After soaking for about 20 minutes, Angela gets out of the bath and dries herself. Quickly changing into a simple dress, but then decides against it and grabs the dress she wore when she came back from Mexico. She then looks at herself in the mirror.
"You look desperate." She says to herself. Then takes off the dress and grabs the first dress and puts it on. She looks in the mirror again. The dress is a button up, off-white dress tight around her waist but flowing at the legs.
"That is much better." As she quickly puts up her hair and then puts on some light make-up. She sighs at her reflection. "We've got this." She whispers. She doesn't understand why she is this nervous for Michael and Heather's visit, but she can't shake the growing fear inside of her. "Come on Angela, let's just make it a fun night for Jonathan." She softly but resolutely says to herself, straightening her back and pushing back her shoulders.
When she arrives downstairs both Jonathan and Samantha are in front of the TV watching MTV.
"Hey kids!" She says cheerfully.
"Hey mom!" Jonathan smiles at her.
"Hey Angela!" Samantha is still glued to the TV watching MTV News.
"I'll be checking on Tony in the kitchen okay? I will be right back." Angela walks passed them.'
"Okay." The kids say in unison.
Angela walks through the swinging doors, Mona is sitting at the table. It was obvious that Tony and she were in a deep conversation. They immediately stopped talking when Angela walks in.
Angela feels kind of annoyed as she snaps. "Please don't stop talking on my account." She takes the seat next to her mother.
"We weren't talking about you dear." Mona calmly says. Tony's face turns bright red.
"No we weren't! We were talking about Michael and Heather." He quickly says.
"We can't risk Jonathan or Samantha hearing anything we were saying." Mona looks at Tony for support.
"Mona is right. We were talking about Michael taking Jonathan to LA. We weren't bad mouthing them, just surprised by the change of plans. If I can be really honest." Tony throws a towel over his shoulder. Angela sits back and looks at him.
"I know." Is all she says, never taking her eyes off of him. She notices he has changed his shirt while she was in the bath. He has rolled up his sleeves. She loves his strong arms, secretly wishes Tony would just hold her and tell her that everything is going to be okay. "I know." She repeats.
"Are you worried dear?" Mona asks. "You seem so worried."
"No.." She thinks. "Yes.." another moment of silence. "I don't know." She turns and looks at her mother. "I am just nervous. I haven't seen him in so long and like I told you before.. our last visit isn't a fond memory to me." Tony roughly grabs the towel off of his shoulder, he definitely remembers their last visit. He also remembers Angela and him not being on the same page, one of the couple of times they weren't on the same page.
"I don't think the last time was a fond memory to any of us. Well maybe to Jonathan and Sam." Mona chuckles at the last part.
"What your mother is saying.." Tony interferes. "I think we're all kinda nervous for Michael's visit. Even the kids." That's when the doorbell rings. "Show time!" Tony gives Angela an encouraging smile.
"I'll get it!" Jonathan yells as Tony is quickly walks up behind him. Jonathan pulls open the door, Angela and Mona walk from the kitchen. "DAD!" Jonathan says with enthusiasm.
"Hey son!" Michael opens his arms to his son. Jonathan gives his father a big hug. "You've grown so much."
"That's what happens in 2,5 years." Mona cynically says.
"Hello Michael. Hi Heather." As Heather steps back behind Michael and stands next to him.
"Hi everyone." She waves. That's when Angela notices Heathers belly, she feels the colour draining from her face.
"I guess congratulations are in order." She says with a forced smile.
"Thank you Angela." Heather gives her a genuine smile. Angela can't hate her, but on the other hand she doesn't really like her either. That's because she easily dismissed Jonathan 2,5 years ago.
"Hi." Tony extends his hand to Michael. "Congrats." He nods towards Heather. He gives her a peck on her cheek and repeats his congrats.
"Hi Tony, thank you." As she absentmindedly caresses her belly.
"Are you having a baby?" Jonathan looks from his father to Heather. He turns as white as a sheet.
"Yes son! You're going to be a big brother!" Michael squeezes his shoulder. "You'll be a great big brother."
"HA!" Samantha says as Tony quickly puts his hand over mouth.
"Just showing my daughter some fatherly love." Tony excuses. Then he bends over and whispers. "Not the place nor the time. Understood?" Sam quickly nods and whispers her apology to her father. He kisses the top of her head, giving her a sign all is good.
Michael and Heather take their places on the couch, Tony is chatting away with them before offering drinks. He gets up.
"I'll be right back!" He says with a smile. He turns to see Jonathan sitting in the chair closest to the kitchen, he is pale. "Want to help me buddy?"
"I can help you!" Angela was sitting on the far edge of the couch but quickly sits up.
"No, mom. I'll help Tony." As Jonathan gets out of the chair.
