Chapter THREE - Operation Family Dinner

Amanda King pulled her Wagoneer into her driveway and she noticed Lee's Vette already there. She smiled thinking that she was finally going to see her husband for the first time in two days. She hated when they didn't get to see one another at work. She wanted to get through her training classes as fast as she could and she was doing very well, Billy made sure he told her that on a daily basis. The Statik Aerospace review was just a follow up to the case from earlier in the year but it was draining. Ever since her accident she knew she needed to take things easy but she didn't want to scare Lee. She was looking forward to a night with her family. She needed it. She walked into the kitchen from the backyard and saw Lee sitting at the table with the boys going over their homework.

"Hello everyone!"

Lee Stetson looked up and saw his wife. She looks tired, he thought to himself. He thought she was pushing herself too much but he knew better than to say anything. Amanda would tell him if she was doing too much. He stood up and walked over to her. He took her into his arms and kissed her hello. The boys giggled in the background.

"Gross you guys. Can you do that when we aren't in the same room?"

"They're in love, Doofus. That's what grownups do when they are in love. They kiss all of the time."

Amanda looked at her sons and told Phillip not to call his brother a Doofus. Phillip rolled his eyes and Jamie snickered. Amanda took off her coat and walked over to the boys and kissed them both on the top of their heads.

"So what are the men in my life working on?"

Phillip and Jamie looked at one another and gathered their books and papers quickly so Amanda couldn't see anything. Phillip smiled at his mother and said "That's a need to know Mom. Sorry. Come on, Jamie." They boys ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs to their room. Amanda looked at Lee and raised her eyebrow

"Need to know Scarecrow? What's that all about?"

Lee shrugged and took her in his arms again. He gave her a searing kiss and when they broke apart he whispered in her ear " I have missed you Mrs. Stetson! How was your day?"

Amanda knew that Lee wasn't going to tell her anything regarding what they were working on so she dismissed it for now. She smiled at him and pulled him in for a hug. "I missed you. Work was work. You know how security reviews go. Everything at Statik is going smoothly. Billy signed off on everything so that's done. Where's Mother?"

Lee grinned at her "She's out with Captain Kurt. She wanted us to have a family dinner ….just us and the boys tonight." Lee gave her another dimpled smile but he knew the truth as to where Dotty really was. Amanda noticed something was going on with Lee and asked " What's going on Stetson? Everyone so far is acting weird."

Lee again shrugged and told her nothing was going on and suggested they all go out for dinner. Somewhere nice. He called up to the boys and told them to get ready to go out for dinner. They smirked at Lee and ran back upstairs and got themselves ready. Amanda went upstairs and got herself ready and within thirty minutes the family was in the car driving to the restaurant. The boys chatted about their day and Lee enjoyed every minute of the drive. He wanted nights like this. His wife and stepsons. He pulled into the parking lot and helped Amanda out of the car. The boys walked ahead of them and once inside the maître d escorted them to their table. Lee noticed Dotty and Captain Kurt in the corner and he hoped Amanda wouldn't see them. He saw Billy and Francine walk in right after they did and take their place within a short distance. He smiled as they all sat down and got settled. The boys argued about what they were going to eat and Amanda reminded them several times not to argue. Their waiter made eye contact with Lee and he nodded. Just then another waiter came up to the table with a red rose and handed it to Amanda. She looked at the rose and then at Lee and the boys. They were all smiling at her. She thanked the waiter and another one came up to her. She graciously accepted each rose from them as they were handed to her. She was about to say something to Lee but just couldn't find the words. When all twelve roses were delivered Lee stood up and knelt down in front of Amanda. He took her hand and beamed at her.

"Amanda, I wanted to go ahead and say this before we start dinner. I wanted the boys to be here when I do….so…here it goes." He cleared his throat and said "Amanda King, you are the best, the bravest, the smartest, most beautiful woman I have ever known."

Amanda blushed and put her hand on the side of Lee's face. "I love you"

Lee smiled, "Then will you marry me?"

Amanda opened her mouth in shock and looked over at her sons. Both Phillip and Jamie were beaming and nodding their heads yes. She looked back at Lee and said " Will I marry you? Oh yeah I will marry you!"

The restaurant erupted in applause as Lee pulled Amanda up to kiss her. She whispered in his ear "Lee…what is this all about?"

Lee looked at her and kissed her again. "I want to live with my wife. I want us to go home together every night. I want to be there with your mother and the boys. They all approve. Everyone does. Look"

Amanda turned around and saw her mother and Captain Kurt coming towards her. She saw Billy and Francine behind them.

After congratulations and hugs the group moved to the private dining room of the restaurant and they all celebrated Lee and Amanda's engagement.

Francine walked up to Lee and gave him a hug. "Well, Lee, I never thought that you would get married. Never thought you were the marrying type. You know you two weren't fooling anyone…everyone could see the love that you and Amanda have. Personally, I cannot tell you how happy I am for the both of you. I mean it, Lee. I really am happy for you."

Lee smirked at his friend and told her thanks. She winked at him and said "Phase two is ready to go…just waiting on your go ahead."

Lee chuckled and said "Let's do this!"