A/N: This chapter concludes the Duty's Price saga. I hope you enjoyed it. I thank everyone who has read the story and especially those who have left reviews and comments. They were such an inspiration. May Lee and Amanda live on forever through fanfiction.
Chapter 15
"Mother, we're home," Amanda said.
"I'm up here."
After a few seconds, she came downstairs and peered at them. "You two are home early. That's a rarity. I'm almost afraid to ask if anything's wrong."
"Nothing's wrong, we just got finished early, and Billy gave us the rest of the day off," Lee said.
"That's good then."
"That it is."
"Oh, Lee, before I forget, your uncle called this morning, He said it wasn't an emergency, but to call him at home later if you get a chance," Dotty said.
"Really? Hmm, I wonder what he wants?"
"Sweetheart, he probably just wants to catch up with you."
Lee snorted. "Amanda, the Colonel does not do small talk," he said, a sharp edge in his voice.
Amanda shook her head, exasperated. Although there had been a slight thaw in the Clayton-Stetson 'Cold War,' as she called it, Lee had remained wary and sarcastic about the Colonel. She decided right then that she would make improving their relationship a project for the future.
"What do you have on the agenda for tonight?" Amanda asked.
"Bonnie, Martha, and I were supposed to go see that new film Beaches. But I'm kind of tired so I think I'm going to pass."
"Is that the one with Bette Midler?" Amanda asked.
"Yes. I think I'll see if we can see it this weekend. I'll call Bonnie and Martha to see if they'll go then. Are you interested in seeing it?"
"I'd love to go see it," Amanda said.
Dotty turned to Lee, her smile playful. "Darling, you're welcome to come too."
"I've heard about this one. I think I'll pass. The boys and I can keep ourselves occupied."
"Okay, then. Let me call Bonnie and Martha."
"I'm going to get out of my work clothes and into something comfortable," Amanda said.
"Good idea," Lee said. "I'll join you."
They made their way to their bedroom. Ananda decided on a blue warm up suit. "Are you going to call your uncle tonight?"
Lee's shoulders tightened. "I don't know. We'll probably just end up in an argument. I'm in a good mood. I don't want it spoiled."
"Lee, I'm not trying to lecture you, but it seems like now, well, you should grab ahold of every opportunity you have to make a connection with the Colonel—"
"Amanda, it takes two people to make a connection," he snapped. He exhaled loudly. "I'm sorry, honey. I shouldn't jump on you. I'll call him tonight."
"I know you don't mean to. Maybe something good will come out of it."
"Maybe so. You ready?"
"I'm going to take off my makeup. I'll be down in a few minutes."
"Okay."
Lee came down the stairs, dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt.
"Feel better?" Dotty asked.
He patted his chest. "Oh yeah. I wish they'd go casual at work, you'd never see me in a suit."
"Now that wouldn't do. You look so handsome in a suit. Well, you look handsome in everything, but a tailored suit. Oh, my."
Lee felt his cheeks warm. "Dotty, please," he said with an embarrassed laugh.
Dotty laughed loudly. "All right, I won't embarrass you any further. How about a beer? I bought you a six-pack today."
"Thanks for doing that. I'd love one." He reached into the refrigerator for a bottle. It occurred to him that he hadn't drank hard liquor in months. Had he used the hard stuff to numb himself not to his job, but to numb himself from his life? Now, that was the last thing he wanted to do. He kept a bottle of scotch and one of bourbon in a cabinet for visitors, but that was all.
After a few minutes, Amanda returned to the kitchen.
"Oh, is that you're new outfit?" Dotty asked.
"Yep," Amanda said, twirling around.
"I love the color."
"I do too," Lee said.
"Thank you." She pointed at the beer. "I think I'll have one of those, too." She reached into the refrigerator for a bottle.
They moved to the kitchen table. "What would you like for dinner?" Dotty asked.
"Well, we were talking on the way home, and we thought a pizza night sounded good, so nobody has to cook," Lee said.
"I know Phillip and Jamie will go for that. It's fine with me, too."
"Good. Did you talk to Bonnie and Martha?" Amanda asked.
"Oh yes, they said Saturday is fine. We'll find out what the showtimes are and choose later."
The front door opened. "Grandma?" Phillip asked.
"We're in the kitchen," she said.
They came rushing into the kitchen. "Hi, Mom, Lee," Jamie's expression changed. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine. We just left a little early today."
"Good," Phillip said in obvious relief.
"What's the homework load tonight?" Lee asked.
"Not too bad, I just have some history," Jamie said.
"I've got math," Phillip said.
"That sounds doable," Amanda said.
"I think so. What's for dinner?" Phillip asked.
"Well, we decided this would be a pizza night," Amanda said.
Jamie's fist shot into the air. "Yay!"
"Awesome!" Phillip exclaimed.
