Angela was not expecting that question. The question hit her harder than a ton of bricks. She had no answer, she just stared at Melissa. The tears just started flowing. She was trying to speak, but no words came to her.

"I.. I.." She can't find her words through her tears.

Before she knows it, Melissa is sitting next to hear and places a tissue in her hand. "I'm sorry, Angela." Angela looks at her.

"I will respect Jonathan's decision but it would kill me inside." She wipes her tears. "It's been him and me for years, mother would drop in occasionally but it was us at the end of the day." She watches Melissa put her hand over hers. "About 5 years ago, when Jonathan was 7, Tony and Sam moved in." Angela tries composing herself. "They literally saved us.. the both of us. And I believe we saved them." She smiles thinking about her family. "We have formed our own little family." Angela looks at Melissa and laughs at the look on Melissa's face. "I know it's not the conventional family, but somehow we have made it work. Tony is the male role model that was missing in Jonathan's life and I am the female role model Samantha needed." She realises how deeply she loves her family.

"Where is Samantha's mother?" Melissa feels a strong need to know. Angela's face turns sad.
"She passed away when Samantha was too young to lose her mother. Tony did his best, he loves his little girl more than anything. She was Samantha was such a cute tomboy. But when they moved in and Samantha saw mother and me, she started wanting girly things." Angela has an internal giggle thinking back to when mother and her took Sam shopping. "Tony wasn't ready, but then again we both learned from each other."

"And Tony and you are now dating?" Angela whips her head towards Melissa. Melissa watches her turn pink.

"NO! No, of course not. He has become my best friend and I care dearly for Samantha and him. But no, we are not dating." ~I only wish.~ She can't help but say herself.

"So there is nothing going on between you two?" Melissa asks.

"Of course not, we would never be such role models for our kids." Angela swallows. "I'm not going to lie, there is love between us. But it's the love best friends feel for each other. Nothing more than that."

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" Melissa sees right through her.

"Wha.. what do you mean?" Angela says in shock.

"Every time you say his name, your eyes light up." Angela feels al the colour drain from her face. "And when you speak of your family, your body language and your voice change. You radiate the love you feel for your family." Melissa spoke kindly. "It's honestly beautiful to see this kind of genuine love. As you might imagine, we usually deal with the uglier side of relationships." Angela tries to smile.

"I honestly do love my family. Even though it isn't the most ideal situation for most. But it's perfect for us. Will this become a problem during the custody battle? I mean because we don't have a conventional family? Will this hurt us in any way?" Angela knows she really needs to ask the hard questions.

"I don't think so, it sounds like you and Tony have created a stable home for both children. Are Samantha and Jonathan close?" Angela feels like she has made the right decision by selecting Melissa for this case. She starts to chuckle at the question.

"Yes and no.." Melissa gives her a confused look. "The act like an actual brother and sister. Sam teases him, he insults her in his own way." Angela feels tears well again. "But when it comes down to it, they have each other's back, they protect each other and our family. I remember when Tony ran for President of the Parents Association, Joanne Parker spread some disrespectful rumours about Tony and me. It had gotten so bad, that kids some from the neighbourhood started making remarks to Jonathan and Samantha." Angela smiles at the memory. "They both defended us. Samantha was much stronger than Jonathan, she came back with a shiner. But Jonathan tried to defend us, in his own way. I know Samantha has felt embarrassed by Jonathan in times, but I also know she'd protect him if needed." She thinks back to when the kids were younger. She actually misses the time when they were little, they just grow too hard. "Like I said, our family might not be traditional, but it's ours and it means the world to me." She looks at Melissa.

"I can tell." Melissa smiles. "Jonathan is in Los Angeles now? With his father?" Angela just nods. "First things first, we need to arrange a meeting with Mr. Bower and his lawyer." Melissa looks at the paper. "I will try to contact the lawyer today." She writes something down, Angela can't see what she is writing. "When will Jonathan come back home? Because that's still the rules right?"

"This coming Saturday." Angela replies as she watches her lawyers pen scribble on the paper.

