Lee slowly opened his eyes and tried to push his way through the morning fog. He glanced at the alarm clock that sat on the bedside table: 7:17. A wave of panic momentarily overtook Lee's senses. He was going to be late for work, but then he quickly realized that it was Thanksgiving morning. No work for him or Amanda today. Lee settled into his pillow, breathed out a sigh of relief and smiled. This was the first real holiday that he had ever taken-voluntarily that is. He was looking forward to spending the day with his family and of course, Francine. Lee began playing the many different scenarios that might occur today with the Stetson household and Francine Desmond. He was still very shocked that Amanda even invited Francine to spend Thanksgiving with them, especially how angry she had been with her. Amanda wouldn't tell Lee the specifics of the chat that she had with Francine. She would only tell her that she and Francine cleared the air and that Amanda has a much better understanding of what has been bothering Francine. She then said that she thought it would be a nice gesture to have Francine join them for dinner so she wasn't home alone. Just then, Amanda stirred in her sleep and snuggled up against Lee. Lee gently brushed the hair away from her face and looked upon the beautiful woman sleeping next to him. Her generosity and kindness never ceased to amaze him. One minute she is ready to kill Francine with her bare hands, the next she is inviting her to share Thanksgiving with us because she feels it will be good for Francine. Lee was fairly certain that a kinder soul did not exist.
He put his arm around his sleeping wife and ever so gently, pulled her closer to him. In the silence of the morning, he listened to her steady, rhythmic breathing. The house was quiet and still. The boys had gone to stay with Joe last night so that they could go to this morning's football game. Dotty was at Harry's. She had been spending more and more time with him. Lee was glad to see them both so happy. All that was left in the house was Lee and Amanda. She looked so peaceful sleeping there beside him. It seemed as if for that moment, only the two of them existed. Lee began to lightly run his finger up and down Amanda's back as he leaned in to smell her hair, drinking in her scent. Normally, Lee would let Amanda sleep on her day off, but it being Thanksgiving, she had set the alarm to go off at 8:00 to put in the turkey and get started on all the day's preparations. He figured that waking her up a half hour early wouldn't hurt and he would get to spend some time with Amanda before the day's craziness was in full swing.
Scooching down in the bed, Lee positioned himself to be face to face with sleeping Amanda. He lay on the pillow examining her perfect beauty. He carefully tucked a lone strand of hair behind her ear and gently placed a kiss on her forehead. Amanda's breathing pattern began to change as her senses began waking up. Lee smiled as he watched the beginning signs of her coming out of her slumber. He placed another kiss on her waiting lips. It was soft and sensual. Amanda's lips tried to respond in her sleepy haze. Lee pulled Amanda closer to him and kissed her again, this time with more urgency. Slowly, her lips began searching for his and she hungrily responded to his wake-up call. Amanda sleepily brought her hands to cup Lee's face as she pulled his waiting lips to hers, her senses now fully awake and aware of her surroundings. Lee's original intent was to merely wake Amanda up. She obviously had other ideas. Lee liked her idea much better. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her passionately to him. Lee pulled out of their embrace and smiled at his lover. She looked up at him and traced his lips with her finger. She smiled back at him and pulled him into a most passionate embrace. As Lee began to leave a trail of kisses from her mouth to her lovely, long neck, Amanda said to herself, "This is the best wake-up call I have ever received."
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Lee held Amanda close as her head lay upon his bare chest. She could still hear his heart beating wildly and his breathing struggling to return to normal. She, too was enjoying the euphoria her body was feeling after their early morning love making.
"I suppose I should say good morning to you now", Lee said with a chuckle.
"Oh, I think that what we just did ensured that it was a good morning!"
"Honestly, Amanda, I was just trying to slowly wake you up. I had no expectations of that happening."
"Are you complaining?"
"Oh goodness, no! That was the best surprise!"
"Well, you know what they say, good things come to you when you least expect them!"
"Yeah, So I've been told! Are you ready for a house full of people today?"
"Oh absolutely! I love Thanksgiving. I just wish the boys were here all day instead of just tonight."
Lee hugged her tighter.
"I know, I know but they will be here tonight and I already promised Jamie that he and I could be on the same team for Trivial Pursuit tonight!"
"Oh really? Well then I guess Philip and I will just have to kick your butt!"
"You can certainly try, but I think it is highly unlikely!"
"Care to wager on that, Scarecrow?"
"Hmmm…yes I do! But give me a little time to come up with something really good. My mind is still a bit on the fuzzy side and I want to make sure that we bet something very worthwhile!"
"Ok, deal! Not that it matters because you are going to lose anyway!"
Lee began to tickle Amanda. She wriggled and writhed wildly!
"HAHAHAH! Lee! Stop! HAHAHHA! That's not fair!"
Lee stopped and looked down at her smiling face. Before he could help himself he leaned down to kiss her.
"I love you, Amanda"
"I love you, too, sweetheart."
"It's going to be a real shame when I have to annihilate you in the game tonight!"
Amanda smile up at him and slapped him gently on the back!
"We'll see! What time is it anyway? The alarm clock made a hasty retreat across the room when it went off a while ago."
"Yeah…sorry. I guess I was a bit carried away with other things at the moment."
"I guess it doesn't matter. Time for me to get up and get going on dinner. Everyone is supposed to be here about 2."
