3.10 Amanda - What Should Have Been

Author's Note: This is Amanda Bennett's story of what should have been before Jennifer messed up the time line. Lee Grayer was made by Phyrcracker93 for my story. We'll see more of Lee in the next chapter. Thank you Phyrcracker93 for allowing me to have Lee in my story.

Looking sideways at her with a slight smirk upon his lips Chase asked "what are you going to do now? Looks like all your scheming was for nothing."

Seething inside Jennifer strove for calm to give the appearance she didn't care. Shrugging "it's just one encounter. It doesn't mean they'll get back together."

"You really are heartless aren't you?" Chase shook his head. He could hardly admit to himself that when he first met her he was attracted to her. Thought she was the kind of girl he could fall in love with. What did that say about him?

Watching the emotions flit across his face Jennifer asked "are we done? I'm bored. Watching all this tragedy is such a downer."

Feeling his bile rise he refused to let her bait him. Refused to give up. Refused to let her out of his sight at least not until Emit arrived to detain her. "No you're going to sit here and enjoy your handy-work."

***

"Amanda did you bring it?" Gina asked. 

Smiling at her best friend Amanda nodded "I said I would, didn't I?"

"You're the best," Gina flung her arms around her "I bet I'm the only bride to have a fortune teller at her bridal shower."

"Are you sure about this?" Amanda asked "maybe it would have been better at the bachelorette party."

"You're not backing out on me are you?" Gina stuck her lip out "you promised."

"I know," she sighed giving in "I just don't want to make people uncomfortable..."

Waving the idea away "you worry too much. This is just for fun. Besides if they don't like it they don't have to do it," Gina asserted. "Now where should you set up?" She scanned the room rubbing her chin as she thought.

"How about over there?" Amanda pointed to a far corner. It was dark and out of the way of normal traffic flow.

"Perfect," Gina smiled in anticipation "it'll give you just enough privacy without it being creepy."

"Isn't that what you want?" Amanda asked going to set up her crystal ball and tarot cards. As Gina followed her to help Amanda shook her head at her "only you would have a goth wedding."

"I'm unique," Gina laughed "this will be fun. I've told everyone you would be giving readings...."

"Alright you win. I'll do it. Just don't expect that I'll be any good at it."

"I haven't known you to be wrong" Gina said surveying the area they had made into a fortune tellers alcove.

"I'm really rusty," Amanda told her "I haven't done this since high school. I might not be able do it anymore."

"You worry too much," Gina repeated laughing "if you have to fake it. Most people won't know the difference."

***

After everyone watched the bride-to-be open her gifts they gathered around to offer congratulations. Amanda slipped away to the fortune teller's alcove waiting for someone to approach her. It was pretty mundane saying and doing the same thing over and over again. Everyone left with smiles and a few nervous giggles. 

As everyone was gathering to leave on the party bus a young woman about the same age as Amanda approached. "Excuse me do you ..." she licked her lips looking around her "I'm sorry you probably want to go..."

Hoping to put the girl at ease Amanda sat down motioning for the girl to join her. Dropping the fake gypsy accent Amanda peered into the crystal ball. Eyes widening in shock. "What? What is it?" the girl asked her voice rising is anxiety.

Smiling Amanda hoped to ease the girls anxiety "congratulations Lee is a very lucky man."

Beaming "we just got married..." her smile faded "but how....how did you know?"

Waving at the crystal ball "the veil was lifted and saw you marry your best friend. It was a simple wedding along the beach."

The girl nodded biting her lip "I didn't think you were for real. I heard people talking and it all sounded the same. I mean ... I didn't think ...."

Laughing Amanda shook her head "it's alright if I were you I'd feel the same. To be honest I don't always get a clear reading on everyone. You were lucky I guess."

"Would you be able to answer a question for me?" the girl asked overcoming her doubt.

"I'll try," Amanda told her honestly "why don't you tell me your name?"

