Warning: This chapter comes with an M Rating. If hot and steamy is not your thing, give it a pass. But let me offer you my deepest condolences as this is a beautiful chapter and you're simply missing out.
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Trust the Timing - Chapter 11
"Hello, Oliver O'Toole speaking."
"Hi Oliver. Good morning."
"Shane? Good morning. Is everything alright?"
"No… Oliver. Nothing is alright." Shane's voice broke, but she held it together.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"Oh, Oliver… how unlucky are we? I just can't believe it…"
"What's the problem?" He said starting to feel the panic rising.
Shane composed herself enough to explain. "My mom is in the hospital. I got a phone call from Alex last night saying she had a stroke and a heart attack. I'm here in DC at the hospital. I haven't seen her or talked with a doctor yet."
"Oh Shane…." Oliver felt like crying, too. What was this? Some kind of curse? Every time they took a step forward, they were pushed two steps backward.
"Ok, so you don't know how serious her condition is yet. That probably means you don't know how long she'll be hospitalized?" He asked, tentatively.
"Yes. Until I talk with the doctor, I have no idea how long she'll be in here or how long I'll be here either."
Oliver felt the stabbing pain of that statement. How long would Shane, again be kept away from him? It could be days, it could be months. "That's tragic." He said, defeated.
"Yes! I'll miss you most dearly." Shane finally broke down and gave in to her tears. It didn't help that she was utterly exhausted and unable to control her emotions. "I'm sorry, Oliver. I'm just so tired." She said, trying to regain her composure.
"No, don't apologise. I feel like crying myself. You need to go get some rest. At what hotel are you staying?"
"I haven't even gone to a hotel yet. I came to the hospital directly from the airport. I need to go find one and find some breakfast before I faint from exhaustion and hunger."
"I'll book the Franklin Adams for you right now. When you're ready to get some rest, go directly there. Please don't take too long though, my darling. If your mother is unconscious, there's nothing you can do to help her by remaining at the hospital while you're dead on your feet. Go and rest. I'm sure she's getting the best of care, but you're not!"
"Ok, Oliver. I will. Thank you, darling."
Oliver gasped. It was the first time Shane had called him by anything other than his name. It sounded like the most beautiful poem he had ever heard.
"Ok, please keep in touch. Talk to you later?"
"Yes, thank you, Oliver."
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Oliver put down the receiver of his rotary phone and immediately took action. Shane had shown him how to do a quick search on his cell phone. He remembered not being very impressed that day. However, now, today, he was glad she had. He quickly found the number for the Franklin Adams and made the reservation. Next, he called Dale to explain why he wouldn't be in church that morning and asked for prayers for Mrs. McInerney's quick recovery. Finally, he called his dad and Rita & Norman.
Shane waited for another half hour. Eventually she walked to the nurse's station and asked to talk to a doctor who knew her mother's condition. The nurse took Shane to the attending physician's office.
"Ms. McInerney, I'm not going to lie to you or give you empty platitudes. Your mother's condition is very serious. One of these events on its own is serious enough, but having them both happen together is a real threat to her life."
"Is she going to make it, doctor?"
"We don't know yet. We won't know the extent of the damage until we get the CAT scan results."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Pray!" The doctor answered matter of factely. The doctor continued. "However, exhausting yourself by waiting and worrying here will not help you mother. I suggest you go home and get some rest. If there's any change, we will call you immediately." After a pause, he said. "She's very strong and she's fighting. Don't give up hope yet."
Shane just nodded, thanked him and made her way out of the office. At the nurses' station, she left both her number and Alex's. "Please call us if there are any developments. No matter what, we both should be back here this afternoon."
The nurse smiled and said she would. Shane left the hospital, almost dragging her feet.
True to his word, Oliver had made a reservation under her name at the Franklin Adams. When she got to her room on the fourth floor, she realised it was a suite with a living room, a big couch, a kitchenette and a separate bedroom. She quickly ordered some food, a toasted ham and cheese sandwich on rye so she wouldn't have to wait for very long. Once she ate, she fell into the bed and literally passed out.
It was almost 3 o'clock when she woke up. She quickly checked her phone for messages. There were lovely messages from Rita, Norman, Joe and Dale, telling her to hang in there. They were all praying for her mother and for her. She felt so blessed and loved. There were no missed calls from the hospital or any text message from the nurses.
Shane sighed. She needed a shower to relax under the hot water.
Shane came out of the shower half an hour later feeling much better. She put on a pair of skinny jeans, a white silk blouse and a black jacket. After applying light makeup, she grabbed her handbag to return to the hospital when there was a knock on the door. She frowned. Alex didn't know where she was. She opened the door and her jaw dropped. Standing there like a vision sent from heaven was the object of her desire: Oliver!
