Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Rating: PG-13

Chapter 7

They lay together in perfect contentment. His arms wrapped around her body, her head nestled on his chest listening to the beating of his heart. Both of them deep in thought, reviewing the day, their life together, and their dreams for the future. He was surprised when he felt a tear drop to his chest. "Angela," he asked, "are you crying?" He shifted to see her face but she moved away from him, quickly wiping away any trace of tears. He sat up, taking her into his arms. "Are you okay?" he was so concerned, so tender, that she began to cry harder. He turned her towards him and she buried herself against his shoulder. He held her tight and stroked her back, quietly assuring her that whatever was wrong they could make right, desperately trying to quell the panic rising in his chest.

Finally she stopped crying and made an effort to wipe her face as she pulled away. "I'm so sorry," she apologized, completely embarrassed by her little meltdown. "I don't know what came over me. I'm so..."

"Shh," he told her, wiping away a remaining tear that glistened on her cheek. "It's okay. But you can tell me, you know, if something's wrong."

She nodded and kissed his hand that was still holding her face. She rested her cheek against it for a moment. "I know. It's just...this. You and me – it's too much. It's overwhelming."

He stared at her, then asked reluctantly, "Do you regret marrying me?" He couldn't bear the thought, but he had to know.

Angela answered immediately, "Oh, no! Oh Tony, I love you. You make me so happy."

"So happy you cry?"

She bit her lip. "Sometimes." Her eyes met his only briefly before looking away again.

"Why?" He didn't ever want to cause her any pain, if he could help it.

"Because I love you too much."

Of all the things he worried about, this was the one that least concerned him. "How can you love someone too much? I mean..."

"Tony. I was miserable without you. Sure I got up, got dressed, and went to work, but my life, it was so empty. I can't be happy without you in my life anymore. And now, now that we're married, really married, I need you even more. It scares me how much." The tears were threatening her eyes again.

His voice was hushed. "I need you too. But what are you afraid of?"

"Tony," she gently touched his chest, sending tingles up his spine. "Do you know how long I've wanted this? Wanted you? I've thought about us, dreamed about us, and now, the dream is real and it's even better than anything I imagined. How is that possible? How rare is that?"

"It's pretty rare," he admitted but added, "it's happened for me."

"I know you love me, but it's different for you. You're a fighter; you're a survivor. If anything were to happen to me, you'd go on. I'm not sure I could handle it if I lost you."

"Eh oh. You're not ever losing me. But if something did happen...I think you'd be okay. I'm not saying it would be easy. God, the thought of anything ever happening to you, it freezes my heart. But you're strong. Stronger than you realize, and you're a fighter too, even if you don't see it. You'd go on and I'd be up there cheering for you. More than anything Angela, I want you to be happy. Don't ever forget that."

Angela spoke the only words that came to her, straight from the heart. "I love you Tony."

"I love you, Mrs. Micelli.

She beamed at that. "I like the sound of that. Angela Katherine Micelli."

"Sounds real good." He kissed her lightly and pulled her down to settle with him in the pillows. He traced a finger over her lips. "Feeling better?"

"A little." She snuggled in closer.

"Try not to worry so much. We're here, we're married, it's enough."

"I'll try," she spoke sleepily. "Night Tony."

"Night Angela." He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and then closed his eyes.

She watched him fall into a deep sleep. Finally, after gently brushing the hair out of his eyes, she allowed herself to relax and followed him to dreams.