By the time Walter came back into the kitchen , Paige had made fresh coffee and laid out the shop bought sandwiches and snacks out on the end of the kitchen island . Since being fed Megan , had fallen asleep , but Walter could not resist a look into the bassenet , as he placed the trinket box on the island .
Paige's face lit up when she saw the the box . " Is that the box you keep your trinkets in ? "
" Yes . i know at one time i thought Ralph's time capsule made no sence , however each and every item in the box as it's own story which mean so much to me . Even more since you came into my life over four years ago and managed to increase my E.Q. , even if it was only to that of a sixteen year old boy . "
As he said this last thing he saw the smile on Paige's disappear and a look of saddness replace it .
" I did not mean to upset you , it is just we agreed on complete honesty . " Walter said as he reached for Paige and pulled her into a hug .
" I know , but that was not actually true , since you met Megan your E.Q. as rocketed , so please never think again you have a low E.Q. " Paige told him and as he hugged her the smile began to reappear on her face .
Ralph had watched and listened to the conversation between the two of them . " Mom's correct you have really come on since Scorpion broke up . "
Walter smiled at him . " Thank you Ralph , since then i have had plenty of time to equate all that went on , which is why as soon as i get in my car at the end of a work day , i think nothing about work until i return to the office . Now i have got my little family , i have even more reason to carry on doing that . So thank you to all three of you . "
Ralph joined the hug .
" Ok , can i see the ring now ? " An excited Paige asked .
Walter looked her in the eyes . " I think we should eat first , we do not want it to spoil . "
Paige gave him a smile . " Spoilsport , ok i will go and pour some coffee . Ralph juice or milk ?"
" Juice please . " He answered .
They all sat down on three stools , Paige had bought their drinks over . Not a lot of talking went on during the meal , but every few minutes Paige's eyes would wander over to the box , which Walter was keeping very close to him .
Once everything had been put away after being washed and the left over food put away in the fridge , not that there was much , Ralph had made sure of that . They all sat back down on the stools Paige and Ralph either side of Walter , both waiting impatiently for Walter to open the box .
After teasing them a couple of times , by going to open the box and then pulling his hand back he finally opened the lid on the box . He needed to search a little , this was the first time he had opened it for over twelve months , a few minutes later he pulled the ring out and passed it to Paige .
Paige took the ring from Walter and began to examine it , she did not speak for a few minutes . When she did she had a cry in her voice . " It is beautiful , i love that Ruby heart shaped stone it is such a deep red and the chippings of emeralds all the way around the heart shape are exquisit , but looking at the size i feel it would have been to small for my fingers except maybe my little finger . "
She began examining it again more closely and after about five minutes said . " It has been hallmarked in Birmingham , England , it is 18ct gold and i think it is 19th century but i would need to check my date chart . "
" Can i have a better look mom please ? " Ralph asked .
Walter gave a small nod as Paige the ring over to Ralph . " It is very nice , but i think the one you designed mom , is a lot better . " Ralph said a smile on his face .
" I think i have Jackie to thank for the way my ring looks , she as made some very slight adjustments . I must admit i would love to start doing some more designs , especially if she would be willing to work with me . " Paige told him .
Walter turned to Paige . " Jackie really wants to meet you, she even suggested that maybe you could start your own jewellry range . She would be willing to make it , but it would be sold under your brand name . Maybe you could use something like PDO . "
Paige looked at him , love in her eyea and a smile on her face . " Do you really think i could do something like that ? "
" I think you are capable of doing anything you put your mind to . "
" And that is why i love you so much . You always know when to say the right thing . "
" My pleasure . " A smiling Walter told her .
Paige leaned across and kissed him .
" Thank you for showing me the ring . " Ralph said as he handed the ring back to Walter , who carefully placed it back into the box and closed the lid .
" Have you decided which bedrooms you want ? " Walter asked .
Ralph immediatly spoke up . " The one you are using at the moment . "
" But that is the smallest one of all of them . " Walter told him .
