Hope for All- chapter 42

The next week was a flurry of activity for both Tony and Samantha. As promised, Tony, Samantha and Mona headed to the mall to purchase clothes and accessories for Samantha's trip. Five stores, three arguments over clothing being too tight or short or revealing and one very happy Samantha later, they arrived home. Samantha enjoyed doing a fashion show for Angela and Mona, trying on all her new outfits, while Tony did a workout in the garage to burn off some of his frustrations. By dinner time, they were all tired but in happy moods.

Tony spent the week preparing and then taking his exams. His last one was Thursday night and by the time he finished, he came home and crashed, not waking until the next morning. For the first time in a long time, Tony was awoken by his alarm clock. He got up and went for his morning run before coming back to shower and get ready. He got Angela up and helped her shower and get dressed. At thirty-two weeks, she could barely get up by herself let alone do things like showering and dressing herself, especially with the broken wrist. Tony helped her downstairs, where Mona was already sitting at the table drinking her coffee.

"Morning Mona! What can I make for breakfast for both you?" he asked.

"You mean I get a say? I figured you'd only serve Angela and I'd get the scraps…" said Mona sarcastically.

"Eh oh, oh eh! I make you what you want and then some! Everyone in this house is taken care of!" shouted Tony.

"Yes Mother how could you say that? He's taken care of all of us and managed a full summer course load!" said Angela.

"Geeze you two! Lighten up! Can't you take a joke anymore?" asked Mona.

"Anyway… I think I will have pancakes if you wouldn't mind…" said Tony.

"Coming right up! I'll cut up some fresh fruit and make some freshly squeezed orange juice too" said Tony.

"I think I'm in the mood for eggs Benedict with toast and grapefruit juice…" said Mona sarcastically.

"Pancakes it is…" said Tony as he began making them breakfast. Mona just rolled her eyes and sipped her coffee. They ate their breakfast in relative peace until it was time to leave for Angela's appointment. Tony helped her out the door and into the car. Soon, they were pulling up to the doctor's office and were sitting in the waiting room. Both Tony and Angela were anxious about the stress test. After a few minutes, the nurse called them into the room.

"Good morning! How are you feeling?" asked the nurse as she took her blood pressure.

"Pretty good actually! Just feel huge and tired but otherwise good!" she laughed.

"Okay everything looks good! So first we are going to set you up for the non-stress test. We will place the heart monitors on your stomach and record the fetal heartbeats. We will give you a pad of paper and pen to record the babies' movements. Normally the test is for twenty minutes, but the doctor wants you to be monitored for forty minutes, just to be on the safe side. You can lay down on this reclined chair and lean towards your left side. Once the test is complete, the doctor will review the results and bring you in for your sonogram. Any questions?" asked the nurse.

"So we record any movements and kicks or just when one of them moves?" asked Tony.

"That's right, you can jot down if it was a movement or a kick for each baby" she said as she helped Angela into the chair and attached the fetal monitors. Soon, each baby's heartbeat could be seen on the monitor. Angela and Tony both let out sighs of relief when each baby's heartbeat was in the normal range.

"Okay! I will be back in about twenty minutes to check in on you" she said as she left the room.

"Alright you two! Let's get to work! I have no idea what counts as passing this test, but I'm assuming the more movements and kicks the better so let's get going!" said Tony as he rubbed her stomach.

"They are both moving around so mark that down" said Angela as Tony jotted it down in the notepad.

"How about a kick or two from you? I do think Baby A has a future in soccer!" chuckled Tony.

"Baby B may too… she was up a lot last night moving around and kicking me just as I was trying to fall back asleep!" she laughed. Just then, Tony felt a few kicks from Baby B.

"I told you Tony! She might be the athlete in the family! As long as she doesn't take after me!" said Angela.

"Eh oh, oh eh! She'd be one heck of a mini golf player if she did! Maybe just have her avoid the three legged race…" he said as they both laughed. They continued to monitor the baby's movements until the time was up. The doctor came in and reviewed their notes as well as the record of the heartbeats.

