Walter's childhood bedroom.
Walter had exspected the whole annulment process to take months- maybe even a year or more. He wondered how much influence his Parents or possibly even Cabe had on the matter. To find that everything was progressing so swiftly Walter felt a great deal of pressure to ensure he was the perfect partner.
He knew Paige had no unrealistic expectations of him, but he'd developed anxiety over it all the same. His parents we two halves of a whole, as had been his Sister and Slyvester. He didn't understand why he'd denied the existence of romantic love for so many years when he had been surrounded by so much of it. It was a wonder how Paige and Ralph understood him so well when sometimes he didn't understand himself.
Walter knew he had to inform Happy of the most recent development and rung her to keep her apprised of their situation. She answered (as she always did) on the third ring. He almost laughed when he realised the date.
"Happy Anniversary Happy" Walter joked "well not really- we have our divorce"
Happy let out a rare laugh in response "you give me the best Anniversary gifts"
Walter frowned "Thats the only Anniversary gift you've ever gotten off me" Happy shook her head before realising Walter couldnt see her "Actually last year you got me a Vintage Germantown Hammer and the year before you brought me a new angle grinder. Knowingly or not you always gave me something every year I wanted or needed without really thinking about it. You were a good husband Walt, you provided for me and cared for me and even remembered stupid things like our anniversary even though you didn't need to".
As they finished their conversation Walter felt a ball of stress leave his chest at Happy's words. The loss of pressure making it easier to breathe. Dispite his conversation with his father before Walter still had concerns about his ability to be a good husband- Happy's words however helped him relieve a bit of the stress he'd developed about the whole thing. He hadn't actually proposed to Paige yet but they both knew it was going to happen some point soon.
Walter could tell she'd been speaking to Toby (who had likely spoken to Paige) considering the unusually affectionate words. Happy was rarely forthcoming with her EQ, especially with Walter- they usually understood each other in a way that rarely required emotional input. Though they cared for each other as best friends in their own strange way, Walter knew for a fact that though the words may be true she wouldn't have spoken them without some outside guidance and encouragement.
Walter was greatful for not just Happy's words but the obvious input from Toby- he knew the shock of Happy and his Marriage had been hard on his friend. So he was pleased that his friendship with the Harvard trained Doctor had not diminished after the revelation and that he had gone out of his way to show Walter support even though it must've been an uncomfortable conversation for him.
Though granted Walter hadn't been Happy with Toby's many comments about Walter being Happy's "mail order bride" on the evening they'd had dinner with his Family before returning to Los Angeles.
Happy usually rarely acknowledged their Marriage at all unless she absolutely had to. Even during the ceremony she hadn't even taken off her jacket let alone worn a wedding dress, and had just replied "sure" to the vows. Though granted he hadn't made much more of a effort having both arrived straight from work. He'd taken his jacket off and replied with the traditional "I do" but they'd both mostly avoided looking at each other for the ceremony.
Happy and Walter even had to be reminded to kiss at the end- which though he just given Happy a peck on her lips it was the single most awkward moment between them in both their opinions. They'd not been able to look each other in the face for the rest of the day. Yet when Happy had walked into the Loft a week prior to their Marriage to discuss a job he'd managed to secure they managed to hold an entire conversation while he was midway through receiving a blow-job, something he found out from his girlfriend that night was not socially acceptable before being dumped, he thought back on the moment and contemplated the fact that it would probably be considered tad weird what they found uncomfortable and what they didn't but Walter and Happy had never been normal.
Happy could've walked around naked every day in the Garage and he likely wouldn't have acknowledged it or cared- but if she'd ever made a move on him he'd have probably thrown up- he nearly had when their lips had touched for that brief second when they were Married.
Walter remembered his relief after the ceremony when she'd threatened him with physical violence if he even thought about consumating their Marriage, having feared she would exspect anything from him in that way.
He had no such fears with Paige- in fact he'd already began to develop a mental itinerary of exsactly he wanted to do to and with Paige when she was finally his completely. The thought alone made his mouth water. He sent a quick message to Paige. It wouldn't take much for her to think up an excuse to convince his Mother to watch Ralph for a hour or so. Thinking of their Wedding night had him aching for Paige to be underneath him.
When she finally appeared he hadn't exspected her to be red eyed- having obviously been crying. In that moment all thoughts of having her sexually disappeared from his mind. Though he thought himself ill equipped to handle a crying women at the best of times he'd do whatever he could to make her pain go away.
He just had to find out the cause first.
A/N hope you enjoyed this chapter. thank you for all the lovely comments and reviews. Please let me know what you think and what you think will happen next :) the next chapter is already complete and will be up tommorow :)