Author's Note: Oh, my goodness, I am having fun writing married ShOliver. Sorry, not sorry, for the cliffhanger at the end of chapter 1. I hope I have redeemed myself by getting chapter 2 completed sooner than usual. Disclaimer: I haven't been pregnant for almost 32 years, but I tried to make certain scenes as realistic as possible.

As always, I do not own any of these characters. They belong to the brilliant Martha Williamson and are perfectly portrayed by Eric, Kristin, Crystal, Geoff, and Gregory.

Chapter 2

Shane wrapped her arms around Oliver, resting her forehead against his. "Oliver, I don't understand. How did you pull this off? You don't use a computer."

Oliver stopped her question with his lips. The folder slipped from her hands, landing in the narrow space between them as she wove her fingers through his hair. It started with a tender press of their lips. Slowly, the pressure lifted, their breaths mingling between them. Their lips met again, this time with more intensity. A low guttural moan bubbled from the depth of Oliver's throat.

She pulled back quickly. "Hold on, Mr. O'Toole. Are you trying to avoid my question by kissing me like that?"

Oliver chuckled. "Maybe. A man can try, can't he? Especially when he's in love and married to a beautiful woman?"

Shane playfully swatted at Oliver's shoulder. "Seriously, Oliver. What made you think of this, and how did you manage to arrange it?"

The smug grin on Oliver's face made him look like a mischievous little boy who'd successfully outwitted his parents. "Ahem. You can thank one of our postal colleagues for the idea."

Shane considered who they worked with and who would be brazen enough to suggest something like this to Oliver. She knew it wasn't Norman or Rita, and she was sure it wasn't Charlie. That left just one person. "Hazel?"

Oliver chuckled. "Yes, she cornered me a couple of weeks ago and asked me if I was taking you on a babymoon. I didn't even know such a thing existed."

Hazel could be quite the busybody, and she had the biggest heart, but Hazel had no filter. Whatever popped into her head came out of her mouth. "I'm going to have to say thank you to Hazel for planting the seed, but what about the rest?"

"I had the help of my father and an excellent travel agent."

"I still don't understand."

"Well, we didn't have time to visit on our honeymoon." Oliver rested his hand on Shane's bump. "And now, with this little one on the way, I'm not sure when we'll have a chance."

Shane nodded her agreement. "That is true. Oliver." She covered his hand with hers. "I don't think either of us knows the impact this little being will have on our lives. But Ireland? Why Ireland?"

"I have always been fascinated by the idea of studying my O'Toole family ancestry and visiting the birthplace of my forefathers. And McInerney is Irish too, so what better time for us to connect to our heritage than now, before we bring a wee lad or lass into the clan." Oliver's best attempt at an Irish brogue had them both laughing.

"But." Shane started to voice her thoughts but stopped herself quickly when she realized Oliver might have taken it the wrong way.

"But?" One eyebrow arched

Her voice was almost a whisper. "What about your Schmitz heritage?" She watched him closely for the telltale cringe that flashed in his eyes when something caused him discomfort, but Oliver remained silent.

Shane tenderly cupped his cheek in her hand, her thumb softly stroking his skin. "Oliver. What's going on in that O'Tooley head of yours?"

"Hmph," followed by the slightest curl of his lips, settled her a bit. "I was raised an O'Toole. I have a great connection to my O'Toole roots through my father and his father before him." His eyes settled on hers. "O'Toole is the name on my birth certificate, and it is the legacy I choose to pass on to our child."

Shane beamed at her husband. He'd come so far since that day when he found out Joe wasn't his biological father. "I love that, Oliver. I can't imagine our child as anything but an O'Toole."

"Or a McInerney-O'Toole?" Oliver's eyes glimmered.

Her jaw dropped. "You are not really suggesting we saddle our child with a hyphenated name, are you?"

"I thought my very modern wife would like that idea."

"I do like the thought of our child having both of our names, but I thought we could use McInerney as its middle name. How does that sound?"

