Wednesday, December 10th 2003:
"Sorry I'm late." Walter said as he walked into the Dineen dining room. He moved over to Paige's chair and kissed her before sitting down next to her for dinner.
"Not a problem Walter. Is everything okay?" Veronica asked.
"It is. I went over the new contract from Richard with the attorney. But I haven't signed it yet." Walter told her as he took the platter of Yankee pot roast as it was passed to him.
"Something wrong with it?" Ralph asked concerned.
"No, but I have a small clause contract that I need approval from my partner by signing for it." Walter grinned.
Paige frowned.
"What could you possibly need approval from me for?" Paige asked.
Walter leaned over and kissed her.
"Not you love, Happy." Walter smiled at Happy.
"Huh? I don't get it." Happy frowned and then looked shocked. "Oh, you mean he wants to buy one of the rover designs?"
Walter laughed as he nodded.
"He met all my demands but he's offering you two hundred and fifty thousand for your asteroid rover design." Walter told her even as Ralph and Toby whistled.
"You have got to be kidding?" Happy looked stunned.
"Nope, he's going to send an actual contract for another project to you Dad. He wants Happy to design the module that will take the rover to meet the asteroid and help bring it back. His people had already been working on a rocket and recovery vehicle to return with the asteroid. So he doesn't need that." Walter grinned.
"Congratulations sis!" Paige nearly crowed.
"Yes, congratulations sweetheart." Veronica and Ralph both told her.
"See, I told you people will love your designs." Toby told her.
"Thank you." Happy said shyly as she blushed. "I guess you can put that money into the fund to start Scorpion." Happy told Walter.
Walter shook his head as he chewed.
"No." Walter said finally. "I won't let you donate more than half of it. The other half needs to go into some kind of money market until you are eighteen. But I want you to at least invest half of what's left for your future once you get the money at eighteen. Well if Mom and Dad agree with me. The other half of it you can do what you want with it." Walter grinned.
"That sounds reasonable." Veronica told them.
"On the surface I don't have a problem with that." Ralph smiled. "We'll have to really go over the contract though."
"I'll need Happy and both you and Mom to sign giving parental approval for Happy to sell the rover design to Richard." Walter told them.
"So does Richard really need the rover design to sign this contract with you?" Toby asked.
Walter shook his head.
"No, he just included a simple clause contract to buy the rover as is. It includes some simple contractual agreements for tech support in the hardware design. He said he'd negotiate a separate contract with me for software support. It does stipulate that you agree for the next five years not to design any other asteroid retrieval system. But if you do come up with an idea, he's requesting you give him first options on it." Walter grinned.
"Wow, I never thought any of these would really take off. I'm really shocked. Thank you all for believing in me." Happy smiled.
"Have you got this clause contract?" Ralph asked.
"Yeah, it's in my briefcase in the other room." Walter nodded.
Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday, December 17th, 2003:
Walter and Paige yawned as they stepped off of Richard's private plane. When Richard had found out they were going back to Ireland for Christmas he offered to take them on his plane since he had to go for business meetings. And Walter got to meet Dr. Verbena, who Ralph had gotten Richard to fund to treat Megan's MS.
The Embassy had two SUVs already there and waiting for them. While Richard and the Dr got in his limousine, Ralph, Veronica, Happy and Toby got into one SUV with their numerous agents and Walter and Paige got in the other with hers.
9:25 a.m. local time:
Megan was standing at the front door of the O'Brien house staring outside, nearly bouncing. It had been four months since she'd seen her little brother and sister. She saw lights as they cut through the slight bit of fog long before she saw the vehicles but seeing two sets of headlights she knew it had to be them. She glanced briefly back at little Patrick sleeping in the bassinet before she pulled the door open and moved outside.
She pulled the sweater tighter about her shoulders as the first SUV became fully visible and she grinned as she began waving almost frantically. As the SUV stopped Megan moved off the porch and down towards the SUV. As the door opened Ralph stepped out and Megan moved into his arms almost crying.
Veronica joined them shortly after and they hugged even as Happy and Toby came out of the SUV.
As the second SUV pulled up, Louise came out of the house followed a moment later by Sean. Happy was introducing Toby as Ralph moved up and held Louise's hand as she came down the steps and then they hugged.
"Walter." Megan said almost breathlessly as she saw him climb out of the other SUV.
She moved over quickly and grabbed him tightly in her arms. Paige came out and threw her arms around them both. Megan laughed as she moved one arm out from around Walter and wrapped it around Paige's back.
