Angela snuggles closer to his chest. Her body fully relax, he know she is in a deep sleep.
"You smell wonderful." She sighs against his chest. He stiffens.
~What did she just say. Oh please don't start talking in your sleep again.~ He swallows. Her hand is burning a hole in his shirt.
"Oh Tony.." Her voice turns sad, he feels his heart drop. "Why?" A small sob.
Tony feels a tear drop. ~Even her sleep is restless. I am so sorry Angela. I am so sorry I hurt you. I thought it would make me forget you and how much I want you. Seeing you with Peter, Christopher and Andy.. it hurt. But I deserved it."
"I waited." She whispers and starts turning.
~I know.. oh Angela.. I know.~ Another tear.
"I can't." She turns away from him. "It hurts too much." Another soft sob.
~I totally screwed this up.~ He rubs his free hand over his face. ~I am so sorry, baby. I am. I will make this up to you, I promise you this.~
Tony collects himself, dries his eyes and sighs. "Angela." He whispers and caresses her cheek. She slowly starts moving.
"Not yet." She snuggles back into the pillows and pulls the blanket up.
~You are the cutest.~ He smiles down at her. ~Adorable.~
"You have to get up Angela. Or you'll be sore in the morning sleeping on this couch."
"Leave me." She says with a cranky voice.
Tony chuckles. "Yeah and then you'll be angry with me tomorrow." He gets up and stretches his body. "Come on Ange." He brushes away some strands of hair.
"Just a few more minutes." She growls.
"Oh com'on!" he bends down and places one arm on her back and the other under her legs as he tries to pull her up. "Oh.." He feels his back muscles tighten again like last time. ~Shit!~ He thinks to himself, desperately wanting to pick her up, but knowing the pick up too low and her relaxed body too heavy. "Com'on Ange." He tries again.
She pulls the blanket tighter. "No."
Tony gets up and starts cleaning the living room, hoping the noise will wake her up a bit. He walks to the kitchen, puts everything in the dishwasher and stretches his back. "Man I wish I could just pick her up." He whispers to himself then sighs. "How will I get her upstairs and in her bed." He shakes his head then chuckles as he repeats that sentence in his head. He bends and kisses her forehead. "Wake up sleeping beauty." She sighs heavily, still out cold. He traces his thumb around her face, his thumb stopping on her chin. ~She is just perfect. Her face is so relaxed, I haven't seen her this relaxed in months.~ His thumb softly caressing her lower lip. ~So soft. She is so beautiful.~ He repeats the motion as a soft moan escapes her lips. The sound doesn't go unnoticed by him, he feels his arousal rise. ~Maybe I can make her repeat that sound.~ He cockily thinks and repeats the motion. She sighs and moans. He feels the pressure in his pants. He leans in to her and softly pecks her lips. Another sigh, but she doesn't moan. "Oh Tony." Softly escapes her mouth, his face inches away from hers. All of a her eyes fling open, his face up close to his.
"What? Huh? Tony?" She asks in surprise. His face turns completely red. She feels aroused and is confused about their closeness.
"You're finally awake." He chuckles. "I tried to wake you but well.. you were out cold."
She slightly raises her eyebrow. "Did you just kiss me? Or.." Now Angela turns red. "Well.. uhm.. did I just dream that?" She shuts her eyes close and sighs heavily. "I just made a complete fool out of myself didn't I?"
Tony pecks her lips as her eyes fling open again. "You did kiss me!"
"Well.. no.. I pecked your lips.. trust me if I'd kiss you, you would have been awake immediately." He says with a cocky smirk.
Angela narrowed her eyes, contemplating her words before replying. ~Now what am I to say? Look at that adorable face, those beautiful warm eyes. Maybe I should tease him some.~ "Did you have consent Tony?" Tony is surprised and doesn't know how to respond, then a sly smile forms on her face.
"Angela don't do me like that?!" He pulls slightly back. Angela starts to chuckle.
"You still haven't answered." She is full on laughing.
"Do I need it?" He says with a deep voice, looking her straight in her eyes. She freezes on the spot. Then leans in.
"You might." She squares up to him, sparks fly. She watches him swallow.
"I will ask for it next time. I just didn't want you to sleep on the couch and well.. Angela.. I really tried to wake you. You didn't want to wake."
