Hope for All- chapter 70
Tony returned home from the library and found Angela asleep on the sofa with the babies sleeping soundly in the stroller. She looked absolutely beautiful. His heart melted as he thought about just how good of a mother she was to not only the babies, but to Samantha and Jonathan as well. He leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead before covering her with a blanket. Tony was able to do some more studying before the twins woke up, along with Angela.
"Oh Tony… when did you get back?" she asked as she yawned and went to pick up Matthew.
"Not too long ago. I was able to get a lot of studying done and then came back home and got some more studying done. They good for you?" he asked as he picked up Anna.
"Yes! They slept for a bit and then we did some tummy time before they went back to sleep. They are due to eat again though" she said as she started changing Matthew. Soon they were both changed and feeding.
"Guess who I saw at the library? Kathleen! She said Mary and Hannah are doing well!" he said.
"Oh good! It will be good to see them at the reunion next month! I'm glad they are doing it after Thanksgiving but before Christmas" she said.
"She offered me her notes from her class this semester that I'm taking next term. She… she also offered to join her study group…" he said, wondering if her feelings had changed at all.
"What did you say?" asked Angela, the tone in her voice telling Tony she hadn't changed her opinion.
"I thanked her for the notes and said with the babies and classes I wouldn't have time for a study group. I remembered what you had said…" he said as he took Matthew to burp.
"I don't know Tony… it's just something about her I don't trust. I'm probably making something out of nothing. Probably just hormones…" she said as she got a burp out of Anna.
"It's fine Angela! You are the only one for me- now and in the future! I'm not about to risk losing the best things in my life for anything or anyone. She's not even that good looking… especially compared to you sweetheart…" he said as he passed Matthew back.
"I love you Tony…" she said as she leaned over to give him a kiss.
"I love you more…" he said as he kissed her back.
November seemed to fly by for the family. Tony did well on his exams and assignment. Angela continued to join some weekly phone meetings and worked on some work Mona brought her home. Samantha and Jonathan had settled in to their roles as older brother and sister, often taking care of the babies after school and on the weekends. Mona continued her boycott of babysitting duties even after Angela offered to pay for her dry cleaning bill.
By Thanksgiving morning, Tony was up early starting the dishes and desserts he was bringing to Mrs. Rossini. The babies were starting to get into a nighttime routine now that they were almost ten weeks old. They only woke up twice during the night for changing and feedings. Tony and Angela relished in the extra sleep but were still sleep deprived.
"Good morning my loves! Are you ready for your first Thanksgiving?" asked Angela as she walked over to the bassinets. She was able to pick them up, get them changed and feeding back in bed.
"Morning sweetheart! I see they are both awake and ready to go!" said Tony as he brought her up a cup of tea.
"Yes they are! I think they are excited to watch everyone else eat turkey besides them! I hope they do well in the car! This will be the longest trip they've had in the car" she said.
"They will be pros! We don't have to be there until 2:00pm so that gives us plenty of time to get them ready. And if they scream the whole way… at least we are only going to Brooklyn!" he laughed.
"Oh I hope not! Do you know if Ginger and Lynn will be there? It would be good to see them and the babies!" she said as she finished up feeding the babies.
"That's a good question! I'm not sure but I'm sure they are around! Ginger's baby boy was born about a month after these guys. I'm not sure about Lynn's twins though… we will find out!" said Tony as he burped Anna and settled back down on the bed.
"How's the cooking going?" she asked as she too settled back in bed with Matthew as she sipped her tea.
"The pies are almost done, the string bean casserole just needs to go in the oven and the brownies are cooling" he said.
"I miss cooking and baking with you, especially on Thanksgiving…" she said as she thought back to all the Thanksgivings they spent together in the past, broken eggs and all.
"I miss it too but…" he said as he trailed off.
"But what?" she asked as she turned to look at him.
"Don't get me wrong, I loved baking with you Angela but the real reason I enjoyed it so much was because it gave me an excuse to spend time with you and to get to touch you. Sometimes I wondered if you maybe felt the same way. Maybe that was why you acted so inept and needed my help so often…" he said.
