CHAPTER ONE - September 1987
Phillip King jumped off the last step of the school bus and started walking down Maplewood Drive towards his house. It was the first day of school for Phillip and the start of his sophomore year. Now that he was in high school he usually got home about 30 minutes before his younger brother, Jamie, who was still at the middle school. It was a nice partly sunny day in Arlington and Phillip could feel a slight chill in the late afternoon air. He knew that his mother would soon start making him take a jacket to school in the mornings. Phillip slowly walked towards 4247 Maplewood Drive and he began to think about his day at school.
Phillip wasn't usually interested in going to school. He wasn't a bookworm like his brother. Cars, sports and the military are what he was interested in. Phillip King was very popular in school and all of the sophomore girls vied for his attention. He had hung out and called several different girls while he was in middle school but none of them seemed to really peak his interest. His friends all called him a " ladies man" and joked with him regarding all of the girls he talked to. He really didn't have anyone to confide in. His brother, Jamie, wasn't really into girls yet. He still made fun of them and it irritated Phillip. Just last February, when Phillip wanted to buy a Valentines Day teddy bear for the girl he was talking to at the time….Linda….no...Tracy? Phillip shook his head trying to remember her name, but Jamie teased him relentlessly for days following that disastrous purchase only to have what's her name tell him she was dating Billy Giesman.
Phillip sighed as he thought about what happened earlier in the day as he shuffled into his US History class. He was with a few of his buddies and they were being loud and obnoxious as they came into the classroom. Their teacher, Ms. Bradford, gave them all a stern look and told them to take their seats. Phillip slumped into his seat and looked over at the girl that was sitting next to him. She literally took Phillip's breath away.
She was sitting with her legs turned to the aisle and she was reading a teen magazine. She had strawberry blonde hair and the most beautiful hazel green eyes. She was wearing a jean skirt and a big oversized teal sweatshirt with a collar. She had on sneakers and those puffy socks girls were wearing. She also had lots of those jelly bracelets on and at least 2 watches. She heard Phillip slump into his chair and she looked up, and she smiled. Phillip smiled back and was about to say something to her ,but the bell rang and the teacher began to speak. I'll catch her on the way out of class!, he thought to himself.
Phillip remembered how long he felt the class dragged on. He wanted to jet out of the class first so he could meet up with the mystery gal. Ms. Bradford explained their homework for the evening, and the sound of students grumbling at the thought of homework on the first day of school filled the quiet room. Suddenly, the bell started ringing. Phillip jumped out of the room before everyone else and waited patiently outside for... her. He tried to look cool as he leaned up against the lockers. She walked out alone and turned to face him.
" Hey Red...Just walk with me!" Phillip said as he grinned at her.
The mystery girl looked at Phillip and said in the most beautiful Southern accent Phillip had ever heard " Excuse me? Red? Do all you Virginia boys call girls names like that?"
Phillip shyly looked at her and apologized. " I'm sorry...I don't usually, but I think I missed when Ms. Bradford said your name and I didn't have a chance to ask you during class. I am Phillip King"
The scowl the mystery girl had on her face slowly turned into a smirk. " Well, Hello, Phillip King. I am Annie Hamilton. It's nice to meet you."
" Wanna walk to our next class? Where are you heading?" Phillip asked her.
" Oh I think I am heading to English class. Would you like to see my schedule?" Annie pulled out a piece of paper from her notebook and showed it to Phillip. She stood closer to him and he could smell her perfume. He wasn't sure what it smelled like, he wasn't good with girly things and flowers, but it wasn't like what his mom or grandma wore. This was nice...different. He shook his head and looked at Annie's schedule.
" Hey! We are in English class and Math class together! And we have lunch together too! This is great! Just walk with me, Red?" Phillip held out his hand. Annie looked at Phillip's deep blue eyes and slowly took his hand. They laughed and walked to their next class.
Hearing the familiar rumbling of a certain silver Corvette that was coming down the street, Phillip was knocked out of his memory of the day. Phillip smiled and ran his fingers through his sandy brown hair and shifted his backpack onto his right shoulder. Phillip went back to what he was thinking before the memory of meeting Annie that morning. He couldn't really talk to his friends, cause they treated him like the resident ladies man. Jamie wasn't into really talking about girls yet and their Dad was all about his new wife, Carrie and getting ready for their baby. Maybe I can talk to Lee? Phillip thought to himself. He hadn't really talked to Lee regarding girls yet, but now that Lee was a pretty permanent fixture in the King household as his mother's boyfriend, Lee just seemed to understand him. Lee was a very good looking man as he heard on several occasions from his grandmother. She would always mention that Lee was a " Charming man...or that he was an eleven!" Lee was over 6ft tall and had sandy blond hair and hazel green eyes, and when he smiled he had dimples. Phillip suspected that women adored the dimples. Phillip always felt that maybe at their job, Lee was known as a ladies man and he would understand what he was going through.
