Oh Boy, it's Sorcery

by CERVN12

AU set after 2x01 Waige kiss. This story has gotten away from me, and now it's just going where ever my little mind of horrors takes us!

22. A Tsunami of Anticipation

Chapter Twenty-Two: A Tsunami of Anticipation

A/N: This is it. The end. I am so heartbroken for this to be coming to a close. I have had the best time writing this story, reading your amazing comments, having so much fun with the characters. Truly a work of heart. Thank you so much to you all for coming along this journey with me.

I have an idea for a very short epilogue, but I'm undecided on writing it. Time will tell. I have some other ideas in store for new stories, so we'll see what happens.

Thank you for making Scorpion magic with me!

xoxo.

---

The following morning, Ralph awoke them extra early - being sure to knock - with more excitement than a child on actual Christmas morning, eager to start the day. Paige had argued that she couldn't even leave yet as the stores weren't even open, but that didn't keep Ralph from being impatient, much to Walter's amusement as he lay in the bed watching Ralph attempt to pull Paige free from Walter's arms. Walter was not prepared to release her from his grasp, however. They had stayed up incredibly late finishing all of the wrapping, then, they had stayed up even later, doing some unwrapping. So the early wake up call from Ralph felt even earlier.

"How about instead of playing tug-a-war with my arms, I make you boys some breakfast, since I know you probably won't eat anything while you're tunneling like rabbits on your top secret project?"

"Fiiiiiiine. But then will you go?" Ralph pouted.

"Ralph, be nice to your mom. She doesn't control the store's hours of operation." Walter grunted, nuzzling his face back into Paige's hair. He loved waking up to her. Even asleep, his body craved hers. If they fell asleep on opposite sides of the bed, usually when one had gone to bed earlier than the other and didn't want to wake their sleeping counterpart, they still always managed subconsciously to migrate toward the middle, to be wrapped up in each other.

"Sorry mom. I'm just really excited." Ralph was a good boy, and an even better son. Paige had done a fine job raising him.

"It's okay, I know you are. I promise, right after breakfast I will hightail my butt right out of here so you guys can have your special top secret no moms allowed day." Through Paige's hair, he could see Ralph smile in approval of the plan. "Give us five minutes to wake up okay?"

"Okay. Can I use the computer?"

"Sure." And just as fast as he had stormed into their room, he had bolted, closing the door behind him. "You would think it was Christmas!" She exclaimed, turning over to face Walter. "Good morning handsome." She placed a soft kiss to Walter's nose, and he brushed her hair away from her face, pulling her in tight.

"Good morning to you beautiful. And Merry Christmas Eve." She smiled. Operation Christmas Magic was starting already.

"I swear you must have been visited by the three ghosts or something. But I'm not complaining." She kissed him, not intending it to be more than a sweet kiss, but the way he pulled her in deeper left her breathless. "We have to get up."

He was kissing her neck, her collar bone.

"You said five minutes." He grumbled against her skin, as he rolled atop of her to pin her down. "There's a lot that can happen in five minutes." She laughed as she kissed him passionately.

As they emerged from the bedroom, Paige wearing her bathrobe, Walter in his sweatpants and tshirt, Ralph spoke up from his spot at the kitchen table where he was furiously typing away at some coding project he'd been working on for his college course.

"That was exactly eighteen minutes and forty-eight seconds. Not five." He didn't look up, just stating facts.

Walter choked back a laugh as he started the coffee machine, and noted that she was red, very, very red. There was lots to do in those five minutes, it took a few extra. She hid her face inside the refrigerator as she grabbed the eggs and milk.

"Sorry hunny, we were just uh,... discussing Christmas dinner tomorrow at the garage. Are you excited for that? I am." She was a lying liar, with pants on fire, and he was enjoying this exchange almost as much as he had enjoyed discussing Christmas dinner.

"Yeah. I am." Again, just facts. Nothing more. Nothing less. He was engrossed in his computer.

"I'm going to shower while you're cooking." He told her, stopping to kiss her cheek, wrapping his arms around her torso from behind. In the quietest whisper, he added "I really enjoyed our very riveting discussion about dinner tomorrow. We should discuss again later. Dinner is important, we should be very thoroug." She was biting back a laugh. He could feel the way her cheek muscles were tensing with a grin, and loved the way she grabbed for the back of his head, turning hers to kiss him properly.

"Get out of here before any more of your distractions get me in trouble." She chided, whipping his butt with her dish towel as he pulled away, walking back toward the bedroom.

Christmas music was playing when he got back out of the bedroom, having showered and dressed, and the condo smelled of bacon and eggs.

He heard her before he saw her, singing along to the Christmas carols playing from the smart speaker she kept in the kitchen. As he turned the corner, he saw exactly what he expected to see, and it was always his favorite domestic sight seeing. Paige, clad in just a robe, hair in a messy ponytail twist, no makeup, just, authentically her, dancing and singing in the kitchen as she cooked, using whatever spatula or spoon she was using as a microphone.

He remembered the first time he ever heard her sing, and he had been completely transfixed by her and the song she had sung.

You're just too good to be true.

Can't take my eyes off of you.

You'd be like Heaven to touch.

I want to hold you so much.

At long last, love has arrived.

And I thank God I'm alive.

You're just too good to be true.

Can't take my eyes off of you.

She had captured his soul in that moment. It had been like she was singing the words he didn't even know he was desperate to say. Then Drew had shown up and ruined it. It really was a behavior pattern for him. Ruining good things. He loved every time he was able to hear her sing since that day. She had sang that same song again to him as he had entered her hospital room the morning she was set to be discharged, and he had not been able to contain his smile. Her voice had struggled, mostly her lungs, but the effort and the sentiment had been clear. The first time she let him see this sight of her, however, he had known that she was fully comfortable with him, and he didn't take it for granted.

He watched from the doorway as she plated the food from the pans, never stopping her dancing or singing, placing a plate in front of Ralph, before he finally stepped into the kitchen. Just before she could reach for the next plate, in one quick swoop, he took hold of her hand and her waist and began moving in a very impromptu kitchen dance to Jingle Bell Rock.

"Well this is very unexpected." She teased, as she happily participated and danced around the kitchen with him. Ralph watching on with a smile, covertly snapping a quick photo of them on his mother's phone and emailing it to himself, as he did.

He had started doing that sometime around Thanksgiving. Randomly snapping photos of them together in candid moments. Making dinner or washing the dishes. Sitting on the couch folding laundry. Driving in the car. Paige had just appreciated that photos would exist since Walter wasn't big on posing for them, and hadn't questioned it.

"You've taught me that the most rewarding things are often unexpected. Besides, you put all of that work into teaching me how to dance. Not utilizing those skills would be inefficient."

"You're absolutely right. You definitely need to utilize these skills more."

Dancing in the kitchen, making breakfast, getting ready for a holiday together. These were all things he could never even fathom as a possibility for his life just a year ago. Now, they were not only a possibility, they were reality.

As the song ended, Paige kissed him in thanks, rubbing her hands down the front of his chest, before handing him a plate of breakfast. Scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, and fruit. He loved her cooking, and how she always managed to fit in the fruit and vegetables. As he sat at the table, she handed him a mug of coffee as well, before taking her own seat. He took a moment to soak in the moment, his family, just gathered at the table, having breakfast. So simple. Millions did it every day. But for him, it was so far from simple.

They finished breakfast, and Walter and Ralph did the dishes while Paige got ready for her day, deviously whispering about their plans, going silent whenever she'd enter the room.

"Alright boys, I am leaving. I will be home around three o'clock I guess." Paige announced, as she was putting on her coat, and grabbing her purse, checking to make sure she had all of her things. When she looked up, she laughed. Both Walter and Ralph were seated side by side on the sofa, identical poses, one knee bent with ankle resting atop the other knee, each with a page of the newspaper in hand, and each of them folding down the edge as she spoke to peer over it at her. "You two… I just can't." She breathed out through a giggle. The boys exchanged a perplexed glance at each other as she continued to giggle at their confusion and used her phone to snap a photo.

