Chapter 9:
A/N: Bring the tissues. Got all teary eyed myself with this one...
Tony drove through the streets of Fairfield, enjoying the beautiful fall foliage of the treelined streets. Angela was enjoying the view as well, just happy to be out of the confined space of the MRI machine. Soon, he was in the heart of Fairfield's town center, parking the car in front of one of the mom and pop jewelry stores.
"What are we doing here Tony?" she asked as he turned off the ignition.
"I told you Angela… it's for me to know and you to find out! C'mon let's go inside…" he said as he opened his door. She soon followed as they walked into the jewelry store.
"Hello! How can I help you?" asked an older woman who was cleaning some rings behind the counter.
"I'd like to see your necklaces please" said Tony as Angela looked over at him like he was crazy.
"Necklaces Tony? You buying something for Samantha?" she asked as they were led over to the display case.
"Really Angela? I'd be dragging you out here to buy something for Sam?" he asked sarcastically.
"Well, stranger things have happened! I thought maybe you learned your lesson when you went solo to buy Samantha her first bra!" she chuckled, remembering the look on Tony's face when he told her how embarrassed he was in the store.
"Okay, good point! But no… this is going to be for you Angela. I want to make sure it's what you like!" said Tony.
"We have a beautiful selection of necklaces. Is there anything in particular that you have in mind?" asked the saleswoman.
"Nothing in mind exactly but I think I will know it when I see it…" he said as he kept looking at the different pieces of jewelry.
"You want to at least clue me in to what it is you are looking for?" chuckled Angela as she followed behind him.
"Yes! There! Can I see that one please?" he practically shouted, causing both Angela and the saleswoman to jump.
"Yes, yes of course. Here you go" she said as the saleswoman placed the necklace in his hands. It was a rose gold necklace with an infinity sign lined with small diamonds.
"Oh Tony… that's beautiful but it's too much!" she said as she looked lovingly at the necklace.
"We actually learned about the infinity sign in one of my philosophy classes. It was designed to represent an infinite spirit and the idea that anything is possible. Some cultures use it to attract positive energy, protection and good luck. It is also said to represent boundless strength and unity, connection and… and love" he said as he placed it around her neck. Both the saleswoman and Angela had to wipe away tears.
"So is this what you were looking for?" asked the saleswoman.
"Yes, it's what I've been looking for… for a long time…" he said as his eyes never left Angela's. "I'll take the necklace as long as she can wear it out of here" he said. The saleswoman agreed and soon the necklace was paid for as they walked arm in arm out of the store.
"It's beautiful Tony… I love it and will treasure it forever…" she said as she couldn't stop touching the necklace.
"I've always wanted to get you a piece of jewelry but I've never had the courage to do it before now…" he said as he opened the car door for Angela.
"I thought for a minute you were taking me in to look at engagement rings!" she chuckled as Tony got into the driver's seat. The look on his face made Angela stop laughing.
"Oh Tony, I was just kidding! Neither one of us is ready for that! And honestly, this means much more to me than any other gift anyone has ever gotten me. It's just perfect" she said as she took a hold of his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"What would you have done if I had been looking at rings? Engagement rings…" he said with a very serious tone.
"I would have probably taken you back to that place for your own MRI to get your head examined!" she laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
"Eh oh, oh eh! I'm serious Angela! If we were looking at engagement rings, what would you have done?" he asked her again.
"I don't know Tony. There's still so much that's unknown. I wouldn't feel right taking that step with you until we knew more. If something happens to me… I wouldn't want you tied down like that…" she said as as she broke eye contact, the look of sadness in Tony's eyes too much for her to take.
"I don't know why you'd ever think being with you, through sickness and health, for better or for worse, would ever make me tied down Angela. Honestly, it's been on my mind a lot lately. Us being together… forever" he said as he looked out the window.
"I think we should head home Tony. It's getting late…" she said as she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes.
For the rest of the night, Tony and Angela went about their routines and tasks. Tony finished up some homework as he was putting the finishing touches on dinner. Angela continued to work in her office, doing a combination of work and preparing for her appointment tomorrow with the lawyer.
"Good evening family! Oh Tony, that smells delicious! Any left over?" asked Mona as she walked through the backdoor, eyeing all the food on the table.
"Sure Mona! Here, let me get you a plate" said Tony as he stood up and went to make her a plate of food.
"Mona! Dad did the sweetest thing today for Angela! C'mon Dad! Tell her!" squealed Samantha.
"It was no big deal! Those MRI's can be kinda anxiety-provoking so I sang a few songs to her, that's all" he said as he tried to down play it. He would have done a better job at downplaying it had he not caught Angela's eye and saw the flush in her face and the tears in her eyes.
