Tony is driving, yet he is still keeping an eye on Angela. She radiates anxiousness.
Angela is playing with the hem of her dress. ~I will be okay.. I will be okay.~ She keeps repeating to herself. ~Tony is right, Jonathan loves us. He loves this family.~ She finds a loose thread on her dress, she stares at it. ~Should I pull it off or wait till we get back home and cut it off.~ She winds it around her finger.
"Don't pull the thread, Angela." Tony's voice brings her back.
"What?" She looks up at him.
"Don't pull the thread. You might pull something else lose, you might pull the entire hem lose." Tony's eyes are still on the road.
"Oh yes, of course." She smooths the fabric of her dress over her legs. ~But what if Jonathan loves California more than Connecticut? What if he will love his life with Michael more? What if he will love Heather more than her?~ She wishes that negative voice in her head would just shut up. ~What if he will love Heather more than me? He did like her the first time around.. she never told him what happened in California. Jonathan does not and can never know about her worries and her doubts. Heather is younger, more energetic and fun than I am.~ Unknowingly she sighs.
"It'll be fine Angela." Tony puts his hand on hers, the hand that is still laying on her thigh.
She looks at his hand on hers, the top of his fingers lingering on her thigh. ~Does he know his fingers are on my thigh?~ she looks at him, his eyes still on the road. ~I don't think so, he is so concentrated on the road.~ She looks back at her lap, his fingers slowly moving. She wonders if it's just his fingers twitching or if he's doing it on purpose. ~I hope it's on purpose.~ She turns her head to look at the window. ~Oh God, I wish you'd shut up.~ She says towards herself. ~Look honey, this is all where he's taking you.. you've had your chances, nothing ever came of it.~ The voice was always making her feel so small. ~It's because he's a true gentleman.~ She snaps back to herself. Another sigh.
"Are you okay Angela?" Tony asks, looking in the rearview mirror to see if Mona really is asleep, her mouth is slightly open, so he feels confident enough to start the conversation. "You seem.. well far away.. your mind is out there." He wraps his fingers around her hand and softly squeezes. He is painfully aware that his hand is connected to her thigh, but he just wants to reassure her in any way he can.
"I'm fine, Tony." She is still looking outside the window, basking in his touch.
"Are you sure Angela? You're worrying me right now." Her heart swells at his concern.
"It's the same as yesterday, Tony. The same worries and the same doubts." She feels bold as she turns her hand and interlaces her fingers with his.
Tony turns his head for a second as he watches her interlaces their fingers. Even though he just looked for a second, it felt like he is watching a slow motion movie. Angela puts her free hand over their connected hands.
"Thank you Tony, thank you for your unwavering support, your positivity and most of all.. your friendship." She looks at him. "I lo.." She sighs. "I love that you always have my back. No matter what." ~See you still can't say it.~ The voice taunts her. ~At least, not while you're awake.~
"I love our friendship as much as you do, Angela." Another slight squeeze. "And honestly I love our family just as much as you do too." He quickly looks at her. "Even the.." He lowers his voice and nods to the back. "crazy mother." Angela bursts out laughing, she laughs so load that Mona wakes up.
"Are we there yet?" Mona yells when waking up.
"Nawh.. Mone, about 20 minutes." Tony says.
"Then why wake me?" Mona says in an irritating tone.
"Sorry my laughing woke you up mother." Angela had already let go of Tony's hand the moment Mona asked if they were there yet. He misses her touch, the feel of her hand in his. Mona just huffs.
Angela places her head on the window and watches the scenery fly by. The only sound in the car, is the soft sound of the music on the radio.
"We're here." Tony says after parking the car. Angela opens her eyes.
"Did I fall asleep?" Angela asks in surprise as she looks at him. Tony nods.
"Only for about 15 minutes or so." He nods to the back of the car again. "Your mother is still out cold." Angela turns and looks at her sleeping mother.
"I feel like mother could sleep anywhere." They smile at each other.
"Yo Mone." Tony nearly yells.
