Chapter 15

After the worst had passed, they were sent home with instructions from the hospital. Arriving home in the middle of the night, Oliver carried Shane into the house settling her in bed. Between exhaustion and painkillers, she went right to sleep. He went to let the dogs out in the back yard. They curiously smelled him all over checking out the hospital smells before running around the yard. Oliver looked up at the sky at the cloudless night. He took comfort in the stars blinking overhead. Raven had wondered back over as he sat on the steps down to the yard. She placed her head on his knee. "Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things." He sighed, "He counts the stars and calls them all by name. Raven we're going to have to remember the stars."

They both slept the sleep of the weary. The next morning Joe arrived with groceries. He took the dogs for a walk before helping Oliver with cooking breakfast. Oliver took a tray into Shane. She ate little before going back to sleep. He left a drink on her bedside table in case she woke.

Oliver sat with his dad on the back steps throwing a ball for the dogs. "We weren't trying. We were going to wait until the spring. When she got the flu, the ER doctor thinks she missed enough pills, and her body wasn't physically ready after being sick."

"How are you doing?" Joe asked.

"I don't know what to do. Watching her hurting is tearing me apart Dad."

"Be there for her. Let others be here for you both. It's good her mother's coming tomorrow. There are things she may feel more comfortable talking to another woman about Oliver. I'll pick her mom up from the airport."

"She's barely said anything since it happened."

"It was a shock to you both but she's bearing the physical pain as well as all the hormones. That's a wild ride itself. Do you want me to take the dogs home with me?"

"Thanks for offering, but I think she'll want them here as she starts to feel better."

"I'm going to head home. If you need anything call me, even if it's just to talk. Try to take a nap with her this afternoon. You're exhausted and you can't be there for her if you run yourself down."

"You sound like Rita," Oliver said.

"I'll take that as a compliment. She's a smart woman."

After his dad left, Oliver cleaned up the kitchen and went to check on Shane. She was just waking up. He brushed her hair back from her face and she rubbed her cheek against his hand. "How about a change of scenery?"

"Maybe after a shower."

"Do you need any help?"

She shook her head. While she showered, he got another set of pajamas out for her. He got her situated on the couch with her tablet. The dogs hovered like they could tell she wasn't well. They read for a while until Oliver got up to make a late lunch. Oliver kept an eye on her as he fixed some sandwiches for lunch. She nibbled and pecked at the food not really eating much. "Shane, love, aren't you hungry?"

"More tired."

"Why don't you have some more before taking a nap," Oliver replied.

She attempted to eat more before finally playing with her food again. Oliver cleaned up the kitchen before giving her medication and laying down next to her in bed.

"Will you hold me until I fall to sleep?" she asked.

"I won't let go," Oliver responded. He wrapped his arms around her feeling her drift to sleep before he joined her.

Late afternoon Norman and Rita brought dinner over from Shane's favorite restaurant. Rita stayed at the house in case Shane woke up while Norman and Oliver took the dogs out for a walk. When they returned, Shane was still sleeping.

"How is she?" Rita asked.

"I'm worried. She's not really talking, won't eat much and sleeps constantly," Oliver admitted. "I'm hoping having her mother here helps."

"She's not used to taking some of the painkillers they gave her, and her body is healing. She'll talk when she's ready." Rita patted his arm as they left.

Oliver went to wake Shane up to see if he could get her to eat some of the dinner they had brought. He sat down next to her and ran a hand down her back. She rolled onto her back before stretching a bit. "How are you feeling?"

"Better."

"Norman and Rita brought dinner by earlier. Do you want to eat?" Oliver asked.

"I missed them?"

"They didn't stay long." He shifted so she could get up grateful to see she was moving better. She ate a bit more for dinner than she had the rest of the day. They watched a movie before Oliver let the dogs out and they went to bed early. Lying in bed with his arms around her he asked, "Are you ready to talk?"

He could feel her body tense at the thought. "Not yet."

Rubbing his cheek against the top of her head, "Shh, its fine go to sleep." He felt her relax and soon her breathing evened out. While she slept, he prayed that he could find the right words at the right time.

