Sins of the Father chapter 4
Jonathan woke up a few hours later, physically feeling much better. He only had a slight dull headache. He decided to head downstairs and find some food and something to drink to take aspirin for the headache. He came down the stairs to find Tony and Angela watching television, Angela holding Henry, who was asleep in her arms. Baby stuff was sprawled out all over the living room.
"Hey guys. Do we have any aspirin around here?" he asked.
"Sure we do. It's in the kitchen, I'll grab you some and something to drink" said Tony as he got up and made his way to the kitchen.
"How are you feeling sweetheart?" asked Angela.
"Better… physically that is…" he said as he looked over at the sleeping Henry. He had to admit to himself that Henry was a cute baby. He could see some similarities between Henry and his own baby pictures. His thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing. He could hear Tony answering it in the kitchen.
"Mom, I'm sorry Dad did what he did and left us, well you and Tony, with all of this, without any consideration. It's not like he left you his car or dog or something. This is a human being, a baby who will need your attention not just now but for the next like eighteen years. It just wasn't right, especially since you and Tony just really got together. It's not right" he said.
"Oh Jonathan I know. Your father always had a way of doing things in the moment and didn't always think so far ahead about consequences or how it would impact other people. That was just his way. I hadn't spoken to him in a very long time, so to give him some credit, he had no idea Tony and I were together and now married. It's really going to be okay though- Tony and I already talked about postponing our plans to focus on our family. I think you'll find he's going to fit right in once things settle down. I'm more concerned about you right now. It broke my heart to know you felt like an outsider in this family" she said with tears in her eyes.
"I don't really feel like that Mom, at least not most of the time. You and Tony have always been there for me, for both Sam and I. I don't know where I'd be now if Tony hadn't come into my life. It just hurts knowing I wasn't important enough for Dad to be included in his life" he said.
"You are… I mean were very important to him. You were so important to him he made you guardian of your brother when you are old enough. Despite your Dad's faults, he loved you very much. Even when our marriage was falling apart and we could barely stand saying two words to each other, we always communicated about you" she said.
Tears started forming in his eyes as he sat there listening to his mom's words. "Do you think… do you think I could hold him?" he asked softly.
"Yes of course! Here let me hand him to you. Move that pillow underneath your arm to help you support his head" said Angela as she placed Henry in his arms. Jonathan awkwardly held out his arms, not being used to holding or even being near a baby. With assistance from Angela, he adjusted his hold on Henry, who continued to sleep peacefully in his arms.
"He is kinda cute. He looks a lot like Heather but I do see some similarities between him and some of my baby pictures" he said as he took Henry's little hand in his own.
"Yes he looks a lot like you Jonathan. Especially when he smiles" she said as she smiled at the two of them.
"Mom? What plans are you and Tony putting off? You wanted to go on vacation or something?" he asked.
"Oh… ummm it's nothing Sweetheart…" she said, silently cursing herself for slipping up earlier.
"Mom, this is what I mean when I say I don't always feel like part of the family. You keep things from me like I'm still a little kid. I'm not and it hurts when you treat me like one. I'm sure if I didn't yell at you, you'd still call my gloves my mittens" he said with some frustration. Henry started to stir when he spoke, but settled when he rocked him.
"You're right Jonathan. It's just Tony and I weren't ready to share this yet, but I guess it really doesn't matter right now. Tony and I have been trying for a baby of our own since our honeymoon. We know it may not happen due to our ages, but it was something we really wanted. With Henry now joining our family and things so up in the air, we've decided to wait. It's just not the right time" she said, trying to gauge his reaction.
Jonathan just sat there, not knowing what to say. They wanted another baby? I guess it made sense having a kid that was related to all of us. Getting to raise their kid from the beginning. He just hadn't or hadn't wanted to think about that side of their relationship.
"Oh… I didn't know you both wanted another kid. And now you can't because of everything" he said as he looked back down at Henry.
