Stetson/King Family
Amanda awakens to hushed voices coming from the kitchen. She hears her mother telling the boys to be very quiet as their mother needs her rest. Amanda calls out, "Mother, Philip, Jamie, I'm awake. Boys come see your mother I need some hugs and kisses". Dotty joins them and says, "but be very careful, your mother was hurt in her chest area". Wow, what happened?" Asks Philip, "Dummy, Grandma just said she was hurt in her chest." Jamie says. "Jamie don't call your brother dummy. You boys are getting too old for name calling. Come give me a kiss on the cheek." The boys do and both say "Sorry". Boys, go bring the breakfast I made for your mother", says Dotty. "Ok, before they get back are you going to tell me what happened and all about Lee? I haven't said anything to the boys yet, but we are your family, we need to know these things." "Mother", Amanda says sternly, "Lee will be home soon, and we will tell the boys we got married. We will also tell you as much as we can about what happened to me, but you are just going to have to trust us, you don't want to know everything." Philip very carefully is bringing in a tray with a plate containing eggs, toast and some orange juice. Jamie is right behind him with some flowers in a vase from their garden.
Amanda says to Philip and Jamie, "I got hurt badly when I was on vacation with Lee. But I am ok now that I am home. I must stay here right now as climbing stairs is not what my doctor ordered. You two go play outside, but Lee will be over soon. I know you are getting to know him, but we have been dating for a long time and I want both of you to be on your best behavior. Now give me another kiss and go out and play and thank you for the breakfast." The boys leave and Amanda looks up to her mother who has been watching the whole thing and she starts tapping her foot. She says, "ok they are gone. I will not wait any longer, I want to know everything. I will not just sit idly by and wait until Lee gets back."
Amanda looks up and see Lee standing their grinning as if he's thinking boy, you're in trouble now. "Mother, Lee is here, why don't you get him some coffee and join us. We will tell you what we can, but nothing more. Ok?" While Dotty goes and gets Lee some coffee, he walks over to the pull-out couch in the den and gives her a long and deep kiss. I've missed you Amanda Stetson", he says. "Mmm, I've missed you too, Lee Stetson", Amanda replies. "So, can you tell me what's going on at the agency? Has the problem been resolved?" Amanda asks quietly. Lee replies, "everything is under control for now. Billy and Francine said they will keep me informed, after I told them everything, they said they would take point for now; Billy said you need me more. I still don't know how to explain this to Dr. Smyth, I mean they usually don't let married people work together, but Billy said we are the best team he's ever had, and he will tell Dr. Smyth that. Oh, and Francine says to tell you congratulations and get well soon, but I'm not sure she meant it given that way she said it" he laughs.
Dotty has returned with Lee's coffee. She says, "if I recall, you don't take sugar in it. But enough with the stalling. What happened in California? Why didn't you tell anyone you were getting married? You know my feelings are really hurt you didn't include anyone. And Amanda, you got shot? How did that happen? Does it have anything to do with that film company you work for? Seriously my name may be Dotty, but I am not a dotty old woman. That man Mr. Melrose a few months ago asked a lot of questions and you said the film company worked with federal agents. So, what really happened?"
Lee apologizes and says, I'm sorry Mrs. West, I mean Dotty. We were on vacation, but when we got there, we just decided to elope. We feel bad about not telling anyone. I was visiting an old friend and he had some people he owed money to and Amanda was with me and unfortunately, we were just caught in the crossfire, so to speak. That's it. It had nothing to do with our work. We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time." Lee thinks to himself, "that's really not that far from the truth, it didn't have anything to do with the Agency".
"Ok, well if that's all you are going to tell me, I'll just have to accept it. Afterall, you both are adults, and you know me, I don't like to pry into other people's lives." Amanda laughs and says, "Yes, you do mother; but what Lee said is the truth. Now, please go get the boys, we are going to have explain a lot of things to them."
Dotty yells out, "Philip, Jamie; Lee is here. He and your mother want to talk to you." "I could have done that mother, now you need to leave", Amanda sighs.
The boys enter the den as their grandmother is leaving. Philip extends his hand and says, "its good to see you again, Mr. Stetson." Lee says, "please, I told you, both of you to call me Lee." "Philip, Jamie, please sit down, Lee and I have some news for you. Remember how I told you that even though I love both of you and your grandmother, I can still love someone else as well and that doesn't mean I love either of you less?", Amanda explains. "We are sorry we kept this a secret from both of you, your grandmother and even your father doesn't know, but when Lee & I were on vacation, we decided to get married. I know we should have told you beforehand; but California was just so beautiful, we couldn't wait; so if you have any questions, please ask, but Lee will be moving in with us, okay?" Amanda sighs and hopes they don't look at the marriage certificate on where they got married, well at least for a year or two. She's not ready for those questions just now. Lee says, "do you have any questions? I know we kind of sprung this on you. We really are sorry, but I hope you can accept me into your family. I love your mother very much and I want to know more about you and hope to spend some time going out, just the three of us. Philip seems to accept it more than Jamie, as Jamie looks a little sad; but they both hug their mother and slowly each one hugs Lee. "Congratulations mom, Lee. If you need help moving in Jamie and I will do that, right Jamie?" Philip says.
"Ok, boys, go back outside and play. I'm going to call your father.", Amanda says. She looks to Lee and says "I think he will be okay with it, but we beat him to the punch, I haven't even met his fiancée' yet." Lee leaves to let Amanda call Joe and tell him the news. He kisses her on the forehead and says, "I'll be right back, I forgot something from the car." While he is gone Amanda calls Joe and breaks the news to him, leaving out the part of getting shot. They have a nice conversation with one of them saying "we all need to get together for dinner sometime soon". Lee quickly returns and says, "that hand looks like it is missing something. Now that Philip and Jamie know, I want everyone else to know you are off the market", he places both her engagement ring and wedding band on her left hand, holds it and says "I love you" Amanda replies, "I love you too, but I think I need to get some more sleep, so why don't you take the boys back to your place and bring some of your things over? Ok?, boys Lee is leaving, why don't you help him pack some things while your mother gets some rest?" Lee kisses her again and he and the boys leave and get into his silver Porsche, and heads over to his apartment. It takes a few trips and each time they are very quiet taking things upstairs and Lee leaving a few things by the den, careful not to wake Amanda.
Amanda awakens and sees a note next to her saying he got the boys pizza and her some soup, but he can be reached at work, but won't be gone long.
It's been over a week and while Amanda still can't climb stairs, she gets up occasionally to walk around the living room is able to move around and have dinner with her family. Lee refuses to sleep in her bed until it becomes "their bed", so he slips under the covers next to her at night. After everyone else has gone to bed and he is lying next to her, "he says, you have that follow-up with your doctor tomorrow. Do you want me there?" "Of course, I do, but you have been spending more time here than at work and I'm sure they will find something important for you to do. Besides we don't want Francine to get too lonely, do we? Amanda says with a hint of sarcasm. Lee laughs, "Okay, but call me if you have any news," Okay?", Okay I will. I'll get mother to take me. Don't worry, her driving is much better now."
Lee heads out the door and a couple of hours later, Amanda and her mother leave for her appointment.