Rubbing his head and forcing his mind to rest, a voice on the radio came on and his words caught Lee's attention.
" Have you ever loved someone, but you really didn't know how to tell them? Well, I think Chicago nailed it right on the head with their latest song, " You're the inspiration", talk about sharing you feelings. So, Ladies and Gents, without any further ado, here is our favorite band, Chicago, with "You're the inspiration"…have a great weekend, folks, Mr. Jay signing out"
"You know our love was meant to be
The kind of love that lasts forever
And I want you here with me
From tonight until the end of time
You should know, everywhere I go, your always on my mind, in my heart, in my soul
Baby!
(Chorus)
You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
You're the inspiration
I want to have you near me, I want to have you hear me saying, no one needs you more than I need you
And I know, yes I know, that it's plain to see We're so in love when we're together Now I know that I need you here with me From tonight until the end of time You should know everywhere I go, your always on my mind, in my heart, in my soul
(Chorus)
You're the meaning in my life
you're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
you're the inspiration
I want to have you near me, I want to have you hear me saying no one needs you more than I need you
I want to have you near me, I want to have you hear me saying, no one needs you more than I need you You're the meaning in my life You're the inspiration You bring feeling to my life, you're the inspiration When you love somebody, 'til the end of time When you love somebody , always on my mind No one need you more than I (repeat)"
As the song played, Lee's breath was taken away, his mind started going through the years he had known Amanda, and he saw the times that Amanda had looked in his eyes with such trust and unbelievable strength, eyes that calmed him in a matter of seconds, eyes that , when he went to kiss her this afternoon, have given Him the go ahead and held in them a secret that was longing to be let out. Eyes that shown with confusion and disappointment at the interruption and that held something that until this very moment, Lee couldn't define. It was love. Amanda loved him!!! At that moment, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he had nothing to fear and it gave him the much needed strength to go and tell her how he felt.
Getting out of his car, he headed toward the house and around to the back. ' One of these days, I am going To go to the front of the house," he thought. He looked in the window and saw that Amanda was by herself, curled up on the couch with a book and what looked like hot chocolate with marsh mellows. He smiled at the picture, taking in her features and wondering what she was thinking about as he saw her look up from her book and, with a far away look in her eyes, smiled that beautiful smile, then a few moments later she shook her head. " She is so beautiful, unlike any other woman that I've ever met." He thought with a smile and a slight shake of the head. He drew himself out of his thoughts, when he realized that he could stay like this forever, but he had come to finish some unfinished business. Raising his hand, he knocked on the window.
Amanda jumped at the noise, slightly turning red at her thoughts. She had been thinking about the park and Lee. She couldn't believe that he was going to kiss her. She had been waiting for so long, hoping that someday, Lee could possibly have the same feelings for her as she did for him. And today, she got a little taste of her wish. 'Maybe someday, we could actually finish our unfinished business without any interruption.' Another part of her brain shouted,' what if Lee was caught up in the moment. I mean, it was a beautiful day and you have been spending all your time together for the last 4 days. Maybe it was the craziness of being cooped up in the Q-room that finally made Lee snap. You saw the craziness in his eyes', Amanda shook her head and retaliated back, ' but I saw the look in his eyes and even though he's not ready to admit it, I know that he loves me, and gosh darn it, I love him too….' thinking of his face, she thought' oh boy, I got it bad, he is so gorgeous and I wanted.. I mean I want him to kiss me so bad and to feel his hands around my waist and… I…I… I better stop these thoughts before I get carried away!"
Tap, tap, tap!
Amanda quickly got up and went to the back door. Seeing his smiling face, Amanda couldn't help but smile back.
"Hi, you busy!" Lee asked, wondering what she could have been thinking to turn red like that. She looked like a kid who got her hand caught in the cookie jar.
" I was just reading, would you like to come in?" Amanda replied, hoping that he didn't see her blushing.
" Where's your mom and the boys?" Lee inquired as he entered the kitchen.
" Mother took the boys to goofy golf with one of her new boyfriends. He's really nice and he treats my mother like a queen. Oh, you should have seen her the other day, floating in here like she was on cloud nine and not wanting to come down." Amanda rambled, she caught her self and cleared her throat, looking down, she asked, " Would you like some hot chocolate?"
" Sure." Lee watched as she gracefully floated into the kitchen and within minutes she handed him a cup of Hot Chocolate. He again marveled at her beauty and the ease of which she did everything.
" Why don't we sit down and relax, it has been a few stressful days, hasn't it?" Amanda stated as they walked over to the couch and sat down.
" Yeah, it has…. Oh, by the way, Billy told me that you solved the case. Congratulations! I'm really proud of you, partner." Lee beamed, looking at her with pride.
Ducking her head, she said, " Awww, I was only doing my job."
Putting his finger under her chin, he lifted her head until he was looking into her eyes, " You did a great job, you always do, that is one of the things that I love about you."
Amanda's eyes widened at the last part of his statement. Realizing what he had said, Lee searched her eyes, trying to figure out what she was thinking. He loved her and he couldn't, wouldn't hide his feelings anymore. For a few moments, neither of them said a word, their eyes boring into each other.
Lee finally broke the silence, removing his finger from under her chin. He had something he wanted to tell her and he didn't want to do anything until he said his peace.
Clearing his throat, " Amanda, I… I came over to talk to you about this afternoon. You know, at the park.
Instantly, He saw the light dim in Amanda's eyes and he realized that she probably thought he was going to give her his spiel about " there is nothing going on between us". He didn't want her to think that, so he quickly went to rectify, " No Amanda, I'm not going to give you the speech. I wanted to kiss you."
