-1Chapter 4: The Apple Cider Hangover

Tony shook the gate to make sure it was locked and put his arm around Angela. "Thank you for such a wonderful evening."

"The pleasure was all mine." She said twirling the rose's stem in her new ring wearing hand.

He escorted her to the car and opened her door. She looked over at the ball field one last time and smiled. She ducked her head and sat down.

Tony drove them to the little bed and breakfast Dr. Graham's secretary set up reservations at. Angela spent most of the drive over quietly admiring her new ring. As Tony drove, he tried to memorize the town's lay out. He looked over at her every chance he got and smiled to see how contented she looked in the moment. Tony knew tomorrow would be chaotic with the trip home and the start of plans for the move. He had a week and a half to get home, get packed and get back here before the start of the semester. With all the stress of the next few days, he wasn't ready for the evening to be over yet.

"Oh, hello Mr. Micelli." A woman all of four foot nothing opened the door and let Tony and Angela into the B&B's front room.

"How did you know. . " Tony was a little surprised. He hadn't even said hello yet.

"We don't get many Italian men with faces like yours in this town. My name is Angie. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you. And this is my fiancée, Angela Bower."

"Nice to meet you ma'am. Come on in. Do you have any suitcases?"

"No, our luggage ended up in Connecticut without us."

"Well, all the same. There is a fresh pair of pajamas and robes waiting for each of you in your rooms. You both will be staying in our upstairs guest rooms. Ms. Bower, your room is at the top of the stairs on the right. Mr. Micelli yours is across the hall on the left. Breakfast is served starting at 6:30AM."

"Thank you so much."

"Here are your keys," Angie said placing them in Tony's hand. "If you need me, my room is downstairs. Just knock on that first door."

"Thank you. Would you mind if we watched TV for a while?"

"Not at all. You're my only guests this weekend so make yourself at home. In case your interested, I've got a pretty good collection of old movies back here in the cabinet. There is box of microwave popcorn above the fridge in the kitchen right through there." She pointed at the door on the other side of the dining table."

"Man, Angie. You're a mind reader."

She smiled and left the room without another word.

"So, do you want to watch the movie? I'm not really ready to go to sleep yet." Angela reached over rubbing the back of his hand with her finger.

"Sounds perfect, but do you mind if we change first. I want to air out my clothes before I have to put them on again tomorrow."

"Sounds perfect."

Fifteen minutes later, Angela stood looking through the movie cabinet when Tony came down the stairs. Angela tried to keep from laughing, but it was hard to keep it contained.

"What are you wearing?"

"I know. I know. Little House on the Prairie, right?" Tony looked like "Charles Ingllis" dressed in a long white night shirt and a flannel robe.

"I thought mine was cute, but I never imagine that she'd make yours to match. By the way, cute ankles."

Tony quickly closed his robe and tried to cover his feet.

"Thanks. So what is there to watch?" He walked over to Angela and took a look inside the movie cabinet. "My goodness, she wasn't kidding, was she?"

In front of them, dramas, musicals and comedies from the 40's, 50's and 60's filled the cabinet.

"So what are you up for?" Angela asked.

"I don't know. There is so much to choose from."

"If it's okay, I would love to watch a great love story."

"Sounds good. Well, we can't stay up to late, so I guess "Sound of Music" is out."

"And tonight, the Way We Were is too. . ."

"I know what you mean."

"What about this one?" She pulled out a movie with Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant on the cover.

"An Affair to Remember?"

"Have you never seen it?"

"My mom took me to it when it first came out, but I fell asleep within the first few minutes."

"Oh, Tony we have to watch it. It's such a beautiful story about two people who fall in love on a boat and decide to meet six months later."

"Does she yell something like "Turn the boat around"?

"Yes, but I thought you said you fell asleep?"

"I did, but I woke up to my mom sobbing uncontrollably. I was six, what did I know. I went back to sleep."

"Such a romantic, even then."

"Yeah, we can watch it if you want. You set it up and I'll make the popcorn."

"Great."

Tony walked into the kitchen and Angela watched him as he walked away. She turned to the VCR and popped the tape in. As she reached for the remote, she could hear the kernels begin to pop and giggled as she heard him trying to keep beat with them.

"Pop. Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop." He seemed to be trying to make some melody out of it.

She tip toed to the kitchen door and peeked around the corner. Air drums, she thought, that's a new one. It was so funny to see him so at home, in any kitchen. The microwave's timer went off and she ran back to the couch.

"Everything okay?" She said trying to look cavalier. Pushing play on the remote, she sat back on the couch, making room for Tony.

"Yup." He handed her the bowl of popcorn. "Everything is perfect." The biggest smile of the day came across his face and the moment seemed to freeze.

"Hey, look the movies starting. Come here." He scooted a little closer to the middle of the couch and pulled Angela's legs over his lap. She leaned back and took a few bites of popcorn.

"Our love affair is a wonderous thing…" Vic Damone sang as the opening credits began to play over a picture of New York City. As the music continued, Angela looked over at Tony.

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" She asked a little hesitantly.

"Tomorrow? What's the big deal about tomorrow?" He was trying not to think about it.

She sighed, "Tomorrow everything becomes real. Tomorrow all your dreams start coming true."

"But Angela, they already have."

Angela leaned forward and kissed him sweetly on the cheek. Tony pulled her close to him and kissed her. In the heat of the moment, the bowl of popcorn fell off Angela's lap to the floor. The burning intensity of the kiss quickly faded as Angela's tears started to make their way down Tony's cheeks. Without another word, Tony kissed her cheek and guided her head to his shoulder. He held her in his arms and within a few minutes they both were asleep.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSShhhhhhhhhhhh! Tony woke to the sound of the static snow blaring at the end of the movie. He looked over at the clock on the wall and saw that it was nearly 12:30 AM. Angela was dead asleep in his arms and he struggled not to wake her as he got to his feet. He lifted her up and slowly, but steadily carried her up the flight of stairs turning right at the hallway. She had left the door open slightly so he nudged it open and gently placed her sleeping frame on the bed. He was afraid to move the blanket underneath her, so he grabbed a quilt that was laying on a chair. Just as he had so many times before, he placed the quilt gently over her, making sure to cover her toes that were sticking out underneath the blanket. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek and stood there for a moment watching her sleep.

The next morning, Angela rolled over in bed and realized that she was not alone.

"Tony?" She said in almost a panic. She pulled the covers up to her chest, quite shocked to see him in bed with her.

He flipped towards her in bed and looked her in the face. As she rubbed her eyes, she realized that she had done it again.

"You had the sparkling apple cider instead of the champagne with dinner again last night didn't you?" He said. He took her wrinkled hand in his and kissed it. She looked down at her left hand and saw the thirty-four year old engagement ring along with the matching wedding band.

"Yes, I had the Iowa dream again."