This story is written for a potential new season of Who's the Boss? So it's written in current time.
Angela and Tony have been married for nearly 30 years. Samantha lost Hank 5 years ago, Hank and she have 2 boys together: Anthony (Andy age 16) and Joseph (Joey age 13) both named after their grandfathers. Jonathan is married to the love of his life, Brian, together they've adopted 2 girls, biological half-sisters born in America: Olivia (age 14) and Grace (age 12).
The doorbell rings. Tony walks up to the door.
"I'll get it, as no one is home." He jokes.
"Hello." He says as he opens the door.
"Hello." A blonde woman gives him a small smile.
"What can I do for you?" Tony smiles back.
"I'm looking for Mr. Micelli."
"I guess you've found him." He chuckles.
She swallow before she continues. "I'm Christina van Helmond." She extends her hand to him.
"Are you going to sell me some sort of insurance Miss Van Helmond?"
She chuckles "Oh gosh no. The matter.. the reason why I'm here, is of a more personal note."
Tony cocked his head "Personal note?"
"Sir, I'd feel much more comfortable talking to you inside instead of out here."
His interest was piqued "Please come in."
She walked past him. She was just a bit shorter than he was, he had never seen her before and yet she seemed so familiar to him.
"So Miss Van Helmond.."
"Please call me Christina."
"So Christina what can I do for you."
She turned around "I think you might be my father."
Tony stumbled back until he reached the couch, he leaned into it. "I might be your what?"
"Father." She looked him straight in his eyes, her eyes were piercing blue. "Let me explain. Oh I don't even know where to start Sir."
"Would you please sit down first." Tony offered her a seat.
She grabbed a book and a file from her bag. "This is my mother's diary. I've only recently found it. But it is quite clear."
"Can I see it?" Tony asked.
"Yes you may." She hands him the diary "I'm just afraid you won't be able to read it though."
"I can read!" as he opened the diary. "I can't read this, what is it?"
"You see my mother is Dutch and that diary is written in Dutch. I've translated it. She hands him a small stack of papers. This is the translation of the diary."
"But these dates? It says April 1982? How is it that you've just found these?"
"That's a really long story."
"I've got time."
"When I was 15 my mother died, I went to live with my grandmother. About 4 months ago I got a letter from the bank. It stated that the lease on my mother's safety deposit box was running out at the end of this year. I went to the bank with her death certificate and my identification. As I didn't have a key, we couldn't open it right away. It took a couple of weeks. When I opened it, I found the diary, a stack of photos with my mom and, now that I've seen you, obviously you and 2 letters."
"Two letters?" he asked.
"One for you and one for me." She hands him his letter.
He looks at the handwriting, the envelope says 'Tony Micelli, Brooklyn, New York.'
"You haven't opened it?" He looks at the young woman.
"No, it doesn't have my name on it." She gives him an isn't it obvious look.
"So what did your letter say?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"I don't know."
"Didn't you read it?" Tony was so confused by this young lady.
"No. My mom wrote me a clear message on the envelope 'do not open before you know who your biological father is'."
"And you weren't curious, not even one bit?"
"Of course I am. But if my mom wrote me that message, it means something. My mother never did anything without reason. And she must have had a damn good reason to write that."
"Can I see one of the photos? Because to be honest. I don't remember much from that time." Tony gave her an apologetic smile.
Christina hands him a photo.
Tony falls back into the couch. "I do remember her." He covers his face with one hand. "She had sadder eyes than I did."
"Funny." Christina says with a sad tone in her voice "In her diary she describes you as the only other person in the bar who looked as sad as she felt."
"I never forgot her story." Tony felt tears well. "I think in February her husband and son were killed in a car crash, caused by a drunk driver. I believe her son was 2. "
"My father and brother or so I was told all those years. My brother was indeed 2."
"You see when I met your mother.." he starts.
"You just lost your wife, Marie." Her voice was still sad.
"She wrote that in her diary?" he asks.
Christina nods. "She described your encounter in details. You were the first person in months to get her to smile. Because you both suffered such great losses, she found comfort in your grief. She found a kindred spirit sort of speak."
"Not for nuthin' Christina, but you don't look even remotely Italian. And you see I'm ITALIAN." He said cocky.
"You're right, I mostly look like my mother. Her blonde hair, well I'm not this naturally blonde, and her blue eyes. Although hers could pierce through your soul. She had the most beautiful eyes. When I was born, I looked exactly like my brother. Even though her husband was also dark haired and brown eyes. My mom's genes were just stronger than both of yours." Christina gave a small laugh.
"Ay oh, oh ay.. my genes are very strong, nothing wrong with them!" Tony felt insulted.
"Yeah, yeah.. you sound like my husband." She laughed "And even our kids have light eyes. And his are dark brown. Look Mr. Micelli, the man I've assumed was my father for 40 years might not have been my father. My mother slept with him prior to his accident. My mom always said I was born way too late. I was a 6 pound baby. I've had 2 babies myself and they were more or less on time at 6 and 7 pounds. I couldn't have been too late."
