Chapter 23 Washington Park
Waking up to her alarm, Shane turned it off immediately looking at the ring that now made its home on her finger. Her heart filled with joy seeing it sparkle on her hand. Knowing she'd have to rush she couldn't resist, she took a picture of the ring on her finger texting it to Becky. Moments later her phone rang, "Shaney! When, how, tell me all the details," Becky rushed excitedly. Shane told her the story of the ugly green tie and how Oliver wore it to the wedding before taking her outside to propose in the same family tradition. "Only Oliver O'Toole would have a story that unique." Becky said having become quite fond of Oliver in the time she'd worked with the Postables. "Do you have a date set yet?"
"No, it's barely set in that it's real." Shane said yawning still tired from the busy week. "I'm sure we'll sort out details soon. I've got to run. I just couldn't wait to tell you."
"Congratulations! Tell Oliver I said hello." Becky said before hanging up.
Shane got up calling Oliver before rushing to get ready for church. She was waiting for him on the steps as he pulled up in his car. Noticing he looked quite handsome in his suit, Shane couldn't help thinking of the note he left her letting him know, "I missed you last night as well."
Oliver kissed her as he opened her car door, "Good morning Shane."
She slid in with a content smile on her face. As he moved the car away, "Becky says hello and congratulations."
"You talked to her?" Oliver asked slightly relieved he missed the interaction. He liked Becky but found the two together a tad overwhelming as you could never anticipate what they might decide to cook up between the two. They were literally a force of nature.
"This morning." Shane responded looking at her ring.
She was pleasantly surprised when they arrived at the church and Oliver sat with her. "You're not joining the choir?"
"With all the wedding preparations and emergencies, I've missed the last few practices." Oliver explained taking her hand to hold. Even though Shane had started attending with Oliver, she still was not overly comfortable in the church environment. She was more at ease when he was by her side. Shane knew making a commitment to Oliver meant she'd be learning more about his faith. Even before they'd started dating, she'd began to read the bible curious about what the draw was for Oliver. By the time they were dating, her faith had grown to the point she was seeking out her own answers to questions she had. Occasionally she borrowed some of his books and looked up different theology questions on the internet. As the service started, Oliver glanced down seeing his grandmother's ring on Shane's hand that rested in his. He was slightly overwhelmed by the emotions that flooded through him seeing it there. He said a quick prayer that their marriage would be as happy as his grandparents before he started listening to the pastor.
After the service they stopped to talk to the pastor on the way out. "Jeff you've met Shane…my fiancé." Oliver said it with a smile as Shane quickly looked up at Oliver realizing that was the first time either of them had used the term.
"Congratulations you two. When did this happen?" Jeff was curious knowing it had only been a couple days since he'd spoken with Oliver.
"Last night." Shane replied looking back at Jeff.
"Well, I'm happy for you both." Jeff said smiling. "Let me know when you're ready to start making decisions about wedding details and I can give you some pointers. For some reason, I tend to spend a lot of time at them."
Shane laughed, "Thank you. We'll have to take you up on the offer. We didn't realize how many decisions there were to make until our friends got married yesterday."
"Lists help. So do wedding planners," Jeff said laughing. They both nodded saying goodbye before moving on to let Jeff talk to the family behind them.
Walking to the car Oliver asked, "I have a little surprise for you. I hope you have time for lunch today?"
"Sure," Shane answered. "What's the surprise?"
Oliver laughed, "If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise." He drove to Montaldo's quickly picking up lunch returning with a large box and drinks that he securely put in the trunk.
"So where are we going?" Shane asked.
"You'll see in a minute." Oliver said smirking at her. He drove to Washington Park. Getting out of the car he grabbed two blankets handing them to Shane, "You're in charge of those." Taking the box and drinks, he walked her over to a spot in the grass on a hill overlooking the park. Putting the box down he took the blanket shaking it out for them to sit down on.
"We're having a picnic?" Shane asked smiling curiously.
"A celebratory picnic." Oliver said taking her hand to help her as she sat on the blanket. He offered her the other blanket to lay over her lap to keep warm before taking the box to start unpacking the food. "We've been so busy this last week. I wanted time just the two of us to celebrate."
"With a picnic?" Shane asked trying not to smirk.
Oliver raised an eyebrow, "Yes, a picnic."