Amanda's mouth dropped open and she stared at him in unbelief. ' Was this really happening?", she thought. She just sat there and listened, speechless.
" I really wanted to kiss you. I have for a very long time now. It's just that ..I've been fighting it
because I was scared… scared of being vulnerable, scared of losing you and the friendship we have…
just plain scared, I guess. But I'm tired of fighting my feelings….I can't take it anymore, to be honest with
You. I need you, Amanda.. I can't live without you knowing how I feel…I…I love you, Amanda King, I
have from the moment I saw you at the train station… I'm sorry that it took me so long to realize it…."
His words were cut off by Amanda as she threw herself in him arms and hugged him with all her might. He quickly hugged her back and reveled in the way she felt in his arms. He was going to say something when He felt Amanda's body shake. He then realized that she was crying.
" Hey, Amanda, what's wrong?" 'Did I say something wrong? Was it to soon? Does she not feel the same way?' Lee thought , " Amanda, please tell me what's wrong? Please don't cry?"
Amanda lifted her head from where it was on his shoulder and smiled up at him as she said, " Nothing's wrong. Everything is wonderful. I have waited for so long to hear those words and I never thought that it would happen. And now my dreams came true and here you are telling me that you love me. I just can't believe this is happening."
Lee reached up and dried the tears from her eyes, " Well, believe it. I can't live my life without you and I need you to be with me for always." He said, while he cupped her face gently in his hands. His eyes traveled all over her face and finally landed on her lips. Bending his head, he kissed her lightly before pulling back. Looking into her eyes, he saw the same approval as he had that afternoon. Amanda's eyes were shining with the love that she had for him as she reached up, pulled his head down and kissed him with all the passion that she had held deep in side her for so long. Lee returned the kiss with just as much pent up emotion, feeling light headed from the euphoria that he was experiencing. Pulling apart for much needed air, Amanda's smile was the biggest and brightest that he'd ever seen.
" I love you too, Lee. More than words can say." Lee's smile got just as big as hers with his dimples deepening with happiness. Kissing her once more, this time sweet and gentle, he laid his forehead against hers and sighed contentedly. 'What a day this turned out to be', he thought. All of the Sudden he had the urge to hold her in his arms and relax for the first time in days.
"Amanda?"
"Hhmm?"
" Do you mind if we just sit here and relax while I hold you?" He said as she lifted her head from his.
" No, not at all. I would love it if you held me."
Shifting on the couch to get comfortable, Amanda was just about to relax in his arms, when the phone rang.
Looking at Lee, apologetically, she got up and answered the phone.
" Hello…Oh, hi Mother…..yes, I'm having a very relaxing evening…..how was goofy golf….good.
Sure Mother……Don't worry about me, I'll be fine by myself for a few hours more…….go and enjoy
The movie…….okay…I love you too, Mother…..alright….bye."
Lee, having heard the whole conversation, smiled at the thought that he had a few more hours with Amanda,
All to himself. Hearing her coming back, he again opened his arms and she settled into him and cuddled.
" Mother 's boyfriend wanted to take mother and the boys to a double feature at the drive-in, so they won't Be home for another couple of hours." Amanda said, as she got comfortable.
" Good, that means I have a few more hours with you, alone." Lee smiled as he voiced his thoughts from a Few seconds ago.
They cuddled in silence, reveling in the feel of each other in their arms. Each resting in body, mind and soul For the first time in weeks, actually months. There was nothing to fight or fear anymore. They loved each other and with that thought on both their minds, they drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
A few hours later, they were both awakened by the sound of car doors shutting and the excited chatter of young boys. Extracting themselves from each other, they quickly scrambled out the back door. Looking at Each other awkwardly, they smiled and then Lee said, " Well, I guess this is good night". " Yeah" Amanda said looking down, " Will I see you tomorrow?"
" You better believe it.", Lee stated as he walked over to Amanda and pulled her into his arms. " Did you want to go and do something tomorrow?"
" Well, I was planning a barbeque with the boys, because Mother is going out of town with her new boyfriend."
"Oh", Lee's smile faded and he started to pull away.
Amanda, seeing his reaction, quickly said, " But I was wondering if you would like to come over and join us. It'll be fun."
Lee's smile quickly returned and he said excitedly, " Really! I can come over and spend time with you and the boys." At Amanda's nod, he said, " Would it be alright if I brought a ball and glove and then maybe the Boys would like to play catch?"
" Yeah, I am sure that they would love it." Amanda smiled at the excitement in his eyes.
" Okay, what time should I come over?"
" Oh, around one o'clock is fine." Lee threw his arms around her and swung her around in excitement. Amanda squealed in delight. As Lee Put her down, his eyes grew dark and swiftly took her lips in his. Kissing her for all the love that she had Shown him and for making him feel that he belonged. Hearing Amanda's mother call out for her, they drew Apart and smiled.
" I guess this means goodnight, again." Lee said with his arms still around her waist.
" Yeah. I hope you have good dreams." She said with a hint of disappointment that the magical moment Had to end.
" Oh I'm not worried about that, I am going to have VERY GOOD dreams tonight." Lee said huskily as his Eyes lowered and his lips sought out hers.
The kiss was brief and left them wanting more, but they knew that Lee had to leave.
" I love you, Amanda."
" I love you, Lee"
" Until tomorrow."
" Until tomorrow."
Quickly stealing another new kiss and reveling in how just the simple touch of her lips made him feel, he turned and with an extra skip in his step, he headed toward his car. "Tomorrow is the beginning of a whole New way of life", he thought, "and I can't wait for it to start."