable. He loved her, but she was difficult.
He grabbed a taxi at Heathrow at nine in the morning. It was Monday and the boys were at school. He had slept some… first class made it easier. Still he was exhausted. He never stopped the entire two weeks. The highlight was going to the game with Jeff on Saturday night. As tired as he was, there was only one thing he wanted as he gave the driver the address…
She heard him before she saw him. "I need to see the doctor."
Sara who was nearby teased, "Any particular one? Tim's never very busy."
Michael laughed and said, "Tim can't give me what I need."
He looked up and met Angela's eyes and she felt completely whole for the first time in two weeks. He rushed back, leaving his luggage in the waiting room. The minute the door to her office was closed, he held her in his arms. She felt so much love that tears welled in her eyes. Then his mouth was on hers and she melted into him.
"Oh God. I missed you so much," he whispered into her ear still in an embrace. "Can you sneak home for lunch?" he asked.
"You're naughty. I don't have enough time. I'm already running behind schedule," she said.
"In that case, I'm going to sleep. Can I take your car and pick you up later?" he asked.
"Yes, but I'll get a ride from Tim. You need to get Alex to practice."
"Okay… Tonight, my love," he smiled.
An electrical pulse ran through Angela's body and she suddenly felt like the girl who fell in love with the handsome American. She was still that girl… just a bit older.
Sara felt bad for Angela because her brothers teased her at lunch. "How would you two feel if Jules and Sara went off for two weeks?" That thought straightened them right out.
Angela waited for Michael and Alex to come home. She was excited for dinner together again as a family. Andrew told her that they had to wake their Dad up when they came home from school. "He'll be tired for a few days," she reminded him.
At the table, she kept smiling at him as they let the boys talk to their father. They told him about the party for Aunt Julie that he had missed. "I'm sorry about that. I can't believe you managed to surprise Julie of all people," he said.
Andrew said, "Uncle Ted said we could plan a party for Uncle Tim with him right there in the room and he'd still be surprised. He said all you need is two people doing mushy stuff and he'd be so busy complaining, that he would never notice the planning."
Michael laughed and said, "And your Uncle Ted would volunteer for the mushy stuff, I'm certain." He added, "I have some news. It seems my sister, Peggy's son Tony is in London. He's working out of the London office of an Insurance Company."
"How long has he been here? You're just finding this out, now?" Angela said surprised.
"Apparently it happened quickly. He was coming here, when I was on my way there. I was told when I saw my mother and some of the others on Sunday."
Michael's father had passed two years ago, from no surprise… liver disease. His sisters resented him, for not being there through the illness. He and Angela did however get there just before he passed and stayed through the funeral. It was difficult because Julie watched the boys and Tim took up the slack at the surgery. Ted was still dealing with the loss of his wife and his life as a single parent of two small children.
"Well we should invite him for Easter," Angela said, trying to remember what she knew about Tony. She did know he was always little Tony because his father was big Tony.
"You mean we have to see an American cousin," Andrew complained.
"Of course, he's family and he's alone here," Angela defended.
"They don't like us," Alex added.
"...and Grandma doesn't like you Mum," Andrew said.
"That's not true. She just doesn't like that I took her son away. I wouldn't be thrilled if you fell in love with a girl who took you far away from me," Angela said.
"Still we'd be happy you found true love," Michael, the romantic, added.
"Like Uncle Ted and Sara," Alex said.
"Exactly," Angela added as she thought, just like your Dad and I, but her boys were not old enough to notice their parents' relationship.
When Angela finally said goodnight to her eldest, she hurried into the bedroom and locked the door. Michael folded her in his arms and she took in his scent. She was glad he had showered and smelled of himself again. At the surgery, he smelled of airplane. She never liked that smell. Loving each other after so many years was like a dance. Even when one changed up the steps a bit, the other followed right along. There may be minimal surprises, but there was always passion and love. Dozing off in his arms, she knew she was where she belonged.
