Paige walked into Walter's room the next evening with a large grin on her face. Ralph had run in a few minutes before she got there. Her grin turned into a warm smile seeing Walter and Ralph still hugging. She paused long enough to hug Louise and then Sean and then she moved Ralph out of her way so she could kiss and hug the man she loved.
"Well you certainly seem very happy." Walter said as she pulled back.
"Why shouldn't I be?" Paige asked as she arched her brow at him. She pulled a small box out of her purse and held it out to him.
Walter smiled as he took it and grinned seeing the ring inside. After removing the ring he reached out and took her left hand.
"I love you Paige." Walter said as he slipped the ring onto her finger.
"I love you too Walter." Paige answered before she bent back over and kissed him.
"Is this Walter O'Brien's room?" A woman's voice called out from the doorway.
"Yes it is." Louise told her.
The woman smiled as she stepped inside the room.
"I'm Mary Abney and Paige hired me to come perform a wedding." Mary introduced herself.
"Paige?" Walter grinned as they still kissed hearing her statement.
"I'm not waiting for another day Walter. You are mine and we're sealing the deal now." Paige told him.
"It's so nice to meet you. I'm Louise, Mother of the groom. I didn't know they were getting married today, Paige you didn't tell us." Louise complained as she grabbed her mirror and brush, out of her purse. She quickly began brushing her hair.
"Give it a rest, woman, you're beautiful as you are." Sean told her. "There's no camera to judge you anyway."
Paige began giggling at the conversation behind her.
"Sorry Louise, I wasn't waiting another day. I've wanted to be married my whole life and I've been waiting for this day in particular to happen for over four years now. Longer when you consider I'd wanted to marry Ralph's Father before he was born." Paige told her as she stood back up. She pulled the marriage license out of her purse and handed it to Mary.
"We need to wait a moment, Cabe isn't here yet." Paige told Mary as she grabbed her phone.
"We're here." Cabe said as he moved into the room followed by the other three geniuses.
Mary smiled as Paige and Walter joined hands. She was quick and within five minutes Walter and Paige were husband and wife.
Five days later:
"Careful now, don't hurt him!" Paige demanded from the people there to transfer him to the rehab hospital.
Walter chuckled but chose not to say anything.
Cabe and the gang stood back out of the way just watching. Walter's Mom stood with Paige helping to oversee and Sean wisely decided to follow Cabe's example and just remained quiet.
They rolled Walter gently onto his left side and slipped the backboard under him. Paige pulled and straightened Walter's Pajamas so he wouldn't be laying on any wrinkles. She nodded as she stepped back satisfied and they carefully rolled him back so he was lying on top of the backboard.
"You really don't have to be this protective Paige." Walter smiled.
"Tough. We already know what you are capable of when I'm not around. So get used to it." Paige grinned.
Walter nodded as he chuckled.
With him on the backboard they slid him easily to the side of the bed before moving the gurney over and then they lifted Walter up and placed him gently on the gurney. Paige watched as they covered him with a heavy blanket before they tightened the safety straps around him. A quick look around and they all walked out following along after Walter. Paige walked beside him holding his hand.
Oh Walter, it has been such a joy to spend some time with you again. Sorry I couldn't let you know who I was.
Walter's head twisted and turned trying to look back.
"Walter?" Paige asked concerned.
"I thought I heard a voice saying my name." Walter frowned.
You'll have a very good life now deartháir. You got your wife and son now. But never fear, I'll be watching when I can, I'm never too far away. Megan said softly as they moved down the hall.
Walter shifted a tiny bit as he tried to get comfy.
"Are you guys doing okay in the condo Mother?" Walter asked as they rode down in the elevator.
"Oh yes dear. It is quite something. And that young lady, Rhonda, that Richard introduced us to has been really great about taking us to and from. We just hope we're not taking advantage." Louise told him.
"Are you finding everything you want at the market, or is there anything I can help you find?" Paige asked.
