3:52, Walter notices the time just before it vanishes as the engine is killed. He rushes to the driver's side door, remembering the lesson on proper etiquette from the art case nearly three years ago. Walter's jaw drops as he really notices Mallory for the first time in a form fitting champagne evening gown glittered with gold specks. The maxi-dress is sleeveless with a V-neck and splits up both sides that end mid-calf; it complements her curly chestnut hair and sun-kissed skin beautifully. "Absolutely stunning," Walter doesn't even realize he spoke aloud.
"Thank you." Mallory blushes.
Slipping in a side entrance, he escorts Mallory to a seat before rushing off in search of the wedding party.
Walter stops in his tracks, his jaw drops for a second time that evening as he spies Paige by the front entrance. Her mid-length red dress accentuating her natural curvature as the sunlight illuminated the red highlights in her hair. As if feeling his stare, she looks over her shoulder. She pauses briefly taking in how fetching he looks in his tux as if it had been perfectly tailored to his body, but quickly recovers as she hurries toward him, "Where have you been?"
Not giving him a chance to respond, Paige continues, "Come on. It's almost time."
"Oh man, this is happening." Happy mutters as she looks at herself in the full length mirror.
"You look beautiful." Cabe reassures.
"Sly are you almost ready over there?" Happy inquires.
"Just one second." Sly responds typing furiously. Several states away the television in the inmate lounge flickers now showing a room full of people facing away from the camera.
"What the hell?" One inmate exclaims switching the channels, but they all show the same feed. Disgusted several inmates leave for the basketball courts, but Patrick just smiles. He knows exactly what's going on and who's responsible for it.
"I'm in." Sly informs Happy.
"Good." Happy responds.
"Guys, it's time to line up." Paige enters and ushers the group from the room.
Out of his peripheral vision, Toby sees Walter flanking him. He jabs his elbow into Walter's rib cage and whispers, "You'd better have the rings."
Mallory winces having witnessed the exchange. Recovering from the unexpected assault, Walter merely taps his pocket indicating the rings.
"Good." Toby nods.
Sly joins them upfront, still a little resentful of Walter finagling the best man title, "Walter nice of you to join us."
The music plays softly as Paige, Allie, and Ada make their way down the aisle and take their place opposite the men. The wedding march begins and Cabe offers his elbow to Happy who in turn interlocks her arm with his and mutters, "Well, here goes nothing."
Toby's mouth gapes open when his eyes land on Happy coming down the aisle. Toby immediately discerns she's not your stereotypical beautiful bride. No, she looks hot in her short black dress with capped lace sleeves and leather boots. He can't take his eyes off his bride. Cabe delivers Happy to the altar and takes his place next to Sly.
Happy reaches out gently to Toby's chin, "Close your mouth Doc; you're not trying to catch flies."
Stumbling over his words, "Wow… you look… wow…"
"Well, we'll have a whole lifetime of looking at each other. How about we get this show on the road?" Happy coaxes.
Seeing everyone settled, Ray begins, "We are gathered her today to celebrate the union of Happy Quinn and Toby Curtis. Who gives this woman?"
That question had been overlooked in wedding prep. After a brief pause, Cabe is about to speak up when Happy answers, "I give myself, okay! Really, what kind of a stupid question is that anyway?"
The crowd laughs. Toby just smiles at her adoringly with a slight shake of his head. That was his Happy.
"Alright, the lady gives herself. Moving on… I understand the bride and groom have written their own vows." Ray recovers amidst some ongoing chuckles.
Clearing his throat, "Happy, loving you is the easiest thing I have ever done. There are no words that adequately portray the joy you bring to my life. I'm a better person because of you. I'll probably never be worthy of your love, but I'll always be grateful for it. As long as I am able to draw breath, I will love you with everything I have to give. You complete me, Happy Quinn." Toby finishes.
"Dido, Doc." Happy whispers before speaking up, "Toby, my rare and beautiful fungus, I'm thankful for your persistence because no one has ever made me feel as safe and loved as you do when I am in your arms. You've already proven that you'd go to the ends of the earth for me and risk your life for mine, but I want you to know that works both ways. I love you, Toby." Happy's voice breaks ever so slightly towards the end of her vows.
"Alright, then I only have one question for each of you," Ray continues, "Toby Curtis, do you take this woman to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Toby chokes.
"Happy Quinn, do you take this man to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?" Ray continues.