"Well if I'm being honest… I really am that inept in the kitchen! But… I might have been a particularly slow learner from time to time when I could have picked up on something a bit quicker…" she said with a smirk.
"I knew it! Well thank you for some of my favorite memories! Feel free to be a slow learner in the kitchen for the rest of our lives…" he said as he leaned in for a kiss.
"Well I'm starving! Any chance we can make some breakfast together?" she asked.
"Sounds wonderful to me! Let's head down in a few. I'm enjoying our one on one time… well four on four time!" he laughed as he made Anna smile.
"She agrees!" laughed Angela as they spent the next few minutes enjoying the quality time.
By 1:00pm, everyone was fed and dressed, waiting for Tony to pack the van. Angela double checked the diaper bags as Samantha and Jonathan held the babies. Tony finally finished and came back inside.
"Alright everyone! Let's hit it, let's move it, let's do it!" yelled Tony.
"Okay I think we have everything! I packed extra diapers, clothes, wipes and burp clothes. I don't think we need the stroller since Mrs. Rossini's apartment is on the second floor but should we bring the portable crib? Something for them to sleep in?" she asked as she looked back and forth between the crib and stroller.
"I think we will be good without it. These kids won't be put down other than to be changed I'm sure! Babies in Brooklyn within a five mile radius of Mrs. Rossini don't leave her arms! Marie and I were worried Samantha would never walk!" he laughed as he helped Angela start to get the coats and blankets on the babies.
"Okay everyone! In the van!"'said Tony as the seven of them headed out the door. Angela had threatened Mona within an inch of her life if she missed the twins' first Thanksgiving so Mona reluctantly was the last one out the door and in the van. The twins fell asleep right away in the car but woke up screaming as Tony turned the van down Pitkin Avenue.
"We made it here with only five minutes of torture! I bet they are hungry!" said Tony as he finally found a parking spot.
"They're not due to eat for another hour! I think they just need to get out of car" said Angela. Angela got Anna out and wrapped her in a blanket, handing her to Mona. She went around and picked up Matthew as the rest of the family helped Tony with the food. Soon they were being buzzed into Mrs. Rossini's apartment.
"Come in, come in! Oh let me see those angels!" gushed Mrs. Rossini as she took Anna from Mona.
"Try to keep her cheeks intact…" quipped Mona as she headed past her and to the farthest corner away from all of them.
"Hi Mrs. Rossini! Where can we put the food?" asked Tony.
"Oh you didn't have to make anything! Bringing these two loves was more than enough! Just put everything in the kitchen… wherever you'd can find space!" she yelled after they had retreated to the kitchen.
"Thank you so much for inviting all of us! It's so exciting to have the twins around their Brooklyn family…" said Angela as she sat down next to her, taking off the twins' coats and blankets.
"Of course! I wasn't gonna miss these cuties on their first Thanksgiving!" she said as she motioned for Angela to give her Matthew as well. "Look at how big they got! Ten weeks tomorrow right?" she asked Angela.
"Yes! I can't believe they will be three months old soon… it really is going by so quickly…" she said as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"That's the way it goes! They get big just in time for another one… hint, hint…" she said as she winked at Angela.
"So Mrs. Rossini, who all is coming?" asked Tony as he sat down next to Angela.
"Joey and his wife will be here soon if that bum can get himself out the door! I invited Dennis and Ginger too since their family plans fell through. Dennis' sister Lynn may stop by with the twins. Can you believe they were born on the same day as Ginger's little boy? Three boys all on the same day! Her husband is working double shifts and is barely ever home. The babies came early but thankfully have been okay but I know it's been rough on her" said Mrs. Rossini.
"Poor thing! I can't imagine being with the twins without Tony! Is her mother helping?" asked Angela as she took back Matthew who started to fuss.