Walter folded down his paper, placing it aside to stand and come before her.

"Have a most enjoyable and productive day. And don't worry, we promise, no ballistic gel." Walter teased. Ralph smiled in the background as he nodded in agreement. "We will see you when you get home." He softly kissed her lips.

"Okay." Grabbing her travel mug, she took in the sight of the less than festive room. "I don't really know what we are going to do tonight. I mean, it's Christmas Eve, we should do something I guess." Paige mused, with a sadness undercutting her words that she carefully tried to disguise with indifference.

"Maybe Walter and I can plan something for us. Something… scientific." Ralph chimed in, making Paige quickly cover a sigh of disappointment.

"That's a great idea, Ralph. We could come up with some mathematical equation or scientific formula that would be perfect to celebrate such an occasion." Walter added, and Paige looked away to keep from showing her disapproval. She had accepted what life would be having Walter as her partner, but, sometimes it was a bit disheartening. When it was just her and Ralph, Ralph would at least play the part for holidays. But, with Walter, he would just be excited to have the day off from school to do more nerd things together.

"Yes. Nothing says Christmas quite like math and science." She noted dryly, through a forced smile. "I guess that sounds like a fun new tradition." Walter had to maintain his composure. It was not easy to keep secrets from Paige, but seeing how solemn she looked was making it even harder. "Okay, well, I'm gonna go. And I'll see you guys later." She leaned up to quickly kiss Walter. "Love you."

"Love you, too. Be safe driving, the Christmas crazies are out and they're driving wise than Happy. And please do not over do it today. Take it easy." She smiled, placing her hand on his cheek. He worried every time she left the house. He leant in to kiss her softly.

"I promise. I have presents I want to unwrap later, so, I won't be straining myself today." She whispered in his ear and he felt a tingle rising up his spine, and that warm, red heat coming to rest on the back of his neck.

"Oh boy." She pursed her lips to keep from giggling, always enjoying how she could still reduce him to those two little words with a simple suggestion.

"And you…" She turned to Ralph. "...you keep Wal…your dad out of trouble, okay?" Walter shot her a mock glare. She laughed. "Behave, okay?" They both beamed at her referring to Walter as dad.

"I will. Promise. Love you. Have a fun day, Mom. Be safe." Ralph hugged her around her waist.

"Oo, I love you too." She kissed the top of his head before heading out the door, closing it behind her.

The boys watched from the window as she loaded into her car, waved up at them, and laughed at their attempt to look innocent, before she backed out and drove off.

"Go time!" Ralph yelled.

"Go time, buddy! Grab your jacket. We have a lot of work to do!" Walter excitedly called back.

---

"What do you think bud? I think it looks pretty good for Santa." Walter stood back, appreciating the view of the tree they had set up, albeit a very awkward looking tree, but perfect with its lights and ornaments.

"Mom's gonna love it!" Ralph grabbed another ornament they had purchased. "Our first Christmas. I think this one should go right in front!"

"Good thinking. If you place it approximately five feet up, it will be right at eye level for her."

Ralph nodded, doing as instructed, lookinv back as if picturing her entering and ensuring it was placed at the exact right angle for viewing.

"Walt, you don't really believe in Santa do you?"

"Well, it's like I said yesterday, Ralph. I can't disprove his existence, so I am choosing to keep an open mind." Walter hung another ornament - an airplane, reminiscent of their first day together - on the tree. "What about you?"

"I don't know. The kids in my class do, and they seem happier than people who don't. I guess, maybe, I want to believe, even though, logically, it makes no sense." Ralph shrugged, placing another ornament, a miniature painting, a perfect mini version of the painting Walter had slashed. "Where did you even find these?" Ralph laughed at the box of ornaments Walter had busted out. They had purchased some together at the store, but he had been prepared already with several seemingly meaningful, yet, completely odd, ones.

"I found a shop online that makes ornaments. they had quite a few that were... fitting." He added another, a Smokey the Bear, holding a sign that said 'Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires'. He smiled to himself, both at the memory of fire where he first held her hand, and the memory of her finally introduding him to Forrest Gump. It had not been a movie about the forest. And the Terminator had not been about bugs. He chuckled at that thought as he pulled out the Arnold Schwarzenegger and box of chocolates ornaments. "You know, Ralph, your view of Santa sounds a lot like me believing in love before your mom." Ralph looked up questioningly, placing a Ferrari ornament on a branch. "I didn't believe in romantic love at all. Thought it was junk science because you couldn't prove it through math or science. Then, I met you and your mom, and she had me questioning everything I had ever believed. I saw how love affected other people. How much happier they seemed. I knew I was happier whenever I was around your mom, but I couldn't let go of my convictions. Even after we kissed for the first time..." Ralph made a disgusted face making Walter smile. "...I still didn't want to believe it could be real. But, your Mom has a way of making you believe in the impossible." Ralph nodded in agreement to that statement. "And I'm very glad that I decided to give believing a chance. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have her, or you. We wouldn't be here decorating what was a perfectly healthy, living tree, from outdoors, that was cut down to use as a dead sentiment perch for lights and little tokens that hold non-logical, and completely irrational value." Walter's face twisted, and Ralph gave him a look. "... that will bring us all great joy when Mom sees it."

"Mom is going to love her dead sentiment perch for lights and little tokens." Ralph added one that he had picked. A little trophy, representing his big science fair win. "I guess you're right. If I don't believe in the possibility of things I cannot explain, I'll never really experience them."

Walter smiled. He thought Paige would be more pleased with Ralph giving believing a chance, than anything else they had on the agenda today. Placing a little scorpion on the tree, he felt so much relief. He had definitely made the right choice in believing... in her.

---

It had been a long day, and a lot of work, but the boys had pulled off everything they set out to do with time to spare. It was all about efficiency. Both Walter and Ralph were anxiously awaiting Paige's arrival. She had texted to say she was going to be later than planned, but then that she was on the way, and they had texted back saying they had run out for an errand and would be back soon. But in actuality, they were both pacing by the window waiting for her car to pull up, lights all out.

"I see her car coming!" Ralph shrieked excitedly.

"Alright, get in position!" Walter whispered as they ducked away from the window to avoid being spotted. Thankfully, Mrs Ferguson agreed to let Walter park his car in her garage so Paige wouldn't see his car. She had pinched Ralph's cheeks and told him what a sweet boy he was to do all of this. Had hugged Walter, delighting at how he tensed up, and told him how proud she was of him, and reminded him to bring his appetite for dinner on Christmas Day. She was such a staple in their lives now.

"Hey Walt?" Ralph whispered, as they could hear the car pull into the driveway. Walter looked at the boy who had a wistful look on his face. "Thanks... For all of this. For letting me be a part of making the magic for my mom. And for the best father-son day ever."

Walter was certain he suddenly had allergies, as wetness was forming in his eyes. He leaned over to pull Ralph in for a side hug from their spots seated on the floor.

"Couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for being the best son, for both me and your mom." They could hear footsteps and Paige's voice humming a Christmas Carol outside the door, along with keys jingling. "Ready?" Walter whispered.

"Ready." Ralph whispered back.Ralph's excitement was palpable, radiating off of him in waves that were so strong they could take out a village. A Tsunami of anticipation.

The keys fiddled with the lock, abs they could hear her mumble some choice words, which required them to suppress their laughter. Just as the doorknob turned, Ralph readied the controller in his hand, then as the door swung open, a huge grin plastered to his face, Walter nodded, and Ralph flipped the switch.

