Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Signed, Sealed Delivered, they belong to the wonderfully talented Martha Williamson. In addition, I do not own Titanic or any of the characters within it.

Thank you so much to everyone for the continued support! Reviews are greatly appreciated!

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Chapter 8

Shane read the same page of her book for the second time, however she couldn't concentrate and the words weren't registering. She put the novel down on the nightstand and picked up a magazine of crossword puzzles that Oliver had picked up for her, thumbing through the pages to see if anything piqued her interest. Dissatisfied with her findings, she tossed the magazine on the bed in frustration and then shifted her weight at an attempt to get more comfortable. Her daughter's foot was jabbed painfully in her ribs and she had to go to the bathroom again. To say that Shane was cranky would be a gross understatement.

A couple of days after her hospital scare, Shane followed up with her doctor to have her blood pressure re-evaluated. Unfortunately it was still elevated and she had been experiencing sporadic contractions, which warranted the continued bed rest until further notice. Oliver had stayed home with her for the past week, but she was insistent that he go back to work so that he could save his vacation time for after the baby was born. She missed him dearly, however a part of her was relieved to get some time to herself. It had been hard to breathe with Oliver constantly watching her and not allowing her to lift a finger. She knew he was just trying to help her, but his overprotectiveness was smothering her independence.

Today was Shane's first day home alone and she was already going out of her mind with boredom. There was nothing on TV, she wasn't in the mood to read and she didn't know if she wanted to scream at someone or break down crying. Her hormones were in overdrive on all accounts and she had no outlet to release her grievances.

Although Oliver had only been gone for a couple of hours, he had already called her twice and would be coming home on his lunch break to check on her. Shane's mixed emotions about her husband's persistent coddling made her both irritated and, unsurprisingly, incredibly lustful. She thought maybe she could convince him to help ease some of her discomfort when he got home, but then remembered her doctor's orders to avoid intimate relations until advised otherwise.

Shane would do anything in the world to ensure her daughter's safety and knew her baby was worth any sacrifice she had to make. Be that as it may, she found it incredibly difficult to lie next to Oliver every night, knowing they were unable to enrapture themselves in their love for one another the way she yearned to. Shane had tired herself out from too much thinking and decided to try to get a nap in before Oliver came home for lunch. She curled up on her side, her belly resting on a pillow for added support, and succumbed to her exhaustion.

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Oliver walked inside of his house and was greeted with silence. "Shane, I'm home." He announced, awaiting her response but also wanting to alert her of his presence. He tried not to be alarmed when he didn't hear a reply back, however his concern for her and their baby had been heightened after their hospital visit. He hated leaving her today, or any day for that matter, and was hoping she wouldn't be upset with him for taking off the rest of the week without consulting her first. Shane had wanted him to save his hours for after their daughter was born, however he had accrued more than enough vacation hours. She had been unwilling to listen to reason when he'd tried bringing that fact up to her last Friday, so he had conceded with her and agreed to go back to work this week.

Once Oliver had walked out of the house this morning, he couldn't think straight. The only thing on his mind was Shane. What if she started having contractions again and couldn't get to her phone? Since she wasn't supposed to be on her feet for long periods of time, how would she make herself something to eat? Surely she would get hungry before he came home for lunch. Maybe she would get cold and her blanket would be out of reach. She could get hurt if she tried to strain herself too far. These concerns along with so many more passed through his mind on his way to the DLO and hadn't ceased once he began working. He knew his worrying had rendered him useless and even Norman and Rita told him he should be at home. He had made up his mind and cleared his time off with his boss before quickly rushing off to be with his wife.

Oliver made his way to the bedroom he shared with Shane and spied her curled up on her side fast asleep. His heart leapt in his throat at the site before him and he ached to hold her close. His deep love for her will never cease to amaze him and he will never tire of showing her just how very precious she is to him. He checked his pocket watch and noted that it was only just after 11:00am. He didn't have the heart to wake her, however he needed to be close to her. He quickly yet quietly changed out of his suit and into lounge pants and a t-shirt before strolling over to his side of the bed and climbing in. Once he laid down he carefully maneuvered his body as close to her as possible, draping his arm protectively over her and cradling her belly. He was thankful that she didn't stir and was soon lulled to sleep by her soft breathing.

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Shane awoke to Oliver's breath tickling her ear and the feel of the rise and fall of his chest against her back. His arm was securely wrapped around her and she couldn't help but get lost in his tender embrace. She intertwined her fingers in his and brought his hand to her lips, placing a soft kiss upon it before bringing it to rest just over her heart. She glanced at the alarm clock and noticed that it was already after noon and wondered how long her husband had been home. Surely he should be getting back to work soon or he would have to stay at the DLO later than normal.

Shane carefully shifted so her back was flush against the mattress and was surprised that her less than agile movements didn't wake Oliver. He was normally a very light sleeper, however she knew that he hadn't been getting very much rest lately because of his concern for her and their baby. He tried to hide his exhaustion from her, but she could see it when she looked at him and it tormented her that she was unable to do anything to ease his worry.