"No big deal? That was so romantic Dad! I hope I find a guy one day that would do that for me!" she said as she went back to eating her dinner.
"I hope you do too sweetheart…" said Angela as she reached over and gave her shoulder a squeeze.
"I see that's not the only thing he did for you today… unless that necklace has been hiding in the back of your closest for years…" quipped Mona.
"We stopped at the jewelry store after the MRI and yes, Tony got me this necklace. It's the best gift I've ever received…" she said as she held onto it, once again making eye contact with Tony.
"Just a little something… not like it's a ring or anything…" he said, his voice a mixture of sarcasm and hurt.
"Wait a ring? Like an engagement ring?" asked Jonathan as he looked back and forth between Tony and Angela.
"Hold it right there… have I missed something? Like the sound of wedding bells? Are you two getting married?" asked Mona as she sat down with her plate of food.
"Oh my god! This is so exciting! Can I be the maid of honor?" asked Samantha very enthusiastically.
"Only if I get to be the best man! I won't throw up on you Mom, I promise!" laughed Jonathan.
"Slow down everyone! We're not getting married!" said Tony as he threw away his half eaten dinner in the trash.
"We have talked about it but with everything going on, it's just not the right time" said Angela, her appetite diminishing as well as she stood up to empty her plate.
"When is it ever the right time to get married? You two are madly in love with one another and have been for years. You raise each other's kids and not for nothing… neither one of you is much of a catch… so what's the hold up?" asked Mona.
"Enough Mother! This is between Tony and I and we don't have to explain our relationship to you or anyone else! If and when there is something to share, you will all be the first to know!" she said as she turned and headed out of the kitchen.
"Dad… what was that?" she asked as she looked at the door still swinging back and forth.
"It's been a long day sweetheart. That test really shook her up and all of this… stuff is just overwhelming at times. We are good though, I promise" he said as he started to clean up the dinner mess.
"I feel so bad for Angela. Is there anything else we can do?" asked Samantha.
"Yeah Tony, what else can we do to make Mom feel better?" asked Jonathan. Tony was overwhelmed by how grown up they both looked to him at this moment. They both had seemed to grow up overnight once Angela found out about her condition.
"Just continue to do your part around here. Other than that, just be yourselves. She wants things to be as normal around here as possible" he said. "Speaking of… go finish up your homework before bed" he said as they headed up to their rooms.
"Well that was a delicious, yet eventful dinner Tony. Thanks again…" she said as she went to head back to her apartment.
"And where do you think you're going? You and I have to talk. Now!" said Tony in a voice he rarely used unless one of the kids had gotten into trouble.
"Excuse me?" asked Mona, matching his tone.
"What is going on with you? You've barely been around this place and when you are, you run in and out of here like the place is on fire! Do you know how much Angela needs you right now?" he yelled at her.
"She's fine Tony! And besides… she has you doesn't she? You provide all the love and support for a whole army. You know all that gushy stuff isn't my forte…" she said, her tone relaxing.
"You're her mother Mona! I mean not the most conventional one… but still her's none the less! You've gotta talk to her… really talk to her. She needs you…" said Tony as he too calmed down.
"And what do I say to her Tony? Hmmm? I'm terrified of losing you like I lost your father? I don't know if I can handle losing my only daughter? I'm pushing you away and shutting down emotionally because you are the strong one in our relationship- always have been and always will be? How's that Tony? Would that work?" she screamed at him, tears now falling down her face.
"Hey… it's a start…" he said calmly, his own tears now falling down as he took the few steps over and wrapped his arms around Mona.
"Oh Tony… I'm so scared…" she managed to say through tears.
"I know Mona, I know. So am I…" he said as he tried to comfort her. They stayed that way for a few moments until Mona was able to regain her composure.
"You're right Tony. I have to talk to her… it's just… I don't think I know how…" she said as she wiped away her tears.
"Just tell her how you feel. The rest doesn't matter" he said.
"Okay Tony, I will talk to her tomorrow. Thank you…" she said as she gave him one last hug before heading out the back door. Neither one of them were aware of Angela eavesdropping at the kitchen door.
The next morning, Tony was up early, getting a head start on his morning routine. He decided to extend his morning run through the neighborhood and added on an extra two miles. He needed time to figure out how to take their relationship further now that hopefully Mona would finally be opening up to Angela. He understood, as best he could, how she was feeling, but enough was enough. He couldn't and wouldn't stand for Angela being hurt and in pain. By the time he had made the final turn onto Oak Hills Drive, he had made his plan and was hoping to get a start on it today. When he came into the house through the back door, he was surprised to see Angela sitting at the kitchen table sipping a cup of coffee.
