The Room, Unslept in

A/N: Time for Chapter 12! Tony & Angela have reunited. What came next that night? These two have so much to discuss. This chapter takes you through some of those discussions. See additional Author Notes after this chapter.

PS – I don't own any of the characters from Who's the Boss? I also don't own the song(s) I use in this story. I also don't own the dialogue I sometimes use in the chapters. I've tried to pick songs that remind me of Tony & Angela and their relationship. If you'd like to hear them, check out YouTube – you can find just about everything there.

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Chapter 12: Riunione di Famiglia - Part 2

You mean we can't make this work, it's over?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

It was at this point in her dream Angela started sobbing out loud. They'd both fallen asleep after several hours of reacquainting themselves. Tony was awakened from his brief sleep by the sounds of sobs coming from Angela. He saw it was still dark out, so he knew they hadn't been asleep for long. Their heads were on one pillow that they were sharing facing each other. He groggily reached out to caress her soaked cheeks and her disheveled hair.

"Angela, Sweetheart?" he tentatively asked out into the dark quiet of their bedroom, "Ange, what's wrong? Are you okay? Did I hurt you? Did I squish you? Did I squish the baby?" Tony asked starting to panic. His first instinct was to think something happened to the baby after the night they had. She was shuffling restlessly, slowly, but barely waking up and still crying. She cautiously and slowly lifted her head off the pillow finally remembering that she wasn't in Tony's office in Iowa. "Oh, Tony, I was having a nightmare. It was a horrible dream." Angela could barely get the words out sounding more like sputtering than speaking. "It was about that day … that awful day... back in your office," she tried to add having a difficult time.

Tony reached over to the nightstand to grab some tissues and turn on the light. He took his hand to wipe her wet eyes and cheeks. Shhhh. Here Sweetheart, I'm here, Tony tried to comfort her in his arms by caressing her cheeks and face. After settling down from blubbering, Angela left Tony's arms and got up to go to the bathroom. She picked up her nightgown from the floor and slid it over her head while walking into the bathroom.

She had taken the opportunity to wash up a little while she was in the bathroom leaving some streaks of water on her face. She also brushed her teeth while she was in the bathroom. The crying and moisture from her sinuses dripping into her throat left a bad taste in her mouth. She preferred the taste of the mint over sinus yuck.

"Are you okay, Angela? Are you sick?" Tony asked her when she returned to their bedroom. He was so worried about her. Her face was still damp and her eyes were still red.

"Yeah, I'm okay. It was just to pee. To be honest, the morning sickness has been winding down if you can call it that. It was more like all day sickness. I had to carry around airsick bags on the train and in the car with me. I had them stored all over the place here and at work." Now she was wide awake and started walking back to the bed. She got on her knees and knee-walked back to the pillow they were sharing and plopped herself down beside Tony.

"I didn't mean to wake you, Tony," Angela apologized feeling guilty" Awww, Ange, come here, "It's okay," and he drew her closer. She turned to her side and put her head on Tony's shoulder cozying up even closer to him as if she didn't do that, he would disappear again. Her hand was splayed on Tony's chest. He lifted her hand to kiss it and noticed her engagement ring was still on her finger.

"Angela, you're still wearing your engagement ring?" He asked softly.

"I couldn't take it off," she admitted. "It seemed so final to take it off, even though I knew it was final. I couldn't face taking it off. I'm sure people at the office noticed that I played around with it when I was in meetings with them," she told him. He continued to kiss her ring finger and then followed those kisses with kisses of her other fingers. Angela laid there giving him full access to whatever he wanted to kiss.

Then it was Angela's turn to ask Tony what she had been wondering since she walked down her stairs earlier. "Tony, just how did my house come to be so empty tonight?" Angela was very curious how he was able to pull off this feat. They were barely ever alone in their house those first months of becoming a couple.

Tony softly laughed filling her in. "Samantha called Hank to pick us up at the airport. He must have told Mona and she decided to clear out the house. Sam told him not to say anything to anyone else, but he probably couldn't contain his excitement. You know how Hank is."

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"Honey, if you weren't already pregnant, I think you would be after tonight," Tony said with a certainty in his voice while gently caressing Angela's stomach.

"Tony!" Angela laughed out loud, giving Tony a small slap on his arm. She didn't' deny it, 'You might be right about that."

