Less than five minutes later Paige's phone rang , the ID showing Louise again .
Paige answered the phone on the fourth ring .
Louise " Sorry to ring again , but we cannot connect to Walter's computer , it keeps coming up no service . "
Paige When Walter disappeared over ten months ago , he changed all his phone and computer contact numbers .
She looked across at Walter . " Can you connect my computer and i will contact Ireland . "
Walter smiled and nodded , Paige smiled back at him , then returned to the phone call .
Paige " Walter is going to set up my computer then we will contact you , give us about five minutes , so stay by your computer . "
Louise " Thank you so much Paige dear . We will be waiting for your call . "
At that Louise disconnected the call .
As soon as Ralph heard his mom mention her computer , he got up of the sofa , walked to the other side of the room and picked the computer up . He walked back to the sofa and handed the computer to Walter .
Walter smiled at him and immediatly began to set up Paige's computer for a computer to computer meeting . Before Paige had finished speaking to Louise , Walter had completed eveything .
He handed the computer to Paige , a big smile on his face , but when he spoke there was a serious tone to his voice . " I meant what i said if father as the same attitude he had during that phone conversation , i will cut the conversation . "
Paige gave a smile , leaned over and put a kiss on Walter's cheek before replying . " You won't have to , i will do it before you get a chance . "
Ralph looked at both Walter and Paige a very stern look on his face .
" I do not want to see either of them until they apologize to you both and you are willing to accept the apology . "
Walter looked at him pride on his face . " Thank you Ralph ,but i am sure they still love and miss you in their lives . So i would be happy if you wanted to keep in contact with them even if i cannot accept their apology . "
Ralph looked at Walter , but did not speak for more than a minute . He took a deep breath and began speaking .
" If they cannot accept you , they do not deserve any grandchildren . Would they react the same way to their grandchildren if they do something wrong , or are told by someone else that you had done something wrong , even if the story that is passed on , is corrupt . "
Walter reached over and pulled him into a hug , a tear running down his cheek .
Paige looked at her two geniuses her heart melting with love .
" Sweetheart if that is how you feel , you have our support , but first i think we need to listen to what Sean as got to say . "
Ralph got up and made his way to his bedroom .
Paige connected her computer , a few seconds later , the screen came alive . Both Paige and Walter , were looking at Louise and Sean . Louise's face was rather solemn , Sean's head was down he appeared to be looking at his hands .
" Good evening Mr and Mrs O'Brian . " Paige answered a serious look on her face .
" Good morning , Walter , Paige thank you for accepting this video call . Sean as something he wants , no needs to stay . " Louise replied .
Walter could see the pain in his mom's face , he was certain that his dad wanted to be anywhere except sitting in front of the computer .
" By the way dad is reacting at the moment , i am sure what ever he his about to say is done only under duress and he will not mean a word of it . What a pity i am not Sly . " A now very angry Walter told them .
Paige reached over and placed a hand on his arm , before leaning in and whispering . " At least give him a chance . "
Walter cannot resist Paige when she does that , he leaned back and smiled at Paige . " OK, but only because you asked in such a nice way . "
" Walter , my dear son , your dad is not under any duress , to say what he wants to say , he his embarrassed . Unbeknown to me he phoned Sly last night , Sly told him the real truth , that he had never even told Florence how he felt and that it was Florence who had feelings for you . You had no feelings what so ever for Florence . Although they all did walk out on you . " Louise told them .
Walter sat staring at the screen , the look on his face , showing Paige that he was going over in his head , the conversation he had just listened to from Louise .
Paige again reached over and gently squeezed his hand , Walter turned to her a half smile on his face . " Ok i will listen to what he has to say . But i promise if i see or hear any sort of incongruous statement , i will disconnect the call and never have any contact with either of you again . "
Walter reached over to Paige and pulled her towards him and planted a kiss on her lips .
A smile appeared on Louise's face , although Sean's position never changed .
" Thank you Walter we appreciate the fact that you are willing to accept or at least for the moment , listen to both of our apologizes . " Louise said , her voice cracking up a little as she was speaking .
Walter gave a half smile to her , as he reached over and held tight onto Paige's hand .
" Ok , we are ready to listen . " Paige told Louise .