"Whaaatttt?!" Mona isn't having it.
"Wake up, we're here." Tony reaches for the door, opens it and gets out.
"Come on mother." Angela says and follows Tony's lead.
They walk into the airport.
"Where did you agreed to meet?" Tony asks after walking into the departure hall. He notices Angela staring at a certain point. He follows her eyes. He notices Jonathan laughing with Michael, Heather has a smile on her face. Tony sees the muscles in Angela's jaw clench. He puts his hand on the small of her back, making small circles with his thumb, even the muscles in her back are tense.
"Relax Angela." He says in a hushed tone. Her jaw clenches up even more. "You've got this."
"Ugh.. look at his smug face." Mona interjects. "He's such an as.."
"That's enough Mona." Tony gives her a stern look. Mona looks at him in surprise, knowing he feels the same way about Michael. Tony is desperately trying to signal her with his eyes. It takes her a moment to realise it. Then she follows his eyes to Angela's face.
"Are you okay Angela?" Mona touches her daughter's arm. Angela's face flinches. "Baby.." Mona moves her hand down until she reaches Angela's hand.
That's when Jonathan sees them. "MOM!" he breaks away and runs towards them. "TONY!" he yells. Then a softer. "Grandma!" Mona can't help but giggle at the lowering of his voice.
"Jonathan!" Angela's face is softer and smiles. "Hi sweetheart." She lowers herself and takes her son into her arms and hugs him. "How was your week?" She asks.
"It was fantastic. Dad and I went outside and found all kinds of animals. Heather wasn't afraid of any of them." He enthusiastically tells. Angela's face doesn't break, she seems genuinely happy for her son, but deep down inside her heart, she's hurting. ~Heather is everything I am not.~
"I kinda thought you outgrew all your creatures." Tony picks up Jonathan.
"So did I Tony.. but being with dad again, well.. he just got me enthusiastic again." He grins.
"That's good kid." Tony ruffles his hair.
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, sweetheart." Angela caresses his face.
"So, tell grandma everything about your dad and his child bride." Mona needs some good gossip.
"MOTHER!" Angela's eyes grew as she looks at her mother in horror.
"What did you say grandma?" Jonathan, luckily, didn't hear Mona's question.
"I just wanted some juicy news." She winks.
Michael and Heather make their way towards them.
"Hey Angela, Tony.. good to see you." Michael starts off. "Mona." The air between Mona and Michael is chilly.
"Deserter." Mona says under her breath.
"Are you guys ready for your trip?" Tony asks, Angela is just spending every second with her son. Trying to block out everyone around her. She hears Michael and Tony speaking somewhere in the background. She really doesn't care.
"Come on Jonathan." She takes him by the hand. "You must be hungry." They walk off towards a small pizza place. "Would you like some good pizza before you go? Because you know New York has the best pizza's."
"Mom?" Jonathan pulls her to a stop. "It will be okay. I will be back before you really even have the chance to miss me."
"Oh honey, I already missed you this last week." She smiles at her smart and sensitive son. "You are a very smart young man."
"I know mom. I have missed you too." He puts her arm around her. "And I will miss you when I am in California." He looks up at her. "BUT I will be back."
"Good." This is the first time Angela gives a genuine smile. Jonathan just gave her the reassurance she so desperately needs. "But first.. a greasy slice of pizza before you go."
The rest has caught up to them.
"Did anyone say pizza?" Tony asks.
"Hey.. even I have to admit, Californian pizza does not hold a candle to a true New York pizza." Michael laughs. Angela turns to face her ex, her smile still wide, she wants so bad to say something horrible or snarky, but she refuses to let him get to her. Mona just glares daggers at him.
"Tony makes the best pizza's!" Jonathan chimes.
"That's true." Mona says.
"Awh.. thanks buddy." Tony looks at the young man. ~He isn't a boy anymore.. he's growing just like his si.. uh Sam.~
"Will you make me pizza when I come back from California?" Jonathan's smile widens.
"Heck yeah.. pepperoni?" Tony directly responds.
