A/N: The lines in italics are of course from the show. So credit goes to the writers.
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"Wow. Okay. So why do you think it is a bad idea if I accept the job from Elliot?"
"Because Tony. Our life is here. You already have a great job."
"You're right. I do."
"Well there you go. Why would you even think about giving up such a great job?"
Tony pondered her question. She was right, the job was wonderful. In fact it was more than he ever thought or hoped it would be. The kids loved him. The other teachers respected him. He couldn't have asked for a better opportunity. That was until Elliot offered him the job at Ridgemont.
If he took his offer he would be able to be in the same town as his family. Spending time with Nicky the past week made him realize how much he missed him when he was in Iowa. Sure, there were phones and planes but it wasn't the same as being able to drive over there whenever he wanted to. And of course he knew that Sam was an adult and married but she was still his little girl. Hell, she would always be his little girl and being away from her was difficult.
He still remembered how supportive they all were when they encouraged him to take the job. Sam and Jonathan had both assured him that they would be okay considering she was married and that he would be going away to college soon. Mona of course had to make a lame joke telling him that he was 40 years old and that it was time for him to leave home.
But, the most supportive one was Angela. If it wasn't for her pushing; sometimes gentle, sometimes not so gentle he never would have taken the job. In fact he never would have applied for college in the first place. But, she had encouraged him. She believed in him.
"I always knew you would do big and important things."
That is what she had said to him when he decided that he wanted to be a teacher. She looked and sounded so proud of him. He remembered how her smile made him feel all warm inside.
She made him believe in himself. She made him believe that he was more than an ex-baseball player turned housekeeper.
"To Tony Micelli the man who sees in us not our limits but the stars."
She had said that when the whole family plus Geoffrey with a G had thrown him a party to honor him for encouraging her to open her own Ad agency after those clowns at Wallace and McQuade had fired her. And she was right. He hadn't seen her limits. He saw her stars. He knew that opening her own agency was just what she needed to do. And he had been right. Sure there had been ups and downs. .But because of his support and encouragement she was doing what she was meant to do.
"Tony, face it you are doing what you were meant to do."
He still remembered that conversation like it had happened yesterday. Every word and look still haunted him. She knew how much he loved teaching and coaching at Wells. She had seen how excited he was when Dr Graham had offered him a new contract. So she had graciously let him go so he could continue at Wells. Even though it obviously had devastated her.
"It killed her Tony. Killed her! She was devastated. And yet you stayed in Iowa. You chose your job over her."
He had. He had been so hurt, upset, and later angry that he had. There was no use denying it anymore. Mona and Jonathan were right. He was just like Michael.
"And another thing Tony. Why would you or how could you think that I would be okay with uprooting my life to go live somewhere else? My family is here. My friends are here. My job is here."
"Angela did." Tony said quietly.
"What?"
"I said; Angela did. " Tony said louder. He stood up and began pacing. "Angela did. She left her home and her business and moved here to be with me. And we both thought it would only be for one year. That is what we had agreed on. But, when Dr Graham offered me the new contract she saw how happy I was. So as much as it had pained her she encouraged me to take it. Even if it meant we were over with."
"If that is all true then why did she leave?"
Tony stopped pacing and looked at her.
"Because she wasn't being true to herself. Angela isn't a housewife.." He chuckled remembering her disastrous attempt years ago when he was doing his teaching internship She had tried. She really had but both times he could tell that she wasn't cut out to be a housewife. She was a businesswoman through and through.
"Well okay. Look Tony I can understand you wanting to take the job because of Sam and Nicky. I mean I get that you miss them. But we do have phones and emails. But, I'm sorry. I just can't fathom leaving my home to go live somewhere else."
"So you're saying if I accept the job at Ridgemont you won't come to Connecticut with me?"
"Yes, that is exactly what I am saying."
"Well then I guess the choice is clear."
Teresa smiled. "Yes, I guess it is. So now that it is settled do you want to go see a movie tonight or go bowling?"
Tony shook his head. "Neither. I need to go see Dr Graham."
"Why?"
"To tell him that I am resigning."
"Your… wait a minute Tony! Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am. "
"But… Tony I thought we both agreed that staying here was the right decision."
"No, we never did. You just assumed that is what I meant when I said the choice was clear. And it is. I'm going home."
"Tony, you are home. "
"No, I'm not. Iowa is not my home. Connecticut is. It has been ever since that September morning when Angela opened her front door in her pink bathrobe with her hair in a towel."
"So, that's it then? Your mind is made up? You're leaving a great job here? You're giving up your life here? Our life?!"
"You're right it is a great job. I won't argue with that. And yes I will be giving it up. But, I also will be gaining so much more. More than Wells could ever give me."
"What about us?"
"There is no us. You made that clear when you said that you wouldn't leave here and move to Connecticut with me. But, Angela did. She was willing to do whatever it took so I could have this great job. She loved me enough to put my wants and needs ahead of hers. That is what love is Teresa. "
"So you're taking that job because of her?!"
"No, not just because of Angela. I mean Sam and Nicky are also a big part of it. And Mona and Jonathan too. But, yeah Angela is a major part of my decision. "
"So, I guess that is it then." Teresa said quietly and stood up.
"I guess so."
Teresa took off her engagement ring and handed it to him.
"Goodbye Tony."
"Good bye Teresa."
She walked over to the front door and picked up her luggage. Without another word she opened it and closed it quietly behind her.
Tony sighed and looked at the ring. He put it in his pocket and went over and picked up the phone and dialed. After a few rings the person at the other end picked up.
"Dr Graham? It's Tony. I need to talk to you about something." He listened for a few minutes then responded.
"Okay, I will see you in an hour. Thanks Dr Graham" he hung up the phone and walked over to the couch and sat down. Like a home movie he saw all his moments with Angela. Some good and some bad but the one thing that had never changed was her belief in him. He smiled to himself as he remembered her toast to him at the party she had thrown for him.
"To Tony Micelli the man who sees in us not our limits but the stars."
"To Angela who saw in me not my limits but the stars."
He had seen her stars and she had seen his.
And it was way past time for him to go home.