"I think, my love, that sounds like a wonderful compromise." He gently cradled her face and leaned in, tenderly pressing his lips against hers again.

The kiss was soft and sweet, tinged with an underlying passion that held the promise of more to come.

Shane relished the many kisses of Oliver O'Toole. There were the quick kisses of affection on her cheek or her forehead. Those were most often reserved for when they were alone in the DLO. There were simple kisses on the lips usually exchanged in the car before they walked into the USPS in the morning as they transitioned from husband and wife to colleagues. At the end of the workday, before driving home, their kiss symbolized the shift back to being husband and wife. But it was the private, passionate kisses that took place behind the closed doors of their home that turned her weak in the knees, made her heart race, and set her skin on fire. This was one of those kisses.

She gasped, trying to catch her breath. "Whew, Oliver, you do know how to make a girl feel loved."

"Hmmm, that was the objective." They basked in the moment, forehead to forehead.

Shane stifled a yawn. "I'm so sorry, Oliver."

He stopped her apology with his finger. "Shhh, you have nothing to be sorry about. You've had a long day, and I've given you a lot to think about. We can discuss it more tomorrow. Why don't you go get ready for bed." He kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger on her skin. "I will clean up and come join you."

Shane's heart pounded in anticipation. "Don't be too long," she whispered, her lips teasing.

Shane reached the landing of the stairs and turned, catching a glimpse of Oliver in the dining room—their dining room. From the day they found this house, it was their house—not his, not hers, but theirs, along with the baby she was carrying that would make them a family of three. As she watched him clearing the dinner dishes, her heart swelled in her chest, almost to the point of overflowing.

She twisted the rings on the third finger of her left hand with her thumb. They'd been married for eight months. After the initial adjustment of living together, and with Calliope's help, they realized that they needed a house that felt like home for both of them. They'd moved in a month ago after a brief search under Ramon's guidance, which brought them to this beautiful historic home in Park Hill. When they toured it, Ramon had tried to convince them they should have a whole passel of baby O'Toole's to fill it. Both she and Oliver exchanged incredulous looks, silently asking each other, "Is he kidding?"

Oliver had teased her all the way back to his house. "What do you think, Mrs. O'Toole? Ready for a whole passel of children?"

Shane had laughed and looked down patting her stomach. "Let's just get this one here first."

Oliver had carried her across the threshold of their new home, just as he'd done at the Brown Palace on their wedding night, at their hotel in London on the first day of their honeymoon, and when she first moved into his house.

"It's a good thing we found this house quickly. If it had taken much longer, you wouldn't have been able to carry me across the threshold," she'd teased.

Continuing up the stairs, she came to a stop at what would soon be the nursery. Physically, there was no denying that a baby was on the way. The changes she felt in her body were evidence of that. Her mind, on the other hand, was still trying to wrap itself around the idea. She was equally excited and terrified by the prospect.

She and Oliver didn't always have the best role models for parenting. Sure, she had her mother, but her father left when she was young. After that, her mother changed. She became harsh, always demanding more from her daughters. Shane worked in overdrive for years, vying for her approval. Alex had done the opposite and spiraled into a person Shane no longer recognized. All she knew was that Alex's addiction took whatever time her mother had, leaving Shane to fend for herself. In hindsight, it was what made her so fiercely independent. It was that strong sense of independence that got her through the unexpected transfer to Denver, which led her to the DLO and Oliver. In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Yes, His purpose.

Shane started attending church with Oliver when they were dating. She wouldn't call herself a skeptic, but she was more likely to challenge things she read in the Bible or heard in church. But Oliver patiently provided her with insights and dedicated time to study with her, helping her gain a better understanding. And now both of them would do that with their child.

Shane drew lazy circles on her stomach with her palm. She was beginning to understand what her mother did for Alex. This little being growing inside of her was barely the size of an avocado, and yet she would do anything to protect it.

