"Tony, how much time are you planning on spending in Sicily each year?" Mrs. Rossini asked, pouring another round of wine for the table.

"Oh, I think it'll depend Mrs. R.; probably two weeks in the fall, two in the spring. And then Angela and I have talked about summering there. It's a lot easier when the kids are out of school. I think I'll know what makes the most sense after I have a year or so under my belt."

"And most of Manhattan shuts down anyway in the summers," Angela offered. "What work there is to do for me in the summers is easily done from there. I'm planning to bring everything I need with me. So we're definitely looking forward to summers in Sicily," she smiled.

"Really, Angela? The whole summer away? Tony always said you were such a workaholic."

"Well," she smiled at Tony. "Things change. I've moved my accounts around. And I'm still managing our two largest accounts, which are happen to be based in Europe. I'm actually planning on stopping over in Paris on our next trip to Italy to see my client there."

"Mrs. R., I know you use Bellavita, but I think you're also a big fan of Pescher perfume, right? That's Angela's client."

Mrs. Rossini's eyes got wide, "No kidding! Oh I absolutely love J'Adore. I'm wearing it now. The boys just bought me the bath set for Christmas. Angela, you're a big deal!"

Angela smiled, pleased she had finally managed to impress Carmela. She said graciously as she took a sip of her wine, "Thank you, Mrs. Rossini. They are one of my favorite clients. I've actually grown quite close to the owner, Genevieve Pescher."

"Ah, yeah Mrs. R, Angela has some meetings during the day, but we're also going on a double date with her and her new beau to the ballet when we visit Paris in the fall."

"Oh how wonderful! Tony, what did I say? I always said you and Angela would be so happy together. A match made in heaven!"

Sam and Angela exchanged suppressed grins.

"Yes, Carmela, you've always been their biggest cheerleader," Mona smirked.

Tony stood up. "Ah – Angela, could I see you on the fire escape please?" He took her hand and looked at the group, "Excuse us, we're going to get some fresh air."

Angela looked at Tony a little quizzically, wondering why he would want to talk out there when it was still stifling outside.

He helped her out onto the ledge. "Angela, I know we've only technically been together a few months, but for whatever reason it's starting to feel ridiculous to me that we aren't already married. All this - this news, from your doctor, you being so worried about me and how I would feel, it got me thinking, that whatever the future holds, I don't want there to be any question for you anymore that this is it - I love you, no matter what Angela. We've been a team for years. We are so good together. I am so happy. And I think, or I hope you are too. Let's do this already. When we go to Italy in October, I want to make this official."

He produced a ring box, but stood holding her hand, speaking to her softly, right into her eyes.

"Since the day you opened the door in your bathrobe, my life has been...such a completely different adventure than this kid from Pitkin Avenue could have ever expected. I have loved doing life with you from the very beginning, Angela. Basketball in a ballgown in the driveway, flour fights in the kitchen - that was it for me. I was done for. You became a mother to my daughter. We've made a family with our two fantastic kids and our – crazy Mona. You are brilliant and beautiful and funny. And somehow, even though it shouldn't work, even though we're from two different worlds, you've always, from almost the very beginning, been the only one who I could ever imagine spending the rest of my life with. We just seemed to understand each other. And you, my darling, have the patience of an absolute saint. Santa Angela, you are my dream come true," Tony said, kissing her on the hand.

"So," he said, clearing his throat a bit nervously again, "this ring was actually the ring my dad proposed to my mother with," Tony's voice grew quiet and earnest. "He proposed to her, thinking they would never have children. He didn't care. He just loved her so much, wanted to be with her so much. After she passed, he wore her ring on a chain around his neck until he joined her in heaven. He never loved anyone else. I have known for a very long time, that I will never love anyone but you, for as long as I live. I don't need more kids, I don't need you to be any kind of domestic goddess. I need you to be the brilliant, beautiful, sexy, loving, patient saint of a woman you are and that's enough. I just need you. Because I am certain I am not complete without you."