"And I slept with your mother a month later." Tony states as he rubs his neck.
"My mom even writes about it in her diary. Listen Mr. Micelli, you might or might not be my father. I would like to find out." Christina stood up and handed him the rest of the file. "Here are some other photos. Please I'm asking you to read the translation of the diary and the letter and if and when you also want to, I'd like to get a paternity test done. But if you don't want to, I understand." Christina hands him another note. "My family and I are staying in this hotel. We are looking for a house, so I've also written down my mobile phone number. It's okay if you don't want to do it, but would you please make your decision known?"
Tony nods as he takes the note.
"I'm going to leave you to it. Thank you for listening to me."
"Wait.. you're looking for a house?"
Christina nods "My husband is American, he has gotten a terrific job offer in New York and as I have no family left in my home country, we decided to make the move."
"Where will you be settling?"
"We don't know yet. His company is looking for housing. I just told them I didn't want to live in the city. We lived in a big city in The Netherlands, I don't want that anymore. But also not farm land. I'd prefer a moderate city, with the comfort of a big city but not the noise. I don't want my kids to grow up there."
"I totally understand."
"Is that why you came to Connecticut?"
"How did you know?"
Christina points at the envelope she just handed him.
"Oh yeah. Yeah you know.. Sam, my daughter, was getting it too many fights. The last shiner was the straw. I moved her out of there and we came here."
"Well you have a lovely place."
"Yeah we're pretty proud of our place. My wife and I, the kids moved out years ago." He chuckled.
Christina gave a sad smile. "May I ask you something Mr. Micelli? It might be to personal.."
"Sure go ahead." He said with caution.
"You said children, mom only mentioned Sam in her diary. Did you remarry and have more children? If you don't want to answer, I totally understand."
"No, well I did remarry, to Angela.." he smiled from ear to ear when he said her name. "She has a son from a previous marriage. But we didn't have any kids together. Unfortunately. We waited to long to finally take a chance on each other."
Christina looked very sad. "I'm happy you found new love." She looked at her shoes "I wish my mom would have been brave enough to start a new relationship as well. She never did."
He had no clue how to respond. The sadness in her eyes reminded Tony of the sadness in Christina's mother's eyes when he first met her. She did look a lot like her mother. Only somehow more laidback, even in her grief.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't stick my sadness on you. Please contact me with your decision. You might want to talk it over with your family. This might be a lot to take in. Thank you for your time." As she walked towards the front door, she turned her head to Tony "I really appreciate it. Goodbye."
Tony felt a bit numb. Could this young woman be his daughter? He remembered her mom very well, she helped him cope with the loss of Marie. Both knowing this was just what it was, comfort. They ate together, walked together and made love. They both just wanted to feel anything again. Both not expecting anything from the other person. It was what he had needed to deal with Marie's loss.
He remembered telling her how guilty he felt for dumping Sam at either Nick's or Mrs. Rossini so very much. She had reminded him that everyone grieves in their own way. She escaped the country, all the reminders of her husband and son. He escaped his neighbourhood to do the same and even though he loved Sam very much, she was also a constant reminder of her mother.
Tony wasn't a man of great words, but she helped him with hers. She was an educated woman, now that he thought about it, she was a lot like Angela. Great education, good job and very smart, although Angela and she didn't look much alike. She was taller than he was, long blonde hair and the brightest blue eyes he'd ever seen.
She was different than Marie was and she was what he needed at that time in his life. He never told her how grateful he had been to her. He never felt he needed to tell her, she knew as he knew how grateful she was to him. He hadn't thought about her since he moved into Angela's house.
Tony grabbed the translated diary, letter and photo's, stuffing them all in the folder Christina had just handed to him. The folder was burning in his hand, he both wanted to read them and he didn't. Somehow it felt like he was invading her privacy.
He also didn't want to be reading this and get caught by Angela. He wasn't ready to tell anyone just yet. Until he read everything, he wouldn't tell anyone anything.
He looked at the clock, Angela wouldn't be home for a couple of hours. Jonathan and she were working on a new campaign, some new soda brand. He didn't really know. He loved that after all these years she still had so much passion for the advertising industry. Ever since Jonathan had taken over the Bower Agency she was home even more, but he did still consult his mother on big campaigns. And sometimes when older clients asked for her specifically. Every time Jonathan asked her for a campaign, the fire in her eyes was back. There hadn't been a loss yet. She was that good.
He finally got up and grabbed his keys. He needed to read this outside the house.
He drove his car to the lake, it was a lovely day. He got out of the car and sat on the hood as he looked at the file in his hands. He grabbed a small stack of photos, it was a photo of himself in Central Park. He smiled, at least his mouth smiled, his eyes didn't. The second photo was one of Kathy, she didn't even smile. She just looked at the camera, heartbreakingly sad. The last photo he still remembered like it was yesterday. They had been together a couple of days. Kathy had asked someone in the park to make a photo of the two of them together, she tripped when running back to him. She fell into his arms as they both started laughing, both their first genuine laugh ever since they lost their loved ones. He loved the photo, but also laughed. He had forgotten how much taller she was than he was. She had at least 2 inches on him.
