Tahitian Twilight 2.0
***some dialogue was taken directly from Who's the Boss. I do not own the rights to those line and they are identified in italic bold.***
**the idea of "always the truth," comes from maribell334 in Juny**
Touched by the extended to which Angela went to ensure that Sam had the perfect dress she wanted for her prom, Tony decided that he would give Angela the prom she deserved and that thanks to Mona's blabbing, knew she never got to enjoy.
After Sam left with Jessie and Jonathan had been dropped off for his sleepover, Tony confirmed that Mona would be otherwise occupied with her date and set out to transform their living room into spectacular recreation of a Tahitian beach front.
Escorting her down the stairs, in her robe and fuzzy bunny slippers, Tony gently covered her eyes with his hand to not reveal his surprise until she was safely down the stairs.
As they descended the last step, Tony let her go as he placed her in direct line of all the decors, "Okay, okay, you ready?" He removed his hand from over her eyes, "Open sesame."
Overcome with emotions at his immensely touching surprise, Angela gushed, with tears in her eyes, "Tony!"
"Angela Bower, this is your prom," he exclaimed, pointing at her.
"Whhhhhattt?" She smiled broadly.
"It's called Tahitian Twilight 2!" He continued stepping towards her.
Composing her emotions, she continued to smile at him, "You are so sweet!"
Turning the CD player on, Tony asked her to dance as "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," began to play. Taking her in his arms, they swayed to the music, holding each other tightly as their hearts raced pressed up against one another.
As the song ended, Angela took her head off his shoulder, looking deep into his eyes, "Tony, this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me, thank you! I don't know what I've ever done to deserve you, but I can't imagine my life without you!" She placed her head back on his shoulder.
Taking a deep breathe, his heart pounding as he held her closely, he extended his arms out, breaking their close contact, "I'm the one that should be saying thank you! What you did for Sam tonight, was more then I ever could have asked or expected from my boss." He swallowed hard, "I'm the one that doesn't know what I've done to ever deserve what you've done for Sam and me. I don't know what would have become of us if you hadn't opened your home to us and allowed me to give my little a better life than I could have ever imagined in Brooklyn. But I guess she's not so little anymore, is she?" A single tear escaped his eye.
"Awww Tony," Angela let go of his hand, wiping the tear with her thumb as her fingers caressed his cheek. "You have done a remarkable job with Sam, and I'm so honored you've allowed me to be a part of her life. I love that girl as if she were my own, you know that don't you? I would do anything for her," she smiled, "And you," she whispered.
"I know," he shook his head in affirmation, "I feel the same about Jonathan. That kid, he's come such a long way, he's pretty remarkable."
"Because of you Tony, because of you!" She gushed thinking of the incredible bond her son and Tony shared. "But Tony, you know as well as I do, you're not just my housekeeper, don't you? And I really hope you don't just think of me as just your boss after all we've been through?"
"No, no I don't," he smiled. "You're really the best friend I've ever had." He brought her back into his embrace as Dione Warwick sultry voice sang,
…..Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forevermore
That's what friends are for…."
"Tony?"
"Hummmm?" He was lost in the moment, barely conscious of her intrusion to his thoughts.
"Tony, can I ask you something?" She hesitated.
Finally realizing she was speaking to him, he looked at her, "Always, anything!" He replied sincerely.
Biting her bottom lip, willing the courage to speak what her heart felt, she looked up and began, "Do you remember our second anniversary of you and Sam coming to live her?"
"How could I ever forget," he rubbed his side where his appendix once resided, "That was one hell of an anniversary I'll never forget!" He groaned.
Chuckling, she shook her head in agreement, "Yes, that was some anniversary dinner, I thought I had poisoned you," she rolled her eyes, "But that's not what I was referring to."
"Then what?" He inquired.
"Well, right before your appendix burst, I had asked you what exactly you thought we were to each other, and we were about to discuss it by the fire. Do you remember?"
Nervously licking his lips, he responded, "Ya, ya, I do!"
"Well, I've always wondered what that discussion would have been had it not been for your appendix and I thought, maybe there's no time but the present to finish that discussion, so now, two years later, what exactly do you think we are to each other?" She exhaled the breath she didn't know she had been keeping.
His eyes grew larger than pools as his breath became rapid and he let his grip on her waist release, "Oh wow, Angela, uhhh, well, you know, uh, what do you think we are?" He retorted.
"Nope, I asked you first," she smiled, remembering that was his exact reply two years prior.
