Stanley has picked up Mona for a nice dinner, to get her mind off of the day she had just had.

Jonathan decides to eat dinner with his husband their kids.

Angela, Tony and the kids eat a small dinner. Then they get the kids ready for bed. Tony and Angela both read the Cat in the Hat to the girls, each reading their own part. Nicky is allowed to play on his PlayStation for 30 more minutes, only if he doesn't make any noise. He is quiet as a mouse when he plays his video games.

The day has taken all the energy out of Maria and Sophia. The fall asleep while Angela and Tony are reading to them. Angela was sitting next to Maria and kisses her forehead, Tony kisses Sophia's forehead. Then the kiss the other girl. For a moment they stand at the foot of the bed, watching the 2 sleeping girls.

"We are starting all over again, aren't we?" Tony asks while caressing her back.

"We are." She leans into his body.

"Are we ready for it?"

"I don't think that is a question to be asked, seeing as we don't have a choice my love. These are our grandbabies. Our last connection to our little girl. And I know both you and I will do anything and everything to make these 3 the happiest kids in Connecticut.. I mean the United States." She gives him a sad smile. "Make that the whole world."

"There is still so much to be arranged." His tone is sombre.

"That's true. But.." she turns around and takes him in her arms. "We will have to get through it, together.. for them." She nods towards the kids.

Tony kisses the side of her head. "I know and I am relieved to not have to do it alone." He pulls her closer. "Like when Marie died, at least now I have you by my side."

"And I'm not going anywhere." She tenderly kisses his lips. "Come on, Nicky needs sleep too, yesterday evening he went to bed way too late."

Tony squeezes her hip. "Thank you for everything mi Amore, you've kept our family going last night and today. I can never tell you how grateful I am."

Angela looks at him in surprise. "You don't have to show me gratitude, I married you for better and for worse. You are my husband, it took us way too long become an item." She blushes at him. "And when I we said our vows I knew you were my end game. I don't think I've ever loved any man like I love you. And I loved our family more than anything."

Tony kisses her deeper this time. "I still can't believe you decided to spend the rest of your life with me. I still wonder what I did in my life to deserve you and our beautiful family. Must have done something right to deserve a second chance at love."
"You've deserved it all, darling. You are the best man I've ever known, the best husband, best father, best grandfather, best son, best son-in-law and best friend. Why can't you see what, what all of us see in you?" Tony opens his mouth put she puts her finger on it. "I get it, I get it.. stubborn Italian." She flashes him a cheeky grin.

He flashes her a genuine smile, even his eyes light up.

"Come on honey bunny, let's get our grandson to bed." She takes his hand into hers and walk towards Nicky's room.

Angela leans into the doorframe and looks at her grandson playing on the PlayStation. Tony leans his chin on her free shoulder, his arms around her waist, resting his hands on her abdomen and then they just take a moment to take him in. It takes Nicky a little while to notice his grandparents, he looks up at them, now he is taking them in for a second. He feels the love radiating from his grandparents and smiles. "What is it?" HE asks.

"Bed-time buddy."

"Ah… another 10 minutes?" Nicky pleads.

"No sweetheart." Angela presses. "Bedtime is bedtime. Tomorrow will be a long day."

"Okay, okay."
"Did you brush your teeth buddy?" Tony asks and Nicky nods. "So you want us to read to you too?"

Nicky thinks for a moment. "No, but can we just talk for a minute instead?"

"Sure buddy." Tony smiles.

"All of us? Or just Nonno and you?" Angela asks.

"All of us Nana." Nicky smiles at her, how could she ever think he would exclude her?

Angela and Tony each plop down to either side of him.

"You were right Nana." He looks up at Angela. "I felt so guilty this afternoon when I was laughing. I realised I was having fun, while my mom and dad are.." he contemplated his words. "They're dead." He finally said the words. Somehow he felt it needed to be said like that, to make it all real in his mind. "I'm not like Maria and Sophia, I know what death means. I know that we won't ever see them again." He stares at his hands. "David's grandfather died last year and you know he is my best friend. We talk about everything and one day he was so sad and he told me why. When I came home, I was so confused, so mom sat me down and explained about her mom, her birth mom.." He gives both his grandparents a look. "and what death means." He gives them a weak smile. "I don't know what will happen tomorrow, I know it's something official. I do really want to see mom and dad. I miss them a lot. I know that David got to see his grandfather. When can I see mom and dad again?"

