Heart to Heart

The early-morning sun of May 14th, 1992, gleamed softly on the streets of Fairfield, bringing with it a fresh spring breeze that set the city alive with the sound of rustling leaves and birds singing in the trees. As the bright rays penetrated through suite 224 of the Fairfield Inn, Angela's eyes began to flutter open, welcoming the day she had wait eight years for, her wedding day. Rising from the bed she reached for the phone and dialed home.

"Good morning beautiful," Tony's voice, raspy but cheery greeted her.

"How did you know it was me?" She smiled brightly on the other end of the receiver.

"I didn't," he smirked.

"Then who you calling beautiful?" Her tone inquisitively playful.

"My incredibly beautiful and sexy, soon to be wife that I missed terribly last night," he returned lovingly.

"Well in that case, you can answer the phone like that anytime you want too, and I missed you too," she sighed.

"Are you ready to become Mrs. Anthony Micelli?" He inquired sweetly.

"More ready than I've ever been for anything in my life," her emotions evident in her tone. "I can't wait to see you."

"I can't wait to see YOU," he emphasized. "I'll be the one at the end of the alter drooling and hyperventilating in case you're looking for me." He chuckled.

"I'll be the one trying not to trip," she giggled.

"I'll catch you," he replied.

"I know," her smile could be felt through the phone.

"What's on your agenda this morning," he inquired.

"Well, I've got to get Mother and Samantha up, hair and make up will be here about 9:30, then it's getting dressed and seeing you promptly at 3:00," she smiled, "What are you doing?"

"Jonathan and Al are going to the club with me for a final inspection to make sure everything is perfect, then I'll be anxiously waiting my beautiful bride."

"I can't wait my darling! I'm so glad we opted for the country club instead of the house, even though I still say we should have just ran-off and eloped and we could be on our honeymoon already, if you catch my drift," her tone flirtatious and sultry.

"Oh boy do I ever," he began to get aroused, "But then I wouldn't be able to show you off to half of Fairfield and trust me baby, I intend to show every bit of you off," he exclaimed proudly. "Well, maybe not every bit of you, certain parts are reserved for me only." He crowed.

"And I can't wait to share those parts with you tonight," she teased suggestively.

"Ohhhhhh," he moaned. "I better go baby before I show up there and neither of us make our wedding," heat rising all over his body, his breathing becoming rapid.

"I'm okay with that too," she panted.

"Okay baby, seriously, I can't anymore," taking a deep breath trying to control himself, "I love you and I'll see you in a few hours."

"You bet handsome! I love you honey, bye." She hung the phone.

Making her way through the suite to wake Samantha and her mother up, she stopped momentarily in the hallway to look at her dress that hung by the dressing room, "Mrs. Anthony Micelli!" A tear began to form in the corner of her eye, "In a few short hours I'll be Mrs. Anthony Micelli and all my dreams will have come true." She wiped the tear from falling and proceeded down the hall.

Arriving at the country club at 10 A.M, Tony did a final walk through of the chapel and ballroom to ensure that everything was perfect and ready for their special day. The small chapel was draped with blush tulle, illuminated with mini-white lights, and lined with pink rose petals along the red carpeted aisle. The alter was arched in pink and white roses with large bouquets of matching colors at each end. Five small candles and one larger candle sat to the right of the alter representing each member of the family joining together as one during the lighting ceremony. Father Marconi had agreed to officiate the ceremony despite Angela not being Catholic and the ceremony not taking place in a Catholic Church as a personal favor to Tony.

The ballroom was set for 300 guests, with a dancefloor and six-piece band. The Dreamtones had accepted an invitation to make a special appearance for an encore performance of Rama Lama Ding Dong and Jonathan was enlisted to play Ave Maria on his accordion as a special tribute to Marie and Tony's parents. A traditional Italian menu was prepared with Mrs. Rossini's supervision to include the pre-reception aperitivo (cocktail hour), 3-course main dinner and an array of Italian desserts which Mrs. Rossini insisted on making herself. A 3-layer white sponge cake filled with chocolate and covered with a whipped topping and strawberries completed the menu.

The wedding party was small and intimate; Samantha, Wendy and Isabelle would serve as Angela's bridal party while Jonathan, Hank and Al served as Tony's groomsmen. In a sentimental gesture, Angela had requested that Mona walk her down the aisle and give her away which she obliged to. A small memorial table was set and decorated in honor of Angela's father, Tony's parents, and Marie, who Angela insisted be remembered along with their parents.

Content that everything was as it was supposed to be, Tony retreated to the groom's room for a few moments of solitude to gather his thoughts and ease his nerves prior to getting ready. Going over last-minute changes to his vow, there was a quite knock on the door,

"Come in," Tony hollered from the couch.

