Memory Betrayed

December flew buy in a flash- Tony was consumed with finals while Angela stayed busy with year-end campaign finalization for new ads to launch New Year's Day. Completing his last final on Friday the twentieth, Tony spent the weekend putting final touches to his Christmas menu and preparing for his favorite holiday of the year, this year the most special of all.

Angela rounded the corner from her office just as Tony stepped off the stepstool, hanging the mistletoe, "Ohhhh, my favorite decoration this year," she took the few last steps toward him, wrapped her arms around him, seeking his lips for a tender kiss. Looking up at its placement she suggested with a smile, "I think this will be my favorite spot to stand for the next couple of weeks," pressing her lips to his again.

Releasing a slight chuckle, Tony asked, "Do you remember that Christmas you were dating Geoffrey with a G and we found ourselves standing right here, under the mistletoe and Mona and didn't pass up the chance to point it out?"

"How could I forget," her eyes twinkled, a smile crossing her face, "It was the best part of that Christmas." She rubbed her index fingers across his lips, "I already knew in my heart then, even if my mind wasn't willing to admit it, that I wanted to spend a lot more time getting to know these lips." She pressed her mouth firmly against his, pushing her tongue past his welcoming lips.

Breaking away, as he continued to press soft kisses along her jawline between words, he admitted, "I was completely freaked out when I looked up and saw where we were because I really didn't know if I could control myself after knowing what your lips tasted like and I really didn't want to have to get into a brawl on Christmas Day with Geoff over you."

"It wouldn't have been much of a fight," she winked, "Because you could have had me right then, especially after that beautiful gift you gave me." She motioned her head towards the shelf, eyeing the Tiffany vase he had sold his only Tony Micelli baseball card for. "Did I ever thank you properly for that?" A devilish grin plastered across her face.

"I think you may have but I might need a reminder!" He cupped her rear, pulling her tight into him.

"Hummm, I like those kinds of reminders," she leaned in for another passionate kiss.

After they finished reminiscing about their Christmas from five years prior while putting some finishing touches on the Christmas décor, Angela advised, "Well, I've got to run to the city, some last-minute shopping and I've got to stop by the office since we're closed this week to send some last-minute proofs to the printer and meet with my lawyer to finish the paperwork." Her hand covered her lips as she realized what she had said hoping Tony hadn't noticed.

"Meeting your attorney on a Saturday Angela, that's odd, isn't it? He questioned.

"No no," she covered, "Just some last-minute stuff for the campaign I need him to look over before Christmas.

Not being one to meddle in her business affairs, he accepted her explanation and continued with his Christmas peddling.

"I'll see you in a few hours?" She smiled grabbing her coat and purse.

"I'll be right her waiting," he returned securing the garland to the stairwell. "Be careful and yo, don't get lost in the stores again, okay?" He smiled warmly.

"I won't, I promise," she blew him a kiss.

After Tony finished his Christmas chores, he went into the kitchen to do a final inventory on all his Christmas recipe necessities. Entering the through the back door, Mona greeted, "Hey Ton!"

"Hey Mon, what's shaking?"

"Me if you catch my drift," she winked at him.

"Another hot date tonight? He inquired.

"No two! A lunch date and a dinner date, we'll see which one gets lucky to have a Sunday date." She returned confidently.

"Ohhhh, watch out Mona! He high fived her.

"So, where's Angela, what's she up to?

"She just left for the city, you know Christmas shopping and work, work, work!"

"Work, we're closed this week, what's she got to do at work on a Saturday?

Shrugging his shoulders, 'I don't know, something about print proofs and meeting with her attorney."

"Oh, that's right, she's gotta finish the paperwork for your-" she caught her tongue.

"For my what?" Tony's eyes narrowed.

"Did I say your? I meant Wore, for the Wore It campaign, you know, the new clothesline." She recovered.

"Wore It campaign? Come on Mona, there is no such thing, what are you hiding?" He pushed.

"Nothing, scouts honor," she crossed her fingers behind her back, raising two other fingers in the air like a boy scout.

"I don't believe you!" He exclaimed.

"I don't care what you believe now tell me, are you going to propose to Angela on Christmas?" Changing the subject.

"I told you," his jaw clenched, "I'm not discussing this anymore and I don't know. It's too soon!"

"But Tony, you said you were going to get a ring, did you get it, where is it, I want to see it, is it an engagement ring? Come on Tony!" She pleaded.

