You're My Best Friend
Angela fell into a roar of laughter as Tony began to run to the jag with her in his arms, trying to make a quick escape only to find that the keys were in his jacket pocket, which was on his chair at the reception table,
"Well, I'll be damned," he exclaimed in frustration, placing her down, trying to catch his breath "Now what?" His brow furrowed, his ears turning red.
Trying to compose her laughter from his attempted get-a-way, she returned simply, "Well, I guess you've got to go get them!"
"Well, I guess you've got to go get them," he mocked, annoyed at her amusement. "I want to get something else and it ain't the keys," he wiggled his eyebrows at her suggestively.
"Well, without the keys, you ain't getting nothing else," she bantered back cockily.
"Fine," he threw his hands in the air, "Don't you move one inch or deviate from your previous though for one second, I'll be right back." He pressed his lips to hers quickly.
As he stepped away Angela giggled, "Don't let anyone see you or they'll think you have a run-a-way bride if I'm not with you!"
"Ha, ha," he returned over his shoulder, heading back to the ballroom.
Jarring the door open slightly, he peeked in the room trying to find a clear path back to the table, avoiding the dance floor that was lucky occupied with all the remaining guests. As he started to make his way in, a light tap came to his shoulder with a whisper, "Watcha doing bub?"
Jumping as he made a hundred and eighty degree turn midair, he came nose to nose with Mona who had snuck up behind him, "Mona, what the hell are you doing, you scared me half to death," he grabbed his chest.
"Me, what are you doing spying on your own wedding reception, trying to run away already ay?" She laughed! "Angela already scaring you off," she continued with her own amusement.
"No!" He returned defensively, "I just, huh, I just" he stuttered, "Need the keys to the car."
"So go get them, why you sneaking around out here?"
Blushing, he turned back towards the door, "Well," he cleared his throat, "We, uh, I, umm,"
"You and Angela are trying to make a quick get-a-way, you don't want anyone to see you leave but you didn't think far enough ahead to remember to get the car keys? Is that what you're trying to say?" A cocky and satisfied look on her face.
"No! No, no, no, we would never," he replied nervously.
"So, then where's Angela?" She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"She's um, she, uh, bathroom, she went to the bathroom!" He smiled proudly.
"Nope, try again, I just came from there, no sign of my daughter, your wife, anywhere around!" She smirked.
Defeated he finally confessed, "Okay, yes, everything you just said, now you want to help me or keep trying to embarrass me?"
"Well," she contemplated, "Seeing you squirm and embarrassing you is always my pick but given that today is your wedding, I guess I'll help!"
"Oh well thank you so much," he returned dryly.
"Anytime," she snickered. "Can't wait to get to that honeymoon, ay?" She punched his shoulder suggestively.
"Would you mind!" He rubbed his shoulder, "Can you just go get my jacket please off the chair so we, I mean I, can be on my way." His frustration growing.
"Anything for my son-in-law," she disappeared through the door.
Returning a minutes later, jacket in hand, she handed it to him, "Go enjoy your honeymoon, you and Angela deserve it." Mona smiled warmly.
"Thanks Mon," he wrapped his arms around her, "Hold down the fort for us and don't do anything we wouldn't do." He winked.
"Ha, you just make sure you two do everything I would do and don't worry about what you wouldn't do, just enjoy yourself if you catch my drift!" She raised her eyebrows suggestively.
Shaking his head in amusement, he blushed, "Mooooona! Just behave, would you?"
"Only if you promise not to," She stuck her tongue out between her teeth and disappeared back into the ballroom.
Making his way back toward the car, he looked around, making note of his bride's absence, "Where the hell did she go now?" He looked around in confusion. Approaching the car, he noticed her blond hair leaning against the window, inside the car. His eyes grew like saucers as he made his way to the driver's side and ripped open the door, "What the hell, how did you get in here?"
"The door was unlocked!" She shrugged her shoulder.
"Then how did the car get turned on?" The heat rising in his cheeks.
"My keys were in my purse." She rolled her eyes.
"And just where did your purse happen to be before I ran back in there and had to come face to face with your mother?" He spat.
"In the backseat, with my overnight bag that Hank put in here before the reception."
"And we didn't know this beforehand, why?"
"Because you didn't bother to check if the door was unlocked," She snarled her lips at him.
"Why the hell would I have checked if the door was unlocked, they should have been locked, who the hell leaves the door unlocked with a car full of stuff?"
"Hank!" They both exclaimed in unison falling into a roar of laughter.
Shaking his head in amused aggravation, "Well, can't say we didn't start off our honeymoon with some excitement?" He leaned over, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
"I can think of some other exciting things to do that don't involve a car, keys, or Hank!" Her voice low and sultry, her hand rubbing his inner thigh suggestively.
"Aaahummm," he cleared his throat deeply, "Let the honeymoon begin!" He started the car, pulled out of the parking space, made a left out of the driveway and headed south.
Having agreed that each would plan part of their two-week honeymoon, Angela had chosen to return to the bridal suite at the Fairfield Inn for their wedding night due to its proximity to the Country Club knowing they would be anxious to begin their life as Mr. and Mrs. At first, Tony objected, wanting a more romantic and meaningful location but finally conceded once Angela suggested that it was time to make their own memory at the Inn, especially after their failed attempt on their first date as a couple, not to mention, her reasoning of why they didn't need to spend two hours in a vehicle driving to Manhattan when they could spend it in each other's arms. Not one to deny her wishes of extra snuggle time, Tony gave in with the agreement that he would plan the first part of their honeymoon after the first night.
