Disclaimer see chapter one
Chapter 24
Lee checked on Amanda throughout the night and was grateful she slept peacefully through the night. Lee's sleep, when he slept was fitful, he was so worried Amanda would wake up and need him, so most of the night he stood at her bedroom door and watched her sleep. Who would have thought three years ago that "The Great Scarecrow" would get so much pleasure from watching a woman sleep, he would have said they were crazy. But here he was, standing in her doorway, watching the bravest, the smartest, the most beautiful woman he had ever known, sleep.
Morning came, Amanda talked to her mother and the boys, everyone was excited to hear that a head start had been gotten on 'spring cleaning' and there would be a good chance it would almost be complete by the time everyone arrived home. There were cheers on the other line and then "I love you" were exchanged and Amanda told them she missed them and would see them soon, she also assured Dotty that she wouldn't overdo it and that her friend staying was helping tremendously (smiling and looking at Lee). They had a late breakfast, and yes, Lee actually ate a little, seeing it was late in the morning, they cleaned up the kitchen and worked some more on 'spring cleaning.' Once the lower level of the house was finished the took a break and had some left-over pot roast and homemade bread for lunch. They once again worked side by side and cleaned up, they decided to call it a day, they relaxed on the couch, Lee turned on a ballgame and Amanda curled up by his side with a book. Before long, Amanda was sound asleep and Lee was watching her again, he drew his finger along her jawline, over her lips and pulled her closer to him, relishing in how wonderful she felt in his arms.
A few hours he woke her, they decided to go out to dinner. They showered and dressed and left for dinner, the decided on Emeilo's again, it was becoming a favorite, good food, good atmosphere and best of all, great company. After a nice dinner, salad for each and an entrée of penne with meat marinara they decided to drive into Washington and take a walk along the monuments. They arrived and Lee helped Amanda out of the car, they sat for a while at the Jefferson and talked how things were coming full circle and neither could wait to see where they took them, but as long as they were together they would make it through. They walked back to the vette with their arms around each other, they made small talk on the way back to Arlington and decided they could almost finish spring cleaning tomorrow. They got back to Maplewood Drive, Lee unlocked the door and went in first this time and Amanda followed closely behind him. He walked her up to her room, waited for her to change into her gown and tucked her into bed, then made his way downstairs.
The next day they finished 'spring cleaning' and spent the evening alone at Amanda's, her family would be back the next day and Lee would go back to his lonely, empty apartment. As they were sitting all snuggled up on the couch, Lee tilts her face to look at him, "Amanda, I am so glad you are doing better. You are going to be OK. But, I sure am going to miss you when I go home." She places her palm against his cheek, "Lee, it is all because of you I am OK. You are going to see me at work the day after tomorrow. But I am going to miss you too. So, to help us get through missing each other, let's have dinner after work. OK?" He takes her hand and kisses her palm, "dinner sounds wonderful." They go to bed, and wake early, eat breakfast and clean up together, one last time. Amanda helps Lee get his clothes and belongings he had brought, they loaded his bags in the vette. Lee leaned against the car and pulled Amanda to him, she leans against his chest, feeling the warmth and safety of his arms, he kisses her forehead and then her lips. He presses his forehead against hers, his hands are around her waist, "so dinner at Emeilo's after work Monday? You can feel me in on Dotty's trip and the boy's trips with Joe and her and what they have planned this week, maybe I can catch one of their games, from the shadows of course." Soon Lee left and Amanda's family showed up, Amanda helped unload the car and then as the boys and Dotty cleaned up, Amanda set to doing a big pile of laundry.
Sunday was spent catching up with Dotty, Amanda told her about the break in and how thankful she was to her friends at work for helping her. "My poor darling, are you sure you are OK? That must have been terrifying, coming into something like that, in your own home. I am so glad your friends from work helped you and were able to stay with you for a while." Amanda takes Dotty's hand, "Mother, it was frightening, I was bruised and sore for a couple of days, but much better now. I am just thankful you and the boys were not here. The thought of something happening to you all scares me to death." Just then a thundering herd of boys ran through the house, "Mom, Danny next door said one night there were police and an ambulance here, what happened? Are you OK?" She takes Phillip and Jamie in her arms, and sits them on the couch, "Boys, I want to talk to you about that, while you were gone we had a break in here, and I walked in on it. They hit me a couple of times, but I am OK. Now I don't want you boys to be scared, they caught the men and they are in jail." The boys hugged her tight, she winced just a little (and so did the man watching from the back yard, it was all he could do not to run in) Dotty also noticed the wince, "boys not so tight, you mom may still be sore." In unison, the boys replied, "Sorry mom." "It's OK boy, I love your hugs. I am OK. Now, scoot upstairs and get your baths, school tomorrow."
The next day at work was so busy, Amanda and Lee barely saw each other, Lee was checking with some contacts and Amanda was catching up on a weeks' worth of paper work. About three o'clock Lee called the Q Bureau, Amanda answered, "Hey, Sorry I haven't been there today. How are you doing? I miss you." She smiled, "I miss you too. I am ok, stiff from sitting all day, but I got a lot done." "Are we still on for tonight, let's say 6?" He could hear the smile in her voice, "Yes, I have been looking forward to dinner all day, especially the dinner company. I must pick up something at the electronics store for Jamie's science project, but I will be there. See you then." "Yeah, see ya later." They hung up and finished the work they were doing.
Later at Emeilo's. Lee is sitting at the bar nursing a glass of scotch checking his watch for the third time in five minutes wondering what trouble she may have found now, the bartender walks over drying a glass, "Relax Lee, she's always 10 minutes late." (and we all know what happens from there).
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