He got on one knee and continued, "I know it's a simple ring. But since you're already wearing the other ring meant for my mother...it would make me so happy if you'd agree to wear this one, and to marry me, and to be my wife for the rest of this crazy adventure and beyond."

Angela's eyes welled with tears. "Tony. Everything you said...you've completely changed my life too. In all the most wonderful ways. I have been in love with you for so long," she said, then added conspiratorially, "I think you know, it was the Lindy by the tree for me."

He chuckled, then pulled her close and kissed her again. He slipped the ring on her finger and she admired it. "Tony, this is the most beautiful gift I've ever received. I adore the ring and will treasure it. After everything we've learned about your parents, it's a profound honor for me to wear your mother's ring. It means so much."

"I've said it before. But they woulda loved you, Ange." He pulled her in for a hug and whispered something private in her ear as he kissed her hair. She blushed, kissing his cheek and wrapping her arms around his neck.

An eruption of cheers interrupted their reverie. Inside, they heard Mrs. Rossini popping the champagne.

"Oh Tony, it's about time. I'm thrilled!" Mona pulled Tony into the apartment for a giant hug. Samantha practically leapt into Angela's arms as Tony pulled her through. "This is the best news. Finally, Dad! Angela has the patience of a saint."

"I know, I know. Actually I said that just now in my little speech," he said, pulling Angela into his side.

"Well, I haven't made it easy on you at times either, Tony."

"The two of you were taking the scenic route all right. In a run-down car, with a flat tire, that was driven by a nun. Who is blind." Angela rolled her eyes, swatting her mother.

"Ey oh, Mone, not all of us jump in quite as quickly as you do...and there is nothing wrong with that."

Sam looked at the ring. "Hey, I remember this ring. Grandpa always wore it on a chain. It fits your hand perfectly, Angela." She shot her father a knowing look. "Dad has always loved your hands," she teased.

"Sa-man-tha..." he glared.

"Does this mean we're all going to Italy in October?" Mona asked, already well aware of the wedding plan.

"You bet, Mone. All of us. The whole family. You too, Mrs. R."

"Genevieve Pescher has offered to let me use her plane in October, since we'll be stopping over in Paris on the way back. We just have to pay for gas..."

"Awesome, that means I can bring Bowser!"

A look of horror passed over Sam's face. "Absolutely not, I refuse to get on that plane if the snake comes."

"Oh I'm so happy! I always knew it was meant to be!" Carmela exclaimed.

CHRISTMAS, 1990

The delicious scent of Tony's orange cinnamon rolls and coffee wafted up the stairs, managing to rouse Angela from a particularly hard slumber.

She had missed Tony's cooking, but wasn't at all hungry. Yet the scent of his signature Christmas morning breakfast was enough to remind her that Tony was home, and she had missed everything about his being home; she threw on her robe and padded down the stairs sleepily. Her husband greeted her at the bottom of the stairs, coffee in hand.

"There's my luce della mi vita. Good morning beautiful. Merry Christmas." He kissed her forehead and caressed her back gingerly, knowing she had a hard time sleeping the night before.

"Morning," she grumbled. "Merry Christmas."

Tony had been gone nearly a month, totally unexpectedly. Aldo had fallen ill, and one of the new machines for the grapes was on the fritz, causing a leak that flooded the olive groves. Fortunately, it was a particularly mild winter, but the cleanup and aftermath of getting a new machine had taken longer than he'd expected, leaving Angela in the lurch in the days leading up to Christmas. He had returned home warily to his wife and family on the 23rd, spending most of the 24th doing some last minute Christmas shopping. Other than his usual big Christmas eve dinner, they had hardly seen him.

Jonathan came bounding down the stairs. "Merry Christmas guys!"

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," Angela managed as she sat on the sofa, setting her untouched coffee on the table.

