Chapter 11

Saturday

The boys ran over to Lee and Amanda, ecstatic. "Mom, Lee, we won. We made it to the Championship game!"

They each took turns and hugged the boys. "I'm so proud of you guys. Congratulations!" Amanda gleamed.

"That was a great comeback, guys. Jamie, your bunt was perfect!" Lee exclaimed.

"Thanks, Lee," Jamie replied. "The coach wants to talk to all the parents before we leave."

"Amanda, I'm going to go get the boys a couple of waters. I'll meet you over there."

"Thanks, sweetheart. Don't be too long." Amanda and the boys started to walk over to where the rest of the team was gathered as Lee headed for the concession stand.

Lee got through the lines quickly and was on his way back to Amanda. It was then when he noticed Coach Harris as he approached the group and stood right beside Amanda. It was definitely a little too close for his liking. When he'd made his way over to them, Coach Harris was just starting to talk. He slid up behind Amanda and reached around her to hand the water bottles to Philip and Jamie, making sure he made eye contact with the Coach. Once the boys took the waters from him, his hands went to her shoulders, and he attentively listened to the Coach.

"I want to thank all of the parents who made the trip this weekend. It always helps to have the support in the stands for these fabulous young men. As you are all aware, we are now in the Championship game tomorrow afternoon. The game is set to start at approximately two o'clock. With that being said, I have a surprise for the boys. If it's okay with your parents, I have reserved a conference room at the hotel for a little celebration for the boys. I would like the boys to stay in the conference room tonight as a team. The hotel is providing breakfast for the boys, and I will have them back to their hotel rooms by nine o'clock to get ready for the game. I thought it would be a fun way to end the season."

The whole team cheered with excitement as they all turned around to get permission from their parents. One of the parents asked a question, "Where will the boys sleep?"

Coach Harris responded, "I have worked with the hotel, and we have cots for all the boys to sleep on. I will provide supper for them, and we will watch a movie, and I have some games planned as well." Coach glimpsed at his watch, "It's three-thirty right now, so if it works for everyone, we can meet back in the lobby at four-thirty. Have the boys show up in their pj's. We won't be leaving the room, so they should be fine." Everyone nodded in agreement. "Great. See everyone in about an hour."

Amanda made sure the boys had everything ready for the morning, so they wouldn't be rushed when they returned from their team sleepover. "Come on, Mom. We've got our uniforms laid out, our cleats and gloves are by the door. We've already brushed our teeth. Can we please go already?" Philip pleaded.

"I just wanted to make sure everything is ready. I need to use the restroom, and then we can leave. I'll be right back."

Amanda entered the bathroom, and as soon as she shut the door, Jamie ran up to Lee and softly spoke, "Lee, you should take Mom to a nice dinner, maybe a walk afterward. You know, maybe take the ring with you."

Lee looked down at Jamie and over to Philip, then smiled. "You know, Jamie, that's not a bad idea. Watch for your mom. Cough or something if she comes out." Lee hurried over to the closet and grabbed his bag. He reached into the very bottom and pulled out the velvet box. He opened it and stared at the contents before he snapped it shut and closed his bag up. From behind him, he heard Jamie cough twice. Lee instantly stood up, shoved the box in his pocket, and quietly shut the closet door.

"Okay, fellas, you ready to go?"

Philip rolled his eyes, "Mom, we were ready fifteen minutes ago." Lee smiled at Philip and Jamie, winked, and tapped his pocket. They both grinned back at him.

They headed down the hallway to the elevators, and Jamie wondered, "So, Mom, what are you and Lee doing tonight?"

"Oh, I don't know. Lee, what do you want to do?"

"Oh, I was thinking about a quiet dinner and then maybe go down to the Canal Walk. What do you think?"

"That sounds lovely. Would it be all right if we go back to the room and freshen up a little before we leave?"

"I think that would be okay. It's kind of early to eat right now anyway." They entered the lobby, and the boys ran over to where the rest of their team was. Coach Harris smiled at Amanda, and Lee's hand instantly went around her waist and pulled her close as the muscles in his jaw started to twitch. A short time later, the boys and their parents said their goodnights, the team left with Coach Harris, and the lobby began to clear.

