October 21, 2022

Oliver and Shane's First Christmas

B+Writer

I am so in love with Signed Sealed Delivered For Christmas I wanted to stay in the DLO and follow our POstables a bit longer. Here is what could have happened. All of these characters belong to the awesome writer and creator of Signed Sealed Delivered, Martha Williamson. If you ever read this, Martha, thank you more than I can say, for SSD!

Outside in the dark midnight the snow was now falling heavily, inside the DLO was cozy and bright. The dozens of candles all over the room brought warmth to the otherwise cold night.

Sounds of laughter, bright conversation and clinking glasses were the only noise in the offices of the usually bustling Denver Post Office building now closed for this most-universally-celebrated of winter nights.

The four merry makers were emptying the stockings that had mysteriously appeared since they were last in the DLO. Candies spilled over Oliver's desk, as Oliver, Shane, Rita and Norman were once again momentarily transported to the carefree Christmases of their childhoods. Oliver found a new tie and pocket square, Norman found a new pair of sunglasses, Rita got a new pair of glasses frames, Shane was gifted with a specialty chocolates and cocoa mix. Someone knew their DLO POstables.

Ever curious, Shane asked who had secretly decorated their office. Oliver, his face inscrutable, said, "I don't know who did all of it. The tree was here, the lights were here, the stockings were all here when I came back. I had just finished decorating the tree when you came in. I'll ask around after the new year. I would prefer not to let it be known, if you don't mind. Whoever did it either wanted to remain anonymous or will make himself, or herself," he bowed slightly toward Shane and Rita, "known when ready."

"For now, I think it is safe to say we have visited by our good angel."

Rita giggled. "I think it would make some of the other departments jealous."

"Exactly," said Oliver.

"OK," said Norman. "It is a wonderful surprise, whoever did it."

After toasting each other with YooHoo, the foursome danced to a few more Christmas tunes. Norman didn't need as much coaxing to dance this time. Oliver and Shane switched partners with Rita and Norman once again to help the less experienced dancers feel more confident in their steps but Rita couldn't wait to be in Norman's arms again. At last, Rita began to yawn and Norman said, "Even if you aren't going home to see your parents, it looks like it is time for you to go home for the night."

Rita rolled her eyes and giggled, then said dramatically as she looked at Norman, "I'm afraid you're right. I love dancing with you, Norman, but my feet are killing me. I am about ready to collapse!"

Oliver checked the time and reluctantly agreed. He was scheduled to sing at the Christmas Day service and he needed to get some sleep too.

Oliver looked questioningly at Shane. "Are you going to get a flight out today, Ms. McInerney? I haven't any idea what flights are available on Christmas Day. I'm sorry our activities yesterday interfered with your plans, and yours as well, Rita." Oliver turned toward Rita as he addressed her.

"I'm so tired all I want to do is sleep," said Shane. "I'll look at the flight schedule for tomorrow when I get home. I don't know how I will get home, though. I doubt there are many taxis out at this time of night, on Christmas morning no less."

"I will be happy to take you home on my way home, Ms. McInerney." Shane had taken a taxi to meet the other POstables earlier in the day at the Mailbox Grille since she planned to leave for the airport directly after the pageant, making a quick stop to pick up her bags at the DLO. Shane nodded her thanks while eating chocolate.

Rita said, "I'm glad I left my car here before we went to the hospital this afternoon. I can take you home, Norman, after I get my bags out of Oliver's car."

The POstables laughed and talked animatedly as they all walked to the cars in the garage. Giving each other last minute Christmas greetings, the two couples parted ways.

Oliver opened the passenger door for Shane and she sank into the seat, grateful to have a few minutes to be alone with Oliver. Although the drive would be brief, she looked forward to the dark intimacy of the night. This was certainly the best Christmas present she could have asked for.

At Shane's request, Oliver sang some of the selections he was going to perform at church while driving her home. This was the first Christmas Shane had enjoyed in years, and she didn't want it to end, especially since she was spending some of it with Oliver, even if it was only a short time. She quietly enjoyed listening to Oliver's melodic voice until he broke into a chorus of Jingle Bells, just the way she had yesterday before the postal ball. She shot him an amused look and said challengingly, "Now I know that song is not included in your service, is it?"

Oliver laughed, "No! I just wanted to see if you were still awake over there!"

"I'm awake! It is too cold to be asleep!" Shane said. Shane realized that she was actually cold despite the warm air coming out from the car heater, but what was really keeping her awake was being so near Oliver.