"Is there any other?" Both Tony and Jonathan start laughing. Michael feels a slight unease at the bond they have seemed to build up.
"What does everyone want?" Angela is about to order. Everyone gives their orders and then they make their way to a table. Angela and Tony each take the seat next to Jonathan.
Michael looks at the 3 of them, they chatter and laugh. ~They actually look like a real family.~ He takes a bite from his pizza. He is still closely eyeing them. ~That's my son~ He takes a deep breath. Mona is the only one noticing the change in Michael's demeanor. She is trying to bite her tongue but can't help but lean in and whisper. "Don't forget, you were the one that abandoned my daughter and grandson. You have no right feeling the way you do." Her piercing blue eyes are throwing daggers his way. Michael looks at her and opens his mouth.
"Think about what you're about to say Michael." He felt like her eyes were burning through him. He slumps back and eats the rest of the pizza.
Heather sat next to Angela, she chats with Tony, Angela and Jonathan. ~I can see why Jonathan likes her.~ Angela admits to herself, she is even surprised that Heather is actually smarter than she thought.
"I hope this baby can get all of us closer." Heather smiles at Angela.
"What do you mean?" Angela is stunned by the remark.
"Well we are just one big, blended family." She chuckles. "Just like Tony and you."
"Tony and me?" Now she is just feeling confused.
"Well, all of you always exhume the love you feel for each other." Heather finishes her pizza. "Oh honey, could you please get me another piece, this is so good." The entire table was staring at Heather, except Jonathan. Jonathan just keeps chatting.
"Dad.. Heather wants another piece. And you said you have to do everything to make her happy, because she is creating a new human." Jonathan's voice brought everyone out of it.
"Thank you Jonathan." Heather looks at Michael, who just gets up and walks towards the counter.
Mona is still grinning after seeing all the faces. Both Tony and Angela look as white as a sheet. Mona has the feeling that Michael is almost jealous, but like she said, he left her daughter.
"Uh yeah.." Tony had no words.
"Well we do have an amazing blended family." Angel straightens her back. "It might not be conventional, but it works for us. It's ours. And I do love our blended family."
Tony could have never imagined that Angela would ever say something like that in public. Even Mona stares at her daughter with an open mouth.
"It shows." Heather says. "You are all so comfortable around each other. Too bad Samantha wasn't able to come today." She winks towards Tony.
"I'm not!" Jonathan stuffs the last piece of his pizza in his mouth.
"Jonathan!" Tony and Angela say in unison.
"That's not very nice." Angela gives him a stern look. "Why would you say that?!"
"Because she always teases me." He grabs his drink.
"That's what siblings do, Jonathan." Heather says. "You will probably tease this little one relentlessly when both of you grow older." Once more the silence was deafening. Jonathan just shrugs.
"Yeah.. that's right." Tony is the first to speak. "I remember that when push comes to shove, Sam has your back." Jonathan nods.
"I know." His tone of voice is almost sad.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" Angela caresses his cheek again. "Are you sad Sam couldn't be here?" Jonathan looks at his hands and nods. "That's okay. We will make sure to bring her when we come pick you up, okay?" Jonathan looks up at his mother.
"Promise?" His voice is soft.
"Of course we promise." Tony immediately inserts himself into their conversation. "Your mom and I will make sure of that." Angela gives Tony a grateful and relieved smile.
"Okay." Jonathan just needs the reassurance.
Everyone finishes their food and drinks.
"We have to go." Michael says and gets up. Everyone follows his lead. "Come on." Michael just walks off, Heather in tow. Jonathan looks at Angela.
"Will you walk with us?" He has really missed her.
"Of course, we will walk as far as we are allowed." Jonathan puts his hand in hers.
Mona locks her arm in Tony's.
"He will miss her." Mona says to Tony.
"And she will miss him." Tony adds. "We all will."
"It is going to quiet without the kids.." Mona muses. "But it does open other doors."
"What?" Tony looks at the smaller woman.
