CONTEMPLATIONS, A WEDDING NIGHT AND A LIFETIME

Hello all! This is my first foray into fan fiction. I recently discovered Signed Sealed Delivered and was totally enthralled with the premise, story lines, character development, acting… It truly is a gem of a series and it got this frustrated writer writing again after a really long time.

There were a few things I wanted to do… get into Shane and Oliver's heads to see what they were "thinking", as they pondered the events that led them to the altar. I also wanted to write my own version of their wedding night and see what the morning after would look like. Be advised there are married themes in this fanfic and there will be a chapter with an "M" rating as it will cover their wedding night activities. If you're not into racier romance novel love scenes, that particular chapter will not be your cup of tea. You will be forewarned if you want to skip it.

I appreciate you reading my story and letting me know how you like it if you feel so inclined!

I also want to give Rhonda Wronski a shout out. Rhonda, my deepest and heartfelt thank you for all your help! Thanks for your edits, input and commiserating with me during this process. You are a gem!

No copyright infringement intended. For entertainment purposes only. Signed Sealed and Delivered, its characters and storyline are the creation of Martha Williamson. Forever grateful to Eric Mabius and Kristin Booth for their wonderful interpretations of Oliver and Shane. Thanks for letting me play in the sandbox!

Story is set after the culmination of The Vows We Have Made.

Chapter I: Shane's Post-Wedding Contemplations

It had been the most romantic, wonderful and heart-felt wedding, Shane mused, as she fastened the furry white stole Oliver had placed on her shoulders over her wedding dress to keep her warm. Shane was a bit sad the evening had to end, but she was looking forward to having a lifetime of happiness as Oliver's wife.

Oliver's wife! What a concept, she thought, grinning to herself. Who would've thought she'd marry the man who infuriated her so much the first few days following her "mis-assignment" to the DLO.

Back then, between dead letters and dance lessons, she thought whatever there was between them wouldn't work out. He was unavailable, pining away for his then wife's return. But, she had to be honest with herself. She had tumbled hard into love during that infamous dance rehearsal in the DLO, even though Oliver had not yet found resolution to both his feelings for and marriage to Holly.

When he lifted her up from that dip, she knew he was about to kiss her; she had felt something significant was going to happen just minutes before! Instead, he bolted from the confines of the DLO before things that could not be taken back happened. He was a gentleman, after all. His code of ethics, faith and commitment to his marriage vows would not have let him do otherwise. If he had kissed her right then, she knew she would've melted into his arms, but the timing wasn't right and they both would have regretted it; perhaps never recovering from the fall-out that would have ensued.

This took her back to their first kiss… on the steps outside the Ephlat Lounge. Oliver had been perceptive enough to pick up on her not-so-subtle signals. She knew everything about her in that moment practically screamed: "Get over yourself and kiss me already!" It had been such a magical night with amazing conversation about jazz and blues, filled with intense heated looks Oliver continuously cast at her as they talked.

Shane went completely giddy just remembering… that kiss had been brief but intense. She remembered surrendering to his touch as he cupped her cheek and threaded his fingers through her hair as he kissed her senseless, but at the same time gently, almost reverently.

Jumping ahead in her thoughts, nothing could have prepared her for their second kiss after she returned from those tortuous 3 months abroad. Still stinging from both her encounter with Oliver in DC and the subsequent discussion with Steve, she hopped on a plane headed to Denver as soon as she could. Would Oliver want to continue to explore what had started between them before she left? Would they be able to continue working together if they could not resolve their differences? She had no idea how he would react to her return, even though his last words to her in DC; that he couldn't lie to her, had given her hope, as well as the brief tender look that accompanied his statement.

When Oliver realized she was back, she took time to gauge his reaction after she turned around to face him from his chair. As she read out loud the various versions of kombucha smoothie recipes she found on his desk, she could see surprise in his eyes, along with a flicker of tenderness and hope.

Overwhelmed by his sometimes confusing and halting words, the moving of her desk and his insinuation she hadn't missed him, she blurted out she had written him many letters while at her post in the Middle East. When she was about to completely unravel about Oliver moving her desk, he grabbed her hand, spun her around into his arms and gave her the kiss of a lifetime.

The surprise when his lips met hers, how the letters in her hand found their way to the floor, his hands… dear Lord in Heaven… his hands on her back, caressing her in such a gentle but firm way. It seemed like he just couldn't let her go. She remembered how her hand found its way to the nape of his neck, stroking his hair as he continued to mold his lips to hers, soft but firm, softly yet passionately. She kissed him back two times… to really show him in no uncertain terms she had indeed missed him. Shane remembered how their foreheads touched and how his uneven breath felt on her skin. She remembered vividly how he kept looking at her so sweetly as she finally confessed out loud she thought of him every day. Shane was floored when he placed the napkin she had drawn on at the Ephlat Lounge in her hand. He had kept it in the breast pocket of his suit all this time! If that wasn't Oliver's way of telling her she'd been steadfastly in his heart those 3 long months, she didn't know what was! Still holding both her hands in his, he finally asked her how she'd been. Lonely. That was the word she had used. She had been overwhelmingly lonely without him. He was everything she never knew she wanted. That last bit she kept to herself until they were further along in their relationship. Oliver had been so happy when he heard her say that to her sister Alex. It was such a tender and revered memory.

