See Part 1 for Disclaimer

Part 3

Amanda was in the weekend-house where she was cleaning. The house was rather neglected. Of course she had planned to phone her mother immediately after breakfast but she had forgotten it. Therefore she thought it was her mother when her mobile phone rang.

„Hello mother, I just wanted to phone you."

But at the other end wasn't her mother, but a woman she didn't know. "Are you Amanda King?"she asked.

„Yes, I'm Amanda King. Where do you have this number from? Only my family has it."

„We have found the number with Lee Stetson. He was brought about an hour ago to our hospital. He was entangled in an awful car accident. The doctor thing it's better if you get here."

„Oh my Gosh. Lee is in hospital? What's with him? Will he get healthy again?"Amanda couldn't get a clear thought. She was too furious.

„He's in coma, but for now he's out of danger. However you should better come."

„I will be there as soon as possible."Amanda hung up and called a cab. To endure the wait more she phoned her mother.

„Amanda, has something happened? I hear that something isn't correct. Did you two fight?"

„If it would be only that. I'm on my way to the hospital. Lee had an accident. He's in coma. They didn't want to tell me more, only that I should come as soon as possible. I'm really afraid. What is, if he won't wake up? He can't leave me now. Not, when we are finally together. He doesn't even know that he becomes a father. He wanted to have his own family so badly. Mother, I can't loose him now." Amanda began to weep softly.

„Amanda, listen to me. I know exactly, how you feel now. When you have been shot in California, I felt the same. And do you know, what Lee has told me? She is strong, she fights. The same goes for Lee. He won't leave you alone. You must be patient. And please take care of you even if it's difficult for you. It won't help him if you collapse. You aren't alone. You must also take care of the baby."

„Thanks mother, you helped me very much. I know Lee will make it. I call you when I know more. I love you."Amanda went out to the waiting cab and went to the hospital. There she was brought to Lee´s doctor.

„Mrs. King? I'm Dr. Andrews. Are you related with Lee Stetson?"

„I'm his fiancée. We wanted to marry next week. Please tell me, what's wrong with him. Will he get healthy again?"

„Mr. Stetson had a heavy traffic accident. The other involving persons aren't hurt further difficulty, but it seems that he wasn't buckled. At the accident he has hurt his head. For that reason he's in coma now. We must wait and hope that the swelling goes back and that he will wake up then. But I don't want to make you too much hope. It can last years until a person wakes up from coma. The other injuries aren't further bad. He has some complicated breaks at that right leg; however we have stabilized them with metal. We have cleaned the cuts and if necessary sewn them."

„If he wakes up from coma, he will be completely healthy again, won't he?" Amanda asked anxiously.

„We hope so. Still we don't know what damages the swelling has done, but the chances are good that he will be his old self."

„Can I see him? I know he will feel me."

„You are allowed to see him. In some cases it even helps to push the healing process. A nurse will show you the way."

„I still have a question, even if it occur you perhaps a bit strange. Have you found a prescription with him? He wanted to redeem it for me."

„No, we have nothing found, however I will give you a new, if you tell me, what it was."

„There were vitamins for pregnancy."

The doctor gave Amanda the prescription. She went to a nurse, who brought her to Lee's room. There he lay, connected with many machines and tubes. Amanda couldn't believe at all, that this was her Lee. She took a chair and sat at his bed.

„Lee, how could that happen? You are the best driver I know. I was so worried about you. You must wake up again. I can't imagine a life without you, not when I have finally found you. And what should I tell our baby? At least one of my children should grow up with a father in the house. And you have always said you want to found a family with me. You don't even know that you are going to be a father. It's a further reason, why you must wake up as fast as possible. What would Mr. Melrose do without you at the Agency? You are his best agent. And what should I do? I'm your partner now, even if it isn't official. I couldn't continue working without you there. And you know how much I like the work there. Lee, you must fight. For you, for us and for your baby."

Amanda took his hand and kissed him softly. Tears ran down her cheek. So she sat many hours at his bed, until the doctor came and sent her home. She couldn't do anything for him now. Amanda took a cab and went to a car rental service. There she rented a car and went back to the house. The doctor had told her that the police had taken in the inquiries, but it wasn't enough for Amanda. She wanted the Agency. She had the feeling that something was wrong with this story. Although it was already late, Amanda phoned the Agency and caught Billy there.

„Mr. Melrose, it's Amanda. I would like to ask you for a favour."

„I thought you were on holiday? What can I do for you?"

„I'm on vacation in New York. Today morning an awful accident happened, the police works already on it but I have the feeling that something is wrong in this whole situation."

„Why are you so interested in it? It isn't our task to investigate traffic accidents but one of our agents is involved in it."

„There is an agent involved! Lee's in coma. The doctor can't do anything for him."

„Lee's in a hospital? In New York? I thought he wanted to travel with his girlfriend to Italy. And why do you know about it? Why have the doctors told you about his condition? Why haven't they phoned me?"

