Author's Note: Who wants to go to Ireland? I've never been, but after researching for this story, I'm ready to go. Thank you to Vivien Monaghan for her help as I planned the O'Toole's babymoon.

As always, thank you to Martha Williamson for her beautiful characters and those actors who bring them to life. They play them so well. They feel like real people who I'm sure we would all love to have as friends.

Chapter 3

Oliver's features relaxed as he watched his lovely Shane settle into her luxurious first-class seat, her hand clasped with his. He leaned past the small divider that separated them and gave her a lingering kiss.

Her eyes widened, but before she could say anything, he kissed her again. "Oliver, such a public display of affection!"

"It's going to be a long flight, my love, and it will be a struggle to wait so many hours to feel your lips on mine."

Shane giggled. "They'll turn off the lights eventually. Then you can kiss me all you want."

They'd boarded early, courtesy of their first-class tickets. Watching Shane's eyebrows shoot up, and her mouth go slack when they boarded the plane, and he directed her to the left instead of to the right where the coach seats were located, was worth every penny of the fare.

"Oliver, are you kidding?" She asked.

"No, I'm not kidding. Surprised?"

"Yes, I can't believe you were able to keep this a secret. It seems so extravagant."

"Well, it's a long flight, and I want to make sure you are both comfortable." Oliver tenderly placed his hand on Shane's abdomen.

Her much smaller, more delicate hand covered his. "As long as I'm next to you, I'm comfortable."

The announcement came for takeoff, and Shane dug through her bag for the magazine she'd picked up at Hudson News.

Oliver glanced over and asked. "What magazine did you select?"

Shane flashed him her purchase. The magazine featured a photo of a peaceful-looking mother cradling a cherubic baby on the cover under the title Parents. Now it was Oliver's turn for surprise.

"What?" She asked.

"Oh, nothing. I just expected to see one of your hacker magazines, not one devoted to parenting."

"I wasn't planning to buy it either, but the baby on the cover caught my attention. I can't explain it...it just called to me." She started thumbing through the pages. "Besides, I feel like I'm way behind preparing for the baby."

Oliver patted her hand. "Don't worry, my love. I am sure we will be ready when the time comes," he said with as much confidence as he could muster. He didn't want their babymoon overshadowed by Shane's anxiety about the baby and everything they had to do before he arrived.

He, Oliver thought. His son, their son. The idea that in just a few short months, they would be parents was both terrifying and exciting. He wasn't going to admit it to Shane, but he was feeling a bit anxious as well. A year ago, he would not have imagined that he would be both married and expecting a baby. And now he couldn't imagine life without both.

The trip was one of the most impulsive things he'd done in a long time, considering he hadn't even heard of such a thing as a babymoon until Hazel asked him about it. He quickly dismissed the idea, but the more he considered how life was going to change, he couldn't deny that he wanted to recreate the excitement and intimacy of their honeymoon before baby O'Toole arrived.

As he sat there, his smoldering gaze lingered on Shane, who was engrossed in her magazine. The memory of yesterday, when they were in the thick of preparing for their journey, came flooding back.

#####

"Oliver, darling, what are you doing?" Shane carried a load of laundry into their bedroom, pausing to watch her husband pull several of his favorite suits from his closet.

"I think the better question, my love, is, what are you doing?" Oliver grabbed the partially filled basket out of her hands and set it on the bed.

"Oliver, I can still carry a laundry basket."

"I know you can, but that doesn't mean you should. We don't want to take any unnecessary risks given your…." He gulped hard when he saw the flash of annoyance cross her face.

"Given my what, Oliver? My advanced maternal age? Is that what you were going to say?" Yes, there it was, the tone that came along with a flash of irritation in her eyes.

"No, my love, that is not what I was going to say. I was going to say, given your condition." When she opened her mouth to offer a retort, he silenced her with a searing kiss.

He pulled back and watched her face, gauging her reaction.

"Oliver O'Toole, do you think you can settle everything by kissing me?"

"I don't know, but it's worth trying, isn't it?" His eyes were mirthful as he made his case. "It's better than the alternative, isn't it?"

Shane laughed and kissed him again, her arms wrapping his waist as she drew him close. "Hmmm, you're right. It is better than the alternative."

