Two on a Train- chapter 14
Tony and Angela woke up the next morning wrapped in each other's arms. They spent most of the night making love, stopping only briefly to sleep. When they finally awoke, they were surprised to see it was after ten in the morning. They could hear Samantha and Jonathan downstairs in the kitchen and decided they needed to get ready so they could share their good news and head back to the hospital. They got dressed and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
"Good morning everyone!" said Angela as she hobbled to sit at the table. She was getting better at using the crutches. She had stopped her pain medication and antibiotics a few days before and was feeling better.
"You both look happy! Have a good night?" asked Samantha as she sat down next to Angela.
"As a matter of fact…" said Tony as he came behind Angela. They looked up at each other, smiled and nodded.
"We are engaged!" said Angela, practically squealing in delight as she showed them her engagement ring. The family was overjoyed with the news of their engagement, hugging them both as they all sat down and told the story of their engagement. Even Jonathan was a little choked up as they told them about their romantic evening. To celebrate, Tony made them a big breakfast of eggs, French toast, waffles with whipped cream and fresh fruit. By the time they were finished, they were beyond full.
"Alright everyone, let's waddle out to the car! I've packed a goodie bag for Mona! Let's go!" shouted Tony as he helped Angela out to the car. Samantha and Jonathan jumped in the backseat, the excitement barely being contained by all four of them. They arrived at the hospital and made the all too familiar trip to Mona's room. They watched as two doctors and a nurse walked out of the room and headed away from them as they approached the room.
"Hi Mona! How are you feeling?" asked Tony as they walked in the room. Mona was laying back against the pillows, not sitting up as she had been the days before. The color in her face also seemed a bit worse. They couldn't be sure, but it looked like she had been crying.
"A little tired… they really need to work on not waking up their patients every few hours. I only like being kept up for all hours of the night for one reason and one reason alone…" said Mona.
"Mother! You're impossible! We saw the doctors coming out of your room. Did you have the MRI? Did they get the results back?" asked Angela as she grabbed a hold of her hand.
"Oh the doctors mentioned something about it but I wasn't paying attention. They took me down for the MRI early this morning. I'm sure they will be back at some point… now we have more important things to discuss, don't we?" asked Mona.
"Mother, I really think I should speak to them, find out what's going on…" said Angela before being interrupted by Mona.
"Angela… relax okay? They will be back… so?" asked Mona.
"Well Mother… last night Tony and I… we got engaged!" she said as she showed her the ring. Tears came to Mona's eyes as she took Angela's left hand in her own. Tony and Angela enjoyed telling her all the romantic details of their evening.
"Well it's about time! I'm so happy for both of you! So did you celebrate your engagement by doing something I would do for a change? Please tell me you finally did…I think my radar sense is on the frizz…" said Mona.
"Mona… let's just say we took your advice for once…" said Tony as he leaned down and kissed Angela.
"Well it's about time! I want details Angela… but not in front of the children…" said Mona with a smirk.
"Thanks Grandma! That breakfast Tony made was way too good to revisit!" laughed Jonathan.
"Speaking of Mona… I packed you a goodie bag! All my special dishes! Eat up!" said Tony as he started to make her a plate.
"No thanks Tony. I… I already ate this morning. Maybe later…" she said.
"Can we get you anything Mona?" asked Samantha.
"Yes actually you can. Would you help me plan their wedding?" asked Mona.
"Of course! The three of us will have so much fun planning it!" said Samantha.
"Yes Mother! Once you are out of here, we will start planning! Tony and I already discussed what we want- something small with just the family and maybe Mrs. Rossini. We really don't want to wait so the sooner the better. Then once we are all recovered, maybe have a bigger reception with more family and friends" said Angela.
"That sounds wonderful. So why wait? How about today? Let's get you two married today…" said Mona.
"Today? That's a little fast don't you think Mona?" asked Tony.
"Do I need to waste time and energy with my speech again? Why put off until tomorrow what you want to do today? I'm sure there's a priest floating around this hospital somewhere. Carmela could be here in what? An hour? Everyone else is here already. C'mon you both already said you wanted a wedding sooner rather than later. This is… sooner!" she chuckled.
"I don't know Mother. You can't just get married like that! In a hospital! We should wait until you're at least in a rehab. We could figure out something nice that we could all plan for…" said Angela when Mona cut her off.
