The characters and familiar phrases in the dialogue all belong to Martha Williamson.
Chapter 1:
"Oliver?" Shane was trying hard to catch her breath as she breathed in and out heavily. It was raining and chilly enough that her teeth were chattering. Oliver could hear the distress in her voice. She had left a few minutes prior to go to the store to pick him up some Yoo-hoo and tea. They planned on drinking some together as they cuddled later that night per usual. Now there was a storm fast approaching and Oliver knew he shouldn't have let her go out in that weather. He had been worried the minute she stepped off the porch. But Oliver knew his wife needed a break to get out of the house, and she would've protested anyway. She wanted her independence to be recognized. Oliver wished that he could convey to her how much he knows she is an independent woman and how much he loves that about her. He just wished that she would understand that being a protective husband is what he felt to be his duty. He just couldn't imagine anything happening to the love of his life.
Shane spoke again. "Oliver, I need you to not panic." Of course Shane knew Oliver better than that, but she thought maybe if he could hear her voice say it, it might be of the slightest consolation.
"Shane what is going on?"
"Oliver, I've been in a car accident."
"Shane, where are you? Are you okay? Tell me where you are!" Oliver was practically shouting into the phone now, but out of fear, instead of the usual anger associated with an increase in volume. Luckily Shane knew him well enough by now after being married to him for two months, that she could recognize he wasn't angry. He had already grabbed his keys from the entry table and was throwing his coat on sloppily. Simultaneously, he clumsily locked the door behind him. He was already in his own car by the time Shane answered.
"Oliver I'm at the last intersection before the Mailbox Grille in the downtown. I am okay. I got a cut on my head, but other than that I'm okay. I'm just shaken up is all. I promise." Shane was fighting really hard to keep her voice steady so Oliver wouldn't know she was fighting tears. She was really scared and all she wanted was to feel his strong, warm arms wrapped tightly around her body.
"I'm on my way. I'm staying on the line until I get there. Is anyone else with you or is anyone else hurt?"
"There is another lady here with me. She's fine. She called an ambulance just to check me out and the police are on their way too." This lady was Marsha and she was in her early fifties and had two teenage daughters. She had introduced herself to Shane and apologized for causing the accident. She had to go through a big puddle as she made a turn and she couldn't see through the splashes. She ended up side swiping Shane in the other lane. Shane's passenger door was crumpled in and her side mirror was partially bent off. The impact had caused Shane to bang her head on her window. Marsha's headlight was broken, but Shane's car had taken the beating and Marsha was able to walk away unscathed. Oliver continued talking and giving Shane instructions.
"Stay put Shane, I'm coming." Shane could hear the quiver in Oliver's voice as he tried to sound firm, but was crumbling underneath.
"I'm not going anywhere Oliver," she said, hoping he would understand the subtle undertones of meaning in that line. She knew he felt like this was his fault since he let her go out in this and she was going to get his Yoo-hoo and tea. She knew that he thought he could've lost her.
Shane was sitting on the edge of the ambulance holding an ice pack up to the gauze patch now on her forehead, as Oliver's car pulled up. He jumped out of the car and shouted her name as he ran around the scene of the accident looking for her. "Shane? Shane!" Shane had been told by a medic not to get up because she might faint from the blood loss and dehydration. They had taken all Shane's vitals and in the process, determined her water levels were very low. As much as she wanted to run and jump into Oliver's arms, Shane knew he would be more mad if she disobeyed the medic's orders. If she stood up, she would feel woozy and could make herself worse. Instead, Oliver came over and grabbed her outstretched hand. He tried to pull her to her feet to no avail. A small smile crept into the corners of Shane's lips at Oliver's gesture. He wanted to pull her into his arms just as much as she wanted to be in them, and she found it sweet that they were on the same page once again.
"Oliver I'm not allowed to stand yet because of the blood loss. I already told the paramedics that I felt woozy as I exited my car. They said I'm dehydrated, so I have to stay seated. One of them is getting me water right now." Oliver looked at Shane with all the love and sympathy in the world. He sat down next to his wife, feeling defeated that he couldn't hold her in his arms. He wanted to comfort her and plant all his affections on her so badly to make her feel better. He couldn't even imagine how overwhelmed she must be.
Reading his mind Shane said, "Oliver, I know, I want to be held by you too. Trust me, the only thing I want right now is to be in your arms, but I have to be careful of my head. The head loses a lot of blood quickly." Before she could continue, a brunette paramedic, who had earlier introduced herself as Lisa before Oliver arrived, came over with a bottle of water.
"You need to drink all of this within five minutes to get your water levels up. I'm also going to replace your gauze if you don't mind?"
"Sure. Thank you," Shane replied weakly. Oliver could hear how exhausted she was. He looked over at her and noticed how pale her cheeks were. Shane began to drink her water as Lisa gently removed the gauze from her forehead.
