Dotty's Dilemma: by Robin - Written: July 2002-October 2002

Dotty's Dilemma - Optional Endings:

by Robin - Written: July 2002-October 2002

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters copyrighted by Warner Brothers and Shoot the Moon Production Company. It is meant for enjoyment purposes only, I retain the right to the plot and not the characters. Do not distribute or copy this story in part or full without the express written consent of the author.

If you wish to only read the ending you choose, please click on the appropriate link and ignore the other options.

So what does Dotty do?

Opens the package, finds out they're married and confronts Amanda? 42%Votes

Opens the package, finds out they're married and confronts Lee? 26%

Open the package, find out the truth about their marriage, but says nothing? 23 %

Destroy the package without ever reading the information inside? 1%

Reader's Ending: Give the package, unopened to Amanda and Lee… 8%

Surprise Ending

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**** *** *** *** ***

Opens the package, finds out they're married and confronts Amanda?

Once she heard Lee's car drive down the street Dotty reached under the sofa cushion and slowly extracted the envelope from its hiding place. She stared at it once again and wondered aloud. "Maybe this isn't any of my business. Maybe I shouldn't open it???"

"No, I want answers," Dotty finally admitted stubbornly as she carefully opened the flap to the envelope. She removed the contents of the parcel and thumbed through the few pages that were inside.

Her eyes suddenly focused on a copy of what appeared to be a marriage certificate. Her mouth fell open. "Oh, my gosh!" she gasped as her heart began to race. "I don't believe it! They eloped four months ago…"

!!! !!! !!!

Although it was rather late the next evening, with the windows to the house open Dotty heard Lee's car pull up. She glanced out the window covertly and watched as Amanda got out of the car and Lee opened the trunk removing her small over night case. She watched as the two newlyweds kissed affectionately before Amanda turned to head towards the house - alone.

It had been a little over twenty four hours since Dotty learned the real truth about her daughter's relationship with Lee Stetson. It was hard to believe --let alone understand -- why her daughter was hiding the fact that she was Mrs. Lee Stetson. Dotty had made it perfectly clear over the last few months how she felt about that handsome man and both of the boys got along with him quite well. Dotty had waited anxiously for her daughter to return. She was going to get to the bottom of this tonight - she had waited long enough for the truth.

She quickly scurried into the family room, grabbed a book from the shelf and sat down on the sofa. It was only a few seconds later when Dotty heard Amanda's key in the lock. She pretended to be totally absorbed in her book.

"Mother?!" Amanda called out with surprise as she noticed her in the family room. "What are you doing up so late?"

"I've been reading and hadn't realized how late it had gotten," Dotty lied as she put the book down beside her and stretched.

Amanda left her suitcase near the stairs and walked over to the couch, bending down and kissing her mother's cheek. She picked up the book that her mother had just been reading. "The dictionary?" Amanda remarked doubtfully. "You didn't have to wait up for me."

Dotty blushed at her predicament, then recalled a similar scene less than a year ago. "I really wanted to talk to you, dear," Dotty confessed.

Amanda glimpsed at her watch. "Mother, it's rather late, and I'm really exhausted. I know I haven't been around much lately, but how about you and I go out tomorrow for brunch and have a nice chat then?"

"As much as I'd like that, Amanda, no!" Dotty scolded harshly. "I've waited long enough to have this conversation with you. I'm not waiting until the morning."

Amanda gave her mother a puzzled look, but didn't argue. She sat down beside Dotty and turned towards her. "All right, Mother, what did you want to talk about?"

Dotty reached over to the coffee table and picked up the copy of her daughter's marriage license. "I was hoping we could talk about this…."

Amanda took the piece of paper from her mother and stared at it. The color drained from her face and she glanced up at Dotty, speechless. She opened her mouth but at first nothing came out. Finally she stuttered. "Mother… wh, wh, where did you get this?"

"Never mind where I got this, Amanda! I want to know why you're keeping it a secret?" Dotty berated angrily.

Amanda held the copy of her marriage license tightly in her hands, desperately trying to think of an explanation. "I, um, I think I need a drink of water," she hedged as she thought in vain for an excuse. "Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'm fine," Dotty replied in an icy voice as she watched her daughter with steel eyes.

