*********1983*********

Amanda King woke up to the sounds of her two small boys giggling quietly as they snuck downstairs. She knew they were trying to be quiet and she sensed they were up to something. She smiled to herself as she realized that they weren't very good at being quiet. She could hear them shushing one another as they went downstairs and towards the kitchen. She strained to hear what they were doing and decided that maybe she should get up. She didn't want them to wake up her mother. Amanda glanced at the clock and saw that it was eight thirty in the morning. Amanda sighed and threw back the covers thinking that at least the boys let her sleep past eight on a Saturday.

Amanda stood up and reached for her robe. She ran her fingers through her hair and shook her head. She thought about the past week and everything that happened to her. She was caught in a huge matter of national security and she couldn't tell anyone about it. Her thoughts then turned to the dashing federal agent she met by accident during all of it. Lee Stetson was someone that Amanda would normally never associate herself with. He was rude. He was out of touch with real people. He was embassy parties and she was PTA meetings. Yesterday as they stood in Mr. Melrose's office she agreed to help when she could. She glanced at the paperwork that sat on top of her purse. It was for her security clearance background. She reminded herself to fill it out later on that day. She wondered if Lee would ask her for some help again. Even though his rough exterior seemed like a man that needed a friend.

Her thoughts were interrupted again by the boys giggling and she remembered her mission. She slowly went downstairs and peeked into the kitchen. Phillip and Jamie were at the counter with a bag of marshmallows and a jar of peanut butter. The gallon of milk was sitting on the counter along with the chocolate syrup. Jamie was stirring the chocolate into the glasses of milk he had already poured. He was already chewing on a marshmallow. Phillip was spreading peanut butter all over a marshmallow for himself and he grinned at Jamie as he popped the ball of sugar into his mouth. Amanda made a face and shook her head. She walked into the kitchen and stared at the boys. They were startled as they saw their mother standing there watching them stuff marshmallows in their mouths.

" All right boys, what do you think you are doing?"

Neither Phillip or Jamie could say a word. Both of them had mouths full of peanut butter covered marshmallows. Amanda raised an eyebrow at them and when they couldn't answer she shooed them out of the kitchen. She turned around to survey the damage. As she started cleaning the mess up she realized she needed to find a hiding spot for the marshmallows. A really good hiding spot. She smiled to herself as she checked the stairs to see if anyone was looking and placed the bag in her first of many secret places.

********1985********

Jamie King stood in the middle of the kitchen and looked around the room. He walked over to the corner where his grandma had a casserole dish that looked like a funny chicken. He lifted the lid and there was nothing. He opened the cabinets below the bird and started rummaging through the pots and pans. Nothing. He again stood in the middle of the kitchen with his hands on his hips.

Just where does Mom hide those marshmallows? They have to be in here somewhere, right? Where would you hide them? Think like Mom for a second? Jamie pondered for a moment and then went to the pantry around the corner by the laundry room. As he was rummaging through the endless cans and bags in the pantry when his grandmother, Dotty, came into the kitchen. She heard someone in the pantry and suspected it was her oldest grandson, Phillip. He was always hungry and looking for something to snack on. She turned the corner and saw that it was Jamie, not Phillip this time.

"Just what do you think you will find in here darling?" Dotty said with a smile on her face. Jamie turned around and realized he was busted. He shyly looked at his grandma and said " I was trying to find the marshmallows. Where does Mom hide them?"

Dotty smiled at her grandson. The boys had made it their life mission to find the marshmallows. Her daughter was going to make sure that they never succeeded in their mission. Dotty, herself, had no idea where Amanda kept the bag. Dotty walked out to the kitchen and opened one of the containers that was sitting on the counter. She turned around to see her grandson staring at her.

"Now look young man, this isn't your mothers hiding spot. This is mine. I don't even know where she hides her bag. And after today I will be hiding mine. But here, you can have a few. It will be our little secret?" Dotty handed the bag to Jamie and he reached in and took three big marshmallows. He popped one in his mouth and tried to thank his grandma with a mouth full. She laughed at him and shooed him out of the kitchen. She took her bag of marshmallows and surveyed the kitchen for the best hiding spot.

*********1985*********

Amanda and Lee were standing outside on the patio of her house. Lee was indulging her and allowed her to ramble on about having a twin. He realized how close he was to losing Amanda King and that really bothered him. Someone used his friendship with the Arlington housewife to get to him and that made him angry.

Lee had mentioned that no one could pull off walking into Amanda's life and be her. They were interrupted by Amanda's oldest son yelling from downstairs not to forget the marshmallows for their hot chocolate. She giggled at Lee and said, "You know, you are right. You know why? Cause nobody knows where I hide the marshmallows!"