Lee Stetson seemed like a kind of an enigma to Phillip. His mother, Amanda, never really talked about Lee until last September when all of a sudden she ran off with him for like almost two weeks. They had no idea where she was or who this guy was. He remembers how cool and calm his Dad was during the incident, but his grandmother, Dotty West, was not by any means quiet. He remembers her yelling at the one Federal Agent that seemed to be in charge. Then when his mom came back, they were all sworn to secrecy regarding all of the cars and agents coming in and out of the house. It was a " need to know'' issue that apparently Phillip and Jamie King had no need to know. He had overheard Amanda and Dotty talking one night regarding the incident and he heard his mom just say that it was a mix up about their security clearances since IFF, the film company that Mr. Stetson and Amanda worked for, produced films for the federal government. Phillip never really understood any of that, but he was glad that Lee finally came into the house and got to know him and Jamie. There were several times that he would see Lee sitting out in the gazebo and his mom would sneak out and join him. Both him and Jamie would see them kissing goodbye. Neither brother ever told their mom they saw the two of them. They just waited patiently for the day when Lee came in through the front door.
In February Phillip received the worst news of his life. His mother had been on a vacation with Lee, but no one acknowledged it. Again another need to know situation. She was shot in a horrible accident. Lee never left his mothers side and that was when Phillip realized that his mother and Lee were very much in love. His grandmother flew out to California and he and Jamie had their Dad and Carrie stay with them since they were still in school. It took Amanda almost a month before she could come home and even then Lee stayed in the King home, sleeping on the pull out sofa in the den, for at least a week after they got home. Phillip could see that Lee was extremely protective of his mom and that always made him feel good. It was like he never really had to worry about his mom. She was in good hands. He really liked Lee and hoped that they would get married. He always thought their hesitation in getting married was because of him and Jamie. They didn't know Lee very well and of course his doofus little brother was extremely jealous of Lee. He wasn't very nice to him. On several occasions Lee would mention that he lost his parents at the age of five and he really wasn't used to being around families and kids. Phillip knew that his mom and Lee would get married when it was right for them. Now his Dad on the other hand got married in the middle of his mom's accident/recovery and just a month ago announced that he and Carrie were having a baby. He was going to be a big brother again. He overheard his dad tell Carrie one weekend when he was over there that he hoped it was a girl. Joe King wasn't there a lot when Phillip and Jamie were growing up. He was always off to some adventure in a far away country with the EFO. When he was younger he resented his dad leaving and not taking care of them, but as he got older he realized what a treasure his mom really was. Being a single mom wasn't easy, but Amanda King made it look effortless.
Phillip was startled by Lee beeping his horn to get his attention and his thoughts drifted. He waved to the very tall man trying to get out of the tiny Corvette. Phillip laughed as Lee smiled at him and waved. Phillip ran ahead and as he came up to Lee he shook his hand.
" What's up, Lee!?"
Lee Stetson smiled and waved at his stepson. Phillip, of course, didn't know that Lee was his stepfather...not yet anyway. Lee and Amanda had secretly married in February at the Justice of the Peace's office. They were on their honeymoon in California when Amanda had her accident, but none of the family or even those at their job knew about it. Lee and Amanda were actually federal agents and not the filmmakers that everyone thought them to be. They both felt that it would be better if no one knew about their relationship so they wouldn't be in any danger. If no one knew then they wouldn't be targets. But the toll of not being with his wife at their home with their sons was starting to get to Lee and he was trying to figure things out.
Lee sighed as he watched his stepson run up to him and shake his hand.
"What's up, Lee?!"
" Hey Chief...how was the first day of school?"
Phillip looked at Lee and smiled, then his look turned serious and cleared his throat. "Are you and Mom going out tonight or are you here for the night?"
Lee could tell that Phillip wanted to talk to him about something. "Everything went ok today at school? You didn't get into trouble or anything?" Lee asked nervously.
Phillip laughed and said " Nah...school was …actually kind of great! I was asking to see if maybe we could have a …well...a man to man chat about something that happened today?"
Lee's expression went from nervous to excited with the fact that Phillip wanted to confide in him regarding something. This was a big step for them. He was about to say something to him when he heard Amanda's jeep pull in the driveway with both her and Jamie in the front seat. Phillip rolled his eyes.
" Uh oh. Looks like Junior may have gotten in trouble. I am outta here and getting my homework done! Come find me Lee if we can talk. I really need to share something with you...okay?" and with that Phillip ran into the house so he wouldn't have to deal with the wrath of Amanda.
CHAPTER TWO - September 1987
Amanda King pulled into her driveway at 4247 Maplewood with her youngest son sitting in the passenger seat of the Wagoneer. It was the first day of school and she already had to pick up Jamie from the principal's office. This was not a good start to the school year, Amanda thought to herself. She noticed that her husband of seven months was also in the driveway talking to her oldest son, Phillip. Lee saw that Jamie was in the car with her and Phillip bolted into the house. Amanda turned off the car and grabbed her purse and a camera bag that Jamie had taken to school. She looked over at Jamie and sighed.
" I want you to march right up those stairs young man and go straight to your room and don't come out until I call for you. Do you understand?"
" Yes Mom" Jamie managed to squeak out. He grabbed his backpack and ran towards the front door not even stopping to say hello to Lee.
Lee watched as his youngest stepson flew past him and into the house. He looked at his wife.
" Whew….what in the world happened? It's the first day of school for Pete's sake! What could he have possibly done?"
Amanda walked over to Lee and gave him a sweet chaste kiss. "Well, hello to you, Mr. Stetson! Apparently, Jamie felt that going to class wasn't on his agenda today. He was caught walking around the school grounds this afternoon... with this!" Amanda held up the camera bag and Lee made a Uh Oh face at her. It was the camera that he had given to Jamie to break the ice between them. They had spent most of the summer taking pictures and getting them developed. They were making progress with getting Jamie to open up and at least act like he liked Lee. This seemed like a set back.