Amanda went into the kitchen, poured herself a glass of water and returned to the family room. "Mother, I'm sorry. I should have told you…"

"Yes, you should have," Dotty chided her daughter in a hurt voice, "I think, as your mother, I had a right to know. What's the big secret, anyway? Lee gets along wonderfully with the boys and you must know how much I like him…"

"It's not that, Mother," Amanda replied, sighing heavily as she plopped down onto the sofa. "It's so hard to explain it all. I'm not sure where to begin."

"So, how long were you planning to keep this secret?" Dotty inquired, returning to the question at hand.

"Mother," Amanda replied as she stood up and began to pace the room. "Things aren't as idyllic as they seem. The problem is… well it's my job…"

"I knew it!" Dotty exalted loudly. "It's that wacky job of yours. You know, I'm sure Joe would help out if it's a legal problem about working in the same department as your husband."

Amanda sat back down next to her mother. "Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Joe knows about my job - what I really do."

Dotty looked puzzled and asked with trepidation. "What do you mean, what you really do?"

"Mother, there's a lot about my job you don't understand," Amanda began, nervously wringing her hands together. "The reason we didn't mention anything to anyone about being married was for your protection."

"Amanda, stop talking in riddles. I tell you, those crazy people at that film company you work for aren't worth keeping your marriage a secret!" Dotty lectured sternly. "You have every right to a normal family life and so do your boys."

"Mother, what I'm about to tell you has to remain a secret. You can't tell the neighbors, the ladies at church or even Captain Curt. It's for yours' and the boys' safety as well as my own."

"Amanda," Dotty snapped crossly. "What are you talking about?"

"IFF isn't really a film company. It's a cover for a government security agency. Lee and I are really intelligence operatives."

"You're telling me you’re a spy, Amanda? You told me that story once before. I didn't believe you then. What makes you think I'd believe you now?" Dotty laughed for a few seconds and then realized that her daughter wasn't laughing.

"Yes, Mother, that's exactly what I am. What we both are…" Amanda repeated in a solemn voice.

"You're serious?" Dotty gulped; her eyes wide open in disbelief.

"That's why we didn't tell anyone about our marriage. It's a safety issue. We wanted to tell you we were married, we really did..."

"So how long have you… all these weird excuses, the bats…" Dotty babbled incredulously.

"I've been working for the Agency for over four years now. It started quite by accident…" Amanda began to explain to her mother. "Over the years I've gone from a part time civilian to a full time agent. As time went by, Lee and I became more than just occasional co-workers. I've known him a lot longer than I've let on."

"Oh, my gosh! I think I need that drink now," Dotty mumbled in disbelief, never thinking that finding out that her daughter was married would lead to such revelations.

Amanda patted her mother's shoulder in support and headed for the kitchen. "I'll get it for you."

"Amanda," Dotty called out. "I think I'll need something a little stronger than a glass of water."

Amanda smiled and nodded. "I think I'll join you…"

THE END

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*** *** *** *** ***

Opens the package, finds out they're married and confronts Lee?

Her eyes focused on a copy of what appeared to be a marriage certificate. Her mouth fell open. "Oh, my gosh!" she gasped as her heart began to race. "I don't believe it! They eloped four months ago…"

!!! !!! !!!

"Hello," Dotty answered the phone the next evening.

"Hello, Mother, it's me," Amanda replied. "I thought I'd call and let you know we're on our way home. I should be there in about an hour."

"Thanks for calling, sweetheart," Dotty replied. "I'm on my way out for a while and I'm not sure when I'll get in."

"All right, Mother. I'll see you in the morning for sure," Amanda answered before hanging up.

As soon as Dotty hung up the phone her heart started to race. She paced the room anxiously, finally deciding to stick with the plan she devised last night. She was going to stake out Lee Stetson's apartment. She would confront him with the marriage license. Since Amanda had been involved with Lee there had been quite a few odd happenings. She remembered clearly the security mix up back last September when the government accused him of being a traitor... then it was the mysterious shooting in California. She wanted some answers and she wanted to hear the truth from Lee Stetson's mouth.

She waited in the car across the street from his apartment. It was after nine when he pulled up in his silver corvette. Dotty waited a few minutes before she followed. As she got off the elevator she began to have second thoughts.

