Thank you so much for all of the support and wonderful reviews!
I not own these characters, they belong to the amazingly talented, Martha Wiliamson.
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Chapter 5:
Joseph O'Toole made his way up the familiar walkway leading to his son and now daughter-in-law's house. He had gotten home from a fishing trip with his buddies late last night and was surprised to receive a phone call from Oliver this morning inviting him to dinner. It wasn't exactly a rare occurrence that he enjoyed a meal with Oliver and Shane, but there was just something about the tone in his son's voice that hinted that there was more going on. His son was not exactly good at hiding things from him and he sensed that the real reason for dinner was possibly some good news. Even though they were very different, he could read his boy like a book and instantly saw the attraction between him and Shane. Joe had nothing but love for his daughter-in-law from the moment he met her and could never thank her enough for being the one to help push Oliver into making amends with him.
He knocked on the door and was quickly greeted by Shane, who had a beautiful glow about her that he couldn't even describe. "Dad! Come on in!" He was pulled into a hug by his daughter-in-law before he could even step inside the house.
"Shane, you look absolutely breathtaking!" Joe looked at her, desperately trying to figure out what he was missing. Something was definitely different about her, he just hadn't figured out what it was.
"Thank you, you are so sweet." Shane smiled and then ushered him into the house, closing the door behind him. "Oliver is in the kitchen. Dinner should be ready soon." Joe followed Shane into the other room and spotted his son. Oliver's back was to him as he was hard at work preparing the baked potatoes. Upon hearing the footsteps approaching, he turned to greet his father as he walked in the room.
"Dad, thank you so much for coming." The two men hugged before he continued. "How was your fishing trip?"
"It was great seeing the guys, but the fish really weren't biting. We're actually planning to head out again in a couple of weeks. You should join us, son." Joe could see the tension fill Oliver's facial features almost instantly. He knew that outdoor activities were not his son's forte, but he would never stop trying to get him out of his shell.
"Well, uh, as glorious as that sounds, I don't believe that fishing and I would be compatible." Oliver hoped his wife wouldn't push the subject. She was always trying to get him to try new things and get him outside of his comfort level. He had to think quick and come up with something or he would be elbow deep in fish guts. "I would, however, consider another father-son camping trip in the near future. I hear there are very nice cabins at the Colorado Bear Creek."
Shane pursed her lips together to hold back her laugh as Joe smiled at Oliver's attempt at some quality outdoor time together. He was proud of his son for trying to appease him and had long since accepted him for who he is. "That would be great, son. We'll have to plan it soon."
Dinner was ready and the trio made their way into the dining room. "Everything looks delicious." Joe admired the spread laid out on the dining room table.
"This is all courtesy of your wonderful son." Shane gushed as she sat down and Oliver pushed in her chair. Oliver had been insistent on cooking tonight so that Shane could rest. Her morning sickness had been rather rough today and she had found herself feeling queasy all the way through the lunch hour. He had wanted to cancel the dinner with his father this evening, however Shane didn't want to put it off any longer. Oliver had made a compromise with his wife: they would keep their dinner plans, but she wasn't to lift a finger to help. Shane, being the headstrong woman that he loved, fought him on his request only briefly and then eventually caved. She knew her husband was right and that she couldn't push herself due to the baby growing inside of her.
"Well it looks and smells great." Joe was pleased and he could see the pride in Oliver's eyes. They continued their meal and Oliver and Shane filled Joe in on the recent letter that they delivered. Joe's plate was now empty and he couldn't decide if he wanted to indulge in seconds or just wait for dessert. He continued to ponder his options as Shane stood up.
"It's getting rather hot in here." Shane took off her button up sweater, revealing a yellow t-shirt that was very uncharacteristically "Shane". Come to think of it, Joe didn't think he ever saw Shane wearing a t-shirt. He was just about to dismiss his query and continue to decide on whether he wanted seconds or not, when he noticed the writing on Shane's shirt. Joe's jaw dropped as his eyes focused on the writing on the shirt across Shane's stomach.
