I don't own any of the SSD characters. The song referenced is by Billy Joel even though not always stated. As always - hope you enjoy and please review!
Chapter 4:
By the time Shane got home it was almost 10:00 at night. Oliver heard the garage opening and sighed with relief that his wife had made it home safely. Shane came in the front door and heard "And So It Goes" by Billy Joel playing softly throughout the house. She expected Oliver to jump out and wrap her in his arms - or maybe that's just what she wished. She set her keys in the bowl on the entry table and set her purse down on the kitchen counter. She walked into the living room and found Savannah will her little beige cast on her arm, curled up and asleep on Oliver's lap. She was wearing her turquoise gym shirt and looked better in it than she did, Shane thought. She smiled at the sight of her daughter. Seeing that Oliver couldn't get up, Shane settled herself on the couch cushion next to Oliver and rested her head against his shoulder. Oliver turned to Shane and kissed her head. "I was playing our song to lull her to sleep and it worked. It was one of her favorite lullabies when she was first born," Oliver said matter of factly. "I thought you would like to say goodnight and then I'll tuck her in. I helped her brush her teeth before she fell asleep so we're all set. Then we'll talk and… cuddle my love." Shane melted every time he spoke those words. My love, she still couldn't believe that a miracle from God let her cross paths with Oliver - the love of her life. Shane sighed and kissed Savannah's forehead. "I love you sweetheart. Mommy will see you in the morning, sweet dreams." Oliver gave his wife a sympathetic look. He knew she had wanted to talk to Savannah and see her okay before she fell asleep. Oliver touched Shane's hand with his own before picking up Savannah and carrying her upstairs to her little pink bedroom. He hoped that until he came back, that subtle touch would be enough to comfort his wife.
Oliver laid Savannah in her crib and put her owl next to her. Oliver didn't want to wake Savannah up to change her into pajamas so he just let her sleep in Shane's gym shirt. She looked adorable, and comfortable anyway. He couldn't get over how much she looked like a little mini Shane. He thought to himself; she looks just like her mom, so how am I ever going to be able to say no to her? That's just what I need too - another brazenly manipulative woman in this house. Oliver chuckled quietly to himself and pulled the soft yellow blanket that Shane's mom had knitted over her little legs. He leaned down and kissed her forehead and whispered "Daddy is so proud of you for being brave today angel. I love you precious. You and your mom are the best things to ever grace my life. Now you sleep well and remember to be really nice to mommy tomorrow, okay? She's had a rough day." Oliver kissed her cheek, turned out the light, and tiptoed downstairs.
"And So It Goes" had ended. Shane was sitting on the couch with her legs tucked under herself, deep in thought. She didn't hear Oliver come downstairs. "Stand up," Oliver gently ordered. Shane jumped and looked at him quizzically. "Stand up, come here," Oliver beckoned Shane with outstretched arms. Shane got up, walked over, and let herself melt into Oliver. She was so exhausted and Oliver knew it. He knew she just needed him to hold her and soothe her, and that was easier to do standing up. Her head rested on his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Oliver's arms were wrapped around her waist as he rubbed her back and hair. He could feel Shane releasing the tension that was built up in her body from the long, exhausting day. He could hear her crying into his shoulder. She was soaking his plaid shirt (the blue and brown one that she particularly liked on him), but of course that didn't matter to him. She could soak him down to the bone and he wouldn't let go. "Shhhh shhhh shhhh. Shhhh shhhh shhhh," Oliver whispered as he swayed his wife back and forth. He pulled her in as tight as possible.
"Oliver was she in a lot of pain?" Shane broke the silence.
"Shane do you want the truth or do you want me to tell you what you want to hear. I don't want to upset you anymore. You need to relax."
"Oliver they hurt her didn't they?" Shane started to get angry - at herself, at the doctors, even at God for letting this happen to her little girl.
"My love, you are not making this easy on yourself. Savannah was in a lot of pain, but you already knew that. Honestly sweetheart, I'm glad you weren't there because it was hard to watch one of my girls in pain, let alone if both of you were there. The doctors weren't trying to hurt her Shane. They were just doing their job so they could help her. No x-rays meant no cast. They had to reposition her arm. But after they put the cast on they gave her a balloon and a lollipop and a sticker. She forgot all about what had just happened. So don't be mad at the doctors love." Shane sighed a breath of relief and Oliver felt her loosen up a bit more. "You didn't want me there Oliver?"
"Sweetheart listen to me. You weren't there because you weren't meant to be there. Maybe because it would have been too hard on me, or you. But you were meant to be with Rita today and we'll never know God's full reasoning for that, but you did another great thing today. You witnessed a beautiful little girl finally getting a loving forever family that she deserves. You were there for Rita. I am so proud of you. Savannah is okay and we were a team and that's all that matters. Okay?"
"Yes, Oliver you're right - as always. I'm sorry I got angry, I didn't mean to take anything out on anyone. I love you so much Oliver. You always say the right thing, thank you." Shane closed her eyes and let the tears fall. But this time they were happy tears. Tears of joy and gratitude that she was blessed with the most loving husband in the world. Oliver held her tighter and continued to rock her in his arms. When he felt Shane stop crying he pulled back and looked at Shane with all the tenderness in the world. He stroked her red tear stained cheeks with his thumbs. He brushed her hair behind her ears and put his hands on her back, pulled her into him, and kissed her while the whole world melted away. Shane's knees almost gave out underneath her. Oliver could kiss and he always knew the perfect moment to make her forget her worries with one. Oliver released their lips and pulled her back into him. He could tell she wasn't ready to let go.
