Chapter 36

Bon Jour, Monsieur et Madame Stetson

Lee and Amanda slept until a little after 9:00 am. Lee woke first, gently caressing Amanda's faee. She sighed and opened her eyes.

"Good morning, wife." Lee smiled at her.

"Well, a good morning it is, husband." Amanda snuggled into him. They looked at the time after Lee was able to the clock the night before. It had landed next to the upside-down lamp behind the nightstand. They tried to straighten up the room a bit before they had to check out.

"While the snack was delicious, I'm really hungry." Amanda told Lee. "I would love some breakfast."

"Yeah," Lee looked excited. "Let's go get some pancakes before we head home."

- SMK -

A couple hours later Lee and Amanda returned home. When they arrived, Joe was there to pick up Phillip and Jamie. The boys asked to stay until Lee and Amanda came home so they could see them before they left for Europe. As expected, the boys greeted them warmly. Joe came up to them, hugged Amanda and shook Lee's hand.

"Congratulations." Joe said. "They boys were looking forward to seeing you before you left on your honeymoon."

"Thanks, Joe," Amanda said warmly.

"Yes, thank you, Joe." Lee said. "I'm glad we got to see them before we left."

"We're going to miss you guys!" Amanda hugged them. "Please do your homework and listen to your dad and your grandmother, ok? Try not to fight."

"Mom," Phillip said, trying to be cool. "I'm almost 14, I'll be fine. Junior here may miss you a lot."

"Don't lie," Jamie said. "You know you're going to miss them too." He turned back to his mother. "Seriously, we'll be fine. Enjoy your trip."

"We will," Amanda said.

Dotty had been upstairs and came down to greet them.

"Oh, you're home! " She trilled with excitement. "You must tell me about the suite, was it lovely? Oh, I'm certain it was. Maybe you can go back for an anniversary."

"I don't know if they'll want us back," Amanda said dismissively as she picked up her overnight bag to bring it upstairs. Lee couldn't help but grin at the uncomfortable look on Joe's face.

"Well," Dotty said. "Some night then."

"I guess we'll be on our way," Joe said. Lee and Amanda hugged the boys once more and sent them on their way. Afterward Lee and Amanda went upstairs to do the last minute packing before they had leave for the airport.

- SMK -

Lee and Amanda boarded the plane headed straight to Paris from Dulles Airport. Much to her surprise, Lee had upgraded them so they had plenty of room for the flight and even allowed them to lie down to sleep. It was leaving in the evening and would arrive the next morning. Given the short night of sleep the night before, they hoped they'd be able to get some on the flight. Lee gave Amanda the window seat so she could look out as they landed.

A couple hours after takeoff, the sleepiness took over and they both leaned back in their seats.

"Mind if I snuggle up here?" She said coyly as she cozied up on his shoulder.

"Get on in here," he said, putting his arm around her as they got comfortable.

Amanda was slowly drifting off to sleep. As she fell asleep she was dreaming of a flutter in her belly, then another. With a sudden realization in her subconscious, Amanda woke with the start. She placed a hand on her belly and laid perfectly still. After about 20 seconds she felt the flutter again. She gasped and sat up recognizing the sensation.

"Oh my gosh," she whispered as many of the other passengers were also trying to sleep. She felt another flutter, followed by another. They were light but noticeable. Amanda's reaction awakened Lee.

"Are you okay?" He asked, a little concerned. Amanda smiled at him.

"The baby kicked," she said. "I just felt it kick."

"Really?" Lee smiled, placing his hand on her belly. "Is it doing it now?"

"It's the most wonderful sensation. It's really light, but I immediately recognized it." Amanda laid back down next to her new husband. "Usually walking rocks the baby to sleep but because I'm still this little one is apparently awake." Another movement. "It's moving now. Oh Lee, I can't wait until the baby is big enough for you to feel it. It's so amazing."

"Two reasons to celebrate on this trip," Lee smiled and kissed her. "Hey there, little one." He said in the direction of her belly as he rubbed it lightly..