Unlike last year Ted wasn't taking time off over the Easter holiday. Angela had a week off. Sara was off on Good Friday, but the kids were going to stay with Louise for the second holiday week. "It'll give you some time alone," Louise said to them.
They arranged for them to play with friends for a few hours on Good Friday, because Sara had an appointment with a midwife. They considered who she would see during her pregnancy and decided a midwife seemed best over an obstetrician or another GP. Ted reluctantly admitted that Bernadette and Patrick were delivered by an obstetrician even though he wouldn't have chosen it. "She thought that would be the best care, but barring any complications, you'll do well with a midwife… Mum will be pleased."
Sara knew that Ted would have loved to go with her to her appointment, but he needed to be at the surgery. She had stopped eating breakfast, except for a bit of dry toast. She bought some boring plain Rich Tea biscuits to have at the surgery. By lunchtime, she was famished and ready to eat. This concerned her for fear someone would comment on her sudden appetite.
The appointment itself was rather quick. She liked Theresa, her midwife. She was about Sara's age. She said, "Of course, I know Dr. Turner… well both of them and Dr. Gilligan. I didn't realized he… you were married."
"Just last year," Sara said omitting that it was only the past November. In the end, she was told that everything was fine. She was to come back monthly, but could call at anytime with questions or concerns. "I suspect though, you'll get your questions answered at home."
"Yes, I suppose so. You should know the family doesn't know yet."
They were all excited to meet Michael's nephew. Julie wanted to make sure he felt welcome and mentioned it to Marianne and Evie.
"Oh I wonder what he's like!" Evie exclaimed.
"I thought you had a chap," Julie said.
"Yes, but there's room for improvement and a mysterious American. Maybe he's handsome like Uncle Michael," she thought.
Julie couldn't argue with her daughter about Michael. She remembered the minute she saw him, she knew Angela had to think of the good looking man, as more than a friend. Smiling she still remembered Tim sneaking over like an overprotective brother and coming home with cake icing on his tie. Still she didn't want her daughter falling for an American who was probably only here for a short time. Although perhaps the young American could get her to move on, out of her rut.
"We'll make him feel welcome… all of us," she said adding the last bit for Tim's benefit. Julie knew that Tim would be thinking of how Angela's in-laws were never hospitable to her.
The Gilligan family arrived with their guest, Tony Leone. Julie decided that her daughter would find him good looking, although he did not look like his Uncle. He definitely favored his Italian father with his olive skin and dark hair and eyes. He had Michael's height and perhaps she thought similar facial features. He was pleasant and greeted everyone quietly.
Michael said, "I told Tony, that it wasn't a big family like he's used to."
Julie watched as Evie started a conversation with him. She was also watching Sara and offered her a glass of wine.
"Oh, no thank you. You know I hardly ever drink," Sara responded smiling.
When they all sat to eat, Julie asked, "What brought you to London?"
"My job. I'm an actuarial for an insurance company," Tony responded.
"What's that?" Andrew asked.
"It involves lots of math," Tony said.
"Maths," Andrew said and Tony and Andrew had another round of math-maths.
Tony looked at his uncle for help and Michael said, "Some words you just accept… Whatever you do never say I like your pants or worse tell a girl she looks nice in her pants!"
The older girls giggled and Angela said, "Michael, not at the table! Poor Tony. We wear trousers and what we call pants are our underthings."
"Pants or knickers," Bernadette added.
Smiling and attempting to change the subject, Ted asked, "How long will you be here?"
"I'm not sure, but at least a year."
"Do you know anyone in London?" Tim asked.
"Aside from all of you," he answered warmly and continued, "There is a co-worker, who came six months ago. I was glad that she would be here."
"Is she your girlfriend?" Evie asked.
"No, just a friend."
Ted said, "We've heard that line before."
All the adults laughed and Tony asked what was so funny? Angela said, "I told my family that Michael, was just a friend when he came to live in London."
"It was true Ange, but I came to change that. Tony whatever you do, don't fall in love and decide to stay. My mother will blame me and will never speak to me again… your mother too!"