Author's Note: Ooh! There are just too many possibilities! I know I am not going to get every possible Christmas story completed, but here are a couple that amused me.

PS I am no builder. I did not check regulations or snow ratings or anything else when writing about Shane's present. I have no idea how long it would take – but hey. I also didn't check how long a day was or how cold it might be. No details got in the way of this story.

Christmas Eve

The Set Up

The DLO, in fact the whole of the Denver Main Branch, could best be described as manic. Everyone was busy processing as many letters, parcels and 'Dear Santa' special projects as possible. As Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday this year, the Post Office was only officially open until noon. Time was of the essence.

The DLO taskforce was doing their part to help out as best they could. With that and Shane's #DLO commitments, things were beyond hectic. Those who looked carefully might notice that the DLO section leader was slightly distracted. Oliver O'Toole was still productive, but he was not at his usual best. Rita, she of the photographic memory and disposition of sunshine noticed that Oliver was looking a little harried. Normally she would leave such things alone, but with Shane so involved setting up photos for the DLOs Instagram account (and knowing that Shane would not have time to find out what was going on), she was slightly concerned for her friend.

Rita made her way to Oliver's side. Hesitantly, she asked, 'Are you okay Oliver?'

Oliver opened his mouth to deny any angst when he suddenly stopped. 'Rita, I need you to make my wife disappear.'

Rita did an impression of one of the owls she so loved, her eyes large and unblinking.

'What!' (not 'who') was her response.

Oliver looked carefully around the office. Both Shane and Norman were absent. Carefully, he reached into his desk drawer and removed a carefully wrapped present.

'This is our last 'Dear Santa' delivery. I need you to take Shane and deliver it … and I need you to make sure that you don't return until dark.'

'Oh, Oliver, you know that I am terrible at lying! Please, don't make me!'

Oliver winked. 'You won't be lying because I am not telling you what is going on. You just need to keep Shane busy for a few hours.'

'Can't Norman do it? He is much better at this than I am.'

'No Rita. I have plans for Norman too.' Oliver stood, then moved around his desk to hand the gift into Rita's hands. 'The delivery is in Franktown. I am sure that traffic will be terrible.'

The Execution

Oliver O'Toole checked his watch. It was 12:20 p.m. and he and Norman had just arrived at the O'Toole house and were awaiting the arrival of Joe. He was central to the plan. Before he and Norman could step out of the car, Joe's truck, filled with metal and poly-carbonate panels. Now, the trio had to get the project sorted before sundown.

Originally, Oliver decided that he was going to give Shane a picture of her gift, show her all of the components, and spend boxing day working with his father to assemble the gift. Two days ago, he decided that he could do better. Not content with purchasing and presenting the gift incomplete, Oliver decided that he would call in some reinforcements and complete the gift so that Shane could see the finished product. He felt like he was on one of those awful home renovation shows that Shane sometimes watched. He (along with Joe and Norman) had half a day to create Shane's gift. Oliver, Norman, and Joe carried the first of many loads up to the second floor of the house.

As far as presents went, Oliver did think that he had outdone himself. Shane had not stood a chance of finding the gift during her present hunt, because it was securely tucked away in Joe's garage. He also thought that Shane had not a clue what she was getting for Christmas this year, and if there was one thing that he delighted in doing, it was surprising Shane. He did wonder if he needed to branch out a little and stop buying and assembling garden-related items, but really, this was epic.

Approximately five and a half hours later, it was done. It had not been without its challenges, and certainly the name of Sam Hill had been called on more than once, but it now stood ready for the big reveal tomorrow. Norman had warned him that Rita and Shane were about twenty minutes away, so he knew they needed to go downstairs and look innocent. Joe and Norman were already in the dining room, arranging a multitude of boxes of recently delivered Chinese food on the table. Before he went downstairs, he wanted to complete a last check, making sure that everything was perfect.