Instantly, lights and sounds came to life all around the condo, and Paige shrieked, dropping everything in her hands to the floor startled, before slowly taking in her surroundings. Her hands came up to cover her mouth, as her eyes grew wide and tears sprang to them.

Huge Christmas tree, strung as best as two men could do it, with flickering lights, and sparkly garland and dozens of thoughtout ornaments. Choo-choo train driving in circles around the base of the tree, guarding a few wrapped gifts settled within. Christmas themed pillows on the sofa with coordinating Christmas throw blankets. All of the pictures she had hung on the wall were wrapped like presents - Ralph's idea. Brand new stockings hung by the fireplace with each of their names embroidered on them - another nod to Mrs Ferguson - with the fire roaring below. One of the Happy updates she had done while living there, installing an electric fireplace. Bowls on the coffee table of popcorn and cranberries, with string and needles beside it. Every doorway had festive garland and Christmas lights hanging from them. Mistletoe hanging in the doorway between the living room and kitchen. A whole tray of Christmas cookies in various shapes sat on the table, with various frosting colors and sprinkles ready for decorating. Another tray sat by the fireplace, currently empty, but with labels that read Milk for Santa, Carrots for the Reindeer, Cookies for Santa. A jar of oats, with edible glitter mixed in, rested on the counter. Three gingerbread houses rested beside it, ready to be made festive. Even the bathroom, new festive shower curtain, and Santa themed hand soap. The kitchen table was donned with a Christmas table cloth, Christmas dishes set for a feast, and the house smelled of baked ham and mashed potatoes... and trees. Propped up on the sofa, Twas the Night Before Christmas, ready for reading. And streaming all throughout the condo, Christmas carols.

She choked out a speechless, overjoyed sob when she turned to face her boys, sitting in front of the tree, wearing their matching Christmas Pajamas, Walter holding Ferret Bueller in his own matching set, and a vacant pair for her resting in front of Ralph. Their smiles were brighter than all of the Christmas lights as they took in her reaction.

"Now." Walter nudged Ralph, both boys grinning from ear to ear, and Ralph flipped another switch, causing her to gasp as she watched out the window behind the tree to see snow falling down…in Southern California.

"Wh-- How? What? I--" She couldn't even form a sentence. She was openly sobbing, happy tears, as she tried to absorb every little thing around her.

"Merry Christmas Mommy! We wanted you to have the most magical Christmas ever because we love you!" Ralph jumped up from his spot, running into her arms, undeniably proud of himself, and thrilled with her reaction. "We may have teamed up with Santa." She hugged him tight, still weeping. With tear soaked eyes, she gazed at Walter, pure disbelief written on her face.

"This was your special project?"She was incredulous. Completely and utterly incredulous.

"Well, it's like Ralph said. We wanted you to have the most magical Christmas ever. Because we love you."Simple. Facts. No big deal.

"I can't…I don't…you guys. I don't even know what to say." She wrapped her arms around both of her boys, holding tight as she tried to gain some composure.

"Merry Christmas, Paige." Walter whispered, placing a kiss to the top of her head, rubbing her back softly.

Merry Christmas indeed.

After a few moments, she pulled back, taking in the pride and enthusiasm on their faces. And snickering at their matching pajamas.

"I can't believe you guys. This is the greatest gift I have ever received. Thank you both, so much." She was wiping at her eyes.

Ralph then eagerly gave her a tour of every little thing they had done, right down to how they wired everything to the remote control from Birdroni, and how they had cooked dinner and baked cookies, and everything they had been doing all day. She went along intently listening to every word, still reeling in shock, amazement with each new detail she discovered, like how all of her kitchen cabinets had thick ribbons tied around them also to look like presents.

While she soaked in each new aspect of their surprise, Walter just stood in the doorway, watching her. Soaking in ever aspect of her. The most beautiful, captivating, extraordinary woman he could ever possibly come to know.

The one.

He had always known it. But seeing her like this, completely awestruck, was something brand new to process. Seven months ago this had been his dream, and then the shooting happened, and this dream had seemed so out of sight and impossible.

But, here they were, living the dream.

"Mommy, put on your pajamas so we can be a matching family!" Ralph pleaded excitedly, and she looked over to him, catching his gaze on her, surely taking in the sight of Walter in festive pajamas to create a core memory.

"Okay bud, I will. Will you grab them for me?" Ralph nodded eagerly.

Walter handed Ferret Bueller to Ralph. He rushed off back to the living room to put the festive rodent in his also decorated cage, complete with mini Christmas tree and lights, and grab his mom's pajamas. As Ralph disappeared around the corner, she approached Walter.

"The tree, the cookies, the popcorn strings, it's everything my dad used to do. You remembered all of that? You did all of this... for me?" He didn't speak, he didn't need to. She knew he remembered every single word she ever spoke to him. "Walter… I have no words." She had tears pouring down her face as she spoke, her voice cracking, and he reached up to wipe them from her cheeks. Stepping in closer, he placed his hands on her hips.

"I'm sorry that Ralph and I haven't been the greatest sports as far as Christmas goes. I remembered how you spoke of Christmas and how much you wanted to keep that magic alive with Ralph. We get so wrapped up in logic, that we forgot about the magic. But you, you Paige, you have given us magic in every moment we have with you, and it's our turn to give you some back. This is just a small way of us trying to tell you, show you, how important you are to us." She leaned in, hugging him tight, arms wrapped around him as if to steady herself.

"Small? Walter, this is grand. Not small. Bueller is wearing pajamas." She joked against his chest. He could feel the wetness from her tears being absorbed into the cotton of his tight pajama shirt. "This is definitely magical."

"We wanted to make the magic for you, Mom. We get to be the making believers for you now!" Ralph echoed behind them, and Paige immediately recognized the phrasing. "With help from Santa of course!"

"Your Grandpa used to say that." She whispered, looking between Walter and Ralph, another sob escaping her.

"Mom, don't cry. We wanted to make you happy, not sad." Ralph said, concerned, Walter rubbing his back reassuringly.

"Oh, hunny, these are happy tears. I promise." Again they shared a three-way hug, before she took the pajamas from Ralph and disappeared off to her bedroom.Walter assumed also to take a moment to compose herself. "Seriously Walter! Christmas bedding!" She laughed and yelled out from behind the closed door.

"Alright Ralph, phase two. You ready?" Walter whispered.

"I'm ready. Are you ready?" Ralph questioned back.

"As ready as I can be. You know, you did an amazing job today bud. I'm very proud of you. You spent your entire day working very hard to do something illogical, and did so selflessly, to make your mom happy. I can't think of anything that could make me prouder." Ralph smiled as he hugged Walter tight. Which is how Paige found them when she reemerged from the bedroom, now donning her festive red and green striped pajamas with a large Santa face on the front.

While he thoroughly enjoyed her usual pajama selection of nothing, or even tiny shorts and a tight shirt, there was something oddly sexy about the skin tight festive wear. He wouldn't allow himself to think too much about why her looking like an elf was strangely alluring. It made him feel a little too much like Toby.

"You look great Mom!" Ralph was quite possibly the happiest he had ever seen him, and it warmed his heart.

"You are beauty redefined, my dear." Walter added, gaining a smile from her.

"I can't believe you guys got matching pajamas. Never in a million years…" as she finished speaking, the timer went off in the kitchen.

"Looks like supper is ready." Walter headed toward the kitchen, before shouting over his shoulder "Ralph and I thought that perhaps after dinner, if you're up for it, we could drive around and look at the Christmas lights. You seem to really love them."

Ralph was bringing food to the table, and Paige was so lost in thought, watching out the window where the 'snow' was still falling. Walter finished up the ham, and nodded to Ralph to start serving, so he could go to Paige. She was standing in the living room, the light of the tree making her hair sparkle, one arm wrapped around her torso, the other with her hand over her mouth as she continued to watch out the window.

