Trust the Timing - Chapter 10

Shane recovered quickly once her memory had been restored. She spent one more week in the hospital getting physical therapy to strengthen her muscles and tendons. Oliver was taking no chances, so he stayed with her until she was released. Once she was discharged, they went back to Denver together. She was instructed to check in with her local doctor over the next few weeks, especially if she developed headaches or migraines. Oliver promised her medical team he'd keep a close eye on her, too. Oliver and Shane would try their best to resume their normal lives.

The day she returned to work at the Denver main branch, the sorting floor lined up and created a walk of honour for her, with parcels and letters lifted high overhead for her to walk under. The staff clapped, cheered and whistled as she walked down the corridor to the DLO. She felt like a true celebrity. Tears started streaming down her face, and by the time she arrived at the DLO, she was a mess. Rita and Norman hugged her so tightly, she felt their love envelope her. It had been 9 long months since the last time she was in this office as part of the team. She looked forward to getting back to her steampunk desk and getting her life back on track again. She had missed this messy, dusty office more than she could express.

Oliver arrived soon after her. He had been away for all of the previous week and his desk was overflowing with paperwork requiring his attention. He had also missed a couple of department meetings, so he had to read endless reports concerning decisions that were made during his absence. The morning passed quickly.

Shane, Rita and Norman were going to the Mailbox Grille for lunch, but Oliver wasn't able to join them. Instead, he invited all of them, including his dad, to join him for dinner to celebrate Shane's return. So, they decided to skip going out for lunch and ordered sandwiches to be brought into the DLO so they could all eat together.

Rita and Norman had been married for 4 months now and they were quick to detect the looks that passed between Shane and Oliver. They decided to step out of the DLO to give them some space for a few minutes. As soon as they were alone, Oliver grabbed her hand sitting on the sorting desk they used as a table. "How are you, sweetheart?"

Shane's heart melted at his tenderness. "I'm ok, but I'm starting to feel a bit tired. Do you mind if I go home this afternoon and work from home?"

"No! Not at all. Just go home and don't worry about work, OK? The doctors advised you to return to work slowly, remember? Are you still up for going out tonight?"

"Yes! Absolutely! I'll be fine. Can you pick me up?"

"Sure. 6:30?"

"That's wonderful. Thanks, Oliver."

Shane arrived home feeling exhausted, emotionally as well as physically. She had lost so much time, especially with Oliver that she wanted to spend every single moment of her day with him. She still had a lot of recovering to do to get her body back to its normal strength; but she felt Oliver was priority.

Her mom, Alex and Becky had filled in the blanks regarding him, and what he did during the three months she was in the hospital. He didn't miss a single weekend. There was nothing he wouldn't or didn't do for her while she was in a coma. His attentiveness towards her felt overwhelming; despite the fact that she was asleep the whole time. Finally remembering him and getting her memories back was like coming home from an extended and unpleasant trip. He had become her life and without him, there was no Shane. While she didn't remember him, she was incomplete.

Oliver arrived at 6:30 on the dot to pick her up. Like Shane, he wanted to spend every possible minute with her. Her absence hurt his heart and he was determined to make up for lost time.

She looked fresh and rested… and very beautiful in her ensemble. He smiled at her adoringly. "Good evening, Shane. You look so beautiful."

Shane smiled and batted her eyelashes at him flirtatiously. "Good evening, Oliver. Thank you. Did you miss me?"

He put his hands behind his back and bounced on his toes, chucking. "Yes, Ms. McInerney, more than you can fathom."

Shane was completely taken by everything Oliver said and did. Sometimes all he needed to do was look at her and her heart melted. At that moment, they looked at each other intently for a few seconds without either one of them moving. The heat of their gazes was charged.

He cleared his throat, "Shall we?" He said offering her his arms. They quickly departed for dinner.

Oliver and Shane met up with the rest of the POstables and Joe for dinner. Joe gave Shane a very tight hug. "Oh, Shane you have no idea how much you were missed." Shane loved Joe with all her heart. He was a kindred spirit after all. Ramon also joined them briefly, giving Shane a bear hug. The laughter and joy from everyone was contagious. The evening passed by quickly.

Before long Oliver was driving Shane back to her home. Oliver cleared his throat and asked. "Shane?"

"Ummm, yes Oliver?"

