Chapter I: Moving In
(2 flames)
A/N: This story picks up where Contemplations, A Wedding Night & a Lifetime left off. You don't have to read it to enjoy this one, but it does help with some context and certain references. The rating for this story will be "M" to give myself some leeway in the creative process. However, I am introducing "flames" to the Spice Meter. 1 is the lowest incidence of racy scenes and 5 the highest. You will see it after each chapter title. I hope you enjoy this as much as I've enjoyed writing it. As always, I welcome comments and reviews! Thanks in advance to all of you who choose to follow me on this journey and happy reading! (Signed Sealed Delivered and its characters belong to the talented Martha Williamson. No copyright infringement intended.)
We all love Oliver and Shane, don't we? There is an unofficial consensus their love is one for the ages. It is a love so big; it must always emerge triumphant, doesn't it? But, dear reader, it is a fact universally acknowledged that married life takes getting used to. Our hero and heroine possess different opinions and points of view and they can be as different as night and day. Not to mention they have lived on their own for a significant part of their lives. The mind wanders as to how they'd adjust to living together. I could only hope to be a fly on the wall so I could listen and watch these two navigate the ups and downs of marriage.
Let's be thankful for the post-honeymoon haze. It will certainly help them along the way! Speaking of which, their honeymoon was beautiful, wasn't it? Those two didn't lose any opportunity to bask in their newfound joy. They thoroughly enjoyed each other (wink!), while touring some of the most fantastic cities in the world. And didn't we love how they connected emotionally in such a deep and transcendent way? That, dear reader, was my favorite part. Or maybe it was Oliver channeling James Bond at a beach in Spain. Heaving a sigh as I write these words, I can only say there were too many fantastic moments. It's too difficult to choose just one!
But going back to the subject at hand… married life. I am sure Oliver and Shane will pave their path in their own beautiful way. This author for one, can't wait to see what the newlyweds are up to!
"So how about it, Mr. O'Toole? Married life starts now!" Shane whispered huskily, blatantly flirting with her husband. They stood on the front porch of her house in Cherry Creek. Shane's hands were behind Oliver's neck, her fingers playing with his hair.
"Yes indeed, Mrs. O'Toole, but first things first…" Oliver proceeded to scoop Shane up and carried her over the threshold. "I love you so much, Shane. More than words could ever convey." He let her slide down his body, the sensation creating rivulets of excitement between them.
Shane kissed Oliver sweetly and looked into his eyes. "Race you to the bedroom?"
"Thought you'd never ask, my love." His eyes twinkled as he pulled her back behind him, giving himself a head start.
"Hey! That's not fair!"
"All's fair in love and war, dearest wife!" Oliver made it to the bedroom in record time, taking two steps at a time, his long legs having a huge advantage over Shane's.
He greeted Shane with arms crossed, a raised eyebrow, and a wicked grin. It was exciting to see him in her bedroom. She had dreamt of him so many times in this room...
"So, what do I win?" Oliver asked.
Shane gave him her best version of a side-eye glance. "Nothing, of course. There was no wager. Even if you did win, it was not an honest win. You gave yourself an illegal head start." She sniffed.
"You were the one who proposed a race to the bedroom. So, there was an implied wager. I intend to collect."
"Oh really?"
"Yes." He replied, as he got closer to Shane, giving her tender kisses on her cheek, his hands spanning her waist. "Really." His lips found hers in a soul-stirring kiss, melting away Shane's standoffish behavior. "You know, my love, in my winning scenario, we both emerge victorious."
"Then by all means, darling, let us both collect," she said, breathing into his mouth, surrendering to the mounting desire Oliver could stoke within her in a matter of seconds.
After an indulgent bout of lovemaking, they stretched out their satisfied lethargic bodies. As they happily cocooned each other, Shane caressed the arm Oliver wrapped around her waist, her fingers tracing idle lines up and down his forearm.
"Wasn't it lovely, the welcome party at the Mailbox Grille?" Shane asked, absently.
"Oh, certainly. Rita and Norman didn't have to do that. It was a beautiful gesture."
"Indeed… So, what's the plan for the rest of the weekend, darling?"
"Get settled in, spend time with you," Oliver replied, huskily.
"All you've done is spend time with me," Shane chuckled.
