Paige pulled up outside Richard's office at 12.30pm. , having picked up Ralph from school , who was sitting in the back of her car , talking quitely to Megan who was constantly giggerling .
Walter was already at the door of the office building and immediatly began walking towards the car , as was usual Paige got out of the car to greet him with a hug and a kiss .
Just after 1.00pm. Ralph followed Ann into her office , while Walter and Paige sat in the waiting room . Walter cudderling Megan in his arms a big smile on both their faces .
" It is a pleasure to meet you Ralph , i have heard lots of good things about you . " Ann said as she pointed to a chair for him to sit on .
" Good afternoon , Ms Curtas and thank you for all the work you are doing with mom and dad ." Ralph said with a smile on his face .
" Thank you , it is your mom and dad i want to talk to you about . They have both spoken so well of you but i wanted to talk to you , so i can be sure what they have said as not been anyway exaggerated . Please feel free to answer anyway you want , as nothing will ever leave this office , unless of course you decide to tell them . " Ann told him .
" You can ask me anything you want and like Walter i always tell the truth , well mostly . " A smiiling Ralph answered .
" Ok then , i already know what both your mom and Walter think about you being adopted by Walter , but what are your true feelings ? "
" It will be the second most important thing to have happened in my life . " A still smiling Ralph answered .
Ann looked a little curious at the comment . " Only the second most important thing , what could have been more importent ? "
Ralph did not speak for a few minutes . " That's easy the most importent thing was the day dad found us both in the diner that mom was working at . He realized my potential immediatly and after Mom's help on a job he offered her a job . That day he saved us from a life of poverty and insercurity and me from a life of basically being trapped in my own mind . Because of that despite one or two hiccups along the way would lead to me having a father who really loves and cares for me as i am . Especially since he proposed to mom on Saturday and she accepted . " The smile getting bigger on his face as he spoke .
" I can see why you put that as the first most importent , because if it had not happened you never could have had the second most importent thing happen . But i am curious what you meant , when you said living a life being trapped in your own mind . "
Again it was a couple of minutes before Ralph answered , because just like Walter , he would often play conversations through his mind , before giving an answer . With a small smile on his face he finally explained to Ann .
" All my life before Walter , consisted of visits to different doctors , psychiatrists and psychologist only to be told by all of them that my brain had not developed correctly and basically labeled me as a mental deficent . I knew that in my own mind this was untrue , but could not for some reason release anything from it . So from the age three all i could do was think things and keep them in my mind . Walter picked up on what was wrong , and played a game of chess with me , using salt and pepper pots and other condiments , that i had set up earlier , everyone else just thought i was making a mess . He told mom i was a genius , which she found had to believe , but when Walter came to our appartment that night , i said hello to him , the first time i had spoken to anyone except mom . He then played a video game with me and asked if i had dreams , when i told him yes , he asked me if at times i would rewind them in my mind , when i told him i did he told me he did as well . She did not know but i knew mom was crying , but i think they were happy tears . "
Ann smiled at Ralph as he finished speaking . " I can see you really love Walter and i know your mom and dad have a real deep love for each other , so i am sure you will be fine . But i . do have one more question for you . "
" Ok. " Was all he said .
" How do you feel about your little sister Megan . "
A big smile came on Ralph's face . " Walter asked me the same question , not long after he came into our lives again , it was after he told me i would always be his number one son , even if they had another boy at a later date . He did ask me again the first time we visited his house and we were in the garden , i will tell you what i told dad . I would lay my life down for her , she was a big reason mom and dad are back together . "
" Well you certainly made your point , i did tell Walter and Paige you were a lucky boy to have them as parents , but i can tell you they are very lucky to have you as a son . I think now we should call them in for the rest of the meeting . " A smiling Ann told him .
After being called into the office Paige and Walter sat either side of Ralph , Megan still safe in Walter's arms . Megan immediatly reached out and uttered Ral , Ralph extended his arm so he could take hold of Megan's small hand , who immediatly began to giggle .
Ann watched with interest . " It would appear there is a good connection between Megan and Ralph . "
Paige smiled as she answered . " Megan loves to listen to Ralph telling her what Walter and myself did while at Scorpion . I am not sure if it is just the sound of Ralph's voice or she actually understands some of what Ralph is saying . But it is still Walter she always wants when he his around . "
As soon as Paige mentioned Walter's name Megan uttered Da, Da , which put a smile on everyones face .
Ann for the rest of the meeting , once she had told everyone that adopting Ralph was probably the best thing that could happen for all of them . It would make them into the perfect family . Once she had told them that she asked if she could hold Megan . With reluctance Walter gently passed Megan to Ann as soon as Walter released Megan she began to grizzle , Ralph stood up and walked over to to Ann.