"So, how about some milk and a couple of your grandmother's chocolate chip cookies to hold you over," Amanda said.
"Yum," Jamie said.
"Sounds good to me," Phillip said.
"Lee?"
"I can't turn those down," he said with a laugh. It was true. Dotty's chocolate chip cookies were delicious. "I'll get the milk."
"Thank you, dear," Dotty said. She brought the cookies over to the table.
Lee went to the cupboard and took out four glasses. He hummed as he filled them up with milk, and carefully carried them to the table.
Phillip took a bite of his cookie and groaned. "Grandma, these are so good."
Jamie nodded his agreement. "They sure are."
"Thank you, dears. It's my pleasure." She paused and looked at both Amanda and Lee, her expression wistful. "It's so good to have you home this early. I wish you could be here every day this early."
Lee glanced at Amanda. "Should we tell them now?"
"Tell us what?" Dotty asked sharply.
"Lee and I have some news regarding our jobs."
Dotty placed the remains of the cookie she was eating on the plate. "Oh dear, I hope it's good news."
"It is," Amanda said. "Very good news."
"What's the news?" Jamie asked.
"Well, both Lee and I are going to be moving into different jobs. Lee's going to be in an administrative job and I'll provide information to the other departments."
"Does this mean it's not going to be as dangerous?" Dotty asked.
"It won't be near as dangerous," Lee said. Regardless of what happened with the ATAC team, Amanda would be safe in the office. "Both these jobs are office jobs, not like we have been doing."
Dotty jumped to her feet and hugged them both fiercely. "Oh, thank heaven. This is the best news you could have told me."
"Yeah, it sure is," Phillip said.
And although we normally won't get home this early, we should have a more regular schedule."
"Cool," Jamie said. "Lee, does this mean you're a boss?"
They all laughed. "I'll have a few people working under me, but I'll still have my bosses."
"Oh, I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear this," Dotty said.
"Mom, are you excited?" Phillip asked.
"Excited and a little nervous," she said.
"It sounds like you and Lee won't be working together," Dotty said.
"Not directly, but our team works with Amanda's department, so we'll see each other. But to answer your question, no, we won't be working directly together," he said.
"Amanda, how do you feel about that?" Dotty asked.
She took his hand. "It'll be an adjustment."
Lee nodded. "We'll make it. The results will be worth it."
"Tomorrow night, I want to celebrate this happy day," Dotty said. "I want to splurge and take us out to a nice restaurant. Lee, what's the name of that restaurant you took me to lunch at? I know it was Emilio's. Let's go there."
Lee chuckled at his mother-in-law. "Okay, Dotty."
"Grandma, do we have to dress up?" Jamie asked.
"Yes, you do," she said.
"Yuck. I bet the food's all fancy, too," Phillip said.
"Fellas, don't fuss," Amanda said. "You'll survive the meal and wearing a suit for a couple of hours."
Lee had to choke down laughter. He had had similar experiences when he was growing up.
Amanda glanced at him, and he could see the humor shining in her eyes.
"Yes, Mom," Phillip said.
Jamie finished the last of his milk. "I guess I'll start on my homework."
"If you need any help, let me know, okay?" Lee asked.
"I'll go do mine, too," Phillip said.
The boys trooped off and, grabbing their backpacks they stomped upstairs to their room.
The adults looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"The poor things," Dotty said, still laughing. "Such depravity. Having to wear a suit *and* eat fancy food. Do you think they'll eat anything there?"
"Those two? Oh, yeah, they'll find something," Lee said.
Their homework completed, Phillip and Jamie came down the stairs.
"We're all done," Phillip said.
"Did you have any problems?" Amanda asked.
"Not really," Jamie said. "Can you or Lee heck mine over, just to be sure?"
"Yeah, mine too," Phillip said.
"Will do," Lee said.
"Are you ready for pizza?" Amanda asked.
"I am," Phillip said.
"Me too," Jamie said.
"Want me to order?" Lee asked.
"Sure, go ahead," Amanda said.
"Am I getting the usual? One extra large with pepperoni, one large with sausage, extra cheese on both, no mushrooms?"
"That sounds perfect," Dotty said.
Lee called the pizza store and ordered the pizza. Hanging up the phone, he turned to the group. "It'll be here in thirty minutes. How about I check the homework."
"Okay," Phillip said.
Amanda watched her men as they climbed the stairs talking among themselves.
"That's such a wonderful sight watching those three interact," Dotty said.
"I know. I love seeing it."
"Amanda, you said Lee had been doing his job for a long time. Do you think he'll be happy in this other position?"
"I think he will. His heart said it was time to move onto something else."
"What about you? Are you changing jobs because of what happened to that Sandoval man?"
"No, I had already been offered the job before that happened." Amanda patted her arm. "We're going to be fine."
"Okay, then. That's all I need to know."
Lee patted his stomach. "I am now stuffed."
