Sam pulled into the driveway and cut the engine. Her dad had called her an hour earlier and told her that Angela and Mona had to go to the office so it was safe for her to bring Angela's engagement ring over. She exited the car and entered through the back kitchen door and went into the living room where her Dad was just coming down the stairs.
"Hey Dad!"
"Hi Sam! So did you bring it?"
Sam rolled her eyes. "Of course I did. Why do you think I'm here?"
Tony chuckled. "Right. Right. I'm sorry. I guess I'm just a little nervous and excited."
Sam laughed. "Yeah, I can see that." She opened her purse and removed the jewelry box that was inside and handed it to Tony.
He opened the box and gave a sigh of relief along with a huge smile.
"I can't believe this is finally happening." He said softly going over to the couch and sitting down. Sam followed and sat down beside him.
"Sam? Have I ever thanked you?"
"For what?"
"For convincing me to take this job. I was all set to take that apartment manager's job but you were so excited about living in a house I just couldn't resist."
Sam smiled at the memory. At dinner one night he had told her that he had news that in the long run would be for her own good-two phrases that every kid hated hearing- He had told her that he had accepted a job as an apartment manager. Sam had been less than enthusiastic. It wasn't until he told her about the crazy lady who wanted him to move into her daughter's house and be her housekeeper that Sam started getting excited about moving out of Brooklyn.
"Yeah, I remember. The two of us moving into another apartment didn't appeal to me. But when you told me about how Mona ran into you and offered you the job to be Angela's housekeeper I just couldn't believe it. I mean growing up in Brooklyn and living in those small apartments the idea of living in a house is like a pie in the sky dream."
"It is. And that is why I took the job. I wanted you to be happy. That is why I did all that in the first place."
Father and daughter both sat back reflecting on all that happened since they had packed up his old blue beat up van and driven from Brooklyn to Connecutcut.
"Can you believe it Sam? Thirteen years ago today we packed up my van and moved out of Brooklyn." He shook his head in amazement.
"I know. It is one of the best decisions you have ever made."
"Yeah, because not only did I give you a better life and a safe place to grow up in, we also got Angela, Mona, and Jonathan."
Sam smiled. "And in just a few hours you and Angela will finally be engaged!"
Tony chuckled. "Yeah finally!"
Sam laughed and stood up. "I'm going to go now." Tony stood up too and they embraced.
"Good luck tonight Dad! I love you!"
"I love you too honey."
Sam smiled and walked over to the swinging door. She turned back around.
"Dad?'
"Yeah honey?"
"Thank you for listening to me all those years ago."
Tony smiled back at her and then Sam left via the kitchen.
Tony sat back down and gazed at the ring. Was it really thirteen years ago that they had sold their apartment, packed everything up , and drove to Fairfield? So much had happened since then. Some good. And yes some bad but it had all led to this moment. And this moment would lead to this night.
The night when they would finally be engaged.
BOWER AGENCY
Mona was on pins and needles the whole morning. Angela had been down in the dumps on the train ride to the Agency because Tony hadn't mentioned what day it was at breakfast. Mona knew why he hadn't- he had told her that he didn't want Angela getting suspicious or anything so they had agreed they would just treat today as just a normal day though it obviously wasn't. But on the train ride Angela had looked out the window morosely sighing every one in a while like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Mona wanted to say something but she was afraid if she did Angela would start asking why Tony hadn't mentioned anything and then the whole video and proposal surprise would be revealed. She knew how much Tony had worked on ensuring that both would go off without a hitch-save for the Three Bitches Of Fairfield who had almost ruined things with their ridiculous accusations. Tony had told her he was planning on telling Angela all about the stupid rumor before she heard it from someone else. But tonight was way more important.
Angela was in her office going over some papers but she could hardly concentrate. She couldn't believe that Tony hadn't mentioned even once what day it was. Had he forgotten? No, that didn't seem like him. Hell, two weeks after they had declared their love for one another he had remembered and it was she who had forgotten. So there must be something else going on. Of course they hadn't celebrated it since he had moved to Iowa so maybe he figured it was no longer necessary. But still it hurt and confused her. 'Oh well I guess there isn't anything I can do about it.' She shook herself out of her morose thoughts and went back to work.
LATER THAT NIGHT
"Angela sweetheart? Are you ready?" Tony asked, sitting down on the bed and putting his shoes on.
"I'll be right out." she called from the bathroom.
Tony sighed deeply-not from frustration from having to wait-but from excitement and nervousness. He just couldn't believe in a few short hours they would be officially engaged. His heart was pounding, his hands were sweaty, in other words he was happier than he had ever been in his life.
"Ok! I'm all set." Angela emerged like an angel.
Tony looked at her and gasped. He stood up and took her hand in his. "Baby you look breathtakingly beautiful." he lifted her hand to his lips and softly kissed it. And she did. She was wearing a one shoulder orange satin dress that fell just below her knees. Her hair was pulled back on one side held in place by a pearl clip with two tear drop pearl earrings completing the look.
