Chapter Three

What if Lee forgot a very special day? Everyone important in Amanda's world seems to have forgotten what day it is or have they?

"Amanda, what are you doing?" Lee asked walking into the kitchen after coming down from upstairs.

"You tell me! You're a spy!" Amanda was so angry she was fit to be tied. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

"It looks like you're making brownies!"

"They're for Francine."

"I thought she didn't need those until Monday?" Lee asked sticking his hand in the batter where Amanda had just poured the ingredients and was beginning to stir the contents in the bowl.

Amanda swiped at his hand as she said, "Well, I figured I might as well go ahead and get started with them," she paused her statement, "since nothing else is going on—" Lee cocked an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

There was an awkward silence as Amanda continued to stir the batter.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Lee questioned after a bit more silence glancing up at the wall clock then back at Amanda.

"No, I got it!" Amanda answered continuing to stir the batter vigorously.

He was finding it difficult not to laugh. Amanda had been snippy with him most of the day, and although he hadn't said anything, he was pretty sure he knew why.

He'd awakened that morning with a bright smile on his face; even waking before the alarm went off. He'd gotten up, showered and was dressed and was downstairs by the time Amanda came down.

"Good morning, sweetheart!" Lee said greeting her with a cup of coffee, placing it in one of her hands.

"Good morning, Lee! You're up awfully early, how long have you been up?" Amanda gave him a questionable look, greeting him with a cheerful smile of her own. She stood there looking around; almost expectantly; as though she was waiting for something.

"Oh, for a bit; I got up before the alarm went off. Is something the matter?"

"Oh, uh, did you forget something?"

"What?" He shrugged his shoulders then said, "Oh, I'm sorry," and walked over and kissed her on the lips. "I'm in a hurry; I have to follow up with that contact I was working with last week when you were away at training."

"What contact? What follow-up, Lee?"

"Oh, don't you remember, I told you all about the meeting?"

"No, you didn't tell me—"

"Hi, Dears," Dotty's cheerful voice said as she walked into the kitchen; completely dressed, purse on her shoulder, "good morning."

"Good morning," Lee answered opening the paper and glancing through it as he stood and finished off his coffee.

"Good morning, Mother!" Amanda said welcoming her with a kiss on the cheek. "Were the boys up when you came down;they seemed awfully quiet when I left my room. I just figured they were down here when I didn't hear anyone in the bathroom."

"Oh, the boys left already; they walked over to Philip's friend's house. Amanda, you know the one; the skinny one," Dotty snapped her fingers. "His name starts with a "J", John, Jeffery, Justin or something like that. Oh, I know, it's Jimmy! Their parents are going to drop them all off."

"Oh, okay. I don't remember anyone mentioning that last night."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you," Dotty said grabbing an apple off the counter.

Amanda gave her mother a quizzical look. "Is that all you're going to have? You're the one always getting on all of us about not eating enough for breakfast."

"Not that hungry, just going to take an apple with me, besides, I have my book club this morning. There's always something there to nibble on."

"On a Friday, isn't that usually on Saturday?"

"Well…they needed to change it for today this time."

"But Mother, how am I going to get to work if you take my car? Lee has somewhere to go and I won't have my car." Amanda said glaring at Lee.

"It's not a problem, Dear, Lee and I…"

"Worked out the car situation yesterday," Lee finished.

"You did? When yesterday?"

"Oh, sometime last night," Lee answered quickly.

Dotty clutched her bag even closer to her side and began walking towards the front of the house, "Oh, Dear, I've gotta go; Mrs. Wilson is picking me up. She's probably outside now."

Amanda opened her mouth to say something more, but Lee kissed her on the cheek and said, "I better be going too. Dotty, I'll walk out with you."

And with that, he and Dotty had left without giving Amanda a chance to say anything else.

It was just before lunch when Lee saw Amanda again. "Hey, stranger," Amanda said walking up to him as he entered the Q-Bureau moving closer in to kiss him. "Where have you been all morning?"

"With my contact, remember?"

"Oh, you've been with your contact, since this morning?" Amanda questioned pulling back slightly.

"Well—yes!''

She gave him a look that told him that she didn't believe him for a moment.

"And remind me who that wasagain?"

"I don't think I said; it isn't someone you know."

"Scarecrow, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you're avoiding the question and avoiding me."

"Avoiding you? Why would I be doing that?"

"Lee, did you forget, what today is?"

"Amanda, I didn't forget what day it is today."

Amanda's face was hopeful.

"Today's Friday!"

"I don't mean what day of the week it is, aren't you forgetting what an important day it is today?"

