Author's Note: I have to admit, I was a little nervous before A Tale of Three Letters, wondering if I would find inspiration for more fanfiction stories. I'm happy to say I have, and this is the start of a multi-chapter story and my first writing Shane and Oliver as a married couple. It will primarily focus on Shane and Oliver, but we will undoubtedly hear from the rest of the DLO team. My first short fanfic after seeing the movie was called 'Surprise.' Well, I'm continuing that theme because I am still trying to get used to the idea of Shane's surprise! I am rating this story a T because, well, they're married, and they are two very passionate people, but I will not stray into any more serious rating. That's not my style. I would love to hear what you think. I hope you like the direction I take.
Thank you to Martha Williamson for creating these fantastic characters that I get to play with and let live in my head (they really have settled in and, as they say, are living rent-free). I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the excellent cast: Eric Mabius, Kristin Booth, Yan-Kay Crystal Low, Geoff Gustafson, and all the rest. I can't imagine anyone else bringing these characters to life like they have.
Chapter 1
Oliver smoothed out the tablecloth with his hand and straightened the knives and forks as he put the finishing touches on the table. It was set with his grandmother's Belleek china, one of the historical treasures Shane wholeheartedly agreed to bring to the new house. She loved the dishes just as much as he did with their basketweave pattern and delicately hand-painted green shamrocks that decorated each piece. They used them frequently, knowing that Oliver's grandmother would want them to enjoy using them rather than leaving them to languish in the dark recesses of their china cabinet. His fingers trembled as he spent a few moments arranging the yellow roses that sat on the center of the table. His nervousness surprised him, and he wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead. He glanced around the room and made sure everything was in its place. His plan was not without risks, but he and Shane would decide together if it was worth it.
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Oliver expected that marrying Shane would bring him peace beyond measure. And, while drifting off to sleep each night with her in his arms and waking up to the feel of her leg crossed over his or her hand resting on his shoulder did bring him a certain serenity, living together had not been without its challenges. The pain of that day when he'd thought he lost her, thought he'd driven her away forever, remained etched in his heart and his mind. Even now, when he walked down that corridor at the USPS, a sick feeling rose in his stomach, remembering how afraid he was that he had pushed away not just another woman but the most important woman in the world. Thank God for Norman, who was there to offer reassurance and guidance when he needed it. Just as he had when Oliver thought Shane wasn't going to return from DC. Norman was a good friend, a brother, really. In their ten-plus years working together, their roles as mentor and mentee switched as Norman matured, and Oliver found himself at many crossroads where he needed help.
During their initial counseling session with Norman's cousin Calliope, it became evident that they were worlds apart in their perspectives. In their second meeting, they remained physically distant but still asserting they married because they loved each other. By the third session, they both acknowledged the unrealistic expectations brought into the marriage, stemming from their solitary lifestyles prior to living together. Their unwavering love for each other was undeniable, but they also recognized their fears of provoking each other, resulting in unresolved frustrations that ultimately led to explosive conflicts. However, as they recommitted to each other and worked through their differences, they emerged as Oliver and Shane once again, their love not just passionate but also deep and enduring.
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House hunting was anticipated to be a much more arduous process than it was. Both were still treading lightly with each other's feelings, so they agreed to approach it methodically, each making their list of everything they were looking for in a new home. When they sat down to review their lists together, they found far more similarities than differences, and it was surprisingly easy to reach compromises on the minor differences. Ramon agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to assist them in finding the perfect O'Toole family home. It didn't take long before they'd found their refuge, their haven, the place where they would bring baby O'Toole home and be a family together forever.
Oliver gazed around in awe of their stunning, newly acquired 1911 Craftsman in their chosen neighborhood of Park Hill. The first day they toured the house, their faces lit up with excitement as soon as they walked up the wide sidewalk. They exchanged a glance filled with unspoken understanding, both recognizing instantly that this was the place they had been searching for — their new home. The façade was blonde brick with a large gabled portico that covered the massive stone steps leading to the front door. A porch ran across the width of the house, and rocking chairs promised hours of relaxation. Inside, they were greeted by timeless original woodwork and exquisite stained glass windows.
Shane quickly nudged Oliver and pointed to a spot in the front hallway. "Oliver, your grandfather's clock would be perfect there."
He squeezed her hand, his heart filled with so much love for her. He pulled her close and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek.