Lee and Amanda started laughing. She tried to shush him so her mother and boys wouldn't hear them. Lee took her hands and said " Well, I know you have hot chocolate to make. I just wanted to make sure that you were okay. Have a good night and I will see you tomorrow at the Agency." Amanda nodded and smiled at Lee. She turned to go back into the house and she heard Lee whisper her name again. She looked at him and he cleared his throat.

"Amanda...just where do you hide the marshmallows?"

Amanda grinned at Lee and said " That's one secret you will never find out, Scarecrow!" and she disappeared into the house. Lee stood there with his mouth open and he shook his head. He heard her in the pantry and then the kitchen. He quietly snuck over to the window and crouched down so she wouldn't see him. He watched as she got the milk ready for the hot chocolate and she started making sandwiches for her family. She looked around and went towards the dining room but stopped at the window. She shook her head and walked over to it and opened it. It was too late for Lee to run and she busted him hunched over underneath the window.

"Nice try Stetson. I told you this is one secret of mine you will never find out about! Now shoo!"

Lee laughed all the way to his car thinking to himself that maybe one day he would find out Amanda King's biggest secret.

**********1986***********

Phillip King snuck into the kitchen and looked around. His mother and grandmother were not home. They had gone to the store. He wasn't even supposed to be home. He was supposed to be down the street at Andy Castle's house with his brother, Jamie. Phillip thought to himself Today will be the day! I am going to find out just where Mom hides those marshmallows! I have to find out. Maybe I will be like a spy and watch. Do some surveillance and catch her putting them away!

Phillip figured he would at least look around the kitchen and pantry in the meantime. He checked all of the cabinets with no luck. Just then he heard his mother and grandmother coming in through the back door. He made a mad dash towards the stairs and crouched so they wouldn't see him.

Amanda and Dotty came in with their arms full of groceries. They were laughing and gabbing about something that was going on in the neighborhood. Amanda got out the stopwatch and she and Dotty started their ritual of putting the groceries away as fast as they could. Phillip snickered as he watched them run all over the kitchen. He saw a bag of marshmallows sitting on the counter and he knew this was his big chance. After they finished, Dotty laughed as she and Amanda beat their last time by three seconds. " Darling , we are getting better at this! I just wish you wouldn't have to hide the marshmallows. Don't you think the boys are old enough now that you don't have to hide them?"

" Oh Mother, I would but I just caught Jamie snooping around the kitchen last week when we made hot chocolate. They are determined to find my hiding spot. It's become a game to them now. I can't let them down."

Dotty hugged her and headed towards the stairs. Phillip quickly ran into the dining room and out of both his mother and grandmother's sights. He could see his mother standing at the counter with the bag of marshmallows in her hands. This is it! I am finally going to figure out where she hides them! Phillip thought to himself. He couldn't contain his excitement and he bumped into the side table that he was hiding next to..

Amanda heard the noise coming from the dining room and she snickered to herself. She saw Phillip run towards the front door and act like he was coming in from outside. Phillip walked into the kitchen and saw his Mom standing there with her hands on her hips. One of her eyebrows was raised as she spoke "Hello sweetheart! How was your day?"

Phillip slumped onto the couch. He knew that he was never going to figure out just where she hides those stupid marshmallows. He looked over his shoulder and said "I have decided that I don't think I am cut out for the spy business." Amanda tried not to laugh as she carefully stashed the marshmallows in their secret spot knowing that Special Agent Phillip King had given up.

**********1987**********

Lee took his wife's hand as they walked towards the gate. His wife. Lee chuckled to himself as he realized that was probably the hundredth time he had called Amanda his wife. They had only been married since the day before but he already felt like they had been married for years. Amanda was now his partner in every aspect of his life and he couldn't be happier. He pulled her close as they walked through the airplane gates and boarded their flight to California. They were on their way to a week of sun, fun and nothing to do with the Agency.

Amanda smiled as her husband pulled her closer to him. She felt she was about to burst with happiness. Being married to Lee Stetson was a dream come true. This wasn't a cover for a case. This was now their life. She had a twinge of sadness as she remembered that her mother and her boys weren't a part of the wedding. Maybe one day. She thought to herself.

Lee and Amanda got settled in their first class seats. Lee was going all out for his bride. They sat back and relaxed as the plane was preparing to take off. Lee leaned over and kissed his wife ever so gently.

" So Mrs. Stetson. Now that we are married...do you think you can let me in on your biggest secret?"

Amanda frowned at Lee. " Biggest secret? Lee, I thought we had gone over all of those. I don't have any secrets" Lee raised an eyebrow at her. She playfully swatted his arm. " Well, none that we both are keeping from my family and the Agency...you know that."

Lee smirked at his wife and leaned over and whispered " Amanda, I need to know this. I have been waiting like two years for you to tell me! I never can catch you when I am outside your window. We are now married! You have to tell me where you keep them?!"

Amanda burst into laughter. She placed her hand on Lee's chest. " Oh sweetheart! Are you talking about where I hide the marshmallows?"

