Author's Note: Well, time seems to be getting away from me, and so I am moving through the timeline a bit quicker than I had planned. I mean, we need to catch up with Sharon again, right? So this is just a little bit of fill to get Sharon to Denver and I promise to advance the tale a little more next time.

The service was over, but Shane remained in the pew, ostensibly waiting for Oliver, but also taking the opportunity for a few minutes of quiet. She began by running through the events of the week; Santa Project successes, dead letters delivered, decorating the Christmas tree (and then lovely time spent before the fire gazing at its magnificence, and listening to Oliver read 'A Christmas Carol' (and then being so spooked by Oliver reading the aforementioned novel that she may have squealed so enthusiastically when surprised by her husband coming upon her unannounced later that night that she had to check that no lights flickered in the neighbours' windows, perhaps suspecting a burglary?). There was also a romantic walk through the light display at the Botanic Gardens, sipping on delicious hot cider, a carol service at their church, driving Rita and Norman to any number of decorated houses and a regimen of cooking and cleaning in preparation for Sharon's imminent arrival.

Shane compared her life now to that of her past. No longer was she the lost and lonely woman who arrived in Denver with a matching set of baggage (resentment, hurt and mistrust were a large part of that set). Now, she was surrounded by family and friends – a life filled with love. The prayers she had avoided for so long now came readily to her thoughts. One prayer of gratitude for those who filled her life, but also another for patience for Sharon was arriving later this afternoon. Shane rose and looked for her husband. Seeing him standing talking with the minister, she gathered her belongings and moved to join them.

Oliver had thought that they would head straight to the airport to collect Sharon, but it seemed that Shane had other ideas. Shane wanted to check something at home, so checking his watch and resisting the urge to roll his eyes, he drove home instead. Upon arrival, Shane flew out of the car without waiting for Oliver to open her door and raced inside. Thinking that Shane must have forgotten something, Oliver expected to see Shane returning to his current location – the front hall by the door - instead, he heard her heels clicking, as if she was walking all over the house. He tracked her down in the dining room, moving the garland that graced the sideboard's surface by no more than a fraction of an inch. Oliver suddenly understood what was going on … Shane was on her way to a full-blown panic.

'Sweetheart,' he began, 'The house has never looked more festive. It is amazing – you know it is!'

Shane turned to him, and he could see that her eyes were glassy.

'Festive and amazing are all well and good,' she replied, 'But it needs to be perfect.'

She made a move to walk past him to continue her tour of inspection, but he caught her hand and turned her towards him.

Pulling her into his embrace and resting his forehead on hers, he spoke quietly and calmly.

'Shane, your mother is coming to visit us. She doesn't need a photo spread in 'Architectural Digest. Relax.'

Shane was absolutely certain that her husband had no idea what he was talking about, but she also knew that if they were late then Sharon would never let her hear the end of it. Mentally and literally squaring her shoulders, Shane knew that she couldn't avoid the inevitable and they did need to go. It was time to face whatever the next ten days would bring.

After perhaps the quietest car ride they had shared for quite some time (not since well before they were dating – during the days when he was absolutely not speaking to her because she had up-ended his pristine life - had it even been that silent) where Oliver watched Shane alternate between chewing her bottom lip and wringing her hands they arrived at Denver International. Oliver found a spot in one of the parking garages and moved quickly to Shane's side of the vehicle, determined to be a gentleman this time at least.

Oliver was pleased to see that Shane's usual cheeky twinkle was back. Taking his hand, she let him help her from the car. He closed the door, then took her arm as they headed for the elevator.

Leaning into his side, she whispered in his ear, 'You know, we could just make a run for it. I hear that Hawaii is lovely this time of year.'

Reflecting that that did indeed seem like a lovely idea, he knew that the time for escaping had passed.

'We should at least drop her somewhere,' Oliver smirked.