Taking a deep breath, he acknowledged their memory," Well, what do you say we take this here bottle of champaign and go sit over on the couch and discuss it?"
Grabbing the bottle off the table next to them, the memory wasn't lost on either of them as they made their way towards the couch hoping history wouldn't repeat itself as they settled closely together on the cushions.
Tapping his foot on the floor nervously, he poured them both a flout, prolonging the moment as much as possible. "So," Angela broke the rhythm of his foot tap, "What were we going to discuss that night?"
Taking a sip of the champaign, Tony inhaled deeply as he swallowed hard, "Well Angela, do you want the truth or what I should say in this situation?" He looked deep into her eyes.
"The truth, always," she returned.
Biting the side of his lip, Tony began, "Two years ago, I knew you were more than just a boss to me, I wasn't exactly sure what you were or where we were heading but if you want the truth, here it is. The truth is that I was beginning to have feeling for you that I knew I shouldn't have because you were, you are my boss. And they scared the hell out of me, they still do." He confessed sheeplessly.
'I see," she smiled brightly. "Anything else?"
"Ya, you're my best friend and the best boss I could have ever thought possible," he tried to regain the line they were dancing all over crossing.
"So, what exactly are those feelings?" She pushed.
Unwilling to fully play his hand but not wanting to end their discussion, Tony decided to turn the tables on her, "Well, uh, I answered your first line of questioning so now it's my turn," he smiled warmly.
Shocked, she jumped slightly, "Oh, and just what exactly do you have in mind?"
'Well, since we're having this discussion, there is something I've been wondering about for about a year now."
"And what might that be?" She nervously hesitated.
"Last summer, after the whole Frankie proposal, you came home early and had something important you wanted to discuss with me, do you remember?"
"Uh ya," her cheeks burning red.
"Well, after Sam's interruption and all that cockamamie crap about 'The course of true love never running smooth," and you saying you didn't want to lose me nor I you, I always felt there was more to what you wanted to talk about then what we discussed, so was there?"
Grateful for the dimmed lights not exposing the bright crimson her cheeks her emitting, Angela hesitated wearily knowing she was about to be caught, "Ya, ya there was," she whispered taking hold of her cheeks trying to calm the burn.
"So, what was it?" Tony inquired, his eyes burning with curiosity.
"Oh Tony, that was almost a year ago," she tried to deflect, "Really it was nothing." She waved her hand in dismissal.
"Well, my confession was two years ago, so why don't you let me be the judge of if it's something or nothing!" He continued to stare into her eyes.
Rubbing her forehead, knowing she had no believable way out of his inquisition, she returned, "Do you want the truth or what I should say in this situation?"
"Always the truth!" He confirmed.
"Here goes nothing," she took a deep breath. "After you told mother and I that Frankie had proposed and you were contemplating accepting, I went to see my therapist, Dr. Bellows because I had these whirlwinds of emotions running rapid through my mind and I didn't know what to make of them."
"And?" He encouraged.
"And, well, she made me face a few things I hadn't really been ready to face or acknowledge." Her breathing becoming more rapid. "Is it hot in here or is it the champaign?" She began to fan herself, opening the top portion of her robe to allow more air to pass through.
"I think it feels just right!" Tony caught her eye intensely. "What did she make you face Angela?" His stare intense and purposeful.
"Oh Tony, I don't think we need to go into all that tonight, it's getting late, maybe we should go to bed?" She tried to get up.
Grabbing hold of her wrist, "We'll get to that," he stopped her from going any further, "But first, you owe me the truth, what did Dr. Bellows make you face Angela that was so important for you to discuss with me but was then lost in interruptions?"
Knowing she was caught and tired of keeping up the façade that had plagued their relationship the last four years, Angela decided to throw caution to the wind and confess her feelings.
As her eyes began to swell with tears, not knowing what would happen as a result of her prom confession, Angela looked down towards her joined hands that were playing with the tie of her robe, "Tony, I want you to promise me that no matter what, you'll always be my best friend because I honestly can't imagine my life without you," her voice cracking.
Raising her chin to meet his eyes, noticing the tears that were welling up, "Oh course Angela, always, you know I lov," he chocked, "how much our family means to me!" He recovered.
Biting her lip nervously, Angela looked up trying to contain the tears from falling as her heart raced having caught Tony's near slip of the tongue, "Tony, after Frankie's proposal, I was scared to death that if you accepted, I would lose you forever."
"Never, Angela, you'll never lose me!"
"So, I went to see Dr. Bellows because I wanted to make sense of my insecurities and why Frankie's proposal bothered me so much."
