The Move
This will cover everyone making the move over to IFF over the weekend
Amanda wakes very early. Lee rolls over and mumbles, "what are you doing up at this hour?"
Amanda replies, "go back to sleep. I need to leave early to put things together for the move. I will probably be home late as Francine and I will go out for drinks later".
"Okay", Lee mumbles as Amanda kisses his cheek and rushes downstairs and heads out the door.
As she drives to NTA she makes a coffee run and parks her car and takes the elevator to the third floor. Like clockwork, Francine is by the elevator waiting for her coffee and pastry. She says, "there are piles of boxes in everyone's offices; but Emily wants to see us now".
As they pass by Brian's desk, she gives him a coffee and hands him his favorite pastry. Amanda says, "Brian, when my meeting with Emily is finished, I'd like to see you in my office". As they keep walking, she asks Francine, "do you know what you are going to say to your assistant? She has been with you a long time".
"I haven't gotten that far yet", Francine replies. "I'm still processing the shift in departments, merging and moving to a new location".
The arrive at Emily's door and she waves them in says, "Francine, would you please close the door behind you? The next couple of days everyone will be very busy for the big move, but I want to give the both of you heads up first. After the key people have made the move to IFF and a few others to undisclosed locations, I will close this office. I will oversee your move, but then I am handing over the reins to Billy Melrose".
"But Emily", Amanda says.
"Don't but Emily me, Amanda. I have given this a lot of thought and Billy is more than capable, and they don't need two cooks, so to speak at IFF. I have put in more than 25 years at The Agency. I'm ready for retirement. The Agency has a great pension package. I've given this a lot of thought and this is a good thing", she goes on to say, "Billy is a great leader. We have different styles, but he is very effective. He appears to be gruff, but is a softie inside, but don't tell him I said that".
"We will miss you very much", Francine says. "The Agency won't be the same without you".
"I second that", Amanda agrees.
"I'm not dying, and I'll still be around for another week for the hand off", Emily replies. "They will probably keep me on as a consultant for about a year, but I won't be in the office daily anymore. Don't say anything to anyone yet; I wanted you to be the first to know. That is all for now. Get back to work".
As they head out of Emily's office, Francine says, "everything I learned, I learned from her. I don't care what she says, she will not live up to the standards of the likes of Billy Melrose".
"Give him a chance", Amanda says. "Lee speaks highly of him. He's a no-nonsense boss but has a sense of humor that only a select few get to see. He did train Lee and Lee is a great agent. He is not Emily; no one is; but unless you plan on retiring too, he will be our new boss in a few days"
"Don't forget Emily said not to tell anyone, and that means Lee", Francine replies.
"I hate lying to him, since we agreed no more secrets", Amanda says.
They reach their respective offices and Amanda calls Brian in and asks him to shut the door behind him. "I'm sure you have heard rumblings around the office, but NTA will be merging with a sister agency called IFF. Don't worry, you still have a job. You will still be working for me and Francine, but I wanted to let you know I will need some help packing boxes for the move. Until the official word is out, you can't tell anyone, not even your husband. Unfortunately, Francine's assistant will not be making the move, but she still has a job at another agency. Once the move is complete, you will be given an orientation package and will have to sign a new non-disclosure agreement. I know this is a lot to take in, so why don't you take the rest of the day off as we have a lot of packing to do in the morning".
Amanda makes notes and outlines what to take and what to leave behind. An hour later Francine taps on her door and says, "Lets call it a day. I think we deserve a drink or maybe two or three".
"I agree", Amanda says. "Emily leaving is a big blow for us and tomorrow will be busy day. I already told Lee we'd be going out for drinks, so he won't be expecting me until later".
Lee and Amanda find a place near both of their houses, so they won't have far too drive later. They order a couple of appetizers and margaritas. They lament about losing Emily and the place they called home away from home for so many years. Before the bartender cuts them off, they pay the bill and walk around to get some fresh air and find an all-night coffee shop. An hour later, they both feel it is safe to drive home.
Amanda stumbles into the house around 1:00 am and Lee is already asleep. She sets the alarm and carefully walks upstairs and takes a shower. She pops a couple of aspirins before crawling into bed; she puts on an old Georgetown t-shirt and cuddles up to Lee.
