AN: Thank you for the lovely reviews, they really mean a lot to me. In this chapter Shane finds out her sisters fate. It would also mean a lot to me if all of you could check out my one shot Breakfast At Shane's. Please read and review it would be greatly appreciated x

Ch10 - The troubled sister

It was a typical Wednesday morning, I got up at my usual time, had a relaxing shower, got dressed and got ready for work. I made my way into the kitchen and made a quick breakfast, I was about to eat my toast when my phone started ringing.

I recognised the number, it was the lawyer that was helping Alex; I took a deep breath, here goes nothing. I picked up my phone and I answered it.

I decided to use my professional business tone, I also decided to hold back any anger that might seep through into my tone when I spoke.

"Shane McInerney"

Mr Andrews spoke.

"Good morning Ms McInerney, I'm sorry it's been a while since we last spoke. Everything went as well as expected during the hearing. The judge understood that your sister had a history of gambling. The main reason I am calling you this morning that your sister has been given community service"

I replied, trying not to let my anger overtake this conversation.

"I'm still mad at her, but I am relieved that she's not in jail"

He assured me that it was nothing serious and that everything would be fine.

"Ms McInerney, due to this being your sisters first offence she'll be doing community service for 4 months. However she will not be able to have any contact with you or your mother. I'm sorry that this has happened. However you should be pleased to hear that your sister has promised to stay on the straight and narrow once she has completed her community service sentence"

I sighed, I could feel the frustration hitting me in waves I then thanked him for calling.

"Thank you for calling Mr Andrews, and I guess we will wait and see if she keeps her promise"

Before the call ended, he explained one crucial piece of information.

"If your sister violates her community service, she might be sent to prison; now hopefully this won't be the case, it is also crucial that she takes this very seriously. I will speak to her again soon to go over her situation. Again I am sorry that it wasn't better news Ms McInerney"

I thanked him again for calling me, once the call ended I then finished my breakfast and then I placed my plate in the sink. I grabbed my coat and bag and headed out the door.

I needed some serious chocolate, so I made a stop at The Mailbox Grille, I ordered a chocolate milkshake and a coffee for Oliver to go. I paid for the drinks and then made my way to work.

Once I got there, I was stopped by Hazel; we talked for a while, she explained that there might be a shipment coming our way this afternoon. I thanked her and then continued on my way to the DLO.

I placed my milkshake and bag at my desk, I spotted Oliver sitting at his desk; I placed his coffee down on his desk. He looked up and he smiled at me. I smiled back and then I placed my coat on the rack.

"Good morning Oliver, I spoke to Hazel on my in this morning; she told me that we will be getting a shipment in this afternoon"

He stood up, rounded his desk and he took me in his arms.

"Good morning Shane, I guess we are going to have a quiet morning; thank you for the coffee"

I smiled, I knew that it didn't completely reach my eyes. I just hoped that he didn't notice. I lifted my milkshake off my desk and then we sat down at his desk.

I kept trying to find a way to tell him about the phone call this morning. I then noticed that he looked at me and then at the milkshake I was holding. I panicked slightly.

"My love, why are you drinking a milkshake and not coffee this morning? Is something wrong?"

I smiled, I took a breath; I looked at him, I then looked down. I couldn't look him in the eye, not because I was guilty of anything, the real reason I looked down was because I knew I had to tell him about my sister and I was ashamed of her right now.

I then decided to look at him, I then realised he was watching me; he smiled softly.

"It's Alex, do you remember I told you that I got a phone call the other day from a lawyer and he told me that Alex has been arrested, well he phoned me this morning to tell me that she has been given community service for being caught at the illegal gambling facility"

I looked down at the floor again, I was just so ashamed that my sister has gotten herself into more trouble; why did she go to that place? Why did she think it would be a good idea?

My mom has been through enough, I've been through enough; I'm glad that she can't make contact, I then felt Oliver's presence.

I looked up and I smiled; I could feel tears build up in my eyes. I looked away, I didn't want him to see me cry. He placed his hand under my chin, he placed both of his hands on my face and he kissed my forehead.

"My love, I'm so sorry that this has happened; however we will get through this together. Just remember that I'm here for you Shane"

I smiled at him, what did I do to deserve someone as sweet and caring as Oliver? Surely I haven't done anything to rewarding.

"That means a lot to me Oliver, and thank you; most men would walk away when the going gets tough or if there is family issues"

He took my hands in his, and he asked me to look at him. When I raised my head, he spoke.

"Shane, I'm not like other men; I always say what I mean, and I always follow through on what I say too, and I mean it when I say that you mean the world to me Shane"

I blushed, I've never been told there before. I could feel more tears build up in my eyes.

"Oh Oliver... you always know what to say; you mean the world to me too"

I reached up and placed my hand on his cheek; and then we kissed. It was a gentle, yet loving kiss. We then got on with our morning, we sorted through a pile of letters that were sitting in the pending box.

Since we weren't expecting anymore letters until this afternoon, we took an early lunch. We headed to the Mail Box Grille, ordered food to go and then we decided to go to the park.

We found a quiet spot, sat down and we made light conversation while we had lunch. This park held some difficult memories for Oliver, this is where he found out that his real father died and then he found out Joe wasn't his real father.

I was surprised that he suggested that we come here for lunch. It was different, the reason it was different was because normally we would go to the Mail Box Grills or Ramon's Bistro.

Once we finished eating we headed back to the DLO. We walked back to work hand in hand, I kept looking at Oliver as we made our way back to the DLO.

We had a busy day ahead of us, we walked back into the DLO; set our coats on the rack, I placed my bag on my desk. I then figured it was time to go and wait for the incoming shipment to arrive so I made my way to the terminal annex.

Hazel greeted me, we talked while we waited for the shipment. Some people can mail very strange items, for example we've seen coconuts, cameras and vital organs.

The shipment arrived, I looked on in shock as boxes upon boxes arrived. I think it's safe to say that we will be sorting through them over the next day or so.

TBC