Hope for All chapter 22

The family made their way back to their room. Angela was able to grab her things and handed her bags to Tony. They walked over to the bridal suite, where Tony and Jonathan grabbed their tuxedos and bags that Mona had brought for Tony.

"Okay you two- say your goodbyes now because we have a lot to do before you two say I do!" said Mona. Mona, Samantha and Jonathan gave them some space as they as they left the suite.

"You're really okay with this Angela? I mean it would be really hard to do anything about it now… but still!" he laughed as he put his arms around her waist.

"I won't lie and say I'm not a little overwhelmed right now… but that feeling pales in comparison to the absolute love and excitement I have over finally becoming your wife. It truly is a dream come true" she said as she put her arms around his neck and leaned in for a passionate kiss. They were interrupted by a loud knocking on the suite door from an impatient Mona.

"I guess that's our warning knock! Okay, I'll see you in a little while- I'll be the one down front trying not to be overtaken by your beauty!" he said with a smile as Angela laughed at how corny he sounded.

"And I'll be the one up front trying not to trip down the aisle!" she laughed. They gave each other one last kiss before Tony headed out the door and Mona and Sam came back inside.

"Okay everyone! We've got a small window of time. Angela- you need to jump in the shower now. There will be someone here in just a few minutes for hair and make up. Your dress is over here along with ours. Samantha and I will start getting ready while you are in the shower. The photographer will be here by 3pm and will follow us over to the ceremony. Tony insisted on there being snack foods, so room service will be here soon. Am I missing anything Samantha?" asked Mona.

"Oh I think that pretty much covers it! Angela- Dad's been planning this nonstop for weeks now! He's thought of pretty much everything!" said Samantha.

"Yes, apparently he has!" she laughed. She was still in a state of shock this was all happening. How could he have possibly planned a whole wedding without her knowing? Looking back, there were some signs she missed- asking about the music, Mona picking out the dress she assumed was her wedding dress she tried on that day a few weeks ago. Her mother being nice to her should have been the biggest red flag.

"Okay I'm going to head into the shower. I'll be out soon" she said as she grabbed her toiletry bag. Once inside the bathroom, she got everything she needed arranged on the vanity. She turned on the shower and began to undress. As she was about to get into the shower, she caught a glance of herself in the full length mirror. She was still caught off guard each time she saw her new figure, which seemed to be changing weekly, if not daily, as her morning sickness faded. Her insecurities tried to take hold of her- with the exception of her growing bust size, she couldn't help the negative self talk about her fuller figure. She tried to shake the thoughts as she walked into the shower.

"This is only temporary. These changes mean these babies are healthy and getting bigger. Tony loves me no matter what…" she said over and over again to herself as she continued her shower. She had read about some breathing and visualization techniques to help calm her nerves. Between the deep breathing, picturing Tony looking so handsome in his tuxedo and the warm spray of the water from the shower, she managed to calm her racing mind.

She turned off the water and grabbed the towel to dry off. She wrapped herself in the hotel robe and started to lather up with some lavender scented lotion. She finished getting herself ready before heading back out to the main room. Both the hairdresser and make up artist had arrived and were working on Mona and Samantha. Angela stood in the doorway and watched them with tears in her eyes as she pictured what Samantha would look like as a bride on her wedding day.

"You look beautiful Samantha!" she gushed as the finishing touches of makeup were being applied.

"Thanks Angela! I don't think I've had makeup on like this since Jesse's prom!" she said.

"Probably not! Mother, you look beautiful as well!" said Angela as she walked over to where she was sitting.

"Well of course I do…" she said matter of fact. Angela just rolled her eyes and walked over to her dress hanging by the window. She hadn't really thought much of it at the time- it hugged her curves well, still leaving some room for her belly to expand. The cut was lower than she normally would have chosen but with the added cleavage, it had looked good.

Just then, room service arrived with an array of finger foods. The workers switched places and began applying makeup to Mona and started on Samantha's hair. Angela sat down and started to nibble on the food. It didn't take long for both Samantha and Mona to be done and for them to start working with Angela.

"Do you want your hair up, down or a combination?" the hairdresser asked Angela. "Definitely down dear" said Mona. "No! Up so it's off your neck!" said Samantha.

"Well I guess I better compromise- half up and half down please!" she laughed as she sat down to allow the stylist a chance to begin on her hair.

Tony and Jonathan got back to their original room and dropped their stuff on the floor. Tony collapsed on the sofa, a little more than emotionally exhausted from not only the past hour's events, but in culmination of the past few weeks of planning. In just a few short hours, Angela would be his wife. His wife. No one since Marie could have ever been considered for that role- not Gina or Frankie, only Angela. She's the only one that knew the real Tony- his hopes, his dreams, his insecurities, his traits that some may find obnoxious, his fears, his heart- she loved him for it all.

