Kelly's Journey Continues

Chapter 21

Lee came into Kelly's room and saw his daughter laying on her bed hugging Chester tightly and swallowed hard thinking, Damn. This should be a happy time for all of us with the new baby coming. We gotta fix this, Amanda!

Coming over to Kelly he sat down next to her and rubbed her back gently and remarked softly, "I'm sorry we were upset, Sweet Pea. But it wasn't about you, trust me."

Kelly sniffed and wiped her eyes asking sadly, "Why were you and Mommy mad? "

Lee sighed and answered carefully, "Well, we were upset because the boys got into some trouble today and they had to talk to a policeman."

Kelly looked frightened and queried, "Do they have to go away? I don't want them to go away, Daddy."

Lee shook his head and gently pulled her into his arms and as he held her he kissed her and stated quietly, "No Honey, they're not going anywhere. I talked to the policeman and we worked out some things. You see they broke a law. It is never okay to break one. But because they never got into trouble like that before there's a fine to pay, meaning giving money to those people involved. And some other stuff which you don't need to worry about, all right? But again, I'm so sorry we scared you, Sweetie. We'll try not to do that any more, okay?"

Kelly then saw Amanda at the door and got down from Lee's lap going to her and replied, "Please don't be mad at Daddy. He's nice and he loves all of us, right?"

Amanda gulped and bent down to hug her answering softly, "I know, Sweetheart. But I was worried about your brothers and you're right. I shouldn't be mad at him for trying to help but I was scared. You'll understand this better when you have kids of your own someday. And I'm sorry too that I frightened you by getting upset with Daddy. We love you and that's not gonna change, okay?"

Kelly smiled as she hugged Amanda back and replied, " Okay. I love you guys, too."

Lee cleared his throat and getting up winked at Amanda and commented lightly, "Ahem. Now that that's settled, didn't Dotty say something about brownies that had to be made with a special helper?"

Kelly beamed and asked, "Really? She said that?"

Amanda nodded and called down to her mother, "Um, Mother? Do you still have the brownie mix we got the other day? I was thinking we could have them for dessert tonight?"

Dotty answered, "Well, I need my special helper for that. Kelly? Would you like to help Grandma with this project? They won't taste the same without you!"

Kelly remarked gleefully, "I'll be right down!"

Jumping up and down she stated excitedly, "Oh, boy! I get to lick the bowl when we're done! Bye!"

She ran from the room and Amanda called after her, "Don't forget to wash your hands, Young Lady!"

As she left, Lee and Amanda chuckled.

Amanda sighed and going to Lee she remarked softly, "I am sorry about getting upset with you, but did you really mean what you said about Kelly being just your kid? I-I thought she was ours finally?"

Lee held her and swallowed hard responding, "No, I didn't mean it really. I was just put off by you saying that you would handle the rest of the boys punishment and-"

Amanda shrugged and commented, "Only because you and Mother didn't tell me about the police station-"

Lee sighed replying, "We didn't want you under any more stress."

Amanda protested, "But I wouldn't have been if you had just-"

Shaking his head he answered quickly, " Okay, okay. I get it. Um, now. Before we go talk to the boys, I'd like to bring up a subject that I'd been thinking about since you told me about the baby."

Amanda pulled away from Lee and sat on Kelly's bed asking, "Am I gonna like this? I mean I know you want to get a new house and I'm on board with that since we do need the room, but what else?"

Lee swallowed hard and going to her knelt down in front of her and stated carefully, "I want to adopt the boys."

As Amanda sat there absorbing that Lee went on commenting, "I know Joe hasn't been gone that long so it may be a long shot, but I wanted to check with you first. Honey, when I was at the police station and I heard myself say that I was their stepfather... I dunno. Something hit me. Hard. I didn't expect to feel like I did at that moment. But I do love them, and-"

Then he saw Amanda's face as tears welled up in her eyes and he squeezed her hands and continued remarking gently, "Sweetheart, I know it's a big step. And believe me, I've handled a lot of big steps since we started on this journey of ours. But I want it to continue for the rest of our lives. Together. What do you say?"

Amanda gulped as she grabbed a tissue from Kelly's nightstand and wiping her eyes she cleared her throat and responded, "Well, I think we should try to reassure them first and then talk to them about their punishment. But I want you to know that I've never loved you more than I do right now and I'm more than happy to have you adopt them."

Lee slowly smiled as he caressed her cheek and answered, "Whew. All right. Now that I've gotten through that hurdle, what do you say we go handle this next one?"

Amanda kissed him and getting up remarked, "I'm with you."

They went up to the attic door and knocked with Amanda querying, "Boys? All right if we come in?"

Jamie opened the door and nodded but responded in a low voice, "Yeah, but Phillip's kind of upset now and I don't know what to do."

She and Lee saw Phillip sitting on his bed, his back facing them as he was hunched over and crying!

Lee clearing his throat commented to Jamie, "Uh, let's have a seat over here on your bed while your mom tries to make him feel better, huh?"

Amanda nodded to Lee and stated to Jamie softly, "It's okay, Honey. He'll be all right."

She then went around the side of Phillip's bed and sitting down beside him put her arms around him remarking, "Honey, I promise you we'll work everything out. It'll be all right. C'mere..."

Phillip sobbed in his mother's arms responding, "I-I hate him! Why did he leave like that? I guess it doesn't matter since he wouldn't have given a damn about what happened!"