"Me too," Phillip said.
"You should be. You ate three big pieces," Jamie said.
Phillip glared at his brother. "I'm a growing boy."
"That's okay, we had plenty. Will they let us eat it at the restaurant?" Jamie asked.
Amanda rolled her eyes. "No, Jamie, you can't eat leftover pizza at the restaurant."
"I just thought I'd ask."
"Since we're finished with our homework, can we watch TV for a while?" Phillip asked.
"I think I'm going to give the Colonel a call."
Amanda nodded and patted him on the shoulder. "Tell him hello for me."
"Sure you wouldn't like to talk to him? He likes you."
"Lee…"
"All right all right, I was joking, sort of. Well, here I go."
Amanda patted his arm. "Good luck."
Lee went upstairs to use the upstairs phone. He sat on the bed and stared at the phone. Come on you can do this, you're a grown man.
Dialing the number, he straightened his spine, as if coming to attention. As if his uncle could see him.
"Colonel Clayton's residence."
Hello, Colonel, it's Lee."
"Skip, it's good to hear from you. How are you?"
"I'm good, Sir, and you?"
"Couldn't be better, I wanted to give you some news. I'm going to retire."
Lee's jaw dropped. "Retire, Sir? I didn't think you'd ever retire."
"Oh, I knew one day the day would come. The fact is the Air Force is changing, becoming more and more dependent on technology. They've got these aircraft called drones that don't even need a pilot. Some guy sits nice and safe on a base and controls these things from there. They're not too reliable now, but that will change."
"I've heard of those. Sir, won't it mean fewer casualties?"
"It'll make it easier to have wars. Despite my occupation, I hate war. Skip, I'm a dinosaur, a stick and rudder man. I figure I'll get out before they push me out the door."
"I see. What are you going to do?"
"I may do some consulting work. I had another reason for calling. Lee, I know we haven't seen eye to eye about most things, but I'd like to get to know the grown-up Lee Stetson, and I'd like to get to know Amanda and the family better."
"I'd like that," he said and meant it. "I know she would too. You may have to sleep on a rollaway, but we'd love for you to come and spend Thanksgiving or Christmas here."
"I've slept on a lot worse places than a rollaway. I may take you up on that offer. You know, I hear a difference in your voice. I think you've grown up and accepted responsibility for yourself."
"I have a wife, a mother-in-law, and two stepsons to watch out for. I take that responsibility seriously. We're made a pretty big decision in the last few days. Amanda and I've both accepted new positions at the Agency."
"Hmm… What are you going to be doing?"
"I'm going to be leading an anti-terrorist team and Amanda's going to be an analyst."
"So no more playing James Bond, charging around, bringing down the bad guys?"
Lee could hear the teasing in the man's voice. He was amazed. "Oh, I still intend on bringing the bad guys down. I'll just do it differently."
His uncle laughed, a big booming laugh. Lee had rarely heard him laugh. "There you go, Skip, go get 'em." The Colonel paused. "I'm sorry, Lee, I know you don't like to be called Skip."
The truth was, the nickname no longer stung. "It's okay, Sir, I don't mind."
"Well, it's going to be Lee from now on. Anyway, could you do me a favor?"
"Sure, what can I do?"
"I think it's about time you called me Uncle Bob or Bob. How about it?"
Lee found himself speechless, then finally he could speak. "Sure Uncle Bob, I'll be glad to do that."
"Good. Well, forgive an old man, I'm running up your phone bill."
"You're not an old man. I've enjoyed talking with you. Let me know when you get your plans set. Don't forget about the holidays."
"I've enjoyed this too. I'll let you know about the holidays. Tell Amanda hello for me."
"I'll do that. Goodnight, Uncle Bob."
"Goodnight, Lee."
Lee placed the phone in its cradle. For a long moment, he did not move, just stared at the phone. Finally, he rose to his feet and went downstairs to the den.
"How'd it go? I didn't hear any shouting or breaking glass," Amanda said.
He looked at her in amazement. "I just had the most pleasant conversation I've ever had with the man." Lee recounted the conversation. "I told him about our new positions at the Agency." He turned to face her and gently grasped her arms. "He wants me to call him Uncle Bob. I've never called him Uncle Bob, not even when I was a little kid." His throat was constricted with emotion.
She hugged him with happiness. "Oh, Lee that's wonderful."
"He wants to get to know you and everybody better. I asked him to come to visit for Thanksgiving or Christmas when he gets squared away. I hope that's okay."
"That's fine, no, it's more than fine. It's wonderful. I think you've both taken the first step towards friendship."
"I told him he may have to sleep on a rollaway. He said he'd slept in worse places."
"They both laughed, a wonderful sound. It was a wonderful sound.
"We'll figure something out."
"We always do."
Even if they didn't work together every day, Lee thought, they were partners. Life partners. Partners in life for all the days of their lives.
The End
