Chapter 17

Thanksgiving morning was a flurry of activity in the household. Everyone was working extra hard to make this a wonderful holiday. Tony was up by 4:30am preparing the turkey. Jonathan was up about two hours later to help Tony with the side dishes and to finish all the desserts. Angela was able to sleep in until almost nine, getting up to start helping them in the kitchen. She was met with two stern looking faces who firmly, but politely told her they did not require her assistance with anything in the kitchen. She just rolled her eyes at her husband and son, poured herself a cup of coffee and headed back into the living room.

By late afternoon, the house smelled of Thanksgiving- the turkey was ready, all the pies were finished and brought back over from Mona's apartment and the sides were all finished in bowls ready to be placed on the table. No one, including Mona, let Angela lift a finger as she watched her family set the table and bring out all the food to the dining room table.

"This all looks and smells delicious Tony! You really outdid yourself this year!" said Angela.

"Yeah Dad, there's enough here to feed half the neighborhood!" laughed Samantha.

"Eh oh, oh eh! I just wanted to show some thanks for everything we have! Not to mention this is our first Thanksgiving as a married couple!" he said as he leaned down to kiss Angela.

"Maybe we should go around and say what we are thankful for" said Jonathan. "I'll go first! I'm thankful that the two of you finally took my advice from that Valentine's Day!" he laughed as Tony and Angela both yelled his name.

"What? The kid's right… I would have thought it would have taken both of you at least another decade to finally do the, as Philly so eloquently put it, 'the horizontal mambo'…" quipped Mona.

"Please! I don't want to lose my dinner before I even eat!" shouted Samantha. "But I have to agree with the dweeb… I think we are all thankful the two of you finally came to your senses and realized what the rest of us knew for years. You two were meant to be together" said Samantha as she leaned over and gave Angela's hand a squeeze.

"Well, I am definitely thankful for this crazy, wonderful, sometimes too blunt for their own goods, family…" said Tony as he looked over at Jonathan, followed by Mona. "But I am most grateful for this beautiful, smart, amazing, beautiful woman who made me the happiest guy alive by marrying me. I love you Angela…" he said as he leaned over and gave her a kiss. She had to wipe away some tears before she could speak again.

"I am so very thankful for all of you. I… I couldn't be getting through this whole ordeal without all of your support, guidance and strength. It means the world to me…" she said as she looked over at each of her family members.

"Alright already! Let's eat!" shouted Tony as he started to carve the turkey. The family enjoyed the feast Tony had prepared and were in food comas by the time they were finished. Mona checked out early as she had a date with one of the local mall Santas. She took a slice of pumpkin pie to go as she headed out the back door. Samantha and Jonathan helped them clean up the meal; after everything was cleaned up, all four of them curled up together on the sofa and found a movie to watch. Halfway through the movie, all four were sound asleep.

Angela woke up first, her head tucked into Tony's chest, while Samantha's head was curled in her lap. Tony's head was reclined back on the sofa as Jonathan was passed out up against Tony's arm. She looked lovingly at all her family members, not wanting to disturb the peacefulness, as she closed her eyes once more.

The following morning, the family was up early to do Black Friday shopping. They split up- Samantha and Jonathan headed their separate ways while Tony and Angela started tackling their lists together. By noon, they met at the food court.

"So Samantha… I was thinking maybe you and I could steal away for a few hours. I was able to get us some appointments at the spa. Think of it as an early Christmas gift!" said Angela.

"Really? That's awesome Angela! I'm in!" shouted Samantha.

"Well that leaves you and me pal! Whatcha wanna do?" asked Tony as he finished up his burger.

"Let's hit the arcade! I almost beat the highest score on Street Fighter! AMM51 is going down!" he practically screamed as he threw away his trash and headed for the arcade.

"Hey wait a minute! That's my record! No way Jonathan!" yelled Tony as he ran off after him, leaving Angela and Samantha shaking their heads.

Angela and Samantha were able to head over to the spa and check in. They were scheduled for the mother/daughter package which included massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. They both throughly enjoyed the facials and massages as they headed to get their nails done. They were able to get adjacent dryers as their nails dried.

"This was the best Angela! I can't believe we got to do all of this! We should do this again sometime and bring Mona!" said Samantha as she checked her nails.

"I agree this was the best! You won't have to twist my arm to spend more time with you Samantha. I love taking you places and shopping… I know you're not my biological daughter, but I hope you know how much I truly do love you… just as if you were my biological daughter" she said as she leaned over to give her a hug, still aware of her drying nails.

"I love you too Angela. I know I don't get all sappy and stuff too often but I'm so glad you've been there for me all these years. Dad and I would have been lost without you in pretty much every way! I know you never met my mom, but I know she would have loved you- not just for how you've been there for me and Dad, but because of who you are as a person. I am so grateful you came into my life Angela" she said as she leaned back over for another hug.

