Title: A Gift for the Future
Fandom: Scarecrow and Mrs. King
Rating: G
Length: 829 words
Content notes: None
Author notes: Written for Challenge #367 - Pet.
Note: Knowledge of S&MK not necessarily to understand this fic. Fic will also fill the "pets" square of my genprompt Bingo card.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters; this is a derivative work.


“Mom! Mom, come see what Lee brought!”

Amanda King (Stetson) shared a rueful smile with her mother, Dotty, and handed her the pinata she had been just about to hang up. “I told Lee not to go overboard with the gift.”

“I think it’s sweet,” Dotty offered with one of her meaningful glances that said, don’t let this one get away.

Amanda resisted an eye roll. If her mother only knew! “I didn’t say it wasn’t sweet,” she admitted.

Lee Stetson was the epitome of style, a debonair man of espionage, at home with jet-setting dignitaries, high-class dinner parties, and secret messages passed in dark alleys.

Normal life was the most challenging job he’d ever undertaken.

He was trying hard to win the boys over, still finding his footing as a stepfather, a significantly more difficult role because only the two of them knew that’s what he was. Amanda was confident he’d be a great dad, but as usual, it would take more convincing with the stubborn man before he believed it.

In the meantime, he was laying it on thick, doing all the things the boys liked, being more lavish with his gifts than their mother was happy with. She’d thought the talk they had convinced him to just be himself and quit attempting to buy their affections, but perhaps not.

It was Jamie’s birthday, though; she supposed she could overlook it. Just this time.

Amanda opened the front door, standing in the doorway and watching the scene on the lawn. Lee and the boys were crouched on the grass, Jamie and Phillip laughing as a small, excited puppy yapped and ran in circles, then came back to lick faces, again and again.

It was adorable… but she wasn’t about to admit it. She blinked away the moisture in her eyes that definitely wasn’t tears and schooled her face into a stern front.

“You didn’t.”

Lee looked up with a mixture of joy and doubt on his boyish face, and she was struck again at how handsome her spy was -- and how lucky she was. She smiled back.

Lee stood up and brushed off the knees of his pants before joining her on the stoop, leaving the kids to play with their new pet.

“Every boy should have a dog,” he told her with hope and bravado both.

“They’ll have to take care of it,” she warned.

“It’ll teach them responsibility,” he responded.

“I hope Mother isn’t allergic,” Amanda continued, trying not to crack a smile.

“They have shots for that now,” Lee countered.

Amanda slipped her arm around his waist. “How often do I have to tell you that you shouldn’t try to win them with things. Just be yourself. I happen to know he’s irresistible,” she grinned and kissed him.

“That’s not what I’m doing here,” Lee shook his head in denial. “You’re right; they don’t need more things. This is a companion that can keep them company while their parents are working long hours.”

Amanda’s heart swelled at hearing him include himself in that role. Her two separate lives were finally coming together, and the feeling of completeness made her realize how much living the double life had bothered her.  Not the least of it was not having her husband to snuggle up to in bed every night. There had been a lot of lonely nights as they broke the family in gradually, starting with the introduction of Lee as her beau. Of course, the kids and even Dotty had taken to Lee quickly, and Amanda could now see the finish line.

She laughed as she watched Jamie on the ground being slobbered with love from the enthusiastic canine.

Lee nodded towards the scene. “That puppy will grow up fast.”

“So are the kids,” Amanda added with a touch of mother’s nostalgia for her babies who weren’t anymore.

“I think obedience school would be a good idea,” Lee continued seriously. “With a little training, he’ll be a loyal and fierce guard dog.”

Realization dawned that the gift was about much more than she’d initially believed. The reason they were going through the charade of hiding their relationship was fear for the safety of their family. She understood how hard it was on her husband to stand by and play mom’s boyfriend, unable to take his rightful place in his own family. He did it to keep them safe. Now, he was offering a layer of protection.

And one day, before too long, they would both walk out the door with more confidence, knowing their loved ones would have a guardian watching over them. It wasn't a guarantee of safety, but it was a start.

“It’s the perfect gift,” Amanda admitted, giving his waist a squeeze.

Jamie ran over to them, puppy in his arms, his brother following behind.

“Can we keep him, mom?” Jamie pleaded.

“Please?” Phillip added.

Amanda turned her head to gaze at the love of her life. “Yes, we can.”