"Of course she loves you, Angela.." His swallows hard. "Did you ever doubt her love for you?"

"Never!" Angela gives him a seriously look. "But.."

"But what?"

"Well a seed of doubt has been planted in my mind. What if she doesn't love me as much as I love her? What if she didn't see me as her mother as much as I saw her as my daughter?"

"Joe!" Tony grunts.

"Don't, Tony.. Don't. not now." She hands him the photo on the desk. "Did you ever see this photo of us?"

He smiles at the photo. "No I haven't, it's beautiful Angela. Who took it?"

"Beats me. I'm assuming Hank took it, as both Jonathan and Sam are in the shot as well. I think it's the best picture I ever saw of our wedding. And we had many great pictures." She gives him a loving smile.

"We did, didn't we?" He smiles back. "What's that?" he nods towards the stack of papers on the desk in front of her.

Angela smiles up at Tony. "A manuscript."

"A manuscript? Of what?"

"Sam's new book." Angela's smiles widens.

"Could you be more elaborate Angela? What's it about?" He takes a step towards her.

"Us."

"Us? HA! What's so interesting about us?"

"Enough, according to our daughter. Just read the preface." Angela gets up, so he can take the seat. "Trust me, it's worth it. She stands behind him with her hand on his shoulder when she feels his slowly start to shake.

He turns the chair to face her, she is about to kneel next to him when he pulls her on his lap and hugs her. His face buried in her chest as she rests her chin on his head. "Ange.. babe.." he is sobbing. "This would have been the crown on everything.

"I don't know but I don't think she was planning on having it officially printed until we greenlit it." Angela says. "I do think her editor proofread it though. I think she was planning on printing one copy for our wedding anniversary this December." She feels his arms tighten around her. "Knowing Samantha.. she might have wanted our okay before having it officially published." Angela is miles away. "Or maybe not, maybe this was just for us, I don't know, but Tony.." She pulls from his embrace to look him in his eyes directly. "I think I want this published, I want an official copy of her book just for us. I want to read her perspective on our relationship." Tony nods. "And I need her last work to be officially published. And I think you do too." She softly says. Tony looks up at her, she cups his faces and uses her thumbs to caress the tears away. Then leans her forehead into his. He closes his eyes and takes in the closeness of her, her scent, her warmth and her breathing. She, all of her, calms his nerves.

"I do want a copy of that book, but we might have to read it before having it published. Just you and me, I want to read it together." He slowly opens his eyes and looks at her. "Ange.. I think I owe you an apology."

Angela looks at him in surprise. "An apology?" Angela gets off is lap and leans into the desk.

"Yeah.." he rubs his face. "A couple of years too late." He whispers.

"Excuse me?" Angela's confusion grows.

Tony gets up and takes her hands in his. "I said that this apology is a couple of years overdue."

"What are you talking about?" She pulls her hands out of his and crosses her arms in front of her chest. "Tony.. You're making me nervous." She feels the knots in her stomach tighten.

"Mi Amore." He cups her face and looks her straight in her eyes. "I am sorry I told you that Nicky wasn't your grandson."

Angela feels nauseous. After they had that fight, Tony grovelled for a while but he never apologised for what he had said. "What?" She yelps.

"I am sorry I told you Nicky wasn't even your real grandson." He sees the tears well in her eyes. "I never realised how those words could have hurt you until those words came from Joe. Angela.. I wanted to hit him, because Sam was your daughter." He grabs the piece of paper. "Like she says it herself. You were her chosen mother. You filled the empty spot that Marie left behind. And naturally Nicky is as much your grandson as he is mine." He chuckles. "He might be a little bit more yours, to be honest. That kid is crazy about you."

Angela just stands there, tears still flowing.

"I am so sorry I've hurt you so much. I never should have said what I said."

"It was years ago, Nicky was little. He doesn't remember and I don't particularly care to be reminded of what was said back then." She is chewing on her bottom lip

"I know, but just now I realise what I said. The words came back after Joe said that the grandkids were mine and theirs. And now reading what Sam wrote. Ange.. mi Amore.. Can you ever forgive me for what I've said?"

