A/N: Thank you to all for your kind reviews. Every review definitely make my day! I just wanted to let you all know, you are so appreciated! Much love.
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"Dinner is filled with plans and ideas for the coming custody battle. Angela has her notepad next to her, writing down all the facts to give to her lawyer. She feels so strong with Tony and Mona by her side who feel just as passionate as she does.
"Well kids.." Mona gets up from her chair. "Seeing as we talked about everything now. I think I deserve this night out."
"Like you hadn't already planned this night out." Tony laughs.
"Well.. that's true. But now I will be leaving you with a great, big smile on my face. Knowing Angela is about to kick Michael's ass. I'm off to the club. Don't wait up for me, kids!" She grins.
"Like we ever do." Angela laughs. Mona looks at her.
"This too shall pass Angela." She warningly says. "Old days will be back." This time she winks at her daughter. "And the roles will reversed again." Tony shakes his head smiling as Mona leaves the room.
"Your mom will never change." Tony gets up and starts cleaning the table.
"Let's hope not." Angela says in a serious tone. "I know she teases me relentlessly but when I need her, she is there. She has my back." She gets up and starts helping, when she is close to him. "Just like you, Tony." Her voice filled with gratitude, love and something he can't quite pinpoint. She places her hand on his lower arm, he looks at her hand and then looks up in her eyes. "I think I can face anything with you by my side." Tony leans forward and softly kisses her lips.
"I will not let you go through this alone. I'm here and again, I'm not going anywhere." He quickly grabs as much as he can and leaves. Angela stands frozen by what just happened. ~ Shi.. Why the hell did I kiss her? Was this even the right time, but she looked at me with those big brown eyes and.. instincts kicked in.~ Tony hardly knows what he's doing while cleaning. ~ Oh she is going to be so pissed with me.~
Angela just stands there in the dining room. Butterflies flutter in her stomach. ~ Why didn't I kiss him back? God knows I wanted to. No Angela, this is not the time, we have to overcome this battle first. Focus.~ She says to herself. ~ Well it's hard to focus with him and his soft, plump lips around us.~ Her other voice says. "I know.. I know.." She whispers to herself while grabbing the last of the dishes.
XXX=
Sunday rolls around, Tony and Angela busy themselves with work to keep their minds distracted. Every so often, Angela writes another fact about the custody down. She tries to focus on the campaigns as much as she can, but sometimes those same campaigns remind her of something that has happened.
After Tony finishes his tasks for the day, he grabs one of his history books and starts reading. Both just waiting for Samantha to come home. To get some distraction from the disaster they feel is coming their way.
Angela walks out from her office holding her campaign files.
"Tony?" She asks seeing him reading.
"Hhmm." He looks up from his book.
"What time did Samantha say she was going to be home?" She takes her place on the opposite side of the couch.
"Somewhere between 3 and 4." He realises he has no clue what time it is. "What time is it?" He stretches his body, feeling stiff.
"Just a little over 3." Angela smiles. "She'll be home soon."
"You want something to drink?" He is about to get up. "No thank you. I can wait till Samantha is home." Tony sits back and grabs his book again. Angela grabs her file for the condiment company, rereading what she has already read at least 5x. She is actually content with what she has come up with. This time she scribbles: ready to send on the folder. She puts it on the table, then looks at Tony. As if he feels her looking at him, he looks back at her.
"You okay Angela?" He looks over his book.
"Yeah.. my head is full of campaigns and custody battles." She does not want to tell him, that looking at him, distracts her for just a couple of seconds. Tony puts his book down.
"I know. But I also know, that we will win this. We will fight Michael and we will win." Angela just looks at him. "I feel like you are not really convinced."
"I wish I was as confident as you are Tony. I truly, truly wish this." She straightens the folder on her lap, then sighs. "I'm terrified of losing my son." She keeps looking at the file, the tears welling make it hard to read her own handwriting. When she looks up at him, a single tear escapes her eye. "I've never been this scared in my entire life." Tony leans in and cups her face, brushing the tear away.
Both get a jump scare when they hear a car at the front door. Tony's hand is still on her face.
"Sam's here." He says with a smile. Angela leans her forehead on to his.
