A/N I just want to thank each of you who have reviewed my story so far. Unfortunately FF seems to be down and not allowing reviews to show so it won't let me answer any of you but I want you to each know that I appreciate all the nice comments you are leaving as I do get them in my email. I know that Dean is not someone that most people were fond of. I have had my own fun with him over the years. When I sat down to write his story, it was because no one else had ever done it. I set out to make it a funny story but in looking back at the few scenes that we see him in and then the scene that we see his Mother in, you can tell that a) he wasn't a bad looking man, b) I'm glad I didn't have his Mother, c) He did care about Amanda, he just didn't seem to know how to show it. As I thought about his story, I changed Chapter 1 about 20 times and in the end decided this story made the most sense for him. I'm glad some of you are enjoying it. I did decide that it needed an additional chapter to explain the break up better so it is now going to be an 18 Chapter story. Thanks for joining me on this journey.

Chapter 13 - Wedding Bells?

The next few months went by quickly and Dean and Amanda got into a routine of Dean either calling each night or coming to the house for dinner. Sometimes he would have to go out of town on business meetings and then he would call after 9pm but usually his calls would come promptly at 7pm because he knew dinner was over and the boys were either out playing or upstairs in their room. It was an odd relationship as Dean had never even kissed Amanda but he was perfectly content with their friendship. By this time, he considered her his best friend and he missed her when he wasn't with her. Amanda had truly never had a relationship like this but she was quite comfortable in it since her divorce wasn't even a year old yet. It was her Mother that seemed to be eager for them to get married and be more involved and Dotty would tell Amanda all the time about what a great man Dean was and how he would be a great catch. Dean had taken Amanda and the boys a few times to go fishing and the boys had enjoyed the outdoors with him. They had slowly started to like him and be okay with his being around. Amanda would think about the possibility of marrying Dean at times and still wonder what kind of life it would be. She was truly fond of him but there wasn't a lot of excitement in their relationship and still no sparks. She would put the thought aside hoping that it wasn't anything he wanted at this point.

Dean had been very comfortable with this arrangement. He spent less time with his Mother and more time with Amanda and the Boys. Phillip no longer pulled pranks on him and Jamie loved that Dean could help him with his homework, especially math. Dean had taken Jamie under his wing quite a bit when he realized that Jamie had a lot of the same natural abilities with math and science as he had and soon he began showing him how to tell the weather and what to look for. Since Jamie remembered the times with Joe much less than Phillip, it was easier for Dean to get close to Jamie than it was for him to create a bond with Phillip. Thankfully Phillip really loved sports though and you could often see Dean in his plaid shirt out either shooting hoops with Phillip, running a soccer ball with him or playing Tag football in the park with him. Dean also helped Phillip with honing his skills in Baseball. Dean wasn't extremely strong in the sport but he could at least throw balls for Phillip to practice batting. All and all, things were going along pretty smoothly so it seemed like it was time to start making some plans for the future.

So after dinner one Wednesday night in September, Dean asked Amanda if he could take her out to dinner on Friday night. He decided to take her back to the Restaurant where they had had their first date. He told her simply that it would be a dress up type Restaurant. He picked her up promptly at 6pm on Friday and they made the drive to La Bergerie. They both made idle chatter about their day like old friends would do. Amanda was surprised when he pulled in front of the Restaurant where a Valet waited to park his car. There was no chance of rain so he had driven the Ferrari. It didn't run as well since Phillip had dumped the sugar in the gas tank but it was still a pretty sight and Dean loved his car so he didn't want to get rid of it.

They entered the Restaurant and it seemed like all eyes were on Amanda. She had worn a beautiful red dress that showed off her amazing figure including her long, shapely legs. By this time, Dean had begun putting his hand on the small of her back to guide her places and to especially make sure that other men knew to back off as she was his. He did this now as he guided her to their table. He ordered them an expensive bottle of wine and when the waiter poured them each a glass, Dean raised his and said "To us.". Amanda smiled and toasted back. "Dean, you didn't have to bring me here, I know how expensive this place is. We could have eaten at any number of inexpensive places around Arlington." She said.

"Amanda, this night is very special. You are very special to me and I wanted to make this a night to remember."

"Oh, why is that? Did I forget an important date, Dean?"

"No, not yet but hopefully it will be in later years."

Amanda began to worry about what Dean had in mind. The waiter had returned for their order though and they both told him what they wanted. Dean immediately changed the subject and started a conversation about the boys and how much he enjoyed being around them. They discussed the boys in great length until their food arrived and then they both savored their meals in silence. After their meal, Dean insisted that they share a Strawberry Cheesecake together. While the waiter went to get their dessert, Dean suddenly got down on one knee beside Amanda and said "Amanda, I think we are perfect together. I love you. Will you marry me?" He opened a box that held a 5 Caret Diamond engagement ring.

Amanda gasped and her face blushed when she realized that everyone around them was staring to see what her answer would be. She took Dean's hands in hers and told him quietly that she wish he would have done this in private as she pulled him back to his feet and guided him back into his chair. Dean said "Don't you want to marry me?"

Amanda gently patted his hands and said "Dean, I have only been divorced about a year. I'm really not ready to jump into another marriage. I'm really fond of you and the boys like you a lot but I'm just not ready. Do you understand?"

By this time, the other patrons had gone back to their meals as they could tell this was going to be hard on the man. Dean looked around at them embarrassed and then said "It isn't like I'm asking you to marry me tomorrow. We could plan a wedding for the spring. Your mother will need time to plan it anyway. Amanda I was sure we were ready for this step. I know I am. Won't you reconsider?"

"No Dean, I'm really sorry. I don't want to hurt your feelings but I need more time. Can you give me more time?"

Dean gulped and said "I guess so. I'm a patient man and you are worth waiting for but I really hope you will change your mind soon."

"Thanks Dean."

After she was home and in her bed, she wondered about whether she would ever be ready to marry Dean. He was like an old comfortable Sweater; He was nice to have around but she wondered if she would feel the same way if something better came along. She fell asleep thinking about what life would be like if she married Dean. Somehow, it just didn't seem like it was her meant to be.

TBC