"I've already forgiven you years ago. But I appreciate this gesture. I do love our grandbabies so much Tony. All 5 of them. They mean the world to me." Her eyes sparkle when she speaks of the grandchildren.

"I know.. I love all of them too. They are the cherries of our family cake." He chuckles at his own remark then gets serious again. "But sweetheart I never should have said what I said." He pulls her into an embrace. "How could I have said what I've said to the love of my life."
Angela doesn't hug him back. "Because you were jealous." She says in an icy tone, making Tony pull away.

"This is why I apologise, Ange.. I've hurt you back then and it took me this long to realise what I've said. I can still see the pain in your eyes." He rests his forehead on hers. "I can see that this still hurts you. I can never tell you enough how sorry I am for saying what I said."

Angela pulls away again. "Yes you really did hurt me Tony. I mean I expected stuff like this from outsiders and it wasn't fair!" Tears start to well in Angela's eyes as her voice is failing her.
"I know and I knew back then too." Angela cocks her eyebrow in surprise. "Sam gave me a piece of her mind after I said it. She immediately called me out. I was too proud and honestly too jealous to see how wrong I was back then. Can you forgive me?"
"Like I said Tony, I've forgiven you. But it doesn't mean it still stings. Especially because I didn't do anything and still not doing anything to make anyone feel any less. I just feel this really strong connection to Nicky."

"I know." He looks at her fidgeting hands.

"And Tony it was so uncalled for."

"I know, I guess it's like you said back then. You just have a way with Micelli men." He gave a weak smile.

Angela gave him a genuine but small smile. "I do, don't I?" The air feels much lighter between them as he puts his hands on her hips. "You sure do." Finally she puts her arms around his neck. "Okay, Honey bunny.. Let's just but this behind us. I need to put this behind me. I have forgiven you. But listen to me.." She leans back to look him in his eyes. "Don't be to angry with Joe. I know what he said is painful but well he lost his son and now he's afraid of losing his grandkids, his only connection to Hank as well."

"Nawh Amore.. that's not how this works. He knows how much Sam means to you and he knows how much you mean to Sam. He knows those kids adore you. He is angry at the world, I get that, so am I! How dare someone take my little girl. But saying that to you, nawh Angela.. that's inexcusable. And he is more than welcome to have dinner and I will be polite until after the funeral, but then it's over. I don't want to speak to him ever again!" Tony's eyes shoot fire.

Angela let's her hands drop from his neck, to his shoulders all the way down to his hands. "We don't have a choice. Joe is just as much their grandfather as you are. I want to have a stable relationship with both Joe and Fran, for the kids' sake."

"Why are you so forgiving? You forgave me, now you're willing to forgive Joe for everything he has said. And I know he said it more than once." Tony is still angry.
"Forgiving is simple honey bunny, I love you so I forgive you." She pecks his lips.

"Ay oh.. oh ay.. you telling me you love Joe too?" Tony sounds jealous.

"No, not in that sense. I care for both Joe and Fran. But I love my grandkids and I can forgive him, because of them. Tony those three kids are also OUR last connection to Samantha and I don't want to lose them over anything. They're too important to me. I can forgive Joe, but I shall never forget." She says with determination.

"So you'll never forget what I said either?"
"No I probably won't, but there is a great difference between Joe and you.." She gives him a smile.

"Which is what?"

"I love you more than anything. I love you more than I ever thought I could love a man." Another smile breaks out. "And you're a great kisser." She chuckles before giving him a small kiss on his lips.

Tony smirks. "I'm just glad you don't love Joe."

Angela smacks his shoulder and laughs.

Tony takes her into a tight embrace. "You are truly a magnificent human being with a beautiful big heart."

"You don't have to suck up to me Tony. I married you.. warts and all." She chuckles in his neck.

"Ay oh.. I don't have warts." He chuckles. "Thank you so much for loving me the way you do."

"You make it so easy to love you with such intensity." She snuggles. "As long as we have each other, we will weather every storm ahead."

