Chapter 2…

The next morning, Tony was already downstairs in the kitchen making the family breakfast. He looked exactly like he felt, utterly exhausted from a night spent tossing and turning. He couldn't shut his brain off after his conversation with Angela. He meant every word he said, but a part of him couldn't help thinking this whole idea was wrong. Not the having a baby part, they both wanted more kids. Not the having to go through a doctor artificially- the medicine was becoming more and more common place. What felt wrong was the baby not being a part of both he and Angela. He wanted to share that special bond with Angela, knowing a piece of each of them was growing inside of her. Tony was in the middle of his own thoughts when Mona walked through the back door.

"Good morning Tony. You know I'm not all that handy around the kitchen, but isn't breakfast supposed to be served not on fire?" quipped Mona.

"No!" Tony shouted as he threw the frying pan into the sink and ran the water over it. He used the dish towel to dissipate the smoke that bellowed from the sink. "Well there goes breakfast. You okay Tony?" Mona asked, genuinely concerned for Tony.

"Yeah Mone I'm okay. I just didn't sleep well last night is all" Tony said.

Just then Samantha and Jonathan walked into the kitchen. "Why does it smell like a fire pit in here?" asked Jonathan.

"Just overdid the bacon and eggs a bit. Here, make yourselves some oatmeal", Tony said as he toss the packets to the kids. Samantha caught hers but Jonathan's slipped out of his hands and onto the floor. "Nice catch dweeb!" said Samantha.

"Eh oh, oh Eh! Enough you two! Why don't you both make it breakfast to go this morning? Here, take some money and stop and get yourselves something" Tony said as he handed them some money. All three of them gave each a look of disbelief, but Samantha and Jonathan just shrugged and thanked Tony before heading out the door for school.

As the kids were leaving, Angela walked through the kitchen door. "Aren't the kids leaving for school a bit early today?" said Angela. "Yeah well I kinda burnt breakfast this morning, so I thought I'd treat them by giving them some money to stop and pick something up along the way" said Tony.

"You okay Tony? You don't usually burn anything, but definitely not breakfast", said Angela.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. I've gotta run some errands this morning before class, so why don't I drop you and Mona off at the train station?" said Tony.

"Oh okay thank you Tony. Mother, we will leave in ten minutes" said Angela.

On the way to the train station, Angela and Mona, mostly Angela, talked about upcoming meetings, projects and other work related topics. Mona was thinking about how she was going to approach the topic with Angela she so desperately wanted to know. Tony, staring off into space for most of the short ride, was uncharacteristically quiet.

"Tony? Tony? Did you hear me?" shouted Angela. "Huh? Oh sorry Angela. I'm just thinking about a big history test I've got coming up. What did you say?" said Tony. "I said thank you for the ride! Are you sure you are okay?" questioned Angela.

"Yes, yes I'm fine. Uh Angela, can I talk to you for a minute? Mona do you mind?" said Tony. "Of course… go ahead" said Mona, making herself comfortable in the back of Tony's jeep. "I mean alone with Angela, Mona!" pleaded Tony. "Mother just give me a minute okay?" said Angela.

Begrudgingly, Mona got out of the car. "Just more for me to question her about later!" thought Mona.

"Angela, I've been thinking a lot about our conversation last night. If you are really serious about working with the clinic to have another baby, I want to know as much about it so I can support you in anyway I can. Would you mind if I came with you to the informational session next week?" Tony asked.

Angela was shocked by what Tony had just said. "Tony, I couldn't ask you to do that" said Angela. " You didn't ask- I want to be there. That is if you want me to be there" Tony said.

"Yes! I mean yes I'd like you to be there as a support, as my friend. This whole process is a bit overwhelming, so it will be nice to have someone else there with me" said Angela.

Tony took a long exhale, releasing the tension and apprehension he didn't know he'd been holding on to since last night. "Okay it's settled. We will go together" said Tony. "Yes we go together" said Angela as she exited the car to meet Mona on the platform. Smiling, Tony put the car in gear and headed out to run his errands before class.

Angela and Mona were able to find two open seats on the train. Mona thought this was the perfect time to test the waters- and even if it wasn't, she was going to get some answers one way or another.

"So Angela… it seems like the team is going to be pretty busy with this new campaign" said Mona.

"No more than any of the others" Angela said as she started to pull some paperwork from her briefcase.

"I can imagine how the clinic is helping so many couples in need. So many… single women out there too. You know, the ones so wrapped up in their work they barely have time to take a vacation without being dragged, let alone out on a date…" smirked Mona as Angela looked up at her with a frantic look in her eyes.

"Ah ha! I knew it! Your interest in this company is more than just professional, it's personal. Angela, are you thinking of having another baby?" Mona said, much to Angela's embarrassment.

"Mother! Keep your voice down! For your information, yes I'm thinking about it. I've thought about it for a long time now and since I've been 'so wrapped up in my work', the window of opportunity to have another baby is dwindling. There's an informational session next week that I signed up for and we are going to learn more about it…" Angela trailed off as she realized her mistake at the same time Mona clued in.

"We?" questioned Mona.

"Umm… yes we- we as in Tony and I. We started talking last night about the fertility clinic. The topic of more children came up and we both agreed having more children is something we had both thought about over the years. While he has more time than I do, his biological clock isn't running out, I said I'm thinking about going this route. He was very supportive and then this morning he told me he wants to come to the session to learn more about it and how he can best support me" said Angela.

"I see. So what will this mean for your relationship with Tony? It's obvious you're in love with him and he with you, despite this ridiculous charade you two put on and have perfected over these past few years. It seems to me you are buying the cow when you should be getting the milk for free…" quipped Mona.

"Mother! Tony is my housekeeper! He's my friend… my best friend in fact. Even if there was more to it than that, which I'm not saying there is, this is what I want. I want another baby and this maybe my only shot. Tony is willing to be there for me, as my friend. I'd hope I can count on your support too Mother" said Angela.

"Look, I can't say I'm totally on board with this like some others seem to be, but look, if this is so important to you, I'm willing to go along and hear what they have to say at that meeting" said Mona.

With tears brimming in her eyes, Angela smiled at Mona and nodded at her before closing her eyes for the remainder of the ride. Mona smiled to herself, secretly beaming inside that Angela hadn't refuted her statement about Angela and Tony being in love.