"You have nothing to be insecure about Angela, you're a beautiful, intelligent, strong and beautiful woman."
'You said beautiful twice!"
"I know, I always do!" He smiled
"Anyway, she made me realize and admit that the reason I was feeling so insecure about Frankie, the Italian beauty, Harvard graduate and sports coinsure was because I felt inadequate compared to her in regard to a connection with you. How could you and I be so opposite but have such a strong bond and connection?" She paused waiting for a reply, but Tony didn't speak, he just stared at her, his eyes glowing with the reflection of the candlelight.
"Here goes nothing," she repeated, "Tony," she looked down at her hands again, not having realized that at some point, hers and Tony's hands had joined, and he was caressing her hand with his thumb," Dr. Bellows made me face the fact that I was in love with the best friend that I've ever had."
There it was, out in the universe, never to be taken back again- Angela waited for Tony's reaction.
Silence fell between them, only the sound of the music could be heard,
"I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship, has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show
I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear…"
Tony was frozen in shock, unable to speak, unbelieving of the words he had just heard his boss and best friend confess, his heart was racing, his palms began to sweat, the words of the song pounding in his ears.
"….And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever….."
Angela nervously began to stir in her seat, her breath rapid, "I'm sorry Tony, I shouldn't have said anything, I knew this wasn't the time, but I don't want you to feel obligated or pressured to say anything," she began to ramble, "I think I need to go upstairs, thank you for this beautiful night, I'm sorry, Tony!" Her eyes were filled with tears, her hands trembling, she got up and started to walk towards the stairs when suddenly Tony's hand caught her wrist and he exclaimed,
"No! Stop! You're not leaving without this."
He spun her towards him, in one swift move, wrapped his arms around her waist and crashed his mouth upon hers, pushing his tongue onto her lips, parting them for a full, deep, and passionate kiss. Melting into his embrace, Angela wrapped her arms around him, her hands and fingers tangled in his hair as his arms and hands pulled her closer into his embrace, their mouths locked together as if relying on each other for life.
They stood in the middle of the living consuming each other for what seemed an eternity when Angela finally broke lose to catch her breath, "Wow," she giggled shyly, "That was intense, I'm glad you're not mad at me!" She whispered softly.
"I could never be mad at you for that Angela, because then I would have to hate myself." He caressed her cheek with his thumb, pushing back a piece of lose hair that had fallen over her eyes. "You are so incredibly beautiful, I don't even know what to say right now, I'm just shocked that a woman like you would or could ever feel like that about someone like me." His voice somber and hesitant.
"Tony, how could you say that? You are the most incredible man I've ever known, I mean, look around us, who does this for their boss."
"You're not just my boss Angela and I think tonight proves that!"
"Yes, yes it does, Tony! You are the most wonderful, warm, funny, giving man I've ever known. You've filled my life with so much happiness," she gushed. "You made me want to live and enjoy life. You've supported me in my career but made we want to be home just as much as in the office. You've helped make me a better mom, daughter, and employer. I don't think I can ever express or repay what you've done for me." Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Angela, you gave me a second chance at life, you made me believe in myself when I didn't think I was much of anything more than just a housekeeper and bummed out ballplayer. You make me want to be a better man, deserving of you, your friendship and love. I've never met anyone like you and as far as your insecurities to Frankie, let me tell you, she doesn't hold a candle to you!"
He captured her lips for another tender, passionate kiss.
In the background the music played,
"Baby, when I met you there was peace unknown
I set out to get you with a fine-tooth comb
I was soft inside
There was something going on.
You do something to me that I can't explain
Hold me closer and I feel no pain
Every beat of my heart
We got something going on
Tender love is blind
It requires a dedication
All this love we feel needs no conversation
We ride it together, huhn huh
Making love with each other, huhn hah…"
"Dance with me," he whispered, taking her hand in his, wrapping his arm tightly around her waist.
They grooved to the rhythm, swayed to the melody and he twirled her to "Islands in the Stream."
As Dolly and Kenny belted,
"….I can't live without you if the love was gone
Everything is nothing if you got no one
And you just walk in the night
Slowly losing sight of the real thing
But that won't happen to us and we got no doubt
Too deep in love and we got no way out
And the message is clear
This could be the year for the real thing
No more will you cry
Baby, I will hurt you never
We start and end as one
In love forever
We can ride it together, huhn hah
Making love with each other, huhn hah…"
Rubbing her cheek against his softly, Angela began to slowly kiss Tony's neck, making her way up along his jaw line, settling at his ear, "Make love to me Tony!" She whispered.