"Okay sweetheart." She slumps back, looking at the smirk on her mother's face. "So.." She breaks the silence. "How fare along are you Heather?"
"A little over 6 months." She smiles. "That's why we want to take Jonathan back with us to LA, I want to get the nursery ready."
~SIX MONTHS?~ Angela feels a shiver at the thought. ~Dammit, she looks like she is barely three months along. Ugh.~ On the outside no one can see her struggles. "I can understand." She says but Mona throws her a 'no you don't' look.
"So Michael." Mona's voice is already dripping with sarcasm. "You willing to stick around for this one this time?" Just as the question is asked, Jonathan and Tony walk out with glasses and drinks. Michael quickly throws her a look. Normally Angela would be mad at her mother's remark, but she was actually quite curious about his answer, would he want to trod the jungle again? Leaving his wife and kid to fend for themselves? Just like he did with Jonathan and her. Michael looks at Angela, then Heather, then Tony. No one is offering him any support, he just sighs.
"Yes of course I will." He softly says. Both Angela and Jonathan hold in all their feelings. On the outside no one would notice that there is anything wrong with them, but Tony and Mona know.
"Dinner is nearly ready, shall we make our way to the dining room?" Tony changes the subject.
"Yes let's!" Mona quickly gets up and hustles the kids toward the dining room. Tony, Heather and Michael get up.
"I'll be right there." Angela says with a smile. "I'll put the pitcher away. Don't forget your glasses." She nearly runs into the kitchen. Dry-heaving above the sink, she feels like she is about to become sick. Even though they divorced and she is most definitely over him, she hadn't expected this reaction from him. What was she expecting? Compassion? No, definitely not. Friendship? HA! ~I guess I was expecting that we would have meant more to him than he now showed us.~ She feels tears welling. ~Why am I this bothered?~ She starts pacing and then it hits her. ~Jonathan. It's not that I wasn't good enough to stick by. It's that he didn't think Jonathan was important enough.~ Her sadness turns into anger, anger for her son, who doesn't deserve to be treated like this. That's when the swinging door opens.
"What?" she nearly screams.
"Whoa, Angela.. chill!" Tony's calm voice had an immediate soothing effect on her. "I was just coming in to check on dinner."
"I'm sorry, Tony. I was just lost in my train of thoughts." She apologises.
"Yeah, I bet you were." He puts his hand on the small of her back. Electricity shoots through her body. "Are you okay?" He calm voice, his caressing hands and the warmth of his body next to hers, immediately get the attention of all her senses.
"I am now that my best friend is here." She places her hand on his upper arm, he slowly pulls her into an embrace.
"I know Angela." He says into her hair, very near to her ear. "And he is a fool. If you were my wife and Jonathan my son, I'd never leave you." She has quietly started to cry as he just holds her for a minute. Then he breaks their embrace.
"I know you wouldn't want anyone seeing you and me.. you know.. like this." He looks deep into her sad brown eyes.
"I don't care anymore." She leans in and pecks his lips. "You are my best friend and I needed your comfort."
"I know." He says still hanging on to her hand. "But I think if we don't serve the dinner soon, it'll be ruined. I'm just glad I made chicken and not steak." He jokes. "Will you get the salad out of the fridge?" He asks as he lets go of her hand and puts the chicken on a nice serving tray, then the potatoes and lastly the asparagus. Before leaving with the asparagus and salad, Angela turns to Tony.
"I'm so lucky to have you in my life." She says with so much love that it leaves him speechless. He just watches her push through the door with a goofy grin on his face.
The dinner went quite well. Michael and Heather talked about their travels, his documentaries and he then asked about Angela's business. Eventually the subject turned to the kids and school. Tony told them he started college. All and all it was an unexpected, nice dinner.
At the end of the evening they arrange that Michael and Heather will pick up Jonathan the next morning and spend a couple of days in the cabin. Then they will head into the city and fly to Los Angeles. They agree to meet at the airport so the family can say goodbye to him.
"Everything is going to be okay, isn't it mom?" Jonathan turns to his mother after the door closes.
"Of course it will sweetheart." Angela felt somewhat relieved, but a part of her was still uneasy. Deep inside her heart she felt a panic rising.
"It'll be great buddy!" Tony enthusiastically intervenes. "Sun, Sea and Surf!"
"Ugh.. I want to come with you." Samantha complains. "Don't get me wrong I am soooo excited about Cape Cod.. but LA was fantastic. Not only the sun, sea and surf.. but also the boys." She grins.
"I am so happy you are going to Cape Cod." Tony sarcastically says, making the entire room laugh. "But you're forgetting one thing sweetheart.." Tony looks at her.
"Which is what dad?" Samantha gives him a confused look.