The walls were painted a creamy shade of white, bringing a bright, modern feel to the spaces. A grand foyer led to a large living room with a fireplace and mantle perfect for hanging Christmas stockings. As soon as he saw the image of Shane holding the baby, sitting in front of a warm, crackling fire while snowflakes gently danced outside the window, he knew he was sold. The dining room had an air of old-world charm, and whenever Oliver stood in it, he saw large gatherings with their friends and family. The kitchen had been updated at some point, but they both agreed it was a bit small for them, but there were plenty of options to expand it.
The final selling point was the backyard. It was just large enough for a small playset for the baby, and it had the perfect spot, under a majestic maple tree, for her porch swing, or, as they now called it, a rocker built for three.
Shane worried that the price of the home and renovations were out of reach for them, given their postal salaries, but he assured her they could manage. When they put her Cherry Creek home on the market, it was a pleasant surprise to find that it had almost doubled in value. As they reviewed their finances, Oliver explained to Shane that while the bulk of his biological father's fortune had been funneled into the O'Toole Foundation, he did draw compensation from Harvey Schmitz's still successful company that converted perfectly good vinyl records into decorative bowls and ashtrays. That had been a surprise to Shane, but it did explain the extravagant honeymoon Oliver had taken her on. They both were aware that being postal employees was not a lucrative career. They did it because it was a calling for both of them. He had struggled with the decision of whether to keep any of the windfall, ultimately determining that it was a divine gift, and he envisioned numerous positive ways to use the money, both personally and through charitable giving.
Oliver felt the pressure of a new baby on the way in a few short months and wasted no time hiring both an architect and project manager who would oversee the renovations they wanted to make. Besides the kitchen, other projects were minimal and centered on creating more storage, especially for Shane's shoe collection. He chuckled at the memory of her shoes strewn at the bottom of the stairs every day during the early months of their marriage. The recollection was now a symbol of how far they'd come rather than the nagging irritation it had been.
The nursery was the last item on the renovation list. It was more decorating than renovating. Shane wanted to find out the gender of the baby, while Oliver wanted to wait and be surprised. Every day for weeks, Shane got out her laundry list of reasons why they should find out.
"Oliver, there will be so much to do. It will be easier to know if we're preparing for a boy or a girl." She pleaded her case one evening while they lounged on the couch. She was scrolling on her tablet in search of baby furniture while he rubbed her feet. He said nothing and just continued massaging, slowly working his way up her leg until he felt her relax under his kneading fingers.
"Oliver, that feels so good," she sighed.
"Soon, my love, you will have to start wearing more practical shoes to the office. I don't imagine that as baby O'Toole continues to grow, you'll be able to stand all day on those high heels of yours." Oliver pulled Shane up to him so that she could sit on his lap. His new favorite thing was to rest his hand on Shane's barely curved stomach. He knew it was too early for the baby to hear him, but that didn't stop him from talking to it and praying over it.
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Oliver glanced at the watch he now wore on his wrist. That had been another compromise of sorts. Shortly after their return from London, his pocket watch stopped keeping accurate time. Shane found the Timepiece Revival Repair Shop, which specialized in antique timepieces. Upon hearing it would take six to eight weeks to repair, his heart raced as panic rose in him. Much as winding the grandfather clock was his routine, so was wearing his grandfather's pocket watch. He didn't feel fully dressed without it.
Shane, being the empath that she was, sensed his discomfort. She hooked her arm through Oliver's, leaning close and whispering in his ear. "Maybe it's time to get you a digital watch, Oliver." His head turned quickly, and he stared at her with wide eyes.
"You can't be serious," he scoffed.
Her infectious giggle filled the small shop. "Of course not, Oliver. I know you, Mr. O'Toole, and I know you would never agree to that." She pulled him over to a display case on the far side of the shop. "Maybe one of these would be a good alternative while you wait for yours to be fixed."
A vintage Omega watch caught Oliver's eye, and the shop proprietor offered to polish it, double-check the mechanisms, and put a new leather strap on it while Oliver and Shane went to lunch. When they returned to pick it up, Oliver held the timepiece in his hand, appreciating the cool weight of it.
"Turn it over, Oliver." Shane breathed into his ear.
Flipping it over, Oliver's eyes filled as he read what was inscribed on the back. Forever. The look of gleeful happiness shone on Shane's face. "Thank you, my love." His kiss was light but a promise of the gratitude he fully intended to show her later.
That was how he came to wear a wristwatch. He wore it every day, even after his pocket watch had been repaired. Even during their roughest patches, he kept that promise of forever close to him.