He grabbed the translation out of the file. He started reading and once he started he couldn't stop. His phone rang.
"Hey beautiful." he says as he picked up the phone.
"Hi sweetheart."
"When are you coming home?" he asked.
"Where are you?" she replied.
"What?"
"Sweetheart, its 6:30 and you're not home."
"Oh I just got lost in my thoughts. I will be home soon." He felt the pit in his stomach grow at his lie.
"I will get dinner started." She noted.
"Whoa Ange don't, you've worked, I had a day off. I should be the one cooking dinner." The pit grew. "You want me to pick something up? Some Chinese? Pizza?"
"No, way too heavy and not a problem. We have enough at home, I'll make us a pasta Aglio e Olio."
Tony smiled, after she started working less, Angela had started cooking more often and even perfecting some great Italian dishes. And she knew he loved her pasta with garlic.
"Are you sure Angela? I mean I feel kinda guilty. It was my turn to cook dinner."
"Tony, you've cooked so many meals for me over the years even when you also had to work, trust me I'm fine."
"Angela?"
Hmmmm she hummed.
"Have I told you lately how beautiful you are? And how crazy I am about you?"
"Sweetheart you tell me this every day."
"But I do, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't want you to ever forget that."
"I love you too handsome."
"I'll be home in 30 minutes."
"Can't wait for you to get here."
After finishing the phone call he looked at the still sealed envelope in his hand. He needed to read it before going back. Especially after having read her diary.
He opened the letter, the letter was dated on September 1996, a little over 15 years after they met. The letter was 2 pages front and back. He read it once quickly, then a second time slower. A tear rolled on his cheek as he put the letter back in the envelope and put everything in the file again.
He drove back home with an even bigger pit in his stomach.
"Hey beautiful." Tony says as he walked into the kitchen. "Smells great here."
"Hey." Angela smiled, her cheeks pink from leaning over pots and pans "Just in time, it's time to plate up."
He walked up to her, grabbed her from behind. "You look so sexy behind a stove." As he kissed the side of her neck.
She chuckled "Oh my sexist little pig."
"Oink, oink hot stuff." He spun her and kissed her deeply.
After all these years, the sparks still flew with them.
"Sit down Cowboy. You need to eat up before exercising." She turned around "Oh on second thought.."
Tony wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"Don't get any funny ideas. I put a Pinot Grigio in the fridge. Please pour us a glass." She smiled.
"That was a great meal Ange." Tony leaned back in his chair as he touched his stomach.
"I still can't get used to anyone complimenting me on dinner." Angela blushed.
"You know I am brutally honest when it comes to food." Tony grinned
"Not as brutal as mother was." Angela gave him a sad smile.
"I miss her too." He put his hand over hers. "The house is quite empty without her."
"It is, isn't it. I even miss all the puns she used to throw. And I know we are quite lucky to have had us with us for this long. But I could have used 50 more years with her." Angela wiped a tear.
"I know sweetheart, I know. She was one of a kind."
"That she was indeed. I'm so thankful to her." Angela smiled sadly.
"She was a great mother." Tony lifted her chin. "You had a great relationship with her. I get why you're thankful."
"We had a strange relationship." Angela laughed "But without her, I never would have met you. And that's the one thing I'm most grateful for. She was our biggest supporter besides the kids."
He smiled "That's true."
Angela absentmindedly played with the necklace that used to belong to her mother.
"Ange?"
"Hhmmm" she hummed.
"You going into the city again tomorrow?"
"Yes, Jonathan and I will have to finish up on the campaign. And next week is Jack's pension party. So we have some preparing to do. Why?"
"Well I was thinking of going to the Y. You know check out the kids, see how they're doing. I haven't been in a while."
"That's a great idea. You should go more often. You helped Bobby find the right path. That was very impressive."
"So may I take you out for lunch, Mrs. Micelli?" he smiled at her.
"You may always take me out to lunch Mr. Micelli." She smiled back.
Tony and Angela met Jonathan at the train station.
"Morning buddy!" Tony said with great enthusiasm.
"Morning Tony. Good morning mom." Jonathan kissed his mother and shook Tony's had.
"How are Olivia and Grace?" Tony asked. "We haven't seen the girls in forever."
"Tony, we had dinner last Sunday." Jonathan laughed.
"He always misses the grandchildren." Angela hooked her arm in Tony's "Don't you?"
"They just bring so much joy. I love when everyone is at the house. So sue me." He laughed.
"Oh Olivia has a swimming meet tomorrow. If you'd like to come. And Grace has a dance recital on Saturday. You know how much she loves when you guys come and watch."
"Oh I can't wait to see Grace up on the stage." Angela swooned.
