After a some luxuriant time in the hot tub that was both exhilarating and relaxing, ("How does he do that?" Amanda wondered) the newlyweds began to pack for what was to be a very long journey of heart and soul.

With no idea of what was to come, they began to dress and put their things away. As Lee pulled on his blazer and put the airline tickets in his pocket, he heard an audible sigh. He looked over at Amanda who was holding her open wallet.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he made his way over to the bed where Amanda was organizing her purse. "Did you forget something?"

She looked up, her eyes a little wet. Lee sat down next to her. "Amanda, tell me!"

She wiped her eyes. "It's nothing really," she said with a wan smile.

"What's this?" Lee asked looking at her wallet. The photo section was spread out, showing pictures of Philip, Jamie, and Dottie.

"I see," he said as he put his arm around her. "Homesick already."

Amanda shook her head. "Not really. I just wish . . ." She stopped. "I just wish I could tell them!" She burst out.

"I know, I know," said Lee, gently rubbing her back and kissing her forehead. "This is really hard on you and I'm sorry."

Amanda smiled at him. "It's not your fault, it just is what it is. I wouldn't trade the past 24 hours for anything." The last thing she wanted to do was add to Lee's guilt about hiding their love and now, their marriage.

"Tell you what," he said. "As soon as we are back from our honeymoon we'll start working on a strategy to get this all out in the open. The sooner everyone knows we are together, the better," he said.

Amanda nodded. "Thank you." She started to put the pictures away. "Who would you tell first?"

A long pause as Lee considered her question.

"The Colonel?" she asked.

"I don't know - maybe. It might be the one life choice of mine that he approves. He really likes you. Every time we talk he asks about you."

"Well, I like him as well," she replied.

Lee still looked thoughtful. "Actually, the first person I'd tell would probably be Emily."

"Farnsworth?!" said Amanda, with surprise.

"Yes. Yes, it will be her," said Lee. "No one knows me as well as she does, except maybe you. I'm not sure the Colonel sees me older than 19. But Emily," he mused " would understand better than anyone. I'm pretty sure she won't be too surprised either."

"That's lovely," said Amanda, putting her head on his shoulder. "I would like to be there and see her reaction."

"Speaking of that," said Lee. "I have something for you. I was going to wait, but now is as good a time as any." He walked over to one of his suitcases and began to unzip it.

"Oh, Lee," said Amanda. "We agreed, no wedding presents for each other! I don't have anything for you," she admonished him.

"I think you'll like this - and its more for both of us," he said, taking a large rectangular box wrapped in brown paper out his case and handing it to her.

"Nice wrapping paper," she teased him.

"Yeah, not my thing," he said. "Open it."

"It's not more lingerie, is it? I mean that's really for you anyway." She winked at him.

"I said its for both of us," he said. "Do you want me to open it?"

"Oh no, I've got it." She pulled the paper apart, and turned the box over and shook it a little.

"Definitely too heavy for lingerie, unless you've gone all medieval on me. If it's jewels, I'll need a brace to wear them."

Lee didn't say anything, just looked at her.

She took the lid off the box and moved the tissue paper, revealing a frame. She lifted it out and exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! Is this the sketch of you and me that Emily did in Austria?"

"Yep," he said. "What do you think?" he said a little anxiously.

The glass in the frame would bear a slight scratch as she drooped it on top of the bed to jump up and kiss him.

"It's perfect," she said. "I love you, Lee Stetson."

"The feeling is mutual, Mrs. Stetson." He kissed her soundly. "And now we should go," he said, looking at his watch. "We have a plane to catch!"

As they gathered their things and left the room, Lee took one more look around, taking a mental picture of the past 24 hours with his love. It was a picture he would conjure again and again for some small comfort during the most difficult days ahead.

-end-