Part 5

"Ralph was the um only person I've ever read to. I thought since you read to him all the time, you could help me with this book."

"Walter, I would love to help you. You are so sweet, do you know that. For someone who claimed to not have emotions, you are something else, mister." Paige said leaning over to give him a sweet kiss.

Walter explained to her how he started out with his thoughts and the way he was trying to tie it all together in the book. He told her he would jot down different thoughts he had, and he could never get them to make much sense when he tried to organize them into a story.

"Walter, what you have here is beautiful. We just need to kind of lay them out and try to have them follow a story. It looks like most of it is about the stars and planets. Kids love books about the solar system. Books like that were Ralph's favorites too."

"I know, that was the um reason I decided to um try to write about the stars."

Paige had to wipe some more tears from her eyes. She understood that Walter was missing Ralph while they were broken up and he was subconsciously trying to hold on to a piece of him this way.

"Walter, was Ralph your inspiration for the book?"

Walter couldn't believe she was so quickly able to see right through him. That was exactly why he started to write the book. He missed Paige with all of his heart, but he missed Ralph too, almost just as much. His relationship with Ralph was so very important to him too.

"Um, yes it was for him and you. How did you know?"

"Walter, first of all, that is the most precious thing I may have ever heard." She reached over and gave him a tear-filled hug and kiss. And after wiping away her tears, "You were creating a bond between yourself and Ralph because you were scared that the relationship you shared was fractured. And that falls more on me, way more on me. I should never have kept him from seeing you. No matter what had happened with us, you have such a special relationship with my son. I would never do that again. Not that I plan on ever leaving again."

"The um week after the Gettleman pitch was when I started going with Cabe to volunteer. Seeing the kids there, they um they reminded me of Ralph when he was smaller. It was a hard day for me. I got home and I couldn't sleep at all. So, I tried to think of a um happy memory of Ralph. And I thought back to reading him books about the um stars and solar system. That's when I told him how much I loved astronomy too. We talked about telescopes and NASA and he seemed fascinated."

Paige wiped some more tears from her face and this time had to wipe some off of Walter's face as well.

"I think that may be the sweetest thing I've ever heard. Just so you know, you have been the single biggest influence in his life. And I am so very grateful for that. You have been so much more than a friend or a mentor to him. More than his father could ever be to him. Always know that."

They embraced again and shared some kisses and hugs. They decided to take a small break and compose themselves over a cup of coffee.

"When we started to reconnect and talk again, I still worked some on the book. Like I said, I had more free time than I was used to. I cherished the day each week we got to see each other. And I realized how important time like that was. So, I started to change the book and I could never make it sound right. Does that make sense at all?"

Paige was continuing to look through the box as she talked.

"It does. Perfect sense, really. I think as your feelings were changing so was the focus of the book. Oh wow, these pictures are amazing. Where did you find these? Are these going to be illustrations in the book?"

"Yes, they are. And I started thinking yesterday I would like to do something special with the book if I can ever finish it. I would like to donate all the proceeds to help in any way I can with the museum for Ms. Greene and the kids."

"Walter that would be such a great thing to do. I don't have any idea how to go about that though. If you want me to, I can talk to Sly about it. He can talk to some city council members to get some information for you. Or you could come with me to talk to him yourself."

"Paige, I don't know. I haven't really talked to him in months. I tried a few times, and he didn't seem to care."

"Well think about it at least. In the meantime, let's try to get a storyline set up. And don't think I forgot you didn't answer me on where you got those pictures. You know I love art. They are really quite good. Whoever did them is very talented."

Paige and Walter sat down and started to piece together the story for the book. They spent several days a week over the next month doing so. The extra time spent together was beneficial to them. With Ralph back in school for the fall, Paige had a built-in excuse to leave CP early to pick him up. Ralph was always happy to hang out at the garage after school while they worked on the book. He had his own command center there. What thirteen-year-old wouldn't want that.

The book was now finished. The story followed a boy on a journey through life and how he followed his dreams and got to live in the stars. Paige thought it was not only perfect for children to read, but very romantic too. It was exactly what Walter was hoping for.

Paige was able to talk Walter into going to Centipede with her to talk with Sly. The one stipulation he had was in no way would Toby be allowed to read the book or be involved with the meeting. Paige told him she would try to make sure that didn't happen.

It had been a little over a month since Walter and the rest of CP saw each other the day of the explosions at the museum. They had still for the most part kept their relationship private. Paige had told everyone that she had talked to Walter but that was all they really knew. She did inform them that he was going to stop by the office to talk with Sly about a project he had been working on. After some initial blowback, she convinced him it was for a good cause, and Sly agreed to meet him.

"Well, well, well, look who it is. Mr. 197 himself. You come to grovel for a job?" Toby asked him.

"Knock it off dumbass." Happy told him, "Walt good to see you. How you been?"

"Hello Happy. I've um been okay. Just trying to keep up with everything."

"Jobs too much for you to handle by yourself?" Toby snickered.

Walter refused to fall into his childish traps. He let it happen far too often before. Months removed from it had been refreshing.

"Is um, Paige or Sylvester here?" Walter asked Happy.

"You know what big brain; you can take a seat in the old waiting area over there and we will let you know when they are available. Might be a while though." Toby told him.

"Toby, cool it. What has he ever done to you?" Happy asked her husband.

"You mean other than marrying you first and killing me?"

Before Happy had a chance to respond, a door opened and Paige and Sly came out of the room.

"What is going on?" Paige asked quizzically.

"Toby being an ass. As usual." Happy told them.

Paige went and got Walter and took him back to the room that she and Sly were in. The whole time glaring at Toby.

