Tony was the first to stir, he looked over at his sleeping wife and wanted to cry. Would this be the day, they'd look back on with relief or Despair?.The doctor was coming around with Tony's results, he was abit frightened but tried not to show it, after all cancer was in his family. His cousin had died from it, and so had his beloved first wife Marie.

"Angela honey, it's 4.30 , the doctor should be arriving soon, we had a good sleep. In fact I haven't had such a restful sleep since I got in here, having you by my side, I've really missed this".

Angela yawned and wiped her eyes, while turning to face Tony and said."I know what you mean sweetheart, not having you by my side, or in my bed has really been hard. We always go to bed cuddling each other, and wake up in each others arms. I didn't think I'd ever be Alone again, but Tony maybe, just maybe we'll get the news I've been hoping and praying for. You know I've never been one to go to church or anything, but on the way here I found Myself in one today, and I have the sore knees to prove it. In fact I made a solemn promise to God that if everythig Is alright wIth you, I would start going to church more regularly."

Tony looked over at Angela grinning slightly, then with an astonished voice he said,

"Aaaannnngelaa! You can't fool God like that, he's all knowing, and he won't let you off the hook. Now you've told me, you'll have to accompany me, especially at Christmas, for mass. But I don't think you'll mind at Christmas, it's so beautiful with the carols and the tree".

"Tony, if they tell us today that everything is fine or even if there's something there but it's under control, I'll even go any church service you want, for the rest of my life. And Tony, I reaaallllyy mean it". Angela looked at him with a tear in her eye.

Tony gently kissed her lips hugging her tightly, they snuggled together in bed, awaiting his fate. While snuggling up with Tony, Angela thought to herself.

"Bowel cancer". how she hated those words. Tony had been so brave, he never complained once about the invasive procedures, or the colonoscopy. He had to endure. Angela remembered one night, the night she and Tony celebrated, his and SAMs arrival into their "very happy home", as she had put it. Tony got dressed up and so did she, but there was no Mona, Jonathon or Samantha. They all had other secretly didn't mind tho, it gave her alone time with Tony. As it turned out It was also the first time he would admit he "Loved her", albeit he was unconscious ( of course). She had cooked him a dinner that when he keeled over with stomach pain, she thought she'd poisoned him, and he thought so too. Luckily for her, it was his appendics, but he had been rather frightened and so was she, but she also remembered him asking her to look after Sam if anything did happen to him.

Deciding not to dwell too much on the negative, she decided to think about all the positives in her life. That there is still every chance her hubby will be alright, that she and Tony have two very healthy bright wonderful Children, with so much too look forward too, and they have one grandson and hopefully many more in the future. And last but not least one Feisty old broad for a Mother/ mother-inlaw, who even now keeps them on their toes. Angela looked at Tony and lovingly traced her finger down the front of his pyjama shirt, looking longingly at her, he had to stop himself from being aroused. He wasn't feeling that well anyway, and couldn't believe She had initiated the seduction. The last straw was when she started unbuttoning his shirt and moved her hand over his chest and into his pants.

Tony let out a very loud" Aaaaannnggela, I thought you said not here! And you we're right, a hospital bed isn't very appropriate, plus I feel like throwing up! Please don't look at me like that sweetheart, I need you right now, and the more I think about everything you said it makes sense. Im so looking forward to you and I sharing a passionate night in our own bed, No hospital smell or noise. Im going to think Positively and stop thinking the Worst. Im still young enough to beat this if I have it, add that to the best family a guy could wish for and you have one lucky guy. Im sorry. I didn't mean for you to cry, I was just counting my blessings, which all started the day I walked into 3344 Oakhills Drive.

By this time Angela was such a blubbering mess, you'd think they already knew his diagnosis, Angela sat up put her feet on the floor, and got out of the bed. She walked around to Tony's side of the bed, and kneeled next to his bed. Immediately Tony knew what she was doing, she wanted them to pray together, and so he got down on his knees next to Angela. Tony took the cue to speak first.

"Oh lord, I know that You and I don't talk as much as you'd like us too, but Im Really scared and could use your guidance. My wife Angela, who you know isnt even Catholic is doing her very best to Support Me. Now you and I both know she's a loving beautiful person and if anything does happen to me, I'd feel so much better if you'd look out for her. I believe it when she told you she would go to church every Sunday , Angela always keeps her Promises. And of course, please look after my Daughter Sam, her Son Adam, Jonathon and Mona, mrs Rossini and my friends back in Brooklyn. Im sorry I can't remember all their names, but I'm feeling alittle tired and I need to be awake for the doctor. "

At the end of his moving prayer, he blessed himself and said Amen. Motioning to Angela to help him up, she put both hands around his back, pulling him up at the same time, as she moved him, he fell on top of her, on the bed. Tho feeling sick and sore, Tony couldn't help laughing. It was so absurd that after everything that's happening to them, he could still see the funny side. But then he thought too himself, "Don't they say Laughter is the Best Medicine".!

Tony slowly and carefully pulled himself up off Angela, and with Angela's help, climbed back into bed. By this time it was 4.58 pm, and they were both expecting news very shortly. Tony tried remaining optimistic, but found it harder the more time he had to think. One of the Nurses who had been looking after him in the short time he'd been there, came into the room with some flowers and a card. They were from his Students, both in his history class, and the ones he'd coached. Some of the students were in both classes and felt Tony to be the best and most caring teacher they'd ever the nurse walked over to his bedside table, placing the vase of Pink Roses, and handing Tony a card, Angela noticed he was so overcome that she had to read it too him,

It read, "To mr micelli, The Best Teacher, Sports Coach ,Mentor and Friend, a guy could ever have. We all hope and pray for you to get better soon.". Your grateful Students.