"It's stopped bleeding. After you drink that water, we'll check you out again and then you should be free to go. I'm just going to put a small bandage on this now okay?" Lisa asked.
"Sounds good. Thank you Lisa."
"You're looking much better Shane." Shane gave Lisa a small smile as she felt the new bandage stick onto her forehead. Lisa walked away and Shane turned to find Oliver looking at her. Some color returned to her cheeks for a brief moment as she blushed.
"Do I look that bad?" She asked.
"You look beautiful." Oliver leaned in and gently put his finger under Shane's chin to steady her head. Then he tilted his head to meet her lips so she wouldn't have to move her own. He kissed her delicately until he felt the passion Shane was returning. He kissed her a little harder, making sure he didn't hurt her head. Oliver finished the tender moment with a kiss on her cheek and leaned back, placing a hand on her face. He stroked her pale, cold complexion with his thumb. "You're beautiful."
"Thank you, Oliver."
"My goodness, you're freezing Shane! Oh, you've finished your water. Allow me to deposit the bottle in the recycling bin for you. I'll get a paramedic to come check on you on my way back so we can go okay?"
"Thank you love." Shane couldn't help but smile at her husband's chivalry as she handed him her empty plastic bottle. A few moments later Oliver returned with Lisa who checked Shane's blood pressure and temperature, among other things.
"You are good to go Shane. A tow-truck picked up your car and the police just need to talk to you for a minute. Have a lovely evening."
Oliver stepped forward and said, "Thank you for taking such good care of my wife."
"My pleasure sir." Lisa smiled and walked back to the ambulance to her colleague.
"Let's get you home my love," Oliver stated sympathetically. They stopped to talk to the police to recount what happened and it was clear that Shane was not at fault. Her car insurance would cover the cost of repairs and she would be able to pick it up in seven to ten days. Shane grimaced at the long wait. She would have to ride with Oliver everywhere, which of course wasn't bad… just inconvenient for both of them. She knew Oliver wouldn't mind, but she on the other hand would have no choice but to let Oliver be her chauffeur. He would become accustomed to her company for a week and then insist on driving her everywhere for the rest of her life! Shane loved her protective husband with every fiber of her soul, but she wished she could get him to understand the concept of independence.
Oliver took Shane's hand and helped her stand. As soon as she had stood up and was steady, he pulled her into his arms and let her head rest on his chest. He stroked her hair as she inhaled the scent of him and listened to his heartbeat. Oliver felt Shane shaking against him and soon came to realize that she was shivering beneath his arms.
"Shane, you're really freezing." Oliver stated it as a fact and not a question. He wasn't about to hear any more excuses from his wife. "Why didn't you tell me you were so cold?"
"I'm fine Oliver. Really. I'm just a little underdressed." It was the middle of October and it had dropped into the fifties, which was quite cool for that time of year. Shane was only wearing a short sleeve shirt and jeans. It was sixty-eight and sunny when she left. She hadn't expected to be at the store that long, so she didn't grab a jacket on her way out. Four hours had now passed since she had left for the store and she was cold and exhausted.
Oliver scoffed at Shane's words. He hardy called that a little underdressed. "Shane, you are shivering." Oliver took off his fall coat and put it around his wife's shoulders. He rubbed her arms. "Is that better? I don't want you to catch a cold."
"Yes, that's much better Oliver, thank you." Shane leaned into him as he continued to rub her arms. Oliver kissed the top of her head and started pulling his jacket onto Shane. "Love, let me help you put it on. That might make you warmer." Shane obliged and turned around, offering Oliver her arms as he helped her put his jacket on. As if Shane was his child, he zipped up the jacket to her chin. Shane rolled her eyes.
"Oliver, it doesn't have to be zipped that high!" Shane sighed as she lowered the zipper to a comfortable height. She looked up to catch Oliver staring at her with a look of disapproval. He quickly changed it to a look of longing and admiration though as he studied Shane. She was giving him the stink eye for trying to scold her for simply lowering the zipper. Oliver gained control of his concern as he continued to have a stare-down with his wife. He smiled at the sight of her in his oversize jacket. The sleeves went past her hands and the bottom hem went low onto her thighs instead of at her waist like it laid on him.
"What?" Shane asked.
"You look really cute in my jacket love, that's all." Oliver grinned as Shane's cheeks turned another layer of red. This layer was from blushing instead of the cold.
"Thank you Oliver. But now you must be cold."
"Shane don't worry about me. You have been through enough. Let's go home and I'll make a fire and some hot chocolate for you, and while I do that you can take a nice warm bath."
"Do you promise you'll keep me warm too?"
