Chapter 22 Wedding Day

After the Postables had enjoyed one last dance, Oliver and Shane were standing on the Kelser porch waving Norman and Rita off for their honeymoon. Looking back in the review mirror, Rita said to Norman, "They both look so happy." Oliver was standing behind Shane with his arm wrapped around her both waving as they watched the Starcruiser head down the long drive of the Kelser Farm.

"They'll be ok right?" Shane asked as Norman overcorrected and almost hit a fence on the way out.

"Hopefully. If Rita does most of the driving and let's Norman take the open roads." Oliver said thoughtfully.

"Why does it feel like the kids just moved out?" Shane asked wistfully.

Oliver grinned at her comment, "Maybe because we'll be all on our own in the DLO for the next week."

Kim Kelser had been listening while rocking on one of the rocking chairs watching the two, waving good-bye to their friends. She started laughing, "You two sound like a couple of old married folk when you're not much older than the other two."

"We just feel older." Shane said thoughtfully looking up at Oliver. It was hard to explain how protective they both felt about the other two after their time together.

"Why don't you two head on home? It's getting late. We can take care of everything here tomorrow with Bill."

"Well, there is one more thing we need to do tonight," Oliver said looking down at Shane.

Shane looked back at him inquiringly, "That is?"

"Calling your mom to give her our news," Oliver explained.

Shane smiled, "We do, don't we?"

"Mrs. Kelser are you sure?" Oliver asked.

"Yes, and Oliver don't you think it's time you called me Kim? You've saved our family home. Watching the four of you start the next season in your lives together has brought me such joy. We consider you all family now."

Shane watched Oliver help Mrs. Kelser out of the rocking chair she was in to give her a hug. She knew Oliver had a fondness for the matriarch and would always come sit on the porch to talk to her whenever he visited the farm. Shane was surprised at first but soon figured out he enjoyed learning about the history of the farm and the surrounding community. She thought Oliver had found a little bit of a kindred spirit with the matriarch. Mrs. Kelser's health had been slowly deteriorating again over the last couple months. Shane moved her walker closer. "Kim thank you for all your help with the wedding. We couldn't have managed to move everything without all of you," Shane said.

"It made me feel young again. Weddings are a time that bring such feelings of hope and love. It was a pleasure to be a part of that time with the four of you."

"Goodnight…Kim." Oliver said holding the door open for her to move her walker through.

Walking back to the car Shane started laughing. Oliver glanced over inquiringly, "Mind sharing what's so entertaining?"

"If someone told me a year ago that some of the most important moments in the Postables lives occurred on a farm, I would have asked them to have their head examined. Somehow Oliver O'Toole and farming aren't a combination that immediately spring to mind."

Oliver joined her chuckling thinking about the changes that had occurred. The farm was a healthy, going concern. This last year he'd learned from Bill and the Kelser's more about cows, milk, cheese, and agriculture than he'd ever thought he'd know. "I can't say I ever imagined getting engaged on a farm, but it was time," Oliver said looking at Shane lovingly. "I didn't want another moment going by without you knowing what you meant to me. Knowing that I wanted you with me forever." Shane leaned up to kiss him before sliding into the car.

On the way back to Shane's, Oliver noticed she kept playing with the ring. "Are you sure it fits?" Oliver asked concerned.

"Yes, it's beautiful Oliver." She laid her head back against the seat turning to look at him. "When did you decide?"

"I think it's vaguely always been in the back of my mind since we started dating, but I wanted to make sure we had a solid relationship first." Shane heard the unspoken regrets of his past marriage. "We'd never discussed getting married and I wasn't sure how you felt. It wasn't until I saw you, standing so beautiful in the lost wedding dress, that I knew you'd been thinking about it as well. My dad brought my jacket to the barn for me. He had tucked the tie and the ring in my jacket. I couldn't wait any longer." Shane smiled silently thanking Joe. He not only welcomed her into the family but expedited the timing. She'd been touched how Joe had congratulated them towards the end of the reception. He'd found them hugging Oliver before kissing her cheek telling them both he loved them.