„Lee never wanted to make holiday in Italy. It was planned that we go on vacation together. We wanted to marry. I'm sorry that we have to lie to you Mr. Melrose but we thought it would be better to speak with you afterwards. For that reason they have told me also about his condition. And since we are on vacation we don't have our ID's with us."

„Okay, I pardon you. Really I'm glad, that Lee has finally found a woman for his life. What can I do?"

„I would like that you do examined the car. Yesterday everything was just fine. And I can't imagine that Lee drove on the opposite traffic-side and causes an accident. We know both, that he's a good driver. It just can't have happened."

„Okay, I get our office in New York on it. They send the report to me. And Amanda, don't worry. Lee will make it. He is a fighter. Call me when you have any news."

Amanda phoned her mother and told her, what she knew about Lee. After that she went to bed. At the next morning she drove back to the hospital. She sat at his bed, took his hand and spoke with him. He didn't react. About noon Amanda fell asleep at his bed. She didn't notice that Lee moved now and then lightly his hand. First through a stronger movement Amanda became awaken. She examined him and noticed that he tried to open his eyes.

„Lee, I'm here. Now everything will be okay. I knew you would make it. You would never abandon us. Lee, I love you."

It still lasted some minutes, however Lee managed to open his eyes for a moment. The first thing he saw was his Amanda, who was overjoyed. However Lee was still too weak to stay awaken long. Amanda went to a doctor and told him about it. He examined him and ascertained that the swelling had gone back completely. But because he was sleeping again, he couldn't ascertain, whether there were any damages. They had to wait a bit longer.

In the evening Lee was awaken again, this time for several minutes. Amanda was again the first thing he saw.

„Manda?"he asked with weak voice.

„Lee, take it easy. I'm not leaving your side. Now everything will be okay again."

„Where am I? What has happened?"

„You are in hospital. You had a heavy traffic accident. You wanted to go shopping. Then I have gotten a call from the hospital. You were almost three days in coma. I was awful worried about you. But now everything is good again. I get a doctor. They wanted to examine you as soon as you awaken."

Amanda went to a doctor and told him Lee was awaken. He examined Lee and ascertained no further damages. However he had to remain at least a week at the hospital, since it could still come to complications. Lee wasn't very enthusiastic. Amanda knew how he felt.

„Lee, there are only a couple of days. Sure it would be more beautiful, if you were with me but it's still better then to bury you. I'm with you most of the time."

„I will endure it, when you are with me. Even if I would love to be with you at the house. There you can take care of me just as well as the nurses in the hospital. I just want to be out of here."

„I will see what I can do."

Amanda went to Lee´s doctor. „Dr. Andrews. How long do you think that Lee must stay here? He doesn't like hospitals very much and I'm sure I can take care of him just as well as your nurse. If not better. He will listen to me."

„I can understand you, but I can't let him go home yet. But I make you a compromise. If no complications shows up until Friday I send him home. But he must stay in bed for at least a week. He can't put weight on the foot. Is that a fair offer?" he grinned at her at.

„I can live with it. I hope that Lee can it also. Thank you Dr."

Amanda went back to Lee to tell him about this conversation. „I have spoken with the doctor. He can't let you go home yet but if until Friday no complications appears, he dismisses you in my care. But you must remain at least a week in bed."

„Oh Mandy, that isn't good. It means we must put the wedding back."

„Yes, we must put the wedding back again, but it's much better than to bury you."she said.

„Mandy that sounds like you want to marry me any longer."Lee asked disappoint.

„Lee, I would marry you immediately if your condition would allow it. But I rather put our wedding back for one week than to have never the chance to marry you. And I can promise you that I must marry you no matter what happens, if you promise me that it won't last too long. Otherwise I must look for a new gift and I don't like this idea because my gift is just perfect."

In the evening Amanda phoned Billy.

„Mr. Melrose. There is news from Lee. He has woken up today from coma. There are no further damages. He's the old one again. He even bothers the nurses and the doctors."

„Amanda, it pleases me to hear that. But we all have known that. Tell him, I said hello."

„I will do that. But I have still a request. If Lee tells you about our wedding, please be surprised. He shouldn't know that you know it already. We want to tell you together."

„He won't learn anything from me. I see you in a week. You know, that I would extend your vacation gladly, but here is everything upside down. We can't save ourselves from work."

„I will be in the Agency next Monday. You only have to wait a bit for Lee. Good-bye."

She also phoned her mother and told her that Lee was on the way of improvement.

The three days passed like nothing. Amanda came after breakfast to him and left late in the evening. On Friday he was dismissed from hospital like promised. He was overjoyed. Now he could spend a little time alone with Amanda.

