Winter9c

Chapter 9 - Conclusion
*See chapter 1 for disclaimer



Way to go, Phillip. We're gonna get it now. He's bigger than we are, Jamie shouted at his brother.

Shut up, Jamie. Just run, Phillip yelled back.

Phillip and Jamie ducked behind the big tree that held their tree house just as Lee and Amanda both grabbed up handfuls of snow and let loose with a borage of their own.

Ha ha, ya missed me, Phillip yelled, as one of Lee's icy rockets smashed against the bark of the tree. Who taught you how to aim? Man, that was weak.

Lee had to laugh at the boy's innocent comment. If he only knew,' he laughed to himself, catching Amanda's eye. He saw that the irony of the comment hadn't been lost on her. She started laughing.

He has a point you know, she snickered.

Oh, he does does he, Lee replied breathlessly ducking out of the way, as another of the boys' snowballs whizzed past them and hit the house, nearly missing Dotty. She was standing on the patio watching the war between the adults and the kids, smiling like only a grandma could.

Lee handed Amanda a snowball. You think you can do better, go for it, he could hardly contain his laughter remembering all the times in the firearms training booth that Amanda had hit the side of a building, or a car, but never her intended target.

Amanda could hear Jamie laughing from behind the tree, and while Lee was keeping Phillip occupied, she snuck around to where she heard the sounds of her youngest son.

Lee heard the boy scream as Amanda shoved her handful of snow down into the back of Jamie's coat and under his sweatshirt. she said, with a big smile.

Jamie screeched, trying unsuccessfully to get the snow out from under his shirt. Ahh, that's cold, he added jumping around.

Neither one saw Lee or Phillip, who by this time had joined forces, approach from the opposite side and rain a shower of snow down on them.

The battle waged on for what seemed like hours, with each taking sides against the others at one time or another. Finally, cold and sheer exhaustion drove the four back into the house, where Dotty had already started the hot chocolate.

Oh, man, that was awesome, Jamie announced, as he entered the house.

James Daniel King! you take off that wet coat right there. Don't you people track wet snow all over this house, Dotty ordered, trying to be serious, even though the boys could see the smile playing at her lips.

Grandma, we creamed em, did you see us? Phillip asked, as he shed his coat, and followed his brother into the kitchen.

Lee could hear the joyous sounds of his family, as he stepped onto the patio following them in. He took Amanda by the arm, and stopped her just before she entered the house.

She turned and stepped into his arms, looking up into his eyes. He was forming a plan. She could see it, but she was almost afraid to ask what it was.

What are you thinking about? she asked, as a grin spread over her face.

I'm thinking I know what I have to do now, he replied, gazing lovingly at her beautiful face. This is what I'm talking about. I want it to be like this all the time, not just when we can get together, he emphasized the last words.

Amanda titled her head, and looked at Lee questioningly.

After a long pause Lee spoke. Amanda, don't be angry. Just remember I'm doing this for both of us, for all of us. Lee let her go, and quickly stepped just inside the doorway to the house. Guys, could you come out here for a minute? Dotty, you too.

Amanda stood silently watching as her husband stepped back out onto the patio followed by her sons, and finally by her mother.

This is something I've wanted to do for a long time. Something I should have done a long time ago, he announced, as he stepped back over to Amanda, and took her in his arms again.

I love your mother more than anything in this world, Lee began. And, over the past year, I've grown to love all of you too, he added looking into the faces of Dotty and the boys, who anxiously stared back at him. That's why I wanted you all to be here to hear this. After a pause, he started again. Amanda King, you are the best, the bravest, the smartest, most beautiful woman I have ever known. Will you marry me? He stared deep into her eyes, hoping she wasn't angry by the way he had chosen to do this, but also not caring because now it was out in the open.

Amanda returned his stare with one that showed only the love she held for him, and shaking her head up and down began to speak, Yeah, I'll marry you.

Lee pulled his wife close, and kissed her, as the happy sounds of Dotty and the boys filled the snowy back yard. He broke the kiss and gazed at his Amanda. He saw her whisper, with a smile as big as the one he had seen form on her lips a just over year ago, when he had asked her the same question. Bigger, in fact than a year ago, because now her smile held not only her joy, but also the joy of her family...his family.

You're not upset? Lee whispered into her ear.

How could I be upset? This is what we both wanted. This is what we should have done to begin with, she replied, easing his mind, and filling his heart.

I love you, they spoke together, before their family rushed over to them.

Lee watched in awe of this group. His world was complete because he was a part of this family, and they all knew that now. Slowly, they made their way back inside the house, the house where Lee and Amanda would make their home. A home that would see many more snowball fights, quiet dinners, first dates, graduations, and even a child of their own. Lee was the last to enter, he wanted to enjoy every moment. Finally, with his arm around her waist, he guided Amanda into the house. The frantic events of the day were forgotten, replaced instead by happy thoughts of the future. Smiling, Lee Stetson closed the door to his house in Arlington, shutting out the cold, keeping it away from the warmth that filled the hearts of his family; thankful that he and Amanda would never again know what it was like to wake up alone on a snowy winter day.

Finis