Oliver hoped he'd gotten Valentine's Day right. After a frustrating hour in a card shop, he'd left empty handed, deciding again to abandon the trappings of canned sentiment in favor of penning his own.

Shane awaited him on the porch swing. He loved how she smiled as he approached her.

He carried the bouquet of yellow roses adorned with stars and a small box. He was more nervous than he'd been that first time they'd gone to Montaldo's. He stood before her, nodding slightly.

"Good evening, Shane." He still savored saying her name, noting that now, calling her Ms. McInerney seemed…wrong.

"Good evening, Oliver," she echoed, her smile lighting her eyes.

They sat, rocking gently. This was where they'd always felt most content, even before they'd begun dating.

He handed her the flowers, began stumbling with words, suddenly second guessing his choice of yellow roses.

She rescued him, as she had the habit of doing, perhaps recognizing his struggle. She looked at the bouquet, smiled widely, and held his gaze. "I was hoping they'd be yellow," she stated, now happily looking at the bouquet. He felt immediate relief.

He held the small box he'd painstakingly wrapped, inadequately tied with a red ribbon, and the card. His heart pounded. What was in the box…this would change everything.

"These are for you," he began, but failed to find more words. He felt a current pass between them when their hands touched. He let his hands linger, treasuring that closeness, sensing that she also seemed reluctant to break the connection.

She opened the card, noting his artwork and precise penmanship, murmuring the words almost silently. She brought her hand to her heart, a tear escaping her eye. He gently wiped it with his thumb, pleased his sentiment had spoken to her.

"Oliver…" she said, her voice barely above a whisper. He closed his eyes, taking in a breath. Did she know what she did to him when she said his name like that?

"Open the gift, Shane," he said, quietly, as he opened his eyes.

She untied the bow, unwrapped the paper, opened the box. She gasped, realization spreading across her face. She sprang across the porch swing and hugged him fiercely. He cherished the feeling of her in his arms. He would always cherish that.

When she released him, he smiled a somewhat sheepish grin. I think we'll be spending a lot of time together as you teach me to use that", he said pointing to the box containing the new iPhone.

"What made you", she began, her voice drifting off.

"It occurred to me that my lack of…connectivity…caused you great pain. Had I had a cell phone with me in El Dorado Canyon, I could have avoided causing you pain. I never want to bring you pain."

Tears fell down her beautiful cheeks, and she reached up to him taking his face in her hands, drawing him in for a kiss.

It was, indeed, the perfect Valentine's Day.