Chapter 25

Sunday Evening

Lee pulled the Wagoneer into the driveway and placed it in park. All four doors opened at once as he listened to everyone talking at the same time all the way to the door. Amanda opened the door as Dotty and the boys passed by, still yammering over each other. Lee sauntered through last, turned to close the door, shut his eyes, took a deep breath, and whistled loudly. Everyone instantly stopped what they were doing and turned their attention towards Lee. He positioned himself so he could face his rambunctious crew, and with an exhausted breath, pleaded, "Please, can everyone stop talking at the same time. It's not accomplishing anything. I know we all have a lot to talk about, and I want to hear all of it, but not like this. Can we please all take a seat and discuss this one at a time?"

They all peered at each other, nodded their heads, and all at once said, "Yeah, we can do that." Lee just threw his hands up in exasperation as they headed to the dining room. After everyone had taken a seat, Lee began the conversation. "Okay, I know we saw a lot of houses today, and there is a lot to discuss, but let's take this one at a time, so we aren't talking over each other. Why don't we start this off with Jaime." Jamie's eyes lit up with excitement, and he sat up a little straighter. "Jamie, tell us what you liked and didn't like in what you saw today."

"Why does he get to go first? That's not fair," Philip shouted.

"Philip, someone has to go first, and if I'm correct, Jamie probably doesn't get to go first a lot." Lee masterfully defused. "Now, Jamie, go ahead."

Jamie cleared his throat and began, "Well, there were a lot of things I liked. All the houses we got to see were in our school district, so we wouldn't have to change schools. I would really love to have my own room, and I would really like to have a room that we could have friends over and have to ourselves. I don't know if I said that right but do you know what I mean?"

Amanda piped in, "Jamie, do you mean like a family room or game room?"

"Yeah. Somewhere we can play and not have to worry about accidentally breaking anything."

Amanda grinned at Jamie, then turned her attention to Philip. "Okay, Philip, tells us what you liked."

Philip couldn't wait to start with his list. "I really want my own room too. Oh, and a basketball hoop. It would be really nice to have a big area for that, and it definitely needs to be bigger than this house. Don't get me wrong, I like this house, but it just isn't big enough."

Lee glanced at Amanda with a smirk on his face and summarized their lists, "Okay, well, it seems like you both are in agreement with separate rooms. We've also got, staying in the same school, basketball hoop, and a family/rec room."

"You know, we did see a house today that had all of that," Dotty softly commented.

"Mother, what are you talking about? I don't remember a house like that."

Dotty peeked over her glasses and responded, "Yes, we did, dear. The one in the Country Club Hills area."

"Oh, Mother, that house is way too expensive for us. I only agreed to look at it because we said that we would check out houses of all prices before we left. That house is just a pipedream."

"Yes, it was. A dream house." Dotty peered at Amanda as the boys started to remember the house their grandmother was talking about.

The boys grinned at each other and started rambling off everything they remembered about the house, one after another, beginning with Jamie.

"That house was huge. Every bedroom had its own bathroom. I wouldn't have to share with Philip anymore. He never cleans up after himself."

"Hey! I'm not that bad. The part I remember was the basement. There was a huge room that would make a great game room. Or, as Lee put it, a rec room."

"Don't forget that secret underground tunnel. That was cool! It was like something you would see in a spy movie."

"That was awesome," Philip inserted. "But I think the best part of it was the pool!"

Amanda stopped the boys before they could go any further. "Hold on, fellas! You've got us already moved in. That house was supposed to be a look-only house. Just to see what was out there."

"Oh, I don't know about that, Amanda. You seemed pretty fascinated by it as well." Lee added. "I couldn't get you out of that kitchen. Oh, and not to mention the balcony off the master suite. It appeared to me that you were picturing yourself sitting in a chair on that very balcony just like you did in Paris."

Amanda's eyes twinkled as she remembered the many nights she did just that. As she caught Lee's attention again, she smirked and responded, "Okay, okay. I admit it. It was a gorgeous house, but there is no way we can afford it."

Lee shrugged his shoulders and declared. "I don't know, I think it's a contender. Plus, the realtor told me it's been on the market for a long time, so maybe we can get the price down some."

"Some?! Some?! The price would need to come down more than some."

"Well, we haven't even talked about finances yet, so let's not take it off the table until you and I can sit down and discuss it and find out what our price range needs to be. Agreed, honey?"