Tony frowned, sitting next to her and stroking her knee. "Angela, we don't have to do this right now. You can go back to bed. The kids aren't little anymore. Sam's not even up yet."

"Mmm, no, I'm awake, and deep down I'm feeling very merry," she said flatly, pushing a mop of hair around on her head. "Besides, I'm excited to do the presents. I have something special for you. I missed you."

He bent down for a lingering kiss. "I missed you too, Ange."

Jonathan rolled his eyes. "Ugh, get a room you two."

"Merry Christmas, Micellis!" Mona bellowed from the backdoor, carrying a pile of presents.

"Merry Christmas, Mone!"

"Merry Christmas, Mother," Angela grumbled.

"Aw, sweetie, did Santa bring you coal this year?" Mona teased in a sing-song voice.

"She didn't sleep real well, Mone. She's having a hard time coming to life this morning," Tony explained, rubbing her back.

"Mmm. Yes, getting older is a real bitch, isn't it dear?"

Angela managed a small smile, nodding.

"There she is! Miss America herself! So kind of you to grace us with your presence before noon, Samantha."

"Hey, I pulled all-nighters all last week studying for finals. I'm just catching up. Merry Christmas to you too, Dad."

"Tony, go easy on her, she's a freshman in college, she's working her tail off," Angela said.

Tony softened. "I'm just kidding, Merry Christmas, sweetheart."

"Merry Christmas, Dad. Merry Christmas everyone."

"Eh oh - cinnamon rolls and coffee in the kitchen, then let's get this show on the road."

Tony stood up with a trash bag and began to clean up the wrapping paper. "Well, I'd say that was a very successful Christmas morning."

"I'd say. I love my TV and VCR, thanks again, Dad and Angela!"

"You're welcome sweetheart, we love you," Angela said, giving Sam a side-hug.

"Love you guys too."

Jonathan was messing with his new discman as Tony came out from behind the tree with two more presents, identically sized, but wrapped differently.

"Wait a sec, where did these come from?" Tony examined the presents on all sides, searching for a tag.

Angela shrugged. "Who are they for?"

"To Tony. They both say To Tony."

"Open them, Dad."

"Open the red one first, Tony," Angela said.

He eyed her suspiciously. She knew something. "An–gela, you already got me the new barbecue, and the luggage set, plus all those fancy monogrammed linen shirts for Italy - I don't need anything else..."

"Open them, Tony," she prodded gently.

"Ok, ok Angela. Let's see what this is."

He opened it to reveal one of their handblown ornaments, this one painted primarily pink, with a pink ribbon – part of the set of twelve they bought on their first trip to Sicily two years ago. He studied the ornament.

"I don't get it Angela...we already put these on the tree before I left. There's the matching one right there."

"Tony, think hard." Tony studied her face, remembering that day at the market. His eyes grew wide.

"Angela –"

The smile played at her lips. "Open the other one," she prodded.

He opened the other box, and pulled out the same ornament, painted differently, this one blue, with a blue ribbon – a different part of the set of six.

"Okay, now I'm really confused," his brow furrowed. "I thought I knew what this was, but now I don't think I do –"

"No, you do, Tony. One to grow on, remember?"

"Angela...a baby?"

"Two babies, Tony. Twins. A girl, and a boy...we think," she said nervously. His eyes grew wide and immediately filled with tears.

"Oh my god!" Samantha exclaimed, jumping up and slipping her arms around her stepmother. "Angela!"

"Angela, you're having twins?" Mona's jaw was still on the floor.

Everyone jumped up at once. Suddenly Mona was ribbing Tony about his virility, and Sam was groaning, and everyone was surrounding Angela.

"Hey, what's going on?" Jonathan looked up and pulled the headphones off his ear.

"Your mom's pregnant. Twins!" Sam exclaimed. "Isn't it incredible? We're going to have a brother and sister."

