Collision With Truth Part 6/7
By: Nectar99
Rating: PG
See chapter 1 for Disclaimer, timeline, and summary.
“Lee, I’m pregnant,” she uttered while bracing herself for his reaction.
Lee stood smiling, conveying all the love and admiration he carried for her in his heart. “I am well aware of that fact Amanda,” he happily replied. “I’m well aware of everything now.”
“No, you don’t know everything,” she insisted. “I know I should have told you about the baby sooner, but I didn’t know how.”
The hurt look upon his face was quite evident. “You were afraid to tell me?”
Amanda squeezed his hand gently. “Oh Lee, it wasn’t like that at all. I’ve never been afraid to tell you anything. You’re my husband, and I love you very much. I found out this news only a few weeks ago myself,” she admitted.
Lee’s face lit up when reality dawned on him. “Were actually going to have a baby,” he stated proudly. He leaned down and kissed her softly on her lips. “I love you so much.”
Amanda reluctantly released him from the kiss. “I had planned on telling you the night that we went out….” Her words trailed off. “Where were we going?” she asked.
“Shhh, lets not talk about that now. I have much more important news to tell you. Billy knows everything,” he blurted out.
Amanda’s eyes grew wide with disbelief. “What do you mean everything?” she questioned.
“It’s okay. He already knew we were married. I was more in shock than he was to tell you the truth. He came in earlier to visit and overheard me mention the baby, so I told him everything. I wanted to wait until you were feeling better, but too many questions were left unanswered,” he stated.
“Oh my gosh Lee. Are we going to be okay?” she asked hesitantly. “I mean what about our jobs together?”
“It’s okay Amanda. Billy is on our side,” he assured her. “There is another matter we need to discuss though.”
Amanda sensed the worry in his tone of voice. “What is it Lee?”
Lee took a deep breath before continuing. “Francine was finally able to reach Joe, and let him know you were hurt in an accident. So your family should be arriving here in a couple of hours.”
Amanda’s eyes were now as wide as silver dollars. “Oh my gosh Lee! I completely forgot about that. Mother and the boys went camping in the mountains this past week. Joe and Carrie were nice enough to invite everyone.”
Amanda brought her hand to her face to feel the bandage that partially covered her cheek. That was the moment she noticed her wedding ring sitting securely on her finger. She reached out for Lee’s hand to inspect his fingers. “What are we doing Lee? We need to get our rings off before they arrive,” she stated.
Lee unhooked the side rail of her bed and carefully sat next to her. He took both her hands in his. “No Amanda. No more lying. I don’t want to live the way we have been for the last several months. I can’t stand waking up in the morning, and not being able to hold you in my arms. We need to be together Amanda, especially now,” he pointed out.
“I want us to be a family too. I’m just not feeling up to explaining our situation now. Can’t we hold off until…”?
“No Amanda!” He interrupted. They are going to know the minute they walk into this room. You and the baby are hooked up to separate monitors,” he informed her.
Amanda was unable to turn her head to see the screens. Her face turned a pale white, and her hands began to shake. “What are we going to do Lee?”
“Just relax Amanda. You and the baby don’t need this kind of stress right now. Let me handle it. I’ll fill them in on the situation. Let me do that for us,” he offered.
Amanda was reluctant to agree. She noted the sincerity in his voice, and finally agreed.
Lee bent down and planted soft kisses along her cheek. He whispered softly into her ear. “Thank God your okay. That’s the only thing that matters to me right now.” They sat together relishing the closeness for hours.
Once Amanda had fallen back to sleep, Lee took a stroll down the hallway. He purposely avoided the nurses’ station. He wasn’t in the mood to hear any flack about resting properly. He wandered toward the lounge, in search of a candy machine, when he heard a group of familiar voices approaching. He tensed momentarily, before taking several deep breaths.
Dotty and Joe raced down the corridor. “Lee, is that you?” She questioned.
“Over here,” yelled Lee.
Dotty approached him with open arms. “Oh my goodness Lee. Where’s Amanda? Are you all right? What happened?” Every question seemed to lead to another one.
“I’m just fine,” he assured her. “Amanda is in ICU right now. She is doing very well, and her Doctor expects to move her to a regular room as early as Friday.”