Oliver's mother left him more than once, but he did have his grandmother's influence until she passed. Joe did his best to provide parental guidance, but Oliver admitted he let his assumptions about his father carve a rift in their relationship, leading to their long estrangement. The reconciliation marked a significant turning point for Oliver, bringing him much closer to his father. It also brought her and Joe closer. He entered her life and filled the role of the caring father she had always longed for.

After completing her evening routine, Shane nestled herself under the cozy down comforter that wrapped her in warm, pillowy softness. Grabbing her iPad from the side table, she immediately began researching Ireland. She would call her mother tomorrow and ask if she knew anything about the McInerney side of the family. Shane remembered her grandparents, but they had passed away when she was in high school. She also had an aunt but hadn't talked to her in years. Maybe her mother still had her contact information. As her eyelids grew heavy, she thought, "I'll just close them for a few minutes until Oliver comes upstairs."

Shane's eyes flickered as daylight streamed across her face through the open spot in the curtains that didn't entirely cover the window. "I have got to get those replaced," she thought. She rolled away from the abrupt wake-up to find Oliver lying on his side, propped on his elbow. "Good morning, darling." Her hand reached for his, her eyes still struggling to open. The next moment, she jolted awake in a state of panic as she realized that she had drifted off to sleep the night before, even while eagerly anticipating his arrival upstairs.

Oliver lovingly brushed aside the tendrils of her hair that framed her face. His fingertip followed the graceful curve of her cheek and then under her chin, tilting it upwards as he leaned in to press his lips against hers.

Oliver took her hand and kissed her palm. "It's all right, my love. You were tired, and you need your sleep."

"I know, but I was so looking forward to…" Oliver cut her off with another kiss.

He pulled back, and in the voice that never failed to send shivers down her spine, he whispered, "You're awake now," and pulled her to him.

#####

Oliver had arranged for them to meet his dad at the Mailbox Grille after church. Joe always welcomed her with open arms, reminding her how blessed she was to be an O'Toole.

"How's my favorite daughter?" Joe asked as he wrapped Shane in a hug.

"Surprised at how well her husband and father-in-law managed to keep a secret like this, that's how I am." She laughed and held up the yellow folder.

Joe threw up his hands in defense. "I was under strict orders not to say anything. So, were you surprised?"

Shane nodded her head and gave Oliver a nudge. "I didn't know I married such a good secret keeper."

"So, what do you think?"

"I love the idea, but Oliver and I want to talk to my doctor about it at our appointment on Wednesday. We want to make sure it's safe to travel out of the country while I'm pregnant."

"That makes sense. How are you feeling?" Joe had taken a keen interest in Shane's pregnancy, often checking in on her and making sure she was okay.

"I feel great, although tired," she glanced sheepishly at Oliver. "I seem to fall asleep at night as soon as my head hits the pillow."

Oliver gave her a quick reassuring squeeze.

"That sounds about right. After all, you are growing a person inside you."

They ordered lunch and chatted about potential itineraries for the trip. Joe reached next to him and handed Oliver a package.

"What's this?" Oliver asked.

"That's everything I could find on O'Toole family history. Your grandfather liked to dabble in ancestry, so he pulled together a family tree that dates back a few generations."

Oliver's eyes lit up. "This is wonderful. We'll look through it this afternoon."

Shane gave Oliver a half-hearted jab when he added, "After Shane's nap." She quickly put her hand over his. He really did know her.

They spent a good part of the afternoon reviewing Joe's information and making notes on names, dates, and locations. It felt a little overwhelming, but they slowly started to cobble together a schedule for their trip.

"Oliver, look at this. There are letters in the envelope."

"Oh, my goodness. Can you read the names and addresses?"

"They're pretty fuzzy. Maybe Norman can help with one of his solutions."

"Yes, just not the one that takes six months to work," Oliver chuckled.

After dinner, they each retreated to their spots on the couch where they were most comfortable. Or should she say she was most comfortable propped up on pillows while Oliver sat partway down the sofa with Shane's feet on his lap? It didn't take long for his offer of a foot massage to turn into a nightly ritual, as Shane had grown accustomed to it very quickly.