"No way!" He hugged Sam, and then his mother. "Why am I always the last to know these things?"

In spite of the commotion, Tony was still frozen in place, stunned. "Angela. I'm having a hard time believing this is real, why didn't you tell me?"

"I know I would have, if you had been here. But I only found out two weeks ago. I've been so busy, especially with you gone, and had ignored all the signs, thinking it was just, I don't know, fatigue or getting old. Like Mother just said. I mean, they basically said it couldn't happen. So I was pretty far along when I went in. It's been so hard to keep it a secret. I didn't want to tell you on the phone. So I thought it could be a Christmas surprise. They aren't positive on the genders. It's still pretty early. But, the babies are healthy," she said. Her voice was suddenly shaking, tinged with a forced optimism she wasn't sure she felt.

Tony picked up on her sudden nervousness and pulled her close to talk to her more privately. "Hey, Angela, you okay about this?"

She looked up into his eyes, "Are you? I know we...didn't really plan on this, and you have so many big things happening with the vineyard, and I'm about to roll out phase two of Bellavita. It's starting all over, with two babies, not just one, and maybe we should have used precaution, I –"

"Eh oh, Angela. This is...the best news you could have given me. This is incredible. I'm so happy."

Her eyes were brimming with tears, relief painted across her face. She collapsed into his tight hug and whispered, "Me too. I didn't know I wanted this, but I do. I was just so nervous about how you would react. You already gave up so much for me. And you're finally getting to live a piece of your dream. This changes a lot. We're happy. Things are going so well for us. I wasn't sure you would want this anymore."

"Eh oh, with you, I always wanted this. Always," suddenly his brow furrowed, and his voice went low. "I just want to make sure - is your doctor okay about everything? Are you healthy? No concerns?"

She shook her head and wiped her eyes, collecting herself. "No concerns."

Mona was watching their exchange, tears in her eyes. "This is so sweet, you've even made this old bat cry. I'm so happy, you two. And I'm older now, more grandmotherly. I promise to do better this time around helping you take care of the babies."

"You can be around as much as you want, Mone, but no one will be expecting you to take care of the babies. We will hire help for whatever Angela and I can't manage. And Angela's career comes first." He turned to Angela, "We will figure all this out, sweetheart. I don't want you to worry about any of it. The important thing is that you're healthy, the babies are healthy...Madonna-mi, babies. Two babies."

"We can talk more about this, Tony, but I've been thinking...I kind of want to stay home with them. I was so early in my career with Jonathan. I've always felt guilty I wasn't around more for him."

Jonathan looked up from his tedious task of opening his new CDs. "Geez, so glad to know everyone was so concerned about me when I was a baby!"

"Oh Jonathan, of course we were. I stayed home as long as I was able to. You were my little buddy. But I was younger, and had more to prove in my career."

He softened. "I'm just teasing, Mom. I'm really happy for you guys."

"Eh, oh - for us, Jonathan," he gestured his arm in a circular motion, pointing to the whole family. "This is big for all of us. It's not just about me and Angela. You two are a big part of this too."

Angela jumped a bit as Sam dropped the needle down on the record player.

She grinned. "Okay you, two, let's get this overwith."

Tony looked at Angela with concern as the first bars of the Lindy piped through the speakers. "Angela, I don't think this is a good idea when you're pregnant, I don't want to hurt you."

"Oh Tony, you won't hurt me. Just don't throw me over your back. I think we're both getting too old for that maneuver anyway."

He snickered. "Hey speak for yourself, Ange. I'm still in great shape."

"Uh huh. Which one of you threw out their back in November, moving the refrigerator?" Mona asked.

"Hey, I'll have you know it was extra full because of all the leftovers from Thanksgiving!"

She smiled at him and he looked her in the eyes. He started to take her by the waist, then stopped again. "You're sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. It's just a dance, Tony. Don't be silly."

