A/N Last chapter. Hope you enjoy it. Thank you for leaving reviews. Let's me know what you like and don't like.
Part 10
The next month flew by. Walter had officially moved in. They pretty much lived together the first time they were together, although never officially, so they were well accustomed to each other's routines. Walter still kept some stuff at the garage so some nights if they found themselves there it would be easier to all spend the night. Paige had taken over a few sets of her and Ralph's clothes as well.
Seeing each other every day now didn't change their new relationship at all. Walter learned to give her his full attention when he was away from work. He rarely took any work home with him now. Especially since he had Ralph helping him twice a week. He was usually all caught up on everything which made the evenings he spent with Paige all about them. They found plenty of alone time as well. They got carried away some nights, but luckily for them Ralph was a deep sleeper.
So here they were, the day before the big event. Thanks to Paige, they wound up getting plenty of press leading up to the event. All of the local news channels ran stories on the fundraiser and the newspapers all had articles about it as well. Bookstores that were taking presell orders had all sold completely through their initial orders. And since several of them called their distributors to order more, a second printing of another 25,000 books was already processed before the book was even released. This was turning out to be a bigger event than Walter had envisioned it. Paige smiled that told you so smile to Walter, and he didn't mind it one bit.
The day of the event all the sketches were put out on display in the lobby of the hospital where the reading would take place. They had all been professionally framed and matted. People all throughout the day would stop and admire them.
The room started to fill up with people two hours before the event was scheduled to take place. And with over an hour to go before it started the room was full. Space was left up front for hundreds of kids to sit on the floor, while their parents either had seats to sit in, or were forced to stand along the perimeter of the room. All told there were over 1,000 people in attendance.
The kids who were patiently waiting for the festivities to begin were starting to get a little antsy. A few minutes later they started chanting for Dr. Boom.
"Doctor Boom, Doctor Boom." The chants echoed through the room, all being caught on camera by the different news crews there as well as most of the parents in attendance.
A minute or two later Walter walked out of the back room with his rainbow wig on, holding the hand of his lovely assistant. As they reached the stage the chants turned into more oohhh's and aahhh's. As all the kids were talking about the two of them holding hands.
"Is that your girlfriend?" "She's pretty."
"Is that your wife?" "Ooohhhh."
"Is that Mrs. Boom?" "Aaaahhh."
Walter was flustered and Paige was enjoying every moment of it, especially after she kissed him on the cheek, making the whole place erupt with cheering. She had a genuine smile on her face. Walter was blushing, turning all shades of red. Much to Paige's delight. She wouldn't do anything to him he couldn't handle, she just liked pushing him out of his comfort zone sometimes.
"You are going to pay for that." Walter whispered in her ear.
"What was that, did you say you wanted another kiss, Doctor Boom." She whispered with a smile. "I figured if you could make it through that kiss, the book reading would be easy."
Walter thought about it for a minute and then he did the most un-Walter thing he could think of and laid a huge kiss right back on his beautiful assistant rendering her ability to stand useless for a few seconds. Of course, all the kids couldn't control themselves now.
"Doctor Boom, Doctor Boom, Doctor Boom." They all screamed out and Walter was eating it up. He even picked up the fire extinguisher he had on stage and sprayed the silly string he put inside of it earlier all over the kids. They were in an uproar over it. The man was so far removed from his comfort zone but was somehow having the time of his life now.
After everyone settled down and the introductions were made, the reason they were all there for was getting ready to begin. Well, the reason most of them were there for at least.
Dr. Boom began reading the book to all the kids in attendance. As he flipped from page to page, they were all fully captivated by the story and the amazing pictures that accompanied the book. Towards the end of the book, he started coughing a little and asked for a glass of water. Ralph quickly ran to get him the water and Walter asked Paige if she could finish reading the book for him. Walter carefully slid off the chair he was sitting in to let Paige sit down while she held on to the book. Walter reached back to Ralph to grab the glass of water, only to be handed a small box instead. Paige had just finished reading the second to last page of the book and she knew how the book was getting ready to end, only when she turned the book to the last page the picture looked different than she remembered. She started to read the last words in the book without realizing what the picture was.
What good is a journey through life and into the stars if you can't take it with your soulmates. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me on the rest of my journey through life and beyond. You are the true love of my life. You always have been, and you always will be. Paige, will you marry me?
