" Paige will you marry me ? "

Almost before Walter could finish speaking , Paige jumped off the tree trunk and knelt down in front of him . She put a hand on each side of his face said yes and pulled his head towards her , bringing her lips onto his lips . The kiss lasted almost a minute before she pulled away and took in a deep gulp of air .

" Oh Walter , yes ,yes, yes i will marry you , it is something i have wanted almost since the first day we met , but things always seemed to get in the way . " As she finished speaking she planted another kiss on the lips .

" Would you mind if i put the ring on your finger ? "

Paige immediately extended her left hand , Walter quickly slipped the ring onto her finger . She immediately turned her hand and began admiring the ring Walter had just slipped on her finger .

Walter looked into her eyes with a sparkle in his and spoke .

" I love being so close to you , but do you think we could get up off our knees now and go and sit on the tree trunk , the pebbles are starting to dig into my knees . "

Paige gave a giggle and began to stand . Walter waited until she was up and steady and followed her actions , walking over to the tree trunk , her eyes never leaving the ring that had just been put on her finger

" Thank you Walter it is a beautiful ring and this is turning into one of the best days of my life . Would you mind if i asked you a question ? "

" You can ask me anything you would like to , if i can i will give you as honest an answer as i can . "

" Well it is a simple question . When did you buy the ring ? You have been at my side ever since you came to America . "

Walter put his arm around her and pulled her close and gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek . his face broke into a big smile and slowly and quietly said .

" Over two years ago ."

Paige pulled away from him , turned to face him .

" Over two years ago ! " She answered back at him in a loud voice .

" That is what i said ." Replied Walter his voice very calm and quite .

" Would you care to explain Walter . "

" There is not a lot to explain , i actually bought it while you were in Hawaii . I had every intention the night you came back to ask you to marry me . You may remember when i came down the stairs , i asked if you were a ready to have an evening of astronomy with Ralph . You told me you wanted to take Ralph home for a pizza and a movie night , as he had just had his heartbroken by Patty and your hands were hurting . Well the astronomy was another white lie , i had decorated part of the roof out in fairy lights , a table that contained a vase with four red roses , one for each of the years we had known each other , a bottle of your favorite red wine , a selection of snacks i had arranged with Kovelsky's . The ring was in my pocket . The reason i gave you a quick kiss and rushed back up the stairs . What i wanted to do was put my arms around you and hug you tight and go and try and console Ralph . but i could not because i did not want you to see the sorrow in my face and the tears running down my cheeks . Instead once i got up stairs , i tore the lights down , binned the food and roses and poured the wine and chocolate shakes , i had ordered for Ralph , down the sink . "

Walter by know had stopped smiling and tears were forming in his eyes . Paige leaned over to him and put her head on his shoulder .

" Oh Walter why did you not say anything before ? "

" Well after i had asked you i intended to tell you all about the lecture , but over the next couple of weeks we never seemed to get much chance to be alone . On the flight back from Africa i had decided i was going to ask you in front of everyone , i had already told you part of the story about the lecture . I thought i would show my true love for you in front of the whole team . But of course we both know how that night ended . "

By now Paige was sobbing uncontrollably , she turned closer to Walter and hugged him tight , her tears beginning to stain the front of Walter's shirt . Walter hugged Paige back and began to try and calm her down .

" It is alright Paige please stop crying , this is supposed to be a happy time . "

Paige began to sniff and slowly her tears stopped falling down her cheeks . Eventually she pulled away from Walter and did a very unladylike thing and wiped her runny nose on the sleeve of her jumper .

Walter pulled out a packet of tissues out of his trouser pocket and passed them to her .

" Much more ladylike than your sleeve , i thought i may need them when i asked and you said yes . "

" I am so sorry Walter if i had gone on the roof that night , we would not have had a two year separation . Two years we can never get back . "

Walter looked at her for a few seconds .

" If you had you would not have won the lottery and be able to move to Malibu .

Paige gave another sniff and looked Walter straight in the eyes .

" I would give everything back if i could have those two years together . "

" We know that is impossible so i suggest we just look forward and not back again . There is one more thing i need to tell you , no more lies . Ever since you left me , i have slept with the ring under my pillow , before i put it there i would kiss the diamond . So effectively i have kissed that stone over 700 times , so you may want to take it to a jewelers for a good clean . "

Paige burst out laughing and said .

" Oh Walter ! "

They hugged each other and kissed . The next sixty minutes they sat on the tree trunk , and hugged and kissed occasionally , they were just content looking across the lake .