Dotty nodded in response to his statement. Her face was a light shade of gray. “What happened Lee? Please tell me everything,” she pleaded.
Lee took a deep breath before beginning to speak. “Monday evening, Amanda and I had dinner together at my place. We went out for dessert after the meal, and we were hit by a large box truck on the passenger side of her Wagoneer.” Lee put his head down before continuing. “I was driving at the time, and Amanda suffered the brunt of all the injuries,” he stated solemnly.
Dotty walked Lee to a nearby couch. She placed her arm around his shoulder. “Oh Lee, I’m so sorry you had to go through this alone. If there is anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask. I really mean that Lee,” she stressed.
Lee blinked away the tears threatening to intrude. He pulled Dotty close and gave her a hug. “Thank you,” he replied.
Joe observed the interaction between the two with growing curiosity. He didn’t speak at all. He watched Lee cover his face with his hands, revealing a shiny gold band residing on his left ring finger. He didn’t put two and two together at this time though. “Listen, I’m going to take the boys home. Carrie is waiting downstairs. I’ll keep them at my house for awhile, and I’ll be back here in about an hour.”
Dotty stood up to hug Joe properly. “Thank you dear. Thanks for everything. I’ll see you later.”
Lee also stood to shake Joe’s hand. Both men looked deep within each other’s eyes, searching for something they couldn’t quite put their fingers on.
“Good bye Lee. Take good care of Amanda,” Joe stated.
“I will. You can count on that,” he replied.
Joe exited the lounge and headed back downstairs.
Dotty was very anxious to see her daughter. “Lee can we go in now?” she asked impatiently.
Lee’s eyes darted back and forth quickly. “Listen, I need to talk to you before we go in there.”
“Don’t worry Lee. I am prepared. I remember how terrible the accident in California turned out to be,” she reassured him.
Lee cleared his throat, and ran a nervous hand through his hair. “It’s nothing like that. There is something very important I need to share with you before you see her,” he declared.
Dotty’s brow wrinkled slightly. “You said she’s okay Lee.”
“She is going to be okay,” he reassured.
Dotty was now curious as ever. “Then what is it?” She noted his growing anxiety to share this with her. “Come on Lee. You can tell me anything.”
Lee, for some strange reason, decided to blurt it right out. He closed his eyes tightly. “Amanda and I are married, and she is carrying my child.”
Lee sat staring at his mother-in-law for what seemed like an eternity to him. Her warm loving smile did nothing to help the situation. He wanted to forget the statement he had made just moments ago, but a tiny voice in his head insisted he reconsider. After a few brief unsuccessful attempts to speak, he finally found his voice.
“I..I…want you to know that I love Amanda with all my heart,” he stated while clasping her hands in his.
Dotty’s motherly instincts took over as she released her hand from his grip and gently brushed his cheek. “I hope you don’t think I blame you for any of this. I’m just so thankful that you were here by her side through this dreadful event.”
Lee smiled slightly. ‘She certainly isn’t making this any easier on me,’ he thought to himself. “Thank you,” he replied softly.
“Well then lets go see her Lee. I want Amanda to know I’m here,” she urged.
Lee put his head down in defeat. “Okay, I’ll take you in to see her, but I really do need to talk to you about something very important,” he stated.
Dotty acknowledged his statement with a nod, while leading the way out of the lounge. “We have plenty of time to talk later, when….” Her words trailed off when she bumped into Joe, just outside the doorway.
Joe smiled at Dotty, before casting a look of concern in Lee’s direction.
Lee shook off his glance and led the way to ICU.
When they arrived at her bed, the nurse greeted the entire family. “Hello there. I’m Rachel, and I’ll be taking care of Amanda for the next twelve hours. I just gave her another shot of Demerol, so she should be able to rest comfortably for the next couple of hours,” she informed them on her way out.
With Lee on one side, and Joe on the other, Dotty grabbed a hold of both men at the sight of her daughter. “Lee, she looks so pale,” she whispered in concern. “Is she going to be okay?”
Lee took her hand in his. “She’s going to be just fine,” he reassured.
Dotty leaned over the side rail of the bed to take Amanda’s hand, while looking her over from head to toe, inspecting each bruise and bandage.
Lee turned slightly to gauge Joe’s reaction. He was surprised to find him staring back at him. Lee could tell by his expression that something was clearly bothering him.