Tony dropped Angela and Jonathan off.
"I'll pick you up 1 for lunch." Tony said as he kissed Angela.
When he pulled back, she pulled on his shirt "I can't wait." As she kissed him again, deeper than he'd kissed her.
"Oh guys.. there is a kids standing here."
"See you soon son."
"Bye Tony."
"I love you." Angela gave him a soft kiss.
"I love you too." As he moved a strand of hair out of her face.
After leaving he took the small piece of paper out of his pocket and read what it said.
There was a slight hesitation when he reached his destination. He put his fist up to knock, then pulled back before knocking. Then he finally knocks.
A young boy, Tony guesses he is about 11 maybe 12, opens the door. "Hello sir?"
"Hey kid, is your mom in?"
"Yes sir she is."
"Can you go get her?"
"No sir, I'm not allowed to interrupt her when she is at work."
"Do you think it'll take long?"
The boy stepped aside. "Look sir, she is busy."
Tony saw Christina sitting at a keyboard, headphones on, playing, then writing, scratching, then more writing, then she starts playing at the keyboard again. Her back turned to them.
"Marcus what are you doing?" She asks as she turns around. "Oh Mr. Micelli." She says as she lowers the headphones.
"Mom?" a young lady walks in. "Who is that?"
"Ah, it's business baby girl. Could you take your brother downstairs and get some ice cream."
"Mom, it's 9:00."
"Oh yeah right, go and get a muffin and while you're at it, could you get me a cappuccino with an extra shot of espresso? Would you like anything Mr. Micelli?"
"Well, cappuccino is my favourite."
"Please get Mr. Micelli a cappuccino as well. Would you also like an extra shot of espresso?" Christina turned to him.
"No, I have to think about my blood pressure. Thanks."
Christina hands her daughter a $20 bill. "This should do it."
"Mom! It's not the 90s anymore! You know how expensive everything is?"
Christina hands her another $10 "Well Alicia, get a receipt so I know you're not hustling me."
"Dad is way easier to hustle than you." She laughed "Be right back with the coffee."
"Licia, could you take your brother to see an early movie after that? I really need to talk to Mr. Micelli. I will give you some more money."
"Sure mom." As she quickly kissed her mother.
"Cute kids." Tony said after they left.
"Thanks, they're amazing."
"So what were you doing there?" Tony nods towards the keyboard.
"The best I can." Christina laughed "I do miss my piano. But the keyboard is a good replacement and it allows me to play with headphones."
"So you make music?" Tony was curious.
"Yes and no. I mean I write lyrics and compose music. Getting songs sold is different story." She laughed "So I've also written some jingles, you wouldn't know them. They were for Dutch commercials. I just love music."
"You sing?"
"No, not anymore. I used to sing with mom. She loved 60s, 70s and 80s soul, we sang Dionne Warwick, Anita Baker, The Temptations and so on. And besides my voice isn't great." She looked at Tony "But I guess that's not why you're here."
"No." he nervously wiped his hands on his pants as Christina did the exact same. "Sweaty hands?"
Christina just nods.
"When you're nervous?"
She nods again.
Tony chuckles. "Look Christina, I read the diary and the letter. I looked at the photos. And I came here to tell you that I am on board with the paternity test."
"Why?" She said as she put her hand in front of her mouth.
"Every child should have the right to know their parents. And after reading the letter. I mean, let's face it, even if there is one percent chance that I'm your father, I also want to know. I can't have you live in this world without knowing. If you are my kid, I want to know."
Christina cracked a smile "I am happy to hear that. Because I would also like to know that. Hold on."
Tony watched her disappear out of sight only to reappear in a matter of seconds.
"I got these at the doctor's office. He told me you just swab the inside of your cheek and that will be enough. But if you'd like, we could also get a blood test."
"No no, just give me the swab. And what happens next?"
"I will take the test to the doctors and I guess he will send them to a lab."
"So how much do I owe you?"
"Owe me?"
"For the testing. I mean your doctor won't do the tests for free."
"You owe me nothing, I asked you to get tested. I am paying for this."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
They swabbed their cheeks in silence. And then put the swabs away.
"I will take these in after my husband gets back. He'll be back soon." She looks at Tony "You sure you're okay with this?"
The hotel room door opened. "Hey Chris."
"Hey babe."
Tony looked at the tall man entering the room as his eyes grew.
"Who's he?" he said with a slight jealousy.
"This is Mr. Micelli. I told you about him." The intonation in her voice changed.
"Oh of course. Good to meet you Mr. Micelli. I'm.."
"Jay Johnson." Tony answered.
"You know me?"
"The new assistant trainer to the Knicks, yeah! How did you guys meet?"
"We met in college. Chris' grandmother send her to New York for a year of college."
"Not a very interesting story Mr. Micelli." Christina said shyly. "We dated for a year, broke up after I went back home."
"After finishing college I went back for her." Jay smiled at his wife. "And the rest is history."
