Hope for All- chapter 18
The next few weeks seemed to speed by for Tony and Angela. She had her follow up ten week appointment with her regular doctor and again got a clean bill of health for herself and the twins. There wasn't a sonogram this time, which disappointed both Tony and Angela, but they were still able to hear each heartbeat. Her doctor was located near the house, so they didn't have to leave home quite so early. Angela was able to take the later train into the city after the appointment.
She officially had a small baby bump, something Tony couldn't stop caressing every chance he got. Tony was able to let out some of her pants, which had saved her from buying new maternity clothes, but she knew it wouldn't last long. Her shirts were also problematic as her bust size continued to grow as well. She didn't seem to mind this nearly as much and it definitely didn't seem to bother Tony. She knew in the next couple of weeks she would have to face the inevitable and start shopping for maternity clothes.
The following week, Angela had an out of town business meeting in Boston. She would be gone from Thursday morning until Sunday afternoon, taking the train with her newest employee Jack. He was a recent hire and working out very well with the team. Even before she got pregnant, she was looking to take on more employees as the business grew. Knowing in a few months she'd need to lessen her workload and then take an extended maternity leave, she was glad to have the extra help. Tony and the family met Jack one night at dinner and thought he was a good fit. He had a momentary thought that if the circumstances were different, if he wasn't together with Angela and expecting the twins, he might be jealous of Jack.
"Are you sure you have to go for that long? I don't like the idea of being so far away from the three of you for so long!" Tony said with a pout.
"Yes Tony, we talked about this. I have multiple client meetings right up until we head back on Sunday. It will go quickly I promise and then we can spend all Sunday night getting caught up on lost time…" she said seductively as she leaned in for a kiss.
"Just make sure you don't over do it. Take time to rest. Delegate whatever you can to Jack- he can handle it. Make sure you stay hydrated and no skipping meals missy! I'm going to pack you a whole bunch of your favorite snacks. Am I missing anything?" asked Tony.
Laughing at Tony's overprotectiveness, she nodded her head no. She continued to pack her suitcase, making sure she packed enough clothing she liked, but most importantly fit into. Tony was able to carry her suitcase down the stairs.
"Okay I think I've got everything. Thank you for taking me to the train but I could have taken a taxi to the train station. I know you have a busy schedule today" said Angela.
"Eh oh, oh eh! I've always got time for you! And there's no way I was having the three of you being taken anywhere in a taxi when I could do it myself!" he said protectively as he placed his hand over her bump.
She smiled and leaned over to kiss him before grabbing her coat and briefcase. Tony grabbed her suitcase, the only one they had with wheels so she wouldn't have to lift it. They headed out the door and then to the train station. They got there early; despite it being early March, it felt like a beautiful, warm spring day. They opted to sit at one of the benches to wait for the train.
"I'm hoping I can sleep a little on the train. Jack is taking a later train so I will get a chance to check in and go over some work before he gets there. We are having our first client meeting over dinner tonight and probably won't be done until later tonight. I'll call you when I'm back in my hotel room" she said.
"You better! I need to know all my babies are okay!" he chuckled. "So Angela, I was thinking that maybe we could go away for a weekend soon, maybe the last weekend in March? I saw an ad for a beautiful resort. It's got a spa and other amenities we can look into… or just spend the weekend in a room together, ordering room service!" he said with a wink.
"Oh Tony! That sounds wonderful! Let's look into booking it when I get back! This will be the first time we've ever been away together, just us, as a couple. Oh I can't wait!" she said.
"Alright it's settled! Let me call this weekend before you get back and make sure they have availability. Then we can start planning okay?" he asked.
"Okay sounds good! Oh here is the train. I'm going to miss you so much!" said Angela as she began to cry.
"Shhh sweetheart it's okay! You'll be back soon! I'm going to miss you too! All three of you! Now listen little ones, you be good to your mommy while she's away. Don't make her morning sickness any worse okay!" he said as he caressed her bump. He leaned in and gave her a passionate kiss goodbye as the train pulled into the station. Tony gave the conductor a tip to help Angela with her bags. He gave her one last hug and kiss before the train doors closed and he waved goodbye.
He watched the train pull away and waved one last time to Angela. When the train was out of sight, he found a pay phone and put a quarter in the slot.
"Hello Bower Agency, Mona speaking" she said over the phone.
"Hey Mona it's Tony. I just dropped off Angela at the train station. She should get to Boston in a few hours. Listen, I am calling a family meeting tonight at 6pm. We will have dinner and then I need help from the three of you" said Tony.
"Well I do have a date tonight…" she started. "Mona! This is important! Please!" he pleaded.
"How can I say no to a begging man… oh alright. I'll postpone it. This better be good!" she shouted.
"Oh it will be! I promise! See you at 6pm! Mona… don't be late!" he shouted before hanging up the phone and heading back to the car.
Tony was finishing the final touches on dinner. He had just heard from Angela. She had gotten into the hotel earlier and was prepping for her dinner meeting. She was able to rest on the train and didn't have any nausea on the train. She would call him again once she was back in the hotel room for the night. Mona and the kids walked into the kitchen and sat down for dinner.
