The Room, Unslept in

A/N: Time for Chapter 23! Wedding Day time. Angela and Tony's magical day continues.

PSS – 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.

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Chapter 23: Only with the Right Person, II

July 3, 1993 (continued)

After another spin around the dance floor, Tony ushered Angela over to their private table. He wanted to make sure she got enough rest and water, especially with the heat and humidity of an early July evening. No one knew about the baby, so his careful, watchful eye was only noticed by their immediate family, Isabel, and Wendy.

"Thanks, Tony," Angela exhaled. Then she took the glass of water Tony offered her. She took a few sips and felt better.

"Let's give everyone a chance to dance while we rest for a little while," Tony suggested. They sat for a time looking out on the dance floor enjoying watching their guests on the dance floor.

Hors d'oeuvres started coming out of the kitchen on trays carried by the waitstaff team from the company that rented the tables and chairs for the wedding. Mrs. Rossini was directing them from the kitchen.

Tony went to get Angela a small plate of food to nibble on before the main dinner started. While he was in the kitchen, he pleaded with Mrs. Rossini to go outside and enjoy the wedding and let the servers serve the food. It took some pleading, but she eventually relented and went back out to join the guests despite wanting to help.

Tony returned to their table to share the plate of food with Angela. "Thanks, Tony, I was getting a little hungry," Angela looked at the food hungrily and started to nibble on the hors d'oeuvres he brought her.

Tony took his seat next to Angela as Jonathan walked up to the center of the dance floor once the music stopped. He had a glass of sparkling apple juice and took a spoon to tap on the glass to get everyone's attention.

Angela beamed as she watched her son, almost a grown man now, exhibit so much confidence in his role as Best Man. She recalled how nervous he had been at his father's remarriage, and even a few weeks ago as Valedictorian of his high school. She smiled proudly.

Slowly, people went back to their tables, and very quickly, quiet prevailed amongst the guests. Glasses of champagne were filled and everyone was ready to hear what Jonathan had to say.

"Hi, everyone. I want to take this opportunity to say congratulations to my parents, the newly wed Tony and Angela Micelli" Jonathan started.

Tony took Angela's hand in his as Jonathan officially called them both his parents. They continued to listen to his toast.

"This is such an exciting night for all of us. Thank you to everyone for coming tonight from near and far. I'm not going to lie and say that I didn't think this would ever happen. And my head is still spinning after hearing about when they first met. But, Mom and Dad, I love you both so much. I want to wish you both all the happiness in the world that you both deserve. To the both of you, Viva gli sposi. Hurray to the bride and groom! May you both have long years of love, health, and happiness."

Everyone raised their glasses and offered their congratulatory wishes, "Viva gli sposi," and took a sip of champagne (or sparkling apple juice). Tony had managed to get Angela apple juice since she wasn't drinking the champagne and hoped no one would notice the switch of glasses. Angela looked at Tony and saw how proud he was of Jonathan for offering part of the toast in Italian.

Tony wanted to say something, too. He knew everyone sitting around the dance floor staring at them were curious about their meeting as kids. Angela and Tony had had a brief conversation and agreed he'd be the one to say something to everyone. They also agreed on how far he'd go with the story, too. It was their story, and they didn't want to divulge everything about that first meeting. They stood up and walked hand-in-hand to the center of the dance floor. Jonathan was still standing there, so Tony shook his hand, hugged him, and told him how appreciative he was for the toast. He kissed his mom on the cheek who also hugged him and thanked him for the beautiful toast. Then he handed the microphone over to Tony who was reaching out for it.

"From the silence we heard during our ceremony, you're all obviously interested in what Angela and I said about meeting at camp. We did meet at camp a long time ago one summer as kids. I was at a YMCA camp, and Angela was at the girls camp across the lake from us. Yes, we know …. And we were as shocked when we found out as all of you were when you heard us speak about it tonight. But that's all we want to share with you. It was a long journey to tonight, but here we are. Please go ahead and enjoy all the food and dancing. I know we will. Thank you all for being here with us tonight. We love all of you." Angela moved closer to the microphone and added her thanks to everyone. Then Tony handed the microphone back to the DJ and they walked back to their table.

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Mrs. Rossini couldn't resist going back into the kitchen to ensure all the food was ready to be brought out. Tony and Angela noticed and shook their heads knowing they couldn't stop her. Then they noticed Fran going in to their kitchen as well. Nothing could stop those two women from taking charge of food planning, cooking, and serving. They looked over to Joe shaking his head as he watched his wife follow Mrs. Rossini into the kitchen.

Billy walked over to Tony and Angela. "Now you're really married," he declared confidently to them. "Yes, Billy, now we're really married," Tony confirmed to him.

"Are you having fun?" Angela asked him? We were so proud of the job you did as our ringbearer tonight. Thank you." Billy smiled proudly at them and then went over to receive Angela's hug.

Samantha came over to take Billy by his hand and walk him back over to Mrs. Napoli. "Billy, dinner is going to be coming out soon so you should sit back down to wait. We don't want you to get hit in the head with one of the serving trays."

"Thanks, Sam," Tony told her.