" I think we should make our way back to the farmhouse , do you want mom and dad to know ?" Walter asked .

Paige looked him in the eyes and put a big kiss on his lips , once she came up for air , she shouted as loud as she could .

" I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW PAIGE DINEEN IS THE LUCKEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD , OFF COURSE I WANT THEM TO KNOW ."

Walter just smiled stood up and offered his hand to Paige to help her up from the trunk . All the way back to the farm Paige did not take her eyes off the ring on her finger . This caused her a few problems , such as stumbling and slipping , fortunately she was grasping Walter's arm tightly and sudden movements he was able to correct . It took almost twice as long to get back to the farm as Paige kept stopping and wanting to kiss him . Walter was more than happy to oblige .

They stopped outside the door of the farm .

" Do you want to take your ring off , before we go in ?" Asked Walter .

" Are you kidding me , this is on my finger as a permanent fixture . " Replied Paige .

" Well at least keep your left hand behind your back . "

Walter and Paige walked into the house and saw Louise and Sean sitting on the couch in the main living area .

" Hello you two did you enjoy your walk . " Asked a smiling Louise .

Both Walter and Paige answered .

" Yes. "

Louise had a curious look on her face and had to ask .

" Paige dear is there something wrong with your left arm , you do seem to be holding it in a very aukward position ? "

Paige looked at Walter with a big smile on her face and asked . "

" Can I ? "

Walter just nodded the smile on his face growing bigger . With lightning speed Paige pulled her left arm in front of her and extended it the palm of her hand face down and her fingers straight out . Louise's eyes went wide .

" Oh sweet Jesus that's an engagement ring , that as got to be the biggest diamond i have ever seen . "

All Paige could do was nod her head . Louise was up and running towards Paige . She grabbed Paige in a big hug .

"Congratulations sweetheart , i never thought Walter would ever be in a relationship , you have worked a miracle with him . "

Sean also got up and went to Walter shook his hand and pulled him into a hug .

" Congratulations son , you look after that sweet girl , you have got a diamond there and i am proud to be able to call her my daughter . You hear me now . "

" Yes father . "

Louise released Paige as Sean released Walter . Sean immediately pulled Paige into an embrace .

" My sweet girl , thank you for what you have done for both me and my son . I am so proud to be able to call you my daughter and would be honored if you would call me Daid or dad . "

" It would be my pleasure to call you dad or Daid , if that is how you pronounce it . " Replied a smiling Paige .

They all broke their embraces and moved back to the seating area .

" I think this calls for a celebration . " Suggested Louise .

Paige looked at Walter who just smiled .

" Thank you Louise , but until we have told Ralph , i would appreciate it if we told no one else just yet . We also need to contact Cabe and Allie , they have been like a mom and dad to the whole of Scorpion before the break-up. " Explained Paige .

" First would you please call me Mamaidh or mom , second when can you contact them ? " Asked Louise .

" Well Allie and Cabe are eight hours behind us , so it will be around 8.00am. in L.A. Ralph is five hours behind us , which would make it around 11.00am in Boston , so he will be in class ."Walter leaned into Paige .

" Maybe we could text Ralph to call us when he his free . "

Once Louise had made more coffee she sat opposite Paige and seemed to spend as much time looking at the ring on Paige's finger , as Paige did herself .

As they finished their coffee , Paige's phone rang , when she checked the caller I.D. it showed Ralph she immediately pressed the answer button .

" Hello Ralph , i am pleased you have phoned back so quickly . "

Ralph." Is something wrong , is everyone alright , you do not usually call during lesson times ?"

Paige " Everything is fine but myself and Walter have some news we need to share with you urgently ."

Ralph " Good news i hope ? "

Paige " Well we think it is very good news , and so do Sean and Louise . "

Ralph " Please do not keep me waiting any longer . "

Paige " Ok , a few hours ago Walter proposed to me and i accepted . I hope you are pleased as well . "

Ralph " Whoppie , as Cabe would say , it is about time , can i talk to Walter . "

Paige " Of course ."

She handed the phone to Walter

Ralph " Does it mean i can call you dad all the time now ?"

Walter " As far as i am concerned i would be very happy for you to do that . But the final decision must be your mom's . "

Ralph " Can you pass the phone back to mom please . "

Walter " Ok, have a good rest of the day at college . "

At that Walter passed the phone back to Paige .

