I don't own anything you recognize or the characters. They belong to Martha Williamson. I also don't own that rose quote. This might be the last chapter of "The Simple Things" for a while unless I get inspired. But I am hoping inspiration will strike for a new project. Obviously I will come back at some point to have Shane deliver the baby. Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Shane is now six months pregnant.
Shane had just finished tucking Savannah in. It was a process now that Savannah was taking care of a butterfly. Every night before bed she had to pretend to feed it and then tuck it in. The part that took the longest was her bedtime stories to the butterfly. Savannah was very talented at telling stories, she just didn't know how to be concise. Shane had to tell her to get in bed at least three times every night. But as much as Shane didn't like the longer bedtime routine Savannah had managed to give herself, she was proud of her daughter for taking great care of the butterfly just like she and Oliver had told her to. She was very impressed that Savannah never forgot anything or tried to skip a day of taking care of it. She even remembered to give the butterfly a goodnight kiss each night. But now that Shane's belly was big, Savannah was obsessed with that too. Shane had to let Savannah sing and talk to her little brother each night as well, or she refused to go to bed. That was all over for tonight and Shane was finally able to turn off Savannah's lamp and exit the room. She was exhausted. It had been a long day at work and then Savannah was throwing tantrums all evening. Shane thought maybe she was coming down with something, but Savannah still had all her energy and when she had checked her temperature it was perfectly normal. It must be more terrible twos, Shane thought. There was also something still going on with her mom. When she had FaceTimed her at the gender reveal party she could once again tell that there was something her mom wasn't telling her. Shane went into her bedroom and grabbed her cell phone off the nightstand and clicked her mom's number.
"Hey mom. How are you?"
"Hello dear. I'm fine how are you and the baby? Is Oliver well, and Savannah?"
"I'm good mom, just tired. I think this baby boy is going to be tall like Oliver. He's already huge. I'm carrying way larger than when I was pregnant with Savannah. I'm only six months and I was this size with Savannah at eight months." Shane laughed half heartedly.
"Well every pregnancy is different and every mom carries different. And I love tall men so if we can raise another Oliver, I will be very pleased. So how is your lovely husband and my granddaughter then?"
"Oliver is well, he's taking great care of me. But Savannah had a rough day today. The night was better once I got her to settle down, but all evening she wouldn't eat and she wouldn't listen. It was tantrum city over here at our house. She isn't sick, so I guess she was just having a rough day. I just don't know what triggered it. But I just finished tucking her in."
"Sorry to hear that darling. Hopefully she has a better day tomorrow. Maybe ask her if something is bothering her and see if she'll tell you. Maybe she's not feeling well, but you just can't see the symptoms yet. So anyway, what do I owe the pleasure of this call to?"
"Mom, when we called you to tell you about the baby, and then again at the gender reveal party, as well as all the times in between that I've talked to you… you've been acting strange. You can't hide anything from me mom. Spill the beans. I hope they're good beans?"
"Okay, okay. I knew if other people were telling me I was bad at hiding it, then it was only a matter of time before you asked. Yes, it's good news. So… I found a guy. His name is Chase and we've been going out now for about six months. I guess about as long as you've been pregnant." Shane wasn't surprised. She knew there was a guy by the way her mom smiled and glowed. She looked much better than she had just last year when Shane talked to her. This Chase guy was obviously having an effect on her.
"I knew it mom! But how long were you going to wait to tell me? You've been going out with this guy for six months and you didn't bother to tell me?"
"Shane sweetheart, calm down. You've been busy and have had your own big news and I didn't want to steal the spotlight. Besides it's nothing serious anway. But I promise I wasn't trying to keep it a secret."
"Mom, be for real. Six months sounds pretty serious to me. I hope he's treating you well. Chase is an unusual name."
"Oh he's a very nice man Shane. He's a biker, so Chase isn't his real name. I think his real name is Greg. But he also plays golf and he is a really good cook. He owns his own restaurant. But it's really nothing serious. We've never even been to each other's houses. We haven't even kissed yet Shane! We're taking things really slow. I just have so much fun with him, that's all."
There were so many things Shane found wrong with what her mom just described. A biker? That's not exactly safe. She doesn't really know his real name? Shane had a bunch of concerns, but she didn't have the energy to interrogate her mom tonight. "Well he sounds nice mom. I'm glad you're taking it slow. Have you talked to Alex recently? Does she know about this Chase?"
"Yes honey I told her. She's doing well at her new waitressing job. So far so good. Maybe you should call her."
"Not tonight mom, but I'll call her soon. Well, I'm going to let you go mom because I'm exhausted. I'll talk to you again soon. Love you."
