"What are we doing New Year's Eve?" Lee asked.
"Well, I assume we're spending it together," Amanda looked up from her magazine with a grin. She stretched out her legs and wriggled her toes under his thigh. "Unless you're on the duty roster again."
"Absolutely not," said Lee. "I promised you I wasn't."
"Well, Billy helped with that," she teased him. "Telling you to lead by example for the younger agents and not to work all the time. Make time for the important things."
Lee slipped his hand under the cuff of her jeans and let his thumb gently caress her skin, making her shiver. "He was pretty great about finding out we were married, wasn't he? It seems dumb now that we didn't tell him."
"I doubt he needed to be told much," said Amanda. "He's been clear for a long time that he knew we were together."
"Ye, but not together-together," Lee replied. "I think that surprised him."
Amanda shot him a quick grin. "I'm not sure which one of us surprised him most. You for getting married or me for going along with it."
"He always thought I was going to smarten up one day, so you definitely win that title, settling for an idiot like me."
"True," she relied, demure smile in place. "Nice of you to realize that."
"Hey!" Lee objected, grabbing her hand and lifting it to his lips. "And to think Billy think's you're such a lovely woman!"
Amanda's face went a little pink. "Well, I think he's a lovely man."
"You know what else he said to me?" Lee asked. "He said he couldn't think of a better person for me, and he was absolutely right."
Amanda sat up and scooted closer. "That's because you're a lovely man too." She pulled his head down for a kiss and for a few moments, nothing else was said.
"So, what's your big idea for New Year's Eve?" asked Amanda when they finally pulled apart.
Lee huffed out a laugh. "Am I that obvious?"
Amanda nodded. "To me, anyway. So, spill."
"Well, I know you always like the opportunity to get all dressed up and go to one of the Embassy parties…"
"But?" she prompted him.
Lee grinned. "You really do know me. But I was wondering if this year you'd like to get all dressed up, me in a tux, you in your favourite dress, and stay home?"
"Stay home?" she repeated. "Here at the apartment?"
"No," he answered immediately. "Home at the house. With the boys and your Mother."
"Really? I mean, I'd love that, but are you sure?"
"Of course, I'm sure. Christmas was great, but there was a lot of people there. I think it would be nice to see in the new year with just us."
Amanda's eyes held a sheen of tears, but he knew it was tears of happiness. "Just us?"
"Just all of us. Curt too. You really like the idea?"
"I do, very much." Amanda kissed him again. "And not only because I love seeing you in a tux."
"This has been such a lovely evening," sighed Dotty. "I'm so glad you two suggested it."
"Yeah, this was fun," enthused Phillip. "And dinner was amazing!"
"Well, you have Lee to thank for that," Amanda smiled. "I'm sure I would never have thought of ordering in a catered meal for it."
Lee had not only brought a full dinner of Beef Wellington and all the trimmings from the Blue Fox, but had also arranged for several trays of hors d'oeuvres.
"How much did you get?" Amanda had asked him with rounded eyes when he loaded the stack of trays onto the kitchen counter.
"I told them to give me enough for 50," he'd replied smugly. "I figured that would take care of the boys."
He'd turned out to be prophetic as the boys continued to heap their plates with snacks all evening as they watched the television coverage from Times Square. The two of them had really gotten into the spirit of the night; after taking one look at Lee in his tux, they had both gone upstairs without prompting, returning dressed in shirts and ties for the occasion.
"Lee's making us look bad," explained Phillip.
"Tell me about it," Curt had laughed, looking down ruefully at his more casual outfit – until Dotty had swung him around for a kiss under the mistletoe that still hung in the doorway.
"Hey, it's almost midnight," Lee pointed out. "How about we open the champagne and get ready? Phillip, can you get out six glasses? The tall skinny ones, not those dessert cups you always see on TV."
"We get to have some?" asked Jamie. "Really?"
"I don't think your mother will disapprove of a few sips to see in a new year, do you?" asked Lee, cocking one eyebrow at Amanda for confirmation.
"That sounds fine," she said. Phillip whooped and disappeared into the dining room to hunt for the champagne flutes. "You know they're not going to like it, right?" she said to Lee, sotto voice.
"I know," he chuckled as he twisted the wire off the cork. "But everyone should have champagne to toast with, right?"
Lee waited until Phillip was back before popping the cork to applause from everyone, then carefully poured out a measure for everyone.
"Wait a minute," he stopped Phillip as he lifted the glass to his mouth. "I have something I want to say first. Something important."
Phillip lowered the glass obediently and everyone turned to look at Lee.
"This has been quite a year," Lee began. "And while some parts of it have been awful…" - he paused for a moment and visibly collected himself - "Most of it, all the important parts of it have made this the best year of my life. Some of it has been magical even." He stopped again and shared a quiet smile with Amanda as they recalled Christmas Eve. "And that's not just down to Amanda, it's because of all of you. Last year, you welcomed me in on Christmas Eve as a stranger and this year, you welcomed me into your family and that's meant the world to me."
