The silent treatment was alive and well in the house. The kids had barely spoken to Tony ever since their talk. Tony and Angela only spoke when absolutely necessary, usually about everyday things like the kids, school, and work. Mona and Tony were the only ones who were still speaking even though she too was having a tough time dealing with everything that had happened. Everyone felt like they were walking around on eggshells with each other. Tony didn't want to upset the kids anymore than he had, the kids didn't want to make Angela feel any more sad than she was, and most of all Tony and Angela didn't want the other to feel any more miserable than they were.

The only good thing that came out of the whole mess was it had brought Sam and Jonathan closer. Not that they were suddenly best friends or anything but their mutual disappointment over what Tony had done had bonded them in a way they hadn't been in a long time. They both felt like their parents were going through a divorce because their Dad had betrayed their Mom. Logically of course they knew this wasn't true. Their parents weren't married or even dating but they always seemed like they were. So Tony's indiscretion and the two of them dating others just seemed wrong. They were supposed to be traveling on the same road together- not on different roads with other people! They both talked about whether or not they should discuss things with Angela. On the one hand they wanted no needed to comfort her and be comforted by her. On the other hand they didn't want to say or do anything to make her relive everything Tony had put her through. But, they reasoned they had talked with Tony now it was time for them to talk to Angela.

They got their chance a few weeks later. Tony was in Brooklyn and Mona was out on a date. Angela was due to arrive home any moment and they decided that it was now or never. They were both sitting on the couch barely paying attention to the show they were watching. Their eyes kept glancing to the front door hoping that she would be home soon but at the same time dreading the conversation they planned to have.

Jonathan sighed "I hope Mom won't be to upset."

"Of course she'll be upset! My Dad betrayed her with that BIMBO." She recalled when her Dad had told her not to use the word 'bimbo' and she relished having the opportunity to do so. She had met Kathleen a few times and she could tell that she was trying her hardest to bond with her. 'Well sorry Bimbo! You will never bond with me!' Sam had secretly thought. Yeah, she knew she was acting childish but she was still so angry.

"Maybe we shouldn't do this Sam."

"We have to. I mean maybe she wants to talk to us too but is afraid to make the first move. Besides there are so many questions that I have."

"Me too. So I guess it's better that we all sit down and talk."

"Yeah and with Dad in Brooklyn the timing couldn't be better."

They heard the front door open and Jonathan quickly turned off the T.V. They looked at one another. As if they could read each other's mind the words "It's now or never." floated between them.

"Hi guys!" Angela greeted them as she put her purse and briefcase on the desk.

"Hi Mom."

"Hi Angela."

"So how were things here today?"

"Okay. Angela? We need to talk." Sam said motioning her over.

Angela had a moment of panic. The look on their faces was serious. Was something wrong? Did something happen to them? Or Mona? Or Tony? She walked over.

"What is it? Are you okay?" She sat down between them and grasped both of their hands in her hers.

"Mom, we're fine. At least physically."

"Well we won't be if Angela doesn't let go of our hands." Sam joked. Angela smiled sheepishly and let go.

"Sorry. But, you both look so serious. And Jonathan you said you were fine physically. So what is it?"

"It's about you and Dad. Or more specifically Dad and Kathleen." Sam nearly gagged when she said her name.

Angela tensed up. Even though Tony had been dating Kathleen for awhile it was still hard for her to be reminded of the fact let alone hear her name. Even names that sounded close to Kathleen: Kate, Kathy, Katie, and Katherine made her feel like her stomach was filled with rocks. She was trying to come to peace with everything. She really was but it wasn't easy.

"What about them?" Angela sputtered. She really hated using the term 'them' when referring to Tony and Kathleen. Which was stupid. It was just a pronoun after all. But it made them seem like a couple. Which of course they were since they were dating she just didn't enjoy thinking of them in that context.

"We thought the three of us should talk about it. We already did with Dad."

"You did? When?"

"The day after it happened. We saw Tony go into your office and we both wanted to talk to you but we overheard a few things that got us worried so we went to Grandma and well she told us what happened. "

"I see." Angela said quietly.

"Look Angela we didn't mean to eavesdrop. We really didn't.. But, when we heard what the two of you were saying….."

"What did you hear?"

"That you didn't want Tony to feel bad for seeing someone because of you."

"And Dad saying that he didn't go looking for this."

"That's when we knew something had happened and Grandma confirmed it."

Angela sighed. While she knew the kids would find out eventually that Tony was dating Kathleen she had no idea they had known for as long as they had. It really didn't matter now she mused. Things were the way they were and there wasn't much anyone could do about it.

"Angela, we want you to know that we are so angry with Dad and how he treated you."

"I appreciate the two of you looking out for me but there's no reason to be angry at Tony. The truth is as much as it pains me to say this he didn't do anything wrong. We're not married, engaged, or a couple in any sense of the word. And who knows what could happen in the future? It's like I told Tony maybe we have to go through this to see if we can go any further."

Sam shook her head. "Angela, I don't understand how you can be so noble. You and Dad were on the path to something more and he goes and does this?!"

"Honey, do you remember when we had that talk about my intentions towards your Father?"

"Yeah. I said I always thought you two would end up getting married and you said that you guys had discussed it but decided not to decide for now."

"Yes and I told you that Tony and I had an open ended complicated relationship that was in flux…."

"And you didn't know where it will end up." Sam finished for her.

"What a second! When was all this going on?" Jonathan asked.

"It was when I was thinking about skipping my senior year. I was worried about leaving my Dad alone and I thought if he and Angela got married he'd be okay. But, then Bonnie and I saw Angela kissing that Howdy Doody guy and well it got me worried. Just before that I had told Bonnie that the two of you were like two peas in a pod."

Angela chuckled. "Well I don't think I have ever been referred to as a pea. A pumpkin maybe but never a pea."

The kids laughed too but were still worried about the situation with their parents. What if the relationship between Tony and Kathleen became serious and they ended up getting married? What if Angela ended up marrying some other guy? What would the Holidays be like then? When Angela had been dating Geoffrey he had spent Christmas with them and it had been a little awkward. Especially when Angela and Jonathan had left to have dinner with his family. So if Tony and Kathleen got married and Angela married another guy would they all still spend the Holidays together? Or would they all drift apart? What would happen to their family then?

As if she could read their minds Angela took both their hands in hers. "I just want you both to know that no matter what happens we love you both and nothing and nobody will ever change that."

"We love you too and yes we love Dad. We just don't like him to much right now. "

"You got that right!" Jonathan angrily said.

"Look don't be so hard on Tony. He loves you both very much."

"So what are you saying we should just forgive and forget?"

"I can't decide that for you. You're not kids anymore. You have to decide that for yourself. I just hope it won't be forever for your sakes and as well as Tony's."

"You're amazing Angela." Sam said admiringly. Angela smiled and opened her arms. Sam went into her embrace and rested her head on her shoulder. Jonathan watched the two of them and even though he liked to think of himself too old to want a hug from his Mom the stress over everything that had happened quickly overcame any that. He wrapped his arms around them and the three of them took comfort in the nearness of one another.

No one noticed Tony watching them through the swinging doors a melancholy expression on his face.