Lee scooped his wife into his arms and kissed her. " Well, hello Mrs. Stetson! Um...sorry about the camera. I promise you I didn't tell Jamie to skip class and go take pictures! What made him think he could do that?"
Amanda sighed and smiled at her husband. " He honestly didn't have an answer. He managed to miss all of his classes today! He will have to stay after school this whole week and then the principal even joked about putting Jamie on the school newspaper staff since he loves to take so many pictures! It was all I could do not to laugh or scream! I was so angry that he didn't go to any of his classes, but for the principal to make jokes!..." She stopped in the middle of her rant and looked at Lee. He was laughing and his eyes were just twinkling.
"Oh Am-an-da! I still don't know how you do that all in one breath! After all of these years! Ok..so Jamie has a punishment at school. What are you gonna make him do here?"
Amanda shrugged at Lee and said " I am thinking of no tv and video games for the week. That should make him realize that going to class is most important." Amanda looked at her husband and she could tell he wanted to ask her something, " Sweetheart, what do you want to ask me? Is it something to do with what you and Phillip were talking about?"
Lee looked at his wife with amazement. She always knew what he was thinking. He let go of her waist and ran his fingers through his hair. " Well, now that you mention it. Phillip asked if he and I could have a man to man talk tonight. So what do you say? I take Phillip with me and we go grab something for dinner for all of us and I can talk to him and you can have a chat with Jamie?"
Amanda Stetson smiled at her husband and softly whispered to him " Mr. Stetson, you are a wonderful father, you know that. I love that idea! Let's go in the house!"
They walked into the house hand and hand and Lee yelled for Phillip to come downstairs.
About 30 minutes later Lee and Phillip were driving in Lee's Corvette talking about the first day of school.
" So, what do you think? Marvelous Marvin's ok with you?" Lee asked Phillip. Phillip nodded.
" And then you can go ahead and talk to me about what you wanted?"
Phillip took a deep breath and swallowed. "Lee, I met her."
Lee looked over at his stepson with a questionable look. " You met who, Phillip?"
Phillip had a kind of a dreamy look take over on his face and he sighed, " Lee I am telling you now. I met my future today. Annie Hamilton is the one for me. For the rest of my life."
Lee Stetson gave Phillip a full dimpled grin and tried very hard not to laugh at the young man. " Um, Phillip. You are just fourteen years old. Can you really tell me that you have met the love of your life already? I mean...to be honest with you, since we are having a man to man talk...I am in my thirties and I just found your mom! Are you sure about this? Didn't you say the same thing about….Susan at the end of the school year?"
Phillip looked at Lee and grumbled. " I really want to talk to someone about this and not have them throw my "ladies man" image in my face! Seriously, Lee. Can we please talk about this? I am really confused. Annie is everything I ever wanted in a girl! She's smart, funny, she's creative, she's so cute and she has strawberry blonde hair and her eyes...they are the prettiest hazel green eyes I have ever seen! Oh and did I tell you about her accent?"
Lee looked over at Phillip. She has an accent. Uh oh….Lee felt himself going into federal agent mode just so he could dissuade the young man next to him if this sounded like a possible set up or something.
" Accent? What kind of accent?"
"Oh Lee...she's from Charleston, South Carolina! Her dad is now working at the Library of Congress and her mom is a stay at home mom. Annie is gonna see if she can come home with me tomorrow after school and we can do homework together. And then you guys could meet her parents."
Lee smiled at Phillip and sighed in relief to the type of accent Annie apparently had. Lee noticed that he was including him meeting Annie's parents. He really does want me to be a part of the family, Lee thought to himself.
"Well, Chief...lets just see where this goes and take it slow, ok. If I haven't learned anything from dating your mom...make her your best friend first and foremost. Then see where things go. Can you at least start there?"
Phillip jumped in his seat. " That's actually a great idea Lee! I can't see myself not having Annie in my life! She's so great! I can't wait for you to meet her!"
"Well, I am looking forward to it. Do you feel better about all of this now? Thanks for coming to me and talking to me. I really appreciate it. It means a lot."
Phillip playfully punched Lee in the shoulder and Lee acted wounded. " Yeah, no problem, Pops...thanks! Let's get some food! I am starving!"
Lee laughed at the Pops nickname and they went off to get dinner for their family.
CHAPTER THREE - February 1988
In the months since Phillip King met Annie Hamilton they spent every moment they could together. Annie tried out for cheerleading and made the team. Phillip went to all of the games and competitions Annie was a part of. They were over at one another's homes to do homework and hang out. Phillip loved the Hamilton's and Annie was in love with Amanda and Dotty. She loved how welcoming they were to this shy girl from South Carolina. No matter how busy Amanda was with her job as a film producer she always had time for her boys. Lee and Amanda also became fast friends with Annie's parents, Marie and Tom Hamilton. Tom worked at the Library of Congress and Marie was a stay at home mom. Marie was always available if Amanda needed her to pick up one of the boys on occasion. While Lee and Tom had a love of history and the military in common, Marie and Amanda found that they also had similar interests with gardening and tennis. Phillip was so excited to introduce her to Lee and his dad as well. Annie was of course under the spell of how attractive Lee Stetson was and Phillip knew she had a slight crush on Lee. It did seem to fade once he walked into the room, so Phillip knew that he had captured Annie's heart.
