"Nicky. Why can't Grandpa marry her?"

"Because.." Nicky looked at Angela. "He's married to Grandma Angela. That's why she's my Grandma."

"Honey, Grandma Angela is your Grandma because she's like a Mom to me. Do you remember me telling you how Grandpa Tony used to work for Grandma Angela? "

Nicky nodded. "Yeah. He used to clean her house and make her lots of chocolate chip cookies with walnuts."

"That's right. When Grandpa Tony and I lived with Grandma Angela, Nana Mona, and Uncle Jonathan we all became close like a family. We consider ourselves family. So I consider Grandma Angela like a Mom like Uncle Jonathan considers Grandpa Tony like his Dad."

Jonathan waked over and knelt down before Nicky. "So if I ever get married someday and have kids, Grandpa Tony will be their Grandpa. Even though he's not married to Grandma Angela." Jonathan turned toward Angela with an apologetic look. He turned back to Nicky. "Okay buddy?"

"Okay."

"You see, Nicky a family are people who love you and care about you. Even if you're not really related. I mean Aunt Bonnie and I aren't really sisters but I consider her my sister since we've known each other since we were thirteen years old."

But, if you all feel like family, why didn't Grandpa Tony and Grandma Angela get married?"

Sam looked at Tony then at Angela. "UMMM you see.."

"It's okay Sam." Angela said. She walked over and sat down beside Sam. "Honey, your Grandpa and I almost did get married but things didn't work out."

"Why?"

"Lots of reasons. We tried. We really did but it just wasn't meant to be." Angela said sadly knowing her leaving Tony in Iowa was the biggest reason of all.

"Do you still love Grandpa Tony?" Nicky asked innocently. Although to the adults it was far from an innocent question.

Angela was taken aback by his question. It was a simple question but a complicated answer. Yes, she loved Tony. She always would but she couldn't say she did with Teresa right there. It wouldn't be fair to her or to Tony who had clearly moved on. But she knew she had to give Nicky some kind of an answer.

"Yeah, I do love him. Like I love a good friend. It was like your mommy said we all consider ourselves family."

Nicky turned toward Tony. "Is that how you feel about Grandma Angela? Do you love her like a friend?"

"I do. I mean we've been friends for a long time and yes I do love her.." he said gazing at Angela. She gazed back at him and for a brief moment they felt like they were the only two people in the room. Breaking their connection Tony cleared his throat and looked back at Nicky.

"So Grandma Angela and I do love each other but as friends. Okay pal-o-mine?"

"Okay Grandpa."

Joe clapped his hands. "Hey how about we all eat and then we open up some presents?"

"Can I open up my presents now Grandpa Joe?"

Hank laughed. "No, we're going to eat first.'

Nicky got up from the couch and ran toward the kitchen.

"Well I guess that's our cue." Mrs Rossini said laughing. Joe, Fran, Bonnie, Claire, Hank, and Mrs Rossini followed him into the kitchen leaving Angela, Tony, Sam, Jonathan, Mona, and Teresa in the living room.

"Teresa, I am so sorry about that." Sam said.

"It's okay Sam. I mean he's a little boy. I can see how he would think Tony and Angela are married since he calls Angela Grandma."

"But still it must have been so awkward for you." Angela said sincerely.

"Well no more than it is for you. Look, we all knew this was going to be uncomfortable. I just hope we can eventually be friends?" Teresa asked, looking at Angela. "I know it will be hard at first but from everything Tony has told me about you I would really like to get to know you. If you're okay with that."

'If she were okay with that?' Angela thought. While Teresa did seem like a nice lady she really didn't know if she could befriend the woman who was going to marry Tony. But then on the other hand maybe it was best for everyone-especially Nicky if everybody got along. It was like Tony had said to her years ago when Michael was marrying Heather. That it was better for Jonathan if Heather and her got along so he wouldn't have to feel like he was taking sides. Now she would be doing the same for Nicky. She mentally shook her head at the irony. Here once again she would have to befriend another woman who was marrying a man she loved. But like she had done for Jonathan she would do for Nicky.

"Okay, yeah. I would like that. Maybe we could have lunch? Sam said you're staying for a week?"

Teresa smiled. "I would like that."