"Hey, Tony, sorry to bother you," Jonathan made his way through the door, "Have you got a minute?"

"Sure buddy, anytime, you know that!" Tony returned sincerely, "What's up? Sit!" He patted the cushion next to him.

Not one to be comfortable with his emotions and feelings, Jonathan struggled to find the words, "Well, uh, I just wanted to say," he looked down at his feet nervously rubbing his hands together, "I just wanted to say thank you!" His eyes met Tony's, "Thank you for making my mom so happy and for being the father to me that you didn't have to be." His voice cracked.

"Ahhhh pal," Tony's eyes filled with tears.

"Wait, let me finish please," his own emotions threatening to overcome him. "I don't remember too much about my parents' marriage but what I do remember is hearing mom cry a lot at night after dad left. She always tried to put on a brave face and buried herself in her work and I know that was just her way of trying to deal with the pain," he sniffled slightly. "I love my dad, don't get me wrong, but I don't know if I can ever forgive him for putting mom through what he did. Even after he came back and they tried to work it out, I knew in my heart it wouldn't work because by then, mom already had you and you helped her heal and for that I'll be eternally grateful." He took a deep breath before continuing, his eyes glistening. Tony sat, tears streaming down his face. "I can remember lying in bed every night after you and mom would tuck me in , praying that one day, somehow, you and mom would end up together because when you and Sam came to live with us, we went from everything missing to a family and I just want you to know how grateful I am to you for everything you did for mom and I, and tell you that I hope one day I can be half the dad to someone that you didn't have to be to me."

Tony was frozen, overcome with emotions. He rubbed his face, trying to compose himself. Biting his bottom lip, he shook his head, "I can't tell you how much that means to me, Jonathan" his voice cracked, "The greatest honor of my life has been watching you grow up into the man you're becoming and I swear on my life, I intend to never let you or you mom down. You, Sam, your mom, and Mona mean everything to me, and I would give my life for each one of you. I love you, son. Thank you for letting me be a part of your family. I'm sorry it took me eight years to make it all official." He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"Son, I like the sound of that." Jonathan smiled. "I have one more thing to ask," he held his breath.

"What is it pal?"

"If it's okay with you, even though I'm not a kid anymore, can I call you dad?" His body trembled in anticipation.

Unable to control his emotions any longer, Tony threw his arms around his son, "Nothing would make me happier," he cried into Jonathan's shoulder.

Meanwhile, at the Fairfield Inn, the girls were busy primping and preparing. Wendy and Isabell arrived at 9 A.M for hair and makeup, the photographer arrived at 10:30 to begin capturing the festivities and an array of light finger food and champagne arrived at noon to keep the girls fed and happy.

Collecting Angela's dress from the hallway, Samantha entered Angela's suite room to help her get ready while the rest of the bridal party finished hair and makeup. Removing the ivory, lace gown from the garment bag, Sam was aw struck at the beauty of the simple, strapless, figuring fitting gown, with a mermaid style train,

"It's beautiful," Sam gushed.

"You think so honey?" Angela questioned. "I had such a hard time finding something I liked that wouldn't be too much, too big, too bulky or too revealing," she shrugged her shoulders shyly.

"I think it's perfect and dad is going to melt when he sees you." She smiled. "Let's get you dressed."

Helping Angela into the form fitting gown, Samantha laced-up the back of the dress, securing it tightly to Angela's body, "Don't want any wardrobe malfunctions," she kidded as she pulled the straps tighter.

"If you pull any tighter, I don't think I'll be able to breathe to say, "I do"," she exhaled loudly.

"Okay, okay, all done," Sam offered as Angela turned to face her.

Sam eyes bulged as they fell upon Angela's full figure, "You look absolutely gorgeous," she sighed. "I don't think dad will be able to put those two little words together when he gets a look at you!"

"He better," Angela returned playfully. 'You really think so, it's not too much?" She twirled, taking a look at herself in the full-length mirror.

"No, it's perfect," Sam confirmed.

Kneeling to help Angela secure her shoes, Sam looked up and asked, "Hey Angela,"

"Yes honey," the bride interjected.

"I know it's tradition to have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue but can the something be old, borrowed and blue?"

"Well, I don't see why not," she giggled, "I guess if you have all the bases covered, what does it matter, right?"

"I guess," Sam returned hesitantly.

"Why honey, what's up?" Angela sensed there was more to Sam's inquisition.

"Well, I was wondering if maybe perfects you would like to borrow this," she opened her hand to an old, light blue, silk handkerchief.