With Angela's hand steadily rubbing his thigh and her lips buried in his neck, Tony was quickly losing sight of his plan as they made their way to the Inn. Passing their exit, Angela whispered into his ear, "Tony, I think you passed the exit. The Fairfield Inn is that way," she pointed behind their heads.
"I know," he placed his hand over hers on his thigh, "But I have a little surprise before we go there." He turned and placed a soft kiss upon her lips.
"But Tony," she began to nuzzle his neck again, "I REALLY, want to get to the hotel," she emphasized making circles on his upper thigh with her index finger.
"Yes baby, I know," he patted her leg, "But I promise, you won't be disappointed." He smiled.
Turning off onto a long dirt road, Tony made his way to towards the bluff that overlooked the Fairfield Marina and Bay. Arriving at a clearing in the mist of the tress, Tony parked the car then set the emergency break, "Can never be too careful," he snickered as he turned off the engine.
"Ohhhh Tooonyyy, it's beautiful," Angela gushed.
"Our new Inspiration Point," he winked, taking her hand in his and kissing it softly.
"It's breathtaking," she sat up straight to see the distance.
"Come on," he motioned to the outside, opening the door to exit. Quickly making his way around the car, he grabbed the handle to open the door and extended his hand to help Angela out of the car. Lifting her train off the ground so it wouldn't drag in the dirt, Angela straightened into his arms that wrapped around her from behind. Placing his chin on her shoulder, they looked out at the twinkling reflection of the moon upon the water as the lights from the marina danced in front of them.
"This is absolutely beautiful," she let out a soft breath, admiring the view before them.
"Not as beautiful as you are," he whispered into her ear, his breath warm and smoothing against her skin.
"Today has been the most amazing day of my life, Tony. Thank you for making our wedding absolutely perfect." She turned into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him.
"Nowhere near as amazing and perfect as you are," he pressed his lips to hers for a sweet, tender kiss.
Breaking contact, Tony focused his gaze "Angela," he uttered with serious undertone in his voice.
"What is it, Tony?" She replied with concern, noting his tone.
His face tightened as he began to speak, a slight tremble in his voice, "After Marie died, I never thought I would or could ever fall in love again." He inhaled deeply. "I spent a lot of years ignoring my feelings for you because I felt like I was betraying her by loving you." His voice cracked.
"Aww Tony," Angela caressed this cheek, her eyes swelling.
"Let me get this out before I can't," he gave a weak smile. She nodded.
"I made a lot of deals with the devil after she passed because I felt that my promises to God, if he had let her live were void. I was really angry for a very long time," his brows furrowed, and he bit his upper lip. "I vowed I would never open my heart to that kind of pain again. I would spend the rest of my life alone." He took a breath, "Ya, I had flings and dated but they were all superficial relationships. I never opened up to them and definitely never let them in to my heart until you came along." He smiled warmly, his own eyes tearing up. "I felt really guilt when I started to realize I was falling in love with you. Not only did I have all the insecurities and reservations about us and our differences and you being my boss and everything, but I was determined to punish myself for betraying her memory and my promise to never love again."
"Oh Tony, you know she wouldn't ever want that for you," Angela interjected.
"I know but it was a heart and mind struggle. My heart knew but my stubborn, hardhead kept winning," he chuckled slightly. "But somehow along the way, you were able to speak to my heart, often times without saying a word, I could hear what you weren't saying. The look on your face, the truth in your eyes, the touch of your hand said everything I needed to hear and one day I knew that although I would always love Marie and she will always be in my heart that she was my past and you're my future. I never thought I could love anyone like I loved her. She was my girl. She meant everything to me, and I was crazy about her." He closed his eyes as if being transported back in time. Fixing his gaze back onto Angela, his lips curled into a slight smile, "But my love for you is unlike anything I ever thought possible Angela." He cupped her face with his hands. She smiled through her tears. "You are my heart and soul. You make me want to be the best version of me. You fill my life with more than anything I could ever imagine. You complete me." He kissed her forehead. "It's a feeling I've never known before. Every time I look at you, I fall in love all over again and it scares the hell out of me because the thought of ever losing you is something I could never handle."
"I'm not going anywhere honey, I'm right here," she took his face in her hands and kissed his lips, "For better or worse, forever my love." She cried into his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his. "I love you so much, thank you for letting me in!"
Standing beneath the moonlight, wrapped in each other's arms, a slow guitar strum began to play, "Dance with me," Tony requested, taking Angela's right hand in his left.
"I never had no one
I could count on
I've been let down so many times
I was tired of hurtin'
So tired of searchin'
'Til you walked into my life
It was a feelin'
I'd never known
And for the first time
I didn't feel alone"
He twirled her and brought her in closer.
"You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
Oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Everytime I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend"
"Yes, you are," Tony interjected.
"You're my best friend, oh yeah
You stand by me
And you believe in me
Like nobody ever has"
Tony sang to her.
"When my world goes crazy
You're right there to save me
You make me see how much I have"
Angela whispered along with the song.
"And I still tremble
When we touch
And oh the look in your eyes
When we make love"
"Tony," Angela looked into his eyes, "I don't want to wait any longer to make love to by best friend," she smiled shyly, "My lover," she kissed his lips softly, "My husband!" She engulfed his mouth with hers for a deep, passionate kiss.
"You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
Oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Everytime I look at you
And I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend"
The song played on as they got in the car and speed off back towards The Fairfield Inn.