Chapter 4
The next day-Valentine's Day
Amanda had already showered and eaten breakfast by the time Lee came downstairs for his morning coffee.
"Hey Hon!" Lee gave Amanda a squeeze as she gave him his daily dose of morning energy as he sat down at the breakfast table.
"Last night was perfect, Sweetheart. Aren't we blessed?!"
Lee agreed, "Yes it was and we are. But wait till tonight!"
"Tonight? What's tonight?
" Did you forget Valentine's Day, Amanda?"
"No, but I figured last night was…"
Lee finished Amanda's sentence. "Our Anniversary. But the wonderful thing about getting married the day before Valentine's Day is you get to do a double celebration. Smart thinking on our part when we got married!"
"I don't think we were thinking about that. I think we were just trying to get the right timing between cases." Amanda draped her arms around Lee's neck as she was standing behind his chair and kissed the top of his head.
" I just want you to know we have plans tonight. Alone! And I just have one request," Lee stated.
"What's that, Sweetheart?"
"Wear one of your backless gowns!" Lee wiggled his eyebrows and gave her a wink.
"Hmm, I think that could be arranged!" She smiled slyly, wiggling her hips.
Lee gave a big hoot and guffaw and Amanda hit him on the top of his head with the newspaper.
Later that Night:
Dotty was heating up a frozen dinner when Lee and Amanda came downstairs to leave for dinner.
"My word, you two! Don't you both look stunning!" she observed.
"Thank you, Mother."
Amanda twirled around in the requested backless gown. It was Bright red that was a one shoulder neckline with a keyhole detail at the shoulder and was gathered with the straps that were divided across one side of the back. It was backless to the mid-length of her back. Lee was wearing a traditional black tux. He slipped a black fake fur cape around Amanda's shoulders.
"Don't wait up, Dotty! My date and I will be out late." Lee informed her.
Dotty smiled and gave them both a hug and said "Enjoy your evening!" She sighed and said "To be young again!"
Amanda snickered "Don't we all wish that!"
Lee had surprised Amanda by getting his old Vette out of the garage and had it washed and polished that day. He could never bring himself to part with it, so he only took it out on special occasions and a few times a month to drive so the battery wouldn't get run down. Lee helped Amanda into the car and then they drove off to their destination. Amanda was surprised when they drove up to the pier at the Potomac River for a Valentine dinner cruise.
"Oh, Lee, what a wonderful idea! And I hear they have dancing on these cruises."
"Yes they sure do! That's why I requested that you wear a backless dress. I love holding you while we dance and caressing your skin."
Lee guided her onto the boat with his hand on the small of her back. They were led to an intimate candlelit table by one of the windows of the inside dining room. Champagne was brought to their table. It was announced over the loudspeaker that they would be departing in ten minutes and the waiter brought the special dinner menus over.
There was a choice of surf and turf and caesar salad or the chef's special pasta creation. They both chose the surf and turf. When they were finally alone, Lee pulled out a small rectangle box out of his coat pocket.
"This is for you, Mrs. Stetson!"
"Oh, Sweetheart, I thought no presents this year."
"When I saw this I couldn't resist. Open it."
Amanda opened the box, and a diamond tennis bracelet sat shining in the light. But each of the diamonds was in the shape of a dainty heart.
Amanda gasped, "It's beautiful!"
"It matches your heart is really your anniversary gift, but they didn't have it ready till today!"
Amanda held out her arm and softly said "Please put it on me, Sweetheart!"
Lee put the bracelet on Amanda's wrist and then kissed the inside of it. He rested his lips there for a few seconds and flicked his tongue over the pulse point. Amanda breathed out a raspy sigh.
"Mr. Stetson, if you keep this up you are going to get lucky tonight...maybe even before we get home!"
Lee winked and seductively said "That's my plan! You are lovelier than any of these diamonds and I am the luckiest guy because you're all mine!"
"No sweetheart, we are the luckiest two people in the world!" Amanda reached over and gave Lee a warm and intimate kiss with her tongue lingering between his lips. Lee welcomed the kiss by pulling Amanda's head closer to his and giving a small moan of pleasure. They were interrupted when the band started playing. Startled and suddenly self conscious they broke apart from their very public; private moment.
Lee announced "That's our cue."
He placed his hand on the small of Amanda's back and led her out onto the dance floor. The song was "This will be an everlasting love" by Natalie Cole. They held each other close as the ballad was sung by a lone woman with the band.
"This will be an everlasting love
This will be the one I've waited for
This will be the first time anyone has loved me
I'm so glad you found me in time
And I'm so glad that you rectified my mind
This will be an everlasting love for me."
Amanda whispered "I am glad you found me in that crowd!" Lee agreed by pulling her closer as his hand drifted across her back.
The next song was "I want to know what love is" by Foreigner.
"In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me"
Lee's turn to whisper into Amanda's ear and he said "You did change my lonely life and I have had love ever since I found you."
Amanda answered by caressing Lee's cheek and then resting her head on his shoulder. By that time their dinner had arrived and they went back and sat down to eat. As they ate, the boat slowly made its way down the Potomac past the Jefferson Memorial, the light reflecting from the memorial onto the water. The boat went past the Kennedy Center and saw the Washington Monument in the distance as well as the Lincoln Memorial. In between dinner and dessert they danced some more to just about every love song that the band could think of. As the boat meandered back to its port the last song for dancing started to play. Amanda locked her hands behind Lee's neck as he held her close to him, caressing her bare back as he guided them around the dance floor. They both felt intoxicated by each other as they made love to each other with their eyes. The song was one of their favorites by Rod Stewart.
"You're in my heart, you're in my soul
You'll be my breath should I grow old
You are my lover, you're my best friend
You're in my soul"
When the song ended neither broke their embrace and silently danced to their own music. The rest of the passengers started to disembark as they still danced. The maitre d' quietly tapped Lee on the shoulder to show him that it was time to leave. As he and Amanda broke their hold, both shuddered in the break of their connection and they silently left the boat hand in hand.