"Thank you once again." He wants nothing more than to wrap her in his arms, but the timing is beyond bad at this time. Reluctantly, Angela breaks the physical contact between them. "Sam's here." She repeats.
"Yeah.." before she can get up, he grabs her hand. Angela automatically turns her and interlaces her fingers with his. He softly squeezes her hand. His eyes telling her what his mouth can't.. at least not when he's conscious.
They hear the car turning off and both get up, their hands still interlaced. They let go when they reach the front door. Tony opens the door and Sam breezes in.
"DAD! ANGELA!" She throws herself into them, pulling them closer to her. Tony pulls her as close as possible, without squeezing her. Angela just starts caressing her hair. Bonnie walks up slowly behind her, dragging Sam's suitcase.
"Mr. Micelli, Mrs. Bower." She smiles.
"Hi Bonnie." Angela matches her smile.
"Yo Bonnie! You girls have fun?" Tony is so happy his baby girl is home.
"We did dad!" Samantha pulls herself lose from his grip. "And look at my tan.." She bares her shoulder, showing them her tan lines. Both Angela and Tony laugh at her enthusiasm. "Oh and the beaches.. so beautiful."
"Don't forget the shopping that we did!" Bonnie interjects. "Oh and the Water Wizz!" Both girls start screaming in a high pitch tone, making Angela and Tony give each other a cringed look.
"Dad the Water Wizz was amazing!" Samantha turns to Angela. "And the boys.. Angela." She grins.
"Oh? Well you have to tell me everything about them.." She nods towards Tony. "But I guess now is not the right time." Sam giggles.
"Yeah.. I guess you're right."
The car horn goes off.
"I guess your parents want you to come back to the car, Bonnie." Tony puts his hand on her shoulder. "Come on, I'll take you out to them." He quickly turns to Angela and Sam. "I gotta thank her parents. I will be right back." Angela nods and Samantha gives Bonnie a big hug.
"Thank you so much Bonnie! I had such a wonderful time."
"We will definitely have to do it again!" Bonnie hugs her back.
"Next time just the two of us!" Sam nearly yells.
"YES!" Bonnie says as Tony softly starts pushing her out of the door.
"Want to go into the kitchen and look at what your dad has prepared?" Angela puts her arm over Sam's shoulder.
"OH YES! I've missed dad's cooking soooo bad. Don't tell Bonnie, because I don't want this to come back to her family. But her parents aren't great cooks. Even you are a better cook."
"Hey!" Angela bumps her shoulder to Sam's "I think I should be offended." She laughs, knowing damn well she is not a good chef. Sam looks up to her with a grin.
"Sorry Angela." She giggles. "Don't be, honey. I know.. I know. I promise you, your dad cooked everything." They both start laughing while walking into the kitchen.
"Sit down, honey." Angela walks towards the refrigerator. "Your dad baked some cookies. Would you like some tea or milk with that?"
"Milk please." Angela grabs the milk a fills two mugs.
"Here you go." She puts the milk in front of Sam. Then turns to grab the cookies. Tony walks in. "Angela!" He says in shock. "You don't have to do that."
"Do what?" She confusingly asks. He is just about to take the plate from her hands. "Tony I think I can plate some cookies. Its not higher science." She jokes. "Would you also like some milk?" She puts the plate on the table. "Please sit down Tony." He does as she asks. "So? Milk?" She looks at him.
"Yeah.. sure." He replies. Angela pours another mug and hands him one.
"I've been excited to eat these.. almost the entire day." Angela jokes. Sam has already start dipping her cookie into her milk.
"Oh dad.." She slumps back in her chair. "These are sooo good."
"Thanks sweetheart."
"So how is Jonathan?" She is enjoying her cookie so much, that she doesn't see the shock on both Angela's as Tony's face.
"We haven't spoken to him since last Friday." Angela's voice is almost a whisper. "But I expect he will call tonight." Sam narrows her eyes and looks at Angela.
"Sorry, I didn't want to make you sad. I know you miss him, but I'd like to know he is okay there in Los Angeles."
"It's okay Samantha. Yes I miss him." Angela fakes a smile. "But I am so happy you are back home. At least one of our kids is finally home." She means every word.
