Once again I sincerely apologize for how long it's taking me to post updates. I've had the strangest writer's block on top of real-life stuff. I will try to not keep you all waiting for the next (and what I think will be the last chapter). I appreciate all of you that have stuck it out with me! Your feedback means so much.
"Well, did you talk to her?"
Tony paused at the sight of Sam. "I thought you were spending the night with Charlie?"
"I changed my mind."
"So you've been here alone this whole time?"
Rolling her eyes, she said, "Mrs. Rossini is downstairs and the windows are locked."
Deciding to leave well enough alone, Tony shook his head and went back to the more important subject at hand. "Yeah, I talked to her."
"Does she want us back?"
"She does."
Despite the hopefulness in her voice seconds before, she replied in a monotone. "Oh."
"What do you think?" he asked carefully.
Sam plopped down on the couch, her lips twisted. "Was she just pitying us?"
"No, I don't think so. She seemed relieved. And hey, I think Jonathan will be happy than anyone. So really, the choice is up to you."
"No pressure," she scoffed.
Tony sat down next to her. "You don't have to make a decision tonight, but it should be sooner than later. You know, preferably before the next rent check is due."
She couldn't contain a lopsided smirk.
"Things are gonna be different this time," he assured.
"How do you know?"
"I just do."
"What about the first time? Did you ever think we'd come back to Brooklyn then?"
"It's a different situation, you know that. How were we to know things she didn't tell us? When you think about it, we haven't known them that long."
"So moving in with strangers is totally sane."
"Okay, bad way of putting it."
"I can't handle leaving my friends and everyone again."
Cautiously putting an arm around her in case her mood would switch on him, he said, "Listen. I might not be able to promise I'll work for Angela until you're eighteen, but I can promise to do what I can to stay in Connecticut. Things got so crazy this time. We've all learned our lessons."
She just shrugged.
"Think about it some more, okay?"
"Okay," she muttered.
"And Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"It's okay that you miss them."
Sam turned her head, her eyes narrowed. She then stood, mumbling an almost inaudible, "Whatever."
. . .
Tony gave Sam space for the next few days, letting the unanswered question become an elephant in the room. She didn't speak much at all which began to worry him after a while. Angela was waiting for confirmation — which both had figured would come eventually — but with Sam's avoidance he started to wonder if the damage done was irreparable.
It was no surprise when Angela called one evening, the apprehension in her voice noticeable.
"She hasn't said a word?" she deflated.
"Not about Connecticut. Not much of anything else."
"I see."
"I'm going to have to speak to her again about it soon. Maybe tomorrow. She needs to make up her mind."
"Don't push her, Tony. It's not worth making her more resentful."
"I'll do it gently," he said. "I think she really does want to move back there. Pride's getting in the way."
"I'd offer to help, but I don't think that would help."
Tony twisted his lips. "Probably not."
"I'm so sorry," she sighed. "I know I keep saying it. I just can't believe all that's happened. Things felt so easy before Michael showed up."
"Ange, stop apologizing. You did what you needed to do."
"Sure, and it ended up driving everyone away."
"Not me."
"In a way."
"How?"
"It wasn't until Sam and Jonathan were having trouble that we spoke again. I can't help but wonder if things would have been different if we'd kept in touch."
"It wasn't that simple," he said. "Remember, I was getting in the way of you and Michael reconciling."
"Maybe at home, but that's no excuse not to call and check-in. It wasn't just about you and me. The kids were involved, too. Seeing Jonathan with you at the ice cream shop the other day reminded me just how much of a father you've been to him and how much he's missed you. I don't know... I guess when Michael came back and said he'd make changes I pictured him doing all the things you did."
Unsure of the response she was looking for, he replied, "People are different."
"I know. I just wish sometimes..."
When she didn't finish, Tony asked, "Wish what?"
Her voice grew quiet. "That... things were different sometimes. I don't know."
"Different how?"
"Our entire situation. Say we met under different circumstances and hit it off like we have... maybe there would more stability for the kids."
"You mean like if we were dating?"
"No! Or, maybe. Or friends rather than boss and employee." She was glad he couldn't see the flush in her cheeks.
"We are friends, Angela. Things just got a little crazy there for a while. It was something that needed to happen for you and Michael. Jonathan, too."
"Maybe."
"No maybe," he scolded. "Everything is final now. Now things can change for good."
"I suppose."
"Do you wish you and Michael could have worked it out?"
She took a moment before responding. "In a way, yes. But what I wanted from him and what he wanted from me wasn't possible. So really, no. I'm glad we have that closure now. Still, it's an unsettling feeling. I do love him, but it's not the same way I used to. I love him because he's the father of my son and played an important part in my life. I care about him and what happens to him."
"But you're not in love with him anymore."
"No. I'm not."
"Well… now you know."
Angela sighed. "But now everything is upside down."
"We're going to work it out. I promise."
"You can't very well drag Sam here when she's so mad at me."
"I really think she'll come around. Let's just give it some more time."
"I can wait."
With a chuckle, Tony said, "Can you? I'm still seeing that pile of laundry in my nightmares."
"Very funny."
"I'll give you a call again in a couple of days, hmm?" Tony said.
"All right. But please, Tony, don't force her."
"I won't, I won't."
"Good," she said gently. "I'll talk to you later, then…"
"Yeah… talk to ya later…"