An anniversary like no other

Early July in the O'Toole's house

Oliver and Shane are at home. Shane's childbirth is expected for the end of the month. It is more and more difficult for the future mommy to bear the last weeks.

On a beautiful morning of July, while the birds are singing and the sun is heating through the open window, Oliver opens his eyes. It is 6am, and Shane is not on his side. What a surprise for him ! He usually wakes up first. So, he decides to get up to be sure everything is fine for his wife. He can't find her anywhere in the house. So, he decides to explore the backyard. Arrived at the glass door of the kitchen, he sees Shane sat on the swing. Oliver had set it up as soon as they moved into their new home. From a distance, she seemed to be relaxed, her hands put on her belly. This touching sight of his wife and their baby to come is so lovely ! He decides to silently come closer not to break the magic of the picture. But as he is coming closer to Shane, he notices that something is wrong. The future mommy is tenderly cuddling her belly, but her eyes are closed and tears are flowing down her face. Oliver's heart is torn by this vision.

"My love, what's wrong?" he says with a kind of worry in his voice.

"I can barely sleep. No position is comfortable. And the baby doesn't stop kicking. I am so tired. I can't bear it anymore", she says holding back a sob.

"Don't cry, mommy. Our special delivery is on the way. It won't be long anymore", he replies with as much tenderness as possible.

Oliver sits next to her on the swing, and he put his arms around her shoulders. She lays her head on his chest. Then, she gives free rein to her pain and, in her exhaustion, falls asleep in her husband's arms.

Oliver knows he has something to do so that Shane can smile again, but what to do ? This thought wouldn't left him since this moment.

5th July, 2am.

While he is sleeping peacefully, Oliver is awakened by the voice of Shane.

"Darling, I'm hungry", she says.

Putting his foggy thoughts in order, and reminding the scene of the swing a few days earlier, Oliver replies her with all the love he has for his beloved wife :

"Yes my love, what would make you happy ?"

"A piece of triple chocolate cake. Do you remember ? The one you made for my birthday."

"Your desires are orders, my dear."

Without any hesitation, Oliver walks down the steps to go to the kitchen. He opens a drawer and takes out a recipe. Then, he notes all the ingredients he needs. He checks in the closets. Maybe, they already have at home what is needed. "No, there is no egg !" Oliver thinks after he searched everywhere. He can't go back upstairs and announce Shane he failed his mission. No way ! But where to find eggs in such a time ?

"Ah, I know!" he says after he thought.

After a fast walk, Oliver arrives in front of a blue door and knocks at an owl-shaped knocker. On the other side of the door, he can hear agitation. Then, a familiar voice says:

"Who's there at 2.15am?"

"Norman, I'm so sorry. I need help. This is for Shane."

"Shane ? What's wrong ?" Rita asks with worry in her voice, as she hurriedly opens the door.

"Don't worry Rita. Everything is fine. I just need three eggs to make her a cake."

"Sure ! Wait, I go to take them right now !" Rita answers.

"Oh, thank you Rita! You are saving me !" Oliver says.

"My pleasure", she replies. "Take good care of your lovely wife."

"I promise", Oliver says as he is already moving away.

Oliver quickly goes back home and immediately starts to cook. Once the cake is done, he cuts a big piece and goes back to the bedroom. Then, he lovingly looks at Shane, while she is enjoying her cake. As she is eating, she tenderly says to him:

"Where have you gone ? I heard the door."

"Not very far. I just had a little setback", he says with a little smile, before tenderly kissing her on the forehead.

6th July, 1.30am.

While Oliver is deeply sleeping, Shane shakes him softly.

"Darling, is there any left of your delicious cake ?"

Oliver gets up without saying a word. He opens the fridge, takes a piece of cake, and then, he goes back upstairs.

"My love, I have your cake."

"I'm tired, darling. Let me sleep".

Taken aback, and wide awake, Oliver sits down on the bed and eats the cake he has just picked up.

10th July, 3 am.

This time, Shane asks for a Viennese chocolate topped with whipped cream. Oliver goes downstairs to the kitchen. He takes a saucepan and heats milk. Then, he "blinks". When he opens his eyes again, a weird smell catches his attention.

"Oh no, the milk has burnt !"

Annoyed at have fallen asleep, Oliver takes again the milk in the fridge and heats it, promising to himself not to make this mistake again. After gathering all his energy, the smell of chocolate is finally filling the room. Tired, he decides to sit down for just awhile before going back upstairs.

15 minutes later…

"Oh no !"

The whipped cream has melted and it cooled down the chocolate, which is now almost cold.

The third try is the good one. When he proudly goes back to Shane, she says, sleepy :

"What have you done ? Why have you taken so long ?" she says as she sits on the bed with effort.

Oliver doesn't say a single word and tenderly smiles to her beloved wife. He gives her the mug and, as soon as he lies down, he falls into a deep sleep.

For awhile, Oliver was searching how to change Shane's mind. So, he decided to organize a special day for their first wedding anniversary, on the 17th July. He booked a table at Montaldo's. They had never managed to go back to Shane's favorite restaurant since their first "date". Shane would be pleased to enjoy a delightful meal. His wife was very tired at this period of her pregnancy. So, he decided that they would go at lunch time, and that they would have a delicious and romantic moment together. They would end the day embracing each other on the swing, thinking about this huge happiness they were about to live. The program was pretty light, but he didn't want Shane to be more exhausted that she already was. He would catch it up when their baby would be born.

16th July, 11.45pm.

As usual, Oliver is sleeping deeply. And when Shane calls him, he doesn't react. So, she insists.

Still sleeping, Oliver starts mumbling. Sleepy, he answers :

"No, my love, you are not hungry. Sleep."

She softly whispers in his ear :

"Darling, our special delivery is coming."

"We will see at the DLO tomorrow morning. It is too late now. Try to think of something else, honey."

Suddenly, Shane starts shouting.

"Oliver !"

"What ?!"

"It's time!"

"What are you talking about ?!" Oliver mumbles, still sleepy, his eyes being still close.

"Are you kidding? Wake up now ! The baby is coming !"

Oliver suddenly sits up, realizing what Shane has just said to him.

Denver Mercy Hospital, a few hours later.

The labor is exhausting for Shane, but such a wonderful joy for our two lovebirds, thinking of this tiny being who is about to burst into their lives for their greatest happiness.

At 5.45am, a little cry is heard.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. O'Toole. You have a beautiful little boy', the midwife says.

Tears flow down Oliver's face while he shyly comes closer to his son. As soon as he has been auscultated and prepared, the midwife put the tiny baby in his arms.

The happy daddy goes back to his wife, who is sobbing of joy, impatient to see her baby. He puts the little one in his mommy's arms and says to her, before tenderly kissing her :

"Happy anniversary, my love."