Tony's hands fumbled as he attempted to tie his tie. He was so nervous. In just a little while he was taking Angela out on their first official date. He sat down on his bed his heart beating a million miles a minute. "Calm down. You've been on dates before." he chided himself. But that was easier said than done. Of course this wasn't like other dates. This was with Angela. His Angela. He smiled as he thought about her. Things between them had gotten so much better. It was like the last few tense months had just been one long nightmare. Now they were both awake. Awake and in love. Sam and Mona were happy for them-if Sam's goofy grin every time she saw them was any indication. Mona, of course teased and harassed them every chance she got. He didn't mind though. That was just her style. But unfortunately not everyone was happy. Jonathon was still giving him the cold shoulder. He still talked to him but it was always in one word sentences. Tony made a vow to himself that sooner or later they would get everything out on the open. They couldn't go on like this.

Voices from the hall alerted him to the fact that Sam and Jonathon were home.

"Hey guys." he greeted them stepping out into the hall. "How do I look?" He turned around so they could see all of him.

"Wow Dad! You look great. Angela is one lucky woman."

Tony shook his head. "I'm the lucky one sweetheart." He turned towards Jonathon. "So pal O mine how do I look?"

"Fine." he mumbled.

Tony couldn't let things go on like this anymore. He was about to ask to speak to Jonathon when Angela's door opened.

"Sam," Mona said in an overly sweet voice, "Could you please come in here and help my daughter pick out something to wear?"

"I thought she already did."

"She decided that the dress wasn't good enough. So she tried on three more but they weren't good enough either. And she can't decide what shoes to wear or how she should wear her hair. I swear if she changes her mind ONE more time You-she said pointing at Tony- will be going on this date by yourself."

"MOTHER!"

"Oh that does it! Blondie is going to get it!" Mona growled going back in the room.

"I guess I'd better get in there before Mona makes good on her threat." Sam grinned.

"I'd appreciate it honey. I don't want to go on this date by myself." Tony chuckled.

Sam walked up to him and gave him a hug. "You really do look great Dad." she whispered in his ear.

"Thanks sweetheart."

They ended their embrace and she went into Angela's bedroom closing the door behind her.

"Hey Jonathon could I speak to you for a moment?"

"I have to study for my math test." He started towards his bedroom.

"Jonathon! We need to talk about this." he said firmly motioning the young man towards his bedroom.

Reluctantly Jonathon followed him leaning up against his desk arms folded his face turned down towards the floor.

Tony sighed. It was clear he wasn't going to make this easy for him. But, he wasn't about to let that stop him. In spite of the happiness he felt he knew there was something missing. That something was standing in front of him arms folded in a defensive matter his face a mixture of anger and disappointment.

"Jonathon, I know that you are angry with me and what I did. And I don't blame you for that at all." He drew a deep breath willing himself to find the words to break the tension between them. "But, as much as I want to I can't change what I did or how much I hurt your Mom and our family. I know now that I hurt you guys just as much as I hurt your Mother. And I'm sorry about that. We had our own unique, loving, and yes unconventional family and I messed up. I took it for granted. But, I know now that I never want to take any of you for granted again."

Tony waited for his response and was struck by the similarities between Mother and son. Same downcast eyes. Same facial expressions. Jonathon lifted his head and looked at him. Those eyes that were just like his Mother's. Sure his were blue and hers were brown but they still were somehow the same.

"I just have one question for you Tony." he said quietly.

"What's that?"

"Was she worth it?"

"Your Mom? Your mom is worth..."

Jonathon shook his head vehemently. "No, not my Mom. Kathleen. Was Kathleen worth it? Was she worth making my Mom cry? Was she worth nearly destroying our family?!"

Tony was shocked and yet pleased at the vehemence in Jonathon's voice. At least he was opening up to him.

Before he could answer Jonathon continued. "I caught her crying one night. It was after you told us you were thinking about moving in with Kathleen. I couldn't sleep so I went to the kitchen to get a snack. She was standing by the teakettle. Her whole body was shaking. I urged her to sit down and I fixed us both a cup of tea and found some cookies. For a while we both just sat there. I wanted to say something-anything to make her feel better. But, I couldn't. I had never seen her that sad before. I remember when she and my Dad divorced. She was sad then. But, she had you Tony. Even though you hadn't been living here all that long I think she knew that she could count on you. That you would always be there for her. That's how I felt too. That is how I have always felt. Until you broke my Mom's heart. This time Tony she didn't have you to lean on. She didn't have you telling her that everything was going to be okay."

"You're right. She didn't have me. I know I let her down. I let all of you down."

"I know you and Mom weren't married or engaged or anything when you started things with Kathleen but it always felt like you were. I just always thought that one day you would be together. So when you nearly destroyed our family all over another woman I couldn't believe it. I was-I am so angry with you. For hurting Grandma, Sam, and me. But, mostly for hurting my Mom. So I'll ask you again. Was she worth it?"

Tony shook his head. "No, she wasn't. No woman is worth that. Your mother-she means everything to me. I wish it hadn't taken all this for me to realize it but that's the way it is. But, now things are great between us. I just hope that you and I can be like we used to be."

Jonathon studied him. He did look remorseful and he had missed talking to him about girls and playing basketball. He had always been there for him from the moment he convinced him to take his snake upstairs since as he had put it "The snake don't pay your allowance."

"Okay." he smiled.

Tony smiled as well feeling the tension melting like snow on a hot day.

"Okay, so how about you and I go to the game next weekend?"

"Sounds good." Jonathon said pushing himself away from his desk. He walked towards the door and turned back around.

"Tony?"

"Yeah?"

"You really do look nice."

"Thanks pal O mine."

"Oh and one more thing."

"What's that?"

"Have my Mother home at a decent hour." he said his voice and eyes a mixture of humor.

Tony laughed and shook his head. "Go study for that math test" he said in a stern parental voice.

"Okay, I'm going."

Jonathon left and Tony looked at the clock on his nightstand. In twenty minutes he would be taking the love of his life out. But to start the evening off right he had to get going and pick up something special for her.

He slipped quietly out of his room, down the stairs, and into the night...