In this quiet moment, Tony felt so bad that he'd missed Angela's first pregnancy months, recalling how he'd missed some of Marie's also by being on the road with the Cardinals. He hesitated to ask the question he most wanted to know. But then he couldn't keep from asking it any longer. He had to know. "Angela, when did you find out you were pregnant?"

Angela inwardly gasped at the question realizing what he was asking which set her mind racing. This was undoubtedly going to open a can of worms she supposed.

She calmly noted, "A few weeks ago, Tony. I never even suspected it. I thought the symptoms were from the depression of missing you and from trying to heal after coming back home. And I thought the weight gain was from Marge's cooking."

"You knew a few weeks ago?" Tony asked surprised. "Yes, a few weeks ago. Right before Sam told me about your award and trip to Iowa." Angela honestly answered back still hoping this wasn't going to go where she thought it was going.

"When were you going to tell me?" Tony asked perplexed.

The question was now out in the universe. "I don't know… Tony… I was so mixed up about everything. I didn't expect to find myself pregnant and alone so suddenly after coming home. I was here and you were in Iowa."

"Yeah, but we both wanted this so much."

"Tony, I didn't want you to come back here because I got pregnant." I didn't want you giving up your dream job." Angela maintained.

"What were you going to do?" he asked uneasily.

"Um … I … Um … I was still weighing my choices." Angela answered back calmly and truthfully.

You were still weighing choices? ANGELA!" Tony raised his voice in disbelief.

He got out of their bed and made his way to the bathroom and shut the door. He was in there for a while thinking about what he and Angela had just talked about not believing she could keep the news about THEIR baby to herself. He had to calm down and cool the fuse that was burning in his brain. He stood in front of the mirror looking at himself wondering what to say, what to do, thinking painfully about how she could even consider not telling him about the baby.

As he started to pace back and forth, his mind slipped back to that afternoon in his office and their conversation about the three-year contract. In a way she pressed him to take the three-year contract. But then again, he's the one who had decided to stay in Iowa when she left. She did it for him. She wanted him to have the dream job he'd worked so hard for. She was sacrificing her own happiness for him. Shaking his head, he realized they both still had communication issues that needed to be worked out. In this moment, though, he was trying to cool off. He knew he had to get back into that bedroom and make things right for the both of them – well, actually for the three of them, he remembered.

While she laid in bed after Tony got up, Angela heard flushing and the water running. Tears started running down her cheeks again. This wasn't how she envisioned this night going once she answered the doorbell. She knew she was going to come up against his own insecurity once she told him how long she knew she was pregnant. She questioned whether she should've let that phone call to Tony go through when she first took the pregnancy tests at that hotel. She wasn't thinking straight at that moment anyway, she didn't know what he would've said if she had told him then.

The bathroom door slowly opened, and Tony walked back in. He got back into the bed and under the covers with Angela. They faced each other again.

"Does anyone else know about the baby?" he asked her.

"Only Mother, and she guessed it," Angela sniffled. "My doctors know. I'm considered a high-risk pregnancy because of my age, so I had to tell my Ob/Gyn. Then she referred me to a wonderful obstetrician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Besides, they had to confirm the pregnancy just in case the store tests weren't correct," Angela explained.

"Mona kept this a secret? I'm shocked she didn't get on the phone and call me in Iowa as soon as she found out." Tony told Angela in disbelief.

"This was one time that Mother realized what a struggle I was going through. She knew that this wasn't going to be an easy decision and turned off her meddling mouth for a change. I have a funny feeling that Isabel and Wendy might know or have an idea, too. She and Wendy took me out for my birthday – to that Mexican restaurant, you know the one…."

"Yes, I remember, Angela. How could I forget that night?"

"Well, I didn't have any liquor this time, and I got sick when I saw the food. They didn't say anything, but I think I saw Isabel and Wendy giving each other sideway glances of suspicion."

"Hmmmm, you might be right then, Ange."

Angela was getting uncomfortable so she went to lay on her back and Tony propped up on his side facing her on his elbow. He took his hand to touch their baby again. "Hello, Baby Micelli, I mean Baby Bower-Micelli." He started talking to the baby and moved his head closer to where his hand was. Angela started to run her fingers through Tony's hair. "Tony, the baby isn't really a Bower – that was Michael's name," she reminded him, "and I don't want our baby to have anything to do with Michael."

"Hello, Baby Micelli," Tony said again as he slowly walked his fingers across her abdomen tickling her slightly. She laughed out loud.