"Well now that you mention it." Sean started.
"Jesus wept." Louise interrupted him while shaking her head. "Are you still going on about that? They're fine blankets for crying out loud Sean."
"What's wrong?" Paige asked, looking at them.
"The airline lost one of our bags, it had 'our' wool blanket in it. And we can't find any place that has a comparable quality." Louise sighed as she rolled her eyes.
"Oh, Walter is the same way. Remind me before you leave later and I'll give you the address where I've bought blankets for us. I'm not keen on wool against my skin, but Walter loves it." Paige sighed.
"It's a remembrance of comfort." Walter said simply as they opened the doors of the transport ambulance.
Paige smiled as she nodded.
"Aye, I've not been a fan of most wool blankets. I usually want a linen sheet between me and it." Louise nodded.
They watched them get Walter loaded. They did it so carefully that while they heard it, they barely saw it move as the restraint system locked the gurney into place.
"Did you want to ride with us ma'am?" One of the men asked Paige. Paige had already made believers out of them and they were very preferential with her.
"I would, thank you." Paige said as she climbed into the Ambulance and sat on the small bench alongside Walter.
"We'll follow behind you." Cabe told them as they closed up the door.
Sean and Louise stayed another week before the needs of the farm forced them to say goodbye. Walter and Paige promised to come visit after he recovered and Ralph was out of school for the summer.
Over the next three weeks Walter's care was overseen and governed by one Mama bear Dineen. Richard had ensured that Walter had his own nursing assistant. One that Paige grilled extensively before allowing to assist beyond fetching things. She sat through each therapy they put him through. She'd ask questions of everything before they were allowed to work with Walter. And if she didn't like the answers she'd send them away until they could explain it better.
Walter's physical recovery was slow but progressing. The hardest was sitting up, especially going to the toilet. They had a special high rise toilet that made it slightly easier. Walter got two hours in the mornings and two hours in the afternoon he was able to do some computer work for his team at Richards. After that it was all physical rehab or visiting with family and friends.
"I'm tired of being here." Walter complained to Paige finally.
"I'm tired of us being here. We've been married five weeks and haven't been able to sleep in the same bed yet." Paige told him. "I want you home in our bed. But are you really ready for that? I'd imagine Richard might send Becky to the condo to help you and your therapists can come there to help you work out more."
"At this point I don't care if he sends Becky or anyone else there. The other patients here are driving me crazy. It's like being eleven again in Callan and kids coming up to me with stupid questions wanting to see if I know the answer." Walter said bitterly.
Paige giggled.
"Oh sure, laugh at my pain." Walter pouted.
Paige stuck her tongue out a bit and then bent over and kissed him.
"Okay, I'm going to go talk to the therapists right now and tell them to get the doctor to discharge you for home. We'll set up the time for them to come out to work with you before we leave." Paige told him as she turned and walked out of his room.
"Well I really do not recommend this Mr O'Brien. You are far from steady on your own. Is your home at least set up to help you? Like a raised toilet?" The Dr asked dismissively.
"Yes." Paige told him sharply. "Our friend Happy installed it herself along with grab bars and other items of assistance the therapists had recommended. Even they believe Walter is ready to go home."
"They are just therapists. They are not doctors." He told her gruffly.
"Speak to my wife like that again and I will kick your ass and show you how good of shape I am in." Walter swore even as he grabbed up one of his crutches. "You just don't want to lose me cause Richard is paying for everything. But you can be sure I will be telling him exactly how you behaved here."
The doctor emitted some kind of guttural grunt and fled the room quickly leaving behind the nurse with Walter's discharge papers.
"Sorry about him guys. He can be a real ass at times." The nurse told them quietly as she began to go over the instructions.
"What's going on with that doctor that just left the room?" Cabe asked as he walked into the room.
"He got mouthy with Paige and I threatened to kick his ass if he did it again." Walter told him as he swung his legs off the bed.
