"Candy, please come in."

"I heard you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah, have a seat." He gestured to the seat in front of his desk. He walked around the desk and sat in the chair behind it. He folded his hands and leaned forward.

"So, I just wanted to tell you that.."

"I already know. You're leaving."

"You..Oh okay. How did you find out?"

"Teresa told me."

"Oh."

"Yeah, she told me a few days ago. "

Tony nodded. While he had wanted to be the one to tell Candy himself he also knew that Candy and Teresa had been friends for years. So, it wasn't really a surprise that Teresa had told her.

"She also told me that the two of you broke up."

"Yeah, we did. And I know you were the one who introduced us and I know the two of you are close but it's for the best. We never would have worked out. I see that now. I still care about her and I wish her all the best but it just wasn't meant to be."

"Because you still love Angela."

"I do." Tony knew it was no use denying it anymore and he didn't want to disrespect Candy by pretending otherwise. In the past few years she had become very important to him. When he had first started she had been the one who had shown him the ropes and held his hand both literally and figuratively. And even though he knew in his heart that moving back to Connecticut was the right move he was still going to miss her.

Candy sighed. "So when are you leaving?"

"In a few weeks. Sam and Hank are flying out to help me pack."

"And I'm sure she is happy to have you back."

"Yeah, she is pretty excited." Tony smiled.

Candy nodded and stood up. "Well, I guess I'll go then." She started to turn toward the door but instead turned back to Tony.

"Im uh I'm going to miss you." She said her eyes and voice were watery.

"Oh Candy." Tony stood up. He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. She cried into his chest for a few minutes. "I'm going to miss you too. More than you'll ever know. I know I never would have gotten through everything without you."

After a few minutes Candy composed herself and detached herself from his embrace. He handed her a couple of tissues from the box on his desk. She wiped her eyes then stroked his cheek.

"Take care Tony."

":You too."

They smiled at each other and she walked to the door. He walked around the desk and sat back down.

"Tony?"

"Yeah?"

"I just wanted you to know that I love you."

Tony smiled. "I love you too."

Without another word Candy quietly left his office.

TWO WEEKS LATER:

After a few weeks Teresa, Candy, and Rosie were finally able to visit Serena in San Francisco. They arrived at her house late one morning.

"Teresa! So good to see you! Come on in!"

"You too Serena. Thanks for inviting us."

"Oh, of course! I'm happy to have you."

They entered her house and Teresa made the introductions.

"So I made some lunch. Are you ladies hungry?"

"Yeah, I'm starved if you want to know the truth." Rosie admitted.

"Well follow me then! " Serena exclaimed and led them into her kitchen.

"Please have a seat." she gestured to her kitchen table. They all took a seat.

"So what can I get you to drink? Iced tea? Lemonade?"

"Lemonade sounds good. Thank you." Candy and Rosie opted for the same. Serena poured them all glasses and set their individual glass in front of them.

"Thank you." Teresa smiled. Candy and Rosie echoed her thanks.

"You're welcome. I hope you all like spaghetti and meatballs?"

They all told her they did. She dished out some spaghetti on their plates and set them in front of them. She then got out some silverware and handed each lady a knife and a fork. She then served herself and sat down as well.

"Well, don't be shy! Dig in!" Serena smiled.

They picked up their forks and began eating.

"This is really good!" Rosie complimented her.

"Thank you." Serena smiled. "So tell me Teresa how have you been?"

Candy and Rosie exchanged weary glances. While they knew she was getting a little better they also knew she was still a little hurt from everything that had happened.

"I'm doing okay." she sighed.

"No, she isn't." Candy said gently.

"What's wrong?"

"Well, I broke up with my fiancé a few weeks ago."

"Oh I'm so sorry."

"Thanks, but honestly it's for the best."

Serena nodded. They resumed eating. After a few minutes her doorbell rang.

"Oh, I bet that's Tom." she stood up." I'll be right back." She walked out of the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with a dark haired guy in tow.

"Ladies, I would like you all to meet my cousin Tom Seratelli."

"Hello ladies." Tom smiled at them.

Teresa, Candy, and Rosie all stared at him then at each other. He looked just like Tony. Well almost. He was wearing glasses and had a mustache but other than that he was the spitting image.

"Are you all okay?" Serena asked, laughing. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Oh, sorry." Teresa apologized. It was weird. She had barely met him and for some strange reason she felt a pull towards him.

"It's just that you look like someone we know." Candy told him.

Tom laughed. "Let me guess? That guy from Taxi." He went over to the cupboard and got himself a plate and dished some spaghetti on it. He got out a fork and knife and sat down next to Teresa.

"No, just someone else." Rosie said.

Tom laughed. "You know it's funny."

"What's that cuz?"

"Well a few years ago. Maybe five or six I was at a spa and there were three ladies there who told me that I reminded them of some guy." he shrugged. "Small world huh?"

He smiled at Teresa and she smiled back.

"And you are?"

"Teresa Fisher," she smiled.

"It's nice to meet you Teresa."

"You too."

ANGELA'S HOUSE

Sam and Hank were in his car driving over to Angela's. Nicky was having a sleepover at a friend's house.

"Oh Hank I'm so nervous!"

"What about? We're just having dinner with Angela."

"Oh, I know. But it's been so hard keeping this from her. "

"I know. I so want to tell my parents but Tony told us not to tell anyone."

Sam nodded. "Yeah, I really want to tell everyone, especially Angela, Mona , and Jonathan but I know I can't."

"Well hey they're going to find out soon. Are we still planning on going out there this weekend?'

"Yeah, did you ask Joe and Fran if they can watch Nicky?"