"Yeah, I guess so." Happy smirks as the crowd giggles.
Toby and Happy exchange the rings.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," gesturing to Toby, "You may now kiss the bride." Ray finishes.
Toby wastes no time dipping Happy in his arms and sealing the deal. The room is filled with tears, cheers, laughter, and applause. Paige glances over at Walter, but he is smiling at the audience. She smiles realizing how much she enjoys his smile.
"Please join us for the reception afterward." Ray announces. The precession music begins and Toby and Happy walk hand in hand down the aisle as husband and wife. Slowly people start to trickle out. Paige starts to step toward Walter, but observes him as he moves and extends his hand to someone in the audience.
"Sly, who is that?" Paige asks.
"I don't know. She appears to be Walter's date." Sly responds.
Happy and Toby are all smiles as they greet their guests at the door of the banquet room. Happy notices Walter approaching with a beautiful girl on his arm, "Uh, Toby. Who is that with Walter?"
Toby instantly recalls a conversation from a few weeks ago, 'If I look like a jerk on my wedding day, your wedding night will suffer.'
"Toby, Happy… I'd like you to meet my date, Mallory." Walter introduces.
"Wow, you certainly are striking. I'm surprised Walt has never mentioned you," misinterpreting the subtle stress lines on Mallory's forehead Toby continues, "but then again, I could certainly understand why he'd keep a beauty like you to himself."
Happy discreetly steps on Toby's foot and whispers, "Watch it Doc, you're a married man."
Mallory smiles, "My, but you are every bit as charming as Walter here."
Slightly puzzled by the 'charming' comment in reference to Walter, Toby quickly recovers, "Yes, well I learn from the best. Walt, buddy, can I talk to you for a moment?"
Pulling Walter to the side, "We have a problem. Basically we're a chair and a dinner short because I assumed you lied about having a date since Happy asked you in front of Paige." Toby gets right to the point considering Happy's discomfort at being left alone to make small talk.
"I see." Walter responds scanning the room for a solution.
"It's not a problem." Walter announces heading for the opposite side of the room. Toby reluctantly follows.
Moving a small table from one of the entry ways, Walter stations it in front a bench built into the wall explaining, "I'll use this bench and Mallory can have my chair."
"Ok, but we're still a plate short." Toby responds.
"It's fine. I'm not that hungry so we'll share the plate. It'll be romantic." Walter states.
Toby is a little surprised by how accommodating and understanding Walter is being, but decides not to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Thanks, Walt." He rushes back to be with his bride.
Cabe, Allie, Sly, Ada, Paige, and Ray watch from their round table as Walter pulls out the chair for his date before seating himself. Paige glances at the placard with Walt's name on their table. Ray leans in and whispers, "Man, things must have really gone south. That boy was heads over heels for you the last time I was in town. He seems happy though."
A twinge of regret crosses Paige's face as she sighs, "Yeah, he does look happy."
Happy and Toby join them at the table as the dinners are served. Meanwhile, Mallory inquires about their odd seating arrangements, "Kind of a strange place to stick the best man, isn't it?"
"Well, there was a mix up in regards to the plus ones." Walter states.
"Oh no, you told them you didn't have one and then showed up with a date?" Mallory seems mortified.
"Oh no, I told them I had a plus one, but Toby thought I was lying." Walter responds.
Confused when he doesn't continue Mallory asks, "Why?"
"Because Happy asked me at the garage in front of…"
Remembering that Walter also works at the garage, Mallory finishes, "in front of your co-workers. And you said you had a date even though you didn't."
"That's accurate." Walter confirms appreciating the vagueness of her version.
"You're not angry?" Mallory asks.
"No, Toby was actually right. It's only by good fortune that I happened to obtain a date at the last minute." Walter explains with a smile.
Mallory laughs at the irony of 'good fortune' considering how they met. "Well I know you can't have most of this, but you should eat something." Mallory says as she feeds Walter a spoonful of mashed potatoes.
Paige witnesses Mallory's laughter and then her hand-feeding of Walter, and she is overcome with jealousy. She can't help but steal glances over at their table throughout the rest of the meal. Afterward, music starts to play. Toby instantly recognizes the song "You Are The Man" as the one they first danced to after shutting down the Quantum and saving the Federal Reserve System. After watching Toby and Happy dance for a minute other couples begin to join in; the first of those being Walter and Mallory. Ray taps Paige on the shoulder, "Pam, may I have this dance?"