“Listen Dotty, why don’t you stay and sit with Amanda for a while. I’m going to grab a cup of coffee,” he stated while urging Joe to join him with a nodding gesture of his head.
“Uh, yea that sounds good. I’m going to join him. I’ll be right back Dotty,” Joe promised with a pat on her back.
Dotty heard the men speaking, but focused her attention on her daughter. With an affirmative shake of her head, both men headed out.
Lee stopped just short of the lounge. His ribs were giving him a little discomfort. He turned gingerly to speak, “What’s up Joe?”
Joe returned the question with a touch of sarcasm present in his voice. “I was just about to ask you the same thing.”
Lee ran his fingers through his hair growing agitated by the minute. “I wish you would say whatever it is you want to say. I don’t have the time or patience to sit here and play this game with you,” he warned.
Joe’s breath quickened. “I took the boys downstairs to go home. Carrie was there and took them home for me. I came back up to find you, and overheard part of your conversation. You married her didn’t you?” he accused.
Lee nodded in answer to his question.
Joe shook his head in disbelief. “I knew it. I think I’ve known something was different for a long time now,” he confessed.
Lee mistook his statement for jealousy. “Oh, you can remarry, but Amanda can’t?” he asked sarcastically.
“That’s not what I mean at all Lee.” I’m just worried about her safety with you,” he stated with concern.
“Well don’t be. I know how to take care of Amanda, and protect her too. I love her,” he admitted.
Joe clinched his jaw tight. “Then be a husband to her!” He yelled.
Lee took a minute to clear his throat. His first instinct was to lunge forward and grab Joe, but he decided against that thought. “I know how to be a husband to Amanda. I’m there for her. I won’t ever leave,” he painfully reminded him.
Joe lowered his head to the ground. “Lee, I….I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m somewhat familiar with your job, and what you do. I was thinking about both of you. She does need to be protected Lee, and I need to feel secure in the fact that you will always be there for her,” he confessed. “I’m well aware of her happiness and love for you. I see it in her eyes. She’s a changed woman.”
Lee closed his eyes momentarily. He resented the last remark he had made. It was a cheap shot and he knew it. “I’m sorry Joe. I understand where you are coming from, but you’re just going to have to trust us on this one.”
Joe smiled slightly. “I envy you Lee. Oh, and I want to be the first to say congratulations. I’m happy for you both,” he stressed. “By the way, how did Dotty take the news?” he asked.
Lee eyes grew wide as saucers. “I uh haven’t told her yet, and she’s still in there with Amanda. Lets get moving,” he insisted.
Amanda opened her eyes slightly. She blinked a few times, not sure if her mother was actually there. “Mother, is that you?” she breathed.
Dotty squeezed her hand slightly. “I’m right here darling. How are you feeling?”
“I’ve been better,” she spoke trying to lighten the mood.
Dotty smiled tenderly at her daughter. “I’m sure you have dear.”
Amanda surveyed the area with her eyes. “Mother, have you seen Lee?” she asked slightly apprehensive.
Dotty gently rubbed her forehead. “Don’t worry darling. He took Joe to get a cup of coffee. He should be back shortly,” she added.
Dotty noted the crease in Amanda’s brow. “Mother, did uh Lee talk to you at all?” she questioned.
“Yes dear. We sat and talked for a few moments in the lounge,” she informed her.
Amanda was unsure of her demeanor. “Well, what exactly did he say?” she questioned carefully.
Dotty knew something was troubling her daughter. “He told me that he loved you very much, and uh that the two of you were married and expecting a baby,” she added.
Amanda’s mouth dropped open. “He uh told you uh about the baby, mother?” she stumbled through the question.
Dotty burst out into laughter. “Oh Amanda. I always did admire a man with a wonderful sense of humor. He knew how upset I was, and tried to lighten the mood. He’s definitely a keeper Amanda,” she declared.
Before she could respond, a Doctor approached the bed. “Hello ladies. I’m doctor Lovelace and I’m the resident obstetrician. I just wanted to know if you’ve been experiencing any abdominal discomfort, or any cramping Mrs. Stetson?” he asked.
Dotty’s expression grew from surprise to shock over the course of the Doctor’s statement. Before she could find any words, Lee and Joe entered the ICU.