This is going to be a long one. I know, I should leave this one for a bit and cover the rest of December, but as there is no real chronology in this series (and because I felt like it) I have begun to dabble at the postal ball! We can return to something else when this is done, right?

The Perfect Annual Postal Ball Part I

The Perfect Dress

Although action movies were now a regular part of Shane and Oliver's repertoire, they were not the O'Toole's favourite genre. Shane loved a light-hearted Rom Com. When choosing a movie, she wanted to escape. Oliver would suffer through the occasional one for her (he couldn't stomach Christmas Rom Coms, however, and had even gone so far as to help Alex create a Christmas movie bingo card for Shane over Thanksgiving. Oliver and Alex thought it was hilarious. Shane, did not.). Oliver's real favourites were classics. He loved watching William Powell and Myrna Loy bicker and flirt, as well as the edge of your seat excitement and suspense of a Hitchcock classic.

A while ago, on an at home date night, Oliver suggested they watch 'Vertigo'. Shane was taken with not only the movie, but also with the leading lady's stylish wardrobe. Hours googling Edith Head's designs, as well as Kim Novak's other iconic looks, led Shane to a beautiful dress. She found a photo of Novak in a cocktail length gown with a black boat necked bodice and a full white skirt with yellow roses. It was a dress that Shane wanted more than anything. It would be perfect for the postal ball. Having dealt with Evelyn Rose during Rita's wedding, Shane now appreciated the skills of a clever dressmaker.

Evelyn Rose may have retired, but her apprentice and granddaughter was certainly skilled, and very happy to create a similar outfit for Shane. Discussions had begun months ago, and now a fabulous outfit hung in Shane's closet. Inside a discrete garment bag hung a black velvet off the shoulder (with a gorgeous sweetheart dip) bodysuit, as well as a high waisted white taffeta pleated and hand-painted (with sprays of pink roses around the waist and hips, falling to only a floating petals towards the hem) evening skirt. A black velvet wrap and a petticoat constructed from acres of various shades of pink tulle completed this fabulous outfit. Shane may have tried it on every Thursday night since it's completion – Thursdays as she did not want to risk Oliver catching sight of the dress. Black patent leather Jimmy pumps (eek!) waited patiently in their distinctive box.

It was all too perfect!

An Imperfect Interlude

Oliver O'Toole was annoyed. Outwardly, his manners were impeccable, but inwardly, he was seething. His bad grace was made worse by the knowledge that he was almost completely in the wrong. Today was a day that he had eagerly awaited for months – today, or rather tonight, was the annual Postal Ball.

Oliver happened to know that the Brown Palace Hotel's Grand Ballroom had been transformed into a veritable winter wonderland, complete with Christmas trees, a dance floor that looked like a skating rink, an ice bar and a light display that made it look like it was snowing inside the ballroom. The venue was perfect.

Oliver also knew that Ramon was the DJ for the event, and had promised to play the song he, Oliver, had specifically selected for a special dance with Shane. Ramon had also assured Oliver that as well as tunes of the livelier type (that Oliver had no intention of dancing to), there were a number of songs perfect for ballroom dancing.

He also knew that he had the perfect corsage waiting to be collected from 'Blooms and Hugs' florist. Shane had not specifically told him what her dress was like, but he did know that when asked what colour would suit her outfit she informed him that any shade of pink would be appropriate. Oliver was keen to see Shane's reaction when she was presented with a beautiful white and blush pink corsage that was cunningly built upon a stylish diamond tennis bracelet, the first of Shane's Christmas gifts.

Still, Oliver was a mess of irk and guilt. He had been planning how this day would go for months. What he didn't consider was how capable Shane was of planning something completely different for herself. Oliver wanted he and Shane to arrive at the ball together, as a couple. Shane did not in fact wish to arrive together. She wanted to maintain a pre-ball tradition of her own. Shane had casually reminded him over breakfast that she, Rita, and Charlie would be leaving early for some preparatory pampering, and that they (she, Rita, and Charlie) would meet him (and Norman) at the ball at precisely 7:30 p.m.

Oliver checked his watch. It was 11:30 a.m. He knew that the girls were planning to leave at 1:30 p.m. He also knew that they were planning on working through lunch so make up for their early departure. From the raised head-tilted, narrow-eyed stares he had received today, Oliver was certain that he and Shane needed to talk. A walk to get coffee would provide the setting necessary.

'Mrs O'Toole,' he began, 'Perhaps we should seek out coffee for everyone, seeing how you are planning to miss lunch.'

He really did try to keep any kind of tone from his voice. One look at Shane made him think he was not successful. He stood, holding her coat and voluminous scarf for her. She was a bit snippy too, but at least she was giving him a chance to tell her what the problem was. By silent consent, they walked past the Mailbox Grille towards the Denver Bean Coffee Cart.

Upon arriving, Shane sat at one of the tables surrounding the cart. Oliver bounced, sighed and then sat opposite her.

'Okay O'Toole, spill!'

Taking a deep breath, he began.

'Shane, I am sorry. I know that I am being ridiculous. I have spent the day being annoyed, even though I know that I have no right to be. It's just… I mean I thought that …. Well I had planned something … And then you … But I…'

At this point, Shane was grinning delightedly. 'Aww, Oliver you haven't done your famous 'almost' speak in months! I didn't realise how much I would miss it!' She smiled, inviting him to share her enjoyment.

He almost smiled, then sighed.

'Let me guess… I am a certified O'Toole translator after all...' She battered he eyelashes at him.

'Funny….' he replied.

'I think so,' she retorted. 'Let me see, this all began when I told you I would be leaving work early. So, therefore I assume that you didn't want me to leave work early … or rather didn't want me to go with Rita and Charlie…'

She stopped to ponder. 'But I always go with Rita to get ready. It's our tradition…'

Shane's eyes widened in understanding. 'You didn't want me to go with Rita because you wanted to establish a different tradition for us.'

He nodded.

'But there is nothing wrong with continuing the tradition with Rita, it is perfectly reasonable. And you, Oliver O'Toole are generally a reasonable person…'

His eyebrow shot up at 'generally'.

'Therefore you know it is reasonable, and therefore … ' Shane was full Miss Marple now.

'You are only slightly annoyed at me for wanting to do my own thing, and a whole lot annoyed at yourself for being unreasonable.'

She rolled her eyes.

'You, Oliver, are the cleverest person I know.' Your amazing brain delights and surprises me every day. But today, you, my darling genius are beyond ridiculous and heading straight for preposterous.'

'Thank you, honey..' he replied with a spark of snark.

'Oliver let's use that giant brain of yours. What happened at the end of our first postal ball?'

'We said goodnight and I spent a sleepless night worrying about how jealously I behaved.'

'And the next?'

'I drove you home and we kissed goodnight?'

'And what is going to happen after this ball?'

Oliver smiled. Tonight, he and Shane would go home, together. Suddenly arriving at a ball together seemed a whole lot less important.

'I think one of us should apply to MENSA,' Oliver laughed, 'And it absolutely should not be me!'