"Oh, did I forget something like your birthday or something?"

"Lee Stetson, honestly, I just don't believe you sometimes," Amanda's eyes popped open wide at his question, and before he knew it, she'd snatched up her purse and headed out of the Q-bureau without a word.

Amanda rushed out so quickly she nearly knocked down a stunned Francine. "Ooh, Scarecrow, Amanda is really angry with you. I hope what you have planned works out. Leatherneck might have a spot on his couch for you if you screw things up."

"I might need to take him up on that."

"I'd offer you a spot on my couch, but that just would be so awkward."

"Very funny!"

That was several hours ago.

Amanda now had the mix completely together and was in the process of greasing and flouring the brownie pans.

"Oh, I thought you usually do that first?" Lee said.

"Yeah, I usually do grease the pans first. How observant of you, Lee!"

"I could've helped you with that."

"Lee, you can help me by telling me what day it is today!"

"It's Friday, Amanda! I thought we already covered that this morning."

"Well, Lee Stetson, we did cover it, but what else is it besides being Friday?"

When Lee didn't respond, Amanda said, "It's our anniversary, our first anniversary at that. It seems like everyone has forgotten."

"Oh, I knew that, Amanda! Happy Anniversary!" he said finally, trying hard not to laugh.

"Lee, how dare you let me go through the entire day, thinking that you had forgotten our anniversary." Amanda glared at him and then did something completely unexpected, catching Lee totally off guard, the next thing he knew Amanda had scooped flour out of the bag and toppled it over his head. While Lee stood there shaking off the white substance, Amanda grabbed more flour and threw it at Lee.

"Amanda!" Lee thundered as the realization that flour was now falling down over his head onto the crisp, smooth hardwood floor.

"Lee, it was your own fault!" Amanda screeched as Lee moved towards her quickly grabbing the bag of powdered sugar that was sitting on the counter. "You wouldn't dare?"

"Wouldn't I?" Lee scooped up sugar from the bag and flung it at Amanda.

Amanda gasped, "Lee Stetson!" as she leaned in and snatched up the bowl of batter and backed away towards the fridge. Amanda scooped up some batter, pulled back and flicked the brownie mix towards Lee.

"Amanda!"

"Amanda! Lee!" Dotty shouted running into the kitchen having heard the loud commotion from the dining room. "What in the world!?"

Dotty glanced from the two of them laughing slightly as she took in the scene. Both of them were covered from head to toe in the white powdery substance. But Lee took the cake, or in this case, the brownie. Besides having flour in his head; he was also covered in batter mix. But what surprised her the most was the fact that instead of looking angry, the two were laughing so hard, they couldn't seem to control themselves and looked as though they were about to pass out.

Dotty shook her head at the sight of the two of them and caught herself chuckling as well. It was so good to see Amanda so happy. Having Lee in her life had undoubtedly brought a change in Amanda.

"What happened?" Philip asked stepping inside the room with Jamie behind him.

"Mom? Lee?" Jamie questioned.

"I was making brownies and Lee was helping me!" Amanda answered, grabbing paper towels from the sink for herself and for Lee as well.

The boys burst out laughing causing Dotty, Amanda, and Lee to start laughing all over again as well.

The sound of knocking at the front door resounded through the laughter in the kitchen.

"I guess they're knocking on the door since we're so loud back here with our laughter," Dotty said.

Everyone looked around; Lee and Dotty exchanged looks.

"Mother? Lee, what's going on? Who could that be? Are you two expecting someone?"

Lee only shrugged his shoulders.

"Considering the look of the two of you, I guess I better go and get the door." Dotty said giving Lee a quick nod as she walked towards the front door.

Amanda and Lee looked at one another and started laughing all over again as they continued to swipe at the substance covering them.

A few minutes later, Dotty returned carrying a bouquet. "Amanda, these are for you!" Dotty said handing the bouquet to Amanda.

Amanda quickly opened the card and read it, "Happy Anniversary, Amanda! I love you! Love always, Lee!"

"Oh thanks, Lee!" Amanda said with a bright smile on her face as she walked over and kissed Lee on the cheek.

"Happy Anniversary, Amanda and Lee!" Dotty said.

"Yes, Happy Anniversary!" The boys chimed in together.

"Lee wanted to surprise you-" Dotty's words were barely out when the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" Dotty said.

"Oh, Lee! You didn't forget."

"Amanda, of course, I didn't forget! Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!" Lee said pulling Amanda into his arms and kissing Amanda softly on the lips.

"Lee!" Dotty called from the other room. "It's for you!"

