This is technically the last chapter, but I have a little 'tag scene' in mind to add. Still, I'd like to thank you all now for following along and for leaving such kind reviews. This was definitely a tricky one to write while trying to keep it true to what we see on the show, especially since there's no way to really wrap up the story. The episodes take over from here. Lastly, I want to thank SocoMama again for giving me the idea for this scene!


"Can you read me another story, Angela?"

"Didn't you enjoy the one Tony just read?" she asked, stroking Billy's hair.

Flashing his best puppy dog eyes, he replied "I like when you read them, too."

Angela glanced over at Tony on the other side of the bed.

"Ah, why not?" he shrugged, then to Billy, said, "But after this it's bedtime. You still have school tomorrow."

"Do I have to?" Billy whined.

Tony and Angela answered, "Yes," in unison.

"And no more hitting," Tony warned.

"We promise to stop smothering you in return," Angela added.

"You can keep giving me presents, though," Billy smirked.

. . .

After finishing another couple of books (a persuasive kid, that one), they finally managed to get Billy to close his eyes without a cash bribe.

"I think it's my bedtime, too," Angela said once they were well into the hall.

Glancing at the grandfather clock, Tony said, "It's only half-past eight."

She shrugged.

Remembering what had happened downstairs, he gave an understanding nod. "Right. Hey, uh… I'm sorry about Andy."

"It's all right."

"It was Billy, wasn't it?"

She nodded. "Mostly, but I think that he sensed that there was more to it. More than my need to be here for Billy."

"I see."

"I guess I should have seen how unusual it is. I can't expect a man to accept his girlfriend taking in a child with her housekeeper. Getting someone to understand our living situation is tricky enough as it is."

He had to agree. "I don't think I would'a liked it if I were him."

She looked away, suddenly uncomfortable, biting her lip and leaning against her bedroom door.

"You gonna be okay?"

"Yeah. I'm not really upset. I mean, he hasn't exactly been at the forefront of my mind these days. I can't believe I forgot about the game tonight."

"It happens."

"I just feel… I don't know. There's a lot to process."

"I get it."

Meeting his eye again, she said, "I don't think I was ready for a relationship. Not a serious one."

"Do you miss Peter?"

"Not Peter," she answered softly.

"Oh." He hoped he'd hid the hopeful note in his voice.

"I can't pretend I wasn't taken with Andy, but I kind of forced both of those relationships."

"What about Christopher?" he dared to ask.

"A temporary infatuation."

"I can't tell you how happy I am that that guy is in prison."

Angela rolled her eyes but chuckled as well. "It was all worth it just to see you make an idiot out of yourself."

"You're never gonna let me live that down, are you?" Tony scoffed.

"Not anytime soon," she smirked.

"I guess I deserve it."

"I'm glad all that is behind us."

"Me, too." Their gazes lingered a moment before he spoke again. "Do you think you'll go out again soon?"

"My heart is at home right now. We need to be a family. If the last couple of days have told us anything, it's that Billy is going through a rough adjustment. It's easy to forget just how much his world has been shaken up."

"I know… the poor kid. I'm sure he'll do fine once we back off."

"We've certainly been overzealous."

"How could we not be, though? It's been so great having a kid around again. Better than I thought it would be."

"It sure has."

Tony paused, then said, "It's been great spending time with both of you."

She smiled. "I've enjoyed it, as well."

"Do you think…"

"What?"

He'd begun his sentence without thinking. Awkwardly scratching the back of his head, as though it would serve as a distraction, he said, "Ah, it's nothing."

"Please, tell me."

After a brief hesitation, he gave in. "I was just gonna say… maybe… since now neither of us are seeing anybody… that maybe we could, you know, get back to some of the things we used to do together? I mean, I know it can't be just how it was…before… but, you know, do things as friends. It's been too long since we took in a movie. You're the only one I wanna watch the oldies with."

Amused by his stammering, she said, "I'd like that. And Billy will be relieved to hear that he won't have to sit through Singin' in the Rain again."

"Ah," he threw up his hand in true Italian style. "Kids these days! No appreciation for the classics."

Angela laughed. "I'm afraid so."

"All that's gonna change now that he's ours. If I can get Samantha to appreciate a few of them, I can get Billy to as well."

Holding up her fists, she said, "I'll be sure to warn his classmates when those lessons begin."

"Very funny." He chuckled, but then grew serious. "This is what I mean. I've missed things like this with us. Yeah, we've spent a lot more time together lately but, I dunno. Already it feels… I know you just broke up with Andy. I'm not trying... It's not that I think… I'm just saying—"

She'd stepped closer to him as he spoke. Now she cut him off with a shush and a finger to his lips. After a few seconds, she moved her hand away and pecked his lips. His eyes were wide with surprise when she stepped back again, saying, "I know. I've missed it, too."

He had to stop himself from pulling her back to him. "That's good."

"I think we need to let things simmer down," she said, inching back toward her door. "For Billy and for us. A lot has changed. We can't ignore this summer."

"I agree." He cleared his throat before adding, "I just hope you forgive me for everything that happened. I really am sorry."

"Thank you, Tony… I do."

"Do you really?"

She nodded. "I wouldn't live it over again for anything, but I think in the long run it's going to be good for us."

"You think?"

"I hope so, anyway."

"Like how you said all this might've been something we had to go through..."

"... to see if we can go any further," she finished.

"Still," he said guiltily, "I'd take it all back if I could."

With a grin, she turned her doorknob, "We have to find the most complicated ways to work through things, don't we?"

"Easy wouldn't make sense for us."

She shook her head as she stepped over the threshold. "Goodnight, Tony."

"Night."

His feet were stuck in place. All he could do was stare at her door for a few minutes. He realized later how much he had hoped she would open it again. Something felt unresolved, but he wasn't sure what.