All's Well That Ends Wells

Chapter 2 – Resolution

Once they got outside and into the jeep, Sam said, "Dad what gives? What's going on? You're going home to Connecticut?"

"Yeah Sam, I'm going to the airport with you to see if I can get a flight back tonight too. I just resigned and I'll figure out a job near home later. I'm going to be home a week and then come out here and shut down permanently to come home. Right now, I can't get Angela off my mind. I need her, I want her, I love her. This job isn't more important that our love for each other. I've known that the entire time, I had to let her go when she left after the championship, because it was killing her softly for her to stay," Tony admitted.

"Dad, it's killing her softly at home too without you," Sam admitted. "No two people have ever been more perfect for one another than you two. It's been my prayer for you to marry Angela and make us officially a family. I am so glad you came to your sense. She's going to be so excited to see you," Sam exclaimed.

"Yeah, praying huh Sam. Well, I guess the good Lord heard ya. You have been worried about us getting married and me having someone for a long time now. I guess I wasn't worried as long as we were actually together, and then when we weren't, when she left me, I got worried Sam. I hope she isn't mad at me and that she wants to get back together. What do I say, how should I be? I don't even know what to say after Hi," Tony said.

"Trust me Dad, Angela is in the same condition as you. She isn't mad at you, she loves you. That is why she walked away. She thought you deserved a great career, but she knew she couldn't leave hers. She probably thought by walking away, she was loving you the way you needed to be loved. Her friend Rease tries to keep Angela's spirits lifted when we aren't around. Angela likes to be alone or work a lot these days," Samantha shared.

"What, Angela is seeing another guy already? Who the hell is Rease and why am I just finding out about him", Tony ranted?

"Chill out Dad, Rease is a woman, it's her nickname. Her name is Terease Ryan, but her professional name is Rease Ryan, spelled Rhys Rhyon. Rease and Angela became colleagues when she was working for Encanto records. She was a model for the label back then. She's still a model and now an upcoming celebrity stylist with Angela's help. She and Angela have become fast friends. She's a family woman: a couple of kids and a husband. The kids are like Billy's age. I think you're really going to like them," said Sam.

"Oh, well, way to leave out the lead story Samantha! My blood pressure is probably through the roof now," Tony exclaimed. "I'm glad Angela has a new friend. That's not really her forte, making friends," Tony added.

"Sorry Dad. I forgot how jealous you get. I wasn't thinking about her having a male name and how that might set you off. You can relax, trust and believe that Angela Bower only has cocker spaniel eyes for Tony Micelli," Samantha teased. That is why I didn't think it was good for either of you to walk away from each other. The only woman for you since Mom died has been Angela. I know I've never I commented on the subject, but Kathleen was if I only use one work, "unnecessary". That is the way I would describe any woman in your life other than Angela. I am glad you didn't entertain Candy's friend, Theresa Fisher or sign on for 3 more years with Wells College. The only cure for you both is to get back together at home in Connecticut. And since you're showing up looking as good as you look right now in that tuxedo, she's going to go wild. Angela loves a well-dressed man! Dad, I know how you should present yourself. Since you're unemployed now, say that you are here to apply for the housekeeper position. She actually fired another housekeeper and is still searching for the perfect one. Be "Mr. Good Mop" again. It got you in the door the first time," Sam joked.

"Ohhhhh Sam, my Angela is miserable. I broke her heart again. Ugh… I'm the worst, I keep making her heart ache. And "Mr. Good Mop", Sam I can't say that. That's dumb. I'm trying to get her back as my woman, not necessarily get my job as her housekeeper back. If I lead with that, she's gonna slam the door in my face. I learned from when I admitted to her that I loved her that I need to come directly from the heart and be totally honest. I have to be prepared to confess my feelings in a heartfelt way. All or nothing. And I do look amazing, that's the only thing you said that made any sense," Tony joked.

"Well hopefully you get a seat on the plane, and you can figure it out during the flight. I am sure you'll say the right thing, you two know each other so well. I am just glad you're coming home Dad, the entire family missed you, and so did your little girl," Samantha admitted.

"What, you missed your dad? What happened to, I don't need you, I'm married now. Geez Sam, I knew you couldn't make it without me," ranted Tony. "Oh no Sam, I need gas. Hold up, let me pull in the gas station and fill up. Do you want anything," Tony asked?

"Nah Dad I'm good. Just hurry, we don't have time to waste," Sam said.

Tony agreed, there was no time to waste. He went inside and asked for ten dollars on pump 4 and headed out to pump his gas. Meanwhile Samantha is in the car and exhausted by the country music coming through the speakers. She notices a cassette tape hanging out of the tape deck and grabs it to see what it is. Shockingly to Sam, it appears to be a self-made tape titled, Ode to Angela Part 1 on one side and Ode to Angela Part 2 on the other side. "No way, Dad made a mix tape for Angela or about Angela. I didn't know he had it in him. How romantic! I gotta check this out," Sam thought aloud. She quickly rolled down her window and asked Tony, "On second thought Dad, can you grab me some chips and a Strawberry Snapple"?