"You really are the best, Oliver."

He tickled her toes, making her squirm. "I just want to take care of my wife and our baby."

"Darling, do you ever worry about becoming a parent?" Shane wondered whether Oliver wrestled with thoughts similar to hers.

"No, my love. Philippians, chapter four says, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then, you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Oliver pulled Shane up to sit next to him and nestled her under his arm. He gently clasped her hand in his own, tracing calming circles on her soft, delicate skin. "I have been praying for you and the baby ever since you told me the news."

Shane looked at Oliver with glistening eyes. Oliver consistently sought comfort in his faith. She admired his ability to do so and prayed she could someday follow his example. She still found herself relying on her strength before anything else, but she realized it was time to acknowledge that she didn't have to face everything on her own. "I do pray, Oliver, that I can have the kind of faith you have someday."

Oliver kissed the top of her head. "All it takes is a little. Tell me what worries you, my love."

Shane hung her head, her long list of worries filling her thoughts. "Should we really take this trip? Is it safe?" She was gung ho when Oliver first told her about it, but as the idea settled, she was having second thoughts. "What about the house renovations? I've heard horror stories of people and their house renovations. What if they're not done before the baby arrives?" Her shoulders trembled as the weight of her thoughts overwhelmed her. "What if, at our appointment on Wednesday, we find out something is wrong with the baby?" Her voice quickened in pace and rose to a fever pitch, something that only came during the most stressful of times.

Oliver clasped her hand tighter. "As long as the doctor says you are okay to go on this trip, I think we'll be fine. As for the house, the contractor is due to begin the day we leave. I've asked my father to be here to monitor the work. It won't be done when we get back, but they should have most of the demolition completed, so the dust will have settled by the time we return home. There will be some inconvenience, but we'll muddle through, and they promise to be finished by the time the baby arrives." He brought Shane's face up to meet his gaze. "As for the baby, we will put it in God's hands and trust that He is taking care of it and you."

Shane relaxed under Oliver's calm, soothing voice as he reassured her. "Thank you, Oliver, for being a voice of reason. You are right, of course."

######

As Shane and Oliver entered the doctor's office on Wednesday morning, they were welcomed by the low murmur of voices and the occasional squeal of a young child. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and nervous energy. Oliver quickly spotted a pair of chairs in a far corner and made his way there while Shane headed to the reception desk to check in. A young child carrying some type of cup walked up to him and stared at him with curious eyes. He kept lifting it to show Oliver speaking in undecipherable words. "Me wader." He held it up to him again. Oliver didn't know whether to speak or ignore him. Thankfully, Shane joined him just in time.

"Did you make a friend, Oliver?" She snickered.

"Uh, I don't know what to do. He won't leave," he hissed.

"It's okay. He's just trying to show you his cup."

Shane's smile lit up her face as Oliver leaped up with lightning speed the moment her name was called. They walked down a long hallway with walls overwhelmed by baby pictures. She pointed them out to Oliver, who kept tugging at his collar. She grabbed his hand. "Darling, are you uncomfortable?"

"I, uh, I'm just trying to avoid accidentally looking into a room."

Shane chuckled, "Don't worry, Oliver, you're not the first husband who's joined his wife at her obstetrician's office."

Oliver sat in one of the chairs while Shane climbed onto the exam table. A nurse weighed her, took her blood pressure, and checked her temperature. Then they waited for the doctor. Shane pulled out her phone and opened the list of questions she'd started. Oliver kept standing and sitting. "Oliver, are you nervous?"

A quick rap on the door prevented him from answering as Shane gave the all-clear. Dr. Abrams was older than Shane, maybe in her late fifties or early sixties. She'd come highly recommended by Charlie, and Shane liked her.

"Hi Dr. Abrams, you remember my husband, Oliver?"

"Yes, Mr. O'Toole, it's nice to see you again." She shook his hand and turned her attention to Shane.

"So, how have you been feeling."

"Pretty good, except I'm exhausted."

