Hope for All- chapter 62
Tony and Angela spent the next half an hour trying in vain to get the babies back to sleep. Finally, by six thirty, they both gave up and started their days. They each took a baby and got them changed as Angela sat on the bed to start their first feeding of the day. Tony decided to jump in the shower. He came out afterwards and started to get changed.
"Did Michael say anything about what he decided?" asked Angela as she continued feeding the babies.
"No, just that he wants to talk to Jonathan and of course us. I was half asleep so I couldn't really gauge his mood…" he said as he finished getting changed. He took Anna from Angela to burp.
"I just hope he doesn't break his heart. I don't think I can deal with that… I'm going to call that lawyer friend I know this morning while they nap and try to get as much information as possible, should he actually agree to it…" said Angela.
"That sounds good. We can see about starting the paperwork for Samantha too. I hate thinking about us not being there for all four of them, but we need to have things in order. Maybe we can look to create a will now too, since we are married…" he said as he handed back Anna to continue feeding.
"I hate thinking about it too, but you're right. We've got four kids we need to think about now…" she said as she gently stroked the twin's heads.
"Alright… let's tackle Michael Bower first… everything after that should be a piece of cake!" laughed Tony. He headed to Samantha's room to make sure she was awake and then headed to Jonathan's room.
"Rise and shine sleepy head! Guess what? Your dad is coming for a visit! He gets in this afternoon!" said Tony with forced enthusiasm.
"He's what? He's coming here? Does that mean he's agreeing to guardianship?" asked Jonathan as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and sat up in bed.
"I think it means he wants to talk in person to all of us first before he makes any decisions. Your
mom is going to call a lawyer friend today and get some more information. Hopefully we can figure all this out today…" he said as he helped Jonathan up.
"I hope so too…" he said as he walked to the bathroom. Samantha was coming out of the bathroom and offered to help Angela before heading downstairs. Tony headed downstairs to get an early start on breakfast.
"Hi Angela! Can I help you?" asked Samantha as she gently knocked on the door and peaked her head inside.
"Yes actually! Can you go pick out two outfits for them as well as some more diapers and wipes? We used up most of our stock in here last night" said Angela.
"No problem!" she said as she headed into the nursery and grabbed what Angela had requested. She came back in and put everything on the bed as she took Matthew from Angela to burp.
"Did your Dad tell you Michael and Heather are coming to the house tonight? They delayed their trip to South Africa…" said Angela.
"Oh boy… this can't be good…" said Samantha.
"Those were basically my thoughts exactly. I can't imagine this going well and it's just going to break Jonathan's heart!" said Angela as she wiped away from fallen tears.
"Well like Dad said last night… no matter what we are all still family! We will just have to remind him of that… I will try my best and not rag on him too badly…" she said as she finished burping Matthew.
"Thank you sweetheart… I really do appreciate it…" she said as she finished burping Anna and laid her down on the bed to change. They both had the babies changed and dressed for the day. Angela quickly got dressed and they both headed downstairs to the kitchen where Tony and Jonathan were sitting eating oatmeal.
"Good morning sweetheart! How are you feeling?" asked Angela as she sat down at the table.
"Still sore but otherwise I'm okay. I heard my dad is coming today…" he said as he pushed his oatmeal around with his spoon.
"Yes later today. I think this will be a good thing though- we can all sit down and get to say how we feel about the situation" said Angela.
"Yeah dweeb… I'm only going to say this once but I'll even stick up for you. I mean you're my brother regardless but I know how much this means to you" said Samantha, putting a big smile on Jonathan's face.
"Really Sam? You'd do that for me?" he asked enthusiastically.
"This time and this time only! Okay I've got to go to class. I'll see everyone later!" she said as she handed Matthew to Tony and hugged everyone goodbye.
"Okay one down and one to go! I'll get you your breakfast Angela and then get Jonathan settled in the living room before I head out to class" said Tony as he prepared her breakfast. Angela was able to eat her breakfast as Tony finished up the dishes and getting things for Jonathan. He helped Angela get the twins settled before heading out for class.
"Alright Jonathan, I'm going to try and make that phone call to the lawyer. I can take Anna and put her in the stroller with Matthew if you want" she said as she started to pull the stroller over to them.
"No it's okay! She's sound asleep right now… don't wake her up! Can I have Matthew too since he's asleep now too?" he asked.
"Are you sure you want both of them?" she asked skeptically.
"Yes I'll be fine!" he said as she nodded and handed him Matthew. She held back tears as she watched the three of them together before heading out of the room to make her call in the study.
"Alright you two! I've never been alone with both of you before! Go easy on me! So… what a week it has been! You get to meet my dad tonight… I never even told him you two were born. We aren't exactly close… you two are lucky though! You've got two parents that love you very much! You'll never have to wonder if you're enough, if they love you. And you've got an annoying big sister who might actually not be that annoying… don't tell her I said that! And you've got me…" he said as he leaned down and kissed both babies.
"Hey kid how's it going?" asked Mona as she walked in from the kitchen, pretending she wasn't eavesdropping on his conversation.