"Well.. no kids around.." Mona smirks up at him. "Who know what will happen?" The naïve look in his eyes makes her laugh. "Oh come on Tony, don't be so naïve! No kids.. alone time.. Angela.. and.. you.. alone.." His eyes grew. "In.. the.. house.." She finishes. "Tony, why do you look like you're in panic?" Mona can hardly supress her entertainment.
"Mona.. you don't think.. Angela.. and.. me.. you know." He looks at Angela who is occupied by Jonathan. "I mean.."
"It's not like you haven't thought about it." Mona glances at him, she needs a reaction.
"Nawh.. I haven't." He lies.
"Liar." She squints her eyes. "It's not like my daughter hasn't thought about it." Mona calmly says.
"What? Angela told you something?" His voice raised an octave.
"You just told me you have thought about it. And no Angela hasn't talked about it with me. But I can see it when she interacts with you. There is love there." Mona thinks.
"Of course there is love." Now Mona snaps her head to face him. "I love Angela, she knows that. And she loves me, I know that."
"Have you two been able to tell each other that.. while awake?" Mona sarcastically asks.
"It is the love between two friends Mona!"
"Yeah.. keep telling yourself that bud!" Mona pokes him with her elbow.
When they reach security they say their goodbyes.
"Take care of my son." Angela says greeting Heather.
"I will." She smiles.
"He's my son too you know." Michael blurts.
"I know Michael." She says in an icy tone. "But seeing as you haven't been around much.. please take good care of Jonathan."
"I will." He grumbles.
Angela gives Heather a small hug, she stretches her arm as far as she can to shake Michael's hand, then turns to Jonathan.
"I love you my sweet boy." She softly whispers in his ear. "Call me as much as you can." Jonathan wraps his arms around her neck.
"I love you mom, don't worry too much. I will be fine."
"I know you will baby."
"I will try to call as much as I can." He quickly kisses her cheek.
Jonathan, Michael and Heather walk behind security.
"He'll be fine." Angela says more to herself than anyone.
"He will." Tony puts his hand on her shoulder.
"You want to go home?" Tony asks.
"Not really." She says.
"Are we going shopping?" Mona excitingly asks. Angela looks at her mother and smiles.
"I should be working, but I don't feel like it." She says. "Can we go to Brooklyn?"
Both Tony and Mona look at her with an open mouth.
"You.." Tony points towards Angela. "Want to go to Brooklyn?"
"I just don't want to go home."
"But shopping is a great distraction." Mona tries.
"I don't really feel like shopping, mother. I remember walking through Brooklyn with Tony. But after the fight.. I hardly got to see more. Seeing as my eye was swelling." She raises her eyebrow at her mother.
"One of the proudest moments this mother has experienced in the last couple of years." Mona teases. "Angie Balboa." Both Angela and Mona laugh. Tony just shakes his head with a smile on his face.
~They have such a weird mother – daughter relationship.~ He thinks.
"So Brooklyn?" He asks.
"Brooklyn." Angela repeats.
"Can't you drop me off in the city?" Mona moans. "I do want to go shopping."
"Well, the number 4 goes from Brooklyn to the city." Tony grins.
"That's a great idea, mother. You can take the underground." Mona looks aghast at her daughter. Angela smiles. "Or you could just come with us to see Mrs. Rossini."
"I'll take my chances with the subway." Mona shrugs.
===XXX===
After parking in his old neighbourhood, Tony takes Angela for a little spin in the neighbourhood. Pointing out buildings, walking towards Fort Greene Park and enjoying each other's company.
"I want to show you the best part. Some place my friends and I always went to." Tony smiles. "Even though we didn't let our parents know." Angela looks at the boyish smile on his face.
"Oh.. so where is this magical place, Tony?"
"Brooklyn Heights Promenade." Tony grins. She doesn't have the heart to tell him, her father had taken her when she was a little girl.
"So what did your buddies and you do at Brooklyn Heights Promenade?" She curiously asks. "Oh let me guess.. chase girls." Tony turns red. "Did I strike a chord here Tony?"