"Hey." He approached behind her slowly, quietly, gently placing his hands on her arms. "Is everything okay? I mean, is something unsatisfactory?" He was worried they had messed up somehow. That he had crossed a line, perhaps. She had been quiet for nearly ten minutes, unmoving. But he could see the silent tears falling from her eyes.

"I haven't felt this in twelve years, Walter." She whispered, her voice unsteady, as she leaned back into his chest, allowing him to wrap his arms around her abdomen.

"Felt what?"

"Magic. My dad, like this." She breathed in a deep breath. "God, Walter, for a minute there, it was like I could feel him here with me. I'm sorry, it just made me a bit emotional." She wiped again at her eyes, trying to mask her grief. "When I saw him... when I was dying...in the hospital, he told me that if I went back, I'd... see the magic again. I didn't know what it meant. He had this incredible reassurance about him in the way he said it though. I had sort of forgotten all about it, until now. I just feel him here. I'm sorry, Walter. I don't mean to make things sad. This is incredible."

"Don't be sorry. Paige, I may not believe in ghosts, or spirits or whatever, but I know he was here all day. He was here in Ralph. That boy doesn't care about anything for Christmas for himself. He worked so hard today to make everything perfect, so that you would feel that magic, and I didnt even share your story with him, other than your father wanted Christmas to be magical for you. So, whether he's here in spirit, or here in Ralph, he is here with you. Just like when you were in that hospital bed, you were there with us." He kissed her temple, letting his lips linger. She smiled, and for a few minutes they just stood there, watching the falling snow, wrapped up in each other's arms. Unaware to them, Ralph was snapping another photo from the doorway.

"I won't ask now, because, well, magic, but eventually you're going to need to explain to me how it's snowing, non stop, outside our SoCal window." Laughter. He liked the laughter.

"A magician never reveals his secrets. But, if that putz Brian from the HOA says anything, it will take us about an hour to make the snow disappear back to the North Pole." She turned in his arms, with a chuckle. "Hungry?" She nodded against his chest, and he took her by the hand, leading her to the dining room where Ralph was trying hard to act as though he hadn't just been spying on them, making them both smirk.

"I can't believe you guys made such an amazing dinner. Careful, I may get used to this!"

"Well, you haven't tasted it yet." Ralph stated very matter-of-factly.

As they were all seated, with plates full in front of them, Paige was about to take a bite, when Ralph coughed under his breath to get her attention. She looked up to find both of her logical, non-believer boys, with hands held together, each with one out to take hers. Slowly she put down her fork, and with a shocked, but amazed smile, she gave her hands over to clasp theirs. They prayed each night to give thanks for her survival, but a meal time blessing was not something that had ever occurred. And even the bedtime prayer was not something that was ever discussed, and despite both of the boys knowing she listened in each night, they would never outright confirm they did it to her.

"Dear God, we give thanks to you. Thank you for helping us find the magic today. Real magic. Because, as Walter taught me, I can't rule out the possibility of real magic, or Santa, just because I can try to explain it scientifically. Thanks for letting me join the making believers club with you and Santa, and my grandpa." Paige glanced at Walter questioningly, who just shrugged like it was no big deal. "Thank you for the meal we are about to eat. But don't worry, we have pizza on standby if it's terrible." Ralph started, Paige watching on in an emotional bewilderment a little hidden laugh. "We also thank you for blessing us with my mom. The most amazing mom and human there is, for without her, we would not know what the spirit of Christmas is all about, nor would we be able to feel the magic. This Christmas could have looked much differently this year, and we will spend every day thanking you for having her with us." She was crying again, blinking back the tears. Walter thought she may become dehydrated soon from it. "We would also like to thank you for advancements in technology which allowed us to put this magic together today for my mom, in a way we could understand, as well as Birdroni sacrificing his controls for the occasion. And we'd like to thank Santa for the magical assist. Finally, thank you for bringing Walter into our lives." Walter looked up, in shock, as the boy spoke with his eyes clenched tightly closed, exchanging an emotional glance with Paige, making it clear to her that he had not known Ralph was going to do this. "Because of Walter, my mom is happy, safe and loved. I am happy, not dead, and I'm not alone anymore. I have a real dad, I know I belong, and we both have a real family for Christmas." Walter let his emotions take hold, as a tear slipped down his cheek. "Oh, and one last thing." Both adults were watching Ralph with such intensity, unsure they could handle anymore emotional bombs. "Thank you for making pajamas in Ferret Bueller's size. He looks super cool." They both laughed. "Amen."

Walter and Paige shared looks of amazement as they echoed his words.

"Amen."

"How was that, Mom?" Ralph asked, worried.

Her voice was cracking again. "Yeah baby, that was the most beautiful blessing I've ever heard. That was perfect Ralph, thank you."

Walter didn't have the words to accurately convey what he was feeling, so he went with simple, factual.

"I'm proud of you for not ruling out the possibilities, bud." Ralph graced him with his smile that could light up a room.

"Nooooow can we eat? I'm starving!" Ralph whined.

"Dig in! I'm sure neither of you have eaten since breakfast!" Paige exclaimed, as she also picked up her fork, still glancing around and finding little things that she missed. The jolly kissing snowman salt and pepper shakers made her smirk picturing Walter's face picking them out. They had a sign hung on the wall that read 'Merry Mail' but, to her amusement, all of the cards hanging from it were the exact same card, and they were all blank. They had purchased a box of generic Christmas cards and hung all twenty-five of them up.

Oh Walter.

She would have to explain how Christmas cards worked to them. Not now… but eventually.

"Not true, we licked the cookie batter off of the beaters. And Ralph licked the bowl." Walter stated very factually.

"Ahh, yes, the lunch of pure nutrition. Cookie batter." Paige sighed with a smile. Nothing was going to wipe it away.

As promised, after dinner, Walter demanded Paige leave the dishes for him to do later, they piled up in the car - including Ferret Bueller - with a thermos of hot cocoa, and Walter drove them through what the internet had told him was the best neighborhoods to view Christmas light displays. They allowed Ralph to climb up into the front seat with Paige to take in the sights, Walter driving barely above a crawl. He watched in wonderment as both Paige and Ralph's faces lit up with excitement and joy with each new house they passed, and how Paige would sing and dance to the songs playing at some of the more elaborate displays, attempting to get he and Ralph to join in with her, making them all laugh. It didn't matter that they had seen easily fifty lit up blow up Santa yard decorations, with each new one they passed, she would yell out "Look a Santa!" and he would look, because it made her so happy.

Her happy, made him happy.

Arriving back to the condo, Ralph put on Elf, a Christmas movie about a giant man child who believed himself to be an elf, now let loose in the city, as they decorated their cookies and gingerbread houses around the coffee table. Walter remarked that Buddy was like when Paige let him out in public alone. Ralph snuck nibbles of cookie crumbs to Ferret Bueller as he worked diligently to complete his cookie.

"I don't think I understand the premise of this film." Walter announced, very confused.

"I think I would be worried you had been possessed if you did understand it." Paige quipped, giggling at Walter's cookie. It was a simple circular cutout, and yet, he had turned it into a full cellular model with his decorations. "Only you, honey. Only you." She teased, leaning into his shoulder.

"Cool!!!" Ralph squealed looking at Walter's cookie. "Look at the one I'm leaving for Santa!"

Paige and Walter exchanged a bemused look at Ralph mentioning Santa and not in context of helping pull off their surprise, before viewing his cookie. What was a snowflake cutout, was now the ellipses of electrons and neutrons circling.

"I take it back, only you two." Paige shook her head at her nerds.

"Well, what are you leaving for Santa?" Walter inquired peeking over to see her cookie.

"Well, I went a little more classic Christmas and a lot less nerdtastic. Classic Frosty the Snowman."

"That's cool too, but very unoriginal." Ralph chided, causing her to throw some sprinkles at him.

