December 20 - Evening

Oliver pulled the car in front of Shane's house and sighed with relief as he turned off the motor. What began as rain when they left the Christmas tree farm had changed to a rain/snow mix within the hour, falling so thick and fast at times that visibility was poor. The drive back to Denver had been long and difficult. Fortunately the precipitation had ceased about 15 minutes ago, but the roads were wet and puddles were everywhere.

He opened the door and stepped out, doing his best to avoid the puddle right underneath the car. He wasn't completely successful, and sighed again as water came over the tops of his shoes.

"Stay there and I'll help you," he told Shane before closing the door. There was no way Shane could get out of the car without being up to her ankles in water.

Oliver tried to lift Shane out of the car while standing on the sidewalk, but he couldn't hold her securely. He had no choice but to stand on the road in the puddle again. He picked her up and set her safely on the sidewalk, then reached into the back seat for the decorations and stand.

Oliver carried them inside, set them down, and went back to get the tree. Shane watched from the doorway as Oliver struggled to untie the wet ropes. It took him several minutes before the tree was free from its fastenings. As he lifted the tree down a car drove past, plowing through the puddle and spraying him with a cascade of water. Oliver sighed a third time. Now the water wasn't just up to the tops of his shoes, it was inside them. He carried the tree up the stairs and into the house, setting it down just inside the door.

"Could you bring me an old towel, please," Oliver asked Shane.

Shane looked down at his feet and gasped. Shoes, socks, and trouser bottoms were completely soaked with wet, muddy water. She ran to the laundry room and back, laying the towel down on the floor. Oliver removed his coat and suit jacket, then bent down and attempted to dry off his shoes and clothing.

Shane hung his coats in the closet, and then inspected his feet. His shoes were dry, but he hadn't been successful in drying his socks or the bottoms of his trousers.

"Oliver, take off your shoes and socks."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You can't wear those wet socks all evening. You'll be sick."

He stood there unmoving, looking at her.

"Do I have to do it?" Shane asked.

Shane knelt down beside him and untied his shoes. Oliver knelt as well, took her hands and helped her stand up.

"I will do it."

Reluctantly, he stepped out of his shoes, removed his socks, and wiped his feet on the towel.

Shane held out her hand. "Give me the socks. I'll put them in the dryer."

"You're going to put them in the dryer without washing them?"

"I was planning to, yes."

Oliver's eyes widened in shock and he refused to surrender his socks.

"I'll wash them first," Shane told him. "Will you please give them to me?

Oliver handed Shane his socks. He still hadn't moved, and looked more ill at ease and uncomfortable than she'd ever seen him.

"Oliver, what's wrong?"

"Well..."

"Oh!" Her wonderful, sweet, proper, old-fashioned Oliver was embarrassed standing in front of her in his bare feet.

She laid her hand on his cheek. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Shane walked back to the laundry room.

Oliver waited until Shane was out of sight, and then headed for the bathroom. He closed the door gratefully and leaned against it. He'd never liked being barefoot. He'd worn house shoes all the time since he was a small boy, but Shane was right. Wearing those wet socks all evening might not make him sick, but it would be extremely uncomfortable. Oliver wanted this to be a very special evening for himself and Shane, so he took just a moment to compose himself, squared his shoulders, and opened the door.

Oliver heard music. He listened carefully and realized it was Christmas music. He walked into the living room, searching for the source of the music. Shane stood in front of a small table in the corner of the room. She'd changed from her dress to jeans and a bright blue sweater, and she was barefoot. Oliver had to smile. At least they were both in bare feet. Shane moved to the side of the table as he entered the room, revealing the source of the music. A phonograph stood on the top of the table. Several vinyl records rested on the shelf below.

Oliver walked over to Shane. His blue eyes shown with love. He took her in his arms and kissed her. The kiss was long and soft and very gentle, but the message was clear and Shane knew how much he appreciated the phonograph.

A timer sounded from the kitchen and Oliver released her.

"Dinner is ready," Shane told him.

Oliver sniffed appreciatively. "It smells wonderful."

They moved towards the kitchen.

Shane removed rolls from the oven, then lifted the lid from the crock pot and filled bowls with vegetable soup. Oliver poured the wine as Shane set plates and bowls on the table.

They didn't linger over dinner, then cleaned the kitchen quickly and returned to the entry way. Oliver removed his tie and rolled up his shirt sleeves. Shane picked up the bags of decorations and carried them into the living room.

"Do you want the stand in front of the window or in the middle of the room?" she called.

"Put it in the middle. I'll move the tree after it is in the stand."

A few minutes later, Oliver carried the tree into the living room.

"Hold the stand so it doesn't move," he instructed Shane.

Shane grasped the bottom and held tight as Oliver lowered the tree into it.

"Does it look straight?" he asked.

Shane stood up and inspected the tree from all sides. "Yes."

"Hold onto the top while I tighten the screws."

Oliver attempted to tighten them while on his hands and knees, but he couldn't quite reach them. He realized the only way he could accomplish this was to lie on the floor and slide under the tree. Shane tried not to laugh. He looked so funny half under and half out of the tree. His pant leg had slid up as he maneuvered into position, and suddenly Shane couldn't resist. She raised her leg slightly and ran her toes slowly across his exposed foot.

