She could tell that she was nervous. Every time she came there it was always the same. She would wring her hands eyes darting every which way. It would be several moments before she would say why she was there. But, she always knew. It always was about him. About their relationship. The good and the bad. The ups and the downs. Sometimes she would have to ask her why she was there. This seemed to be one of those times.

"So, what brings you here today?"

"He met her Father." she said quietly.

She didn't have to ask who "HER" was.

"I see." she said. "So, what happened?"

"It was a few weeks ago. I came home from a date with Andy and found Tony about ready to go out. He told me that he was having dinner with- with Kath...." swallowing hard she continued. "and her Father."

"And how did that make you feel?"

"Angry. Scared. Sad."

"Why do you think you felt like that?"

"Isn't it obvious?'

"What?"

"Why she wanted Tony to meet her Dad?"

"Why don't you tell me?"

"Dr Bellows, I......" she trailed off.

"What? Come on you know you can tell me. It's just you and me here."

"I was so scared when I heard that he was having dinner with them. And when I heard that he made him his favorite cake!" she half laughed as she wiped her tears away. "I mean it was just cake and it scared the hell out of me. Isn't that silly? I mean Tony has made cakes for us before for our birthdays and for The Bower Agency Christmas Party but Tony making Kath....her dad's favorite cake just made me feel so lonely."

"Angela, you said yourself it's just cake. "

"I know but when he would make it for us that was somehow different."

"How?"

"Because we are a family. An unconventional one yes but still a family."

"But, Tony is dating her. And you have always told me that Tony is a nice guy. Maybe he just made the cake to be nice."

"I know that in my head Dr Bellows. But, in my heart I just feel like it got broken all over again."

Angela was quiet for a few moments as she attempted to pull herself together.

"I couldn't sleep the entire night. All I could think about was the reason why she wanted them to meet...." Once again she trailed off.

"Why is that?"

"She wanted them to meet so her Dad would like Tony cause she wanted them to get married."

"So, I take it that is why you are here? Tony is going to marry her?"

"No, he isn't."

"He isn't? Well you should be happy then. But, I can see that you're not."

She shook her head as tears slipped down her face.

"Angela?"

Angela lifted her head to look in her eyes.

"Talk to me. Tell me more."

"He isn't going to marry her but she wanted him to move in with her."

"And that is why you are here? He is moving out to live with her?"

"No, he isn't."

Dr Bellows was confused. Tony wasn't going to marry Kathleen or move in with her. Angela should be happy. Instead she looked like she had lost her best friend.

"Angela? If Tony isn't going to marry her or move in with her then why are you so upset?"

Angela shook her head. "I don't know."

"Angela, I want to help you. That's what I'm here for. But, you need to trust me. Why are you so upset?"

"Because I was so scared that he was going to leave me. I mean I know we aren't officially together but......"

"In your heart you feel like you are."

Angela nodded and sighed heavily.

"So is there anything more?"

"Yes, there is."

"So, tell me."

"Tony broke up with her about 3 weeks ago."

Dr Bellows was surprised. "He broke up with her? How does that make you feel?"

"When he told me at first I was so relived. It was like waking up from a long nightmare. But, then I just felt so...."

"So what?"

"Angry and confused."

"Why?"

Angela paused and took a few of the Kleenexes from the box on the table. Wiping her tears away she continued.

"When he first told me all I wanted to do was throw my arms around him especially after he told me that he was sorry and that he loved me."

"Tony told you that he loves you?" Dr Bellows was surprised but happy.

"Yes, he did." Angela smiled softly. "It was what I have been hoping and wishing for and I wanted to tell him that I loved him too and that I forgive him but for some reason I just couldn't."

"What did you say and do instead?"

"I got so angry. It was like a dam had burst. All the anger and hurt I had been holding in all these months just came tumbling out. I just yelling at him that he had choices."

"What kind of choices?"

"The choice to leave the hotel room that night for one and the choice not to keep on seeing her for another."

"And what did he say to that?"

"He said he was sorry and that he knew now-knows now that he should have never started dating her in the first place."

"Well it sounds like he is sorry for what he did. So why are you so reluctant to tell him that you love him and forgive him?"

Angela shook her head "I have asked myself that question a million times these past few weeks."

"Angela do you love Tony?'

"Yes, I do."

"So after Tony breaks up with her and tells you that he is sorry and that he loves you there is still something that is stopping you."

Angela nodded and sighed.

"Do you trust him?"

"In some ways, but not in others......not anymore."

"In what ways do you trust him?"

"As my best friend, as a fellow parent, as someone who can put up with my Mother and all her antics." she laughed.

"And in what ways don't you trust him?"

Angela was quiet for several moments as she pondered Dr Bellow's question.

"My heart." she said quietly.

"Why not?"

"Because he had my heart and he broke it." she said softly as fresh tears welled in her eyes. "And I guess I'm afraid that if we get together..."

"Yes? Angela I think you're almost there. Go on."

"That it will happen again." she gasped and put her hands to her mouth.

"You're afraid that Tony could hurt you like he did again?"

It was all so clear now.

"Yes, I am." she cried as the tears fell down her face. "I mean I never imagined that he would ever....I mean I know that we aren't officially a couple but I thought we were building towards becoming one until..."

"Until he did what he did."

"So I guess that's it then. I mean if I can't tell him that I love him and forgive him and if I'm scared that it could happen again." she paused to wipe her tears and blow her nose. "I guess we can never be together."

"It doesn't have to be that way."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it seems to me like you have two choices."

"Choices? What choices?"

"Well you could tell him that you don't forgive him and that the two of you will never be together or you could do something much harder."

"What?"

"You can trust him. You can trust him with your heart again that he will never ever hurt you like this again."

"So, I guess that I have some thinking to do." Angela said quietly.

"Yes, you do. Just make sure whatever you decide is what you can live with."