Thanksgiving Day started a little weird for Walter and Paige. They'd wanted Sylvester at dinner but that meant inviting Florence to dinner as well. They both were trying to be congenial with her but it wasn't hard to tell that neither of them was comfortable with her being there.
Louise had welcomed Florence with open arms after Sylvester introduced her as his girlfriend. She'd taken great pains to talk with her asking all about her and her plans with Sylvester. Sean was a little stiff since she had played into the problems that Walter and Paige suffered through as a couple the first time. Walter and Paige both spoke with him together letting him know that it was okay with them for him to be accepting of her for Sylvester's sake.
They'd finally been able to get a hold of Veronica and she joined them. She was stunned when she learned that they'd thought Walter had been dead for six months so she was very happy that Walter had been found alive and that Paige and Walter were back together.
Veronica and Walter's parents had gotten along fairly well through out dinner but Paige made sure to let them know not to trust her very far by explaining her very colorful past.
Sylvester talked with Walter and Paige about them opening up with Florence but after Walter reminded him how things went the first few encounters between Walter and everyone else Sylvester agreed that it would be best if they keep their distance for the holiday. But they all agreed to explore the possibility of getting together after the weekend.
Paige stood up as they all sat around the dinning room table loaded down with all the food that Louise prepared for their Thanksgiving feast. "I know in years past Walter has always started off Thanksgiving dinner saying what he was most thankful for but this year I wanted to start it off and I am sure what I am most thankful for is the same as everyone else. Walter's not being dead but alive and able to be here with us now. This year had two of the worst events but it also has two of the best. So I am most thankful that you are still here with us, able to forgive us and ask for forgiveness from us. And I am looking forward to the months and years of life ahead of us as a couple."
Everyone gave affirmatives and applauded as Paige sat back down.
Walter smiled and stood up, "The last four weeks have certainly been the best for me. From being saved from Collins to being reunited with those I love. Mending bridges and coming to a better understanding with each and everyone of you. While the path to this day has been a little bit rocky with each of you and more so with at least one of you, I believe ultimately it has been a good thing."
Everyone laughed as they looked at Toby and Happy slugged his arm.
"I know there are still concerns about me mentally. I don't know if I will ever be who I was before Collins kidnapped me but if I have a choice between being the old Walter and who I am today I am going to chose who I am today. One of the other five people who are smarter than me will just have to pick up the slack. I still have confidence in who I am, but I don't feel the same compulsion of superiority over other people."
"I'm looking forward to the future, especially with this amazing and beautiful woman, Ralph and the little girl that Paige is carrying along with any others that might grace our lives in the future." Walter sat back down.
Paige smiled as she wrapped one arm around his and reached up with her other hand and pulled his head over and kissed him as one by one the others stood and gave thanks.
Walter stood washing dishes after dinner his Dad standing next to him rinsing and Cabe dried and put them up as Paige, Ralph, Allie, Louise and Veronica sat in the kitchen talking and watching them.
"So what is your plans moving forward Walter," Sean asked as he handed a plate to Cabe.
Walter smiled, "Well Paige is hoping I will be able to take complete control over Scorpion back before too long. We've worked on a few things for me to start taking care of last night. I'll become a middle man between Paige and the guys. She'll still intercede between me and the clients while also watching over as I begin directing the guys. Ralph and Toby are supposed to have some creative problem solving tests ready in the next few days to see how I adapt."
Sean smiled, "Well that's all well and good but I meant more specifically about our daughter and grandson? Your Mother and I have fallen in love with them."
Walter stopped and turned to look at his Dad, "I'm not sure what you are asking Father."
Sean looked from Walter to Paige and gestured with his hand, "She's carrying your daughter. Paige and her son are part of our family now. I want to know what you plan to do about it before God."
Walter looked to Cabe and lifted his eyebrows and Cabe nodded before he reached into his suit jacket and then shook hands with Walter. Walter stepped over next to Paige, "I know we have covered so many things since you guys saved me and we plan to go to counseling with Dr Rizzuto so he can help us make sure we are on a solid foundation. I want our family foundation solid, for Ralph, Megan and any others that come along. But we both have reaffirmed to the other our desire to move forward as a couple and how much we love each other."