He broadly smiled at her and she just lost it. She squealed and threw her arms around his neck and clung to him. He literally carried her inside the room, closed the door behind him and immediately found her mouth. She melted into his arms. He dropped the bags he had hanging from his shoulder to the ground and lifted her onto his waist, carrying her like a child as he walked further into the room.
She started to kiss him with such passion; passion he had never seen nor felt before from her. She raised her legs up, one on each side of his waist and wrapped them tightly around him, dead set on keeping their bodies pressed together.
He got to the couch and went to lower her onto it, but she kept her hold on him, bringing him down onto the couch with her. They landed with him on top of her.
They hadn't yet exchanged a single word. All they wanted was each other. Their passion was building into a crescendo, their mouths ferociously kissing and searching for deeper angles.
She smelled like fresh roses after a spring rain and his sense of everything about her, her scent, her hair, and her lips was overflowing him to the brim.
Before they both lost control completely, he pulled back and smoothed her hair away from her face. He smiled at her. "Hi." He said, trying to control his breathing.
She was having none of it. She grabbed his face again and went for his mouth again. "I love you so much, it hurts!" She said into his mouth. Tears were running down her face.
"I love you too, my darling." He said, planting kisses all over her face and neck.
Eventually, he slowly slid away from her body and off the couch.
"How are you, sweetheart?" He asked.
"Hungry!" She said, with an enigmatic expression.
Oliver was at a loss to decipher what it was she hungered for. He decided to take the safe route. "Well, I'm very hungry too. Shall we go and find a place to eat? After that, we can go see how your mother's doing and come back here to carry on this conversation." And he gave her one of his signature smoulder.
She smiled. "Ok! Good plan!"
They found a diner nearby. The food seemed good, and they were both indeed very hungry.
"So, Oliver, why did you decide to follow me here?"
Oliver smirked. "Well, I just couldn't risk you forgetting me again. God forbid you run into Steve Marek! After all, you're both in DC, right? Not to mention he left quite an impression on you."
She laughed. "Steve Marek, huh? Poor Steve! Who can even think about or see Steve when Oliver O'Toole is near?" She smiled at him flirtatiously.
"Well, your mind remembered him, but not me. So…"
"So, my mind needed rebooting and it seems you did a superb job." She then leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
He blushed.
She thought he was adorable. God, how she loved this man!
They finished their late lunch and headed to the hospital. Oliver had the presence of mind to rent a car from the airport. Shane had been too preoccupied to think about such minor details.
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There was no change. Mrs. McInerney was still unconscious, but she hadn't gotten any worse. The nurses were feeling positive as her condition, although serious, was stabilized.
Alex was there with her new boyfriend, Mark. Mark was an attractive man in his late thirties. He was an architect and seemed like a nice, considerate man. He was exactly the type of man Alex needed in her life.
Alex noticed Shane's engagement ring. "Oh wow!" She said, grabbing Shane's hand to admire it. She winked at Oliver. "Well, well, well! It seems you wasted no time. Were you afraid she would forget you again?"
Oliver chuckled. "That's exactly what I was thinking when I proposed."
Shane looked at him adoringly, remembering the proposal less than 24 hours earlier. How steamy it had gotten before he went down on one knee and popped the question! They looked at each other dreamily, both remembering the same thing.
Mark and Alex looked at each other and smiled at how obviously in love those two were. Mark cleared his throat, bringing Shane and Oliver back to the present.
The 4 of them stayed for another couple of hours. The girls seemed more relaxed with the situation they found themselves in. The men in their lives made a huge difference, bringing balance and stability to a difficult situation.
After the doctor made his last round for the day, he stopped by and gave them the report. "We have the CAT scan results. Her heart will be fully recovered in about two weeks. We have given her blood thinners and she will carry on with them for a little while until it's completely stabilised. There will be no need for an operation. Fingers crossed it doesn't happen again. As for the stroke, we believe she will require some physical therapy to recover her normal movements on her left hand side. Thank God she got help immediately minimising the cerebral haemorrhaging. The damage could have been a lot worse. She got lucky. As it is, there is no major damage that can't be fixed with regular physical therapy." He looked at his notes and continued. "We will assess her condition further within the next few days and come up with a plan. Either way she'll be here for at least another week."
They all breathed a sigh of relief. They thanked the doctor and left the hospital for the night. They decided to grab a bite to eat together.
Oliver really liked Alex, as she had been instrumental in helping Shane recover her memory. She had also been a rock for him when he was downright depressed and losing his hope.
