Jonathan was going over his valedictorian speech when there was a knock on the door. He went to answer it and was surprised to see Tony.
"Tony! Hi! It's good to see you but why are you here? Is something wrong?"
Tony smiled. "No, nothing is wrong. Well that's not exactly true. May I come in?"
"Oh sure. Sorry. Come on in."
"Thanks." Tony entered his apartment. "Nice place you got here."
"Thanks. So do you want anything to drink?"
"Oh, no I'm fine."
"Here, have a seat." Jonathan walked over to the couch and sat down. Tony sat beside him.
"Okay. So what is going on? Why aren't you in Iowa? I mean it's good to see you but I'm a little confused."
Tony chuckled. "Yeah, I can see that. Well, I have some news. I'm moving back to Fairfield."
"You are?! Wow, that's great! But how? What about your job at Wells?"
"Do you remember that day we were all at the park playing baseball with Nicky?"
Jonathan laughed. "Oh you mean the day he ran me ragged?!"
"That's the one!" Tony smiled. "Well while we were there I ran into two of my former professors although one is now the new dean."
"Oh that's right. I do remember you talking to them."
"Yeah, so anyway I had lunch with them and he offered me a job."
"Tony, that's great! I know Sam and Nicky have to be thrilled to have you back."
"And you?"
"Tony, of course I am. I've missed having you around."
"Thanks buddy."
"But, uh what about my Mom? I know if things were different she would be happy but considering you're engaged to Teresa.."
"Well that's not going to be a problem because we broke up."
"You did?"
"Yeah."
"What happened?"
"Well, the thing is Teresa was against me taking the job and she flat out told me she wouldn't move to Connecticut if I took the job."
"Okay, well in all fairness it would be a big move for her."
"Yeah, but Angela did."
"Mom did? Oh that's right. She moved out there to be with you."
"Yes, exactly. She left her business, her home, and you to support me."
"Because she loved you." Jonathan said simply.
"You're right. She put my happiness ahead of her own. And to repay her I let her walk out of my life. I let her convince me that staying there was what I was meant to do. But ,it wasn't. "
"So then why did you? Why did you stay?"
"Because I was stupid. So incredibly stupid. I mean I stayed at first because I was so hurt and angry that she had left. But, then I thought that maybe she was right and that I was doing what I was meant to do. So I decided to stay and well.."
"You stayed."
"Yeah.. And the thing is you and Mona were right. As much as I hate to admit this I was just like Michael. I put my career over your Mom. Over my love for her."
"So does this mean you're getting back together?"
Tony sighed. "Actually, no."
"No? What do you mean no?!"
"Well, I do but your Mom doesn't"
"She doesn't? Tony this doesn't make any sense. Mom loves you."
" I know. She told me she does."
"Then what is the problem?"
"Because she told me the only reason I was back was because of a job- not because of her or for us. And that I had just barely broken up with Teresa."
Well Tony, as much as I don't want to hurt you she does have a point. If you hadn't run into your former professors that day you would still be in Iowa."
"Yes, I would be."
"And you and Teresa would still be together."
"Yeah, probably."
'So then do you really blame my mom for being a little hesitant?"
"No, I don't. Not at all. But Jonathan, how can I convince her that I am sincere?"
"You need to give her time. I mean you just broke up with Teresa, you moved back here, and you tell my mom that hey you want to get back together! She is probably overwhelmed about everything."
Tony nodded. "You're right again. I mean I just kind of dumped everything in her lap."
"Yeah, you did."
"Well thanks Jonathan. Thanks for giving it to me straight."
Jonathan shrugged. "Well you always were that way with me. I mean you never lied or sugar coated anything for me. Even when it hurt you were always straight with me. So while we are on the 'giving to me straight" bandwagon I have a question."
"Ok. What is it?"
``Were you really in love with Teresa or were you using her like you used Kathleen to deny your feelings for my mom?!"
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"Hi Angela." Sam said nervously standing at her front door.
"Hi honey! Come on in!" Angela smiled and ushered her in. Sam stepped in nervously chewing her bottom lip.
"Sam sweetheart? Why are you so nervous?"
"Because I know that you know that I knew that Dad was moving back and I didn't tell you."
Angela smiled and put her hand up. "Sam, it's okay. I'm not upset with you or Hank. Tony told me that he asked you not to say anything. So you were just respecting his wishes."
Sam breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay good. And Angela you don't know how hard it was keeping this from you."
"I'm sure it was. But, hey he's back and everything is out in the open."
Sam nodded. "Yeah, Dad is probably telling Jonathan he is back as we speak."
"Well, I know Jonathan is going to be thrilled. As I'm sure you and Nicky are."
Sam smiled. "Yeah, Nicky sure is. He told Dad that he could live with us and that they could go to the park everyday and dad could make him Belgian waffles."
Angela laughed. "Well I'm glad he's happy to have Tony back."
"And what about you Angela? Are you happy to have my Dad back?"
"Of course I am. I'm happy for you, Nicky, Jonathan, Mrs Rossini.. I mean we're probably going to hear her scream all the way from Brooklyn." Angela chuckled.
"No, Angela. Are YOU happy that my Dad is back?"
"I am. I mean it's what I have been wanting for years."
"Then why are you rejecting him?"