Love at All Costs chapter 5
September 2024
Angela pulled up to the prison, her excitement over seeing Tony overshadowed by her nervousness over Tony's parole hearing the following day. She had brought a small cake from the Italian bakery with her, trying to be as positive and optimistic as possible. She had no idea if the parole board would be lenient with Tony, seeing past his actions from so many years ago and focus on all the good he's done over the last twenty years. She took a few deep breaths and headed inside.
Once in the main room, she placed the cake down and got out the plates and spoons. Soon, Tony was walking through the door, his face lighting up as he locked eyes with Angela.
"Hi sweetheart! How are you feeling? Are you all over your cold?" he asked as he gave her a quick hug and kiss.
"Yes Tony I'm good! Just a bad cold but I'm all better. Here! I brought you this cake!" she said as she opened up the box.
"A rainbow cookie cake! Delicious!" he said as he cut the cake as best as he could with the plastic spoon. He cut her a piece followed by his own.
"So are you ready for tomorrow?" she asked as she took a piece of the cake.
"As ready as I can be… I know what I need to say, what they want to hear but… it's going to be a lie… I can't say I wish I never did what I did. I wish he never did what he did… hurting Samantha… then you… thinking about that day still makes my blood boil" he said.
"I know Tony… I know why you did what you did… I still regret that we didn't fight it more. Maybe if you hadn't taken that plea deal you would have been found innocent and never had to serve any time. The worst day of my life was the day I had to hug you goodbye, the first day of your sentence…" she said as she wiped away her tears.
"Mine too Angela… leaving you was the hardest thing I ever had to do… but I'd do it all over again if it meant keeping the family safe, keeping you safe…" he said as he held on to her hand, making slow, gentle circles over her knuckles.
"Well… that's all in the past. We need to focus now on the present with the parole hearing and just how amazing our future is going to be when you get to come home…" she said as she squeezed his hand.
"Oh I hope so Angela… I really hope so…" he said as he looked up at her, sending as many positive thoughts and prayers that he might actually get a second chance with the love of his life.
September 2005
"Alright everyone! Let's get out the arts and crafts! I think we have some watercolor paint around here!" said Angela as she put down Marie and went to the craft bin she kept in the corner. She grabbed everything and brought it into the kitchen. Luis brought Marie into the kitchen and put her in her high chair while Nicholas grabbed a seat.
"We can set you both up with some paper and paints! We definitely need more art for our fridge and I need some for work! So does Pa!" she said as she set them up. Soon, the kids were painting, their laughter contagious. They were interrupted by the front doorbell ringing. Angela and Luis looked at one another with a worried look.
"I'll go and see who it is…" said Luis as he headed into the living room. Angela tried to keep her focus on the kids but the pit in her stomach continued to grow. Her fears became a reality when she heard a loud bang and a scream.
Meanwhile, Tony pulled up to a stoplight about ten minutes from the courthouse. He went to reach in his pocket for his wallet when he realized it wasn't there.
"Son of a… I forgot my wallet! I'm sorry everyone but can we turn back? I'll run in the house quick…" he said.
"Alright Dad…" said Samantha as she continued to stare out the window.
About ten minutes later, Tony was pulling back into the driveway. He left the car running as he walked up to the front door. His heart nearly stopped when he saw the front door opened, the frame broken. He stepped into the living room, the desk chair toppled over and the contents of the desk all over the floor.
"Angela!" he shouted as he grabbed his bat and headed into the house. As soon as he walked behind the sofa, he saw Luis lying on the floor.
"Luis! Luis! Are you okay?" he shouted as he knelt down beside him. Luis began to moan as he rolled over, his face covered in blood.
"Oh my god! What happened?" he asked as he tried to help him sit up.
"H…Hank…" he stuttered as he was able to sit up.
"Where's Angela? Where are the kids?" he pleaded. He didn't need to ask any further as Angela walked in through the kitchen, both kids on her hips, her face bleeding and bruised. Hank came in right behind her.
"Angela! Are you alright?" he asked as he ran over to them, stopping when Hank stepped in front of them.
"She's fine Tony! She'd be better if she could just keep her mouth shut and not butt into other people's lives!" he said with slurred speech. He had an opened bottle of Jack Daniel's in his hand.