"Listen Jonathan… Tony and I are in this together. You and Samantha have always come first, many, many times resulting in Tony and I putting our own lives and feelings aside. We're not going to do that anymore, but we also know that our family is and always will be our first priority. You and Samantha and now Henry are the most important people in our lives. If and when the time is right to have another baby, we will. I don't want you to think we are upset or resentful or anything like that- I promise you okay?" she said.
"Okay Mom" he said as Henry woke up and started to cry. "Shhh it's okay" said Jonathan.
"He's going to need to be changed and fed. I don't suppose you want a crash course in diaper changing?" laughed Angela.
"Yeah no thanks" he said with a slight laugh.
Just then, Tony walked back into the living room with a sandwich, a drink and some aspirin for Jonathan. Angela took back Henry and began to change him. Tony sat down next to Angela and helped her changed Henry.
"Who was on the phone Tony?" asked Jonathan.
Tony gave Angela a quick glance, unsure of how to proceed. "It was… it was the funeral home. They need us to come down early tomorrow morning to start planning the funeral service. I told them we'd be down by 9am if that works for everyone" said Tony.
"That should work depending on Henry's schedule. I'm hoping he sleeps well tonight but I'm not overly optimistic since he's still getting used to everything and everyone. Worst case scenario, Samantha and Jonathan could watch him while we go down there" said Angela.
"Mom, I want to go. I need to feel like I'm doing something besides causing everyone to worry about me. Maybe Tony and I can go so you can take care of Henry?" he asked.
"I think that's a great idea. We can head over there tomorrow after breakfast and make the arrangements, that way if this little guy keeps us up tonight, you can rest with him in the morning" said Tony.
"Okay, if you think that's best. You two can maybe run some errands afterwards. You both are going to need new suits. Jonathan, I don't think you've had a new suit in years. Actually, neither have you Tony since we rented tuxes for the wedding. Maybe see about which florist to use as well" said Angela.
Tony and Jonathan shared an annoyed look as their to do list continued to grow. Deep down, Tony was happy to see something other than sadness in Jonathan's demeanor. He felt connected to him again, something he wasn't sure he would get back again after yesterday.
The family all came together that evening for dinner. While there was still some tension and awkwardness in the room, there was a familiar feeling of normality surrounding them from time to time. They even joked with one another as they were wrapping up dinner.
"Here you go Jonathan. I've got a pair for you and for me- your own set of ear plugs. We are going to be hallway close to a most likely screaming baby tonight. It's our only hope for sleep!" said Mona.
"Thank you Mother for being so kind and generous. I guess I should take you off the nighttime rotation then?" said Angela sarcastically.
"Well I wouldn't go that far… oh you mean for baby duty. Yes dear, cross my name off with a permanent marker!" she said as she walked out of the dining room.
"We can help you Angela. It will give Hank and I practice for when we have kids of our own" said Samantha. Tony nearly choked on the wine he was finishing as he was starting to clean up the dinner dishes.
"Are you trying to make me choke Samantha? Don't make a statement like that unless I'm sitting down, with nothing in my mouth, preferably in five to ten years!" he shouted.
"Thank you Samantha. I may take you up on that tomorrow morning while Tony and Jonathan are gone. If he ends up being up all night, I'm going to need a break. I'm already exhausted after the past day or so" she said.
"Sweetheart, why don't you go get Henry ready for bed. I think we all need to turn in early. Tomorrow will come soon enough for all of us. Let's finish up down here and head up to bed" he said.
Samantha and Hank offered to clean up the kitchen while Jonathan and Tony straightened up the living room before heading upstairs. Tony was about to head upstairs when he saw Jonathan sit down on the sofa and turn on the television. Normally, he would grab a seat next to him and start up a conversation about sports, school, girls, anything really of interest to either of them, but tonight he felt lost. Jonathan's words from yesterday just couldn't leave his mind. So instead of joining him, he said goodnight and headed upstairs to Angela.