" Da , Da is still here , but this nice lady just wants the pleasure of your company for a few minutes ."
Megan put a smile on her face and again reached out for Ralph who put his hand out and she gripped his little finger .
Ann smiled at this . " I think Megan may have a feeling of insercurity if none of you are close by , when she meets strangers . She will no doubt grow out of this once she starts seeing a lot more different people and seeing more of the world around her , i am sure she will get over it . "
Paige again smiled as she spoke . " Walter and myself were discussing buying a stroller and car seats for each of our cars , she will not only see sky when we are traverlling or walking . "
" That would be perfect especially as she seems so bright . Be sure you get car seats were the seat can be disconnected from the fastening so you can still carry her if you do not want to use the stroller , like a visit to the beach . " Ann advised them .
Before they left , Ann asked to see the ring as Ralph had told her about the proposal on Saturday . Once she had heard the story of the ring , she congratulated them both .
Ten minutes later they were all sitting in Paige's car , before pulling away she handed both Walter and Ralph sandwich boxes , which both appreciated .
Just before 2.00pm. Paige pulled up in front of the office block . " It's not worth taking you back to school , so you can come back home with me .
" Walter smiled at Paige . " If it is alright with you . Ralph could come with me for the rest of the afternoon . I am sure he would be interested in seeing some of the research we are doing . "
" Can i pleaseeeee. " Ralph almost pleaded . "
" Of course you can , but make sure you do just what your dad tells you and do not touch anything unless Walter or someone giving you permission . " Paige told him still with a smile on her face .
" Thanks mom , are you ready dad ? " An excited Ralph asked .
" In a minute , did you pick me up a change of clothes for tomorrow ? " Walter asked .
" Yes they are in the trunk , i will hang them up when i get home . " Paige replied as she leaned over and kissed him .
" See you later tonight . " Walter said before he stole another kiss before getting out of the car , closely followed by Ralph . " Bye mom . "
Walter with a very proud Ralph at his side made their way through the doors to reception .
Walter first took Ralph to show him his office , not the tidest of places , unlike his bedroom at the Malibue house . The office had piles of paper and books on all places they could be put .
" Don't look at the mess , i know were every piece of paper is when i want it . " Walter told Ralph .
" I am just pleased to see were you work can we go meet the team who work for you and see what they are doing ? " An inquisitive Ralph asked .
" Of course but please do not get in the way . At the moment we are working on a design to reduce the size of the hoist that Happy originally designed . However we seem to have hit a problem with getting the ratio correct for the return of the cable to the drum . " Walter explained to him .
" Can i have a look , i helped Happy with the original design and she had a similar problem on the original design . " Ralph answered with a big smile on his face .
" Happy never said anything about you helping . "
" Well it was usually when you and mom were busy working on a new bid . "
" Ok lets go see what the team are up . " Walter said .
A smiling Ralph " Right behind you . "
Walter led Ralph down a corridor and entered a room at least ten times bigger than Walter's office , there were four desks each with a computer pushed against one wall . In the center of the room , a large metal table that ran almost the full length of the room and was about 8 feet wide .
Ralph's mouth dropped as he turned to Walter . " This his even better than the garage , can i look around ? "
" Of course but first let me introduced you to the team . " Walter told him as he approached the first desk . This is Jayne , she specializes in coding . Jayne , this is my son Ralph . "
Jayne looked up from her computer . " It is good to meet you . You and your little sister caused a little bit of a stir in the restaurant the other day . "
Ralph with a smile on his face , put his hand out to shake Jayne's hand . " It is a pleasure to meet you . what are you doing at the moment ? "
" I am going through the coding for the new design of a hoist to see if i can find a fault in it . " Jayne answered .
Ralph went into work mode . " Do you mind if i look over your shoulder while you run the code ? "
" Of course not but i do speed read the coding , i am not sure you will keep up . " A smiling Jayne said .
" That's ok i read quickly . " Ralph stated .
Jayne started the coding on the screen , Ralph was intent as he looked over her shoulder . After about five minutes Ralph shouted . " STOP. " causing Jayne to jump but she stopped the scrolling on the computer .
Walter looked at Ralph . " What's up buddy ? "
" Sorry if i scared you Jayne , but can you scroll back about twenty lines of code ? "
Jayne looked at Walter , who just nodded . She slowly scrolled back the coding on the screen , once again Ralph shouted " STOP."
