Chapter 23

Joyeux Noël

The next morning came with a roar. Because it was Christmas Day and there were presents to be opened, the boys woke up just after 7:00 whereas on a regular non-school day they may have slept until 9:00 or later if not awakened sooner. This meant, the whole household needed to get up. Lee and Amanda were awakened by the noise. Amanda heard a groan coming from Lee. "I think this is what you warned me about," he said.

"Yeah," Amanda sighed. "Just think, they will age out of this right about the same time this little one gets excited about it. Then we start it all over."

"Oh, great." Lee said as he rolled over on his side, and faced her belly, "Listen you, let Daddy sleep a little, okay?"

"Yeah, good luck with that," Amanda said, instinctively rubbing her belly. She leaned in to kiss him as the sounds in the house got louder.

"I think they're playing the jungle drums for us," Lee laughed. "I've never done the dad thing on Christmas. Should I be terrified?"

"Nah." Amanda smiled. "Just sit back and watch them, enjoy and have some fun." Lee sat up and rumpled his hair and looked over at Amanda. She was still naked, they both were. Maybe a little fun first? He leaned over to spoon her, quickly getting aroused.

"Mmmmm, I like that." Amanda leaned into him.

"Mooommm, Leeeee." Voices carried up the stairs.

"So much for that," Lee laughed as they both resigned to get up. They brushed their teeth and got cleaned up to go downstairs.

"Good morning, Mom! Good morning, Lee!" The boys boisterously called them. Dotty was downstairs making coffee as Aunt Lillian was preparing some breakfast. After getting a little coffee and some Christmas waffles, the family all gathered in the family room. To "save space", Amanda sat on the couch with her legs over Lee's lap as they watched the boys rip open presents. As the gift from Lee was for both of them, Phillip let Jamie rip off the paper if he could open the box.

"Oh my gosh!" Jamie said.

No, way!" Phillip yelled. "Tickets for the Orioles opening game!

"Right along the first base line," Lee said smiling. "We can watch the game and eat hot dogs and nachos until we puke." He laughed.

"Yeah!" Phillip yelled.

"Thank you, Lee." Jamie said with his huge metal smile. So far from the kid who'd been wary of him just a couple months ago.

Dotty opened her gift from Lee, and gasped, "Lessons from Chef Henri? Well, these are nearly impossible to get. Lee, how did you do this?"

Lee grinned, "Well, I may know someone. I hope you enjoy it." He turned to Amanda. "Okay, Amanda," Lee said. "I wanted to surprise you with our honeymoon destination." He had Phillip hand Amanda the boxes as she still occupied his lap and he really liked her there.. There was one that was long and thin, and a second which looked like a jewelry box. Amanda opened the jewelry box, she pulled out a small cloth pouch and opened it. Inside she found a bracelet, with an Eiffel Tower charm. She looked at the charm bracelet. Oh my gosh, you wonderful man she thought. She looked at him in utter shock..

"No," She said. "You didn't?" She said with tears forming in her eyes. He had somehow heard that unspoken wish.

"Open the second box," Lee said with a wide smile. Amanda took a deep breath and opened the box. She pulled back the paper to find plane tickets and an itinerary. She could feel herself getting emotional again as she pulled them out. The tickets read Departure: Dulles, Washington D.C / Destination: Charlies de Gaulle, Paris. She could not hold in the tears. Without a word, she hugged him and cried.

"Hey, there. You okay?" He said softly. Amanda did speak at first but just kissed him.

"You can't do this to a pregnant woman," She smiled through the tears.

"So?" Dotty said

"Wow, this must be good." Jamie said, Phillip nodded at him.

"This is exciting," said Aunt Lillian said. She didn't get out much..

Amanda looked at her family, wiping tears from her cheeks. "He's taking me to Paris." Amanda cried again hugging him.

"Oh my gosh!" Dotty yelled jumping up.

"No way!" Phillip yelled. "That is so cool."

"Good job, Lee," said Jamie. "I've never seen Mom so sappy about a trip."

"Oh, Amanda," Dotty continued. "You've wanted to go there since you were a little girl. This is so exciting. I'm so happy for you." They all jumped up to pile on to Lee and Amanda with hugs.

"Don't worry," he told Amanda. "I called Dr. Marks. She said you've had no complication so she sees no reason we can't go to Paris in February." He smiled at her. "It will just be a little cold at times." He laughed.

"I don't care if it's cold, I'll wear a coat. Thank you so much.," Amanda hugged Lee, bursting into tears again. "Like I said, you can't do this to a pregnant woman." She laughed trying to pull herself together..

"You deserve this," Lee smiled at her trying not to get emotional himself. "Actually," he said, deflecting a bit, "you should also thank Kristen and Francine. They were the ones who told me to take you to Paris. I think Kristen's exact works were 'Take her to Paris, Dummy'" eliciting laughs from the room.

Amanda pulled out the entire itinerary.

"Oh look, there's a picture of the hotel. Oh, Lee, it's beautiful." She was smiling so brightly as she showed Dotty. "I'm so excited." Lee felt tears stinging his eyes seeing his soon-to-be bride so completely happy.

As the family enjoyed their time together, another car slowly passed the house. It continued up the road so as not to attract attention. The car then turned around and came back. He pulled over across the street and the driver opened a map. He stayed out front watching the house. Lee and Phillip then walked out to throw out some trash. Clearly the driver panicked at seeing Lee and left. Lee noticed the car. Shit! They were back. He sent Phillip back in to the house and memorized the license plate.

The car stopped at a gas station about a mile up the road. The man, mid thirties with light blonde hair, piercing eyes and a sneer, got out of the car and picked up the pay phone "Brody, I think you're right. Stetson's become a family man. He's with some woman who has a couple kids."