~ Did she say our kids? ~ Tony thinks. He is eyeing Sam's reaction. She is beaming from ear to ear. He knows the comment hasn't gone unnoticed.
"So.." Sam starts off looking at Angela.
"Mmhh. So?" Angela raises an eyebrow at Sam, knowing where this conversation is going.
"Well.. Uh.. Angela.. We kinda.. you know.." Tony looks at his daughter.
"Just say it, you can say anything to Angela." Tony tries to boast her confidence. Sam gives a big sigh. "Well when I left.. you promised to take me out shopping when I get back. Are we still one?" She quickly asks and immediately finishes her milk. Angela laughs.
"Of course we are honey. I promised didn't I? I don't break my promises to my family." Tony thinks his heart is about to give in, just listening to Angela speak to Sam. He knows she loves her, but these moments where she actually shows her affection towards Sam, has him weak in the knees. "First of all, you have to make sure to unpack your bags, put away your dirty clothes and all your other stuff. Then put away the used bags. Secondly I can't tomorrow.." Knowing she'll be going into her lawyer's office. "And I have some other meetings on Tuesday. So shall we go on Wednesday?" Sam starts nodding enthusiastically.
"I will start unpacking right now." She jumps up, hugs Angela and kisses her father's head. "I'll take my laundry basket down, okay dad?" Tony puts his thumbs up. Sam quickly runs out.
"Well played Angela." Tony finishes his cookie.
"You're welcome." She grins and takes a second cookie. "I think I've earned this." Tony laughs. "So are you going to Brooklyn on Wednesday? Or do you want to go shopping with us?" He actually rather go shopping with them than hang around Brooklyn, but he knows it's good to see everyone again.
"Maybe a bit of both." Is what he resides on. "Maybe shop with you ladies till lunch, then go to Brooklyn. I'll call Tiny tonight." He looks at her "Or am I now interrupting on your girl time?" Angela is about to get up to clean the table. "Sit down Angela."
"I can clean the table you know?" She sits back down.
"Of course I know. But you didn't answer my question." He grins.
"Talk to Sam, if she wants some one on one time with me, we will have to drop you off in Brooklyn. I guess she's old enough to decide what she wants. Just be sure you take your one on one time with Samantha tomorrow." He simply looks at her. "Tony, I know you've missed her and she has clearly missed you too. Just hang out with her.." She ponders for a second. "Just as much as she allows you to." She laughs.
Tony is just amazed at how much she has gotten to know him and his daughter over the years. How much she cares about both his as Sam's well-being.
"I will.. but you have to promise me one thing." Angela cocks her head, waiting for this one thing she has to promise him. "IF there is anything you need me with, call me. I know you're seeing the lawyer tomorrow and you don't have to go through this alone."
"Should we tell Samantha? I think we should." Angela doesn't want any secrets in her family, not when this entire ordeal will have such an impact on the entire family. "This will impact her as well. Whether we win or lose this battle."
"When we win this battle." He corrects her.
"Either way Tony, this will impact the entire family. And I want to be open and honest." She takes a deep breath. "I think she is old enough to handle this."
"I don't know, Angela." He doubts.
"Tony, she is just as much a part of this family as any of us. And.."
"We will talk to her during dinner." His heart so full of love for her. "You are absolutely right."
"Okay." Angela releases a breath of relief. "I am going to finish my campaign ideas for the other potential clients. I've already finished the condiment company, I have to read over the juice and clothing company. When I finish these, mother can take them into the office tomorrow and have a courier deliver them." She smiles at Tony. "I'm hoping for at least 2 clients, so I can justify another hire. There is just this one company.." She trails.
"Oh? What company?" Tony is curious.
"This Tech company." She bites her lower lip as she thinks. "They are something entirely different and new.. but I.. I don't know anything about Tech."
"What do they specialise in?" Tony tries to help.
"Game development. I feel I'm too old to be dealing with game development." She laughs.
"Maybe you can just forget this one, another great client will come along." Tony knows convincing her will be hard, but he also knows that opportunities will arise again.
"Maybe you're right, I will try to find anything until dinner, after that, I'm giving up. I will focus on the other three." She knows he is right, but she hates having to give up.
