For disclaimer see part 1
Part 2
To their last work-day they had come separately to the Agency. Amanda was there first, so she could write the last reports.
"Good morning, Mrs. Stetson. Did you sleep well my Darling??" Lee came in and gave his fiancée a kiss.
"Don't you think you are a bit too fast? I still can leave you at the altar or we don't even can go on vacation together. Remember you have a meeting with Mr. Melrose later this day and this doesn't promise something good."
"Amanda, I promise you, that Billy won't hinder us to go on vacation. And you don't dare it to leave me at the altar."
"And why not?" Amanda asked curiously.
"You know very well why not. I would rather die than to live without you. I love you and will always love you."
When Amanda heard that she smiled. "Don't worry about it. I must marry you. I have the perfect gift for you I can't give back. You see, I have no other choice."
Lee wasn't content with this answer. "Now I know the real reason. You can consider a better one while I talk to Billy. And don't be worried. Nothing will prevent us from the vacation."
Lee went to Billy, who already waited for him. He led him into his office. However Billy didn't come to word, Lee began immediately to talk to his boss.
"Billy, you don't make any trouble. In less than 12 hours I go on my well-deserved vacation and nothing on the world can stop me from it, not even you. I will go on this vacation."
Billy was very astonished by this speech. "Scarecrow, you amaze me. Up until now it hasn't disturbed you, if you had to transfer your vacation for a few days. Usually you have had cancelled it completely."
"Billy, I have understood that also I need some time-out. And I will take this vacation. Everything is planned perfectly. Nothing and nobody can hinder me of it. So why should I come? You know, I have still some things to take care of."
"You have changed much in the last months. Have you noticed this? Okay I wanted to talk with you about the case. I know how urgently you need this vacation and that you talk since several weeks about nothing else. So I don't want that you cancel it. But I have bad news for you. It looks like Masters has escaped again. You stopped him from stealing the jewellery but we haven't caught him."
"Do you want now that I stay here and build a new trap for him? You have said personally, that you don't want to spoil my vacation."
"I want that you dedicate Francine to your work. She can take over the case as long as you are on vacation. Amanda seems to be happy over the holiday, too. Where do you both go?" Billy felt that there was more than friendship between his best team and wanted to spy a bit.
"I wanted to see what my Italian does. I have thought about a vacation on the beach of Rimini. And to the best of my knowledge, Amanda wanted to visit some relatives, who haven't seen her in a long time."
"And I have thought you go on vacation together, because you understand yourselves so well in the last time. Lee, you know that I'm not against a relationship between you. Even if the rules forbid it. But you are my best team and you are even more successfully when you go along well and don't fight about everything. She is good for you, Lee. You need somebody who is there for you. And I feel that you both have feelings for each other. Jump over your shadow and talk with her. Not each relationship can end like this with Eva."
"Thanks Billy. But I have already found the perfect woman for me. There is nobody who would be more suitable for me than her. I love her with all my heart and want to marry her. Found a family with her. If you have nothing against it, I will look for Francine; so that I don't come too late to the vacation with the woman of my dreams. She wouldn't pardon it me ever."
Lee got up and left the office, without losing a further word about the woman of his dreams. He knew that Billy would have for some sleepless nights because of this reason. He found Francine at her desk, where she worked already on the case. Lee explained her, what weren't in the file yet. Then he went to the Q-Bureau, where Amanda was finished with her work.
"Should I pack in or out?" Amanda asked when she heard Lee open the door.
"You may pack in, but only if you tell me a better reason, why you want to marry me. Do you have one?" Lee asked.
"No, I haven't another reason. But perhaps I have one when we have reached our mysterious destination. Tell me, how we get there."
"There are two possibilities. We can fly, which will be more pleasant and more quickly. Or we can go by car. So we would have still more time for us alone. It's your choice."
"Can I tell you later? I have an appointment now which can't wait. Are you finished here?"
"Yes, I'm finished. Should I accompany you to your appointment?"
"You don't need to come with me. Go home and pack. Like I know you, you haven't even started with this task. I must give these reports to Mr. Melrose. I call you later and tell you, whether I would like to fly or to go by car."
Amanda gave Lee a kiss, took her pocket and a stack of files and went down to their superior.
"Amanda, you are still here? I have thought you prepare yourself for the vacation."
"I had still a couple of reports to finish. Then I haven't so much to do after the vacation."
"Where do you go? Lee doesn't want to tell my anything?" Billy wanted to try his luck once more with Amanda. Perhaps he learned more from her.
"I visit some relatives. They have invited me so often and I had to call it off again and again, because somewhat has come between it. I don't know what Lee is going to do. He won't tell me."
"That's funny. Really I have thought you both go on vacation together. You seem to like each other better in the last time. Amanda, you know that I have nothing against a relationship between Lee and you. I find you are a wonderful couple."
"Thanks Mr. Melrose. But I don't think that there will be sometimes more than friendship. And I'm already glad that we are at least friends. Lee is a crazy man, but I'm not his type."