"I missed you both so much." Megan told them through tears.
Walter had tears of his own and he found it hard to swallow.
"We missed you too sis." Paige told her through her own tears.
The combined family sat at the dining table as they renewed their ties and explained about everything that had happened in the four and a half months they were separated.
Walter sat holding little Patrick after Paige finally let him out of her arms. His brain was taking into account all the growth that Patrick had gone through in the short time they'd been separated. But what had shocked Walter the most was his Dad's emotional response to seeing him back.
Sean had hugged him fiercely and it had seemed he wasn't ever going to let him go again. He'd picked over Walter more than Louise had, his hands just seemed to have a need to be in contact with him in some way. Even now at the table Sean's arm rested along Walter's shoulders. He had congratulated Walter on winning the art show, even went so far as to buy one of the high definition photographs of the bust and had it proudly framed and hung on the wall. Walter took the time when his Father asked and he signed it for him. His family had hoped they would have brought it but understood it was at the national art show.
"Well maybe it is time you brought out your surprise you've kept hidden from us all this time." Paige told Walter as Megan took Patrick back to feed.
Walter blushed but nodded before going out to the SUV.
"What's this?" Louise asked.
"No clue to be honest. We just know it is his second piece he sculpted." Ralph shrugged. "His art teacher said he wasn't showing it off until it was done but even though it has been done for a while now he said not until we were back in Ireland."
"Now what could it be?" Louise asked. "Don't you know Paige?"
Paige shook her head.
"He flat out refused to tell me." Paige sighed. "But it took him far longer than the bust of me he did."
Just then the door opened and Walter came in with a large package.
"It will take a little bit to assemble. So I'll ask you all to wait here while I work on it in the kitchen." Walter explained as he walked past them and into the kitchen.
One of the agents stepped up to the door and blocked it off so no one could go in.
"He's taking this awful seriously." Toby laughed.
They kept talking as they heard small sounds coming from the kitchen. Over all it hadn't taken a long time but finally Walter walked up behind the agent and he moved out of his way. Walter walked over and whatever it was, it seemed to be about a foot tall and a foot and a half squarish. He had a towel draped over it to conceal it further.
"Well that isn't fair. Take the towel off." Ralph chuckled.
"A little gift for all of you." Walter smiled at his parents as he sat it down in the middle of the table.
Billy looked at Megan and she just nodded so he reached out and pulled the towel off. Everyone kind of gasped at the elaborateness of it. They saw the carnival merry-go-round and all the small pieces that made up the visitors and animals, shrubs and trees. Walter reached down and opened a small panel off a box that was close to the carousel. His fingers reached inside and as they saw him twist his wrist they heard a small clicking noise. Once he stopped he pushed a small button inside the box and the carousel began rotating as a music box played "My Heart Will Go On".
"Walter." Megan said in amazement as the carousel turned. About half of the animals on the carousel were jumpers and they moved up and down as the whole thing turned.
"There is another music box tune you can select. It plays a rendition of 'Memories' from the musical Cats. You can select it by the switch inside the box here." Walter pointed. He reached in and pushed a button stopping the carousel and then moved the switch and then pushed the button again.
"This is amazing." Paige said as she tried examining the detail of the sculpture. "Wait, is that Happy working on the carousel?" Paige asked.
Walter grinned and nodded.
"What?" Happy asked as she moved around and saw a small figure that looked quite a bit like her. "There's Mom, Dad and Emmett." Happy said as the carousel came around and they were sitting on a large swan. Then they saw Paige as she was riding on one of the unicorn jumpers. Her arm was up in the air like she had a lasso in it. Then they found Sean and Louise riding tiger jumpers side by side. Finally they recognized Megan with William and Patrick who were riding in a chariot pulled by a dragon. And then they saw Toby sitting on a bench watching the carousel with a notepad on his thigh as he wrote.
"Walter!" Everyone said excitedly at once.
"This is amazing." Paige told him before grabbing him in her arms and kissed him passionately.
Everyone chuckled at the pair.
"Did you paint all of this too?"
"Painting it was by far the hardest thing. Balancing colors to come up with the right tones and being careful painting each piece so nothing ran or looked faded." Walter told them as he sat back down with Paige.