"It all looks very good you two! The babies did very well and the results were all within the normal ranges. I'd say we can safely take you off the strict bed rest and just have you limit your activities during the day. Alright let's see these babies!" he said as he helped Angela onto the exam table.

"Okay let's see some babies!" he said as he put the wand over her stomach. Soon, Baby A came on the screen, his profile coming up with great clarity.

"He looks to be developing quite nicely. I'd say about sixteen inches and about four pounds, maybe four and a half actually. He's a big boy! Alright let's take a look at his sister shall we…" he said as he moved the wand to find Baby B.

"That's my boy! He's definitely got my profile! Well before the broken nose!" laughed Tony.

"Alright here is Baby B. She's developing nicely too! I'd say about fifteen inches and about three and a half pounds. I have a feeling she will catch up to him over the next few weeks but probably be a little smaller, which is all very normal. She really does like to suck her thumb!" he laughed.

"Those cheeks! I just want to pinch them already!" said Tony as Angela laughed.

"They are very cute aren't they…" said Angela as she started to tear up.

"Yes they are… just like their beautiful Mommy…" he said as he leaned down and kissed her on the lips.

"Alright everything looks good here! I will print out some sonograms for you to take home. I'd recommend very light activities for the next few weeks but you can walk around and even go on short errands, out for lunch or dinner too. If you notice any decreased movements with the babies, any contractions or any other abnormal symptoms, it will most likely mean strict bed rest until you deliver. Okay we will see you back next week" said the doctor as he walked out of the room.

"Why do I think the doctor's version of light activities and your version are two very different things…" said Angela as Tony helped her up and off the table.

"Because you know me better than anyone Angela. We need these guys in there for at least another four weeks so don't expect my overprotectiveness to let up until then…" said Tony.

"Until then? Please Tony… your overprotective nature won't let up until these babies are in college! Even then…" she chuckled.

"Alright miss thinks she knows me so well… let's go home" he said as he helped her out the door and back out to the car. Once they were home, Angela decided to lay down upstairs because she was first and foremost exhausted but also because she convinced Tony to take her out to dinner that night, just the two of them. She figured if she spent the rest of the day in bed, he wouldn't have an excuse as to why they couldn't go.

By early evening, Angela had rested for most of the afternoon and managed to get herself dressed. They had gotten a flyer for a special dinner at the Starlight Lounge. Angela had managed to find a maternity dress that she liked and that still fit her for the evening. She had called Jenny and Nick, the couple they met on the cruise and invited them for dinner, which they graciously accepted.

Tony pulled the Jeep up to the Starlight Lounge and handed the keys to the valet as he helped Angela out of the car. They were greeted by the hostess and seated at the table right away. A band was playing next to the dance floor. Angela would have loved a dance but she knew she was pushing her luck as it was and didn't bother asking Tony. After a few minutes, Jenny and Nick walked over to the table and joined them.

"Tony! Angela! It's so good to see you again!" said Jenny as she hugged them both. Nick held out the chair for Jenny as she sat down.

"How have you been since the cruise? Are you alright? Did you break your arm?" asked Nick.

"I was heading to work and waiting for the train when this guy came out of nowhere and ran into me. He was stealing some lady's purse and didn't see me. Not sure how he missed me looking like I do but he did and sent me flying to the ground. I broke my wrist and was in the hospital for a few days. The fall put one of the babies into distress but thankfully they are all alright now" said Angela.

"Oh my gosh! How scary! Thankfully you are all alright! Did they catch the guy?" asked Jenny, concern in her voice very present.

"Thankfully they caught the piece of crap before I got my hands on him! The detectives came by the hospital to take statements so we can press charges. They were able to lock the guy up and should be coming by the house this week now that Angela is doing better for the final details" said Tony.

"That was some ordeal! I'm with you Tony… I would have socked the guy right in the face if he did that to Jenny!" said Nick.

"And then you would have ended up in jail Nick, no good to anyone! It's better to let the justice system handle it. So I'm assuming you've had to rest for a while?" asked Jenny.