"So, Ralph, you uh... think Santa will come?" Paige treaded lightly.

Walter watched on intently for his answer.

"Well, I was initially thinking no." Paige gave flashed with sadness, but she was stuck, like always, to mask it. "Too many logistical impossibilities involved. However, Walter and I talked, and he helped me see how science can neither prove nor disprove Santa's existence, and therefore, scientifically, there is still a remote possibility he is real. And, well, if that is the case, I want to be prepared. You can't have the magic if you don't allow yourself to experience it." He concluded his well thought out answer proudly, as he placed each of their cookies on a small Christmas plate, and then the plate on its designated spot on the tray by the fireplace. Paige mouthed a silent 'thank you' to Walter, squeezing his hand.

"I think that's a great answer. I know I will be hoping he comes tonight. Even if it is just a remote possibility. After all, you two have shown me tonight that magic is very real."

As they continued the movie, they strung together the popcorn and cranberries, making a long garland from it. As the movie concluded, they wrapped it around the tree. Paige taking in each one of the ornaments.

"Wait... is this...?" She held one up to him, and he grinned like a child. She could tell he had been anxious for her to discover it.

"Our sea glass." He had taken the pieces of their sea glass from their first date, drilling a hole through the centers, and stacking them on a wire in size order to make the shape of a tree.

"Oh, Walter... this... I... " She sighed, caught once again speechless. "I love you. It's beautiful." Nothing was taking away his smile.

"Look mom! A miniature Proton Arnold!" Ralph exclaimed showing her the ornament form of the arcade machine she had lost hours of time with her boys to.

She peered around, most of the ornaments she was able to figure out.

"A bomb, Walter? How festive. Wait, why does it have a music symbol on it?"

And then, in his best country twang, he reduced her to belly shaking laughter.

"At Scorpion we're always gonna dieeee."

"Wow. You really thought of everything." She giggled out, placing a sweet kiss to his lips. "Oh, look Las Vegas! That was a ...fun... trip."

"Here..." He released another ornament and handed it to her.

"A woman soldier? I may need help with this one."

"It's you... in Bosnia. It's the first country we ever visited together. The first time I saw you sleep." Then, whispering so only she could hear: "Also, you looked very titillating in the uniform." She giggled against his neck as he whispered.

"Well, you also looked very titillating. I can see why girls like a guy in uniform."

"Walt, what's this one?" Walter pulled away from Paige's sultry whispers to look.

"Well, that one is for you. That is one of the dominoes we used for your Rube Goldberg machine last Christmas."

And one of his favorite memories of Paige. She knew.

"The tree is like a story book of us." Ralph mused, to whixh Walter looked on perplexed, letting the idea bounce around, and ultimately agreeing.

"I guess you're right. I hadn't thought of it like that."

"I love it. I love our story. It's perfect." Paige whispered, wrapping her arms around each of her boys, with each of them reciprocating in turn.

Bueller also loved it as he stood on his back legs to nibble the popcorn garland toward the bottom of the tree.

"Ralph, why don't you get the carrots and milk. We can't have Rudolph going hungry, or Santa getting dehydrated. That would surely make your mom sad." Walter advised, watching as the boy disappeared into the kitchen.

"This is all just so perfect, Walter." She had her arm wrapped around his lower back, hooked on his side and she cuddled close beside him, head on his chest, his arm around her upper back, holding tight to her upper arm.

"I'm not done yet." She looked up, shocked, but not surprised.

"Got them!" Ralph announced as he came to stand in front of them. "Can I put them on the tray?"

"Go ahead bud. But I'd hurry it along. It's starting to get late and if I understand Santa's rules, he only comes if you're sleeping." Walter warned, making Paige smile as she hugged him closer, watching as Ralph perfectly aligned the carrots on the tray, and gently placed the glass of milk in its perfectly designated circle on the tray.

"He's right, Ralphie. Gotta get you to bed."

"But we still have more to do!" Ralph whined.

"What else could there be?! You basically moved the North Pole into our house!" Paige exclaimed incredulously.

"Well, for starters, we need to make sure the reindeer can find us. Right Ralph?" Walter spoke, staring directly into Paige's eyes, knowing he was channeling her father once again.

"Right!" Ralph ran off to get the oats.

"I am so, insanely, madly, in love with you, Walter O'Brien. I can't get over how you have not overlooked a single detail from a story I told you seven months ago."

"What can I say? You made me want to believe, too." He kissed her sweetly. "But you should know, Ralph heard from a classmate that reindeer are attracted to sparkly things, so he said we had to add glitter. But don't worry, it's edible, so won't harm the reindeer, nor the environment, and will wash away when it rains." She giggled against his chest and it tickled.

She hated glitter.

"Sparkly reindeer. Got it."

Ralph returned with the jar, and together they went outside, sprinkling the oats all over the small patch of lawn that belonged to Paige's unit, as well as the driveway, and then eventually just became an oat fight, them all tossing handfuls at each other, laughing and chasing each other.

Once they were out of ammo, they stood cuddled together, and admired the very sparkly landscaping.

"They will definitely be able to find us now." Ralph joked.

"I just hope they don't land on my car." Walter mused, taking in the many handfuls of sparkly oats that had landed on his car, which was now back in Paige's lot after viewing the lights earlier.

Returning back inside, Ralph ran off to brush his teeth, and get ready for bed as Walter made quick work of the dinner dishes, loading the dishwasher and setting it on a delay so it would run - loudly - as they unloaded the closet once Ralph was asleep. Paige packed up leftovers, stealing kisses, pinching his butt, and hugging Walter from behind each time she passed by him in the small kitchen. Remarking how she really liked him in the tight pajamas.

"I'm all ready!" Ralph announced as he entered the kitchen, just as Walter finished wiping down the counter.

"You ready for a story before bed?" Walter asked, already knowing the answer. If there's one thing Walter was certain of when it came to his time with Ralph, it's that he thoroughly enjoyed story time.

"You bet. Mom, come on!" She smiled at his excitement, leaning into Walter.

"Lead the way, kiddo. I'm ready." The three made their way back to the living room, where Ralph excitedly grabbed the book from the sofa. "Twas the Night Before Christmas? Really?" She was moved, and he knew she had caught onto yet another nod to her story about her father.

"Well, what were you expecting? Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy by Sir Isaac Newton?" Walter asked, fully serious.

"Well, I would definitely be less surprised by that, yes." She quipped, as the trio curled up on the sofa, and Paige placed the festive throw blankets over their laps, Ralph and Paige each taking up one side of Walter. Walter opened up the book, awkwardly, as both of his arms were restricted by the humans leeching onto them.

"T'was the Night Before Christmas…" Walter began, and he smiled as he felt completely at peace, wrapped up with his little family, celebrating a holiday that held very little meaning to him before they entered his life. Walter read the story with animated voices and enthusiasm, frequently making them laugh. "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" He concluded, earning him a kiss to his cheek from Paige.

"Mommy, do you think we'll hear him? If he is real that is? Like in the story? The clatter." Ralph was trying to maintain his scientific mindset, but Walter could tell he wanted to believe in something greater than himself.

"Maybe. When I was growing up, I would always stay up until I heard the sounds of his jingle bells on the sleigh. Then I would go fast to sleep." She looked up at Walter, and her eyes told him that she was beyond thankful for giving her that gift - a son that wanted to believe in the impossible.

"I'm going to try to do the same then... For research of course." Ralph stated very matter of factly. Walter kissed his head, ruffling his hair in the process.

"I think that's a superlative idea."

"Well, I think that I would like a photo to remember this perfect Christmas with my perfect boys, especially my perfect boys dressed in matching pajamas!" Walter and Ralph exchanged knowing looks, having anticipated this request, carefully including it in their calculations.