"Okay Jonathan, I need to jump in the shower. Room service should be getting here soon with some food for us. I'll be done soon and then we can get ready" said Tony as he grabbed his toiletry bag and headed into the bathroom.

He put all his stuff out on the counter and turned on the hot water. He let the hot water run all down his body. His thoughts started to wander to his first wedding day and how nervous he was that day. He couldn't help but smile as he thought of the way Marie had looked walking down the aisle towards him, towards their future.

"Marie- I don't know if you can hear me or not. It's been a while since we've talked, life's just gotten in the way. Boy do I miss you! Our lives have changed in so many ways Marie- Sam has become this beautiful, smart, strong young lady. That tomboy is long gone I'm afraid! You would have loved to see her now- she's only the person she is today because of Angela. She's helped me in every way possible- mostly allowing me to allow her to grow up. I think you'd really like Angela, Marie. She was uptight at first, but honestly it was just the wall she created to protect herself from getting hurt again. Anyway, I love her- more than I thought possible and now we are having these babies. I can't wait for us all to start this new chapter of our lives and I believe deep down that you are happy for us too. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if you guided me to her front door that first day! I just wanted to let you know that I still love you and I will always love you" he said as he finished up his shower.

He grabbed the towel and robe hanging on the door and proceeded to start getting ready. He shaved, combed his hair and put on cologne. He started to pack up his stuff when he heard voices in the main room. He opened the door, still in his bathrobe and was bombarded by all his friends from Brooklyn- Joey, Pee Wee, Eddie and Philly. Eddie had a keg over his shoulder that he placed down on the table.

"What are you guys doing here so early?" Tony asked, side eyeing the keg, thinking while fun, no good could come of it.

"I invited them! You can't get married without a bachelor party!" said Jonathan. Tony gave Jonathan a look somewhere in between awe, amusement and unconditional love for his soon to be son as he gave him a side hug and tussled his hair.

"Yeah the kid called up Mrs. R the other day and told us to get here early! We figured we'd bring the adult beverages- we figured adult entertainment would have to wait for another night, ya know cause of the kid…" said Philly. Tony said a silent prayer for at least some shred of common sense among his friends, even if they did sneak in a keg.

"Good call Philly! There's a lot of things I think I could reasonably explain to Angela, but having Jonathan attend a party right before our wedding with 'adult entertainment' isn't one of them!" he laughed.

"Well not until he's sixteen!" yelled Pee Wee as he started pouring the beer. "Yeah only three more years!" shouted Jonathan. Tony just rolled his eyes and threw his towel, landing over Jonathan's head.

"Alright! I say we propose a toast! Here's to Tony- the wild man finally met his match!" shouted Joey.

"Abracadabra no more! Think of all those women who will never know the man, the myth, the legend!" laughed Philly.

"I'm surprised it took you three more years for you two to finally get together. We all knew you were done after that poker game. So Tony, was I right? Were you amazed by what they teach 'em' in grad school?" asked Eddie as Tony went to punch him in the shoulder.

"Enough of the toasts! I don't think I can handle any more! Let's just have a beer already!" said Tony, trying to avoid anymore embarrassment.

Jonathan grabbed his soda and stood up on the chair. He took a knife from the room service cart and attempted to clink his drink. All eyes turned to him, causing him to swallow hard.

"Well maybe there's room for one more toast. I wouldn't be the best man if I didn't say something right?" he laughed.

"Tony, you've been there for me for the past five years- from that first day when you convinced me my allowance was more important than my pet snake to stealing the hub cab from the patrol car- I still don't know how my mom didn't fire you right then and there! You were there when I needed a partner in the golf tournament, when I was scared to be the best man for my dad. Every important moment in the past five years, you've been there for me. You told me once, you'd always be there for me, each and every time I needed you… and you have been. I know you and Mom are going to have your happily ever after. Here's to my Mom and Tony!" said Jonathan as he raised his drink.

All the guys raised their drinks and toasted Tony, each one of them trying to hide the tears in their eyes. More beer was passed around as Tony went over and hugged Jonathan.

"That was beautiful buddy! I didn't realize you felt that way. I feel the same way… I love you!" he said as he gave him another hug. "I love you too Tony!" said Jonathan.

They passed around another round of beers and stuffed themselves with the room service food. They spent the next hour or so telling embarrassing stories about Tony's dating days, much to the humiliation of Tony. About forty five minutes before the ceremony was to begin, Tony kicked everyone out so he and Jonathan could get dressed.