"Do you remember the questions you asked me at the hospital when you couldn't remember who I was?"

"Yes!" She said and bit her lower lip.

Oliver nodded. "I think you thought our relationship was very superficial." Oliver said, looking troubled.

Shane didn't know what to say, so she asked. "Do you think our relationship is superficial?"

"No! But I know you'd waited for me for a very long time and it seemed I didn't… errr… appreciate you as you deserved."

Shane smiled and touched his face, "Don't worry Oliver. I was in a coma for 3 months and I didn't know you when I woke up. I wasn't myself."

He nodded, but still looked disturbed. He tried to focus on the road, but he couldn't fool Shane. She continued. "The things I learned about you from the others showed your depth of care for me, Oliver. You put your life including your work on hold for me. And I know how much your work means to you. I'm extremely grateful."

He glanced at her quickly. Soon they arrived at her place. Oliver quickly got out of the car and went around to open the door for Shane. He walked her up the steps, but he didn't stay long because it was a weeknight. He kissed her, said goodnight and left. Shane was left wondering if he was ok. The conversation felt unfinished.

Oliver spent the whole week keeping physically distant from her, but Shane often caught him looking at her with longing. He'd smile at her and go back to his work. By Friday, Shane was beyond mystified. As Rita and Norman left for the day, she approached him. "Oliver, is everything alright? You've been very quiet all week."

"Yes, I've been preoccupied, but all is well." He smiled fondly at her. "Shane, would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night at my house?"

She raised her eyebrows. "Your house? Sure, that'd be lovely Oliver."

"I will pick you up at 7, then."

"Ok, thank you." She said with a bright smile.

Oliver had never invited her to his house before. Shane was a bit nervous. She took particular care with her dress. It was absolutely beautiful, but very modest. She made sure she didn't provide any extra incentive (more than the usual) that would push Oliver into a situation that would be difficult for him to navigate. She was so attracted to him; it was almost beyond her control to hold herself back. Often when he was anywhere near her, she would forget everything. He was quickly becoming her centre. Tonight she would have to work extra hard to stay focused; not lose herself in his mesmerising blue eyes and end up in his bed. She knew she would have zero strength to resist him if he so much as looked at her in a passionate way.

Oliver arrived to pick her up with a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses in his hand. Shane quickly organised them in a vase and they left. His house was a short 15 minute drive from her place. Oliver opened the door of his home and stepped out of the way for her to go in first.

Shane was nervous, not knowing what to expect.

Oliver's house was beautiful and very organised, just like him. The furniture was classic and very tasteful. "This is very nice, Oliver." Shane said, looking around.

Oliver smiled. "Thank you."

"Did you furnish it yourself or did Holly do it?"

"Holly? No! Good heavens! God forbid! If Holly could, she'd have transformed this house into a rainbow of zany colours." They both laughed.

"Would you like a tour?"

"Oh, may I, I'd love it."

"Please, by all means." Oliver was happy Shane liked his house. Holly hated it from the very beginning. She had wanted to modernise it, calling it the O'Toole museum.

Shane appreciated Oliver's classic taste as they continued their tour. The beautiful mahogany and black walnut colours lent a distinguished look and a touch of warmth throughout the whole house. "This's really beautiful, Oliver. I'm so glad you preserved the integrity of the house by adding classic furniture."

He showed her the whole house, with the exception of his master bedroom. They quickly walked past it, as if they'd be in great danger should they linger near it or God forbid, enter it.

As they returned to the living room, the door bell rang. It was the food delivery service. Oliver had set the table beautifully. There was classical music playing in the background and the lights were dimmed to the perfect tone of brightness. The food was again Italian from Montaldo's, accompanied by a bottle of Sangiovese and for dessert, a light tiramisu.

Oliver had excelled at his meal choices and they sat at the table long after they finished eating, sipping wine and talking about everything. They completely lost track of time.

He got up and asked her to dance. She clung to him, plastered to his body, enjoying his touch more than she could express and much more than she had intended. As they finished dancing, he found her mouth and kissed her with such deep longing. He pressed her firmly against his body. He pushed her slightly against the wall nearby and started to plant kisses all over her face and neck. Shane dropped her head back exposing her throat to him.
"Oh, Shane, you drive me crazy!" He whispered in a desperate tone. His hands caressing her body so close to her breasts, making her moan with sheer anticipation.