" I know but i fell in love with it that first day we saw the house . "
" Ok , it is yours . "
Paige the smile on her face getting bigger . " I want the pink room for us . "
" Ok, i have some ideas . The first is you move in using the other two bedrooms and we have the rooms you want decorated to suit our style . Or we can stay at your condo and have the whole house decorated how you want . "
Both Paige and Ralph immediatly answered . " Move in now . "
Walter smiled " I thought you might say that . Some other ideas i would like you to think about . The loft rooms , i was thinking of turning that into the computer room , for the computers at the garage , it will involve a lot more electrics and desks fitted around the walls . The stockroom area , how about a home cinema , with a large screen , so we could watch your mom's favourite black and white horror movies
One of the two bedrooms we will not be using , once our bedrooms are decorated . I was thinking how about we section off and make the smaller area as a nursery for Megan and the rest of the room turn it into a bedroom suitable for a little princess . Once Megan grows up enough to be able to sleep in a proper bed , then the nursry could be turned into a playroom for her . "
Paige smiled , leaned over and kissed Walter . " Always thinking of others , no mention of anything for yourself . "
Walter returned the smile . " Just having my little family living with me is all i need and want ."
Ralph went to him and hugged him . " I know you want to do do so much for us all , personally i am happy to move in the house as it is and not alter it at all as long as i have the three of you in my life . But if you are asking for ideas , do you think we could make the cinema room , work as a computer games room as well ? "
This bought a smile to both Paige and Walter's faces . Walter looked at Paige who just increased the smile on his face . " Well i don't see why two nerds like us cannot come up with something that works . But mom will always have first choice of use . You will also be able to have Daniel and maybe some other friends over for a games night , or even a sleep over , if mom is alright with that . "
Paige just nodded .
" Dad i am to old for sleep overs , but games nights sound good . Although i could invite Daniel over as a guest of all of us . "
Paige smiled again before speaking . " That is very grown up of you . Ralph it would be a pleasure to accomadate Daniel ,just as long as his mom agrees . "
" Ok but i will wait until all the decorating is finished . " A smiling Ralph told her .
" Ok how about we go back to your condo , we can't do much tonight . Do you want to pickup a video and popcorn and have a movie night . "
Paige hugged Walter . " Good idea . But my choice of movie . "
Walter smiled . " As long as it is not The Swamp Lord , it brings back to many memoirs . "
Paige looked confused for a few seconds , then the light bulb went on in her head , " The night we almost lost you at the tar pits . "
Walter just nodded before he leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips .
Ninety minutes later the three of them were sitting on the sofa in Paige's condo watching Star Wars The Last Jedi , surrounded by popcorn , soft drinks and chips . Megan was fast asleep in her cot a smile on her face .
Tuesday morning around 9.30am Paige , holding Megan in her arms while clutching a large brown folder in her hand , was standing in the reception area of Homeland waiting for Katherine .
Five minutes later Katherine appeared in the reception area , a smile on her face as she saw Paige standing there . " It is good to see you again and congratulations on your engagment to Walter . Can i see the ring ? "
Paige returned the the smile . " Could you take the folder from me first ? "
" Sorry of course . " Katherine replied as she reached for and took the folder from Paige , which caused Megan to giggle . " Sorry sweetie , i should have spoken to you as well . " As Katherine spoke , Megan put her arm out and Katherine gently took her hand which again caused Megan to giggle .
" The only other person i have seen her actually do that with was Ralph , she does like to reach for the computer screen when Walter's parents call at the weekend . " Paige explained a smile on her face .
" I feel honoured , but can i see the ring now ? " Katherine asked , still holding Megan's hand .
Paige made sure Megan was secure in her right arm and hand , before she lifted her left hand to show Katherine the ring . Katherine gently took Paige's hand so she could get a better look at the ring .