She leans in and pecks his cheek. "Thank you for always being there for me. I'm sorry I was teasing you." She leans back down and stretches her entire body. Tony can't help but stare at her long, lean body stretch out. He feels his arousal rise as her breasts hug her top. Angela relaxes, sits back and smile at him. "I'm lucky to have a best friend like you." Her eyes full warm.
He closes his eyes. ~Please go to sleep..~ he pleads with his own body. ~What did she just say? Her best friend.~ His smile matches hers. Yet he feels a hollow in his heart, knowing she still was not ready to see him as more than just her best friend. On the other hand he felt grateful that she at least still considered him a friend after all that had happened with Kathleen.
"What is it Tony?" Angela feels the change in the air.
"I'm just happy you still consider me your best friend." He squeezes her hand. She knows he's lying but she will not call him out on it.
"You have been my best friend for so long Tony. Nothing can break our friendship.." Now she squeezes his hand. "nor our family bond." She says it with such conviction and resolution that it sparks hope in his heart that one day she will be ready to take the next step with him.
They make their way upstairs and say their good nights.
Sunday rolls around. The morning is filled with family laughter. Jonathan and Samantha are enjoying Tony's breakfast and even Angela takes one chocolate chip pancake.
"I'll be going to the dorm soon." Samantha stretches. "I have to do some reading and maybe start my report for sociology."
Angela smiles at her. "I'm so proud of you two." She says with a great smile. "Both doing work during your winter break." She looks at Jonathan and then at Samantha. "I'm so proud." Tears of pride fill her eyes. "I just want you two to know that."
Samantha bites her lower lip. She knows Angela loves her like she was her own daughter. But hearing her say she was so proud of her, it hit different. To her it meant that their bond is deeper, she is proud of her, just like a real mom. ~Angela has been my real mom for so long.~ Samantha thinks with a heavy heart. ~I know mom would be proud of me too. But I am so happy she send Angela our way to fill her shoes. It doesn't mean I don't miss mom, it means I have enough room in my heart to love them both.~ Angela notices the internal battle Samantha is having and places her hand over hers.
"Your mom would be so incredibly proud of you too sweetheart, just like your dad and I am. She is probably looking down on you with a big smile." Angela softly says.
The room goes extremely quiet, for a moment Angela regrets saying what she did, but she did mean every single word. Samantha gets up.. Angela feels her heart sink for a split second and then Samantha walks up to her. "Thank you so much Angela. You don't know how much those words.." She chokes up and swallows. "Those words mean to me. I love you so much." She leans down as Angela gets up to hug her.
"I love you too sweetheart, with all my heart." She holds on to her tighter. Tony sighs, knowing everything will work out in the end, he just needs to be patient.
"Tony?" Jonathan's voice rings through his ears.
"Yeah what is it buddy?" He smiles at the young man.
"Could you help me in about 20 minutes?" He asks.
"Of course! Always."
Mona barges in and quickly grabs a pancake. "Sam.. how would you feel like shopping?" She looks at Angela. "You're allowed to come too."
"I'm fine mother, I want to try to work today and seeing as we've planned a New Year's at home, I don't need anything new." She smiles.
"You ALWAYS need something new. How about it Sam?" Mona finishes the pancake.
"If you promise to have me back at 4 today!"
"Pinkie promise!" Mona holds up her pinkie and Samantha hooks her pinkie in it.
"Deal." She smiles.
"Will you have dinner here?" Tony asks.
"Well if Mona doesn't mind swinging by the dorm to get the books, I'd loved to!"
"Done and done!" Mona sits up. "Let's go!" And off they went.
"So still proud of her?" Tony chuckles. Angela's face turns serious.
"Of course I am." She says with some indignity in her voice. "I'm always proud of our children. Aren't you?" Jonathan looks at his mom and then to Tony his mouth open.
"Of course I am! What do you take me for!" He fires back.
"Good!" she smiles.
"OUR children?" Jonathan addresses the elephant in the room.
"Yes!" Angela firmly says. "Tony helped me raise you, I helped him raise Samantha and now we are raising Billy together. You all feel like our children to me."
"Yeah buddy, to me too." Tony puts his hand on Jonathan's shoulder.
"You consider me like your son?" Jonathan hesitantly asks. Tony smiles from ear to ear.
"Not like my son, you are my son. I might not share my DNA with you, but damn Jonathan.. you are my son." He feels a lump in his throat. Jonathan quickly jumps up and hugs Tony. Angela feels her cheeks get wet at the sight of Tony and Jonathan.
