Paige was the first to wake up but was content to just lie against the love of her life . Twenty minutes later Walter woke up , Paige turned her head so she could look into Walter's face .
" Good morning handsome . " Paige said with a big smile on her face .
" Good morning to you , the most beautiful Woman in the world ." A smiling Walter replied .
" Are you ready to face another day , will we be going to Kilkenny today or to your parents ? " Paige asked with a little less of confidence than she normally would usually have had .
" I think we should go to Kilkenny i need to check everything is alright . I left in such a hurry . i cannot even be certain i locked up correctly .
" Ok but can we please hire a car , even if it is only a small cheaper one . The bus ride will take over three hours and will not leave until 2.00pm. . " Said Paige .
Walter looked at her a little confused . " How do you know that ? "
Paige held up her phone and said . " I checked , car hire at the airport , you can get it for as little as 12 euros a day . "
" Ok you win , do you want to phone up and book a car for 12.00 noon . That will give us time to have breakfast and book a taxi for 11.00 am. "
" Ok do you want to take your shower first , while i arrange that . " Replied Paige .
Walter looked a little down in the mouth . " Something wrong Walter ? " She asked .
" I was hoping you may have wanted to share a shower ? " He was trying to put some sorrow into his voice .
" Well i suppose i could book a car after i have a shower . " Said Paige as she took hold of Walter's hand and pulled him towards the bathroom .
Forty-five minutes later they came out of the bathroom , both grinning like Cheshire cat's .
" We had better hurry getting ready or we will miss out on breakfast . " Said Paige .
" If we do it was well worth it . " Walter answered the grin on his face getting even bigger .
All Paige could say was.
" Walter . "
Thirty minutes later they were ready and made their way down to the dining room . They both enjoyed an Irish breakfast and returned to their room .
Once back Paige phoned a car hire firm at the airport and arranged for a Ford Fiesta for 15 Euros a day . She arranged for it to be returned to a garage in Kilkenny by 12 noon tomorrow . She also arranged for a taxi to collect them at 11.00am. at the hotel
Packing their cases took no time at all , by 10.45 am. they were in reception and Paige settled the bill , they then sat down on two of the chairs in reception .
Spot on 11.00am. the taxi , in fact the same one that bought them to the hotel , arrived .
The journey back to the airport took thirty minutes . By the time Paige and Walter had completed the paperwork for the car hire , the car was ready .
Walter did the driving because Paige had no experience driving on the left hand side of the road .
The journey took about ninety minutes . Walter parked outside his shop and helped Paige out of the car and led her to a door a few yards from the shop .
" Welcome to Chez O'Brian . " He said .
After opening the door he led Paige up the stairs to the flat .
" Please excuse the mess , i left in such a hurry , i did not even make the bed . " Explained Walter .
Paige gave a little laugh before speaking . " Is that an invitation ? " Said a smiling Paige .
" No , no it was just an expression . " Said Walter with an equally big smile on his face .
Walter opened the flat door to be met by a pungent , rancid smell .
" I think we should open some windows before we do anything else . " Paige said firmly .
Walter went in first , closely followed by Paige . Paige walked straight over to the fridge and opened it , what she saw was a magnificent sight of mold growth and various food containers , milk that turned rancid and a small selection of rotten salad and vegetable's . She shut the door a lot faster than she had opened it .
" Walter this absolutely disgusting , we need to go and do some shopping , Do you have any cleaning materials ? "
Walter just shook his head .
" Right , is there a general store in Kilkenny you know of . "
" Well there is McCartney's it is a general store but not on the scale you are used to in the States . It is just around the corner so we can walk . " Explained Walter .
" Then what are we waiting for , let's go . " Said Paige as she picked up her purse .
They arrived at McCartney's and Paige smiled at how cute it looked . Outside on the pavement was a selection of buckets , bowls , mops and brushes .
" Have you got a mop and bucket at the flat ? "
All Walter could manage again was a shake of his head . Paige picked up a mop and bucket and a dustpan and brush . They went inside and Paige was amazed at the stock on the shelves , shelves that reached almost to the ceiling . She put polish , glass cleaner , dusters and a pack of sponge scrubbers into the mop bucket . Walter was just following amazed how easy Paige found the items she required . Once they turned a corner , she saw more shelves , this time packed with groceries . She immediately found coffee , sugar , and creamer . She also picked up eggs , bread and a spread , so she could make a quick snack tonight . By the time she had finished they had filled five bags with grocery and cleaning items , plus the mop and bucket . Walter paid with his credit card . Between them they managed to get all the shopping back to the flat .
