Chapter TWO - Telling Dotty

After Lee told Billy his plans, Billy said he would get the ball rolling on his part. Lee then made his way towards Arlington and Dotty West. Lee knew that this one would be the harder of the two. He had to tell his wife's mother their secrets. All of them. Billy agreed that it was time for Dotty to know and then once Lee's plan went through then they could tell the boys. Billy was going to arrange for them to all take some classes for being family members of agents. Lee felt a little better knowing that the Agency would back him up and it just reassured him that he was doing the right thing. For all of them.

Lee pulled the Vette into the driveway of 4247 Maplewood Dr. He got out and ran his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath. He walked up the path to the front door and pushed the doorbell. He rolled back on his feet a few times and the door swung open. Dotty West opened the door and was shocked to see her daughter's boyfriend, Lee Stetson standing there.

"Lee! Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise! Amanda isn't here...but I am sure you already knew that! What brings you here? Won't you come in?"

Lee smiled at Dotty and reached over to give her a kiss on her cheek." Now why would I need to have a reason to see my best girl?" His dimples beaming at her and his hazel green eyes dancing as he smiled.

Dotty blushed and swatted his arm. " Don't you try to charm me, Lee Stetson. I am immune to you and those dimples! Now why are you really here?"

They walked into the den/kitchen and Dotty offered Lee some coffee. He nodded and they had a seat at the table. Lee took a deep breath "Dotty, I need to talk to you about a few things and I didn't want Amanda here when I did this. She doesn't know that I am here. So, I will just come out and say the first thing and then I need to go into some other things that will need some more detailed explanations."

Dotty put her mug down and closed her eyes. She was waiting for an admission and she was finally going to get it. After eight months of their secrets Lee was finally going to admit that he and her daughter were married. She was trying to hold in her excitement.

"Please Lee, go ahead and tell me what you want to tell me."

Lee smiled as he took her hand "First of all, I want you to know how much I love Amanda. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe and make her feel loved. She's the best thing to ever happen to me."

Dotty smiled at Lee " I know that son. Sometimes walking into a room when the two of you are in it you can feel how much you care about one another. It's a bit scary sometimes but it reminds me of how I felt towards Amanda's father."

Lee nodded. "I can't imagine my life without her. That's why I married her….back in February. Please don't be upset with us for eloping but it was something we thought we needed to do to keep this family safe."

Dotty beamed at Lee " Well! Thank goodness one of you came to your senses and admitted this!"

Lee again sat there with his mouth open while this time Dotty spoke " Lee darling, I knew the minute I walked into that hospital room when Amanda had her accident. I saw it in your face. I felt it when you told me about what happened. Besides, every nurse called you Amanda's husband! I admit I was a bit upset and disappointed why the two of you never told me the truth but knowing how happy you make one another pretty much made all of those hurt feelings go away. I am thrilled that you are truly a part of this family!" She reached over and took one of his hands. "I guess I should say 'Welcome, to the family, son!"

Lee chuckled and said "Wow. I don't know what to say. I guess I need to start from the beginning. Let me tell you a story about a man in the red hat…."

Dotty West listened to Lee tell the story of how he met Amanda and what they have been doing for the past four years. When Lee was finished he looked at Dotty and said "Can you say something…anything. Please. It's making me more nervous than a pack of KGB agents." Dotty stood up and walked over to the sink. She looked out of the window and sighed. She whispered "Was California a part of your job?"

Lee stood up and walked over to Dotty. He took her hands in his. " No. That was a complete accident. We were on our honeymoon. I did catch the monster that shot her…if that means anything."

Dotty smiled "Is she really a good agent?"

Lee beamed at her. "She's incredible. And the best one I have ever worked with. I wouldn't want anyone else as my partner."

"And you keep her safe? You have all these years?"

Lee nodded. "She's watched my back and saved me more times than I can count. I will do everything and anything I can to keep her safe."

Dotty took a deep breath and said "Well, I trust you Lee. You take care of my baby. I can't really do anything about this …it's obviously something you both love and are very good at. Who am I to judge?" She wiped the few tears that fell from her face and took another deep breath. She smiled at Lee "Now…what do you need me to do?"

Lee shook his head in amazement at his mother in law's reaction to all of this news. He kissed her cheek and started telling her his plans.