"What am I doing here?" she asked herself nervously as she stared at his apartment number. She turned and started to walk back to the elevator, pushing the button to go back downstairs. "NO!" she ultimately decided. "He lied to me back in California when he had every chance to tell me they eloped. I want to know the truth and I want it now!"

She found herself in front of his apartment door once again, but this time she rang his doorbell and waited interminably for him to answer the door.

"Dotty!?" Lee greeted tentatively as he opened the door. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood and saw your car…" she answered with a smile.

"I just dropped Amanda off at home a few minutes ago," he admitted.

"So you're alone," Dotty questioned but she already knew he was.

"Yeah," he shrugged as Dotty stood patiently in the hallway. "Where are my manners? Would you like to come in?"

"Thank you, Lee," Dotty nodded as she walked into his apartment for the first time. She looked around, trying to get a more familiar feeling for her son-in-law. His apartment was tidy; she wondered absently how much Amanda had to do with it. His furnishings seemed masculine, but didn't reveal much about the man who inhabited it.

"Make yourself comfortable. Would you care for a drink? I'd offer you something to eat, but I don't think I have anything edible," Lee joked, obviously ill at ease by the sudden visit of Dotty West.

"No, thank you," Dotty replied coldly as she sat down in the middle of his sofa, keenly aware of his uneasiness. She opened her purse and pulled out the evidence she was planning on showing her son-in-law. She patted the cushion on her side. "Why don't you sit down here next to me, dear."

Lee hesitated for only a few seconds before he complied with her request. "So what do I owe this pleasure?" Lee questioned nervously.

Dotty smiled as she handed him the copy of the marriage license. "I was hoping you could explain this to me…"

Lee stared at the piece of paper. From the look on his face, Dotty knew he recognized it right away. He glanced over at his mother-in-law, speechless. After a few seconds he regained his composure. "Mrs. West, um, Dotty, where did you get this?"

"Never mind where I got this, Mr. Stetson," Dotty replied in an icy voice. "I'm assuming it's an authentic copy and not some kind of mistake."

"I think this is something we should discuss with Amanda here," Lee answered uncomfortable as he stood up and began to pace the room.

"Why?" Dotty demanded insolently. "Would that change any of the answers?"

"Well, no," Lee wavered anxiously. He clearly didn't want to discuss this situation with his mother-in-law alone. Finally he conceded. "It isn't a mistake, Amanda and I were married back in February."

"Why did you lie to me when I asked you in California? Besides, why are you keeping this a secret?" Dotty questioned in a sharp voice. "Haven't I made myself perfectly clear that I approve of yours and Amanda's relationship?"

Lee started to chuckle, but covered his mouth, pretending instead that he was coughing. "Yes, Amanda and I are well aware that you approve of this relationship. I'm sorry I lied to you in California, but I didn't think it was my place to tell you then…"

"Lee, you've been married for four months," Dotty interrupted firmly. "When were you planning to mention this to me or your stepsons?"

Lee stopped his pacing and stared blankly at his mother-in-law for a few seconds. "Dotty, there's a lot about me you don't know…" he paused, uncertain as to how to proceed.

"Well, that's obvious," Dotty commented plainly. "I'm looking forward to finding out something about my son-in-law, and I'm not budging until I hear the truth."

Lee ran his hand nervously through his hair. "All right," Lee acquiesced as he sat down in the chair opposite Dotty. "I met Amanda over four years ago, quite by accident. She helped me out when I was in a bind at work."

"Four years ago?" Dotty gulped, totally confused. "I thought you've only known each other for a little over a year…"

"Yeah, I know," Lee admitted weakly. "You know the official version - for your own safety. The truth is, Amanda and I don't work for a film company. IFF is a cover for the Agency. We deal with national security…"

"Lee Stetson, do you really think I'm going to buy this far fetched story? You want me to believe that both you and my daughter are spies?" Dotty scoffed.

Lee nodded grimly. "Remember last September when there were agents crawling all over your house and Amanda and I disappeared?"

Dotty nodded silently. The truth was beginning to unravel and make sense out of the chaotic double life that her daughter had been leading.

"Do you really think they'd go through all that trouble to track down two people from a film company?" he asked directly.

