Thank you so much for all of the sweet comments/reviews! :) It's so fun sharing this with people that love these characters too. I will try to edit/upload a chapter a day until I catch up to where I am currently writing, then things may slow down a bit. Thanks for reading!
**Warning: Chapter 1 hints at Shane being in the hospital and it being serious. Without giving away too much, the following chapters may be triggering for those that have had the experience of being with a loved one in serious condition in a hospital setting.**
{Friday}
Shane slowly awoke to light falling softly across her face. She felt stiff. She went to roll over, but then noticed Oliver's deep breathing beside her. She smiled. She had had this dream before. She reached to give him a hug and suddenly realized this was not a dream. She was in her living room. Her eyes shifted quickly toward the clock on the wall. 7:32! Yikes!
She carefully sat up, letting Oliver's arm that had been around her slide down by his side. He stayed asleep. She was about to nudge him awake when she paused, realizing what a rare moment this was. He looked so handsome, and so calm, every feature relaxed. She knew that would disappear once she woke him and he realized he'd stayed well past curfew. She took a few more moments, thinking of how nice it would be to wake up everyday together.
She then gently nudged Oliver's arm. "Oliver...Oliver... we'll need to hurry in order to be on time for work."
Oliver moved his head slightly and mumbled, "A few more minutes, sweetheart." without opening his eyes.
Shane covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. She tried again. "Oliver…" she said as she nudged his arm again, "it's morning." She added a kiss on the cheek to see if that would do the trick.
"Shane? What are you doing here?" he said as he sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"Well, it's technically my living room, so I should probably be the one asking that question."
Oliver quickly stood. "Oh my goodness!" He glanced at the clock. "Oh no, I'm so sorry! I closed my eyes for just a moment." He was quite flustered and quickly grabbed his coat.
Shane stood and walked over to him. "Oliver, it's okay. It wasn't on purpose, nothing happened, and it was actually one of the best nights of sleep I've had in a long time."
Oliver sighed. "I know, for me too." he smiled slightly, just noticing Shane's messy hair. She was beautiful in the morning, just as he suspected. "But it was still highly inappropriate. As a gentleman, I should have been more careful."
Shane tilted her head to the side, "Is there anything I can say to make you feel better?"
"I promise to be more careful in the future." Oliver said, as much to himself as to Shane. "We really need to hurry. It's going to be a full day of work preparing the DLO for Monday, and you've got an important letter to deliver."
She had almost forgotten! Annie's letter, 3:00 o'clock! "Well, I'll need to drive myself today anyway, so why don't you head home and get ready, and I'll meet you at the DLO."
Oliver nodded, gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and walked towards the door.
"Oh, Oliver…" He turned to see Shane blushing slightly. "I liked being called 'sweetheart.'"
He grinned, "See you soon, sweetheart."
Shane giggled to herself as she shut the door behind him.
"Norman, maybe we should consider some family names." said Rita. They were shoulder to shoulder sealing and stamping envelopes.
"I do have a lot of cousins to choose from. I've always liked the name Rose though, if it's a girl."
"Oh, that is pretty! Why Rose?" asked Rita.
"Well, when I first saw you I thought you were as beautiful as a rose. And if we have a daughter, she'll be as beautiful as you." Norman said matter-of-factly.
Rita stifled a sob. "Norman! That was just...just...just such a wonderful thing to say!"
Norman was getting used to these strong reactions from Rita. It happened, at a minimum, twice a day. He handed her a tissue from the supply he now carried around in his pocket for such occasions.
"Hey, you two...Rita are you alright?!" Shane had entered without them noticing.
"Oh yes! I'm fine. Just really really happy! Norman is the sweetest man!" she started crying again, a little more quietly this time.
"Yes, he is." smiled Shane. Norman looked extremely embarrassed. "Have either of you seen Oliver yet?"
They both shook their heads. "Wow, you got here before Oliver? I think this is the first time that's happened." said Norman.
