Chapter 48

Home, Sweet House Warming

Amanda's pregnancy was progressing nicely as she was getting close to her third trimester. The new house was slowly becoming a home with little fixes here and there. Because the home was a short sale, it was sold as is, but fortunately, most of the necessary repairs were relatively minor. They were finally able to nail down this weekend for a housewarming party to have all of their family and friends over to show them the new house.

Lee was a little ruffled over the fact that Amanda had invited Joe and his new girlfriend, Carrie. There had been some tension because Lee wanted to get the boys gun safety lessons and Joe was against it. Lee and Amanda discussed it that Friday night as they were getting ready for bed.

"He's being so pig-headed about this," Lee said. "He knows we need to carry weapons and we keep them locked in a safe in our closet, but I would just feel better if the boys knew how to use a gun safely. As I'm thinking about it, we should probably include Dotty as well. Especially while this whole Brody thing is going on."

"I know," Amanda said. "I get it, but he's their father so I'd like to come to some type of agreement."

"It's not like he has the greatest relationship with them anyway." Lee said. "He reminds me of my uncle. All he does is bark at them, and he resents me because I get along with them."

"Well, it would be easier if you two got along with each other. Maybe talk to him this weekend, get to know him. I'd like it if Phillip and Jamie's father and stepfather could be in the same room without sneering at each other."

"He's jealous is what it is." Lee continued his rant. "I'm now married to his ex-wife, and his kids are living with me, or us, most of the time. While he has a new girlfriend, I swear she's a carbon copy of you. She even looks like you. It's creepy."

"No wonder I like her," Amanda teased. "Listen, we need to find a way to work this out. I agree that the boys, and probably Mother too, should get some gun safety lessons. I'll talk to Joe again, okay?"

"Okay, but don't let him try to sway you with all those legal arguments he's so good at. I hate that." Amanda was sitting the edge of the bed putting lotion on an ever expanding belly. As her hands rubbed over her skin she gasped.

"Lee, come here," she looked excited. "Quick."

"What is it?" He asked.

"Here, sit next to me." Once Lee sat next to her on the bed, she took his hand and placed it on a particular spot on her belly. "Wait for it." She said. Lee sat for several seconds, feeling discouraged and then, bump. His eyes lit up. "Did you feel it?" She asked.

"Yeah, I did." Lee knelt on the floor in front of her like a kid with a new toy. "Hey, sweet little girl," he said to her belly. "Kick me again." Whoosh he felt a flick under his hand. "This is weird, but wonderful. Can she hear me?"

"Might be a little early, but keep talking to her anyway," Amanda said. Lee stayed kneeling down in front of Amanda.

"Hello, Little One," he said. "I'm your dad. I can't wait to meet you." A few seconds passed. Bump. "Ha ha." Lee looked like he was ready to do cartwheels. "She kicked my hand!" Amanda leaned forward and kissed him.

"It only gets more interesting from here." Amanda said. "Oh, I got us signed up for some birthing classes. They start in a couple weeks. We'll need to figure out how we can fit that in."

"We'll work it out," Lee said as he crawled into bed and turned out the light on his side of the bed. Amanda got in next to him and turned out her light. "Come here, you." Lee said snuggling up to her. "Wanna fool around?"

"When don't I?" Amanda purred as she hoisted her leg up over his hip to pull him in close. They made love and slept soundly through the night.

- SMK -

The next day, Amanda and Dotty were preparing food for the guests, while Lee was in the backyard, setting up the grill with Jamie and Phillip and one of his friends were putting up the volleyball net. It was a gorgeous spring day.

Over the next hour, Kristen, Ryan and Tess arrived a little early to help set up. While Kristen and Tess stayed inside with Dotty and Amanda, Ryan went into the backyard to help Lee. They had gotten to know each other on move in day and had become pretty friendly.

"Hey Ryan," Lee greeted him.

"Hi, Lee," he responded. "Anything I can help with?"

"Yeah," Lee snickered. "You may want to help Phillip. He and his friend are trying to put up the volleyball net but I think the net is winning."

"Oh dear." Ryan laughed and headed over to the net.

Dotty noticed Ryan helping the boys with the net.

"Kristen," she said, "Ryan is so sweet."

"Yeah, he is," Kristen smiled.

"Someone is smitten." Amanda teased.

"I know." Kristen answered. "What is wrong with me?"

"He's tall, gorgeous and actually a nice guy." Tess said. "Why can't I find any Jewish guys like that?"

"I know of one coming today," Kristen said with a glimmer in her eye. "Efraim Beamon is coming today, right Amanda?"

