Collision With Truth Part 7/7
By: Nectar99
Rating: PG
See chapter 1 for Disclaimer, timeline, and summary.
Dr. Lovelace knew at the very instant he opened his mouth that something was wrong. Four people who appeared to be in a state of shock surrounded him.
“Is everyone okay?” The doctor spoke, enunciating every syllable.
Amanda was the first to respond. “Ah, my head really hurts,” she sighed.
Lee disregarded the stunned crowd and headed toward his wife. He reached out and placed a gentle hand upon her cheek. “Are you okay honey?” he whispered.
Amanda reached for his hand. She held it tight, while searching his eyes for help. “I’m okay Lee. What are we going to do?” she mouthed to him.
Lee smiled slightly, trying to convey a look of assurance. He gave her a wink, and turned to face the consequences he knew awaited him.
Dotty hadn’t blinked for what seemed like hours, which in reality was only a minute or two. She took another minute to thoroughly scowl both Lee and Amanda. “Can somebody please tell me what is actually going on here?” she questioned in a sarcastic tone.
Joe eyed both Amanda and Lee and decided to leave well enough alone. “I’m going to step out and grab another cup of coffee,” he declared. “Care to join me Dr.?”
The Doctor happily obliged, and followed Joe into the hallway. Lee watched both men leave and reluctantly looked back toward his Mother-In-Law. “Mrs. West….”he began before she cut him off.
“Can we lose the formality please?” she snapped. “I’m sorry Lee. I didn’t mean that to sound so spiteful.”
Lee nodded, understanding her reaction. “Dotty,” he corrected his last attempt. “Can we go sit and talk privately? I don’t think this is good for Amanda,” he urged.
Amanda tried to intervene. “No, it’s okay. I want to….”
“Shhh, just relax darling,” Dotty interrupted. “Lee is right. We’ll be back in a few minutes darling,” she whispered softly.
Amanda met Lee’s eyes, wondering what he may have been thinking at that very moment. She felt she was somehow getting off easy, and that thought made her feel like a coward. Lee flashed a warm smile that told her everything would be okay, without saying a word.
Amanda nodded in agreement, and watched her husband and mother walk out of the room.
Dotty latched on to Lee and led him down the hall. He seemed to be getting around quite nicely, even with a cast on his leg.
They entered the lounge and sat down to talk. Luckily, the room was empty. A television set was aligned in the top corner of the room, broadcasting the local news. A few vending machines were off to the side, and a water fountain was right next to the bathrooms.
Lee reached over and took Dotty’s hands in his. “I want to tell you everything. As hard as it is to begin, I know in telling you this that we will feel much better to have your love and support,” he stated with a warm smile.
Dotty’s eyes widened noticeably, but she couldn’t stop herself from comforting him. “Lee, please tell me everything,” she pleaded while squeezing his hands for emphasis.
Lee nodded in compliance. “I work for a government agency, as an intelligence operative. I was on an assignment, back in 1983, which led me to a train station. Several men who were after the information I carried followed me. That is when and where I met Amanda. As I ran through the crowded station, I searched for someone to help me. Amanda was that someone. I knew the moment I looked into her eyes that she would trust me unconditionally,” he admitted.
Dotty was speechless again for the second time this evening. She finally found her voice and asked, “A spy, you’re a spy? What was it that made you stop and ask my daughter for help?” she asked inquisitively.
“I’ve never really cared for that word, but yes I’m a spy,” he confessed. “ Amanda looked so honest and trustworthy, all at the same time. It’s hard to explain, but I had a feeling that she would somehow change my life,” he added. He smiled again, letting a small laugh escape his lips. “You know, I don’t think I have ever told her that before,” he admitted.
Dotty smiled, while shaking his hands, encouraging him to continue. She could see all the love and admiration he harbored for Amanda. She was confident about that much so far.
Lee shook his head and broke out of his reverie. He cleared his throat before continuing. “Amanda did help me that day. I was a stranger, but she helped me anyway. At the end of that fiasco, my boss offered her a part time position. I must admit I wasn’t very happy about that at the time. She was a suburban mother of two who lived a normal, average life. I didn’t want her to get mixed up in a world of espionage. I didn’t think she was cut out for this business, and I though she belonged at home with her family.” Lee hesitated momentarily before continuing. “I was a different man back then, Dotty.”
Dotty turned her head slightly to the side in wonderment. “What do you mean different?”
“I wasn’t ready to admit I wanted or needed a partner. I had lost two partners in the past, and I certainly didn’t want to be responsible for Amanda. I think our boss knew back then, that we belonged together.” Lee smiled again before he continued. “I fought him tooth and nail, every time he placed us together,” he stated while thinking back to his past.
Dotty could be silent no longer. “Did you and Amanda begin dating back then?” she asked curiously.
Lee responded quickly. “Oh no. I fought her every step of the way,” he admitted. “I mean I think Amanda knew long before I did that we truly belonged together. I had feelings for her, but I never acted upon them. I think the turning point for me was one particular assignment.” Lee nodded, realizing when it happened.
Dotty encouraged him to continue. “Go ahead Lee.”
“She had to pick up a sock that contained a very important piece of information inside. The sock was stolen from her outside the Laundromat.” Lee watched Dotty’s expression change from a smile to a look of horror. “It’s okay,” he soothed her. “I was there, but I blamed her for the lost sock. We had an argument, and I left. I found out later that I could have lost her,” he uttered before lowering his gaze to the floor. “I knew I couldn’t live without her, and that thought scared the hell out of me,” he admitted. “I couldn’t deny what I felt for Amanda any longer. I was afraid of losing her; just like I’d lost all the other people in my life that I cared about. That is why I didn’t tell her how I felt until much later in our relationship,” he admitted honestly.
