An unexpected surprise.
As memories of the past resurface, the best surprises come when one least expects them. This story is inspired by the movies The Road less traveled and The vows we had made. The characters belong to the talented Martha Williamson.
Flashback.
~A few years earlier. Washington DC.~
"Mom, can you say that again? You're going to sell the house!" Shane exclaimed as she followed her mother down the stairs.
"Yes, Shane. I don't have any other options. I have an appointment this afternoon with a realtor. " She replied.
"I can't believe we've come this far. I love this house so much. This is where I grew up. And now you're going to sell it to ..." Shane began.
"To help your sister." Sharon added.
"Really? All those wasted vacations, all those canceled weekends. All those sleepless nights waiting for Alex to come home. And all those debt letters. You even took a second job to pay off some of her debt!" Shane exclaimed.
"Honey, I'm taking care of everything now. I'm going to send Alex to a treatment center and..."
"And at what cost? Selling our house for her gambling addiction? I don't even feel sadness or pity for Alex! I am so, I am so..." Shane exclaimed with tears in her eyes.
"Angry, and I understand that very well. You and Alex are my priority. I regret most of all that I didn't see Alex's distress." Sharon added.
"Mom, Alex put herself in this situation!" Shane cried.
"Shaney, it's my role to protect my kids, whatever sacrifices I make. It's my duty, a mother's duty. When you become a mom, you'll understand." Sharon said while Shane was pensive.
End of flashback.
Now, still pensive, Shane, was on the swing, drawing in her sketchbook, when her mother entered the kitchen.
"Hi, Shaney. You're home already. Look what a little gem I found, in a shoe store. Perfect, for the wedding, either with the gold or silver dress!" Sharon exclaimed.
"That's really great, Mom." Shane said in a low voice as she closed her sketchbook.
"You don't put your coat on. Joe is expecting us in a few minutes." Sharon remarked.
"What do you mean?" Shane asks.
"It's a surprise to you. We're going to the airport. Alex's plane will be landing in Denver soon." Sharon replied.
Denver Airport.
Arriving at the airport, Sharon, Joe and Shane consulted the arrival board.
"So, ..., Brisbane, Australia. We still have a little time. The plane lands in half an hour," Joe said.
"Perfect! Just enough time to get a good cup of coffee, real good coffee," Shane remarked as she headed for an airport café.
"What's wrong with her?" Sharon asks.
Shane McInerney sighed heavily. Sitting at a table, she stirred her coffee with her spoon. That's when Joe joined her, and sat down in front of her.
"Are you okay? I think it's a good thing your sister is coming to the wedding." Joe said who knew something was bothering Shane.
"Yes, it is. We spoke a while ago. Oliver encouraged me to call her back. But for years we had been strangers to each other. I couldn't forgive everything she did. Today, I am grateful that she is back in my life. She will be here soon and there are all these memories coming back. I don't know what to say or do." Shane confessed with tears in her eyes.
"Family relationships aren't often easy. Shane, I'm sure all those years you weren't talking to Alex, you were thinking about her a lot."
"Yes, I did." Shane answers.
"And now she'll be in your life even more and be there for you. A wedding is also a time to share with your loved ones. And for this wonderful day, there will be a whole family at your side, including Alex, your sister. Listen to your heart, you'll know what to say when you see her". Joe states, smiling.
Very moved by these words, Shane cried then wiped her tears while smiling.
"I have a wonderful fiancé and a really wonderful father-in-law. What more can I ask for?" Shane exclaimed with a smile.
"Maybe pray and ask for wonderful, loving children. I would love to be a grandfather. It's even on my list to do." Joe laughs." Just kidding, you and Oliver have plenty of time to think about starting a family. Trust the timing." He smiles at Shane.
"Indeed. You know, I've always dreamed of starting a family and becoming a mom." Shane whispered with a smile. "Speaking of timing, do you know where Oliver is?" She asked.
Joe then laughed out loud.
"Don't worry. I advised him to update his wardrobe for the 21st century. Norman and Ramon will be good advisers." Joe added.
"I always pictured Oliver wearing a tracksuit." Shane laughed."
Denver Mall, clothing store.
"So, what do you think, Normando?" Ramon asked.
"Uh, is it really Oliver?" Norman asks.
" I look really ridiculous. I don't feel comfortable at all." The postal detective remarked.
"Well, the faded jeans and printed t-shirt style is not at all appropriate. Let's try something else. Something chic, casual and atractivo !" Ramon exclaimed, handing him some more clothes.
Denver Airport.
People were starting to exit, when a young brunette woman with a suitcase looked at the distance, as Shane walked up to her, smiling.
"Alex!" Shane exclaimed as she took her in her arms.
" My Goodness ! I am so happy to see you after all of this time!" Alex exclaimed.
" You look good. Alex, you always have been a gift for me." Shane said as she wiped away her tears.
"I've been praying for this day for so long." Sharon whispered with a smile and then came forward smiling.