Once their tuxedos were on, both Tony and Jonathan headed into the bathroom to do their hair and put on cologne. Tony had a flashback to when Michael was getting married and he and Jonathan were in the hotel bathroom getting ready. It was amazing how much Jonathan had grown up in the past three years.

No words were said, only occasionally glances at each other in the mirror as they fixed and styled their hair. Tony took some of his cologne and put a dab on his neck, chest and forearms. He passed it to Jonathan and watched as he mimicked Tony. Once they finished, the last part to be done was to tie the bow ties.

"Have you ever tied one of these before?" asked Tony.

"No. It always looked too hard" said Jonathan.

"Here let me show you" he said as he took his own bow tie and tied it, taking time afterwards to adjust it in the mirror. He took Jonathan's bow tie and stood behind him, both facing the mirror as he began showing him how to tie it. He put the finishing touches on it and showed him how to adjust it. Once they finished, they both smiled at each other and stood there for a few moments before Tony put his hand on Jonathan's shoulder and headed out to the main room.

"Alright! Let's get this show on the road! We've got the boutonnières, the rings, the license… am I missing anything?" asked Tony as he seemed to become increasingly fidgety and anxious.

"Relax Tony! We've got everything! C'mon let's head out there before Mom's waiting for you for once!" he laughed, causing Tony to relax and laugh too.

"Eh oh, oh eh! There would be a first time for everything! Alright let's go!" he said as they walked out of the room and headed to the ceremony.

Back at the bridal suite, Angela was having the final touches of her makeup done. Her hair looked beautiful, soft golden curls flowing around her face, some pieces pulled back with silver clips on either side. Once she was finished, the workers left and the photographer arrived. Mona and Samantha helped Angela into her dress, stopping for photo opportunities along the way. Just as they finished getting her dressed zipped up, there was a knock at the door. Samantha went to open the door and in walked Wendy, Isabelle, Emily and Mrs. Rossini.

"This is what you get when you have a surprise wedding- a surprise bachelorette party!" shouted Wendy as she popped open a bottle of sparkling cider.

The women walked over to Angela, oohing and awing at how beautiful she looked. Everyone took their turns giving her a hug and placing their hands on her stomach. Isabelle poured each of the women a glass of cider as they gathered around to toast the bride to be.

"Here's to the beautiful bride to be and her hunk of a hubby!" laughed Wendy as Angela's face turned red and Samantha made a disgusted face.

"Here's to the two of you finally seeing what we all knew years ago, you two were made for each other" said Isabelle.

"Here's to opposites attracting…" winked Emily.

"Here's to the the happy couple! May you have a lifetime of love, joy and happiness!" said Mrs. Rossini before she burst out crying.

"Okay okay! Enough of the blubbering! Here's to my future son-in-law! You're his problem now!" laughed Mona as Angela lightly slapped her arm and yelled her name. "Alright… no one wants this more than I do. From the moment I saw you two together, I knew you were meant to be together. I'm just glad it didn't take another five years for you both to figure it out!" she said as everyone raised their glasses and toasted Angela.

Samantha, who had been standing off to the side, came up with her glass and grabbed onto Angela's hand.

"Angela, there's no one else I'd rather have my Dad marry than you. You've been there for me since I walked through the door with that shiner. You've never once tried to replace my mother, but instead helped fill the emptiness inside both Dad and I when she died. You've been a real friend to me, a bonus mother I never thought I'd ever have again. I love you Angela and I can't wait for us all to be a family, officially!" said Samantha through tears.

Samantha wasn't the only one crying as tissues were being passed around the group, even to Mona, who tried her best to hide it. Through tears, Angela embraced Samantha and told her just how much her words meant, how much she loved her as her own daughter.

"Alright ladies! It's time to get this show on the road!" said Mona as the ladies wished Angela well and headed out the door to the ceremony.

"Okay, the last thing for us to do is the something borrowed, something blue, something old, something new. I think these earrings will do the trick for the old, borrowed and blue" she said as she passed her a pair of sapphire earrings.

"Oh Mother! These are the earrings Daddy gave you for your tenth wedding anniversary!" she said as started to tear up all over again. Mona smiled as she helped her put on the earrings.

"We had a hard time figuring out the new, but when we went shopping for our dresses, we found this hair pin. It has four jewels on it, one for each of us kids" said Samantha. Angela's tears never really stopped from Mona's gift, but they picked back up again as Samantha helped her fasten the pin in her hair.

All three women needed a quick makeup fix from the crying. Mona grabbed a handful of tissues, knowing full well someone would need them at some point. A hotel staff came by just then with Mona's corsage and Samantha and Angela's bouquets.

"You ready to get married?" asked Mona as she and Samantha stood by the door.

"More than you can possibly imagine" she said as she walked out the door to head towards the ceremony.