"Oh honey, it's beautiful but what is it," she questioned, not quite understanding it's purpose.

"It's dad's handkerchief from when he and my mom got married."

Angela released a slight gasp.

"You know they didn't have much when they decided to elope and dad rented a tuxedo because he wanted to look good on their wedding day but mom wanted him to have something special so she saved up a much as she could and bought him this handkerchief at Tiffany's as a wedding gift so he would have something nice that he could always remember their wedding with."

"Oh Sam, that's beautiful, I had no idea! But why do you want me to have it?" A puzzled look crossed her face.

Taking a deep breath, Sam continued, "After mom died, dad had a really hard time looking at anything that reminded him of her, so he gave it to me and asked me to keep it safe for him. He didn't want to forget the memories, but it was too difficult for him to remember them. So, I put it in a box that had all the little things that I could remember my mom with and every day, I would open that box and try to remember her and wish that she was still with me. I always felt this emptiness at not having her with me, but I knew that as long as I kept her close, with my box, she would always be with me."

"Aww honey, she is with you, she's with you every day, watching over you, smiling at what a beautiful young woman you've become." Angela's eyes filled with tears.

"Ya, I know," Sam returned, her own emotions threating to betray her. "Anyway, it wasn't until we moved her with you and Jonathan and Mona that dad started to talk about her again. It was like the pain of losing her was starting to heal and I found that I wasn't having to open the box every day because the emptiness I felt in not having her with me, was filled with having you." Sam met Angela's tear-filled eyes.

"You never tried to replace her or felt threatened by her memory but instead you tried to keep her alive for dad and I. She may not have known you Angela, but I have no doubt she would have loved you." Sincerity evident in her tone.

"Oh honey, that means more to me than you'll ever know. I would never want to, could never replace your mother and I know I would have loved her too. After all, I sure do love the two most important people to her," a warm smile covered her face.

Trying to regain her composure, Sam carefully wiped the tears from her eyes so she wouldn't mess up her make up, "So anyway," she continued, "I want you to carry this," she handed Angela the silk hanky, "I want this to be a representation of my parents, both my mothers and father, a symbol of unity and happily ever after."

"Ohhhhh honey," Angela gushed, black streaks of mascara running down her face, "I would be honored," she wrapped her arms tightly around Samantha.

"One more thing," Sam sniffled, trying to not get Angela's dress dirty with her own streaks of mascara, "Before we get the make-up people in here to fix our faces," Sam chuckled, "There's one more thing I want to ask you."

"Sure honey, anything," Angela dabbed her eyes with a soaked tissue.

"Here, have another one," Sam handed the bride a fresh tissue, "I know you and you're going to need it," she smiled.

"Okay, thank you," Angela accepted the tissue, a slight puzzled look on her face.

Chewing the inside of her lip nervously, Sam looked down, "So, I was wondering," she took a deep breath, "Now that you and dad are getting married and we're officially going to be a family, I was kinda wondering, if it would be okay with you," she hesitated a minute, "And I know I'm an adult and married and everything now, but it would really mean a lot to me if I could maybe, uhh," she rubbed her hands together, "Call you mom?"

"Oh my god!" Tears streaming down her cheek, "Oh my god!" She repeated, her hands covering her mouth. "Oh my god," she threw her arms around her daughter, "Yes, yes, a million times yes honey, oh my god," she continued to weep. "I'm honored, I'm speechless, I'm, I'm, oh my god," she stuttered. "There's nothing that makes me prouder and happier than being your second mom."

"Bonus mom," Sam clarified, "There's nothing second about you Ange, I mean mom," she smiled warmly through the tears, "You've been the best bonus I could have ever asked for in life!"

The two women stood embracing one another, relishing the last few minutes alone as mother and daughter until a knock on the door brought them back to the moment at hand,

"Mind if I come in," Mona peeked around the door, "Everything okay in here," she inquired, taking note of the smeared streaks of make up on both women's faces.

"Everything is wonderful, Mother," Angela extended her arm towards Mona, bringing her into their embrace, "Absolutely perfect!" She concluded.

Refreshing their make-up and securing Angela's headband-vail, the ladies finished getting ready and headed down to the waiting limousine. Carefully situating the bride into the limo, the bridal party headed to the country club for the highly anticipated wedding of the year. Wearing a beautiful set of white gold, diamond and pearl earrings with a matching necklace, a gift from her mother, something new, Angela glowed as she stepped out of the limousine, making her way towards the chapel.

Holding a cascading bouquet of white and pink roses, adorned with vibrant green leaves and vines, Angela inhaled deeply, taking her mothers arm as the wedding march began.