"Well not really chase.. but with all the joggers and rollerbladers.. we were young kids, they were pretty." He chuckles. All of a sudden Angela feels a ping of jealousy.
"Have you taken other women or girls to the Promenade?" insecurity seeps through. Tony looks at her in surprise, but then sadness takes over.
"The only one I ever took there, was Marie." He puts both his hands in his pants pockets. "I never took women or girls there.. I did try to pick up girls when I was younger. But somehow this place.. Angela.. you don't just take women there."
"Oh." She feels a sense of relief. Marie is the one woman she doesn't feel threatened by. She was afraid he'd say Frankie, Theresa or any other Italian beauty he has dated. "What kind of women do you take to the promenade?"
"Only special ones." Tony intensely stares at him. Angela feels her heart flutter. Angela stretches her hand to him, he takes one of his hands out of his pocket and lets her hand slide in his. No further words were needed.
Tony leads her to one of the benches.
"Look around you Angela. The Promenade isn't a big hangout for kids. But we used to, we loved hanging around here. Look at the water, look at the history around here." Tony puts his arm around Angela, she leans into him.
"It is beautiful here." She looks over the water.
"Do you know the history of Brooklyn?" Tony wanted to tell her as much about his neighbourhood as she was willing to hear.
"Not a lot if I'm being honest." She puts her head on his shoulder.
"You know there are a lot of Italians in Brooklyn right?" He feels Angela nodding. "Do you know that it is actually the Dutch that founded Brooklyn?"
"Well I'm not surprised. I mean New York used to be New Amsterdam."
"It was named after a Dutch city.. which I will not even try to pronounce." He laughs. "Our official motto is displayed on our borough seal and flag.. which is in Dutch. Eendraght Maeckt Maght. I can't believe I still remember that."
"What does it mean?" Angela sits up to listen to him.
"Something like Unity.. makes.. power or strength.. I'd have to look it up." He smiles at her. "Isn't it funny.. one of the largest US cities, founded by one of the tiniest countries. And still there are so many things remind us of the Dutch heritage."
"So when did the Italians come to Brooklyn?" Angela loves listening to his little history lesson.
"Actually the first Italian immigrants settled in East Harlem, in the 30's I believe. After World War II the original Italian settlers moved to other parts like Brooklyn's southern tier, but also Queens and the Bronx." He smiles at Angela. "But honestly Brooklyn has always had a huge community diversity. There is also a huge Jewish community. But also Chinese, African American, Caribbean and Hispanic and in the 70s Eastern Europeans. That's what I love about Brooklyn.. cultural diversity." He moves his body to face her. "Probably so unlike where you grew up."
"You know it is." Angela feels heavy.
'Which isn't bad Angela. Just different. And now you've got me." He watches her eyes widen. "You know to teach you about my side. I love Connecticut, but Brooklyn is home." He sees the sadness in her eyes. "Now home is, where my family is."
"Which is where?" She needs him to say it.
"Where Sam, Jonathan, Mona and you are." He sees the relief in her face. "But also still here in Brooklyn, with Mrs. Rossini, Tiny, Al and all my other friends."
"Your two families." She can't hide her sadness.
"No.." Tony takes her hands in his. "It's like you have family and relatives. Like Sam, Jonathan, Mona and you are my family.. the others are my relatives. I care for them, but I love my family. Do you understand?" Automatically his hands have started caressing hers. She looks at their hands.
"I understand Tony." She means it. She knows how he feels, what he means.
"Want to go back to Mrs. Rossini's?" He asks after about 5 minutes.
"Yes, let's do that." Tony gets up and extends his hand to help her up.
"Come one, it's quite the walk." Angela takes his hand.
"Thank you Tony." She interlocks her arm with his.
"For what?" He tries to pull her closer.
"For bringing me here and for telling me about Brooklyn's history. I really enjoyed these moments." She leans closer. Tony automatically puts his arm around her shoulder. They bask in the moment as they make their way back.