"Get some rest darling. I love you too, goodnight." Shane hung up and waddled down the stairs in her slippers to go sit with Oliver before she turned in for the night. As soon as she entered the living room Oliver's face creased with worry at how exhausted she looked. He opened up space for her to sit against him in between his legs. That way his arms could wrap around her belly and he could feel his little son.
"Come here love. You've had a long day. You're an angel you know - your patience with Savannah and at work is impeccable. I told you I would've tucked her in." Shane settled herself against Oliver with her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her belly and gently started rubbing it. Shane put her hands over his and caressed them with her thumbs. She would now direct Oliver's hands to wherever she felt a kick or any movement. It was adorable that Oliver still thought it was the coolest thing ever, even on the second child.
"That's okay Oliver. She has to learn to settle down around bedtime and she always gets so excited around you. You don't know how to say no. She would've had to play "big bad vacuum" and you would've had to be a grizzly bear. This way it was just easier."
Oliver was taken aback by what he just heard. "I can say no to her Shane." But as soon as Oliver said the words aloud, he didn't believe them either. No, it was true. He couldn't say no to his little girl. I mean how could anyone say no to those little cheeks, and sparkly eyes? He thought. And those pigtails. Oliver had to admit he was a sucker for the pigtails. If Savannah had her hair done in pigtails, she was likely to get two ice cream cones, instead of one, five bedtime stories, four piggy back rides, and the list goes on and on. Luckily Shane had caught on and only put Savannah's hair in pigtails for special occasions - when it was okay for her to be spoiled and have some extra fun anyway.
Shane laughed. "It's okay Oliver, but you and I both know that you can't say no to her." Oliver sighed in defeat.
"Okay, I confess." He kissed Shane's forehead and cheek and then moved all the way down to her shoulder. Shane was distracted from her husband's lips as she felt a kick.
"Oh love, right here." Shane moved Oliver's hand to the correct spot. "Do you feel him?"
"Oh I felt him kick again!" Shane smiled and Oliver kissed her cheek. After a few more minutes of this new nightly ritual, Oliver helped Shane up to bed. They cuddled up next to each other with Oliver's arm across Shane's side.
"Oliver I called my mom earlier," Shane mumbled with her eyes closed. "She has a boyfriend. Apparently his name is Chase or Greg or something. It's a mystery, but anyway they've been going out for six months. He is a biker that likes to golf and is a good cook. He owns his own restaurant. I told you she was hiding something."
"Well that's sounds nice Shane. Sounds like she's happy."
"Yeah she's happy, I just hope he's treating her well. I hope this isn't midlife crisis clouding her brain and causing her to make poor decisions. I guess I just never pictured my mom with a biker named Chase. That's the total opposite of my buttoned up dad."
"Shane, you know she's not trying to replace your dad, but she's also not trying to erase him either. So if she likes this Chase, then I think you should be happy for her. He obviously means something to her if she's stayed with him for six months."
"You're right. I'm happy for her. But you'll still pray for her tonight right? I already have."
"And so have I, my love. Sleep well sweetheart, I love you with every fiber of my being."
"That's deep Mr. O'Toole," Shane laughed quietly. "I still love you more Oliver," Shane replied with her usual response.
The next morning Joe arrived right on time to babysit Savannah while Shane and Oliver went to work. "She had a rough day yesterday Joe. I hope she'll be good for you today," Shane informed him. She handed Savannah, who she had been holding, over to her grandpa.
"No worries Shane. I'll call you if there's any trouble. You guys have a good day at work." Oliver kissed Savannah's head and escorted Shane out the door. Joe set Savannah down on the living room floor and started tickling her with stuffed animals. She squealed with delight as he made a pink teddy bear tickle her cheek. Joe got up for a minute to get himself a glass of water. He made his way into the kitchen and just as he was about to fill his glass Savannah started to cry loudly. He set the glass down on the counter and scooped her up. "What did you do little one? Did you hurt yourself?" Savannah shook her head. Joe noticed she was rubbing her ear. "Does your ear heart?" Savannah nodded. Joe knew she had an ear infection. He made a note to remind himself to tell Oliver and Shane to take her to the doctor to possibly get some drops. In the meantime Joe carried Savannah upstairs and gave her some children's Tylenol.
Shane and Oliver returned home from work laughing. "What is so funny you two?" Joe asked. Shane could barely get it out. "Lester and Hazel got busted for some PDA in the break room by one of the supervisors. They were just kissing, but some new intern ratted them out and brought a supervisor in. Their break was cut short and they were both sent back to work. It was the funniest thing ever to see the looks on their faces when they got caught. I mean no one else in the break room cared except this new 'by the book' intern. Everyone else was ignoring 've never seen anything like it. We felt so bad. Their relationship is just starting to take off and everyone knows about it anyway. But it was still pretty funny," Shane admitted.
