Author's Note: I was expecting to get farther along in this chapter but there was a lot to cover. I know Steve isn't anyone's favorite and you'll be happy to know he starts to lose his shine toward the end of the chapter. This chapter hits on a tough time for Shane so I have a hard time saying I hope you enjoy it. I think saying I hope you appreciate it might be better. Either way, I always appreciate your comments.

Shane's phone dinged alerting her to a new text. She resisted the urge to grab it and check the sender. It had been seven weeks of hope rising every time she heard that sound expecting it to be Steve. It had also been seven weeks of hope sinking every time it wasn't. She wrapped up the report she was working on before tapping the text icon. Her pulsed quickened at the sight of his name. Her shoulders relaxed and relief washed over her. He was safely home but how long would he stay? Shane refused to give in to those thoughts as she tapped on Steve's name.

His text "I'm back and would love to see you tonight" Shane's face flooded with warmth as she started typing back her response.

Shoot she thought. In the rush of seeing Steve's name pop up on her phone she forgot she and Becky had plans that evening to go to a movie. She hated to be the kind of woman who canceled plans with a girlfriend in favor of seeing a guy but Becky would understand. Shane would if it was John coming back after an extended absence. Her first text ended up being to Becky. Steve's home. Okay if I cancel tonight?

It didn't take long for Becky's response. No problem. Enjoy your reunion.

With the all clear from Becky she tapped back on Steve's name. Welcome home. Would love to see you too. 7 at my house?

Shane ran her hands through her blonde waves fingering them into place. A refresh of her makeup, a spritz of perfume and change of clothes into a silk blouse and black jeans and she was ready. A mixture of excitement and uneasiness had turned her stomach into a roller coaster. One moment it was the blood rushing climb up that first long, steep incline and then it was the uncontrollable plunging with no end in sight. Steve's return was a double-edged sword. The anticipation of seeing him after almost two months of absence couldn't be denied but there was also an equal measure of anxiety for the very same reason. Would they be the same together as they were when he left or would the extended separation be too much to overcome?

Shane opened the door unsure which side of the sword would triumph. And then there he stood. She didn't even notice the red roses in his arms. It was the sparkle of his eyes and his lips turned up into an irresistible smile that captured her attention. Tears of relief stung her eyes and pooled as she said a silent thanks to the universe for his safe return. At that moment excitement was the victor. Butterflies danced with wild abandon in her stomach. Shane gripped the door to steady herself an audible sigh escaping her lips which curved into a relieved smile.

Before she could say anything he was inside and had her in his arms, roses discarded on the nearest surface. Their lips met in a kiss seven weeks in the making. Shane relaxed into Steve wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Seven weeks of wanting melted away as Shane nuzzled into his neck inhaling the smell that was uniquely him. Breathless Shane broke the kiss. "You have no idea how much I missed you babe." Steve lifted his hand to cradle Shane's cheek as his lips found hers again.

Shane pulled back suggesting they eat before dinner got cold. Steve seemed reluctant to alter their current circumstances and pulled Shane in for another kiss that had her weak in the knees. Shane finally pushed him back laughing. "Seriously, dinner's getting cold."

By the time they sat down to eat the pasta was, indeed, cold but the cabernet warmed her throat and relaxed her nerves. The temperature of the food didn't seem to matter or the food itself for that matter. For all the heat of their initial reunion, conversation over dinner felt a bit awkward to Shane. Steve, of course, had little to say about the last seven weeks. Shane talked about work but how much was there to say about USPS computer systems? Even making plans for the future was difficult as she never knew when Steve would be called away again.

Shane cleaned up the dishes and joined Steve in the living room to enjoy the rest of their wine. He took her hand pulling her down to sit next to him on the couch. From behind his back Steve pulled out a small ribbon wrapped box in a very distinctive color of blue.

Shane's eyes grew wide and her breath caught in her throat. Was that what she thought it was? Shane knew that color blue, what woman didn't? Her mind swam with the possibilities encased in that little blue box. It felt heavy in her hands but the heaviness had more to do with the implications of what was inside. What if it was what she thought it was. Was she ready for that? Was he the one she was supposed to spend her life with?

"It's a belated Valentine's Day gift." Steve's eyes sparkled like a kid at Christmas. "Aren't you going to open it?" Shane snapped out of her reverie untying the soft satin ribbon also in the trademark blue color. Lifting the lid she released the breath that had been tight in her chest. Earrings. Stunningly beautiful diamond earrings. But just earrings. At that moment relief flooded through her answering the questions that had been swirling.

Shane closed the box on the earrings Steve had just gifted her. "Steve, I…I don't know what to say. These are beautiful but they're really too much."

Steve scooted closer to her sending Shane's heart racing. His right hand cradled her face. The scent of his cologne made her dizzy. "Nothing's too much for you Babe." His left hand wrapped around her waist and he pulled her closer. She could feel his breath on her skin. His kiss was soft and sensual. Her heart began to steady and her breathing returned to normal as she returned his kiss.

