Signed Sealed Delivered: Dancing with Stars
Hi friends! here is the next chapter! I hope that you continue to enjoy this story! Thanks for reading!
For entertainment only!
Chapter 7
Norman stood outside waiting for Rita to come downstairs. He looked to his shoes, when he heard an 'ehm' from behind him. He turned around, a smile on his face until he saw her and his heart seemed to hop at the sight of her looking so amazing. She was wearing a short black lace dress; there were sequins underneath the sheer lace making it delicately sparkle in the light.
"Wow. You look...perfect" he said with a smile resulting in Rita to beam at him. "And you look so charming Norman" Rita said as she took him in, seeing him in a very dashing black suit.
He grinned as he glanced at himself, causing her to look at him with a warm smile. "I love you"
He smiled and placed a sweet kiss to her cheek "I love you, Rita"
"Wanna know something?" Rita asked, her eyes bright as she looked at him. He nodded "Ok"
She smiled "We are both wearing the same color"
Norman grinned brighter "Wow, would you look at that. I guess that just means we are definitely made for each other"
A dreamy smile crossed her face in return. She realized she was staring at him, and blushed, adjusting her black framed glasses shyly.
"It is so exciting that Oliver is throwing us a surprise party, don't you think?" Rita asked as she took Norman's hand and started walking with him. Norman nodded "Oliver is the greatest friend I've ever had. He helped me set things up, you know? He was the first one I told about you"
Rita smiled, her eyes getting glossy.
"I think he's also really glad Shane's back" he added.
Rita smiled "Me too. It felt so strange not having Shane with us. She makes us the Postables"
Norman nodded with a smile "I love being the Postables"
Rita smiled brighter "Me too, Norman. And, In a way...Shane brought us together"
Norman squeezed her hand returning a warm smile "Yah, I guess you're right."
Oliver looked to the time on his watch as he stepped outside, seeing that he had simply half an hour to get back home and changed before he had to make his way to collect his friends. "Dad, I'm afraid I'm running late. I better go now. I have to pick up Norman and Rita...and... Shane" he said to his father as he followed him outside.
Joe smiled, hearing his son refer to her as Shane rather than his usual 'Miss McInerny'
"You got it, son. It's great to see my Oliver back. You aren't the only one who missed her, you know. I'm glad she is back, too."
Oliver looked down, trying not to smile or feel embarrassed that Shane's absence had clearly left him in a state that was displeasing and concerning to everyone around him, though felt equally glad on her behalf that she'd touched so many others in her time in Denver, and grateful he had so many to help him make this evening special for Norman and Rita, and Shane. "Thanks for helping me, dad."
Joe smiled and hugged his son. "Any time." Oliver smiled as he hugged his dad, thankful for how much he helped him push his feelings to the surface, and being there to listen to him.
Oliver smiled and made his way. Once he made it home, he quickly got ready, thankful that the preparations for this evening's festivities were set without a hitch. He was quite excited about this evening and was more than eager to see his colleagues, his friends... his family.
He felt his heart race as his thoughts went to his dear Shane. He allowed himself to smile in the privacy of his home that she was back, and was giving him a chance to show her that she was valued and very much cared for, specifically by him.
He looked in the mirror and adjusted his tie, thinking to how lovely she looked and how much he enjoyed seeing her at the DLO today. It made his heart swell at how much hope he saw in her breathtaking smile, and how much love and patience he could see in her eyes.
He had been so lost with their absence.
She had been just as miserable as he had been in their short but somehow lengthy time apart. It pained him to know that his delay in going after her had left her feeling unwanted by him.
He hoped he was able to convey that he simply didn't want to hold her back. That he wanted to trust and support her as she has so unselfishly done for him. He felt overcome with his thoughts of her unwavering hope and friendship. He hoped he could show her how truly special she was to him. How much she changed his life.
He took a deep breath as he made his way to leave, taking a moment to pray before he drove off to pick up his friends.
Shane looked to the time on her phone as she stepped outside her front door. It was now 6:20pm. Oliver would be picking her up soon. She took a seat on her porch swing, a goofy grin swept across her face at the thought of him.
She thought back to the events of the day. He'd picked her up to take her to work, brought her favorite coffee, looked and smiled at her in a way that got her feeling butterflies, told her how much he missed her while she was gone, decided that one of the dances they'd partake in would be the tango, and wrote her that perfect little note. The one she now had in the hidden pocket of her dress.