"I hope he's okay!" said Rita.
"Oh I'm sure he's fine," smiled Shane, "maybe he just needed a little extra time this morning." She shrugged as Rita eyed her curiously.
The door opened. "Good morning everyone! I apologize for my tardiness this morning." He glanced at Shane, "I slept in a bit too late, it will not become a habit. Thank you for your patience. Now, let's prepare the DLO for evaluation." They all nodded and went to work on the list of tasks Oliver had created for each of them the day before.
Shane paused looking over her list and walked up to Oliver's desk. She kept her voice low, "Long time no see."
Oliver's face started to redden as he glanced at Norman and Rita to see if they were paying attention. "Ms. McInerney…"
"I know, it's time to work. I just wanted to thank you for making me smile so much this morning."
He softly cleared his throat, "I hope to be able to do that every morning." They both smiled as she turned to walk back to her desk.
"Oh, Shane…" whispered Oliver.
Shane turned back around and stepped towards his desk. She was shocked to hear him use her first name inside the DLO. "Yes?"
Oliver lowered his voice even more and leaned towards her. "You look very beautiful when you first wake up."
It was now Shane's turn to blush slightly. Shane noticed Norman heading their direction. She quickly replied, "Well, thank you for your input, Mr. O'toole." and walked back to her desk.
She glanced up as he talked to Norman and when she caught his eye, she winked. She noticed the corners of his mouth trying not to smile as he discussed with Norman the types of ink used to stamp envelopes. She hoped to make him smile every morning too.
Shane jumped. She didn't realize Rita had walked up beside her until she heard the crunch of a cracker.
"Oh, Rita! Hi! How are you feeling?" said Shane.
"I'm great! A little tired and starving." She sounded very optimistic. "I've been doing some reading and some women have it much, much worse! I'm grateful things are going so well and I'm so excited for my appointment today! Did you know at 8 weeks, a baby is already as big as a raspberry?!"
"A raspberry?" said Shane, slightly confused about the reference to fruit.
Rita nodded vigorously, "Mmmhmm...all the way from poppy seed to a giant watermelon! In only nine months! Isn't that amazing?!"
Shane laughed at Rita's enthusiasm, "Yes, it is amazing! Rita, I'm claiming best friend privileges, I get to be the one to throw you a baby shower this summer!"
Rita furrowed her eyebrows slightly. "Oh, but Shane, you have a wedding to plan!"
"Nonsense! There is plenty of time to plan both!" she said reassuringly.
Rita smiled and gave her a hug. "You are the best!"
Norman and Rita had already left for their appointment. Oliver really needed to head to his meeting, but Shane was on the phone and it sounded important. He really wanted to talk to her before she delivered Annie's letter. He caught her eye and then gestured that he needed to go.
"Just a second, Becky…" Shane said and then put the phone on mute. "Heading to your meeting?"
"Yes. I'll see you here in a few hours. I hope your delivery goes well. I still wish I could come with you." said Oliver.
Shane smiled, " I'm sure it will go wonderfully. Have fun at your meeting." she said with a wink.
"I'm sure I will." Oliver mumbled unenthusiastically. He gave her a quick kiss and headed towards the door. He looked back, still feeling slightly uneasy but not knowing why, and said a silent prayer that the delivery of Annie's letter would go well. He sighed and pushed the door open.
"That is great news, Becky! Thank you so so so much! I don't know how I will ever repay you!" Shane laughed, "You were already invited! Okay...yeah, talk to you soon! Bye!"
Shane did a happy dance. She wished she could talk to Oliver, but she really had to get going. She wrote a quick note and left it on his desk.
Shane pulled up in front of a yellow house with a white picket fence. It looked so welcoming. They even had a porch swing. With Annie's letter in hand, she walked up the front steps and knocked on the door.
It quickly opened and a young woman answered, "Hi, I'm Annie!" she thrust out her hand and shook Shane's with exuberance. "You must be, Shane!'