"Good.. Good.." She simply replies. "After I spoke to Mr. Bower's lawyer, I will set up a meeting as soon as possible. Then we will have to see if we can get this settled outside of the courts." Melissa looks up at Angela. "Again, I cannot stress this enough… Jonathan will be leading. Although he is young, you have to understand that if he chooses him.. and we will take this to court.."
"I know, but if I can be honest, if Jonathan chooses to move to Los Angeles, I will not fight. I love him too much to have be torn in a fight between his parents. I will respect my son's decision." Angela's heart hurts but she knows she will not hurt her son by fighting with his father.

=XXX=

Angela feels exhausted. She wants to go home, it feels like all the energy has been drained out of her body. She sits in her car. ~I can't go home, mother is waiting for me. And Samantha and mother are watching soap operas, I can't face them right now.~ She tries to ground herself. ~Although I also suggested Tony to take Sam out and enjoy some alone time.~ Her mind is doing overtime. She nears her neighbourhood. ~You have to go home Angela, go right.~ she tells herself and passes the neighbourhood. ~Don't be such a baby.~ She scolds herself. Eventually she turns the car and heads back home.

After arriving back home, she looks at her front door. She can't open it, she stares for a second and decides to sit on the bench near the door. She has no clue how long she sat there.

"Angela?" Sam walks up to her.
"Hey Sam. Did you dad and you go out?" Angela tries to sounds chipper.

"Yeah.. but.. how long have you been home?" Sam asks.

"Yo Sam!" Tony yells, she turns to look at him. "A little hand would be nice."

~Thank you Tony..~ Angela thinks and gets up

"Yeah.. comin'! I'm just.." She looks at Angela. Angela puts her index finger to her lips and slowly shakes her head.

"You're just what? Trying to skip responsibility." Tony chuckles. Sam feels anger rising but then looks at Angela.
"No dad, I just wanted to open the door for you." She gives Angela a smile and runs back. Angela finally opens the door.
She sees her mother laying on the couch, vast asleep with the TV still on. Angela throws her jacket and purse on the side table. Then grabs the remote control and turns off the TV. This wakes up Mona.

"Angela!" She sits up immediately. "How did it go?" The one question Angela really didn't know how to answer, she thought about it, how did it go?

"I honestly don't know." She answers.

"Angela!" Tony's voice makes her turn around.
"Hi Tony." She smiles.

"Hi.. How did the meeting with the lawyer go?" Mona was already shaking her head. Angela sighs.

"Like I just told mother. I really don't know." She gives him a weak smile before slumping in the couch. "Miss Needle will contact Michael's lawyer, then she'll inform me. As far as we know Jonathan knows nothing, I honestly don't even know if Heather knows. Miss Needle said we have to make an appointment as soon as possible." She looks at her mother. "Trying to settle this outside of the courts. Because, and I don't know if Michael realizes this, Jonathan will be heard by the court. So for now, I guess it's a wait game." Angela gets up. "So.. I will be going back to business."

"We brought food!" Sam blurs.

"Yeah.. we assumed you would want to eat and you should eat something." Tony holds up a bag.

"They're right Angela." Mona gets up. "Please eat something."

"Alright." Angela relents. "Let's eat in the kitchen."

Tony and Samantha have bought an array of sandwiches.

"I hope you'll like what we've chosen." Sam excitingly says. "Although the roast beef is for dad.. he already claimed that one." She rolls her eyes. Angela genuinely chuckles.

"Figures." She winks at Sam.

"Do you have a grilled chicken?" Mona asks.

"Of course, grilled chicken pesto or grilled chicken barbecue? Did you also get the plain grilled chicken dad?"

"Barbecue is fine." Mona takes her seat.

"What about you Angela?" Tony carefully asks.

"Do you have anything with just cheese? I really don't feel like meat." She tries to sound as upbeat as possible, there was just something gnawing at the back of her head.