Both grandparents stare at him with an open mouth. The look each other in the eyes, pleading with one another. Angela broke contact as she starts. "Well sweetheart, we don't exactly know just yet. We are waiting on that call. Tomorrow is just official business. But very important official business." She cups his cheek. "But it was important enough to your parents that they wanted your sisters and you to be there too." Tony just nods in agreement.

"Okay, thank you Nana." He leans into her to hug her.

"Ay oh, oh ay, what about me?" Tony jokes and Nicky lets himself fall in his grandfather's embrace with a chuckle.

"Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?" Nicky shyly asks. "I'm still a bit too nervous to sleep alone."

"Of course buddy." Tony pats his back.

Nicky lays down and settles between them. His back facing Angela and his face towards Tony.

"Good night sweetheart." Angela kisses the top of his head and hugs him.

Tony kisses his forehead. "Good night buddy." He places his arm over Nicky, holding on to Angela's back. Nicky closes his eyes and Angela and Tony look at each other and smile. Tony automatically starts making small circles on her back with his thumb.

"Ange.. babe." Angela wakes by Tony caressing her cheek.

She blinks with her eyes and needs a moment to focus them. She realises she is still in Nicky's bed.

"Shhhhttt." Tony's hot breath on her ear.

"I must have dozed off." She whispers.

"Come on, let's go downstairs. The dishes are still waiting for us." He chuckles while helping her out of the bed. He holds on to her hand as they make their way downstairs.

Tony starts rinsing the dishes and puts some in the dishwasher. Angela empties the remaining dishes from the table and then cleans it. Over the years housework had become a team effort. They still had a housekeeper coming twice a week, Monday and Thursday to do most of the larger tasks.

Tony bends over to put in the plates and Angela can't help but graze her hand over his still well-toned behind. She always did that whenever they were alone and he would bend over. She rinses the last to milk mugs. And hands them down to Tony, he takes the mugs and then grabs her wrist. He gets up and quickly kisses her. "Thank you." He says leaving Angela stunned.

"For what?" she leans into the cabinets. "And would you please stop thanking me for everything. You know why I do what I do. It's because I love you and our family." She smiles at him.

"I'm thanking you for also doing things you always have." He is confusing himself now. "Like you just grazed my ass, just as always."

Angela blushes. "I still can't resist your behind, when you bend over I have to touch it. It's my weakness, well next to your sculpted arms and abdomen." She looks up to him through her lashes.

"So you didn't just fall for my charming personality?" He flashes her a big smile.

She cocks her head and looks him up and down. "Nawh.. I fell for the entire package. All of it." He kisses her lips softly, it's not a hot kiss, but such a romantic one that the butterflies in her stomach flutter.

"Tea?" He closes the dishwasher.

"I'll make it. You finish up here." She nods towards the dishwasher and fills the kettle and turns it on. She takes 2 mugs out of the cabinet and puts in the tea bags in. She takes the kettle and pours the hot water over the tea bags.

Tony turns on the dishwasher.

"Tea's ready." She puts down the two mugs and sits down. Tony takes the seat to her left.

"Are you nervous for tomorrow?" she asks while taking her mug between her hands.

"Yes." He honestly admits. "Even though most of what is going to be said, is going to be stuff we already know. Like the kids. It's just, every step we are taking in this process is a step towards the finality of it all." He looks at Angela. "I'm not ready for our final goodbye."

"I don't think neither one of us will ever be ready to say our final goodbye." Their eyes lock.

"I guess not."

The rest of their time is spend quietly, eyeing each other and smiling from time to time until they're finished.

