From Jamaica to Connecticut chapter one
"Mother?" asked Angela as she watched Mona fly through the air, the human cannon propelling her across the ocean.
She had a momentary thought of her life as an orphan, until she heard the splash. All thoughts of her mother were pushed out of her mind as Tony gently pulled her closer to him. She snuggled in closer, putting her head on his shoulder as his arm tightened around her shoulders. It was at least ten minutes before either of them spoke again.
"Tony?" "Angela?" they both spoke at once, both chuckling at their timing.
"So… you want to head back up and get a drink before turning in?" he asked.
"Sounds great… I think the music is still playing… maybe a quick dance or two?" she asked as she put her hand on his thigh. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain a shred of composure.
"How could I say no?" he asked as he stood up, reaching for her hand to pull her up. They both missed the contact but were pleasantly surprised when they each misjudged the distance between them and ended up falling into one another. They stood there looking at one another for a few more moments before they headed back to the dance floor, holding hands all the way back.
"A martini for the lady and I'll take whatever's on tap…" said Tony to the bartender. A few minutes later, they were walking, drinks in hand, back to the table Tony had been sitting at during Angela's 'performance.'
"Hmm… this is good. Not as good as the ones you make me each Friday night… but it will do…" she said as she took a sip.
"I can't believe we wasted the whole vacation trying to outdo each other! What a waste of the most beautiful place… with the most beautiful woman…" he said as he reached over for her hand. She could feel her face flush when their hands made contact again.
"Dance with me?" she asked as she stood up, their hands still connected.
"You don't have to ask me twice…" he said as he led her to the dance floor. He spun her around a few times before pulling her as close to him as he could. Their hands interlocked and came to rest on their chests. Their other arms found each other's backs as they swayed to the music.
Song after song filled the air; they lost count of how many songs were played, only paying attention to each other- the feel of their connected bodies, the rhythm they had perfected years ago whenever they were able to find the opportunity to steal a dance or two. This dance felt different. It felt like it was the beginning, the start of something special. When the music finally stopped, neither of them wanted to pull away.
"I guess we should turn in… they are starting to pack up…" she said as they were still intertwined in one another.
"Yes that would make sense…" he said as his hand found the side of her face, cupping the soft skin underneath. Slowly, as if time stood still, he leaned in and captured her lips with his own. She moved her hand from his back to his chest, slowly making soft circles, driving him crazy. They would and could have easily stayed there all night but the staff started dimming the lights, causing them to reluctantly pull apart.
"I think we should head back to the room… the children will be wondering where we are…" said Angela.
"Mona won't…" he chuckled as he turned and led her towards the hotel room.
"I just hope she didn't really hurt herself with the human cannon. Although I'm sure she'd do alright with the male paramedics…" she said as she linked arms with him. They made it back to their rooms. Angela had booked two adjacent rooms, one for her and Samantha and one for Tony and Jonathan. They both stood outside their doors, not wanting to go in and the night to end.
"Well I guess this is goodnight. We have to be up early tomorrow to pack and get ready" she said, holding onto his hand a little tighter, not wanting to let go.
"Yes… I'm sure Samantha isn't even packed yet! If she gives you any trouble, just knock. We have our last breakfast tomorrow morning too before the taxi comes to take us to the airport" he said as he took a step closer to her.
"Same with Jonathan. Make sure there's nothing creepy or crawly coming home with us…" she said as she too took a step closer, barely inches from one another.
"Goodnight Angela… sweet dreams…" he said as he brushed some hair off her face, his hand finding the flower still in her hair. His touch sent shivers up her spine.
"Goodnight Tony… get some rest…" she said as her hands found his chest again, feeling the defined muscles underneath tightening at her touch. This time, she leaned in and captured his lips with her own. They knew the kids, including Mona, were probably spying on them, but they didn't care. They were once again lost in every sensation- the feel of their lips and hands, the cool ocean breeze hitting their backs, the smell of one another's shampoo and body wash- it was all intoxicating and wonderful. Finally pulling back, they gave each other a quick peck on the lips before entering their rooms. Thankfully the hotel key took a few seconds to open the door, giving Jonathan and Samantha ample time to run back to their beds and avoid getting caught eavesdropping.
Tony dropped his key on the nightstand, careful not to disturb a loudly snoring Jonathan. He knew the kid was awake but it was much easier to go along with the ruse. He sat down on the edge of his bed, running his hands through his hair.
