First of all, sorry it's taken me this long to update this story. Many thanks to Marisa for getting me into writing again. Also.. this is an early birthday present to Renata. I hope you'll all enjoy this one!
===XXX===
Friday rolled around faster than Tony wanted it to. Angela had given Sam and him a lot of free time to spend together before her trip to Cape Cod. He was very grateful for this. ~I will show her how grateful I am.~ He thought to himself.
"Good morning." Angela walks in and smiles at him, her voice taking him out of his reverie. "Are you ready for today?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." He gives a weak smile. "What about you?" Angela shakes her head, indicating she wasn't ready for both of their kids to be away. "You okay there Angela?" She sighs.
"I am. I am." Again gnawing the inside of her cheek. "I just don't think I am ready for both of the kids to be away." She looks at him as he nods. "It's not that we don't have things to do. I am busy enough as it is… it's just.."
"Too quiet without them?" He leans into the counter.
"Yes.. No.. Maybe.. And don't get me wrong, I am happy for the kids they get to experience all of this. And getting some independence from us. I mean, there will come a time when they'll move out." She gives a genuine smile. "Maybe this will be a good test for us too." She paces around. "Well not a test, I don't know. I just know I will miss them greatly." Tony knowingly nods. "Also.." she starts off slowly, then she stops.
"What?" His curiosity peaked.
"GOOD MORNING!" Sam comes in overly happy. "Are you all as excited as I am?" she looks at her father and then Angela. "Guess not." She looks at the sad faces. "Who died?" She keeps looking between the two adults. "Oh my God, who died?"
"No one sweetheart." Tony says supressing a chuckle. "We are just sad that both Jonathan and you will be gone."
"Dad.. M.. Angela.. it will be 10 days.. I will be gone 10 days. Before you know it, I'm back to annoy you again. And after that Jonathan will be right back. Stop being so dramatic." She turns and flips her hair. "So dad?" She looks at the two stunned faces. "Pancakes?" Angela bursts out laughing.
"This is what we will miss Sam." She sits down.
"Coffee and Juice?" Tony puts the coffee in front of her, not waiting her reply. He turns back to the stove to flip the pancakes.
"Like Angela ever eats." Sam chuckles while rummaging through the fridge.
"I'd like a pancake." Angela says. Sam slowly emerges from the fridge staring at Angela with an open mouth. Tony whips around with the same expression on his face. Both just staring at Angela. "What? I like a challenge." She laughs. Sam plops down in the chair next to her.
"It's because they're chocolate chip pancakes, isn't it?" Sam narrows her eyes and Angela just bursts out laughing. "Well I know you love your chocolates Angela." Sam grins from ear to ear.
"You know me too well, young lady." She caresses her face. Sam looks at her, she sees the love Angela has for her, she sees it in her warm eyes. Sam feels overwhelmed by the feelings. "Why are you crying honey? Was it something I said?" Now Sam hears the panic in Angela's voice.
"Sam you okay?" Tony asks with concern in his voice. Sam just nods.
"I guess I'm a little overwhelmed. And I think I am going to miss you more than I am willing to admit to." She lies, still battling her own feelings about her mother and Angela. Angela wipes the tears away before leaning in and softly kissing her forehead.
"You'll be fine honey, you'll have an amazing time with Bonnie and her family." She places her hand over Sam's and softly caresses it. "And we're only a phone call away." Tony just looks at them, wondering if Angela really knows what is bothering Sam. Sam and he had the conversation, he knows what is bothering her, he wonders if Angela can also see that Sam isn't being entire truthful to her.
"I know." Is all Sam says.
~I know something is bothering you sweer girl.~ Angela contemplates saying something, but ultimately agrees not to, she doesn't want to make their goodbyes too awkward.
"Here are your pancakes." Tony places a pancake on each plate.
"Thank you dad." She smiles at her dad.
"Thank you Tony." Angela looks at him, giving him a look. He knows exactly what she is trying to say. He sees the gratitude in her eyes for the interruption.
"Eat up ladies." Tony plops another pancake on his own plate and joins the ladies. They all start eating in silence, the atmosphere felt heavy on all three of them.
After finishing, Tony gets up and starts clearing the table.
"I'll get some work done." Angela says excusing herself. Both Tony and Sam watch her walk away.
"Why didn't you tell Angela what was bothering you?" Tony turns to face his daughter. "You know she can handle it." Sam looks up at him for a moment, gets up and puts away the milk and orange juice.