"Alright Tony, spill it! What planning do you possibly need our assistance for that was so important? My date is waiting patiently for me" said Mona.
"Yeah Tony, what gives?" asked Jonathan.
"Eh oh, oh eh! Relax everyone! Okay so in three weeks, Angela and I are going to a resort I found. It's a beautiful resort with a gazebo right beside a lake. It's a beautiful place to get engaged…" he started but was interrupted by cheering and excitement from the family.
"It's about time Tony! I was beginning to think those kids would be in college before you popped the question!" laughed Mona.
"Yeah Dad! Angela's already starting to show! What were you waiting for?" asked Samantha.
"Eh oh, oh eh! If I had it my way, we would be married already! Angela has felt so sick with morning sickness and all day nausea, she's wanted to wait until she's feeling better. By the time we go away, she will be in her second trimester and I'm hoping she will be feeling better by then. Anyway, before I was interrupted… it's a beautiful place to get engaged but it's an even better place to get married" he said, waiting for an interruption again. Instead, he was met with three confused faces.
"When we go up there, I'm going propose to Angela. I have it all planned out. We will get there early Friday afternoon. We will check in and assuming the weather holds out and she's up for it, we will take a walk to that gazebo and I'll ask her to marry me. This is where you all come in. I want you to be there to surprise her after she hopefully says yes. Then, I'd like to really surprise her and get married that night!" he said enthusiastically.
"You want to surprise her with a wedding?" asked a shocked Samantha.
"Yes! I've been in contact with the resort and we can have a simple ceremony by the gazebo or in the main hall, depending on the weather. Then we can have a small celebratory dinner. I'd like to have some more people join us, which is also where I need your help to narrow down a list. I know Angela would want something small. I want something more than eloping, so I figure this would be a happy compromise. What do you think?" he asked.
"What about flowers, the food, her dress, your tuxedo… just to name a few minor details" said Mona.
"That's why you all are here! I figure this weekend we can sit down and go through all the planning. We can figure out the menu as I have a menu from the resort. Her favorite flowers are pink roses so I figure that's pretty much figured out. I will take Jonathan to get fitted for our tuxedos this weekend. You and Sam can go dress shopping, maybe take a quick look at maternity dresses. Then Mona you can take Angela for a shopping trip- not for nothing but she's going to need maternity clothing soon. She's about to pop a button on her blouse and I can't let out her pants anymore!" he laughed, thankful Angela wasn't around to hear that comment.
"Oooh!! Shopping trip! Count me in! But in all seriousness, I think this is awesome! I've wanted you two to get married forever. You think I could be a bridesmaid?" asked Samantha.
"Actually, I was thinking you'd be her maid of honor. That is if Jonathan would be my best man…" he said as he looked over at him.
"Really? You're not afraid I'm gonna throw up on mom?" he asked innocently.
"No Jonathan I'm not. You're older now and I know you'll do great! If I'm worried about anyone getting sick, it would be your mom but I'm hopeful if we do it late in the afternoon, she will be fine" he said.
"If you think I'll be okay, then yes!" said Jonathan, hesitantly at first but then with some enthusiasm in his voice.
"Can I pick out any dress I want?" asked Samantha. "Within reason- you'll need to get Mona's… never mind… my opinion and approval before you buy anything! Remember, it's for a wedding not a concert!" he shouted.
The kids continued to get more and more excited about the wedding. Tony brought out dinner and started serving it up. Just as he was about to sit down to eat, Mona stood up and motioned for him to join him in the living room. Once in the living room, Mona checked to see if the kids were eavesdropping. Satisfied they were busy devouring their dinner, she turned to Tony.
"So, you think Angela, miss I need everything in my control, type- A personality, control freak, is going to go for this surprise wedding?" asked Mona.
"It wouldn't be completely out of her control. I mean we've been talking about getting married and we've spoken about things we want and don't want. I showed her the brochure this morning of the resort and she loved it! I figure you and I can subtly ask her some questions between now and then to fill in some gaps" he said.
"Would you be marrying her if it weren't for the babies?" asked Mona.
Tony took a seat on the edge of the chair and took a few moments before answering her question.
"Look Mona, I get it. It looks like this has come out of nowhere, but I promise you it's not. I love Angela more than I can ever express. I haven't loved anyone like I do Angela since… since well, Marie. I fell in love with her during this process but I've loved her since you first showed me her picture. I've loved her since we first played basketball together when her date was fogged in, since she helped me clean out my dad's old apartment and we did the Lindy that first Christmas. I've loved her since we woke up accidentally in Sam's bed, since our first drunken kiss in the kitchen, to us almost losing custody of Jonathan. I've loved her since we spent Thanksgiving together at the Rossini's, our Valentine's Day date, when we took care of baby Clint, to when I got her fired from Wallace and McQuade. I've loved her since she beat me at mini golf, since she threw me that appreciation dinner, when she was my boxing trainer, even when she broke and sprained my ankles!" he said.
"I've been in love with her from almost the first day and I know she feels the same way. Would we have taken some more time to date and then get engaged before getting married if she wasn't pregnant? Maybe, I don't know. All I know is this feels right now. We told each other how we felt before we found out she was pregnant, so I know they aren't the reason for me wanting to marrying her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and I want the rest of my life to start as soon as possible!" he said, quoting When Harry Met Sally.