"Why, yes he is." Amanda beamed, ready to help play matchmaker.

"Oh, so that's why you wanted me to come so badly?" Tess grinned. "We'll see."

"I think that's a wonderful idea," Dotty said. "Meeting someone has become so much more challenging these days."

"Speaking of tall and good looking, is Captain Curt coming over? "

"Yes, he is." Dotty grinned to herself, as Kristen giggled.

"Well, someone else here is smitten too." Kristen said, then motioning to Amanda, "just like this one was swooning when I first met her. She and Lee were trying to keep their relationship quiet. But they looked at each other like a kitten looks at milk. Yum, yum!"

"Oh my gosh. Kristen!"

"They still do." Dotty laughed.

"Mother, not you too!" Amanda's face was turning red. Kristen, Tess and Dotty all burst out laughing. Lee walked in to the kitchen.

"What are you three laughing about?" Lee smiled.

"Kittens and milk," said Dotty as they erupted in laughter again.

"Oh my gosh!" Amanda said, trying to hold back laughter. "You three are so bad."

"It's all good, Lee," Kristen said, still laughing. "It's all good. You are doing it right. Happy wife, happy life."

"Glad to hear that," Lee said, walking up and kissing Amanda.

"Meow!" Kristen said, causing another round if hysterics.

- SMK -

Guests arrived later that day including Aunt Edna, Aunt Lillian, several of Dotty's friends, Captain Curt, Francine, Billy & Jeannie, Efraim, Leatherneck, T.P, Jackie, William, Tony, Debbie Ann, and several others as well as several of Phillip & Jamie's friends. Colonel Clayton even stopped by for a bit. Joe and Carrie arrived as well. This was the first time many of the guests had met Joe's new girlfriend. Kristen and Ryan were talking to Francine, Jackie, Billy and Jeannie when she saw them.

"Oh my God," Kristen said to Francine, "Joe's new girlfriend looks just like Amanda. Holy crap."

"Unbelievable," Francine said. "This is really awkward. Everyone is looking."

"That's her ex-husband?" Ryan said. "I thought he'd be taller."

"Is that Amanda's sister?" Tony came up and asked.

"No." Kristen answered quietly. "That is her ex-husband with his new girlfriend."

"Damn, I guess he has a type, doesn't he."

Amanda, being ever the perfect hostess, walked to Joe and Carrie.

"Hi," she said. "It's so good to see you. I'm glad you could make it." She hugged both of them.

"Hello, Amanda," Carrie said. "It's good to see you again as well." She was clearly feeling awkward as some people were staring at two of them. She recognized that she and Amanda looked very much alike. "Congratulations on the marriage, house and baby!"

"Thank you," Amanda said. "I know it's a lot, but we're happy."

"The boys said you're having a girl." Joe said.

"Yes, we are," Amanda confirmed placing both hands on her distended belly. "Come on out. Lee is outside on the grill and I think the boys are outside with their friends." As they walked out, Carrie looked around.

"Amanda, it's lovely." She said. If nothing else, Amanda appreciated that Carrie was always kind.

"Joe," Lee said, stepping away from the grill. "I'm glad you could make it. Carrie, it's good to see you again." Lee was not thrilled but trying his best to make certain to be polite for the sake of Amanda and the boys. He hoped one day he and Joe could get along, but it just always seemed awkward.

"Dad!" Phillip ran up. "Hi Carrie. Do you like the house? Come upstairs and you can see my room. Mom and Grandma made me clean it." He ran back. "Jamie! Dad's here." Jamie turned around and came up to see his dad.

"Hi, Dad. Hi, Carrie."

"How do you like your new house?" Carrie asked.

"I like it a lot." Jamie said. "It will only take Phillip like five minutes to walk to school next year."

"Yeah, I noticed the high school is at the end of the block." Joe said. "Let's go see your rooms." The boys walked upstairs with their dad and Carrie.

"Hey Amanda," William said. "Was that your sister?" Lee just smirked and went back to the grill.

It was a lovely afternoon. Everyone loved the new house and had a great time. Joe and Lee pretty much stayed away from each other.. Tess and Efraim spent a long time talking and it seemed they may actually be hitting it off. Even Lee's uncle, Colonel Clayton was impressed.

"Skip," he said. "You've done better than I ever expected. You have a pretty new wife, you bought a house and you have a baby on the way. I also noticed how much Amanda's boys look up to you."

"Thank you, Sir," Lee said. "Phillip and Jamie good kids. I never thought I wanted the role of stepdad, but I have to admit, I like it."

"Well, I'm proud of you." They shook hands.