They walk upstairs, checking both kids' rooms and finding them all asleep. Finally inside their room both just take off their clothes, Tony decides to sleep in his shirt and underwear. He eyes Angela as she quickly slips into a silk nightgown. He loves silk on her, especially because she never wears a bra under silk. He body looks amazing in silk. She slides next to him and nuzzles her nose into his neck. "Mmmmhh my favourite place to be." She inhales deeply, taking his scent in. He instinctively wraps his arms around her and pulls her as close as he can also taking in her scent. He kisses her cheek.

"Good night mi Amore, ti amo."

Angela looks up at him, pecks his lips. "Good night honey bunny, I love you so much." They exhausted bodies gave into to their much needed sleep.

"MOMMY! MOMMY!" Angela and Tony wake up by the sound of one of the girls screaming. They quickly make their way to the room.

"We're here honey, we're here." Tony hugs Maria.

"I want my mommy! I want my mommy!" Maria screams.

Angela hears Sophia softly crying and moves to her bed and takes her in her arms. "sshht Nana is here." Angela holds on to the young girl for dear life.

"I also want mommy." Sophia sobs in Angela's arms. Tony has swooped up Maria and is now looking at Angela. "I know you do baby, I know you do." Angela is rocking Sophia. "Do you two want to sleep with us?" she softly asks. Both girl nod.

They both carry one girl to their bed, when they're about to join them, Nicky shows up. "Are Maria and Sophia okay?"

"No, sweetheart, they're not, so we've asked them to join us." Angela softly replies.

"Oh." His voice is filled with sadness.

"I know you're probably too big and tough, but I think it'll help your sisters if you also stay with us." Tony says, giving Angela an apologising look.

Angela gives him a warm smile, another reason she loves him so much, he is so attentive to the people he loves. And he know Nicky has a hard time asking for what he needs, because everyone is so sad around him.

"Yes, maybe you can sleep in between your sisters, so they'll have us on the one side and their brother protecting them on the other side." Angela adds.

Nicky has a smile of relief on his face. "Okay, that sounds like a plan." And then settles between his sisters. Tony and Angela look at each other the heads of the kids and mouth 'I love you' at the same time. That has been something they swore to do since the day they got married, tell each other they love them before going to sleep.

Tony wakes at 6am, Maria has an arm over his chest. He can't help but smile at the little arm and little girl next to him.

"Good morning darling." Angela whispers.

"Good morning mi Amore, were you already awake?" He whispers knowing waking up early was not one of Angela's hobbies.

"I've been awake for about 20 minutes." She just whispers.

"Nervous for today?" Maria moves. "Maybe we should take the conversation out of the bedroom. Angela nods and slides out of their bed, putting on her fluffy pink robe. Tony grabs his sweatpants and puts them on.

They go down, make some coffee and discuss the morning at hand. At 7am they wake the kids and get them ready for the day ahead. When Tony gets Sophia ready, Angela quickly showers and changes, then she gets Maria ready so Tony can shower and dress. Somehow they still work like a well-oiled machine with the kids.

When they come down Nicky sits at the table drinking his orange juice. Tony fixes a quick breakfast and notices Angela is back to her coffee and juice routine. ~It took me 10 years for her to finally start eating breakfast.. now we're back to square one.~ He thinks to himself with great disappointment.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

They arrive at Romano family law at 08:50. They walk in and are immediately greeted by Ella. Angela and Tony smile in recognition.

"Hey aunt Ella.' Nicky says.

"Hey Nicky. Hello lovely ladies." She holds out her arms to the kids. The girls run into her arms and Nicky just follows.

Angela puts her arm in Tony's but for some reason her legs are giving out on her. She can't seem to move. Then the door behind them opens and closes, they turn around to see Joe, Fran, Mona and Jonathan. Mona sees the fear in her daughter's eyes and takes her other hand. Jonathan moves to Tony's other side and puts his arm around his shoulder. The two men nod, Tony's gives Jonathan an grateful look, he needs his son and wife around him.

