Changes

Chapter 4

Lee woke the next morning feeling disconcerted.

After the dream he'd just had it only added to his insecurities about his future with Amanda and her family!

Something had been gnawing at him since Joe King came back from Africa.

Lee and Amanda had helped him through the Estoccia case but that was before Lee revealed his feelings for her which he still regretted taking so long to do.

Getting ready for work he decided to just talk it over with her and see if his dream had any merit...

Meanwhile Amanda went about her routine getting the boys up and ready for school, having some troubling thoughts of her own.

Joe had called last night to ask if they could have lunch and talk. That there was something on his mind.

He didn't get into specifics, but she told him she'd check her schedule and let him know.

She was sure he'd gotten the message when after the Estoccia case he'd asked her if they could get back together and she said no, that she wanted to go forward.

Maybe he'd decided to return to Africa because he liked it better there and he wouldn't have to pretend to like being with his sons.

But as Amanda watched Phillip and Jamie eating their breakfast now, she shook her head and thought, Don't be ridiculous! The best thing to come out of their union were these two wonderful gifts they'd been given!

No! That wasn't it at all and she felt ashamed to even have that thought in her head.

Still mulling over things she didn't hear when Phillip asked, "So what about him, Mom?"

Amanda realized then that her son had spoken to her and she queried, "What about who, Sweetheart?"

Phillip stated, "Mr. Stetson. You like him, don't you?"

Dotty had come downstairs commenting, "I was wondering the same thing myself. He seemed to be a good man with very fine qualities, much like your daddy when he came over recently."

Amanda sighed knowing her mother wouldn't let the subject drop and answered, "I never said he wasn't. We work together and we're friends but yesterday, I got held up with something and-and he was just doing me a favor, okay?"

Then going to the table she sat down and remarked softly to her boys, "Now, Fellas. You know I wouldn't change things here without giving it some serious thought and then talking to you about it, right? Because you both are my top priorities. And I'm glad you like him but it's okay if you have doubts about anything. That's why we have our family meetings, huh? To work out all this stuff."

Just then there was a honk and the boys jumped up to get their books and ran out yelling, "Bye, Mom! Bye, Grandma!"

With a slam of the front door, the house was once again quiet.

Dotty poured her coffee and responded to her daughter, "You know, I wouldn't mind either if you wanted to have him over for dinner sometime."

Amanda bringing the boys cereal bowls to the sink to wash them out shrugged at her mother and asked, "Meaning what?"

Dotty came over to her and cupping her face stated gently, "Meaning I saw this same look come over your face once before, Darling. When you first talked about Joe King...All I'm saying is that you can't fool me when it comes to love. I know it's happened to you again and the boys will pick up on it, too. If you're really sure about him, then tell him and then talk to us. Trust me... We will love him because you do, all right?"

Kissing her she answered, "Have a good day, Dear."

With that, Dotty took her coffee and went upstairs.

Amanda shook her head and thought, Wow... I guess Lee and I should talk about this more.

As if on cue, the phone rang.

She picked up replying, "Hello?"

It was Lee sounding like he was on his car phone.

He stated, "Hi, Beautiful! You going in shortly?"

Amanda sighed responding softly, "Yeah. I just have a few things to pick up here and I'll be there. Um... Can we talk, though? There's something I want to discuss and it's pretty important."

Lee shook his head answering, " I'm sorry. It'll have to wait until lunch, I'm afraid. Billy wants me to meet him at the State Department and then Smyth has us for the rest of the morning. Want to meet at Spencer's for lunch, say 1:00? I'll make the reservation for us, unless you want to eat somewhere else?"

Amanda shrugged lightly remarking, "N-No, Spencer's is fine. So I guess I'll see you then."

Lee replied huskily, "Hey...I love you."

Amanda answered swallowing, "I-I love you, too. Bye."

As they hung up Lee was beginning to get the feeling that his dream was becoming real.

Amanda didn't sound very enthused about lunch. Something was definitely off with her today.

Looking at his watch he knew he'd have to think about it later as he would be late meeting Billy...

TBC