" It is beautiful , Walter seems to have a very good eye for design and style . "
Paige gave a light laugh " There is a story behind the ring . Walter found a lot of jewellery in the the house and bought it over to my condo for safe keeping . I have always been interested in jewellry and i began to explain to Walter what things were . He obviously wanted to know how i knew so much about it , i explained my original choice of work was to design and maybe make jewllery . He asked if i i had got any designs he could see . I told him i had only kept one which was my ideal engagment ring .
With help from Cabe , Allie and Ralph , Walter managed to get some photographs of the design , it just so happened Walter knew someone who made jewellery . This is the result . "
Katherine still holding Megan's hand gave a shake of her head . " So you designed the ring and Walter had it made and you knew nothing about it . "
" Yes but what really made me sad was Saturday night . He told us all that he had planned to propose on the night we returned from Africa , but that was the night we all walked out on Walter . So i am really lucky that i have now got a second chance to become Mrs O'Brian and if i am truthfull , i cannot wait . "
Paige and Katherine carried on talking for a further five minutes , before Katherine's phone rang , she excused herslf to answer it , once she completed the call , she told Paige she would have to leave as the prisoner in the cells wanted to talk . They said their goodbyes and Paige left .
Thirty minutes later Paige pulled up in front of Walter's house . Once inside she made a pot of coffee , Megan had fallen asleep during the car ride from Homeland . Once she had finished her coffee she picked up Megan in her bassenet and went upstairs and began to sort the clothes to try and gauge the best way to move them . If she and Ralph were going to move in soon they would need space for their clothes , not they had the quantity of clothing she needed to move out .
By 11.30am she had sorted through one bedroom and put the clothing into three piles , consignment store , thrift store and charity , maybe the red cross . She quickly checked on Megan and changed her diaper and then fed her . She had not realized the time so by the time she pulled up in front of Richard's offices it was almost 12.40pm.
Walter was standing at the entrance and immediatly ran over to the car . " Is everything ok , i was begining to get worried as you are late . "
Paige got out of the car and put her arms around Walter's neck and kissed him . " I am sorry got engrossed in sorting through the clothes , i lost track of time . Once i started to move them out of the wardrobes , there were a lot more than i imagined . But we need to make room for all of our stuff wen we we move in . "
Walter smiled . " That's ok , it is so typical of you , organizing things is something you are so good at . Now lets eat , but just let me see the little princess . " Walter released Paige and Walked to the back door of the car , slowly opened it , looked into the bassenet to a big smile and a Da, Da from Megan , he reached in and gently stroked her cheek .
He closed the door and and joined Paige in the front of the car . Paige moved her car over to one of their uaual spots on the empty far side of the carpark . Once Walter had finished his lunch and drank his coffee , he got out of the car and went to the back door , opened it and reached in and gently removed Megan who gave him a big smile and a Da, Da. He took her to the front seat of the car and made sure she was settled and comfortable in his arms , before turning to Paige .
" This little one is certainly getting heavier . "
" Don't i know it , i will soon have one arm lot bigger than the other ." Paige replied a big smile on her face .
" I have an idea , how about Saturday we go check out a stroller and car seats for both our cars . Then maybe we can go to the beach and get hot dogs and icecream as a treat for Ralph ."
" I love that idea , Megan is so inquisitive she will be really happy at all the things around she will be able to see . The only time she sees anything is when one of us is carrying her . Ralph will be happy as well with a trip to the beach . You are such a good dad to both of them . Walter , Megan is going to learn so much from you . " Paige told him a big smile on her face an even bigger on Megan's
" I am sure she understands a lot more than we think , she seems to really enjoys it when Ralph talks to her about what we did working with Homeland . " Paige told Walter .
" Well i hope she never decides to join Homeland , i would never feel happy if she was out on dangerous jobs like we used to do . " Walter said as he looked down at Megan
" We can only guide and advise her as she grows , i do not think we should stand in her way with regard to work she will want to do for the rest of her life . I think i am already feeling sorry for any boy who comes into her life , i am sure he will be under heavy scrutiny by both you and Ralph . Hopefully that won't be for sometime . " A smiling Paige told Walter .