"Just getting some cuddles in! Don't you have to be at work?" asked Jonathan.
"Who are you… your mother? I'll get there! So what's going on?" she asked innocently.
"Mom's on the phone with the lawyer asking about the guardianship. My dad is flying in to see me tonight to discuss it…" he said as he pulled the babies closer to him.
"Ahh I see… I thought I felt that earthquake this morning… well that will be good then! We can all knock some sense into him! Or knock something into him… into his head…" she said as Jonathan just shook his head.
"Grandma! Try to hold back your hatred for him okay? I don't want to upset him and then he really won't be on board with everything! Be nice!" he said loudly.
"Okay, okay! You will owe me for this one though! Okay I suppose I should head to work then if I'll be back in time for that snake I mean Michael to arrive… looks like you two are in good hands!" she said as she gently grabbed a hold of each baby's hand. She grabbed her belongings and headed out the door.
Angela finished talking to the lawyer, a page and a half of notes jotted down in her notebook. She felt more confident in the terminology but the reality of the situation was a whole other matter. She took a deep breath and headed back into the living room.
"So how did it go?" he asked as the babies still slept soundly in his arms.
"It went well! I've got some more information on how it could potentially go if your dad agrees to it. I think for now, we look at what's called a standby guardian for you. He would have to go to what's called probate court and sign a form giving Tony temporary custody of you while he is out of the country. If he's agreeable to that, we can see down the line about actual adoption" she said. Jonathan just nodded and looked back down at the babies who were starting to stir.
"We can talk more when Tony gets home" she said as she grabbed their pacifiers and helped to soothe them both back to sleep.
The rest of the day was spent caring for the babies. Tony came home right before lunch and was able to take over for Angela. Angela pulled Tony aside when Jonathan was upstairs taking a nap. She explained everything the lawyer had told her about guardianship. They discussed all the ways they thought the conversation could possibly go. Finally, they realized the only thing they could do was wait and hope it didn't end in heartbreak.
The family all arrived home by five, even Mona, choosing to spend the time in the living room together. Angela had just finished feeding the babies when the doorbell rang. All five sets of eyes looked at one another with trepidation as Tony stood up to answer the door.
"Hi Michael! Hi Heather! Please come on in…" said Tony as he opened the door and gestured for them to come inside.
"Thanks Tony. It's… it's good to see you…" said Michael.
"Hi Michael" said Angela as she stood up, Anna in her arms, walking over to them.
"Hi Angela… oh I see you had the twins. Congratulations…" said Michael.
"Yes congratulations! They are so adorable!" squealed Heather as she walked over to Angela, grabbing onto Anna's little hand.
"Thank you! They were born almost two weeks ago. Please come in and sit down" said Angela as she sat in the arm chair closest to the kitchen. Michael and Heather took a seat on the sofa next to Jonathan, a very reluctant Mona rolling her eyes as she moved over.
"Tiger! How are you? You've gotten so big! I practically didn't even recognize you! How are you feeling?" asked Michael.
"Hi Dad… I'm fine. You ready for your trip?" asked Jonathan as his attention went back to a sleeping Matthew cuddled in his arms.
"Yes we are! It's very exciting what we will be doing! You see the company wants us to follow around a tribal community to learn…" started Michael when Jonathan interrupted him.
"That sounds like fun Dad but can we just skip all that and talk about the reason why you are really here?" asked Jonathan matter of factly, causing Mona to let out a laugh. Tony and Angela both gave her glares as they turned back to a stunned Michael.
"Mother… Samantha, would you mind taking the babies upstairs and give us some privacy?" asked Angela, although it was more of a request than a question as she handed Anna to Mona.
"Of course dear… c'mon Samantha… let's give them some space… feel free to send an SOS message if needed…" said Mona as she headed upstairs. Samantha took Matthew from Jonathan and followed behind.
"So I guess there is no way to sugarcoat this huh Tiger…" said Michael.
"I'm almost fourteen Dad… please don't call me that…" he said as he sat up straighter on the sofa.
"How about I get us some drinks… Heather would you mind helping me?" asked Tony as she nodded in agreement. They both headed towards the kitchen, Tony passing by Angela and giving her shoulder a tender squeeze.
"So Jonathan, what brought this on?" asked Michael as he gave a quick shaming look at Angela. Angela just counted to ten in her head and took a deep breath.
"This was my idea Dad! I haven't seen you in forever and now you are going to be half way around the world! I needed surgery and you weren't here! If something happens to Mom I have no one to legally be there for me. I… I want Tony to be that person. I still love you Dad but you're just not here and Tony is…" he said as tears came into his eyes.
"But I'm here now…" said Michael.
"For a day? Maybe two? Then you will be gone again. Your work and Heather come first… I've always been a distance third. It doesn't mean you don't love me and I still love you Dad, but I need someone who is here for me, like Tony is… please say you will sign over guardianship" he almost pleaded with Michael.
"Jonathan, why don't you let your dad and I talk? Michael why don't you come into the study so we can talk…" said Angela as she stood up and motioned for him to join her, leaving Jonathan alone. Angela walked through the door of the study and shut it as Michael took a seat across from her desk. She mentally thanked herself for cleaning up the desk the other day.
