Oliver O'Toole sighed as he looked at his timepiece. 4:07. He had no idea how he had managed to make it this long, but the thought of fifty-three more minutes in the DLO was simply unnerving.

He caught the eye of his bride as she sat at her desk near his. She had been focused on her laptop screen, absentmindedly fingering the elegant "forever" necklace he had given her on their wedding day. Shane puckered her lips at him flirtatiously and then silently giggled as he glanced at the Dormans and cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Why don't we wrap everything up a little early today?" he suggested, looking toward Shane, then at their colleagues.

Rita and Norman glanced at each other and gave their boss knowing smiles. This had been the O'Tooles' first day back to work since they had returned from their honeymoon. Oliver hadn't been his usual self as section leader—he seemed quite distracted. He and Shane both were clearly in their own little world together, although they had still managed to somehow accomplish a number of meaningful tasks that day.

The Dormans took their cue, gathering their things and saying their goodbyes, with Norman grinning and raising his eyebrows at Oliver. Rita gave Shane a quick unexpected hug and told her, "I'm so glad you're back." Then she whispered, "Don't worry—it might take some time but you'll adjust."

Shane was thankful for the encouragement from her friend. Today had been quite challenging and frankly, awkward. Oliver and Shane had discussed how fortunate they were to be able to wake up together, go to work together, and go home together. However, their first day back at work had not turned out exactly as they had pictured. They were still very much in the honeymoon phase of their marriage, and though Oliver had been eager to get back to the land of lost letters. the last two weeks of doing as they pleased had spoiled them. Today had presented practically no opportunities for time alone together. Even lunch at the Mailbox Grille had been rushed, as Oliver had had a meeting immediately afterwards.

"Sweetheart?" Oliver called out as he neatly placed the stack of paperwork he had been filling out at the corner of his desk.

Shane hit the button on her computer to shut it down and glanced up and over at her husband with adoring eyes. Hearing him call her using terms of endearment was still new to her, but she was sure it would never get old. She chuckled wistfully to herself just a little when she realized that the days of him calling her "Ms. McInerney" purely in a professional manner were long gone. He'd still referred to her by her maiden name several times over the last couple of weeks, but it was always in a playful manner. So far, he had only addressed her as "Mrs. O'Toole" in a serious tone.

Their eyes locked and Oliver stepped out from behind his desk and approached hers, closing the distance between them. He held out his hand to her and spoke huskily, "Are you ready to go home, my love?"

Home. His home. Their home. To a life they were building together. To a private place where they could grow in knowledge of each other and simply enjoy spending their waking—and sleeping—hours side by side. This was what they had both longed for for so long.

In that moment, Shane was overcome with emotion. Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded and placed her hand in his.

"I feel so blessed, Oliver," she stated.

"Not half as blessed as I," he returned.

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it sweetly. Then he searched her face for a few moments, admiring her features as he had done many times before. Unable to contain himself, he grabbed her waist and pulled her to him while claiming her lips passionately.

After a minute or so, he broke their connection and leaning his forehead against hers, whispered, "I want to take you home with me, Mrs. O'Toole."

"Is that so, Mr. O'Toole?" she asked, beaming.

He nodded.

"And then what?" she teased playfully.

"What I've wanted to do all day long.

Spend some time with my wife."

"You've spent time with me almost all day." Her blue eyes danced with humor.

"Alone time," he stated sternly. "Very much alone."

He kissed her again, then began planting kisses down her neck.

"Oliver?"

"Hmmm?" he mumbled.

"Why are we still here?"

He stopped and looked up at her with a sly grin.

"That's an excellent question, my dear one," he responded, a twinkle in his own eyes.

Breaking away reluctantly, Oliver grabbed her jacket and helped her put it on. He planted one more kiss on her cheek and then they headed to the exit, arm in arm.

"Would you like to go somewhere to eat before we settle in for the evening?" he offered.

"No!" she replied, much too quickly. She blushed.

Oliver chuckled. "I concur, actually."

A few minutes later, they reached their vehicle—the one they had shared this morning on the way to work. Oliver opened the door for Shane and she got in, casting him a loving smile and a "thank you." She never wanted to take his kindness for granted. She watched with longing eyes as her handsome husband rounded the front of the car and occupied the driver's seat.

He reached over and placed his hand on her thigh, then leaned in for another gentle kiss.

"At this rate, we'll never make it home." She giggled.

"I cannot seem to help myself," he remarked, turning the ignition. "Do you know how incredibly difficult today has been?"

"I have an idea," Shane agreed, her eyes narrowing.

Oliver grinned as he reached over again, this time seeking her hand to hold. He played with the wedding band on her finger, turning it back and forth.

"We'll get used to it, Oliver," Shane declared. "It will just take some time."

He nodded, deep in thought.

"I hope so. But honestly, being within an arm's reach of you all day and trying to focus on my job was more of a challenge than I realized it would be. As much as I had missed our lost letter mysteries, all day I thought of you, of us. I wanted to hold you, to kiss you, to…"

Shane smiled. "I know, Oliver."

A few minutes later they arrived at their house. Oliver opened Shane's door and they walked to the entrance together. He unlocked the door and stepped inside after her, locking the door behind them.

They took off their coats, Oliver helping Shane with hers, and hung them on the coat rack in the foyer.

Oliver looked at his wife, who was smiling sweetly and eyeing him in anticipation.

"We're home," he said softly.

"We're home," she repeated, biting her lower lip with a sultry expression.

Oliver stared at her for all of three seconds before whisking her into his arms with a passionate, tender kiss, and lifting her up to carry her into the suite they now shared as husband and wife.