The Room, Unslept in
A/N: Time for Chapter 17! A son graduates from high school.
PS – I don't own any of the characters from Who's the Boss? I also don't own the song(s) I use in this story. I also don't own the dialogue I sometimes use in the chapters. I've tried to pick songs that remind me of Tony & Angela and their relationship. If you'd like to hear them, check out YouTube – you can find just about everything there.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chapter 17: Pomp and Circumstance
Angela woke up teary eyed on this particular Thursday morning. There was a special reason Angela was off from work today, and she was happy she didn't have to rush and get up. One checklist was complete. It was finally Jonathan's graduation day. The day started off rainy but soon cleared up leaving the sky bright blue and full of white, puffy clouds.
"Angela, are you okay?" Tony asked and continued to ask since he came back. She was experiencing so many changes, he wanted to make sure she knew he was there for whatever she needed. He reached over to the tissue box and handed it to her. She moved closer into his arms. "Thank you, Tony," she told him as she turned over to share the same pillow Tony's head was resting on.
It had only been a few weeks, but Angela still couldn't resist savoring waking up in the same bed with Tony in their house not having to wonder when the next time was that she'd see him. They had fallen into a pattern over the past couple of weeks since Tony came back from Iowa. Neither could resist the other despite how exhausted they were from their days of planning, organizing, and checking items off the checklists Angela had hanging all over the house. Their nights were passionate and intense. Both then fell into deep sleeps that needed their loud alarm clock to break.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Tony. Thankfully, no morning sickness." She was appreciating the fact that the morning sickness was finally abating more and more each day. 'My baby is graduating today," she sniffed back at him. "In just a few months, he'll be leaving for college, and we won't be seeing him every day any more."
"Angela, I know," he said holding her tightly." He was remembering the same feelings he had on Samantha's high school graduation day …
xxxxxxxxxx
Tony made sure Jonathan had a healthy breakfast to start such an important day. But Jonathan, definitely his mother's son, made sure he didn't overdo it. He still recalled what happened at his father's marriage to Heather. Jonathan didn't want a repeat of that. Even though he was much older now, he still lacked the confidence to make a speech in front of so many people without thinking he'd get sick from the activity.
After everyone finished breakfast, Jonathan gathered everything he needed for the day. He had his cap and gown. Then he had to run back upstairs because he forgot his speech and the tassel that went with the cap.
Tony and Angela had to drop Jonathan off at the school early for rehearsals. The next time they'd see him was later that evening for the ceremony. The school was bringing in pizzas for the kids so they wouldn't be picked up by parents or family members who then forgot to get them back in time.
Jonathan was so nervous when they dropped him off. "Jonathan, you're going to do fine," Angela said trying to convince him. "You've spent so much time looking over your speech. The last time I heard it, it sounded great. Drink some Ginger Ale to settle your stomach," Angela suggested to him. "I don't think you'll have to worry about throwing up on anyone's shoes today," gently reminding him of the disastrous stomach upset he experienced at his father's and Heather's wedding. No one in the family forgot that episode.
Angela got out of the car to give Jonathan an extra hug and to hand him a bag that had Ginger Ale in it along with some crackers.
"Mommmm," he cringed, embarrassed.
"Jonathan, I'm your mother, and I'm going to give you as many hugs as I want today," Angela insisted. Then Tony got out of the car to give Jonathan a hand-shake and a hug. Jonathan wound up smothered and covered in hugs and kisses as he tried to get to the other door to get to his graduation paraphernalia.
"We'll see you later, Jonathan," Tony and Angela said in unison. Jonathan shook his head and walked into the high school as his mother and Tony drove away. He ran into Stephen and Jenny on his way into the school and they all walked into the building together.
xxxxxxxxxx
Angela greeted Wendy and Herb. They talked about how fast the time had gone since Jonathan and Jenny had started school together as kindergartners. They managed to get seats together at the front of the large auditorium. Mona, Samantha, Hank, Joe and Fran filled in the remainder of their row once they arrived. Joe and Fran congratulated Tony and Angela on their upcoming wedding. "We're so glad to have you back in Connecticut," Fran offered to Tony. Congratulations on other things, too, Angela," Fran continued. Hank had received permission to tell Fran and Joe about the baby, but he told them to be discreet in talking about it. Angela nodded her thank you as Tony took her hand in his.
Soon the nostalgic marching music of Pomp and Circumstance could be heard over the speakers. Tony knew to hand Angela a tissue as he could already hear her sniffling through the tears dripping from her eyes over her cheeks. Then he took one for himself, too. They watched as all the graduates made their way from the entrance to their seats on the stage. Angela and Tony beamed with pride as Jonathan took his seat in the front row of the graduates. His cap and gown made him look older than he was, especially since he was graduating a year earlier than 99% of the Seniors sitting on that stage.