" Well just as i told you over the phone yesterday , the first i knew of the problem was when Paige told me . However i have been a poor mother as i did not in over twelve months try to contact my son . What sort of mother does that make me . "
Paige cut in . " Louise , even if you had tried to call Walter , you would not have been able to make contact . As i mentioned earlier once we all walked out on him , he changed all his contact numbers , plus he changed his last name , to your maiden name . So you would not have been able to trace him . If it makes you feel a little better , neither Ralph or i were able to find him , except by a pure accidental sighting of Walter by one of my friends , he would still be in hiding . "
Louise put on a forced smile on her face . " But i should have least tried . "
Walter looked at Louise and saw the sadness and all the hurt in her face . " Mom , i did not want to be found , so do not feel bad about it . "
" Thank you son . But now i think it is time you listen to your dad . "
Louise looked across at Sean , who still held his head low . " It is time to tell Walter and Paige what you told me and then i suggest you get down on your knees and beg both of them for forgiveness . " Louise told him, her voice still full of anger at him .
For the first time since the video connection had been made , Sean lifted his head and looked straight into the camera . Walter could see the bags under his eyes and the redness in his actual eyes , showed Walter that Sean had not had much sleep in the last twenty four hours .
Sean just stared at the camera , it seemed as if he could not speak . Louise dug her elbow into his ribs , which bought him out of his trance like state . Sean took in a deep breath , then a sigh before he began to speak in a low voice , nothing like the usual gruff voice everyone was used to .
" Good morning Walter , Paige , first let me say , with all my heart i apologize to you , but especially to you Walter for the way i behaved on the phone the day you phoned . Sly had told such a convinicing story , my mind just went back to when you were younger and you would come up with all these ideas which never really happened . It was then i could imagine you doing something like Sly had been saying . "
Before he could say more , an angry Paige interupted .
" Walter is no longer a young boy , he his a man in his thirties , who has over the past few years as been responible for saving thousands if not millions of lives , agreed with the help of the team , but it was always Walter's mind which came up with the solutions to the various problems . But we all know that Sly is your prefered son , so if that is going to be your apology , you can forget it . "
Walter leaned over to Paige and this time he put his hand on her arm , trying to calm her down .
Louise quickly cut in . " Paige , sweetheart , please let the old fool finish , he never could get straight to the point . "
Paige feeling Walter's hand on her arm began to calm down . She looked over and smiled at Walter , then back at the screen .
" I am sorry Mr. O'Brian , please carry on . "
Sean gave her a half smile , then immediatly lowered his eyes so he was looking at his hands .
" I am sorry Paige , but i am just a low educated Irish farmer and cannot understand Walter's mind , in fact i think i am afraid of just what Walter is actually capable of . Sly i could understand more , but once he told me the truth , that he had embellished the truth . I have no choice but to beg , plead even go down on my knees to get Walter and you Paige to accept my heartfelt apology . I will also promise to try and understand Walter more . "
Paige and Walter turned to look at each other at the same time . They stared into each other's eyes , the look on their faces seemed to be saying the same thing .
Walter was first to speak , he turned back to the screen .
" Ok, dad , we have both heard your apology , i am almost certain that you actually mean it . However i am willing to accept it at the moment , however this is only on a conditional trial period , so you can convince both of us just how genuine this apology actually is . Lets say a six months trial . "
Paige immediatly spoke . " I certainly agree with what Walter as said . "
Sean looked back at the camera . " I do not really know what i can do to convince you , but i accept what you say and will do everything in my power to prove just what both you and Paige mean to me . "
Paige smiled and got up from the side of Walter and went and picked Megan out of her bassenet and was greeted by a Mo, Mo , from Megan .
" Do you want to go and see Da, Da's , Da, Da and Mo, Mo. ? " Paige spoke quietly to her .
A smile broke out on Megan's face as she uttered Da, Da .
Paige's smile got bigger as she walked across to Walter . She made herself comfortable again , Megan began to utter Da, Da again .
" Ok little pricess , Walter would you take Megan please . " Paige said as she handed Megan over to him .
A big smile came onto Walter's face , matched by the one on Megan''s face .
" Mom, dad , please meet your new granddaughter , Megan Louise . " As he was speaking Walter moved Megan , so she was facing the camera on the computer .