"Angela… stop overthinking things. Remember… you don't think these things, you feel them… don't tell me this doesn't feel right…" said Mona.
"Let's do this you two!" said Jonathan.
"Yes! I'm on board too!" said Samantha.
"Well that's two more on my side!" laughed Mona. Angela and Tony locked eyes. Tears started to form in both their eyes as he knelt down next to her.
"So what do you say Angela? Marry me today and make me the happiest man in the world!" said Tony.
"I… This is all happening so fast! I don't know!" shouted Angela.
"Angela… for as long as I've known you, which has been a few years… you've been the rational one. You've been the thinker, the planner… you've been this way since your father died. You needed to be because I wasn't, but it's time Angela that you took a page from my book and just followed your heart. You did yesterday when you said yes… say yes again Angela…" said Mona as she grabbed both Angela and Tony's hands.
"Yes… Tony let's get married today!" she said as she turned to him and kissed him passionately. Mona took a deep breath and smiled at the sight in front of her.
"Okay you two… plenty of time for that later! We've got a wedding to plan! Tony, go call Carmela and tell her to get here ASAP. Jonathan go to the chapel and ask for a priest that can perform a marriage ceremony. Samantha, go to the gift shop and look for something new and blue- I'll take care of the old and borrowed" said Mona. Tony, Samantha and Jonathan all took off out of the room to do the errands Mona had set for them.
"What am I doing? What did you convince me to do? I don't even have a dress and my hair is a mess!" said Angela as she ran her fingers through her hair and pulled at her clothing.
"And your roots need to be done, you could use a tan and a bigger bust size… but I could go on for days, which we don't have so let's just make the best of it…" said Mona as Angela just rolled her eyes.
"Never change Mother!" laughed Angela.
"Why don't you go see if they have some pens and paper for you two to write down some vows. Maybe grab Tony and find some place to write your thoughts down" said Mona.
"That's a good idea! Okay I will see what I can find" said Angela as she hobbled out the door. Mona watched her leave the room and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she had to wipe away tears from her eyes. She leaned over to a drawer next to her bed and grabbed some paper and a pen. She took a deep breath and started writing a letter. When she was done, she folded it up and put it back in the drawer. She couldn't help the tears that were streaming down her face.
About two hours later, Mrs. Rossini arrived at the hospital. She brought with her two bouquets of flowers plus a cake she had already made for the family. Samantha had found a pretty blue clip that she helped Angela put in her hair. Tony and Angela had spent some time writing out their vows. They both agreed with the time constraints that they would just do their best and speak from the heart. Jonathan had tracked down a priest from the hospital chapel and explained the situation. Initially he was hesitant to agree but after Jonathan told the whole story, he agreed. By 3pm, everyone was ready and set to start the ceremony in Mona's room.
"Oh Angela! We don't have rings!" shouted Tony.
"Must I think of everything? Samantha, can you get me my purse?" asked Mona as Samantha reached for her bag and handed it to Mona. She pulled out a small red velvet bag and pulled out two rings.
"Mother! Where did you get those?" asked Angela.
"They were your father and my wedding bands. I… I haven't worn mine in quite sometime. Last year after Jamaica, when I thought it would only be a matter of months until you two got engaged, I had the rings resized. They should fit…" said Mona as she handed them to Angela and Tony.
"Oh Mona… this is… this is beautiful! I can't tell you how touched I am you did this! I'd be honored to wear Robert's ring" said Tony as he wiped away tears. He wasn't the only one wiping away tears as the rest of the family, including Mrs. Rossini and the priest, had to dry their eyes before continuing.
"So that's the something old… here is the something borrowed…" she said as she took off her pendant necklace.
"This was my grandmother's that she gave to me on my wedding. It's just on loan remember…" said Mona.
"Oh Mother! I love it! It's beautiful!" gushed Angela as Samantha helped her put it around her neck. They both had a flashback to when Sam went to Jesse's prom and Angela put her pearls around Samantha's neck.
"Okay! Are we ready to get this show on the road, so to speak?" asked the priest.
"Yes they are!" said Mona.