"Because I don't know if I am ready yet." Sam looks at her father after closing the fridge. "I don't want to hurt her." Tony sighs.
"You cannot comfort Angela with a lie, she'd rather be hurt by the truth." Tony looks at his daughter, who looks hurt by his statement. "Although I honestly think, she'd appreciate your honesty." Sam shrugs feeling a slight relief by his last remark.
===XXX===
Angela moves the pile of new potential clients in front of her, trying to decide which client she wants to work with, which clients she can't represent and also for which client she can create the perfect campaign. The first file is for a new condiment company, the second is for a juice company, both going on the pile of legit potential clients. The next one is for a politician, looking for an advertisement agency to up their reputation. Angela immediately dismisses that one.
~Why go for an advertisement agency?~ She thinks to herself. ~Just hire a good PR manager, who can put together an even better PR team.~ She just shakes her head. The next file is for a tech company.
"Oh.. this one is interesting." She says to herself. "But I do lack the tech experience." She ponders for a moment. "Maybe it is time to bring someone new in." She gazes out the window. "Just a few more cases, get the finances stabilized." She says to herself. "Or just put an advertisement out and see who will respond?" She discussed with herself. "No, no.. first stabilize the finances." She concludes her own discussion. She looks through the last file, knowing she can't take 4 new clients all by herself.
"Four out of five potential clients, isn't bad." She smiles. "It'll be a lot of work, but if they pan out, I can definitely hire someone new."
She grabs her notepad but her mind is drawing a blank. Images of Jonathan, Michael and Heather flood her brain. A very pregnant Heather and Michael, playing house with her son. Soon they'd be a family of four. She is stricken with fear at the thought of Jonathan enjoying his role as older brother in a stable family home.
~But our family is also stable.~ Her mind starts discussing. ~And Jonathan loves Tony.~ Her rational side starts off.
~But Sam and him have had some rough patches! He'd probably enjoy being a big brother more than being Sam's younger...~ Her brain is fogging. ~What are they? They're not siblings or even stepsiblings.~ Angela feels tears welling. ~And what is Tony? Michael is his father and Heather is married to him, so that makes her his stepmother. This baby will be his half sibling. It feels like they have so much more to offer Jonathan than Tony and I. What are Tony and I?.~ The tears escape her eyes. She can't help but feel this immense feeling of fear and pain. Fear of losing her son, pain just by that mere thought.
She can't shut off her brains as she thinks about all the things that had happened the last couple of months and realizes that even though she is always there for him, she did invest more time in building a relationship with Sam. She immediately made a pact with herself to start investing more in her son. She needed to book a trip for the family, so they can spend some quality time together. She needed her son to choose her.
There was a small knock on her door. "Come in." She says as she looks up. "Hi." She says with a small voice. Tony sees the smile on her lips, yet he also notices that her eyes aren't matching the same smile.
"Hey.. Sam is about to leave. We thought you might enjoy a cup of coffee or tea before she leaves." He carefully says before pointing towards the living room.
"That sounds great." She gets up, her fake smile still on her face and puts her glasses down on her desk. Tony eyes every move she makes, he notices the files on her desk.
"And?" He nods towards the files. "Any good potential clients?" Angela just nods. She makes her way to him. "Good!" He enthusiastically says.
"If we can bag these clients, I can finally hire someone to help me with the clients." She gives him a genuine smile as she passes him closely. He closes his eyes and takes in her scent and closeness for a moment, before following her out to the living room.
"Eh.." He grabs her arm, she turns to look at him. "You will bag these clients. You've got this." He confidently says.
"Let's hope so." She says less confidently. He softly squeezes her arm before releasing her.
"I know so." He says. She gives him a faint smile and turns to walk inside.
"You almost ready Sam?" Angela asks. Tony hears the fake enthusiasm, he knows Sam doesn't.
"YES!" Sam starts jumping excitingly. "I'm so happy Bonnie's parents taking met to Cape Cod." She looks at Angela. "And I'm so happy you were able to convince dad to let me go." She grins. "Thanks for letting met go daddy." Her tone of voice was happy and innocent. In this small moment he saw his daughter as he hadn't seen her in some time. ~My little girl.~ He sighs. ~She's growing up so fast.~ Tony can't hide the sadness on his face.
"Don't be like that dad! Before you know it, I will be back. It's only 10 days." She grinned from ear to ear. Angela smiles at the father and daughter moment.
"Did you pack everything you need, Samantha?" Angela tries to lighten the mood and steps towards Sam. Sam looks at her, thinks for a moment and smiles.