"I won't ever get tired of spending time with you, my dearest Shane."
"Nor I with you, Oliver. But would you spend time with me while I'm in the bathroom?"
"Well, you do know I love jumping in the shower with you. And there was this bath we took together…of which I wouldn't mind a repeat," he whispered in her ear.
"I know what you're doing Oliver O'Toole, you want to effectively distract me from the subject at hand."
"Which is….?" he asked, as he rubbed the tip of his nose down the elegant line of his wife's neck.
"Well, we've never been in the bathroom together while one of us is… shall we say… taking care of basic necessities." Shane felt Oliver still and it was all she could do to not burst out laughing. "It's going to happen at some point, Oliver."
"We'll jump that hurdle when it eventually happens. For now, at least for my sake, I am so glad you haven't caught me in that predicament!" Both laughed softly, thinking how mortified they might feel when that scenario came to pass. "Even with embarrassing moments ahead, I know I am going to love living with you, Shane," he added.
"Each day is going to be one adventure after another, darling." She turned, smiled, and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
And so, the adventure continued. It was Sunday and they went to church where they were greeted enthusiastically by Oliver's congregation. Shane felt quite welcomed, and both enjoyed the service a lot. It filled their hearts with hope, and it had felt necessary to start their new life together with God's blessing. Pastor Francis even brought them to the altar for a special prayer. Renewed in hope and faith, they went over to Joe's. He had invited them for lunch when he had picked them up at the airport.
Joe greeted his children with his magnificent smile. He simply couldn't be happier for Oliver. Sometimes his heart ached over the time lost during their estrangement. He knew now they were more than making up for it. He would forever be indebted to Shane for giving him his son back.
"Dad!" Shane practically jumped into Joe's arms, giving him one of her famous bearhugs. Joe embraced her tightly, rejoicing in his relationship with her and thanking God for sending him the best daughter on the face of the earth.
"Hello beautiful," Joe's voice boomed. "I'm so happy to have you guys over." He turned to hug Oliver and Shane's eyes watered just a tiny bit, thinking how far her husband and his father had come.
"Dad, I'm simply going to get jealous of this relationship you have with my wife."
Joe opened his mouth ready to say something, but Shane interrupted. "Oliver, you will just have to deal, alright? Joe is my dad too. I fully intend to have a beautiful and close relationship with him, one in which I will spend time with him without you. My dad left and then he died. God sent me Joe and I intend to keep him."
Both men were rendered speechless by Shane's declaration but were undeniably touched as well. Oliver couldn't be more pleased their union had given Shane a father. He remembered how sad she'd been as she related her family history once upon a time. Joe's heart simply swelled. His life was complete. After all the heartache he'd suffered from his wife's infidelity and Oliver's subsequent estrangement, Shane made his heart whole. She not only gave him his son again, but she gave herself as well.
Oliver cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "I could never deny my lovely wife anything, even my father. Take good care of each other and don't talk too much about me." His lips quirked.
"Oh Oliver, that's the first thing we will always do!" Shane exclaimed mischievously. They all inevitably burst into laughter with that remark.
Joe ushered Shane and Oliver into his dining room, the table set with a beautiful arrangement of pink and white roses in the center. "Those are for you, sweetheart. They're a welcome back gift to grace your home. I know you have plenty of yellow roses in your garden, so I decided to mix it up." Shane thanked him with yet another hug and an invitation to an afternoon barbecue the following week.
They took a seat and enjoyed the fabulous meal Joe had for them which included honey glazed baked ham, buttery mashed potatoes, grilled corn, and an apple cobbler for dessert. It was comfort food at its best with the people they all loved the best. It certainly was the finest way to start off their new life as husband and wife.
"So guys, tell me, what are the plans with the houses? Your work is cut out for you the next few months." Joe said.
"I will find a capable team to take over Grandpa's house, Dad. I'm certainly no curator, nor do I have any idea how to set up a museum. Most likely I will find a new hire under the O'Toole Foundation to take care of the project. I want to focus my energies on the new home I'm building with Shane." He reached over and took her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles.
The loving gesture wasn't lost on Joe. He couldn't help but smile. "I think that's a marvelous idea, son. Do you know when the new house is going to be ready?"
"About three months."
"Oh, ok. I know you just got back from your honeymoon yesterday, but how are you guys settling in at Shane's?"