"I'll grab Ferret Bueller!" Ralph hopped off the couch, grabbing the Ferret from his cage. As Paige set up her phone on a timer to take a photo, Ralph interrupted her. "Mom, put it on video mode, that way you can freeze frame it for the best picture rather than retaking the photo a bunch of times. It's more efficient."

She giggled, but obliged.

"Of course it is."

"In front of the tree?" Walter mused, as he watched Paige grab something from her purse.

"Uh, yeah, that's perfect."

"Perfect." Ralph added, with a sneaky undertone to his voice, making Walter smile nervously.

"Paige, how about you go in the middle?" Walter suggested, and she pressed record on her camera, ensuring everything was in frame. She quickly came to stand between the boys, wrapping her arms around them both.

"Okay, everyone smile!" She called out, everyone doing as they were instructed, and kept shifting poses, including hugs and kisses, and Paige and Walter picking up Ralph to hold between them. Then, Paige turned to Walter, kissing him softly. "I have a gift for you, that I would like to give you tonight if that's okay?"

She was nervous, that much was certain. Who was he kidding, he was too.

"Uh, okay, sure. I, um, also have a gift for you that I was hoping to give you tonight." He responded, equally nervous.

Ralph smiled, the camera was still recording.

Paige pulled out the envelope she had hid under her shirt, and handed it to Walter, yet, not releasing her own grip on it.

"I'm not exactly sure if you're going to like this gift…or see it as a gift… But there's no returns or exchanges..." She was rambling. It was his favorite time again. Surprise kiss. Worked like a charm.

Oh that breathless smile.

"Paige, whatever it is, I am certain to love it. Because I love you." Slowly, she relinquished her hold on the envelope, standing awkwardly before him, her hands fidgeting. But by bit, he released the adhesive to the envelope and pulled out the single sheet of paper inside, studying it carefully, confusion in his brows. Reading and rereading it several times, absorbing every word, every number. It took what felt like hours before he finally, hesitantly, looked up to meet her nerve wracked eyes, and take in how she was biting her lip in nervous anticipation.

"Uh, P-Paige… i-is this…?" he was stuttering. Her eyebrows were furrowed with anxiety. She simply nodded, no words. "...oh..."

"What is it Mom?" Ralph asked from behind her, forcing her to turn around to face him. "Well, bud, once Walter has processed it, I promise to fill you in, okay?" He nodded, apprehensively, but willing to respect the plan. The calculations of the day did not include her doing to Walter whatever was happening right then. She kissed his head, missing his growing smile as she turned back to see Walter, not how she expected to find him.

Walter, down on one knee, a ring box in hand, held out to her. She immediately froze, bringing up a hand to cover her face, as he jaw hung open and tears immediately sprang to her eyes. Tears were already freely flowing in his, and Ralph was beaming with excitement watching on.

"Paige Dineen, I love this gift more than I thought could be possible. I love you. I love our son. And I know it's soon, too soon, ill advised from all of my research, but I don't care. Nothing between us has ever been normal, so why start now. I know that I want to spend my life with you. You make me a better man, a better human. I want to spend the next sixty years making Christmas memories with you that will bring joy to our family for years to come, doing the dishes with you, going on crazy Scorpion adventures with you. I want to be the father that I never had, that Ralph deserves, and that you speak so fondly of. You awoke my heart. You put a soul into my body. You gave my life meaning. Being with you is the smartest, illogical decision I have ever made, and I want to keep making it, every day, for as long as you will have me. You make me believe in magic, and if you will have me, I will spend every momeny of the rest of my life finding ways to keep the magic going for you. So, uh, Paige... will you marry me?"

His hand was shaking, and they were both crying. Even Ralph had tears. She just stood there staring at him. He was getting even more nervous.

No words. Just stood there.

"Uh, Paige? ...I, um, I know that I'm not the best at these EQ situations, but I do believe that this is the part where you speak. And if the answer is no, that's okay… I don't need a piece of paper to tell me what I feel for you, or for Ralph. So, don't feel pressured. It's really okay. It's too soon. I knew it was too soon. I won't be hurt or offend--" He was rambling now. He couldn't stop. He was not expecting her to pull his trick however, and before he knew what was happening her lips were locked on his in a passionate kiss that he could feel in his bones.

"Walter…" He gulped. She was going to turn down his proposal. "I love you. I love you so much. And yes it's soon. Some would say way too soon." Definitely going to turn him down. She looked back at Ralph, who was grinning like a fool and nodding. "Well, I guess Ralph approves." She turned back to the man on his knees before her. "Walter O'Brien, you have made my life one of adventure, of acceptance, and you have filled every day with magic and intrigue. You make me laugh even on the darkest days. You make me see myself through your eyes, and even when I feel my worst, you make me feel beautiful. You love me like no one else could, and I love you like no one else tried. My answer is…yes. I would be honored to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you."

His face was pure, unadulterated shock.

"I'm sorry, did you say…Y-yes?" His brain was spinning and he felt lightheaded. She dropped to her knees, to be in line with him, kissing him fiercely.

"I said Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!! A million times yes!" She was peppering his face with kisses between each yes.

"Ralph! She said yes!!!" Walter wrapped his arms around her, spinning her around, and then pulling Ralph in, his smile as bright as the sun itself.

"I told you she would!"

Paige froze, looking down at her son.

"Wait, you knew he was going to propose?" She was shocked that her son had kept such a secret from her. That she hadn't even noticed.

"Well, Walter knew how big on tradition you were, and since he couldn't ask your dad for your hand, he went to the next best Ralph…that's me." He was unbelievably proud of himself for playing his role.

Paige looked back at Walter, shocked, and eyes filled with love.

"You asked Ralph for permission to take my hand?" The feeling of her hand on his cheek when she was emotional was one he would likely never grow tired of.

"Well, it's like he said, I couldn't ask your father, and Ralph is the most important person in your life. If he didn't approve, there would be no point in even asking. I'm just very glad he approved, and could keep a secret."

"He asked me on Thanksgiving!" Ralph chimed in, proud he had been able to keep the secret.

"He even helped me make the ring. But if you don't like it, or would prefer something else…" He held up the ring box, realizing she hadn't even really looked at it.

"Oh my… it's so beautiful. Wow. No, no...nothing else. This is... wow. Walter, it's perfect. Absolutely perfect." He slipped the ring from its box, praying his calculations of her ring size were correct, sliding it onto her finger, tears still stinging her cheeks. "Wait… did you say you made this?"

"We grew you a diamond, mom!" Ralph exclaimed excitedly.

"I'm sorry… what?" They never seized to amaze her.

"Well, we grew the diamonds ourselves. You had made a comment to Sylvester a couple of months ago about the diamond industry and had seemed concerned with the origins of commercially mined gems. So, I thought making you a diamond free of any bloodshed would be appreciated." Facts. Just the facts. Just, so very Walter.

"You…grew… diamonds?! Just woke up and were like 'gonna grow some diamonds today. No big deal'?" Per the usual, his face told her that was exactly what had happened. She shook her head with a laugh. "That's very… Clark Kent of you, Walter."

He didn't understand that reference. She knew.

"We wanted it to be special, so we grew the diamonds using a high heat, high pressure technique, and Happy helped us with the setting." Always just with the facts. "But, if you'd prefer something else…"

"Walter, I really don't know what has me more thrown right now. The fact that you made a diamond ring, or that you think this is a total average-Joe thing to do." She laughed, pushing up on her toes to place a kiss to his lips.

He was about to respond when Ralph piped up.

"Wait, Mom, what was your present to Walter? His face went all weird…" Ralph asked confusedly, as Walter and Paige embraced in a tight hug, swaying ever so slightly.

Paige turned to look at him, not letting go of Walter, and feeling Walter's hands tighten around her.

"Well, Ralphie, we are really going to be a family. Walter and I getting married, which will mean Walter becoming your dad officially, and…" She exchanged a look with Walter, who nodded, before turning back to Ralph. "...and you becoming… a big brother."