It was 5:30, and dinner would be delivered at 6:00. He expected Shane to be home around 6:30. She'd been out all day with Rita, shopping for their respective babies. He couldn't help but feel blessed that their friends were not only work colleagues but brother and sister to each of them. Oliver kept a picture of the four of them from the day they received their Dark of Night awards sitting on his desk in his home office. They all looked so young. It never lost on him that, even then, Shane wasn't looking at her award. Instead, her focus was on him. She'd told him years later when she saw the picture that even then, she'd been in love with him, and all that mattered at that moment was that he was receiving an award he'd aspired to every day in his work. That was his Shane. More concerned about him than herself.
Oliver stepped into the cold spray of the shower, letting the chilly water awaken his senses and reinvigorate him. He'd been planning this evening for a few weeks now, and he wanted to make sure he was at his sharpest, and the temperature of the water did just that. Rummaging through the closet, he selected a pair of dark navy jeans Shane had picked for him. She admitted they were more for her than they were for him, as she couldn't help but admire the way they fit his muscular physique. His Shane was not shy, and she never failed to make him feel desired. He did his very best to do the same for her, especially now as she started feeling self-conscious of her changing shape. To him, she was gorgeous, and carrying his child had only made her more so. He slipped a cornflower blue sweater over his head and dabbed a touch of cologne on the pulse point of his neck.
He heard the doorbell ring and quickly ran down the stairs to greet the delivery driver, who couldn't have been much more than eighteen. He slipped him an extra ten and watched his face light up as though Oliver was the first tipper of the night. "Thanks, man," he said as he retreated to his car.
The food smelled delicious, and Oliver was thankful that Shane's all-day morning sickness had retreated. He put the food into the oven and set it on low. He rechecked the table and remembered one last thing. He brought the champagne bucket they'd received as a wedding gift from the butler's pantry and filled it with ice. He then found a bottle of Pellegrino for them to share in lieu of champagne.
There was still twenty minutes before Shane was to arrive. He walked through the house, admiring the craftsmanship and still finding unique qualities of the house that one overlooks until you've lived there a while. He made his way up the stairs and found himself standing in the doorway of what they decided would be the baby's room. For now, it was empty except for a few things Shane had started to gather. The wall color would be decided once they knew if the baby was a boy or a girl. He hadn't told her yet, but knowing her curiosity had reached an unprecedented peak, he was going to acquiesce on his wish to wait until the baby was born to discover its gender. They would likely find out at their appointment next week. He had to admit that the thought of getting to know his baby as his son or his daughter before the child arrived had changed his stance on the subject. He was going to wait and surprise her with his change of heart when they were at the appointment on the off chance that she changed her mind.
He heard her voice. "Oliver, I'm home."
He rushed to her, taking the packages she was carrying. "My love, give those to me. You shouldn't be carrying anything so heavy."
Shane suppressed a giggle. "Oliver, I'm pregnant, not a weakling. I can still carry things."
"I am sure you can, but I don't want you to. Are there more in the car?"
"Yes, but I can help you get them."
"Nonsense. Go sit down and put your feet up. I imagine you're going to need quite the foot massage tonight, given how long you've been on them today."
Shane leaned into Oliver, "You really are the most amazing husband." She reached up and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her to him as he quickly escalated the kiss."
"Hmmm, only because I have the most amazing wife." He held her tighter.
"Well, you better enjoy holding me close now because it won't be long until you'll be lucky to wrap your arms around me at all." She rested her head on his chest.
Oliver kissed the top of her head. "No worries, darling, I will hold you however I have to in order to be close to you." He felt her relax. "Now, go sit down."
She obeyed, and Oliver went back to the car to retrieve the rest of her bags. He couldn't resist the urge to peek inside one of them and found several pieces of clothing that could only be intended for the baby. He put the other bags away but brought this one to Shane in the living room, where she had her feet up and was relaxing on the couch.
"Shane, what is this?"
Her eyes brightened, and her voice softened. "Oh, Oliver. I know it's early, and some people would say it's bad luck to buy baby clothes before the baby arrives."
Oliver shook his head. "Luck is the religion of the lazy," he repeated, for he wasn't sure how many times.
Shane reached into the bag and brought out a tiny white outfit that zipped up the front. "Look at this little sleeper. I can't even comprehend that what is growing inside my belly will someday wear this?"
The garment looked even smaller in Oliver's hands. "Are you sure this will fit the baby?"
"I don't know, but I can't wait to find out." Shane took the outfit and gently laid it over her tummy. She had yet to need maternity clothes, and if someone didn't know she was pregnant, they wouldn't have guessed it. She smoothed out the wrinkles, spreading out the sleeves and the legs.