"Look I've gotta go." Tony said. "If you have the results.."
"I will tell you." Christina looked at the swabs in her hand, a flush of fear fell over her. As much as she wanted to know if he is her father, she was also just as scared that he is. "Thank you for doing this Mr. Micelli." She looked up at him as they gave each other a knowing look.
When Tony opened the door, Alicia just came back with the coffees.
"Here you go sir."
"Thank you, Alicia was it?"
Alicia nods. "Yes sir." As she quickly walked to her mother. "Here you go mom." She smiled.
Christina kissed the temple of her daughter's head "Thank you so much sweetheart."
"Can Marcus and I still hit an early movie?"
Christina looked at her husband "I told them they could go, are you okay with that?"
"Enjoy kids. Here's another $20 for snacks." He smiled.
"Thanks dad.." she ran out just after she kissed him.
Tony waved goodbye.
As their hotel was near Central park, Tony decided to take a stroll through the park. His mind racing. What the hell was he supposed to tell Angela? And Samantha? Would they be disappointed? Would Sam hate him for sleeping with another woman just after her mother passed? And what if he was her father? He'd get a kid and 2 grandkids, how would he introduce them to his family?
The best case scenario was that she wasn't his daughter, no one would be hurt and his family wouldn't question him. Somehow he felt heartbroken for the young woman if he wasn't. And he had to be honest with himself, the way she looked at him, reminded him of himself and some ways of Sam. Or was he just imagining it? He took a seat on a bench and watched a duck family for a while.
When he checked his watch it was 12:30pm already.
~Where did the time go?~ he thought to himself as he quickly got up and walked towards the exit of the park.
Tony was 5 minutes late at the office, Angela was waiting outside.
"Sorry beautiful, I lost track of time." He apologized.
"You always do." She smiled before giving him a peck on his lips. "So how was the Y?"
Tony wrecked his brain, he didn't want to lie to her. "To be honest, I didn't go to the Y."
"You didn't?" she asked as they start walking towards the restaurant.
"No I thought I recognised Jay Johnson.. so I followed him to his hotel."
"THE Jay Johnson, the new assistant trainer to the Knicks?"
Tony nods, feeling pretty guilty disguising his lie.
"You followed him? Did you get to talk to him?"
"Yeah just a little bit. He was with his family I didn't want to invade their privacy." Technically he was telling the truth, just hiding important facts.
"What did you do after that?"
"His hotel was near Central Park, I just started walking around and ended up watching a duck family the rest of the time. They were so cute, you should have seen them."
"My big strong, sensitive man." She hooked her arm in his.
Tony held out a chair for Angela as she sat down. "Thank you."
He sat opposite and smiled. She had aged, but she was still as stunning as the moment he walked through the door and she stood there in her bathrobe. She still looked amazing, the years had been good on her. Both of them. He laughed to himself.
They quickly ordered 2 club sodas. As they sifted through the menu.
"So what do you feel like eating?" Angela broke the silence.
Tony wasn't hungry at all, his conscience weighted on his stomach. "I'm not really hungry."
Angela looked up at him over the rim of her glasses. She put down the menu. "Okay that's it!"
Tony looks up in shock. "What?"
"Tony I've known you for 38 years, been married to you for 30.. in all those years you've never not been hungry. Aren't you always saying : I'm Italian." Angela mocked him as he copied his accent. "Italians can always eat."
"Angela.." he laughed.
"Look when you tell me you're not hungry either something is bothering you or we need to see a doctor because you're sick."
These were the moments that made him smile, she knew him so well, better than anyone had ever known him.
"Okay, okay.. I had some Starbucks." He put his hands in the air. Technically he wasn't lying.
"Oh you ruined your appetite? Well I am famished. I'm having the spicy beef salad."
"Ay oh, oh ay, that sounds good, Let's make it two. Shall we have a glass of Bordeaux with it?"
"Yes, that sounds wonderful."
Somehow Angela and Tony never were at loss of conversation.
Angela went on and on about the campaign. As Tony spoke the job he had been offered as a private tutor for some kids at the local high school. It wasn't a great contract, just 2 days a week. But as he had stopped working a couple of years ago and he still missed the kids and the job, he had taken the job after speaking to Angela about. She, as always, had been thrilled. Especially since she was still consulted on by the agency she once started. They both weren't the types to enjoy their pension, doing nothing was not something either of them was very good at.
They were talking about travelling to Hawaii. They had travelled so much together, but that was one of the few places they hadn't been.
Once their conversations started and his conscience went in resting mode, his hunger came quickly. As he devoured the salad. Angela was barely half way when he pushed his plate away from him.
"That was good." He finished his wine.
After Angela finished her meal, Tony paid and brought her back to the office.
The weeks passed by and Tony thought less and less about Christina and the paternity test. His mind was preoccupied by his new teaching job, the house and the family.
"Everybody ready!" Tony yelled.
"Almost." Angela said as she sat on the couch, finishing braiding Grace. "There you go Gracie, all done."
