"Thanks for coming with me!" said Rita as she pulled up in front of the doctor's office.

"No problem," smiled Shane, "It's nice going to an appointment for someone else for a change!"

Shane opened her door and then reached behind her seat to grab her walker. She was on her feet opening the back door to grab her chair as Rita walked around the car.

"Oh, do you need help?" asked Rita, concerned.

Shane shook her head, "I'm not about to let you lift my chair! Norman would never forgive me!" Shane looked determined as she balanced herself, mostly on one leg, and lifted her chair from the car. "Besides, if I want approval to drive again, I have to show my ability to get in and out of the vehicle on my own."

Rita nodded understandingly, "Well, you're doing great!"

"Thanks." said Shane as she lowered herself down and carefully folded the walker to place back in the car.

"Any recent improvements with your leg?" asked Rita as they entered the building.

Shane shook her head, "Not really. Progress has been slow, but Dr. Noom has some new therapy and treatments she wants to start next week that seem promising."

"That's good news!" exclaimed Rita.

"Yes, it…" Shane stopped mid sentence as they entered the waiting room for Rita's appointment. The room was packed full, about twenty-five women, and at least a dozen were obviously pregnant. A few held new babies. Shane felt like she had happened upon another world.

"Rita?" a nurse announced to the crowded room.

"Oh, that's me!" She quickly moved a chair so that Shane would have a place and whispered, "It shouldn't take long."

Shane smiled and nodded and carefully backed up her chair where Rita had created a gap. She pulled out her phone and began to read the news, but she couldn't help hearing snippets of conversations around her.

"They may induce me if…"

"Twins?! Really?!"

"Only 3 weeks to go, but my midwife says…"

Shane jumped as a little hand placed itself on her knee. She looked up. A little girl, about 18 months, was smiling up at her around a pink pacifier being held with her teeth. She had big brown eyes and dark curls. Shane smiled back, "Hello there."

Her mom quickly sat down in the empty seat next to Shane. "I'm so sorry. Abigail, come see mommy!" she whispered loudly.

Abigail clearly had no interest in listening. Shane smiled, "It's okay, I don't mind."

Abigail's mom visibly relaxed. "I'm Stephanie."

"I'm Shane. It's nice to meet you," Shane said as she held out her hand for Abigail to hang onto.

"She really seems to like you," said Stephanie with a grin.

Shane noticed Stephanie suddenly close her eyes and take a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" Shane asked.

Stephanie nodded, "Oh, yes, it's just early pregnancy nausea."

"Oh!,"said Shane surprised, "I didn't realize...well, congratulations!"

Stephanie laughed, "Thanks! It's actually my sixth."

Shane couldn't stop the look of surprise that appeared on her face. Stephanie had to be around her same age.

Stephanie started explaining, as if she were used to it. "My husband and I got married young and we both wanted a big family. He was an only child and I have one brother, so this was uncharted territory for us. It's crazy, but we love it." She paused to take a breath, "I'm sorry, I'm such a talker, do you have any little ones?"

Shane felt a jolt of surprise. She had never been asked that before, but in this setting it seemed more than appropriate. "Um, not yet." she answered quickly. "My husband and I were married just six weeks ago." Shane's face lit up. She loved saying 'my husband' in reference to Oliver.

"Oh! That's wonderful! Congratulations!" exclaimed Stephanie as she scooped Abigail up onto her lap.

"Thank you." said Shane sincerely.

Stephanie changed the subject, "So, have you always lived in Denver?"

"I actually grew up back east. I used to work in DC." explained Shane.

"Oh! I've never been there, but my brother lives in Maryland. He is coming for a visit in a month or so, but I…"

A nurse came out and called Stephanie's name.

"It was so nice to meet you, Shane! Thanks for chatting. I was in serious need of adult conversation." She smiled appreciatively as she scooped up Abigail and walked away. Abigail waved over her shoulder. Shane waved back.

Shane sat there smiling to herself. The smile slowly faded as a deep sadness washed over her. Focusing on her recovery and the wedding had pushed thoughts of a baby further from her mind. Oliver had only brought the subject up once since that day in the hospital. Just before the wedding they had decided to wait six months and discuss things again then. She had told herself not to worry about it yet, to enjoy being newly married. But it was always there, in the back of her mind, a "40% chance you will be unable to have children."