"My daughter's a spy!" Dotty gasped, then swallowed hard. "So all these years… All those crazy excuses… the bats…"

Lee stared at his feet in embarrassment. "All lies, I'm afraid. Amanda hated to lie to you, but it was safer that you didn't know. I'm sorry for lying to you as well, but I'd do anything to protect you and the boys… You're the only family I have and I want to keep you safe."

"That I would believe, considering everything." Dotty shook her head in disbelief.

"You do understand," Lee stated with a serious tone. "That what I've shared with you tonight must remain a secret to protect everyone concerned. You can't tell anyone…"

Dotty nodded mutely. As much as she was angry and upset at her daughter and son-in-law, she began to understand their reasoning. Her tone changed and she asked a very personal question. "Lee, when do you two find time to be… you know… alone together?"

Lee blushed, then cleared his throat. "It hasn't been easy, I have to admit…"

"And now that I know?" Dotty inquired with curiosity.

Lee shrugged. "Amanda and I were discussing that issue last night. We really haven't come to a firm conclusion yet, but we can't keep living separately as we have been. It's driving us both crazy."

This time it was Dotty's turn to blush. "Can I make a suggestion? I can only imagine the issues that you and Amanda deal with on a regular basis, but I would think that it would be safer as a united front if there was a problem."

"You're probably right," he mumbled softly.

"Why don't you give your wife a call? The boys are with Joe until Sunday. I would imagine she'd prefer to spend the night with her husband than another night alone in her bed," Dotty advised wisely.

Lee stood up, closed the short distant between the chair and the sofa and sat down next to his mother-in-law. He gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You know I really am glad that this is out in the open," he replied as he gave her a hug as well.

"Quit trying to sweet-talk me, Lee Stetson, and call your wife," Dotty urged in a teasing voice.

Lee stood up and crossed the room and picked up the phone and dialed the familiar number.

"Hello," Amanda greeted cheerfully when she picked up the phone.

"Hi, sweetheart, it's me," Lee replied.

"You miss me, huh?" Amanda teased.

"Oh yeah," Lee chuckled before continuing on. "I thought you might like to know I have a very special guest here visiting me…"

"Really?" Amanda answered with intrigue. "Who?"

"Your mother!" Lee responded as he winked over at Dotty.

THE END

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*** *** *** ***

Opens the package, find out the truth about their marriage, but says nothing?

"No, I want answers," Dotty finally admitted stubbornly as she carefully opened the flap to the envelope. She removed the contents of the parcel and thumbed through the few pages that were inside.

She sunk back on the sofa with a mixture of satisfaction of knowing the truth and disbelief, but a smile began to grow on her face.

"Amanda Stetson… Mrs. Amanda Stetson, Mrs. Lee Stetson, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Stetson…" she mumbled quietly at first, then with every variation she began voicing it a little louder.

Finally she picked up the papers and carefully tucked them back into their envelope. Then she took it and walked up the stairs and into her bedroom and opened her bureau drawer. She carefully hid the envelope in the back of the bottom drawer and closed it tightly, confident that the secret would remain safe in there.

Sure she had other questions, but she felt a little guilty for prying into her daughter's relationship to begin with. Someday, hopefully soon… maybe before the summer was over the two newlyweds would feel confident enough about their relationship to announce they eloped. Dotty would pretend to be surprised… but selfishly pleased by knowing she already knew the truth…

The End

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*** *** *** ****

Destroys the package without ever reading the information inside?

Dotty was interrupted again a few seconds later when the boys arrived home from the park. She was so fixated on the envelope that she hadn't realized the time.

"You boys better get yourselves cleaned up," she instructed firmly. "Your father will be here in a few minutes to pick you up. Are you both packed?"

"Yeah, Grandma, Mom made us pack last night," Phillip advised her.

"Well scoot up those stairs and wash up! If you hurry, you can have a quick snack," she suggested, hoping to get her grandsons to hustle.

"I'll be down in five minutes," Jamie shouted eagerly as he rushed up the stairs.

"I'll be down in less than that!" Phillip boasted as he quickly followed his brother.

Dotty sighed heavily and again tucked the envelope under the seat cushion and away from prying young eyes. All she needed was for one of the boys to find out something she knew nothing about. Once it was safely tucked into its hiding place, she headed for the kitchen to get a snack for her grandsons.