Shane jumped into the conversation and replied, "We were hoping to get Oliver a bit more settled this afternoon."
"I just need clothes and a few personal items," Oliver said. Joe and Shane looked at each other.
"Are you sure, darling? It'll be 3 months until we can move into the new house. You're very used to your space. I want you to feel comfortable in what will be our home for the next few months."
"Yes, I'm sure. After all, I'm getting used to living out of a suitcase after traveling for almost 3 weeks."
Shane bit her lip, worrying slightly. "Alright, if you say so."
Oliver got up from his chair, pulled the hem of his casual jacket, and bounced lightly on his toes. "Dad, it's been great, but I find myself wanting to go home with my wife."
"Oliver!" Shane cried out. Joe looked down, trying to hide his amusement.
"To settle in, people!" Oliver exclaimed.
"Whatever you say, son." Joe laughed. "Take good care of each other. Whatever you need, just say the word, and I'll be there for you."
Shane and Oliver left Joe's house with happy hearts. It had been a wonderful day. Oliver dropped Shane off at the house, while he went to his former home to pick up a few things he wanted to bring with him. It was just a couple of boxes of clothing and some books. On his way back he opened the door with the key Shane had given him, juggling one of the boxes in his arms.
"Shane, I'm…" he never finished that sentence. Shane was sitting in the living room, scrolling on her tablet, when she heard the ruckus. Immediately she dashed towards Oliver, only to find him sprawled on the foyer floor.
Eyes wide, she could only utter a flimsy "oops". Oliver had tripped over the shoes she had taken off when he had dropped her off.
"Shane, what the Sam Hill…." Oliver groaned, wincing.
"Are you hurt?" Shane was paralyzed in place. Her bad habit of flinging off her shoes once she got in the door finally reared its ugly head.
"Just my pride, I think…" Oliver tentatively got up, only to lay his eyes on the culprit, or should he say culprits. The Jimmy Choo heels he had gifted Shane while in London were strewn on the floor. "Did I just trip over those?"
"Oh darling, I'm so sorry! I have this bad habit of taking off my shoes in the foyer when I get home for the day. I'll be more careful, I promise!" She immediately started to pick up the things that had fallen from Oliver's box. "Forgive me?" She was so embarrassed!
"Only if you make it up to me, Mrs. O'Toole," he smiled impishly.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shane proceeded to run her hands up his legs, not before checking out his feet and ankles for a possible injury. She then lightly touched his bottom, feeling it flinch slightly under her hands. "Hmmmm… that area seems fine, darling." Oliver was unable to speak, bewitched by her touch. Shane continued gliding her hands over his hips, up his sides and over his stomach, and felt his intake of breath when she laid her hands on his firm pectoral muscles. "I'd say everything checks out over here. Now… let's see about your arms." She continued her agonizingly slow perusal, running her hands from his forearms, up to his shoulders, and over his back. "Maybe there's something going on with your waist?" Shane asked, as her hands glided down once again, touching his waist, then his lower back. "You seem to be just fine, Mr. O'Toole." She whispered in his ear. "How about I kiss you to make you feel better?" She didn't let him answer, finally putting him out of his misery and covered his lips with hers. Blindly, they made their way to the living room, tumbling on the sofa, where in fact Mrs. O'Toole made up for the terrible oversight of leaving her shoes strewn in the entry way.
So, gentle reader, our happy couple is still in the throes of romantic honeymoon happiness. Decisions have to be made, though. For one, they must figure out when they will be going back to the infamous Dead Letter Office. While they are more than happy to forego responsibilities for a while, both Oliver and Shane want to feel useful, and both have a calling to deliver that which has been lost. But we will give them a few days to settle back in Denver. Surely, they can't stay away for long, and most likely will end up dropping by the Post Office for a few hours. Oliver will need to check up on Rita and Norman and how they've been holding down the fort. Shane also knows her tech savvy always comes in handy.
But, I'm sure you're wondering, especially if you've followed Oliver and Shane's out-of-this-world honeymoon, what happened with the teensy-weensy detail of Shane's missed period. All in due time, dear reader, all in due time. Patience is indeed a virtue and one that we must all cultivate. While Shane has exercised her virtue of patience extensively, there was really nothing else she could do at the moment but wait.