After Ella releases the kids she turns to Angela and Tony. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Micelli. I wish I could say it is good to see you, but not under these circumstances." She gives them both a small hug. "Hey Jonathan." She smiles before giving him a hug too. "Mrs. Robinson." She nods towards Mona, Sam had taught her everything about dealing with Mona. "Mr. and Mrs. Thomopoulos." She extends her hand towards Hank's parents, not knowing them nearly as well as she did the Bower-Micelli family. "Please follow me." She guides them to a fairly large meeting room. Tony and Joe sit next to each other, their wives next to them, Mona takes her place next to Angela and Jonathan sits next to Fran, he knows she needs the same support.

"Grandma?" Nicky stands next to Mona. "Can I please sit next to Nana?"

"Of course big guy." She smiles and moves a seat.

Nicky takes his seat and looks at Angela, who extends her hand to him.

Sophia doesn't ask, she just crawls onto Tony's lap and cuddles against him. Maria walks up to Angela and crawls onto her lap, taking the same position her sister has on Tony's lap. Angela and Tony share a look. Joe looks passed Tony to Angela, the intensity of his stare scares her. Tony notices the look in her eyes change and quickly turns his head to look at Joe, staring him off. "Leave my wife alone." Tony hisses so softly that only Joe hears him.

"Don't you want to sit with Grandma Fran?" Angela whispers in Maria's ear. Angela knows the kids hardly know Fran and Joe, they see them about 2 times a year and they have always been over at their house, so their bond is much closer and stronger, but she can't help but feel sorry for Fran. Maria shakes her head, she feels safe near her Nana.

"Good morning everyone, thank you all for being here. My name is Stefano Romano, I believe you know my wife Ella. This is Jackson Bridge." He points towards his right and then left side. "Mr. Bridge has been asked to sit in as a witness. Mrs. Romano, Ella, has also been asked to be present, as she is mentioned in the will."

Tony slips his hand into Angela's. Her hand is resting on Maria's back and freezing. He softly squeezes it. She just looks at their hands on Maria's back then kisses the top of Maria's head.

Stefano looks at his wife before continuing, knowing she just lost her best friend. She gives him a slight nod and focusses her attention on the family in front of her.

"We are here to read the last will and testament of Hank Thomopoulos and Samantha Thomopoulos-Micelli, hereby called the clients. This is a legal document that states the final wishes of said clients. It contains their specific instructions and was made-up on Wednesday November 28, 2001. These instructions and wishes are non-negotiable and legally bound." Stefano looks at the family. "Let me state that a will usually isn't read this quickly after death. It was a clear wish of both Mr. and Mrs. Thomopoulos that the will be read as soon as possible after their death. They also added an addendum with their wishes for their funeral. This is not in this document, but their wishes are very much expressed." He looks at the adults as they all nod in understanding. Stefano starts reading the formal parts of the document, Tony hears his voice, but the words don't resonate. He could have spoken it in German or French, he doesn't have a clue what he is saying. Angela is hanging on his every word. And nodding or shaking her head at certain parts.

"So now pertaining to the children. Mr. Anthony Morton Micelli and Mrs. Angela Katherine Micelli-Robinson have been appointed as legal guardian to the three minors Nicholas Anthony Thomopoulos, Maria Angela Thomopoulos and Sophia Francesca Thomopoulos, in the event of anything happening to Mr. and Mrs. Micelli before the children reach the age of 18, Mr. Jonathan Bower has been appointed to become the legal guardian of the three minors."

"What?" Fran just blurts. All the heads in the room turn to her. "I knew you were appointed guardians of the kids, but you.." She looks at Jonathan sitting next to her. "have no biological ties to those children. Why are you their back-up?" Fran sounds so hurt.

Tony is fuming and is about to open his mouth as Angela puts her hand on his arm. Her connection to him, quiets him.

