An invitation for Valentine's Day.
Everyone is waiting and planning for Valentine's Day. Oliver and Shane are expecting a lot from this day, hoping to avoid any more sentimental disappointment. This short fanfiction is about the reservation at Montaldo's and the handmade card. The characters belong to the talented Martha Williamson.
"Wow. Well, if I expected Oliver O'Toole to invite me for Valentine's Day, I have to say it's a miracle" Shane said smiling as they left a restaurant.
"It's funny, but I thought you didn't believe in miracles anymore, Miss McInerney" Oliver laughed.
"Since our last letter in Washington DC, I've gotten a lot of hope back, Oliver. I also wanted to say that I've spent a wonderful evening with a romantic gentleman. I know you have a reputation as a great postal detective, but I also know you're a good kisser. Uh... I mean..."
"I'm sorry ? Am I good kisser ?" Oliver asked, raising an eyebrow.
" I mean, when you love someone it's with you heart, so I assume you..."
" Don't assume anything, Miss McInerney. Let you heart speak for itself. Tonight, I'll let you the freedom to know if I'm such a good kisser" Oliver said.
"Oliver, incredible, it's very...
She was only a few centimeters away from the postal detective's face.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Shane". Oliver said as he put his lips on hers.
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.
Shane frantically looked for her cell phone to turn off her alarm clock.
" It was just a beautiful dream. Never, Oliver will me invite to going out and even less for Valentine's. Oh, no' I'm late" ! she said getting up quickly.
Two hours later, Rita came out of the office with an envelope in her hand looking for something or someone. She then headed to the Mailbox Grill.
At that early hour, there was still no one there. She walked into the restaurant and walked to a table at the back of the restaurant.
"Ah Oliver, so there you were. Everybody's looking for you. Are you okay?" Rita asked.
"Well, everyone was talking about the Valentine's Day invitations. I wasn't very comfortable. So..." Oliver started.
"So, you came here to take refuge. Aren't you planning on celebrating Valentine's Day this year, Oliver?" asked Rita.
"To be honest, I don't know if I'm finally ready to do something. It's the first time in a long time. My heart is telling me one thing and my mind is telling me something else," Oliver replied.
"I understand that you're a little afraid to make something new and serious. You have to keep hope and try. This year, I'm celebrating my first Valentine's Day with Norman. We've known each other for so long. We take our time. Well, today, I'm very happy. Oliver, you're a friend and a brother for me. I sincerely hope from the bottom of my heart, that you will celebrate Valentine's Day with someone this year." says Rita.
"Thank you so much, Rita. Your words touched me and cheered me up," said Oliver.
"You're welcome. It was my pleasure. I have to get back to the office, pick up some certified returns. By the way, your father left this for you at the office earlier," said Rita, handing Oliver an envelope.
Rita left and Oliver read the note.
Oliver,
I'm sure you'll find everything you need in that envelope.
Have a good day, son.
Sincerely.
Dad.
He opened the envelope and found a guide book.
"Guides to Denver's best Restaurants."
He smiled and then put the guide back in the envelope.
One night, Oliver was sitting at his desk flipping through the Denver restaurant guide. Valentine's Day was fast approaching. He turned the pages. Italian food; Mexican food; Asian food or Vegetarian food. He didn't know what could be suitable for him and Shane. Oliver sighed. He turned the pages again and stopped at page 54.
"Montaldo," Oliver whispered.
The next day, after work, Oliver went to Montaldo. He found the building very large. He walked in, took a deep breath, and walked to the front desk.
"Good evening, I'm Ellen Rose. Welcome to Montaldo. Would you like to reserve a table for two?" Ellen asked.
"Good evening yes, please, for Valentine's Day," Oliver answered.
"Wait a minute, I'm looking at the reservations on the computer," replied the front desk clerk.
Oliver didn't understand why, the reservations were made on a computer and not in a register.
«You're lucky. I still have a place left. What name should I take the reservation under?" said the employee.
"I'll take it. Oliver O'Toole. Tell me, how are the food and music," Oliver asked.
"The food is very refined. And the music is played by an orchestra and without a false note. If you're looking for a quiet, romantic dinner, you've come to the right place," said Ellen Rose.
Oliver thanked her and paid. He went out and walked through the streets. He imagined his dinner with Shane. The postal detective wanted a quiet dinner , in good company, where he could have a pleasant evening. He expected a lot from that dinner. Discussing subjects other than work and dancing with her. The sound of car horns brought him out of his dream.
Oliver then headed for a small shop: Wilson, Stationer's shop, since 1880.
He pushed the door open and a little bell rang.
"Good evening, Oliver. How are you?" Wilson asked.
"Good evening, Mr. Wilson. I'm very well, thank you. At the moment we have a lot of work to do at the post office. I've come to get some stationery and a small jar of ink for Valentine's Day," said Oliver.
Wilson invited him to follow him.
"This is what I received. There's some stationery special Valentine's Day," said Wilson.
"Mr. Wilson. I'm looking for something a little more familiar and traditional. I'd like to make a card by hand," said Oliver.
"I know exactly what you need," Wilson said with a smile.
He walked to a shelf looking in drawers.
"I remember very well the very first piece of stationery you came to pick, to send your first card," says Wilson.
"Yes, I was seven years old and I made a card for my grandmother's birthday. I was so scared that she didn't get it. Every morning, before I left for school, I called a postman to see if he had delivered my letter. And my father once told me that if a letter got lost, that there would always be someone to find it and deliver it. That's when I realized the importance of sending a letter," said Oliver, smiling.
"What a beautiful story. Here you go, Oliver. I think with all this you'll make a very nice card. At looking in your eyes, this recipient of this card is very special". Wilson said, bringing him a petty cash.
"That's perfect, thank you. Yes, you are right, she is. She is a wonderful person". said Oliver, picking out what he needed.
Mr. Wilson wrapped his purchases in paper.
"How much do I owe you, Mr. Wilson?" asked Oliver.
"Nothing, Mr. O'Toole. A handmade card for the chosen one in his heart is priceless," said Wilson.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Wilson, See you soon." Oliver said, smiling.
When he got home, Oliver sat at his office. Very concentrating, he began to make the card . He took a red sheet of paper to cut out a heart. He made several attempts and his desk began to fill up with red hearts. He couldn't make a perfect heart. Oliver tried one last time. He sighed because the result was still the same. The postal detective glued the heart to the card, took the card and slipped it into a red envelope with Shane McInerney's mailing address on it. Oliver stood up and slipped the envelope into the left pocket of his coat, the one next to his heart.
TBC: Chapter 2.