"Melissa," she said "I'm sorry I didn't mean to be rude."

"Don't be silly," Amanda waved her apology away "I don't often ask for my client's names. Most people assume I already know or they think it give them anonymity." Shaking her head at their nonsense she turned serious "what's your question?"

"I'm pregnant. About six weeks...."

"Congratulations" Amanda said smiling.

"Thank you. Lee doesn't know  yet. He travels a lot. He's in a band and I..."

"Don't know how he'll take the news," Melissa nodded "I'm sure he'll be ecstatic but if you'd like I can do a reading." At the girls nod Amanda peered into the crystal ball. Amanda smiled seeing a young man with a guitar slung across his back beaming as Melissa told him the news. Before she could interrupt the vision it switched. They were driving along a dark windy road the fear on the faces evident as a car crashed into them. Gulping for air Amanda blinked trying to focus on the present.

Melissa was staring at her patting her hand "are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I'm sorry," Amanda shook her head feeling as if she had just awoken from a nightmare. 

Looking at the pretty girl in front of her she attempted to smile "Lee will be happy when you tell him about the babies."

"Babies?" Melissa asked putting a hand on her stomach "I'm going to have twins?"

Nodding Amanda took her hand to brush hair from her face. Hoping the girl was sufficiently distracted from her shock. Moving to get up Melissa watched her in concern. "That's not all. There was more. You saw something else. Something you don't want to tell me. Please I have to know..."

"I...." Amanda bit her lip unsure if she should mess with time but if she wasn't supposed to warn them why had she been given the vision? Squeezing the girl's hand "I only saw flashed of you and your family two or three ears from now. Lee was driving along a dark windy road when someone crashed into you. I don't know anything else. Whatever you do don't drive along Summerset Drive on this day and this time," Amanda wrote it down on a piece of paper and thrust it into Melissa's outstretched hand.

Reading it Melissa nodded "I'll remember," she said as Gina come up demanding "come on you two the bus won't wait forever."

***

"See" Jennifer pointed at the image on her sister "I'm not the only one messing around with time."

"It's not the same," Chase stood crossing his arms "she was given a gift very few receive or know how to use. The gift of insight. As you could see it doesn't work on everyone. Only those she's meant to warn. Amanda delivered the warning. It's up to the girl to heed it or not. She's purposely making changes willy nilly hoping to get a different result."

"It's still the same thing," Jennifer muttered refusing to see the difference between what she was doing and Amanda had done.

"You really don't get it do you?" Chase wondered aloud. Why was he arguing with her? Hadn't he already discerned just how intractable she was? Beyond reaching. Set in her course. Why did he still feel the need to try to change her?

***

The day of the wedding dawned and Amanda couldn't wait to see her friend walk down the aisle and marry the man of her dreams. Quite literally Amanda had seen Vincent's wedding for years. The bride's face had always been shrouded in mystery until recently. Vincent and Gina were meant for each other. Her friend had horrible taste in bride's maid dresses but Amanda would wear anything to support her friend. Wrinkly her nose at the ensemble before reaching for it to dress. It was going to be a long day she thought as she tugged on the dress in distaste.

By the time Amanda was able to sit down her feet were sore and swollen from wearing to tight shoes for too many hours. Smiling she thought it was all worth it seeing the beaming faces of her best friends being united in marriage. Kicking her shoes off sighing in relief as she rubbed her feet.

"Those look really uncomfortable," a man's voice said beside her.

"They are," she agreed opening her eyes.

"Hi I'm Grey Morgan," his smile sent butterflies to flight in her stomach.

"I'm Amanda Bennett," she introduced herself as she tried unsuccessfully not to stare at him.

"It's nice to meet you," he said sitting back relaxing "are you from around here?" he asked after a few minutes of silence passed between them.

"Born and raised," she said "Hidden Springs is beautiful. I love the mountains."