"The tan lines." He hollers after saying that as Samantha gives him a dirty look.
"Thanks for reminding me.. dad!" She rolls her eyes. "Come on Jonathan, lets go upstairs and back our bags." As she pulls him towards the stairs. Angela watches them run upstairs with a smile.
~We are going to be just fine.~ she tries to convince herself. ~We have to be fine. I cannot lose my family.~
"More tea?" Tony's voice brings her back to the room.
"Yes please." Angela smiles at him.
"What about you Mone?" Tony looks at her.
"Nawh.. I'm going to the club Tone." She winks
"Mother, we have to work tomorrow!" Angela intervenes.
"No we don't. You're the boss, so this is my notice for taking tomorrow off. By the way, are you really going into the office when Michael is picking Jonathan up tomorrow morning?" She raises her eyebrow to her daughter.
"No, of course not. I'm staying here until Michael has picked up Jonathan." Angela sighs. "I can't believe he's leaving for LA on Saturday."
"You'll be fine dear. Tony and I will be here." She gives her a smile. "So I will see you in the office on Thursday." Mona's smile turns into a big grin.
"Fine mother!" Angela throws her hands in the air. "Have a great evening."
"I will dear. I'll be changing now. You kids behave." She winks at Angela before leaving through the side door. Angela just shakes her head and smiles.
===XXX===
Michael and Heather pick up Jonathan at 10am. The pick up is shorter than Angela would want. But she gets it, she understands Michael wants some alone time with their son.
"You were very sweet to Jonathan, Samantha." Angela says.
"I know." She grins. "My gift to you." Angela laughs.
"Coffee?" Tony asks as Angela nods towards him.
"I'd rather have iced tea." Samantha grins as Tony nods.
"Well I appreciate it honey." She caresses Samantha's cheek. Samantha always loves these little interactions. Angela makes her feel like she truly is her daughter. "It's going to be so hard when you leave for Cape Cod." She smiles. "Both of you gone, it's going to be so quiet around the house."
"I know. But…." Samantha hugs Angela. "I will only be gone for 10 days. Maybe we could arrange a shopping trip when I get back." Samantha pulls back a bit and smiles up at Angela hopefully.
"That sounds great." Angela smiles back at her. "We will make that happen." Angela guides them towards the couch. "Should we allow your father to come with us?"
"Oh God no!" Samantha laughs. "I won't be able to get anything."
"Don't be mean." Angela laughs.
"You're right, maybe we could go into the city and dump dad in Brooklyn?" She leans into Angela.
"That's actually a good idea!" Samantha sits up straight. "Thank you." Angela gives her a loving look.
"Don't mention it honey." That's when Tony walks back in with the drinks.
"Don't mention what?" Always curious, he just has to know what they were talking about.
"Samantha and I were just talking about going shopping when she gets back from Cape Cod. Like a girl's shopping trip." She looks at him as he reacts in surprise. "You're welcome to join us."
"Uh.." He starts.
"But we could also drop you off in Brooklyn before going shopping. If you like." She smiles.
"That sounds like a better plan." He chuckles.
Angela takes her coffee and sips. "I am going into my office." She gets up. "You two spend some time together as Sam is leaving in 2 days."
Tony plunks down next to Samantha. "Angela is right you know?"
"I know, she's a wise woman." Samantha leans into her father.
"So what do you want to do?" Tony wiggles his shoulder.
"Dad?" She sits up to look at him.
"Yes sweetheart?" He feels worried.
"I love Angela very much." She confesses as a smile lights up his face.
"Yeah?" He asks in surprise.
Samantha nods. "Yeah, she always treats me like I am her daughter." She carefully looks at her father. "But.." she sighs. "Dad I feel like I am betraying mom." She finally looks up at her father.
"Oh Sam." He pulls her into an embrace. "Just because you love someone like a mother, doesn't mean you're betraying your mom. I think your mother will be glad to know you've found someone to fill the empty spot she left behind." He caresses her head. "You're not replacing your mom Sam, you're just adding another parent to love. And I know Angela loves you like her own, just like I love Jonathan like my own. Living together, helping each other raise you two." He pulls her back. "It's been wonderful. I may not have given you the most traditional family.." He gives a small sob. "But it is our family. And I love our family, blended and all. Even with the slightly crazy grandmother." He chuckles at his own joke. Samantha also chuckles. "Trust me Sam, your mother will never see you loving Angela as a betrayal. I know she is just happy her daughter is so loved." He kisses her cheek. That's when Samantha softly starts crying in relief. He just holds her for a couple of minutes.
"Okay.. but for now.." Tony starts. "Want to go to the movies and then grab some food?"
"What about Angela?" Samantha asks.
