It’s O’Toole Time

“Oh my!!” Alex exclaimed loudly as she held up the silky red negligee. “Wait until Oliver sees you in this!”

“Alex!” Shane’s jaw dropped in embarrassment before she quickly grabbed her wedding night attire from her sister’s nosy grasp. “Please keep your voice down! I really don’t want Mom to see what I’ll be wearing on my first night with my husband!”

“Come on, Shane. Don’t be such a prude.” Alex rolled her eyes at her sister’s behavior. “You’re a modern woman. It’s not like you two haven’t—“ She stopped talking as soon as she noticed Shane’s flushed appearance, and then realization hit her. “Oh! You two haven’t taken that step in your relationship.” Her teasing tone was quickly replaced by one of understanding.

“No. We haven’t.” Shane took a deep breath before she continued. “When Oliver and I began dating, we both agreed that intimacy is sacred. We decided that waiting to be together would make that moment even more special.”

“Shane, I know I’ve been teasing you a lot since I got here, but that’s truly beautiful.” Alex grabbed Shane’s hand in her own as her eyes welled up with tears. “I just want you to know how proud I am of you for all you’ve accomplished. I am beyond thankful that you’ve given me a second chance, and I promise you that I won’t disappoint you.”

“Thank you, Alex.” Shane hugged her sister and tried not to cry but failed miserably. “It means so much to me to have you here with me today.” She paused and looked at Alex with a serious expression. “In fact, there’s something I want to ask you. I know it’s last-minute, but would you consider standing with me as I get married today? I already have Rita as my matron of honor, but I would love for you to be my bridesmaid.”

“Really?” Alex asked incredulously, and Shane nodded. “That means so much to me, Sis! You have no idea. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“So does that mean you’re in?” Shane asked, biting her lip and grinning.

“Uh, yeah! No doubt about it! This is such an honor.” Alex wiped at her cheeks and grinned back at Shane.

Shane smiled as she attempted to dry her own tears. “You’re my sister, and I do love you. And nothing will ever change that.”

“I love you, too,” Alex returned.

“I thought we agreed there would be no more tears.” Ms. McInerney said as she walked inside the bedroom to find both her daughters crying and hugging.

“You said happy tears were okay.” Shane let out a nervous laugh as she wiped her cheeks with the back of her hands.

“Well then I stand corrected.” Ms. McInerney smiled at the sight in front of her. She couldn’t remember how long it had been since she had seen her girls together like this. They were so close growing up and it had broken her heart when they had stopped speaking to each other. She had prayed every day that God would help them to repair their relationship and she was so thankful He had answered her prayers. She soon realized that she was also tearing up and quickly shook it off to stay focused on the day ahead of them. “Breakfast is ready. If you both stay here crying all day, the food’s going to get cold, and Shane will miss out on marrying that handsome postal detective.”

“Yes, Mom.” The sisters answered in unison, grinning as they followed their mom into the kitchen. The women enjoyed a filling breakfast of scrambled eggs, hash browns, and fresh fruit while they sat around the kitchen table trying to guess the honeymoon destination. Alex was privy to some information regarding the couple’s upcoming trip, yet she had promised Oliver that she wouldn’t say a word, and Shane and her mom did not suspect anything.

After a few minutes, Shane excused herself so that she could try to call Oliver again. It was already after ten and she was surprised that she hadn’t heard from him yet today. He still wasn’t answering his phone, but she was trying hard not to get too concerned. If she didn’t hear from him by eleven, she would call Joe to check on him. Shane was just about to set her phone down when she saw Rita’s name and picture flash across the screen.

“Hey Rita.”

“Hi Shane!” Rita was very cheerful in her greeting. “I’m calling to check in on the bride to be!”

“Aww, thank you! You are the best matron of honor.” Shane smiled at her friend’s enthusiasm and walked into her bedroom for some privacy. “I’m doing wonderful, Rita. I can’t believe my wedding day is finally here!”

“I’m so happy for you and Oliver—you two were meant for each other.” Rita paused momentarily if she were contemplating something. “I wonder if he’ll still call you Ms. McInerney at work!” They both laughed; however, Rita found her own witty comment to be quite comical and continued to giggle.

“Well I’m thinking he’ll relinquish that habit, at least at the office.” Shane blushed and hoped Rita hadn’t noticed her subtle slip of the tongue as she recalled a certain talk she’d had the night before with Oliver outside of their rehearsal dinner. She decided to change the subject before Rita picked up on the meaning behind what she’d said.

Rita had let Shane’s comment slide and could only imagine the undertones of it. “I’m getting ready to leave to run a few errands, then I will meet you at the restaurant later.”

“That sounds great, Rita.” Shane was ready to hang up when her worry for Oliver surfaced again. “Rita, do you know if Norman has heard from Oliver today?”

“No, I don’t think so. But I know he told Norman he had a lot to do today before the wedding.” Rita thought hard before figuring out the right words to say to the anxious bride. “Shane, you have nothing to worry about. He loves you and nothing will stop him from marrying you today.”