"I think so!" Grinning from ear to ear again. "I'm going to miss you guys so much." Sam hugs Angela tightly. Angla reciprocates the tight hug.
"We will miss you too sweetheart." Angela softly caresses her hair. "But like you said, it's only 10 days." Sam squeezes Angela before turning to Tony.
"Only 10 days, dad." She says while hugging him. Tony feels relief wash over him, she still needs him and she will still miss him. She will miss her family.
"10 days Sam." He repeats. "I love you."
"I love you too dad!" She pulls her head lose. "I love you too, Angela." Sam smiles.
Angela didn't what to expect from today, but this wasn't it. She feels overwhelmed by the love she is given. "I love you too Samantha." She says with a small smile, tears brimming in her eyes. When the doorbell rings, she quickly composes herself. Samantha squealed.
"There here…" Tony says with a spooky undertone, making everyone giggle and opens the door.
"Hey Bonnie."
"Hi Mr. Micelli. You ready Sam?" The girl both scream in delight, both Angela and Tony cringe at the high pitched tone they make.
"Of course I am!" Sam grabs her suitcase and hand bag.
"That's it?" Tony asks in surprise.
"HA! Of course not." Sam nods towards the chair near the door. "Could you grab that duffle bag dad? You don't think I can go out for 10 days with just these shoes on." She points at her feet, Tony looks confused. "Can you believe him?" Sam says towards Angela. "Men!" They say in unison and instantly starting to laugh at Tony's oblivious face.
"What?" He asks.
"Nothing dad." Sam snickers and quickly starts making her way to the car.
Angela places her hand on his lower arm. He immediately looks at her hand on his arm. ~She has such warm hands.~ He thinks. ~Every time she touches me, the warmth is just astounding. She talking to you Micelli!~ His internal voice brought him back.
"Sorry what did you say?" He carefully asks, Angela gave him a confusing look.
"I said.." she starts. "We are just messing with you." A slight smile forms. "You know Sam, mother and me.. we can't just have one bag with us." She winks. The way she looks at him, makes his heart skip a beat.
"Well.. uh.. ha.. you know. It's been a while since we had family vacation." He mutters.
"You're right. Maybe it is time we plan one again." Angela contemplates for a moment. "Maybe we could go to a tropical Island. Aruba, Saint Lucia, Hawaii or Jamaica? Oh wouldn't that be nice. Exploring an island as a family, maybe we can go snorkelling"
"Whoa.. whoa.. Angela." He laughs. "First we need to survive these trips of our kids." And with those words, she felt the heaviness on her heart again. Tony instantly regretting that he brought it up. "I'm sor.." he starts.
"No need Tony. It's a good thing you did this."
"Dad!" Sam breezes back into the house. "What's taking you so long? We have a schedule here!" She says in a bossy tone. Tony chuckles.
"Yes ma'am." He says making his way out to the car with the duffle bag.
Sam makes her way to Angela.
"You could have been kinder to your dad you know?" Angela teases.
"I know.. I know. I guess I'm also kinda stressed." She sighs. "Don't get me wrong, I am so looking forward to this trip. But I know how much Jonathan leaving will hurt you." She looks up at Angela. "I don't want you to feel sad you know."
"I know sweetheart." Angela says in a loving tone.
"No you don't.. Remember Chad?" Angela rolls her eyes, confirming she did. "What you did, how you treated me, while I was.. well.. not the kindest.. I meant.. no it means the world to me. You mean so much to me." Sam blurts out.
"And you mean the world to me." Angela hugs her and kisses the top of her head. That's when they hear a car horn. "Oh you better get going, people are getting testy." She jokes.
"Promise me you won't be sad?" Sam quickly asks as she makes her way to the door.
"I will promise you I will try not to be too sad. Okay?" Angela folds her hands in front of her.
"Okay then.." Another quick hug. "Bye Angela." Sam disappears out of the door.
"Bye Samantha." Angela whispers, letting out a sigh. ~One gone.~ Her heart feels so heavy.
Tony is talking to Bonnie's father. Sam feels a slight panic, scared he is berating or even instructing Bonnie's father.
"I'm ready!" she says louder than intended. Tony turns and smiles.
"Oh good!" Bonnie's father says. "Thanks for the tip, Tony." He shakes Tony's hand. "We will bring Sam back safe." He chuckles and Tony matches his chuckle. Sam gives him a strange look. Tony takes her into a hug.
"What was that about dad?" Sam can't contain her curiosity.
