One path returns a promise and the other a value

example

var saved_options = {};

function getOptions(myOption){
    if(saved_options[myOption]){
        return saved_options[myOption]
    }
    var deferred = $q.defer();
    $http({method: 'GET', url:'someUrl'}).then(function(data){
        saved_options[myOption] = data.data;
        deferred.resolve(data.data);
    });
    return deferred.promise;
}