Later when they were getting ready for bed Amanda remembered to tell Lee about Mattie's boyfriend.
"Sweetheart I forgot to tell you that Mattie called today"
"So how are things at the Pentagon?"
"She only mentioned an embassy party she attended, and she met someone there."
Lee helped Amanda turn down the bedspread and as they climbed inside Amanda snuggled down into Lee's shoulder.
"Did she say what's his name?" Lee instantly tensed up and his jaw started twitching.
"Jason Bashir"
"Hmm ok interesting, tell me more"
"Now Lee don't jump to conclusions." Amanda warned, "he works at the Lebanese Embassy."
"What makes you think I'm jumping to conclusions "Lee asked innocently.
Amanda sat up and leaned over and looked Lee in the eyes. "You forget we have been married for twenty-six years. I can read you like a book. If it wasn't for the fact that tomorrow was Saturday you would be calling all over town demanding information on him"
Lee smiled. "No, I have not forgotten my beautiful wife" and kissed Amanda on her nose. "Well if he works at the embassy he sounds ok..maybe"
Amanda laid back and rested her head on Lee's chest. She ran her fingers through Lee's hair hoping to calm him as she prepared to make the request that Mattie had talked to her about.
Lee felt his pulse start to quicken by Amanda's adoring touch. "hmm Amanda that feels so good"
"Sweetheart I have to ask a favor of you."
"What's that my love?"
"Mattie is bringing Jason to the party Sunday and she wants you to leave the shoulder holster in the closet."
" Not so fast! are you trying to butter me up?"
"Who me? I don't know what you're talking about!" Amanda tried to keep a straight face in the dark but her voice gave her away.
"I always wear my shoulder holster when the girls bring a new guy around..and if the young man doesn't respect the authority it brings then he can go to hell" spouted Lee
"Calm down Lee. We know why you wear it. You have always done that to intimidate all of JJ and Maddie's boyfriends"
"Damn right! They need to know right from the start not to mess with me or my girls. So why should he be any different."
Lee was fuming now. Amanda sighed. He would not change. Lee was very protective of his girls and Amanda understood why. It was his nature. He had been protective of her when they first started working together. She had been a mother of two young boys and he had felt responsible for their safety, and he still felt that way especially because they had built a life together. She wouldn't want him to be any different because that was one of the reasons she loved him so. When they had finally revealed their marriage to the family and had their two girls Lee was very diligent to make sure they were as safe as possible. At the proper age, He insisted all the kids knew how to shoot a gun and took them to the shooting range once a week. JJ excelled and had excellent shooting skills. Mattie tolerated it and never wanted to go. Also, he had them take self-defense classes. JJ was the only one of the four kids to earn a black belt in Karate and now was a second-level black belt. Lee also stressed that they should never take the same route to and from home. It not only made the children safer but it gave Lee peace of mind. And when the girls started dating Lee would do a background check on any of their dates. He would also ceremoniously bring out the shoulder holster and wear it when a boy would pick them up on a date. Mattie and JJ always just rolled their eyes and said "Oh Papa" and told their boyfriends to ignore him.
"Ok sweetheart, never mind" Amanda patted his chest and continued to run her fingers through his hair. Amanda's touch soothed him and he calmed down quickly. Well I'll think about it.. maybe" Lee conceded
He covered Amanda's hand with his and kissed it.
"Mrs. Stetson, have I told you I loved you today"?
"Oh I think maybe you have a few times" cooed Amanda
Lee rolled over to face Amanda and tenderly kissed her lips and ran one hand slowly down her side.
"You are more beautiful today than the day I met you My Amanda. You mean everything to me. I'd be lost without you"
Amanda continued to stroke his graying hair and answered him by returning his kiss with one that seared his lips. Lee pulled her closer and they clung to each other as their bodies responded to the dance of passion they were accustomed to.