Week off:
This chapter is more about their week off and things back to normal and being regular people for a while.
It is Friday and Lee and Amanda have the luxury of sleeping in. The boys make themselves breakfast and set the coffee to turn on for their parents. Philip leaves a note thanking them for last night and to have fun with Grandmother and Uncle Curt.
Amanda awakens after hearing the door slam as the boys rush off to catch the bus. "Lee?" Amada says as she softly wakes her husband. "The boys have left for school. I think we have some time before our errands and chores today".
Lee sleepily asks, "time for what?"
Amanda gives him a playful shove, "round three or is it round four"?
"Oh, that, definitely round four", he replies, and he flips her over to her back.
This time, with no one around to hear them, they ravage each other and end up sweaty and breathing heavily. With lots of stuff to do, Amanda takes her shower, while Lee goes downstairs and gets the paper and drinks some coffee. He hears the shower shut off and heads back upstairs. He gives his wife a proper kiss good morning as she gets dressed. He takes his shower and Amanda makes the bed and goes downstairs and drinks her coffee and whips up some eggs and bacon and an English muffin. She scans the paper and a few minutes later Lee enters the kitchen, his hair damp and stubble on his face. On days off he forgoes shaving and has a more relaxed look. Amanda likes him best that way. A little stubble on his face, dressed down in jeans and a polo shirt.
Lee pours himself another cup of coffee and asks, "I didn't finish the paper, anything exciting in it today"?
"Other than the weather predictions for a nice and sunny day for your chores, a few coupons for my shopping, nothing exciting. Oh, yes the Nationals won their season opener last night"
"I guess that is a good thing. No front-page chatter, neither of us needs to worry about Agency business. Maybe I should call Billy just in case", Lee says.
"Would you give it a rest? We are on vacation", Amanda replies. "If they need us, Emily or Billy will call us. You're not be trying to get out of your chores, are you?"
"Ok, I'll let it go. You go do your shopping and I'll do the chore list. Don't forget dinner with your mother and Curt tonight". Lee replies.
"I'll see you in a few hours", Amanda says. She grabs her purse, the coupons and kisses his cheek before heading out the door.
Lee finishes his coffee and rinses out the dishes and puts everything in the dishwasher, throws in a gel pack and hits start. He folds the laundry from last night and takes the clothes upstairs and puts the folded clothes in the corresponding rooms. He brings the basket downstairs and puts it back in the laundry room. He then looks at his honey-do list. Number one is clean out the garage, number two is to fix the basketball hoop, and he keeps reading down the list. "Okay, tackle the garage". He changes into a t-shirt and starts cleaning.
Amanda's list is to shop at several stores. She needs to pick up the dry cleaning, get supplies for the boys at the hardware store, and some tools for Lee. She wants to try on a few outfits to model for Lee and another for tonight's dinner and then the grocery store to replenish everything the boys ate and food for the next week. She arrives home around 3:30 pm and asks Lee to help with her bags.
Lee comes outside freshly showered and shaved for dinner and exclaims, "Amanda, what did you do? Did you buy out half of Arlington"?
"This is what happens when you are gone for a week and have two growing boys and a husband who will eat everything you put in front of them", Amanda replies. "There are also your tools, supplies for Philip and Jamie's school projects and maybe a private showing of some new clothes before bedtime".
Lee unloads and puts the groceries away; sets the supplies for the boys in a pile on the counter in the kitchen and takes the tools to the newly cleaned garage and places them on their hooks, while Amanda takes her clothes, showers and gets ready. The boys get home from school and Lee tells them about their supplies and to take care of dinner for themselves.
Amanda heads down the stairs. Lee whistles and Jamie says, "wow mom, you look great!" Philip agrees.
"Boys, we are running later. Don't forget your homework tonight because this weekend we have some fun things planned for everyone." Lee says as Amanda gets her shawl.
They take Amanda's jeep since Lee's Roadster won't fit four adults, especially since three of them have long legs. On the drive over Lee mentions, "maybe we should get another car for me to take to work and other things when you are out with your jeep. I can't pack anything on the motorcycle and I'd rather not take the Roadster when it rains."
"That is true sweetheart". Amanda says. "My car is the only thing large enough for the family and for large items.
They pull up in front of her mother's and Curt's house and both get out of the car to meet them at the door.
"Amanda, darling", her mother says. "You look wonderful". Curt nods his head in agreement.
"Thank you, mother", Amanda replies. "You look great too. Good to see you again Curt". She gives them both a hug.