XXX=
"Dinner's ready!" Tony yells, he immediately hears Sam coming down.
"What are we having?" Sam sniffs "It smells delicious!"
"Seeing as you didn't have a lot of good home cooked meals.. I made some lasagne, fresh garlic bread and salad." He winks. "Be sure to also eat the salad. I'll go get Angela." He is about to turn to walk into her office.
"Let me dad!" Sam quickly passes him. "I've missed her as much as I missed you." She side-eyes him. "And this way you can starting plating up." A giggle escapes her mouth. "I'm starving."
"Ay you!" He teases. "Okay, please tell Angela we're having dinner in the kitchen today. I will start plating. Don't take too long."
"I won't." she disappears.
Angela hears the small knock on her door. "Come in." She closes the file in front of her.
"Hey Angela.. dad says dinner is ready." Sam says walking in. Angela breaths in.
"Mmmmhh I can smell. It smells delicious." She says with a smile.
"I told dad the same thing. I can't wait to eat dad's food again." Sam rocks back and forth. "Oh and dad asked me to tell you that we're having dinner in the kitchen."
Angela takes a quick look at her desk. The 3 campaigns are done put in the envelopes with the right company's name on them, the last one, not so much. She is so disappointed in herself for not finding at least one or two ideas. She grabs the three finished files and gets up. "Let's have dinner!" She follows Sam out of her office. "You can go into the kitchen. I have to put these envelopes there so mother can take them to the office tomorrow." Sam is about to walk into the kitchen but turns around.
"Aren't you going into the office tomorrow?" Sam asks.
"Nothing goes by you.." Angela places the envelopes on the side table near the door. "No I'm not, I have some business in Connecticut tomorrow." She approaches Sam. "That's what I also want to talk to you about." She puts her arm over Sam's shoulder. "During dinner. I'm starving." Sam looks up at her, intrigued by what business Angela would have to talk to her about.
"You want to talk about business with me?" She asks as they pass the kitchen door.
"Actually.. please sit.." Angela pulls out her chair and sits down. "Your father and I would like to talk to you about the business I have here tomorrow." Tony turns in shock, he didn't think she'd immediately start off with talking about their upcoming custody battle. "Don't we, Tony?" Sam has noticed her father's reaction and feels even more confused than before.
"Uh.. yeah.. you know.. business." He sits down. "Please eat before we talk about any business." He has already plated their food. Angela narrows her eyes, looking at Tony.
~ He feels uncomfortable. I wonder why?~ She sits back. "Okay." She mutters and starts picking at her food.
~ Is she angry with me?~ Tony thinks while starting to eat. ~ Maybe she immediately wants to talk about it, but Sam is hungry I don't want her appetite ruined. How will Sam react?~
~ Is he afraid of Sam's reaction?~ Angela takes a bite of her lasagne. ~ Oh this is so good. But Sam will be able to handle this, she needs to know. We cannot keep this a secret.~
"Okay you guys." Sam's voice bring them both back to the table. "I've nearly finished my lasagne. I need to know this business you want to talk to me about." That's when the phone rings.
~ Saved by the bell!~ Tony thinks in relief, he is about to get up.
"I'll get it!" Sam jumps up. "Bower residence, Sam speaking. Hey Jonathan!" She listens. "Yeah Cape Cod was awesome, we should definitely get our parents up there." Sam starts laughing at something Jonathan says. "Listen bird brain!" Sam warns. "That's not fair Jonathan!" She groans. "You have to take some back for me.. pleaasssseee." She laughs again. "You're the best! Thanks! Yeah.. she's here. Hold on." Sam holds out the receiver to Angela. "Jonathan wants to speak to you." She grins. Angela takes over the receiver.
"Hi Sweetheart." She quickly turns around as she already feels the tears welling. "How are you?"
"I'm good, mom! I had a great day with Heather and dad. We had the best burgers and we went to Universal Studios." He happily tells her.
"That's fantastic." Her voice stopping in her throat.
"You okay mom? You sound different." His question makes her wonder how much he knows. ~ Probably nothing, Michael probably didn't even speak to him.. at all!~ "I'm fine sweetheart. I've just been really busy with some new campaigns. Trying to land new clients.