Amanda and Lee slowly strolled out of the restaurant hand in hand towards the Canal Walk. It was a gorgeous night. The sky was clear and there was a slight breeze that was just enough to take the heat out of the air. Lee spoke first, "What did you think of dinner?"

"It was alright, but the company was the best. It was nice to be able to just have some you and me time."

"I know what you mean. I'm having a blast spending time with the boys, but being able to have a few hours, just the two of us, makes this weekend perfect. Amanda, I wanted to let you know I think you've done a wonderful job raising the boys. They are very smart, fun, and respectful. They have made getting to know them easy, and that says a lot about you."

"Aww, thanks, Lee. I have Mother to help as well."

"Yes, but that's only been for the last couple of years. What about all the time before that? All the hard work you've put in couldn't have started after the divorce."

"No, it didn't, and it was tough at times, but what are you going to do? Children rely on you to nurture and educate them. Any parent would do the same thing."

"But there are usually two parents. You did this all on your own." Amanda nodded but didn't respond. As they continued down the sidewalk, they found themselves down by the canal. They stopped and leaned on the railing. "Amanda, I hope I didn't say anything wrong. You've been kind of quiet for a while."

Amanda inched closer to him and smiled. "Lee, you didn't say anything wrong. It just got me thinking about how much I have enjoyed having someone to help with the boys. Other than Mother, of course. I know you've only been around them a few weeks, but they kept asking about you the whole time you were gone. They accepted you a lot quicker than I thought." Lee gave her a curious look. "Not that I didn't think they would accept you. I just thought it would take a while longer. Then when you had to leave, and Jamie made a comment about Joe leaving when you got back, I got a little worried. You know?" Lee nodded in agreement. "You handled that very well, by the way." Amanda turned to him and brushed some hair off his forehead.

Lee placed his hand on her jawline while rubbing his thumb softly across her cheek and tenderly stared into her eyes. "You have the most loving eyes. You can light up a room with just a simple look and a smile. These lights are just sparkling in your eyes." Lee leaned in and sweetly kissed her. The kiss soon deepened as his hand moved to the back of her head. Amanda reached her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his silky hair at the nape of his neck.

Lee pulled back from the kiss, breathless. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and started to speak clearly and slowly. "Amanda, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever known. I spend most of my time trying to catch the breath you take away." Amanda sighed. "I know it took a while for my mind to fall in love with you, but my heart knew the moment I saw you at the train station. I also know there's a lot of things we don't know about each other, but everything is so clear to me now. Everything I've done in my life happened, so I could find my way to you. You changed my life with your love. You are my world. I love you now and forever." He glanced over at the water then back to her. "I know this isn't the Seine River, but I hope it will do."

Lee stepped back just enough to kneel on one knee as he pulled the velvet box out of his pocket. He reached to hold her hand, and with his free hand, he held up the box. "Amanda, I hope you don't think this is too sudden. But in Paris, I realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, and I want it to start as soon as possible. Amanda, will you make me the happiest man on earth and say you'll be my wife. Will you marry me?"

Amanda lovingly gazed down into his handsome face with tear-filled eyes. "Will I marry you? Oh, yeah, I'll marry you!"

Lee leaped up and kissed her passionately. He pulled back and opened the box for her to see the ring for the first time. He removed it from the box and placed it on her finger. He beamed at her with a smile that met both ears, showing off his exquisite dimples. Amanda happily stared at the ring on her finger. "Oh, Lee. It's stunning!"

"You like it? I got it in Paris."

Amanda's head shot up in shock. "Paris, when did you..." She paused when it dawned on her. "That's why you left the dress shop, isn't it?"

"Guilty as charged. I saw the shop when we passed by it, and I knew I had to find a way to go back."

They both peered back down at the elegant two-carat solitaire diamond in a plain gold band. "I love it, Lee. And you! It's perfect!" They kissed again. "What do you say we start to head back to the hotel, sweetheart?"

"I'd love to, honey."