"Sure, Sweetheart," assured Tony as he smiled at his little girl before heading back inside the station.

Sam returned the smile as she rolled the window back up. She quickly pushed the tape in to hear what her dad had on the tape. First thing she heard was Tony saying, "Your one true poet knight, in shining armor, has returned my Darling, never to leave your side again …" then came a reading of what Sam thought was a ridiculous poem set to orchestra music in the background, called, "Ode to Angela", that started off, "In common things I'm reminded of her; the sun, the moon, the stars, yes sir…". Samantha hollered out loud in laughter. Her mind raced back in time, remembering Angela's crazy husband from college that wouldn't take no I don't love you for an answer. "This sounds worse than that nut job, Brian Thomas. Oh my gosh, what is Dad doing? This could go wrong in so many ways," Samantha thought.

Meanwhile, Tony left the pump and went inside to get Sam's chips and Strawberry Snapple. Once he got to the register, he also bought a few of those new Powerball lottery tickets. He tucked the tickets in his wallet, grabbed the snacks, and headed out to finish pumping before heading to the airport.

Sam then fast-forwarded the tape a bit and hit play, only to hear a bit of Frank Sinatra singing, I've Got a Crush on You. "Now that's more like Dad, more you and Angela's speed", Sam thought aloud. She then fast-forwards a bit more and when she pressed play, she heard, The Glenn Miller Orchestra playing, "In the Mood". Sam smiled as she remembered the very first Christmas, they all spent as a family. She thought about the family doing the Lindy in the living after opening all the gifts. She remembered her dad going overboard and flipping Angela all over and across his body and Angela screaming because she wasn't ready. Laughing and smiling, Sam said, "Oh, I loved their playful flirting. I didn't always realize it when we were little, or maybe I just got use to them. But them "interacting together in a flirty way", always made things feel safe and like a real home since they weren't formally a couple, even though they lived like it," Sam thought a loud. Then she flipped the tape and pressed play, only to hear Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell singing, "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing Baby". "Wow, Dad is laying it on pretty thick here. I wonder what this song was all about between them. The other songs had an event associated with them. Hhhmmm," pondered Samantha. Just then she heard Tony taping at the window. She turned the volume down, rolled the window down enough to take the snacks saying, "Thanks Dad", as she rolled the window back up. Then Tony continued to take the pump out of the gas tank and Sam ejected the tape and turned the volume up to return to Tony's sad and sappy country music.

Once he jumped in and started the jeep, Tony had three quarters of a tank, which was good enough. Tony fastened his seatbelt, and headed out the gas station for the airport.

Not to appear guilty of meddling with Tony's tape player, Sam decided to pick up where the conversation left off. "And Dad, just so you know, as a married woman, I did make it without dear old Dad, but that doesn't mean that I didn't miss you while I was making it without you. It was the first time we've ever been apart. It was like you went away to college. I thought it would be me going across the country, not you. And while I thought I would be happy for some space, and I was, at first, then I missed you like crazy. I love you Dad," said Sam reaching over to hug her dad's arm.

Instantly Tony sobbed uncontrollably while pulling into the parking lot of the airport. "Oh Sam, that's the most beautiful thing you've ever said to me. I love you too Sweetheart. You're forever my little girl, just like I told you the day you got married. Nothing will ever change that", Tony said. Tony parked and hugged his baby girl tightly.

"Okay Dad. Save some of the mushy stuff for Angela. Let's get inside and get you on the flight," Samantha pushed.

"Right, let me get your bag", Tony said.

"Dad, you don't have anything. You didn't get to pack a bag," Sam stated.

"Honey, the last thing I'm worried about is what I'm going to wear. Or how much extra I'll be paying to rent this tuxedo since it's due back tomorrow in Iowa. I just want to go home to my family. To my darling, Angela," Tony admitted as he smiled at the thought of being with Angela.

"That's so sweet and endearing Dad. And Sir Mix-a-Lot, don't forget that hot mix tape in the tape deck. It might come in handy," Samantha teased Tony as she winked and closed the passenger door.

"Sa-maan-tha, I knew you were in here listening," said Tony in his coy but playful voice. Honestly Tony didn't mind. Over the years, in questionable times with his relationship with Angela, he'd always valued Sam's opinion and advice more than anything. It probably started when he threw Jim Peterson out of the dinner party at the house after he told Tony Angela slept her way to the presidency. None the less, he reached back in and grabbed the tape and its case and put it in his tuxedo jacket pocket since he had no luggage.