Baby O'Toole
December 2019
Joe was up in an instant and quickly pulled Shane into a bear hug. "I knew there was more to dinner tonight!" Joe was laughing and not even trying to fight the tears from building in his eyes. He went over to Oliver and shook his hand before pulling him into a hug. "You two have no idea how long I've waited for this day! A baby! Congratulations you two!"
"Thank you, Dad. That means the world to us." Oliver was beyond pleased at his Father's reaction to their news. He knew that this man would be a wonderful grandfather to his son or daughter.
"Shane, how are you feeling? Is there anything I can do for you?" Joe may not be Shane's father, but he loved her as if she was his own and would do anything to protect her.
"I'm feeling okay right now. The morning sickness has been rough, but Oliver has been taking good care of me." Shane gazed at her husband and held his hand. "He'll be a wonderful father because he learned from the best." Joe couldn't stop the emotions he was feeling as he pulled both Shane and Oliver in for a hug. The rest of the evening was filled with tears, laughter and excitement for what the coming months would bring.
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Oliver held his wife close to him, beyond content with feeling her body mold into his. He kissed the back of her head and laid his hand just under her pajama top to rest on her stomach. Ever since he found out about the baby, he felt the need to hold his wife's belly as they slept. He was unable to experience first-hand the miracle of pregnancy, so this was his own way that he could feel closer to his growing child.
"I think today went well. Your father was so pleased to find out that he's going to be a grandpa." Shane reveled in her husband's soft touch across her belly. "Thank you for taking such good care of me. I love you so much."
Oliver sighed and brought her hand up to his lips. "I love you and I would do anything for you." He continued to spoon her and adjusted them to a more comfortable position. "Sleep now, my love. We have a busy week and on Saturday we shall share our news with your mom." Shane closed her eyes and allowed herself to be lulled to sleep by the rise and fall of Oliver's chest against her back. "Goodnight, dear Shane." And with that Oliver drifted off to sleep holding his wife and child close to his heart.
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Margaret McInerney sipped her coffee as she anxiously awaited for her laptop to finish booting up. It was 9:52 on a beautiful Saturday morning and she only had a few minutes until her daughter would be calling her via Skype. She was always close with her daughters and still saw Alex regularly, however since Shane had moved to Denver she had only seen her in person a handful of times. She was thankful that every other Saturday at 10:00am she was able to see her daughter, even if it was only on a computer screen. She had worried about Shane when she had first moved to Denver, knowing that she had been heartbroken over Steve. Margaret had considered herself to be a woman of faith and peace, however that horrid man had made her want to commit unspeakable acts of violence for the way he had treated her little girl. She was thankful that God had guided her into finding her inner strength and helped her to not betray her true self. She was able to let her anger go and did not do anything rash where Steve was concerned.
When Margaret had first met Oliver, she instantly knew that her daughter had found her equal and one true love. He looked at Shane as if she hung the moon and was the brightest star in his world. She knew in her very soul that her baby girl would always be loved and taken care of by that man in which she was now honored to call her son. Margaret logged into her Skype account, just as the clock turned 10 and her computer signaled that Shane was calling.
"Hi Shane!" Margaret was all smiles as she saw her daughter appear on the screen. Within a few seconds Oliver was in view as well, waving at the camera and looking positively giddy. "Hello Oliver! How have you both been?"
"Hi Mom!" Oliver and Shane said in unison. "Our week has been, uh, unforgettable." Shane continued, hardly containing her growing smile. Before Margaret could inquire on their week further, her doorbell rang.
"There's someone at the door, hold on just a minute." Margaret walked to the door and answered it, very surprised to find that there was a delivery for her of a dozen yellow roses. Not wanting to keep Shane and Oliver waiting, she quickly thanked the delivery man and then grabbed the bouquet and went back over to her computer. "Look at these beautiful roses! I wonder who they're from." She picked up the card to read it, not noticing the looks of anticipation on Shane and Oliver's faces.
To My Grandma.
I cannot wait to meet you this December.
