"How ya doing, honey?" asked Heather as she sipped her morning coffee.
Shane maneuvered her walker around the kitchen easily. She had been working hard and it was paying off. Heather was impressed with how fast she was progressing. She sat down across from her Mom, placing her coffee on the table.
"I'm good." Shane replied simply.
Heather looked at her with an unconvinced expression, waiting for further elaboration.
Shane started talking quickly, "It's just...everyone is acting weird! Except for you, I mean. Norman and Rita are obviously being secretive and Oliver is, well, Oliver is forgetting important information, which means he is stressed about something. Do you think it's the wedding? He acts fine when we talk about it, but then what else could it be?"
Heather was laughing inwardly, knowing what the day would bring. She took a sip of coffee to collect herself. "Oh Shane, of course it isn't the wedding! Whenever he talks about it he can't stop grinning."
Heather took another sip of coffee. "Maybe Norman and Rita are planning a wedding surprise for you both or something and are trying really hard to keep it a secret? I don't know, but I do believe everything is just fine."
Shane sighed again. "I suppose you're right. Maybe I'll ask Oliver if everything is really alright this afternoon."
"Openness is always best." replied Heather. She was so excited for what was coming she couldn't help but smile. She abruptly stood to do the dishes, in order to hide her delight from Shane.
"Ready to lift? Okay, on the count of 3." said Joe. He and Oliver were helping Bill unload lumber at the farm.
They paused to get some water.
"Thanks for helping." said Bill to both of them, and then turning to Oliver, "Today's the day, huh?"
Oliver grinned nervously. "Yes, it is." If everything went well, he would be marrying Shane in 5 days.
"I'm not sure how you kept this a surprise, son, given Shane's attention to detail, but I know she is going to love it." said Joe encouragingly.
"Well," said Oliver, "she has definitely been suspicious the past few days, but Heather called me this morning to let me know she is still unaware of the real surprise. I think everyone is relieved it's today, including me."
Joe chuckled good-naturedly, "I'll say! Rita told me Norman gave himself a headache trying not to make eye contact with Shane at work!" They all chuckled.
"I'm grateful to everyone for making this possible." Oliver took off his gloves, "I better head home to get ready. I need to collect Shane at 3:30."
"How are you going to tell her?" questioned Bill.
"I still don't know, exactly. Planning on waiting for the right moment and then speaking from the heart." explained Oliver.
Joe looked surprised, "You don't have every word planned?"
Oliver chuckled, "Shane's helping me be a little more spontaneous these days."
"Well, I think that's great!" exclaimed Joe sincerely.
"I only hope she agrees with your assessment." Oliver added, with a hopeful look.
Shane examined herself in the mirror before sitting back down in her chair. She had considered taking her walker and surprising Oliver with how strong she had gotten, but it didn't feel like the right time. She had chosen a long, light blue dress with a spring floral print. Her hair was down and curled, necklace in its place.
She heard the front doorbell and then her mom yelled down the hall. "Shane, Oliver is here!" Her heart started to pound and she felt a nervous excitement wash over her, just as she had felt on their very first date. "I'll be right there!"
Shane quickly checked her makeup and then wheeled herself down the hallway. She caught sight of Oliver before he saw her. He was standing there, talking with Heather, and looking incredibly handsome. He laughed good-naturedly and held his hands behind his back as he often did when concentrating. She knew that he was wearing his best suit and she could slightly smell his cologne. She wished more than anything that she could run into his arms. She wheeled herself forward instead.
He glanced at her while talking and then did a double take, smiling up to his eyes. "You look beautiful, Shane."
"Thank you." Shane replied, somewhat shyly.
Heather laughed, "You'd think this was your first date with how smitten and shy you are both acting! I've got to get some work done. You two have a great afternoon!" When Heather was just behind Shane, she turned and winked at Oliver, giving him a thumbs up.
He smiled slightly and then quickly turned his attention to Shane. "May I help you to the car, Ms. McInerney?"
"That would be lovely, Mr. O'Toole." replied Shane.
Oliver grinned and opened the front door. He wheeled her out on the porch and then scooped her up in his arms. He was about to start down the steps when Shane placed her hand on his cheek. He turned to look at her.