Oliver felt as if something were crawling on his foot. Had an insect, or worse yet, an arachnid, been in that water, attached itself to his pant leg unnoticed, and had now moved to his foot? He couldn't move. He had to remain in position until all the screws were secure. He shook his foot lightly, hoping whatever was on it would fall onto the floor. He waited a few seconds, and when he felt nothing further, he resumed securing the tree.

He had to crawl further under the tree to tighten the back screws. Again, he felt like something was crawling on his foot. He shook it again, but this time his position allowed him to see Shane's feet just as she lowered one foot to the floor.

He checked to confirm that all the screws were tight.

"You can let go now."

Shane let go of the tree, but just before she moved away, Oliver reached his hand across the tree and ran his fingers lightly over the top of her foot.

"No fair!" she yelled.

Oliver pushed himself out from under the tree and stood up. Shane stood there, hands on hips, trying to appear indignant. She wasn't very successful. Oliver burst out laughing and she joined him.

"Since the insects appear to have crawled away, shall we commence decorating this tree?" he asked.

Shane opened boxes while Oliver moved the tree to the front of the window.

An hour later, the lights were up and the ornaments hung. Oliver frowned as Shane opened the package of tinsel. Thin strands of silver, thousands of them. She divided the tinsel into two sections and handed him one. He walked over to the tree and began hanging the strands one at a time. This would take hours.

Shane laid her hand on his arm.

"Like this." She took a small handful and literally threw it at the tree.

"It's not straight."

She gave him a gentle smile. "It doesn't have to be straight. Remember - sometimes it's the imperfections in life that make something perfect."

A loud buzz sounded from the kitchen.

"Your socks are dry. I tell you what, you get your socks and I'll hang the tinsel."

Oliver handed Shane his portion of the tinsel and went to retrieve his socks. He took them to the entry and sat down on the bench to put socks and shoes back on. This presented the perfect opportunity for him to retrieve a small package.

Oliver stood in the living room doorway, watching Shane throw the last of the tinsel onto the tree. She turned and saw him there.

"What do you think?" she asked.

Oliver smiled. "It's perfect."

He walked over and handed her the package. "Here's one more ornament for the tree."

Shane opened it carefully and held up a yellow glass rose. "Oliver, it's beautiful!"

Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes. "Thank you."

Shane hung it carefully on the tree, then lifted her hands to her neck and released the clasp from her necklace.

"One more thing," she said. She looped the chain around a branch so the medallion hung like an ornament.

"Shall I turn on the lights?" Oliver asked.

Shane nodded.

He touched the switch and the tree exploded into a rainbow of colored lights. Shane just stood there. Oliver took her hand and pressed it to his lips. She looked at him with eyes shining as brightly as the lights on the tree.

"Time for dessert," Shane said a few minutes later. "Would you like coffee or tea?"

"Tea, please."

"I'll be right back."

Shane returned in a few minutes, carrying a large tray.

"What's all this?" he asked.

Shane set the china tray on the table. It held china cups of tea and two slices of lemon custard cake with curd glaze served on china plates.

"You bought a tea service, too?"

Shane smiled and sat down on the sofa, curling up next to him. Oliver handed Shane her tea and cake, then took his own. He raised the cup to his lips. The 1892 Darjeeling. His favorite. They sat together in comfortable silence, enjoying the tea and cake. When they'd finished, Shane got up and reached for the tray.

"I'll take it," Oliver told her. He needed to leave the room for a few minutes.

Oliver set the tray on the kitchen counter. He walked to the entry way and pulled another box from his coat. He didn't know why, but he felt it was important for Shane to receive her Christmas present tonight.

Shane stood at the phonograph, changing the records. Oliver walked up and handed her the package.

"What's this?"

"Your Christmas present."

"It's not Christmas yet."

"I want you to have it. Tonight."

"Why?"

"Shane. Don't ask questions. Just open it."

Shane complied, removing the ribbon and paper. She opened the box and gasped. It contained a gold bracelet. Three hearts were intertwined together, a larger one in the center engraved with a cross, and two smaller ones on either side, engraved with their names.

Oliver lifted it from the box, turned it over, and handed it to Shane. There was additional engraving on the back.

"Two hearts joined by a greater one," Shane read. Tears of joy streamed down her face. She raised her eyes to meet Oliver's. Tears shown on his cheeks as well.

Oliver put it around her wrist and fastened the clasp. He took Shane into his arms and kissed her with all the love he held in his heart. After the kiss, Oliver continued to hold her close, their foreheads touching. They stood there without moving for several minutes.

Oliver reluctantly pulled away and looked at the clock on the wall. It was after eleven. He needed to leave. There was much to do tomorrow. He and Shane would work until lunch, then drive to the airport to pick up her mother and sister.

They walked to the door with their arms around each other. Oliver didn't bother putting on his tie and jacket. He just slipped on his overcoat.

He leaned close to Shane and whispered in her ear.

"I love you. Good night."

"I love you, so much," Shane said.

Oliver walked out and closed the door behind him.