Author's note: I apologize for the delay in posting this chapter. I've been battling a virus that didn't want to go away. Thanks to all those readers who have reached out in one form or another. I appreciate your encouragement. This chapter is dedicated to Strent23 for being particularly friendly and supportive.
And now, on with the story…
Lee dragged his physically and emotionally exhausted body into bed. He desperately craved an escape from all the troubling thoughts that had been plaguing him since his visit with Dotty and the boys. It was nearly midnight and he'd spent the bulk of the previous hour staring at a double scotch that he'd poured for himself. He didn't doubt that the old Lee, the pre-Amanda version of himself, would have downed the amber liquid without a second thought if something was bothering him. The new and improved Lee had eventually spilled it down the kitchen sink.
The man that he'd become knew that a stiff drink wouldn't solve anything, and would only serve to cloud his already questionable judgment. He idly wondered when he had begun to acknowledge how profoundly Amanda had changed him? He couldn't pinpoint a specific moment, yet he knew with absolute certainty that with her in his life he felt a level of contentment that had always eluded him in the past. Now, he looked forward to the future and he was prepared to confront the ghosts of his childhood and early years with the Agency.
Amanda had become his lifeline, a stabilizing influence that he'd come to rely upon. What he'd failed to realize, until now, was the depths of the strains that her association with him had placed on her family life. How many times had he blithely urged her to lie to them or put Agency business ahead of family considerations? Had he unwittingly changed her values nearly as much as she'd changed his?
He no longer believed that their secret marriage was protecting their family from the threats posed by their Agency careers. Any adversary of the Scarecrow and his partner who'd watched them this past summer would have observed an inseparable pair who'd spent the bulk of their off-duty time together. They'd made Dotty and the boys targets, but they'd chosen not to warn them about the potential threat that they might face.
He'd tried to broach the topic with Amanda recently but she either quickly changed the subject or flat out shutdown the conversation. Refusing to address their secrets was no longer an option that she could avail herself of- Dotty would see to that.
He lifted his head and very forcefully fluffed his pillow. Rolling his long form to his left side, he let out a long sigh. The Stetsons weren't the only family members that were keeping secrets. He suspected that Dotty knew a lot more about their secret life than she was letting on. He'd gained an all-new respect for her ability to play her cards close to the vest.
After their conversation regarding her feelings concerning Amanda's treatment of her, Lee explained that her daughter's failure to return from Boston was due to very inclement weather. Logan Airport and the metropolitan area that surround it had been hit by intense electrical storms and torrential flooding. All flights in and out had been cancelled after a major power outage temporarily downed airport systems. Lee reassured Dotty that Amanda was safe and had booked a flight that would arrive the next day.
Satisfied by his explanation of Amanda's absence, Dotty broached the topic of Phillip's surly behavior only to be interrupted by the moody teens return to the kitchen.
"Grandma, I'm sorry about before…the way I talked to you…I was out of line. I'm not a little kid anymore and there is no reason why you should have to be here at all hours of the day and night. It's just that, well…"
When her grandson stopped speaking and began to study his feet, Dotty gently prodded him to continue. "Talk to me, Phillip."
"I've never been able to count on Dad, and Mom was great until she got so wrapped up in her job." He looked at Lee uncomfortably, and when he didn't appear put-off by his statement, Phillip continued, "She's spending more and more time out of the house, and we're never sure when she's going to come home. And after California…I couldn't even be sure that she'll always come home."
"Oh, Phillip," she soothed, putting an arm around his shoulders.
Lee felt as though he'd been punched in the gut. He'd never wanted Amanda's sons to ever be confronted by the possibility of experiencing the grief and loss that he'd faced as a small boy.
Phillip accepted his grandmother's embrace and plowed on, "Grandma, you're the one person that I've always been able to count on. And then when you weren't here when Jamie and I got home, I felt kinda bad…and then when it started to get really late…well, I started to worry about you. Deep down inside I knew I was overreacting. Jamie tried to reason with me, but that only made me more upset. We were arguing when Lee let himself in with the key that he thinks that we don't know he has."
The older male looked at him sheepishly. "How long have you known about the key?"
"If you order a pizza and stay for dinner, I'll tell you when Jamie and I figured out that you have a key. Deal?"
"You've got a deal," Lee happily agreed, relieved to have his possession of a key accepted so readily.
Dotty excused herself to go change into more comfortable clothing, leaving Phillip to turn back to Lee.
"Thanks for shutting me up before."
"You aren't angry about that," Lee asked.
"Nah, I've had time to cool off, and you did it because you really care about all of us. I wish that you were always around here."
As Lee recalled his step-son's comment, he couldn't help feeling as if all the pieces of their family life were falling into place. Their whole future depended upon Amanda's willingness to end their deceptions. He doubted that he'd get much sleep this night.
Thanks for reading! Please be on the lookout for Amanda's return in the next chapter.