"Caprese?" Tony knew her love for mozzarella. "Fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil on a ciabatta." Angela's eyes lit up. ~Food is always her comfort.~ He thinks to himself and then hands her the sandwich.

"You know me so well." Angela says, taking the sandwich. "Thank you so much."

"Yeah.. dad knows you well.." Sam grinned. "He also bought triple chocolate brownies as a dessert." Mona rolled laughing.

"Always so thoughtful." Angela's voice was soft, but Tony could read between the lines. He just looks at her with a warm look in his eyes. Mona and Sam share a look.

They all sit down, start eating and having small talk. Angela asks about their day, where did Tony take her. But somehow the conversation flips over to Julia and Mason's wedding, Angela has no clue but is listening, she chuckles at how enthusiastic Sam can talk about a soap opera.

"OH!" Mona interrupts. "The condiment and clothing company have called to confirm the arrival of the campaigns. The juice company hasn't called to confirm yet." Mona takes a bite and thinks. "Oh and this new company called, they make potato chips."

"Potato chips? What is the company called?" Angela asks.

"I don't know.. it was a man's name." Mona puts the last piece of the sandwich in her mouth.
"A man's name? That doesn't give me much."

"I think I wrote it down, it's somewhere in the living room." Mona sits back. "They asked if we took new clients, I said yes. They said that they'd send us the information for a new campaign this week."

"Really? Another company?" Angela feels excited that at least this part of her life is going well. "I can't wait to sink my teeth in it."

When the phone rings everyone looks at it for a split second. Tony gets up.

"Bower residence, Tony speaking." He looks at Angela. "Yes, she is here, one moment."

Angela gets up. "I will take it in my office." She makes her way out of the kitchen.

"One moment please, she is walking to her office." Tony tries to be as professional as possible.

"Angela Bower speaking." Is the last thing he hears.

"This is Melissa Needle. But I know you were expecting this call." She has a slight chuckle in her voice. "I have some good news. Mr. Bower will bring Jonathan home until he is awarded custody." Angela cringes.

"You think he has a chance?" She can't hide the fear in her voice.
"Best not worry about that right now. But I believe he will take Jonathan home this weekend. His lawyer agreed to a meet up on Monday in my office. His lawyer will call into the meeting. I've asked his lawyer if Jonathan is aware what is about to happen, after asking, he said Jonathan is not aware."

"Okay and what does that mean?" Angela felt her sandwich crawl back up.

"Well if you want my professional opinion, nothing, because he said he wants to inform Jonathan while you're all in one room. But if you want my honest opinion I think this is a low blow on his end, he wants this and yet he isn't man enough to tell his own son or his wife."

"What? Heather doesn't know?" Angela thought a lot of things about Michael, but she'd never imagine him doing this behind her back.

"As far as I understand she doesn't."

"So we don't even know if she wants him there?" Angela could not supress her surprise.

"We don't." Angela is happy that Melissa is so straightforward. "So that could be interesting. You ready for this."

"I'm not, but I don't have a choice." She was trying to match melissa's energy.

"I will put everything we spoke about on paper. I will work this out before the weekend, is there a possibility for you to come and pick it up?"

"Either Tony or I will be able to pick it up. We will make it work."

"Good." Melissa's voice still chipper. "Oh and Angela?"

"Yes?"

"If anything comes to mind, please don't hesitate to call. Even when I'm not in, please leave a message for me at the desk."

"Of course, I will do that, if anything comes to mind."

"For now, don't worry too much. Honestly, Mr. Bower has a weak case with everything you've told me. I guess the only thing that could ruin things, is if Jonathan chooses to stay with his father." Melissa's tone of voice changes. "Are you still willing to accept and respect it if Jonathan chooses to stay with his dad?"

"I will." She felt much lighter, deep down inside of her, she knows Jonathan won't choose Michael over his family. She was certain of this. "Thank you Miss Needle."

"You're welcome. See you next Monday."

"See you next Monday." Angela sits back after breaking the connection. She's actually surprised that everything was arranged this quickly.

