The week off Part 3:
Lee arrives home after dropping the kids off at school. Amanda has already had her coffee and breakfast and Lee finds her in the bathroom scrubbing and polishing the counters, shower, and floors.
"What are you doing?" Lee asks.
"What do you think I'm doing?", she replies. "This place is a mess. The boys are responsible for their own rooms, but their bathrooms look like a tornado went through them and the guest room, I can't begin to think of all the germs in there".
"Don't you have enough to do without worrying about how clean the house is?" Lee asks. "We could hire someone to help out with the cleaning. Of course, our offices would be off limits".
"Lee, before we met and before I joined the Agency, this is what I did. I cleaned; I was a housewife. We were living in the old place, it was smaller, and my mother and Joe helped when he could. I don't like the idea of some stranger going through our home if we aren't here". Amanda stresses.
"Fine", Lee says. "But what about when one or both of us are at home? You won't have to work so hard and you can work on other things. Time your husband for starters".
"Lee, that would mean our bedroom would be off limits. There are a number of things in there we wouldn't want some cleaning person to find if you know what I mean". Amanda chides.
"Yes, I do", Lee chuckles, "and if you are done sanitizing the bathroom, maybe we can utilize those particular things a cleaning person shouldn't find".
"Now?" Amanda asks. I still need to plant flowers, take care of the yard and then get ready for dinner at Billy's".
"Great!" Lee says. "I married the Energizer Bunny. Let's divide and conquer. Okay, you plant your flowers, I'll weed and fertilize the yard and set the sprinkler system and we should still have time for those toys you want hidden and still have time to get ready for dinner at Jeannine and Billy's house".
Amanda sighs, and says, "times-a-wasting buster. I'll race you, meet you in the shower when I beat your sorry ass".
They rush off to their respective chores and sure enough, Amanda is already in the shower waiting for him. After washing off the grime of the yard work they exit the shower. Lee checks the clock and comments, "we have about an hour to spare before the boys get home and still have time to make it to Billy's".
After playing with their toys, Amanda exits the bed first and heads back to the shower.
"Again?" says Lee.
"Yes", she replies. I want to look good for Billy and his wife. I know you said it would be casual, but I still want to wear something nice. If you don't think you need a shower, why don't you put something together for the boy's dinner tonight while I get ready".
"Yes dear", Lee says and heads downstairs. He throws something together and the boys get home from school. He asks them to finish making the rest of the meal. He runs upstairs to put on a clean shirt and a pair of Dockers. Amanda is wearing a light green skirt and a pale pink top. "You look just like one of those Tulips you just planted", Lee jokes.
"Great, I married a comedian", Amanda laughs, as she finds a white shawl from the closet. They head downstairs and say goodnight to the boys as Lee takes the Roadster over to Billy's.
They arrive and Jeannie opens the door giving Lee a hug and turns to Amanda and says, "you must be Amanda".
Amanda says, "It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Melrose".
"Please, call me Jeannine. Lee, Amanda come inside. Billy is making drinks and I have a meatloaf to get out of the oven".
Billy takes their drink orders, and everyone enjoys their dinner. Jeannie clears the plates and Amanda stands to help, but she motions her to sit down. "I think I should take my leave and let the rest of you have your shop talk".
Francine and Emily show up for after dinner drinks. Francine says to Amanda, "that is a beautiful necklace. Where did you get it?"
"Lee got for me when we were in Dubai", Amanda whispers.
"If we are done complimenting jewelry, there are a few things we should talk about before Lee, Amanda, and Francine return from their vacation", Billy says. "After talking with Blue Leader, Emily and I have agreed to merge our two departments. Wednesday everyone is due back from their vacation and unfortunately, we will need to make some cuts. Amanda and Francine, you will be sharing an assistant. Brian has the most experience and Francine, your assistant will be outsourced along with the other agents to other departments. Thursday you will pack up your offices and Friday you will move into IFF, our cover building. It is more secure and has a lot more space. Next Monday we will discuss your new assignments". As if right on cue, Jeannie brings in the dessert for everyone.
Emily stays behind to discuss further strategies with Billy. Lee offers to give Francine a ride home.
Amanda says, "tomorrow we want you over for dinner. You can see the boys and my mother. It has been a long time".
"Can I bring anything?" Francine asks.
Lee pipes up and says, "dessert. I think Dotty can bring the salad and we will provide the entrée. 7:00 pm sound okay?"
