Saturday - December 5
Oliver and Shane walked into the Mailbox Grille. Oliver carried a large box, wrapped in bright gold paper and tied with a gold ribbon. Rita and Norman stood by the entrance, waiting for them.
"Happy Anniversary!" Oliver and Shane said together. Oliver handed the box to Norman.
Ramon joined them a few minutes later. Ramon wasn't often at the Mailbox Grille these days. He divided most of his time between Bistro Ramon and Chez Ramon, but in honor of tonight's special occasion, he wanted to oversee the preparations himself.
"Ovileer! Shane! Always a pleasure!" Ramon said. "Normando! Rita! Congratulations on the second anniversary of your marriage. If you'll follow me, please, I have prepared a very special table for my little postal family."
Ramon led the POstables to the large, semi-circular booth at the back of the restaurant. The table was laid with the finest china, crystal, and sterling. Champagne, icing in a bucket, stood in the center.
"Go sit down," Norman told Oliver and Shane. "We'll be right there."
Norman put his hand on Rita's arm to stop her at the exact location she stood when Norman proposed. He knelt on the floor in front of Rita and took her hands.
"Rita," Norman said. "The last two years have been the best years of my life. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you with all my heart." Norman reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold bracelet with two small owls attached to it. He put it around Rita's wrist and fastened it. "Two owls for two years. Every anniversary to come, we'll add another one."
"That's so sweet, Norman," Rita said. She got down on the floor, 'knee walked' to Norman, and put her arms around him. "I love you, so much," she said.
Norman stood up and helped Rita to her feet. Oliver and Shane applauded and Shane wiped tears from her cheeks.
"Let me see it," Shane said to Rita after the Dormans sat down. Rita held her wrist in front of Shane.
Shane turned the bracelet around, examining every detail. She smiled at Norman. "You did good, my friend," she said.
Shane lifted the large box from the seat and handed it to Rita. Rita untied the ribbon, removed the paper, and lifted the lid to reveal a soft, white quilt.
"According to Shane's research, the 'traditional' gift for a second anniversary is cotton," Oliver said. "The material is 100% organic cotton."
"It's called a 'Memory Quilt'," Shane said. She took the quilt from the box. Quilt squares, a variety of 'templates', the complete alphabet in various type styles, and threads lay on the bottom. "I've included several species of owl, various 'postal' items, and a rainbow. I thought you might like to use the rainbow with name, date, etc. for each of your 'rainbow' of babies as he or she joins your family."
"It's perfect," Rita said. Her eyes sparkled and she reached over to squeeze Norman's hand.
Rita and Shane folded the quilt and put it back into the box. Ramon came up to the table, opened the champagne, and filled glasses for everyone. He raised his glass. "To Rita and Normando! Happy Anniversary! Here's to two years together, and many more!"
"To Rita and Norman!" Oliver and Shane said.
Everyone drank the sparkling liquid.
"I hope you enjoy your meal," Ramon said.
The POstables agreed that Ramon had outdone himself. Their meal included fresh green salads, sirloin steak, grilled to perfection, succulent lobster tail with melted butter, baked potatoes, a broccoli/cauliflower medley with garlic butter sauce, and large squares of chocolate cake for dessert.
"How did things go at the children's home this week?" Oliver asked Norman after the server brought cups of coffee.
"Pretty good. There are twelve children in residence. Seven boys and five girls, all approximately eight to twelve years of age," Norman said.
"What are your plans?"
"We're going to cook the Christmas dinner together," Rita said. "We're also making cookies."
Oliver looked at Shane and raised an eyebrow.
Rita laughed. "Don't worry," she said. "We won't be using any of my 'unique' recipes."
"What else?" Shane said.
"We're putting on a Christmas pageant," Norman said. "The kids are very excited about that."
"Oliver, I was thinking. Could we use the pageant you wrote for Hannah?" Rita asked.
Oliver tilted his head slightly and smiled at Rita. "I would be honored," he said. "I will bring copies of the script to work on Monday."
"I still have mine," Rita said. "There's just one thing. If you wouldn't mind. Can I modify the dialogue? The lines are pretty 'eloquent' for young children to speak."
"I do remember Hannah having difficulty with hers," Shane said, winking at Oliver.
"I don't mind," Oliver said. "Feel free to make whatever changes you wish."
Ramon came up to the table. "I hope everything was to your satisfaction," he said.
"It was amazing," Rita said.
"My compliments to the chef," Norman said.
Ramon bowed slightly. "I will let him know."
Oliver reached into his suit coat and pulled out his wallet.
Ramon held up his hand. "The evening is on me."
"That's very nice of you," Norman said.
"Before you leave," Ramon said. "I have a surprise for you." He pointed to the front of the restaurant. Gabe came out, carrying his guitar. Oliver, Shane, Rita, and Norman clapped their hands. Gabe smiled, tipped his hat, and sat on a stool.
Oliver extended his hand to Shane, Norman gave his to Rita. The two men led their ladies onto the dance floor as Gabe began playing 'Every Morning'. Gabe's next selection was 'Tell Everybody I Know', and he concluded with 'Make Someone Happy'. For Rita and Norman, it was the perfect end to a wonderful evening.
Ramon accompanied the POstables to the door. After they put on their coats, Ramon kissed Shane's and Rita's hands and then shook Oliver's and Norman's.
"Always a pleasure to see you," Ramon said.
"See you Monday," Rita said, giving Shane and Oliver each a hug.
"Monday," Oliver said, nodding. "Hopefully, we will have a solid lead on the sender of the gift. Good night."