Shane and Oliver remained entwined in a tight embrace when her gaze fell to the bed where Oliver had meticulously laid out several suits. "Are you going to tell me what you're doing?" She asked again.

"I'm starting to pack for our trip."

Shane's brows wove together. "Oliver, please don't tell me you're taking suits and ties to Ireland."

Oliver looked at her dumbfounded. "I was planning to. What would you have me wear?"

"We'll be spending a lot of time driving the countryside. Don't you think you'll be much more comfortable in jeans or pants, along with sweaters and maybe some flannel? We can take a couple of nice outfits for dinner, but please, leave the suits at home."

Oliver stared at her, perplexed. "Hmph. I wore suits in London. I just assumed they would be appropriate for this trip as well." He watched as she shook her head. "But I will trust your judgment on this matter."

She lifted her shining eyes to his and gently placed her hands on his waist, teasing him with a playful smile. "I haven't traveled much either, Oliver, but I was hoping this would be a more casual holiday," her fingers walked their way up Oliver's chest, coming to rest over his heart, her gaze unwavering, her voice breathy, "with plenty of time to relax." She drew out the last word as she reached up and pressed her soft mouth to his, tightening her grip on his waist.

His chuckle was low and throaty. He drew Shane to him, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. "Yes, my love, I think relaxing is definitely on the agenda, but as you well know, it is not something I'm very good at."

"Well, stick with me. I'll teach you." Shane purred.

A shudder shot down Oliver's spine, "Mrs. O'Toole, be careful what you promise. I may claim my first lesson now."

#####

Oliver felt the warmth spreading across his cheeks as he remembered that first lesson. He couldn't tear his eyes from her as she flipped through pages of parenting articles. Despite any nerves or worries he may have had, he could say with all certainty that Shane was going to be a wonderful mother. The list of her attributes was endless, and he prayed their little boy would inherit every single one of them, particularly her deep devotion to the people and things important to her. He even prayed their son would have her curiosity, even if he did find it exasperating at times.

Shane turned toward him. "Oliver, are you staring at me?"

Oliver blinked. "I'm just admiring the remarkable woman who is the mother of my child."

A flush turned her fair skin a rosy shade, and she lowered her chin shyly. She reached for his hand. "Our child, darling."

"Yes, our child."

The flight went off without a hitch. Oliver made it his mission to make sure Shane got up and walked the length of the plane several times as the doctor had instructed.

They had dinner, watched a movie together, stretched their seats flat, and quickly fell asleep. Oliver felt like he'd just closed his eyes when the lights came on, and the flight attendants started bustling about preparing breakfast.

Soon, they were landing and winding their way through customs. Shane ordered an Uber to take them to their hotel, and when they finally sank into the softness of the back seat of the car, both released a tired sigh. Oliver had hoped that taking a red-eye flight would minimize jet lag, but he felt the weight of exhaustion. He could only imagine how the overnight flight had affected Shane.

"How are you feeling, my love?" Oliver covered her hand and squeezed.

She rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm not going to lie, Oliver. I'm tired. I'm going to need a nap before we do any sightseeing today."

"Agreed. I've arranged for an early check-in, so it won't be long now."

Oliver lifted Shane into his arms, their lips connecting as he carried her across the threshold to their suite at The Westbury Hotel.

"Oliver put me down," she laughed. "How many times are you going to carry me across a threshold?"

Oliver released her, letting her gently slide to the floor of their suite, but kept his arms firmly around her waist. His tone grew serious. "For a short time, we let ourselves forget the excitement of a moment like this and how it felt to start something new with each other." His expression turned serious. "I don't want us to forget that feeling again, so when I think we need to be reminded of that, don't be surprised if I sweep you off your feet and carry you over a threshold."

She rested her head against his chest. He tenderly kissed the top of her silky hair. Oliver pushed her toward the bathroom. "Go change into something more comfortable and take a nap. I'll join you soon."

Shane didn't need convincing, and it wasn't long before she was asleep, her hair spread across the pillow and her breathing soft and steady. Oliver found a light blanket and gently draped it over her.