"For the first month but now she's basically on her own. Thankfully she's close by so Dennis and Ginger have been helping out as much as they can with a newborn and three other kids" she said. Just then, a timer went off in the kitchen. She handed Anna to Tony and headed into the kitchen.
"We really are so lucky to be in this together Angela. I learned my lesson the first time and won't be anywhere other than right by your side…" he said as he leaned down to kiss Anna on her head.
"Oh Tony… you were doing what you needed to in order to support Marie and Samantha! I think what I've thought for a long time- you are the very best father and husband anyone could have ever asked for…" she said as she leaned over to capture his lips in a kiss.
"Okay you two break it up! You'll spoil the turkey…" said Mona as she sat down on one of the side chairs with a large glass of wine.
Soon Mrs. Rossini set out the appetizers and went back into the kitchen to put the finishing touches on the turkey and dishes. Joey and his family and then Dennis and Ginger came a little while later, all their kids running all over the apartment, not stopping until Ginger screamed at them.
"Tony! Angela! Congrats on the twins!" shouted Dennis from across the room as he wrangled two of his kids.
"Thanks Dennis! Same for you!" shouted Tony as he walked over to Ginger who was holding a baby boy who looked to be about four months old despite being just over a month.
"Whoa! Look at him! He looks just like you Dennis! Don't worry kid you're still adorable! What are they feeding you?" laughed Tony as he hugged Ginger.
"All this kid does is eat! He came out at nine pounds and he's already up to almost twelve! Here take him Tony! I need to see your babies! Your birth announcement was adorable!" said Ginger as she handed the baby to Tony and came to sit down next to Angela.
"Ginger! How are you doing? How's the baby?" she asked as she looked over at Tony rocking the baby in his arms.
"Little Joey is a dream, other than feeding all the time! We get about four to five hour stretches of sleep at night outta him, so we really can't complain! Poor Lynn has her hands full though! The twins are on completely different schedules and her two older ones haven't adjusted too good to the babies. We try and help out as much as we can, but it's hard" she said as she took Anna from Angela.
"I have no idea how you all do it with older kids still being so young. It's hard enough with two teens and two newborns!" said Angela.
"A lot of screaming! And of course my mother helps out. My mother in law has really been there for Lynn but comes by us every once in a while and takes the older kids out. How have you been feeling Angie? You look great!" she said as she snuggled into Anna.
"Good! Getting longer stretches at night with sleep but it's still not enough! Anna here is our easy one thankfully! She's more laid back. Matthew over there" she said as she pointed to Samantha holding a fussing Matthew. "He is our tough one! He's getting less clingy though! Well some days!" she laughed as Samantha handed him to her.
"It's always the boys that are the most clingy! Once Lynn gets here, we should get a photo of all five of them! Little Joey is gonna be the biggest outta all of them even though he's the youngest! Well by four hours!" she laughed.
"Alright everyone! Dinner is ready!" yelled Mrs. Rossini as Joey brought out the turkey. Everyone managed to find a seat at the table with the younger kids designated to a small table in the living room. Angela was regretting not bringing the carrier or their bouncers since both babies were wide awake. It was as though Mrs. Rossini read her mind, coming over and taking Anna from her and little Joey from Ginger. Matthew was passed from Mona to Tony as the family began to eat.
"See that turkey Matthew? It's almost twice your size! Don't worry, next year you will get to have some!" laughed Tony as he showed Matthew the turkey. Tony was able to get in a few bites before Matthew started to cry.
"I didn't think we were getting through the meal without their meal!" laughed Angela as she stood up and took Matthew from Tony. She was able to take Anna back and headed into Mrs. Rossini's bedroom to start feeding the babies. Tony helped her get set up before heading back out to finish his dinner.
About a half an hour later, Angela came back out with two sleeping babies. She was able to get them changed and burped before they fell asleep in her arms. She was able to hand off both babies to Tony as Mrs. Rossini was coming back with a fresh plate of hot food.