Soon the waitstaff brought out trays and trays of food and placed them on the long table for the guests to help themselves. Sterno burners were lit to keep the food hot in their chafing dishes.

The DJ took his microphone and announced dinner was ready and for all the guests to help themselves.

Wedding guests were treated to a true Italian feast. Several different fish types compliments of the Rossini Fish Store were available along with chicken cacciatore, veal parmigiana, lasagna, baked ziti with meat sauce, and spaghetti and meatballs. There were also various types of vegetable dishes to choose from and finally, garlic toast. On the lighter side, guests made their way past the antipasti and salads. The guests walked along both sides of the table helping themselves to the food.

Samantha brought a plate of food for Angela, and Jonathan brought a plate for Tony. As they were eating, Angela saw Emily approaching their little table. Angela got up to greet her. Then they booth squealed "EEEEE" at the same time. Tony couldn't help but snicker as he remembered observing a similar scene the first time Emily visited the morning after his infamous poker game with the guys. "Angela, I had to come over and give you another congratulatory hug. It was so crowded after the ceremony," Emily explained to her.

"Emily, I'm so glad you were able to get a flight on such a busy weekend and on such short notice," Angela told her close friend.

"You know I wouldn't have missed this wedding for anything. I'm so happy for the both of you," Emily gleefully told Angela giving her an extra hug and nodding to Tony. Emily gave Angela a sly grin causing Angela to blush, but neither said anything further.

"Thank you, Emily," Tony thanked her, too.

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Dinner was wonderful. More dancing followed. Pictures were taken of the bride and groom dancing and of the wedding party.

Then it was time for the bouquet toss. The DJ asked all the single ladies to come to the center of the dance floor. Then they added the music of Cyndi Lauper singing out, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Mona hurried to be first. She was followed by Mrs. Rossini, Aunt Rosa, Emily, Bonnie, and Marci. Christy walked her two daughters, Ashley and Holly, to the dance floor, telling them they might catch the bouquet even if they were still young. She showed them where to wait for the toss. They bounced around anxiously waiting for Angela to toss the bouquet filled with pink roses.

Angela walked to the opposite end of the dance floor with her bouquet and turned around. The DJ started the countdown, 3 … 2 … and 1. Angela reached high and tossed the bouquet into the waiting group of ladies. When she turned around, she saw Emily with her mouth wide-open in disbelief holding the bouquet. Angela clapped giddily and smiled at her. As the ladies left the dance floor, Emily took two roses out of the bouquet and handed them to Ashley and Holly. Both of the girls hugged Emily telling her thank you. Christie thanked Emily as she walked the girls off the dance floor. Angela was so happy to see the girls get some flowers, and she was so grateful that their photographer and videographer had caught the sweet moment.

Then it was time for Tony to remove Angela's garter, another fun wedding tradition that neither of them wanted to forego. The DJ brought a chair to the middle of the dance floor for Angela to sit on. With the theme to ZZ Top's "Legs" being played by the DJ, Angela extended her leg. Tony reached under her dress to slide the garter slowly down her leg savoring the moment that did not go unnoticed by Angela. When he held it up, everyone applauded. Angela stood back up, and the chair she was sitting on was moved off the dance floor. The DJ asked all the single men to come to the center of the dance floor.

Jonathan was first to come to the dance floor. He was followed by Al, Philly, Billy, Ernie, Uncle Cornelius, and Uncle Archie. Eddie reluctantly walked up to join the men. He had been pushed by Pee-Wee to join the other bachelors. Once the DJ started playing, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor, Tony walked to the opposite end of the dance floor, and lifted his arm high in the air twirling the garter around his finger, finally releasing his grip on it, and tossing it into the crowd. The first person he saw was Angela who stood with her eyes wide open and hands over her open mouth. When Tony turned around, he saw that Eddie had caught the garter to a round of applause and whistling.

Since it was tradition for the bouquet catcher and garter catcher to dance with each other, Eddie went over to Emily and brought her to the middle of the dance floor.

Angela and Tony watched them together from the edge of the dance floor. Angela whispered into Tony's ear, "I don't think they're going to be making salad dressing tonight." It was obvious that whatever attracted them to each other the first time was still there. Neither of them had married over the years. Tony and Angela had even talked about them after they received confirmations that both of them were going to be attending their wedding. They wondered to each other if Emily and Eddie would still display the fireworks that were between them the first time. They didn't have to wonder any more. It was obvious to them that they were.

Remembering what he had said to her the day that Eddie and Emily met in their living room, he laughed out loud, and told her he hoped she brought her hand cream with her this time, causing Angela to laugh out loud. "Yeah, with the extra emollients," Angela added and continued to giggle to Tony. Tony took Angela's hand in his while they waited to walk on to the dance floor themselves.