"Well last month my blood pressure was up so I was on bed rest for two weeks. It let up so I was able to go back to a relatively normal schedule the following week but by the end of the week, this happened and I've been on bed rest ever since, only getting to go out for weekly doctor's appointments. I got a good report today so I can go back to light activities for the next few weeks. I was able to convince this one over here to go out for dinner. Practically a month of bed rest has left me a bit stir crazy!" laughed Angela.

"I can imagine! With our second daughter, I had to be on bed rest for the last three months of my pregnancy and I remember wanting to jump out the window by the last few weeks! Besides being so uncomfortable, just seeing the same four walls gets to you! Not to mention my mother in law moved in to help with our two older kids. It's not an experience I'd like to repeat!"laughed Jenny.

"Thankfully now it's just light activities with lots of rest. That I can manage! I've got eight weeks left but we are hoping they stay put for at least four more weeks" said Angela.

"They will be here before you know it! Enjoy the quiet while you can… the next eighteen or more years won't be!" laughed Nick.

The waiter came over to take their drink order followed shortly by their dinner order. They enjoyed each other's company, talking about Jenny and Nick's retirement plans, their children and grandchildren and their plans to downsize their home eventually. Tony and Angela talked about Jonathan's camp, Samantha's vacation plans, Tony's fall semester plans and one of Angela's new clients. By the time they finished their dinner, the band had begun to play.

"I think I'd like a spin on the dance floor. Would you have this dance?" asked Nick as he took Jenny's hand in his own and led her to the dance floor. Angela watched them sway to the music and didn't realize Tony had stood up, walking around to the other side of her chair.

"Do you feel up to a quick dance? It's a slow one…" he said as he mirrored Nick's movements a few minutes earlier.

"I thought you'd never ask…" she said as Tony helped her up and headed to the dance floor.

"Don't expect to do anything tomorrow Angela other than rest in bed…" he half joked, Angela knowing he was in reality being very serious.

"I figured as much Tony! I'm just enjoying tonight" she said as she leaned into him as much as she could with her stomach. They swayed to the music for the next few minutes, enjoying the closeness and intimate moment they knew would be few and far in the next few weeks and months. Tony leaned in for a little kiss, which turned into a passionate kiss, lasting until the song ended. They were interrupted by one of the babies kicking.

"They are already interrupting us Angela and they aren't even here yet!" laughed Tony as he helped her back to their table. He placed his hand on her stomach and followed the kicks of the babies until Jenny and Nick returned to the table.

"So Tony… I know it's last minute, but any chance you want to take in a round of golf tomorrow morning? Our buddy cancelled last minute and we need a fourth. Tee time at the country club is six thirty" said Nick.

"Sure! I haven't been golfing in a while but I'd love to! Thanks!" said Tony.

They enjoyed the desserts that were served as the night went on. Tony and Nick started talking about golf and other sports as well as many of the same spots they grew up with in Brooklyn. Jenny and Angela talked about their children, how they were planning the nursery as well as places they knew from growing up in south Connecticut. They were shocked to realize that Jenny and Robert, Angela's father, went to the same school, only a few years apart.

By the time it was time to leave, they made promises to get together at least one more time before the babies came and then of course to visit once they were born. Tony tipped the valet and helped Angela into the car. Once they got home, they headed straight upstairs, nearly collapsing on the bed. They quickly got changed and ready for bed.

"You still feeling okay Angela? Babies still moving around? No contractions right?" asked Tony as his overprotective mode crept back in.

"Yes we are all fine… tired but fine. I think the dancing put them to sleep for a while but they are wide awake now and maybe doing gymnastics because they are moving all around! If I weren't exhausted I think they would be keeping me up!" laughed Angela.

"I'll ask Mona to look in on you tomorrow while I'm golfing. The nursery furniture should be delivered tomorrow afternoon, so I should be back in time" said Tony.

"It's great that it's coming in a little early. I'll feel better once the nursery is put together. Samantha will get to see it too before she leaves on Monday" she said with a yawn.

"Alright it's time we got some rest. Another busy day tomorrow!" said Tony as he kissed her goodnight, gently rubbing her back until she was asleep. He too fell asleep quickly, his arms wrapped around her, holding all of them tightly together.