The combined family went to the Walsh's for dinner and everyone made a spectacle of Walter and his now famous sculpture as well as welcoming the Dineens back to town. The Walsh's had also bought a high definition photograph of it and had it framed and hanging in the small cafe. Mrs Walsh had gotten it down, Walter and Paige quickly signed it for her and then she had Mr Walsh put it back up.
On the wall beside the print of the bust were framed clippings of the Boston Society pages with Walter and Paige as they had their first big date in Boston. Mr Walsh pulled out a small tape deck player and pushed a button. Paige grinned as she heard the music and she winked at Walter. It seemed to be all Walter needed and he stood up and took her hand as she stood and they danced there in the small cafe as everyone cheered them on.
Walter was hating it inside at first, but seeing the amount of joy it brought Paige, that changed him. It made him happy and he danced with her for nearly a half hour. They probably would have continued but their dinner came out then and they stopped.
"You are going to stay with us at home aren't you?" Louise whispered to Walter as she leaned over to him.
Walter blinked while looking at the combined family and neighbors all talking and having a good time. He struggled with his feelings but finally was able to answer.
"W-what about Paige? We're so used to being together. What about Father?" Walter whispered back.
"She's welcome to sleep with you and don't worry about your Father. I want my boy back home, I've missed you so much. Just be respectful of noise." Louise told him quietly.
Walter swallowed hard even as he nodded slightly, he didn't feel like he could speak now.
"What's the matter?" Paige whispered a few minutes later from his other side. His cheeks hadn't returned to their normal color yet.
"Mom wants us to stay at home with them." Walter leaned over and whispered.
"As long as she wants both of us and doesn't mind us sleeping in the same bed, I'm okay with that." Paige smiled as she whispered back.
"Really?" Walter whispered while showing he was puzzled.
"Of course Walter. I love your parents too. And I'm sure we'll have time to be intimate as well." Paige grinned as she whispered back.
"She said we have to be respectful of the noise." Walter blushed even harder as he whispered back.
Paige just winked.
Paige pulled Louise to the side as they finished up their meals.
"Mom, you do know a couple of my agents will have to stay at the house too right?" Paige whispered.
"I'm sure we can work something out, my heart." Louise grinned at her.
Paige nodded before talking to her Mom and letting her know they'd be staying with the O'Briens.
"I can't believe you were serious and went ahead and did this." Sean said quietly inside their bedroom, his anger was quite apparent.
"Listen to me well, Sean Patrick O'Brien. I've missed my boy something fierce these past months and I want to be able to see him the moment he comes down from upstairs and until he goes back up for the night. If you upset them, or push them over to the Dineen's house, I'll go stay with them myself." Louise told him.
"They're not legally wed." Sean argued back quietly.
"Will you give it a rest Sean. They've been living as husband and wife all this time in America. So just stop it. Do not alienate them." Louise told him quietly but with a fierce determination.
"I don't want to alienate them. I've missed my boy as well. I'm just not comfortable this way. If Ralph and Veronica want them living like that under their roof, that's fine." Sean replied quietly, but with a softer edge. "I don't want people talking about them."
"The community loves them Sean, didn't you see how they responded to them being back at the Walsh's? Everyone sees how much they love each other and I'm sure they are already assuming they are keeping time that way. Just relax and go to sleep." Louise kissed his nose.
Instead Sean reached around and squeezed Louise's arse. Her eyes went large as she grinned and nodded. Sean grinned and pressed in as he kissed her passionately as their hands began caressing each other.
Greetings! I hope this finds you all well!
Railman - lol Toby said he was looking forward to the trip. He explained that as long as they weren't talking in relation to Happy, Ralph was a much different man to him. But if Happy entered the conversation...all bets were off. lol Yep, after so much time of not taking precautions and not having to worry about it, so to speak, they were completely shocked to find out she was. hehe Yeah, Walter is playing a little but he said is it really playing someone when you know how far they will go and you stay within that margin? lol Glad you enjoyed their convo!
Marie Mac - You might be right, I can't remember either, but I think I will go ahead and post "Elizabeth" next.
LouBe - So glad it was unexpected! I'd hate to become predictable. We'll see how I do in the next couple of years for the story. lol Glad you liked how it got the two ladies talking! hehe Walter said Thanks! hehe Well I know at least some of you feel that way! lol
Pearliegirl - Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! It's over my head too...Sounded plausible to me...but you know how it is sometimes. Sounds good in your head, then you say it out loud and then you are like...that was the wrong thing to say! lol Walter is happy to know you trust him!
To the Adventure! -Tim