Phillip bounded down the stairs a few minutes later, with Jamie quickly on his heels.

"Slow down, boys," Dotty warned them. "There's plenty of cookies for both of you!"

Philip and Jamie began munching on their treats when the doorbell rang. Both of them ignored the door and kept eating their snacks. Dotty shook her head. "Don't worry, I'll get it."

Moments' later Joe walked into the kitchen and surveyed the situation. "You better not eat too many. You'll spoil your appetite for dinner," he warned.

"What's for dinner?" Phillip asked between bites.

"How does pizza sound?" he asked.

Phillip looked at Jamie and they both nodded their consent. "Sounds good to us," Phillip answered cheerfully.

"Don't forget your bags," Dotty reminded them as they headed towards the door. She hugged each of the boys as well as Joe and shooed them out of the house.

"Peace and quiet at last," she remarked as she plopped down on the sofa one more time. She reached down under the cushion yet again to retrieve her hidden envelope. Without further delay she began to lift the flap up. Finally she was going to have her answer about the mysterious, yet charming, Lee Stetson. Just as she pulled the flap up the door burst open. Dotty turned in alarm.

"Sorry, Grandma, I didn't mean to scare you. I forgot my retainer," Jamie explained before racing up the stairs.

Dotty chuckled to herself softly and waited as her grandson quickly raced back down the stairs.

"See you next week, Grandma," Jamie yelled just before slamming the door behind him.

Dotty winced as the house felt like it was shaking. Then her eyes focused yet again on the envelope. "I can't do it!" she shrugged as she picked up the envelope and walked into the kitchen.

She opened the lid to the garbage can and began furiously ripping the contents of the envelope into tiny little pieces. All the evidence that finally remained were teeny tiny remnants inside too little to read. Dotty went over to the sink and scrubbed her hands, hoping to wash the guilty feeling that had overcome her.

"There!" she finally announced loudly to herself, then leaned against the counter and gazed out the kitchen window. "Amanda, I guess I have to trust that you know what you're doing…"

THE END

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*** *** *** *** ***

SURPRISE ENDING:

Once Dotty heard Lee's car drive down the street she reached under the sofa cushion and extracted the envelope from its hiding place. She stared at it once again and wondered aloud. "Maybe this isn't any of my business. Maybe I shouldn't open it???"

"No, I want answers," Dotty finally admitted stubbornly as she carefully pried opened the flap to the envelope. She removed the contents of the parcel and thumbed through the few pages that were inside.

Her eyes suddenly focused on a copy of what apparently was a marriage certificate. Her mouth fell open. "Oh, my gosh!" she gasped as her heart began to race. "I don't believe it! They eloped four months ago…"

She sunk back on the sofa with a mixture of satisfaction of knowing the truth and disbelief, but a smile began to grow on her face. Her finger traced the names on the marriage license over and over again.

"Amanda Stetson… Mrs. Amanda Stetson, Mrs. Lee Stetson, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Stetson…" she mumbled quietly at first, staring at the certificate, then with every variation she began voicing it a little louder like a school girl with a crush. Dotty was so lost in her reverie she never heard Amanda and Lee come back into the house until they were almost directly behind her.

"What is it that has you so intrigued, Mother?" Amanda questioned curiously.

Dotty turned, totally startled. "Amanda, wh.. what are you doing here?" she stammered at the sudden intrusion and was obviously flustered. She tried to hide the paperwork in her hand. "I thought you were gone for the night."

"A rock hit my windshield just as we got on the highway. It's cracked pretty badly. We turned around since we were so close and thought we'd take Amanda's car instead," Lee explained.

"Oh, I see," Dotty muttered weakly barely paying attention as she carefully folded the piece of paper in her hands.

"Are you all right, Mother? We didn't mean to startle you, or did something else upset you?" Amanda queried.

"Oh, I'm fine, dear. I was just day dreaming when you came in," Dotty lied as she tried to casually slide the now folded marriage license onto the coffee table while nonchalantly attempting to cover the other paperwork that sat exposed. She had many questions that she wanted to ask both her daughter and her son-in-law, but she was caught off guard and didn't know where to begin.