Joe chuckled. "Well that is quite a story. Anyway before I forget, Savannah told me her ear was hurting. I gave her some Tylenol, but I think you guys should take her to see a doctor and see if she needs some ear drops. That's probably why she was acting up yesterday Shane. She was probably in a lot of pain and since she didn't hurt herself she probably couldn't understand what was happening inside her ear. That's why she didn't tell either of you what was wrong - she couldn't explain it. I only figured it out because I saw her rubbing her ear. But hopefully the Tylenol will help. For now."
"Oh my goodness, that explains everything. Thank you so much Joe! We might never have figured it out," Shane exclaimed.
"My pleasure. Well, you all have a nice night and I'll see you tomorrow." Joe bent down and hugged Savannah as she clung onto Oliver's leg. "Bye sweetheart." Savannah waved and then replaced her grip on Oliver's leg. Shane hugged Joe and thanked him once more. Oliver just waved since he was being held in place.
"Uhh, bye dad."
"It's okay son, you don't have to hug me. Good night." Shane closed the door after her father-in-law. "Savannah, Daddy just got home from work and he has to move. Mommy can't bend down to pry you off his leg with my big belly so you need to let go, or Mommy is going to start counting down." Shane waited a moment and Savannah didn't let go. "Ten, nine…" Savannah let go of Oliver's leg and began to cry.
"Daddy!" Savannah wailed. "Hurts!" Savannah pointed to her ear. Oliver picked her up and kissed her head.
"Oh baby girl, I'm sorry it hurts. The doctor is closed now, but I'll call Dr. Smiley in the morning and we'll see if he can fit you in. How about we read about Mr. Brown Bear hmm?" Savannah nodded and buried her face into Oliver's shoulder. "Okay come on sweetheart." He looked over at Shane sympathetically. He knew she was worried about Savannah. She was exhausted and she wanted his attention too, but she would never take away from her daughter. Being a mom always came first. Savannah was hurting and she felt awful. But Oliver was such a good dad. She knew he would take care of her. In the meantime, Shane decided to take a shower.
A half hour later, Shane walked into Savannah's room and found Oliver rocking back and forth in the rocking chair with Savannah asleep on his lap. She smiled in the doorway. She whispered to Oliver, "Is she okay?"
"Yeah I distracted her with a story and she fell asleep. We put pajamas on beforehand, she'll just have to skip brushing her teeth tonight. I'm just afraid if I move, that I'll wake her up."
"No , you won't. You're very gentle and she's a deep sleeper. Go ahead and put her in her crib." Oliver slowly got up and cradled Savannah. He set her gently in her crib with Hootie and covered her up.
"Goodnight baby girl," Oliver said.
"Sweet dreams baby," Shane added. Oliver took Shane's hand and led her downstairs after turning off the light for Savannah.
"I'm going to make you a nice cup of decaffeinated tea with lemon and then I'm going to give you a foot massage Mrs. O'Toole."
"That sounds amazing Oliver." Shane kissed him at the bottom of the stairs and went to sit on the couch as Oliver made her tea. He brought over a sweet smelling, steaming mug a few minutes later. It was Shane's favorite mug - the one Oliver got her last year for her birthday. It read "My love is like a rose divided into two, the leaves I give to others, but the rose I give to you."
Oliver sat on the couch across from Shane as her feet stuck out. He began massaging them and then he threw in a quick tickle on her right foot. Shane spewed out tea all over Oliver as she laughed. "Oliver! What are you doing?" Oliver laughed as he got up to get some paper towels to wipe the tea off of himself and the couch. "I'm sorry I made a mess." Shane looked up at her husband apologetically.
"Love, I expected that to happen. Don't worry about it. I just wanted to surprise you and see you laugh. You needed a good laugh after your hard day." He bent down and kissed his wife several times as she set her mug down on the tv table and grabbed his face. "I love you," whispered Oliver.
"I love and adore you my sweet husband. Thank you for taking care of me. I'll try not to spit my tea out on you again."
"I promise no more tickling." Oliver smiled at his wife. He finished wiping the couch down and grabbed Shane's mug off the tv table.
"Oh Oliver, I'm not done. I didn't spit that much out," Shane laughed.
"I know love." Oliver chuckled. "I'm reheating it for you. It has to be cold by now." Shane's heart melted. Oliver always did think of everything. She felt her son kick and smiled at how blessed she was. What more could a woman ask for than a loving family and a nice hot mug of lemon tea?