"Thank you." she said softly. "And might I say you look pretty wonderful yourself." she said, taking in his soft gray suit and yellow and white striped tie.
"Well since we both look so good I say we go out and show ourselves off." he winked at her. Angela laughed and he held his arm out and she slipped her arm through his. They walked down the stairs and he slipped her shawl-that was hanging on the coat rack- around her shoulders. She grabbed her purse that was there too and then they left and got into the jaguar. He opened the passenger door for her and then he slipped into the driver's seat and pulled out of the driveway.
'This is it . This is really happening.' he told himself as he drove them to the Country Club. He kept gazing over at her, hardly believing they were so close. 'Ok pal! Just calm down! You'll be engaged soon and then everything will be as it should be.' He reluctantly took his eyes off her and smiled.
Ten minutes later he pulled into the Country Club and cut the engine.
"Tony?"
"HMMM?"
"Where is everyone?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean there isn't anyone here."
"What? Oh sure there is! See right over there." he pointed to where three cars were parked.
"Yeah, but it's Saturday night. The Club is usually packed."
Tony shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe there is something going on somewhere. Hey, at least we know we will get a good table!" He laughed and opened and closed his door. He went around and opened her door and extended his hand. She slipped her hand in his and he closed her door behind her and they walked to the front door and opened it.
"Miss Bower! Mr. Micelli! How nice to see you!" Mr. Simpson gushed. "Mr. Micelli, we have your table all ready."
"Thank you sir."
"If you would follow me please?" Mr. Simpson started walking and they followed behind him. Angela was still confused as to why the Club was so quiet. Something must be going on.
"Ah here we are!" Mr. Simpson exclaimed, leading them into the dining area.
Angela looked around her and gasped. In what was usually a room filled with at least twenty tables was empty except for one table in the middle of the room with a vase of pink roses and a bucket of ice with a bottle of champagne chilling inside. Renata was standing by the table and smiled when she saw them.
"Hello Tony! Hello Angela!" she went over and shook both their hands.
"Renata! Hello sweetheart" Angela leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Hello Renata." Tony smiled at her.
"UMMM okay I am so confused here. Why is there only one table?"
Tony shook his head. "Because sweetheart I rented the club out for tonight."
"You did?"
"Of course I did. You really didn't think I would forget our anniversary did you?"
Angela smiled and threw her arms around him. "Oh gosh Tony! I really thought you had! I mean we haven't celebrated it in years and…." unable to go on she felt her eyes welling with tears. Tony removed his handkerchief and gently wiped her eyes.
"Now, now come on! This is supposed to be a celebration." he chuckled and kissed her on the lips.
"You're right." she smiled.
"So may I show you to your table?" Renata asked
"By all means." Tony said.
Renata led them to their table and Tony pulled Angela's chair out for her and then seated himself.
Mr Simpson came over and opened the bottle of champagne. He poured a little in Tony's glass to let him taste it. Tony nodded his approval and he poured Angela her glass and then Tony's.
"I'll go get the first course." Renata said and left the room.
"And I will leave the two of you alone. And please if there is anything else I can do for you don't hesitate to ask."
Tony thanked him and then he left as well.
Angela looked around the room once more, shaking her head.
"I still can't believe this. I mean I was so upset that you didn't even mention what today was and now…."
"And now we are here." Tony smiled at her.
"We are here." Angela smiled back.
"I would like to propose a toast." Tony said and picked up his glass. Angela picked hers up as well.
"To you. My amazing, beautiful, wonderful, adorable, and beautiful Angela. And yes I said it twice!" he winked at her.
Angela laughed and they intertwined their arms and took a sip of the champagne.
"This is wonderful." Angela said and took another swallow.
Tony watched her and inwardly gulped. How did she do it? All she was doing was drinking a glass of champagne and he wanted nothing more than to tear that dress off of her and…
'Okay Micelli! You need to breathe! Remember what this night is about!'
Luckily, Renata came back with their first course. Two dinner salads and a basket of hot rolls.
"Okay, here you go." Renata placed their salads in front of them and the basket off to the side.
"I'll be back in a while with your second choice. Enjoy!"
"Thank you Renata." Angela smiled at her. Renata smiled back and left the room.
"Oh Tony, this looks delicious! And the rolls smell heavenly." she said, taking an appreciative whiff.
"Well let's dig in then!"
Angela laughed and took a roll out and buttered it with the honey butter that accompanied it. She took a bite and sighed happily.
"Oh Tony you have to try this."
"Don't mind if I do." he smirked and wiped off the trickle of butter that had drizzled down her chin. He licked the butter off his fingers and grinned devilishly.
"Delicious," he said, giving her a smoldering look.
Angela blushed and felt a tingle of excitement coursing through her.
"You are so cute when you blush."
Angela giggled and picked up her fork and began eating her salad. Tony picked his up and did the same.