She gazed at his handsome face, so peaceful and perfect as he slept soundly. She gently stroked his cheeks, running her fingertips to trace his brows and then down to his soft, kissable lips. This wonderful man meant everything to her and she was ashamed that she had been angry with him for being overprotective. She knew that he would do anything in the world for her and she was beyond lucky to be able to call him her husband. Her heart raced faster as her longing for him took over and she brought her lips to his for a chaste kiss. As she went to pull away, Oliver's lips responded back and deepened their lip lock, his hand instantly cupping the back of her head and becoming entangled in her hair. Their lips battled for control, arms and legs becoming weaved together in order to bring their bodies closer together.

When they parted, blue eyes met blue and they lovingly gazed at each other while they both worked to control their breathing. "I can't think of a better way to be woken up then your lips touching mine." Oliver teased as he gently tucked a stray piece of hair behind Shane's ear, his words and touch eliciting a blush on her cheeks. "I've missed you today. This is the longest we've been away from each other in quite awhile and I despised every second of it."

"I feel the same way, Oliver." She leaned into him and gave him a short, but sweet kiss. "As much as I would love to get lost in you for the rest of the day, shouldn't you be getting back to work?"

"Actually I'm not going anywhere today." He swallowed hard before he continued and prayed she wouldn't be upset with him. "I know I agreed to go back to work this week and I promise you that I tried my best to fulfill that request, but Shane I just can't do it."

Shane opened her mouth to speak and Oliver kissed her passionately to momentarily silence her. When they separated she was out of sorts and Oliver took advantage of her being rendered speechless in order to plead his case. "Before you say anything, please hear me out." She sighed deeply and nodded her head for him to continue. "I have accumulated a large amount of vacation and sick time that will allow me to take off this week and also however long I want in order to spend time with you and our daughter after she's born. Even by taking all of that time, I will still have a ridiculous amount of hours left over." He pulled her hands to his lips and gently kissed each one of them, never breaking eye contact with her. "I don't just want to be here, I need to be here, Shane. I feel useless right now and I beg of you to let me take care of you. Please don't make me leave you."

"Oliver, I'm not going to make you leave me." She reassured him, heartbroken by the look in his pleading eyes. She felt awful for making him feel that she didn't want him here and wished that she would have heard him out the other day when he'd suggested taking more time off. "I know that this has been hard on you, too, and I'm so sorry for snapping at you as much as I have lately. I'm not exactly behaving like myself and I know I've been taking you for granted." She took his face in her hands and looked deeply in his eyes. "I love you so very much, Oliver O'Toole, and there's no place I'd rather have you be than by my side. I would be honored to have you stay home with me this week, or however long is needed, to take care of me."

Oliver flashed her his signature boyish grin and then pulled her into his arms. "I love you more than words can ever describe." He whispered in her ear and held her close to him, their moment soon interrupted by Shane's growling stomach. "I believe that's my cue to get lunch started." They laughed together as Oliver climbed out of bed.

"I'm going to get out of bed and move onto the couch. My back is achy from laying in bed all day and I could really use a change of scenery." Shane moved to get up and Oliver was quickly at her side to help her stand. "Besides, I need a distraction, Mr. O'Toole. Lying here with you has had me contemplating what I wish we could be doing, so I desperately need to get out of our bedroom."

Oliver had to fight the urge to take her back to bed and he pushed his desperate need for her to the back of his mind. He knew that for the time being it wasn't an option and he needed to be the stronger one for her sake. "Well Mrs. O'Toole, when the time comes that we're given the green light from Dr. Mills, I can assure you that I will make it worth the wait." He kissed her on the forehead and then took her hand in his. "What do you say I make you lunch and then you and I curl up together and watch a movie?"

"I think that sounds absolutely perfect." They exchanged loving smiles and left their room hand in hand, both looking forward to spending some quality time together.

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Oliver and Shane were now enjoying their third movie together and both were unwilling to move from their comfortable position. Shane was sitting up against the the arm of the couch with her legs stretched out and Oliver lay nestled in front of her, his head resting against her stomach. They were nearing the end when he heard sobbing coming from behind him. He immediately turned around and was met with the tear-stained face of his beautiful wife. "Shane, what is it? Are you okay?" He was ready to pounce off the couch and call an ambulance if needed as his anxiety took over.

"He—he died, Oliver!" Shane was almost inconsolable as her words came out in choppy pieces. "How could she have let him go?!" It took Oliver a moment to register that Shane's tears were a result of the movie they had been viewing. He never should have let her convince him to watch Titanic-obviously the ending was not going to be a happy one. "Oliver, please know that I could never let you go like that! Rose doesn't love Jack the way that I love you!"

"Ssshhh, it's okay." He paused the movie and then quickly sat up and pulled her into his arms. "I know you wouldn't, sweetie. I know that you love me." He tried his best to keep her calm and soothingly rubbed her back. "Why don't we turn the movie off and go get some sleep. It's getting late and I'm looking forward to holding you for the rest of the night." He pulled back so he could look her in the eye and then gently wiped her tears away.

"Okay, Oliver." She sniffled and started to calm down as she came to her senses. "You always know what to say to make me feel better." She placed a sensual kiss on his lips. "Let's go to bed." Though temporarily unable to fully express their love for each other, both knew how incredibly blessed they were to be able to spend a lifetime holding each other close every night for the rest of their lives.

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Up Next: Shane's baby shower