"Hank what are you doing? This… this is insane!" he yelled. Just then, Jonathan, Mona and Samantha walked in the house.
"Luis!" shouted Jonathan as he ran over to him, helping him stand. He helped him move to the other side of the room, trying to keep one eye on Hank.
"Hank! What are you doing?" shouted Samantha as she moved towards Hank and Angela.
"What am I doing? What have you done? Cheating on me! Lying to everyone and making me out to be the bad guy? After all I've done for you!" he shouted, causing both of the kids to start crying again.
"Hank please! You're scaring the kids! Let's just talk about this calmly… calmly and rationally…" said Samantha.
"No one is talking to anyone other than the police! Hank get out of here now!" yelled Tony. Angela was able to move away from Hank and made her way to Mona. She handed the kids to Mona and motioned for her to take the kids next door to the neighbors while they were able to distract Hank.
"This ends today Sam! You're going to tell everyone the truth and then we are going to start over again! Without any of them to intrude where they don't belong!" he shouted.
"The only one that doesn't belong here is you Hank! Get out now before something worse happens!" shouted Angela.
"And who's gonna make me? You?" he chuckled as he started walking towards Angela. He only got two steps forward before a fist met the side of his face, knocking him to the ground. Both Samantha and Angela screamed as Tony flew into a rage. Hank started swinging back and rolled on top of Tony, his height and age temporarily creating an advantage.
Jonathan got up and tried to pull them apart but it was no use. Samantha ran to the phone and called 911, trying not to fall apart as she spoke to the dispatcher.
"Please! Send police to 3344 Oak Hills Drive! My husband and father are fighting and I'm afraid someone is going to get really hurt! My… my husband is violent! Please come now!" she cried into the phone as she hung up.
"Samantha, Jonathan! Go next door and wait for the police! Go now!" yelled Angela as she practically pushed them all out the door. Tony and Hank were still going at it on the floor. Tony looked like he had the current advantage as he was on top again, swinging with all his might, making direct contact with Hank's face. No sooner did Angela breathe a brief sigh of relief, when Hank flipped Tony over and began punching him in the face. She could tell Tony was starting to fade, his blows becoming less powerful and frequent.
Without even thinking, she grabbed Tony's baseball bat, lifted it over her shoulder, just as Tony had taught her so many years ago and swung with all her might. Under normal circumstances, she probably wouldn't have injured Hank. However, with the adrenaline coursing through her body, the rage from the past few days built up inside of her, the bat made direct contact with the side of Hank's head with a loud clanking sound. Hank immediately fell to the ground, blood covering the side of his face.
"Tony! Tony!" she cried as she dropped the bat and knelt down next to him, his face bruised and bloodied. He was able to sit up and took in the scene. Hank was barely conscious, Angela's face a mixture of worry and terror as the realization of what had happened set in.
"You… bitch…" Hank started to say as he tried to stumble towards Angela. With the remaining strength he had left, Tony grabbed the bat and with one final blow, silenced Hank.
Just then, about six police officers came rushing into the house. Two of the officers started to give CPR to Hank while the others secured the scene. Four EMTs entered the house a few moments later to take over CPR and tend to Angela and Tony's injuries. Jonathan and Samantha came running through the front door.
"Dad! Angela! Are you alright? Oh my god… Hank!" she screamed as she watched them continue CPR. They transferred him onto the stretcher and continued chest compressions as they wheeled him out of the house.
"Sir, Ma'am… we need to get you both to a hospital for treatment and then we will need to ask you both questions…" said the officer.
"There's no need officer. I did this. He was coming after my family and I did what I needed to do to stop him…" said Tony.
"No Tony!" shouted Angela as Tony put his hands over her own.
"Angela not another word! Jonathan, take your Mother to the ambulance and get everyone checked out. I need you to take charge now…" he said to him as he leaned down to Angela.
"I did this Angela. I need you to be strong for me okay! Take care of Sam and our grandkids…" he said as tears were running down both of their faces. He gently moved some of the hair off of her face as he leaned in for a kiss. Two officers escorted Tony out of the house and into the police car. Angela went to run after him, but Jonathan grabbed her, pulling her into his side. All she could do was watch the car pull away as she collapsed to the floor, crying the tears of all they had lost and would still continue to lose.