"It's Paige, and yes you may." She shakes her head slightly at his inability to remember her name.
Cabe takes Allie by the hand and they join too, Sly and Ada soon follow. The songs ends, and "Precious and Few" begins to play. Sadness crosses over Walter's face as he recalls his sister's voice, "Chances like this are precious and few."
Mallory notices the change in Walter and becomes concerned, "Are you ok? Maybe we should sit awhile?"
"I'm fine. This song just reminds me of my sister." Walter responds as Mallory leads him to sit down anyway.
"When did Megan pass?" Mallory asks.
"Nearly two years ago now," Walter responds.
Over the next hour, Walter proceeds to have an intimate conversation with Mallory regarding his sister including details of his recent dream. Mallory hugs him while he sobs softly into her shoulder, the genuine grief he expressed touching her heart. Her instincts tell her it's about time to get him back to the hospital. Chatting nearby, the rest of Scorpion and a few select friends notice the change in Walter's demeanor and approach the couple.
"Walt buddy, is everything ok?" Toby asks.
Drying his eyes, "Yes, I'm fine."
"Are you sure, because you don't look fine?" Paige presses.
"He is. One of the songs just brought back some memories of Megan." Mallory interjects to Walter's confirming nod.
The group is surprised that a lady they've never seen before tonight is close enough to Walter that he's shared memories of Megan with her. After all, most of them knew him for years before he even mentioned her.
"Mallory, you've met Toby and Happy. This is Paige, Cabe, Sylvester, Ray, Allie, and Ada. Guys, this is Mallory." Walter introduces changing the subject.
"I'm sorry Walt. If I'd known that one of the songs would affect you this way, it wouldn't have been on the playlist." Happy says feeling badly, especially after the seating debacle.
"It's fine, really. I'm sure I wouldn't have even been affected if…" Walter trails off, hesitant.
"If you hadn't dreamed about Megan last night?" Mallory asks him.
"Yes." Walter confirms.
"Wait, he told you about his dream?" Paige asks surprised.
"Yes. Well, I asked because he called out her name in his sleep a few times this morning." Mallory clarifies innocently, not realizing the false conclusions the others were reaching.
"I see; I'm sure it doesn't help that you also resemble Megan slightly." Paige answers curtly.
The group glances at Paige, momentarily taken aback by her tactless comment. "Yes, she was a beautiful person inside and out, just as you seem to be." Sly recovers.
"My, all your friends are so charming," Mallory smiles at them, "Congratulations you two, it was a beautiful ceremony. We're actually going to be leaving soon. Dinner was delicious but I'm still a tad hungry, having to share the plate and all…"
Mallory observes the slight anger that crosses Happy's face and the bewildered look in Toby's eyes and fibs to spare their feelings, "Oh, Walter explained to me how he forgot to indicate a plus one on his RSVP."
Happy smiles relieved while Toby gratefully nods to Walter. Mallory continues playfully, "So anyway, this one owes me a burger and fries."
"So I do." Walter plays along kissing her on the cheek as he wraps his arm around her waist.
"Well have fun, you two." Cabe smiles.
"It was nice to meet you all." Mallory waves slightly as they turn to go.
After they have left, Cabe adds, "I like her. She seems good for Walter."
"Does she?" Paige responds. There is an awkward pause as everyone stares at her. Crossing her arms she continues, "I'm just saying we really don't know enough about her to make that call."
Back at the hospital, Mallory helps an exhausted Walter into the hospital bed. "That really is a lovely dress. Did you just happen to have that in your closet?" Walter asks.
"No actually, my sister is getting married in a couple of weeks and it's for her wedding." Mallory answers.
"I see, and do ye have a date to this shindig?" Walter asks mirroring her accent from earlier that morning.
"No, I…"
"Well, ye do now." Walter interrupts.
"No, Walter. The wedding's in New Ross, Ireland. I can't ask you to…"
"You didn't, I offered. New Ross huh, that's near Clonroche. That's where I'm from and my parents still live. I can pay them a surprise visit while you spend time with your family after the wedding." Walter interjects.
"Well, that does reasonable and less awkward than you having to spend the weekend with my family." Mallory considers.
"It'll be even less awkward if you let me take you for the burger and fries I owe you before we jet off to another country." Walter adds.
"Oh you," Mallory playfully slaps him. "I'll think about it, but right now ye need your rest."
Walter quickly obliges her, falling asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.