There is a small knock at the office door. "Nonno? Nana?" Nicky says.

"Come in buddy." Tony says.

He pops his head around the door, making Angela and Tony chuckle. Nicky smiles at his grandparents who are still standing in an embrace. "I think we've got everything we want or need." He gives a faint smile.

"Are you okay Nicholas?" Angela can't hide her growing concern.

"It feels weird to be here knowing mom and dad will never come home." He looks at his feet. "Can we just go to your house?"

"Of course, honey. Come here." She takes the boy in a tight hug. "We are here for you honey." She keeps hugging him.

"I know Nana, I know." He loosens his grip. "But can we please go?"

"You go with Nonno. I have to clean some things in here and take back the watering can. I will lock up the house. Okay my sweet boy?" Nicky nods and then she turns at Tony. "Will you take the kids down? Put their stuff and them in the car? I will grab the manuscript and clean here. Okay?" Tony also nods towards her.

"Well buddy, I guess Nana is right and you know what Nana says goes." He chuckles, trying to keep the atmosphere light.

Nicky chuckles too. Angela watches the scene at hand and smiles. Nicky looks so much like Tony, not only in appearance, but also his mannerisms. He is a mini Tony. ~I wonder if Samantha saw it. How much her little boy is like her father.~ Her smile widens. ~She must have seen it. She must have.~

"Penny for your thought my beautiful wife." Tony says a she looks at her smile.

"I just noticed how much Nicholas and you are alike." She smiles, keeping her inner thoughts to herself.

Tony and Nicky leave the office, she hears Tony yells out to the girls. Then she hears him tease the girls as she hears the girls squeal in joy. She figures Tony has caught them and picked them up. She finds a large manila envelope and puts the manuscript in there. Also taking the framed photo. She smiles at the photo before grabbing the watering can and heading out.

Putting the watering can in its rightful place, locking the house and heading out to the car. She opens the driver's side door and gets in, placing the manila envelope and photo on his lap. Taking his hand in hers and softly squeezing it.

"Next stop, the grocery store!" Angela says with a fake smile on her face. "So what are we cooking tonight Nonno?"

Tony smiles and looks back at the kids. "What would you like us to make for grandpa and grandma?"

"Can we have chicken? I love chicken." Maria squeals.

"That's not a bad idea." Tony looks at Angela. "Would you like chicken Amore?"

"Anything is fine. Chicken is quite easy, make some grilled potatoes and vegetables, top that off with a nice fresh salad. The kids probably don't want any desserts. So we can skip those."

"NANA!" Sophia, Maria and Nicky laugh. "We want Ice cream and chocolate mousse!"

Both Angela and Tony start laughing.

"I am so surprised you kids want dessert, I always thought you didn't like desserts. Mmmhhh.. must just be my horrible memory."

The kids howl in laughter, the first real laughter since they received the news of Samantha and Hank and both Angela and Tony feel a sense of relief at hearing the laughter.

Angela walk hand in hand Maria at Angela's side, Sophia at Tony's side and Nicky holding Maria's other hand. Tony grabs a shopping card and puts both girls in it as he start rolling them around. Angela puts her arm around Nicky's shoulders as the five of them walk around the supermarket. Picking up the items they need for the coming dinner but also groceries for the coming days. "Can we get some cereal?" Nicky asks Angela.

Angela can't help but giggle. "You know what your mom would think about that don't you?"

"Bleached flour and sugar.. They are empty calories. I'll be hungry in an hour." Angela starts laughing and then turns white as Tony turns around with a grin on his face.
"I remember when I told you that." He wiggles his eyebrows. Angela turns red.

"When did Nonno tell you that?" Nicky looks up at her.

"The day after he moved in, the first breakfast we ever ate. Uncle Jonathan wanted Crunchy Crawlers but both your mother and Nonno told him it was sugary and empty calories." She told half the truth, not telling him about the double entendre Tony and she had been discussing. ~What did I ever see in Grant?~ she now wonders to herself. ~No doubt he was handsome, but then again Tony was right, he was her boss.~ That was when she was reminded of something else Tony had said to her. When Tony is looking at the coolers in the meat section and the kids are out of earshot, she leans her chin on his shoulder and whispers in his. "I remember something else you said the night before the breakfast we just discussed."