"Look Angela… if you all want to play the Brady Bunch here with your blended family, that's fine but don't try and turn my son against me!" he practically shouted.
"Turn him against you? You think I'm turning him against you Michael? First of all, take a good look in the mirror before you point any fingers at me! I've done the best I could being both mom and dad for him since practically day one! You've been gone from his life more than you have been in it! And when you are in it, it's been me organizing every vacation, holiday or trip, not you! Secondly, the Brady Bunch? Couldn't you have picked a less cliche television show? Yes, our blended family is unique and I don't expect you of all people to understand it. It's up to you what you ultimately want to do but let me be clear on this… if you refuse to do this, you are risking losing him forever Michael. I called a lawyer today to see what we would need to do to at least have temporary guardianship given to Tony while you are away. It doesn't seem like it would take too much time or effort to get the ball rolling but that's up to you…" she said, the anger finally subsiding.
"This… this just feels wrong! I feel like I'm being ambushed here!" he said, less with anger and more with sadness.
"I can appreciate that Michael. I feel similarly because believe it or not I've had less than forty eight hours to wrap my head around it too, not to mention handling our son's appendectomy plus oh yes recovering from childbirth!" she said.
"Alright… can I at least speak to him… alone?" he said, tears forming in his eyes, surprising Angela.
"Of course you can…" she said as she escorted him out of the room. Tony, Heather and Jonathan were sitting on the sofa sipping their drinks when they came back in the room.
"Your Dad wants to talk to you Jonathan. Tony and I are going to go and check on the babies but we will be right here if you need us…" she said as she motioned for Tony to join her upstairs. They got to the top of the landing and almost ran into a spying Mona and Samantha.
"So… what gives? Is the snake going to do it or not?" asked Mona.
"I don't know… he wanted to speak to Jonathan alone. I… I just hope he doesn't break his heart…" she said as she took back Anna from Mona.
"Well, whatever happens, we will be there to pick up the pieces… as always…" said Tony as he pulled Angela closer. Just then, Jonathan called up the stairs for Angela. They all headed back downstairs and saw three smiling faces on the sofa.
"Dad's agreed to the guardianship! He said yes!" he practically jumped for joy.
"Easy there Jonathan! No popping stitches okay!" said Tony.
"Yes… it makes the most sense with me being out of the country for so long. We can reassess once we get back but we can start the process tomorrow morning before we leave" said Michael as he looked at Angela and then back at Jonathan.
"I think this calls for a big family dinner! I've made enough for a small army! I hope you guys can stay!" said Tony.
"Yeah Dad… I hope you can stay!" said Jonathan.
"How can I resist with an offer like that?" chuckled Michael.
"Alright, let me put the final touches and we can all eat in the dining room!" he said as he headed into the kitchen.
"I'll see if he needs help…" said Michael as he stood up and followed Tony. He went through the swinging door, stopping by the counter. Tony turned around, expecting it to be anyone but Michael Bower in his kitchen.
"You lost Michael? I didn't think the kitchen was your home away from home!" chuckled Tony as he checked on the dinner in the oven.
"You've got that right! Actually, I wanted to talk to you… alone" he said.
"I had a feeling you would…" said Tony as he turned to face Michael.
"Look… I can't say as I'm a fan of this whole idea but I know now that it's Jonathan's idea. He's still my son and always will be… but if this is what he wants, if it's going to make him happy, I'll do it. I know he's in good hands with Angela… and with you…" he said.
"You trusted me once with your family Michael… you can do it again. You're right Jonathan is and always will be your son. I will do everything I can to always be there for him, for all of them…" he said.
"I know you will Tony, I know you will…" he said as he shook Tony's hand.
Dinner was served soon, the family all enjoying each other's company. After dinner, the twins were passed around; even Heather and Michael got a chance to hold the babies before they started to stir. Michael and Heather wished everyone a good night as they headed to the hotel, agreeing to meet at the courthouse early the next morning.
"Alright everyone! Let's turn in early! We have a big day ahead of us!" said Tony as he tried to soothe a fussy Matthew.
"Yes they need to eat and the two of you need to get to bed early if we will get to court when it first opens" said Angela as she was also trying in vain to calm Anna.
"Okay Mom! Have a good night! And thanks for everything with Dad! I love you both!" he said as he hugged them and headed upstairs.
"Goodnight guys…" said Samantha as she hugged and kissed them all before heading upstairs. Tony and Angela headed over to the sofa where they quickly changed the babies, who were now screaming. Angela got herself situated on the sofa and latched Anna, followed by Matthew.
"As far as Michael visits go, that was relatively painless!" laughed Tony as he settled in next to her on the sofa.
"Yes the bloodshed was spared! I'm just so glad he agreed to it. I don't think I could have handled Jonathan heartbroken…" she said.
"I know… but thankfully all's well that ends well… as they say…" said Tony.
"What is it with the cliches today?" she asked with a laugh as she looked over at a puzzled Tony.