"Good morning, Rita. Norman," Oliver declared, his arm linked with Shane's as they strolled into the DLO.
"Morning," Rita replied drowsily, and Norman echoed her. Neither showed any signs of it being a good one.
"Is, uh….is everything okay?" Shane asked them, her brows knit together as she placed her purse on her desk and started shrugging out of her coat. Oliver stood behind her and helped her, then hung her coat on the rack.
"Oh, well, the baby didn't sleep so well last night," Rita responded, twisting her mouth.
"And neither did I," Norman said sharply.
"Uhh, Norman's just a little cranky," Rita said, chuckling nervously. "He's not used to his sleep being interrupted."
"Well," Oliver responded, holding up a finger, "it is important that one meets the minimum number of recommended hours of sleep each night for optimal health….not to mention, optimal optimism."
"Yes," Shane agreed. "Oliver's right. You two need your sleep. How's Charley holding up?"
"She seems to be handling it a lot better than we are!" Rita answered in a chipper voice. "Parenting can be such a challenge, so Norman and I help Charley a good bit when we get home and throughout the night. Actually, I think she sleeps some during the day, too, while the baby is sleeping. But you know, she really is an amazing mom."
"Who's very well-rested," Norman muttered and Rita cast him an annoyed glance.
"And you two are amazing co-parents," Shane remarked with a smile.
"Well, not to worry. Shane and I can handle today's responsibilities," Oliver offered. "Why don't you both go home and get some rest?"
"Really? That sounds so nice, Oliver," Rita said dreamily.
"It would sound great," Norman stated, turning to Rita, "but there's just one tiny little problem."
They all looked at Norman expectantly.
"That's where the baby is," Norman declared matter-of-factly. "And she is loud."
"Ahh," Oliver answered, and Shane pursed her lips sympathetically, her brows raised.
"Yeah, we might as well stay here and push ourselves to make it through the day." Rita adjusted her glasses with the tip of her finger. "I hate to say it, but if we go home, Charley could expect us to go on duty. I think we might be spoiling her just a little."
The foursome was silent for a few moments.
"I've got it!" Shane suddenly exclaimed, and they all widened their eyes in shock. "You can go to our house for a few hours! Use the guest bedroom, relax and get some shut-eye, and then you'll be all refreshed to go home and….well, stay up with baby Ellie all night again?" She cringed.
"We'll take it one step at a time," Rita replied. "And right now, an uninterrupted nap sounds heavenly. We accept your offer, right, Norman?" He nodded and Rita sighed with relief, turning back to Shane and Oliver. "I'm so tired that I can't even remember my own address, so I'm not sure how useful I would be today anyway."
"The only address you need to remember right now is ours," Shane said with a giggle. She turned to Oliver. "Mr. O'Toole, could you please give the Dormans our house key?"
"Of course," Oliver agreed, taking his keys and removing the one that would unlock the front door of the O'Toole residence. He handed it to Norman, smiling at him. "Go get some rest."
Rita went to retrieve her belongings, and Shane followed, the two friends chatting and Shane extending an offer to help as needed.
Norman looked at his boss cautiously. "Are you sure about this, Oliver?" Norman inquired.
"Oh, I'm certain, Norman. Consider it part of your Family Medical Leave package," he suggested, shrugging his shoulders.
"But we didn't get one of those," Norman said.
"Precisely," Oliver replied. "And I think we need to work on amending that particular policy to include all caretakers, for yours and Rita's sakes. If the two of you intend to have a rainbow of offspring under your care, you'll need that benefit to help you adjust each time." He chuckled.
"No arguments here," Norman replied. "And if you think about it, it will help you and Shane out too, when….you know...if….."
Oliver raised his brow at his friend. "I'm sorry?" he said.
"It could be beneficial to all of us to have some extra time off as we're starting to raise families," Norman stated.
Oliver stared at Norman blankly.
"Oliver? You and Shane don't plan to—"
He cleared his throat. "We—uh, we just….we haven't— I….I think I need a Yoo-Hoo."
Norman's eyes widened. "You know what, forget I said anything. I'm delirious, you know, due to lack of sleep! And I shouldn't have pried into your personal business like that."
Oliver took a Yoo-Hoo out of the mini fridge and opened it. "No, no, Norman. There's no need to apologize. After all, we have an open friendship and you can ask or tell me anything."
"Oliver?" Shane called, stepping closer to the two men and eyeing the chocolate-flavored drink in her husband's hand. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. I….just got….a little thirsty, that's all." Oliver broke his gaze with her. "I suppose we should get busy….with work….seeing as how we will be a little short handed today." He walked stiffly toward his desk. "Rita, Norman, perhaps you'll feel rejuvenated tomorrow?"
"We certainly hope so!" Rita answered. "Thank you both for generously offering your home to us."
She turned to Shane and Norman and whispered, "Is Oliver okay?"
"I'm not sure, honestly," Shane replied quietly, eyeing Oliver from a distance.
"He never starts drinking this early!" Rita exclaimed in a hushed tone.
"Don't worry. At least it isn't red wine and clams," Shane assured her, although concern was etched into the wrinkles of her forehead. "I'll talk to him. You two go enjoy your nap and let us know if you need anything."
"Thank you, Shane," Rita said sincerely. Norman echoed her appreciation and the Dormans left the DLO, hand in hand. They weren't quite in the honeymoon phase anymore but were still inseparable.
Shane made her way to her desk near Oliver's and continued to eye him curiously. He appeared to be studying a letter, but Shane knew him well enough to know by his gaze that his thoughts were not about that letter.
"Oliver?"
After calling his name three times, Oliver finally looked up at her. "I'm sorry, Shane. Did you need something?"
"Yes," she said, matter-of-factly. "I need you to tell me what it is that is bothering you right now."
"Norman and Rita—they've changed."
"Yes, I suppose they have. They're really stepping up to the challenge of parenting a child."
Oliver nodded, still deep in thought.
Shane's heels against the concrete floor sounded like a steady heartbeat as she slowly made her way to Oliver.
"If you're worried about them, I think they're going to be just fine," Shane assured him. "Once they get their nap." She grinned, then continued in a sly voice. "You know, this means we have the DLO all to ourselves for a while."
"We are on the clock, Ms. McInerney," he reminded her sternly.
She laughed and sat down on her husband's lap, her arms around his neck.
"Shane," Oliver spoke firmly.
"Yes, darling?" Shane responded, her blue eyes batting.
"Anyone could walk into this office at any moment and I do not believe that our current circumstances are appropriate for the work environment, not to mention the professional relationship between two colleagues."
"Oh, Oliver, you still don't quite know how to let your hair down," Shane remarked. She leaned her face in and kissed his lips sweetly. Suddenly, he stood up from the chair, holding onto Shane and steadying her as she stood.
She wordlessly looked at him, perplexed, as he rounded the desk and paced back and forth in front of it. Finally, he stopped, looking at a box of unidentified items on the floor.
"That box needs to be put into storage. I think I'll take it now."
"Okay," Shane responded. "I'll come with you."
Oliver nodded once. "Suit yourself."
He picked up the box of items and exited through the double doors, a concerned and curious wife following behind him.