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FRIDAY

"Good morning," says Oliver, entering his kitchen to find his dad already there.

"Good morning, breakfast?"

"No. Thank you. Just coffee. I am afraid I overslept."

"How did you sleep?"

"Much better."

"Good. Anything I can do?"

"No, I am just going to work. What about your plans for the day?"

"I'm going to grab some sandwiches and go out to the farm – see Bill. He's lost his wife and he is about to lose his little girl - to Norman. I think he needs a friend."

The two men chuckle over the latter half of that statement.

"Will you join us at the church tonight for the rehearsal or are you just going to meet us at Montaldo's for dinner?"

"I'll be at the church. They have to make certain I know how to usher a lady down the aisle. I think it is great that you're covering the rehearsal dinner for Norman at Montaldo's."

"Norman is a good man. He and Rita are…special. It is tradition that the groom's family host said dinner. I was not certain if any of his 37 cousins were available," says Oliver as he looks at his dad and smiles. "Besides, it is much less stressful than a bachelor party."

Giving each other a knowing look, they both laugh.

"Dad, I apologize for not being a very good host for you last night or this morning. Will you give me a second chance?"

"Always son, always. Besides, it's what dads do. You better go. You don't want to be late. You never know who might be at the office."

However, Oliver arrives and a certain "who" is not there. He admits to himself the disappointment he feels in not finding her there; nonetheless, she has become so much a part of his day that somehow he sees her in every turn – searching her computer – sorting letters – talking to Rita – checking on Norman in the lab.

Norman explains that she and Rita have gone to tell Jessica that they have found her mother. Of course they are also trying to arrange a meeting between the two women. Oliver just shakes his head. He thinks she needs a new job title: CRO – Chief Reconciliation Officer. His contemplations carry him back to that day in The Mailbox Grille when she arranges for Henry to meet his granddaughter via a computer screen – of course. She manages to reconcile three generations – grandfather, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. She is happy. She is feeling good about the day. She is moved to tears of joy for others. He is in knots. He knows the lines he is about to deliver. He realizes that not only did he disappoint her in ceasing their dance lessons but also and worst of all he leaves her feeling used by him. He never wants to do that to her ever again.

The phone on his desk is ringing but lost in thought he makes no move to answer. Norman walks across the room and takes the call. Oliver is attentive enough to know that whatever the news it seems to be positive.

"That was Rita," said Norman. "You know the woman that I am going to marry tomorrow?"

"Yes," says Oliver, looking puzzled.

"Oliver, are you ok?"

"I'm fine. I'm just a little…."

"Distracted. I got it. Is there anything you need from me? I mean I only have a wedding tomorrow but you are my best friend."

"I'm sorry. Shall we change the subject? What did Rita say?"

"They talked to Jessica and her mom. They have arranged for them to have tea together at the Brown Palace this afternoon and we are to meet them there."

"Very well. I shall complete my responsibilities here, and then we will meet them at the Brown. Afterward, I shall go home and change for the rehearsal and for our celebratory dinner - which have not forgotten," he says with a smile and a nod.

Norman is beaming.

Everything about the day makes sense. He is oh so calm. It is a culminating event for the Postables. The last delivery for Rita and Norman before their wedding is truly divine. Per usual, they achieve not only uniting a lost package with its rightful owner but also reuniting lives. And who is at the center of it all? She is.

She is fully invested in helping people she previously did not know. She goes the extra mile. She delights in the outcome of being an agent of reconciliation, and he delights in her.

He looks across the room and sees Jessica – in the dress. More than his mind, his heart goes back to that moment he saw her in that dress and all the feelings he has for her are fresh – wanting to embrace her, wanting to share with her, wanting to support her, wanting to protect her, wanting to love her.

He is quiet. He smiles. He actually has spoken very little most of the week. It isn't that he is engrossed in his work to the degree that he has no time for small talk. It is not that he is so engaged in being the best man that he can think of nothing else. He spends most the week thinking – thinking about her – thinking about them. His conversations take place within his mind and heart and within the limitless boundaries of prayer. And now he is quiet.

She takes his arm. They walk away from the touching intimacy of this reunion of mother and daughter. As much as he is aware of the magnitude of the scene before them at the Brown Palace, he is more aware of her. She takes such pleasure in not only doing well but in doing good. She truly cares. Her work is not simply a way to make a living but a calling. She is smiling. He thinks of how much she wanted that dress yet seeing another woman wearing it brings her pure joy. Her desire for the other is greater than the desire for self. She knows what matters most. The more he sees who she truly is the more things that do not matter fade from view. Being by her side, sharing life with her bring him joy. It is like being carried on a raft in a gently flowing stream

"I love us," she declares openly.

