Author's note: This was written rather hastily today, so please forgive any typos. Parts of this "moment" have been brewing for a while, and the holiday simply provided the context I needed. I hope it lights up your Fourth of July just a little bit more.

Fourth of July – Summer after Season 1

Though Tony knew Long Island lay between his current position on the Connecticut Shore and the open Atlantic Ocean, that reality was belied by his view of the seemingly endless expanse of water in front of him. To him, everything along the East Coast was pretty much the ocean, whether it was Long Island Sound, New York Harbor, or the Lower Bay off Coney Island. However, looking around at the pristine beach, cottage-like motels along the strip, ice cream parlors and French fry stands, and the carefree kids running in the surf, he knew he wasn't in Brooklyn anymore – a fact that made him feel simultaneously grateful and guilty. Ten months earlier, he'd left the East New York section of Brooklyn that he'd called home for nearly all of his 32 years, in search of a better place for Sam to grow up. And by the looks of it, he'd finally fulfilled the promise he'd made to himself to ensure she had access to clean air, open spaces, and a sense of what was available to her in the world beyond the increasingly rough streets that lined Pitkin Avenue.

And the woman who was responsible for his ability to spend the Fourth of July on a beach in Fairfield, grilling hotdogs and building sandcastles, was walking in his direction. And she was gorgeous – which was an observation he had to keep constantly in check so not to lose his job for lusting after his boss. But Angela Bower had it all, and his admiration and respect for her had no bounds.

"Penny for your thoughts," she said, taking a seat next to him on the blanket while the kids collected seashells in the darkening twilight.

He smiled in her direction, surprised again at how comfortable he was with her company despite their many differences. "Just counting my blessings," he admitted honestly. When she just raised an eyebrow, indicating her curiosity, he continued. "Let's just say this is a far cry from the graffiti, drugs, and vandalism of Brooklyn's beaches – and I'm grateful Sam can spend her day here instead of there."

"Me, too," Angela said. "All kids deserve this, and it's a shame so many never get to just be carefree and happy."

"We owe a lot of it to you," he ventured, wanting to acknowledge the direct role she played, but not wanting to make her uncomfortable. "You gave me a chance at a job I'd never done and that some would say is out of line for a guy."

Her eyes broke away from his and gazed over the water. "I might have had a moment's hesitation at first," she conceded, "but given the stereotypes I've done my best to break, it would have been pretty hypocritical of me to not even give you a chance based solely on your gender."

"I'm glad you did, and today just really hit home how lucky Sam and I are to be here."

As their eyes drifted toward the kids once more, Angela returned the sentiment, "I think we're all pretty lucky. If it weren't for you, I never would have thought to bring Jonathan out here today by myself."

Tony silently accepted her admission as a companionable silence settled around them. A few minutes later, a lone flare peeled into the sky in the distance to signal the start of the Fairfield fireworks display. Jonathan and Samantha came running toward them to take their spot on the other blanket to watch the show.

Tony knew today was probably one of the last glimpses he'd ever of the little girl he'd brought here from the old neighborhood. In her place was a budding young woman, complete with a new, short hairstyle she'd begged for after seeing something similar in a magazine. She'd squealed in delight when Tony had agreed to let Angela take her to some posh salon in Manhattan to get it cut. But today, she was just a little girl at the beach, with no peer pressure from friends or cute boys to try and impress. And Tony would savor it.

When the kids were thoroughly engrossed in the show, Tony leaned toward Angela and whispered, "By the way, I never got a chance to ask you about my last paycheck. It was quite a bit more than usual."

Angela met his eyes, with the fireworks lighting up the features of his handsome face, "You earned it," she said simply. "Consider it a summer bonus."

Now it was his turn to raise an eyebrow in silent inquiry.

Angela acquiesced and explained, "Just in case you didn't think I noticed the time you spent helping Jonathan with his Wilderness Troop project, organizing the garage, and cleaning the gutters. Those aren't exactly normal housekeeper duties."

"Ay-oh, Angela, I didn't help Jonathan because it was my job," he said indignantly.

"I know that, Tony," she replied softly, "You did it for the same reason I took Sam to the salon. But that, and everything else, is still worth recognizing. I want you to know I appreciate everything you do."

"You mean like paint your car the wrong color?" he quipped, partially to diffuse the intensity that had begun to crackle between them, as it often seemed to in such moments. But more to the point, he didn't see how anything he had done deserved additional compensation in light of the mistakes he'd made over the past year.

She couldn't contain a chuckle as she responded with, "Touche." A beat, and then, "Nonetheless, I want you to have it. You have your vacation time coming up, so maybe you can do something fun with it."

Looking over at Sam sitting next to Jonathan, both completely engrossed in myriad colors lighting up the sky, Tony lowered his voice and leaned in so Angela could hear him despite the echoing explosions, "Funny you should say that. I was thinking of taking Sam down to Disney World, you know, before she's too old, but I didn't think I had enough saved up." He held her gaze, "Now I do."

"Good," she said, as the grand finale erupted in the distance, drowning out her voice so that Tony had to focus on her mouth as it formed the single word. The memory of their kiss several weeks earlier flashed in his mind, forcing him to push aside the visceral recollection of her lips on his.

Knowing she couldn't hear him over the din, he mouthed two words he trusted she'd recognize, "Thank you."

To anyone passing by, they could easily be mistaken as a loving couple sharing a tender moment while their kids enjoyed fireworks on the Fourth of July. Although such a conclusion would not have been accurate, Tony thought, perhaps they were nonetheless forging themselves into an unorthodox family who knew how lucky they were that fate had brought them together.