While they ate, they discussed their options. "You guys don't need to remain here once she leaves the hospital." Alex suggested. "I will get her physical therapy organised. We might have to move her to a convalescing facility until she can go home."
Oliver suggested they wait until the last assessment from the doctors to make a decision. They all agreed.
Sharon McInerney had been wise enough to get herself a decent health insurance and it should cover most of her treatment. Oliver said he'd gladly cover what the insurance didn't. Mark also said he'd help.
Both girls looked at their men lovingly.
The two couples finished their meal and went their separate ways. Considering what they all thought less than 24 hours ago, this was a very positive outcome.
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As Shane opened the door of her hotel suite for both of them, Oliver lingered by the door.
"What's the problem?" Shane asked.
"I haven't made a reservation for me yet. I need to go down to the reception desk and get that sorted out."
Shane bit her lower lip. She then grabbed his hand and pulled him inside the room and closed the door firmly behind them.
"There's a perfectly adequate couch in this room. I believe it's a sofa bed. You will be very comfortable here. I think the extra bedding is in the closet in my room. I'll go get it for you." She disappeared into the bedroom while Oliver looked around feeling very uncomfortable.
He looked at the couch and decided he might as well do something. He grabbed it and pulled it open. It was obviously intended for a smaller person or a child. His feet would certainly dangle off the end of it. Shane noticed it, but said nothing as she came back with the extra bedding. She made the bed. "Well, here you go." She said smiling.
Oliver had not taken his eyes off her. He stared at her with his intense blue eyes. She swallowed hard.
"I'll use the bathroom first and then it's all yours." She said, and went back into her room. She left the door wide open.
Oliver looked longingly at the king size bed.
Shane grabbed some clothing from her bag and walked into the bathroom. Oliver also changed into a pair of lounge pants and a t-shirt. A few minutes later, Shane walked out of the bathroom wearing a tiny pair of shorts and a tank top that hugged her body in a most enticing way. It was obvious she wasn't wearing a bra.
Oliver's mouth went dry. He cleared his throat. "Shane… I…"
She looked at him and smiled. "The bathroom is all yours." She said, not taking her eyes off him.
He picked up his tooth brush and walked past her to the bathroom. A few minutes later he walked out. She was standing near the door. He stopped and looked at her. She was literally blocking his way.
"Shane…"
"Yes? Oliver." She spoke very softly and walked towards him.
He didn't move or take his eyes from her. "I don't… ehhh…"
"Yes?" She stopped right in front of him.
He looked at her and just like that he pulled her to him.
In an instant they were a mass of arms and legs entwined with their mouths searching each other's. He slid his hands under her tank top and lifted it over her head, as she pulled his t-shirt off.
He filled his hands with her breasts as she gasped, and then moaned pressing her body against him.
They fell on the bed and began a dance of lovemaking they both had dreamed of, fantasized about and anticipated for 4 and a half long years.
The sheer desire that overtook them could no longer be contained. It demanded satisfaction. He kissed her mouth desperately in a frenzied fashion, wanting all of her at once.
He lowered his mouth down to her breasts, giving them both his full loving care and attention before he moved further down her body, trailing hot kisses as he went. He reached down to her hips and pulled her shorts and underpants off. His mouth was everywhere, wanting to taste her as he had dreamed of so doing many times.
He took off his lounge pants and kicked off his boxers. He slid his body up her body until they were face to face again as she grabbed onto what she could of him; his hair, his shoulders, his arms. Then she grabbed his hand and kissed each individual finger in a most sensual way, ending with applying hot kisses to his palm.
Then she lowered his hand guiding it to find her. He obliged her immediately realising she was on fire, like molten lava.
"Shane?" He whispered breathlessly trying extremely hard to sound coherent.
"I want you right now. I don't want to wait another month, another week or even another second."
"Oliver, my love, I'm all yours, now, in a month, forever. I want you right now too. I've always wanted you. Please have me, all of me."
There was no need for any more talk. They had declared their intentions and decided on a line of action... they were in concert!
Oliver adjusted himself to fully lie on top of her, and then slowly he entered her, filling her with all of him. He started slowly, and eventually increased the pace between them as they came together in the unison of body, heart, and soul. They were at last one, completely, as they reached the pinnacle of their climax together.
It had been a long time coming, but on that beautiful night, they realised their deepest dreams and their deepest desires. The timing had been perfect, after all!
Their love for each other had endured all kinds of challenges and attacks from all fronts. However, love as strong as theirs had no match or rival.
They knew they had passed through many trials. It had survived the toughest of tests. Tested and forged by fire, it would never crumble!
Their love was the stuff of legends, an epic tale of heart and soul.
The End