"Good morning sweetheart! You're up early!" said Tony as he leaned down for a kiss.
"The bed was too cold without you. I don't know how I've spent six years without you next to me… plus I need to get a jumpstart on working from home" she said.
"You're working from home? Are you okay? Do you have another appointment?" he asked as his voice filled with worry.
"I'm fine Tony and no more medical appointments. I just have a meeting with a colleague to go over some paperwork here at the house at 3:00pm. You have your afternoon classes and the kids have afterschool activities so I figured the house will be quiet" she said as she flipped through the newspaper.
"Oh okay… lucky you we will all be out of your hair!" laughed Tony. "Alright, I need to shower and get changed so I can get the rest of the troops up for the day! I'm kinda sad you are already up though… I was looking forward to waking you up…" he said with a smirk.
"Me too Tony…" she said as she stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist, her hands finding the elastic of his sweatpants. His hands found the edge of her sweater and started to inch up the fabric until his hands found the soft skin of her lower back. The kiss they engaged in threatened to put a delay in their morning routine.
"You think… you think maybe we could… ya know… tonight? Only if you feel up to it…" he said when they finally pulled apart.
"They said I can resume activities… I think that is one activity I wouldn't mind getting back into…" she said as she pulled herself flush against his front, feeling just how their closeness was making him feel. He let out a soft moan of pleasure as he found her lips again.
"Well I was hoping for a hot shower… but that's not happening now!" he laughed as he slowly pulled away, trying to regain composure.
"Alright Casanova! Go get ready…" she said as she gave him one last kiss before sitting back down at the table.
An hour later, everyone in the house was awake, dressed, done with breakfast and out the door to class, work and to run errands, leaving Angela alone in the house. Mona had stopped by that morning and asked to talk to Angela after work. Despite eavesdropping on their conversation last night, she was still surprised her mother wanted to talk. She agreed to make time after dinner tonight to talk.
Tony had his list of errands that he needed to complete before his noon class. He ran to the dry cleaners, the florist and finally the pawn shop. He was able to pawn some of his belongings to earn some extra cash. It wasn't much, but it enough for what he needed. He headed back over to the jewelry store and met with the saleswoman again. This time, he went straight for the engagement ring section.
By a few minutes to three, Angela was able to get everything in order for her meeting with the lawyer. She had been able to get the legal paperwork for the Bower Agency, a copy of her current will and the deed to the house. The lawyer arrived right on time as she led him into her office.
"Good afternoon Mrs. Bower. My name is Cliff. Thank you for choosing our law firm. I spoke with my associate who filled me in on what you are looking to do today. I believe we can help with all of your needs" said the lawyer.
"Thank you. I'd like to start with the trusts. I already have a savings account for my son for college and other expenses but I would like to have something for him to cover his expenses until the age of twenty one, should something happen to me. I would also like to create a trust for my boyfriend's daughter, Samantha Micelli, with the same parameters" said Angela.
"That shouldn't be a problem. Will your boyfriend be involved with the trusts?" he asked.
"Yes, not right away though…" she said, not knowing how Tony would handle everything she was planning to do today.
They spent the next hour planning out the trusts for the kids, adding Mona and Tony to the deed of the house and putting in legal provisions for the shares of the Bower Agency to go to Mona and Tony, with Jonathan and Samantha receiving shares once they turn twenty one. The last document was her will. She had previously pulled out the will and highlighted the parts she wanted update.
"I… I never updated my will since my divorce. I had been meaning to but never found the time. I need to change my beneficiaries and my power of attorney from my ex-husband to my current partner, Tony. I… I also need to make him my health care proxy" she said as the lump that was forming in her throat made it difficult to speak.
"That won't be a problem. Will he be joining us? He is mentioned a lot in the documents we have already reviewed, along with your mother" he said.
"Does he have to be? I haven't discussed it with him yet" she said as she started to bite her bottom lip.
"Technically no… but I have found once the need for these documents occurs, the less surprises the better" he said.
"Okay, well he should be home in a little while and I will speak to him about it. I spoke to my ex-husband this morning about custody of our son. I am adamant that Jonathan finishes out school here in Connecticut should something happen to me before his eighteenth birthday. Michael is surprisingly on board with giving custody to Tony and my mother in the event of my death and allowing Jonathan to decide where he wants to reside after he turns eighteen" she said. She was pleasantly surprised that Michael agreed to the terms since Jonathan was still so young but he had an upcoming two year trip to the Amazon that she was sure influenced his decision.
"Can he provide a notarized document stating his agreement to the custody arrangements?" he asked as he started updating the documents.