Once Angela was treated in the ambulance, she refused to go to the hospital, despite Jonathan and Mona's pleas. Samantha went with Hank in the ambulance, so the kids stayed with Mona and Jonathan as Angela jumped in the Jaguar, racing to the police station.
"It was self-defense! He tried to hurt us! He could have killed us! There's no way Tony gets in trouble for this!" she said out loud to herself on the drive over. She parked in the parking lot of the police station and ran inside, ignoring the increasingly pounding headache that was brewing for the past hour.
"My… my husband was just brought in here! Tony Micelli! Where is he?" she shouted at the front desk receptionist.
"Ma'am you need to calm down! Take a seat over there and someone will be out to speak with you" he said as he went back to his computer screen. Angela reluctantly did what she was told. She pulled out her cellphone and called her agency's lawyer. The lawyer didn't handle criminal matters but was able to give her the number of one of the best lawyers in the tristate area. She quickly dialed the number and within ten minutes hired one of the associates. He told Angela to tell Tony not to speak to anyone until he was able to get there in about an hour. Finally, an officer came into the waiting area and escorted her back to a room.
"Tony! Thank god! Are you alright?" she asked as she ran over to him and tried to give him a hug. She was met with resistance as Tony's hands were restrained in handcuffs.
"I'm okay Angela. Did you get checked out?" he asked, his concern being on her and her alone.
"I'm fine Tony. What… what are you doing in handcuffs? This was self defense! Hank is responsible for all of this!" she shouted as tears came flowing down her face.
"Angela… I… I love you so much. All that matters is that you and the family are safe now. Hank can't hurt anyone anymore…" he said, his own tears rolling down his face as he held her hands in his own.
"What? He's… he's dead?" she asked, a look of relief mixed with terror plastered on her face.
"He's dead Angela. I killed him. I did it…" he said.
"Stop saying that Tony! I spoke to a lawyer and they said not to speak to anyone without him. He should be here in an hour or so" said Angela.
"Thank you sweetheart but I don't need a lawyer. He was unarmed Angela. I struck him first and had the bat… he wasn't hurting anyone at that moment. I… all that matters is that you are safe. I couldn't handle it if he had done something worse to you than he already did. I'm taking responsibility for this…" he said as he watched her fall apart in front of him.
"No! No you're not going to do any of that! This isn't your fault! I'm not letting you do this! I can't lose you Tony!" she cried as she collapsed into his body. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her to comfort her but the handcuffs made that impossible.
"Alright Mr. Micelli, it's time to go. We have your confession and your lawyer can meet you later on at the jail. You need to say your goodbyes" said the officer.
"I love you so much Angela. I always have and I always will…" he said as he kissed her on the lips.
"I love you too Tony! Now and forever…" she said as she watched them escort Tony out of the room, leaving her alone in the room, her heart shattered in a million pieces.
Tony met with the lawyer an hour later with Angela. Despite the lawyer and Angela's pleading, Tony refused to fight it. He knew the trial would drag on for months and that they would all have to be put on trial, even Nicholas, something that he refused to even consider. He also knew that Angela's initial hit with the bat probably would have killed Hank eventually and he would never, ever let her be punished and sitting where he is now. If going to prison would protect her and the rest of the family, he'd do it.
The following days, Samantha, Jonathan and Mona all tried to knock some sense into him, but the stubborn Italian side won out. Samantha was torn between her love for both Tony and Hank, despite what had all transpired. Samantha decided to leave the funeral preparations to Fran and Joe, who were completely distraught over the whole situation. Fran was more understanding when she learned of Hank's actions, something Hank was able to hide from them as well. Her heart broke when she saw the bruises on Samantha's face. Joe, on the other hand, couldn't get past his anger at Tony for doing what he did, no matter the circumstances. Despite Fran and Samantha's efforts, he met with the District Attorney and wanted them to give Tony the maximum punishment under the law.
The next few weeks were spent trying to negotiate the plea deal. They officially charged Tony with manslaughter as there was no premeditation. They agreed to a twenty-five year sentence with the possibility of parole in twenty years.
