Changes
Chapter 7
Amanda came back into the "Q" as Lee was hanging up the phone.
Locking the door Amanda remarked, "We need to talk..."
Lee sighed and nodded commenting, "Yeah, I think we do. Um, I think maybe we should hold off on this whole thing until we figure out how to deal with it."
Amanda was stymied and asked, "Hold off? What are you talking about? And deal with what?"
Lee shook his head and replied, "The whole engagement thing. It's obvious you still have ties to Joe. I-I love you! Truly I do, but I honestly don't know how I thought I could fit into your world with all that you have going on there."
Amanda suddenly felt as if her world was coming apart as she stared at the man she loved and thought she knew and queried, "Please tell me you're not ending this...Ending us?"
Now it was Lee's turn to be surprised!
He gazed at her and shook his head vehemently then stating with a hand up, "N-No! No no, Honey! That's not what I'm saying at all here! I just mean we should take a breath and..."
Amanda noticed the uncertainty in his eyes and went over to him.
Moving him back slightly in his chair she went to sit on his lap and cupping his face gave him a tender kiss and stated gently, "Lee Stetson...You are the most wonderful man in the world and I couldn't be happier knowing that you want to marry me! Now... The only tie I have to Joe King my ex-husband-emphasis on the term "Ex"-are our sons, Phillip and Jamie! I was just now talking to him about you and I being engaged and how I was going to talk to him later about it, anyway."
Sighing she continued responding, "I never got around to telling you this because we weren't in the place then that we are now. You see, when you and I helped Joe through that Estoccia mess he and I went to Dooley's- as you know- for a talk. Yes he did ask me if I wanted to go back to being with him, but I told him no. That I wanted to go forward because in my heart, you were there already and there was no denying it any more even though we hadn't gotten to that point yet. Besides, I don't know exactly when you had broken it off with Leslie but that kinda told me what I needed to know and I was willing to wait as long as necessary until you were ready to come to me. Do you understand it a little better now?"
Lee sighed and shaking his head replied, "You must think I'm a total idiot...I'm-I'm sorry, Honey. I dunno what I was thinking here. You know, now would be a good time to head for the hills."
Amanda smiled answering with a shake to her head, "Nope. Not without my partner. I believe the term is 'Til death do us part'?"
Lee swallowed hard and incredulous asked slowly, "You...You're serious?"
Amanda lightly brushed the hair away from Lee's forehead stating softly, "I will if you will."
Lee knew from the look in her eyes that she meant every word and taking a deep breath let it out slowly and nodded querying, "O-Okay, then. So, how do we proceed?"
Kissing him soundly Amanda reached for the phone and dialing her number responded, "Like this..."
When Dotty answered Amanda commented, "Hello, Mother? Hi. Listen, we have enough pot roast for an extra guest tonight, right?"
Chuckling at her mother's enthused response Amanda replied nodding, "Yes! How did you know?"
As her mother went on Amanda finally put up a hand remarking, "Okay, Mother! Yes, I got it...All right...Well, as soon as we finish up our editing."
She then sighed and looking at Lee shook her head answering, "Oh, don't be silly! We wouldn't have dinner that late...Um, I dunno. Six thirty all right?"
Lee nodded his head and Amanda stated, "Yes, okay. We'll see you then, Mother...Bye, bye."
Hanging up the phone Amanda shrugged and commented, "Well, that was easy."
Lee making a face asked, "For who? I've had better negotiations with my contacts to get what I want!"
Amanda shook her head smiling as she got up from his lap answering, "Oh, you! It's gonna be fine. Relax, okay? Besides, she already likes you. It'll be a breeze..."
As Lee watched her go back to her desk he thought, Sure, score one for her mother. Now as for the boys...
TBC