"Thank you Mrs. Rossini! Hot meals are a rarity nowadays!" she said as she started eating. A little while later, Lynn came over with the twins. Her mother offered to watch her older kids to give her a break.
"Look at that Anna! You're the only girl in the bunch! You've got three eligible bachelors over there to choose from!" laughed Mrs. Rossini as she took the babies from Lynn.
"This one's not dating until she's thirty! Hope they can wait that long!" laughed Tony as he held her closer to his chest.
"Not if she takes after her old man! You were Wild Man Micelli from the time you were outta diapers!" laughed Dennis.
"Bite your tongue! Neither of them are gonna take after me!" laughed Tony as Angela just shook her head.
"Congrats Tony and Angie! They are beautiful! What are their names again?" asked Lynn.
"Matthew Jonathan and Anna Samantha" said Angela as she gave her a quick hug.
"Love those names! Ginger had told me but I'm lucky if I remember my own name these days! Little Sal and Anthony keep me up most of the night and their siblings most of the day!" she said with a yawn.
"Joey! Go make yourself useful and make a plate of food for Lynn!" yelled Mrs. Rossini as Joey begrudgingly got up and headed into the kitchen.
After Lynn finished eating, all the women started to help clean up when Tony intervened. He dragged Joey, Jonathan and Dennis from the sofa to start gathering the dishes while the women sat down and relaxed. Mrs. Rossini tried to protest but Tony just handed her Anna and she quieted down. Once everything was cleaned up, the coffee started and the desserts put out on the table, the men joined back in the living room.
"Okay all of the babies need a photo! Let's put them on the sofa with pillows to prop them up!" said Mrs. Rossini. Tony was able to put down Anna while Ginger placed little Joey and one of the twins on either side. Lynn and Angela were bouncing their respect other twins until the last minute since both were fussing. Both Tony and Mrs. Rossini had their cameras ready when the last babies were placed down. The rest of the adults turned into gushing mushes as they tried to get the babies to look at the camera. Angela was able to get Anna to smile for a few photos.
"Oh I could just eat them all up! How about one with all the kids? Jonathan and Samantha too!" yelled Mrs. Rossini. Samantha and Jonathan gave Tony and Angela annoyed looks but eventually complied. They were each handed two babies, with one of Lynn's twins sitting on Ginger's oldest son's lap. All the kids managed to squeeze in on the sofa and pose for the adults.
"How about we do ones of each family? We can all take turns!" said Tony.
"You're pushing your luck there bub!" said Mona as she watched Dennie and Lynn round up the kids for a quick photo. Joey and his family were next followed by their family. Angela had to drag Mona in the photo. Joey was able to get a few shots with both cameras and then one with Mrs. Rossini and the family.
"Alright everyone! Let's have dessert!" she said as she went to go get the coffee. The adults enjoyed dessert and coffee while all five babies slept. The older children enjoyed a movie on television. By the end of the evening, everyone was sufficiently stuffed and in partial food comas.
"Okay troops! I think it's time for us to head back to Connecticut! Thank you Mrs. Rossini! The food was delicious!" said Tony as she gave her hug.
"My pleasure! Don't be a stranger! I wanna see these babies again soon! Ya know I can babysit!" she said as she handed Matthew to Tony.
"We will take you up on that soon!" said Angela as she gave her a hug, Anna starting to fuss as she adjusted her in her arms. They were able to get them back into their coats and blankets as they said their goodbyes. They were able to get everyone situated in the van as Tony headed to the highway. Fifteen minutes into the drive, Tony and Angela were the only ones still awake.
"When was the last time they were all asleep at the same time? And we can't even enjoy it being in the car!" chuckled Tony.
"I know! Well maybe tomorrow we can find some time to ourselves. After Black Friday shopping, that is!" she chuckled.
"So you happy with their first Thanksgiving?" he asked as he took her hand in his own.
"It was absolutely perfect… I'm so happy we can give them the love of both of our families…" she said as she squeezed his hand. They spent the rest of drive enjoying the quiet drive back to Oak Hills Drive.