Home, Angela thought as the plane landed in Connecticut. She made it through her first few weeks in Iowa. This was her reward: being able to smother her son in hugs and kisses and catch up on the latest gossip with Mona. So long as she could retreat to her old life now and then, Iowa no longer phased her.

She went straight from the airport to the office. After a month of doing nothing, it felt wonderful being back in the world of ringing phones, charts and figures, and familiar faces. Even Mona was doing her job thoroughly, almost feeling guilty that she was here doing her job while she was off lounging around the apartment all day. There'd been a few minor but expected setbacks with her departure and came up with resolution plans should any of the clients decide to walk. Her staff was glad to have her around again, pleased when she said they'd done an excellent job in her absence.

Going home later that evening had been the perfect ending to her day, so thrilled when Jonathan greeted her with a hug after weeks of indifference to her. Samantha and Hank prepared a wonderful welcome home dinner and, minus Tony's absence, everything felt like old times. She followed through with her promises to Tony, keeping tabs and how Samantha and Hank were doing as well as giving more hugs and kisses to Jonathan. Though she was sure by Sunday he'd be ready for her to leave again, she was glad to see a glimpse of the little boy he used to be, happy to see his mother.

The weekend went by far too quickly, catching up with friends, indulging in a Manhattan shopping spree with Mona and Sam, and sleeping in her own bed. While she did miss having Tony beside her at night, she realized how badly she needed some time to herself. A break from the snoring and the fear of waking him up those restless nights where she couldn't lay still for more than a few minutes at a time. Familiarity was the greatest aspect of the trip. It took no effort to fall back into her old routine as fleeting as it may be.

She kept her bargain to call Tony every night. She did miss him despite how wonderful it felt to be away from the small apartment and strangers. So much of her wanted to ask him to hop on the next flight to New York and stay a night but knew better of it. She couldn't let him know how glad she was to be back in Connecticut. All enthusiasm was placed on being able to see the family again, knowing he wouldn't judge her for missing them. He sent his love, Angela wondering if the difference in his voice was loneliness or suspicion. She put it out of her mind as best she could, determined to leave the last month of apprehension behind when she boarded the plane again.

And she did. For the most part. A long talk with Mona helped in her resolve.

"Are you happy there?" Mona asked while Angela was packing.

"Sure I am."

"You don't seem it."

Angela sighed. "I'm happy being with Tony."

"Are you sure that's enough?"

"How can you say that? You've wanted Tony and me together more than anyone."

"I still do," she said as she sat down on the bed beside the suitcase. "But I never expected you to give up everything you've worked for your entire life for a man."

"If he were anyone else I wouldn't have. He's Tony. He's given up the last nine years of his life for Samantha and Jonathan and the both of us. It's his turn."

Mona listened, though didn't have much to say in response.

Angela continued. "Besides, it's not going to go on forever. With Wells on his resume, he's sure to get a job nearby. If not in Connecticut maybe New York or somewhere else in New England. That would be better than the Midwest."

Mona nodded, taking a moment before she said, "And you think Tony will be happy coming home? You said yourself you've never seen him so happy."

She shrugged, busying herself by folding clothes. "I'm sure a part of him will miss the place. But he also says he's looking forward to us finally getting married. Things have been so wonderful in that sense. Did I tell you we've decided to go to Italy for the honeymoon? Two or three weeks over the summer. I can hardly wait!"

"I'm glad you two are still talking about it."

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Mona started, "I was getting worried you were going to keep putting it off."

Angela rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry, Mother, but you are the last parent who can judge—"

"I don't mean that," she interrupted. "I mean for your sake. I know marriage has been on your mind well before you two finally got it together. Even when the thought scared you. I don't want to see you get hurt again."

Angela fought back tears. Of course she would choose now to drop the jokes and speak from the heart. "Thank you…"

"You have a history of not speaking your mind with Tony. Don't let that get in the way again."

She kept quiet, going back to filling her suitcase with outfits she'd left behind during the move. Pointless, she knew, as there was little need for business suits anymore. Seeing them around reminded her of New York and Connecticut, though. If she couldn't be here, she could at least see them hanging in the closet, maybe put one on once in a while when she felt sick of denim.

Though her mother's concern meant a lot, she didn't feel it fair to compare this situation with others. Was she being completely honest with Tony? No. And she felt bad about it but it wouldn't serve any purpose other than putting a wedge between them. Nothing could be done unless they wanted to go back to rushed and stressful weekends and paying through the nose for airfare. Things were better this way. That was the truth and she reiterated it aloud to Mona. Sure, she had her moments when she felt isolated and bored, but those troubles almost always melted away when Tony came through the door. This was the life she dreamed of all these years and she finally had it. Nothing about their relationship — working, platonic, romantic — had been perfect. Why start now?

Things felt right at the end of the day. That's what she held onto as she boarded the plane for Iowa. With this, the realization hit her that she was trying too hard to maintain herself. She was Angela Bower of Connecticut. Of course she stood out. Of course those women either condescended or looked intimidated. She resisted acclamation even when she put on that tacky bowling shirt and spent an afternoon baking a pie. She had to become Angela Micelli of Iowa, even if she wasn't yet Micelli in name.

Homesickness came with the fixation on Oak Hills Drive. No more, she resolved. She was going to make Tony as proud of her as she was of him. Suddenly she regretted packing those business suits. She'd send them back to Mona tomorrow along with other smuggled luxuries. She could do it. She could become an Iowan housewife. She'd do a good job, too. Once his year was up she was free to be Angela Bower again, more or less. Perhaps this was a necessary learning experience for her. Realistically, she'd have to share household responsibilities when she and Tony were married. Cooking dinner didn't intimidate her now, nor did mending or even cleaning the drains. It was almost like being at school again. It certainly felt like it at times. Wanting to fit in, to be accepted, feeling inferior...

She didn't see a transformation happening overnight, but she'd work at it — better than she had up to now. She'd keep her sights on Tony and the rest would fall into place.