For the next two hours between them they managed to clear the flat including the fridge , the smell now was acceptable . Paige had also purchased a couple of airfresheners.
Once they had finished they sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee .
" Thank you for doing that , it should not be your responsibility . "
" Walter there is no need to thank me , when you love someone you just do things to help them and do not expect thanks . But i appreciate the fact that you took the time to do that , it seems that being away from the pressure of Scorpion as actually helped your E.Q. "
" Thank you Paige , i have really missed you for the past two years , but the rest of Scorpion i have not given them very much thought or even missed them . "
" I have to admit you have been on my mind a lot , but even more once i left C.P. and Toby and Sly's digs at you . "
Walter leaned over and kissed Paige on the lips .
" How about we go for a meal , neither of us have eaten since breakfast . " Suggested Walter .
" Is there some where close and not to upmarket so we do not have to dress up . "
" Well the local pub , does a decent pub meal . " Replied Walter .
" A genuine Irish pub and food sounds just right . " Said a smiling Paige .
They Both took a quick shower , individually the shower in Walter's bathroom was a power shower over the bath , so not much room .
They dressed casually , Walter held Paige's hand on the walk to the pub , THE IRISH HARP . They ordered their meal , scampi and chips for Walter , chicken and chips for Paige , while they were waiting Paige drank a glass of red wine , Walter a sparkling water .
Paige was a little surprised when her meal was delivered in a small wicker basket and the chips were oversized French fries .
" I had forgotten that chips over here are not what we expect . " No knives and forks were supplied , Walter explained in a basket , food was usually eaten with the fingers . Paige was content to do just that , and actually agreed it somehow improved the taste , what she really enjoyed were the Irish chips .
They both had a couple of more drinks before deciding to make their way home . Both Paige and Walter , as they walked arm in arm , back to the flat just chatted about nothing in particular .
Once they got home the day and the jet lag caught up with them . They got ready for bed , Paige curled up against Walter and put her head on his chest and in minutes a low purr was coming from her mouth .
Next morning after a breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast , Walter and Paige returned the rental car to the garage in Kilkenny , it was not that far from Walter's flat so they decided to walk back .
Paige took great deal of interest in everything around her . Being a city dweller in L.A. the closeness of the town fascinated her .
Paige had managed to persuade Walter to visit his parents , so once they got back to the flat , they had a cup of coffee , Walter's idea . but Paige knew he was trying to put off the inevitable .
A hour later they were on their way to Callen and the O'Brian farm , Within thirty minutes they were pulling up outside the farmhouse door .
" Walter they are your parents and i know you had a hard time as a child . But you are now a successful business man ,so go in there with your head held high and be proud . " Paige said , trying her best to bolster Walter's confidence , she realized he was prepared to face gunmen , bombs . nuclear reactors , than face his parents .
Walter got out the car , Paige got out and walked round to him and grasped his hand , her touch immediately calmed Walter , he straightened his shoulders and put a smile on his face .
" Now that's a lot better . " Said Paige as she reached over and gave him a peck on the cheek .
They both walked up to the door and Walter knocked the door tentatively . In less than a minute the door was flung open and Louise stood there .
" Walter my darling boy you are back and with the beautiful Paige . " She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug . Walter immediatly started to stiffen , Paige put her hand on the base of his spine and he started to relax so much so he hugged her back .
Once Louise released Walter she pulled Paige into an even tighter hug .
" Come on in , Sean is in the barn but he should be here soon . You are going to stop for something to eat , ar'nt you ? " Louise asked .
" That would be most pleasant Mrs. O'Brian ." Replied Paige .
" Please call me Louise . "
" Ok Louise . " Replied a smiling Paige .
They followed Louise through to the kitchen , they all sat around the kitchen table . "
" Would you like some coffee dear ? " Asked Louise .
" That would be lovely , thank you Louise . "
As the coffee was brewing Sean walked into the kitchen . " We have visitors Sean . "
" Hello son , Paige you are both well i hope . " Said Sean .
" Yes thank you dad , we are both well . " Walter looked across at Paige with sorrow in his eyes , she knew that his dad was still not that happy with Walter .