Stepping out to the seating area, he checked the itinerary he'd meticulously worked on with the travel agent. Shane added some own ideas. During their London trip, every hour was packed with activities, but this vacation really was planned as an opportunity for them to unwind, relax, and reconnect before the baby came.

He found himself looking forward to spending time luxuriating with his wife, enjoying drives through the countryside, the land of their ancestors. They'd sprinkled in just enough sites and activities to give some structure to their days. Today, knowing they'd be tired from the trip, they were going to take a short walk to the museum at the General Post Office. He was sure it wouldn't compare to the British Postal Museum, but he treasured any time he spent with Shane.

An hour later, both were suitably refreshed, having each taken a reinvigorating catnap. Shane tapped the location of the GPO into her phone, and even Oliver had to admit how convenient it was to access walking directions so easily. Their trip to London had taught them it was often easier to walk than to find a cab, call an Uber, or navigate public transportation. Walking the streets allowed them to experience the sights and sounds of the city. And after spending so much time on an airplane, the opportunity to stretch their legs was welcome.

Oliver tucked Shane's hand inside his elbow, and they strolled down Grafton Street. The bustling shopping district was filled with people going to and from work, lunch, or any other of a dozen activities. Oliver caught sight of a shoe shop out of the corner of his eye and tried to steer Shane past it.

"Oliver, can we just stop for a moment?"

He checked his watch, anxious to keep moving, but he had a hard time denying her a few minutes.

"Oh, Oliver, look at these," Shane pointed through the window.

"Yes, yes, my love, those are very nice," his tone was clipped.

"Okay, Oliver, I get the hint. Let's go." Shane grabbed his arm.

Oliver feigned surprise. "Only if you're ready, my dear."

She laughed. "I can tell when you've had enough. Besides, I can't carry them with me."

Oliver gently took hold of her hand and raised it, his thumb playing with the wedding ring he'd slipped onto her finger less than a year ago. He pressed his lips against the softness of her skin. When he looked into her eyes, he saw a playful twinkle. It brought back memories of when they first started working together and her propensity to challenge him at every step but do so in a way that didn't undermine his position yet still moved him out of his comfort zone.

The museum was a fascinating experience, located within the historic walls of Dublin's General Post Office. They strolled hand in hand from exhibit to exhibit, soaking up the history of The Easter Rising along with the grandeur and rich heritage of the building. But more than anything else, Oliver savored the connection he shared with his wife. He studied her, admiring her beauty, as she leaned over and read each plaque, her lips moving silently. A vivid image of Shane and a young boy with her golden blonde hair appeared out of nowhere, catching him off guard and leaving him breathless. He felt the sting in his eyes as, in a flash, he saw their future.

Shane rested her hand on Oliver's back. "Are you okay, Oliver?"

He brought her mouth to his, the familiar softness bringing him profound comfort and reassurance. "I've never been better, my love," he whispered tenderly.

The hotel had, according to the travel guides, a fabulous restaurant, and jet lag was getting the best of them, so they chose to stay close and have dinner at Wilde.

They were escorted to a cozy corner table next to the grand stone fireplace. The lights were dim, but the table's flickering candle cast a soft glow on Shane's delicate features.

"This is perfect, Oliver."

He lifted her chin with his finger. One side of his lip curled up. "You are perfect." He leaned toward her, his lips lingering on her forehead.

Even in the candlelight, he could see the color in her cheeks deepen. "Oliver, you better be careful. If you keep talking like this, we may be skipping dinner and going back to the room."

His eyebrow arched in response to her evocative suggestion. "Plenty of time for that, my love."

The waiter approached and offered Oliver the wine list.

"No, thank you, just some sparkling water, please."

They pored over the menu, each making a selection.'

"Oliver, do you see what I see on the menu?"

"What's that?"

"Surf and Turf. Sound familiar?"

"I'm not sure."

"Come on, Oliver. The Christmas ball? It was my first Christmas in Denver."

"Ah, yes. I do remember that evening. I was not at my best." He hung his head, the recollection of that evening churning his stomach with regret.

"Why was that?" Shane teased.

Oliver reverted to his habit of straightening his silverware when faced with a question he didn't want to answer. Shane placed her hand over his, holding it firmly until he gradually relaxed. She then began to release her grip, her thumb delicately gliding over his skin. "Oliver?"