As Paige was reading the last lines of the book, Walter had taken the box from Ralph and gotten down on one knee waiting for her to finish. As she realized what was happening and noticing how the sketch in the book looked exactly like the scene unfolding right in front of her eyes, she gasped before turning to Walter and simply said.
"Yes, yes a million times yes." She screamed out before kissing him again.
Again, to a chorus of ooohhs and aaahhs and chants of Doctor Boom and Misses Boom from all the kids in attendance and a round of clapping and whistles from the adults.
Walter took a seat back in the chair and thanked everyone for sharing in the special day for the museum and for himself and Paige. He also told everyone in attendance that the actual book had a different ending, the one they read was a special copy made just for Paige. And as the kids left the room they would all be given a copy of the real storybook.
Paige fell in love with her future husband even more.
The guests were informed that the artwork would be available to bid on for the rest of the weekend.
As the crowd of people started to vacate the hospital, Walter and Paige saw some familiar faces. Happy, Sylvester and even Toby came to support the event. They were also very glad to have witnessed the special surprise Walter had for Paige.
"Walt Paige I couldn't be happier for you guys, I mean it." Happy was the first to say.
"Me too, thanks for doing this for the museum and I'm glad to see you guys together again." Sly told them.
"I know we have had our issues, me being an ass didn't help, but I do wish you guys the best. Walt I had it coming to me the other day, no hard feelings buddy."
It was the first time the five of them had really gotten to talk to each other in a while. They made a pact to meet up once a month to catch up.
Much to Walter's surprise and delight, Paige informed the three of them that she would be turning in her two weeks' notice. She then turned to Walter to ask him if he had any job openings. The smile he gave her may have been the most genuine one he ever gave.
"Well, looks like we are gonna need to find a new liaison." Happy said with a smile.
Around the same time as Paige was asking for a job from Walter, Richard Elia walked over to congratulate Walter and Paige. He thought it was a very romantic gesture what Walter had done, to which Paige completely agreed. What he said next completely stunned them.
"I am willing to offer you 5 million dollars if I can select three of the sketches up for auction. I have some nieces and nephews and I think they would make great presents for them. And before any of my well to do friends start raising the prices on the sketches I figured I'd try to grab the ones I liked best. My dad and mom used to take me to that museum when I was a kid. And if this can help you guys to rebuild it for another generation of kids to go to enjoy it, I would like to help any way I can."
"Are you serious? Did you say 5 million? Of course. Take your pick." Paige was quick to tell him.
"I guess the Centipede bid of 300 is not gonna cut it." Happy said with a laugh.
"And I'll pay you another 5 million for the sketch from the last page. I know a certain couple who I'd love to give it to as a gift for their upcoming wedding." Richard announced.
The proposal video went viral. News channels all over the country started playing the video during their newscasts. Bids on the artwork skyrocketed. The other sketches sold for almost 18 million, an average of just over a million dollars apiece. And the sale of the book did even better. The publishers couldn't print the book fast enough. The national news attention that was received helped to sell 500,000 copies of the book the first weekend and another almost 500,000 copies the rest of the week. Raising another 10 million. Random people also donated additional funds when they purchased the book raising close to another 10 million. All told they raised just under 40 million for the project, a number so much larger than any of them could have guessed.
"You still think selling your sketches wasn't worth it Dr. Boom?" Paige asked him while snuggled up to him in bed a little after midnight while they were recovering from their exploits.
"As I've said before, you are usually always right, Ms. Boom; but you know I like the name of Ms. Boom Boom a little better." Walter told her as they got ready for round two.
"I like the way you think." She said with a raspy voice.
"But we can't stay up too late, we do have an interview for a new employee lined up for tomorrow morning." Walter teased her.
"Mmmm is that so. Well then, consider this me putting in a good word for her." Paige said as she reached over and started to passionately kiss him.
The next morning as Paige slept in a little late recovering from the late night activities, Walter and Ralph set up an impromptu interview.
Paige finally made her way from the bedroom to the living room where they were anxiously awaiting her arrival.
"Morning Ms. Dineen, glad you could finally join us." Walter started off saying.
"I do wish you would have at least made an attempt to dress up a little for us though." Ralph deadpanned.
"What are the two of you talking about, its Saturday morning." Paige said still yawning and not fully understanding what was going on.
"Unprofessional." Walter said shaking his head with a smile while drinking his coffee.