" Good morning Mr. O'Brian , i know you have not always got on with Walter . But his I.Q. and bravery has lead to the saving of 1000's of lives , so i feel your attitude to Walter needs to change . " Paige spoke in a very stern voice .
Sean's mouth dropped open , he tried to reply but all that came out was a garbled sound . Louise had listened to what Paige had said and immediately turned on Sean .
" It is about time someone has had the nerve to stand up up to you Sean . I think you should rethink your outlook on Walter , because i am sure Paige will have a lot more to say to you . "
Sean knew now he was in a losing battle both seem to be powerful women and he realized he did not stand a chance .
." I am sorry Walter , Paige is right i have always looked down on you , i think it was because i could not understand everything you said and did . Paige i apologies to you as well , thank you for pointing out my weakness , and hope you will do me the honor of calling me Sean . "
" It would be my pleasure Sean . I think you need to be told some of the things your son has actually achieved and accomplished . A lot of the work we cannot tell you about as they are covered by the American secret's act . " Explained Paige .
" I will look forward to that , i know i saw him save the hospital were Megan was . Also what he did on Patton day when he saved the whole area . But in both cases he still seemed very arrogant . " Replied Sean .
" It is not arrogance , it is his way of concentrating on what needs doing . " Paige firmly told him .
" Oh i see , my I.Q. is not that great and i tend to speak before i think , i will try my best to try and understand him better . " Sean turned to Walter and continued . " I am sorry for the way i have treated you in the past and hope in the future i can understand you a lot better . Also i will attempt to be a better father to you . One other thing you have got one hell of a woman in Paige , you make sure you treat her well . "
" Thank you dad , Paige is the only woman i have ever wanted , despite a few hiccups in the six years i have known her , she as always been the one and her son Ralph , i treat him as my own , and i have to admit i think i have made a better job at it than you did for me . But as from today i suggest we start again . " As Walter said this he reached out with his hand to shake his dad's hand .
" I am so proud of you Walter and i hope you can keep your promise , Mr. O'Brian . " Said Paige with a big smile on her face .
Sean looked at her , no change in his expression at all .
" Well i think the first thing that should happen is i would like you to call me Sean . You are certainly a determined and protective of any one you love , i can see just how much love Walter as for you and you have as much for him , also the difference you have made to him . "
" Thank you Sean , that is a good start ,but i will promise you if you start with your snarky or sarcastic remarks i will defend Walter with my life . " Paige forcefully told Sean .
" I can see that in your eyes , that what you are saying is the truth . I can promise you i will do my best to treat him in the way he deserves . "
Paige walked over to Sean and gave him a hug and whispered in his ear .
" You had better ! "
During all this time Louise had been listening intently .
" I am behind Paige all the way , so you had better behave yourself in future or you will have me to answer too as well . " Louise told Sean with her arms tightly crossed against her chest , her voice one that Sean knew that she meant what she said and the consequences could be dire .
All Sean could reply with was .
" Yes Dear . "
" Both Walter and Paige smiled imagining Happy and Toby having similar conversation . Toby always the one to backdown .
" After all that , coffee everyone . " Asked Louise with a laugh in her voice .
Once they had finished their coffee , Louise made her excuses and went into the kitchen to start preparing lunch .
Sean turned to Walter .
" Walter could you spare a few minutes to check something out for me and maybe give me some advice . "
" You will be alright staying here , while i go with dad and see what's wrong . " Walter asked Paige as he leaned towards her and planted a kiss on the cheek .
" Of course i will , i can go and talk to Louise and learn a few of your childhood secrets . " Paige with a big smile on her face , replied .
Sean led Walter towards the barn and opened one of the double doors . Once inside he turned to Walter .
" I told a small lie in the house , i do not need any help . I wanted to apologize to you without being looked over by two powerful and ferocious women , who i must say scare me . When i first heard i had a son i was so proud in fact i went down to the pub that night and celebrated a little to hard , in fact i was bought home on a trailer pulled by O'Flattery's tractor . Your mom was none to pleased i can tell you . But as you got older to me you were strange . I never realized it was your high I. Q. that made you so different . I always imagined you would grow up to run the farm . I never realized you would grow up to be a successful business man , who has put his life in danger , i do not even know how many times . But from what Paige as said or at least indicated it would appear to be multiple times . None of this information appears in our papers . So until the hospital incident when Megan died i did not realize what you were capable of , but even then you appeared arrogant and insolent , but from what Paige has told us , that is the way you work . I did mean it when i told you i was proud of you when you fought Conner and Thomas and saved the town . But i still did not understand you , which is why i always seem cold and distance with you , however since the tongue lashing i got from Paige i have most defiantly changed my mind about you . I cannot promise that i will not make anymore mistakes but i will try my best . Can we restart again today , i love you Walter . "
Walter had stood there and was now re-running the entire conversation through his head , had Paige been there she could have explained to Sean what was happening , but she wasn't so Sean was shocked when he got no reply from Walter , who appeared to be in a trance .
