Author's Note: The dialogue in Italics is from the show so of course the credit goes to writers.
This chapter is dedicated to Renata Ortiz a good friend and fellow Who's The Boss? fan.
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It was a few days after Nicky's birthday and Tony and Nicky were in the kitchen. Sam and Hank had already left -him to his job and her shopping with Bonnie. Teresa was in the shower getting ready to have brunch with Angela at the Country Club.
"Grandpa, can I have candy for breakfast?" Nicky asked, taking a big gulp of orange juice.
Tony chuckled and shook his head. Turning from the refrigerator with eggs and milk he set them down on the counter.
"No you may not have candy for breakfast. But how about Grandpa makes you his famous Belgian waffles?"
"Okay! Can I put whipped cream on them like Grandma Angela does?"
At the mention of Angela's name Tony was transported back to the morning the two of them woke up in Sam's bed together. At first neither one of them was uncomfortable or even embarrassed. For some reason it seemed perfectly natural to wake up together. It wasn't until they both were fully awakened did the awkwardness sweep in. Immediately they both jumped out of bed trying to figure out what the hell had happened. After a few minutes they realized it had all been a crazy mistake and had a good laugh about it. Trying desperately to make up for things Tony offered to make her Belgian waffles.
"How about I go down and make you your favorite Belgian waffles?"
"That sounds great! I just love it when you put whipped cream on them!"
"Put whipped cream on them.. Put whipped cream on them…Put whipped cream on them…" Angela's voice and smile echoed in his mind.
"Grandpa! Can I?"
Snapping out of his memory Tony turned to Nicky. "Of course you can. But you have to have a piece of fruit first. So what would you like, a banana or an apple?"
"A banana."
"Okay, you eat your banana while Grandpa mixes the batter." Tony got a banana off the counter and cut the banana into small pieces. He grabbed a spoon from the drawer and set the plate in front of Nicky.
"Here you go pal-o-mine."
"Thanks Grandpa!"
Tony smiled and ruffled his hair. He walked back over to the counter and started mixing the Belgian waffle batter.
"Grandpa?"
"Yeah, what is it Buddy?"
"When you marry Teresa do I have to call her Grandma Teresa?"
Tony stopped what he was doing and walked over and sat down next to Nicky.
"You don't have to if you don't want to. I know you don't know her all that well. So it's okay if you don't want to."
"Okay." Nicky smiled. He continued eating his banana.
Tony got up and walked back over to the counter where he continued mixing the batter.. He then placed saran wrap tightly over the bowl so the batter could rise. Figuring it would take about an hour he asked Nicky if he wanted to go watch cartoons.
"Okay!"
"Well hold on, let me clean you off first." Tony chuckled seeing his orange juice mustache. He tore a piece of paper towel off and wiped Nicky's mouth.
"Let me see your hands." Nicky held them up. Tony shook his head. "Come on over to the sink. Nicky got up and walked over to the sink and climbed on the stool. Tony washed and dried his hands and set him back down on the floor.
"Okay we'll go watch cartoons for a while and then we'll eat!"
Nicky grabbed his hand and they went into the living room. Tony turned on Cartoon Network where Tom and Jerry were playing. They sat down on the couch and proceeded to watch the crazy antics of the cat and mouse duo. After a while Tony's mind wandered to a conversation he had with Teresa the night of Nicky's party.
FLASHBACK:
"Do you think I did the wrong thing?" Teresa asked.
"About what?"
"Telling Angela I would like to get to know her. I mean I know it may seem strange. But I meant what I said. I really would like it if maybe someday we could be friends."
"If that's what you want then I'm fine with it. I do have to admit though I was surprised when you told her. But in the long run it might be best for everyone."
"Thanks honey." Teresa smiled at him. She kissed him on the cheek and got off the couch. "I'm beat. I'll see you in the morning. Good night!" With that Teresa walked down the hall into the guest bedroom and closed the door. Tony laid back on the couch which had been made into a bed and looked up at the ceiling. Could it be possible that Angela and Teresa could be friends someday? Stranger things have happened he mused to himself. Closing his eyes he drifted off to sleep.