"What am I doing? She's my boss! Did I really just admit out loud tonight that I thought about marrying her? Until not unless? If I'm thinking about marrying her, that means… that means I love her. I'm in love with her… what?" he thought to himself. He shook his head to try and get those thoughts out of his head but they just kept coming back. His thoughts turned to his fantasies of her and soon he realized he needed a shower, a very cold shower.
Angela came into the room and leaned back against the closed door. Her heart was racing and she knew, despite the dark room two things- her face and chest were completely flushed and Samantha had been eavesdropping, now pretending to be asleep. She quietly came around to her in the bed and pulled the covers up. She leaned down and kissed the top of her head, deciding to go along with the ruse a little longer. She came around to her bed and laid down on the bed.
"What am I doing? He's my housekeeper! But really… he hasn't been just the housekeeper for years, heck if I'm being honest he never was just the housekeeper. Did he really say he thought about us getting married? Does he? Could he? Is it possible he is in love with me like I'm in love with him?" she thought to herself. She took the pillow and put it over her head, wanting nothing more than to scream into it but knowing not only would Samantha hear her, but Tony and Jonathan as well. She thought she could hear the shower turn on next door and thought that was a good idea. She decided to turn on the bathtub and relax. The bath relaxed her mind and body in one aspect, but brought on a different challenge when her fantasies of him started up again.
The next morning came quite early for the family as they all remained awake way too late, Tony and Angela having it the worst. Both tossed and turned for the better part of the night until they finally fell asleep. Had they both compared notes at breakfast, they would have realized they had similar dreams, both of which involved finishing what they had started on the bench the previous evening.
"Good morning everyone!" said Angela as she and Samantha joined Tony, Jonathan and Mona at the table for breakfast. Tony got up and pulled out the chair for Angela; both of them were craving each other's touch, which the gesture fulfilled. Mona was busy flirting with the bus boy but both Samantha and Jonathan caught the looks on their parents' faces.
"Angela, you want to hit up the buffet?" asked Tony.
"Sure! You kids want to go first?" asked Angela.
"No it's okay! You two go first!" said Samantha as they headed up to the buffet.
"Oh… my… god! Did you see the way they looked at each other? I knew something was going to happen after that make out session on that bench last night!" squealed Samantha.
"Yeah that stupid tour bus was blocking our way but I got a good view of part two last night in front of our room!" laughed Jonathan.
"Me too! What do you think this means?" asked Samantha. Mona was mid conversation with the bus boy when she caught wind of their conversation.
"Hold it you two! What happened and why am I just finding out about this now?" asked Mona.
"Dad and Angela made up last night on one of the benches down by the ocean. Made up enough to make out on the bench and then in front of the rooms! Like a couple of lovesick kids…" she said with a dreamy smile.
"Well then… they discovered they could have fun together… I wonder how far they went…" wondered Mona.
"Eww gross Grandma! Not that far because Tony was in my room all night after taking a long shower…" said Jonathan as he made gagging noises.
"I bet it was a cold shower…" chuckled Mona. Just then, Angela and Tony came back, sitting down closer to one another than they had done all vacation.
"Alright kids, let's leave these two and hit up the buffet! Assuming Angela left any food for the rest of us…" she said.
"Mother!" she shouted with a mouth full of food.
"Don't speak with your mouth open dear…" said Mona as the three of them headed to the buffet.
"Hmm… this is good! Not nearly as good as yours though…" she said.
"Nah… it's better but that's okay! Something to aim for back home!" he chuckled as he continued to eat.
"It's really a shame we didn't get to spend more time together. Maybe… maybe one day we can come back just us?" she asked quietly, waiting to gauge his reaction.
"I'd love that Angela… sooner rather than later…" he said as he took a hold of her hand, giving it a slight squeeze.
"Maybe when we get home we can spend more… alone time. I know with work, school and the kids it's a challenge but having us time would be really nice…" she said.
"Then let's figure it out! Maybe another try at a date? This time I promise it won't be a comedy club!" he laughed.
"Oh please anything but that! My hand hurt for a week after that punch!" she laughed.
"Alright, alright! Maybe somewhere in the city? A day I don't have late classes I can pick you up and find a restaurant, just us…" he said.
"That sounds wonderful… it's a date…" she said.
"It's a date…" said Tony as they enjoyed the rest of their breakfast.