About 7:00 am, Lee nudges her awake and whispers, "packing day. Soon I'll be able to look at you across the room. There is an office called the Q Bureau and Billy green-lighted us to work together. Francine will work in the bull pen along with other agents".
"Sounds good sweetheart. I should get ready and make breakfast and start working", Amanda says.
Lee says, 'what about your shower"?
"I took one when I got home last night. It was late and I didn't want to wake you", Amanda replies. It's a causal day, so I'm going to put on a t-shirt and jeans. I'll start the coffee and see you later". She kisses him and rushes off before he can ask questions she is not prepared to answer. She grabs her to go mug, pours coffee in it and pops a couple more aspirins. She makes the drive to the NTA offices and Brian is already packing up her office. He saw her pad of paper and knows exactly what needs to be packed.
"Thank you, Brian, but I'll take care of the rest. You have your own files to pack too", Amanda says. "Let me take you out to lunch later" She finishes the rest of her packing and carefully puts the important files in a lock box. She labels things like her chair and desk, hoping she can take those with her. She expects they will have their own file cabinets, so she leaves them to go to the other offices. She takes one last look at her office for the final time, making sure nothing is left behind. She checks in on Brian. "If you are finished, let me take you out to lunch and you can go home. Tomorrow, show up and we can supervise the movers".
They have a nice lunch, she pays the tab, he walks her to her car. They part ways, he drives off and she heads home.
Amanda makes dinner and waits for Lee and the boys to come home. She turns on the news and pours herself a glass of wine.
The boys come bounding in talking a mile a minute. Philip says "a bunch of guys are going to the race track tomorrow and we want dad to take us. There will be all sorts of cool vintage cars".
Sweethearts, I am moving to a new office tomorrow and your dad has offered to help me. Maybe one of your friends' parents can take you or if it will last through Sunday, He can take you then. I did clean your bathrooms the other day and I noticed your bedrooms have not been cleaned in a while. After dinner, you need to do that and maybe we can talk about your weekend.
Lee gets home and comments, "you are home early. Did you get your packing done?"
"Yes", Amanda replies. "All that is left is the movers tomorrow. But I have dinner waiting and the boys want to talk to you about going to the race track. One of their friend's parents could take them tomorrow, but I suggested they wait until Sunday and you can take them yourself".
During dinner they all talk about gong to the race track on Sunday and Amanda casually talks about moving to a new office. After dinner she says, "Philip, Jamie, go upstairs and clean your rooms".
Lee and Amanda clear the table and rinse the dishes before loading the dishwasher. Amanda throws in a gel pack and starts the washer. Lee takes her hand and they head upstairs. He begins undressing her and she places her hands on his saying, "I am so sorry, but I am beat, and tomorrow is a big day. I must supervise the movers and when we arrive at IFF you need to take over and tell them what goes where. I'm hoping I can take my desk and chair, but I also have a lot of files that need to be unpacked and filed somewhere. Maybe tomorrow night if we aren't too tired".
"You are probably right; we should get some sleep. It will be an early day tomorrow and maybe if things go smoothly, we can have a more optimum night tomorrow".
They head off to bed and get up in the morning. Lee makes a pot of coffee and Amanda warms up a muffin. They take Amanda's jeep and head over to NTA. Amanda and Francine supervise the movers. Lee joins the movers as they head over to their new offices. Brian loads his boxes into his car and Francine and Amanda do the same. They arrive at IFF and Lee supervises the movers where to put the new files and furniture.
The movers are IFF agents and they are organized and quickly put things where they are supposed to go. Amanda place her boxes in the Q Bureau, planning on unpacking Monday morning before the briefing. Everything goes without incident and Lee and Amanda head out for dinner. They arrive home and jump into the shower.
Amanda whips something up for the boys and when they get home Lee says, "tomorrow I'll take both of you to the track tomorrow".
Amanda says, I am tired from all the moving and I'm going to turn in early".
Lee says, "Philip, Jamie, why don't you clean up before watching TV and then go on to bed. I'm tired myself, so I'm going to bed too. I'll see you in the morning".
He heads upstairs and Amanda is already waiting for him. She smiles and says, "I'm not tired for some new-fashioned type of loving". Lee quickly turns off the lights and undress himself. He joins her under the covers.