Disclaimer: This story is based on characters that are copyrighted by Warner Brothers and Shoot The Moon Productions. It is meant for enjoyment purposes. I retain the rights to the plot and not the characters.
Amanda glanced into the mirror one last time and straightened out her white suit nervously. She decided that she could spare a few seconds to freshen her lipstick. After all, this was her wedding day and she wanted everything to be perfect. Suddenly the reality of the situation sank in and she got a little light-headed. She slowly sat down and put a shaking hand to her forehead. This time it was real. She and Lee were getting married. She'd been too busy with this case and trying to somehow manage to get all the details taken care that it hadn't sank in until now.
She remembered all the adjustments she made the first time she'd gotten married. This would be different -- they couldn't even acknowledge their marriage in public. Lying always made her uncomfortable, although she reluctantly admitted that she was getting better at it than she was four years ago. Still...to lie about something so important seemed so -- wrong.
'What am I doing?' she thought to herself in panic. Up until now it had all seemed unreal. 'What if it doesn't work this time?' She couldn't bear it if things didn't work out between them. This was a huge commitment. Would she be able to deal with the fact that their marriage wasn't full time...a life of stolen moments? It almost sounded like something out of one of her mother's hokey romance novels. And the boys! How would they be able to deal with the fact that Lee was a very important part of her life now, even if they were only aware of it peripherally.
There was still time! She could always say that she changed her mind. They'd waited this long. Surely they could wait a little longer. They'd only gotten engaged three months ago. Lee would understand.
'No, Lee would definitely NOT understand,' she corrected herself pointedly. Too many people had left him already. This would destroy him. She loved Lee more than she ever thought possible. Suddenly she chuckled. If she were a nervous wreck what must he be going through?
There was a sharp knock on the door. "Amanda?"
She jumped, startled out of her reverie.
"Amanda, come on, will ya?!" Lee called out to her anxiously. "He's going to go home!"
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, willing her heart to stop pounding while she pondering this turn of events. She should be the calm one. After all, she'd been married before and had a general idea of just what kind of changes their living together, even on a semi-regular basis, would entail. This would be a bigger adjustment for him than it would be for her. He was going from being a dedicated bachelor to becoming a husband and father in one fell swoop, even if Philip and Jamie didn't know what Lee's role in their life was he certainly did. And Lee Stetson took his obligations very seriously. He didn't sound nervous at all. In fact he seemed eager to get on with it.
She stood up, her cold feet forgotten. This was the man she wanted to spend her life with. After all, they both loved each other. Sure it would be hard, but it would be worth it. Better a part-time Lee Stetson than no Lee at all. She smiled, suddenly picturing waking up in the morning, Lee beside her -- sharing intimate secrets, planning a future. She glanced in the mirror once more, fluffed her hair and then walked outside.
Lee had been pacing back and forth when he'd heard the door open. He spun around and saw her standing there.
She self-consciously closed the door behind her and glanced at him wide-eyed.
"You look beautiful," he admitted tenderly.
"Oh, you look handsome," she confessed shakily.
"Lee and Amanda!" Mrs. Bowman called out.
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