"I'm sure he can provide whatever is required. I can speak to him tomorrow about it and even have something faxed for him to sign" she said.
Angela and her lawyer continued to make headway on updating her will. She had to hold back tears multiple times throughout the process, especially when discussing Jonathan's life without her in it. They were so engrossed in the process that they missed hearing Tony, Jonathan and Samantha walk in through the front door.
"I've got to find my mom and tell her! Straight A's on my report card again!" he shouted in excitement.
"And this little baby right here is going right on the fridge next to it! I'm so proud of you Samantha! You've really been working so hard!" gushed Tony as he held up Samantha's report card.
"First time ever getting straight A's too! You think we can go show Angela?" she asked as Jonathan made a run towards her office, not waiting for a reply. Samantha and Tony ran after him, Tony hoping her meeting was done.
"Mom! I got my report card!" he yelled as he barged into her office. The lawyer was collecting all the paperwork as they looked over at Jonathan, followed by Samantha and an apologetic looking Tony.
"That's wonderful sweetheart! I'm so proud of you!" she gushed as she stood up and gave him a hug.
"Straight A's too Angela!" shouted Samantha as Angela gave her a hug too.
"Sorry Angela! We didn't realize you still had a meeting going on" said Tony as eyed the man in the suit and tie. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought he was a lawyer.
"Oh! You must be Tony, Samantha and Jonathan! I've heard so much about you!" said the lawyer.
"Yes… this is my boyfriend Tony, his daughter Samantha and my son Jonathan. Everyone this is Cliff… my lawyer…" she managed to say, the last part just above a whisper.
"Lawyer? Oh like for The Bower Agency. Getting sued by a client?" he asked sarcastically.
"No, no… nothing like that" she said as she began biting her nails. Tony began to have a horrible feeling in the bottom of his stomach.
"Alright Angela, I will begin updating all of these documents. Please let me know about the form for your ex-husband and provide it to me at your earliest convenience" he said as Angela escorted him out of the office, a confused Jonathan and Samantha, and a worried Tony following behind. She thanked him again as he headed out the door. She waited a few moments, just staring at the closed front door before she reluctantly turned back around, three questioning faces looking back at her.
"Why does he need a form from my dad?" asked Jonathan. Before she could answer, Mona walked in through the front door.
"Who was the stiff in the suit walking down the driveway?" she asked as she came into the room, throwing her belongings by the coat rack.
"Why don't we all sit down for a few minutes and I will explain" said Angela as they all took a seat on the chairs and sofa.
"Cliff is a lawyer I hired to update some of my important documents. I wanted to get it all done and finalized before I spoke to any of you. With… with everything going on, I wanted to make sure that things would remain the same around here if… if I wasn't around. So, I updated my will, made some financial changes that will ensure the four of you will be financially secure. I made Tony my power of attorney and health care proxy as well as putting both Tony and Mother as my beneficiaries and co-owner of the house. I have created trust funds for both Samantha and Jonathan that will be available to them once they turn twenty one. Michael has agreed to allow Jonathan to stay here with Mother and Tony as his guardians until he turns eighteen and can make the choice where he wants to live. I also made sure the shares of The Bower Agency will go to the four of you as well. You will all be taken care of" she said as she looked at each of them.
"You did what? And you didn't bother to tell me?" shouted Tony as he was slowly starting to understand what Angela had done.
"I was planning on telling you but I wanted to get it all done first. This wasn't an easy decision to make, but it needed to happen" she said.
"Are you dying Mom?" asked Jonathan as tears came streaming down his face. All the eyes in the room just filled with tears.
"No sweetheart but I need to prepare for… for things if this turns out to be something really serious. I don't want you or Samantha to have to worry about anything. This family sticks together, no matter what" she said as she pulled both Samantha and Jonathan into her side for a hug. Both kids just broke down crying, clinging to Angela. Mona had to wipe away her own tears as Tony just stood there frozen, speechless.
"So all these decisions have been made. Trusts have been created, wills updated. I'm a homeowner, have a stake in your business and am a healthcare proxy and power of attorney. Did I miss anything?" he asked with a tone that shook Angela to the core.
"Tony… yes. That's it…" she said as she released her hold on the kids and stood up, walking over to Tony. "I'm sorry. I didn't know how to bring any of this up to you and I guess I was afraid you would try and talk me out of it, at least the financial part" she said as she came within a few inches of Tony.
"So you have made all of these decisions without consulting me. Not one conversation… nothing? Well, if you can make life changing decisions without consulting me, then so can I…" he said as he went back over to his jacket and pulled out a small box, slowly walking back over to Angela. He got down on one knee and opened the box, revealing a single, solitaire diamond engagement ring.
"Marry me Angela" he said.