A/N: Wow! Thank you all for such a wonderful show of support you have shown me with this story. I really appreciate it and it means the world to me. Thank you to all that have read, reviewed, followed, favorited, and commented on this story. Thank you to my guest reviewers. TubTub56 you came over as a guest but I wanted to send you a shout out, Debra. Sorry for the extra day delay. I was fighting a real bad migraine all day.

Thanks again to Tracey for all her help with this short story. As always, you are my champion and I love you, my friend! God bless all of you, stay safe and healthy. xoxo

Chapter 2

Lee was beside himself but, remembering Billy's advice, he was determined to remain patient. He let go of one of her hands, reached for her chin, and tried to guide her head up so he could look at her. Amanda stubbornly refused to give in to him.

In a quieter tone, Lee tried again. "Honey, please look at me." She shook her head again, refusing to do as he requested.

"Amanda, we have always been honest with each other. You never have a problem talking to me. I have to admit, you have me scared. I can't help if I don't know what's bothering you. Pleasssse, let me in."

A few minutes passed by and Amanda still hadn't uttered a sound. Much to Lee's dismay, he felt like he was losing the only woman he'd ever truly loved. He tried to pull her closer for a warm embrace and much to his shock she immediately pulled away from him. He was at a complete loss of what to say or do next.

A few long seconds ticked by when he suddenly heard her sniffle. Before he knew it, Amanda scrambled to her feet. When he gazed up at her he noticed she was crying. He hated it when she cried, his heart just broke. She began furiously pacing around and looked completely lost.

Lee stood up, slowly made his way over to her, and grabbed her forearms to stop her pacing. He cried out, "Amanda, pleasssse! Just talk to me, tell me what's wrong. I'm begging you, honey!"

Amanda finally worked up the courage to look directly into his sad, hazel eyes. They normally brought her such comfort but now nothing brought her comfort. Not him, not their daughter, not her sons, everything just felt wrong.

Lee released her left arm and placed his hand on her cheek. "If I have done anything wrong, I'm sorry. You mean everything to me and it's killing me that I can't seem to help you. I miss your beautiful smile. Plea—"

Amanda cut him off suddenly as she shrieked out, "That's just it!" Lee gawked at his wife completely perplexed.

He hoped now, he could finally get some answers. "What's it, Manda? Tell me."

Amanda inhaled and swallowed hard as the tears cascaded down her face, "I'm not beautiful anymore!"

Lee stammered out, "Wh…What? Of course, you're beautiful."

Amanda's voice raised an octave when she yelled, "No, I'm not and I know it. While I was pregnant and after Emily was born, I saw how you looked at other women. You looked at them the way you used to look at me. I look like a big blob, my clothes look terrible on me, my hair looks like a fright show and I'm not even desirable anymore. And you can't tell me any different because you haven't touched me in months. And, I feel like a total failure these days including the fact I'm feeling like I'm a lousy mother to Emily and the boys."

Lee was completely flabbergasted with everything Amanda had just rambled off. He didn't understand where all these insecurities were coming from. His Amanda was always gorgeous, very self-confident, and was definitely not a failure at anything she did.

He took a minute to gather his thoughts. While doing so, he gently brushed away some of her tears. He lovingly gazed into her sad eyes, "Awww, Honey! None of that is true. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known inside or out. You mean everything to me. You're the best thing that ever has happened to me. I'm the luckiest guy in the world. I have you, our daughter, the boys, and the best mother-in-law on the planet. Trust me when I tell you no other woman holds a candle to you. So, you have a few extra pounds on you right now, so what. They will be gone soon enough you just gave birth to our daughter. Your clothes will fit you right again in no time and your hair is still fine. If you're still unhappy, I will personally take you to Mr. Mike's for a complete treatment. Not to mention, you are far from a lousy mother. You're the best mother I know. And of course, you're desirable to me and I can't wait to make love to you again, it's just I've been waiting for the all-clear from the doctor."

Amanda's eyes lit up and a small weak smile appeared on her face. She sniffled a few more times and she squeaked, "Really? Do you mean it?"

Lee gently pulled her in closer and wrapped her up in his arms, "Of course, I mean it, Mrs. Stetson. I meant every single word. There is no one else on this planet that I would rather be with than you. You and our family are my world. I trust you like no other. You have taught me so much and I couldn't exist without you. You are my reason for living. Before I met you, I thought I was happy being a loner. But you have taught me differently and showed me what life was all about. I was always afraid of getting close to someone because I felt that everyone…I ever cared about was taken away from me. That is the biggest reason it took me so long to finally admit to you and myself that I was hopelessly in love with you. And now, you have given me the greatest gift anyone could ask for, our beautiful Emily Dorothea. I never thought I would be a dad, never mind a good dad but because of you, I think I'm doing okay."

Amanda's face completely lit up as she smiled widely at her husband. "Awww, Sweetheart! You're a wonderful father and stepfather. You're doing a great job and I love that you are completely dedicated to Emily and want to be involved with everything. I never had that kind of support before, except for my parents. Not even from Joe. I always had faith you were going to be a great daddy and husband. I am the luckiest woman in the world. I'm so glad that we met that day at the train station. It changed my life for the better, forever! I love you, Lee Stetson!"

Lee grinned showing off his gorgeous dimples, "I love you too, Amanda Stetson!"

They leaned into each other and shared a very long overdue and passionate kiss. When they pulled apart, they were gasping for air. Lee let go of her drawing a groan from Amanda. He held up one finger and rushed to get their wine and handed one back to her.

Lee couldn't stop smiling, he raised up his glass, and this time she followed suit, "A toast to my beautiful wife. Here's to my one and only lady, and the mother to our precious Emily. You have given me anything I could ever want. You have my heart and soul now and always. I'll never hurt you or let you down. I love you, Manda!"

As they clinked their glasses, she replied, "You're a special man and I will always be there for you! Thank you for choosing me and not giving up on me or us. I love you too, Lee!" Amanda brought her lips to his and they enjoyed another loving and fiery kiss.

They spent the next couple of hours eating, talking, laughing, dancing, and making out like a couple of teenagers. Lee was thrilled to have his Amanda back to her old self. He was in seventh heaven, especially after Amanda gave him the good news that she'd received the all-clear from the doctor.

Amanda was glad she'd finally told him everything and now that it all was out in the open, they could move past it and concentrate on their new daughter and the great future ahead of them.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in each other's arms. Once they returned home the whole family enjoyed dinner together which was followed by a few hands of Gin Rummy. Dotty was thrilled that Lee's plan had worked and things were back to the way they should be. Once all the children were in bed and asleep, it was time for Amanda and Lee to make up for lost time. Which they didn't hesitate to do. They spent most of the night making love and fell asleep in each other's arms content and filled with happiness. Little Miss Emily Stetson must have known how important this night was for her mommy and daddy. The small cherub decided tonight would be the first time that she'd slept through the night so her parents could reconnect on every level. Lee was glad he hadn't given up and made sure that Amanda was able to beat the baby blues.

The End

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