Chapter 25

The Future is Upon Us

The days until the wedding were counting down. Amanda decided she needed to get out for a bit. She was getting up as Kristen and Francine were bringing some files back up to the Q Bureau.

"Hi," Kristen said as she walked in.

"Hello, Amanda,"Francine trilled.

"Hello Francine, Kristen." she smiled. "I guess I should thank the two of you for helping Lee pick out the honeymoon destination." Kristen looked excited.

"Glad we helped," she smiled. "Were you surprised?"

"Well," Amanda said. "I've always wanted to go to Paris. Normally, I would simply be excited, but because I'm pregnant and hormonal I turned into a weepy mess. But I''m overjoyed."

"Yay," Kristen said. "I'm so glad we made the right recommendation."

"Now if I can just find a dress." Amanda said.

"You haven't found a dress yet?!" Francine was dismayed. "You should have ordered one months ago."

"Well, I don't want a full wedding dress. I've already been married once. We wanted something a little less formal, but I hate everything I see. Nothing is right. I was going to go out for a walk to clear my head."

"Well," Kristen said. "I'm starving. You want to get some lunch?"

"Sure," Amanda said. "Some company would be good."

"You in?" Kristen said to Francine.

"Well," Francine said, "I could stand to get out."

Amanda, Kristen and Francine walked up the street. They talked about their respective holidays. Amanda said the boys were breaking Lee in on holiday traditions. Kristen told her about Christmas with her family and how good it was to see everyone. Francine seemed appalled by the normality and talked about the parties she attended.

As they walked by a vintage dress shop, Kristen stopped and her mouth dropped.

"Oh my God, Amanda," she said walking to the window. There, on a mannequin was a beautiful ivory early 1960's knee length dress with a matching hat with a birdcage veil. "It's gorgeous."

"Wow," Francine said to Kristen. "I'm impressed. You have good taste"

Amanda looked at the dress. It was as if fate stepped in and told her to take a walk.

"Come on," Kristen said, walking into the shop.. The shopkeeper took the dress out of the window and set up Amanda with a dressing room in the back. When she came out, the dress was a little big, but they offered alterations. However, the dress left enough room for growth around her midsection. It had a boatneck collar with sparkled embellishment, sleeves, little more than a strap, just off the shoulders with a full skirt. The hat is was Jackie Kennedy inspired, classic and timeless.

"Amanda," Francine said. "That dress. Absolutely breathtaking.."

"You look like Aubrey Hepburn in that dress." Kristen smiled dreamily.

"This is what I was looking for." Amanda said. "I can't believe I just found it."

- SMK -

When Amanda got home she told her mother about the dress. She promised to take to see it, but she bought it as it was exactly what she wanted. In the meantime, Lee and the boys had been working to get the final fixes on the house. He was even able to get Leatherneck to come over and help and all he charged was a few beers. The house was ready to sell and the "For Sale" sign was up. There had been a few inquiries and a couple showings but no bites yet.

The other challenge had been trying to find something they could afford that was big enough and in the same area so the boys would not have to change schools.

One day that week Amanda received a call from the realtor. Something popped up, but she said Amanda, Lee and the family needed to be "open-minded" as it might be a tricky sale. They agreed it was worth a look.

That evening, Amanda and Lee pulled up to the house. It was an a large old Italianate style house, likely built in the 1940's if not earlier, however there had clearly been some recent renovations. It had a wrap around porch with a swing and lots of windows.

"I don't think we can afford this," Amanda said thinking about the size of the house. It had two stories, but the attic had been renovated to make a small room the third floor. Walking in, it was large but maintained a cozy feel to it with hardwood floors, a huge kitchen an architectural detailing reminiscent of the post war era. There were some of the prior owner's belongings in the house. Mainly some old furniture and a few lamps.

"You may be able to get it," the realtor said. "It's a short sale. The prior owner passed away and there were no heirs, so the home has gone into foreclosure. My broker specializes in short sales and may be able to help us get it."

"How does that work?" Lee said.

"Well, the bank is simply looking to get its money back. We can get an idea of what is left on the loan. Once we know that you make an offer and wait. There's no negotiating. It's a yes or a no."

They walked upstairs to find plenty of rooms. As Amanda looked around she couldn't help but notice that it looked so similar to the house she'd grown up in with her father. Her childhood home was a bit smaller, but this house had the same warmness to it. She walked into a room that faced the front of the house. Against the wall, was a crib. Lee walked in behind her and saw Amanda with a smile on her face as she looked at the crib.

"I think it's a sign," said Lee.

"Yeah, Amanda said with her hand instinctively touching her belly. "Let's see what Mother and the boys think." She said.

"I agree," said Lee. He had an inheritance from his parents that he kept aside. He'd always thought in his young, rouge days that he would use it to buy some chalet in Europe where he could retire one day. Now he could use it for his family. They walked toward the rooms facing the backyard. In the yard was a tree just like the one Lee used to climb as a kid. The memories came rushing back. The voices of their lost parents were telling them this is the one.

A short time later, Lee and Amanda took Dotty and boys to see the house. It was actually right up the street from the high school which would make it convenient when Phillip started there next year.

"I like it a lot," said Jamie. "It won't be so cramped."

"Yeah," Lee said. "Take a look at the backyard." The three walked outside. "We can play baseball out here."

"That would be cool." said Phillip. "You guys picked well."

"Well, I'm so glad you approve." Lee joked. Dotty walked outside.

"Oh look," she beamed, "there's room for my garden. This house is lovely. Amanda, it reminds me of our old house."

"That's what I love most about it," Amanda said, she turned to Lee, "I think we found the one."

- SMK -

The next day Lee and Amanda met with the Agency Credit Union and it looked like everything was in place except the sale of her house. The only problem with the short sale was that there could be no contingencies. Amanda was worried when they were looking at the numbers if the Maplewood house did not sell soon. Lee turned to her and smiled.

"Don't worry," he said. "My parents have got it."

"What do you mean?" Amanda was confused, What was he talking about? His parents?

"I have an inheritance from my parents," he said. "It will be more than enough for the down payment." It made Lee so happy to do this for his new family. He came in as an outsider, but Dotty and the boys welcomed him as their own. "I guess now we make the offer and wait."

- SMK -

Later that afternoon, Billy called Lee, Amanda and Kristen into his office. Previously, there had been murders of three teaching assistants to scientists at Caltech in Pasadena, CA. These scientists had only one thing in common, their research related in some way to laser technology. They needed someone on the inside to talk to these scientists and other students to see if this could be tied to Brody. Lee was the one with the most experience with Brody, but two problems remains: First, Brody would recognize him; and second, he was not the right age to fit in as a student..

"Ready for your first undercover?" Billy turned Kristen. A smile came across her face. "For this assignment, we'll need someone who can pose as a student to get inside at Caltech. Scarecrow, as this is her first undercover she needs someone to guide her. As you know the most about Brody, we need you there anyway. Amanda, we'll have you remain here and run the show from the Agency. Agreed? Ok, you three, start working on your prep for the assignment."

Kristen kept her game face on, but below the surface she was bursting with anticipation. The threesome headed up to the Q Bureau to the pieces in place for the assignment.