Paige and the nurse smiled at Walter.
Moving slowly and carefully Walter stood and using the crutches he stepped out two feet before turning. Paige pushed his wheelchair up and as Walter went to sit down the nurse grabbed his arm to be safe. Walter nodded but finished sitting down slowly.
"I know you want out of here kid, but I got to say, I'd feel better if you were still here instead of at home." Cabe told him as he stepped up to push him.
"I know you would Cabe, Mother and Father said the same thing. But we're talking almost six weeks now since I woke up, that's almost seven weeks of healing. Four weeks of really working my muscles, I'm ready for this." Walter told him even as Happy and Toby walked in the room.
"To your door movers at your service." Toby spoke up quickly.
Walter grinned looking at Paige.
"I hope you got the movers from Harvard." The five of them started laughing while the nurse looked puzzled.
"My husband is always reminding everyone that he got his medical degrees from Harvard." Happy told her to which the nurse smiled as she nodded.
"Hey Cabe, step around here for a moment." Walter said, looking at Paige.
"Yeah, sure kid. What's up?" Cabe asked as he stepped around and squatted down.
"You know I think of you as my Dad right?" Walter said and instantly tears welled up in Cabe's eyes. "I just want to be sure you do, you mean so much to all of us really. I love you."
A tear ran down Cabe's face as he pushed in and hugged Walter tightly for a moment. And then with his hand on the back of Walter's neck he kissed Walter's cheek.
"I love you too kid, I'm so grateful I got you, all of you in my life. I was so hollow after Amanda. And then you and I had our falling out. It is no wonder I was flaming out in Homeland. The Homeland contract might have been something Scorpion needed, but I needed you in my life so much more." Cabe told him.
Paige smiled happily at Walter as she squatted down and kissed him.
"We love you too Cabe." Toby said gently even as Happy hugged him.
Cabe kissed the top of Happy's head as he pulled Toby over and hugged him too.
As Cabe stepped back around to the back of Walter's chair, Paige stepped up to him. Her hand rose up and they wrapped their arms around each other.
"I love you too Cabe. I couldn't have done this without you." Paige told him as she kissed his ear.
Cabe nodded.
"I love you too, kid. I couldn't imagine the last five years without you. These guys would have driven me into my grave." Cabe chuckled before he began pushing Walter.
Monday, June 10th, 2019, 6 am local time Callan, IE:
Walter stepped out of his family home onto the front porch. The last two months had been a relief after the two months at the hospital and rehab that had been a struggle physically. Walter had a slight difference to his walk but only those close to him noticed it. Happy and Toby noticed it first as he was now leading with his left foot. Try as he might he couldn't get his mind to override the sense of weakness he thought he felt.
He breathed in deeply as the sun's light was striking him. Compared to Los Angeles, the cool morning air caused goosebumps to pop up on his flesh. Paige stepped out behind him with two steaming cups of coffee. Walter grinned back at her as he extended his left arm and she stepped on up to him. She leaned in as his arm wrapped around her and hugged her tighter to him. His right hand came up and got one cup from her and they smiled at each other before each taking a sip.
"Thanks for going skinny dipping with me last night." Paige whispered into his ear.
Walter nearly spit his coffee out as Paige just laughed.
"It was a lot of fun. I wonder if it worked." Walter grinned at Paige as she blushed a bit.
"Well, it was the right time in my cycle and the ovulation test said it was. So we'll know in a few weeks at most. I'm just glad you are willing to actively have more children." Paige kissed his cheek.
"I just hope Ralph will be okay with it. He's been an only child for a long time." Walter sipped his coffee. "Of course you can probably expect Mother to come visit when your due date gets close. Father won't have a choice. She's so disappointed she never got to hold Ralph as a baby."
"Your Mother is welcome to visit and stay as long as she wants, my Mother on the other hand is not." Paige said loudly.