###

Shane checked the time on her phone. The department meeting dragged on longer than Shane had planned. Nervous energy manifested in the tapping of her fingertips on the table, apparently more loudly than she realized. "Did you have something to add Shane?" Paul, her department head, stopped speaking and directed his attention to her.

"No, I'm sorry, nothing." Shane flushed at being called out. She clasped her hands in an effort to control the anxious energy that threatened to surface at any given moment. Her mental to-do list grew longer with every additional minute they spent in this meeting.

Direct Line Operations was in the middle of an extensive upgrade to all USPS systems. Given the extensive nature of the work overtime was becoming the norm rather than the rarity. When Steve was gone Shane welcomed the extra work but when he was home she wanted to be available to spend as much time together as they could.

Shane had cancelled plans with Steve on more than one occasion and it made for a level of tension between them that was without precedent in their relationship. She didn't like canceling their plans especially when he could be called away at any given moment. But, as she reminded him one evening when things got a little heated, she had a job to do too.

Several weeks into the project Shane called Steve to let him know she was running late to which he responded "again?"

Shane bit her tongue in an attempt to stop the snark that was sitting on the tip of it and waiting to be fired back. Not having the energy or wanting an argument she tried to placate him by offering to come by his place after work. "I'm trying to get out of here as soon as possible."

"Okay, I'll be here." Shane's offer seemed to take the edge off Steve's snark. "I just got a new assignment and I'll be leaving in the morning. I'd really like to spend some time with you before I leave."

Hanging up Shane went back to staring at lines of code skittering across her screen. Her frustration level was steadily rising as it kept getting stuck at the same spot over and over again. She made adjustment after adjustment and couldn't figure it out. She wanted to have it resolved before she left for the night but blurred and an aching back told her it was time to table it for the evening. Exhaustion manifested itself in the beginnings of a headache and a sour mood. At this moment she would have preferred to go straight home, take a hot bath and go to bed but she'd promised to stop at Steve's on her way home and he was leaving - again. Picking up the phone her mouth dropped when she saw it was 10:30 p.m. Shoot she thought how could that much time have passed?

Her fingers were unsteady, a combination of the late night and the reaction she expected from Steve, as she tapped his number. Irritation laced his voice in spite of Shane's profuse apology. "Couldn't you have at least called?"

Whether it was the exhaustion or annoyance the words spilled from Shane's mouth before she could stop them. "Really? This from the man who disappears for weeks at a time with no communication?" Shane's eyes blurred again as her frazzled nerves could handle no more. "Listen, it's late. I won't stay long but I would like to at least say good-bye in person before you leave."

Steve's voice softened. "Okay, yeah, that would be good."

The visit was short. It was late, neither was at their best. Shane stood awkwardly in Steve's front entry not sure whether to apologize or not. Apologizing would have smoothed over their earlier bickering but, quite frankly, Shane didn't think she owed him one. Instead she simply gave him a kiss, hugged him goodbye and told him to be safe.

###

Steve's absence gave Shane a chance to finally get ahead of schedule at work. She had worked late every night since he'd been gone and was finally starting to feel they were coming out on the other side of project. She might even get to have lunch with Becky today. She scanned her computer screen checking the test she'd started before yet another meeting to discuss where the progress of the upgrade. Her phone's ring grabbed her attention. The caller ID read Sibley Memorial Hospital. Her brow furrowed in confusion. She didn't know anyone who worked there. She tapped on the green button expecting an apology for a wrong number.

"This is Shane McInerney"

"Ms. McInerny are you Shawn McInerny's daughter?" Shane's heartbeat accelerated and her skin crawled at the mention of her father's name.

"Yes, who's calling?"

"Ms. McInerny, my name is Melissa Sanders. I'm a nurse at Sibley Memorial where your father is a patient."

Shane's stomach dropped. She was silent and her free hand grabbed the edge of her desk, her knuckles going white.

"Ms. McInerney? Are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here." Shane's voice was barely a whisper. She hadn't spoken to her father since he'd called a couple of months prior and she'd spent the time since then trying to forget the conversation.

"I'm sorry to have to give you this news but your father's illness has progressed and he's been put in hospice care. He asked us to call you and let you know he would really like to see you." The nurse's caring but perfunctory tone led Shane to believe she made this call to patients' families frequently.

"Uh, I'm not sure. I'll have to check my schedule." Did her father not get the message the last time they spoke? Shane didn't think she could have been any clearer about her feelings toward him.

"Oh, okay." Shane could only imagine how she sounded to someone not familiar with their family dynamics. "Well, Ms. McInerney, if your schedule allows it but I wouldn't wait too long."

Shane got the details of her father's location not sure if she would need the information. A glance at the time on her computer screen told her it was 1:30. She grabbed her lunch and headed to the lunch room hoping to find Becky. Thankfully she was still there thumbing through a bridal magazine.

Becky spotted Shane and waved to her. One look at Shane and Becky said "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Shane's eyes blinked rapidly; her lip caught firmly in her teeth. "I got a call just now. From Sibley Memorial."

Becky nodded. "And?"

