Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Chapter 2

"Thank you Mother, it was a fabulous afternoon. The lunch, the spa, the shopping..." Angela lifted the bags she was holding as she spoke. "It was sweet of you to invite me along.

"Yeah, well you're welcome. Though I can't really take all of the credit for it. You paid." Mona always bristled when her daughter got too mushy, but her happiness was sort of infectious.

"Regardless, I do appreciate it. I'll be beautiful and relaxed for when Tony comes home tomorrow." Noticing Mona about to comment she interrupted, "I don't want to hear it Mother. I'm in too good of a mood to hear sarcastic remarks from you.

Mona shrugged, looking hurt. "Okay. I was just going to agree with you though."

"Oh Mother!" sighed Angela, moving to hug her, bags still in hand.

Mona backed away. "Angela, I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't think attacking me with your wedding dress is the way to do it."

Angela grinned, "Sorry." A light came into her eyes as she spoke again, "I can't believe we found the perfect dress in the perfect size in the first boutique we walked into."

Mona smiled knowingly, "A real miracle." She gestured toward the door impatiently. "Come on. Let's get this stuff inside."

Angela put down her bags to find the house key, opened the door without looking inside, and then turned to retrieve the packages. She was still talking to her mother as she pushed her way inside and stopped dead in her tracks, her mouth hanging open. "Mother? What is this?" She gaped about the room and then turned back to Mona.

Mona smiled seeing Tony walk through the door. "I think I'll let him explain," she said, nodding toward the kitchen. "I'll just take these up." She picked up the bags and mounted the stairs.

Angela whirled around, falling deeper into shock as she saw Tony. "Tony?!" she gasped. They both rushed toward the other, meeting in a happy embrace. She looked up at him, the confusion apparent in her eyes. "Tony, what in the world are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here yet."

Tony made as if to leave. "I can go."

She grabbed his arm. "No way. You're not going anywhere. But what is going on here? I don't understand."

"Well, I wanted to surprise you..."

"You DID," she exclaimed.

"...And well, I was hoping..."

"Hoping what?" she interrupted again.

He regrouped. "You know how the last time I was here and I uh asked you to marry me?"

'Yeah?" Angela prompted expectantly.

"Well I was hoping that maybe you'd marry me," he paused, "today."

She looked around the room, finally understanding. "Here? Now?"

Tony nodded. "Here. At 6:00."

Angela stared at him momentarily before breaking into a huge grin. "Oh Tony! Yes of course." She threw her arms around him and kissed him with all she had. Pulling back to look at him, she arched an eyebrow, "A surprise wedding? You're lucky I love you 'cause if I didn't I'd probably be killing you right now."

A concerned look flashed across his face. "If you don't want to tonight, I can call it off. No problem. Well except I flew the judge in and the caterer is on the way and there's too little time to get ahold of everybody, but if..."

"Tony," she cut in. "Don't worry. I want to marry you. I don't want to call this off."

"Ah, thank you. It would have cost a fortune." He said relieved.

"Was that all you were concerned about?" She moved her head close to his.

"Well," he admitted, "maybe there was more." His lips met hers.

The doorbell rang. Once, twice, they ignored it. The third time Tony reluctantly released his hold on her. "That's probably the caterer. You should go up and get ready. Mona's waiting for you and I'll send Sam up when she gets back."

She nodded and brought her lips back to his saying okay.

The bell rang again and Tony groaned. "Coming!" he shouted.

Angela smiled and headed up the stairs. Stopping at the landing, she turned to look back at him. He watched her and waved when she paused, then went to answer the door.