"You ready to play hostess to Francine tonight?"
"Yup! Francine is going to get a dose of a normal Thanksgiving hosted by normal people."
"Normal people? Amanda, 4 out of the 5 of us are spies. And your mother would be a spy if we let her."
"Well….I supposed that is true! But, she is still going to see what it is like to spend Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and a home cooked meal. None of that catered stuff."
Amanda quickly kissed Lee and rolled out of bed.
"I am going to take a shower first, if you uh….care to join me."
Lee quickly threw back the covers and raced to the bathroom. She certainly didn't need to ask him twice.
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"Oh, Amanda it smells simply marvelous in here" Dotty said as she and Harry walked through the kitchen door.
"Well, thank you, Mother! You're early! I didn't expect you until closer to 2:00."
Dotty hugged Amanda and offered her a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh nonsense! I wasn't going to let you do all the work! Now what can I do?"
Harry also kissed Amanda on the cheek and gave Lee a firm handshake with a pat on the back.
"Lee my boy, how have you been? Nice to see you out of the office for a major holiday for a change!"
"It's nice to be out of the office, Harry. Really, really nice. I have a feeling this is going to be my best Thanksgiving yet."
"Lee, darling! How are you? I haven't seen you in a few days!"
"That's because you're never here, Dotty!"
Lee smiled and winked at Dotty letting her know that he was happy for her.
Amanda and Dotty busied themselves in the kitchen and catching up on the events of the past few days. Lee and Harry sat on the couch and turned on the football game.
"So, Lee? Did I hear correctly that Francine is joining us for dinner?"
"Yup, you heard right! Amanda invited Francine for Thanksgiving and Francine accepted! Can you believe it?"
Harry laughed out loud.
"No, actually I can't! She knows that we are not getting tonight's meal catered by the chef of the hour, doesn't she?"
"Yup, she sure does!"
"And this is the same Francine Desmond that I thought that Amanda was going to kill at the embassy ball a few weeks ago, correct?"
"Correct."
"Well, this ought to be a VERY interesting dinner! I can hardly wait!"
Lee and Harry looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"What's so funny in there?" Amanda called from the kitchen.
"Oh Harry and I were just catching up."
"Lee, why don't you offer Harry a drink?"
"Harry? What can I get you? I have a great Beaujolais that is just begging to be opened."
"Then why make it wait! That sounds great."
Lee headed to the kitchen to open the wine as Dotty began to set the table. The house was full of hustle and bustle, the smells of turkey roasting and an apple pie cooling. His beautiful wife was in their kitchen, his surrogate mother was setting the table and the man that has been his only father figure for a while now sat on the couch in his living room. Lee was suddenly overtaken by a swell of emotion. He was so grateful for all the blessings in his life. The only thing that would have made it better is if Philip and Jamie were here with them now. But, thankfully, they would be there later.
Lee kissed Amanda on the cheek and whispered 'thank you' into her ear on his way by as he carried the two glasses of wine. Amanda smiled, a bit puzzled why Lee just thanked her. Just then, the front door bell rang. Amanda checked the time. It was only 1:00pm. They weren't supposed to eat until 2.
Lee went and opened the door greeting Francine as she entered the house.
"Hi. Sorry I am early, but I thought that maybe you could use some help or something."
Francine handed Lee a very expensive bottle of Pinot Grigio.
"Ooo! Very nice vintage, Francine!"
"Yeah, you might want to pop that into the fridge so it stays cold."
Lee nodded and led Francine into the living room. Francine smiled nervously and greeted everyone.
"Amanda, Francine thought you could use some help so she came early."
Amanda turned around and looked at Lee with a confused look.
"Ohhh, really? Well that's just great! Come on in Francine. You can help me finish peeling these potatoes. Here let me get you an apron so you don't get anything on your designer outfit."
"Peeling potatoes? Well, sure I can figure out how to do that. Can't be too hard, right?"
"You've never peeled potatoes before?" Dotty questioned.
"No, not exactly. But really, how hard can it be?"
Dotty smirked and turned away rolling her eyes in the process.
"Here you go, Francine. Just put that on and I will get your started."
Francine draped the 'Kiss the Cook' apron on over her clothing.
"Charming" she said under her breath.
Harry and Lee looked at each other and began to snicker. They both knew this was going to be highly entertaining. They clinked glasses in celebration of the entertainment that was to quickly ensue.
Amanda handed Francine the 5lb bag of potatoes and a knife.
"Here you go! You might want to wash them first."
"All these? You want me to peel all of these potatoes?"
"Well, most all of them. I always like to make extra. They boys love mashed potatoes. They won't go to waste."
Amanda smiled as she turned away and went back to basting the turkey.
Dotty sat on the arm of the couch closest to Harry. She leaned in and spoke to the men.
"She has NEVER peeled potatoes? Ever? Where did she grow up? Under a rock?"
"No my dear, in a very expensive country club would be my best guess." Harry replied.
"Well, this ought to be a blast" Dotty said flatly. "If she is having a hard time with the potatoes, just wait until she gets to help Amanda boil up the turkey giblets!"
Lee burst out laughing at the thought of Francine and the turkey giblets. This certainly was shaping up to be a far better Thanksgiving than he ever expected!
To be continued….