Lee grinned and laughed. " Yes! I think as your husband I should know where you keep them so our sons won't get into them."

Amanda's eyes twinkled "That Stetson, is one secret you will never get out of me!"

Lee opened his mouth in shock. He glared at his wife and pulled her in for a passionate kiss. He whispered in her ear "Oh Mrs Stetson, I have my ways to extract information out of you. Remember I know now all of your weak spots."

Amanda's reaction to Lee whispering was exactly what he was hoping for. He knew that at some point during their honeymoon she would cave and tell him the location of the coveted bag of marshmallows. Then Amanda kissed Lee back as passionately as he had kissed her. She leaned close to Lee's ear and whispered in her husky voice "But alas Mr. Stetson, you have to remember who trained me. This is one secret you will never know about, Scarecrow."

Lee threw his head back and laughed. Being married to this woman was going to be a lot of fun. He thought to himself. They settled into their seats and the excitement of being on their honeymoon consumed the couple for the rest of the flight. Thoughts of the marshmallows hiding spot were soon forgotten for the time being.

**********1990**********

Amanda Stetson gently laid her newborn daughter, Jennifer Kate, into her bassinet. She smiled at the little girl and sighed. She couldn't believe that Jennifer Kate was here and that she and Lee now had a daughter. The clock chimed two thirty in the morning and Amanda knew she couldn't go back to sleep. She tiptoed into the kitchen and started making some hot chocolate. Any time there was a crisis or a celebration in the King/Stetson home, hot chocolate was always the go to. Complete with marshmallows. Amanda looked around the kitchen and walked over to her latest hiding spot. She was praying that the baby didn't wake up any of the men in their family. They were bound and determined to find out where Amanda hid those marshmallows. It was now a family joke and game to which she was more than willing to continue playing.

Amanda dumped a handful of marshmallows into the pot and put them back in her spot. She made a mental note to move them in a few days. Just in case the boys or Lee got sneaky. She poured herself a cup and sat down in the chair next to Kate's bassinet. Amanda leaned over the side and watched her daughter sleeping. Kate was a beautiful child. There was the start of brown hair like her mother and the dimples like her father. Amanda continued to stare at the little girl. She smiled at the little girl and whispered. " Well, sweetheart, I think I can finally tell someone where I hid the marshmallows and I think I can trust you to keep my secret."

Amanda was whispering something to the baby as Lee walked into the kitchen/den. She looked up at her husband and put her finger to her mouth to let him know to be quiet. She walked over to him and he pulled her into his arms.

" What were you telling the baby?" Lee whispered to her.

Amanda took a sip of her hot chocolate and smiled. " Oh I was telling Katie just where I hid the marshmallows. I know she can keep my secret!" Amanda kissed Lee on the cheek and walked back over to the baby. Lee laughed and shook his head. He poured himself a cup of hot chocolate and made sure he took the last of the marshmallows in his cup. He settled on the couch next to his wife and they snuggled as they watched their daughter sleeping.

************2006*************

Phillip King walked into the kitchen of his childhood home that was now his and his wife, Annie's. He was home with his sons, twins Matty and Lee who were now almost ten and TJ who was now five years old. Annie was still in the hospital having given birth to their daughter, Dotty Jr, as Phillip called her. The boys were so excited about having a little sister and Phillip was thrilled himself. He had come home from several tours overseas and was home for good. He was starting a new job at the Pentagon in the next few weeks. He had treated the boys to supper at Marvelous Marvin's and a movie. They all decided in the car to have some hot chocolate before heading to bed.

Phillip got the milk started and looked around the kitchen. The boys started giggling.

" What are you laughing at, fellas?"

Matthew looked at his dad and said "You are trying to figure out where Momma hides the marshmallows, aren't you?"

Phillip laughed and remembered his own mother, Amanda, hiding the marshmallows. She must have taught Annie to do the same. Phillip put his hands on his hips. He frowned at the boys and looked around the kitchen. He remembered all the times he tried to sneak into the kitchen when his mom would hide them but he never found out the secret spots. He looked at the boys and smiled.

"Lee, I bet you are the one kid that would know where your mom hides them, right?"

The twins giggled and smiled at their dad. They were the spitting image of him but had strawberry red hair and hazel green eyes like their mom. Lee shook his head and said thru his giggles

"Sorry Pops, We have tried to be super spies and have not completed our mission. Momma is almost better than Grandma when it comes to hiding the marshmallows! She was trained by the best!"

Phillip laughed and made a mental note to ask Annie where she hid them once she came home. He sighed and went to the fridge. He pulled out the can of whipped cream and turned to face the boys.

"Well, I guess we can just substitute marshmallows for whipped cream. After all, we are celebrating the arrival of your little sister. So, who wants whipped cream?"

His answer was brought on by cheers and Phillip helped each of his sons pour the whipped cream into their mugs. He laughed to himself thinking that his mom and his wife have definitely won the marshmallow game.