"And this was the best we could find for the job?" Ralph joined in, sipping his mug of chocolate milk.
"Wait, are you two interviewing me right now for a job?" Paige said realizing what they were up to. Now with a big smile on her face.
"Actually, I was only waiting around for you to show up, and may I add not on time. Not a very good first impression. But my new vice president of human relations will be the person interviewing you. You may have met him before Ms. Dineen, this is Ralph, Ralph, this is Ms. Dineen. Now if you excuse me. I have a breakfast to make. And here is your cinnamon infused coffee." Walter said with a wink to Paige.
Paige was giddy. Seeing the two of them having so much fun with this meant the world to her.
"Why hello Ralph, you sure are a handsome interviewer." She said with a smile.
"Unprofessional." He said shaking his head while writing something down on a notepad of paper.
"Walter, you sure we need another employee, I mean she didn't even bring a resume." Ralph then yelled to the kitchen.
"Let's give her a chance. There's something about her that tells me she might be worth it." Walter yelled back. Paige smiled enjoying what was going on.
"Tell me a little something about yourself, Ms. Dineen." Ralph asked her with a big grin.
"Well, let's see, I have a son who I love. I'm recently engaged. I have also worked around geniuses for the past four years."
"How does any of that qualify you for the job you have applied for?" Ralph asked.
"You sure are a tough interviewer. I know why Walter, I mean Mr. O'Brien hired you."
"Will you have any problems taking orders from me, since I will be your boss." Ralph told her.
Paige almost spit up her coffee that Walter had handed her earlier.
"So even though I can ground you anytime I want to, you are going to be my boss?" Paige played along.
"Well, I do have seniority over you." Ralph informed her.
Paige was giggling and Walter was finishing up breakfast.
"Let me get this straight, you will be my boss, and Mr. O'Brien is your boss. I'm right so far, correct?" Paige asked while Ralph nodded yes, "So who is Mr. O'Brien's boss?" She finished raising her eyebrows, trapping the young interviewer.
"He doesn't have a boss." Ralph tried to think of the best answer to give.
"Is that so?" Paige smiled knowing she had him on the ropes now.
"That's what he told me." Ralph caved.
"Hey, did you just throw me under the bus?" Walter asked him. Paige gave him a wicked smirk. "Sorry boss, would you care for some bacon and eggs with your coffee?"
"That's more like it and yes please. So, tell me more about this position I am applying for." Paige asked while eating her breakfast. "And do all employees get breakfast made for them every morning?"
"We can um maybe write something up in the contract." Walter said as he rejoined the interview.
"Hey, why can't I get that in my contract?" Ralph asked now siding with his mom.
"Did you somehow manage to recruit my VP to your side?"
"Looks like it, right Ralph." Paige said with a big smile.
"I say we hire her dad, I mean Walter, I mean Mr. O'Brien. I'm hungry." Ralph was ready to eat.
"How does equal sound?" Walter asked her.
"Equal, equal what?"
"The position you applied for, you and me, equal owners of Scorpion. Fifty, fifty." Walter said.
"You're being serious now, aren't you?"
"I am. The um position you would be accepting would be as my equal at Scorpion."
"Walter, have you lost your mind? I am not your equal at Scorpion."
"I know, you are far more than that. And I can explain, too. Scorpion was at its best when you were there. Before you were there we struggled to survive. You were there, and it thrived, more than I ever could have hoped for. Then when you left it started to go downhill somewhat."
"But Walter, Scorpion is yours, you created the wonderful business it is, it was something you always wanted."
"You are right it was mine. Paige, everything I am and everything I have is already yours. Don't you see that. You and Ralph mean everything to me, and I want to share all of it with you."
"Walter, I don't know what to say."
"Say yes, just like last night, say yes." Walter told her with a smile.
"Walter, I want to be by your side for the rest of my life in everything you do. So yes, if that's what you truly want, I will accept."
They shared a group hug before they finished breakfast.
By the end of 2019, the museum was almost finished being rebuilt. Scorpion had taken back off again and was more successful than ever. Paige and Walter got married in an extravagant wedding in front of the Kid's Museum. And they found out at their family Thanksgiving with their friends, they were going to be expanding their family with a baby of their own. Life was good for Dr. and Mrs. Boom and their son Kid Coder, who was now officially known as Ralph O'Brien.