Ralph's mouth opened, then closed, then opened. His brow furrowed as he looked between the couple's smiling, eager faces. The gears turning in his young genius brian, trying to compute the possibility.

"You're having a baby?!" He said slowly, trying to digest the news. The couple both nodded, and Walter, unaware he was even doing so, instinctively covered Paige's abdomen with his hand, inviting a smile from her. "I did not foresee this possibility in my calculations."

"Ralph, pal, are you okay? I know this is a lot more than what we had planned for today. Looks like Mom out-surprised us."

"I... um..." Ralph spoke, a worried tone evident. He dropped to the floor, shuffling through the gifts under the tree, before finding what he was looking for, and extending the package out to Paige.

"What's this?" Walter shook his head, he was not sure where this was going. Paige began to unwrap the gift.

"I think…I really believe now." Ralph stated, factually, but with amazement, his eyes wide and bewildered.

Paige opened the box to find a framed photo of Ralph with the department store Santa, that Walter had insisted he do as a gift for his mom. She looked up at them both, loving the photo, but confused at the meaning in relation to the very overwhelmed look on Ralph's face. He lifted the frame and she saw something else beneath the photo. With it was a letter. Well, a photocopy of a letter. Paige read it aloud.

"Dear Santa,

I don't know if you're real, but I am trying really hard to believe, because only magic could bring what I want for Christmas."

Walter smiled, squeezing the boy's shoulder. Paige looked up at Ralph, sheer amazement and curiosity plastered on her face.

"So, if you are real, I want you to know what I want more than anything in the world this Christmas.

First, I want my mom to have the best Christmas this year. She deserves it. Since she came back to us in what felt like a miracle when she was shot, it's only fair if she gets to feel how we did, too. It would make me very happy if she were as happy as I was that day."

The tears were filling her eyes again, and Walter pulled her close as she continued to read.

"Next, I have wanted Walter O'Brien to be my dad ever since I met him."

Walter was not holding back the tears that came flowing freely from his eyes, as he pulled Ralph in close for an embrace as they listened to Paige.

"So, I would really love it if my mom would marry him so he could become my real dad. He's going to ask her (if he doesn't chicken out), so maybe you could use some magic to make sure she says yes."

Paige snuck a glance, and a smirk, to Walter, who shrugged. He had been very nervous to ask her.

"Lastly, I would really love to have a sibling. I'm getting older, and so is my mom, and I would love for her to be a mom again, for her and Walter to a baby that I could watch grow up and teach things to. Even if the baby wasn't a genius like me, I would still love them very much. The doctors say she can't have any more babies though, but I think that's really unfair. What happened to her wasn't fair. She's the best mom and would be a great mom to another child. Her eyes get sad when she sees people with babies now, and it used to make her happy. So, if there are any Christmas miracles left, please give one to her. She really deserves it.

What I want more than anything is for us to be a real family for Christmas, and every Christmas. If you could help in any way, that's all I want for Christmas. If you are real, of course.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,

Ralph Benjamin Dineen, II

Paige was holding back sobs. Ralph was clinging to them both as though his life depended on it. Walter was wiping at his eyes, while rubbing Paige's arm and Ralph's back.

"Ralph, you made a believer out of me, too." Walter stated. Just facts. "I couldn't ask for more than this."

"I still can't believe any of this is happening..." Paige cried, overwhelmed with emotion, before chuckling. "And that it's still snowing out that window!" Making the boys both chuckle at her, lightening the mood.

"I love you guys. Thank you for giving me the best Christmas gifts ever." Ralph said, so full of genuine appreciation and love. The three embraced in a warm hug, for several moments. "Well, I guess I should get to bed, since Santa is real."

"I think you're right." Paige noted, looking at the clock.

Together, Paige and Walter tucked Ralph into bed, giving him hugs, kisses, and their evening special prayer. Paige was even invited to join them.

"Dear God, thank you for the miracle of our family, and sending mom back to us so that we could have this perfect day. Thank you for giving me a real dad, who is top notch as far as dads go. And thank you, and Santa, for giving my parents a baby. Please keep it safe and healthy. Amen!"

"Amen, bud." Walter was beaming.

Paige was an emotional dumpster fire, unable to even speak.

Walter turned on Ralph's space light.

"You're among the stars, son, no need to be afraid." Walter placed a kiss to Ralph's forehead, making sure his blankets were snug around him, Paige following suit, but surprised when Ralph's hands touched her belly.

"Merry Christmas, baby. I'm your big brother, Ralph. We're going to do lots of fun things together." He spoke quietly, with a grin that they were certain would be permanent, at Paige's look, he continued. "Well, you heard us when you were in the hospital. Maybe the baby can hear us, too!" She smiled, a slight nod of agreement before the couple moved toward the door.

"Hey… Walt?" Ralph called out making Walter stop and turn back.

"Yeah bud?"

"Do you think, maybe, you could help me make a light like mine for when the baby comes? So that the baby is never afraid, and can learn about space...? I like how Megan did that for you, and you did it for me. I'd like to do it for the baby." Walter grinned, as Paiged leaned against the back of his shoulder, smiling and wiping her face.

"I think that's a great idea, Ralph. We can definitely do that." He was happy. So, so happy. Unbelievably happy. "Remember, right to sleep so Santa can come." Ralph clenched his eyes closed tightly as if to will himself to sleep. "Goodnight, son. I love you."

"Goodnight…dad." Walter beamed, and Paige squeezed his arms joyfully. Ralph opened one eye to gage Walter's reaction. "...just, testing it out."

"What did you think?"

"I...like it." Ralph mused, happily.

"Yeah, me too." Walter's smile definitely reached his eyes.

"Sweet dreams, Ralphie." Paige added, before they both exited the bedroom, leaving the door ajar just a few inches.

As they entered the living room, Paige laughed.

"Oh my goodness, Walter look!"

"What?" Walter questioned, coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, resting his hands on her lower belly.

"My phone has been recording this whole time!" She stopped the recording, holding it up for Walter to see.

"Well, that was Ralph's idea. He wanted to make sure you had video of the proposal. Said you always got mushy seeing other people's proposal photos and videos on facebook." She giggled, nodding as she scrolled through the video. "Though, that plan was made not knowing you would be the one surprising me."

"Is that why he's been taking so many photos of us, lately?"

"No, he said he wanted to make a photo slideshow for the wedding, if you agreed to marry me of course." Her expression was excitement and shock. "But, uh, I don't know if you're supposed to know that now that I've said it. So, maybe don't say anything?"

"I won't. I'm just amazed. My IQ heavy boys have turned into complete EQ mush puddles before my feet and I just don't don't know how to process it all. Feeling all the feels."

"Well, you are experiencing a significant increase in your body's production of the hormones estrogen and oxytocin, which is known to have a strong effect on human emotion and rational thinking, and can result in dramatic changes in behavior, reasoning, and mood swings…" Her pursing of her lips and the look she directed at him told him to stop talking. "...and you do not need me to tell you this."

"This is going to be a very interesting pregnancy experience with you, Walter O'Brien."

"Well, this will be my only pregnancy experience… well, not my experience. You're pregnant… Not me. But, regardless, my only experience with anyone being… uh… with child…" his befuddled expression went blank, concerning her. "Child… Oh, you... You're… pregnant. With a child. We are having a baby."

Oh boy.

Not just cells.

Those cells would multiply, and form a baby.

Okay.

Brain not braining.

"Walter, are you okay?" He looked at her, and she thought that he looked a bit like Sly did right before he vomited his lunch on Megan's shoes.

"There is a human being growing inside of you." She smirked at how she could see it all starting to sink in.

"Yes. Yes there is. Your human being, Walter. You, uh, put it there."

