Chapter 20

Halfway through Monday afternoon Rita and Norman got a call from child services. They'd been approved as foster parents and due to the shortage during the holidays they already had a child that needed a temporary placement. The police had found a young mother passed out with her five-year-old living in a car over the weekend. The mom was still in the hospital, but the child was ready to be released. They'd gotten out of a bad situation and the police were working with the mother to file emergency restraining orders against her husband. Norman and Rita left to pick him up.

"Nothing like trial by fire." Shane said watching them go concerned.

"They'll do great." Oliver said confidently. With the uptick in Christmas mail already in full swing, they were busy the rest of the afternoon.

On the way home Shane got a call from Rita. "Sure, let us swing by the house to take out the doodles. Does he like dogs we could bring them with us?"

"What's going on?" Oliver asked.

"Evidently the mom was so afraid of alerting the dad they were leaving they literally left with nothing but a backpack which was mostly full of food. Rita asked if we could swing by so I could help go shopping for clothes. The mom's injuries were more severe than first thought and she's probably going to be in the hospital the rest of the week. I thought you and the doodles could help Norman entertain him."

"The doodles can be entertaining." Oliver agreed not at all certain about his own ability to entertain a five-year-old boy.

They took the dogs for a quick walk and left for Norman and Rita's. Arriving the doodles ran up the sidewalk to great Rita. Going inside Rita introduced Shane and Oliver to Nathan. He was a small boy with dark hair, brown eyes, and a serious looking face.

Shane leaned down to Gryffin and Raven, "Say hello." They sat and offered a paw which Nathan thought was hilarious. He shook both dog's paws.

"Nathan, Oliver and Norman are going to stay with you. Shane and I are going to get some clothes. Are there any colors you don't like?" Rita asked.

"Purple and green."

"Ok no purple or green. Any favorites?"

"I like black and red."

The guys headed into the backyard while Shane and Rita set off for the store. "Where's Nathan going to stay during the day?" Shane asked.

"He didn't meet the age cutoff for kindergarten this year so he's not in school yet. My dad agreed to take him to the farm while we're at work."

Arriving at the store, Shane stopped, "How do we know what size clothes to get?"

Rita answered, "I asked his mom before we left the hospital." After finding the boys section, they started wandering through. "I thought the purple/green combo was a little odd to dislike but now I get it. He must not be a fan." Rita said as they gazed at Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shirts. "Did you know the Turtle's made a comeback?"

"Can't say I follow the genre Rita." Shane said smiling. "What about this?" Holding up a black and red shirt with a super-hero on it. "Any idea who he is?"

A mother that was walking by leaned over to answer. When they explained they had an unexpected guest for the week she helped steer them towards what was more popular with the kindergarten set currently. Thanking her they got to work finding Nathan's size after a few texts to Norman regarding Nathan's thoughts on Paw Patrol and Pete the Cat. After picking up socks and other things he'd need to get through the week, they got dinner and went back to the house.

Shane helped Rita unload the car. Placing the food on the kitchen counter, she glanced out the window seeing Oliver and Norman talking with Nathan as the dogs rolled around playing tug of war with him. Watching Oliver smile and lean over to pull a leaf out of Nathan's hair, Shane touched her necklace for a moment thinking about lost opportunities. Rita caught the look on her face hugging her, "I'm sorry…"

"I was thinking about how some people just don't know what they have. He's precious."

"His mom's a survivor. She'll get through this and so will he." Rita commented.

"But they'll never be quite the same. There's some things you go through you're never quite the same afterwards." Shane sighed. Rita finished getting dinner on the table while Shane went to let them know it was time to eat.

Sitting down to eat together they asked Nathan what he liked to do for fun and told him about the Kelser farm where he was spending the next day. "Gryffin and Raven were born there. You'll have to ask Oliver about the cows. He's got several favorites. He's even got one named after him." Shane said smiling at Oliver. Oliver rolled his eyes still not able to live that down. Nathan thought that was funny.

Norman chimed in, "We actually got married in one of the barns there."

"You got married in the barn?" Nathan asked.

Rita laughed, "Skunks took over the church we were supposed to get married at and we had to move the wedding last minute. It was cozy but it worked out."

They left shortly after dinner knowing Rita and Norman had a lot to do to get ready for the next day. On the drive home Shane was quiet. Oliver glanced at her playing with her necklace before resting her head against the seat and closing her eyes. When they pulled in at the house it was dark, they took the dogs for a walk together both needing time after the evening's events. It was a clear night. Holding hands while they walked looking at the stars and the moon shining on the snow gave them some peace. When they got home, Oliver changed while Shane made tea. Joining her in the kitchen she handed him a cup. "Have I ever told you how much I adore seeing Oliver O'Toole in pj's?" Shane asked smiling at him over her cup.

Oliver smiled, "No you haven't." Looking at her tenderly, "It's been a long day. How are you?"

"Tired. Seeing Nathan, knowing what he's been through. Some people…"

"Just don't know what they have." Oliver finished. "I love you." He said running a hand down her back knowing and appreciating exactly what he had.