" Look dad the coding in that line . " Ralph said as he pointed at the scren . " Those four numbers do not appear to be in the correct order to suit the rest of the code . "
Both Jayne and Walter looked at what Ralph was pointing at . " I think he could be correct boss . " Jayne told Walter .
" It is not often he is wrong . " A very proud Walter said .
" Well that could be the bug that as been causing us the trouble . Were did you learn to read code that quick ? "
A smiling Ralph turned to Walter . " Dad , but to be honest , that was only half speed . "
" It's true . " A smiling Walter told her .
"I think i had better watch out for my job . " Jayne replied a small smile on her face .
" No need to worry , he still as almost a year before he qualifies for his masters degree . " A proud dad told her .
" Wow . " Was all Jayne could say .
" Just switch the first and last numbers around , i think that could solve your problem . " Ralph told her .
Ralph turned to Walter . " Could i be introduced to the others please ? "
" Of course buddy . "
They both moved to the next desk . " James i would like to introduce you to my son , Ralph . "
James turned from his computer . " Pleased to meet you Ralph . " Once again Ralph put his hand out which James took and shook it .
" James is trying to design a portable water filter , that will be solar powered and can filter around a pint of water at a time . It will be based on Sly's original design but being small and portable would be ideal for campers , fishermen and maybe even the armed forces . " Walter explained .
Ralph a curious look on his face . " I did not have anything to do with Sly's design , that was all Sly and Florence's work . But i would be interested to see how you are getting on with it . "
James looked at Walter as if asking permission , Walter nodded . James pulled up the design on his computer and Ralph began studying it closely . It was almost five minutes before ne spoke .
He looked at James . " Did you design all of this ? "
" Yes , i have been working on it for about three months , but i keep coming up with the same problem . I cannot get the solar power powerful enough to work the filters correctly . "
Ralph looked at his dad . " What is it Ralph ? "
" I think that the wiring is incorrect on one of the circuit boards . " Ralph replied .
James looked at Ralph . " I saw and heard you with Jayne so i would be interested in what you think ."
Ralph again looked across at his dad . " Go head Ralph . "
" Maybe if you can put another wire across those two points it could help your problem . "
James sat back in his chair . "Well i be , that could really help . Sam have you got a minute . " James asked the lady sitting at the next desk .
Walter whispered to Ralph . " That's Samanther she is a brilliant mechanical and electrical engineer . "
Sam got off her chair and walked over to them . Walter introduced her to Ralph . James explained to her what Ralph had told him .
Sam looked at what Ralph had suggested . " Give me ten minutes , to adapt one of the circuit boards i have got . " With that she turned away and began working on the large metal table .
With a big smile on his face Walter said . " Let me introduce you to Mary , she sort of does a smilar sort of job your mom used to do at Scorpion . But it is certainly a lot safer than your mom's ever was . Mary let me introduce you to my son Ralph . "
Mary gave Ralph a big smile . " It is so good to meet you , the boss has told me a lot about you . "
" It is nice to meet you to . "
They stayed speaking to Mary until they were called over to the table by Sam who had also been joined by James .
" I thought you might like to see if Ralph's idea works . " She had already connected the amended circuit board , to the prototype filter and placed it into a metal case with a clear glass panel on the front plus a couple of dials . The whole box was lit up by a powerful light . Sam explained the light was the equivalant to sunlight . After five minutes the dials began to move after 15 minutes they were both showing maximum .
James looked across at Ralph . " I have been trying to to solve that for almost three months , a five minute look at the plans and you solve it . How ? "
" I am a genius . " A smiling Ralph said .
James looked at Walter . " It's true , his I.Q. is higher than mine . "
" Then thank you Ralph . " James said .
Mary turned to Walter . " It is a good job you bought Ralph in today . We can now get on with planning production , once we have run a couple more tests , including a real time test on the filter in the open air .
" Good i will leave that for you to sort out . I think i am going to take Ralph home and have a nice evening with my family . I will see you all tomorrow .
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Loube96 The next chapter for more information on the prisoner . Glad you enjoyed the chapter and the pace of the chapter . The house Hmm as it is not so big as Dark Walter's , may not quite so fab . i am sure Megan will soon be giving them both the run around .
Grykon i think the wheels ae still tight on the axel , but then you never know . Huey Lewy and Dewey not at lot about them in this story , last chapter , then only to rub salt into the wound .
Datoad twist in the story , a case of wait and see . Toby in particular treated Walter with a lot to of disrespect especially when Tim came on the scene , which after working for Richard for a length of time ,he realized and now he his more prepared to certainly be more assertive , except of course when it comes to Megan .
Pearlie girl thanks for the info , not much of a movie watcher. Glad you are still enjoying the story . This week as been pretty good thank you .