Shane was a little surprised by the enthusiastic welcome. "Yes, I am. It's so good to meet you."
"Come on in. This is my mom, Celeste." Shane shook hands with Annie's mother. It was obvious right away that she had a more reserved personality than her daughter. She also had kind eyes. As Shane looked back and forth between them, she realized you could hardly tell they were mother and daughter, except for the eyes. Their eyes were exactly the same.
"Nice to meet you, Shane. It was kind of you to hand deliver this letter." Celeste said with a smile. Shane could tell she was also very nervous.
"It's no problem." She looked at Annie, "Your Dad asked me to hand deliver this, he actually mailed it 2 months ago and wanted to make sure it got to you this time."
"Why didn't he just come himself?" Annie inquired bluntly. "I've been waiting for him to come see me for 10 years. I knew he had his problems, but I also knew he loved me. It never made any sense." Her voice was steady, but her eyes were threatening tears.
Celeste gestured to her left, "How about we sit down in the living room and read the letter. And then we can ask Shane questions." Annie nodded and led the way.
Shane handed the envelope to Annie, took her seat, and waited quietly.
Annie pulled the letter out of the envelope. She looked a mix between disbelief and excitement. "I'm going to read it out loud, Mom. You've been waiting too."
Celeste nodded, tears already filling her eyes.
Annie read the letter through without interruption. Her facial expressions went from sad, to smiling, confused, and back again. Celeste sat weeping softly.
She immediately turned to her mom after finishing the letter. "What does he mean you found someone new? You haven't dated anyone…"
Celeste sat with furrowed brow, thinking. All of the sudden her eyes got big and she shook her head, "Oh my goodness! That was my brother!"
"Dad thought Uncle Cliff was your new fella?" Annie asked, realizing what her mother had just said.
Celeste turned to Shane, "Todd only met my brother once and it was before we were married. Cliff was in the military and stationed overseas for many years. He came to see us for 2 weeks during one of his leaves." She put a hand over her eyes and said quietly, "He thought I had moved on."
"Even if you had, he could've contacted me!" Annie said, irritated.
Celeste looked up at her daughter. "Annie, he thought his presence would cause pain and unhappiness. He clearly regrets not contacting you sooner."
They all sat in silence for a few moments, thinking. Shane was wondering if she should find a way to leave or if she should say something. Thankfully, Annie decided to speak.
"I want to call him and schedule a time to see him." she said resolutely. "Even if I can't forgive him, I'd like to hear what he has to say, in person." She looked at Celeste. "I feel like I should be more upset, but I've missed him, Mom."
Celeste nodded through her tears. "I understand."
"Do you want to see him too?" asked Annie.
Celeste shook her head, "That letter was for you. He wants to see you."
"Mom, that's just because he thinks you're taken! He has no idea you never submitted the divorce papers!" Annie had a way of spilling information.
Shane looked at Celeste, surprised. "You're still…?"
"Married? Technically, yes." Celeste looked uncomfortable. "Shane would you be able to provide us Todd's address and phone number?"
"Oh, yes! I have it right here?" She handed Annie a slip of paper. Annie looked unsure all of a sudden, as she glanced down at the phone number.
"Annie, my dad left us when I was a little too. Only he never came back. I got a birthday card every year, but that was it. He died before I had a chance to really talk with him, to hear his side of the story. If I could go back I wouldn't waste another day withholding forgiveness. He caused a lot of pain, but he was still my dad." Shane paused to take a deep breath. "Life is so short."
Annie smiled through tears, and nodded. She pulled her phone from her pocket, clutched the small slip of paper, and stood to leave. She glanced one more time at her mother who gave her a reassuring nod. With a determined look she said "Excuse me." and walked out of the room.
Celeste looked after her admiringly. "She loves so freely, no matter the cost."
Shane nodded, "I can see that."