"It is picturesque," he agreed tapping his toes in rhythm to the music. "Would you like to dance?"

Looking at her feet she let out an involuntary groan "I'd love to but my feel will kill me if I try to stick them back into those things again."

Picking up one of the offending shoes Grey said "these look more like torture devices more than shoes." Thinking a moment Grey stooped and picked up the other shoe and abruptly walked off.

"Hey where are you going?" Amanda called after him "those are my shoes."

"Amanda I'd like you to meet Lee," Melissa said from behind her. Turning Amanda smiled up at a good looking young man "this is my husband," Melissa finished.

"It's nice to meet you," Amanda said as Melissa turned to her husband saying "why don't you ask Amanda to dance. I'm sure she'd enjoy it."

Lee turned awkwardly to Amanda who silently shook her head. "I'm sorry it's not hat I don't want to" she explained "some jerk took off with my shoes." They stared down at her bare feet.

A few minutes later while Lee escorted Melissa to the dance floor  deep voice said behind her "the jerk has returned" the low rumble of amusement evident in his voice. 

Turning around Amanda hoped her face didn't register the embarrassment she felt. "I'm sorry it's...."

"Don't worry about it," he smiled holding out a shoe box just slightly out of reach. "Let's see if these slippers fit Cinderella," his eyes twinkled as he knelt before  her lifting her foot. She watched as he slipped one on her foot. "Much better," he announced as he slipped the other shoe on her foot.

Inspecting her feet Amanda frowned "they're so so flat."

"Infinitely better then the things you were wearing before." Grey lifted an eyebrow at her daring her to contradict him. Standing he held his hand out "shall we dance?"

Lifting her chin she was on the verge of declining when she caught a sight of a ghostly figure in the distance nodding approval. She giggled softly "we shall."

On the dance floor Grey gathered her in his arms "so you know my cousin?"

"Your cousin?" she asked confused.

"Lee. He's my cousin. You were talking to him and his wife Melissa when I came back."

"I met Melissa at the bridal shower" Amanda explained.

Staring deeply into her eyes he said "you were the fortune teller. Melissa told me all about it." Grey laughed "my mama always said I was destined to fall in love with someone with the sight. I should have listened to her. She had it too."

"I've never met anyone else who had the sight. Do you think I could meet your mom?" Amanda asked not quite hiding her excitement.

"No I'm sorry she passed a couple years ago," he explained. Lifting her chin he asked "why so sad?"

Shaking her head "I was just hoping to meet someone like me. You know, someone I could turn to for advise..."

"My mama told me that when I met the girl with the sight I was to tell her that her visions would stop once she let herself be happy. She said you need to let go of the past in order to have a future."

Mesmerized by his words Amanda stared up into his eyes a strange smile upon her lips. "Penny for your thoughts," Grey asked. Shaking her head she sighed and snuggled closer as the music continued to play. They continued like that for a while until Grey asked "who did you see when you agreed to dance with me? I know it was someone."

"My dad," she said simply.

"Tell him thank you for me because your a superb dancer," Grey kissed the top of her head as he escorted her from the dance floor. "I'd like to see you again."

"I'd like that," she agreed.

***

As the months went by and she fell deeper and deeper in love with Grey her visions stopped along with any ghostly visitations of the recently departed. She hardly noticed or regretted it She was so absolutely happy and secure with Grey's love for her. He understood her and didn't demand anything more then she was able to give. No one before him had ever looked at her abilities as a gift and accepted them. She had either been the freak or a mystery.

"She gave her abilities up for love," Jennifer stated as if it left a bad taste in her mouth.

"She no longer needed them to cope," Chase told her "they came to her because of her need to be close to her dad. Once she realized she could be happy without him her special abilities ceased."

"The stupid little fool," Jennifer mumbled.

"I take it you don't agree," Chase watched her closely for a reaction.

"Never in a hundred years," she spat out "love isn't worth the sacrifice."