"Paige, Cabe never used the money I had left him in my will and when we spoke during one of the times set aside for us to make sure there was nothing between us to work through, he tried to give me a check for the money. Instead of accepting the check I told him I would appreciate it if he'd buy an engagement ring I'd seen for me to give you." Walter got down on one knee as he opened his right hand showing her the small jewelry box.
He opened the box up and showed the ring to Paige. "So you know Ralph gave me permission to ask you. Paige, I have loved you for so long and I never want you to think I don't and I don't want to live without you. Would you do me the honor and agree to marry me? I have nothing else to offer but an honest heart full of love."
Paige's hands were covering her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes as she looked deep into Walter's eyes. Suddenly her hands shot out around Walter's head and pulled him towards her and she hugged him tightly as she cried. Nodding and sobbing, "Yes," the entire time.
Louise and Veronica both were crying and smiling at the same time. Allie had tears in her eyes and a smile on her face and she quickly got up and moved over to Cabe and hugged him tightly.
"I can't believe you did this, I can't believe this is real, and that you really want to marry me." Paige kissed his face over and over as she pulled back a little bit.
Walter captured her lips with his as she passed by one time and they kissed for several minutes. After putting the box on the kitchen island Walter reached his arms around Paige and hugged her tightly to him. Finally they pulled back a little bit and Paige pressed her forehead against his and looked into his eyes, "You can't take this back. You are stuck with me now, forever."
Walter smiled, "I will never want to take this back and it is more like you are stuck with me. I certainly got the better end of the deal."
Paige laughed as they kissed again and Walter reached up and pulled the box back down before he pulled the ring out of it. Paige looked down as they separated and watched as he slipped the ring over her finger. She smiled as it slipped on with a mild snugness.
Everyone but Cabe cheered and as the cheer quieted there was a loud pop and everyone looked to Cabe who had somehow pulled a bottle of champagne out of the fridge while everyone else was distracted.
Paige smiled and then frowned, "Oh, I wish we had gotten this recorded."
Ralph smiled, "I did Mom." She looked over and he pointed to a shelf. "I repurposed one of the cameras Collins had spied on us with. When grandpa asked Walter what his plan was I activated it." He held up a small remote control.
Paige smiled with love in her eyes, "You three set all this up didn't you?"
Walter, Cabe and Ralph all nodded. "When Walter told us what he wanted to do how could we not go along with it?" Cabe laughed as he started pouring glasses of champagne. Paige, Walter and Ralph each had just a small amount to toast to the celebration.
Ralph slept on the couch that night while Veronica slept in his bed so she could leave first thing in the morning. While it was unlikely the men who were after her when they faked her death would know she was back she didn't want to take the chance and risk her family.
Paige lay on her left side with her head on Walter's chest looking at her left hand and the diamond ring sparkling on her finger. A large grin on her face, "I can't believe we are engaged."
Walter was looking at the ring with a smile as well. "Even though I was sure you wouldn't part of me was so worried you'd say no. It took me several minutes to actually believe you had said yes and let me put the ring on your finger."
Paige looked up and they kissed for a moment, "I am a little curious. Why didn't you ask me while the guys were still here?"
Walter nodded, "I thought about it. But then they were in a hurry to leave after eating so while I didn't know why I didn't want to delay them from whatever it was. Are you disappointed?"
Paige shook her head, "It could have just been me and you and I would have been happy. I just thought it was a little strange, but I can understand your reasoning. There is something else though."
Walter looked at her as he waited for her to continue. Finally after a couple of minutes went by, "Its okay Paige, whatever you need to say. Just say it."
Paige smiled, "Well don't take this the wrong way but, just how many others were you thinking about us having?"
Walter laughed as he hugged her tightly. "I hadn't really thought about it, and we hadn't really discussed it. I just wanted you to know I am open to the idea of more if that is what you want. But we can play that by ear."