"I promise my love." Oliver looked at his wife lovingly and closed the few steps of distance between them as he pulled Shane in and touched his lips to hers, still being cautious of her head. He released and looked her in the eyes. He stroked her cheeks with his thumbs and whispered, "You are truly so beautiful. I hope you never, ever forget that."
Shane whispered back with watery eyes, "Thank you Oliver." This time Shane initiated the kiss had between them as she pulled Oliver ever closer and ever deeper into her. She moved her hands along Oliver's exposed biceps now that she had his jacket. He was in khakis and a blue t-shirt that she absolutely adored on him. She loved the dressed down, casual Oliver. Shane gave a gentle, playful push to Oliver's chest to signal that their kissing would have to pause for right now. His lips fell off of hers and he looked at her questioningly. "Let's continue this at home. You want to go find the car now so we can go? I'm starting to get cold again," Shane said.
"Oh, of course my love." Oliver offered Shane his arm and she slipped hers into the hole provided. "Allow me to escort you to the car." Shane leaned her head on Oliver's shoulder as they walked.
"You always take such good care of me Mr. O'Toole. I am the luckiest woman in the world."
"No, Mrs. O'Toole I am luckier. You saved me. You love me unconditionally and for that I am eternally grateful. I would do anything for you." Oliver turned his head and planted a kiss in Shane's hair.
"Oliver, have I told you yet today that I love you?"
"Several times Mrs. O'Toole, several times. But I will never tire of hearing it. I love you Shane."
"I love you too Oliver." They had finally reached the car and Oliver turned and took Shane's hands in his and said, "Marrying you is the best decision I have ever made. I am sorry that you had to go through all of this trauma alone as you were trying to do something nice for me. I'm just so grateful…" Oliver trailed off as his eyes started to fill with water. Shane's heart melted. She squeezed Oliver's hands.
"I'm right here Oliver. I'm not going anywhere. I love you." She kissed his cheek tenderly.
"I love you so much Shane, and I feel like this is all my fault. I let you go out in this weather and you were going to get things for me. I just…" Shane put a finger to his lips and shushed him.
"Oliver, accidents are part of life. They happen. But I am okay, and you are not to blame for any of this. Bad weather doesn't mean we halt our lives. It was my idea to go to the store in spite of the weather. Normally this wouldn't have happened, that's why it's called an accident. Please don't think that any of this is your fault Oliver." Shane smiled sweetly up at him. "I love you Mr. O'Toole, with everything in me and I intend to spend the rest of my life with you, and brave many more "storms" with you." She pulled him in by his shoulders and wrapped her arms around him as she kissed him. She could feel Oliver trying to return her passion, but he was having difficulty. She paused and looked at him and saw that her husband was crying. Shane pulled him into a hug as she asked, "Oliver, do you want to tell me what's going on? I'm here."
"That was beautiful my love. I just… I could've lost you and I don't know…" Oliver tried to regain composure as Shane rubbed his back.
"Oliver you didn't lose me and you're never going to." Shane wanted to say that he was stuck with her, but she knew Oliver wouldn't appreciate humor right now.
"Shane, I was so scared. I've just been holding it in until now." Shane could see that Oliver was struggling being so vulnerable. He still had trouble expressing his emotions sometimes and she knew he hated it, but she thought it was the cutest thing ever.
"I know Oliver. I know. You can let it out now. I'm not going anywhere. I promise I understand, my sweet husband. You can tell me anything and I will listen to you. You're safe with me Oliver." She continued to rub Oliver's back. "Are you okay? Are you a bit shaken up or there is something you're not telling me? You're not usually this emotional, which is okay, but you would tell me if something was bothering you right Oliver?
"Yes. I just don't want to ever let you go again, but I know that's not what you want."
"Oliver, I love being in your arms, but yes, that is not practical. Driving has risks Oliver. Brushing your teeth has risks if you think about it hard enough. Living life as a whole has risks, but that doesn't mean we stop living. Unfortunately you can't contain me in a bubble, so I'll always be safe Oliver. But I can promise you that my mind is always on you and my heart is always longing for you. No matter what happens to me, good or bad, I am yours forever. I am faithfully and forever devoted to you. I do everything with you in mind, because I love you Oliver. What could've beendoesn't matter. What is matters. And what is right now? Right now I, Shane O'Toole, am your wife and I am hugging you, Oliver O'Toole, and I am telling you that I love you. I love you Oliver. Now let's go spend a cozy evening with each other and be grateful for all the blessings God has provided us - especially the evening we are going to spend together." Shane kissed Oliver's cheek and looked up at him adoringly. "Okay?"
"Yes, Shane. You are so good at this." Oliver took Shane's hand and opened the car door for her. He grabbed her arm before she got in the car and pulled her in for a kiss. Shane looked at him breathlessly with surprise after his lips left hers. She knew her pep talk had gotten to him. She mouthed I love you as he shut the door.