Shocked, Tony stiffened his posture, "Angela, we can't, we're not married, you're still my boss and I have nothing in this world to offer you!"
Trembling in his arms, she looked down, unsure if his refusal was because he didn't want her in that way or if his insecurities about them were truly keeping him from allowing them to fully feel what they felt for each other, "Tony, I don't expect a marriage proposal and you have everything I could ever want in a man to offer me. I don't guess there's anything we can do about my being your boss right now but even if it's only tonight, only one night, I would rather have one night of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special at all. Please Tony, tomorrow we can go back to being just you and me, Tony and Angela best friends if you're not ready for more, unless of course you just don't find me," she hesitated as her insecurities began to take over and her eyes swelled with tears, "If you just don't want to." She dropped her arms from his shoulders.
Feeling his heart race as he lifted her chin to meet his eyes, "Does this feel like someone who doesn't want you?" He crashed his lips on hers, fully engulfing her in his arms, "No regrets tomorrow?" He whispered. "The only regret I would have is not being with you tonight!" She sighed.
In one quick swoop, he lifted her bridal style and carried her up the stairs towards her room. Crossing the threshold, the enormity of the moment became present to both of them as their breathing quickened, almost in unison and their hearts could be felt against each other.
Sitting her down on the bed, he placed a soft kiss on her lips. Cupping her head in his hands, he leaned his forehead against her, their noses touching, "Any 2nd doubts?" He questioned.
"None unless you have any?"
"None that I can think of," he smiled warmly. "Are you prepared to lose each other as friends?" A devilish smirk plastered across his lips.
"I've never been more ready!" She threw her arms around him, pulling him down onto her as she leaned them both back on the bed.
The bright sun shone through the window of Angela's room, illuminating off the wall and reflecting onto her face. She began to stir, slightly opening her eyes to welcome the new day. Reaching over to the other side of the bed, she felt a cold emptiness, "Tony?" She sat up, looking around the room for him. The presence of her naked body gave proof that she hadn't been dreaming, "Where is he," she thought. Looking over towards the bedside clock, 'Oh my God, it's almost 9 o'clock!" She exclaimed to herself. "Sam- Samantha's gotta be home by now," she continued talking to herself. "Tony must have gotten up before she got home, why didn't he wake me up?" She pondered. "God, I hope he has no regrets about last night, but God was it worth it!" She got up, collecting her pajamas and robe off the floor. "I don't know that I can keep my promise to let him off the hook after that and go back to just being best friends." She sighed. "Maybe best friends with benefits," she tapped her lips pensively. "No Angela, you told him one night and that's it! You got your one night of wonderful, he's not ready for this. You'll lose him if you push it. Take your night and be happy." She scolded herself. She walked towards the bathroom to freshen up before going downstairs. Catching sight of herself in the mirror, a glow on her face she hadn't seen in years, if ever, she closed her eyes and thought, "You can do this Angela, take what you got and be happy with knowing the feel of his arms around you, his breath on your skin, his-"She shook her head and smiled. "Boy, when he said he would want me to remember it if we ever lost each other as friends, he wasn't kidding! Wow!" She splashed her face with water, "Get control of yourself Angela, you need to go downstairs and act like nothing happened, business as usual, just another day. He's your best friend and that's more important than anything right now!"
She tied her robe, ran a quick brush through her hair and made her way down the stairs towards the kitchen. Making her way to the door, she could hear Tony and Sam chatting lively about prom, taking a deep breath, she swung the door open, "Good Morning, hi sweetheart." Tony jumped and snapped his head toward Angela. "How was the prom?" She continued, bending to kiss Sam's head, obviously to Tony's reaction to her "sweetheart."
"Good morning, Tony," she smiled warmly as Sam began to rattle off all the events of the evening.
"Good morning, Angela," he replied between Sam's breaths, "Juice and coffee this morning?"
"Actually, I'd like some breakfast if that's okay, I'm a little hungrier this morning," she side-eyed him.
Nervously clearing his throat, "Ya, ya, coming right up!"
Sam continued to regale them about her night at the prom, how everyone loved her dress, how her and Jessie danced then watched the moonlight over the lake and had a late snack at the all-night diner and talked and laughed until dawn.
"What time did you get home sweetheart?" Angela inquired.
"Oh, about six-thirty I think, we watched the sunrise over the horizon, you know, that's the most beautiful sight, you should do that one day, it's really something special." She gushed.