Until this moment, she had not realized how strong her desire was to have a baby. For many years she had thought little of a future family. But things were different now. She had Oliver. She knew he would be an incredible father, if he only got the chance. Shane swallowed hard and did her best to shift her thoughts. She glanced around, hoping no one noticed her red eyes. She couldn't help but wonder and hope that someday, by some miracle, it would be her turn. She quickly rolled toward the exit, deciding to wait for Rita outside.


Rita and Shane were both quiet as they pulled up in front of the jewelers, both lost in their own thoughts.

"I was wondering if…" began Rita as she turned toward Shane. She stopped talking, furrowed her brow, and tilted her head slightly, "Are you okay, Shane?"

Shane had wiped the corner of her eye as she stared out the window. Rita noticed.

"I'm fine." said Shane as her voice trembled and tears began to flow down her cheeks.

Rita placed an arm around Shane's shoulders and quickly handed her a tissue from her purse. Shane began to explain. She told Rita everything Dr. Noom had said, how Oliver had responded, and how she was feeling now. Shane had planned to keep this to herself, but sharing with Rita made her feel lighter somehow. They were both crying by the end of it.

Rita shook her head slightly, eyes full of sympathy. "I had no idea. I'm so sorry, Shane!"

"It's okay," replied Shane, "I'm glad you know now."

They sat in silence for a moment and then Rita added, "I'm going to pray you are in the 60% group!"

Shane dabbed her eyes once again, "Thank you, Rita. So, what were you wondering?" asked Shane, hoping to change the subject.

Rita looked confused for a moment, "Oh! It's nothing…"

Shane looked at her curiously and grinned. "Well, now you have to tell me."

"Okay" said Rita, looking a bit nervous, "I was wondering if you would stay with me, in the room, during the birth?"

Shane looked surprised and Rita looked nervous. Rita's words began to tumble out quickly, "You see, my mom can't be there, except in spirit. And I know I have Norman, but I would feel so much better if you were there too! But you can say no and that would be okay too, of course! And…"

"Rita," said Shane as she placed her hand on Rita's shoulder, her eyes filling with tears for a different reason, "I would love to be there."

"Really?!" exclaimed Rita.

Shane nodded and Rita looked relieved and gave Shane a huge hug.

Shane laughed as they both wiped their eyes. "Look at us! We're both a mess! We better get back to work."

Rita picked up the package containing the ring. "I hope they can help us. I feel really close to these people for some reason, even though we don't know them."

Shane agreed, "Yes, it feels so urgent doesn't it? Even though it has been twenty years. Perhaps this one is a divine delivery?"

Rita smiled, "I hope so! Those are the best kind."


Oliver watched Shane carefully as she explained what had transpired at the jewelers. He was only half listening to her words. Her makeup was slightly smudged and he suspected she had been crying at some point during her absence. He felt a twinge of concern, not knowing if those had been happy tears or sad ones.

"After that, he said that they updated their system 12 years ago and they had no record of anything purchased before that time." said Rita.

"Right," added Shane, "His father did say that ring belonged to a collection only available for about a year, confirming the date of the letter."

"Hmm." said Norman, eyebrows furrowed.

Oliver sighed. "A dead end. A sign to step back and consider a different path." He glanced down at the letter in his hand. What were they missing?

"The details we need seem too vague or non-existent." said Shane, slightly discouraged. "And yet, the story is detailed enough to make it feel so urgent."

"Well, we won't give up hope just yet. Let's get back to work. If anyone has a stroke of inspiration, please share." said Oliver.

"We will," said Norman, "I'm sure the answer will come. We're just not seeing it yet."


Oliver sighed as he looked around the DLO. There was much to worry about. He had a supervisor that refused to acknowledge a problem and rejected any solutions Oliver suggested. It was only Tuesday and they were already behind, only completing just over half of what was necessary to accomplish. Everyone was worn out. And Rita, who was by far their fastest sorter, was slowing down a bit each day, having to rest more often.

