Chapter 5

Disclaimer: All characters and dialogues that you recognize from the canon belong to the very amazing Martha Williamson.

3 months later

After reuniting Gabe and Hattie, they also purchased a farm in Edgewood under the O'Toole Foundation, and the heirloom vase which was the start of that mystery was returned to the original owners who resided in Germany. The POstables were thriving in their personal and professional lives. Norman had proposed to Rita a month ago at the Mailbox Grille and they had begun their wedding planning. Oliver and Shane had fallen more in love with every passing day.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning. Joe had come to the church to listen to Oliver's choir. He sat in the pew listening to them and he drifted off to a conversation he had with Shane a few weeks ago.

(flashback)

Joe and Shane sat in on the sofa while Sharon was sleeping. He had come to check on them.

"Thank you for always being there for me, Joe."

"Anytime. You are family, Shane. It is only a matter of time for things to become official. You are like my daughter. If it weren't for you, Oliver would have never agreed to reconcile with me." Joe replied.

"I won't take credit for that. He would have eventually taken the step to make things right with you."

"Eventually?" He chucked and continued, "It would have taken him many months, maybe years, if not for you. You were the one who nudged him in that direction and I cannot thank you enough."

Shane laughed.

"Oliver doesn't handle change very well but with you, he is different. He is happy. He made those changes in his life himself. You both love each other so much. You're good for him." Joe said as he gently placed a hand on hers.

Shane smiled.

"I already have an ugly green tie waiting for him." Joe said.

"I'm sorry? What?" She asked.

"An Ugly Green Tie. It's a family tradition." He replied.

"What is the legend behind this tradition?" She asked, intrigued.

"Back in the 1800's our great-great-something-grandfather Randall Bartlett O'Toole was in love with a lady of means named Leticia Hepplewhite. She was the beautiful daughter of a prosperous banker in Boston but he was just a local postmaster, so Randall was insecure and he wasted a little too much time deciding if he was gonna propose to the lady." Joe started.

Shane was so curious, she pulled up her legs and turned to look at Joe sitting cross-legged on the sofa.

"Please continue." She smiled.

Joe laughed and continued the story, "So one day, he was getting his horse shoed and he sees a gentleman rival heading towards Leticia's house and Randall knows if he doesn't

get there first he's gonna lose her."

"Then?" she asked, curious.

"So, Randall borrowed a tie from the blacksmith, runs up the hill, pounds on the door and blurts out – Don't look at my tie, look at my eyes and listen only to my heart and if you marry me, then I will love you forever and I'll never wear this tie again." He finished the story.

"And?"

"And that's why an O'Toole never wears an ugly green tie. Unless, of course, he's planning to propose." Joe smiled at Shane.

"I love that story and thank you. But I'm sure Oliver is not going to propose very soon." She said.

"Don't be so sure. He told me that he said I love you within two weeks of your first official date. And that is not a very "Oliver" thing to do." Joe replied, laughing.

Shane blushed.

(flashback ends)

"Dad." Oliver called out bringing him out of his reverie.

"Oliver. You sang beautifully as always." Joe said.

"Thank you. You seemed lost in thought. What were you thinking?" Oliver asked.

"About a conversation I had with Shane a couple of weeks ago when I went to check up on Sharon." He replied.

"Oh, the one you told me about?"

Joe nodded making Oliver smile and they walked out of church together.

"Are you going to Shane's?" Joe asked.

"Yes, Dad. Would you like to come with me?" Oliver responded.

"Yes, I told Sharon I'd help her find a house here. There is an open house down the road from mine. I'd like to take her there to see it. If you and Shane are up for it, you can join us too." Joe replied.

"Let's go then."

They made their way to their cars in the parking lot of the church and drove to Shane's house.

Oliver sprinted up the steps, two at a time, eager to see her. He rang the doorbell and heard Sharon call, "Come on in, Oliver."

Oliver walked in, followed by Joe.

Joe sat on the couch with Sharon.

"Morning Sharon."

"Morning Joe, Oliver." She greeted.

"Good morning, Sharon" Oliver greeted.

"Got an open house for you to look at today. Are you up for it?" Joe asked Sharon.

"Sure." Sharon smiled.

"Where is Shane?" asked Oliver, looking at Sharon.

"She's in the kitchen."

Oliver nodded with a smile and a slight bounce in his step, and made his way to meet Shane. He walked into the kitchen and saw Shane standing with her eyes closed, with her hands on the counter. He frowned at the sight. He walked over, stood next to her and gently rubbed her back.

"Are you okay my love?" He asked.

"Oliver." She smiled and looked up at him. A faint smile made its way to her lips but not to her eyes. She continued, "When did you arrive?"

"Just a few minutes ago. What happened? You seem upset."

"Alex texted."

"Alex, your sister?"

"Yeah, she apologized and wants to meet me. I haven't even told mom yet. I think Alex doesn't know about the accident either unless Mom has spoken with her. I'm not sure if I'm ready to meet her yet." She sighed.