"You're the boss," he said, giving her a tantalizing smile. He pulled her close, letting the rest of the room melt away. "The first dance of the next chapter of our lives, Ange," he murmured, only to her.

A familiar tingle zipped through her as she felt the heat of his desire, even in her robe, even on very little sleep, even pregnant.

She whispered in his ear, "I've thoroughly enjoyed every chapter with you. I can't wait."

CONNECTICUT, APRIL, 1991

Tony pushed the door open and charged toward the nurses' station. The nurse looked down over her glasses.

"May I help you?"

"Yeah - I'm looking for my wife, Angela Micelli? She was brought in here a few hours ago. She's pregnant with twins?"

"Yes, Mr. Micelli, your mother-in-law is in the waiting room."

"Okay, but can I go see Angela? She's my wife."

"Yes, you mentioned that. I'm afraid the doctor is in with her now, you'll have to wait. I'll come and find you when he's finished."

Tony looked pained as he turned away from the nurses' desk. As he turned, Mona caught him by the shoulders, momentarily stilling his panic, and pulling him into a hug.

"Mona, oh my God. Is Angela okay? Are the babies okay?"

"I don't know anything right now, Tony. They've had a lot of different doctors in with her. She was...frightened, worried about the babies, and seemed very tired, but in good spirits when I brought her in. I know they heard both heartbeats. They did that right when we arrived."

"But, Angela. She's going to be okay?" he repeated.

Mona looked in his eyes, which were wild with panic. She had never seen Tony like this before, completely consumed by raw fear. She rubbed his arm reassuringly.

"We have to wait and see what's going on. But it sounded like she would. I'm hopeful. Okay?"

Tony nodded.

After thirty-five minutes that felt easily four times that, a petite female doctor came into the waiting room. "Mr. Micelli?"

"Ah, yes, that's me. How's Angela?"

"Angela is suffering from a common condition of pregnancy, especially with multiples. She is having some preterm hypertension and combined with her hyperemesis gravidarum, she is pretty weak and I'm concerned for her health. The babies are okay, for now."

"Hypertension - so she's stressed? Well I can make sure she doesn't go into work until the babies come. I am so good at pampering her, doc, you have no idea –"

"I'm afraid it's a little more complicated than that, Tony. The stress is from the toll the pregnancy is having on her body, not from her work. I am going to need to keep her here. The babies are only 32 weeks, and I'd really like them to make it a little bit further before we have to deliver them. I can keep Angela here and monitor her. This condition could stabilize, or it could worsen very quickly. And if it does, her life will be in immediate jeopardy. I'll have no choice but to deliver the babies."

"Okay, okay - so what's the plan then? How long do you think she can keep them in?" Mona asked worriedly.

"Well, that depends. I've begun a saline drip with magnesium, which seems to be helping. She's been having contractions, which aren't uncommon at this stage especially in a second pregnancy, and they aren't productive - meaning she hasn't progressed. Which is good news. But, we will want to keep a close eye on that as well. It really depends on how her body responds to treatment."

"But, she's gonna be ok, right doc?" Tony asked.

The doctor paused, choosing her words, and smiled tightly at Mona, then back at Tony. "I am hopeful she will be. Every case is different."

"Can we go see her?"

"Yes, you may. Just keep it brief, she was very drowsy when the nurse administering the IV."

Tony practically pushed the doctor aside and quickly made his way to Angela's room. He poked his head around the curtain and Angela immediately cast a sleepy gaze at the door.

"Hey you," she smiled.

"Hey," he said quietly.

Mona poked her head around the curtain. "I'm here too, dear."

"Mother, it's so late, you should have gone home to get some sleep. And Tony – you literally just got off a plane. You both need to go home," she said, almost slurring her words.

"Angela, we were so worried about you. No one here is tired," he said, taking her hand as he stroked her forehead.