Grace ran towards the mirror near the front door. Angela had braided 2 Dutch braids and put in 2 bands with a flower on it. "Thanks grandma." She ran back to Angela and gave her a big hug.
"You're very welcome sweetheart."
Andy and Joey strolled in from the kitchen.
"Where's your mom?" Tony asked.
"I'm coming." Sam yelled from the kitchen.
Jonathan came out of Angela's study.
"You sure grandma doesn't have to your hair Olivia?"
"Dad! I'm 14. I can do my own hair."
Angela smiled at her son-in-law and shrugged "Teens."
"Joey.. buddy.. you ready?" Tony was so proud of his grandson. "I can't wait to see you out on the field!"
"Did you tell Grandpa Joey?"
"Tell me what?"
"There is a scout coming today."
"No way! My boy!" Tony proudly said.
As the family went off to watch Joey's game.
"Yeah Joey!" Tony kept cheering when they got home. "You were brilliant! Even better than I was."
"Take that compliment Joseph, you know how full your grandpa is of himself." Angela winked. "You did great sweetheart, I am so proud of you."
"Thanks grandma.. thanks grandpa." Joey beamed.
"I'll start the barbecue." Tony smiled "Oh boy oh boy, my grandson."
"I'll help you Tony." Brian was on his heels.
"Daddy?" Olivia turned to face Jonathan "Can Grace and I check on Jennifer and Stacy? You can just yell when dinner's ready."
Jonathan caressed Olivia's face. "Sure sweetheart. Just be back in an hour."
"You coming Gracie?" Olivia had her hand on the doorknob as Grace ran towards her.
"See you later daddy." As she immediately ran into her cousin.
"I don't know why they named you Grace.." Andy said "You're not very graceful." He laughed at his own joke.
Angela smiled at Andy, he always reminded her most of Tony, only a lot taller.
"Sorry Andy." Grace smiled.
"It's nothing kiddo." Andy caressed her head.
Samantha walked in behind Andy. "Brian and you have done a great job with my nieces. They're wonderful." Sam watched the girls run away behind her. "Are they going to the Millers?"
"Thanks Sam." Jonathan smiled "Yes of course they are. The four of them are practically joined at the hip. And seriously Sam.." Jonathan looked her straight in her eyes "You're doing a marvellous job with your boys."
Andy draped an arm around his mother's shoulder "She is tiny but fierce."
Angela chuckled. "Leave your poor mother alone Anthony."
Jonathan retreated to his mother's study.
Sam smiled at her "Thanks. I've always been the shortest, guess it is not going to change. Seeing as Olivia is already taller than I am."
"You mind if I go shoot some hoops?" Andy asked.
"Sure go ahead. Maybe go one on one with grandpa." Sam winked.
"I swear your boys were born with a basket- and baseball ball in their hands. Joseph was excellent today. And well Anthony is the best in his basketball team." Angela put her arm around Sam. "Jonathan is right Samantha, you are doing such a wonderful job with those boys. I'm so proud of them put I'm even prouder of you."
"Have I ever told you that I love that you call them by their full names. You've always called everyone by their full name. You've hardly ever called me Sam. You always made me feel grown up. Even when I was little. You believed in me, like a mother should believe in her daughter.. even though I am biologically not your daughter."
Angela pulled her arm away and turned Samantha. "Samantha Micelli! The moment you walked into that door." She pointed at the front door "with your shiner. Was the moment I knew I'd love you forever. You not only were like a daughter to me, you ARE a daughter to me. Biology has nothing to do with it. I love as my daughter because you are my daughter."
"I love you too, mom." Samantha gave her a hug.
Samantha rarely called Angela mom, a part of her always felt like she was betraying her mother. But Tony once explained to her that her mother would have been so happy that she found a second mother who loved her, took care of her and would move heaven and earth for her. This was the moment Samantha finally got her father's remark. Angela loved both her and her sons just as much as she loved Jonathan and his girls. There was no difference for her.
The doorbell rang.
Angela kissed Samantha head. "I have to get that."
"Hello?" Angela said as she opened the door.
"Hi. I'm looking for Mr. Micelli. Is he in?" Angela looked at Sam and back to the strange blonde woman in front of her.
"Ah yes. Come in. I'll go get him."
"I'll go.. mom." Samantha was trying to use it as often as she could.
"This might be rude, but you are?" Angela gave the woman a quizzically look.
"Oh excuse me, how rude of me. My name is Christina van Helmond." She said as Tony walked in with Sam on her heels.
"Mr. Micelli!" The young woman gave him a big smile "I have the test results." As she held up an envelope.
"What test results?" Angela looked from Tony to the young woman.
"Yeah dad, what test results" Samantha popped her head from behind her father.
Tony turned white as a sheet.
Christina looked at the three adults in front of her, her stomach dropped. "You haven't told them." Her voice softly cracked.
"Christ.." he walked up to her.