"No I guess not in your warped little mind," Chase mumbled as the scene before them changed.

***

"Amanda" Grey called dropping to one knee "will you marry me?"

"Did you....I ....I ...."her hands flew to her face as she nodded her head vigorously up and down unable to speak.

Smiling up at her he held a ring out to her as she brought her hand down and stretched her fingers out to him. As he slipped the ring on her finger her heart beat faster. She loved this man more than life itself. Before he was able to stand she knocked him over in her excitement as she moved to hug him. Falling on top of him on the ground Grey laughed before rolling her over and capturing her lips with his. "I love you Amanda Bennett."

"Soon to be Amanda Morgan," she replied up at him leaning forward to kiss him.

"I like the sound of that."

***

As the wedding day drew near Grey found Amanda crying softly on the couch. "Mandy what is it? What's wrong?"

"I wish my parents were here," she sniffed "every girl wants her daddy to walk her down the aisle. Their mom to hold their hand. To help her pick the right dress.... I don't have anyone ..." She burst into tears.

"Aw honey you have me," Grey smoothed her hair, rubbing her back as she cried. "We'll go shopping together. I'll walk you down the aisle. I'll be everything you need."

Wiping her eyes as she tried to control her sobs "Grey what would I do without you? I love you."

"I love you too sweet heart."

***

Jennifer scowled at the scene as her sister cuddled into Grey on the couch. Pointing at them she declared "that right there is why we need dad..."

"That was a momentary moment of sadness. Everyone has them. Everyone misses their loved ones at certain times in their lives." Chase told her "Amanda had Grey to help her through this difficult time. She didn't need to fall about or be overcome with sadness because she had someone who loved her."

"So love's the answer to all our woes?" Jennifer scoffed "everyone I've ever loved have either died or abandoned me."

"What about your siblings?" Chase asked.

Shrugging "that's different," she mumbled "but even they keep their distance from me. Not one of them would come to my defense  .... it's like.... never mind."

"It's like what?" Chase pounced knowing he was onto something.

"It's like they're afraid of me. They have this look in their eyes like they don't trust me. Especially Amanda. She looks at me and I feel hatred radiating from her." She crossed her arms hugging herself tight. "I don't know why," she added softly.

"I think we're about to find out why."

***

The scene changed focusing in on a street sign that read Summerset Drive. "Honey are you sure you're not too tired to drive?" Amanda asked as Grey narrowly missed side swiping a tree.

"I'm fine babe," Grey told her yawning "I told Lee we would be there for the birth of their baby. I don't want to disappoint him."

"We won't" Amanda told him "How about I drive for a while?"

Looking sideways at her Grey smiled "Ok you win I'll pull over at the scenic overlook..."

"Grey watch out," Amanda screamed as headlights appeared in front of them.

Several hours later Amanda woke up alone. Blinking back tears as she remembered the sound of metal crunching and glass shattering as their car was hit head on by a truck despite the best efforts Grey made to avoid the crash. "Grey," she cried out. A kindly nurse came and held her hand "where's my husband?" she asked desperate as she watched the nurse shake her head saying "I'm sorry dear he didn't make it."

"No, no, no" she cried as the nurse held her "this can't be happening. I saw it so clearly. My life with Grey was so happy..."

***

"That's not my fault," Jennifer said feeling a rush of anger and guilt engulf her.

"I didn't say it was," Chase told her "these events were supposed to happen. It's the changes that happened afterwards that Amanda finds most appalling."

"Does Grey die in this timeline too?" Jennifer asked unsure why she asked other then she felt responsible for the pain her sister was enduring.

Chase watched the pain and pity wash over Jennifer's face and hoped he was getting through to her. 

He shook his head in response to her question.

"Then why would she be so upset?"

"In this timeline they never meet," Chase sighed heavily wishing his job was easier. "To understand you need to know what is to appreciate the depth of the pain Amanda is going through....