Billy knew that this wasn't the case. However he said nothing more. Amanda got up and dismissed. When she was outside she saw Francine coming to her.
"Amanda, I must talk with you. It's about Lee and you."
"Francine that is surely a topic I'm not going to discuss with you. Especially since there is nothing to discuss."
"Amanda, I'm not blind. I see how you look at each other. You have something with him. But I have warned you. Lee doesn't think much about long relationships. He loves the adventure. Each week another woman. And when the time has come, he will break your heart."
"Francine, please. Lee has changed."
"Men like Lee never change. I have overheard a conversation between him and Billy a while ago. He has found a woman he loves and wants to marry her. If this should be really the case, then he will leave you. But I'm sure this marriage won't last long. Lee isn't a family man. Remind what I have told you. He will break your heart."
Amanda didn't listen to it any longer. She was with her thoughts already at her appointment with her doctor. She should confirm her suspicion, although Amanda was rather sure about it. However she was no doctor.
Amanda came in the practice and was brought immediately to an examination room. The doctor examined her and asked her then to her conference room.
"Amanda, you have been right with her conjecture. You are nine weeks along. Congratulations." Dr. Tyler said.
"Now it's completely sure. Oh my Gosh, how do I tell my family and Lee? I don't even know if he would like to have children. It will be a great shock for all."
"But you are happy to have a baby, aren't you? You didn't seem to be very surprised from?"
"Dr. I had much time to get accustom to the thought. Sure I'm happy to get this baby. Is there something more beautifully to get a baby with the man you love? I'm not sure if he thinks about it this way. Besides that it wills confuse our whole life."
"Amanda, go and tell him about the baby. He will also be happy. I see you again in a month. I prescribe you some vitamins you should take."
Amanda took the prescription and left the practice. Now there was no doubt Lee would become a father. She phoned him at his apartment and asked him to have lunch together. There she would ask him carefully about this topic. Little later she was with Lee who was in the kitchen.
"Lee, there is something about I must speak with you."
"Now you make me nervous. You sound so seriously. What has happened, Mandy?" Lee was really anxiously.
"Nothing has happened. There is nothing, about you have to worry. There is only a topic we have never discussed up until now. I simply would like to know your opinion to it. Therefore I would like, that you take some time and think exactly about it, what you feel. And don't think about me. I want to hear your opinion, completely independently."
"Okay, what it this all about?" Now Lee was really curious.
"And don't think about me, do you hear? What do you think about children? Do you want to have some?"
Lee thought very long about it. Amanda dreaded already the worst. "I have no expectation. You know that up until some weeks ago there was never the chance for me even to think about it. However if I consider it right, I can imagine very well, that there is a little girl running around in our house, who looks like you. Yes, I believe, I would like to have a child with you. But only, if you want also. Still you have already two almost grown up sons and you must take the whole pregnancy on you alone, and I can take off a bit from it. I can understand if you don't want to have any children. And it doesn't have to be now. Are you happy with my answer, Mandy?"
"Yes Lee, I'm happy with your answer and I can't imagine something more beautifully than to have a baby with you. Rather today as tomorrow. You know, we aren't the youngest anymore and the risk of complications climbs. Let's put this topic away for later discussion. I have decided that we will fly to our mysterious destination. Do you ask about a flight? I go home and finish packing. Do you pick me up later?"
"I call you before I pick up you. I can't wait to be alone with you. It will be simply dreamlike. I love you, Mandy. See you later."
They kissed before she drove to her house. Her mother was in the kitchen and prepared dinner. "Hello Darling. You are home early. Do you eat with us?"
"Hello mother. I don't know if I will eat with you. Lee phones later to tell me when our plane takes off."
"Where does it go? You haven't told me up until now something about it. How can I reach you?"
"Mother, I don't know where it will be. Lee didn't want to betray it to me. But I promise you, that I phone you immediately, when we have arrived. Besides that I have my mobile phone with me so you can reach me always. And in a few days you are on holiday too. The boys fly to Estoccia to their father. I have the number of Joe and will call him. You see no need to worry. But there's something I must tell you previously. I must finally talk with somebody about it."
"Sure, what's the matter? How can I help you?"
"You can't help me now. Today I had an appointment with Dr. Tyler. Do you remember that some weeks ago I was always tired? Lee had thought in get flu."
"That was, before this friend of yours had died?"
"There was no friend. I only needed some time alone. Can you remember what you have told me?"
"I have said it reminds me very much of both of your pregnancies. But you have denied it."
"You weren't this wrong. I'm three month along." Dotty was shocked and Amanda was glad, that she could at least talk with one person about it. "Mother, you have to keep it secret. You can't even tell the boys. Up until now it knows nobody besides you."
"And what is with Lee? He's the father, isn't he? He has a right to learn about it."
"I know and he will learn about it. There is a particular reason, why we go on vacation together. We are going to marry there. We are already engaged since almost half a year and have met about four years ago. But this must remain secret. Nobody may know that we have a relationship. It could bring you and also Lee and me in great danger."