Angela had gotten Henry's bath ready and was about to set him down when Tony walked in. He ran over to her to help bring all the bath stuff into the bathroom.
"I used to love bath time with Samantha. She hated it when she was very small, but as she got to be a few months old, she loved it. I'm not sure who had more fun, her or me!" laughed Tony as he grabbed some toys and put it in the water with Henry.
"I agree- Jonathan always loved the water. It was always such a fun time during our day. I got the best giggles out of him during bath time. I'm glad we get to do this again Tony, even if it's not with our own baby yet" she said as she took the wash cloth and began washing Henry.
"Our baby- that has such a nice ring to it! Although, this little guy kinda feels like ours in a way. He's what I pictured Jonathan to be like when he was this age. It would have been really nice to have been around for that part of his life" he said as he took some of the toys and started to play with Henry.
"Jonathan and I had a good talk earlier while you were on the phone. He seems a little better. It was so good to see him holding Henry. He's not going to replace Michael, but they are the only reminders they have of him. I really want to make sure they bond as best as they can. Oh and Tony… I also accidentally let it slip about us having been trying for our own baby. I didn't mean to and I tried to get around it, but I couldn't without hurting his feelings. I hope you're not upset" she said quietly.
"Eh oh, oh eh! Of course not! He's not a little kid anymore and I think we need to all start treating him like the young adult he is, not withholding things from him. He's stronger than we give him credit. How did he take the news?" he asked.
"I think okay. He was definitely surprised but I think a little sad because we are putting it off. I can't blame him since I am too. I mean it's the right decision, but it doesn't mean I'm not still disappointed" she said, holding back tears.
"I know sweetheart, but it won't be forever. He's already doing a bit better. We will have our chance soon. And if for whatever reason we don't, I don't mind at all raising this little guy as our own" he said with a smile.
Angela smiled at Tony and continued to give Henry a bath. They finished up and brought him to get changed in their bedroom. They planned on turning Tony's old room into a nursery but decided to wait until things settled a little bit more. They had set up the portable crib in their bedroom. Tony went downstairs to make his final bottle and brought it back up while Angela sat on their bed rocking him. Tony came back with the bottle but stood in the doorway watching them bond together. He thought she was the most natural mother and loved seeing this side of Angela.
"Here's his bottle. How about I feed him and you go and shower and get ready for bed? You look exhausted Angela" he said as he took Henry and sat on his side of the bed. Angela nodded her head and walked into the bathroom. She took a nice, long, hot shower. Her back and arms were aching from not being used to holding an infant for so long. She got out and finished getting ready for bed. As she stepped out of the bathroom, she too stopped in the doorway and gazed lovingly at Tony and Henry. Tony was trying to burp him, without much luck. He looked like such a natural father. It made her heart beat faster seeing Tony in this role.
They spent the next few minutes settling in for the night. They heard Jonathan come up the stairs. He knocked on the door and then came in, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Do you guys need anything for Henry before I turn in?" he asked.
"No sweetheart we are good thank you. You try and sleep- tomorrow will be another big day" said Angela.
"Okay… if you need anything, let me know. I won't use Grandma's ear plugs!" he laughed as he walked out of the room.
Tony and Angela both laughed at his comment. They then turned their attention back to Henry, who looked wide awake. He was cooing and smiling at them, not looking remotely tired.
"You're ready to party aren't you little guy? Angela, I'll take the first shift. You try and sleep a bit and then we can tag team if he is still up later tonight" he said as he took Henry and bounced him around, trying to get him to sleep.
"Normally I'd argue with you, but I don't have the energy. Do wake me up though if he gets to be too much. I love you Tony" she said as she leaned up to kiss Henry good night followed by Tony.
"I love you too sweetheart. Now go rest. This little guy and I have some television to watch" he said as he walked out the door to head to the living room.