Amanda still holding her son looked back at Lee thunderstruck! He wasn't making sense unless... Of course. Phillip was talking about Joe!

She realized how much Phillip missed him at that moment and pulled back from him for a moment asking, "Phillip, is that why you did that crazy thing with the car? Because you thought your dad wouldn't have cared?"

Phillip gulped and shrugged commenting quietly, "I dunno. Maybe."

Lee shook his head answering, "Phillip, if your dad was here he most certainly would've cared! It was a senseless move that could've gotten you jail time, particularly if someone had been in the parked car and had gotten hurt or killed. Not only that, but you could've hurt yourself, Billy, and your brother. But we went through all that at the police station. Now, tell your mom why else you think your dad wouldn't have cared at all."

Phillip shrugged as he wiped his eyes and replied, "Well, think about it. He dumped us, went on his merry way, and only came back to town when he felt like it. He didn't care-"

Amanda sighed and motioned Jamie over commenting, "C'mere Sweetheart." Holding both her sons she stated firmly, "Phillip Thomas and James Joseph King. I want you to listen to me very carefully. What your father chose to do with his life after he left us was on him! Not on you two or me. It was his choice to go therefore his consequence to live with! Everyone in this world has choices good or bad that we make! But we also have to live with the consequences of our own actions. We didn't want to divorce but we just couldn't go on with things the way they were. Your father right or wrong, loved you unconditionally. Yes it's true that he didn't do right by you but your behavior certainly wouldn't have made him proud! It certainly didn't make me proud. I always want to be proud of the two finest boys we had. And as I've said numerous times I'm here for whatever you need me for and I love you both as much as I ever did, okay?"

Nodding they hugged her answering, "We love you too, Mom."

Looking at Lee she nodded to him to begin.

Lee asked, "Now?"

Amanda shrugged and commented, "No time like the present."

Lee sighed and stated, "Uh, okay. Fellas, your mom and I were just talking in Kelly's room about today and other things."

Noticing his hesitancy Amanda remarked gently, "It's all right, Honey. Just tell them."

Jamie queried, "What is it, Lee?"

Lee cleared his throat and answered, " Let me start by saying that today was a mistake that we will get through but like your mom just said it's nothing to be proud of, but you already know that. Now, ever since I found out about the baby I've been feeling all sorts of things. Kind of confusing things. Anyway. Like I told her, there was a moment at the police station that I wasn't comfortable with."

Phillip nodded and stated, "I know. That captain was tough, right?"

Lee shook his head responding, "No, no. I meant when I first got there and I told the captain who I was."

Phillip asked, "But you said you're Lee Stetson. That's your name, isn't it?"

Jamie rolled his eyes and commented, "No, Doofus. He meant what he is to us. Right, Lee?"

Lee nodded but remarked, "Don't call him that, Jamie. It's not nice. And yes. I meant where I fit in with the family."

Phillip shrugged and stated, "But you're our stepdad. What's wrong with that?"

Lee swallowed hard and responded carefully, "Nothing. Except I'd like to be more. If you'll let me. Look, just think about it. You don't have to decide right now but tell me what you think when you both are absolutely sure, okay? I know how much Joe meant to you and I would never try to take his place, but you guys mean the world to me just like your mom does. I'm gonna screw up plenty here but if you help me along the way, I'm sure we'll make it, all right?"

The boys nodded silently and Lee looked at Amanda for approval.

Amanda smiled and nodded remarking, "Okay. Now Phillip, let's talk about the fine. You got a twenty five hundred dollar fine and suspended sentence with probation. That means that you will have to get a job after school to help pay it off and you won't be going for your license any time soon, Mister-"

Phillip retorted," What about Jamie?! He was in the car-"

Lee answered, "Yes, he will be grounded as well for even going along with you and Billy. However, he was not behind the wheel. You were, which is why he doesn't have the fine to pay back. Don't worry. He'll have plenty to do here while you're out there."

Phillip sighed and commented, "Fine! What job am I getting?"

Lee looked at Amanda and queried to her, "What about Rhonda's place? He likes being around cars and she could probably use the help and as an added bonus, keep an eye on him."

Amanda skeptically responded, "The gas station? Mmm... I don't know about that. Isn't he too young?"

Phillip asked, "Who's she? An old girlfriend?"

Lee commented, "She works at IFF. Has a gas station on the side."

Answering Amanda he responded, " No. If he was supposed to be going for his license, he's old enough now."

Jamie sighed and asked, "How long are we grounded for?"

Amanda and Lee shared a look and nodding Lee replied, "A month-"

Phillip shook his head grimacing, " A whole month?! Oh, c'mon! I didn't hurt anyone-"

Amanda answered sharply, "No, but you damaged the parked car and Mr. Barton's car."

Lee added firmly, "And don't think Billy's getting off that easy. He's in plenty of hot water for taking the keys in the first place and letting you drive. I'm sure he's getting a grounding just like you are, Pal."

Phillip shrugged commenting, "Well, at least it's just during the week."

Lee chuckled as he looked at his wife and then answered, "No. It's total weekends, too. Sorry."

Phillip grumbled annoyed at the news, "This totally bites!"

Lee sighed and remarked as he and Amanda got up to leave the room, "Don't worry. The month will fly by as you will be kept very busy with school and work. We'll call you when dinner's ready. Get started on some homework if you've got any, please."

They left and Jamie responded to Phillip, "It won't be bad. At least you'll be paid for working."

But Phillip growled at his younger brother as he went to get his history book, "Just shut up already..."

TBC