Chapter 19

After church Shane and Oliver went back to her house. Oliver started a fire in the fireplace.

"I missed this." Shane said curling up next to Oliver. "Last week was really long." He put his arm behind her.

"Are we going to have a fireside chat this afternoon?"

"Probably a good idea. You want to go first," Shane asked.

"I had several low moments this week. Forgetting to hand things over to God when I was worried about you not coming home and then overheating. I know I apologized for overheating. I realized when I was talking to my dad, I never apologized for what I said."

"I know you were scared Oliver. Sometimes it's hard to not lash out when you're scared and feeling like things are out of your control. What about good moments?"

"Moving your boxes and starting to unpack your books. I like seeing your things there." He picked up her hand and ran his fingers over the ring on her hand. "Going through the website you put together. You did a great job. Seeing pictures through the different stages of our relationship reminded me of how far we've come."

She told him about what happened at the café with Rita and the two women sitting next to them. He started laughing picturing the four of them crying and trying to find Kleenex.

"I love spending time with you and your dad. Between the Postables, you and your dad, it feels like I have a family again."

"You do have a family Shane. It may not look like the one you started out with, but it's a family that loves you."

"The low point of the week was seeing someone get shot. Oliver the entire time I was talking to him, I was so scared he wasn't going to live."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you more that night. I was so worried and angry. I didn't stop to think about what you'd been through and what you needed."

"You held me until I fell asleep. It was exactly what I needed. When I woke up the next morning, I wished you were still holding me."

Oliver ran his hand through her hair. "You're not the only one. Shane, I had a hard time leaving you alone and walking out your door that night. I had to pray for patience a lot of patience."

"I've never asked about where you'd like to go on our honeymoon?" She tilted her head back on his arm to look at him.

"Shane, my love, we're not going far the first night." He kissed her. "We could go to the Brown Palace. Then we can go wherever you'd like to go. I'll make the arrangements."

Shane laughed remembering what Rita had said the previous day, but shocked Oliver was being this forthright. "Mr. O'Toole, you're living dangerously if you're leaving it up to me."

"Should I give you some general parameters," Oliver asked?

"It may be a good idea. Is your passport up to date?"

"Yes, it is. Let's see. Someplace neither of us has been, with good food. Nice weather on the remote chance we leave the hotel."

Shane laughed again. "Oliver O'Toole be serious."

He smiled slightly, "What makes you think I'm not being serious?" He kissed her again this time not letting go. He gradually leaned back against the side of the couch taking her with him. Shane laid her head on his chest when he finally let go.

"What about Italy? Tuscany is supposed to be beautiful in May."

"That sounds like it would be wonderful. Shane, there were some other arrangements I made yesterday I need to discuss with you." He ran his hands through her hair as they were talking.

"What kind of arrangements?"

"Yesterday, I called your mother and talked to her. I arranged to have her come out the week of the wedding and sorted out her plane ticket."

"You talked to her?"

"Yes."

"And she agreed to stay for the entire week?"

"Yes. You're not upset, are you?"

"No, Oliver I'm not upset."

"She was afraid with everything that's happened that you might feel like she was in the way. She wanted to be here and didn't know how to ask."

"Thank you for taking care of me and arranging it." She put her hand against his face. "You're so incredibly sweet and so incredibly handsome," she said smiling. "That's what the lady in the café said when she saw your picture."

Oliver started laughing. They spent the rest of the afternoon talking and relaxing by the fire.