Ralph was sound asleep, stretched out in the comfortable flight chair of the plane as his cousin slept in the chair next to him. Megan and Mark were asleep in one of the two bedrooms aboard the plane.
Walter and Paige were laying tangled up together in their bedroom aboard their private jet. They'd been napping the last five hours, hoping to minimize any jet lag when they arrived in Ireland.
Paige had at first resisted Walter's advances and after a moment's reflection he felt he knew why. He explained that both of the bedrooms were fairly sound proof as well as this bedroom was not the bedroom he used on previous trips. He explained that the other bedroom was a good bit bigger and he wanted Megan to use it to help accommodate the wheelchair. Paige smiled realizing he was trying to quell any misgivings she had and she decided to join that special club in the air with him.
"Good morning everyone. This is your captain speaking. It is currently 6:18 am local time in Dublin. We are on time and on course for our destination. We anticipate about another twenty minutes before we begin our descent to Dublin. We hope you had a restful time." The captain called out over the MC and then they heard a click and silence returned.
"Try not to get too anxious Walter. I know there is a lot going on, but you aren't a teen anymore. You are an amazing man and one I love very much." Paige said as she kissed his nose.
Walter smiled and kissed her back.
"Thank you." Walter said simply but she could still see the stress. "I suppose we should get up and get dressed."
Paige nodded after kissing Walter again.
"I'm so glad we have a toilet and sink in here." Paige said as she got up and stepped into the small cubbyhole.
"I definitely miss the other bedroom." Walter said as he hit his knee climbing out of the bed. "While this converted A321 is very spacious, I think after we're back in the states we either need to look at another plane or get this one remodeled."
"I'm still not used to talking about major purchases like that. Of course when I used to say major purchases I mean like an average car or appliance." Paige laughed as she looked out the doorway. "How long did it take you to get used to dealing with the kind of money you do?"
"Not too long to be honest. But then I didn't have the same emotional development as you have. While I learned to express the emotions I felt people expected at first it took a long time for me to actually develop something close to it. Sometimes I don't know if I am expressing my true emotion or if I'm still displaying what I think someone wants." Walter sighed as he walked around the bed.
"As long as you are being honest about your feelings for me and Ralph, I can deal with you just expressing emotions you think others want to see from you." Paige said as she washed up in the sink.
"I promise to always be honest with my feelings for you and Ralph. Or any others that come along." Walter smiled as he stepped up behind her. He laid his hands on her hips and pulled her back just a touch to feel her naked body pressed into his. "You feel amazing." Walter said as he kissed the side of her neck.
Paige grinned, feeling his lips on her neck and his hands running up her sides and then slipping around and cupped her breasts.
"So do you." Paige said as she half-turned her head and they shared a kiss. "But we can't do anything else right now. So don't get my motor running." Paige winked.
Walter sighed heavily.
"That's so disappointing to hear." Walter smiled at her grin and they kissed again.
"But that won't be a problem tonight." Paige winked.
"Good to know." Walter laughed as he stepped over and relieved himself.
"You know, we never discussed it. Are we staying with your parents?" Paige asked as she finished up at the sink.
"No, we'll stay at our house." Walter said as he flushed the toilet.
"Our house?" Paige looked at him funny.
"Yes, I told you, didn't I?" Walter frowned looking at her.
"No, I am pretty sure if you said we had, or were buying, a house I'd remember that." Paige told him.
"Huh…Weird, I'm sorry I didn't. Remember back on Megan's birthday I had to sign those papers with the attorney?" Walter asked and Paige nodded. "I'd anticipated bringing you and Ralph to see Mom at least and so I bought some property not far from their farm. I bought a nice simple house that was going to be torn down and moved it to the property. Once it was situated I had the house remodeled."
"Umm…is this a simple house to you or me?" Paige asked with a grin and her eyebrow arched.
Walter laughed.
"It only has five bedrooms and has been upgraded to three and a half baths. Simple enough?" Walter grinned. "But I did contract a couple of housekeepers to get it ready and to be on hand during our stay. We can either cook, or go out to eat."
"I suppose…you've got me so spoiled." Paige smiled as they hugged.
"Spoiling you is one of my new favorite things to do." Walter winked.