"Don't bother Mr. Micelli." She stopped him before he reached her "You know I just found out I have been living in secrecy for almost 40 years. I refuse to become a secret." She pushed the envelope against his chest. "Here! I don't even want to know anymore. Have a nice life!" As she walked off and stormed out.
"Tony?" Angela's voice was soft, almost afraid.
"Dad?" Sam found her way to Angela as they both put an arm around each other.
Tony leaned into the couch as he rubbed his hand on his face and then through his hair. "You guys want answers I guess." He couldn't look at either of them.
"What's going on?" Jonathan walked in, both his mother and Samantha nearly in tears. "Mom? Sam? What is it?"
"We don't know." Angela's voice cracked.
Jonathan turned to face Tony. "Tony?"
"Tony!" Anger took over as Angela walked up to him "Who is Christina?"
"Is he having an affair?" Jonathan whispered to Samantha.
"Jonathan! Of course not." Sam hit him.
"Ay!" he objected.
"I don't even know where to start. Jonathan could you tell Brian to keep the boys outside and keep an eye on the barbecue?"
Jonathan left and was back in a matter of seconds.
"Who is Christina?" Tony repeated the question Angela asked him. "Come 'ere Ange." As he extended his hand, reluctantly she took it. "Sam?" he extended his second hand.
"Spill it dad, stop stalling." Samantha was done with this.
"Christina might be my daughter."
"YOUR WHAT?" Angela and Samantha yelled in unison.
"Did.." Angela's voice filled with sadness "When was she born? Were you already living here?" tears streamed down her cheeks as she felt like throwing up.
"Did you know about her?" Samantha's voice was filled with anger.
"Ay oh, oh ay.. first of all if I knew about her, I'd never turn my back on her. Secondly Angela you know me.. She was born in 1982."
"Wait a second.." Samantha narrowed her eyes. "Not only did you betray Angela, the woman I consider to be my mother. But you slept with someone right after MY mother died?" She was enraged by the new.
"We don't even know for sure if she is my daughter. The answer is in here." He held up the envelope.
"If you're testing you slept with her mother. Didn't you?" Her eyes spat fire.
Angela placed her hand on Samantha's shoulder. "Sweetheart, give your father a chance of explaining himself."
"Hold on." Tony stood and walked to the side cabinet, taking a folder out of it. "A couple of weeks ago, you were at the agency Angela, Christina came to the house. She handed me a translated copy of her mother's diary, some photos and a sealed copy of a letter. She got them after the bank contacted her about her mother's safety deposit box. She asked me to read it and decide if I wanted to do a paternity test." He handed Angela the folder "After seeing the photos and reading everything. I came to the conclusion that I might be her father. So I went to her hotel and agreed to do the test. I needed to know and she needs to know."
"it still doesn't explain why you did that to mom." Samantha had lessened her anger.
Tony plopped on the couch. "Sam, do you remember when your mother died?"
"Of course I do." She frowned.
"You remember that about 2 weeks after her death, you spend a lot of time at Mrs. R's?"
Samantha nodded.
"Remember what she said? Where I was?"
Samantha shook her head. "No dad, she just said you had business. And the way she said it, made sure I didn't ask."
"I needed to get out of Brooklyn. Everything in Brooklyn reminded me of her. And mostly you Samantha, you look so much like Marie. Looking at you physically hurt me."
Samantha was taken aback by her father's honest confession.
"I'm sorry if it's painful to hear. But I just needed to be elsewhere. I ended up in some bar, I can't even remember the name. I was drinking my pain away. And then I looked into the mirror behind the bar and she looked up at me. The one person in the entirely overcrowded bar that looked sadder than I did. I ordered her a drink from my side of the bar and she ordered me a drink from her side. Eventually I stepped up to her." He gave a sad laugh "I still remember what I said to her. 'You're the only person in here who is sadder than I am.' All she said was 'who did you lose?' She knew. I told her about your mother and you." Tony licked his lips "And then she told me her story. A couple of weeks prior to visiting New York, she had lost both her husband and her 2 year old son by the hand of a drunk driver." Tony finally looked up at Samantha. "We were both in pain." He gave a sad laugh. "Cathy said it best, we were both dead inside and we both just wanted to feel anything again. All of it lasted 5 days. The first 2 days we drank and talked, we slept together on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day and on the 4th day we eventually laughed. We parted on the 5th day, neither of us wanted a relationship, neither of us had expectations. We were what both of us needed at that exact moment." Tony sighed deeply.
"Do you remember that Friday when I came home and took you to the carnival?" Tony looked at Sam.
"Yeah I remember that day. It was the first time we had fun without mom. We both felt happy and guilty when we came home. I remember you telling me that's what we needed at that exact moment." Sam looked sad. "And that mom would want us to be happy and move on. To not stay stuck in the moment."
"Exactly and I meant it. It took Cathy to make me realise that. I don't know if I could have moved on from your mother's passing without her."
