Chapter 3

Shane sat in the hard chair next to the hospital bed were her mother lay, unconscious. It was Wednesday already. The doctors had told her that her mother's condition was improving every day and she should be gaining consciousness soon. Soon was such an indefinite period of time which made her agitated and anxious. The only reason she was still calm was because of the man who stood by her. Oliver. Her Oliver. She didn't know what she should call him. Friend, Confidant, Mentor – definitely. Lover, Boyfriend… maybe, maybe not. What did Oliver think they were?

"I can hear the wheels of your brain turning at a hundred miles per minute. What are you thinking about?" she heard his voice from behind her.

She giggled and turned to find him with a steaming cup of her skinny vanilla latte.

"I see you found a coffee cart here." She smiled.

"I did. Just a block down from here." He replied.

"I was just thinking that soon is such an imprecise word to specify a period of time for a family member of any patient. It gives me so much anxiety."

"Your mom will be okay, Shane. She is getting better every day." He said, encouraging her to stay calm and keep her faith.

"I was also thinking about what-" She was cut off by the nurse walking into the room.

"Hello Ms. McInerney, I've just come in to check in on your mother's vitals." The nurse announced.

Shane nodded, getting up from the chair and giving the nurse some space to do her work.

"What else were you thinking about?" Oliver asked.

"Nothing that we cannot talk about a little later." She smiled taking his hand into hers.

Oliver smiled and tightened his grip on her hand.

####

Friday morning, Shane's mom had finally gained consciousness and she was so happy to have her mother back. However, she couldn't talk to her very much because her mother kept nodding off due to the heavy dose of medicines she was on. It was Sunday, when finally, Sharon McInerney was getting back to normal. The drowsiness was wearing off.

"I'm so glad to have you back mama. What on earth were you doing out on the road so late at night?" Shane scolded.

"I'm sorry Shane. I had to go buy some Advil. I was having a terrible headache and I tried to sleep it off but it just wouldn't go. I then realized that I ran out of painkillers so I went down to the closest drugstore to get some." Sharon sighed.

"Things could have been worse mama. I'm just so relieved that you're okay and recovering." Shane said, with eyes welling up.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in, Oliver." Shane said, knowing it had to be him.

Oliver entered and smiled at Shane.

"So glad to see you're doing better Mrs. McInerney. We were worried." He said, looking over at Sharon.

"Thank you." She replied, looking at him with a smile and looked back at Shane and continued, "I'm just glad that Shane wasn't going through this alone."

"She will never be alone again. I promise you that." Oliver assured her.

Sharon smiled at Oliver, "I would assume you're Oliver, Shane's boss?"

"And her boyfriend." He replied with a slight bounce on his feet and a smile.

"Boyfriend? Shane, how come you never told me?"

"Ummm, it's a new development and we hadn't spoken in a while and then this accident happened. I just never got the opportunity to tell you." Shane replied feeling giddy with happiness. Oliver had referred to himself as her boyfriend. All her doubts were cleared. She was his girlfriend. She looked over at Oliver who seemed a little nervous but as soon as she grinned at him, he smiled back.

"I'm happy for you two. Keep her happy Oliver, that is all I ask of you." Sharon said.

"You have my word Mrs. McInerney."

"You can call me Sharon."

"Alright, Sharon."

Later that night, Shane decided to return to the hospital and stay with her mother as she had been moved to a private room. She was putting her laptop into her bag when she heard a knock on the door.

"Come on in, Oliver!" She called out.

"Are you ready to go back to the hospital?" He asked.

"Yes, but Oliver, why don't stay back at the hotel? Keep my phone with you. If I need anything, I will call you from the reception of the hospital." She suggested.

"Are you sure? I can just stay at the waiting room."

"Yes, I'm sure. I was initially going to suggest you going back to Denver since it is Monday tomorrow but I knew you'd reject that suggestion."

"That is correct. We'll go back together and if your mom is given the go-ahead from the doctor, she can come back with us?" He suggested.

"Yes, I'd rather not have her live alone until she's recovered completely. She is retired so I am going to ask her if she'd be willing to move to Denver."

"That's an amazing idea." He smiled.

"Why, thank you boyfriend." She grinned.

Oliver's eyes widened, "I'm sorry to have sprung that on you. I should have spoken to you before introducing myself to your mother as your boyfriend." He gulped.

Shane raised her hand to his cheek, "You did nothing wrong. You're not just my boss. I'm glad you introduced yourself to her the way I would have."

Oliver smiled and leaned into her touch.

"Remember when I told you I was thinking about something on Wednesday and then the nurse came in?" she asked and Oliver nodded in a 'yes'. Shane continued, "This was it. I wasn't sure how to introduce you to my mother when she got better without pressurizing you into something you weren't ready for."

"I'm ready, Shane." He smiled at her with glint in his eyes.

"I'm ready too." She said returning his smile.

"Alright then, go back to your room and get some sleep boyfriend. I'm going to the hospital. I also have some searches going on for Hattie and Gabe as well."

"Is there any way you can let me know once you get to the hospital? I can walk you to the hospital and come back."

"You keep my phone with you. I will call you from the reception when I get there." She raised on her toes and pecked his cheek making him smile. She removed her phone from her handbag and handed it to him.

####

Unfortunately, Oliver had to return to Denver on Wednesday because of a Department Head Meeting he just couldn't sit out. He didn't want to leave Shane alone but there was nothing he could do about it.

Oliver stood with Shane at the Richmond International Airport.

"I wish I didn't have to leave." He sighed in disappointment.

Shane wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him and said, "Don't worry Oliver. I will see you soon. Most likely by this weekend."

"I really want to be here with you." He sulked and wrapped his arms around her waist.

He didn't care what anyone thought at this moment. He wanted to be there with Shane and didn't want to leave her alone. He loved her so much but feared voicing his feelings. Was it too fast? What would she think if he told her?

Shane traced her right hand from his waist to his chest, right over his heart and whispered, "I'm with you here, always."

Oliver smiled and dropped a soft kiss on her forehead and his words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them, "I love you, Shane."

Shane's eyes widened which scared him. He was sure she was going to reject him.

"I love you too, Oliver. So much!" She confessed in response, surprising him.

With an urgent need to have her close, his hold on her waist tightened as he pulled her into an embrace. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. The fragrance of Shane's shampoo calmed him. After a few moments, he felt Shane pull away making him frown. Shane giggled looking at him.

She cupped his face and raised on her toes. The next thing he felt were her soft lips on his. It was a loving kiss. But before he could deepen the kiss, she pulled away. Oliver looked at her confused. She looked around answering his confusion. Oliver shook his head and chuckled. They were in the middle of the airport at 10 am, surrounded by thousands of people.

"We shall continue this once you're back in Denver." He whispered, dropping another kiss on her lips.

"Oh, I'm counting on it." She grinned.

-x-x-x-