Finally, he chuckled. "I guess it's okay to tell you now." Oliver met her gaze and, for a moment, was transported back in time to that evening. "Ahem, do you know the song Lady in Red?"

"I'm not sure."

"Yes, well, it's an older song, but when you walked into that ballroom wearing your long, flowing, red dress, the first thing that came to mind was that song. I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight. I've never seen you shine so bright." Oliver recited the words to the song. "That was you that night. You were so beautiful. Your hair was up, with soft curls that framed your face." His words halted. "The truth is, I knew I shouldn't have had feelings, but I was already in love with you..."

"But you couldn't act on it because you were still married," Shane finished the sentence for him.

He nodded his agreement, "Precisely." He lifted his glass and took a sip. "But then," he looked into Shane's shimmering eyes, "I saw you walk onto the dance floor with Jordan, and something bubbled up inside of me, and I wasn't sure how to respond."

"What was it, Oliver?"

"Jealousy. It overwhelmed me, and I turned into someone I barely recognized."

The corners of Shane's mouth lifted slightly, forming a soft but genuine smile. "I do seem to remember you were very terse with me when you cut into my dance with Jordan."

"Yes, it was not my finest moment, but in my defense, I was looking for any excuse to get you out of his arms and into mine."

Shane looked down at the table. "Oliver, I have a confession."

Oliver tilted his head to one side, his brow furrowed, "What's that?"

"I could tell you were jealous, and, well, I may have been trying to stoke the fire, so to speak." Shane reached out and gently placed a soothing hand on Oliver's arm. "I'm sorry for that."

"Hmmm. Well, in some way, I suppose I had it coming. It wasn't fair of me to behave that way and to expect that my hidden feelings should keep you from dancing with someone else."

"Thankfully, that is all behind us. And from now on, you have all my dances, Oliver."

The corners of his mouth lifted in a gentle curve. "And you, my love, have all of mine."

Their dinner arrived, and in between bites, Shane asked. "Oliver, you never told us the story of how the DLO was transformed that night. It looked like something out of a Christmas movie."

Oliver swallowed hard. Finding the tree growing from a rock sitting in the middle of the DLO remained crystal clear in his memory. Personalized stockings hung on the mantle, and an unsigned note was tucked into the pungent evergreen branches. He didn't need a name to tell him who left it. That night, Shane said she couldn't wait to hear the story behind it. He'd planned to tell her while they were dancing, but then she found her necklace hanging delicately from a tree branch, and everything else faded into the background. He would never forget the expression on her face when she realized that the sparkle that had caught her eye was her beloved necklace.

He'd struggled to find the words that would explain the real purpose behind Jordan's presence. There had been a glimmer of faith in Shane's eyes following their interaction when he'd returned her letter, but he was still grappling to understand the angel's presence himself, so how could he hope to find the words to explain it to Shane, a skeptic at best? By the time everyone returned from their holiday, all remnants of their Christmas Eve in the DLO had been cleared, and when the subject wasn't brought up again, he put it behind him.

Shane was still watching him with expectant eyes.

"What would you think if I told you he was an angel?"

Shane chuckled. "Back then, I would have told you that you were crazy. But now, after all that we've been through together and the faith, Oliver, that you have nurtured in me, I can see how that might be true."

"He entrusted the delivery of your letter to me, and I believe, whether you realized it or not, it was the beginning of your journey back to your faith."

"Yes, it took me a while to finally come around. If it weren't for you, I don't know that I would have opened myself up to it. Thank you, Oliver, for your patience with me."

Oliver gazed deeply into Shane's eyes, his own filled with adoration and love. "Of course, I knew it was there. It just needed some encouragement."

Oliver picked up the dessert menu. "Can I interest you in some dessert, Mrs. O'Toole?" Oliver asked when he saw they offered chocolate.

Shane leaned in, gently running her hand along Oliver's arm, the touch sending a shiver down Oliver's spine. "You may, Mr. O'Toole, but not here." She winked as she bit down on her lower lip.

Oliver felt a surge of heat through his veins. He quickly scanned the room, catching the eye of their waiter. Raising his hand, he called to him. "Check, please."