Chapter 23

On Friday, Shane worked with Norman to finish off the wedding website during lunch and got the invitations ordered. During the afternoon they all worked together to finish off another lost letter box this one a smaller one from Montana. Hazel dropped by towards the end of the day to talk about her weekend plans. She had moved on from the paraglider and had met a guy at a coffee shop that worked at Denver Children's Hospital. Norman and Rita were going with Bill to take their canoe out on a lake.

After work Oliver grilled steak at his house while Shane started putting together wedding guest address lists for when the invitations arrived. Oliver brought over a glass of wine and rubbed Shane's shoulders. "You've been on the computer a lot today."

"That feels good. There's a lot of addresses here to sort out. We should have the invitations by next weekend." Shane leaned her head back against him. "Don't stop."

"Dinner's ready, why don't we eat. You need to take a break."

Shane cleared her laptop off the table and helped him set it for dinner. They talked about the church choir and the songs they were starting to work on for Palm Sunday and Easter.

"I had no idea you guys spent this much time getting ready beforehand."

"The new director uses a lot of different music. It takes more time to learn but having a variety makes it more interesting. He's also had the choir doing more outreach programs to nursing homes and the local hospitals. We don't always use the same music that we sing for the church services."

When they finished eating, Shane helped clean up the kitchen from dinner. "How's your dad doing? I haven't talked to him this week."

"He was out of town hiking with some friends. They were driving home today."

As they went to settle in front of the fire, Oliver sat down behind Shane. He pushed her hair to the side and started rubbing her shoulders again. "How did I not know how good you were at this," Shane asked?

"Maybe because it would have been inappropriate for me to get this familiar with Ms. McInerney," Oliver said as he placed a kiss on the back of her neck.

Shane laughed and then sighed as he slowly moved down her back. "I might miss you calling me that after we get married."

Oliver wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her again on the neck. "Are you going to miss it because you're taking my name?"

Shane turned around looking at him puzzled. "Yes, why do you ask?"

"It's become more common for women not to take their husband's name or to hyphenate names. I never asked if you were changing yours."

"It never occurred to me not to take your name. I love you and want everyone to know we belong to each other."

Oliver smiled, "Well in that case I'll have to use Ms. McInerney frequently before I start calling you Mrs. O'Toole." Shane teared up at hearing him call her that for the first time. Oliver wiped a tear away saying, "It won't be very long." He kissed her on the forehead and turned her back around to finish rubbing her shoulders and neck.

"Are you feeling better? I could tell you were starting to get a headache. You always start rubbing your neck."

"It's gone now. Thank you." Shane turned around and leaned back against the sofa.

"Are you up to starting Jeff's list tonight or do you want to wait until tomorrow," Oliver asked?

"I'm fine starting tonight. I meant to ask if your lawyer had drawn up paperwork we needed to go through before we got married."

"What kind of paperwork?"

"Like a pre-nuptial agreement. Your lawyer is aware you're getting married?"

"Yes, she is, we talk monthly. Shane I would never ask you to sign that type of agreement. If I thought I needed it, we wouldn't be getting married. Also, if I didn't already trust you could take care of things financially, you wouldn't be on the Foundation Board. What made you think I'd want you to sign a pre-nuptial agreement?"

"I thought your lawyer would have recommended it."

"I don't follow through on everything my lawyer recommends." Oliver shook his head. "If I did, I would be retired and living the life of a jet setting playboy."

"I don't want you to ever think that's why I'm marrying you. Last week you seemed concerned about my reasons for taking the job with CBI and that it was about money."

"Shane I was scared, angry and didn't handle it well. I've never thought that was why you were marrying me. I was concerned that you were taking care of all the expenses without any help from me." Oliver picked up her hand with his ring. "When I put this ring on your finger it was with the expectation that we'd be moving forward together. If we're in this together why would I expect you to pay for the entire event on your own?"

"I hadn't stopped to think about it, things have been so busy."

"Why don't you go get Jeff's list, I think sorting out our finances is overdue." As she started to get up, Oliver stopped her to make sure she was looking at him. "Shane moving forward it is our finances and we need to make decisions together." She nodded in understanding.

After retrieving the list, she sat back down. "First one is separate or joint bank accounts."

Oliver answered, "If you don't object, things are complicated enough keeping the business, personal and Foundation finances separate without adding in separate bank accounts between us."

"Next one is full disclosure on personal finances and any debt acquired before the marriage."

"Why don't we meet with my financial planner next week? We can go through our individual finances. She can help us review everything so we both fully understand where we're at and what we need to do moving forward. It was about time for my quarterly review with her anyway. You'd need to send her your financial information ahead of time so she can look through things. She can help us put together a list of what needs to be done."

"My finances aren't nearly as complicated as yours," Shane said. "I've paid off my student loans so the only debt I have is the mortgage on the house and the loan on the car. It shouldn't take long to put things together and send to her."

"What else is on the list?"

"Actually, things like are we going to use a financial planner and other professionals. I'm assuming you have an accountant as well?"

"Yes, I didn't want to attempt to do the taxes after my father died."

"There's so many questions on here. Everything from private versus public school and college for kids we don't have yet, retirement plans, spending allowances, and savings requirements."

Oliver could tell Shane was getting overwhelmed. "We don't have to go through it all tonight. Let's stop here and take a break."

"I didn't realize falling in love took so much planning," Shane commented rubbing her neck again.

"Shane falling in love is easy. It's the day to day grind that trips people up when they try to live in the real world. Remember we're going through this so all these decisions don't blindside us later. You're getting tired how about I take you home."

"Probably a good idea."

On the drive back to her house, "Are you meeting your dad for lunch tomorrow?"

"Yes, he wanted to show me pictures from his hike."

"Tell him I said hello."

"He'll miss seeing you."

"I know but I need to take care of some things at the house. Also, I was wanting to pack some more."

He walked her to the door and took his time kissing her goodnight.