The DJ played It Had to Be You as chosen by Angela and Tony for this part of the wedding. "Ironic, isn't it?" Angela asked Tony. Neither of them had any idea who would be dancing to the song. They had picked it because they knew they'd eventually be joining the couple who had caught the bouquet and garter. They walked out to the dance floor and joined Eddie and Emily. Both Angela's and Tony's minds wandered back to the night of the Starlight Ballroom closing. It was their new beginning. He brought her closer to him and they continued to dance, Angela understanding what his holding her even closer meant, said nothing. No words were necessary between the two of them. They both knew the significance of the moment. Every so often they looked up and glanced over at Eddie and Emily. Angela looked at Tony and quietly reiterated that they had pretty good luck with their matchmaking over the years. They looked over to Lyle and Christie sitting with their two small daughters. They looked over at Paul and Isabel, too. Then Tony whispered into her ear, "Angela, we might've matchmade a few couples over the years, but no one had to matchmake us – I was never a believer in fate until that night at Jonathan's camp when we realized we were each other's first kiss. Fate brought us together, more than once, and I'll never question it again." Then he gave her a kiss on her lips as the song came to an end. All the guests applauded.

Eventually, the wedding cake was brought out of the kitchen and set on one of the long tables along with coffee and tea. The DJ asked Tony and Angela to walk over to the cake to do the cake cutting. They were followed by the photographer and videographer to ensure they captured their special moment. They each cut into the double fudge chocolate cake and fed each other a small piece taking care not to smash the cake into each other's faces. They could've, but both agreed ahead of time not to. The cake was sliced and handed out to the guests to indulge in. Tony knew the exact chocolate cake recipe that was Angela's favorite and made sure that Mrs. Rossini and her friends baked the cake exactly like the recipe he gave to them.

To end the wedding reception, the DJ asked everyone to gather on the dance floor. As everyone gathered together, Angela noticed that Billy, Ashley, and Holly had all fallen asleep on some chairs that had been put together for them. She smiled as she looked at the tuckered out kids knowing how much fun they'd had. The DJ asked everyone if they were ready and got a resounding and very loud, "Yes." Everyone stood waiting for the last song to come on. Soon the entire dance floor-filled crowd began partying to Kool and the Gang as they started to sing "Celebration."

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The time was quickly approaching midnight. Everyone had left the house with some of the guests going home and some of them going to spend the night at The Fairfield Inn. Their own family went to Mona's apartment for the night. Angela and Tony had sat themselves on the sofa. They both lifted their wedding ring hands to stare at the rings sitting on their fingers. "How are you and the baby feeling," he asked her.

"We're fine, Tony. A little tired, but otherwise, we're in total bliss," she happily answered him.
"This was one of the happiest days of my entire life," she told him as she rested her head back on the couch pillow. Her shoes dropped off and a sigh of relief came from her lips as she propped her feet up on the coffee table. "I'm wondering if some of the guests figured out about the baby."

"Why?"

"Tony, I was hugged and danced with all night. I got some interesting looks throughout the night. I'm pretty sure Emily guessed it. She gave me a big, tight hug."

"We'll let everyone know in our own time. If anyone did figure it out, no one came out and said anything. It just won't be a surprise to them when we do," Tony shrugged.

After a few minutes of sitting and letting the day's events meander through his mind, Tony got up to put a record on the player across the room. He came back and brought Angela up to his arms whispering, "One more dance, please? I know you've got other things on your mind right now, and so do I, but I really want this dance with you."

It Had to be You came over the speakers. Angela felt Tony's arms close behind her at her waist as Frank Sinatra's smooth voice crooned to them.

"Why do I do just as you say
Why must I just give you your way
Why do I sigh, why don't I try to forget
It must have been that something lovers call fate
Kept me saying I have to wait
I saw them all, just couldn't fall, 'til we met

It had to be you
It had to be you
I wandered around, and I finally found
The somebody who
Could make me be true
And could make me be blue
And even be glad
Just to be sad - thinking of you

Some others I've seen
Might never be mean
Might never be cross, or try to be boss
But they wouldn't do

For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you
Wonderful you
It had to be you

For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you
Wonderful you
It had to be you"

Of course, this was the song that had to be played one more time before the day ended, having so much meaning in their lives. The forgiveness offered by Angela to Tony following one of the most depressing times in her life brought a new beginning for them, a moment that led to this amazing moment in their lives.

Soon they began kissing, and it wasn't long before the song came to an end. Tony went over to turn off the record player and put the record back into its sleeve. He walked back over to Angela who had her hand outstretched for his. He took her hand and together they walked upstairs.

When they got to their bedroom, he picked her up and walked across the threshold with her in his arms, not even noticing or caring about the extra baby weight.

"Tony, I'm going to need your help getting out of this dress," she told him as she was gently put down out of Tony's arms onto the floor.

"My pleasure," he said back as he licked his lips. Turn around so I can get all these buttons.

…and so began a magical night of passion and ecstasy that neither of them had expected or thought was possible after being together so many times prior. But their new marriage brought a sense of stability and finality to the uncertainty of their relationship that had followed them over the past nine years.

What they didn't notice were the huge Do Not Disturb signs that Mona had plastered on the front and back doors of their house. After waiting so many years for this moment, Mona wasn't going to let anything OR anyone disturb her daughter and her new official son-in-law. She walked back up the stairs to her apartment with a sense of satisfaction that had alluded her for the past nine years.

End Chapter 23: The Room, Unslept In: Only with the Right Person, Part II

Coming Soon, Chapter 24 – honeymoon!