They all stood for The Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner. The Principal made some opening remarks and then turned the podium over to the distinguished speaker of the evening, the CEO of a local Fairfield company. Once opening speeches were made, Jonathan was introduced as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1993. He made his way up to the stage. The sounds of clicks coming from Tony's camera could be heard amidst all the applause. Then Angela gently pulled him back into his seat.
I want to welcome all the students, parents, teachers, staff, and families to our graduation today. I'm honored to be talking to all of you, and I want to thank all of you for the support you've given to us over these past four years. My years here at Fairfield High have been exceptional because of all of you.
I want to thank my family for supporting me all these years. First of all, my Mother, Angela, who even though she runs her own company, always found the time to come to all the important school events. I also want to thank my father, Tony. Tony came to live with us when I was seven. I wouldn't be who I am without his guidance. I also want to thank my big Sister, Samantha. Even though she teased me a lot growing up, I know she supported me and everything I did in High School. She always had my back, and I'll appreciate that forever. And Grandma, you were always there for me, too. I am so proud to call all of you my family. Going off to college won't be easy, but I know you'll all be behind whatever I do in the future. I love all of you.
Jonathan proceeded to talk about the gift of an education they all received, the opportunities and challenges that they were facing going out into the world. Then finally, he concluded his speech with a,
Congratulations Class of 1993!
The Principal returned to the podium as the audience applauded Jonathan. "Thank you, Jonathan for an inspiring speech. Next, we'll hear from our Salutatorian…" Jonathan could be seen breathing a sigh of relief as he sat back down. He smiled out into the audience at his family watching him and applauding. Tony noticed the huge smile he offered specifically to him.
The rest of the speeches were given, and then it was time for the graduates to receive their diplomas. When Jonathan's name was announced and he walked across the stage to receive his diploma, he had his own personal cheering section in the audience. As the graduates moved across the stage to receive their diplomas, their names appeared on a screen behind the graduates announcing what they were going to do after graduation. Some students were going into the military; others were going to work or trade school. When Jonathan walked across the stage, it read "Jonathan Bower – New York University – Biology, Full Scholarship. Once again, the sound of a camera clicking could be heard over the applause. Tony even took the time to give him a congratulatory whistle.
After the ceremony, the kids had their photos taken with family members and friends. There were small groups and large groups of photos taken of the kids. There were photos of graduates on the stage with their diplomas. Flashes from cameras could be seen and clicks from cameras could be seen and heard where ever there were graduates and their guests.
xxxxxxxxxx
The family went back to the house. Jonathan had invited some friends and their parents to the house, so Tony and Angela played host to his guests making sure they had enough refreshments. It also provided an opportunity for the neighbors to congratulate Angela and Tony on their approaching wedding the following weekend. They told Tony how glad they were that he was back in Connecticut adding how much Jonathan had missed him. Tony looked up at Jonathan and beamed at him from across the room.
Xxxxxxxxxx
Later up in their bedroom, Angela brought up the obvious. "Tony, did you hear Jonathan call you his father?"
"Yeah, I did," Angela. I'm so proud of that boy – no, that young man. I'm so touched at how he mentioned the influence I had on him coming into his life."
"Tony, you've been more like a father to him than his own father. Michael didn't even call Jonathan yet on his graduation."
"Ange, give him a chance," Tony pleaded to Angela. "Jonathan told me that he's in Africa, so he's probably somewhere in the jungle watching animals mate for a new documentary."
The comment made Angela laugh out loud and calm down. "Tony, you always know what to say."
"Thanks, Sweetheart. I don't always take Michael's side, but this time it might warrant it," he convinced her.
Tony cleared his throat a few times. "Ange …Angela?"
"Hmmm," she said only partially paying attention now as she brushed her hair.
He cleared his throat again.
"Ange, there are some things I want us to talk about before our wedding next week," Tony blurted out.
She turned around from the seat at her vanity to give Tony her full attention.
"Are you okay, this sounds serious?" Angela asked him worriedly.
"It's not anything to worry about. I want us to go into this marriage without any questions we might have for each other about events that happened between us over all these years. I want us to address some of them before we get married," Tony disclosed.
"I thought we talked the night you came home." Then thinking this might not be a bad idea, she concurred, "Sure, we can do that, she said biting down on her lip still feeling a little nervous about this probable conversation and what it could bring up. I thought the guys were giving you a bachelor party next week," she reminded him.
"Yeah, they wanted to, and I haven't told them yet that I don't want one."
"Okay … when and where? Oh, what about the beach?"
"Ange, it's going to be packed there next weekend."
"We don't have to go during the day. It'll be too hot during the day, anyway."
"Yeah, that's true," Tony said liking the suggestion more and more as he thought about it. "I can pack us a picnic," he suggested.
"Okay," Angela told him as she walked back to their bed.
Angela joined Tony in their bed, and they quietly celebrated their son's high school graduation before falling asleep.
The End – Chapter 17 of The Room, Unslept In – Pomp and Circumstance
Chapter 18 coming soon