"What's that?" Amanda asked curiously.

"What?" Dotty asked guiltily. "Oh, that! It's nothing pressing, dear. We can talk about it when you get back from your trip," Dotty suggested hoping Amanda would drop the inquisition.

Amanda reached for the piece of paper that seemed to have her mother shaken.

"Amanda, don't!" Dotty warned as she jumped up from the sofa, but it was too late, Amanda held it in her hand.

Both Lee and Amanda glanced at each other with concerned looks on their faces. Amanda carefully unfolded the paper and stared at the certificate. The room was dead silent for a few moments.

"Mother… wh… where did you get this?" Amanda asked as she passed the certificate over to Lee.

"Never mind where I got this, Amanda!" Dotty snapped defensively, glad that the cat was out of the bag. "I want to know why you two are keeping this a secret?"

Amanda's face was ashen and Lee cleared his throat loudly. "It's just, this whole thing - well, it's very complicated," Amanda stammered, not sure how to continue.

"Amanda, Lee," Dotty began to lecture, "I understand how complicated marriage is. I realize that Lee inherited an instant family when he married you but hiding your marriage and running around trying to squeeze in time together isn't the answer - that's just plain crazy!"

Amanda and Lee stole quick glances at each other again. Neither of them could deny Dotty's last statement, but there was so much more truth to be told.

"Dotty, why don't we all sit down and talk about this," Lee suggested calmly. "There's a little more to this whole story than a secret wedding and I guess it's time we share the details."

Amanda looked at Lee in alarm but he shook his head, appearing confident that they could no longer conceal the truth.

"Dotty, there's a lot about me you don't know…" he started, then hesitated.

"Well, that's obvious," Dotty commented.

Lee chuckled and ran his hand nervously through his hair. "We're both sorry that we deceived you. Amanda hated it from the start."

"From the start?" Dotty questioned in an unsteady voice. "Just how long has this been going on?"

"It's a long story, but we've actually known each other for over four years," Amanda admitted guiltily.

"FOUR YEARS?" Dotty cried loudly. "I thought you've only known each other for a little over a year. I thought that was why you were taking things so… slowly…"

"I met Amanda over four years ago, quite by accident," Lee continued carefully. "She helped me out when I was in a bind at work."

"I still don't understand why you two are hiding your relationship," Dotty reiterated, point blank.

Lee sighed but persevered, knowing the explanation was going to be quite a shock to his mother-in-law. "You've only been told the official version of our relationship - for your own safety. What I'm about to tell you is rather… well, it's rather sensitive."

"You're stonewalling me," Dotty snapped, frustrated.

"The truth is, Amanda and I don't actually work for a film company. IFF is a cover for the Agency. We deal with national security…" Lee affirmed without further delay.

"Lee Stetson, do you really think I'm going to buy this far fetched story? You want me to believe that both you and my daughter are spies?! " Dotty scoffed as she rolled her eyes defiantly.

Lee nodded. "Remember last September when there were agents crawling all over the house and Amanda and I disappeared?"

The seriousness in Lee's voice sobered Dotty immediately. She nodded, but didn't say a word. The truth was beginning to unravel and finally make sense out of the chaotic double life that her daughter had been leading.

"Do you really think they'd go through all that trouble to track down two people from a film company?" he asked directly.

"My daughter's a spy!" Dotty gasped as the truth started to sink in. After a few seconds, she swallowed hard. "So all these years… All those crazy excuses… the bats…"

"The bats were just another ruse," Lee confessed sheepishly.

"So you were just going away for a rendezvous?" Dotty stated with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, not exactly," Amanda piped in anxiously as she looked at her watch. "We're due at a stakeout in a few hours."

"A stakeout?" she repeated in a faint voice, trying to come to terms with everything she'd just learned. "My daughter goes on stakeouts?"

"Mother, we can't go into details, all I can tell you is that it involves national security," Amanda stated firmly.

"She's very good at her job. You should be proud of her," Lee added.