Oliver quickly turned up the heat. "Why didn't you say so? I could have turned it up sooner!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, a very different scenario in the cold presented itself to his mind. He forced the vision away, and instead, concentrated on the present.

"You could already be in a much warmer clime if you hadn't stayed to help with the letter and the pageant. If it hadn't been for you, Hannah's Christmas would have been quite different. Thank you, Ms. McInerney," Oliver said quite sincerely. "And you made the perfect angel, even if you didn't stick to the script!" Oliver grinned at her as he said it.

Shane looked at Oliver and laughed, "Well, it is true I may not have always been very angelic. But I did enjoy the experience, halo and wings included." Shane caught Oliver's mischievous smile, the one that he didn't show often. Her breathe caught but it wasn't from the cold.

Oliver saw her reaction and thinking she was still cold was concerned enough to reach out to touch the back of her hand to make sure she was alright. Neither of them were prepared for the moment of electricity they both felt as their hands touched. The warmth of their skin touching was nothing compared to the thrill of the close contact. Suddenly, their laughter stilled and there was silence.

Oliver broke the silence as he pulled up in front of Shane's house, "We are here."

They had, indeed, arrived at Shane's home and it was time for Shane to go inside. She would much rather have stayed where she was, revelling in Oliver's recent touch, and warmed by Oliver's compliments as well as the roaring car heater. She resolutely opened her door as Oliver opened his door as well to retrieve her bags from the back seat.

Shane clutched her coat tighter against the fresh gust of snow and waited for Oliver to meet her on the sidewalk to her house. As they walked up to the steps and then the door, they were both silent. Both of them were tired but relaxed after the success of the evening and the impromptu Christmas party in the DLO. Both of them were still a little shocked by what had just happened in the car. Shane wished she had the nerve to invite Oliver in for a night cap, but felt it was probably not appropriate. She would just have to be content with the evening as it had unfolded, like unwrapping a surprise Christmas present.

Shane opened her front door and Oliver set her bags inside the front door. The time had come to say goodnight and goodbye until next week.

They had now changed places. Shane was on the inside of the house and Oliver on the outside.

Shane shivered as a gust of cold wind brushed her face. Suddenly, she blurted out, "Oliver, would you like to come in for a cup of coffee before you get back out in the cold?" Oliver didn't like to talk about it, but Shane knew his classic car's mechanical condition did not match its classic looks and had left him stranded a time or two. She recalled hearing snippets of conversation between Oliver and Norman, who, inexplicably, seemed to know a great deal about car mechanics even though he did not drive or own a car himself. She did not like to think about Oliver possibly being stuck out on such a cold night, especially when he did not carry a cell phone he could use in an emergency.

Torn by his desire to do the right thing and his suddenly very real wish to stay in 's presence just a little longer, Oliver struggled. The warm scents of pine and cinnamon wafted past him from inside Shane's home and he could faintly smell her perfume as it warmed her after the cold. He would very much prefer to stay with Ms. McInerney to enjoy her company than to go home to an empty house on this of all nights, and a cup of hot coffee did sound good, but he knew it was too late in the evening to be alone with a lady in her home. He stared at her and she stared back.

Seeing Shane's hair lit by the lights behind her while on the edge of the inky darkness of night, Oliver was immediately reminded how Ms. McInerney had looked earlier in the evening dressed from head to toe like an angel. He had called her celestial then, but now, even in her work attire she literally radiated as if with a halo around her hair. Oliver looked directly into her eyes and stopped breathing. He could get lost in her eyes. He noticed slight shadows just beneath her eyes were forming, likely a combination of dehydration from too much coffee and the late night they had spent searching and finding Hannah. He longed to reach out and smooth them away. In fact, he wanted to do that so much he moved his hand as if to do so. Horrified by his own audacity, Oliver panicked, realizing how very inappropriate that would be.

In case Shane had noticed, Oliver murmured, "It looked like you had glitter from your angel costume close to your eye. It's gone now." To change the subject, Oliver rushed to ask, "Are you warmed now?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I will be making a cup of cocoa though." Shane answered. She had noticed Oliver's hand move toward her face, and quickly drop to his side.

And then just as suddenly as the urge to touch her face came and went, Oliver suddenly wanted to lean over and kiss Shane's cheek softly, the way she had kissed him in gratitude this afternoon. He was confused, not entirely sure whether his feelings were gratitude or something more. At this particular moment, Oliver was a little afraid to find out. And then he recalled Jordan's last words to him, "Take good care of that little letter writer."