On this particular Friday afternoon, Phillip came home from school and saw that both his mom and Lee were already there. He remembered that they were going out of town for some kind of film location and wouldn't be home till Monday. He hated when they would go out of town. He and Jamie would have to go over to their Dads. He liked going over there, but his dad and new wife Carrie were in full on baby mode and didn't talk about anything but the baby. And for a fourteen year old boy, that wasn't his favorite topic. He was excited about having another sibling but it was not looking forward to the crying and the dirty diapers.
He was glad his mom and Lee were going out of town this weekend as opposed to the next one. The next Friday was the Sadie Hawkins/Valentines Day Dance at the high school and Annie went all out to ask him to go. Annie had the entire cheer team come up with a cheer about asking him to the dance and they surprised Phillip at baseball practice one afternoon. He was over the moon with happiness that Annie picked him and gave her the biggest hug when she came down from the top of the pyramid. Phillip was very nervous and excited about taking Annie to the dance. He had Lee take him to get a new suit and Lee even treated him to ordering a corsage for Annie. Phillip considered this their first real official date and he couldn't wait.
Phillip came into the house and saw his mom and Lee at the kitchen table going over something.
"Phillip is that you?"
" Yeah Mom...what's up?'
" Could you come in here please? We have something to tell you...it's about your Dad and Carrie."
Phillip dropped his backpack and jacket at the bottom of the steps. He knew that eventually either his mom or grandmother would say something about just leaving it on the stairs, but he dismissed it at the moment.
Phillip came into the kitchen and looked at his mom and her boyfriend. Even if you didn't know Lee Stetson or Amanda King, you could just tell by looking at them that they were very much in love. It just consumed the whole room sometimes. Phillip wondered if that kind of love would ever happen between him and Annie.
" Hey Chief? How was school?"
Phillip slumped into the chair and shrugged. " Ah..it was school. I managed to get an A on that history test I took the other day!"
Amanda smiled at her oldest son, patted his arm and said "Well, remind me to thank Annie for getting you to finally study! I really like her influence on you young man!"
Phillip smirked and rolled his eyes at his mom and said, " Well it was more Mr. Tom, Mom. With him being a history major that kinda helps. Just saying."
Lee snickered and Amanda gave him a look telling him to be quiet. Lee rolled his eyes at his wife and winked at her.
" So, what's up with Dad and Carrie? Aren't we going over there in a little while for the weekend?"
Amanda sighed and cleared her throat. " Well, that's what we wanted to talk to you about. It seems that Carrie has gone into labor very early." Phillip sat up in his chair and looked concerned. Carrie wasn't due for a few more weeks. Amanda continued, " She's ok and progressing very well. So it means that you aren't going to be able to go over to your Dads for a while. Now, Lee and I have to go out of town for this scouting thing and Grandma is off with Captain Kurt. So I called Mr. Hamilton and he is gonna spend the weekend here at the house with you boys. Now Annie can come over for a bit, but then her mom will come get her. I want you to make sure you listen to Mr. Hamilton and help him out around the house. Okay. Can I count on you regarding all of this?"
Phillip nodded and asked " Is Carrie and the baby going to be ok?'
Lee shook his head yes and said " Absolutely Chief! She's in the best hands right now and your Dad is with her. We'll call you once we have any kind of updates. Okay."
Amanda interjected " Well, since this is gonna be a guys weekend here at the King house, why don't you and Lee go to the store and get some junk food and I will order a pizza for you guys? How does that sound?"
Phillip jumped up and was already heading towards the door with his jacket in hand. He wasn't going to pass up a trip riding in Lee's Corvette!
Later that evening the King boys, Annie and her father, Tom, were in the middle of a serious game of Monopoly. It was Annie's turn and she landed on one of Jamie's properties. He was going to enjoy this!
" Okay Red...that's Park Place with a hotel AND 2 houses! Pay up!"
Annie rolled her eyes at Phillips' younger brother and counted the amount Jamie needed. " Well I am tapped out. That's a wrap for me. Remind me to never rent a room from Jamie!" Annie said as her father laughed.
Tom Hamilton was a very tall man like Lee and he had a booming presence. He had almost white blond hair and the greenest eyes Phillip had ever seen. He had a mustache that was also blonde and he wore tortoiseshell glasses. He laughed and winked at his daughter. He had a slow southern drawl like Annie's " It's ok, Anne Marie. Jamie seems to forget that I own half the board and they ALL have hotels on them!
Jamie grumbled and took the dice to roll them. As he was counting where he was going to land the phone rang and Phillip jumped up and answered it.
" Hello King residence."
" Hey sweetheart. It's Mom. I just wanted to let you know that Lee and I made it to our hotel. And we have news for you! You and Jamie have a little brother….and a little sister! It seems that no one realized she was carrying twins! That's why she went into labor a bit early! Their names are Jacob and Caroline! Your Dad said he would try and call you tomorrow! Congrats big brother! Tell Jamie I love you! Love you too son!"
Phillip hung up the phone and jumped up and yelled! Everyone looked over at him with confused looks.
" TWINS! Carrie had twins! Jamie, you are officially a big brother! Welcome to the club doofus!"
Tom looked at Phillip " Now Phillip, don't call your brother names! So what do you have? Brothers or sisters?"
Phillip looked at Jamie apologetically for calling him a name and smiled " We have a brother, Jacob and a sister, Caroline!"