"Speak for yourself," she said, throwing him a drowsy, limp smile. Her expression turned serious and she looked into Tony's eyes. "The babies are okay, I think. They're keeping a close eye on them," she pointed limply to a monitor on her belly.

"That's good, dear," Mona said, uncharacteristically stoic as she approached the bedside.

"Yeah, good, Ange. But I'm also worried about you. The doc says she is going to need to keep you here on bedrest until the babies arrive," he said softly, bushing her hair aside. "She said there's a chance your organs could fail if your hypertension gets too bad," his voice cracked. "I don't know what I'd do, Ange –"

Suddenly, Angela was wide awake and looking forcefully into his eyes and squeezed his hand. "I'm going to be okay, Tony. Don't worry. They are keeping a close eye on me. I am not going anywhere."

Tony nodded, holding tight to her hand and hastily brushing back tears from his eyes with the other, embarrassed by his show of emotion.

"Look at me, what a mess I am, Madonna-mi. You're the one in the hospital and I'm over here blubbering like Mrs. Rossini."

"Don't worry Tony, no one blubbers like Carmela," Mona deadpanned.

"Tony, it's okay to be worried. I'm worried too. But I have to know everything is going to be okay. We've been through so much to get here. That isn't how our story is going to end." She rested back against the pillow, and pulled Tony's hand onto her belly. "Here, look. I think that's Baby Girl," she smiled.

"Oh I feel it, yeah! She's going to be a feisty one like Sam, she's always the one kicking you."

"I can't wait to meet them," she sighed sleepily.

Mona patted her daughter's leg gently. "But not yet. We better let you get some rest, dear. I'm so glad you're okay."

"Uh, Mone, I think I'm going to sleep here tonight. Are you all right getting home?"

Mona nodded. "I'll make sure the kids get off to school. I'll see you when I come by in the morning." Mona ducked out.

Tony turned the lights off and pulled Angela's covers up neatly around her.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked, sliding her pillow down lower.

"Very. I normally would tell you to go home. That chair looks horribly uncomfortable for sleeping. But...honestly...I'm glad you're here."

Tony took some linens from the cupboard, pulled the fold out lounger closer to her and began making up his "bed." "Are you kiddin? I couldn't go home tonight, not with you here. I hopped on a plane the minute you told me you weren't feeling well. I had no idea...""

She shushed him. "I didn't either Tony. I just thought the morning sickness was getting the better of me."

"Besides, this chair will be way more comfortable than that chair at Kissing Rock," he joked.

"Hmm, but you ended up sleeping next to me, Tony," she said drowsily.

"No kiddin," he smirked, kissing her on the forehead before settling into his "bed" next to her. "Though I wouldn't say I actually slept."

"True. You always had trouble sleeping next to me in the early days," she said. "It was sweet."

He settled his hands behind his head and smirked, "Well, if we're bein' real honest, this isn't even the first sleepless night spent with the incomparably sexy, beautiful Angela Bower Micelli either. Not for nothin', but that's kind of how we ended up here."

She smiled, her eyes hardly open. "Mmmm. With many more sleepless nights ahead," she quipped, outstretching her hand to him.

He kissed her hand softly and hit the light switch on her bed. "I can't wait. Get some sleep, Ange."

A/N: I'm always putting you guys through a really long wait. Life keeps cropping up unexpectedly and I'm so very sorry for leaving you hanging on repeat. I'm truly as bad as the WTB producers at this point. Here's a nice long update for your trouble :). A funny thing happened in the interim; I unexpectedly took a trip to Europe to research the Resistance for another project I've been researching for some time. So...I have some wheels turning on one more tieback to Ana and Tomas, and it wouldn't have happened at all if I hadn't dragged my feet on this poor incomplete story. Likewise, I'm not sure this book would have progressed at the rate it had if I hadn't gotten my feet wet here with research and story ideas. So thank you for indulging me in this WW2 history lesson, and grazie for your patience and your lovely comments! I'm grateful for all of it! - Socomama