END OF FLASHBACK.
"Grandpa? Is it time to eat yet?"
"What? Oh you know what it is!" They got up and walked back into the kitchen and Nicky sat back down.
Tony got out the waffle iron and plugged it in waiting for it to heat up. While it did he got out the butter, syrup, and whipped cream and set them on the table. He removed the plastic wrap and after the red light went off he lifted the lid and sprayed it with cooking spray. He carefully poured some of the batter onto it. He closed the lid and after five minutes lifted it back up to check on it. Deciding it needed a few more minutes he closed the lid again. After they were up he checked the waffles and was pleased to see how golden brown they were. He unplugged the iron and got a couple of plates and forks from their respective places. He removed the waffles with a spatula and set one on a plate for Nicky and one for himself. He walked over to the table and sat down next to Nicky and placed the waffles in front of him.
He spread butter on Nicky's waffle and was about to cut them up when Nicky reminded him about the whipped cream.
"Don't forget the whipped cream!"
"I could never forget the whipped cream!" Tony winked at him and sprayed a generous amount of whipped cream on his waffles. He then cut them up and Nicky picked up his fork and began eating.
Tony put butter and syrup on his waffle and began eating his as well.
"These are good Grandpa!"
"Thanks Buddy!"
"Mommy says they're Grandma Angela's favorite!"
"Yeah, they are. Yeah they are." Tony said softly.
A FEW HOURS LATER:
Angela and Teresa arrived at the Country Club where they were greeted by Angela's favorite waitress. A very sweet and outgoing young woman named Renata.
"Mrs Bower! It's so good to see you.!" she smiled.
"You too!" Angela said, giving her a hug. She pulled back and smiled at her. "But I've told you before to call me Angela."
"Okay, Angela." Renata smiled. "Your table is already. If you'll follow me?" She turned and started walking with Angela and Teresa trailing behind. On the way Renata wondered who the woman was with Mrs- Angela. She didn't seem like a client and she knew all of her friends like Wendy and Isabelle. She shrugged. Well it wasn't any of her business anyway. If Angela wanted her to know she would tell her. Whatever was going on Renata was thrilled that Angela was there. She had always been her favorite customer. Mainly because she reminded her of her favorite actress Judith Light whom Renata hoped to meet one day. She admired both women tremendously. They were both very successful: Angela as a business woman and Judith as an actress but were also two of the most sincere and down to earth women Renata had ever known. Arriving at their table Angela and Teresa sat down and to Renata's delight Angela introduced her to the other woman.
"Renata, this is Teresa."
"It's nice to meet you." Teresa smiled.
"You too." Renata smiled back. "So ummm are you a client of Angela's?"
Angela shook her head. "No, actually she's marrying Tony."
Tony? Marrying Tony?! Angela's former fiancé? The handsome and charming man who looked like that guy from Taxi? She remembered being so sad when they postponed then eventually canceled the wedding. And now years later Tony was going to marry another woman. Angela must be so crushed." Renata thought sympathetically. But then again maybe not since she was having brunch with her.
"Well congratulations!"
"Thank you!"
"So can I get you something to drink?"
"Coffee with cream please." Angela smiled and picked up her menu.
"That sounds good. I'll have the same." Teresa smiled and picked up hers as well. Renata nodded and told them she would be right back. She made their coffee and poured their cups and placed them and a bowl of creamers on a tray. She walked back over to the table and sat their cups in front of them and placed the bowl in the middle. Angela and Teresa added cream to their coffee and took a leisurely sip.
"So are you ready to order?" Renata asked, taking her pad and pen out of her pocket.
"Yeah, I'll have the scrambled eggs with bacon and a biscuit." Teresa said.
Renata wrote her order down. "Butter and jam?"
"Yes, strawberry please."
"Got it! And for you Angela?"
"Well you know I can't resist Belgian waffles." Angela laughed.
"With whipped cream?" Renata winked at her.
"Of course." Angela winked back. "Oh and I'll have some bacon too."
"Okay!" She picked up the menus and told them she would put their order in. She walked away from the table once again pondering the fact that Tony was going to marry another woman.