"Good thing we didn't get our makeup done! It would have all been smudged by now!" laughed Angela as she wiped away her tears. They enjoyed the rest of the afternoon before finding Jonathan and Tony and heading home.

The following morning, Angela had her final monitoring appointment. The whole family headed into the city in Tony's jeep so they could do some more shopping for Christmas. The kids were dropped off near Rockefeller Center as Tony accompanied her into the clinic. After her bloodwork and sonogram, the doctor met with them both and confirmed that they were good to go ahead with the retrieval on Monday along with her surgery. They reviewed the remaining protocols and medications to take prior to the procedure. Soon, they were joining the kids for brunch at a local restaurant.

"So Jonathan, I was able to get two tickets to the New York Hall of Science in Queens… would you be interested in going today?" asked Angela as she finished her omelet.

"Yes! A day of science! I'm in! But what about Sam and Tony?" he asked as he looked over at them with a questioning look on his face.

"Sam and I are going to drop you two off and head into Brooklyn for a few hours and then swing back to pick you two up!" said Tony as he took another bite of his pancakes.

"Now you tell me we are going to see Mrs. Rossini! I never would have eaten all this food!" complained Samantha as she put her hands over her stomach.

"Maybe make her stop the last one before coming to pick us up! Have a chance to digest a bit!" laughed Angela.

Soon they were on the road and heading into Queens. Tony loved this part of Queens- Shea Stadium, the World's Fair Pavilion, seeing the planes fly into LaGuardia. He could see the same excitement on Angela's face as they got closer to the museum. They dropped them off at the front door and headed to Brooklyn.

Angela was on the verge of exhaustion trying to keep up with Jonathan as he explored all the different exhibits and interactive stations. Finally, she was able to catch up to him as they headed out towards the gift store. Normally, she would cap him out at a low cost souvenir, but today she was feeling generous and wanted to spoil him.

"Ok Jonathan… feel free to pick out anything you'd like. It will be part of your Christmas gift" she said as she watched his face light up.

"Really? Alright Mom! You're the best!" he practically shouted as he ran off in search of the perfect souvenir. Soon, he came back over with an expensive-looking microscope.

"If this is too much, I'll find something else…" he said as he showed her the box.

"Normally yes, that would be way too much but you've caught me on a generous day. C'mon, let's go check out. Tony and Sam should be coming back soon" she said as she ruffled his hair.

"You're the best Mom! Thank you! And… this really has been the absolute best day! I love you mom!" he said as he gave her a very big hug. It didn't last long as he remembered he was in public but Angela was touched none the less.

The morning before the surgery, Angela was up early. She needed to get some work done, knowing it would be sometime before she felt well enough to do any type of work. By ten, she headed into the kitchen and poured two cups of coffee as she headed over to her mother's apartment. She waited for her mother to finally open the door as she stepped inside the apartment.

"Good morning Mother! Here's a cup of coffee! How was your date last night?" she asked as she sat down on her sofa.

"Feel free to ask him once he gets out of the shower…" she quipped as Angela almost spit out her coffee.

"I think I'll pass! I was hoping you and I could spend the afternoon together! Maybe go see a movie or something! What do you say?" she asked as she put down her coffee.

"I think I'll pass dear… I've got a lot of stuff to do today plus another date later on this evening" she said as she looked up to make sure her date wasn't eavesdropping.

"But Mother I would really like for you and I to spend time together" she said.

"Angela… we have spent plenty of time together. We see each other at work every day. You've already spent time with both kids this weekend. You should be spending time today with your husband. You know… the one who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown when he thinks no one is looking…" she said.

"Tony and I are going to spend tonight together! I know he's struggling right now but I've tried to talk to him and he just won't budge!" she said as she leaned back against the sofa's pillows.

"Then you need to make him listen to you, break through that tough, stubborn exterior of his. Use a jackhammer if necessary…" said Mona with a chuckle.

"I guess so…" she said softly.

"No I guess so… Angela! Go now and find that hunky Italian stallion you married and take him for a drive somewhere! Make a whole day of it! Go now!" she practically yelled as Angela looked over at her like she was crazy.

"He needs to release some of his fears, his anxieties. He needs to have a good cry or break something… anything really at this point so he's not a complete basket case tomorrow. Don't hesitate Angela… just go!" she said as she pulled her off the sofa. Angela held back tears as she gave her mother a hug and headed back to find Tony.

"Tony? Tony?" she called out once she walked in through the back door. Tony came running in from the living room, a look of panic on his face.

"Angela! What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked as he ran over to her.

"I'm fine Tony! Relax okay? I was hoping you and I could go on a little day trip. Just us…" she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a little peck on the lips.