These problems, although pressing, fell away as his eyes rested on Shane. She had been more quiet than normal all afternoon and that, along with evidence of tears, had left him worrying about her well-being.

"Well, we're heading home." said Norman as he passed Oliver's desk. "We can come in earlier tomorrow if you'd like us to." Rita nodded in agreement.

Oliver shook his head and forced a smile. "No, the regular time is fine." An extra hour wasn't going to solve this mess. Besides, Rita looked very tired.

"Okay," smiled Norman, "See you tomorrow."

Oliver nodded as Shane gave Rita a hug and whispered something in her ear, bringing a smile.

"Bye!" said Rita with a wave as they exited.

Shane looked at Oliver, smiled slightly, and kept working on the pile of mail she was sorting.

"Mrs. O'Toole," he said with formality in his voice, "It is after five o'clock."

She smiled once again. "That is correct, Mr. O'Toole. But the way your desk is currently arranged, not to mention the expression on your face, tells me that you are not quite finished with work for the day."

Oliver smiled at her awareness and opened his mouth to protest.

Shane continued first. "I don't mind working until six, Oliver. I'm not tired."

Oliver kept looking at her, wondering if he should protest. Staying longer would put his mind at ease.

She grinned flirtatiously, "As long as I get to go home with you."

Oliver felt the familiar thrill shoot through him that always came when he realized that not only was Shane his wife, but she was happy being with him. He smiled at her, "That is an acceptable arrangement."

Fifteen minutes had gone by and Shane found herself glancing at Oliver as he worked. He was silent and focused, quickly putting his desk in order. He would not abandon thoroughness, no matter how loudly his superiors were demanding speed. She loved him for that. She grinned to herself, she loved him for everything.

"A penny for your thoughts, Shane?" asked Oliver as he straightened the last stack of papers on his desk, tucking them carefully into a file folder.

Shane looked at him with an expression of openness and said simply, "You. I was thinking about you."

Oliver grinned, "Judging by the smile, may I assume they were thoughts of a happy nature?"

Shane laughed and wheeled herself toward his desk. He met her half way, leaned down, and gave her a kiss, rubbing her cheek softly with his thumb as he stood.

"Shall we go home?" asked Oliver.

Shane nodded, glancing one more time at the pink box sitting on Oliver's desk. "How are we going to find them, Oliver?" she asked.

"Hmm? Oh, well, just like we always do. Work and prayer and…"

"Trusting the timing?" finished Shane.

"Exactly." said Oliver with a smile.


Oliver finished drying the last plate and placed it carefully in the cupboard. He glanced at Shane, sitting on the couch, photos of Norman and Rita at all different ages scattered on the coffee table.

Shane laughed, "Oliver, come look at these. They are so great!"

Oliver sat down beside her and looked over the pictures. He smiled, "What exactly are these for?"

"Oh, Rita gave them to me today. Baby shower game." Shane smiled and winked, "Top secret stuff."

"Ah, I see." said Oliver. "How did Rita's appointment go today?'

Shane's face dropped as she shifted her gaze to the photographs. "It was fine. Oh, did you see this one of Norman with a bowl cut?!"

Oliver looked at Shane as intently as she was studying the photos in front of her.

"Shane?" he said quietly. "Your eyes looked as if you'd been crying today, after you and Rita returned from the jewelers. Did something happen?"

Oliver sat attentively with his hand on Shane's back. Shane had begun to blink rapidly and he felt her take a deep breath as she turned to face him.

She looked at him, tears threatening to run down her cheeks. "I rolled into a room full of pregnant women and women with babies in their arms today, Oliver."

She paused, dabbing her eyes with the handkerchief Oliver handed her. Oliver looked at her with furrowed brow, trying to understand.

"It felt strange. And then it was as if something inside of me woke up. This strong desire washed over me, stronger than I'd ever felt before. I want us to be able to have a baby together." Shane paused again. "Someday."

Oliver smiled tenderly and waited for her to finish.

"Immediately my thoughts repeated as they have many times since the accident: 'there is a 40% chance that you will be unable to have children.' It was like I was sitting in the hospital again, Dr. Noom's words making it hard to breathe. I looked down at my broken body and felt so...hopeless. I can't even get my leg to work. How can I possibly grow another human being?"