"Dotty, as usual, you look wonderful", Lee says as he kisses his mother-in-law on the cheek. He shakes Curt's hand and says, "good to see you too".
Amanda waits for everyone to get into the car and slowly backs out of the driveway and heads towards the restaurant. Amanda valet's the car and they get seated quickly. Lee orders a nice bottle of red wine and a selection of French cheeses while everyone reviews their menus. Dotty and Curt order Coq au vin for two; Lee a rare Filet Mignon and Amanda a medium rare Filet Mignon. The Sommelier brings the wine and pours a little for Lee to smell and taste. He nods his head and the Sommelier pours everyone a glass, leaving the bottle on the table.
As they wait for the appetizers, Dotty thanks them for dinner saying, "Lee, Amanda you didn't need to go to these extremes".
"Dotty, you took care of our kids for a week and Curt you loaned out your wife to help us out. It's the least we can do", Lee says.
The cheeses arrive and they make small talk and fills each other in on the past week. Amanda tells the same story she told the kids.
Everyone's meal arrives and Lee orders another bottle of wine. Amanda says, "Lee and I discussed this and, in a few months, when the boys are out of school for the summer, we plan on taking a family trip and want you to come with us. Would you be interested?"
Curt takes Dotty's hand and asks her, "would you like to go away for a while?" She smiles and shakes her head yes.
Their meals finished and right on cue, the server arrives and asks if they have room for dessert and drinks.
Lee looks to everyone and Amanda nods saying, "this is a special occasion, I think I have room for something. Mother, Curt what about you?" Everyone nods.
Amanda orders a Crème Brulee, Lee a Mont Blanc, and Dotty and Curt decide to split a French Apple Pie. Lee orders Grand Marnier for drinks, but Amanda opts for coffee since she will be doing the driving. After paying the tab they wait outside for the car to arrive. Amanda drives her mother and Curt to their home. She makes the turn and heads toward home.
Lee says, "don't be mad, but I called Billy while you were out earlier. Don't worry, everything is fine. They don't need us, but he did invite us for dinner on Monday. He wants to introduce you to Jeannie, his wife. She cooks a mean meatloaf".
"I'm not mad", Amanda says. "Monday sounds wonderful, but this weekend is for our family. You, me, Philip and Jamie. They may still be up, and we can talk about the weekend and the family trip in the summer". Lee puts his hand on her leg and at the next stop light leans over and kisses her cheek.
They pull in the driveway and walk hand in hand to the door. Lee unlocks it and shuts the door behind them, punching in the alarm code. They head upstairs and the lights are on in both boy's rooms. Amanda knocks on Jamie's door and Lee knocks on Philip's. "Do you guys have a moment before bed?" Lee asks.
"Sure", they say.
"Jamie, why don't we go to Philip's room, we want to talk about this weekend and this summer", Lee says. He follows them to Philip's room and sits on his bed. Amanda sits in his chair and Lee stands. "Boys, tomorrow do you want to go to the park and hit a few balls and then your mother can take Jamie to the art museum to look some pictures to get ideas for his school project and I can take Philip to the Hall of Fame Cards and Collectables".
Jamie and Philip look at each other; Philip speaks up; "Jamie and I talked about this earlier and we would like to go to the International Spy Museum".
Lee and Amanda look to each other and Amanda stammers, "you what? Why would you want to go there?"
Jamie pipes up and says, "while you and dad were away, grandma let us watch some James Bond movies and we want to see what's it like to be a spy".
Philip says, "I also checked out Dr. No to read from the library and I think being a spy would be fun".
Lee coughs and says; "I think we are going to have a long talk with your grandmother about what you can watch. Aren't you boys a little too young to be watching those movies?"
"She only let us watch the PG-13 ones. They are nothing like that Chuck show you let us watch in re-runs". Philip says.
"Your father and I will talk about it and let you know in the morning", Amanda says. "But we do want you to think about where you would like to go for your summer vacation. We can talk about that tomorrow too. Now off to bed. Give us a kiss". They do and Jamie heads back to his room and Amanda and Lee head up-stairs.
"Spies? They think being a spy is cool", Lee says.
Amanda laughs and says, "sometimes it is, but it is also very dangerous and there is no way our kids will ever be spies". They get to their room and change into their night clothes. "Spies", Amanda says. "Of all things, they want to be spies".
Lee chuckles and brings her close to him wrapping his arms around her. "Good night my love". He kisses her cheek.