I know! This is such a late finish to the Christmas Chronicles that I should include an Easter addendum! I am including this for two reasons. 1. There haven't been any new files uploaded for a while, and we all need some SSD to keep us going while we wait….. and wait …. and wait! 2. Don't we all want to know what everyone got as gifts? Oh, make that three! Nothing gets someone else posting as quickly as me posting! It is weird, but generally as soon as I do there is something else within hours! Here's hoping!

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Oliver was generally a much early riser than Shane. Today was no exception. Indeed, he was going to Church ahead of the rest of the family to practice with the rest of the choir. Shane was to travel with Joe and Sharon later. Shane had offered to travel with Oliver at the earlier hour, but he took pity on her. While he was content to keep more moderate hours, Shane could be known to sleep-in whenever the opportunity arose. Christmas morning was not ideal for added rest, but Shane was making a valiant attempt and had yet to stir.

Oliver knew he needed to face the multitude of tasks that were required if today was to be a Christmas to remember, but currently he was content to steal a few more moments in his extremely comfortable and cozy bed, complete with Shane-sized blanket. He smiled at the cute picture she made in the family-patterned onesie Sharon has gifted everyone with last night. Deciding that he didn't need to hear his wife's thoughts about the fact that he had in fact changed from the uncomfortable sleepwear during the night, he thought he should arise before Shane, hiding the evidence so to speak. The minute she saw the usual plaid pants and T-shirt he was wearing he would certainly hear about it. Sighing, he attempted an escape, wryly smiling at the picture he must make.

Ablutions finished, Oliver returned to the bedroom, unsurprised to see that Shane had yet to even look like stirring.

'Shane…'

The reply might have been, 'Aughft.'

Oliver couldn't help but grin. 'Sweetheart, it is time to get up.'

There was no answer to this.

He made his way to the bed and proceeded to slide his hand under the covers, attempting to find a foot to tickle. Receiving a fairly energetic kick for his pains, Oliver decided that Shane was awake enough for some further conversation.

'Shane, I need to leave.' He sat down on the side of the bed. 'But needed to wish you Merry Christmas before I left.'

Shane's eyes opened at that. 'Ooh! Christmas!' She sat up and bear hugged him from the back. 'Can I have a present now?' Shane looked and sounded like a five-year-old. She laid it on thick … fluttering eyelashes, pouting lips and even an attempted lisp.

Oliver struggled to keep a straight face.

'No.' was the reply.

Shane took a dramatic dive back onto the pillows and covered her face with an arm.

'Meanie!'

Oliver removed her arm and gave Shane a lingering kiss.

'Merry Christmas, Sleeping Beauty.'

With that, Oliver got up and walked towards the door. Shane was by now much more conscious. Just before Oliver made it from the room, Shane called to him.

'Oliver, what are you wearing?'

'I believe it is called a suit? It's the latest thing, I am told.'

Shane left alone the fact that if Oliver was wearing it, it was probably not the latest thing.

'The suit is great, Honey. I like that navy one. You need a red tie though.'

Oliver's eyebrow was by now approaching his hairline.

'You're picking my outfits now?'

'Uh huh!. We are going nauseatingly cute couple's matchy-match today. You need a red tie.'

Oliver sighed, shook his head, and bounced. Nauseatingly cute couple's matchy-matchy? Shane smiled as she watched Oliver do as he was told.

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Shane knew she needed to hurry. With a glance in the mirror for a last-minute check of her lipstick, she grabbed her coat, bag and shoes and raced down the stairs to join her mother and Joe. Skidding to a stop, she slipped on her heels (which she knew it was too cold for, but what do you do when they looked perfect with the dress) and joined the parents in the kitchen.

Oliver had been rehearsing with the rest of the choir for almost an hour when he noticed that his family had made their way into the nave of the church. He didn't see them first, but rather he knew that Shane was there. It was as if he could sense her presence. He found that this happened a great deal – he didn't need to see her or smell her perfume – he just knew. He looked up as the little group settled into the pew. He was so enthralled that he actually stopped singing … he may have also stopped breathing. Sharon was looking festive in a hunter green dress, and Joe was very dapper in a navy suit. It was Shane, however, who took all of his focus. Oliver often felt blessed to be Shane's husband. He delighted in her charm, her intellect, and her compassion. Although he knew that she was stunningly beautiful, that was not what drew him most to her. Occasionally though, Shane would be so instantly radiant that he became unable to look away. A montage of times he had felt like this flittered through his brain: Seeing Shane at a coffee cart, wearing a blue dress when dancing in the DLO, in a pink dress at Montaldo's, or in one red dress at a postal ball and another at Rita and Norman's wedding, in her own wedding dress of course, and then at some other, less expected occasions – while wearing cut-offs and a T-shirt when gardening, wrapped up like a Russian doll when ice skating at the Skydeck, or wearing a traitorous Washington Nationals T-shirt and cap at a baseball game and now, wearing a stunning red dress and matching coat. The perfect moment ended when Shane noticed his intense gaze and simultaneously winked and blew him a kiss. Oliver rolled his eyes, blushed adorably, and then attempted to return to the music.