Oliver wrapped his arm around Shane and pulled her in closer.

Shane let the tears begin to flow. She took another deep breath and looked up at him. "The worst part is, I won't know for sure until we try. Dr. Noom told me at my last appointment that there is no test that can tell me if I can conceive or maintain a pregnancy with my condition. If I can't, I'd like to mentally shut that door and move forward. It's the not knowing that is so difficult."

Oliver nodded, softly rubbing Shane's arm as she leaned in for comfort, his thoughts swirling, his own emotions on the surface. "Shane?"

"Hmm?" grunted Shane, not lifting her head from Oliver's chest.

"I know we talked about waiting to talk about things, so we could settle into married life." It was Oliver's turn to take a deep breath. "I don't know about you, but I have never felt more settled in my life."

Shane, realizing where this conversation may be going, suddenly sat up straight, looking at Oliver with wide eyes.

"As long as your doctor approves, why don't we...well, stop preventing things?" Shane's eyes got even wider and Oliver quickly added, "It's completely up to you, of course. I realize that such a course of action would open the door to a lot of risks and I'm not the one that would have to…"

"Oliver, you realize that if I can get pregnant and if everything works out, there would be a real baby that we would be responsible for? Do you feel ready for that?" Shane asked, searching his face.

Oliver swallowed, "Well, I cannot say that I'm free of apprehension, seeing as I have never been in this exact, uh, situation before."

Shane smiled at his choice of words. "You mean, fatherhood?"

"Correct. But considering our stage in life, our solid relationship, and our financial security…" Oliver paused and shrugged slightly, unsure of what to say next.

"Oliver!" exclaimed Shane with surprise in her voice, "You've been thinking about this, haven't you?!"

"Yes, I have." he admitted. Oliver had thought of it often over the past two weeks. He wasn't sure exactly why. Perhaps it had to do with observing Norman and Rita's excitement. Or maybe because Shane was the first person with whom he could even imagine bringing a child into this world. He wouldn't have said a word, however, knowing her feelings were tender and knowing they agreed to not discuss the matter for some time. He turned toward Shane who had stopped talking and was looking at him, mind clearly racing. He took her hand, "What are you thinking, sweetheart?"

"I...I don't know." Shane said, clearly conflicted. There was so much that could go wrong. "I don't feel that...part of me wants to...I don't know if I could bear it if…" Shane stopped speaking, emotions taking over.

"Yes," conceded Oliver, understanding what she had left unspoken. He then spoke softly, choosing his words carefully. "There is no way to know what this road holds for us, Shane. Regardless of outcomes, this will change us. But if we can move forward together, I believe we can face whatever the future holds." He took her hand and kissed it softly. He then looked thoughtful and said, "It has been my experience that our most difficult circumstances often bring us to some of the best things in our lives, even if we cannot always see how it could be so."

Oliver looked at her as she processed what he had just said. He felt just as he had in the hospital when he had found out the news. He once again wished more than anything that he could reassure her fears away, but he was unable to do so.

Shane was silent, thoughts racing, heart beating fast. She wanted a plan, a safety net, but she didn't have control this time. She could see only two choices. She could move forward and face what her body could or could not do, or avoid the unknown indefinitely. Oliver, who took no decision lightly, had just expressed his willingness to jump, to take a leap of faith. Was she ready to do the same? She searched his face once again.

"Shane, it's really up to you. I'm in no rush. We can take some time to think it through. If you're not ready then we can absolutely…" began Oliver.

"I'm ready." said Shane abruptly, tears filling her eyes.

It was Oliver's turn to have wide eyes. "Really?" he whispered, surprised.

Shane nodded with a tearful smile. "Let's just...see what happens." She felt so much peace when she said this and for a moment, the fear was gone.

Oliver smiled, somewhat nervously, and looked at her lovingly. She had amazed him once again.

Shane laughed, "Are we in agreement, Mr. O'Toole?"

Oliver grinned from ear to ear, looking both surprised and excited. "I believe we are, Mrs. O'Toole." He reached his hand up to touch Shane's cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too." she replied, reaching her arms around his neck and leaning in for a kiss.