"You work too hard mom! But I'm sure you'll bank them! I'm so proud of you." She doesn't know why but him telling her that he is proud of her, makes her emotional.
"Thank you sweetheart."
"I just wanted to check in with you, I will call you again on Tuesday okay? Please say hi to Tony from me." "Will do sweetheart, will talk to you on Tuesday. Bye Jonathan."
"Bye mom!" His enthusiasm doesn't waver. After putting down the receiver, Angela needs to ground herself a moment not to start crying.
"Your food is getting cold, Angela." Tony would rather get up and take her in his arms and comfort her.
"Yes, dinner." Another fake smile plastered on her face. "It is delicious."
"You hardly had some." Sam notices.
"But what I've had, was amazing… as always." She takes her seat again and starts eating. Sam is just watching her. "So?" Sam starts the conversation up again. "What is this business you need to talk about?" Angela takes a deep breath.
"Samantha.." She begins. "This isn't going to be an easy conversation. But as a family I really want to talk to you about this. I need you to know what is going on in our family." Angela pushes her half eaten plate away from her. "Michael, you know Jonathan's dad.." Sam nods at her words. "Well.." ~ Why is this so hard to say out loud?~ Sam has a sinking feeling, Angela usually isn't this inarticulate. Angela straightens her back. "Michael is filing for full custody of Jonathan." Without realising, tears have started streaming. Sam looks at her in horror, she has no clue what the words mean, but seeing the always calm and collective Angela respond like this, she knows they aren't good. She gives her father a panicked look, not knowing what she should do.
"You know what that means Sam?" tony seriously asks her. She slowly starts shaking her head.
"It means.." Angela sounds calm, but the tears keep flowing. "That Michael wants Jonathan to live with Heather and him fulltime." She looks up at Sam.
"He will try to take Jonathan away from us." Tony softly adds.
"What? Why?" She is genuinely confused. "Why now?"
"I think because Heather is pregnant and they want to become a real family." Angela is sitting right next to her, but she sounds miles away. "He says it's his turn now."
"And we will fight him every step of the way." Tony sounds fierce. Sam looks between the two adults, the ferocity in her father's eyes and the brokenness she sees in Angela's.
"What does Jonathan want?" Sam's question shocks the both of them.
"What?" Angela and Tony say in unison.
"Did Michael ask Jonatthan if he wants to stay at his house forever? Did anyone consider what Jonathan wants?" Sam had a total different point of view, hers is that of a teenager. "Because if that was me, I'd like a say in where I get to live."
"I don't know." Angela honestly replies. "Michael never said."
"Do you really think Jonathan wants to leave here?" Sam almost sounds angry.
"I think I am afraid to answer that question." Angela is being truthful, after she spoke to Jonathan, she doesn't know what he wants. He sounds so happy with his father.
"Well I do. Jonathan doesn't want to move to California. Yes, he likes it there, he loves his father and he likes Heather. Yet he loves us, he loves our family."
"But you two fight like cats and dogs from time to time." Angela answers. Tony is about to open his mouth, but Samantha puts her hand up and gives him a 'please let me dad' look.
"Yeah.. we do. But live like brother and sister, so we treat each other the same way. We fight like brother and sister, but when push comes to shove, we will defend each other like brother and sister." Sam puts her face in both her hands. "Honestly Jonathan is the closest thing I'll ever get to a brother." She looks up at Angela and Tony. "I don't want to lose our family. This is the only real family I've known since mom.." This time her voice cracks. "But I don't think we can make Jonathan stay here against his will either. His opinion needs to be heard."
"I don't think Michael has spoken to Jonathan about any of it. But I will speak to my lawyer tomorrow. I will fight this, but I do think you have a point. Jonathan is old enough to have a choice in this." She looks at Samantha. "Thank you."
"But what if Jonathan.." Tony starts.
"We will not think about that until we are there." Angela sternly says. "But if he decides he wants to stay with his father, even though it will greatly hurt us, we will have to respect his decision."
"I don't think Jonathan will leave us." Sam confidently says. "I know he won't."