"Hi!" she said.
"Hello." he responded and leaned in for a kiss.
Things would have continued in this way if not for a slight interruption. "Mommy, is she a princess?" a little girl's voice asked loudly.
Shane and Oliver turned to see a little girl, about 5 years old, walking by with her mother. Her mom chuckled awkwardly, "Well, um…"
"She looks like one! And he looks like a prince! Just like in my storybook!" she pronounced loudly.
Oliver carried Shane down the steps and paused at the gate, he leaned towards the girl as if sharing a secret, "She is definitely a real princess." Shane turned red and smiled at the little girl.
The girl shouted, "Really?! I knew it!" as her mother gave them an appreciative smile and hurried her away.
Both Shane and Oliver began laughing as he helped her into the car.
"Well, that's the first time I've been mistaken for a princess. But you should have told her the truth." said Shane, reproachfully.
"I did." Oliver replied.
Shane's cheeks pinked up again as she grinned at him.
They quickly arrived at the Rose Gardens and followed the signs to the vow renewal. There was a place reserved for Shane's chair near the front. They sat and observed the decorations and people gathering.
"What a perfect place and day for a second wedding! I'm so happy for them and for Annie! Oh look! There she is." Shane waved as Annie came over to say hello.
"Hi, Shane! So glad you could make it!" Annie exclaimed as she leaned down to give Shane a big hug. "And this must be your plus one?" she said looking at Oliver and reaching out to shake his hand.
Oliver shook it as Shane said, "Yes, this is Oliver O'Toole. He's actually the head of our dead letter team."
"And your soon to be husband." said Oliver, placing his hand on Shane's knee and smiling.
Shane's left leg swayed slightly under Oliver's hand and he noticed. She just moved her leg! Did she realize what just happened?! Oliver glanced down to double check it was indeed her left leg. In his distraction, he missed what Annie had said in response.
"...so wonderful! Congratulations to both of you! Mom and Dad are going to be so glad you're here. I better go sit down, it's about to start. Oh, but stick around afterwards, Shane! We've got some people we'd like you to meet." Annie spoke in a rush and quickly took her seat in the front row.
Oliver was about to say something about Shane's leg, but she spoke first. She leaned in and whispered, "Do you see that boy sitting next to Annie? That must be James! I meant to ask how he was doing, but the fact that he is here, sitting with the family, is a good sign!"
Shane grabbed his hand that was sitting on her knee. Her leg moved again! Was this not the first time and she hadn't told him yet? Or was she really not noticing?
Just then music started playing and Todd walked down the aisle towards the front where the preacher was waiting. He was smiling from ear to ear as Celeste appeared. Shane watched her closely, she looked beautiful, but the biggest change she noticed was how free she looked. A long carried burden had been lifted and love had found a way.
Shane found herself tearing up. It was a beautiful story. She squeezed Oliver's hand tighter. Love had found a way for them too.
The ceremony was beautiful. Shane laughed and cried. Oliver offered his handkerchief, twice. All he could think about the entire time was what it would be like to stand up there with Shane.
There was a reception directly following. Oliver was about to ask how long Shane wanted to stay, given he had extra plans for the afternoon, when Annie walked up with a couple that looked to be about the same age as her parents. They looked apprehensive, which seemed odd in such a setting.
"Shane! These are the friends I wanted you to meet...er, I mean they wanted to meet you…" Annie blurted out in a rush.
Oliver glanced at Shane. She looked slightly confused and kept shifting her gaze from Annie to the couple, wondering if she was supposed to know them already.
"This is Daryl and Sarah Lewis." Annie announced.
Shane began a smile and looked as if she were about to say something when her face suddenly went white and her eyes widened. Oliver placed his hand on her shoulder, grateful she was sitting down.
He didn't know what was wrong, but trying to help, he began to introduce himself to fill the silence. "It's so nice to meet you. I'm Oliver O'Toole, and…"
Sarah gasped, "Do you have any connection to The O'Toole Foundation?"