"Good news family." Angela opens the door to the kitchen. Three heads turn to look at her.

"So?" Tony looks at her eagerly.
"Spill it!" Mona spits at the same time. Sam just looks at her with big brown doe eyes.

Angela starts telling them about the phone call. When she finishes her story, everyone just looks at her with a pondered look on their faces.

"Jonathan will never choose Mr. Bower over us. NEVER!" Sam just spits. Angela walks to her and takes her in her arms. "He won't." As she starts crying in Angela's arms, she wraps her arms around Angela's waist. "I know he won't."

Tony stands behind his little girl. "Of course he won't sweetheart." He starts caressing her back. Angela could not find any words of comfort for Sam, she feels like Sam is trying to convince herself and the rest of the family.

"Samantha?" Angela softly pulls her loose and starts brushing away her tears. "Jonathan loves his family. I am as certain as you are that he will not choose his father over us." The more she said it, the more she starts believing it. "For now, we need to stay calm, enjoy this week and our little shopping spree." Angela puts a strand of hair behind Sam's ear. "I have so much confidence in Miss Needle and in Jonathan. We will be fine, my sweet girl." Angela softly kisses Sam's forehead. "I promise you."

Tony just watches their interaction, his heart swelling of love for Angela. ~One day, I will be good enough Angela, just you wait and see.~ He sighs. ~I know Sam loves you just as much as Jonathan does. One day we will be the perfect family.~ He has no clue when 'one day' will happen, but deep down in his soul, he knows he's meant to be with her.

=X=X=X=X=X=

Tuesday rolls around Angela's head is much clearer. She has faith in her son, she has faith in their family. And she actually feels excited to have a shopping spree with Sam on the next day. The meetings fly by, she is on her game, doing what she does so well.

She arrives back home later than intended.

"Hey." Tony gets off of the couch and helps her out of her coat and grabs her case. "How did the meetings go?"

"Hey." Angela gives him a smile of gratitude for helping her. "The meetings went well! I'm so excited. I just know we will get a couple of campaigns." Tony listens to her rant on about the meetings, he loves how exciting she gets over doing successful business.

"Sounds promising. Please sit down." He points towards the couch. "Are you hungry? You want me to reheat your dinner?" Angela smiles.

"Just a bit, I'm not very hungry. I guess I'm just on a work high." She giggles. ~You're so cute, giggling like that. I hope you know that.~

"I'll be back in a minute. Would you like something to drink?" He is about to push through the door.

"Just some water please." She feels so grateful to have his everlasting support. She turns on the TV to just unwind. She settles on 'a Roman Holiday' which was about 15 minutes in.

"Here you go." Tony walks in with her dinner and drink. "Cannelloni with spinach and ricotta, on a tomato sauce. I got you 3 but there is more if you want."

"This is fine, Tony. Thank you so much." She sits up, crosses her legs and grabs the plate from him. "I don't want to eat too much before going to bed." She digs in.

"What are you watching? Tony looks at the screen. "Is that 'a Roman Holiday'?"

"Mmhh." Angela nods in confirmation.

"I loved this movie growing up." Tony makes himself more comfortable. Angela just watches him. "It's because of my mom, I remember she was watching it. Maybe it's just the memory of my mother and I watching this movie, that made it so good." She watches him give a warm smile. He hardly spoke of his mother, she just loves seeing him reminisce about his mother.

"You hardly speak of her, you know?" Tony looks at her.

"I know. I was way too little when we lost her, I can honestly say I still miss her. Most of the memories I have of her are the best." Angela smiles at him as she places her hand over his.

"I'm sorry you lost your mom so young. But I bet you all the money in the world that she would be so proud of the man you are today." She squeezes his hand. "Your parents would have been so proud of you, Tony." Tony smiles at her. Angela leans towards and puts her plate on the table. "Want to watch together?" He knew what she meant.

"Yeah." He just sits back. Angela snuggles next to him as he puts his arm around her shoulder. Both knowing they are just where they're supposed to be.