"And why didn't you tell us when Christina first came to the house?" Angela's voice was thick with sadness "Since when don't we tell each other everything?"
"Ange.. babe."
"Don't babe me Tony. I want the truth." Angela was both sad and angry.
"I.. I.. I don't know. I guess to avoid this. Painful reopening of old wounds. And I figure I'd get there when the results were known."
"So you think you are her father?" Angela bit her lower lip.
"I'm 90% positive. The dates add up."
"I can't deal with this right now." Angela slowly walked up the stairs.
"Dad why? You know Angela, she would have supported you through this. She has supported you through everything." Samantha pleaded.
"What about Christina?" Jonathan spoke clear. "We are all here speaking about what happened over 40 years ago. I get that it's painful, for both mom and Sam. But have any of you ever thought about what this does to her."
Angela turned on the stairs.
"What do you mean Jonathan?" Tony looked at him.
"Look I have little to no memories of my father. He was always on the road, always gone. But you Tony, I have so many loving memories of you. You taking me to a ball game, you cooking me shark pancakes, you playing catch, you teaching me how to box and I could go on. And here we have Christina, for almost 40 years she thought her father had died and then finding a box full of stuff stating that a Tony Micelli.." Jonathan grabbed the envelope "From Brooklyn New York, might be her father. And now she'll never know."
Angela still stood halfway of the stairs. "Since when are you this wise?"
"I've always been, you know that." He smiled at his mother.
"What about those results?" Samantha nodded.
"I think Christina needs to be here to read those." Angela stated. "I guess we need to go find her."
"I can call her hotel, maybe her husband is there and he is in contact with her. I spoke to him." Tony said as he grabbed the paper with her contact information.
"You've met her husband?" Angela was finally downstairs.
"Remember that I told you I met Jay Johnson?"
"You met Jay Johnson?" Sam nearly screamed "You didn't tell Andy?!"
"He's Christina's husband."
Angela's jaw dropped. "I am such an idiot. That's why you couldn't eat. A guilty conscience?!"
"Call him Tony." Jonathan poked him in the back.
"I'll try her number first." Tony grabbed his phone a dialled her number.
"It immediately went to voicemail." As he typed in the number for her hotel room.
"Hello? Mr. Johnson? This is Tony Micelli. Have you spoken to your wife recently? Oh not since lunch. Yeah she was here, she left. No she didn't tell us. Listen Mr. Johnson, I'm sorry Jay. She came here and I kinda, sorta didn't tell my family about her. She left sad and angry. I've tried her number but it went straight to voicemail. Yes, we will check here. Sure. See you soon."
"And?" Samantha asked.
"She wasn't there, hadn't seen her since lunch. He's coming here. He asked if we could walk around the neighbourhood. She took the train here."
"She must be going to the station." Angela noted.
"Sam and Jonathan, could you guys keep everything running here? Angela and I will take the car and drive to the station."
Angela didn't say a word to Tony all the way.
"You've gotta talk to me at some point Angela.." he pleaded.
Angela looked outside.
"Come on Ange."
Angela watched the scenery go by.
Tony hit the brakes. "Talk. To. Me."
"Why? Why should I talk to you when you don't talk to me about big issues like this. Tony you've hurt me today. In a bad way. I don't think you've ever hurt me this bad."
"I am truly sorry Ange. I don't want this to hang between us."
"You know that I am not even angry about the fact that you might have a daughter. You came with one and I love her with all my heart. I'm angry that you thought you had to keep that from the family, from ME. I feel so betrayed. And you know what the sad thing about betrayal is, that it never comes from your enemies. It's always those you love the most."
That last part stung.
"What if it had been the other way around and I kept such a big secret from you? How would that have made you feel?" she looked at him, his eyes red shot from tears. "I've never loved anyone as much as I love you. That's why this hurts so much."
"My sweetheart, I am so sorry. I could never express how sorry I am. I will do anything for you, for your happiness. You are the love of my life and you're scaring me. Please don't leave me because of this."
Angela looked confused. "Leave you? How did you come to that conclusion?" She cupped his face "I could never leave you, I tried once and I still regret that. You are also the love of MY life, just let me be sad and angry with you for just a little while. I will get over this. Just not now."
"Promise?" he sounded so insecure.
"I promise.. handsome." She said as Tony kissed the inside of her hand.
"Tony?" Angela sat up straight. "Is that her?" As she pointed to a kids playground.
The blonde was sitting on the swings, staring off into the distance.
"Go talk to her." I'll stay here.
This storyline had been stuck in my head for a while.
This is also my ode to the impeccable Katherine Helmond.
I chose the name van Helmond (never attached to each other) this is a common with last names in the Netherlands, as Helmond is a city in the Netherlands. The Dutch put van (no uppercase!), like the Irish and Scottish use O'. Van means of and is pronounced as Vaughn (not van, it's not a car).
Another reference to Miss Helmond is the name of Christina's mother, Cathy.
RIP Miss Katherine Helmond