Pulling into her drive, Oliver helped her unload the car. Shane brought drinks in as they sat on the sofa. Picking up her phone, "That's odd I must have accidently dialed my mom at some point during the evening." She didn't see the furtive smile on Oliver's face as she waited for her mom to pick up. "Hi mom I'm going to switch you to face time. Oliver and I have news." Shane switched the phone over to video so they could all see each other before holding up her hand so her mom could see the ring. "We got engaged tonight."

"I'm so happy for you both. Oliver welcome to the family." Shane caught the looks between the two when her mother winked at Oliver.

"Mom did you know something before I did?" Shane asked puzzled.

Oliver finally admitted, "I borrowed your phone and stepped out to ask your mom's blessing before I took you outside to propose."

Shane started tearing up. "Oliver that's incredibly sweet."

He brushed a tear off her cheek. "I wanted her to be a part of us starting our life together."

Shane's mom started tearing up seeing the look of love pass between Oliver & Shane. "I'd like to come out for a weekend and spend time with you both. Please let me know when a good time would be."

"Rita and Norman will be gone for a week. It may take us a little while to get caught up. Anytime between when they get back and the holiday rush should be fine." Shane said looking at Oliver who nodded.

"Congratulations to you both. It's late and I'm sure you have so many things to discuss. Shane I'll call you tomorrow."

"Love you Mom," Shane replied grateful her mother understood.

"Love you Crackers." Shane smiled as she hung up.

"She still calls you that occasionally?" Oliver asked with a grin.

"I think it's her way of reminding me I'll always be her baby," Shane replied. Putting her phone down she curled up next to Oliver on the couch looking at him suspiciously. "Oliver O'Toole how did you manage to borrow my phone and call my mom?"

"I may have had help. I asked Rita." Oliver explained chuckling as he put an arm around Shane.

"What did you say to her when you called her?" Shane asked curious.

"I told her that she raised an amazing, caring, intelligent, beautiful daughter whom I'd come to love. That after much contemplation, I decided that I couldn't continue to live without you. I may have mentioned that it would be my honor to spend the rest of my life supporting you through the good times and bad. I told her I wanted to ask you to marry me, and I'd be incredibly grateful to have her blessing."

Shane started tearing up again listening to him. "Thank you, Oliver." Shane knew what he did meant the world to her mother when she was so far away. He brushed her tears away as she tucked her head against his shoulder.

"How long were your grandparents married?" Shane asked looking at the ring on her hand.

"My grandfather died right before their 50th wedding anniversary." Shane nestled in closer as they talked.

"I wish I could have meet them." Shane said regretfully.

"You would have liked my grandmother. She was a wonderful person. A bit of a spitfire. When my Dad and I were working on the picnic table he mentioned someone to whom I've become quite attached reminded him of his mom." Oliver looked down at her grinning.

Shane tilted her head back looking up and batting her eyelashes, "Why Mr. O'Toole I have no idea to whom you're referring."

Drawn to her he lowered his head brushing his lips against hers before deepening the kiss. He took pleasure in knowing they belonged to each other. There was a comfort, a peace, that had come with their commitment to love each other forever. Wanting to draw out the moment, his hand cupped her neck gently holding her against him.

When they gradually broke apart, Shane laid her head back down on his shoulder. She was exhausted but didn't want to let go of Oliver. Blissfully happy in his arms while they talked late into the night. Their conversation gradually slowed, with Shane drifting off to sleep. Knowing it had been a long week for everyone, Oliver was content to hold her as she slept. He prayed thanking God for misdirecting her to the DLO. When eventually he felt he couldn't stay awake himself, he gently lowered her to the couch strongly regretting the need to leave her. He sincerely hoped she didn't want a long engagement. Now that he'd made the decision, he wanted her in his life, in his home. He thought that was something else they needed to discuss. Spreading a blanket over her he kissed her on the top of her head. He went into the kitchen, writing a note to leave on the coffee table for her to find in the morning, before locking the door with the key she'd given him. She woke a couple hours later snuggly under a blanket. Seeing he was gone she noticed the note on the table.

Shane,

I hated to leave, but we're not married yet. Having a taste of holding you asleep in my arms makes me rather inpatient for the day. Call me if you're awake and available to attend church tomorrow morning. I'll miss you tonight.

Love always,

Oliver

Shane grinned running a finger along the Love Always. Getting up to change into pjs she got ready for bed. Leaving the note on her nightstand she read it once more before she set her alarm in time to go to church.