After she finished reading it , he laughed

"See how they remembered your favourite flowers? I told them that you loved pink roses, but I didn't say I Did! Maybe they thought chocolates to be too much for a sick person!, Anyway! either way, I teach some Greatttt kids, Don't I? Hey Angela?"

"Yes Sweetie, You sure doooo!."

Just as Angela finished her sentence, the Doctor walked into the room. He took one look at Tony, then at his chart, and sighed.

"Hello Mr and Mrs Micelli, I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long".

Tony was quite surprised at this statement, as the Doctor was right on time.

"Doc, you're the first quack, sorry I mean Doctor, who's been on time. I remember as a kid being kept waiting 2 hours in a waiiting room, and I know it wasn't for anything as Important as This. So I'm as appreciative as hell."

"Well mr Micelli, on behalf of the rest of my profession I apologise for that, but on behalf of myself and my staff here, I have some good news and some bad news"

On hearing this Tony took hold of Angelas hand for Support, squeezing it till she cried out, "Tony, I think you'd better let go, especially since I have to drive"

"That's alright Mrs Micelli, Ive arranged for you to spend one night or two if you'd prefer, with your husband. You see he doesn't have bowel cancer, but he does have a polyp that Needs operating on. If you give the go ahead we can do it tomorrow, as early as 9am. would you like time to talk it over?

"No doctor, I think Tony and I are both on the same page, So what Do you say Tony, It's not my body, but I Reaaalllyy!, think you should have it removed, But we need to know all the details, like for instance what complications if any mIght there be? And what are his chances of it turning into Into "

Tony realising how hard it was for her to keep going stepped in and asked the hard question.

"Doctor, you've been wonderful the way you've broken this news too us, and I remember you said good and bad news, so I expect that was the good news? What was the bad?"

"Well mr Micelli, as you know with all operations there's a risk of Death. Noone can be 100 percent sure of what will happen, and if you have a history of Cancer in the family, no one knows if it will come back, medicine isn't an exact science, you know. So if you want to I can come back later for your answer, but don't leave it too long, I need to book the room, otherwise someone else may get it, and you'll miss out. "

"No doc, I know exactly what I wanna do! I'm having the operation, I want to be around as long as possible with my beautiful wife and family. Besides I want t see my team take a trophy home this year, and "Wendell" in my history class get his first "B"."

"Well Doc, I think you have your answer". Angela, told the doctor, who could see that this was a couple worth helping. It was very rare for him to see such a devoted couple, wno he could tell, would always sacrifice for the other. He began to give them all the information they asked, then when he finished talking , he said to them,

"Well, Mr and Mrs Micelli, I'll see you tomorrow morning bright and early".

"Thanks doc, i know I'm in good hands". Tony said, trying to convince himself, as much as anyone.

When the doctor turned to leave, he thought how sad it would be if this man didn't make it out of surgery, if there were two people in the world more suited, he had yet to find them. As he was about to turn out the lights. He saw Angela tenderly touch Tony's face and kiss him softly on the lips, and then the Room went black.

"Tony Tony!' ". Angela was yelling, "Tony. WAKE UP!

"Angeeellaa, is that you?"

Tony sounded strange to Angela, so she asked him.

"Are you alright sweetheart? Maybe it was the shock of falling through our roof, that's making you hallucinate, but you've been laying here calling out my name, and you were even sobbing at one stage. I thought you may have hurt yourself so I let you sleep. "

"Oh Angela,! It was the strangest, most wonderful and terrifying dream I've ever had. The best part was we were married, Sam had a kid, and you and I were blissfully happy!"

"And the worst part"?

"It was as BAD as you can get! I was diagnosed with Cancer , at first it was Bowel, but then they said it was a polyp they were going to remove, which is when you woke me up, I can tell you I've never been so glad it was a dream in my life"

After saying that Tony kissed her hard and full on the lips. She nearly ran out of breath.

He pulled Angela down onto his lap and said,

"Angela Katherine Bower, I love you more every day, and can't wait for you to Be my Wife."

They kissed, Tony picked her up, and as he carried her out to his room, she stopped him and said.

"Tony do you know why you had that dream"?

Tony looked at her, eyebrows raised, as if to say HAAA?

"Tony Micelli, I didn't want to be the one to remind you of it, but today's the 20th anniversary of your Beloved Mothers Passing, and she had Cancer. I think your Psyche was so upset it blocked it out. And I think unconsciously, you wanted to remember so it manifested itself in a dream instead. Albeit quite an elaborate one, but it made you the victim instead."

"you know what I always say about you Angela?"

"You mean that I always Think too much "

"Yes, and I have a remedy for that "

"But will the Remedy be worth it" ?

"Well let me tell you just exactly what this Remedy entails "

Then Tony leans over towards Angela and whispers,

"Im gonna make love to you All Night Long"

Then he turns out the light, and she cries out,

"It's worth it!

Then he carries her to his room and fulfills his promise, she is heard to be singing

"Climb every mountain "

And the next day, they both visit his Mothers grave, and Tony promises his mum, to get regular checkups every year.

They get married 6 months later, take a honeymoon IN Hawaii, and every year Tony gets his checkup, because if there's one thing he learnt from his "Dream", was There is "No Greater Love". For a man than that of his Wife,