Tony needed to continue to clear the air with her so he continued their discussion. "Angela, I'm trying to understand your motive for not telling me about the baby, and I think I'm starting to understand your motive now. Or at least I'm trying to understand your reason. You hadn't told me before because you would've felt guilty not knowing if I came back for you or for the baby, is that it?"

Angela carefully thought about how to answer this. He knew her so well she told herself. Better than she knew herself sometimes. But then again, that was one of the things that made her fall in love with Tony in the first place. So, she continued, "Well, yeah, Tony. You already know I struggle with …."

Before she could go on, Tony added, "Angela, I'm glad I came home before you told me. Now you won't wonder why I came back. Angela, please don't ever wonder why I came back. I told you earlier why I came back. You're the most incredible, beautiful, empathetic, funny, strong woman I've ever met. I don't want a life without you in it. Finding out about the baby is a bonus I never expected in a million years. I don't think I can express how much I love you. Angela, teaching is only one of my callings. Being a father is my other calling. I do want to be here with you, don't ever doubt that."

"Tony, I do know how much you love me. It took us a long time to tell each other the truth about our feelings, but I do know. And I loved you enough to give you the chance to fly … to have your dreams to teach and to coach. You gave me that chance and I wanted you to have it, too," Angela told Tony. "The truth was that this was easier said than done. For these two months, I was only going through the motions. I missed you so much," she added sadly.

Tony held on to Angela a little tighter, and they both laid in the bed not talking in that moment.

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Their conversation became less intense after a few minutes of resting and holding each other diffusing the intensity of their earlier conversation. Continuing the path of changing the mood in their bedroom, Tony broached the topic of the previous housekeepers, his curiosity piqued as to how she could've gone through so many housekeepers in such a short amount of time. "What happened to the other housekeepers, Ange?"

Angela figured that Tony was privy to knowing that she had gone through four housekeepers since she'd come back from Iowa. Sam had obviously told him about all of them since he "applied" to be her housekeeper when she answered the door in shock a few hours ago.

"The first one was kind of nice, but she figured out I wasn't sleeping in here, and I didn't want her blabbing to the other housekeepers in the neighborhood. The second one was too nosey. She found the airsick bags and asked me too many questions about them. The third one was too much like Mrs. Miller, the drill sergeant."

"You mean like the one that Mona poured grape juice on right before I started here?" Tony asked laughing.

"Yes, Tony exactly like that one." Angela tried to hold back a giggle, but she was amazed that Tony had remembered that story from six years ago when they were all sitting in front of the fireplace during a snowstorm talking about how they became a family. "And you already know about Marge and her disgusting greasy fried food."

"Angela, where did you sleep these past two months?" This was definitely not a neutral question, but Tony recalled that it was Angela who told him about her not sleeping here prior to a few hours ago so he figured this would be an okay question that wouldn't upset the mood.

"The first few nights Sam and Hank still weren't back, so I slept in their apartment. When they came back, I slept on the couch in my office. I left before anyone in the house was up, so no one knew where I was sleeping. At least I don't think Mother or Jonathan ever figured it out."

"Oh, Angela, I'm so sorry. That must've been so uncomfortable for you being pregnant and all."

"But I didn't know I was. I thought it was from missing you. That alone kept me plenty uncomfortable."

"Tony, you don't have to be my housekeeper again," Angela started another line of conversation. "I think I can find other things for you to do for me," she said suggestively.

"What did you have in mind, he asked her with raised eyebrows.

"I'll demonstrate them for you tomorrow, but for now, can we go back to sleep, please? I'm suddenly feeling very exhausted," Angela added drowsily with all the emotional events of the past few hours catching up with her. "Remember, I'm sleeping for two now," she said yawning deeply.

Tony reached over and put the CD player back on. The CD that was in the player went on breaking the silence in the room. The next song to come on was Eternal Flame. Tony and Angela laid still listening to the easy voices of The Bangles coming across the player.

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darlin'

Do you feel my heart beating

Do you understand

Do you feel the same

Am I only dreaming

Is this burning an eternal flame

"Yeah, sure Angela." They kissed each other good night (or what was left of it). They both closed their eyes trying to calm down from the tense environment that had been in the room.