Everyone cheered and Tom said " Well, this calls for a celebration! Let's clear up this game and I will make some hot fudge sundaes and we can watch a movie! What do y'all say?"
The consensus was brought with lots of cheers and smiles.
Amanda King hung up the receiver of the phone and sighed. Twins. Her ex husband and his new wife just brought twins into the world. She couldn't help but think that Carrie was now in the same position she was in years ago. Two little kids with Joe King. When they were married Joe felt he had more to give to the world then his two little boys and was overseas for most of their childhood. She knew that for the past 2 years Joe seemed to be better about being a father and she said a silent prayer that this time around Joe would be there for Carrie.
She was disrupted from her thoughts by Lee coming up behind her and nuzzling her neck. Her secret husband of one year. They weren't really on a scouting adventure for work. This was the only chance they could get away to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary. Lee surprised her with the two of them renewing their vows at the Justice of the Peace's office and then a reservation at the Crystal Springs Inn.
" What are you thinking about Mrs. Stetson?" Lee crooned in her ear.
" I am thinking that we need to come clean with our marriage, Lee. And soon. Everyone knows that we are dating….maybe the next step is to say we are engaged?"
Lee pulled his wife into a romantic embrace and kiss and said " I have thought the same thing Amanda. We can figure this out. Together. But not tonight! Tonight is our redo honeymoon and I intend to enjoy every moment!"
Amanda laughed at her husband as they leaned in for another passionate kiss.
CHAPTER FOUR - February 1988
" MOM! Is Lee here yet? I seriously need help with my tie and these cufflink things he got me!" Phillip yelled downstairs. He was stressed out because it was the night of the Sadie Hawkins/Valentines Dance at school. More importantly it was his first official date with Annie. He was a bundle of nerves as he showered and got dressed. He was waiting for his mother's boyfriend Lee to come help him. Phillip wanted to have another quick man to man talk with Lee before he went to the dance. He really wanted tonight to be special and he knew Lee would know what to do or to say.
"Phillip, Lee is pulling into the driveway right now. Please give him a few minutes and he will be up there."
You could hear Phillip grumbling and stomping around in his room.
Dotty West looked up from her book she was reading. She smiled and took off her reading glasses. " I swear that boy is going to put a hole through the ceiling if he keeps that up!"
" Mother, he's just really nervous about tonight's dance, that's all."
Dotty stood up and walked over to the kitchen where Amanda was making dinner for her and Lee. Jamie was over at his dad's house helping with the new babies and enjoying being the big brother for a change. He also had no desire to listen to Phillip swoon over Annie. Dotty was also heading out on a date with Captain Kurt so it was going to be just Lee and Amanda at home. Annie's parents offered to pick the kids up and take them to the dance. Dotty stood by Amanda and took her hands.
" Darling, I know he's excited about going to the dance with Annie. Your little boy isn't so little anymore. We need to accept the fact that Annie is now in his life and she's not going anywhere...that's if Phillip has anything to say about it! Oh! Do you remember your first Sadie Hawkins dance?! Wasn't it with….oh...Jimmy Metters!"
Amanda piped in " Jimmy Metters" along with her mother. "Oh Yeah. He was so nervous he spilled punch all over himself and Mrs. Barton! He was so embarrassed and we had to come home early! Daddy tried so hard not to laugh as he was driving us home that night!"
"Well, I certainly hope Phillip doesn't do something like that!?"
"Something like what?" a deep baritone voice interjected. Amanda and Dotty turned around and saw Lee standing there with two bouquets of flowers and a corsage box. His dimples were from ear to ear as he smiled at his wife and mother in law. "Happy Valentine's Day to the King/West women!"
Dotty squealed with delight over the beautiful bouquet of flowers Lee had handed over to her. " Oh Lee! They are beautiful! Thank you Darling!" She reached over to him and kissed his cheek and gave him a hug. " I am going to put these in water!" She went off in search of a vase for her flowers.
Lee walked over to his wife and handed her the bouquet of red roses, yellow tulips and white daisies and reached over to give her a lingering kiss. "Happy Anniversary also, Mrs. Stetson! " Lee whispered in her ear. Amanda smiled over the bouquet as they were an exact copy of the ones she carried during their secret wedding. " Lee, sweetheart...they are beautiful. Happy anniversary to you too. I love you!"
As they were leaning for another kiss, Phillip yelled down from the top of the stairs " MOM! Is Lee inside yet!? Come on! I need him!" Amanda giggled as her husband shook his head. " A step fathers job is never done huh? He must be chomping at the bit!"
Amanda went to put her flowers in a vase as well and explained to Lee what was going on with Phillip. " Oh Lee, he's been getting ready since he came home from school! He laid out his suit and made sure that I ironed his shirt and tie! He took an extra long shower, which for him is not anything out of the normal and he's been yelling for you for the past 30 minutes. You better go see what he needs…..Scoot!" With that Amanda shooed Lee out of the kitchen and up the stairs to see what their son needed.
Lee Stetson walked up the stairs to the 2nd floor and knocked on the boys bedroom door. Phillip opened the door and Lee could tell the boys' nerves were getting the better of him. Okay Lee...try and calm the poor kid down. You were once a fourteen year old boy...just get him to calm down or this date will be a disaster!