"I don't understand. The whole neighbourhood knows that Lee goes out– and in here. They already know that you are a couple. So, where is the problem?"
"With our work. IFF isn't what it seems to be. But I can't tell you more now. I will speak with Lee and our boss, what we can tell you. With the baby it will be obvious for each, that we are more than only partners. However first I must tell Lee about the baby and then we must tell our boss about it. I'm not sure, how he will react. Then we can talk with you. But everything needs its time. But you don't need to be worried. Nothing will happen to you, the boys or me. And now I must pack." Just as Amanda was going to leave the kitchen the phone rang. It was Lee who told Amanda that he got a flight for tonight. He would pick her up in an hour. Amanda hurried to pack, then dismissed from her sons she would see again in six weeks. Little later Lee came and helped Amanda with her luggage. Together they drove to the airport and waited for their flight.
"Lee would you tell me now where we are going? I'm really curious. And now nobody can spoil us the vacation."
"We are going to New York. I hope it's okay with you that I don't bring you to a romantic island. However I know there a place, where we are completely undisturbed. Not even Billy knows that I'm there."
"Speaking of Mr. Melrose. Has he made today also so funny hints? He has asked me, whether we go on vacation together and that he has nothing against a relationship between us."
"He has told me that also. I should jump finally over my shadow and talk with you. However I have insured him that I have found the perfect woman for me. I want to marry her and found a family with her. That has made Billy thoughtfully."
"Now I also know where Francine has the rumour from that you want to marry. She has warned me today to start a relationship with you. You would break my heart, if you leave me, what in her opinion won't last long, since you have already the next woman. Who is she?" Amanda asked playing offended.
"Oh, she is a great woman. I have met her on an October-morning at the train station. I think it was love at first sight. I love you Mandy and nothing will change this."
Their flight was called up and they went on board. During the flight they talked. When they had landed, Lee rented a car and drove to Long Island. There he parked in front of a large house, which lay directly on the beach.
"It doesn't look like they were waiting for us. Does the hotel know that we arrive this evening?"
"Amanda, there can't be anybody awaken, since nobody lives in there. It's my house. My parents have bequeathed it me. I'm here as much as I can. Here I have the feeling they are near to me. Up until now I was always here alone. Not even the Colonel has seen it from inside. You are the first person, who enters it besides me." Lee helped her out of the car and led her to the stairs.
"Lee, are you sure that you want this? I don't want to destroy your memories because I'm in this house. Certainly here will be a small comfortable hotel, I can spend the night."
"Amanda, please. We are here to spend some time together. I have known that previously and if I wouldn't have wanted, that you live here with me, I wouldn't have told you about the house. I would like, that you go in with me now, make it comfortably for you and enjoys the time with me. Nobody can take away my memories at my parents. And nobody can prevent to make new memories with you. I show you the house, because I love you. It should become our love hideout. Here we can come, if we want to be undisturbed."
"Thanks Lee, I know to estimate this gesture." They went in the house; however they didn't examine it, but went to bed immediately.
At the next morning Lee made a small breakfast with some food he had brought along. It wasn't much, but it would extend. Amanda descended in the kitchen and examined the house for the first time. Lee showed it her. The first floor was composed of a large living room with open chimney. In front of it was a terrace, which led directly on the beach. It was a kitchen, a bath and a guest room below. The upper floor was composed of a large bedroom with large balcony. Two bathrooms and two further bedrooms made the house complete.
"Lee, the house is dreamlike. It's really bad that it's so long unoccupied."
"I hope that I can spend more time here now. An undisturbed weekend only for both of us. And I'm sure the boys will love it here. In the neighbourhood a couple of charming girls live who are exactly in their age. And where do you have your own beach and ocean just in front of the door?"
They ate breakfast together, then Lee got dressed an eroded jeans and a plain t-shirt to go shopping. "Amanda should I bring, something particular? Any special wish?"
"No, we will be able to prepare something delicious from it. I leave you the selection. However a request I would have at you, but only if a pharmacy lies on your way. I needed these pills."
"For you I even make detours. However for what you need they? Are you sick?"
"No Lee, I'm not sick. My important appointment yesterday was with my doctor for a routine examination. She was the opinion, that I don't get enough vitamins and has prescribed me that. You see no need to worry. I'm fine."
"Okay, but if you should be ill, you tell me immediately. I will care for you from now on, Mandy."
Amanda found it moving, as Lee worried about her, even if there was no need. Lee drove with the rental car to the city, where he would do his shopping. On the way there he was overtaken on the highway by a shover, who rammed him in the side. Lee lost control over the vehicle. Uncontrolled he drove the car on the opposite side, where he was rammed by several cars. It was an awful accident. There came immediately persons who did first aid on Lee and the other injures. It lasted about 10 minutes for the ambulances to show up. Lee was brought immediately to a hospital. The other injures weren't dangerously hurt and were provided at the accident scene.
What do you think so far? Please R&R!