Both Louise and Sean put their hands to their mouths , tears running down both of their cheeks .
Walter still with a big smile on his face quietly spoke to Megan . " They are your grandparents , Louise and Sean. Da, Da's Mo,Mo and Da, Da . "
Megan began to giggle and reached out with one hand towards the computer screen .
Paige had a big smile on her face as she mouthed to Walter . "I will go and see Ralph . " With that she got up from her seat and made her way to Ralph's bedroom .
Louise managed a " She is beautiful , just how old is she ? "
Walter still smiling " She will soon be four months old . "
Megan was still giggerling , uttering Da , Da.
Sean could not speak , but a look of pride came on his face , as he reached towards the camera on his computer as if he wanted to touch Megan . As Megan saw the hand on the screen she again reached out with her hand . His large farmers hand , complete with callouses and cuts made Megan giggle even more , Walter moved Megan closer to the screen so her tiny hand appeared to go on top of Seans hand . As this happened more tears began to flow down Sean's cheeks .
Megan giggled then removed her hand from the screen .
Ralph's room .
Ralph was sitting on his bed , playing a game on his play station , having no intention of going into the living area , until he heard his mom and dad were happy with Sean's apology . He had lost all sense of time , as he moved further into his game .
He gave a jump when he heard a knock on the door and heard his mom call his name . He switched the game off and called for his mom to come in .
" Would you like to come and say hello to your grandparents ? " Paige asked a small smile on her face .
" Have you both accepted granddad's apology ? " He asked his face giving nothing away .
" Yes , but it is conditional , Sean is on trial and needs to prove over the next six months before we accept it completly . Paige explained as she sat on the bed at the side of Ralph .
Ralph turned to her . " Ok, I will go and speak to them but like you , they are on trial .
Paige put her arm around Ralph before speaking . " Come on then , lets go and join dad , he his introducing Megan to them . "
Both got off the bed and made their way to the door .
Back in the living area .
Walter was still smiling as Megan continued to giggle and utter Da, Da. All both Sean and Louise could do was smile and just look at Megan with love . Both were also surprised at the way Walter was so content in the way he had taken to and handled Megan .
Walter was quietly talking to Megan explaining all about were his parents lived . Megan seemed to be listening to everything he said , a smile never leaving her face .
Ralph was first back into the living area , he walked slowly up behind Walter and gently put his arms around Walter's neck then quietly whispered . " Are you sure everything is alright now , dad . "
An even bigger smile came across Walter's face , who then quietly replied to Ralph . "Almost , which is why further meetings are to check that everything that as been said is correct . "
" Ok dad , i will speak to them , but on the same conditions you have . " Ralph replied as he released Walter .
He climbed over the back of the sofa and sat between his mom and dad .
" Hello , grandma , grandpa , i am pleased you have apologized to mom and especially dad . I hope you were genuine with it . "
Both Louise and Sean , took their eyes of Megan and looked at Ralph . Sean's eyes were still bloodshot , but he had a smile on his face . Louise's eyes shone as the light caught them , due to the tears of joy that were building up in them . She was just so happy to see Ralph again .
" It is good to see you again Ralph , and i hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive this big idiot who is sitting next to me . " Louise spoke a little sadness in her voice .
Ralph looked at them both , his face giving nothing away , it was a full minute before he spoke again .
" I am willing to forgive both of you , but only with the same conditions mom and dad have set . I will also be taking guidence from both of them on how you are behaving on future calls . "
Sean managed a small . " Thank you Ralph , as i told your dad , i am a low educated Irish farmer , but i will try my best to make up for all that hurt i have caused . "
While Ralph had been talking Megan had calmed down and was now fast asleep safe in Da,Da's strong arms . Ralph looked across and saw Megan asleep , so when he began to speak again ne lowered his voice .