" Walter are you alright , speak to me son , please . Shall i fetch Paige ? "
Walter shook his head . " Sorry dad , when anyone gives me a lot of information all at once , i always go over the whole conversation in my head , before i give an answer . I totally agree with you i would like to start afresh from today , i love you to dad . " As he said this he put out his hand to shake his dad's hand , Sean took it and then pulled Walter into a hug and surprisingly Walter returned the hug .
Walter and Sean made their way back to the house .
" We are back ." Shouted Sean as they entered the house .
Paige popped her head around the kitchen door and skipped over to Walter , gave him a warm hug and a passionate kiss on the lips .
" Are you two alright ? " She asked , seeing Sean looking a little sheepish behind Walter .
" Yes we had a good conversation and thanks to you we are beginning to start all over again . " Paige smiled and released Walter and walked over to Sean , gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek and whispered in his ear .
" Thank you . "
Louise served lunch , which was gratefully accepted by everyone . Once over Louise began to clear away the remains , Paige immediately began to help . Louise looked across at her .
" Paige at the moment you are a guest in our house . Guest do not help clear way a meal or help with the washing up . " She said it in a voice that seemed to say i mean it .
Paige stopped and looked across at her and smiled .
" Well if you are sure , i think i will get Walter to take me on a tour around some of his haunts when he was younger . " She looked straight at Walter , who smiled back .
" It would be a pleasure , but could we have a cup of coffee first ? " He smiled at Paige as he said this but in the back of his mind , the plan he had already been working on was bouncing around his head like a lottery ball prior to being chosen .
Louise finished clearing everything away and then made coffee .
Twenty minutes later Walter and Paige left the farmhouse , hand in hand .
" I want to take you to a place that was my sanctuary from Conner and Thomas , my school boy bullies . Tim and Cabe are the only people i have shown the place to , that was on Patton day ." Walter said with a mixture of sorrow and happiness in his voice .
" It would be a big honor and privilege to see it , but please no more mention of Tim , to be honest it was six months i wasted of my life . " Replied Paige who leaned into Walter and gently kissed his cheek .
Walter smiled and increased his pace down the path , he suddenly took a right turn down a pebbly path that opened up to a small pebbly beach to a large lake surrounded on three sides by small mountains covered in pine trees .
" What a beautiful sight , is this what caused us all the problem on Patton's Day ."
Walter looked at her and just nodded his head .
" It is so tranquil down here and so pretty , what did you do while you were down her ?" Paige asked .
" Skimmed stones ."
Paige looked totally confused .
" What !"
" Let me show you . " Walter bent down and picked up some stones , checked them over and disguarded most of them . He kept two and walked down to the edge of the lake and with an underarm throw let go one of the pebbles as it hit the water it came back up into the air , fell again hit the water and again it came back into the air . This happened seven times in total . Walter turned to Paige .
" That is skimming ,do you want a go ? " Paige smiled sweetly and gently shook her head .
" That's fine , do you want to sit down on that fallen tree ? "
Paige looked behind her and saw a tree trunk on it's side , a place on top well worn were people have sat over the years to just look at the beauty in front of them . Paige walked over and sat down .
" Close your eyes Paige . " Asked Walter , Paige looked at him confused .
Walter just said . " PLEASE ."
" Can i trust you , you are not about to run off and leave me ? Are you . " Paige asked .
" Paige i swear i will be by your side until eternity , even if you were to leave me , i would still always be there at the end of a phone just waiting for your call ."
" Walter that is so beautiful , i know i can trust you . It was meant as a tease . " As Paige was saying this her eyes closed .
After about thirty seconds Walter spoke again .
" It is safe to open your eyes . " As she opened her eyes she was surprised to see Walter down on one knee , in his hand was an open black ring box , holding a gold ring mounted by at least a two carat diamond . Her eyes went wide and she heard Walter say .
" Paige will you marry me ?"
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