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Tea, coffee and cocoa prepared, The McInerney/O'Toole's were ready to exchange gifts. Joe was seated on an ottoman close to the piles of presents under the glorious Christmas tree, which now contained a number of letters hung in its branches. Joe's first job as Santa was to play the role that comes naturally to every O'Toole – mail carrier. With aplomb, Joe gave each member of his family their small pile of missives. One in particular caused the writer and the reader to surreptitiously wipe suspiciously wet eyes.

Dear Sharon,

A long time ago I told Shane that she had a whole family of people who loved her. At the time, I was talking about our odd crew who inhabit the DLO, but I now know that Shane's family, and through her, mine, is larger than I knew. I know I am blessed to have Shane in my life, but also, I know that Shane's gigantic heart has not only given me back my own father, but also the greatest Mom that a son could ask for. Merry Christmas, Sharon.

With all my love, Oliver.

It was Joe, in his role as Santa, who toned down the emotion and ramped up the fun.

'Alright!' he began, 'It's time for good boys and girls to get their presents from Santa.' Joe winked at Shane. 'Don't worry Shane, I put in a good word for you!'

Shane rolled her eyes.

'Hmmm Oliver,' Joe said, 'Looks like you are up first.'

Joe handed a gift bag to his son. Reading the tag, Oliver saw that it was from Sharon. Carefully pulling a small box from the tissue wrapping, Oliver was delighted to find that it was a card game that he had been wanting – basically it was advanced proof-reading masquerading as a game. Next, he pulled an envelope from the gift bag. Opening it, he found that it was a subscription to history replica documents that were mailed (via the USPS) each month. Delighted, Oliver went to give his mother-in-law a spontaneous hug.

Sharon, therefore, was next. Joe picked a beautifully wrapped parcel for her and handed it over. Sharon read the tag and thanked her daughter. Shane was getting jumpy, imploring her mother to hurry up and open it! Sharon carefully removed the wrapping with extraordinary care (Shane wasn't quite sure it was not done precisely to push her buttons), revealing a navy leather cross-body bag, perfect for travel. Sharon began to rise, intending to thank Shane, but Shane stopped her.

'Mom, you need to open it!' Shane explained.

Sharon opened the zipper and removed a matching passport cover, a travel journal, and a glasses case complete with a pair of luxury Chopard sunglasses. Sharon was suitably choked-up.

'Shane, this is perfect!,' Sharon began, 'I can't wait to use it! Thank you so much, daughter. What do you think? Am I suitably European chic in these glasses?'

Snapping a photo with her phone, Shane assured her mother she was.

Shane was next to receive a gift and could barely contain her enthusiasm. She clapped her hands in delight at Joe as he presented her with his own gift offering. Throwing decorum to the wind, she tore at the paper, uncovering a small, monogrammed leather satchel. Shane gasped in delight as she opened it to find everything that an artist would need, including a quite generous gift voucher to Denver's best art supply store. Shane jumped up to envelop her father-in-law in a serious hug. She looked a little perplexed when he said, 'You never know when you might need it, right Shane?'

'Dad…' Oliver interjected.

Joe just laughed.

Presents, hugs, laughter and tears continued. Sharon and Joe both laughed as they gave and received the identical travel guide, while Oliver was delighted to receive a framed copy of the old stamp map from 1949. Joe, in turn, was thrilled with the bird-watching binoculars that his son proudly gave him. Shane was thrilled with the huge hamper filled with all sorts of bath bombs, bubble bath and lotions. Sharon certainly knew what her daughter liked.

Eventually, only two gifts remained under the tree. Shane's gift for Oliver, and his to her. Surprisingly, Shane wanted to give Oliver his gift first. She couldn't wait to find out if he liked it. Nervously, she handed the large box over.

Oliver was surprised to see that inside the wrapping was a plain cardboard box. He was even more surprised when he found that inside the box was a great deal of packaging. Indeed, there was so much that Oliver began to wonder if he was the victim of a prank, and that his gift in truth needed a box no larger than a matchbox. He was relieved to find that he had reached something solid. It appeared to be a wooden box, which seemed to be about 15 to 20 inches square, and about 10 inches high. Attached to the top was a card which read, 'From the studio of C. H. Cartright. Care instructions: Reapply beeswax to the timber approximately every 6 to 8 months. Clean with a lint free cloth. Pieces can we cleaned with a damp, clean cloth.'

Admitting to a degree of excitement, Oliver revealed a chess board that was carved around the sides to replicate the Us Post Office and Federal Building in Denver. He was enthralled. Everyone else crowded around to see the stunning artwork.

Shane was finding his discovery a little (lot) slow. She commanded, 'Open the drawer, Oliver. There are chess pieces too!'