"I just never figured you for the picnic type." Shane said grinning.
"You probably never figured me for the farming type either and look at me now." Oliver said proudly.
Shane openly started laughing. "Oliver, you're still not the farming type."
Oliver laughed admitting, "No, I'm really not."
Shane looked around as he started to pull food out of the box. She saw the bicycle rental where Kelly and Charlie rented bikes. The stream and pond they stopped at that Charlie swung across. In the distance she could see children playing on the swings that allowed Kelly to see Charlie's house. Looking back at Oliver tenderly she said softly, "This is where it started." Oliver looked at her fondly, pleased she understood why he brought them here specifically. "Our first Postables case with Charlie and Kelly."
"You started showing me how to color outside the lines." Oliver said. "How to live a little."
"You started showing me life is about the journey," Shane said. "Not the finish line." She leaned over to kiss him thinking how incredibly sweet he was to plan this time together.
When they parted, he started unpacking appetizers handing her a small plate. "You fascinated me at the time," Oliver admitted thinking back.
"Don't you mean frustrated?" Shane said laughing. "You kept looking at me like this wild unicorn that had no idea how to play by the rules."
"Play by the rules. You barely acknowledged there were any rules," Oliver teased her. "That's part of what fascinated me. You made me stop to think about why we were doing what we were doing." He paused for a moment before asking, "I know you opened the card from your dad when we were done with the case. What made you decide to stay that day when you went for coffee after Andrea offered you your freedom to return to direct line operations?"
Shane hesitated for a moment finishing her appetizer to buy time before answering, "I opened the birthday card from my dad while I was waiting in line. He apologized for missing all the moments that mattered. He wrote that he loved me even though he didn't always do a good job of showing me." Shane sighed, "When we were at the jail when Charlie got released you talked about faith. What faith was. It struck a chord. I was floundering during the time I moved to Denver. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was looking for a purpose in life. I saw an opportunity to have that working in the DLO. Also, the gentleman running the department happened to be incredibly good looking." Shane said batting her eyelashes at Oliver as she watched him trying not to smile. He started laughing at her blatant flirting shaking his head as he took out their main course. "The fascination wasn't one-sided Oliver; you mentioned my curiosity that first week. I wanted to know what made you tick. Later when we had the argument about me looking up your wife in Paris, I told you I'd never had a friend like you before. It wasn't just that I had never had a friend like you. I'd never met anyone like you before. I couldn't walk away." Shane finished softly.
"I'm incredibly thankful you stayed." Oliver said softly brushing her hair behind her ear. They continued eating watching people come and go in the park. He saw her shiver a little as they finished eating. "Come here." Oliver said gesturing for her plate. He put them back in the box and she shifted to lean back against him putting the blanket over them both. She nestled into his arms feeling warm and protected. "It's not only that this is where it started. It's where it continued. You encouraged me to try again with my dad and I met him here. You came here to tell me my father died. Shane you've been there for me through rough moments, given me time when I needed it, pushing me to be the best version of myself when I needed it. I'm a better happier person because of you."
Shane cupped her hand on his cheek, "You've done the same for me. I wouldn't be who I am now without you." She rested her head against the curve of his neck appreciating the ability to be completely open with him in a way they hadn't been before. They sat reveling in being together in each other's arms after the events of the previous week.
As the temperature dropped Oliver felt Shane shiver again. Oliver suggested, "There's cake. It may be better to take it back to your place and have it by the fire. It's getting colder faster than I was expecting."
"Does it have a nice lemon curd?" Shane asked smiling up at Oliver.
"It might." Oliver smirked at her.
"Let's go back." Shane said, "Hot drinks by the fire sound wonderful with dessert." She helped him pack up everything to take it back to the car.
They stood for a moment both gazing out at the park. "We've changed, our lives have changed, in so many ways since we met." Oliver commented.
"I read a quote somewhere I don't remember by who…'You're always one decision away from a totally different life.'" Shane turned with him to walk back to the car. "You don't always know how one little decision may change things in so many ways. Becky had no idea what she was starting by finagling my transfer to Denver."
Oliver shook his head thinking about Becky's audacity in changing a friend's life as he put everything in the trunk. "How mad were you when you found out what she'd done?" He asked curiously as they got into the car.