"Damn it!" Lee groaned moving away from Amanda and heading towards the front door with Amanda right behind him.

As Amanda passed through the dining room; she noticed the dining room table. "Lee, how in the world did you do this?" Amanda questioned looking around at the dining room; where the table was adorned beautifully with a flowered tablecloth; a place setting for two people, cloth napkins and Dotty's silverware. The good stuff she got from her mother when she got married.

"Well, while you two were having your fun in the kitchen, I was busy fixing the table," Dotty commented.

Amanda gasped with further surprise when she arrived at the front door to see two men walking in carrying a flute and a violin. "Please, come in! You may set up in here," Lee said gesturing towards the living room.

Lee was just about to introduce them to Amanda and Dotty when the doorbell rang once again.

Opening the door, a man and a woman dressed in wait staff attire walked in carrying two shopping bags. A wafting aroma of fresh ingredients came seeping through the bag as they stepped inside.

"Mr. Stetson!" The male waiter said as he greeted Lee warmly. "I'm Steve, and this is Margaret! We will be your servers tonight!

Lee greeted them both, then introduced Amanda and Dotty and the boys. "Please forgive us for our—"

"Appearance," Amanda finished.

"No problem, nice to meet you all!" Steve said.

"Just tell us where—"

"Lee, Amanda, you two go get changed. I'll tell them where to go."

"Thank you, Dotty!" Lee said as he grabbed hold of Amanda's hand and headed up the stairs.

Lee and Amanda showered quickly. Amanda was full of questions for Lee, but she was so excited and surprised by what she'd seen so far, she didn't say much; just showered and changed clothes so Lee could do the same. She knew if they showered together, they were courting temptation and they certainly didn't have time for that—but there would be much more time for that later.

Now clean and fully dressed; Lee and Amanda arrived back downstairs. Another look of surprise came over Amanda's face as her mother, Philip, and Jamie were standing in the dining room, each of them with a present in their hands. The table was set with bread and covered dishes of food that smelled like Italian. Two candles sat on the table and were being lit by Steve while Margaret brought out more food. The lights were dimmed.

"Surprise, Amanda!" Dotty said walking over and handing Amanda the package that was in her hand. "Happy Anniversary again, my darlings!'

"Yes, Mom, Lee, Happy Anniversary again!" Philip and Jamie said in unison moving in towards Lee and Amanda, handing them gifts, kissing their mother on the cheek and shaking Lee's hand.

"Thank you!" Amanda said placing the packages on the small table that was in the corner of the dining room.

"Thank you! And thanks for your help!" Lee said looking at his family.

"You are welcome! Boys come along; go get your stuff from upstairs," Dotty said gesturing towards the boys. "Amanda, you and Lee can open your gifts later. "

The boys smiled as they rushed upstairs to grab their things.

"Where are the boys going?" Amanda questioned.

"I'm dropping Philip and Jamie at their father's!" Dotty said noticing Amanda's look of confusion. "It's arranged already; the boys will stay there until Sunday afternoon."

"But, Mother, where are you going to be?"

"Oh, don't worry about me—I have plans for the next two days; I've left the information by the phone so that you won't worry."

Amanda opened her mouth, thought better about what she was going to say, then said instead, "Mother, have a great time. Be safe. I love you!"

"I will! I love you too, Amanda!" Dotty said then said with a wink as she left the room, "And you two have fun!"

"Boys, take care," Amanda said to Jamie and Philip who had just returned to the room. "Please behave for your father!" She said giving them kisses on the cheek.

"We will," was said in unison by Philip and Jamie.

"Bye boys!" Lee said.

Lee took Amanda's hand and led her to one of the chairs. "Alone at last," Lee said holding the chair open for her. "Well, sort of."

Lee then sat down himself and looking across the table, took Amanda's hands in his and looked deeply into her brown eyes, "Amanda, I have a gift for you too! I left it upstairs."

"My gift for you is upstairs as well."

"Lee Stetson, how dare you let me think you'd forgotten about our anniversary?

Amanda questioned angrily while a tear threatened to appear in Amanda's right eye. "I wanted to do something special and I wanted to do it close to the time we actually got married," Lee said, looking up at the clock on the wall.

Amanda glanced at the clock and noticing the time, a smile spread wide across her face.

"How could I forget the second best day of my life? I wanted to wait and tell you close to the actual time that we got married." Lee said then went on when he saw the questioning look on Amanda's face. "The first best day was the day I met you! Happy Anniversary, Amanda! I love you!" Lee brought one of Amanda's hands to his lips and kissed it.

"Oh, Lee! Happy first anniversary to you too! I love you too!"

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