Friday morning Cabe pulled his SUV back into the Garage so that after breakfast Veronica could climb in the back and he drove her to the eastern edge of the county where her car was parked at a rode side motel she'd booked and then left from there.
Since Scorpion was caught up on everything Paige had given the team Friday off so it would only be Walter's parents with them until Cabe showed back up to take them to the airport. They rode out to the airport with them and they took their time saying goodbye in the terminal.
Walter and Paige promised they'd hold off on getting married until his parents could come back and be at the ceremony. Louise extracted a promise from Sean that they'd be back at the start of March and stay until April so they'd be sure to be there for the birth of Paige Megan O'Brien. Paige had finally relented and gave in to Walter's request to name their daughter after her. Of course Paige extracted Walter's promise that Paige gets to name their next baby.
The rental company showed up after they got home and picked up the bedroom furnishings.
Walter, Paige and Ralph had a great weekend just the three of them. They'd spent both days together at the Garage since Paige couldn't drive and Walter hadn't yet gotten his license renewed. The three of them did walk over to Kovelsky's for dinner Saturday and Sunday. Walter and Ralph also spent several hours Sunday morning working on the satellite transceiver they'd originally built to contact Cassie trying to get it back into working order.
Paige didn't mind, she used the time to relax in the bathtub staring at the ring on her finger. While Drew had promised to marry her, he never even got her a ring. How many times people made promises to her and always seemed to fail. This was the first real thing in a long time. She realized that morning a part of her had actually been thinking Walter would end up walking out on her. But after the ring and his promise that she was stuck with him she'd felt more at ease in their relationship than she'd ever felt before.
As Walter and Paige lay in bed Sunday night with Paige lying on top of him after pleasing each other she looked up, "There is something I need to tell you. You know part of my issues with abandonment and lies. Part of me had been kind of wondering if this was going to work between us or if sometime in the near future you were going to take off on me."
Paige pointed to her ring, "This means so much to me Walter. I can't begin to tell you how much. Part of me is sorry we promised your parents we'd wait for them to come back to be at the ceremony because I really want to make this official now."
Walter smiled, "That's okay Paige. I figured there might be some worries for you but I was willing to give you the time you needed to finally voice them. Thank you for doing so."
Walter's hand grabbed Paige's butt cheek and squeezed, "I love you so much Paige. I plan to do my best to always demonstrate how much and show you I'm here to stay and that you can count on me."
Monday morning Cabe pulled up to the Garage and saw Happy's truck was already there and he smiled. He wondered how they would react to the news that Walter and Paige were engaged now. As he got out of his SUV he saw a car pull up and park along the side of the Garage and he frowned. He shut the door as he noticed the Enterprise rental sticker on the bumper of the car. He began walking over to the car when the door opened and he saw Tim climb out.
Cabe frowned for a moment and then changed to a more neutral expression as Tim turned towards him. "Hey Cabe, I was so sorry to hear about Walter. I know you both were very close, more like family."
Cabe smiled, "I guess you didn't hear then. Walter's alive. He'd been kidnapped by Collins and his death faked. We rescued him about four weeks ago. Paige is right at five months pregnant and she just got engaged to Walter after Thanksgiving dinner."
Cabe smiled inwardly at the grimace he saw on Tim's face. He didn't know what Tim had planned but he wanted to end any thought of trying to get back together with Paige. His family was almost perfect and he didn't want that to change.
Tim sighed finally as he nodded, "Well since I hadn't heard back from Paige I figured she wasn't interested in possibly getting back together but I thought since I was in town I'd stop by. I suppose I will just go ahead and leave then."
Cabe nodded, "All things considered it might be for the best. It was good seeing you."
Tim nodded, "Maybe you and I can get together for lunch before I head back. I'll give you a call."
Cabe nodded, "Looking forward to it." Cabe waved as Tim opened the car door and got in. He stood watching until Tim drove off. Cabe smiled and turned to enter the Garage.
Greetings! Hoping you all are well, I'm doing good, the wife is having a few issues but doing okay.
Consequences is finally winding down. I'm glad you guys have enjoyed the story thus far!
To the Adventure! -Tim