Unplanned and unscripted the moment arrives and the words in his heart are on his lips – and I love – and I love you. The psalmist David once said, "my cup runneth over." His heart runs over and the words spill. The season has come and he knows his lines. He may have stopped breathing. What will be her response? Their eyes meet – her expressive face already telling him that he surprises her. Perhaps he thrills her. His confession will not return void.

Everything in him says this confession is right and good. He doesn't just love her, her cherishes her, he treasures her and he tells her he is still contemplating what to do about it. They are lost in each other. He will consider the timing of his next line.

She is replying that she loves him so much when her words are cut off. But the love for each other and the confession's result are not stopped. He continues looking at her, his heart lingers in the moment. Noise and words and people and movement surround them but it is as if they are alone together. The confession of their love for each other unites them in a new way.

These words are not uttered lightly.

If they could make the interruptions stop, halt all activity, and pause for just another moment they would. However, there is no time to ruminate over confessions of love between the two now. The bride and groom are displaced from their sanctuary and something must be done. There is a rehearsal dinner that must be cancelled, a barn to decorate, and their dearest friends' wedding to salvage.

Joe, Bill, Norman, Rita, Oliver and she spend the evening transforming a barn into a wedding venue. She runs a couple of Internet searches and makes a few calls from her mobile phone. Everything they need is quickly delivered. Isn't she amazing? The evening isn't filled with anxiety but laughter and energy. They laugh together and she bumps his shoulder. They make corny jokes about having cows present at a wedding being a moo-ving experience and about making certain Ramon does not milk it for all it is worth. He feels incredibly alive.

Her artistic side is on full display and Oliver can't stop smiling at her. Not only can she transform people she can transform a barn. "Allow me to help you with that" becomes his phrase of the night to her. If she sweeps the floor, he holds the dustpan. If she drapes lights, he drapes lights – that highest nail giving her difficulty and suddenly she finds his hand on top of hers making the connection possible. She turns and her face is oh so close to his. He can feel her breathing. If she climbs a ladder, he holds the ladder as she ascends and holds her waist as she is coming down. He is so comfortable with her.

Rita notices. Norman notices. Even Bill notices. Joe however understands. Upon completion the bride and the maid of honor leave together. After all, the bride needs her sleep.

Oliver climbs into Joe's truck for a ride home. It gives them a chance to talk.

"Dad, I need to tell you something."

Joe smiles. He wants to say that he already knows – but he lets Oliver have his say.

He has told her that he loves her and that she responded by saying that she loves him.

Oliver experiences something he has seldom seen. Joe has tears in his eyes.

"I couldn't be happier for you."

"Dad, I want to marry her – when the time is right."

"Well son, what are you waiting for?"

"A green tie and an engagement ring," answers Oliver with a chuckle.

"I might can help you with that," says Joe.

"You have a green tie?" asks Oliver.

"No, I have an engagement ring," says Joe.

The two men hit the straight away into the night. Clouds are moving in and covering the stars. Oliver is taken back by his dad's comment. Joe turns off the radio in the truck as he stops in front of Oliver's house.

"Just before mom died she told me that I would be inheriting the few things that belonged to her and dad. It wasn't much but it meant a great deal to me. She reached in her dresser and gave me her engagement ring. She had not worn it the last few years. Arthritis had gnarled her hands. I don't know if you remember seeing her wear it. She used to wear it all the time."

"You have grandmother's ring?"

"She said that one day, when the right woman came along, I might want to give it to her. Well, the right woman has come along – if you want to give it to her."

"Did mom ever wear the ring?" Oliver asks, looking out the window.

"No, she had already left us when mom gave it to me."

"I don't know what to say. I mean yes. Yes, I would be honored," said Oliver.

"Now if you want to go out and buy a ring I understand. NO PRESSURE."

"No, my grandmother, your mother, was the finest woman I ever knew."

"I will see that you get it."

Oliver gets out of the truck and goes inside. Joe pulls away to return his home. The news of what Joe has to give to Oliver is overwhelming. The love and support from his dad is something Oliver has denied himself for far too long. Oliver sits in the chair in his bedroom to remove his shoes. Memories of the wonderful woman he called grandmother filled his mind. The similarities of his grandmother's character and her character are clear to him now. Most significantly his grandmother made him feel loved. The kind of unconditional love a mother has for a child. She too makes him feel loved except this is the wonderful kind of love between a man and woman who become husband and wife. The thought that he could give her his grandmother's ring seems perfect. Everything is coming together in his life. For the second night in a row Oliver O'Toole says his prayers and sleeps soundly.