He wondered how he was supposed to do that now.

And so he hated to say no but steeled himself to refuse. He shook his head. "No thank you, Ms. McInerney. I need to get home before the snow gets any worse."

Still he stood and silence fell. It was as if he was could not move.

Now it was Shane's turn to speak. She gracefully accepted his refusal. "Be careful going home. Thank you again, Oliver. Have a wonderful Christmas and I'll see you next week." It was basically what she had said much earlier in the evening but seemed the best way to end the evening.

For a moment they still stood looking at each other, both wishing the evening, when each had witnessed so many miracles, didn't have to end. Before the peace of the evening could end in another awkward silence

Oliver responded in kind. "Thank you, Ms. McInerney. Merry Christmas and Godspeed. Enjoy your vacation." Oliver dipped his head in a quick bow and then descended the steps making his way to his car.

Shane closed the door against the cold night and even though she knew he might see her if he glanced her direction, she couldn't resist looking out the light-filled room into the dark night as Oliver walked to his car.

Oliver knew Shane was watching him walk to the car. He knew he shouldn't embarrass her by turning to catch her staring, but as he opened his car door he couldn't help but glance up where he had stood just a moment ago. A movement in the brightly lit window verified he was correct as he noticed a quick movement of the curtains. Yes, Ms. McInerney had been watching him. His couldn't help the small smile that came to his lips. He could always count on Ms. McInerney's curiosity. His heart warmed, chasing away the loneliness he had been feeling for days.

Suddenly, Oliver's heart lightened and his spirit soared in momentary unspeakable joy. "You never know what the day will bring," came to mind. Today truly had been the kind of day that brought unlikely and surprisingly wonderful events to life.

"Merry Christmas, Ms. McInerney," Oliver spoke softly to himself.

The street lights softly illuminated Oliver in the falling snow. Shane quickly closed the curtain when she saw Oliver look up to the house but when he turned on his car she couldn't help but peek outside again as his car purred to life. As Oliver put the car in gear and gently pulled away from the curb, Shane whispered, "Merry Christmas, Oliver."

For just a moment, Shane leaned her head against the cold door and wished she knew how to pray. She felt the need to confide her feelings of thankfulness that her heart felt full and somehow light at the same time. She realized the dull ache of Christmases past incomplete was lifted. Somehow, Shane knew Oliver's hopeful assessment of holiday spirit was responsible. And if Oliver believed God was responsible for that miracle perhaps she owed Him recognition for that revelation.

Then, before her mind led her more deeply to consider this new Christmas mystery, Shane began to feel the cold and moved away from the window, her mind suddenly full of other more mundane and immediate concerns.

She wasn't sorry her trip had been interrupted. In fact, quite the opposite. A trip to a warm clime, as Oliver had called it, seemed less appealing now, compared to the warmth of human companionship during the past few hours. Shane already missed Oliver's presence but optimistically looked forward to the new year in the DLO.

Somehow, the cold winter did not seem so foreboding anymore.

Oliver opened the front door of his home, immediately turning on the lights. He had set the Christmas tree lights to come on at 6 each evening so they already brightened the living room as he divested himself of his coat and gloves.

After the busy activity of the day and especially of the pageant, the quiet seemed loud.

As late as it was, Oliver felt way too keyed up to sleep so he moved to the refrigerator intent on getting a YooHoo. His mind drifted back to his most recent conversation with Shane and on the spur of the moment decided to make cocoa. While the cocoa was heating on the stove, Oliver made a fire in the fireplace to take the chill off the room and turned on the radio to a station playing Christmas music.

The memory of standing alone with Shane, Ms. McInerney, in her doorway warmed him more than the fire. He stoked the flames, then poured his cocoa and sat down to watch the fire flicker. He tugged his tie looser and unbuttoned his top shirt button underneath. He sighed deeply and took a sip of hot cocoa. It was surprisingly good and hit the spot.

As he gazed into the flames and drank his cocoa, Oliver thought back over the events of the day. An instrumental version of O Come O Come Emmanuel came on the radio.

Jordan was right. "You never know what the day will bring." The day had brought new knowledge and confirmation of his faith in ways he could never have expected when the journey to find Hannah started in the DLO.

After today's events, life would never be the same.