Several customs agents met them after they arrived and spoke with the adults and did a quick survey of their luggage before approving their departure from the plane and airport.
Megan frowned at the stretched SUV waiting for them.
"You mean you didn't rent some ridiculously expensive hot rod?" Megan grinned.
"Of course I did. But that wouldn't be practical in getting us out to the farm." Walter answered.
Everyone laughed as they got in and then spent a very comfortable ninety eight minute trip to Callan.
As they got to the north side of town they saw a large construction site. "Future site of the Megan O'Brien-Collins Electronic Manufacturing building". The overlarge billboard along the road read.
"Walter?" Megan asked.
"I went in on a business deal with Richard. I know how much the town loves you and I thought it would be nice to have something special with your name on it here." Walter said softly.
Paige grinned at him and squeezed his hand even as Megan smiled.
As they entered the town, Megan began grinning. As they passed through town she was remembering all the store fronts and some of the people she remembered when she grew up there. Pointing them out to whoever in the SUV looked.
"Uh, does the driver know where we're going? He just missed the turn for the farm." Megan asked Walter.
I'm not sure, but he knows where we're staying. Figured it would be easier to go there first and put stuff away before going to see Mother and Father." Walter explained.
While his voice didn't give off that anything was wrong, Paige felt the small tremors in his hand she was holding. He was almost squeezing her hand as his anxiety was going higher and higher.
"It's okay Walter. If you want to stay home today, the three of us can go over tomorrow." Paige whispered into his ear.
"I'll be okay." Walter whispered back even as she watched him swallow.
Megan frowned looking at the house they were drawing close to.
"I don't remember this house. But, it looks old while the landscaping looks new." Megan said, looking back at Walter.
"I bought the house and had it moved here." Walter told her.
As they pulled into the driveway they saw a huge banner across the front.
"Welcome Home Megan!" The banner read.
Paige frowned reading it.
"What the hell?" Paige asked.
"Not surprising." Walter just shook his head.
"Hopefully it was my old school class that did this." Megan said worriedly as she looked at Mark.
Mark nodded as his eyes were on Walter. He could see the pain and struggle in him.
"If your parents did this, they are not going to like me very much." Paige whispered into his ear.
"It wouldn't surprise me." Walter gave her a slight smile as he shrugged his shoulders.
The house was beautiful inside and out. Ramps in and out along with an elevator inside for Megan to get to the second floor. The small staff greeted them warmly.
After a tour of the whole house Walter and Paige went to their bedroom.
"Walter, you aren't handling this stress well." Paige said as she stepped into his arms.
Walter just nodded.
"I know you aren't who you used to be, but is there any part of that persona you can summon forth to help calm you?" Paige asked after they kissed.
"I don't think so. I think this is just something I'm going to have to endure and keep going." Walter sighed.
Walter and Paige took Ralph out back of the house after their little tour. Leaving their belongings for the domestics to put up. There was nearly two hundred yards by three hundred yards of sculpted landscaping that lay between the house and the lake. Paige gasped as she recognized the landscape. Walter had given landscapers a photo of a landscape she had painted and had them recreate it.
"Walter, it is so beautiful. Thank you." Paige said as she hugged him tightly.
"You're welcome." Walter said softly.
"Mom, this looks almost identical to your painting." Ralph said as he scrutinized every facet of the grounds. "Obviously a few differences because of weather zones and plants that might be bad for the ecosystem here but still…it is beautiful."
"Thank you baby." Paige nodded as she broke her hug with Walter. Walter smiled as he reached up and wiped away the tear that ran down her cheek.
With Ralph leading, they walked hand in hand out and looked at each feature of the grounds. They spent a bit more than an hour just walking and enjoying the morning air and the sights. When they reached the shore of the lake Walter pointed out to the south west side of the lake and a thick grove of trees.
"The beach in front of those trees is where I used to spend a lot of time when I was overwhelmed by the frustrations of my childhood." Walter told them.
"What did you do there?" Ralph asked.
Walter smiled as he bent over and picked up a small rock. With a quick whip of his arm the rock shot out and skipped a number of times before slipping below the surface.
