"A new life" is a sequel of "An anniversary like no other", but it can be read separately.
The story takes place after "A tale of three letters" and Shane's announcement to Oliver.
All these wonderful characters not belong to me, but to the very talented Martha Williamson. Thank you to Eric Mabius, Kristin Booth, Geoff Gustafson, Crystal Lowe and Gregory Harrison for portraying them the way they do.
A new life
Chapter 1
Tuesday 17th July
After they all spent a few moments with Shane and the tiny Matthew at the hospital, Oliver took Joe, Norman and Rita back to the DLO.
"We have had a day filled with emotions", he said to them as they arrived at the office. "I suggest that we separate right now. You can go home. As far as I'm concerned, I have to go by the house to collect a few things to take them to Shane."
"Yes, what a day! Goodbye", Norman and Rita replied, before they left hand in hand.
"Goodbye", Oliver and Joe answered.
As soon as they were finally alone in the DLO, Joe held his son tight in his arms.
"Congratulations to Shane and you, son. You could not have made me happier than I am. Kiss again tenderly my grandson, and his mommy, of course."
"It will be done, dad."
"See you soon, Oliver."
.
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At the O'Tooles
When Oliver arrived at home, he went straight to the bedroom to take Shane's suitcase. He had insisted that it be ready before the due date of the pregnancy. He had finally had the last word, and Shane had gathered the few things she would need for the hospital, when the time would come. When he had the suitcase in his hand, Oliver walked toward the door of the room. But his breath became short and he needed to sit down for a while. He went back to the bed and sat down. Events had been so fast since last night. After a deep breath, he pulled himself together.
"Go on, Oliver. Shake yourself. Shane and Matthew need you! You must be strong for them", he thought.
Oliver jumped up to go back to the hospital, without forgetting to catch Shane's laptop on his way. They were about to need it.
.
.
Denver Mercy Hospital
When Oliver came in the room, he was welcomed by a warm "Oliver!". He didn't say anything but, with a shining smile, he walked with a quick step to the bed, where he tenderly kissed his wife and his son, who was sleeping next to her in his tiny bed.
"Do you have everything?" she asked.
"Yes, everything is here", he announced, pointing to the computer bag and the suitcase he had put down next to him.
"Let's go. Can you help me, darling?"
"Of course, my love."
Oliver helped her sit up straight on her bed and settle as comfortably as possible. Then, he took out of the suitcase a sweater that Shane pointed to him. After helping her to put the sweater on, he covered her shoulders with a shawl.
"What do you think about it?" she asked Oliver.
"Well, we don't have any time to waste or you would risk melting in this heat", he answered, having difficulty holding back laughter.
"Go ahead, next step", she continued.
"Yes, ma'am", he answered tenderly.
Oliver took the laptop out of the bag and settled it on the rolling table, then he placed it so that it was facing Shane. The young mommy switched on the screen to see what she looked like. No, it wasn't going well.
"Oliver, bring me this blanket right there. We need to do something about this bed."
"Here it is."
He covered the head of the bed with the blanket as best as he could.
Shane gave a look at the tiny one, who was peacefully sleeping next to her. They had to do it right now, before he woke up.
Oliver sat on the edge of the bed, next to his wife. Then, she launched a video call. After a while, a familiar face appeared on the screen.
"Shaney, what a beautiful surprise! How are you, honey?" Sharon said joyfully.
"Hello mom! Everything is okay. I am tired, but I feel perfectly fine", she answered with a fulfilled smile.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. McInerney. What a pleasure to see you".
"Good afternoon, Oliver. No Mrs. McInerney between us. Call me Mom. We are a family now."
"So, nice to see you, Mom", he obeyed with a shy smile, after a little hesitation.
"Your call comes at the right time. I have a visitor for the Summer" Sharon announced. "Can you come closer?" she asked a person who was off screen.
Oliver and Shane were curious to see who was about to come, when Shane suddenly exclaimed, her eyes full of tears:
"Alex!"
"Hello, little sister", Alex answered with a joyful voice.
"It has been so long! You should come to Denver with mom!", Shane suggested excitedly.
"It would be so wonderful to have my two beloved daughters together at the same time", Sharon added.
That's when Oliver cleared his throat to make his wife remember his presence. She had been so happy because of this unexpected reunion that she had completely forgotten to introduce him.
"Oh yes, sorry darling!" She exclaimed.
"Alex, let me introduce to you Oliver, my husband."
"Nice to meet you, Oliver! What a joy to finally see my little sister's Oliver! You seem to be as charming as I have been told."
"Good afternoon, Alex" he answered with a hint of embarrassment in the voice, wondering what she had been told about him. Then, a smile lit up his face when he remembered what this call was about. "This is a real pleasure to finally get to know you. I have also heard a lot about you. I reiterate Shane's invitation. Sharon and you are always welcome at our house."
"We will schedule a visit when my grandchild will have shown the tip of his nose", Sharon announced with enthusiasm.
Suddenly, she noticed Shane's outfit.
"Honey, don't you feel good? I thought Summers in Colorado were hot. Why are you dressed so warmly? I hope you are not sick."
"Oh, don't be worried, mom. I'm doing great. I've been tired and I preferred wrapping myself up a little. But I am starting to be a little warm…Oliver, can you help me?"
Oliver softly helped Shane to take off her shawl. That's when she let appear her motley sweater. Seeing her mother's doubtful pout, she hastened to say:
"What? Don't you like it?"
"Uh…yes, yes, that's very beautiful but…", she began, searching for words that would not offend her daughter.
"But what?" Shane asked.
"Well, I know you are pregnant, and you are looking for something comfortable above all for now but…that sweater is not to your advantage", she dared.
"Oh, I see. Maybe I should change it." Shane pretended to think for a while before adding: "Oliver, can you bring me this? I think it will be maybe more appropriate to be to my advantage", she said winking and smiling to her mother, while she was pointing with her finger a place of the room to her husband.
"Immediately, my love", he replied.
Oliver walked as softly as possible to Matthew and, being careful not to awaken him, he took him in his hands and went to Shane. Before they were in the computer's field of vision, Shane asked her mother and sister:
"Tell me if you like this more than my sweater."
Shane received from her husband the tiny one, who began to wake up as soon as he was put down in his mommy's arms.
"Well, what do you think about it? Do you like it?" She teased as Sharon and Alex were crying, hugging each other, incapable to say a single word.
Taking over, as the three of the clan McInerney were crying, Oliver joyfully announced:
"Ladies, let us introduce to you Matthew. He was born this morning. Matthew, I introduce to you your grandmother and your aunt", he added to his baby, whose eyes were still closed.
"Hello, my sweetheart", Sharon said wiping her tears.
"Hello Matthew", Alex added.
Shane told her mother and sister how she had awakened Oliver last night and how everything had rushed in the following hours. After a time of rejoicing as a family, the four of them took leave, promising to each other to meet all together very soon.
When the visiting hours came to their end, Oliver reluctantly had to resolve to leave his two loves. He had to wake up early tomorrow to try to work a little, even if he would like, for once, to be somewhere else than at the DLO. And moreover, the last two days had been so busy that he desperately needed to sleep so that he wouldn't work in slow motion the next day. He kissed Shane at length and tenderly, and then, as softly as possible, he put a tender kiss on Matthew's forehead. When he took the tiny hand in his, he realized how much this fragile tiny being needed him. A nurse then entered the room to be sure everything went well for the new mommy and her newborn and she pulled Oliver out of his daydreaming. She kindly informed the daddy that the time of his leaving had come. He kissed a last time his wife and his son and promised them to come back tomorrow before going to work.
(To be continued)