=X=X=X=X=X=

Angela is awoken by a small knock on her bedroom door.

"Angela?" she hears Sam's voice.

"Yes.. come in Samantha." She groans trying to wake up. She hears the door open and an overly excited Sam nearly jumps in her room. "Good morning."

"Good morning Angela!" Sam jumps on her bed. "Are you as excited as I am." Angela sleepily sits up.

"I will be if you give me a minute to wake up." Angela huffs with a smile on her face. Sam leaps next to her and hugs her.

"Thank you so much for taking me to the city." Sam squeezes tightly. "I'm so happy." Amgela put her arms around the young girl.
"Good." She kisses the top of her head. "Because I can't wait to have our girl's day out. I could use some shopping therapy." Angela snuggles down hugging Sam. "But for now.." Angela starts tickling Sam. "We need to get ready!" Sam screams and laughs as Angela relentlessly tickles her.

"Okay.. okay.. UNCLE! UNCLE!" She yells laughing, Angela stops, but both are still in tears because of the laughter.

"What's going on?" Tony comes running. He looks at the two of them snickering. His face makes them break out in laughter one more time. "What? What is it?" He is confused by the scene at hand, yet he loves seeing Angela and Sam goof around. "You ladies getting up? I've got breakfast ready." He turns to the door, but holds on for a moment.

"Your dad is right." Angela grins, trying to get her hair back to normal.

"You know what you should do with your hair?" Sam asks.

"Tell me.." Angela's smile widens. She actually loves this little interaction. Sam grabs the half of Angela's hair.

"Take half of your hair, put that in a Dutch braid and leave the rest loose. Like this." Sam meticulously starts doing Angela's hair. "I could try to braid it. But honestly I am still not very good, but I have been practising with Bonnie."

"Well let's get dress first." Angela winks. "But your dad will have to leave for us to get dressed." Angela turns her head and looks at him, his face is beet red.

"Yeah dad.." Sam waves for him to leave. "Angela and I need to get ready."

"Oh.. of course.. yeah.. don't take too long, breakfast.." He quickly says before speeding off.

"We kind of embarrassed him, didn't we?" Angela chuckles.

"Nawh.. he will get over it. He kinda deserves it." Sam jumps on her knees. "Will you really let me do your hair?"

"Yes. But first.. we need to get dressed first. How fast can you be?" Angela says in a teasing tone.

"Trust me, I can be really fast if needed. Give me 15 minutes." Before Angela can respond, Sam is gone.

"Oh my.. I'd better hurry." Angela throws the comforter from her legs and make her way to the shower. She never took a shower this fast. Angela makes her way to her closet, settling on a tight, high-waisted, acid-washed pair of jeans, an oversized yellow blouse with a matching yellow belt.

"My yellow flats go great with this." She feels nervous about her choice as she never really wore a lot of casual clothing. She knew it was modern to wear this, yet she never did. It had been in her closet for about 4 months now. ~I don't know..~ She doubts. ~I'll let Samantha decide if she like this, if anyone knows if something is appropriate.. it's Samantha.~ She sighs and shakes her head at herself. She is just about to put on her make-up when there is another little knock at her door.

"Come in Samantha." Sam comes in with a big smile.

"Oh Angela…" She says in surprise.

"What? What is it?" Angela starts getting nervous.

"Nothing, but wow. You look amazing.. the city men will love you!" Sam chuckles. Angela starts blushing.

"Thank you Samantha, you look impeccable as ever." Angela turns to the mirror. "Let me put on a little bit of make-up. If you like, you can start with my hair." Sam grabs the brush and brushes, then she parts the hair, clipping the piece of hair she wants to braid and bundling the rest in one of her ribbons. Both of them quietly start working. Angela is done quickly and just watches Sam do her hair magic.

"Done!" Sam says.

"Oh wow Samantha.." Angela turns to both sides, trying to see everything. "This is beautiful! Thank you."

"You're very welcome." Sam leans he chin on Angela's head. "Let's go down before dad has a fit." Her words make Angela laugh.