"Alright then! Angela and Tony why don't you stand in front of the bed here. Jonathan as Tony's best man stand to his left and Samantha as Angela's maid of honor stand to her right" as the priest directed everyone to their spots.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate the union of Tony and Angela. Their story is a story unlike any other, yet shares the common bond of unconditional love. Tragedy may have brought you two together but your love for one another has grown for years. To be in your presence is to know what true love is all about, what it is meant to be. You have come together and built a life together, a family, although unique in it's creation, one that has the strength and foundation to withstand even the greatest challenges and adversities. You have already seen the good times and the bad, the sickness and the health. Your love has only strengthened and you have been able to give each other the love and support to get through whatever life has set in your path. And now Tony and Angela will have a few moments to share their love and commitment to one another through their own vows" said the priest as he looked over at Tony.
"Angela… when I woke up this morning… I didn't think life could get any better than waking up wrapped in your arms, knowing you wanted to marry me. I pictured this day since the Ferguson's wedding… although I didn't quite picture this as our venue! But then again… we have always done things our way. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I plan on spending the rest of our lives being the man you deserve" said Tony as he squeezed her hands.
"Tony… I too have pictured this day since the Ferguson's wedding. Us standing up here, declaring our love for one another. I held onto that dream for years, never believing we would ever get our chance, but still holding out hope our paths would come together. You walked into my life and brought with you a brand new life, one that I have been thankfully for every day since. I plan on spending the rest of our lives being the woman you deserve" said Angela as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Thank you both for those beautiful words. And now the rings…" said the priest as Mona handed the rings to Jonathan.
"Do you Tony take Angela to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love and support her through good times as well as bad times, to share your life and dreams with, to give to her your unwavering love and support? If so, say I do" he said as Jonathan handed him the ring.
"I do" said Tony as he slipped the ring on her finger.
"Do you Angela take Tony to be your lawfully wedding husband? To love and support him through good times as well as bad times, to share your life and dreams with, to give to him your unwavering love and support? If so, say I do" he said as Jonathan handed her the ring.
"I do" said Angela as she slipped the ring on his finger. They both could hardly contain their excitement and happiness as the priest continued the service.
"May these rings symbolize your lifelong commitment and promises to one another, all the hope and love you two already have for one another to be strengthened for all your days to come. Now by the power vested in me by the State of Connecticut, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!" said the priest.
Tony stepped closer to Angela, putting one hand around her waist to help steady her, while the other cupped her face. His smile matched hers as he leaned in for a passionate kiss. They almost forgot where they were until the loud clapping erupted from the family. They reluctantly pulled back as they watched their family wipe away their own tears.
"Congratulations you two!" said Samantha as she hugged Angela.
"Yeah it's about time!" laughed Jonathan as he hugged Tony.
"Oh you two! You're such a beautiful couple! May you two always be as happy as you are today! I love you both!" shouted a sobbing Mrs. Rossini. Everyone was laughing and hugging one another, except Mona, who was uncharacteristically quiet. Tony noticed this and came next to her bed, followed by Angela.
"You okay Mona? I'm waiting for the what took you so long and I was right comments!" laughed Tony.
"Oh I'm saying them all in my head, storing them up for a rainy day… I'm just so happy you two finally got together. I love you both so much. I hope and pray you two are as happy as Robert and I were all those years ago…" she said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Now it was Tony and Angela's turn to wipe their own tears from their eyes.
"Oh Mother… we will be! Thank you for always being our biggest support, even if that support was more like a well needed push! I'm so happy we did this today! I love you Mother!" said Angela as she hugged Mona. Tony soon followed behind with a hug of his own.
"We need photos! Does anyone have a camera?" asked Mrs. Rossini.
"Yes! I bought a disposable one at the gift shop!" said Samantha. They all posed for photos- Tony with Angela, followed by a few of the four of them. They each took photos with Mona on her bed and a few with Mrs. Rossini. Finally, the priest captured one of all six of them huddled around Mona.
"Now let's eat cake!" shouted Mrs. Rossini as she brought out the cake. Tony and Angela stood side by side and used the knife she had brought to cut the cake. They each cut a slice and fed a piece to each other. Mrs. Rossini took the cake and cut a piece for everyone. They all enjoyed each other's company, devouring the cake. Everyone was so wrapped up in the festivities that no one noticed Mona didn't have any of the cake.
"Alright you two… go off and celebrate your wedding! Until you have a chance to have a proper honeymoon, why don't you stay over at my place? Or kick those two out for the night and really have a celebration…" said Mona. They couldn't help notice how tired Mona was looking and thought heading out for the night was a good idea.