„Lee, I have something I wanted to give you to the wedding. But since we must wait a bit longer and I don't want to wait longer with it I have thought about a little game. You get small hidden hints you must find alone. If you have an idea, you can tell me but you get the gift first on our wedding-day. Which hopefully will be very soon otherwise I must look for a new present."

„Amanda, you make it really exciting. Don't you want to give me a small hint? Have some sympathy with me."

„I have thought you would say this. So you get one. Take one."

She showed him two equal packets. Lee took one and opened it. Therein was a toy-car. „Amanda, you give me a car? You know that I only like sport cars."

„It's no car, Lee. But I'm sure you will drive in next time often with something like that. Think about the space in this car. That was a hint, too. I don't betray you more now."

„Okay then we must marry soon; so that I don't die on curiosity. I have thought once more about the accident. It seems that something was wrong with the car. As the car has rammed me the brakes suddenly didn't work. Previously they were okay. If they had worked I'm sure I would have been able to control the car and we would enjoy our honeymoon now. I would like, that Billy looks at the car."

„I have already taken care if it. I have notified him immediately after your accident. By the way he said hello. Our New York Office examines the car. I couldn't imagine that you cause a traffic accident. You are the best driver I know. And that isn't your style. You would have found a way, to bring the car under control."

„Amanda, you are simply unique. Others wouldn't have thought about it. But what has Billy said that you are here. Or that I'm here. I have told him I fly to Italy with the woman of my dreams."

„I have told him, that they have found my mobile phone number with you, which is the truth and because they couldn't find any relatives of you, they have told me everything. And since I didn't know where you were going in your vacation I could tell him about it. He knows nothing about us. And I should greet you from mother. She wishes you all the best. She was very worried about her new son-in-law."

„You have told her about us?"

„Yes, I couldn't lie to her any longer. However she won't tell anybody. And I have told her also about your present. She almost passed out."

„You told her about my gift, but not me?"Lee played insult. Amanda kissed him and everything was forgotten.

The week at home did well to Lee. He recovered quickly from the accident. He ran on crutches and tried to put as less weight as possible on the leg. Amanda spoiled him. Of course it was now more difficulty for her to hide her morning sickness, but fortunately Lee slept at this time always deeply and firmly. Amanda gave him books about pregnancy and childcare to read, which didn't disturb him. Often they sat on the terrace and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Lee read; Amanda knitted baby clothes. Lee had no expectation what this was all about.

On Friday Lee had a final appointment in hospital. The results were satisfactory. Lee´s doctor insisted on it that also Amanda had to see a doctor to be sure that the stress of the last week hadn't harmed neither she nor the baby. As Lee came back, Amanda wasn't back from her doctor. When she finally came, he wanted to know, what the matter was. He was awfully worried about her. He felt, that somewhat was wrong with her. However she quieted him. The doctor allowed Lee, that he could burden the foot carefully. Now they could see the minister of peace.

They went to the registrar's office. The luck was on their side. A couple had to call off their wedding, so their place was free for today. They could marry in two hours. They went to a near shopping mall and looked for fitting clothes. Lee decided for a dark-blue suit. Amanda found a cream-colored dress which fitted perfect. It was sleeveless had no back and went up to the knuckles. It was very tight above, far swinging below. They changed clothes on the registrar's office. Lee was speechless when he saw his wife-to-be.

„Amanda, you are even more beautiful today. I don't know what I should say. Just breathtaking. You should wear something like this more often. It fits you perfectly."

„Perhaps I will do it, if you wear more often jeans and T-shirt and as long as I still fit in it. And now let's get married or have gotten you cold feet?"

„Nothing in the world could prevent to marry you now. I already had to wait two weeks longer for it. I can hardly believe it. In few minutes we are officially together. Nobody can take us that. We will remain together for always. Nothing can separate us now."

They went in the room and got married.

As they were back it the weekend-house they enjoyed the time alone.

„Finally we have worked it. I have a present for you, Darling."

„I have also one, like you know. And I know that you are already very tensely on it."

Lee got a role, which was held together with a yellow ribbon. „This is my gift for you."He gave it to Amanda, who opened it and was very surprised.

„Lee, you give me the house of your parents? Are you really sure. It is the most only thing you have from them."

„I'm absolutely sure. I would like, that we spend many comfortable hours here. We can come here, if it's too stressful in Washington. Our small love nest. We should become happy here."

„If you want to come here in stressful times, you have to move in here very soon."

„What do you mean?"he asked.

„I believe, in the next time it will be very stressful for us. Do you want to have my present now? I assume you don't know what it is, since you haven't said anything."

„No, I have no idea."

„Okay, I will give you now the final hint. Take one."She gave him two packets. Lee took one and opened it. There was a pair of baby shoes in.

„Amanda these are baby-shoes. What should I do with them?"

„Nothing, but you can put them on our baby, when it is old enough."Amanda grinned at him.

„Our baby?" Lee asked unbelieving.

What do you think so far? Please R & R.