Oliver opened the compartment and found a singularly significant and clever set of pieces. Intricately carved and beautifully stained, each chess piece were a stunning piece of art. The pawns were intricate post boxes, clearly labelled 'U. S. Mail'. The knight was a Pony Express rider, horse at full gallop, and the rook was shaped like a bookshelf, with what looked like Norman's field kit before it. The bishop might have been a grizzly bear wearing a tiara, with an owl on its shoulder. The king and queen both seemed to be represented by desks. While the queen's desk represented Shane's steampunk desk, the king's had a magnifying glass, a rubix cube , a rotary phone and a paper weight on its top.

Oliver sat with the queen in his hand, carefully stroking it with his thumb. He looked up, his eyes suspiciously glassy. 'Shane, where did you find this? Darling, this is the most amazing thing!'

Shane was a little teary too. 'Do you remember the art fair I dragged you to in February?'

Oliver nodded.

'Well, do remember the carver who had those darling little mushrooms and forest creatures?'

Oliver was aware of a collection of these statuettes that were dotted across Shane's bookshelves. He nodded.

She giggled. 'Do you remember how frustrated you were because it took me so long to choose?'

Oliver was not incautious enough to concur with that.

'Well, really, I picked pretty quickly, but needed some time to commission this for you! I have been receiving updates on the progress for months.'

Oliver decided that he would discover the provenance of the chess set at a later date, and that his time would be better spent spinning Shane around the room (much to delight of Sharon and Joe) before kissing his wife thoroughly despite the audience. Eventually realizing that he was perhaps showing a lapse in decorum, Oliver returned to his chair. He didn't even care about the fact that Shane sat on the chair arm.

Joe was beyond delighted. Seeing the younger couple ready to continue, he fulfilled his Santa duties, delivering Shane's gift.

Compared to some of the other gifts, the gift seemed small. Indeed, it seemed to be not bigger than the size of a business envelope. Shane enthusiastically tore the paper from the present, finding that it was indeed an envelope inside. Ripping through the seal, Shane smoothed out that papers inside and began to read. A look of complete surprise passed over Shane's expressive face. What happened next horrified Oliver and indeed Joe and Sharon too. Shane let out a huge sob and ran from the room. For a moment, Oliver sat frozen, all colour quickly leeching from his face. Perhaps thirty seconds behind his wife, Oliver left in her wake.

He found Shane decimating unsuspecting vegetables. What would have become hors d'oeuvres, were fast becoming a puree. Deciding that Shane blindly chopping was a disaster waiting to happen, Oliver stepped behind her, reaching around her waist in order to remove the knife, but also to embrace his clearly emotionally overwrought wife.

'Tell me what is wrong, Shane.'

Oliver's voice was soft and full of concern.

Shane spun in his arms and hid her face in his shoulder. Straining his ears to hear her breathy response he heard soft words full of worry.

'It's too much! I don't deserve it..'

'You most certainly do! Imagine the fun you will have!'

Oliver laughed. 'If you prefer, envisage the fun I will have!'

Shane lifted her head and wiped her streaming eyes.

'Oh you will huh?'

Oliver passed her his handkerchief and watched her dry her tears.

'Shane, I once said that it was my wish to make you happy. That hasn't changed, but I have realized that being you husband requires doing more than that.'

Shane looked puzzled. 'Oliver, every day I know that you are there for me, loving me, caring for me and giving me far more happiness than I deserve.'

'That will never change. I also know how remarkable you are, and I have decided that I have expanded my responsibilities. I know that giving you every opportunity to explore and find wonder and adventure – that is part of my job too.'

Shane gulped, fighting against another wave of tears. 'Oliver, you have that all wrong. You, Love, are the remarkable one. I thank God for you every day, and I know that walking through life at your side, journeying together, is the most amazing adventure.'

Oliver decided that they had taken enough time away from Joe and Sharon. This conversation would keep. 'Come on, let's return to the parents before they come and find us,' Oliver said.

'I'm going to fix my face first.'

Shane kissed his cheek and began moving away. As she reached the stairs, she turned.

'Maybe you should clean up this kitchen, I mean, it really is a mess!'

With that, she turned and left.

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Sharon and Joe both knew what Shane was getting for her Christmas gift, and they waited somewhat patiently, to hear Shane's opinion of her remarkable present. Shane and Oliver returned to the living room hand in hand. Obviously all was right in the O'Toole world.

'So,' Shane began with a beaming smile, 'I assume you guys knew all about this and kept it from me, huh?'

Joe was quick to reply. 'I have no idea what you are talking about.'

The twinkle in his eye gave the game away. 'So, come on, tell us what you got!'

Muttering something that sounded like, 'A likely tale,' Shane read from their itinerary.

You see, curious readers, Joe and Sharon are not the only ones going to Italy. Oliver took the advice he had received to heart, and found a delightful painting course in Venice that he was certain Sahne would enjoy. He was certain he was going to enjoy the trip too, for who wouldn't find wandering through ancient villages, drinking the best wines and eating authentic Italian cuisine delightful? Of course, once the course finished there was still so much to see and do, together.