"I think you're right Mona. We should let you rest but we will be back first thing tomorrow morning!" said Tony.
"If you're doing it right, I won't expect you until tomorrow night!" chuckled Mona.
"Alright Grandma! We will see you tomorrow! Love you!" said Jonathan as he gave her a quick hug and walked out of the room.
"Yeah Mona- get some rest! Love you!" said Samantha as she gave her a quick hug too.
"You rest up Mona! I'm gonna start cooking up a storm for ya tomorrow! Get you all better ASAP!" said Mrs. Rossini as she walked over to Angela and Tony to congratulate them one more time before heading out.
"Okay Mother we will head out. I know we didn't get an update today with everything going on, but when we come back tomorrow I want to speak to your doctors and find out about the MRI and tests. Call us if you need anything… I love you Mother!" she said as she hugged her goodbye.
"Tony, would you mind hanging back a minute?" asked Mona. He helped Angela out the door and then came back to sit on the side of bed.
"What's up Mona? I can't thank you enough for arranging this today! It may not have been how we imagined it, but it was absolutely perfect! Thank you! Love you Mona!" he said as he leaned over to hug her.
"You're very welcome Tony- I'm just so happy I was able to see it. A part of me thought you'd never actually go through with it! If the silver lining to all of this was that you two get your happily ever after, then it was worth it. Tony… oh never mind. You go and enjoy your night…" said Mona as she hugged him goodbye.
Mona watched as Tony headed out of the room, a typical Tony-sized smile on his face as he helped Angela down the hallway. She closed her eyes as she replayed the chaotic day's events in her mind. She couldn't help but smile at how happy everyone looked. Her thoughts drifted to her own wedding day so many years earlier. Her smile soon faded though as she thought about all things he missed out on- Angela growing up and getting married, Jonathan being born, Tony and Samantha's arrival into their family, Angela starting her own business and finally seeing the two of them express their love for one another today. She couldn't help the tears that began to fall, knowing that soon, it would be them shedding tears for her.
On the way home, Samantha and Jonathan decided to spend the night at Mona's apartment. They quickly packed a bag and headed out, leaving Tony and Angela alone at last. Tony helped her down on the sofa. He grabbed a bottle of champagne and poured them two glasses, turning down the lights so a soft glow lit up the room.
"Here's to us Angela… may we have the best forever after there ever was…" said Tony as he clinked his glass with hers and they each took a sip.
"May we be as happy as our parents were with one another. I love you so much Tony…" she said as they clinked glasses again.
"I don't know about you Angela… but there's only one thing I'd like us to do right now and the sooner the better…" he said seductively as his hand made its way from her knee up to her upper thigh before he leaned in for a kiss.
"Good to know we are on the same wavelength Mr. Micelli…" she answered in a voice a few octaves lower than usual.
"Shall we Mrs. Micelli?" asked Tony as he lifted her up and carried her up the stairs and into their bedroom. All thoughts of anything other than each other floated from their minds as they celebrated their wedding all night long.
The next morning, after getting barely enough sleep to function but neither one of them upset about it, they practically floated down into the kitchen to have breakfast. Samantha and Jonathan decided to make them breakfast as a special treat so it was waiting for them when they came downstairs.
"Good morning newlyweds! Can I offer you some freshly made juice and coffee while your breakfast is being made?" asked Samantha.
"I'd love some thank you!" smiled Angela as she took the coffee cup from Samantha.
"Breakfast is almost ready… just make sure you keep the details of last night to yourselves so I don't throw up all over it…" said Jonathan as he finished flipping the last batch of pancakes.
"My lips are sealed!" laughed Tony. He was about to sit down when the phone rang.
"Micelli-Bower residence! Tony speaking!" he said overly enthusiastically. His smile left his face almost instantaneously and his whole body seemed to deflate. Tears sprang to his eyes as the family stopped what they were doing and watched Tony. He turned his body away from the family as he listened to the caller on the other line. Finally he turned back around, tears streaming down his face.
"I… I will. We will be there as soon as we can. Thank you…" he said as he hung up. He slowly turned around and saw three scared faces looking back at him.
"Tony… what is it? Is it Mother? Is she okay?" asked Angela, panic and worry taking over.
"That… that was the hospital. Mona…" he started as he could barely catch his breath, let alone utter the words.
"Mona's gone… she died this morning…" Tony said as he watched his family fall apart in front of his eyes.