Love,
Your Grandbaby
Margaret's head shot up to the computer screen to see Shane holding up an ultrasound photo. Tears sprang to her eyes and she wanted nothing more than to hug her daughter. "Oh my darling daughter! A baby! You're going to have a baby?! I'm gonna be a Grandma!"
"We haven't known for very long and we wanted to tell you in a special way since we couldn't do it in person." Shane was crying happy tears as she grasped Oliver's hand tightly and used her other hand to wipe her cheeks. "The baby is due on December 15th and my doctor has assured us that everything looks great."
Oliver looked at his wife, getting her silent approval before turning to address his Mother-in-law. "Margaret, Shane and I would be overjoyed if you would come and stay with us for a couple of weeks when the baby comes. We are both inexperienced where parenting is concerned and could certainly benefit from your expertise."
"Oh Oliver, I would be more than happy to come and stay with you! Being a grandma is a dream come true. Thank you both for answering my prayers! I love you all so much!" Margaret had never been as happy as she was in that moment. She felt like she was getting a second chance to right the wrongs of the past. When her husband had left all those years ago, she had been devastated and there was a part of her that would always blame herself for his leaving. Shane had taken his absence harder than Alex and had withdrawn from everyone for a long time. She did her best, but could never fully make things right for her daughter. In that moment, she vowed to do anything she could for her grandchild and always be there for him or her.
Margaret continued her call with Shane and Oliver, reminiscing over the weeks' events and happily rejoicing in the miracle of new life.
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There was a cool breeze through the night air, causing Shane to snuggle closer into her husband's warm embrace. Oliver kept one hand securely wrapped around his wife's shoulders as his other one caressed her still flat stomach. They loved peaceful nights like this when they could sit on their porch swing together and just enjoy the feeling of being together. "Are you cold, my love? We could go back inside if you would prefer to do so."
Shane wrapped her arms securely around Oliver's waste in response, laying her head on his chest in the process. "There's no need to go inside. I have you to keep me warm." She smiled contentedly as Oliver leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "I could stay like this forever, Oliver." She ran her hand up and down his chest, stopping as her palm rested just over his heart. "I love being enveloped in your arms with the sound of your heartbeat to keep me calm. You are my sanctuary, my perfect place to be."
Oliver brought his hand down to cup her chin and guided her face up so their eyes could meet. "Well if you want to stay like this forever you will most certainly not get any complaints from me. There's no greater feeling in this world than holding you close to me." Their lips met in a slow, intimate kiss, hands and limbs adjusting to bring the other impossibly closer. They parted and Oliver ran his thumb over Shane's bottom lip, gazing hopelessly in her eyes. "How is it that whenever we kiss I lose control of my senses? From the moment that our lips touch, I can't think straight and all I can do is feel. It's as if the world around us stops, and nothing else matters except showing you how much I love you." He surprised her by kissing her again, though this kiss was more frantic, Oliver feeling the need to prove to his beloved what she means to him. "Never in my wildest dreams could I have ever imagined a more perfect woman than you, Shane." Shane had happy tears filling her eyes as Oliver tenderly placed his hand on her belly over their baby. "Our love created this precious miracle growing inside you. I vow to you and to God that I will spend every day for the rest of my life counting my blessings and taking care of our family."
"Oh, Oliver!" Shane pulled Oliver to her, tightly wrapping her arms around him. "You are the most wonderful man that I have ever met. I love you with everything that I have in my heart and soul. I am so beyond blessed to be able to call you my husband and the father of my child."
They stayed like that for what seemed like hours, helplessly clinging to each other and unwilling to let the other go. It wasn't until the faint sound of thunder in the distance could be heard and flashes of light began filling the sky that Oliver pulled slightly away. "There's a storm coming, let's get you both inside." Oliver stood up and grabbed ahold of Shane's hand in order to help her up. He took one look at his wife and could see just how exhausted she was. He couldn't even imagine the toll that carrying their child in her womb was taking on her body. He gently guided her as they made their way inside the house and quietly walked to their bedroom. No words were spoken but their intentions were in sync, both feeling the need to crawl into bed and hold each other close for the rest of the night.
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Hope you enjoyed the chapter!