Dotty stopped him from continuing. “This is very dangerous isn’t it? I mean Amanda’s job is very dangerous, right?” she asked cautiously.
Lee closed his eyes, and bowed his head. “I don’t want to lie to you. Amanda never wanted to lie to you. She hated it from the very beginning, but realized it was safer for everyone. What we do is very dangerous, but we are very good at what we do,” he declared. “Amanda and I believe that wholeheartedly. We want to serve and protect our country, and make it a better place for our family.”
Dotty smiled slightly. “I know my Amanda. I know she would never get involved in something she didn’t completely believe in. She loves you Lee. She trusts you completely.” She stated the obvious.
Lee took a deep breath in, releasing it out of his mouth. “I know Amanda loves me. I love her too; very much! I was a fool not to tell her sooner. Now, we’re finally together, and that’s all that matters,” he stated proudly. We were married on February 13th,” he confessed.
Dotty stopped Lee’s confession by releasing his hand and grabbing his upper arm. “You were married when Amanda was shot?” she asked hesitantly, before realizing the answer. “Oh, I’m so sorry Lee. You were on your honeymoon weren’t you?” she asked, but already knew the answer.
Lee clenched his jaw tight; taking another much needed deep breath. “Yes, we were on our honeymoon, and before you ask, it had nothing to do with our jobs. It was a terrible accident,” he stated, while trying to control his breathing.
Dotty cupped his cheek. “It’s okay Lee. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you remember that horrific nightmare.”
Lee looked deep into her eyes. “Thank you. You’re making this much easier than I ever expected,” he complemented her.
“I am hurt Lee. I wish you two could have trusted me enough to tell me sooner, but I’ll be okay,” she confessed. “Amanda has enough to do right now without worrying about me,” she added. “I do have just one more question though. How far along is she?” she asked with a smile threatening to appear at the corner of her lips.
Lee hadn’t been expecting that question. “Oh, I believe she is only three months along,” he answered. “This is news to me too. I just found out about it yesterday,” he admitted.
Dotty encouraged Lee to stand, and gave him a hug. “Congratulations. I know things are hectic right now, but they will get better,” she promised. Let’s just get past this for now, and be there for Amanda. We can all talk about this when she is healthy and strong,” she suggested.
Lee was taken aback by her actions. He stiffened momentarily before relaxing in her arms. “Thank you,” he whispered sincerely.
Lee put his arm around Dotty and led her back to ICU. They met Joe in the hallway. Joe smiled briefly before shaking Lee’s hand. “Thanks Joe,” he whispered.
Joe stepped back and nodded. “Your welcome Lee. Can we go in now? I have to get home soon,” he added.
All three entered the ICU. Joe was first to see her. He placed a kiss upon her cheek. “You take care Amanda. I have to go for now, but I’ll be up here with the boys tomorrow,” he promised. “I know you’re in good hands,” he added smiling.
Amanda cleared her throat before responding. “Thank you Joe. Tell Carrie everything is okay, and please give the boys a kiss for me,” she whispered softly.
Joe reached for her hand. “You know I will Amanda. Now get some sleep, and don’t worry about anything,” he insisted. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Dotty leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead. “I’m going to go with Joe. I’ll be here first thing in the morning darling,” she promised. “ Please try to get some rest tonight.”
Amanda tried to sit up slightly. “Mother wait, I…”
Dotty silenced her with her finger upon her lips. “Everything is going to be fine Amanda. You just rest, and we’ll talk in the morning,” she reiterated. “Good night Lee. Thank you,” she smiled sincerely.
Lee kissed her on the cheek and watched her exit. He let out a long sigh of relief. He felt as if a weight had been lifted off of his chest. He turned back around to find Amanda staring at him in wonderment.
“Lee, what happened?” she prodded. “What did you tell mother?” she continued asking questions.
Lee reached for her hand and soothed it with his fingertips. “I told her everything Amanda,” he stated proudly.
Amanda tried to speak but Lee’s actions quickly stopped her. He released her hand and slid the blanket slowly off her body. He found the bottom hem of her gown, and started pulling it up.
“What are you doing Lee?” she asked somewhat puzzled.
Lee smiled softly. “Shhhh, be still. I just want to see something,” he insisted.
Amanda wasn’t sure what he had in mind. “Okay,” she said skeptically.
Lee lifted her gown up over her belly. He pulled the sheet back up covering the lower half of her body. He leaned down and placed both hands gently across her stomach. He lightly rubbed and massaged in a circular pattern. He looked up at Amanda with tears threatening to emerge from the corner of his eyes. “I love you Amanda, and I want you to know how much this baby means to me! To have this little miracle, proof of our love, growing inside of you.” He admitted ever so soft and tender. He leaned in closer and placed a soft kiss upon her abdomen.
Amanda was all choked up. “Oh Lee, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you soon….” She cried before he interrupted.
Lee stood back up to look into her eyes. He saw her struggling for an explanation.
“Don’t Amanda. It’s okay. I just want you to get better. You and the baby are all that I’m concerned with right now.” He stressed over and over.
Amanda tried to bring her lips to meet his in a feeble attempt of a kiss. “Wait Amanda! I just want to let you know that I’m going to be there for you always. I want to bring you home and take care of you. I’m going to be the one to care for you and our child.” He stated, before touching his lips gently to hers.
THE END FOR NOW