"Will you help me pack?" Jonathan asks Tony as he loosens his grip.
"Pack?" Tony is surprised. "For what?"
"Mom hasn't told you yet?" Jonathan looks from Tony to Angela.
"Oh no we were so intensely watching the movie and well.." Angela looks at her coffee.
"Let me guess.. you fell asleep?" Jonathan laughs out loud as Angela nods. "Always!" he shakes his head. Jonathan turns towards Tony. "Steven and his family have invited me to celebrate New Year's Eve with them. I asked mom if I could go." Jonathan smiles. "She said yes! I will be calling and of course I'll miss everyone, but I am kinda excited that I can celebrate at Steven's. So will you help me pack?"
"Sure buddy, you go ahead upstairs and get your suitcase ready. Let me clean the mess here and I'll be up in a jiffy." He smiles.
"Thanks Tony." He says before disappearing behind the swinging door.
"Sorry I forgot to tell you." Angela scrunches her nose.
Tony turns a chair around, sits down and leans against the back of the chair that is near his chest. "Angela.. there is something I forgot to tell you too."
"Oh?" She feels her stomach tighten.
"Yeah you see.. Sam won't be here either for New Year's Eve." He says it as quickly as he can.
"She won't?" Angela asks baffled. Tony just shakes his head.
"She asked me if she could celebrate with her new roommates, so I just.. you know.. she needs to bond.. so I agreed to let her celebrate with them." When he's done, he looks at her. "So.."
"So that means New Year's Eve will be you and me.. or do you also have other plans?" She quickly adds.
"No, no.. I was looking forward to spending it with the family, but I am more than happy to celebrate with just us." He moves his hand between the two of them. "We're family right?"
"Right!" Angela firmly says. "Well.. maybe you can go up to help Jonathan. I will clean the kitchen before I start working. Will you call me when Steven is here to pick up Jonathan?"
"Of course. But you don't have to clean, I will do it after Jonathan and I are done." He walks towards the swinging door. "Please just go to work, I will clean this later." Tony moves his hand around the kitchen. Angela just smiles and motions him to leave. He does as he is told.
~Shit.. shit.. shit..~ She thinks as she clears the table. ~We are going to be home alone.. on New Year's Eve!~ She shakes her head trying to straighten her own thoughts. ~What will we do? What will he do? What will it be like if it's just the two of us?~ After putting everything in the dishwasher, she grabs a wet towel and cleaning spray and starts wiping the table. ~Ohhh.. we cannot be home together.. on New Year's Eve. What if he kisses me? I mean.. no.. his lips were on Kathleen's just a couple of months ago.~ She feels lightheaded at the thought alone. ~What if I want to kiss him? I have missed his lips on mine.~ Her heart is heavy just as much as her mind is conflicted. ~No..~ She resolvedly thinks. ~No.. He made clear what he wants and expects from us. And it's fine. He is my best friend, which means more to me than anything.~ She sighs and smiles at herself seeing that while her mind was running itself, she had cleaned the entire kitchen. After looking at her finished result she retreats to her study.
After about 3 hours there is a soft knock on her door.
"Come in." she says not taking her eyes of the file in her hand.
"Angela?" Tony's voice makes her look up from the file. ~She looks so darn cute with those big glasses on the tip of her nose.~ Tony thinks. She carefully slides the glasses off of her face.
"Tony?" Her face automatically lights up. "Is Steven here already?"
"No.. no.. He'll be here in about an hour." He bounces on his heels. "I just thought you could use a break. I've made some tea and cookies. I.. you know.. You've been in here for 3 hours now."
"Three hours?!" She gives him a shocked look. "You're kidding right?"
"Afraid not. I do hope you've gotten some work done." He point towards the file in front of her.
"Oh yes.." She looks down at the file. "I've almost finished this. I'm nearly ready to present it tomorrow." She looks up with a smile.
"You.. You're giving a presentation tomorrow?" He asks surprised. "On New Year's Eve?"
Angela chuckles. "Technically December 31st at 10:00am is not New Year's Eve."
"But I thought.. you know the entire staff is off.. aren't you?" He desperately tries to suppress his disappointment, not very well though.
"Yes, I've given the staff off. I will be going into the office early to set up for the presentation. It's funny.." She looks up at him again. "It's such a large company and yet the owner runs all the advertisements. He will be in tomorrow with his right hand man and their assistant. They gave us the guidelines to what his vision is. Which made it quite easy. Jack did most of the footwork and then I'll knock it out of the park." She smirks at her own baseball reference.