"I'm sure it is sweetheart, I'm so glad you had fun."
"We did, thank you again for everything, especially the dress," she hugged Angela's shoulders. "Well, I guess I'll go lay down for a bit, I'm pretty tired from all that fun. You kids behave yourselves." She laughed, walking out the door as Angela nearly spit her coffee out of her mouth.
Letting a minute pass to ensure Sam was out of ear shot, Angela looked towards Tony who had remained steadfast by the stove, almost glued to it as if their proximity might ignite them into flames, "Sleep well?" She hesitantly inquired with a smile.
"Wonderful, wonderful," he crocked, "You?" His voice cracked.
"Like a rock," she replied, "So much so I guess I didn't even notice you left." Her voice low and uncertain, "Hope I didn't snore?" She tried to lighten the mood.
Sensing her uncertainty, Tony quickly made his way to the table, flipped the chair, sat down and reassured her, "Oh you did but it was so cute, almost music to my ears," he giggled, "I'm surprised I didn't wake you with my snoring, you know I can raise the roof off this place," he laughed. "I left because I knew Sam would be home at dawn and I didn't want, you know, her finding us like that."
"I know," she took a breath, "I just wish you would have woken me up," she said shyly, "I guess I just got scared that things might not be okay with us this morning?"
"I was going to wake you up," he assured, "But you looked so sweet and peaceful, I didn't have the heart, so I just snuck on out right before Sam came home. It was almost a close call though," he shook his head, "Marone a mi, I'm talking minutes!" He could feel the sweat building on his brow just recalling it."
"Wow, I'm sorry Tony, that could have been disastrous." She looked down remorsefully, thinking she's the one that put him in that situation.
"Ay oh, oh ay, you have nothing to be sorry about. I knew what time it was and I'm the one that lingered, honestly, I was having a hard time letting you go, I didn't want to get up and I prolonged it laying there watching you sleep," his thoughts trailed, "You were so beautiful," he smiled, "I could have stayed there with you forever!"
Her smile broadened as she fought back the tears that had made their way to the surface, "Do you really mean that? No regrets Tony?"
Reaching for her hand, he looked straight into her eyes, "No regrets Angela, it was the most incredible night I've ever had, and I will cherish ever second of it for the rest of my life!" He smiled. "But," his tone took a serious, hesitant turn, "We have to talk about what happened last night and what this means for us going forward." His heart was racing.
Taking a deep breath, Angela swallowed and interjected before he could continue, "Tony, I loved every moment of last night, it was the most beautiful experience of my life and like I said last night, I don't want us to have any regrets and I don't want you to feel any obligations. I know you're not ready for us to be anything more than best friends right now and I'm okay with that. I'm not entirely sure I'm ready for anything more but what I couldn't handle is losing you as my best friend!"
"Angela, we kinda lost each other as friends last night," he chuckled, "And boy do I remember it!" A devilish grin on his face.
The heat rising in her cheeks, she retorted, "And I do too!"
They stared at each other for a beat, both breathing rapidly, contemplating their next move, unsure how to proceed but knowing full well they couldn't go down the path they were headed, but unwilling to deviate too far off the track they were on.
Breaking the spell, Angela whispered, "Tony, this is the most important relationship of my life and I'm not willing to do anything we're not ready for, so lets just agree that last night was amazing and we gave into something that I think we've both wanted for quite some time and leave it as it was, a beautiful night between two people that care greatly for each other, nothing more, nothing less and if the day comes that we're both ready to explore our options together again, then we'll cross that bridge when we get there?"
"I don't know if I can get through each day not having you in my arms again, Angela!" He replied somberly.
Reaching out to caress his cheek, "Me either Tony, me either but I think it's best for now until we're both ready to take that next step."
"We can still dance together, can't we?" He inquired.
"I would be insulted and heartbroken if we didn't." She smiled.
"Then agreed, till our next dance, I shall cherish the memory of last night until the day comes when I can hold you in my arms again and never let go."
"You mean that Tony? You think that day will come for us?"
"I don't know what the future holds for us Angela, but I can say with certainty that I can't picture my life without you in my arms. And if for now we need to settle for what we have, I will work everyday to help get us to where I know we belong, together!"
"I can't wait," she smiled.
Rising from his chair, he took her hand to guide her up, wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "One for the road," as he pressed his lips upon her for a deep, life sustaining, passionate kiss. Engulfed in each other's arms, they were oblivious to peeping redhead lingering at the door!