“I know he does, and I know I’m being ridiculous. It’s just that I miss him and I want so badly to hear his voice.” Shane sighed as she picked up a framed picture of her and Oliver that she kept by her bed.

“I get it—and you’re not being ridiculous.” Rita’s tone offered Shane great reassurance. “I felt the same way on my wedding day. But the wait is almost over and you’ll be Mrs. Oliver O’Toole before the night is over.”

“You really are amazing, Rita.” Shane knew that Rita had things to do so she wrapped up their conversation and promised her friend she would see her in a couple of hours. Once she hung up the phone, she started walking towards the door and then stopped suddenly. She knew in her heart that Oliver was okay, but she needed verbal confirmation. She made one last attempt to get ahold of him but received the same result as she had earlier. There was only one thing left to do to put her mind at ease. Once she hit the appropriate speed dial, she listened to the ringing and waited.

“Hello?”

“Hi Dad, it’s Shane.”

************************************

Each time Oliver hammered a nail into the wall, he especially thought of Shane. Her lack of aim with a hammer made him chuckle and shake his head. Either she would need more practice, or Oliver would have to be the designated picture-hanger for the two. However, he didn’t mind taking on that duty for her one bit and imagined that they would be hanging a number of paintings and family portraits together over the years.

After hanging the last of the artwork on the walls of the master suite in their vacation home, he stepped back to survey the room. On either side of the bed, there were nightstands topped with his and her lamps. Besides the bed and nightstands, the room was now furnished with a dresser and mirror and an armoire. He had even managed to have printed and framed a few pictures of the two of them, and those pictures sat on the nightstands and dresser and added a very personal touch to the bedroom. The suite was warm and inviting, from the cozy eggplant comforter on the queen-sized bed to the candles strategically placed about the space. Oliver had also selected an elegant but comfortable couch and loveseat for the living room and a small table to house an antique record player. He had brought a collection of records and one particular record was already sitting in the player awaiting its turn to sound a sweet melody for a couple newly wed and madly in love.

There was only one thing that remained undone. For the next half hour, Oliver focused his energy on that one finishing touch. After a quick inspection of the house, feeling quite satisfied with his work and the building anticipation of pleasing his bride with such an unexpected gift, he exited the front door and headed back to Denver.

Upon arrival, he found his dad at the front entrance talking on his phone. Oliver jumped out of his car and leapt up the steps, excitement evident in his gait.

“Where have you been, son?” Joe called out, pressing the button on his phone and placing the device in his back pocket.

“Uh, where exactly was I supposed to be, Dad?” Oliver raised one eyebrow.

“Well, I don’t really know, but Shane has been awfully worried about you.”

“Oh my goodness. Well, I had a bouquet of flowers sent to her this morning….with a note attached.” Oliver cleared his throat awkwardly. “I let her know that I am looking forward to seeing her at the ceremony this evening.”

Joe laughed. “Yes, yes. She got your flowers. And your note.” Oliver squinted his eyes at his father, and Joe heeded his son’s expression. “Don’t worry—she didn’t read it to me. But she said you never called this morning like you usually do and that she had tried to call you a few times with no answer. I tried for a while, too, and finally just came over here. I wasn’t that concerned at first, but seeing as how it’s almost one o’clock and you’ve been MIA for hours—well, I was starting to wonder….”

Oliver sighed. “I’m sorry, Dad. I, uh, I just had some things to take care of before tonight.”

“Before the wedding tonight? Or before the honeymoon tonight?” Joe grinned and Oliver blushed. “Son, I have no idea what you’re up to, but as long as you’re okay and there’s no sign of cold feet….”

“No, no cold feet. In fact, quite the opposite. I mean, uh—“ Oliver stammered.

Joe laughed once again. “Oliver, it’s okay. I know you’re enthusiastic, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” Joe placed his hand on Oliver’s shoulder. “Have you had a chance to eat anything today?”

“I ate an early breakfast.”

“Well, let’s go grab something. You’ll need your energy later.” Joe winked at him and Oliver chuckled sheepishly, looking down at his feet.

The two descended the steps, Joe starting to pick at Oliver about what he had been up to all day. Oliver just shook his head with a grin and got in the passenger seat of his dad’s truck.

“There’s a place across town that I’d like to take you to, if you feel like you have time,” Joe suggested.

“I suppose that shouldn’t be an issue—as long as I can be back and dressed and at the church by five-thirty. Am I wearing appropriate attire for this establishment?” Oliver glanced down at his pullover and jeans.

“Of course. It’s just a little cafe. Nothing too fancy. They don’t care what you wear.”

Oliver laughed. “Okay. But Shane will, so we mustn’t tarry.”

“I’ll make sure to get you back on time. Can’t start this union having my daughter-in-law upset with me. Speaking of Shane—when she questions me on your whereabouts today, what should I tell her?”

“You should tell her you don’t know,” Oliver smirked. He realized that his dad was just as curious as his fiancée and that Joe would probably try every technique he could think of to get Oliver to divulge details of his mysterious mission. However, he was determined that his secret would remain untold until he had shared it with his wife.

Click picture above to read Chapter 3.