Shane momentarily held her breath as she walked into the church holding Oliver's hand. She scanned her surroundings and the realization hit her that this was the place where she would become Mrs. Oliver O'Toole in less than twenty-four hours.
"What is it that you're contemplating, my love?" Oliver could see that his bride-to-be was deep in thought, her eyes focused on the altar and a look of serenity ever present in her features.
"I can't believe our wedding day is almost here." Happy tears glistened in her eyes as she turned to look at him. "I've wanted this for so long and it's finally happening, Oliver."
"Shane, I've waited a lifetime for you. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of our lives." He pulled her close to him and placed a leisurely yet tasteful kiss on her lips.
"Alright, you two—do I need to break out the hose or get you a room? There will be plenty of time for that on your honeymoon." Alex teased as she approached, being sure to suggestively raise her eyebrows at them. They quickly separated and Oliver couldn't stop the blush from creeping up his neck and onto his cheeks as Shane glared at her sister.
"Alex!" Ms. McInerney scolded her eldest daughter, though she was working hard to hold back her own laughter. "We're in church. You can at least let them be while we're in the house of God."
"Fine, Mom. You're no fun." Alex playfully pouted, crossing her arms in front of her chest for added effect.
"How many people will be joining us?" Ms. McInerney inquired.
"Well, we're a few minutes early and it looks like we're the first ones here." Shane quickly scanned the church to see if she had missed anyone hiding out in one of the pews. "We're expecting Rita, Norman, Joe, and Hazel."
"Oh, and I spoke to Betty this morning and she will be bringing Susie and Sammy." Oliver threw in before adding, "However, they may be a few minutes late as they are coming straight from Susie's ballet class." Betty was one of the women that sang in the choir with Oliver, and Susie and Sammy were her young grandchildren. Shane had met them all when she began attending church with Oliver a few months ago. Susie had taken a particular liking to Shane, so she was beyond excited when she was asked to be her flower girl. It was only natural that they invite Sammy to take on the role as Oliver's ring bearer and the little boy happily accepted the great responsibility.
"That's perfect!" Shane became distracted as the door to the church opened. "Excuse me for just a moment." Shane lightly kissed Oliver on the cheek and then strolled toward the entry to the church to greet Joe. Oliver watched from a distance as his fiancée and father engaged in conversation before they headed out into the lobby. He then turned to see two McInerney women staring at him.
"Mom, I'm going to walk around, I want to get a better view of the altar." Alex excused herself, knowing that her Mom wanted some time alone with Oliver.
"Oliver, all teasing aside, I really want to thank you for everything you've done for my little girl. I've never seen her this happy before." Ms. McInerney gently grabbed his hand and squeezed it and then motioned for him to follow her.
They sat down in one of the back pews before she continued. "When Shane's father left, she took it harder than anyone else. She was a daddy's girl through and through and couldn't understand how he could just leave her. She had a difficult time opening her heart up to any man and even when she did, she never fully trusted them." She paused so she could compose herself, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall.
"But I knew right away that there was something special about you. I remember her calling me up right after she met you. You had her so flustered she couldn't even get out complete sentence out. From then on, anytime we would talk it was 'Oliver this' and 'Oliver that'. My momma's heart just knew that my baby was in love. I have faith that God brought you to her to mend her heart and I trust that you'll continue to make her very happy for the rest of your lives."
"Ms.—Mom." Oliver corrected himself. He hadn't used that word to address any woman in such a long time that it was going to take some getting used to. "It is I who should be thanking you. You've raised a remarkable woman with the most loving heart of anyone I've ever met, and I can see where she gets her compassion from. I promise that I will love your daughter forever and her heart will always be safe with me."
"I don't doubt that, Oliver." She pulled her future son-in-law in for a hug and then the two stood up and stepped out of the row. "You're a good man, and I know you will take care of my daughter."
"Thank you. I appreciate your faith in me, and I won't let you down." Oliver was pleased that he had gained the acceptance of his new 'Mom' and had also learned more about the woman he loved in the process. "Why don't I show you around the church while we wait for the others to join us?" Ms. McInerney nodded in agreement, and they went to join Alex at the front of the church.
"So, Shane, you actually thought that I was dragging Oliver into a risqué situation?" Joe eyed her with a hint of a smile.
"Well, I—I didn't know, exactly, what was going to happen. I just thought—after what Rita had heard... And I know you're a little more casual than Oliver, so I wasn't sure if..." She hung her head and sighed in defeat. "I'm sorry, Joe. I should have known that you wouldn't do something like that to Oliver."
Joe shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly, holding his hands up. "I wouldn't have done it to you, either, Shane. I would never want to make either one of you uncomfortable. I think I know Oliver's limits, and yes, he could use a little push every now and then. But not so much to violate his standards and compromise who he is."
Shane nodded and bit her lip, a lump in her throat. "I know. I don't know why I acted irrationally, but I was so worried for Oliver. I should have trusted you. But then there was Ramon, too...and who knows what Ramon is up to. I can't even figure out what he's saying half the time. And then Rita was so worried about Norman, and I don't know... Maybe I was just letting the stress of all this wedding stuff get to me. I really am sorry, Joe."
"Ahh, come here." Joe pulled her into a bear hug and said, "It's okay, Shane." He backed up to look at her, his hands on her forearms. "I understand that there is a lot going on in your mind right now. Oliver's too. You know he is afraid he'll be a disappointment to you?"
"What? Never!" Shane looked horrified.
Joe nodded. "Don't tell him I told you that. He loves you more than anything and wants you to be truly happy, and of course, he never wants to lose you."
He smiled at her as she quietly fought the tears that were threatening to fall.
"You know I think the world of you, don't you? You're like my own daughter. And if you'd like, you can even call me 'Dad' anytime. I wouldn't mind."
Tears escaped Shane's eyes and she was speechless for a few moments. She looked solemnly at the floor then back up. "I have a question," she finally choked out.
"Yes?" he answered.
"I, uh, I had planned to foster my independence and walk down the aisle tomorrow all by myself." She chuckled sarcastically. "But, I'm starting to think that I might be a little unsteady and need some support.
"You've been more of a father to me than my own ever was." She had to pause and gather her composure, biting her lip once more as she looked toward the ceiling. "It would mean the world to me if you would consider walking me down the aisle to Oliver."
Joe gazed at her with adoration. "I don't have to take any time at all to consider it, Shane. I will be more than happy to do that for you."
The tears were flowing at this point and Shane chuckled as she wiped at her face. "Thank you so much...Dad."
A huge grin spread across Joe's face. "Absolutely," he told her, winking at her and pulling her into a hug once again. When he stepped back, he looked her in the eyes. "I will do whatever I can to seal this deal and make you an O'Toole. We've been missing compassionate women in our family for a while. You are just what we need, and don't you ever forget that."
Shane put her hand to her mouth and attempted not to sob out loud.
"Well, now, this looks like a serious discussion."
Shane and Joe looked up to see Oliver approaching.
"Pretty serious, yeah," Shane told him in a shaky voice, still drying her tears as he eyed her with concern. "Oliver, your father has just agreed to walk me down the aisle tomorrow."
Oliver gazed at her lovingly. "I was hoping that would happen." He pulled her close to his side, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Then he turned to Joe and smiled with gratefulness. "Thank you, Dad, for taking care of my girl."
Joe returned the smile. "Nothing would make me happier," he told Oliver, who released Shane just long enough to give his dad a hug. "I love you both."
"We love you, too, Dad." Oliver pulled Shane back to his side once again and they headed out to the wedding rehearsal, Joe beaming at the honor that had been bestowed upon him.