" Have they told you about dad's new house ? "
Louise had a surprised look on her face . " New house , what about the garage ? "
At that Paige cut in . " It is a long story , some of which at the moment we cannot tell you about . "
Walter smiled , then carried on the conversation . " It is complicated , maybe by next weekend we can fill you in more . I now actually work full time for Richard Eli , the house was just one of the things he gave me as part of my contract . At the moment we are all staying in Paiges condo . Although Paige , most weekdays , goes over to my house . "
Louise had to ask . " Can you at least tell us were the house is . "
Paige answered a big smile on her face . " It is not far from Malibu beach . "
Before continuing she glanced across at Walter , who simply nodded his head . " It is as four large bedrooms , a very large living , dining area . It also as a large conservatory that streaches across the back of the house , oh yes each bedroom as an en-suite bathroom , plus a large family bathroom which as a jacuzzi bath fitted . But for me my favourite room is the kitchen , it is to die for .
When i stand in it i am sure it is bigger than my entire condo . It is fitted out with every conceivable kitchen utensil you could imagine . outside a large swimming pool and at the moment a wilderness . The house had not been lived in for five years . "
Both Louise and Sean's faces were a picture of shock , surprise and a little jealousy . Louis just about managed to speak .
" That is were Walter lives ? "
Paige again answered . " Well that is were we will all be living in the next few weeks . "
Walter interrupted before Paige could say anything else .
" It as been good to speak to you both and to begin to mend our relationship, but Ralph and i have a very importent meeting this morning , so i am afraid we are going to have to finish this video call soon . We should make this a regular thing on a weekend because of the time difference , these are the only two days when a good time for all of us applies . "
Paige again cut in . " Walter is correct , they both should have left ten minutes ago . I also agree with Walter , we should make these calls a regular occurance . "
Louise smiled . " We understand and i am really pleased how this call as gone . It as been so good to see everyone again , especially your new arrival . We would love to make this a regular thing , but if you ever need anything feel free to call us at any timeof day . We both look forward to seeing you next Saturday . "
Walter , Paige and Ralph all said goodbye and Paige cut the connection .
The three of them sat about for a couple of minutes , before Paige spoke .
" I think you two boys should be making your way to the garage , you have a lot of work and i am sure Katherine will want some good , if you can call it that , news tomorrow . "
As she finished speaking , she got up off the sofa , moved over to Walter and with great care removed the sleeping Megan from Walter's arms and placed her into her bassenet .
Walter got up and took one last look at Megan in her bassenet . " Come on Ralph , we had better get over to the garage . "
Ralph went back to his bedroom to collect his jacket , Walter picked his jacket up from the chair .
Paige hugged and kissed Walter . " Please be careful and keep Ralph safe . "
Walter smiled . " Of course i will . " He then planted another kiss on Paige's lips .
Ralph came back into the room . " Ok dad lets go . "
After kissing Paige one more time , Walter and Ralph left the condo . Paige waving them off from the door .
O'Brian Farm , Callen .
Louise and Sean stayed seated just stareing at a blank computer screen for almost ten minutes after Paige had disconnected the video call .
Eventually Louise broke the silence . " I think that went quite well , Megan is beautiful , did you notice that olive tinge in her skin , just like Walter's and it looks like she is going to have the same dark curly hair , just like Walter .
Sean was still quiet , his face sad . " I really messed up didn't i , Walter was right i did wish Sly was our son instead of him . But from what Paige told us about the number of lives Walter had saved over the past few years , i have to admit i have under estimated him .
Even after he saved the town , two years ago , although i shook his hand and said i was proud of him . I still felt he thought he was better than everyone else . But watching Walter wuth Megan tonight made me realize just what a bad father i had become to him , especially after Megan became ill .
I am determined over the next six months to do all that is in my power to convince , Walter , Paige and Ralph i have become a changed man and that i can show them real love and respect . Maybe then we will be able to arrange a trip to vist them in Walter's new home . "
Louise had listened to all he had to say , she gave a half smile . " Well you had better , or i will be going on my own . "
She then leaned over to him and placed a kiss on his cheek . Getting up from her chair , she looked over her shoulder and said .
" I will go and check on our evening meal . "
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LouBe96 More progress in chapter 19 , no more secrets LOL . Megan is a real daddy's girl . my orignal intention for this story was a 5/ 6 chapters just to show how Walter would be able to manage with a new born especially a girl but the story got away from me again .
Pearliegirl Hope this chapter was worth waiting for. Thank you .
Grykon Glad you enjoyed the chapter . The rat has not touched the account since it was opened , i think you will find he was building up a pension fund . You now know about the video call .