"That's something I've been thinking about myself." Tony said looking at the ground ashamed to look her in the eyes.

"So, then why? I mean I know I hurt you by leaving but I just.." She shook her head. "And I know I told you you were doing what you were meant to do. I guess I was selfishly hoping you would come back home. "

Tony lifted his gaze from the ground and looked at her. "You're right I was hurt. And shocked. I remember just standing there in my office after you said you were sorry and walked out. I felt like I was in some bizarre dream. I mean just five minutes earlier I had been on top of the world. My team had won the championship and I was offered a new contract. I was so happy."

"I know you were and that's why I told you that you were doing what you were meant to do. "

"And like a fool I believed it."

"You weren't a fool. Tony, I have never been upset with you for loving it there. Although the country music you listened to all the time got on my nerves." she smiled softly.

"Yeah, I know it did." he smiled back.

"But, the thing is I knew I couldn't stay there any longer. I didn't feel like myself anymore. "

"I know. I saw you pretending. I saw you trying to fit in with the way of life there. And Angela I'm ashamed to admit this but I let you. I was so wrapped up in me and my career I basically ignored that you weren't being your true self. Angela Bower isn't a housewife. She's a business woman. That was the woman I fell in love with. That I still love. "

"But Tony, you didn't ignore anything. You did ask me if I was happy and I told you that I was. That this was just what I needed. And it was. Well for a while anyway. Until I realized I was miserable. I remember telling Mother that it was beginning to wear a little thin. And then later when I saw how happy you were about the new contract I just knew I couldn't do it anymore. Staying there for three more years felt stifling to me. And so as much as it pained me I knew I needed to leave. "

"And I let you. I let you walk out of my life." He sighed then continued. "But, never out of my heart. You were always in my heart. "

"Then why did you get engaged to Teresa?"

"Because I guess I didn't want to be alone for the rest of my life. I know now that isn't a good reason to get married. I also know that like I did when I was dating Kathleen I was using Teresa to deny my feelings for you. "

Angela felt a tear trickle down her cheek. She wiped it away with her hand.

"Tony, why do you have to date and be with other women to know that I am the one you want to be with? And please don't give me the old 'you were my boss' excuse. Because after you graduated from Ridgemont that didn't apply anymore. And when you were dating Kathleen it didn't either. Okay, yes technically I was your boss but we had been through so much and I thought we were building towards something more. "

"Then I destroyed it."

"Yeah, you did." she said simply knowing that he needed to hear the truth.

"Angela, I know we never really talked about that time. We just swept it under the rug."

"Well a lot was happening. Sam moved out and Billy moved in."

"That's true. But we still should have set aside some time."

"You're right. So okay then why did you start things with Kathleen after you asked me in Jamaica to wait for you?"

"Because you were my boss." he said in a feeble attempt to lighten the moment.

"Tony!"

"I know. I'm sorry. The truth is I was scared of my feelings for you. I have never felt like that before. I mean I loved Marie with my whole heart but my feelings for you went so much deeper. And so I panicked and tried to do anything to deny my feelings. Do you remember when you found out about Kathleen and me and we had that talk in your office?"

"Vividly. I don't think I will ever forget that day."

"And I told you that I wasn't looking for this?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Well that wasn't true. I did go 'looking for this' I'm not saying with Kathleen specifically but when the opportunity came up I took it."

"And you told me that you didn't know if it was over with Kathleen."

"I did."

"Do you have any idea how much that hurt me Tony? You broke me. "

"I know. And Angela I am so sorry. If I could go back and change things I would."

"But, you can't and we can't. "

Tony nodded. "Angela how did we get here? We should be married and instead we're as far from being married as possible."

"I wish I knew. Maybe we're not meant to be together. "

"You don't really believe that do you?" he asked half in surprise and half in sadness.

"I don't want to. But after everything that has happened I just have my doubts."

"Angela look I know I overwhelmed you when I came back and told you that I had accepted the job at Ridgemont and wanted to get back together."

"When you had just barely ended things with Teresa." she pointed out.

"Yeah, I know my timing was horrible. But, you know me sometimes I act before I think. I was just so eager to get back together that I didn't stop and think how you would feel."

"I felt like I was your second choice."

"Angela, please don't ever think that. You have never been my second choice. You have always been my first and only choice. And yeah I know it hasn't always seemed like that but if you don't believe anything else please believe that."

"It's hard to though. "

"I know. But, I will do anything to assure you of that. All I ask is for a chance to do just that."

Angela looked at the ground at a loss of what to say. A part of her wanted more than anything to tell Tony she would give him that chance. The other part was scared to put her heart on the line again.

She picked her head back up. "Tony I.."

"Grandpa!" Nicky yelled running towards them.

"What is it buddy?"

"I'm thirsty."

"You are? Well how about we get some lemonade?"

"YAY!" Nicky jumped up and down.

Tony turned toward Angela. "Would you like some lemonade Angela?"

"Yeah, that does sound good." They both stood up and Nicky grabbed both their hands and the three of them walked over to the concession stand where Tony brought them all a lemonade.

After they were finished Angela gave Nicky a hug and told them she would see them later.

"Wait Angela! What about what I asked before?"

"I don't know Tony. I just don't know. Please give me a little time?"

"I'll give you all the time you need. But, please remember that I love you."

"I love you too."

She then turned and walked away and Tony was taken back to that moment in his office when she had done the exact same thing. Only this time he vowed to himself he wouldn't be as stupid as he was then. She had told him in Iowa that she didn't want him to resent her but he now knew the truth. Oh who was he kidding? He had always known the truth but had just been to stubborn and pigheaded.

"Angela, the only thing I resented was being without you." he said softly.

A/N: The last line is obviously from the show and so of course the credit goes to the WTB? writers for such an incredible and moving line.