Lee smiled and walked into the bedroom. There were movie posters and car posters all over Phillips' side of the room and then there were photography pics on Jamie's side. These boys are completely opposite of one another, Lee chuckled to himself. Lee took a seat at the desk and said "What's going on Chief?"
Phillip reached over and handed Lee the pair of cufflinks Lee let him borrow. Lee took them and helped Phillip put them on. He motioned for Phillip to tuck in his dress shirt and get his tie. Lee popped open the collar and proceeded to fix Phillips' tie. When he was finished he said with a wink.." There! You look great kiddo! Almost as good as me!"
Phillip laughed "Yeah right Pops...I will never be an eleven like you!"
Lee shrugged at Phillip and said "Hey Chief...you are only fourteen...almost fifteen...you have a few years to get to an eleven. Besides, Annie already thinks that you are! And that's what matters, right?"
Phillip slumped onto his bed and threw his hands up. "Lee, I am so nervous about messing this up. This is our first date! I don't know how to….you know…?' He looked at Lee with desperation and it took a minute for Lee to realize what he was asking him.
" Whoa kiddo...I am not the right person to talk to about this! Maybe your Dad would be better…"
Phillip shook his head. " No Lee. I need you. Dad is wrapped up in his new family. You are the only "Dad" I have around here these days and I need some serious advice. How did you get mom interested in you? I know that Annie likes me and she's my best friend...but I want more. I was planning on asking Annie to be my girlfriend tonight...like formally."
Lee smiled at his stepson and slapped him on his knee. " Phillip, I am really happy for you. Now I can't speak for every guy, but we have all been there. I don't know if your mom ever told you but when we first met, I wasn't very nice to her. I kind of treated her like an emergency. But like I told you last time I slowly realized that your mom is my best friend in the world and I can't live without her. Sometimes I can't even breathe when she comes into the room. Can I ask you to keep a secret?"
Phillip nodded and smiled as Lee pulled out a familiar black velvet box. Lee opened it and inside was a beautiful one carat solitaire diamond engagement ring. Phillip was so overcome with emotion he threw his arms around Lee and gave him a big hug! " YES! Lee, I am so excited for you! It's about time!"
Lee hugged his stepson back and told him to keep it down. " Hey...we don't want your grandmother to hear this. It's a secret. I think I am gonna ask your mom tonight …since everyone is out and about. What do you think? Do I have your blessing?"
"Pops. You had it from day one!" Phillip nodded and grinned at Lee.
"Fellas, Annie's dad will be here any minute! Come on Phillip!"
Lee put the ring box back in his pocket and put his arm around Phillip. " Okay. Remember this. Open the doors for Annie, get her something to drink, don't make her get it, Lead her on the dance floor and make her feel like she's the only one in the room. Got it. Tell her she's beautiful. And relax. Be yourself. Have a wonderful time. Can't wait to hear all about it!"
"Momma, I need help with my hair! It's not curling right and I have to look perfect for Phillip!"
Annie Hamilton was yelling from her bathroom. She was dressed in a slip, strapless bra and pantyhose. She was trying to get the curlers to work on her hair. Her mother allowed her to wear a little bit of makeup for the evening and Annie already felt like she was grown up. Now if my hair would cooperate! Annie grumbled in frustration.
Marie Hamilton came up the stairs and smiled at her only child. Marie was a petite woman with dark brown hair and deep brown eyes. A huge contrast from her daughter. Annie was tall like her Dad but she had strawberry blond hair unlike his white blonde hair. Annie's hazel green eyes were almost as bright as her dad's green ones. Annie seemed to be a perfect mix of both her parents.
Marie walked over to her daughter and took the curlers out of her hands. " Here sugar, let me do it." Marie twisted and pulled Annie's hair and within minutes had her head full of curlers. " Now give them about 5 minutes to work their magic."
Annie sighed and sat down on her bed. " Momma, I am really nervous about tonight. This is my first date with Phillip. Now I know we have been hanging out for months but this is a real date Momma. I am so nervous."
Marie sat down next to her daughter and patted her hand. " Sugar, you just let him be the perfect gentleman that he is and have a great time. Be yourself. Phillip is a wonderful young man and you are very lucky to have found one another. Let him lead you, let him get you something to drink. Tell him he's handsome. Just relax! Now, let's get that hair all fixed!"
Marie led Annie back into the bathroom and she worked her magic on Annie's hair. She had pulled the sides up in some sparkly clips and Annie's hair was bouncing off her shoulders. Annie went into her room and took out her dress for the dance from the closet. It was a bright red satin off the shoulder dress with a full ruffled skirt. Annie fell in love with it the moment she saw it and knew she had to wear it for her first date with Phillip. He did call me Red so it's fitting right? She thought to herself. She went over to her full length mirror and twirled around to get the full effect of the dress.
" You look beautiful Anne Marie! Phillip is a lucky young man to have you on his arm tonight" She heard from her bedroom door. She spun around to see her Daddy smiling at her. She ran up to him and gave him a huge hug.
" Thank you Daddy. I love you!"
Tom Hamilton blushed slightly and hugged his only child back. " Oh honey I know that, but a part of this Daddy's heart is slowly realizing that I am no longer the only man in my little girl's life."
Annie smiled and squeezed her dad a little tighter. " Daddy...I am just going to a dance with Phillip. We aren't getting married!"
Tom laughed and said " OH NO! That's not happening for a very long time. But I can see it in his eyes, young lady. Someday I see you being Mrs. Phillip King. Just remember that. Are you all ready? It's time to go pick up your Prince Charming!"