"You are absolutely right Mrs. T, I have no biological tie to Nicky, PhiPhi or Mimi but I have something way better. I have an emotion tie to all three of them. They are my nephew and nieces. I've been there when Sam, Hank and Nicky got the stomach flu and they needed someone to take the girls or when the girls wanted to watch a princess movie, I took Nicky to the park. Just like Sam has done with Bobby and Katie. We may not have a blood bond, but we have something more important, special, we have a bond of family, of love and caring. THAT is why they decided to make me the bake-up of mom and dad. Sam is also the back-up of mom and dad when it comes to Bobby and Katie." Realising what he had just said. "Was the back-up." Tears are coming down. "You see Sam WAS my sister and I loved her so much and we all loved Hank. He was part of OUR family." Angela and Tony are both fighting the tears they feel well.

"You've said Jonathan!" Mona applauds.

"Mother!" Angela berates her.
"What? It's not like you weren't thinking it!"

Angela can't deny that she feels very proud of the words her son has just spoken. Tony smirks and nods at Jonathan.

"Can we contest this will?" Joe asks.

"This is NOT the place." Angela looks at Joe and when he looks back he is taken aback by the ferocity in her eyes. "And certainly not the time." As she points towards the children. He opens his mouth, her eyes get dark in anger. "Did I make myself clear Joe?" He closes his mouth, he is no match.

"Mrs. Micelli is right, but yes, this can be contested, but let me just state that both Samantha and Hank were very clear in their wishes." Both Stefano and Ella knew that Samantha and Hank wanted their kids to be near the family they knew the best, near their friends and in their own school. "So if you try, both myself, my wife and Mr. Bridge will testify in court on behalf of the Micelli-Bower family." Stefano says without any trace of emotion before contuining. "When it comes to the real estate, savings and other properties, the children are sole beneficiaries. Mrs. Micelli has been appointed to have the financial responsibility to make sure all assets will be divided equally among the 3 children." Joe immediately looks at Angela wants to open his mouth, but side eyes Tony and keeps his mouth shut. "Mr. and Mrs. Micelli will be sole providers until the children reach the age of 18, they will also bear the financial responsibility until the children reach the age of 21. Mr. and Mrs. Thomopoulos have a life insurance which will provide monthly payments for the care of the children. Mr. and Mrs. Micelli have wavered that right and have requested that money be put in a trust fund for the children to use for their further education. There is a list provided by Mr. and Mrs. Thomopoulos that states every item they want to give to one of family members specifically. Furthermore they have also name their nephew Robert Adam Bower and niece Katherine Mona Bower in their will, both will be inherit a small amount for their future education."

"What?" Jonathan looks up in surprise. "They.." his voice cracks. "included my kids?" he starts gnawing his lower lip not to cry.

Even Angela and Tony were surprised. Samantha and Hank had gone through the entire will with them, but didn't tell them this. "Of course Samantha and Hank wouldn't exclude Bobby and Katie, they loved them very much." Tony says with as much emotion as Jonathan felt. Jonathan's head drops and he cries. Mona gets up, sits down next to her grandson, knowing Angela is busy with both Nicky and Maria, and hugs him.

"I can't believe Sam and Hank did that Grandma." He sobs into her shoulder. "I mean I knew they loved them.. but this.." he chokes up. "I'd still rather have them here right now."

"Jonathan, I know." Mona says while tears are streaming down her cheeks. "We will never be the same again."

Stefano reads the end of the will, the proceeds to hand both parents a copy of the will including the addendums. Tony immediately hands the document to Angela. The will was no surprise to them, but never would they've even imagined it being read to them. They just assumed this would never happen. They would have given the world for time to be reversed.

"Like I said before, this is a legal document, signed by both Hank and Samantha Thomopoulos. These are their expressed wishes for the future of their children. And I do hope you won't contest their will, as this will is perfectly clear and has been executed fully by law."

With those final words, the meeting was over. They say their goodbyes and walk outside.

"Fran, Joe, we don't want to argue with you on this." Angela starts off. "Please try to respect our children's wishes. For you nothing will change, as expressed in the will, the kids will be visiting you every year in their summer vacation and every other Christmas. We will definitely not be keeping them away from you. Their your grandkids as much as ours."

"Their Tony's and ours." Joe states before getting into his car.

"What the hell did you just say?" Tony takes a step towards their car.

Angela touches his shoulder, making him turn around. "Don't." Is all she says as she looks into his furious eyes.