But before long, he stopped; composed himself and stepped back adjusting his tie that seemed to be, all of a sudden, strangling him.

Shane felt like crying when he broke the kisses and stepped away from her. Her body ached and felt cold as soon as he was out of her arms.

Oliver reached out and took both her hands into his. He cleared his throat, looked deeply into her eyes and spoke. "I know we haven't been officially dating for very long, knowing that many things have interfered with us doing so. However, I feel we have been in love with each other for a very long time; even going way back to a time when we were not supposed to, but our hearts couldn't help themselves. Our hearts fit so perfectly together and we understand each other like we were made for each other by our creator. You, Shane McInerney, are the best thing that has ever happened to me. The terrifying knowledge that I could have just as easily lost you, drives me almost to insanity." He then went down on one knee, still holding both her hands. "Shane McInerney, I love you and I can't live without you. I don't want to wait any more just for the sake of waiting. Will you marry me, Shane, and allow me to love you as you deserve?" He then took a beautiful ring from his pocket and presented it to her.

Shane's tears started rolling down her face. "Yes, Oliver. I will marry you and love you forever. I also cannot live without you. My heart has been yours from almost the moment we met."

He got back up and lifted her into a huge hug, spinning her around in his arms. Both laughed with pure joy. When he put her down, they found each other's mouths in a passionate kiss, touching foreheads as their lips parted.

"Shane, my darling, I know you have waited for me forever, but would you kindly not take too long to plan a wedding? I don't know how I'll be able to wait even another day to claim you as my own."

"Don't worry, Oliver. I'll plan our wedding in record time. What would cause you to think that I'd wish to wait one minute longer than I have already?" They laughed happily. They decided the wedding would be in 4 to 6 weeks from now and not one minute longer than that.

Oliver delivered her back to her house and left, feeling as light and happy as he had in a long time. His life was taking a turn for the better after such a hard road. At last he'd have his Shane in his arms to keep. He just couldn't wait. These next 4 weeks were going to be the longest of his life.

Shane went to bed with a smile on her face that she could not wipe away even if she tried. She just couldn't wait to get her wedding preparations underway. Since she was a little girl, she'd had so many dreams about what her wedding would look like. However, the only thing that mattered to her right now was she was going to marry the love of her life; the man who was everything she never knew she wanted. All the traditional trimmings and trappings of a wedding she'd dreamed about as a young girl paled in comparison. She just wanted to be married to him, as soon as possible. In fact, she would elope in a heartbeat... if he agreed!

Shane had been asleep for a couple of hours when she was awakened by a phone call.

"Alex? What's going on? Why are you calling me at 2am?"

"Hi, Shane, I'm sorry to wake you up, but this couldn't wait. Mom's in the hospital. She's had a stroke and a heart attack. We need you, Shane, please come."

Shane felt the ground shift and start to fall away underneath her. She remembered what Oliver had said about all the things that interfered with the natural progression of their relationship in the past. Oh my goodness, would they ever catch a break? She got up and stumbled out of bed. She had no time to lose. She wondered whether she should call Oliver now or wait until the morning. She decided there was no point in waking him up. She'd call him in the morning when she arrived in Washington DC. Hopefully, she'd be back before long.

She threw a few things in a small suitcase and called a taxi to take her to the airport. Fortunately, the red eye flight to DC was almost empty.

Shane arrived at the hospital at about 9am. Alex was sleeping on a chair in the waiting room. Shane touched her gently on the shoulder. She opened her eyes and blinked.

"Shane, that was fast… errr… how are you?"

"I'm ok, Alex, how are you and how is mom?"

"She's in the ICU. As far as I know there's been no change."

Shane sat down, feeling completely empty. She was exhausted and more then aware she couldn't do anything but wait.

About an hour later, Alex said, "Shane, I think I need a break. I'm going back to my place I'm sharing with my new boyfriend, Mark, for a little nap. Text me if anything changes or if you need anything. Is that ok?"

"Errr… ok. Mark?"

"Yep! Tell you more later, ok? I'm dead on my feet now."

"All right, no worries."

Alex left and Shane glanced at her engagement ring, smiling cynically. "And here I am… waiting…"

She looked at the time. It was 8am in Denver. She decided this would be a good time to call Oliver.