"What?" Tony looks over his shoulder and tries to look at her in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Angela moves her mouth near his ear, nearly touching it with her lips. "You told me that I'd never catch you doing something dumb like sleeping with my employer. Guess I did." She whispers in his ear. His wife always knew how to make him shiver. She stands up straight again. "Remember that conversation?" She giggles.

He turns watching her giggle, even in her 50s she is still so adorable especially when she giggles. "Yeah I remember that conversation." He feels the heat rising in his cheeks. "I did wait a while before sleeping with my very attractive employer. I don't think she minded." He flirtingly says.

Angela's mouth turns into a grin. "You took way too long to realize how attractive your employer was." Somehow this had turned into flirty banter.

"Oh no, I figured that quite quickly, I remember when I saw you get out of that tub." Tony watches Angela turn crimson, even the tips of her ears.

"So what took you so long?" She arches her eyebrow.

"Nonno, can we have these flavours?" All the kids stand in front of them, each with their own favourite flavour icecream.

"Where's the butter brickle?" Angela asks with a smile.

"Right here!" Sophia holds up the canister of Angela's favourite flavour.

"Good girl!" Angela leans down and kisses the top of her head. "You know Nana's favourite flavour."

"We all do!" Maria hollers making Tony laugh.

After making their entire round and getting everything they need and want, they check out and get back to the car. When the cart is empty, Tony takes it back to its intended spot. Angela is about to get in the car when she hears someone calling her.

"You can get in the car Nicholas." Angela smiles at her grandson as Wendy walks up to her and hugs her tightly. "Hi Wendy."

"Angela." Wendy's eyes are sad. "How are you? How is Tony? How are the kids? I mean I heard. Oh Angela." She hugs Angela again. Angela keeps her hands to her sides, she can't deal right now. "Is there anything Isabel or I can do? You know we're here right?" Angela looks down at the hopeful face of her friend. "We are your friends and we're here for you." Angela gives a small smile.

"Thank you Wendy." She steps back. "But it's just been so unreal and we are also still in disbelief I guess. It hasn't been easy, especially on Tony and the kids."

Wendy gives her a look of surprise. "Angela? What about you?"

Angela starts chewing the inside of her already sore cheek again. "I'm fine, I need to stay strong for them. They need me."

"You also need someone."

"I have Tony." She gives a warm smile as she looks at her husband who is now walking back with a little girl on each of his shoulders.

Wendy follows her eyes. "Still my fantasy." She sighs.

"Still all mine." Angela stakes her claim.

"I know, I know, you lucky woman. Those muscles." Wendy sighs again, then turns to Angela. Turning her friend. "I mean it Angela, we are here. After all affairs are arranged, Isabel and I are taking you out for dinner." Angela opens her mouth. "No! No ifs or buts. We are taking you out to dinner and we can talk. That's what friends are for okay?"

Angela nods, she feels tears stinging. "Thank you Wendy, this means a lot to me."

"Hi Wendy." Tony gives her a smile that makes Wendy's knees turn weak. He knows he has that effect on her, that's why he does it.

"Hey.. hi.. Tony." She stutters. Angela rolls her eyes at her husband, she knows damn well what he is doing. "How are you?"

Angela takes Sophia off his shoulder as he holds Maria. "As well as could be expected under the circumstances." Tony opens the door and puts Maria in her car seat, he shares a look with Angela who is just buckling up Sophia.

"I just told Angela that Isabel and I are here if you need us." Wendy softly speaks.

"That's very kind of you Wendy. Angela might need her friends." He looks at Wendy and then gives Angela a look of 'you can't keep this up'. They never needed words, their looks said it all.

