Chapter 9

Amanda's eyes widened. She had no idea how Lee was going to explain this to her family. They had only touched upon the subject in the car. Holding her breath, she let him talk.

Lee could feel Amanda's hand tense in his. He knew they had decided to glaze over the truth so he started to speak, "You know we work for IFF and I know Amanda's told you before that IFF works for the government. Well, Amanda and I, we hold unique positions. You see, we work with some intelligence agents who deal in highly classified information, that's why sometimes we have to travel out of the country. When we are working on our…. documentaries… we need to get the classified information to make sure the truth comes out." Lee heard Amanda's shaky exhale so he continued. "So safety is very important for the family. I have to ask you not to talk about our jobs too much. I mean if someone asks where we work, then yes, you can tell them IFF but please don't go into any detail. It could mean someone's life. Someone may connect us to the agents even though we do our best to keep everything under cover."

Amanda shook her head in agreement, "Boys, you understand what that means, right? If Lee and I are away, you can't tell anyone why. You can tell them we are away for work but we can't talk about who we are going to be meeting or what information we may be getting. It's important, fellas."

Jamie bit his lip, then hesitantly asked, "Does this mean your job is dangerous, Mom? Lee? Could you… could you get hurt because of your job?"

Lee nodded, "Sometimes, it can get a little dangerous but we do our best to prevent that. Most of the time, it's not. I don't want you to worry about that. Since your mom and I have started working together, things have gotten much safer. Honestly, if it wasn't for her, I'd probably be hurt much worse in certain situations."

Jamie spoke again, his voice shaking a little, "You mean like what happened to Mom in California?"

Amanda got up and walked around to hug him. "Sweetheart, what happened in California really was an accident. We drove up into the middle of something that had nothing to do with us and I got caught in the crossfire. It could have happened here too. You hear about things like that on the news all the time," Amanda said into his hair.

"So, your job was not the reason you got hurt?" Jamie asked again.

"No, Jamie, our job was not the reason your mom got hurt. I promise you. I do everything I can to keep her safe and she does everything she can for me too. And together, we are going to keep you boys and your grandmother safe," Lee said.

Phillip sat listening and then finally said, "That's pretty cool. Do you know how to fight? I mean like karate and stuff? You did tell me you could take me to a self defense class."

Lee looked at him and answered, "Yes, actually I have a black belt. But that's for another day."

"No way!" Phillip sounded off.

Dotty had been silent since Lee started talking. Lee looked over at her, and her face was pale. "Dotty, are you…" he started asking.

"Mother? What's wrong?" Amanda put her hand on her mother's shoulder.

Dotty looked at Amanda then back to Lee. "Your jobs… IFF… keeping the family safe? Amanda, what have you gotten yourself into?"

"Mother… our jobs…" Amanda started but Dotty interrupted her.

"All those times you came home, your clothes ruined. Dates with strange men that you never saw again. Those… those…. parties you went to….it was all lies, wasn't it?" Dotty was shaking.

"No, Mother, the parties. We really do go to those embassy parties and my clothes have been ruined a few times when we have met with our contacts. And the men I dated, Mother? That was a few years ago and Lee and I have been dating for almost… a year now…. October 3rd… our first real date. One that wasn't work related anyway… and well that's the date we want to get married. I know it's only about 6 weeks away but… Mother? Are you not happy Lee and I are getting married?" Amanda changed the subject quickly hoping her mother would follow.

"No… I mean, yes… Darling… I am thrilled you and Lee are getting married. I've said you've been alone for too long. And October 3rd, really? So soon? And you're sure your jobs… you're not lying to me," Dotty sounded better, her voice not as strained.

"No, Mother, we really do work for IFF. We help make documentaries and yes we have intelligence agent contacts. That's all I can tell you about it, I'm sorry," Amanda answered her as honestly as she felt she could.

"Amanda, did you bring in the book?" Lee asked knowing this could completely distract Dotty.

Amanda looked confused for a moment, "The book? Oohhh, the book. The book Mrs. White from the hotel gave us. No, I left it in the car. Lee, would you mind? Mother, you are going to love this."

Lee went to the car to retrieve the photo book and grabbed Amanda's overnight bag while he was there. Inside the house, he put Amanda's bag on the floor of the laundry room and returned to the dining room where Amanda was seated again across from her mother and the boys. He handed Dotty the book without saying a word, moving to stand behind Amanda. "Jamie, you might be impressed with a few of those shots. If you're interested, we still have time this afternoon to shoot the speedboats on the Potomac," Lee said with a nod toward Jamie.

"We can? We still have time? Mom, is that ok if Lee and I go?" Jamie couldn't hide the excitement in his voice.

"Of course, sweetheart, I think it will be good for you to go," Amanda replied, reaching up and holding Lee's hand resting on her shoulder.

Dotty opened the book and turned the first page. She smiled warmly as she took in the first few pictures of Lee and Amanda walking hand in hand on the beach. She ran her hand over the photo of Lee picking up the first rose. Turning each page, she could see how in love Amanda and Lee were by the looks on their faces. She didn't realize it, but a tear had slipped down her face. When she got to the picture of the wave above them, she covered her mouth with her hand. She immediately got up and walked around the table to hug Amanda and Lee. She didn't have words to describe what she was feeling.

Jamie picked up the book mesmerized by the image. "How did she do that?" he asked.

Lee answered, "I don't know, but I do know I'm glad we get to share it with you."

Jamie turned the page to see the wave crashing on them. Phillip began to laugh, "Did that really happen? Please tell me that really happened. Mom, a wave really crashed on you guys?"

Amanda smiled lovingly at her son, "Look at the next one."

Jamie turned the page again to see the two of them completely soaked with Lee's arms in the air and the crowd of people cheering for them. Now it was his turn to hug them both, along with Dotty. He looked over at Phillip and gestured for him to come over too. Phillip walked around the table and joined them.

Lee was the first one to break the silence, "So October 3rd? No one make plans for that day because we have a wedding to plan."

"October 3rd it is. Amanda, you and I have a lot to do. But let's start with a simple question… how can we celebrate tonight? Dinner?" Dotty asked happily.

Lee looked at everyone and said, "Well if Jamie and I can take off in a few minutes, I can make reservations at Emelio's for 6:30 tonight. That gives us a few hours to take pictures and still get ready for a nice dinner. How does that sound?"

Amanda grinned, "Emelio's sounds like the perfect place for dinner tonight."