Walter smiled back at her and looked at Megan . " You are going to be a real heartbreaker arn't you . "
Megan giggled and uttered Da, Da.
" I will go and see Richard this afternoon to see if it is alright to keep the keys to the garage a bit longer so we can have the necessary work carried out on the loft room . I think after tonights meal we should go back to my house and begin to design and measure up "
" I have a better idea , i will bring Ralph back to your house when i pick him up from school and maybe you could pick up pizza , you will have more time to work on your plans . "
" I like that plan , do you want garlic bread as well . " Walter said a smile on his face .
" I think French fries as well . " Paige replied a big smile on her face .
Soon after Paige was dropping Walter off at the door to the reception door .
It was almost 6.30pm. before Walter pulled up on the drive , there had been an accident which had held traffic up , this time Walter had remembered to phone Paige to tell her he would be late . Fortunatly the accident had happened before he had got to the pizza palour so the food was still hot .
Once they had eaten and cleaned everything away , the left over pizza was put in the fridge for later if anyone was still hungry . During the meal Walter explained that Richard had told him he could keep the keys for the garage as long as he needed them .
Ralph and Walter went up to the loft room to begin measuring the room for the desks and to decide how many extra power outlets that would be needed for all the computers they wanted to bring over from the garage . Paige had taken Megan with her as she decided to sort some more of the clothes out . These were the main obstacles to them to moving in . Paige needed to give her landlord one months notice so there would be plenty of time to move the bulky items that Paige wanted to move into Walter's house .
After about ninety minutes Walter and Ralph came down into the bedroom from the loft , both happy to see Paige sorting through clothes , Megan's bassenet safe on the bed .
" Hi mom we finished all the measureing and some sort of design . We have even managed to measure the store room and come up with a design . Dad suggested we should look on the internet to see if we can buy some actual cinema seats also maybe a popcorn machine . " Ralph told her in an excited voice .
Walter walked up to Paige and pulled her into a hug . " All that will be subject to your approval of course , but the computer room will be mine and Ralph . "
With a big smile on her face Paige replied . " I can live with that . " As she finished speaking she planted a kiss on Walter's lips .
" What exactly are you doing ? " Walter asked still holding Paige .
" Sorting out the clothes that were were left here , we will need room for our clothes when we move in . " She answered with a cute smile on her face .
" But why the three seperate piles ? " Walter asked .
" Well some we can sell on consignment , some to the thift stores and give some to charity . " The smile still on Paige's face .
We do not need the money so why not donate it all to the salvation army ? They can share it amongst the homeless and maybe sell some of the better items and that which would not be much use to the homeless , in their thrift shops . It will save a lot of time , i am sure they would be glad to send a van round to collect it all . But do not forget to check all the pockets . What about the shoes and handbags ? " Walter told her as he pulled her into a tight hug .
" Mr O'Brian you never fail to amaze me . I will ring them tomorrow morning and arrange something with them , it will probably take me a couple of days for me to sort everything and get it all down into the conservatory . So i will see if i can arrange something for Monday . "
" Sounds like a good plan , but i think it is time we went back to the condo . You want to travel with me Ralph ? " Walter asked .
A big smile on his face , Ralph answered . " You bet . "
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Pearligirl Thank you , i guess we will have to wait and see . you have me with Michael Corleone , not known to me .
Grykon Thank you , Homeland and Waige , i am trying to pull the story more in the direction i originally intened it to go , Walter and his abilty to be able to cope with a young baby , but you know my stories never really go to plan .
DaToad Glad you caught up on the story , Megan seems she could be another genius in the family , The Cyclone is broken i will let you into a secret , i have almost two more chapters ready , but will not be posting until this one is complete .
LouBe96 Time will tell . Agent Thomas had no alternative but behave , after the threats he received at the meeting . hope you like the way the move as started to progress . Katherine certainly was keen to see both the ring and Megan .