"That's normal, but we'll send you down to the lab to have some blood drawn so we can rule out any underlying condition."

"Underlying condition? What are you trying to rule out?" Oliver questioned. "Could it be something serious?"

"It's probably nothing. We do like to take precautions with our…" the doctor stopped.

Shane rolled her eyes. "It's okay, doctor, you can say it."

"With our mothers of an advanced maternal age." The doctor put her hand on Shane's arm. "But don't worry, you barely qualify for that term."

"I qualify more than you know," Shane chuckled.

The doctor washed her hands and then measured Shane's stomach. "This looks good. It's right on par." The doctor sat down at her computer. "You haven't gained much weight."

"My appetite hasn't really come back since the morning sickness started to subside."

"That's understandable, but when you do eat, you need to make sure you're eating quality food. Mr. O'Toole, this is where you can help."

"Please, call me Oliver."

"Okay, Oliver. I need you to help make sure Shane's eating throughout the day, including lean meats, fresh vegetables, and fruit."

"Done, done, and done, Doctor."

"It's ultrasound day, isn't it?"

Shane's face lit up. "It is."

"And do you want to find out the gender of the baby?"

Shane gazed earnestly at Oliver, her eyes reflecting her desire to know. She'd been pleading her case for finding out for a while now, but Oliver insisted they wait. As she cast one final pleading glance in his direction, she noticed a subtle shift in his expression. Rising from his seat, he moved to her side next to the exam table. Taking her hand, he squeezed. "Yes, doctor, we would like to find out."

Shane's jaw dropped, "Really, Oliver? Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure." He bent over and gently pressed his lips to her forehead. At that moment, Shane wanted more than a peck on her forehead, but she'd settle that later.

Shane's eyes filled. "Thank you, Oliver," she gripped his hand tightly and mouthed the words, "I love you."

Thirty minutes later, they were seated in Dr. Abrams' office. "Shane, everything looks good. I'll have the results of your blood test in a couple of days, but I don't expect to see anything abnormal. Do you have any questions?"

"Actually, doctor, Oliver wants to take me on a trip, and we want to know if it's safe to travel."

"Where are you going?"

"Ireland," Shane answered.

"We want to see where our ancestors are from," added Oliver.

"Wow, that sounds like a wonderful opportunity. I don't see why you shouldn't go. But there are things you should do while you're traveling, especially on a long plane flight."

"Get up, walk around, drink lots of water," Shane rattled off the list she'd found on the internet.

Dr. Abrams laughed, "Yes. It sounds like you've done your research."

Oliver gazed lovingly at his wife. "That's what she does for a living."

Dr. Abrams looked at the folder. "You do want to know the gender, right?"

"Yes," Shane reached into her purse. "Doctor, I was wondering if you would do me a favor. I have a stamped envelope addressed to Oliver, a piece of pink paper, and a piece of blue paper. Could you put the appropriate slip in the envelope and send it to us? Given our work, I thought it would be fun for us to get the results in the mail." She stole a quick look at Oliver, sensing his approval through the warm smile on his face.

By the time they arrived home Friday evening, both Shane and Oliver were exhausted. It had been a particularly frustrating day, with several letters looking almost impossible to clear out of the system. The bright spot came when her doctor's office called with her test results. Everything was good and she just needed to keep taking her prenatal vitamins and rest as needed. Shane reached into the basket in the foyer, which collected whatever mail passed through the slot in their front door. She carefully sifted through the stack before selecting one that caught her eye.

Her heart began racing. "Oliver, there's something here for you," she called out. By the time he came to her side, she was shaking. She stood looking over his shoulder, wishing he would move faster. "Hurry and open it, Oliver."

"Let me get my letter opener from my office."

If Shane didn't know better, she might accuse her husband of purposely dragging this out to build the suspense.

The sound of paper tearing filled the entryway as Oliver ran the antique letter opener Shane had gifted him across the envelope. Tears streamed down both their faces when they pulled out a blue slip of paper with a note from Dr. Abrams.

"Congratulations! It's a boy."