"She has to work and trust me, she meant it when she said we should spend some time together. She knows it is important." Tony smiles.
"Yeah but I also know she has to eat. And you know she won't make or get it herself." Samantha laughs.
"Well we could go and then grab her some food. Like a win – win situation?"
"Brilliant! Shall I go ask what she wants?" Sam jumps off of the couch.
"No, no.. you go get ready. I will ask her okay?" He gets up as Samantha runs up.
"I'll get my purse!" And before he can respond she is gone. He makes his way to Angela's office and knocks the door. After he hears her 'come in' he enters.
"Hey Angela, Sam and I are going to catch a movie and some lunch." He looks at her. Her eyes looking up at him above the rim of her glasses with a small smile on her lips. ~She looks adorable with those huge glasses.~
"What a great idea. What movie are you seeing?" She asks.
"We will see when we get there." He leans forward on her desk. "So would you like us to bring you something back for lunch?"
~Always so attentive.~ As her heart skips a beat. "That's very thoughtful of you. Just grab me anything where you're going. You know what I like." She smiles. "Let me go get my purse to give you money to pay."
"Whoa.. whoa.. no way Angela!" He feels kind of insulted. "Consider it my treat to you. Seeing as I can't be here to give you a proper lunch." Angela smiles at him.
"Thank you for looking out for me Tony."
"Always." He says with a wink.
And there it was again, her heart skipped another beat. But all she did was just smile at him. He mirrors her look and smile. As always their love was unspoken but also as always palpable. She unwillingly breaks their eye contact. She looks down, blushing.
"Thank you, Tony." She forces herself to look up again. He winks.
"See you later. Don't work too hard." He waves before leaving.
"Bye." Is all she says as she leans back into her chair.
~Either let it go Angela, or tell him how you feel.~ She thinks.
~HA! You can never tell him how you feel and you know it.~ The annoying other voice in her head spoke.
"I might!" She whispers.
~Oh heck no! And you know it. You are too afraid he will reject you. As you should, why would he want you? You're a WASP from Connecticut and he is looking for a good Catholic, Italian woman from Brooklyn. You are nothing like those women. You've almost lost him to Frankie not only 8 months ago!~ the voice berates.
"Yes but he came back, he came back to OUR family. He came back to me!" She starts discussing her own thoughts. "Now shut up!"
~Yeah keep being delusional.~ Is the last thing she allows the voice in her head to say to her.
After the movie, Tony and Samantha hit a local burger place. The morning and early afternoon was spend agreeable for the both of them. Samantha had asked if she can meet up with Bonnie at the mall to do some last minute shopping for their trip. Much to her surprise Tony had immediately agreed and handed her $20. But also added that anything else would come out of her own pocket.
"Bonnie is meeting me in 10 at the main entrance." Samantha quickly stuffs her face with the last part of her burger.
"I will get Angela her favourite menu including a chocolate milkshake." He winks. "Then we can walk towards the entrance. Okay?" Samantha nods.
Tony finds Angela on the couch, file on her chest, while she is sleeping. He can't help but admire her for a second. She looks adorable. He quietly walks up to her and then wakes her.
"Wake up sleepy head." Tony caresses her cheek without thinking. She stirs in her sleep before slowly waking up.
"Tony?" She asks.
"Yeah.. I got you food." He holds up the bag.
She sits up and smiles. "Thank you." She takes the bag and opens it. "Oh my favourite!"
"Also got you a chocolate milkshake." He nods towards the milkshake Her eyes light up, that right there.. is why he always tries to make her happy.
"Where's Samamtha?" She says right before taking a big bite.
"She is at the mall with Bonnie." He sits at her feet on the couch.
"Ah of course, some last minute shopping." She takes another bite as he looks at her in astonishment. She swallows the bite. "Let me guess.." she sarcastically starts. "all women are the same?"
"Whoa.. I didn't say that!" He defends himself.
"Your mouth wasn't, but your eyes sure did." She laughs, he has no clue how to respond to that. "I am just messing with you Tony." He feels a wave of relief.
"So we're saying goodbye to Samantha on Friday and then we are saying goodbye to Jonathan.. again.. of Sunday." Angela sounds a bit sad. "It's going to be so quiet around here."
"It will be very quiet." He smiles. "But you have your work, I have the house, my work-out and I could do some studying. Speaking about your job.. how are things going with the new client?"
"I'm done, the campaign is ready to send to the client. We already spoke about everything, but I now dot every i and crossed every t. And it's good Tony."
"Well done! Mona told me you were thinking about hire some help?" He asks.
"Yes, after I get one more big client. Finances will be more stable." She smiles and finishes her burger.
"So what are your plans for the rest of the day?" Tony asks.
"Nothing." She says with a content smile on her lips.