Paige " Hello sweetheart are you really happy with Walter and me being engaged .

Ralph " It is the best thing you could ever do , you deserve some real happiness , but please try and keep your jealousy in check . "

Paige " That will never happen again , the last two years have been hell and something i never intend to go through again .

Ralph " Good . I have a question , i have asked Walter and he his very happy with it but he said the final decision as to be yours . "

Paige " What is the question ? "

Ralph " I want to call Walter dad . "

Paige " Is that all , i would be happy for you to call Walter dad and i am sure Walter will be very proud if you do . "

Ralph " Thanks mom , could you send me a picture of the ring please . "

Paige " No problem . We had better let you go back to your lunch . I am and i know Walter is very happy you are pleased with our news . "

Ralph " I am over the moon . Say goodbye to everyone for me , i will phone you around 5.00p.m. your time on Sunday . Will that be alright ? "

Paige " Of course ring anytime . Hold on second . Everyone say goodbye to Ralph . " Paige held her phone up and everyone shouted Goodbye to Ralph .

" Well i am certain Ralph is more than pleased with the engagement . " Said a smiling Paige .

" I look forward to be dad to him . " Said Walter with a big smile on his face .

" Do you think it is to early to ring Cabe and Allie . " Asked Paige .

" Give it a try , i know Cabe does not like to stay in bed . " Walter remarked

Paige looked at her phone and pressed Cabe's number . After a couple of rings Paige heard Cabe's gruff voice

" Hello Paige , everything alright ? "

" Yes , everything is fine , would it be alright to video call you ? "

" Of course sweetheart , i will get Allie to set the computer set up . "

" Ok, we will call you in a few minutes . "

Walter had Sean's computer set up within five minutes and they put in the video call immediately . Allie answered after about thirty seconds .

" Hello Walter , good to see you again . "

" It is good to see you to . His Cabe decent ? "

" Yes , he is on his way . "

Paige changed places with Walter .

Paige " Hello Allie , tell him to hurry up we have some important news to tell you . "

Allie " We were going to call you in about a hour anyway . We have some great news to share with you . "

Paige " Well we are with Walter's parents , Louise and Sean . "

Eventually both sides of the Atlantic were gathered around the computers in each residence .

Paige " Do you want to go first Allie ?"

Allie " Ok ! " As she said it she put her left hand up to the camera , her ring finger adorned with a solitaire ring .

Paige " Oh my gosh , Cabe proposed to you , well done Cabe and about time to . When did he do the deed ? "

Allie " He took me to that new Vegan Farm Restaurant last night . When the waiter bought the dessert course , he had a ring box on Cabe's plate . Cabe got off his chair and went down on one knee in front of the whole restaurant and asked me to marry him , I of course said yes ."

Louise , Sean and Walter were leaning over Paige and as one they all shouted . "Congratulations !"

Allie " Thank you all so much for your kind support . Well i have told you our news . What was yours ? "

Paige smiled and made a similar movement with her left hand .

Allie " Oh my god , that is one hell of a diamond , is that an engagement ring as well ? "

Paige " It most defiantly is . Walter proposed about three hours ago , the setting was both beautiful and tranquil , i was sitting on a log looking across a pretty lake , when Walter had me close my eyes , once he told me to open my eyes he was down on one knee and he asked me to marry him . I was on my knees before he could finish speaking , holding his face in my two hands and saying yes while kissing him . There is also a very interesting back story . "

Before Paige could begin explaining there was a loud explosion , the shock wave rattling the crockery on the table on which Paige was operating the computer .

Allie "What as happened ? "

Paige " Not sure , Sean has gone outside to see what as happened . "

Sean ran back into the house .

" It looks as if there was an explosion at the school "

Walter stood still for a few seconds , calculating what was going on .

" We need to get up there now . "

Cabe " Did i hear Sean say explosion . "

Paige " Yes it appears to be at the school , Walter wants to go up there "

Cabe " You and Walt should go and do what you do best , solve the problem . Call us back once you have sorted the problem . "

Paige " Ok, congratulations again , call you when we know more . "

Paige closed the connection down . Walter turned to Paige .

" I know the ring on your finger is a fixture , but i think as we do not know what we are facing . Please leave the ring back here . "

" Ok ! " Replied a reluctant Paige . The ring was put back in the box and locked away in a cabinet

The four of them climbed aboard Sean's Land Rover Defender , Sean drove off across the fields , a shorter distance than following the road .

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX