Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Chapter 4

Hours later Angela and Tony were still sitting at the kitchen table, mugs of coffee on hand, laughing and talking, trying to fill in any gaps their separation had brought into their lives. Tony had taken off his jacket and tie and Angela remained wrapped in her housecoat. They were purposely avoiding the issue of going to bed, but Angela was beginning to wonder if she'd be able to prevent herself from falling asleep at the table. She suppressed a yawn as she took another sip of coffee. Tony finally noticed her tiredness and glanced at the clock. "It's three in the morning! Oh Angela, I'm sorry. I mean, you've probably gotta work tomorrow and here I am talking your ear off."

She smiled at his concern for her. "It's okay Tony. I think I'm going to take tomorrow off. You're only here for a few days and I think I'd like to spend some time with you."

"Yeah? You're sure?" He visibly brightened.

"Yeah." She answered as she leaned in for another kiss.

It was at this moment that Mona burst in through the door. "Angela! I saw the light on, are you..." She trailed off at the sight of her daughter kissing a well-dressed man in her bathrobe in the kitchen in the middle of the night. "Uh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt anything." Normally Mona would have had some witty comment to make, but this sight had truly shocked her.

Tony and Angela broke apart smiling. Tony turned in his seat. "Hey Mone!" He greeted cheerfully.

"Tony!?" Mona asked incredulously, grasping her chest and stepping back in shock. She looked at him and then at Angela, then back to Tony and at Angela again. "You're back?"

"In the flesh Mona. Aren't you going to give me a welcome back hug?" Tony opened his arms wide.

Mona didn't move. "I think Angela has been welcoming you back enough," she stated wryly, raising an eyebrow. To Angela she said, "Are you sure about this?"

"Oh Mother!" Angela exclaimed as she rose and made her way over to her parent. "Isn't it wonderful?"

"Humph," Mona grunted.

"Eh-oh Mone. You don't sound happy to see me," said Tony with concern.

"Very quick, Tone. I see Iowa hasn't completely dulled your senses," replied Mona.

"Mother," intoned Angela with frustration. "Be nice! You don't understand. Tony quit his job. He's coming home."

Mona eyed Tony suspiciously, "For good?"

"For ever," stated Tony placing his arm around Angela. "I'm not leaving her side."

"Well, except for the next three weeks," Angela interrupted. "But then forever." She looked up at him lovingly.

Mona stayed serious for a moment longer before a smile broke out over her face. Arms wide she rushed at them both for a group hug. "Welcome home Tony!"

"Aw, Mona," he cooed looking between two of his favorite women. "It's good to be home."

When they finally let go, Angela asked with a bit of worry, "Mother? Have you seen Jonathan tonight? I never heard him come home."

Mona laughed. "Like you would have noticed anything tonight! He's over at Hank and Sam's place. Remember? Staying there while Sam's away..." She paused and looked at Tony. "Visiting you?" The statement turned into a question. "Is Sam back too?"

"No." Tony explained, "Ah, her flight didn't leave until tomorrow, um today. I took the last seat out and she said she'd stay behind and pack me some clothes."

"You mean, those are the only clothes you've got here? Ha!" Mona laughed. "Have fun sleeping in that." She gestured towards his tuxedo. "Or maybe that was part of the plan," she suggested slyly.

"Mo-na." Tony whined. "There was no plan. I just had to come and I didn't think about packing or anything."

"Tony," Angela interrupted, "I think I may have an old pair of your sweats upstairs."

"The black ones with the Card's logo on them?" He turned a questioning gaze to the woman in his arms.

"Yeah."

"I was wondering what happened to them. You had them?"

"And your gray sweater," Angela admitted.

"She's been wearing them practically every day since she came back," added Mona with glee.

Angela reddened. "They accidentally got packed with my things," said Angela defensively.

"Yeah, sure, an accident." Mona laughed again. "Well, I guess I'll let you two work this out. Have a good sleep," she added coyly. "Night guys. And Tone," she paused at the door.

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're finally home." Angela walked up to Mona at the door and hugged her. "I'm happy for you," Mona whispered in her hair and then vanished.

Tony and Angela stared at the door for a moment, then glanced back at each other giving a nervous laugh. "Mona – She's not changed a bit," affirmed Tony. "So... you stole my clothes?"

"I did not steal them! I merely, accidentally, packed them with my things." She tried to stop the blush the crept over her cheeks. "Oh alright! I admit it. I took them! They reminded me of you," she confessed.

"Angela, shame!" he joked. Pulling a straight face he added, "Actually, I have something of yours too."

"You do?" she wondered.

"Yeah, you know that lacy pink nightgown with the..." he gestured.

She blushed again. "Yes?"

"Well, when I was missing you I'd toss it on and then go into the kitchen and burn supper." He could barely contain his glee. Her eyes widened. "Gotcha!" Tony laughed hard. "You should've seen your face!" he crowed.

"Tony!" She hit him on the shoulder glaring playfully. "That's not nice to tease."

He continued laughing until he noticed the look on her face and her hands on her hips. Seeing this and feeling slightly guilty he tried to repress the laughter. Then she began to laugh too and they soon found each other's arms.

She hugged him contentedly. "Bedtime?" she asked and he nodded. She continued, "I'll get you those sweats and your room is still how you left it. Dustier, but the same." She wanted him, and she didn't want to be away from him, but she wasn't willing to take the next step just yet. Besides, she wasn't sure she could handle the next three weeks if she did.

He nodded reluctantly and followed her upstairs. At his door, they paused. "I'll just go get your sweats," Angela told him. He smiled and waited. When she returned their hands met and the touch was electric. She closed her eyes and felt the soft brush of his lips on hers. A kiss filled with promise and desire that lingered until finally she broke it off. "Tony, I can't... We can't... Not yet... Please?" she pleaded in between increasingly hungry kisses. He pulled away slowly. "Tony I...."

He pressed a finger to her lips. "Shhh. It's okay Angela. I'm good at waiting." He kissed her again, teasing her mouth and Angela was ready to say to hell with restraint, but he ended the kiss. "Goodnight Angela."

"Goodnight Tony," she said softly.

"And Angela," he stopped inside the door. "How about I make us breakfast in the morning?"

She smiled in relief. "Waffles with fresh fruit and whipped cream?"

"You got it! Love you," he added earnestly.

"Love you."

Tony watched her walk to her room and then turned and closed the door. This was going to be a long night.