Lee's Birthday

Chapter 1

I would have loved to have seen an episode on the show where either Lee's or Amanda's birthday was celebrated. This story is my take on what could've happened on Lee's birthday. The time frame, is based within the contents of the other story I wrote Love's Journey, but you do not need to read it to follow this one. It is definitely AU.

Early Saturday morning, the alarm clock went off, and Lee opened his eyes and looked at the clock before tapping it hard and quick with his left hand. He reached out for Amanda and released a sigh when his hands found nothing but cool sheets.

"Amanda?" Lee called out quietly as he looked around the room for her.

"Yes, Lee?" Amanda asked as she walked from the master bathroom back towards their bed.

"What time is it? And why are you up already?" Lee asked reaching out for Amanda and pulling her back into the bed.

"It is 7 AM, and I just went to the bathroom."

"But why did the alarm go off?"

"Did you forget what day today is?"

"Ugh!" Lee grunted with a sound that resembled Lurch from the old television show the Addams Family, at least as far as Amanda could tell.

"From your response—I take it that you do know what day it is."

"Yes, Amanda, I know what day it is," Lee replied. "You know that I don't usually celebrate my birthday—"

"Yes, we already talked about that," Amanda replied softly running her fingers along Lee's neck.

The conversation of Lee's birthday started a month ago in the kitchen with Dotty when Amanda was getting ready for work. The boys had already left on the bus. Amanda was finishing her waffles and fruit and was in the middle of drinking her coffee.

"Amanda, is this correct, that Lee's birthday is June 17?" Dotty asked looking down at a piece of paper in her hand.

"Yes, why?" Amanda asked glancing towards the paper Dotty held. "Mother, what are you looking at?"

"Lee's driver's license renewal letter; I must've picked it up by mistake when I grabbed my bills off the counter. We didn't get home until late last night—"

"Yeah, and all the bills were left on the counter instead of being sorted out. I remember." Amanda paused and asked, "But what about Lee's birthday?"

"Well according to his license renewal, it's coming up soon. We need to talk about what we're going to do for his birthday."

"Mother, well you see—" Amanda began,but was cut off by Dotty.

"Amanda, now that I think of it, don't they send these things out nearly a year before they expire?" Dotty asked as she took a closer look at the date. "This is dated almost twelve months ago."

"Wait, Mother, I think you grabbed that from the wrong pile…Lee and I had a pile of papers that had gotten mixed up with a box of new papers."

"Oh, okay, when I get a chance, I'll look at the other papers I pulled off the counter. But back to Lee's birthday, you two were together this time last year; why didn't we celebrate his birthday? We celebrated the boys, your birthday and even mine but we didn't do anything for Lee. June 17 is Lee's real birth date? He isn't like an alien or something, is he?"

Amanda sputtered, as she choked on her coffee. "An alien? Do you mean is he illegal?"

"Yeah, is Lee really from some other country, and he used an assumed birthday or something?"

"Mother!"

"Dotty," Lee began as he walked into the kitchen catching the end of the conversation. "For God sake's, I work for the federal government. Of course, this is my real birth date. It's just that well…like Christmas…I don't celebrate my birthday." Lee said walking into the dining room. "Good morning ladies!" Lee greeted Amanda with a bright smile and a kiss on the lips.

"Good morning, Lee!"

"Good morning, Lee!" Dotty returned. "Do you mean to tell me you don't celebrate your birthday?"

"No, I don't celebrate my birthday. Before now, I didn't have anyone, um, not really, to do that with." Lee answered, grabbing a coffee mug from the kitchen island and pouring himself a cup of coffee. "I've been looking for that. With the move and all, I forgot all about this." Lee said looking towards the paper in Dotty's hand.

"Well, you still have time," Amanda said, trying to divert Dotty's attention.

"What about your uncle?" Dotty asked, not swayed at all.

"His idea of celebrating was to give me a check or take me to the department store. My uncle's friend Barney tried to do something, he always baked me a cake and cooked me a special meal but—"

"Well, Lee, you have a family now. Starting now, we—"

"Mother! Dotty!" was said in unison from Amanda and Lee.

"There's no use in the two of you arguing about it; we must do something, just like a family." She walked over to the calendar that hung on the refrigerator. "Oh, look, your birthday actually falls on a Saturday. We can do something special that Saturday."

Lee opened his mouth to speak but closed it quickly. He knew better than to try and argue this particular point with the West women. Amanda was stubborn enough; Dotty was even worse. I just won't come home, that's all. Lee thought to himself.

As if reading his mind, Amanda grabbed hold of Lee's coffee cup, took him by the crook of one arm and pushed Lee towards the door. "See you later, Mother!"

"But Lee hasn't eaten any breakfast!"

"You know he never eats breakfast," Amanda answered. "But I'll make sure he eats a good lunch today."

"Well, okay, then. Have a good day at work!"

"We will! Have a good day Mother."

Once they were safely outside, Amanda said, "Humor her, okay?" Running her fingers just behind his earlobe as she whispered in his ear. "I'll make it up to you—I promise." That garnered a smile from Lee, one so broad that his dimples came out.

"Okay, I know I promised that we would go out on my birthday, as a family, but Amanda for God's sake, we sleep in longer than this on Saturdays when do have to work."

"I know, that's true, but well, Lee, I just thought that you might want one of your presents now, before we went on our trip—" Amanda said, wrapping her arms around Lee and giving him a kiss on the lips, "But if you don't want it—" Amanda said pulling away from Lee.

Lee pulled Amanda closer to him and answered her with a kiss of his own. "And just what might that early present be, Amanda?"

"I'm sure you already know, but in case you are having trouble figuring it out—" Amanda's answer was silenced by the increased pressure of Lee's lips against hers.

A little while later, Lee and Amanda stood fully dressed just outside the doorway of their bedroom; hand and hand as they started down the stairs. "How about I get the boys up, and you get the coffee started?" Amanda suggested.

"They're already downstairs and ready to go," Dotty quipped stepping out of her bedroom. "Good morning, and Happy Birthday, Lee!"

Lee opened his mouth to let out another Lurch-like groan, caught the look on Amanda's face and remembered how wonderful the day started and said instead; "Good morning, Dotty and thank you."

The ride to the amusement park was mostly uneventful. To make sure there was little to no conflict during the drive, Dotty sat in the back of the Wagoneer between the boys. Dotty mostly enjoyed reading her latest romance novel, while Jamie read a book and Philip worked the Rubiks cube he'd brought along with him. Lee and Amanda talked quietly, Amanda occasionally glancing over at Lee as she tried to gauge his mood and exactly how he was feeling about celebrating today. She noticed a variety of expressions cross Lee's face, from concentrated to sad to happy.

"Lee?" Amanda ventured, reaching out and touching his arm. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Amanda!" Lee replied gruffly then more softly said, "It's just that having someone to celebrate with, is new for me; that's all."

"Look, I'm sure you'll have fun."

"If you say so!" Lee answered glumly.

"Don't you like amusement parks?"

"I've only been a few times, and that was with Barney."

"Did you have fun when you went with him?"

"I guess I did, but you know, it wasn't quite the same, somehow. Like if I'd been with my parents or even the Colonel. But come to think of it, I'm not sure how much fun it would've been with my uncle." Lee grunted.

"I understand," Amanda said reaching out and touching Lee's hand. "Thanks for doing this, for Mother!" Amanda whispered.

It's not like I had a choice. Lee thought to himself, but said instead, "You're welcome."