"Shaney, since my little sister coming into the world until today, you are always a gift to me... Hey hi mom. Good to see you!" Alex exclaimed as she hugged her mother.
Joe, who was standing back, smiled.
"Alex, I want you to meet Joseph O'Toole"... Shane began.
"You are Oliver's father! Nice to meet you, Alexandra Brighton. I'm Shane's sister. You can call me Alex!" Alex exclaimed, excitedly.
"Nice to meet you, Alex. You can call me Joe. I'll take your bags. By the way, I have enough at home, enough to make a great meal. You can all come over to the house for a burger dinner tonight. I just hope you like homemade burgers" Joe offers.
"I love it! " Alex exclaimes.
Everyone laughed.
"Great! It's all good!" Joe smiled.
Joe's House.
"Norman, you're really going to eat that triple burger. It's your third one." Sharon remarked.
"Don't worry. Norman can swallow anything, as long as it doesn't have any spice." Rita explains, smiling.
"Yes, that's right. One day, we had to find a little boy to return a stuffed dinosaur. We drove across Route 50 in Rita's parents' RV. We stopped at Minnie's, and I ate three apple pies." Norman told.
"Every letter is a journey. I can't wait to hear the whole story." Sharon said.
"So Alex. What do you think of Oliver?" Shane asks in a low voice as the postal detective was eating and listening to Norman and Rita recount their journey down Route 50.
"He's exactly as you described him. Isn't it a little old-fashioned to eat a hamburger with a knife and fork." Alex laughed in a low voice. "Shane, you really are marrying a great man. And I know what I'm talking about." She smiles.
Surprised, Shane didn't understand her sister's statement.
"Well, I'm going to bring dessert soon. I just need someone to help me in the kitchen. " Joe asked.
"I'll help!" Shane exclaimed.
She walked up the stairs followed by Joe, then entered the kitchen.
"The strawberry cheesecake is in the refrigerator. So, Shane. You wanted to ask me something, isn't ? Joe remarked as he brought out plates and spoons.
"You know me so well, Joe. Will you be busy tomorrow?"Shane asks.
"No, I have nothing planned." Joe replies.
"Perfect! I have a surprise for Oliver. So, I need your help to wrap up an old friend." Shane said with a smile.
"Wrapping an old friend ? We're not going to have any trouble with that?" Joe laughed.
"Actually, I found Dumbarton Oaks." Shane whispered with a smile.
"Really? Oh, honey, that's so sweet of you. Oliver was so much attached to that teddy bear." He smiled.
"Do you think he'll like it?" Shane asks.
" He'll love your surprise. You know, Shane, I thank God every day, that he brought you into our lives, Oliver and me." Joe said with a smile.
"I'm grateful to have you two too.I thank you for today, and for Alex's arrival." Shane confessed.
" It was not me. It was Oliver."Joe said.
"What do you mean?" Shane asks
"The day before yesterday, we were looking over the guest list. Your sister wasn't sure she could come. Oliver really wanted Alex to attend the wedding. So he called her and took care of everything.. Oliver loves you so much for planning this surprise." Joe states.
Moved, Shane thought about all of Oliver's support as she tried to deal with her own personal problems. She was at a loss for words.
"So he has...Joe, excuse me, I'll..."
"I'll take care of everything. Go find your future husband." Joe says with a smile.
Shane walked quickly down the stairs.
"Where's dessert?" Norman asks.
"Where's Oliver?" Shane asks everyone.
"In the garden, stargazing." Sharon replied
"So did you catch a glimpse of a shooting star?" Shane asks, stepping forward.
"No, not yet. My grandmother always said that the stars are the decoration of the sky." Oliver answers as he looks up at the starry sky.
"She's right. Oliver, about my sister...
"Shane, I am sorry. Maybe I should have told you before. I know we told each other to always tell each other everything. But, I wanted to surprise you. I wanted to make you happy and ...
He couldn't finish his sentence because Shane had already kissed him.
"Oliver O'Toole, you make me happy every day. Having Alex here means a lot to me. Thanks for this surprise."She smiled." It's funny. You're wearing a suit with no tie." Shane pointed out.
"Uh, yes. It was Ramon's idea. He said it was much more casual and atractivo." Oliver explains.
"Attractive, yes it is indeed. That's a different Oliver, a little more relaxed." Shane winkled.
"You'd be surprised how relaxed I am at home. I'm full of surprises." Oliver whispers.
"Wow ! Mr. O'Toole, I'm really looking forward to this." Shane exclaimed with a laugh, resting her forehead against him own.
"They're both really adorable, aren't they, Mom? I don't regret coming to see such a beautiful movie" Alex remarked with a smile, as she stood in front of the window with her mother.
"You're right. Oliver and Shane are now the stars of their own movie. " Sharon replied with a smile.
"I thought happy endings were only found in movies." Alex added.
"The story isn't over yet. These two adorable hearts are still great chapters to be written. Life is like a book, to move forward, you just have to turn the pages." Sharon said.
The end.
Author's note : Thank you all for reading this story. Have a nice day. :)