"Sure Angela! Where do you have in mind?" he asked.

"Go get ready and meet me down here in about ten minutes. Let the kids know we will be gone until dinner" she said as she let go of him and headed to pack some drinks and snacks. She had to be on a limited diet today due to the surgery the next day so she packed some additional ones for Tony. Soon, they were in Tony's jeep. Since Angela wanted to keep where they were going a surprise, she jumped into the driver's seat. She was very thankful he no longer had the van.

"So… are you finally going to tell me where we are going? It's been almost two hours…" he said as his hand started rubbing her thigh.

"It's the next exit actually… do you recognize it yet?" she asked as he finally took his gaze off of Angela and looked around at his surroundings.

"Wait a minute… are we going back…" he started to say as she looked over at him with a smirk.

"Yes, yes we are…" she said with a laugh.

Soon, they were pulling into a familiar parking lot, all but abandoned at this time of year. Angela grabbed the bag of drinks and snacks out of the backseat as Tony grabbed extra blankets, hats, scarves and gloves. A light snow was forecast so he wanted to be prepared just in case. She let him lead this time as they wandered through the forest until they came upon what brought them out there in the first place.

"Kissing rock with my Ingrid…" he said as he put his hand across the familiar writing.

"My Anthony… back where it all started…" she said as her hand rested on top of his on the carving of their childhood names.

"I still can't believe it was us all those years ago. I'm thankful everyday that you came back into my life. I just wish we had… well I had figured out sooner that all the things I was worried about just didn't matter. My love for you is what mattered and I love you more than I ever thought possible" he said.

"I know Tony. I sometimes I can't believe it was us all those years ago. I think what I've always thought Tony… our path has been our path. It was meant to be for you to show up on my front door that fall day. It was meant to be for us to become friends, co-parents, then best friends and finally soulmates. I wouldn't change anything that led us to being here today. I… I just hope we have many more years ahead…" she said as she stood, pulling him up with her as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He responded by pulling her in for a passionate kiss.

Once they broke away from their kiss and embrace, Tony laid down a blanket right by the rock and helped Angela down to the ground. He leaned up against the rock, Angela coming to sit in between his legs as she leaned up against his chest. She was able to open up their drinks and took out some snacks as they wrapped themselves up in the remaining blankets. By just past three, they picked up everything and headed back to the car.

Dinner was relatively low key. Tony refused to make a big dinner since Angela was on a restricted diet and had to stop all food and drink later that night. Tony wanted them all to spend the night together watching movies and playing games. They all just rolled their eyes but secretly were happy to be spending the time together. Finally, when it was time for bed, the family went their separate ways as Tony and Angela made their way up to bed.

"Tony, I think we need to talk before tomorrow's surgery" she said as she pulled back the covers for them.

"There's nothing to talk about Angela. You are going to be just fine! I'll be there for you until they wheel you in for surgery and I will be holding your hand when you wake up" he said as he laid back against the pillows. He wanted to change the subject fast as he felt his panic start to rise again.

"I know you will be Tony and I know the family will be there for you, but only if you let them. I know you've been holding your emotions in for the past few weeks, if not longer. I know you Tony… I know when something is bothering you and when you try to to pretend nothing is wrong. Talk to me Tony…" she said as she reached for his hand. He could feel the lump in his throat start to build at the touch of her hand on his own.

"Angela, it's fine. I'll be fine once I know you are…" he said as his voice cracked with emotion.

"Tony, it's not fine! I can tell you're about to lose it and I'd much rather you get it off your chest now" she said.

"Fine! I'm terrified Angela! I'm terrified of losing you, of going through losing another wife! It scares me beyond belief thinking about living my life without you in it! If this turns out to be the worst case scenario, I don't know what I will do Angela!" he shouted as he just fell apart. The tears he had been holding back for weeks now just came pouring out. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into her chest as they both cried. It was a good five or more minutes before either one of them could catch their breath enough to speak.

"I'm sorry Angela… I shouldn't have lost it like that. You need me to be the strong one! Not some blubbering mess…" he said as he wiped his eyes.

"Tony, I need you to be you. I need you to talk to me when you are having these feelings. I need you to allow me to help you just like you've been helping me through this… we are a team, remember?" she said as she placed her hand on his cheek.

"You deserve better Angela…" he started to say when she cut him off.

"I deserve the kindest, most generous, loving, supportive husband out there and that's exactly what I have with you. We are going to get through this Tony, whatever it ends up being… together" she said as she leaned in for a kiss.

"I love you so much Angela" he said as tears filled back in his eyes once more.

"I love you too Tony… more than words could ever say…" she said as they laid down, spooning into one another. It was a long time before either one of them fell asleep but they were able to comfort each other as they prepared for what tomorrow would bring.