At the sentencing hearing, Angela did her best to hold it together for Tony's sake. Joe and Fran stood on the prosecution's side. Joe spent the entire time staring at Tony, hatred very present in his eyes. Fran couldn't stop crying, occasionally looking over at Angela and the family. Luis was able to watch the kids at home while the rest of the family sat stoic behind Tony. When the judge read out his final sentence, everyone's hearts just shattered all over again. They were able to give Tony one last hug before he was lead out of the courtroom to the local prison. As soon as Tony was out of sight, Angela's legs gave out on her, the tears she had been so desperately trying to hold back came pouring out.
September 20, 2024
"You ready to go Micelli?" the security guard said as he handed him a box of his belongings.
"I've never been ready for anything more in my life… well except for my wedding night!" he chuckled.
"Go Micelli! I've seen your bride and… have a fun night!" laughed the guard.
"Oh I will… I'd say see you later but…" laughed Tony as he shook the guard's hand and headed for the door.
"Good luck Tony!" he said as the door shut behind him. Tony was a few steps from freedom, the first time in twenty years. He pushed open the final set of doors and froze in place as the sun beat down on his face, the fresh air filling his lungs. He stood there for a few moments… heck it could have been hours for all he knew… and closed his eyes, taking it all in. He would have stayed there all day if it had not been for the one sound he wanted to hear more than anything else.
"Tony!" shouted Angela as she practically ran up the concrete path.
"Angela!" he shouted back as he ran towards her, dropping the box at his feet as he wrapped his arms around her body. All his senses were lost in everything Angela as he pulled her as close to him as possible. They pulled back ever so slightly and captured each other's lips in a passionate kiss, more than trying to make up for the past twenty years.
"My god have I missed this, missed you!" said Tony as he finally pulled back, still keeping his arms wrapped around her back.
"You have no idea Tony! If I have it my way, we won't be more than inches from one another for the next few hours!" she laughed as she leaned in for another kiss.
"Try years Angela! I'm not letting you outta my sight if I can help it!" he chuckled as they turned and headed towards the parking lot.
"Well there might be a few reasons why you might leave my side momentarily…" she said as she pointed across the parking lot. There stood Samantha, Nicholas, Marie, Jonathan, Luis, their twin boys and Mrs. Rossini. A large banner with the words 'Welcome Home Tony!' written on it was held between them all. Tony stopped walking, tears filling his eyes.
"Angela! What's all this? Why are they all here?" he asked as they started walking again towards the family.
"We've been planning this for weeks! The final plans were made once parole came through! I'm not the only one excited for you to be home…" she said as she leaned over for a kiss.
"Dad!" shouted Samantha as she ran into Tony's arms. Jonathan was right behind her as he gave him a bear hug.
"It's so good to have you home Tony!" he said as he pulled back, tears in his eyes.
"Tony! Welcome home! I've made all of your favorites! They are all back at the house! Come here you!" said Mrs. Rossini as she gave him a big hug, pinching his cheeks in the process. Tony didn't even mind the gesture.
"Hey Pa! We missed you!" said Marie as she came over and hugged him.
"Yeah Pa! You can come see us play in the tournament game! I'll be starting at second base!" said Robbie, one of the twins.
"And I'm catching! I've got your number too!" said Anthony, the other one of the twins.
"Wow! That's wonderful! I… I can't wait!" said Tony as he hugged them both. Nicholas was standing off to the side, not making much movement, choosing to stare down at a rock on the ground.
"Hi Nickster… it's so good to see you…" said Tony as he took a step towards him. Nicholas finally looked up, tears in his eyes.
"Pa…" he started to say as he broke down crying, practically falling into Tony's arms. By this time, the family was all in tears.
"I've missed you so much…" said Tony as he embraced his grandson.
"I've missed you too… I… I didn't realize just how much until now…" he said as he continued to hug Tony.
"Well I'm here now… how about we all go home… I think I can smell Mrs. R's cooking from here!" he laughed as he put his one arm around Nicholas, the other around Angela.
"Sounds great to me… c'mon everyone… let's go home…" said Angela as they all headed to the cars, ready to close this long chapter of their lives and start a brand new one… together.
The end