Dotty looked up at Amanda and then over to Lee. "I've always been proud of my daughter. I've worried over the last few months that she'd gotten into some trouble… I just didn't know what..." Dotty swallowed hard, still digesting all the information before she continued on. "I'm sure your jobs are very dangerous, and I guess I'm glad you can't go into details because that only would make me worry more…"

"It can be a dangerous job, I won't lie to you about that, but that's why our partnership's so important. We always back each other up," Amanda explained as she held Lee's hand tightly in hers.

Lee looked down at her hand that he held tightly and noticed his watch. "Amanda, we're running late…"

"Mother, we've got to go," Amanda replied. "Are you going to be OK?"

"It's been a shock, but if you make half as good partners at work as you do in your personal life I don't think I have anything to worry about," she gibed as she eyed both of them.

Amanda smiled at her mother, kissed her on the cheek and stood up. "We'll see you tomorrow night and we'll talk more about this."

"You bet we will," Dotty remarked as they started to walk towards the door. "Lee, Amanda, I do have one more question for you."

"What's that?" Lee inquired, half-afraid of the question.

"When does my son-in-law move in?" she asked.

Lee looked at Amanda and she looked back at him. "I guess we'll have to discuss the details tonight while we're on stakeout," Amanda finally answered.

With that said Lee and Amanda headed out the door and Dotty sat back again, leaning against the back of the sofa. "Mr. and Mrs. Lee Stetson… I like the sound of that!"

THE END

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*** *** *** ***

Reader's Suggested Ending: Give the package, unopened to Amanda and Lee…

Dotty was so fixated on the envelope that she didn't hear the door open again.

"Mother, what is it that has you so intrigued?" Amanda questioned curiously as she and Lee stood just a few feet behind her.

Dotty turned, totally startled. "Amanda, wh.. what are you two doing here?" she stammered at the sudden intrusion. "I thought you were gone for the night."

"Just as we got on the highway a rock hit my windshield. It's cracked pretty badly. We turned around since we were so close and thought we'd take Amanda's car instead," Lee explained.

"Oh, I see," Dotty muttered uncomfortably, not knowing what to do.

"Is something wrong?" Amanda asked with concern.

Finally Dotty seemed to shake herself out of her reverie. She desperately wanted to open the envelope and know what was hidden inside, but what she really wanted was for her daughter to open up to her and tell her the truth. Dotty swallowed hard and then handed reluctantly the package over to Amanda.

"Amanda, for months now I've known something in your life isn't what it seems," Dotty started with an unsteady voice her eyes meeting her daughter's. "I don't know what it is, and frankly, I'm worried about you and… and your relationship. Don't get me wrong, Lee, I think you're a wonderful man, but things don't add up."

Amanda looked at the package, she immediately saw the return address was to a well respected private detective who worked in town. She tilted the package so Lee could read the return address as well.

"You haven't open this yet?" Amanda asked worriedly.

"No," Dotty noted the reactions on both their faces and could hear the nervousness in her daughter's voice. "But I gather from the look on both your faces there's something inside that you don't want me to know about…"

"Mother," Amanda started, then glanced over to Lee for reassurance. He nodded as he silently took his wife's hand in his and they both sat down next to Dotty on the sofa. "You're right," Amanda continued, "and I feel terrible that I've hidden so much from you for so long."

Dotty took a long, slow deep breath and asked. "What's in there that you don't want me to know about? Are you two involved in something… illegal?"

Amanda laughed, "No, it's nothing illegal." Then she carefully opened the flap to the envelope and peeked inside. She saw a copy of her marriage license, but as she suspected, nothing relating to the Agency. She handed the package over to Lee for his inspection.

"I'd really rather hear whatever it is from you than read it in a report," Dotty coaxed in a nervous voice.

"First, I need to apologize for not telling you this a lot sooner. I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me," Amanda said conscientiously as she started nervously playing with the heart shaped necklace.

Dotty was about to fall off the edge of the sofa in anticipation. "What is it?" she urged, anxiously.

"Lee and I eloped back in February…just before we left for California. You'll find our marriage license in the envelope," she sighed with enormous relief.

"I knew it!" Dotty shouted joyfully as she leaned over and kissed her daughter and then hugged her son-in-law. As she sat back on the sofa she could see from the looks on their faces that Amanda had more to say.

"There's more?" Dotty inquired.

Amanda nodded.

"You're pregnant?" she guessed with hopeful eyes. "I'm going to be a grandmother again!"