Walter chuckled.
"Don't worry, I have no plans to invite her." Walter promised.
"Are you still happy about reforming Scorpion?" Paige asked.
"For the most part, I'm happy we found a way to do it and I can still honor my contract with Richard. What about Toby and Happy?" Walter asked after they sat down on the swing on the porch.
"When I talked to them this morning, Happy said they found a little boy to adopt on Saturday. I guess they will pick him up at 10 am California time today." Paige told him as they snuggled back together.
"Good, I talked to Sly and he said he and Florence were moving in together this week." Walter told her.
"The more things change." Paige sighed. "I'm just glad we're rock solid now."
"Definitely and we're definitely nowhere near a faultline either." Walter smirked.
Paige laughed as she slapped his arm.
"I thought just for good measure you and I could sleep in the hayloft of the barn tonight. Try and maximize our chances." Walter told her sexily.
"Just promise me if we have a boy we won't name him Heywood." Paige grinned.
Walter shook his head no.
Greetings! I hope this finds you well! And here we come to another "sad" conclusion. I still hate posting the final chapter. But it opens the future for what is next! Did any of you notice the chapter name? Did you have guess what it would refer too? lol
Railman - Yep, Toby definitely can't stand those things for sure. I'd wondered once if there might have been a jealousy angle to the character over Paige, or maybe more accurately Walter with anyone. Yep new story Tuesday! "Walter Under The Bridge"
Lucy - Glad you did! hehe It seemed too cute not to. lol
Margaret - I'm glad you enjoyed Toby getting real with Walter and Happy! Keep those eyes rested! Yeah, Walter certainly endured a lot this story. Good thing he is fairly resilient physically!
Marti - Thank you! I'm so glad you did! Yep, I did let you know! hehe Funny thing is, until last chapter it was supposed to just be Walter was talking to the reader and when the story expressed he needed help to get back to his body it clicked, it had been Megan. So good guess! It is one of the things I love about not plotting a story, the story surprises me from time to time too. Like when Cabe and Ralph "senior" weren't really dead. Glad you enjoyed this aspect so much!
Pearliegirl - hehe Thanks! Glad you enjoy my evil laugh! And thank you, I truly love my imagination. Sometimes it is a little obnoxious. lol As for finding the next story Tuesday, regardless to how you see Scorpion stories, in order to see M rated stories you have to change the filter preference each time you visit. But that is a "complicated" procedure. The easiest is, click on my user name Grykon, whether phone/tablet or computer it will take you to my profile page. And you will see the list of stories I've written in chronological order, newest first. Hopefully you can access it that way no problems. You can also find a direct link from my Twitter to my profile here. If you need more help, contact me there or if you can log into your account here and message me I can try and help more.
JerBr23 - Sadly Walter never really set any boundaries with Toby in the show so he never learned to stay out of things that didn't concern him. Shame really, Walter and him could have had a much better relationship. She certainly does! And she's got him now, until death do they part! lol Yep, I really like Richard. I wish Walter had listened to him better about Paige. I think when I first listened to their conversation I had thought he was trying to drive a wedge between Walter and Paige but, after seeing it multiple times and thinking about it, I think Richard was truly trying to make Walter see, he needed to stop the nonsense and declare his love for Paige.
LouBe - I thought so too, glad you enjoyed it! Walter definitely almost kicked the bucket there! lol Yes, as I said to Marti, it turned out to be Megan, it was supposed to just be the reader, but the story had a surprise for me too. lol I questioned Walter on that, he just grinned when I asked if that was his way of trying to move their relationship along...That line you quoted sounds familiar, but from where I know not. hehe Looks like Paige had her mind set and it was going to happen, period. And it looks like she wants something else to happen! lol Well the first 4 chapters you can read with both eyes...from chapter 5 on, keep your hands inside the car at all times! lol It really isn't that bumpy but it has some heavier things to it.
To the Adventure! -Tim