"No, no, no and NO!" He emphasized.

"Fine then, you just waste your life away, spend another eight years trying to decide what to do and maybe by the time you decide, Angela won't be all shriveled up, gray-haired and toothless! I'm out of here." Mona turned to leave as Sam walked in. "He's your pigheaded dad, you deal with his ridiculousness." She stormed out the door.

"What's gotten into her?" Sam inquired with confusion.

"Oh, just Mona being Mona!"

"What's she talking about Angela being shriveled up, gray-haired and toothless?" she laughed.

"Me and Angela and- '" he stopped short.

"You and Angela what?" She cocked her head.

A serious look washed over him as he narrowed his eyes at Samantha, "Sam, can we talk?" He motioned to the chair for her to sit.

"Sure, what is it dad?" She took a seat.

"I need to ask you something and I need your full and complete honesty." His tone serious and direct.

"Of course, dad, always, what's up?"

"It's about Angela and I-" he hesitated.

"Oh God, you're not breaking up are you dad? What kind of bonehead thing did you do this time?" Her tone frantic and accusative.

"Ay oh, oh ya, I haven't done anything and we're not breaking up, at least I hope not." He worried for a minute. "Why would you say such a thing?" He continued defensively.

"Well, because dad, you have a tendency to let your insecurities about you and Angela get in the way of things and you overthink things you should be feeling them and not thinking them." There was no doubt, Sam was Tony's daughter in her response.

"Wow Samantha, that's pretty harsh ay?" He dropped his head.

"Just the truth dad! You're always overthinking everything about yours and Angela's relationship, that's why it took you eight stinken' years to finally admit to her that you loved her and even then, dad, you almost chickened out," shaking her head recalling their conversation outside the carnival tenant when she convinced him that he could lose her forever if he didn't tell her how he felt. Seeing the loss in his eyes, Sam reached across the table taking his hands, "Dad, if you're worried about betraying mom's memory by asking Angela to marry you, don't!" His head shot up- she was reading his mind, he met her eyes, tears swelling in his.

He had no words, he just stared at his daughter. "It's okay to love Angela and want to marry her dad. If mom were here, she would love her as much as we do. Maybe think she's a little uptight and nerdy," she smiled, "And she might have a problem with the fact that Angela doesn't have a domestic bone in her body, and she can't cook to save her life," she giggled, "But she would see how happy she makes you and how much she loves you-" she paused, "She would see how much she loves me and has been the mother she couldn't be here to be for me." Her voice cracked as tears began to fall from her own eyes. "You'll always love mom, just like I will dad. She'll be in our hearts forever, but there's room in your heart and your life for Angela just as there is in mine for a second mom." She wiped her tears as she watched Tony's fall. "I've wanted nothing more since I was a little girl for you and Angela to get together and get married dad, it's time, you've waited long enough and it's time for you two to have your happily ever after."

Tony dropped his head, his emotions no longer able to be restrained- he kissed her hands, rising from his seat, taking his daughter in his arms, holding her like a lifeline. "What did I ever do to deserve a beautiful, intelligent and wise daughter like you," he cried into her head. "I love you so much Samantha and I your mom would be so proud of you. He pushed her our from his embrace, his hands still holding on to her, "You remind me of her more and more everyday honey. She was the love of my life-" He paused, catching his breath, "I never thought I could ever love anyone else as much as I loved your mother- "

"Until Angela came along," she interjected with a smile.

"Yes," he pursed his lips, "It's so different with her and it scares me so much Sam, but I can't see myself living without her. She made my heart whole again because I never thought I would love again, let alone find someone that loved you as much as your mother and I." He wrapped his arms tight around her again.

"I love her too dad and I want nothing more than for you to be happy with her. Stop worrying about all the other stuff and just follow your heart dad." Her warm, confident smile filled his heart.

"Thank you, Sam, I love you so much!"

"I love you too dad!" She leaned up to kiss him on his cheek.

Composing himself and letting her go, he added, "Guess the only thing left for me to do now is ask Jonathan's approval."

Narrowing her eyes, "Oh- he'll approve dad or that twirp will have to deal with me!" She balled her fist shaking it in front of her with a slight grin.

"Watch it Sam, that's your new brother you're threatening," Tony laughed.

"Wait, I didn't think of that!" She countered with brows furrowed.

"Too late now," Tony chuckled, "You're stuck with him for life!"