She was so excited to be wearing this new dress. It was a maroon lace off the shoulder dress that was fitted at her waist and flared to knee length; the off the shoulder sleeves reached to her elbows and the skirt had those awesome inseam pockets that were definitely perfect for this instance.
She smiled as slipped out the note and unfolded it, her smile expanding as she read its contents.
How was it that this perfect gentleman could have her blushing without doing more than look at her? She couldn't imagine what would happen to her when they danced the tango together. She'd more than likely swoon with him so close to her, holding her and dancing with her in such an amorous manner, his charming scent washing over her, his eyes meeting hers.
She bit her lip, her heart beating faster.
She looked to the note once more and traced the closing lines.
Yours, Oliver
Her eyes became glossy at the overwhelming feeling that overcame her as she held the note to her, those words going straight to her heart. Those two simple words together meant the world to her, and she wanted more than anything to convey the same message to him. That she was and will always be his.
If that was what he wanted.
She smiled as she heard the swing squeak, then got an idea. She quickly went back inside and was back out shortly, just in time to see Oliver's car pull up in front of her house. She smiled, her heart beginning to race again as she saw him get out and when he stopped at the fence, the admiring look that filled his eyes as he caught sight of her gave her butterflies.
She smiled at him, unsure if she could move from her place. Thankfully, he rushed over and stopped in front of her, a charming smile on his face. "Oliver. What a surprise" she said with a playful smile.
He chuckled. She missed hearing his laugh "I thought you would have picked up Rita and Norman first?"
A smirk crossed his face as he stepped a fraction closer, causing her heart to skip. "I had contemplated that and realized I wouldn't be able to do this" he lifted her hand and placed a sweet kiss, but then surprised her when he leaned forward and placed a kiss to her cheek that lingered a few seconds longer.
Her eyes met his as he pulled back slowly, still holding on to her hand; she blushed at the boyish smile that was on his face. "Well, in that case, I am really glad you picked me up first" she said with a playful smile.
He grinned as he held his arm out for her "Shall we?"
She nodded and locked their arms together. She glanced to him, her eyes shining as she took him in. He was looking so handsome. He was in a charcoal black suit, with a light grey undershirt. His tie was a combination of black, grey and she noticed faintly some red. She bit her lip, as she saw him take a sneaking glance to her.
Once they reached his car, he held the door open for her, but kept her hand in his and said "I almost forgot" he reached into his jacket and pulled out a beautiful yellow rose. She smiled, her eyes meeting his again "thank you, Oliver"
As she took it from him their hands brushed, and that little contact felt like electric.
Oliver knew that he was very eager to see Shane again. Though it'd only been a few hours since he'd seen her, he felt the desire to be by her side. Seeing her as he walked up to her house, his heart had seemed to lift seeing how mesmerizing she truly was.
As she smiled at him, his heart expanded at the beauty that emanated from her. She was simply glowing, radiant as ever. He rushed over to her, unable to take their distance much longer and seeing how breathtaking she was looking made him unable to keep back his smile.
Hearing her surprise that he decided to collect her first of the bunch gave him the opportunity to answer her with a kiss to her hand, followed by an affectionate kiss to her cheek that he couldn't pass, wanting her to know how much he cherished her.
A pleasant warmth filled him at the sweet contact of her lips to his own cheek once she accepted the rose. He smiled as their eyes met again, her smile spreading, before she laughed "Alright, let's pick up the special couple! I can't wait to see your surprise!"
He looked at her in thought for a second as she got into the car, but quickly went around and got in. Once he started the car he looked to her "How do you know there's a surprise?"
She looked at him with wide eyes, but said "Uh...well, you've been so secretive and uh...obviously there's some surprise, right?"
He smiled, his eyes shining. She bit her lip, wondering if he just knew she was holding back. "Miss McInerny, I have truly missed that insatiable curiosity of yours." he said before he looked ahead and started driving. She grinned, her cheeks flaming at his comment, sure that he knew.
Within ten minutes they came across Rita and Norman strolling in their direction, who waved excitedly as they noticed them. Shane laughed as she hopped out of the car to greet them happily "Rita, Norman, you both look great!"
"Ee, oh Shane, you look so beautiful too!" Rita hugged her friend before she got in, smiling at Norman holding the door open for her. Once they were situated in the back, and Shane took her seat once more, Oliver smiled, happy to have their team back together.
They were truly only the Postables together, the four of them an equal integral part to their whole. He was exceptionally grateful to the Lord for this special divine delivery.
The Postables, his friends, his family. He couldn't think of a better way to spend his evening than celebrating this special gift.
AN: Hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think!