Shane was loving this time to herself in the ladies' powder room at the Brown Palace Hotel. This stroll down memory lane, as she sat blissfully alone for a few minutes, was exactly what she needed before returning to her husband. She continued her sentimental journey reminiscing about the first time they said I love you to each other and then Oliver's subsequent proposal, while she fixed her hair and touched up her makeup.

Her thoughts went back to Annaliese's wedding gown and how she almost bought it. An impulse had led her to try it on in the DLO and by some twist of fate, Oliver walked in on her and saw her in it. For a fraction of a second, she thought he might have a panic attack, but when he tenderly fastened the buttons on the back of the dress and smiled at her, Shane knew he wasn't going to bolt. She made light of the situation by saying she could alter the gown into a cocktail dress and fashion the train into a shawl or a tablecloth. However, fate intervened when she discovered a letter in the pocket of the dress. That letter became the next case for the POstables to solve. After successfully delivering the gown and reuniting Annaliese with her daughter Jessica, the 4 POstables left the tearoom and headed toward the hotel entrance.

"I love us!" Shane said after Oliver mentioned they made a good team. They were descending the staircase at the Brown Palace, basking in the happiness of reuniting mother and daughter. Oliver stopped and turned to look at her "…and I love…And I love…you." His declaration was unexpected, but so sweet. He looked peaceful, happy and lifted his eyebrows ever so slightly waiting for her to respond. Her cheeks flushed and happiness radiated through her as she started to say she loved him so much. Shane, however, got interrupted when Norman anxiously announced the church where Rita and Norman's wedding would be had a skunk infestation! She was thankful she got those words out to Oliver before the 4 of them had to leave to figure out what to do about relocating the wedding. Little did she know that Oliver's contemplations about what to do about loving Shane would result in the most incredible proposal known to man!

A few days prior to their declaration of love, her now father-in-law, Joe shared the tale of the O'Toole family tradition of proposing wearing an ugly green tie. She loved the story of Randall Bartlett O'Toole and Letitia Hepplewhite. Her heart went out to Oliver when he confessed he didn't have the chance to honor that tradition with Holly, as she was the one who proposed. Rita asked her if she thought a proposal was forthcoming after hearing that story. Shane had to admit she wasn't about to get her hopes up. She knew Oliver needed to do things at his own pace. She knew he was the one who needed to make the decision when the time came. She put the thought out of her head and focused on everything that needed to be done before Norman's bachelor party.

Walking down the aisle at Rita and Norman's wedding as their maid of honor had her glowing with happiness. Shane felt beautiful in her deep red dress, hair in an elegant updo and dewy makeup on her face. Smiling, she made her way to the makeshift, but still beautiful, altar at the barn where the wedding would take place. As she faced Oliver, she silently gasped as she realized he was wearing "the" ugly green tie! It was hard to keep a straight face and not burst into tears of joy! She couldn't help staring at the tie and thinking about its implications.

Rita and Norman's wedding was a blur to her after seeing the tie. As Oliver led her down the aisle after the bride and groom made their triumphant exit, she couldn't help asking if he was wearing what she thought he was wearing. Oliver just smiled and kept silent, leading her outside for what was the proposal of a lifetime.

Yes Oliver, I will marry you and love you forever, she kept thinking as she pulled him by his tie into her arms. She kissed him with all the fervor and love she had pent up inside of her. He was ecstatic with her acceptance and she was over the moon with the beautiful ring he'd placed on her finger. It was a family heirloom that had belonged to his grandmother. Oliver preferred pieces with meaning and it was so much more than a diamond. She would forever hold dear his grandmother's ring.

"Shane, we are all wondering what's taking you so long!" Rita came into the ladies' powder room and snapped Shane out of her reveries. "Nothing. I just needed a minute. I was reminiscing." She smiled and hugged Rita. "That's wonderful, but your husband is waiting!" She giggled. As they exited the ladies' room, Shane and Oliver immediately spotted each other and quickly walked toward each other. They smiled, embraced and kissed, much to the delight of the people still left in the hotel lobby. It really was a treat seeing two people so much in love, many of the onlookers thought.

"My Shane, my love," Oliver softly whispered in her ear. "It's finally our wedding night." "Yes, dear husband." Shane said huskily, as her eyes locked with Oliver's. He took her hand as he led her to the elevator, on their way to the honeymoon suite.