"Sounds wonderful", Francine says. "But I will need your address", she laughs. I've never been to your new place".
Amanda writes down the address before Lee drops Francine off in front of her house. "See you tomorrow", she says.
They arrive home and Amanda phones her mother and invites her and Curt for dinner. "Remember Francine Desmond mother?" Amanda asks. "She is working at NTA again and she's coming over for dinner tomorrow. She is bringing dessert, could you bring a salad? That's great. 7:00 pm. Have a good night. I love you too".
Lee puts the alarm on and heads upstairs. Amanda goes to the boy's rooms to say goodnight and tells them about Francine. "You may not remember her, but she is your godmother and she traveled a lot. She's back in town and would like to meet you again. Your grandmother and Uncle Curt will be coming over too".
Amanda says goodnight and heads upstairs. Before joining Lee in bed, she washes her face and changes into her nightshirt. She puts lavender lotion on her legs, arms, and hands. She crawls under the covers and says, "that was a lot to take in tonight. Moving our offices to yours? These are a lot of changes. I'm not big on all these changes and it's going to be an adjustment working together on a regular basis".
"There is an upside", Lee says. "We get to go to work together, come home together and don't need to come up with so many excuses all the time. Besides, I get to see my lovely wife all day". He gives her a peck on the mouth and then kisses her forehead. "Goodnight my love".
"Goodnight sweetheart", Amanda says.
They have one last day before they are due back at work, so they sleep in. Amanda hears the boys rustling downstairs and smells coffee brewing, but even after the door slams shut, she rolls over and wraps her arms around Lee. About thirty minutes later she wakes up to hear the shower running. She stumbles out of bed and heads towards the shower.
"We have to stop meeting like this", she says as she joins him. "Next to our bed, I think this is one of my favorite places to explore each other's bodies", she laughs.
Lee turns her away from him and says, "and one of my favorite things to do is shampoo your hair and wash your body". She leans back against him and lets him wash her hair. She turns around and places her arms around his neck and kisses him and he pours body wash in his hands and lathers her body. She borrows some from him and washes him too. He rinses them both off and he shuts off the water. They exit the shower, and after drying themselves, they both put on a pair of jeans. Lee puts on a polo shirt and Amanda, a National's Jersey.
They go downstairs and have breakfast and coffee. Amanda pre-makes dinner, as Lee reads the paper. "Anything worth reading today?", she asks. He shakes his head no and continues to read.
They head back upstairs to their offices and Amanda makes notes about everything she needs to do for the move. Lee heads back downstairs and sets the table. He turns on the news. The boys get home and Amanda meets them on the stairs. "I want both of you to shower and put on something casual for dinner.
She heads to the kitchen and puts the prepared meal in the oven. The boys come downstairs freshly showered and head to the back yard. Curt and Dotty show up first and Lee makes drinks for them. Francine shows up soon after and knocks on the door.
Lee, sweetheart, could you get the door please, Amanda says. "Philip, Jamie our guests are here, come inside". Lee opens the door and gives Francine a hug as he takes a pie dish from her hands and takes her drink order.
The boys come to meet her in the kitchen and Philip holds out some flowers from his mother's yard and says, "these are from Jamie and me".
Francine says, "thank you very much. I don't know if you remember me, but It is really good to see you again". She looks to Dotty and gives her a hug. "Dotty, it has been much too long. It is so good to see you too. Is this the husband Amanda has been telling me about?"
Dotty introduces Curt and everyone sits down for dinner.
The boys tell their parents and everyone about their day and their homework. Curt fills them in on his flight schedule and Amanda talks about her new job.
"That was a wonderful meal, Amanda", her mother says, but Curt and I must be going. Philip, Jamie; come give your grandmother a kiss. It was nice to see you again Francine. Let's not wait this long before getting together again. She and Curt hug Amanda and Lee before they leave.
"Philip, Jamie head upstairs and do your homework. Your father will be up shortly to check your work before going to bed", Amanda says.
"It was so nice to see you again", Francine says to Lee. "Thank you for the flowers, Philip and Jamie, they are lovely".
Lee says, "I'll let you two talk. I'll see you upstairs Amanda after I check on the boys".
Amanda walks Francine to the door and says, "a lot of work to accomplish in the next few days. We need to go out for drinks tomorrow". Francine agrees and gives Amanda holding her tight.