Shane looked at him seriously, "By the time, I knew I'd met you. I wouldn't admit it to myself or to her, but I'd already started falling for you when I found out. I couldn't stay mad when her decision brought you into my life." Shane paused before saying haltingly, "She knew…before I did…it was the way I talked about you."
Oliver paused thinking back, "You found out at the mailbox grill, the day at lunch that I overheard you two talking." Shane watched him realizing how long she'd cared, how long she'd loved him. He looked over at her, "Shane…" He wasn't sure what to say. Leaning over he took her in his arms kissing her possessively feeling anxious knowing he could have lost her had she not been so very patient. Eventually he let go to lean his forehead against hers. "I'm glad you never gave up. Well…except the time you tried to take me out with the letter opener on the porch."
Shane said softly stroking his cheek, "I was heartbroken you'd gone back to Holly only to find you in the middle of the night putting together a porch swing."
"I do occasionally have my moments. I love you Shane." He slowly let go of her starting the car.
"More than occasionally, Oliver. More than occasionally." Shane said thoughtfully. As he drove back to her house she mentioned, "I need to call my mom back sometime this afternoon." When they got back, Oliver started a fire while Shane made tea and coffee. He unboxed the cake from Montaldo's as she brought in the drinks. Joining him by the fire Shane let him know, "My mom's going to want to know when the official day is going to be?"
Oliver traded her tea for cake as they both sat on the sofa, "Last night holding you in my arms as you fell asleep, I didn't want to go home." He gave her a concerned look before admitting, "It was incredibly hard to make myself go home."
Knowing what he was trying to say Shane brushed a hand against his cheek, "I don't want a long engagement either Oliver."
"Is sometime late spring too soon?" He asked as he took another bite of cake.
"Sounds perfect." Shane said smiling. "So, do you think the canoe has made it into the lake yet?" Shane asked curiously as she took a bite of cake.
"I think Norman will try to keep Rita occupied with other activities as long as he can get away with it." Oliver smirked knowingly. Shane laughed nodding in agreement. Talking about the canoe made him think of parents. "Are you going to call your mom back?" He asked watching Shane scrape the last bit of frosting off her plate before licking the fork repeatedly. "Shane, I think you might have to let it go it's officially gone," He said teasing her.
Shane sent him a look handing him the plate and fork, "It's so good."
"I know." He said taking them from her before kissing her on the head. "Call your mom while I take these into the kitchen." He heard her start talking to her mom as he loaded the plates into the dishwasher and started heating up water to refill his tea. Not sure when it happened, he realized he was as comfortable in her kitchen as his own. He returned for her cup to refresh her coffee as well. Shane was telling her mom how he had proposed. He smiled running a hand over her hair as he leaned over to pick up her cup. Shane took his hand rubbing it against her cheek before letting go listening to her mom's response. She watched him return to the kitchen feeling incredibly blessed. When he returned, she was still talking to her mom. They'd moved on to talking about family wedding disasters and how to avoid them. Eventually she said goodbye and Oliver asked curious, "Why would anyone invite geese to a wedding?"
Shane started laughing, "They weren't invited. That was the problem. My cousin had an outdoor wedding staged by a lake. They didn't realize it was mating season and the geese were rather upset they had all these people near them. They spent the entire wedding trying not to get bit by the geese that were trying to chase them away. It was a disaster."
"Who knew dealing with wildlife was such a common problem when trying to get married?" Oliver commented thoughtfully. Thinking about their recent encounters with skunks and cows he was a little concerned with how to avoid the trend with his own wedding. He saw Shane yawn still worn out from the busy week. "We both need to get ready for this next week and I need some sleep. I've got an early parking caucus meeting."
Shane knew he was right and started walking him to the door, "I do need to catch up on laundry after not being home all week. I thought they'd decided to go diagonal?"
"They did but now they have to decide the best time to repaint the parking lot." Oliver sighed he enjoyed driving in with her but didn't want to make her get up early. She slid her arms around his waist as he cupped her face bringing her closer as their lips met. They lingered neither one in a hurry to part from the other. Her hands meandered across his back under his suit jacket as she pressed closer while his ran through her hair. Oliver slowly broke away knowing if he didn't leave, he'd end up changing his mind and staying late. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Love you." Shane said letting him go.
"Forever." Oliver said before kissing her one last time. She watched him walk to the car before shutting the door to keep the cold out when she started to shiver.