"What do you think is going on with Walt and Paige? You think they're doing it again?" Toby asked Happy after they were alone.

"It's none of our business if they are. Why do you care so much anyway?"

"It is our business. Paige works for us. If she's with him, she could be telling him secrets about our company. I'm gonna find out."

"Not good. And Paige doesn't work for us she works with us, remember." Happy said.

"For, with, it's a technicality. Either way, I'm getting to the bottom of this."

Toby decided to march himself into the closed-door meeting Walter was having with Paige and Sylvester. Not the best decision he had ever made.

"What the hell Toby." Paige said as he burst through the door.

"This is CP business, which means it is Toby Curtis business. What's this meeting all about?" He demanded.

"Toby out. This does not involve you." Paige again said to him. Walter had stood from his seat when Toby first interrupted their meeting.

Toby still wouldn't take no for an answer and reached across to grab some of the papers Sly was holding.

"What is this?" Toby asked.

"Put it down." Walter, Paige and Sly all yelled at him.

Toby fanned through some of the pages in his hand before Sly was able to grab it back from him.

"So much time on your hands you're writing a kids book? For what? Oh, you're trying to win back the liaison, aren't you. Write a book that will touch her because it's about the stars that her son loves oh so much."

"Toby enough." Paige scolded him. "This does not concern you."

"Oh, but it does. You work here for us, not with him. Unless you've been working your way under him again. It is most definitely my business."

"Not good." Happy said from the doorway trying to stay clear of the argument.

"For the millionth time Toby, my personal life is personal. And I don't work for you. And if you don't watch it, I won't be working with any of you."

"197, I think you need to vacate the premises." Toby told him while everyone was admonishing him.

"Toby stop. Just leave; this doesn't concern you at all. Nor does it concern CP. This was a meeting between me and Sylvester. Show us some respect and please leave us alone." Walter finally spoke to him.

"Oh, so he can talk."

"Toby, I am trying to be respectful here, but I am not going to have you act this way towards me anymore." Walter firmly told him.

"Why don't you just go back down to Scorpion and hook up with some other bimbo and leave us alone." Toby said as Walter glared at him.

The punch that broke Toby's nose happened so quick, no one saw it coming. Blood splattered on the windows as Toby clutched his face.

"Paige, Sly I am sorry. I couldn't take it anymore. I took as much as I could. Send me the cleaning bill and the medical bill; it was worth it. Happy I apologize, but he deserved it"

"Yeah he did. Jackass." Happy was smiling seeing her husband writhing on the ground. Wishing she had been the one to break his nose to quiet him down.

"Paige, I am sorry for what Toby said to you. I would love to take you to dinner tonight. Would you please accompany me?" Walter asked in front of everyone.

"I need to get Ralph from school first, and then let me see if I can find a sitter." Paige said with a slight blush.

"No, no sitter, that's even better. I can take both of you to dinner. 6:30?"

"OK." Paige said now with a big smile. Realizing it had been long enough and so exhausting keeping their relationship from her co-workers.

"I will pick you guys up at 6:30. And again, I apologize for my behavior here today."

"Way to go waitress. I'm happy for you. See dear, that's a proper response." Happy stated looking down at Toby still rolling around on the floor.

Walter was right on time to pick them up. Paige was wearing an outfit that made Walter's heart race. She could see that the second he looked at her, he approved.

"Wow, Paige, you look amazing. You look pretty good yourself Ralph." Walter said.

"Well thank you, I had this laying around for a special occasion, I thought tonight would be a perfect time for it." Paige said, giving Walter a hug as he walked in the door.

Ralph gave Walter a high five and was smiling from ear to ear.

"Mom told me what you did to Toby today."

"Ralph, you know I don't condone violence, and I will apologize to him in a few days, but he had it coming. He was very disrespectful to your mother, and he wouldn't stop. Please don't think less of me for punching him." Walter honestly stated. Paige approved of the message he was relaying to Ralph.

"I know. I don't think any less of you."

"Thanks Ralph, where would you guys like to eat? I guess we need to make it someplace nice, since your mom looks so stunning tonight. I mean she always looks beautiful, but we should pick some place nice tonight." Walter said while taking in the sight of Paige.

"How about our favorite Italian place we love to go to?" Paige offered.

"Mmmm sounds good to me, I'm hungry." Ralph said.

"You're always hungry pal." Walter told him while ruffling his hair. "Let's go."

At dinner, both Walter and Paige got a series of texts from Sylvester with all the information they would need to begin the process of using the proceeds from the book to help rebuild the museum. He told them the city would help in any way they could. And he personally was going to make it one of his top priorities.

"See I knew Sly would want to help."

"You were right, as usual." Walter told her.

"Wait can you say that again, I want to make sure I heard you right." She said with a smile before she reached over and kissed him.

"Walter, now that everyone knows you guys are together again, does that mean you will stay over at our house more often?" Ralph asked.

The question caught both grown-ups by surprise. They weren't sure what to tell Ralph. They weren't sure what they thought of it themselves. Walter eventually thought of something to say that would give them a chance to have a little time to figure it all out.

"Well Ralph, as far as Happy, Sly and Toby know, they think this is our first date since we got back together. And me and your mom are also doing things a little different this time. At some point, yes, I hope we agree to spend the nights together like we used to, but is it okay if we talk some more about it first?"

"OK, I was just gonna say, we could spend the night at the garage. You know it being Friday and I don't have school tomorrow."

"The garage huh?" Paige asked with a wry smile. "Any other reason you might want to stay at the garage, sweetie?"

Ralph smiled. "Busted."

Walter and Paige both laughed at his reaction.