While sitting in the chapel discussing life with Jordan, Oliver would never have guessed Jordan's last words would apply to Ms. McInerney. And yet clearly, now in retrospect, it was obvious they did.

"You take good care of that little letter writer," Jordan said.

In his mind, Oliver went over the following minutes of discovery in the chapel after Jordan revealed his presence to Oliver, followed by his own encouragement of Shane's faith to soothe her own hurting heart.

Oliver relived the words he had spoken to Shane about Christmas. His own faith seemed stronger for the experience, even though here he sat, alone on Christmas morning, with no one to celebrate the day with other than the believers he would gather with for a brief worship at church in a few hours. That would be enjoyable but not as much so as the time spent with Shane, Norman, Rita and Mrs. Gentzinger during the Christmas nativity pageant, attended briefly and approved by an angel no less.

Oliver stared at the Christmas tree and the small pile of brightly decorated packages awaiting opening. One was from Eleanor, one from Dale, one from his pastor and several from neighbors. His DLO team had gone in together to get him a new antique letter opener he was already using at work. He had given Ms. McInerney, Rita and Norman gift cards to the Mailbox Grille. He had gifts to give to Eleanor and Dale later at church this morning too; coffee for Dale, a gift card to a local tea and beverage shop for Eleanor.

Oliver had certainly never expected to receive a gift from an angel today!

Oliver really didn't have a plan when he got back to the DLO. He had just not felt like going straight home to be reminded of the loneliness of his holiday. His astonishment at the transformed DLO aglow with lights grew as he saw the tree growing out of a rock from his Christmas memories of years ago, and the card from Jordan conspicuously perched on a tree branch. The memories of decorating the tree by the water years ago melded with the joy of trimming the tree now with things belonging his team to create a unique Christmas experience he would never forget. But the best gift by far, just as he finished his joyful task, was turning to see his team unexpectedly coming into the DLO to join him.

He was thankful to be remembered and to remember those in his life, but by now he wished there would be the patter of little feet running to see what Santa had brought them and a warm embrace from a wife content to enjoy life by his side. Seeing Hannah with her family, whose happiness had been made complete by the birth of a baby, had reminded him just how much that dream meant to him.

He wondered if Ms. McInerney pictured a husband and children in her future. He could not picture Holly being content with such a life. How had he not seen that? In the excitement of the whirlwind romance with his wife, he had not thought far enough ahead to imagining what would be a satisfying forever life.

Oliver touched his cheek where Shane had placed a gentle kiss.

Something had definitely changed today. Again, the words rang out in his mind. "Take good care of that little letter writer." While standing in the cold outside the hospital, Oliver had exchanged parting words with Ms. McInerney. Although light and playful the banter, there was an undercurrent of something else as yet unacknowledged; some vulnerable part of each other now held close by the other.

Having watched his coworkers drive away, the loneliness of Christmas by himself had returned. He walked in the cold to the DLO, stopping in front of a nativity scene at a quiet church. He had stood looking each figure, lingering on the angel who reminded him of Shane. Everywhere he went, Shane McInerney filled his mind. He had stood there, remembering Jordan's words, "You take good care of that little letter writer," and asking himself how he was supposed to do that now? He didn't think he should ignore an angel's directive.

Oliver got up to heat another cup of hot chocolate. He was momentarily distracted by something outside. He strode to the nearest window and looked out. He was surprised to see that the remaining clouds has disappeared and the sky was full of stars.

Oliver took his refilled cup back to the living room. He sat again, this time a little more relaxed, staring at the firelight, but his mind a very long way away. His eyes suddenly focused on a copy of The Christmas Carol on a coffee table. The story seemed even more real now. After what he experienced today, he could definitely believe such a story.

Christmas music of violin, piano and voice continued playing softly in the background, as Oliver continued to ask himself that question. How was he supposed to take care of that little letter writer? Or was his duty done now that the letter was delivered and explained? Oliver knew one's faith journey was a lifetime journey. Was he supposed to continue to help Ms. McInerney along her path? If so, how?

Oliver was suddenly very tired. He was tired of fighting for his marriage to a woman who was obviously indifferent to him; tired of fighting the attraction he felt for Ms. McInerney since the first day he met her at the coffee cart. Two completely opposite directions. Were Jordan's words during the late-night chess game in the DLO designed to help him see his life in a new light?

In the beginning it had been easy to keep Ms. McInerney at arms' length.