"Agreed!" Amanda eyed her mother with a questioning look. "Mother, you've been pretty quiet over there. What's on your mind? Oh, nevermind. I know what's on your mind."

"Really, Dear! You can read minds now. Please enlighten me."

"You are thinking how much you love that house, too. The fact that you would have your own space in the guest house. And let's not forget the floral studio. It has everything you need for your garden."

"Okay, so maybe you can read minds. Oh, Amanda, that little home over the garage was just adorable. My own space so that you can have your privacy, but I am still close if you need help. The floral studio was just an added bonus. There is only one concern I have."

"What's that, Mother?"

"Well, in the main house there are five bedrooms. What are you going to do with the other two bedrooms? I mean, it's nice to have a spare in case of company, but when Aunt Lilian comes to visit, she can stay with me. There is absolutely no need for all those bedrooms."

Amanda and Lee shared a loving smile while Jamie nudged Philip with his elbow. Dotty's eyes bounced back and forth between the four of them, trying to figure out what was going on. Dotty's face lit up as her confusion quickly turned to excitement. "Amanda, Lee, is there something you need to tell me? I thought you told me that there was no reason for the quick wedding except that you just didn't want to wait."

Amanda gasped as she realized what her mother was talking about. "Oh no, Mother! It's nothing like that." She glanced at Lee looking for his approval. He gave a slight nod, and she turned her attention back to Dotty. "It's just that Lee and I have decided after we are married, we are going to try and have a child, so we thought the extra room would be a good idea."

Dotty jumped out of her chair to hug Lee and Amanda. "Oh, I'm so happy to hear that!" She pulled away and stared at both of them with a puzzled look. "That only explains one of the extra rooms."

Lee took over for Amanda. "Well, Dotty. We never said we were only going to have one."

Dotty squealed again, only to have Amanda burst her bubble. "Now, everyone needs to calm down. We still have to find a new home that has everything that we all want."

"I thought we did?" Lee challenged.

"Lee, I don't know how you think we can afford that house. It just isn't possible. Now we need to get dinner started." Amanda got up from the table and headed into the kitchen, not wanting to continue talking about the house. She knew she wanted that house but also knew there was no way they could afford it.

Everyone left at the table looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. "Philip, Jamie. Why don't you two go get washed up for dinner while your grandmother and I go help your mom." The boys appeared defeated at his words. "Don't worry. I'll talk to her after dinner. Give her a little time to think about it. Maybe we just need to take a short break."

Later that evening, Lee and Amanda were snuggled up on the sofa, enjoying the quiet. Dotty and the boys were already in bed. Lee wondered, "Amanda. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why are you so against putting an offer on the Country Club Hills house?"

"Lee, I honestly don't know how you think we can really afford that house. It's a lot of house, and just the maintenance alone is going to be immense. Not to mention the pool upkeep."

"But, Amanda. It's not just you that will be making the payments. It will be us. You're not going to have to do this alone. Plus, once we sell this house, we can put a majority of that money back into the new house."

Amanda leaned forward to pointedly look at Lee. "I know I'm not alone in this anymore. I know how to manage a budget and also what it entails to own a home. I don't think it's a possibility."

"Amanda, I know I'm new to all this home and budgeting stuff. But I do know how to manage money, but will you at least make me a promise?"

"What would that be?"

"Promise that you won't shoot this down in front of the boys? At least until you and I can sit down and discuss the finance part of it."

She grinned slightly and laid back into his muscular chest, and conceded, "Sure, I can do that. When do you want to discuss the finances?"

"I thought you could come to my apartment tomorrow. That way, we won't have to worry about hurting anyone's feelings until we make a decision. Maybe, you can spend the night?"

"I'll talk to Mother in the morning."

"Great! I don't want to, but I should probably get going."

"Okay, I'll walk you out."

"No, it's okay. Just walk me to the door. You stay in here and lock up after I leave." They stood from the sofa and walked hand in hand to the front door. Lee pulled her in close and softly kissed her goodbye. "Sleep tight, my love. I'll see you in the morning."

"You too. Please give me a quick call when you get home, or I won't be able to sleep."

"Will do. I love you!"

"I love you, too!" She leaned up and gave him another quick kiss. She watched as he climbed in his car and drove away before she closed the door, locked it, and went upstairs to await his call.