In Limbo

Chapter 62

It was a few days later when the boys arrived home from the visit with their grandparents.

Jack had dropped them off, saying to Dotty, as she hugged them, "They had a good time, and we did as well..."

Dotty stated to Phillip and Jamie, "Please take your things up and bring down your dirty laundry, alright?"

Before heading inside the house, they hugged Jack King, chiming, "Thanks Grandpa! We love you! Have a good trip!"

Jack King swallowed as he hugged his grandsons, answering, "Your grandmother and I love you as well! See you later, Boys!"

The boys headed inside with their bags, and Dotty asked, " I hope they weren't too much trouble, Jack. I mean, they do have their moments."

Jack shrugged as he replied lightly, looking at his watch, "Aw, nothing we couldn't handle...Well, I'd better get home. We have an early flight tomorrow morning..."

Hugging Jack, Dotty responded, "Well, enjoy your cruise, and my love to Teri, hmm?"

Returning the hug, and getting into his car, he stated, "Thanks, Dear. I will...So long."

Dotty waved as he pulled out, and going back into the house, she heard the rumblings of an argument already starting with her grandsons, and calling them, she remarked, "Boys! Stop it this minute, and finish unpacking and then you can help me with dinner!"

She then heard quiet, and mumbled, "Is that all it takes? Mentioning food?"

Then going towards the back door, she headed outside to check the plants for watering...

-SMK-

Meanwhile, Amanda had just come through the front door, when Phillip had bounded down the stairs, nearly running into his mother!

Amanda, exasperated, remarked firmly, "Well, welcome home, Young Man! Where's your brother?"

Jamie, not seeing his mother, then tossed down the dirty laundry at Phillip's feet, answering, "Hey, Dweeb! You forgot something!"

Then Amanda sternly replied, "James West! You get yourself down here this minute, pick up what I assume is dirty laundry, and then both of you go sort it! Move it!"

Jamie then came down and sheepishly answered, "Sorry, Mom..."

As the two went to the laundry room shaking their heads, Amanda sighed, and noticing Dotty coming in from the back yard, greeted her, and asked, " They're already fighting, huh? "

Dotty answered, "Yes, but I don't see why! Your Aunt Lillian and I would have words, but nothing like that!"

Amanda chuckled sardonically, commenting, "No, you save the real arguing for Thanksgiving and Christmas."

Dotty waved it away, remarking, " Oh, Amanda Jean!"

The phone rang, and Amanda went to answer it, stating, "It's true, Mother. You do...Hello?"

It was Lee. "Hi."

Amanda softly replied, "Hi...How are you?"

Lee sighed, and remarked, "Better than I was...Sorry about the maniac behavior you witnessed the other day-"

Amanda quickly stated, "Sweetheart! You were grieving! It's perfectly understandable...So, you're feeling better now?"

Lee replied slowly, "A bit...So, you think you might want to have dinner tonight?"

Amanda commented, "Well, the boys just got home from their grandparents...Would it be alright if you had dinner with all of us, or is that too soon?"

Lee swallowed, and after a moment, said, "Sure...It'll take my mind off of recent events...By the way, the Colonel said to say thank you for calling him...Guess he and I needed that time together to really talk and not argue for a change...So, can I bring anything?"

Amanda remarked gently, "Just your handsome self, Big Fella..."

Lee chuckled, stating, "See you soon.", and they hung up.

-SMK-

Lee arrived close to six thirty when they were ready to sit down, and letting him in, Amanda asked, "Everything alright?"

Lee presented the grocery bag with the wine and flowers as he entered, answering, "Sorry for the delay...Thought you might like this."

Amanda smiled, and kissing him gently, shut the door, remarking, "Thank you, Sweetheart...We're ready to eat and I hope you're hungry...It's Lamb stew."

Lee sighed and commented warmly, "Sounds perfect..."

As everyone sat down at the dining room table, Lee asked the boys, "So, Fellas, your mom said you'd been at your grandparents' place for a few days. How was it?"

And as the boys regaled Lee with the details, Amanda began to relax, knowing that Lee was on his way back to feeling better...

Later on that evening, Lee took her for a drive to Rock Creek Park, and as Lee pulled into a space and parked, he got out and came around to help Amanda out of her side, and taking her hand, answered, "Let's take a walk, huh?"

And as they headed for their favorite spot at the foot bridge, they stopped to gaze at the scenery, and Amanda queried softly, "Lee? Is everything alright?"

Lee nodded as they held hands, and he responded, "Yeah...I-I wanted to bring you here so that we could be alone."

Amanda commented, "Ah, so something is on your mind...What is it?"

Lee, clearing his throat, remarked, "Well, I've spent most of my life constantly moving, and not really going anywhere special, and always looking for something, but not really finding it...Until now, that is."

Amanda, confused, asked, "Lee? What exactly are you trying to say?"

Lee swallowed as he looked into her eyes carefully, answering, "Amanda, I'm tired of looking behind at my past, and not looking at what's been right in front of me for the last few years...I want to move forward, and I want to do it with you...So, will you marry me?"

Amanda was stunned and queried, "Wait... Is this because of all that you've been through lately? I mean, I love you, but-"

Lee tenderly cupped her face and shaking his head, stated, "And I love you as well...Look, the Colonel already approves of you, and yes, if my parents were still alive, they would also definitely approve of you... And, as an added bonus, your mother and kids are even starting to like me, so what do you say?"

Amanda, feeling tears of happiness come to her eyes, swallowed hard, and replied softly, "Well, I say, "Let's talk to the added bonus team, huh?"

Kissing her soundly, he took her hand as they made their way back to the car, and as Lee pulled out of the parking area, Amanda got on the car phone, and dialing her number, replied to Lee, "Last chance to turn tail and run..."

Lee, smiling, answered, "Amanda King, I have never walked away from a challenge, and I'm sure not about to start now! Bring it on, M'lady..."

So, as they drove on, Amanda talked to her mother, saying she and Lee needed to talk to the three of them, and that it was important.

Amanda then held out the phone as she and Lee heard excited squeals come from Dotty, and Amanda commented loudly over the squealing, "I think Mother knows what this is about already!"

Lee laughed responding, "Gee, you think?"

TBC