- SMK -

As the afternoon turned to evening, guests were dwindling down, Amanda pulled Joe aside to talk to him outside on the porch.

"Listen Joe," Amanda said. "I know you're not entirely comfortable with what Lee and I do for work, and the fact that Lee has to carry a weapon."

"If you are going to ask about the gun range, I don't like it, Amanda." Joe barked back.

"Wait," Amanda said. "Hold on. He's not talking about taking the boys out shooting every weekend. Just gun safety, that is all. We just think that it's best that they know some basic safety with a few shooting lessons for an emergency situation, that's all."

"I just don't like it, Amanda." Joe said. "He has too much influence on those boys to begin with."

"Woah, woah," Amanda stopped him. "This isn't about the gun safety classes at all, is it? You just don't want to consider anything Lee suggests. Let me ask you, if I had been the one to initially suggest it, would have you agreed?"

"That has nothing to do with it. I don't like the legal liability issues that go along with gun ownership.."

"Stop!" Amanda demanded. "You are not going to use legal arguments against me. You did not like the photography classes for Jamie because Lee encouraged him, even though Jamie loves it. Now, Lee wants to do something that is, in fact, a responsible thing to do, and you still don't want to do it because he suggested it."

"Amanda…"

"No!" She retorted hotly. "We're done here. Also, Carrie is a lovely woman, but don't date her because she looks like me!" She turned around and marched away back into the house.

"Fellas," Amanda said. "Go say goodbye to your father. He's leaving." Lee heard her come back into the house.

"You ok? You were just talking to Joe, right?"

"Yep. You know those gun safety classes? Sign 'em up! Mother, you're going too." She marched upstairs.

"Me?" Dotty said. "Shooting classes? That may be fun." Kristen, Tess and Francine all shot terrified looks at the thought of Dotty West with a firearm.

"Excuse me," Lee said to Kristen, Dotty, Curt, Carrie and Francine who had been helping to clean up as he ran up the stairs. Carrie stood awkwardly not knowing what to do.

"I'm so sorry," she said.

Joe walked in and came up to Carrie.

"I'm sorry, we should go." He turned to Dotty. "I'm sorry," as they left the house. Kristen looked at Dotty.

"Is it just me, or is there always drama when Mr. King is visiting?"

"Ever since Amanda took up with a 6'3" handsome, charming man, there is."

- SMK -

Lee walked into the bedroom to find Amanda pacing.

"You ok?" he asked.

"You were right," she said. "Absolutely right. He's jealous of you, so anything you suggest he won't agree to. I guarantee you, if I had said I suggested the gun safety lessons he would have completely agreed."

"It's ok," Lee said, trying to calm her, but realized letting her rant and get it out of her system was probably best. He sat on the bed and leaned back against the headboard to let her continue.

"You know, if he wanted to keep me as his wife, why did he run off to Africa? We were happy. Well, we were for the first couple years at least. I clearly didn't mean enough to him when he left, so why does he want me back now? Of course, if he had stayed, who knows if we would have been happy anyway. Also, if he had stayed, I never would have started dating Dean and taken him to the train station where I met you and developed this better, albeit complicated in the beginning, relationship, which includes the best sex I've ever had, thank you."

"You're welcome." A look of pride crawled across his face.

"But why does he still have to be obsessed with a woman he left for a career. So much so he's now dating a lovely woman who looks like me. Did you know four people asked today if she was my sister?" Lee just grinned as she wrapped up.

"God, I love you!" He burst out in laughter. Amanda broke down laughing with him.

"That man!" Amanda shook her head and threw up her arms. "We better get back downstairs."

- SMK -

It did not take Nathaniel Brody long to determine that Stetson and his new family had moved to a larger home. While the Stetsons kept their cars in the garage, it took only a couple days to follow the Jeep from the middle school to their new home. The photos from Paris seemed to indicate his new wife was pregnant. By now, they should be able to tell for certain. Today, the Stetsons had a gathering at their new home. How adorable. Happy people were so annoying. However, this presented the perfect opportunity to have a couple associates drive by. On their last sweep, the wife, formerly Amanda King, now Amanda Stetson, was talking with a man on the porch. Yep, they reported back she was clearly pregnant. What luck! There was nothing more satisfying than to add heartbreak and tragedy to any execution. Take out the mark and leave behind a grieving widow to raise a child on her own. God, he loved revenge.

Brody knew they were hunting him. He was not certain what the trap would be, but he'd keep his associates engaged. Besides, this not knowing made the game much more fun. He was in no hurry. Let them enjoy anticipating their new child. A child Lee Stetson would never meet.