Simply put, he kept his professional life and personal life separate so never the two should meet. Easier said than done. Ms. McInerney's passion for righting wrongs and reuniting people had gained his admiration and respect. It wasn't long before she was pulling him and his other team members, Rita and Norman, into adventures in mail delivery. And along the way, he learned about her caring nature and righteous indignation, sometimes when directed at him or sometimes spoken in his defense. And somehow along the way, Oliver found it easier to confide in Ms. McInerney in ways he had never done with anyone else. What did that mean? Feelings long suppressed in the aftermath of Holly's disappearance began to surface. He was beginning to feel alive in ways he hadn't for a long time. He had busied himself with work to assuage his broken and bruised heart until he was in danger of losing his humanity. Ms. McInerney made it impossible for him to continue to play at living life. She demanded he face it. Scenes of a dance in the DLO, a weeping Shane in a locked bank vault, heated words exchanged on a porch in the country, silence on a rainy night outside a hospital, came to mind.

Oliver didn't think he could ever go back to the life he was living before Ms. McInerney came to the DLO.

The hall standing clock chimed two a.m. Oliver sat down his cup. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. How was he supposed to take care of the little letter writer?

Shane had revised her traveling plans to leave tomorrow noon, as long as the airport stayed open. She was very glad she had bought travel insurance. Winter weather always made travel a bit iffy in the Denver area but she had certainly never expected a delay in her long-awaited vacation to participate in a Christmas nativity pageant. She was now ready for bed, having changed into thick fluffy warm pajamas, and had a cup of hot cocoa in hand and was comfortably covered by blankets and quilts. Lights were out except for a small nightlight that glowed from the restroom. Light was dimly coming through the bedroom window. She wondered if it was still snowing.

As Shane sipped her cocoa, she wondered if Oliver was home. Almost as if on cue, her phone dinged with a call. Shane jumped and reached for her phone on the bedside table. The front was lit with Oliver's name and in surprise, Shane hastily answered. "Hello?"

On the other end of the line, Shane's voice sounded both familiar and foreign to Oliver. These were unusual circumstances.

Oliver cleared his throat and said, "Ms. McInerney, I thought you might like to know I arrived home safely. The snow stopped about half-way home. My car brought me safely home."

His voice held a note of amusement. He knew the DLO team wondered why he kept such an old and sometimes undependable car. He had caught Shane's hint of unease for him as he left her steps.

"Thank you, Oliver, for letting me know," Shane said sincerely.

"I was a bit concerned considering how cold and late it was."

"I know. Were you able to change your flight reservations?"

"Yes, thank you," Shane said. She was happy to talk to Oliver but wasn't quite sure where this conversation was leading. Oliver did not do casual social chitchat often. She could only think of one other time he had called to talk this late in the evening. "I am drinking a cup of cocoa to help me get to sleep. It was a very eventful day."

"Ah," Oliver said. "Well, if it isn't too much trouble why don't you look outside."

"Outside?" Shane asked, confused. She didn't wait for him to respond but threw back the warm covers, put her bare feet onto the cold floor and walked to the window of her second-story bedroom. Did he know she had watched him leave? Shane thought.

She parted the curtains and looked outside, gasping in surprise. The snow clouds had long gone and the sky was beautifully bright with stars.

"Oh my! How beautiful!" Shane said. Traffic had long ceased and the quiet night reigned supreme. Christmas lights adorning the houses up and down the street still glowed red and green, but the view above of twinkling out-of-this world brightness was far more breathtaking.

"I noticed the clearing skies as I drove home and thought you might like to see them. Snow-washed Colorado nighttime stars are spectacular."

"Yes, yes, you are right! If it wasn't so cold I'd go outside to stare up at them," Shane answered enthusiastically.

"Don't do that," Oliver cautioned.

Shane scoffed. "I won't."

For a long moment, both Shane and Oliver looked up to the same heavenly skies, both at peace with themselves and the world.

"Thank you, Oliver. This view is a beautiful gift. Goodnight. Merry Christmas," Shane said. She thought this moment was perfect.

Oliver replied, "Goodnight to you, Ms. McInerney. Merry Christmas to you too."

They both hung up their phones but not before a soft golden light beamed down on them both from high above. For a moment, for some reason, they both felt an inner warmth while at the same time imagining the whisper of musical peaceful silence.

The did not hear the angelic voice say, "Merry Christmas, Shane and Oliver. God bless. Until we meet again."

The End