~Just when I think she can't get any cuter.. She makes this reference. Man.. she is adorable!~ He chuckles. "I know you will, Angela." He puts his thumb up. "Tea?"
"I think I deserve it! Yest please!" She gets up and follows him to the living room.
"Yo Jonathan!" Tony yells. "Tea!" Angela laughs and shakes her head.
Jonathan comes bouncing down. "Are there any cookies?"
Tony chuffs. "Do ya gotta ask?" He thick Brooklyn accent coming through worse than ever.
"Ha! Silly me!" He laughs.
Angela snuggles in her corner of the couch, her hands wrapped around her mug, warming up. Tony offers her a cookie, which she gladly accepts. "Are you ready to go sweetheart?" She glances at Jonathan as he grabs the offered cookie.
"Mhh mmhh" He mumbles approvingly and swallows. "Everything is done." He grins proudly.
"Good." Angela smiles over the rim of her cup. "You'll have a wonderful time with Seven and his family! I just know it."
Jonathan eyes his mother before responding. "Are you sure you're going to be okay with this mom?" He nervously asks.
Angela puts down her cup and turns to him. "Oh sweetheart.. of course I am. Kids need to be able to spread their wings. And moms need to learn how to let their babies spread those wings." She winks at Jonathan. "That doesn't mean this mom won't miss you."
"And so will this daaa.." Tony notices his faux pas. "Tony." He weakly ends.
Angela and Jonathan share a look and start laughing. "It's okay Tony." Jonathan smiles. "You are more or less my dad. You're just not married to my mom." Both Angela and Tony look at him in shock. "Yet." He adds with a huge grin.
"JO-NA-THAN!" Angela and Tony say in unison.
"What did the little twirp say." Samantha says while walking in through the swinging door. All three head turn her way.
"Yeah! What did the little twirp say?" Mona repeats walking in right behind Samantha.
"MOTHER!" Angela squeaks.
"MONA!" Tony says at the exact same moment.
"What?" Mona shrugs. "It was okay when she said it."
"They are siblings!" Angela rolls her eyes. "That's how they are supposed to behave. You're his grandmother!"
Jonathan laughs. "That's okay mom, I know who says it." He squares up to his grandmother. "An old crone."
"Hey buddy." She pushes on his chest. "Who are you calling old?" They both start laughing.
"You shopping ladies want tea and cookies?" Tony asks.
"Sure dad, but I need Angela for a moment." Samantha says, her eyes pleading with Angela.
"Sure, office or upstairs?" Angela jumps to her feet.
"Upstairs?" Samantha walks towards the stairs. "We will be right back."
"What is it Samantha?" Angela asks when they enter her room.
"Okay, promise me not to tell dad." Again her eyes plead with Angela.
"You know I can't just say I won't tell your dad if I don't know what this is about." Angela honestly replies. Samantha can't help with smile. ~Dad and Angela do parent us both so well.~
"Okay.." Samantha sighs. "So this New Year's party with the girls. Well.. it's not exactly just the girls." Angela's eyes grow but she knows better than to talk. "It's coed. There will be guys from the other dorm." She sighs again. "And there is this one guy.. I mean.. I think I actually really like him. And I think he might like me too. So.. I bought this outfit and I want your honest opinion."
~Oh God, she went shopping with mother.. what to expect? please don't let it be too revealing!~ Angela silently prays. She watches Samantha take out a cute black dress, long-sleeved, tight body and wide skirt, ending just above the knees. Angela feels a sigh of relief that even the cleavage isn't too revealing. Around the sleeves and cleavage there is a some fine silver stitching. "Please put it on." Angela says while pointing towards her bathroom. Samantha gives her small smile and then disappears behind the door. Within a couple of minutes Samantha reappears.
"Oh Samantha.. honey.. you look amazing!" Angela says with tears in her eyes. The young girl that arrived at her door with a shiner, has transformed into a beautiful, young woman in a gorgeous black dresses. "You're so beautiful." The tears are now flowing.
"You really think so?" Samantha shyly smiles at her.
"Oh honey I know so." Angela walks towards her and wipes the tears that have start to flow. "I've only ever seen your mother on photos. But you look so much like her. But you still have your fathers eyes and his strong will." Angela kisses her forehead. "And I'm glad mother didn't buy a dress she would buy for herself." Angela soft whispers.
