Chapter 32: Another Brand New Life (Part I)

Angela couldn't keep her thoughts from wandering back to how she had taken Tony's hand and led him up to her bedroom after they broke apart from that long lingering kiss. He had turned the doorknob and then swept her up into his arms, carrying her over the threshold, as she giggled.

He deposited her softly on the bed before leaning in for another long kiss. Before she knew it, his hands had untied her robe and slid it off her shoulders and down the rest of her body before it fell to the floor. Meanwhile, her hands were pushing and pulling at his black bowtie followed by the tux jacket, crisp white dress shirt, cummerbund and black tuxedo pants. She remembered Tony laughing at how much longer it was taking for him to become undressed.

"No fair," she said; a sexy pout on her lips. "You look so damn good, but all I want is you out of this getup."

"Let me help you then," Tony said teasingly. "I can tell you missed me."

"More than you'll ever know," Angela responded softly, caressing his cheek, as he crawled back onto the bed after making quick work of his tuxedo.

Tony in turn planted a soft kiss on her lips before starting to work his way down her body. He heard her suck in her breath and gasp painfully as he started to tease the nipple of her left breast with his tongue. He glanced up at her a questioning look in his eyes.

"Umm, they're a little sensitive," Angela said a blush creeping into her cheeks. "The baby…"

"Our baby," Tony said smiling as he moved his head down to plant gentle kisses all over her stomach. "I still can't believe it."

"I know," Angela said a tear falling down her cheek. "And we have so much to discuss, but it can wait until morning. Right now, I just want you," she said softly.

"And I just want you," Tony responded before diving beneath the covers to show her exactly how much he wanted and needed her.

The next morning Angela woke to find Tony's side of the bed empty. For a quick second, she panicked that everything that had happened last night had been a dream. But then she heard his footsteps on the stairs followed quickly by him entering the room with two steaming mugs.

"Good morning, baby, or actually my two babies," he said smiling broadly. "I wasn't sure how you would feel about coffee, so I made you some tea instead," he said as he handed her the mug and settled back into bed.

"Mmm, this is perfect," she said taking a sip before cuddling up next to him. "Oh, I never even asked where Jonathan, Mother or Sam were last night. They're not here are they?" she asked quickly.

Laughing, Tony replied, "No, don't worry. I took care of all that. Sam flew home with me last night, so she's back with Hank at Mona's. And, I asked Mona to take Jonathan into the city for the night. They'll be back around lunchtime."

"Wait, so everyone knew what was going to happen last night?" Angela asked astonished; her cheeks turning pink.

"Well, not exactly. They all knew I was planning to surprise you, but no one, including me, was quite sure how you'd react. Mona told me on the phone how miserable you were; as miserable as I was," he said quietly.

"So, I thought there was a pretty good chance you wouldn't slam the door in my face," he continued leaning over to give her a kiss on the lips. "And as surprised as you were to see me at the door," he said placing his hand on her stomach, "this surprise takes the cake."

"Oh, Tony, I still feel like I'm in a bit of a dream," Angela said sighing happily. "I know we have a lot to figure out, but I think the first thing will be telling Mother and the kids about the baby and about us. I've been able to keep the baby a secret until now, but it's getting more difficult," she said ruefully.

"About that, Angela. Before we tell them; there's something I need to ask you," he said looking down at her left hand. "I noticed that you're not wearing your engagement ring anymore, but you still have it don't you?"

"Of course!" she said a little indignant. "It took me a long time to take it off, but I had to when I decided I needed to start to try and move on for myself and for the baby," she said softly. "It's right there in the top drawer of my jewelry box. I could never actually part with it."

"That's good," Tony said getting up and fishing it out of the jewelry box on her dresser before getting down on one knee next to Angela's side of the bed.

"I don't want you to ever part with it, and I don't want us to ever part again. If these past couple of months, hell these past nine years, have taught me anything, it's that we belong together. Period. We are and always will be a family; you, me, Mona, Samantha, Jonathan and now this miraculous tiny new person who will make us not only a family by love but by blood."

"I asked you this before, but this time is forever; no matter what. Angela, I love you so much. Will you marry me?" Tony asked; his voice quivering.

"Oh Tony, this time is forever. There is nothing we can't get through together. I love you and our growing family. So, yes, a thousand times yes," she said smiling through her tears; echoing the phrase she had used the first time he had asked before things went off the rails. She knew this time was different. They had weathered so many obstacles, and the baby growing in her belly was proof that they were meant to be; forever.

"Angela, Angela," Tony said shaking her shoulder to pull her back to the present in their suite at the Fairfield Inn. "You were far away there for a minute."

"Sorry," she replied. "I just was thinking back to everything that happened between that night you came back from Iowa and our honeymoon night here," she said smiling softly.

"It was quite the ride, huh?" he said as his thoughts turned back to his first night back home; the astonishment and joy when Angela told him she was pregnant followed by an incredible night of lovemaking, his proposal and her acceptance, followed by more lovemaking and his need to just admire this beautiful, incredible woman who was carrying his child. And then finally, telling the family. He remembered how nervous he and Angela had both been…