Not one to be overly emotional, Mona had to hold back the tears in her eyes. Once she felt she was composed again, she came over to Tony and gave him a big hug.
"Then let's get this wedding planning underway! Count me in!" she said as they walked back into the kitchen to finish dinner.
The next few days went by faster than Tony had anticipated in regards to getting the wedding planning underway but slower than he hoped because he truly did miss Angela. Like clockwork, Angela would call each morning after waking up and the morning sickness subsiding and then at night once she got back into her room before bed. She was scheduled to arrive on the 4:30pm train. Tony had plans to pick her up and take her out for an early dinner if she wasn't too tired.
Tony, Mona, Samantha and Jonathan were gathered around the kitchen table, wedding planning in full bloom. They still had another hour and a half until Angela was expected home. Papers were spread out all over the table. They had agreed on a guest list- Mrs. Rossini, some of his friends from Brooklyn and a couple of Angela's friends. The total came to about 15-20 people in total. The menu was planned as well- mostly Italian food, with a focus on all of Angela's favorite appetizers, the ones she could still eat while pregnant.
Tony had taken Jonathan to get measured for their tuxes and Mona took Samantha for dresses. To Tony's amazement, they both found dresses, both shades of light pink, and received Tony's approval. They were just about to start planning the music and flowers when they heard the front door open and Angela call out Tony's name.
"What is she doing back now? Her train isn't due in for another hour or so! Quick! Grab all this stuff and bring it up to Mona's apartment and I'll try and stall her- let's move it now!" said Tony in as quiet a voice as his nerves could muster. He quickly made his way into the living room.
"Angela! What are you doing home so early? Your train wasn't due in for over an hour. Is everything okay?" he asked nervously.
"Yes everything is fine! Our client meeting ended early and I just couldn't wait to get home and be in your arms. Plus, I have a surprise for you I just couldn't wait to show you!" she exclaimed as she took off her coat and hung it up on the coat rack. She turned back around and put her hands on her bump, which had appeared to almost double in size since Thursday. Tony stood there frozen in place.
"I woke up this morning and this was here to greet me! I guess I've popped or something. I read it happens almost overnight- going from barely showing to there's no hiding it now!" she laughed as she rubbed her belly. Tony snapped out of his shocked state and rushed all the way over to her, placing his hands all over her belly.
"Hi there my not so little ones! It looks like you were very good to mommy while she was gone! Look how big you both are! Okay Angela, no more trips- look how much I missed in three days!" he said as he leaned in to kiss her hello.
"I'm starving! Let's get something to eat in the kitchen and then we can catch up on the past few days. I want nothing more than to curl up next to you, put my feet up and relax" she said as she went to move past Tony and into the kitchen.
"Wait Angela! Why don't you sit down here, start relaxing and I'll bring you out some food-anything you want!" he said as he tried to walk her over to the sofa. Just then, Mona, Samantha and Jonathan walked in through the kitchen.
"Welcome home Angela!" said Samantha. "We missed you Mom!" said Jonathan. "Yeah, I'm glad you're back Angela. You can take back all the work you left me" said Mona sarcastically.
"Don't worry Mother, I'll be back at work tomorrow and you can go back to your normal work schedule… whatever that may look like…" she said sarcastically.
"Whoa Angela! Look at that bump! You've doubled in size since Thursday!! You sure there's only two in there?" quipped Mona.
"Mother! Yes there's only two in there! This happens to women around this stage, especially in second pregnancies. One day you barely have a bump and the next day you pop, looking very pregnant" said Angela.
"Angela? Would you mind if I felt your stomach?" asked Samantha cautiously.
"Of course! They are still too small to feel any kicks yet, but you can definitely feel the bump" she said. Samantha walked up to Angela and placed her hand on the bump. She started tearing up as she watched Samantha's face light up.
"Jonathan, do you want to feel it too?" asked Angela. "No I'm good. Maybe when you can actually feel them" he said as he walked upstairs to his room.
"Well there's no denying it any longer Angela. You are definitely going to need maternity clothes now. How about we go shopping tomorrow after work? I heard Bloomingdale's is having a sale!" said Mona.
"Yes I guess you're right Mother. I'll be lucky to find another work outfit that I can get into for work tomorrow, let alone the rest of the week. Okay let's do it! Maybe duck out of work a little early too!" said Angela.
"How about the kids and I meet you there and then we have dinner somewhere nearby? I was planning on going out for dinner tonight but I'll cook something tonight instead. You're gonna need someone to carry all those bags I imagine!" said Tony.
"Sounds wonderful! Let me go get changed and then we can figure it out" she said as she headed upstairs.
Tony made sure she was out of earshot. "Alright Mona! Great job! Okay we are doing really well so far! Just everyone keep your mouths shut and we will be good!" he said as he grabbed Angela's suitcase and brought it upstairs.
The two watched him go up the steps and then rolled their eyes at each other.
"This is going to be a fun three weeks…" Mona said sarcastically as they all walked away.