Samantha laughs loudly. "Not for lack of trying." Samantha looks at Angela with a smile. "But I know dad would have killed me and maybe her too. I couldn't risk it!" Both laugh.
"Beauty and brains. You don't see that very often these days." Angela nudges.
"It's because of you, you know." Samantha seriously says.
"What is honey?' Angela asks in confusion.
"if you never hired dad, we'd have to move back to Brooklyn and I don't think I would have had the opportunities that I've had here. The opportunities dad and YOU gave me. I mean dad is the best cheerleader any girl could ask for, but I know that because of your resources.." Samantha swallows the lump she feels deep in her throat. "I would not be where I am today. Ands I don't think I've ever properly thanked you." She looks down at her hands and then back up to Angela. "Thank you Angela, not only for providing financially, but also.. being like.. you know.." She bites her lips. ~Why is this so hard to say?~ "Never treating me any differently than you treated Jonathan. Even when I was horrible to you.. you never gave up on me." Tears start streaming again. "You are like a mother to me, I love you so much."
Angela's tears have started to flow. "Oh honey.. I love you so much. I don't think I could love you anymore, because then my heart will burst." She tightly grabs hold of Samantha. They stand like that for a couple of seconds. They loosen the grip they have on each other. Angela cups her little face. "Your mother, rest her soul, has given birth to you. I had the honour of raising you. And I am happy I was able to become your sort of other mother."
Samantha pulls back in surprise. "I've never seen you as sort of other mother." Angela gives her a sad look. "Oh no Angela, sort of aren't the right words. You've became my mother. And I've spend years feeling guilty about that. I mean like I replaced my mom with you. But it's like dad once said, my mother can not ever be replaced I am forever a part of her. Dad once said that she opened the door for us to find you. She gave me you to be my mother, to safekeep me until I am old enough to find my own way." Angela caresses her cheeks.
"If that young man isn't interested in you.. he is a fool! And you deserve better." Angela smiles. "I hope you know that young lady. Make sure he treats you like you deserve to be treated and respects you not only as a woman, but as a human. Promise me you'll do that."
"I promise.. mom." Samantha smiles and quickly kisses Angela. "Let me get dressed." Samantha quickly turns around and walks into the bathroom, leaving Angela standing there.. with a grin on her face.
"And?" Tony asks the women when they come back down.
"All is well." Angela says.
"Yes dad, I've bought a new dress and I wanted Angela's opinion on it." Samantha smiles at him. "I didn't think you'd be very interested in a dress."
"I'm always interested in my baby girl." He proudly says. Samantha and Angela both roll their eyes. "Hey! I mean it!"
"Want to go bra shopping dad?" Everybody but Tony laughs.
The family is talking, laughing and enjoying their time when the doorbell rings.
"That must be Steven!" Jonathan jumps from his seat, walks to the door and opens it. "Hey Steve!"
"Hey Jon! Are you about ready to go?" Steven asks.
"Just about. Hold on. Just have to say goodbye to my family." He turns around and quickly hugs Mona, Samantha, then Tony and then walks towards his mother. "I love you mom. I will see you in a couple of days."
"I love you too Sweetheart. Enjoy your time." She hugs him. Then she turns to Steven. "You keep him out of trouble you hear me now Steven?"
"Yes ma'am." He smiles. Tony pops up from behind Angela.
"She means it Steven." He gives him a serious look. "We both do."
"Yes sir." He says with a hint of fear in his voice. Tony softly pokes Angela's side, she is desperately trying to hold in a laugh.
Samantha quickly follows with all her shopping bags. "Look barf breaths.. I've gotta get out of here. Keep him out of trouble or you have all of us to deal with okay Steven?"
"Yo Jon, your family is scary." Steven says. Jonathan starts laughing.
"Not when you live with them." He says with a big grin. "Bye guys."
After Jonathan has left, Samantha quickly leaves as well. Somewhere in the mix Mona had already made her great escape.
Immediately Angela and Tony start cleaning the remains of their tea time. "You go ahead an finish the presentation. I can finish this alone. You did enough this morning." His hand grazes hers as he takes the cookie plate from her. She shivers at his touch. ~I wonder what those callused hands would feel like on my body.~ She shakes her head. ~No.. don't go there.~ She just turns and walks towards her study.
Tony sighs. ~Things could have been so different.~ His heart is heavy.