They snuggled up again as Amanda placed a hand protectively around her tummy. Lee pulled her in. It was undeniable now Lee thought to himself. The baby he and Amanda had created the night after her rescue from Addi Birol was absolutely real.

- SMK -

A few hours later Amanda awoke. She lifted the shade slightly as the early morning dawn was peaking then closed the shade again. Lee stirred a bit.

"Hey beautiful." He smiled at her.

"I'm sorry," Amanda said. "Did I wake you?"

"You can wake me anytime," he said sensuously.

"Easy, Tiger." Amanda giggled. "The Mile High Club is not an organization I'm ready to join."

"Aw nuts." He teased. "I suppose I can wait." They kissed and snuggled up to each other again.

"How long until we land?" She asked.

"Looks like a little under two hours or so," he said. "Getting excited?"

"Yes!" Amanda told them as they held each other. "I know it's silly, but when I was a little girl I used to dream of getting married one day and we would take our honeymoon in Paris. We'd visit the Eiffel Tower, eat in cafes, walk along the Seine. You know, the usual things. When Joe and I got married we were right out of college and broke, so we went Bar Harbor, Maine. It was nice, but definitely not Paris." As Lee and Joe did not always see eye to eye, Lee felt a little pride that he'd given Amanda the better honeymoon.

"Well, I guess I win then." Lee said smugly.

"It's not a contest," Amanda chided. "But yeah, you do. Plus you're taking me on a better honeymoon." Lee proudly chuckled to himself.

- SMK -

After landing, securing their luggage and going through customs, they were taking the taxi to their hotel. It took some time to get from the airport. As the taxi made its way through the city, Lee looked over at his wife who was smiling to herself as she watched the sites go by. Lee had chosen a hotel right in between the sixth and seventh arrondissements so it was central to the city yet still had a mix of hotels and residential buildings. There were lots of cafes and they were walking distance to the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens, and a short metro ride to the Eiffel Tower and other attractions.

As they were checking in, Lee addressed the front desk clerk.

"Bon Jour," he said. "Nous nous enregistrons. La reservation est au nome de Stetson." Amanda was melting as the watched her husband speaking French fluently. After he obtained the room key the two entered the elevator. As the doors closed, Amanda told him quietly.

"You are speaking French to me tonight in bed." Lee simply grinned as he took her hand,

After changing clothes and cleaning up a bit, they made their way out to start their adventure. They sat outside at a cafe and enjoyed some lunch, then walked. Amanda was in awe of the amazing architecture. When they reached the Seine they casually strolled together. It was even more picturesque than Amanda had imagined. Lee purposely only scheduled an evening cruise to allow them time just to walk and explore. It was a chilly day so not many people were out picnicking and it was low tourist season so it almost seemed they had the city to themselves. They strolled several blocks until Amanda finally saw the Eiffel Tower in the distance. They stood on the bridge and watched the boats float by and took in the sights, sounds and smells.

"This is what complete blissfulness is." Amanda said.

As they walked back they went to the Musee d'Orsay, a museum which had opened just a few weeks earlier. They strolled hand in hand and enjoyed the exhibits. As they finished, Amanda wanted to visit a cart to get a crepe.

"The baby's hungry," she told Lee as he laughed watching how his wife was throughly enjoying the sweet confection. "Wow, now this is….mmm," she took another bite. "There are no words."

"You can have all you want." Lee said, placing a sweet kiss on her forehead.

"Oh yeah," she smiled. "We'll be back here again."

That evening they boarded a cruise up the Seine. They passed under bridges and looked at the tree-lined streets and beautiful buildings. As they floated up the river, they passed the Eiffel Tower. It had been newly adorned with lights. As the clock struck the top of the hour, suddenly the tower sparkled. Lee stood behind her with his arms around her as they watched the spectacular display taking place before their eyes.

"I can't believe we're here," Amanda said, marveling at the iconic structure lighting up the night sky. Lee pulled her in close.

"Believe it." He said, and whispered, "Je t'aime" in her ear, and giving her goosebumps. As the cruise ended, Amanda squeezed him close and whispered in his ear.

"Take me back to the hotel. Make love to me."

"With pleasure." He responded.