Annie nodded and took one final look at herself in the mirror. She was so ready to see Phillip and go on her first date.
CHAPTER FIVE - February 1988
Phillip King came down the stairs and had his suit coat in his hands. His mothers boyfriend, Lee, had already made it downstairs and was sitting on the couch with his mom. Amanda turned around and saw her son.
" Oh Phillip! You look handsome! Let me get my camera!" Amanda ran off to go find her camera while Phillip paced in the den.
Lee snickered to himself and looked over at Phillip. " Chief, remember what I said. Relax…"
Phillip nodded as Amanda came back into the den. " Sweetheart, why do you go stand by the stairs and I will get a few pictures of you by yourself."
Phillip rolled his eyes but he wasn't about to upset his mother. So he indulged her while she took several pictures. After standing there for about 10 minutes the doorbell rang and Phillip suddenly looked like a deer caught in headlights. Lee was trying not to laugh at his stepson. He motioned to him to go open the door. Phillip nodded and went towards the front door. He opened it and Annie was standing there with her dad.
Phillip was knocked back at how stunning Annie was. For a split second he couldn't breathe. She was wearing red….for me. He thought to himself. She was a vision in bright red. Her hair was all curly and it looked beautiful. Phillip wanted to blurt all of that out but couldn't find the words. Thankfully his mother came to his rescue.
" Oh Annie! You look beautiful, Sweetheart! Tom! How are you? Lee is in the den….why don't you go chat with him and I will take some pics of the kids!"
Tom smirked at the kids and made a face towards Amanda. " Lee, are you in the den?! How are you sir?" Tom was heard as he walked towards the den. Amanda took Annie's hand and brought her into the house and started posing the kids for pictures. Phillip still couldn't say a word. Annie was taken aback with his behavior.
" Phillip, you look very handsome" she whispered as he came to stand behind her. He could smell her perfume and it was intoxicating.
He cleared his throat and whispered " You are stunning, Red. Absolutely beautiful." And he took a chance and leaned over to kiss her on her cheek just as his mother snapped a picture. Amanda smiled as she watched her son give his girlfriend a sweet kiss. Amanda took a few more pictures and then reminded Phillip about Annie's corsage.
They all walked into the den. Tom and Lee stood up and Lee himself was taken aback at how utterly stunning the young couple looked. They were perfect for one another. He noticed that Phillip was taking his advice and had his hand on the small of Annie's back and guided her into the den. Atta boy...you are a natural ,Lee said to himself. This kid is more like me every day than he ever was like Joe.
Phillip walked over to the kitchen counter and took out the corsage from the box. Inside was a beautiful arrangement of small red roses and a white daisy. Amanda looked over at her husband who locked eyes with her and just shrugged & winked. He mouthed " It couldn't hurt" and she rolled her eyes at him. There was also a red rose boutonniere for Phillip. Annie took the boutonniere from Phillip and pinned it on the lapel of his suit coat. And then Phillip opened up the wrist band for Annie to slip her hand into it. Amanda took a few more pictures of the kids and then Tom announced it was time to go. Amanda hugged both kids and told them to have a wonderful time. Tom said he would have them home around 11 or so...just in case the kids wanted to get something to eat after the dance.
Amanda stood at the doorway and watched her son open Annie's door and help her into the car. She felt an arm slip around her tiny waist and smiled. "That's your influence Mr. Stetson. I hope you know that. You are a wonderful father."
Lee Stetson gave his wife a squeeze and whispered, " Thank you Mrs. Stetson. Phillip actually said I was more of a dad to him the past few months then Joe has been. Since he's so wrapped up in the new babies and everything. He's a great young man, Amanda. And you know what honey?"
Amanda looked at her husband with all the love she had for him " What sweetheart?"
" You did that. Yeah, I have been there to watch from the shadows and now I am here for both Phillip and Jamie. But you Amanda King… you have raised these boys and I am very proud of you."
Lee took her hands and walked her to the den. He motioned for her to sit on the couch and he knelt down in front of her. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Dotty standing on the landing but she didn't make a sound. Lee suspected Dotty had overheard the last part of their conversation.
" Amanda King, you are the best, the bravest, smartest... most beautiful woman I have ever known!"
Amanda smiled remembering their original proposal and said back to Lee " I love you!"
Lee knew that she was remembering the same moment in their lives and he came back with
"Then will you marry me?" He could faintly hear a gasp coming from the landing. Amanda heard it too.
" Will I marry you? Oh yeah I'll marry you!...…. We're the luckiest two people on the face of the earth!"
With that Lee Stetson took out the velvet box he had brought over from his apartment. He placed the ring on Amanda's ring finger and leaned in to kiss her. They shared a few passionate kisses and Lee was waiting for Dotty to come barreling into the den. After a few more kisses from his wife, he broke away and yelled towards the stairs.." Okay Dotty I know you were listening you can come on out!"
Dotty West came running out with her arms up and she was squealing! " Oh Amanda! Oh Lee! I am so happy! Finally engaged! This is the best Valentine's Day!" She gave them both huge hugs and kisses. Lee and Amanda just smiled at one another and the relief in their faces as they became one step closer to being a family.