"Um, yes, I happen to be…" and then it all hit him like a ton of bricks. This was the Lewis family. They had lost their daughter. The same daughter who made choices that led to Shane being in that chair. They had also discovered where the monetary donation had originated from. Oliver fell silent himself, unsure of what to say, and looked at Shane once again.
Shane had let the shock wash over her and then composed herself. She looked right into Sarah's eyes, "It is so nice to finally meet you. You've been on my mind a lot these past few months. But how do you know…?" Shane asked as she gestured towards Annie.
Annie's eyes were tearing up as she explained, "The Lewis family moved in across the street a month after my Dad left. Selena and I grew up together. They moved across town about a year ago . When I heard about your accident, I realized the connection." Annie sounded unsure for the first time. "I hope this is okay…" she said as she glanced over at Daryl and Sarah.
Shane reached up and held Oliver's hand as she responded quickly. "Of course it is!" She looked at Selena's parents and said what she'd rehearsed many times in the past few months, "I'm so, so sorry about your daughter." She had planned to say more, but the words wouldn't come as easily as the tears streaming down her cheeks.
Sarah stood with Daryl's arm around her, both emotional, and replied to Shane with a sincere, "Thank you." She then said what she had wanted to say for some time. "I am so sorry about everything you've been through the past few months. Selena was a wonderful daughter, and to our knowledge, that night was the first time she chose to drink alcohol."
Shane searched her face, trying to find the right words to let this heartbroken mother know it was okay. "I understand. Good people sometimes make bad choices. I have no hard feelings toward your family. It truly is okay."
With that, Sarah leaned down and embraced Shane in a long hug as they both cried.
Sarah then stood and hugged Oliver. He was slightly taken aback by the gesture. "Thank you very much for your financial assistance," she said as she pulled away, "You have blessed our family in more ways than you realize."
"Oh, well it wasn't just me." said Oliver quickly. "There are four members on the board of the O'Toole Foundation and the vote was unanimous."
Daryl shook Oliver's hand and nodded, "Well, please let them all know how grateful we are. Not only were we able to cover funeral costs, but we were also able to begin foster care with the intention to adopt. It's been a dream of ours for quite some time, but we needed to buy a home to make this possible."
Annie was practically jumping up and down, bursting to speak, "And guess who they are hoping to adopt?!" she turned, "Mom, Dad, James, come over here!"
Shane looked at Daryl and Sarah, "James is your…?"
Sarah nodded happily. "We're hoping to make it official soon."
They all stood around Shane and Oliver, stories coming together. More tears and laughter followed.
"Isn't it amazing how connected we all are?!" exclaimed Annie. "We owe a lot to you and your team at the DLO."
Oliver and Shane assured them all that they had really done very little, just their job.
It was finally time for Celeste and Todd to have their first dance and most of the group joined them on the dance floor.
Shane sat there a moment, taking in the scene. "Oliver, there are many paths in these gardens. Shall we explore a bit before heading home?"
He smiled and nodded, understanding her need for quiet.
Oliver glanced over at Shane. They had found a small area with a bench and he had wheeled her up to it and sat down beside her. They were surrounded by different colored roses. She was unusually quiet, so he waited.
"Oliver, I don't think it will ever cease to amaze me how a dead letter office with four employees could influence so many lives so profoundly! I mean, day to day we don't do anything out of the ordinary, but every once in a while we get glimpses of how everything connects, how important those small actions are." She paused and smiled at him. "I love what we do!"
He stared a moment, taking in her beauty that she seemed utterly unaware of. "Me too." he said taking her hand.
She sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. "It was so lovely meeting Daryl and Sarah, although my heart still aches for them." She paused, "I felt something today Oliver, something that I have felt before, but haven't even attempted to express with words. We witnessed healing today, for Todd and Celeste, for Annie. For the Lewises and James..." she took a deep breath, "and for myself. I didn't realize how much I needed to meet them, to let them know I didn't have any hard feelings towards them. I was so worried they were carrying that unnecessary burden, along with everything else."
Oliver simply looked at her. "You are remarkable."
Shane shook her head, "I'm almost positive that someone else orchestrated it all…"
Oliver grinned. "Almost positive?"