"Oliver… thank you."
"For what my dear Shane?"
"For not letting go and for… for loving me." Shane began to sob overwhelmingly. "Thank you for loving me Oliver." Shane cried.
"Shane come here." Oliver wrapped Shane tighter in his arms. "Shane Allison O'Toole I love you with all of my heart. I will never let go of you until you tell me too, and you don't ever, ever have to thank me for loving you. That is something I will do forever, no matter what." Shane let out a sob as she stroked Oliver's soft hair. Shane didn't know what to say so she just said, "Oliver can we sit on the couch now? My feet are killing me." Oliver glanced down and realized Shane was still in her heels. She was so exhausted she forgot to take them off. She had even been sitting on the couch with them. Normally Oliver would have been a little upset at shoes on the couch, but he could never be upset at his wife - especially now.
"I have a better idea. You go take those shoes off and take a nice warm bath that I'm about to prepare for you, and then we'll put our pajamas on and sit in bed and talk. Okay my love? You've had a hard day, I want you to relax. I know we usually dance, but you're tired so we'll skip that tonight, okay?"
"Oliver, that sounds heavenly. You are…" Shane didn't get to finish before the breath was sucked out of her as Oliver kissed her. Oliver whispered in his sultry voice "I love you Mrs. O'Toole." Shane blushed and just about melted. She looked up at Oliver with a goofy grin and kissed him again. "Oliver, you are so handsome… I mean amazing. So amazing." Shane didn't know why she felt embarrassed to call him handsome - he was her husband after all. But she knew she would never get used to it. She had only been able to think it for so long, that saying it would probably make her blush and squeal inside forever. "Thank you for everything Oliver. I love you so much." And to tease Oliver before he could kiss her again, Shane slipped off her heels and ran upstairs. She went into the master closet and picked a floral blue tank top and a matching pair of pajama shorts for after her bath. Oliver went upstairs after her and got Shane everything she would need for her bath out of the hall closet. He filled the tub with hot water, added the bubble bath mixture, and draped the fuzzy robe he bought her as a wedding gift a few years ago over the side of the tub. It had her new initials stitched in a light lavender color at the top. Then he turned on the underwater jets for his wife too. Oliver walked into the closet and wrapped his arms around Shane's waist from behind. Shane jumped. He kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear "It's really hot just like you...like it. The bubble bath mixture has been added and the jets are turned on too. I love you sweetheart - enjoy."
"Thank you Oliver," Shane replied flirtatiously. She took a nice long bubble bath and then joined Oliver in their bed. They both sat against the headboard with Oliver's arm around Shane's shoulders. Olive spoke first once his wife was settled next to him. "I remembered Savannah's owl. I packed it and I used it to distract her while the doctor's were moving her arm. I held her good hand the whole time and Hooty helped too. I just wanted you to know that even when she was in pain we were both strong and she was okay. And just like I promised you - I handled everything." By now it was midnight and Shane was tired. Before she found her words she kissed Oliver's cheek.
"Oliver I know I was upset, but I never doubted you. You have never once broken a promise to me. I'm glad you're both okay and I am so grateful for you Oliver. I prayed you would remember Hooty." Shane laughed. "I love you. You are okay right? You're here for me Oliver, but I'm here for you too."
"I know that my love. But you and Savannah will always be my number one priority. I know how hard this was on you. And I will never break a promise to you. I love you and I am okay. I don't want you to worry about me. Oh, I packed all the stuff in that yellow tote bag you have. It smells like you, so it made me feel better," Oliver admitted shyly.
"Oliver you're so cute," Shane said dreamily. "I am the luckiest wife in the world Oliver," Shane sighed then said sleepily, "I got Norman on FaceTime for Rita today so he could see their new daughter Caroline. She and Norman were so happy. That's why I didn't answer your call. Rita didn't give me my phone back before it stopped ringing. But I called you back as soon as she did."
"I know you did love. You don't have to explain. And I am so proud of you for doing that for Rita and Norman. That must have been really special for them. You're amazing Mrs. O"Toole." Oliver looked over at his wife as her head slumped down on his shoulder. Shane had fallen into a peaceful slumber. Oliver kissed her forehead and gently laid her down on the bed. She looked so beautiful with her eyes closed. Her pale pink cheeks sparkled in the moonlight and her lips seemed to smile even while she was sleeping. But that subtle smile gave her away. Oliver, knowing that she wasn't quite asleep yet, leaned down and kissed her soft lips. Shane returned the kiss and mumbled sleepily "Goodnight Oliver."
"Goodnight Shane. Tomorrow we are doing absolutely nothing except the grocery shopping that needs to be done. I'll make a list in the morning and you sleep in. I love you."
"I love you too," Shane whispered. Oliver got out of bed and checked that the baby gate was latched securely - it was. Oliver then checked that the baby monitor on Shane's nightstand was on and working - it was. He crawled into bed putting an arm around his wife. Oliver thanked God for all his blessings - his wife and daughter being first, and then he prayed for several other things, including a restful and healing night of sleep for his beautiful wife. Finally done praying, Oliver let sleep and peace take over his body as he began to dream. All is right with the world. Even after that long, hard day, God is good, he thought.