"Bonnie's dad needed some advice. Nothing special." Sam pulls away to look at her father. "Trust me, I didn't embarrass you. I just asked if the car was properly maintained, that's it." Sam raises her eyebrow at him. "You know.." he laughs. "You remind me of Angela when you look at me like that."
"Like what?" She narrows her eyes, making him laugh even harder.
"Like that. Angela also raises her eyebrow at me, when she doesn't believe me. And when she has questions.. she narrows her eyes, just like you just did." He grins from ear to ear. Sam keeps looking at him with narrowed eyes, then a tiny smile creeps on her lips.
"Very observant dad." Tony's eyes shoot down to hers.
"She's my best friend, of course I know this."
"Right..." She laughs. "Well, I don't mind being compared to Angela." Another grin. "Please take care of her." She gives him a worried look. "Dad I am really concerned about her.. when Jonathan leaves.. She is so much sadder than she lets on." Tony just stares at her for a moment.
"You're growing up so fast Sam. I will look out for Angela okay?" Sam nods towards him. "You be a teen and have fun.." Sam gives him another surprised face. "Just no boys!" Sam smiles.
"I was waiting for that one." She laughs.
"Have a good time sweetheart." He kisses her. "Please call us when you get there."
"Will do dad! Love you!" Another quick hug before she runs towards the car.
"Love you too Samantha! Have fun." He waves.
Tony stays there until he sees the car disappearing behind the corner.
===XXX===
Tony walks into the house. When he sees the living room is empty, he assumes Angela is in her office. He doesn't want to interrupt her, but is desperate to just have a little chat. ~Just leave her for now.~ He starts whistling as he makes his way to the kitchen. ~I will talk to her at dinner.~ He opens the swinging door, surprised to see Angela there.
"Angela?" He can't supress his surprise.
"I thought I'd make us some lunch." She says never turning. She nods towards the toaster. "I am making club sandwiches."
Tony looks at the counter. He sees bacon, chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs boiling on the stove, and mayonnaise. Tony grabs the romaine lettuce from the fridge, starts ripping off lettuce leaves and washing them. Angela is grateful for his silence and his help. When Angela starts chopping tomatoes, Tony grills the bacon. She looks over her shoulder, watching him turn the bacon. She feels sadness, but also a great feeling of gratitude.
"Thank you Tony." She says out of nowhere.
"For what?" This time, he doesn't turn. He is concentrating on the bacon. "Do you like your bacon crispy or soft?"
"For being here." She smiles at the comfort she feels radiating from him. "Crispy please."
"I'm always here for you." He flips the bacon again. "Can you please give me a piece of paper towel."
"I know. And I appreciate your everlasting support." She watches the muscles in his shoulder relax. "Here you go." She leans over his shoulder to hand him the paper towel, their fingers meeting when he grabs the towel. He looks at their hands, slightly touching. He lived for these tiny interactions. He looks up at her.
"Thank you, Angela." He swallows the lump he feels building up. Angela looks down at the pan and leans into Tony for a better whiff.
"Smells great." She just lingers there for a moment, needing to feel close to him for just this small given moment. ~I am sorry.~ She knows their relationship has been on edge after she confessed her love for him in her sleep, heck even after the who Petardi incident.
"They're done." He transfers the bacon from the pan to a plate on which he placed the paper towel on.
"So is all the cutting." Angela smiles. "We just need to peel the eggs. They're still in the pan."
"Oh.. I did that while baking the bacon." He flashes his pearly whites. "So we can start building the sandwiches."
"We work well together, don't we?" She keeps staring at her own hands as she places 2 slices of bread on each plate. Tony opens the mayonnaise and starts smearing all the sandwiches. Angela opens the chicken.
"We're in sync." His voice is soft and low.
"We are." They finishes their sandwich in peacefully.
"Milk or juice?" He asks.
"Juice, please." She takes the plates and put them on the table. Tony fills 2 glasses of juice and puts them next to the plates. Both taking their place at the table.
"It's already too quiet in this house." Tony takes a big bite. Angela just looks at him, waiting for him to continue. He looks up to her. "But maybe we should take this time to relax… Aren't you going to eat?" Angela nibbles on her sandwich. "And you can work on all these new clients." He smiles. "So you can finally hire someone new. You work so hard Angela.. it's also time for you to get some help."
"I promise if I get these new clients, I will hire someone to help me." She takes a sip of her juice.
"When." Tony states before taking another bite.
"When?" She looks at him in confusion.