I believe it's meant to be, darlin'

I watch you when you are sleeping

You belong with me

Do you feel the same

Am I only dreaming

Or is this burning an eternal flame

Say my name

Sun shines through the rain

A whole life so lonely

And then come and ease the pain

I don't want to lose this feeling, oh

Say my name

Sun shines through the rain

A whole life so lonely

And then come and ease the pain

I don't want to lose this feeling, oh

Close your eyes, give me your hand

Do you feel my heart beating

Do you understand

Do you feel the same

Am I only dreaming

Or is this burning an eternal flame

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darlin'

Do you feel my heart beating

Do you understand

Do you feel the same

Am I only dreaming

Is this burning an eternal flame

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darlin'

Do you feel my heart beating

Do you understand

Do you feel the same

Am I only dreaming, ah

An eternal flame

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darlin'

Do you feel my heart beating

Do you understand

Do you feel the same

Am I only dreaming, ah

Is this burning an eternal flame

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darlin'

They both fell peacefully asleep knowing they still had so many things to discuss. Music from the CD continued to play until the player snapped off.

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Morning dawned on Oak Hills Drive. For the first time in two months, Angela woke up with a feeling of calmness and lack of morning sickness. During the night, Tony and Angela had somehow wound up tangled up in each other, something that seemed to be natural for them. Tony stirred. Angela whispered to Tony telling him there were a few more people that wanted to welcome him home. They slowly detangled themselves from each other.

Tony?

Huh?

"You were right that it was worth all the work redoing my bed… I mean our bedroom," Angela let Tony know.

"I told you it would be," Tony said kissing her good morning. "I hope my two babies are doing well this morning," Tony added

"The best in the past two months."

Angela was first to get up to shower and dress. When Tony sat up in bed, he realized he had brought no clothes with him other than the tuxedo he'd been wearing. Angela offered him a solution by going to his bedroom and pulling a few items out of some draws and the closet. They were items he had left and that Samantha had forgotten to bring him a few days ago.

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Tony and Angela were practically sitting on top of each other in the kitchen eating breakfast when Mona and Jonathan returned.

"Tone! Welcome home… Looking at you two now, it looks like you both had a successful reunion," Mona said raising her eyebrows and pointing at them.

Both Tony and Angela turned a bright shade of red. Mona never did mine words or hesitate to say what was on her mind. She turned her head to Angela seeing if she could read her face about the baby. Angela gave her a slight nod so Jonathan wouldn't notice. Mona seemed to breathe a sigh of relief that didn't go unnoticed by Angela.

Tony got up and went over to hug Jonathan. "Tony, so glad you're back. You are back?"

"Jonathan, I'm back," hugging Jonathan tightly.

Jonathan signed a big sigh of relief.

Mona and Jonathan each grabbed a muffin from a package that had been sitting on the counter and sat down with Tony and Angela. They poured themselves some juice from the container that was on the table. They all sat there comfortably eating.

About fifteen minutes later, Samantha and Hank walked in through the back door.

"Hey, kids," Angela and Tony voiced in unison. He turned to Angela who gave him a confident nod.

Tony cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"First, yes, it's true, I've given notice to Wells that I'll be leaving my job there and coming home to Connecticut and looking for a new teaching job here. But Angela and I have other news. He cleared his throat again. He took Angela's hand intertwining their fingers together. As agreed upon by the both of them about how they were going to reveal their news, they both announced, "Sam, Jonathan – you're getting a new sibling. We're having a baby." Tears gathered in both Tony's and Angela's eyes as the news was shared and they stared at three opened, shocked mouths. Mona just smiled already being in the know.

Samantha squealed like a little girl receiving the best new doll she'd requested for her birthday. Jonathan stood up not knowing what to say with his mouth wide open, and Hank offered congratulations.

When is the baby due, Angela?

Before she answered, Angela decided to move the discussion. "Since we're done in here, Let's go into the living room to talk."

… and they all got up and moved as one family to their living room.

The End – Chapter 12 of The Room, Unslept In – Riunione di Famiglia - Part 2

Chapter 13 coming soon….

A/N: This was a chapter I struggled with. These two had so many issues throughout their years together in telling each other how they really felt. Even after Tony came back, I felt they still had so many things they needed to address. Angela not telling Tony about the baby was one of them. Her ongoing insecurities would inevitably led her to believe that Tony would've come back out of obligation versus coming back because of her. I'll continue this going forward, but this was a tough one to tackle. For the moment, I'll give Tony & Angela a chance for some peace and love after two months of the torture of being apart.