"It was a simple, mindless physical activity that allowed my mind to just think. Sometimes just thinking about anything but this place or the people around me. Sometimes I was trying to come up with an algorithm that would let me emulate emotions. Hoping it would help bridge the gap between me and everyone else. I loved my sister, and I knew she bore the brunt of everyone's frustration with me. I thought if I could somehow figure out a logical order then I could be less of a burden to her." Walter explained.
Ralph frowned as he looked at him.
"Did you ever figure one out?" Ralph asked.
"I'm afraid not. If there is one, it is beyond me. But just as well in some ways as I eventually began to develop a better emotional side, thanks to your Mother." Walter smiled.
Paige smiled and kissed his cheek.
As they were entering the back of the house they heard the intercom turn on.
"Ms Megan, you have guests." The voice of one of the domestics announced.
"That didn't take long." Walter smiled.
"Our first guests." Paige smiled.
"Megan's." Walter shook his head.
"You don't think they came to see you too?" Paige frowned.
"Not a chance. It should be late enough we can walk over to the farm if you guys want. Or we can take a car." Walter told them.
They heard the elevator activate and looked and saw it moving down the transparent tube with Megan sitting on her mobility scooter. Mark and Anthony were walking down the stairs.
"Well if you are sure they aren't here to see you, then yes, let's go see your parents." Paige whispered.
Walter smiled and then looked at Megan coming out of the tube.
"Megan, have a nice visit, we're going on over to the farm. You can have the driver bring you over when you are ready." Walter told her.
Megan sighed as she nodded.
"Tell them we'll be over shortly then." Megan replied.
Walter got their heavier coats out of the closet and they put them on before leaving. Paige was surprised as they moved to leave the front of the house, none of the twenty plus people bothered to address Walter. Most of them did look at her and Ralph and at least smiled friendly, some said hello.
Paige found herself extremely upset as they walked the road to the farm.
"I can't believe not one of them, didn't at least speak to you." Paige whispered to Walter.
Walter shrugged.
"It's normal." Walter said softly.
"No, that's the most abnormal thing in the world Walter. When was the last time any of them ever saw you even?" Paige whispered.
"Before I left with Megan for the States." Walter shrugged.
"Dad, we're close to your spot." Ralph pointed at the lake. "Can we go over to it?"
"Not today buddy. The ground is too wet and soft. Wouldn't want to lose a shoe." Walter smiled.
"Oh…yeah I wouldn't want that." Ralph sighed.
As they walked up the slight hill of the road they could see first the top of the house and then slowly the house came into full view.
For Walter it was like a stake to his heart. Paige felt his hand tense up in hers.
"It's okay baby. I'm here with you." Paige whispered as she kissed his cheek.
Walter nodded as they continued walking.
Walter sighed again as he saw his Mother hanging up some laundry on the clothesline outside of the house.
"What's wrong?" Paige whispered.
"I bought them a brand new washer and dryer two months ago. Typical…Father can't even accept something to help Mother out." Walter whispered back.
"Grandma!" Ralph recognized Louise instantly and he took off running towards her.
Louise looked startled at first but then looked out towards the road and saw Ralph running towards her and Walter walking hand in hand with Paige. A smile erupted on her face. Stooping down a bit she threw her arms open wide to Ralph.
"My Ralph." Louise crowed and then laughed as Ralph flew into her arms. Tears ran down her face as she hugged him tightly to her and then kissed his face over and over.
As Walter and Paige drew closer Louise broke the hug and stood up. She smiled at Walter and Paige and held out her arms.
"Paige, it is so nice to meet you. Welcome to our home." Louise said.
Paige reluctantly released Walter's hand but stepped up and hugged Louise tightly.
"Thank you Mrs O'Brien. It is nice to meet you too." Paige said softly.
"Oh Paige, call me Louise at least." Louise said as she sniffed back some tears.
"My darling boy." Louise said as she looked at Walter after her and Paige broke their hug. "I'm so happy to see you Walter, so glad to have you here at home."
Walter nodded a little but stepped forward. Louise quickly hugged him tightly to her. Slowly his arms rose up and hugged her back.
Greetings! Welcome back to "Dark Walter"! I hope this finds you well!
To the Adventure! -Tim