He cast a critical eye over the gift. It was perfectly ready, he thought. He walked across the seldom used spare bedroom (Joe was in fact staying there tonight to ensure that Shane did not get a peek before she was supposed to) to the French doors that had, until today, opened onto an unused balcony (that in fact sat over the closed in back porch that housed Shane's original porch swing). Instead of opening to a blank space, the doors now opened on to a what Oliver wanted to call an orangery but was in all reality a greenhouse. Its roof was perfectly pitched to handle snow, its panels hung waiting to be opened as needed, and a selection of raised garden beds wanted only soil before they could be planted for a winter harvest. Benches stood waiting for pots and seedlings, garden tools hung neatly above the bench, fairy lights festooned the space, ready to dispel the darkness, and the pièce de resistance, a cane peacock chair painted white, complete with cushion, rug and side table waited for Shane to sit amid the greenery reading or sipping tea. Oliver gave a happy little bounce. It was perfect.

The Christmas Eve Presents

Christmas Eve was finally drawing to a close. After a long and eventful trip to deliver a 'Dear Santa' present to Franktown, Shane had arrived home to an unexpected, but delightful family dinner. Quite why they needed to gather tonight when they would all see each other tomorrow was unclear, but it had been lots of fun – Chinese food, stories, and board games, until Shane decided that she had cooking to do, and so they could either stay and help, or go home. Joe was staying – something that had been decided some time ago – so he joined Oliver on kitchen duty. Eventually, all that could be baked, prepared, and organized was done. Shane ran upstairs to gather the traditional McInerney Christmas Eve gifts. She could not wait for Oliver and Joe to see their presents. She was sure that while Joe would find it delightful, Oliver was about to have a conniption. Shane giggled her way down the stairs.

'Gentlemen. Happy Christmas Eve. Behold, your traditional McInerney Christmas Eve presents!'

With a flourish, Shane presented the parcels to Oliver and Joe. Joe tore at his paper eager to see what Shane was up to, while Oliver carefully removed the tape and ribbon. Shane tore into hers as well, removing the items inside from the wrapping. It then became something of a spectator sport. Both Joe and Shane looked at each other with goofy grins, then sat back to watch Oliver's reaction.

Joe silently mouthed, 'Three, two, one …'

Shane giggled some more.

Oliver finally pulled items of clothing from the wrapper. 'Shane, what is this?' he asked.

Shane held up hers, then Joe held us his.

'No, Shane…' he began.

'Uh huh. This is a non-negotiable buddy,' Shane had a 'take no prisoners' look on her face. 'Go, get dressed and then we reconvene under the tree for pictures! Mum will require photographic evidence!'

'Shane…'

Joe laughed. He hadn't heard Oliver whine like that since he was eight. 'You heard Shane, son. Hop to it!'

Oliver looked ready to rebel. Shane was having none of it. 'Give up now Oliver. This is happening.'

He groaned, then made his way with lagging steps to the stairs. Shane gave him a push of encouragement.

Some minutes later, Shane, Joe and Oliver stood in the living room. Shane had taken the time to redo her hair into two plaits and had found some fuzzy slippers to add to the ensemble. Joe was happily embracing the tradition, having added socks and a beanie to his garb. Oliver stood, looking extremely uncomfortable with slippers added to his uniform. Shane bossed the two men into position, then raised her phone to take a selfie. Joe, Oliver, and Shane O'Toole all stood in resplendent and very matching pajamas. Each wore a long-sleeved T-shirt of hunter green, and plaid pants of red and white.

What followed was a very humorous and unusual photo shoot. Joe and Shane took turns using the phone's camera, and Oliver, deciding that this was happening whether he liked it or not, got into the swing of things. Shane's mother received more photos than she was probably expecting.

The three O'Tooles

Joe and Oliver attempting their best clothing catalogue impression

Oliver and Shane rising from a dancing dip

Shane and Joe toasting each other with hot cocoa topped by a mountain of marshmallows

And finally, the one that was definitely a keeper – Shane seated before the tree, with Oliver behind her, wrapping her in a hug, both of them smiling and laughing for the camera. Next year, Sharon thought, she wanted to be there for the fun.