"You said if you get these new clients…" He looks up at her. "When you get these new clients, Angela. There is no one better in the business." Angela is at a loss for words. "I mean it!"
"I know you do. I am so lucky to have you. Thank you, Tony." She immediately gets up. "I will have to get started on some good campaigns." She is about to step away.
"Please finish your lunch." Tony pleads.
"I'm not really hungry." She walks towards the swinging door. "I am going to get through this, aren't I?" Angela doesn't face him.
"You will.. we will." Tony just casually replies.
Angela slowly pushes the door open. "This time it feels different, Tony." Before he can respond she pushes through the door.
Tony just sighs, get's up and starts cleaning the remains of their lunch. He puts her sandwich in a container, hoping she'll eat it later.
Her words linger in his head. ~This time it feels different, Tony.~ The sentence is echoing in his mind. ~Why does it feel different, Angela?~ His hands are working, but his mind is wandering. ~What is going on in your head?~ He sighs. ~I wish I could take all your troubles away.. if you'd just talk to me and tell me why it is different this time?~ He finishes the clean-up, notices the full bag in the trash can and grabs the bag out. ~Angela.. what is bothering you so much?~ He walks outside to toss the trash.
"Hey Tony." A familiar female voice gets him out of his musing.
"Hey Mrs. Collins." He tosses the trash and waves at her. "Oh.. James!" he sprints up to the stroller and looks in. "What's up lil' guy?" the baby smiles and starts cooing. "How have you been Mrs. Collins? How is James doing? How old is he now?" Mrs. Collins smiles.
"We're good Tony. He's 6 weeks now." She proudly says. "I am not getting a lot of sleep, this little guy gets up a lot. We are lucky with Anna though. She's been such a great help, thank you for introducing her to us." Anna was one of Tony's college classmate who was looking for a parttime job.
"Don't mention it. I was just lucky to have met her.. or you were lucky." He laughs. "But honestly Mrs. Collins, for someone who just had a baby.. You look great!"
"Thanks Tony." Little James starts crying. "Ohhhh.. the walk had been a bit too long, he's hungry again. I have to go.. This baby.." She gives him a small smile. "Bye Tony."
"Bye Mrs. Collins. Take care." He makes his way back to the house. ~Cute kid. Must be nice having a baby around again.~ That's when it hit him. ~Heather is having a baby. That's why it is different this time around.~ Tony walks in the door and starts tidying up the house.
~A baby brings joy.. a baby is a new start..~ He thinks while fluffing the pillows. ~A new start..~ He stops fluffing the pillows. ~That's it!~ He looks at Angela's office, he knows exactly how she feels. ~Shall I go and talk to her? Or should I wait until tomorrow?~ He starts pacing around. ~I need to think some more..~ He sighs as he walks back towards the kitchen. ~Let's clean the kitchen.~
He was just about to start cleaning the stove top when the phone rang.
"Bower residence. Tony speaking." He softly chuckles at how official he sounds. "Hey Jonathan! How are you buddy?"
"Hey Tony.. I uh.. I'm good." Jonathan says happily. "Heather is so funny."
"Ay oh.. oh ay.. not as funny as I am right?" Tony jokes, yet he still feels a ping of jealousy. Jonathan laughs.
"Different funny… But.. that's not why I called." Jonathan's tone is getting serious.
"What is it Jonathan?" Tony feels uneasy.
"Is mom near you?" Jonathan asks.
"No, I'm in the kitchen, your mom's in her office. You want me to get her?" The uneasy feeling didn't go away.
"No, no.. that's okay. She's probably working hard." Tony hears the sadness in his voice.
"I think your mom would really love to hear your voice." Tony softly pushes. He thinks he hears a small sob.
"Will mom and you be there tomorrow?" There is caution in his voice.
"Of course we will!" Tony confidently says. "We wouldn't let you leave the East side with saying goodbye. Shall I call your mom for a moment?"
"No, no, don't interrupt her. I am just happy to be seeing her tomorrow. Will you say hi from me?" Jonathan tries to sound relieved.
"I will buddy, but are you sure? I know your mom would really love to hear your voice." Tony presses.
"No. it's fine. I will see you tomorrow." Jonathan quickly says.
"Jonathan? Why are you on the phone?" Tony hears an angry Michael.
"Okay bye Tony." He softly says as the line is disconnected.
"Oh boy.." Tony rests his head on the wall.
"Tony?" Angela comes in through the swinging door, knocking into Tony.
"Ouch!" He screams.
"Oh I am so sorry, Tony!" Her voice sorrowful.