Joe picked up Shane's mother from the airport and dropped her off after lunch. Shane was on the couch when they arrived. The dogs excitedly checked out the newcomer before letting her through. Joe & Anna hugged Shane before sitting down lingering on the hugs. Right as they arrived the phone rang. Answering it in the kitchen, Oliver asked Joe to hang it up when he reached his office. "It's Dale, she was concerned when we didn't attend church this morning. With everything going on, I forgot to let the choir director know I wouldn't be there."

While Shane talked with their parents, Oliver spoke with Dale. He didn't want Shane to have to explain. "Friday night Shane…Shane had a miscarriage. She's doing better physically but we're both…"

"Struggling I imagine."

"We didn't know she was... She didn't feel well at work and then started having severe pain as we were leaving. When I took her to the hospital, it was too late."

"Oliver, I'm so sorry." She prayed with Oliver for them both. "Can I bring dinner by tomorrow night?"

"That would be good. Shane's mother just got into town. Things are a little…"

"Unstructured at the moment I imagine," Dale filled in knowing how much Oliver would find that difficult. "I'll let you go so you can get back to her."

"Thank you."

Oliver joined everyone in the living room sitting down next to Shane and putting an arm around her. "Who was on the phone?" Shane asked leaning onto Oliver.

"Dale was concerned about us missing church. I forgot to let the choir director know. She's going to bring dinner by tomorrow night." He could feel her tension next to him as she realized he probably told Dale what happened.

Shane's mom interjected, "You must be tired Shane. I can get settled in the guest room if you want to take a nap."

"I left your bag by the front door, Anna." Joe commented. "Oliver do you want me to take the dogs out for a walk while I'm here."

"Thanks dad. That way I can get everybody sorted out here." He went with Shane into the bedroom. "Are you upset I told Dale?" He asked as he settled blankets around her.

"No. I hadn't thought about having to tell anyone yet. Thank you for talking to her."

"Get some sleep." He kissed her on the forehead. "I'm going to go see if your mom needs anything." He left her to sleep.

He stopped by the kitchen for a drink. Anna came in and leaned against the counter on the other side of the island. "How are you holding up?"

Oliver put his glass down, "I'm not the one hurting."

"Are you sure about that?"

He smiled ruefully, "You don't hold back. Is that where Shane gets it from?"

"Probably. You haven't answered."

"I'm worried about her. She's not eating and won't talk about what happened."

"I'm worried about her as well, but I asked about you."

"Her stubbornness came from you as well. I haven't had time to stop and think about how I am," he finally answered.

"I'm here to help. I'm sure your dad would do anything for you. Maybe you should find the time."

"I appreciate you coming. My dad pointed out as much as we love her, she may need a woman to talk to this week."

"He's a smart man. It's not just the physical pain. When you lose something precious, that you were supposed to preserve and protect, it breaks something inside of you. Added to that it's going to bother Shane that she didn't realize that she was pregnant. With the right support, you can move past the experience."

Oliver realized from her tone and the look in her eye she spoke from experience. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

"It was a long time ago." She smiled, "I saw that Shane turned your guest room into a computer farm."

"Don't let her hear you call it that. I've been calling it the hive. I swear it either replicates or she smuggles more in there when I'm not looking," he said rubbing his face. "Would you like some coffee?"

Joe returned with the doodles and they promptly went to go find Shane.

They sat down and talked while drinking coffee. Oliver asked questions about Shane and their family. Anna enjoyed sharing stories about Shane as a girl. Later they heard the dogs running ahead of her as Shane came out of the bedroom. "You guys seem to be having a lot of fun out here," Shane commented. "I could hear you laughing when I woke up."

"Your mother was telling me about some of your high school debates. You never mentioned you continued in college." Oliver took her hand and pulled her towards him. She wrapped an arm around his shoulder leaning against him. "I never stood a chance."

Shane eyed her mother wondering which stories she was telling.

Oliver stood up. "I didn't realize how late it was getting. I should heat up dinner your mom's still on east coast time. Have a seat Shane."

"I can help," Anna stood.

"Norman and Rita brought by food last night. It just needs to be reheated. If you don't mind letting the dogs out in the back. Prepping food is safer with them out of the way."

While Joe, Oliver and Anna ate, Shane mostly moved her food around the plate while occasionally taking a bite. Anna noticed Oliver watched in resignation but held back from saying anything. Anna and Oliver talked while they cleaned up the kitchen and they all went to bed after Joe left.