I know I have been away a long time. Partially because I had writer's block, partially because my laptop decided to no longer work. Then, of course, there were many life-changing moments that derailed me for most of this year. Hopefully, you all like how I go with this one and take it as an apology.

Lee shifted back and forth on his feet while waiting for Dotty's response. "Well? Do you think she'll like it?" he asked nervously.

"Like it? Oh, Lee, she'll love it!" she beamed and slowly closed the case to hand back to him. "So, do you really have a case this weekend with Amanda? Or was this just an excuse?" she asked, eyes twinkling with mirth.

Lee chuckled and shoved the case back into his pocket. "Yes, we really do have a case. It is at a resort, so I'm hoping we can wrap up this case quickly so we can enjoy the rest of the weekend there." He paused. "It's our first weekend away, case or no case. I'm a little nervous about it as I'm not sure how Amanda feels about it."

Dotty patted his arm. "It'll be fine. Just listen to what she says and follow your heart. The rest will come easily." She walked over to the row of bags that were by the front door. "Now, I just need to make one final check to make sure we have toothbrushes, vitamins, and whatnot before the boys and I leave for Camp Anacostia." She sighed. "As happy as I am that she is going to be with you, I wish the two of you were going with us instead. It's her first year to miss."

"I know," Lee responded. "However, it couldn't be avoided. Sometimes the Agency forgets that agents have personal lives as well." He paused as he heard the boys' feet hit the stairwell, heralding their arrival down. "IFF just insisted that we do the location scouting this weekend. And, since they pay my and Amanda's paycheck, we couldn't very well say no." He shrugged.

Dotty had noticed had easily he had switched from Agency to IFF to help cover the fact that he was, in actuality, an agent. It sometimes bothered her about the duplicity her daughter and this young man must live to keep their family safe. She understood it; it didn't mean she had to like it. "Well, when you put it that way…" she smiled to take the sting out and then turned to the boys. "Ok, does everyone have everything that they need?" After rechecking with the boys, she turned to pick up Jamie's bag, only to see that Lee had already grabbed it. She smiled even more. Those two have really bonded since Thanksgiving.

At that moment, Amanda came down the stairs with her cosmetic case to sit by her own luggage, ready to go on their weekend mission. "Ok, final check. Everyone has everything?" She was met with giggles and quiet laughter. Not sure why it was funny, she frowned and started to open her mouth.

"Darling," Dotty started. "We have everything." She saw Amanda's mouth open. "Including the toothbrushes and vitamins." Amanda quickly closed her mouth, then motioned her boys over for hugs and last-minute instructions. At that moment, the honking of the camp bus could be heard, and the family bustled out the door and loaded on the bus.

Amanda stood looking at the bus as it continued down the road without her. Lee saw her face and wrapped an arm around her. "I really am sorry you have to miss this year," he apologized.

Amanda turned to look him in the face, then reached up to kiss him tenderly. "I know. It's just so hard. However, knowing that I will be with you this weekend, even if it is for work, will be more than enough to make up for it."

"Glad to hear. Let's go get your stuff and head off to the Cumberland!" Lee turned her back toward the house and to an exciting weekend.

After the helicopter with Amanda had landed, Lee gestured with his gun for the men inside to come out. By that time, Billy and the state police had pulled up. Amanda ran around the front to Lee, who promptly began to untie her hands. "Hey, Billy, how did you find us so fast? I didn't have time to call you."

Before heading back to the agency car, Billy paused and looked up at the sky as if seeing something. "Well, I looked up, and this guy is hanging from a helicopter." He looked back at Lee. "Had to be you." Amanda and Lee laughed, watching their section chief finally walk off.

Lee looked at Amanda, rubbing her wrists. "Well, looks like we got our man," he smiled. She looked at him blankly. Lee continued. "I like the sound of that … we got our man." Amanda shook her head. "That was pretty bad, huh?" Amanda could only agree with him.

Lee looked around and put his arm around Amanda to lead her away from the helicopter. "Look, we still have the rest of tonight before I have to take you home tomorrow. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind hanging out with me, maybe just a little longer?"

"Sure," Amanda said, smiling. "I'd be happy to."

He spoke with the maître d' and made sure everything was in place. The table selected; the wine picked out. The plan was in place.

He guided Amanda to their table and pulled her chair out. Compared to last night, the atmosphere was very relaxed. They promptly forgot about the case and instead focused on telling stories and talking about the boys. Hands were held during conversations when they were not eating.

Once their plates were taken away, a desert was presented to them. What caused Amanda to pause was on the side of her plate, tied by a ribbon to a single purple bell-shaped flower, was a solitaire diamond ring. She stared at it for several moments before she felt Lee move. She saw him kneel down next to her plate, pick up the bellflower, and slowly untie the ribbon, speaking as he did.

"Amanda, when I first met you, I didn't know what to think of you. You were this person who was completely different from any other woman I had known. I found myself fascinated and wanted to get to know you more. The fact is, you became my best friend. This is why I choose the bellflower – because you were first my friend, who then became someone I fell head over heels for and wanted to spend the rest of my life with, getting to know you more." He finished untying the ribbon, placed the bellflower back on the plate, and held up the ring. "Amanda, not only are you my friend, but you are also my light, my love. You gave me a home, one that I had sworn that I would never have. You have made me a better man because of it." He took her hand in his. "You gave me a family when you gave me the packaged deal. You will make me the happiest person if you agree." He paused. "Amanda King, would you give me the greatest honor and marry me?"

Amanda nodded and held out her hand. Her smile lit her face up as she watched him slowly slide the ring on her finger. Applause resounded behind them as Amanda leaned forward to tenderly kiss this man. She whispered to him, "You are my best friend, too. And, yes, I will marry you."

When it came time to head back to their room, the awkward bed situation never came up.

The next day, Lee and Amanda arrived home to Maplewood Drive just as the bus dropped off the rest of the family. When Dotty saw her daughter's face, she knew she didn't need to ask the question of how it went. Her heart was bursting with love when she saw Lee take the boys outside and sat them on the bench.

"Jamie, Philip, I have a very important question to ask you both. I would really appreciate it if you gave me an honest answer," Lee started, nervously shuffling his feet and stuffing his hands into his pockets.

The boys looked at each other, then at Lee. Jamie spoke first. "Lee, you can ask us anything. What's going on? You're not breaking up with Mom, are you?"

Lee blanched and quickly knelt in front of the boys, clasping a hand on each boys' shoulders. "No, Jamie, I'm sorry if you thought that." He gulped. "I wanted to see what you thought of me maybe becoming a permanent member of this family. I asked your mom to marry me last night, but I wanted your blessing as well." He paused. "So, what do you guys think? Think you could handle having me here full time?"

Grins appeared on their youthful faces. "What do we think?" Philip shouted. "I say about time!" Jamie nodded his head and echoed his brother. "Way beyond!"

Lee grabbed both boys and stood up, swinging them around, adding a whoop of his own. Amanda and Dotty stood at the back door, arms around each other, grinning.

They were, after all, a packaged deal.

A family.