"No, Mother, it's nothing like that," Amanda exclaimed quickly.

"Dotty," Lee said as he nervously cleared his throat and put the package down on the coffee table.
"There's some things you need to know that you won't find in this package."

"I'm not following you, Lee," Dotty confided, confused.

"What I'm about to tell you has been a secret for a while now. There's a bit more to this whole story than a secret wedding and I guess it's time we share the details. Luckily it's not as easy for a private detective to dig up as a marriage license."

"You're making me wish I had never even called that private detective," Dotty commented apprehensively.

"No, you have a right to know," Amanda interjected. "But you have to promise us both that what we're about to tell you remains a secret…"

Dotty stared uncomfortably at her daughter and Lee.

Lee ran his hand nervously through his hair before continuing on with the long overdue explanation.
"We're both sorry that we deceived you, Amanda hated it from the start."

"From the start? Just how long has this been going on," Dotty questioned. "You've been married for four months…"

"It's a long story but we've actually known each other for over four years," Amanda admitted guiltily.

"FOUR YEARS?" Dotty cried loudly. "I thought you've only known each other for a little over a year. I thought that was why you were taking things so… slowly…"

Lee interrupted and began the explanation. "I met Amanda over four years ago, by accident. She helped me out when I was in a bind at work."

"But why are you two hiding your relationship?" Dotty demanded.

Lee sighed but persevered, knowing the explanation was going to be quite a shock to his mother-in-law.

"You've only been told the official version of our relationship - for your own safety. The truth is Amanda and I don't work for a film company. IFF is a cover for the Agency. We deal with national security…"

"Lee Stetson, do you really think I'm going to buy this far fetched story? You want me to believe my daughter is a spy and secretly married a spy?" Dotty scoffed as she rolled her eyes defiantly.

Lee nodded grimly. "Remember last September when there were agents crawling all over the house and Amanda and I disappeared?"

This time Dotty nodded but didn't say a word. The truth was beginning to unravel and make sense out of the chaotic double life that her daughter had been leading.

"Do you really think they'd go through all that trouble to find two people from a film company?" he asked directly.

"My daughter's a spy!" Dotty gasped, then swallowed hard. "So all these years… All those crazy excuses… the bats…"

"The bats were just another ruse," Lee confessed sheepishly.

"So you were just going away for a rendezvous?" Dotty stated with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, not exactly," Amanda piped in anxiously as she looked at her watch. "We're due at a stake out in a few hours."

"My daughter's going on a stakeout?" she repeated incredulously, staring first at Lee and then at Amanda.

"Mother, we can't go into details. All I can tell you is it involves national security," Amanda stated firmly.

"Dotty, your daughter's very good at her job. You should be proud of her," Lee added.

Dotty looked up at Amanda and then over to Lee. "I've always been proud of my daughter. I've worried over the last few months that she'd gotten into some trouble… I just didn't know what..." Dotty swallowed hard trying to digest all the information before she continued on. "I'm sure your jobs are very dangerous, and I guess I'm glad you can't go into details because that only would make me worry more…"

"Mother it can be a dangerous job, I won't lie to you about that. But that's why our partnership is so important. We always back each other up," Amanda explained as she held Lee's hand tightly in hers.

Lee looked down at her hand and noticed his watch. "Amanda, we're running late…"

"Mother, we've got to go," Amanda replied. "Are you going to be OK?"

"It's been a shock, but if you make half as good partners at work as you do in your personal life I don't think I have anything to worry about," she jeered as she eyed both of them.

Amanda smiled at her mother, kissed her on the cheek and stood up. "We'll see you tomorrow night at we'll talk more about this."

"You bet we will," Dotty added as they started to walk towards the door. "Lee, Amanda, I do have one more question for you."

"What's that?" Lee inquired.

"So when does my son-in-law move in?" she asked.

Lee looked at Amanda and she looked back at him. "I guess we'll have to discuss the details tonight while we're on stakeout," Amanda suggested.

With that said Lee and Amanda headed out the door and Dotty sat back again leaning against the back of the sofa. "Mr. and Mrs. Lee Stetson… I kind of like the ring to that!"

THE END

THAT'S ALL FOLKS... Thanks for reading, voting and emailing me!

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