"They were inseparable when Annie was little." Celeste turned toward Shane, clearly feeling a need to explain herself. "I filed divorce papers a year after Todd left. My lawyer was able to locate him. He signed them and sent them back, but there was a note inside. It said, "I'm sorry I didn't listen and fix this sooner. I will always love you, Celeste. Be happy."
Celeste was crying again. "I was so confused and mad at myself, but I knew I couldn't sign the papers. I knew that if there was a small chance he could change and we could be together again, I wasn't willing to let him go. No matter how long it took."
Shane found it impossible to hold back the tears at this point.
"When you find a love like that, you hold on to it. Even when everyone and everything tells you there is no hope." Celeste sighed, "I know I sound a bit crazy."
"Not crazy at all." said Shane. "I know exactly what you mean," thinking of her wait for Oliver.
Annie came bouncing into the room. "He's going to pick me up tomorrow afternoon and we're going out for ice cream! He sounded really nervous, but it was so nice to hear his voice. He said you can come too, Mom, if you'd like." Annie smirked, "I made sure to tell him you were available."
"Annie Jane!" Celeste said, clearly shocked. "I know you're excited, and I'm happy that you have this opportunity to get to know your dad again, but I want to make it clear that my relationship with your father is between me and him and you are not to interfere." Celeste gave her daughter a look that clearly meant she was to be taken seriously.
Annie sighed, "Oh alright…" she then she mumbled under her breath, "...but you are available, and technically married." Celeste pretended not to hear.
Shane did her best not to laugh. Annie was so bold and she found it refreshing! She was happy for them. She glanced at the clock on the wall. 4:32. She needed to get going. She stood. "Thank you so much for letting me be a part of delivering this letter. It has been wonderful meeting both of you. I truly hope things work out for the best. You have my number and here is my email address. Please contact me if you have any more questions."
They both hugged Shane, thanked her, and said goodbye.
Oliver, Norman, and Rita were waiting in the DLO. Shane had called just after 4:40 to let them know she was on her way, but that there was a lot of traffic. Oliver looked at the note she left on his desk. "I have some great news! See you tonight. I love you, Mr. O'toole. XOXOXO -Shane" He smiled and tucked the note into his suit pocket.
It was 5:30 now, and even with traffic, Oliver was starting to worry. To make things worse, she hadn't answered her cell phone when he had called 10 minutes prior.
"Maybe she had car trouble," offered Rita. "I'm sure she'll be here any minute."
Fifteen more minutes passed. Oliver was pacing. He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. He tried her phone again, straight to voicemail. Norman and Rita looked on, helplessly.
Finally at 6:02 the DLO phone rang. Oliver ran over and quickly picked up the receiver. "Shane?!" he practically shouted.
"Is this Mr. Oliver O'toole?" said a flat voice that wasn't Shane's.
"Yes, it is." confirmed Oliver.
"You are the number one emergency contact on the phone of Shane McInerney. Are you a relation, sir?"
Oliver's heart was beating so fast he could hear it. "Yes, I mean, we're engaged. Is she alright?" He squeezed the phone tighter, willing them to give him answers.
"Sir, I'm sorry to report that she has been involved in a very serious car accident. Please come to Denver Mercy hospital as soon as you are able." said the voice on the line.
Norman and Rita watched all of the color drain from Oliver's face. He couldn't speak. Rita quickly grabbed a chair and gently encouraged Oliver to sit while Norman took the phone and found out what was happening. Norman had tears in his eyes as he hung up and told Rita.
She burst into tears. "Is she going to be okay?!"
"They couldn't tell me over the phone, just that it was serious," said Norman, looking at Oliver with a very concerned expression.
Oliver abruptly stood. "I have to go to her. Now."
Norman stepped in his friends path, stopping him. "Oliver, you are in no condition to drive. I'll get us there." Oliver nodded, handing Norman his keys. They all started walking quickly.
"What can we do? I feel so helpless!" said Rita with a sob as she looked at Norman.
Oliver answered without slowing his pace. "Pray, Rita. Please pray."
