Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Man I Love

Saturday, December 22, 1990

When Angela got home from the pharmacy, she strode upstairs and through her bedroom to put the small paper bag on her bathroom counter. Her period would be over in a day or two. As she returned to the bedroom, she spotted the shopping bag. There was a note next to it.

"A- I tore the old one in the washing machine and wasn't able to find an exact replacement. I hope this is to your liking. -T"

She pulled out a bundle of tissue paper and unwrapped the lacy black garment. When she held it up, it looked very similar to the item that had disappeared after Halloween. She didn't know if Tony had really attempted to wash the teddy, but it had already been ruined when she took it off. She and Andy had pulled too hard in several places, and the delicate fabric couldn't hold up. This version felt more pliable. She stuffed it back into the bag with the tissue paper and put it in her closet.

"Tony, can I help you with dinner?" Angela asked when she reached the kitchen.

"I've got it under control, but thank you for offering," he said, chopping vegetables.

"Thank you for what you left upstairs."

Tony turned halfway to look at her. "Oh, I hope it's OK," he said.

"You didn't need to do that. You're not the one who ruined the other one."

"Oh, you knew?"

"Yeah, I figured you just threw it out. I do appreciate you going through the trouble of trying to replace it."

"Sure. No problem."

"I broke up with Andy."

Tony put the knife down and took a ragged breath. He washed and dried his hands, and turned to face Angela. "You did?" he asked in a pinched voice.

"I actually started trying to end it on Wednesday, but the guy wouldn't take a hint."

"I don't blame him for not wanting to let you go."

"He never had me. Not really," she intoned. "After dinner, maybe you could help me get my stuff out of Sam's trunk. She kind of had to rescue me when I left."

"Sure," he replied, going back to cooking to prevent himself from doing something impulsive. So Sam had known for three days that Angela and Andy were breaking up. Three days of torture he didn't need to withstand, but he could forgive his daughter. Angela deserved to tell him in her own time, and he admired Sam's ability to keep her confidence.

After dinner, Tony took Sam's keys and opened her trunk. Angela followed behind. "What kind of box is this?" he asked.

"I'm not sure, but it was a pain to get out of the house. I had to slide it along the floor and kick it over the threshold. Sam helped me carry it to the car."

"Let's get it inside. It's starting to snow." Tony balanced the long box on the edge of the trunk opening and lifted. Angela slammed the trunk closed, then took one end of the box. She walked forward while Tony walked backwards into the kitchen. They navigated around the table before Tony backed through the swinging door.

"Hold on," Angela said. "Can we drop it?"

Tony set his end of the box down and went to set a hand on Angela's shoulder. "Are you OK?" he asked.

"I'm fine. I just wanted to get you under the mistletoe," she said, turning to kiss him. They wrapped their arms around each other and enjoyed the closeness. It wasn't a quick, friendly peck, but they kept their tongues out of it.

Three pairs of eyes watched from the couch. "I'll be damned," Mona said. "They know we're here, right?" she asked the kids.

"We know," Tony said, turning to the family, but not letting go.

"I should be able to kiss the man I love in front of my family," Angela declared.

"Really?" Tony asked her.

"Really," she answered, leaning in for another smooch. The family watched, slack-jawed.

"We should get this stuff upstairs," he said. "Do you want to be on top or bottom?"

"Come on, kids. We'll watch a movie at my place," Mona said, turning off the TV.

"I meant when we go up the stairs!" he argued, but Jonathan, Sam, and Mona were already at the back door. Angela opted to walk forward up the stairs while supporting more of the weight of the box, while Tony pulled from above and walked backwards.

When they got the box into Angela's room, they immediately dropped it. He grasped both of her hands and pleaded, "Say it again."

"Say what? I love you?" she teased. He nodded. "I love you, Tony." He slid his arms around her and kissed her all over her face.

"When did you know?" he asked, pulling back.

"Oh, you're going to hate me for this," she said, covering her face with her hands.

"I could never," he assured her.

"Three years ago. When Frankie proposed, I had to admit it to myself. I think I had felt that way for a long time before that, though."

"I was surprised to find out what I said going into surgery, but after that, I started to get used to the idea."

"What did you say?" Angela asked.

"I love you."

"I just wanted to hear it again," she grinned. Tony leaned in close with a matching smile, nearly bumping teeth before he sucked her bottom lip between both of his own. When he tenderly touched his tongue to it, she opened up, exploring with hers in turn. They stumbled onto the bed, and he pinned her arms over her head while he kissed her neck. "Tony," she said. "Tony, we need to stop."

He sat up and said, "You're right. We should put this stuff away."

"Right. And then we need to talk. Downstairs is probably best, since everyone is out of the house."

"OK." He helped her up from the bed and started putting away clothes. They made quick work of emptying the box, and he dragged it downstairs, out the back door. Then they settled in on opposite ends of the couch and kicked off their shoes, each sitting against an arm with the soles of their feet connected.

"So," Angela began, "if we start a relationship, I want to keep everything out in the open. Not everything, but you know, no sneaking around."

"I agree, but we also need to make sure we talk to each other about any issues that come up."

"That's where we've gone wrong, time and time again," she mused.

"We're off to a good start, aren't we?" he asked.

"I think so. Are you willing to keep going to counseling?"

"Yes, but I can't do Tuesdays this semester. Would you be able to keep going on Thursdays?"

"I should be able to do that, ninety percent of the time."

"What about my job?"

"What about it?"

"I can't keep working for you if we're involved."

"What do you propose?" Angela asked. When Tony didn't respond, a blush crept up her cheeks. "I mean, what do you suggest?"

"What if I quit and kept up the housework as part of a partnership?"

"I have no problem with that, but I wouldn't be able to keep you and Sam insured. Not unless we were married."

"Oh. Well, maybe we revisit the idea in a few months?" he asked.

"That works for me." Angela ran her hand over her face. "Have we talked enough for now?"

"Come here," Tony said, sliding his feet onto the coffee table. Angela climbed across the couch and knelt on the cushion next to him. He pulled her into his lap and drew her into a searing kiss. After a few minutes of making out, she pulled back.

"Will you go somewhere with me?" she asked. "On a little trip, or something? Soon?"

"Does that mean what I think it means?" he asked.

"Yeah," she breathed, kissing him again.