After a bit Renata came back with their second course. Lemon garlic chicken, baked potatoes, and a mixture of green beans, corn, and peas.
"Oh Renata, this looks wonderful. Please give the chef my compliment." Tony said.
"I will. Enjoy!" She smiled at him and left the room.
"It does look amazing." Angela said and picked up her fork.
They started eating and after a few minutes Angela put down her fork.
"Tony?"
"Yeah?"
"I just wanted to tell you that this means so much to me. I mean the fact that you went to all this trouble for me.."
"AYE OH OH AYE! Believe me it was no trouble at all."
"Really?"
"Really. I would do anything for you."
Angela smiled and picked her fork back up and resumed eating. When they were finished they set their plates off to the side. Tony got up and extended his hand.
"Dance with me?"
"Tony, there isn't any music."
"Oh yeah there is. It's in our hearts."
She smiled and slipped her hand in his and stood up. He spun her around and pulled her closer to him and began singing softly in her ear:
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
When it's cold outside
I've got the month of May
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way
My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin' 'bout my girl
My girl
I've got so much honey
The bees envy me
I've got a sweeter song
Than the birds in the trees
Well, I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way
My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin' 'bout my girl
My girl
Ohh ohh
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Oh yeah
I don't need no money, fortune, or fame
I've got all the riches baby one man can claim
Well I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way
My girl, my girl, my girl
Talkin' 'bout my girl, my girl, talkin' 'bout my girl
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day with my girl
I've even got the month of May with my girl
Talkin' 'bout, talkin' 'bout, talkin' 'bout….
Angela sighed as he sang to her. Her heart was so filled with love for him she could barely stand. After he was finished he pulled slightly back and kissed her gently on the lips.
"I love you Angela."
"I love you Tony."
They continued dancing gazing into each other's eyes until Renata bought in their last course. Two slices of strawberry cheesecake drizzled with caramel sauce and a dollop of whipped cream. She poured them both a cup of coffee and placed a small bowl of cream and sugar in the center. She removed their dinner plates.
"Thank you Renata. Tony said never taking his eyes off Angela.
"Yes, thank you." Angela said never taking her eyes off Tony.
Renata just smiled and shook her head and left them alone.
"Well I guess. We better go have our dessert."
"Yeah I guess we better."
They reluctantly went back to the table and sat down and began eating the mouth watering dessert.
"Oh, this is divine!" Angela sighed happily.
Tony smiled at her and after a few minutes the cheesecake was gone and their coffee half drunk.
Renata came back into the room and asked if there was anything else she could do for them.
"Oh, no not at all. Thank you so much Renata." Tony said.
"Yes, Renata. Thank you so much honey." Angela smiled at her.
"Okay. Then please have a good night."
"You too." Tony told her and got up. He walked over and pulled Angela's chair back and she got up too. They bid Renata good night and walked out to the jag. Tony opened her door and then the driver's and left the club and headed for home.
When they got home Tony opened the door for her and removed her shawl and hung it on the rack. She hung her purse beside it and turned toward him
"Oh Tony! This was such an amazing night!"
"Well it isn't over yet."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, come here." He took her hand and led her to the couch. They sat down and Tony looked into her eyes.
"I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise?"
"Yeah, I had a video made for you."
"A video?"
"Yes, Actually Renata made it."
"Renata?"
"Angela, you sound like a parrot!"
"Oh sorry!"
Tony laughed. "It's okay." he kissed her on her forehead.
He picked up the video that was lying on the coffee table. He turned on the tv and the VCR and put the tape in.
"I hope you like it." He smiled at her. She smiled back and leaned back both intrigued and curious.
The beginning music of It Had To Be You filled the room followed by the soothing voice of Frank Sinatra. As she watched she saw images and home movies of her as a child, teenager, young adult, and older adult fill the screen. There she was as a baby cuddled in her Father's arms. There she was as a little girl holding on to her Mother's hand. There she was as a young teenager all smiling as she was about to leave for summer camp. Her high school graduation picture, her college graduation picture, Her pregnant with Jonathan, her holding Jonathan after he was born. And of course there were pictures and home movies of the five of them. In California. In Mexico. In Jamaica. And then last but certainly not least there were pictures of the two of them. Some were silly. Some were serious. But you could see that they were falling in love.
Angela smiled, laughed and cried as she watched the video. It was truly one of the most beautiful and amazing videos she had ever seen. When it was over she turned to Tony.
"Oh Tony.."
He was no longer sitting beside her.
She looked around the room.
He wasn't in the room.
"Tony?" she called. She got up and went over to the kitchen door and looked in.
He wasn't there.
DING DONG!
'Where in the world did he go?!'
She was so confused about what was going on.
"She went over to the stairs and called up:
"Tony! Are you upstairs?!"
DING DONG!
Angela shrugged her shoulders.
"Well I guess I better see who is at the door."
She reached out and opened the door….