Sam and Jonathan threw each other awkward glances. Mona rolled her eyes but wisely kept her mouth shut. But inside her thoughts were screaming. 'What in the world was Angela doing?! She loved her with all her heart but sometimes she just didn't understand her. '

"Hey everyone! The food is getting cold." Fran yelled from the kitchen.

"I guess we better get in there." Tony said. He and Teresa walked into the kitchen followed by Sam and Jonathan. Angela started after them but was stopped by Mona grabbing her arm.

"Ow! Mother, what is it?"

"Are you crazy? Why do you want to be friends with that woman?"

Angela shrugged off Mona's hand. "I'm doing it for Nicky. I want him to see and know that we can all get along. I mean she does seem like a nice person."

"Yeah. A nice person who is going to marry the man you love." Mona pointed out.

"That's not her fault. It's mine. I left Tony, remember? "

"He could have come home anytime," Mona reminded her.

"But, he didn't and now he is going to marry her and there is nothing I or you-she glared at Mona-can do about it."

"If you say so Dear."

Angela sighed. "Come on. Let's go eat."

LATER THAT NIGHT:

"Hey Claire, I'm going to have a glass of wine. Do you want a glass?" Mona asked.

"Mona, I work here."

"Oh please, it's after hours. And since my daughter is your boss that makes me your boss-in-law so park it!"

Claire rolled her eyes but sat down on the couch. "Fine one glass. Then I have to go home."

Mona poured them both a glass then walked over to the couch and sat down. She handed Claire her glass and they both leaned back against the cushions.

"So what do you want to talk about?" Claire asked.

"What makes you think I want to talk?"

Claire shot her a *Oh please* look. "I know you do and I bet I can guess the topic in one guess. Angela, Tony, and Teresa."

"Okay fine. You're right. I do want to talk about them."

"I felt so sorry for Teresa when Nicky said Tony couldn't marry her." Claire shook her head in sympathy.

"Why? I mean he was only saying what everyone else was thinking."

"Mona! Come on Teresa is a perfectly nice woman."

"Yeah, yeah yeah. She's a nice woman who is going to marry the man my daughter loves. I mean you saw the looks Angela kept giving him at the party"

"I do. She looked so sad. I also noticed Tony giving her looks when he thought no one was paying attention. They were like two star crossed lovers."

"Yeah, I noticed Tony looking at Angela too. It was like he was saying "I love you with his eyes." Mona sighed deeply and took a sip of her wine. "This is all so frustrating! Tony and Angela belong together and he is going to marry someone else." She held up her hand. "And okay Teresa does seem like a nice person but I just can't stand that Tony is going to marry her. I mean, honestly did you see Tony looking at her like he did at Angela?"

Claire considered this for a few moments. "Actually, I didn't. I mean yeah he looked at her and even smiled a few times but he didn't look at her like he did Angela."

"Exactly!" Mona set her glass down on the coffee table. "I mean it's obvious she's another Kathleen."

Claire sat down her glass as well and turned toward Mona. "Kathleen. Who is that?"

"Oh she was a woman Tony dated when he was in College because he couldn't admit he loved Angela. Now he is doing the same with Teresa. Once again he is using another woman to hide behind his feelings for Angela."

"Well I think Teresa is a little different from Kathleen. Tony is planning on marrying her." Claire gently reminded her.

"Only because he thinks it's the right thing to do."

"Why would he think that?"

"I don't know. Maybe deep down he was still upset about Angela leaving him and along comes this woman who he doesn't have all this baggage with. So he thinks he loves her and wants to marry her but deep down he doesn't."

"Sounds complicated and frustrating."

"Tell me about it! They have been frustrating Sam, Jonathan, and I for years!" Mona picked up her glass and took a long swallow.

"Yeah, I can see that." Claire said, putting her arm around Mona. "But, I'm afraid there's nothing you can do about it."

"That's exactly what Angela said." Mona rolled her eyes.

"She's right. I know it's hard but they're all adults. You can't interfere in their private lives.."

"You're no fun." Mona pouted.

"I'm just being realistic. Look I'm just being your friend and as your friend I'm going to give it to you straight. And as hard as it is going to be you have to let them figure things out for themselves."

"Fine! I won't interfere. Or at least I'll try not to. Happy?!"

"That's all I ask."

"Can I still vent if I need to?"

Claire picked up her glass and clinked it against Mona's. "Anytime!"

.