December 21 - Evening
Oliver parked the car in front of Shane's house. Chris stepped out of the vehicle and stood at the bottom of the steps studying the residence.
Shane and Alex joined her.
"It's charming," she told her daughter.
The women ascended the steps. Chris studied the porch swing for a moment, then turned and smiled at Shane. Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.
"You bought a swing."
"Actually, it was a birthday present. From Oliver."
Oliver joined them with the luggage.
"She spent hours on our swing every summer when she was a girl," Chris told him.
"I know."
Shane held the door open for Chris and Alex. Oliver put the bags in the house.
"Make yourselves comfortable," Shane told her mother and sister. "The living room is to the right. I'll be there in a minute."
Chris looked at Shane, nodded, and shut the door.
Oliver reached out and pulled Shane into a tender embrace. She laid her head on his shoulder, breathing in the scent of his cologne and listening to the steady beating of his heart. He stroked her hair softly.
"Do you want to come in for awhile?" she asked.
"Not tonight. You need to spend some quality time with your mother and sister, just the three of you."
"Would it be all right if I bring them with me tomorrow and take them on a tour?"
Oliver placed his hand under her chin and raised her head so he could look into her eyes.
"Of course. I'm sure they will enjoy that."
"I suppose I'd better go inside," Shane said reluctantly.
Oliver nodded and kissed her gently.
"Good night my love."
"Good night."
Shane stepped inside and closed the door.
"About time," Alex said as Shane came into the room.
"We needed a minute alone."
"That was a LONG minute."
"How about some coffee?" Shane asked Chris in an attempt to change the subject.
"That would be nice."
Shane headed for the kitchen to put on the coffee. Chris went into the entry and removed a large box from her suitcase. She carried it into the kitchen and gave it to Shane.
"I brought you something that will go well with coffee."
Shane shook the box slightly.
"Macaroons? You only give me macaroons for my birthday."
"This year you're getting them for Christmas, too."
"Shane! Why is your necklace hanging on the Christmas tree?" Alex called.
Shane returned to the living room.
"A reminder," she said.
"Of what?"
"Restoration."
"Huh?"
"I'll tell you about it another time. Not tonight."
"No, not tonight. Tonight you're going to tell me every detail about you and Oliver."
Chris came in, carrying a large tray with the coffee and cookies. She set the tray on the table, and then walked over to the tree. She picked up the rose ornament.
"This is beautiful."
"Oliver bought it for me. We love yellow roses. The rose bush by the stairs grew from a cutting Oliver took from the one at our house in Alexandria."
"You went back to Alexandria?"
"No, we went to Washington DC on vacation. Rita was a contestant in the Miss Special Delivery pageant, representing Colorado. We went along to support her. I asked Oliver if we could go see the house."
Shane took a deep breath. "Mom, the house is gone."
"I know. The man who purchased the property had other plans for it. It's ok. Let's not speak about it anymore."
"Let's not." Alex agreed quickly. She sat down, reached for the coffee, and patted the place next to her.
"Sit down and start talking," she urged Shane.
Shane and Chris joined Alex. For the next hour, Shane patiently answered Alex's many questions about Oliver, keeping her answers general, for she wouldn't share the intimate details of his courtship with anyone, not even her mother and sister.
"...the reception was over, he asked me to take a walk outside, and he proposed," Shane finished.
"He proposed? That's all you're going to say? How did he propose? Did he get down on one knee? What did he say?"
"Sorry, Alex, I won't share details. That moment was between Oliver and me."
Shane stood and picked up the tray.
"It's after midnight. Mom, you've got to be exhausted. Why don't you go to bed? You too, Alex. I'll take care of these things. Tomorrow morning, I'm taking you to the post office for a tour."
Chris and Alex stood up as well.
"I am tired," Chris said. She walked over and kissed Shane's forehead.
"Good night, my dear. Sleep well."
"Good night, Shane," Alex added.
They retrieved their suitcases from the entry and headed for the guest room.