Shane laughed. They didn't discuss their spiritual beliefs often, but when they did Oliver always let Shane bring up the subject. Unbeknownst to him, this unspoken pattern had given her space to grow. She still had a lot of questions, and she was still wary of organized religion, but she prayed everyday. She hadn't even told Oliver that yet.
Shane looked reflective. "People really need each other, though, don't they? We like to act like we don't, but it's not true. We're all connected."
Oliver nodded, pondering. Shane paused again and he took the opportunity to speak. "Shane, speaking of healing…" He reached over and touched her left knee. "Either I'm going crazy or you moved your left leg earlier this evening! Twice!"
Shane's face split into a big grin and then she looked around, making sure they were alone. "I have a surprise for you! Could you please stand up in front of me?"
"Um, alright…" Oliver stood, slightly perplexed.
"A little closer. I'll need to use your arms." said a determined Shane.
Oliver held out his arms as Shane directed and then his eyes got wide. "Shane! You're not going to…"
Shane slowly stood, mostly using her right leg, balancing a bit with her left. Once she was fully standing and stable, she looked up at Oliver. She was surprised to see him with tears streaming down his face. She had seen him emotional many times before, but this was different.
"Oliver? Are you okay?" Shane whispered.
He nodded. "Mmmhmm...I uh, I wasn't expecting...I just haven't stood next to you like this since…"
"Since just before my accident." Shane finished for him. They both froze there a moment, feeling deep gratitude for what was taking place.
Oliver spoke first. "When did you? How did you...?"
She grinned. "I started having some sensations in my left leg as my right leg got stronger. I worked extra hard in therapy and asked my mom not to say anything to you as I practiced using my walker around the house. This past week I started to feel significant changes in my left leg, which was actually quite painful, but I knew it meant progress. I still have to take lots of breaks and not over do it, but I can stand and shuffle along. I've just been waiting for the right moment to surprise you!"
"Well, you certainly did that!" Oliver carefully shifted his arms so he could come closer to Shane for a hug. As he supported most of her weight, Shane hugged him back.
She sighed, "What a perfect, beautiful day."
"Yes," Oliver agreed, "although I feel that our wedding day will top the charts."
Shane sighed again, but this time a little less happy. She used Oliver's arms to support herself so she could look up at his face. "I just wish it was only days away, instead of weeks."
Oliver could not stop the grin that quickly appeared on his face, or the chuckle that followed. "That does sound a lot better doesn't it. How about May 1st instead?"
Shane scoffed slightly at the suggestion and sarcastically said, "Oh sure, let's just bump it up an entire…" The look on Oliver's face stopped her. "Oliver," she said in a serious tone,"there is no way we can move an entire wedding up a month. It can't be done."
Oliver cleared his throat, enjoying this very much "Well, it already has been done."
Shane blinked in confusion and then understanding filled her face, "Oliver O'Toole! Are you being serious right now?"
She nearly lost her balance and Oliver helped her slowly sit down. He sat down next to her, taking her hands in his.
He smiled softly as he spoke, "I am. The church and reception venue have been rescheduled, decorations, food, everything was moved up. Alex flies in tomorrow morning. The only thing left is knowing if the bride-to-be agrees to all of these changes?"
Shane was shocked. She knew something was up, but not something as big as this! "But how did you…?"
"Oh, everyone helped." said Oliver, "Norman, Rita, Mom, Dad, Bill, even Ramon. We ran into a few hiccups, but nothing huge and things just sort of fell into place, as if it was meant to be."
Shane took the handkerchief Oliver offered her and dabbed her eyes, letting his words sink in. Oliver sat there staring at her, waiting for a response.
She took a deep breath, looking serious, "Oliver, are you telling me that we are getting married in five days, a month before we planned, and you've been keeping this from me for weeks?"
Oliver felt panicked for the first time as he tried to read her face. He cleared his throat and confessingly said, "Yes. That is correct."
Shane laughed out loud at how worried he looked. She reached up and touched his face and gave him a long kiss.
"Is that a yes then, Ms. McInerney?" asked a smiling Oliver.
"Yes, yes it is!" she replied as she leaned forward, touching her forehead to his. "Five days." she whispered.
"Five days." said Oliver, squeezing her hand.