"Take a breath Shane. It's okay. You're not ready, I understand. But whenever you are, I'm here with you. I'll be right by your side when you decide to meet her if you want me to."

"Thank you, Oliver. But I should tell mom about the text, shouldn't I?" she asked.

"I would say yes. But then again, that's your call to make. Sharon does deserve to know that Alex reached out to you. But the decision about meeting Alex is yours alone. If you need time, tell your mom about it. I'm sure she'll understand." Oliver assured her.

Shane looked down and looked back up at him as tears made their way down her cheek. She closed her eyes again and Oliver gently took her into his embrace. He hugger her close and dropped small kisses on her hair.

"Everything will be fine my beautiful Shane." He whispered.

####

A few weeks went by since Alex contacted Shane and, after speaking with Oliver, she talked to her mother about it. Sharon told Shane that she had already spoken to Alex about the accident and had told her that she was now in Denver but strictly informed Alex to not show up without talking to Shane. Shane was glad that her mother had spoken to Alex so she didn't need to rush herself. Time was flying by. Norman and Rita's wedding was just around the corner in about 2 weeks.

Shane had taken the day off to help her mother set up her new home over the weekend. It was Friday and her mom was moving into her new home in Denver. It was down the road from Joe's place so she had company. Joe and Sharon took to each other as though they were long lost friends.

She glanced at her phone. It was 6:30 pm.

"Oliver must've left the DLO already." She told herself but as soon as that thought came, so did a call from the DLO.

Shane scrunched her nose and picked it up, "Hello!"

"Good evening, Ms. McInerney.", came Oliver's deep voice from the other end of the line.

"Good evening, Mr. O'Toole," Shane giggled.

"How are you? You were missed at the DLO today."

"I'm fine. I'm glad I was missed at work. It has been a busy day. I'm still at mom's new place. What are you doing at the DLO at this time?" She asked.

"I was just clearing my desk. I had a few reports to go through so I thought of staying back and getting them done before the weekend. Norman and Rita left at 6. I was wondering if you could come to the DLO now?"

"Now? Sure, I can. It will take me an hour or so. Won't that be too late?" asked Shane.

"No, please come. I have asked my father to pick you up and drop you here since I know you didn't drive yourself." said Oliver.

"How do you know that Mr. O'Toole?"

"I just like keeping tabs on my favourite employee." He replied making her laugh and he chuckled.

"Oliver, I'm not dressed fancy in case you want to go out for dinner. I have been in jeans and a tshirt doing moving, shifting and lifting all day. I'm sweaty."

"I don't really care about that. You look absolutely gorgeous always. But if you'd like, you can take a quick shower and then come here. He said.

"Okay then. It will take me an hour and 15 mins if I leave now."

"Sounds good. My dad should be there any moment." came his reply and just at that she heard Joe's truck pull up.

"He's here. I'll see you soon Oliver."

"See you soon." Oliver said and disconnected the call.

####

Shane walked into the building and towards the DLO. She had absolutely no clue what Oliver had planned. As soon as she walked through the door, she saw the DLO decorated with candles. Just like her first Christmas in Denver.

"Oliver." She called out and found an open envelope on her desk with her name on it.

She picked it up and opened it.

Dear Shane,

Our relationship has grown leaps and bounds ever since we met at the coffee cart on your first day. You were misdirected to the DLO and I thank God every day for that merry mix-up that brought you to me.

You have been a wonderful colleague, a faithful friend and a loving girlfriend. However, I knew that was never going to be enough.

I love you so much. Come find me.

Yours,

Oliver

She held onto the letter and walked into the room into which she broke her way and found Oliver standing there amidst candles and wearing an ugly green tie. She gasped.

He walked over to her and held her hands and said, "Don't look at my tie, look at my eyes and listen only to my heart."

Shane giggled through her tears, "Oliver"

He went down on one knee and continued, "Marry me, and I will love you forever, and I promise I'll never wear this tie again."

She laughed controlling her tears, "It's pretty awful"

"My father picked it out. I probably would have gone with something a little more uh-" he said only to be cut off.

"Yes, Oliver. Yes, I wi-I will marry you and love you forever." She smiled through her tears. Oliver smiled and got up to take out the ring from his pocket.

"This was my grandmother's. She was the finest woman I ever knew. Until you." Oliver said as she sniffled and giggled. He took her left hand and slipped the ring into her finger.

"I hope it's not uh..."

"I love it. And I love you." She said gently caressing his cheek.

Oliver smiled as her hands trailed down from his cheek to the lapel of his coat, to his tie.

He raised his brow and she tugged on his tie pulling him into a kiss. He slid his arms around her waist pulling her closer as she moved her arms up around his neck. He caressed her back as they deepened the kiss. They slowed down after a while and Oliver continued to drop soft kisses on her lips and finally rested his forehead on hers.

-x-x-x-

A/N: Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews so far. I'm sorry for the delayed update. Life had thrown me a curve ball and I'm just getting back to normalcy. Thank you for all the love and encouragement. I was planning to write one more chapter, an epilogue to finish this story. Let me know what you think about that? ~ Mina xoxo