Phillip King laid in his bed after he got home from the Valentines Dance. His suit jacket and pants were draped over the desk chair and his dress shirt was sticking out of the hamper. He laid there and tried to go over every moment of the night again and again. He was holding the rose boutonniere that he had worn with his suit. His mind was racing. It was the best night of his entire life and yet he knew there were so many more amazing moments to come as long as Annie Hamilton was by his side.
The dance was in full swing when Annie and Phillip arrived. He helped Annie out of the car and they said goodbye to her dad. Phillip reached out his hand to Annie and said " Just walk with me, Red?" Annie smiled and took his hand. The gym was decorated with all kinds of hearts and streamers in different shades of red, pink and silver. Phillip laughed a bit cause it looked like someone threw up red everywhere. There were kids all over the dance floor and the DJ was playing a fast song. Annie waved to several of her cheer friends and Phillip saw some of his buddies over by the punch bowl.
" Would you like something to drink?" Phillip nervously asked Annie. He wasn't looking at her because he was almost afraid to.
" I think I am good right now, thanks. Wanna dance?"
Just as Annie asked, a slow song came on and Phillip smiled. This was his chance! To have Annie in his arms and everyone in that gym would know she was his girl. He held out his arm to her and she willingly took it. They went towards the center of the dance floor and stood in front of one another. Phillip was hesitant about putting his arms around Annie but he remembered what Lee had said about relaxing and he scooped Annie into his arms. She in turn placed her hands on his shoulders and they started swaying to the music. Phillip could hear her breathing and it matched his. She's just as nervous as I am, he thought to himself. He cleared his throat and realized that he needed to break their awkwardness and get back to being Phillip and Annie.
" Hey...have I told you that you look beautiful tonight? I wanted to make sure that I did." he chuckled nervously.
Annie smiled at him and reassured him. "Oh yes. You did. Remember you kissed my cheek just as your mom took that picture!"
They both laughed at that memory and Phillip said " I am so sorry about all of the pictures my mom took. I think she used the whole roll!"
" Well, she was supposed to. I heard her on the phone with my mom earlier and they were talking about how many pictures they were going to take. We were doomed from the start!"
"Guess that means that we are going to have to deal with that for the rest of our lives, huh?" Phillip couldn't believe he said that but it just felt right. He needed to say it. He wanted her to know that he wasn't going anywhere. He wanted her to be his girl.
Annie looked at Phillip and asked," Phillip, was there something you wanted to ask me? I just have this feeling that you do and we aren't gonna have fun until you do. We are both acting way too weird...it's not us."
He was amazed at this girl. It was like she just knew what he was thinking. He took a deep breath and said " Yeah...actually I do. I wanted to know if you would be my….girlfriend. I mean you are already my best friend...but would you like to start dating?"
Annie impulsively hugged Phillip and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek! " I would love to be your girlfriend! I am just so glad you finally asked me!" Phillip laughed and hugged Annie a bit tighter and kept her in the hug as they danced.
The rest of the evening they were just Annie and Phillip again and the nerves were long forgotten. After dancing to some fast songs, Phillip went to get Annie something to drink and they walked outside by the courtyard that was also open for dancing and seating. Phillip found a spot over in the corner and no one was around. Annie sipped at her drink and put it down. She stood back up and was looking out over the courtyard. Phillip walked over to her and whispered " A penny for your thoughts?"
Annie turned around and looked right at him. He was so handsome, she thought. She was already in love with Phillip King, as much as a fifteen year old girl could be. He looked at her with his deep blue eyes and they reminded her of the ocean at night. She gasped as she realized that he was leaning in towards her. He was about to kiss her! She leaned forward as well and their lips slowly met in a very soft sweet kiss. Neither of them knew what to do so they just held the kiss for a few seconds. Annie then blushed and turned away. Phillip reached over and turned her back to look at him.
" That was amazing Annie. Our first kiss. Wow." Annie's face was red from blushing and Phillip thought she never looked more beautiful than in that moment. He would never forget it. He leaned in for one more kiss and Annie was more than willing to allow it. They heard a group of kids coming closer and broke apart.
" Well, I guess we should get back inside. Maybe they will play another slow song?" He held out his arm and gave her a big grin. Annie smiled back and took his arm.
" I'll walk with you anywhere, Phillip King"
Phillip was twirling his rose in his hand and smiling. He knew that he had never felt happier and that it was all because of Annie. He placed the rose on his desk and went downstairs to get a glass of milk. His mom and Lee were sitting on the couch watching a movie but they were more into kissing than anything. Phillip didn't mean to stare but he was trying to figure out if he'd get that kissing thing down. He cleared his throat as he walked into the den and his mother smiled at him as she and Lee broke apart.
" Are you ok sweetheart?" She asked.
Phillip smiled at his mom and said " Mom, I can't tell you how ok I am! Tonight was literally the best night of my life!" And with that he took his glass of milk upstairs and went to bed. Lee started laughing and Amanda gave him a confused look.
"Okay, Stetson, just what are you laughing at?"
Lee knew exactly what was happening with his wife's son. He just didn't know how to explain it to her. Phillip was no longer her little boy...he was becoming a man right before her eyes.
"Oh Am-an-da! Phillip had his first real kiss tonight! Couldn't you tell?"
Amanda King opened her mouth to say something but couldn't. For Amanda that was no small feat to keep her from saying something. She looked back towards the stairs and then back at her husband. She realized that Lee was right and that the relationship between Annie Hamilton and Phillip King wasn't going anywhere any time soon.