"It was a nurse telling me my dad's in hospice care and he wants to see me before…" Shane let the words trail off.

Becky wrapped her hand around Shane's. "Oh Shaney, I'm so sorry. Do you need to take the afternoon off?"

"No, no I've got too much work to do." Work was a good excuse for putting off the decision she would eventually have to make. "I don't even know if I'm going to go see him."

Becky let go of Shane's hand. "Shaney, I can't imagine what you're feeling but don't make a decision you're going to regret later."

Shane leaned her elbows on the table and dropped her head into her hands. She raked her fingers through her hair. Her voice cracked. "I just don't know if I can."

Becky put her hand on Shane's shoulder. "Do you want me to go with you?"

Shane smiled weakly at Becky. "No, that's okay. I have to decide if I'm going first."

Shane got off work at a decent time for a change. She wanted nothing more than to slip into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt and sink into her couch with a glass of wine. Intent on binge watching Downton Abbey on Netflix she couldn't escape the call from earlier in the day. Her stomach tightened every time she thought of the nurse's words 'he would really like to see you.'

Jumping from the couch, she threw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, and grabbed her bag but once in the car she sat frozen behind the steering wheel. After several minutes she pulled up her maps app on her phone and typed in Sibley Memorial. It was only 20 minutes away. Becky's words echoed in her head… "don't make a decision you're going to regret later."

Traffic on Foxhall Road was slower than what her app said it should be. Her neck strained to see what was ahead that was causing the slowdown. She pulled into the parking lot at Sibley Memorial just after 8 p.m. She quickly exited the car not giving herself time to change her mind.

Entering the lobby Shane was hit with the bitter antiseptic smell hospitals are known for. That combined with the artificial floral fragrance used to try and mask the unpleasant hospital smells turned her stomach. She approached the front desk to get her dad's room number. "I'm sorry but visiting hours ended at 8 p.m."

Pulling back the cuff of her jacket Shane checked her watch and huffed. "It's 8:04."

"I'm sorry there are no exceptions."

"Okay, fine, I will come back tomorrow. What time do visiting hours start in the morning?" The attendant told her she could come as early as 9 a.m. Shane turned on her heel and left. It had been hard enough to convince herself to see her father and now she would have to dig deep and do it all over again.

Shane texted Paul and Becky to let them know she would be in late the following morning. She had "personal business she had to attend to." Becky would understand but her boss wouldn't. Shane hadn't told anyone about her dad except Becky. Not even Steve.

Cheerful chirping of her alarm had Shane swiping at her clock aiming for the snooze button. I need a different alarm she thought. She refused to open her eyes convinced if she kept them shut she wouldn't have to start her day. The early morning sun had other ideas as the brightness flooded the room making it impossible to avoid the day. She took her time showering and getting dressed drawing her daily routine out as long as possible to avoid what lay ahead.

Shane debated calling her mother but decided against it. Her father had never been a topic of conversation and Shane decided it would be best to understand her father's situation before bringing her mother or, for that matter, her sister into it.

The hospital was much busier in the morning than it had been the night before. As the doors slid open the same floral antiseptic smell from the previous evening greeted her. She waited behind a couple whose arms were filled with flowers and a bouquet of pink balloons that read "It's a girl!" Judging by their age Shane assumed they were grandparents on their way to meet a new grandchild. She smiled toward them as they went to find the elevators.

Shane greeted the volunteer sitting at the welcome desk. "Hi I'm Shane McInerny here to see Shawn McInerny." The volunteer typed his name into her computer.

"Um, there's a note here for you to go to the nurse's station on the 4th floor. They'll be able to help you.

The smell was more intense as Shane stepped off the elevator on the 4th floor. The nurse's station was bustling and she stood unnoticed for several minutes. Finally she was able to get someone's attention.

"Excuse me, I'm Shane McInerny here to see Shawn McInerny." Shane noticed several of the nurses at the station turn their heads away. "The woman downstairs told me someone here could help me." One nurse turned to her.

"I'm Melissa Sanders, we spoke yesterday."

"Yes, can you tell me which room my father is in?"

The nurse hesitated. "I'm sorry Ms. McInerny. Your father died last night."

A wave of nausea hit Shane and for a moment she thought she might throw up. The nurse moved her to a bank of chairs and sat down with her. "I know it's hard to hear this news like this. I'm very sorry for your loss."

Shane could only stare ahead. Nurse Sanders put her hand on Shane's arm. "Can I get you anything?"

Shane turned to her. "No, thank you." The nurse's face was kind. Would she be so kind if she knew the last words Shane had spoken to her father? "I, I don't know what to do now."

Nurse Sanders stepped back to the nurse's station and brought back a manilla envelope. Shane could see her first name written on it in shaky cursive. "I took care of your father. He asked me to make sure you got this."

Shane took it from her and returned to the chairs. With shaky fingers she slipped her finger under the flap and opened the envelope. She skimmed through the contents and her eyes grew large. Her father had put her in charge of his final arrangements and settling his estate. Was this his way of getting back at her for what she'd said to him the last time they spoke? She would probably never know.