Before Angela can get in the driver's seat, Wendy hugs her. "I mean it Angela, you are not alone, we are here." Angela takes Wendy's hand and squeezes it. "It's good to know." Then she kisses her friend's cheek before getting in. She sighs deeply to centre herself. Tony places his hand on her thigh, she looks up at him. He has a warm smile, the one he always gives her when he is worried about her. She tries to smile back but her face won't allow her to smile. She starts her car and drives off, Tony never removes his hand from her thigh until they're home.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tony grabs the bags the kids have prepared and as much of the groceries he can carry. Angela grabs the manuscript and framed photo, then she goes to the back of the car. Nicky is trying to grab the remaining grocery bags.

"Oh honey, that's too much to carry, give some to me." Angela smiles at him.
"I can do this Nana." Nicky says with a smile. "I always helped mom carrying in the groceries."

"I know you can, but I want to feel useful too." She smiles back at him.

He narrows his eyes, not sure if she is trying to trick him.

"Please let me help you honey." She grabs the last 3 bags from the trunk. "I don't mind doing this. But thank you for being such a little gentleman." Nicky gleams as he walks away with the bags. Angela locks the car and walks inside. She puts the manuscript and framed photo on the side table, then takes the groceries into the kitchen.

"Tony, you can help the kids get their stuff up. I will start putting away the groceries." She says as she comes in.

"You sure, Amore?" He asks with a soft voice.

Angela nods. "Of course it is, this isn't the first time I've put away groceries." Tony smiles at her, she knows what he is about say. "I know how you like the groceries to be put away darling, you've taught me well enough to trust me now, don't you."

He can't help but laugh. "You know me so well. Okay, I will help the kids and then we will start dinner for Joe and Fran." He walks past her and kisses her cheek before smacking her behind.

"TO-NY! What if the kids saw this?"

He stops halfway through the swinging door. "See what? That Nonno is still crazy about Nana? I think they can handle that!" He walks off laughing.

Angela puts away the groceries with a huge smile on her face.

Tony comes back into the kitchen after about 15 minutes. "The kids are all playing, doing their thing. I told them we're in the kitchen preparing dinner, if they need us."

Angela had already cleaned the baby potatoes and let them to rest in cold water. She was wearing a cute apron, Tony loves seeing her homely. She had become more and more homely over the years. He had that influence on her, after coming back from Iowa they started cooking together more often. Angela was hardly staying late in the office, she loves coming home and then preparing dinner together. Tony grabbed the chicken, turns on the oven, then clean the chicken and finally seasoning it. "I'm getting some fresh herbs from the garden." Tony says walking passed her, he looks over her shoulder. "You've become a real master with that kitchen knife." He says watching her chop the vegetables.

She puts down the knife and turns around. "I had a great teacher." She puts her hands around his neck and softly kisses him. "You go grab the herbs needed." She turns and grabs the knife again and starts chopping. Tony sprints outside with a small basket, he returns within minutes, the basket filled with herbs. Angela smells the chosen herbs. "Smells great."

Tony cuts an entire garlic through the middle, then cuts a lemon in two parts, grabs the herbs needed and stuffs the whole chicken. Angela can't help but chuckle at the sight. "What?" Tony asks.

"Your hand's up a whole chicken.. Need you ask?" she laughs.

"An-ge-la!" He laughs and puts the chicken in the oven. He puts on the kitchen timer to baste the chicken every 15 minutes.

Angela puts all the vegetables in the oven dish, drizzle it with some olive oil, some salt and pepper. "So honey bunny, which herbs go best with the vegetables?"

Tony smiles, even though she has become such a good cook, herbs were still her insecurity. "Doesn't really matter, but put in thyme, rosemary, oregano and some basil we can make a marinade. Pour that over the vegetables before putting them in the oven. I just read this recipe." Tony opens the drawer. "Here." He hands her the recipe, some things would never change in their relationship.

They make the marinade and pour it over the vegetables. "Now just leave it in the fridge, we can put that in the oven with the baby potatoes." Tony had already cut the potatoes in half. Putting them in another oven dish, seasoning it and putting that in the fridge. "That can go in after the chicken."

Angela had poured two glasses of wine. "So now we can sit and wait till the chicken is done." She smiles as she hands him his glass.