Chapter 27

The next morning Darth was in the middle of stamp collecting while wearing an Office of Postal Security jacket. Oliver just shook his head. While Shane started a search for ranches in eastern Oklahoma for their lost letter box, Rita continued to research address options to get Darth on his way home. When Oliver returned from refilling his coffee, Darth and the kangaroo were sitting on the stairs playing with a slinky between them.

"Found it," Rita exclaimed! "Darth was headed to New Jersey. I'm going to break the news to Norman."

"Excellent job Rita," Oliver said as she headed towards Norman's lab.

Shane looked at Oliver innocently. "We need to have a going away party. You know for his postal retirement. He has become part of the department Oliver."

"Please Ms McInerney don't you think that's a step too far?"

She walked by his desk stopping to run a finger down the side of his face. "I do love it when you get all Ms. McInerney on me." He smiled watching her walk away to send a letter up a chute.

Later Oliver stood up to put on his jacket. With a slight smile, "Ms. McInerney it's time to leave for the Mailbox Grill are you ready for lunch?"

"Almost just let me finish this, couple seconds." He brought her jacket over and helped her into it.

Rita walked back in from the lab just in time to see. She smiled at the two of them. "Tell your dad we said hi. Norman mentioned having a going away cake for Darth," Rita mentioned. Shane snickered at the look on Oliver's face as he sighed.

Joe was already at the Mailbox Grill when they arrived. Shane gave him a hug before sitting down. After catching up on his hiking trip and seeing the rest of his pictures, Joe asked, "What's Darth up to today, he's becoming quite the busy postal employee."

"Dad, not you too?"

Joe smiled, "Shane's been sending me pictures keeping me up to date."

"Well unfortunately, Rita found his address, so he'll be headed home later today. We're supposed to get the invitations Thursday or Friday. Do you have time Saturday to help us put them together," Shane asked?

"Sure."

"We thought we could grill over at Oliver's and start addressing them. There are a few addresses I still need from Oliver's side of the family. I'll text you a list."

When Oliver stepped away to take care of the bill, Shane leaned over. "Joe can you do me a favor?"

About an hour after they returned to the DLO, Joe arrived with punch and a cake that read Bon Voyage Darth!

Shane had slipped away to alert the staff in OPS and International Shipping that Darth was leaving. Before Oliver realized what was going on, there was a going away party in full swing. Norman gave a speech, and everyone toasted what a great postal employee Darth had become. During the party Shane managed to stay in the midst of the crowd away from Oliver. She knew by the look on his face when he glanced her way it was only a matter of time before he'd address what she'd done.

Joe stayed behind after the party to help clean up. On his way out he gave Shane a hug, "Good luck with the boss."

Shane glanced over at Oliver as she slid plates into the trash. "I may need it."

"Oliver I'll see you Saturday." Joe put a hand on his son's shoulder. "Remember part of what you fell in love with was her tendency to color outside the lines son." Oliver nodded watching Shane help Norman finish packing Darth up to ship out.

"She's gotten to you too," Oliver commented.

"It's hard not to love her after getting to know her. I don't understand her father walking away."

"She looks at you as her father now."

"I know. I don't take that responsibility lightly Oliver." Joe patted his son on the back and left.

Once the party was cleaned up and Darth had left, everyone got back to work. Norman and Rita left towards the end of the day leaving Shane and Oliver together.

Shane finally couldn't take it. "Oliver are you upset?"

"Ms. McInerney I believe I indicated my thoughts on the idea of a going away gathering."

"Actually, you asked me if it was a step to far. You never stated your own opinion regarding the matter," Shane said biting her lip.

"Ms. McInerney, you can be so…so…" Oliver was getting worked up and having difficulty finishing his sentence.

"Brazenly manipulative," She said quietly.

"Yes," He exclaimed. "You even dragged my father into it and then he took your side."

"What side Oliver?"

"I look up and there's a party in full swing that you've organized behind my back."

"Oliver you're acting like I'm a teenager who had a party while her parents were out of town. I just had a small gathering not any different than when we've celebrated someone's birthday in the past."

"It was for Darth Vader," Oliver exclaimed!

"Is that the real problem, because it was too whimsical for Oliver O'Toole," Shane asked sarcastically?

"The real problem is you didn't ask because you knew I might say no," Oliver said.

Shane bit her lip knowing he was right. "I'm sorry. Norman was having so much fun. I knew he'd be down when Rita found the address and I got carried away. Will you forgive me?"

"Yes. I'd ask you not to throw a party for Darth Vader at work again without asking, but I fully acknowledge next time it will be something equally absurd that it would have never occurred to me to ask you not to do." Oliver laughed. "Pastor Jeff was right." He tucked her hair behind her ear.

"About?"

"My life will never be dull with you in it. Let's go home."