"I did. They're all looking forward to it. Nicky said he can't wait."

Sam smiled. "Oh Hank he's going to be so happy to have his Grandpa Tony home!"

Hank smiled back at her and pulled into Angela's driveway. He cut the engine and removed the keys from the ignition.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

They exited the car and went to the front door. They knocked and waited. After a few minutes Claire opened the door.

"Sam! Hank! Come on in!" she smiled.

"Thanks Claire." They entered the house and hung their jackets on the coat rack.

"Dinner is almost ready." Claire informed them. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"Sure, but we can get it thanks." Sam smiled at her. The three of them walked into the kitchen and Sam poured Hank and her a glass of iced tea.

"Sam! Hank! " Angela exclaimed entering the kitchen.

"Hi Angela!" Sam gave her a hug..

"Oh Claire, that smells delicious." Angela said, taking an appreciative whiff of the dinner.

"Thank you. It's all ready. Would you like me to serve it up?"

"Oh, no, we can help ourselves. You have been working so hard lately. Please sit down and join us."

"Oh, thanks for the offer but I must be getting home."

"Okay, if you're sure?"

Claire smiled. "I am but thank you."

They all said their goodbyes and Claire left via the back door.

They all helped themselves to Claire's dinner. She had made roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. They all sat down at the table.

"So I haven't talked to you for a while. How are you? And how is my adorable grandson?"

Sam chuckled. "He's great. He's at a sleepover tonight."

"Sounds like fun."

"Oh, I'm sure it is." Hank laughed.

They all began eating and for a few minutes all was quiet.

Sam and Hank kept stealing glances at each other. They knew that Angela was probably curious about Tony and what his decision was but so far she hadn't said anything.

In turn Angela was absorbed with her own thoughts. She hadn't heard from Tony or what his decision was going to be. To be honest she didn't know how she would feel if he did accept the job at Ridgemont. She would be happy for Sam and Nicky obviously and for Mona, Jonathan, and Mrs Rossini but she didn't know how she would be able to handle seeing Tony and Teresa living in the same town as her. But, if it came to that she would just have to accept it.

"So, have you heard anything from Tony?" Angela asked, hoping her voice sounded casual.

"Oh, yeah we've talked a few times."

"And has he made up his mind?"

"Oh, no not yet. He's still thinking about it." Hank informed her.

Angela nodded and got up. She got a glass from the cupboard and poured herself a glass of water. Sam shot Hank a thank you glance. He smiled back at her. He knew that Sam wouldn't want to lie to Angela so he had done it for her.

'So Angela, I guess this is a good time to tell you that Hank and I are going away this weekend"

"Oh! That's great! Is Nicky going with you?"

"No, he's staying with my parents."

"Yeah, it's just a couples weekend."

"Well the two of you deserve it."

"Thanks."

They finished dinner and then cleaned up the kitchen. After they were done they bid Angela goodnight and walked out to the car.

"Oh, Hank thanks so much for that!" Sam exclaimed after they were settled.

"You're welcome."

"I just didn't know what to say. I hate lying to her!"

"I know honey but just think soon Tony will be home and everything will be alright."

"Yeah, everything will be as it should be." Sam smiled. She settled back in her seat as Hank drove them back home.

TONY'S APARTMENT: THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND FRIDAY EVENING

"Thanks so much guys. I really appreciate this.

"Hey it's no problem Tony. We're happy to help."

Sam and Hank had arrived earlier that afternoon and the three of them had been packing for a few hours. The furniture, plates, glasses, and silverware were staying for the new coach but all of his clothes, books, and personal items were now packed in boxes. They were planning on driving back to Connecticut the next morning.

Finally after so many years away Tony was coming home.

They packed his jeep with the boxes and went out to dinner at the one restaurant in town. Afterwards they went back to the apartment and talked for a while.

"So, Dad, are you nervous?"

"Nervous? No, not at all. Elliot was thrilled when I called and told him that I was accepting his offer."

"No, I mean seeing Angela again. And telling her that you're back."

Tony sighed. "Yeah, I am. I mean what is she going to say? What am I going to say?"

"Dad, don't worry . As soon as you see her you'll know." Sam assured him.

"Thanks honey."

"You know it's getting late and we have a long drive ahead of us. Maybe we should get some sleep."

"Good idea Hank. You two go ahead and take the bed. I'll sleep on the couch."

Okay. Goodnight Dad."

"Night Sam. Night Hank."

SAM AND HANK'S HOUSE SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

Tony was in the guest room unpacking his suitcase. He was staying with them until he found a place of his own. He knew that sooner or later he needed to go see Angela but he was so nervous. Which he knew was silly. But, he couldn't help the way he felt. He knew they had a lot to talk about. The top being his apology to her for waiting so long to come back home.

"Okay Micelli! Enough stalling! The two of you have been apart for too long!" With those parting words to himself he grabbed his keys and went out to his jeep.

Angela got out of the shower and began rubbing lotion on herself. She grabbed her comb and started running it through her hair. She looked at herself in her mirror and sighed. She knew she didn't look her best. She was so nervous waiting for Tony to make up his mind. She wished he would just decide one way or the other!

DING DONG!

"Who on earth could that be?" Angela mumbled to herself.

DING DONG!

"Okay! I'm coming!" She grabbed her pink robe and threw it on and then wrapped her hair up in a towel. She left her room and walked down the stairs.

She opened the door and saw Tony standing there.

"Tony!" she gasped.

"Hello Angela."

###########################################################################

A/N: Okay I seriously thought I was done with Teresa. In fact the last we would have "seen" her was when she and Tony broke up. But this idea came to me and I thought what the hell?! LOL