Shane exuded the radiant "pregnancy glow" that he had heard about. Her whole face seemed to shine, from her sparkling eyes and glowing skin to her beaming smile. He sat down next to her and laid his hand over her bump. "Thank you, Lord, for this most precious gift." He gave Shane a long, leisurely kiss. "You are so beautiful, my love. I have thought so from the first day we met at the coffee cart. You were mesmerizing. You still are and your beauty is enhanced even more now."
"Thank you, Oliver. I love you so much. I still can't believe this is us. Our life almost seems too perfect."
Oliver longed to stay by Shane's side, savoring the peace that enveloped him whenever she was near. However, he had other things to tend to. "Are you hungry?"
"I am famished. The salad bar at Ramon's was not enough to tide me over." Shane sniffed the air. What is that? It smells delicious."
"You will find out shortly. Why don't you get refreshed? I'll get everything on the table. We're eating in the dining room tonight."
It wasn't unheard of for them to eat in the dining room, but usually, they opted for the nook in the kitchen. Shane was back in just a few minutes and stopped short when she entered the dining room. "Oliver, you didn't have to go to so much trouble."
"A man can't pamper his wife from time to time?" Oliver pulled out Shane's chair for her and made a show of opening the sparkling water and pouring it into their champagne flutes. He'd ordered Shepherd's pie from one of their favorite restaurants, along with salad and bread. All things Shane had been craving lately. He raised his glass and touched it against hers. "A toast to my love, our love."
Shane blushed at Oliver's toast, the pink rising in her cheeks. Her eyes blinked but failed to stop a tear from falling down her cheek. "You spoil me, Oliver."
"And I hope you will allow me to continue to do so," he answered, wiping her cheek with his thumb, bringing her hand to his lips, and kissing it gently.
They spent dinner talking about her day with Rita, and Shane filled him in on how the adoption process was going for her and Norman. "She's still anxious that it might not go through or that the baby's condition will be worse than they are expecting."
"I imagine it's a very trying time for them." Oliver gently placed his hand over Shane's, his thumb tracing the gentle curves and indentations of her knuckles. "We are blessed that, so far, everything has gone smoothly."
"Yes, especially given my advanced maternal age." The doctor's words at her very first appointment hung heavily in the air as both she and Oliver stared at her with wondering eyes.
Oliver chuckled. He remembered how fired up Shane got at the use of that phrase. "Darling, it's just a term, and if it ensures that they take extra special care of you and our baby, I think that's something we can live with." He lifted her hand to his lips. "Are you ready for dessert?"
"I don't know if I can eat another thing."
"Trust me, you'll love it."
Oliver cleared their plates and brought out a tray covered with a silver cloche. It was another wedding gift that they'd both laughed at when it was opened, and Shane finally had to google it to find out what it was to be used for.
"My goodness, Oliver. You have been busy today."
He laughed. "Yes, busy ordering food." He lifted the cloche with flair.
The aroma of chocolate hit before they saw the slice of Montaldo's fudge cake. Shane almost cried when the doctor told her to be careful about eating too much chocolate but that she could indulge on occasion. Oliver felt this was indeed an occasion for serious chocolate.
After a few bites, she put down her fork. "Oh no, Oliver." Her voice quivered.
"What is it, darling?"
"I can't eat another bite. What if I've lost my taste for chocolate?"
Oliver laughed. "I highly doubt that is the case. I'm sure you've just had your fill. I will save it for tomorrow. I do, however, have one more thing to share with you."
"Oh no, darling, I can't eat another thing."
"It's not food." Oliver moved the cake plate away and cleared the table in front of Shane, who straightened in her chair. He pulled a yellow file folder from the chair next to him and placed it in front of Shane.
"What is this?" Shane's brows furrowed, her eyes narrowing.
"Open it." Oliver's lips curled, and he could hardly contain his excitement. After Calliope's assignment of surprising each other, they both continued the practice, always on the watch for unexpected things they could do for each other.
Shane carefully opened it, her eyes scanning what was inside. Oliver noted the confusion that tinged her perfect features. "Oliver, I don't understand. You aren't serious."
The smile slowly faded from his face. He couldn't tell if she was pleased or disappointed by what he'd given her.
"I'm very serious, Shane. Would you consider it?"
Shane rose from her chair and walked over to Oliver. With a gentle push, he moved away from the table, giving her room to sit on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and her eyes locked with his. "Just when I think you couldn't do anything more romantic, you do this. Of course I will," she said with a smile before her lips found his.