"Oh Lee, Darling, that's so sweet to hear," murmured Dotty.
"Well, I mean it. You have no idea how important you all are to me and I want to say how thankful I am to have you all here right now."
"Hear, hear," said Curt raising his glass.
"No, no, wait just a second. I haven't gotten to what I wanted to say yet," Lee stopped him. "Before this year is over, I need to say one last thing."
He dropped on one knee and took Amanda's hand, ignoring the gasp of happiness from Dotty and the cheers from the boys. "Amanda, I have loved you for so long, I can't remember when I didn't. You are the best, the bravest, the smartest, most beautiful woman I have ever known. So right now, surrounded by the people who love you as much as I do, I have a question… Will you marry me and let me be a real member of this family?" With his spare hand, he had pulled a ring – her ring, which she had thought was safely hidden upstairs in her bedside table – from his pocket
In that moment, eyes locked, exchanging soft smiles, the world fell away. Amanda was dimly aware of Jamie's camera clicking away and her mother clutching Curt's arm, but all she could really see was Lee, kneeling in front of her, all his emotions displayed openly. She reached out and cupped his face.
I love you.
I love you too.
No going back, you know.
I only want to go forward.
"Moooom!" Phillip's groan interrupted their silent exchange. "Stop looking all googly at him and say yes!"
Lee's face split in a grin and he gave her a wink. "Yeah, c'mon Amanda… say yes."
"Yes! Yes, of course, yes!" she laughed, tugging Lee to his feet and falling into his arms. "Of course, I'll marry you!"
"Well thank heavens!" said Dotty, hand on her heart. "I had begun to despair, actually despair that I would ever get to see this day!"
"Thank you for doing this for her," Amanda whispered into Lee's ear as they hugged.
"I didn't do it for her, I did it for me," he whispered back, chuckling. "I figured you couldn't say no in front of witnesses." He laughed when Amanda gurgled with laughter and gave him a subtle pinch. "Okay, okay, I did it for her too!"
Dotty leapt forward, grabbing Lee's arm to spin him and wrap him in an embrace. "Welcome to the family, Lee!" She wiped a hand across her eyes. "I don't know of anything you could have done to make me happier! Let me see the ring!" she clamoured.
Lee slipped it on Amanda's finger and she held out her hand to her mother.
"Oh, it's beautiful," cooed Dotty. "And it fits perfectly! Lee, you're so clever, you must have found out her ring size!"
"Something like that," Lee exchanged a mischievous look with Amanda.
"Congratulations Lee!" said Phillip, holding out his hand. "It sure took you long enough."
"Thanks, Phillip," Lee replied. He glanced over at Jamie who was studying him with a frown, arms crossed on his chest and gulped nervously.
Amanda noticed the silent standoff. "Is everything okay, sweetheart?" It took Lee a beat to realize the question was aimed at Jamie.
"Welllll," Jamie drawled out finally. "I suppose it was better than the last proposal I heard you give, soooo…. welcome to the family… Pops," Jamie held out his hand with a huge grin.
Lee broke out in a laugh. "You little… c'mere Sonny Boy." He took Jamie's hand but pulled him in for a hug, ruffling his hair with his knuckles.
"Lee!" Jamie groaned, struggling. Lee instantly released his hold, only to have Jamie immediately wrap his arms around him and hug him back properly.
"I really mean it," whispered Jamie. "I'm glad you're marrying Mom."
"Well, that definitely calls for the champagne!" said Curt, handing out all the glasses again. Amanda took the opportunity to slip back into the circle of Lee's arm. "To Lee and Amanda and the best of years to come!" he toasted.
"Lee and Amanda! Lee and Mom", the family chorused, lifting their glasses.
"To my new family!" Lee responded. "And to you," he said, turning Amanda in his arms. "You've made me the happiest man in the world."
The countdown on the television began behind them. "Five! Four! Three!" the crowd shouted along with Dick Clark. The family lifted their glasses again and joined the chant.
"Two! One! Happy New Year!" Dotty and Curt turned to kiss, while Phillip and Jamie high-fived each other.
"It's gonna be the best year ever!" enthused Phillip.
The phone began to ring. "That'll be your dad," Amanda guessed. "You boys answer it."
Jamie and Phillip pelted off, racing to be the first to answer and tell their father and Carrie the happy news.
Amanda turned more fully in Lee's arms and pressed herself against his chest. "What a great evening."
"I love you so much," he said.
"I love you too." Amanda kissed him lightly. "Happy New Year, Sweetheart."
"Happy New Year, Mrs. Stetson. Thank you for making my life magic."