"You are pregnant with our baby."

"Yes, yes I am." She laughed at his abnormally slow processing speed. "Honey, are you really okay with this? I mean, a baby. A real baby. I know this wasn't supposed to be in the cards for us, so it's a lot to take in." She shifted, taking his hands, to stand face to face with him.

She looked… worried.

He needed to step out up for her.

"Paige, I won't deny the deep seeded fear that comes with this notion, but yes, I am okay with it. I am more than okay with it. I'm in shock, clearly, but a good shock." He kissed her forehead, letting her head rest against his lips. "Are you okay with this?"

She looked up to lock eyes with him.

"I am. Like you, I'm nervous. Very nervous. The idea of a baby again is a bit overwhelming, especially when we didn't even think it was possible. But most of my fears went out the window when you didn't run and instead took a knee. I, uh, definitely did not see that coming at all. I mean, I'm scared because of what we had been told, what could happen. But, honestly, most of my worries were rooted in a fear of doing it alone again."

"You will not do any of this alone, Paige. I promise you that." She pulled him into a hug, resting her head against his chest, listening to his heart beating, and he rubbed her back comfortingly. "Are you feeling okay? I haven't noticed you feeling ill, but I recognize that I'm also not the most observant person at times. Clearly I missed you being pregnant. Any symptoms? Has the fetus been checked? Is it even a fetus yet? You're not showing, so perhaps an embryo still. With the scarring, how is this even possible? Is the fetus at risk? Are there precautions we need to take? Will this be dangerous for you? How far along are you? What are th--" For the second time that night, she Walter'ed him, kissing him senseless.

He pulled back, amazed… and breathless.

Student had become the master.

Damn sorcery.

"What? You didn't think you had cornered the market on shut-you-up-kisses, did you?" She laughed at his sour puss face. "Well… slow down, honey. Yes, I am feeling okay. I am tired, but nothing too crazy. It's still relatively early in the pregnancy by my calculations. I'm only about eight or so weeks along. I've had a few instances of mild nausea, but that's all, and it tends to be when I'm hungry. I've only had the blood work to confirm the pregnancy so far, but Dr Cavanagh said the levels look good. I have an appointment next week with an OBGYN for an ultrasound. Dr Cavanagh said she's really great, and specializes in high risk pregnancies. She said we will probably have to be followed closely, but didn't see any reason why we can't celebrate. Said it was just one more miracle to add to the list. That the odds of us conceiving a baby were less than one in one million, so, y'know the baby is already pretty special." He smiled, rubbing his finger gently over her lower belly. "Oh, and my breasts are growing at an alarming rate." She giggled as he pulled the neck of her shirt out to look down at her breasts, they were definitely exceeding the size of her bra.

"I did think that this morning, but thought it was in my head. But now, yes, I can see that I was correct in my size calculations." All facts. She laughed and smacked his hand away.

"Walter O'Brien, do not calculate my boobs. It's weird." She was laughing as he went to feel them instead.

"No calculations. Just… tactile stimulation requiring proper sizing to ensure full coverage of all locations." She shook her head in amusement. "Paige, joking aside, I don't even know what to say to all of this. I'm embarrassed to admit, I feel a bit… out of my league here. This was certainly not on my radar. I apologize if my fumbling is giving off the impression that I'm not happy with the news. I'm just at a bit of a loss for words."

"Don't apologize Walter. This is a lot. You should have seen my face when I took the test. I look seventeen, Walter. Seventeen. I was convinced they were all broken." She laughed as she continued to stand in his arms, softly swaying.

"Why didn't you tell me you suspected? I would have been there for the test with you." Not upset, not hurt, just genuine curiosity.

"That's the thing. I didn't suspect. My cycle was late after missing it completely last month, but I just figured it was stress, and you know how it's been funky since the surgery. Then I got worried it could mean there was something wrong from the surgery. But I couldn't stop hearing this voice in my head saying pregnancy was possible. So, last Friday, I took the test to prove I wasn't, so I wouldn't have this false sense of hope lingering when there was no chance. It was kind of upsetting. First one came back positive, so I drove right back to the drug store and bought every test they had in stock. Cashier looked at me like I was crazy. They all came back positive. I wanted so badly to tell you that night, but I was still convincing myself it wasn't possible. If it were a false positive, at least I could spare you the heartache. So I made an appointment with Dr Cavanagh Monday to confirm it. I didn't want to give you false hope until I was sure. I tried to tell you every night this week, but it just didn't seem like the right time. Then, you and Ralph were so happy last night with your project, and you two being father and son, I didn't want to overshadow that moment. But when you did all of this… I knew it was right."

"You have known we were having a baby for a week?" He was impressed. He hadn't suspected a thing.

"Well, you knew you were going to propose for a month! Apparently we're both really good at surprises." She giggled, taking in the sight of the ring on her finger, reflecting the lights of the Christmas tree. "I can't believe Ralph's letter… When did he even do that?"

"Actually, come to think of it… it was last Thursday. When you were with Dr Rizutto, I took him to the mall to get his picture taken with Santa. We had some making up to do after we spoiled your Christmas tree plan. I saw him writing a letter, but I didn't know what was on it. He asked the elf lady for a copy before sticking it in that big mailbox. I didn't even think of it again until you opened it."

"Walter. Thursday? I took the tests Friday. It's weird right? I mean, it couldn't be…" Her face was that of the adult in every Christmas movie trying to figure out where the completely sold out toy came from under the tree on Christmas morning.

"It's…" He tried to come up with something, anything to explain it away as a coincidence. "...yeah, I have no logical explanation. Makes no scientific sense. But, with you, I have accepted that most things are… unexplained."

"So, what are you saying? You think it's… magic?" He mulled over her question for a moment, considering all of his options, then smiled, placing a sweet, lingering kiss to her lips.

"I think… It's sorcery." He said it so matter of factly, clearly not the first time he had rationed that explanation. And so enthusiastically. It wasn't the first time she had heard him say it, either, but usually it was a barely audible muttering under his breath, and he never, ever explained himself. This was the first time he had actually spoken the word to be heard. She knew Walter was Walter. She didn't need an explanation as to his thought process.

"Sorcery. I like it." She leaned up, kissing him again, wanting to permanently adhere her lips to his. "Well, we should be getting a move on. Now that Ralph is in the spirit, he will undoubtedly be awake before the sun, and this mom, slash future mom, slash future bride, is tired." She hugged him close, kissing his chin, giggling at her new titles.

He really, really liked the sound of them.

"Why don't you, my beautiful incubator for fetal development, with whom I will eventually become legally entangled, go get in bed." Only Walter could take something so sweet and romantic and Walter it. She laughed. Only her Walter. "I'll take care of everything. Besides, you shouldn't be doing any unnecessary lifting."

"No, Walter, there's still so much work to do. I can't let you do that."

"Yes, you can, and you will. I'm going to need the practice, afterall. We have a lot of years of this in the future. You got the first nine years of Christmas magic, so now it's my time. Let me keep the magic going tonight for you and our children." She smiled, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him sweetly once more.

"Our children." Her little giggle was the greatest noise he'd ever heard. "I really like that sound of that."

"Me too." He really liked the sound of a lot of things tonight. "Go ahead, I'll be very efficient, and will join you in bed in no time."

"Okay, dad, but please come get me if you need help?"

"I will."

She kissed him again, and again, before pulling away, and he watched on laughing and shaking his head as she stole one of the cookies off the tray for Santa.

"Baby needs calories. Don't judge." She smirked over her shoulder as she sauntered away, stopping to pick up Bueller from the couch. Now that he knew of her pregnancy, he did notice how there was an ever so slight change in the curvature of her hips and her chest. He loved it very much. "Ferret pajamas..." She laughed disappearing around the corner.

He was the luckiest man alive.

He was having a baby with Paige Dineen.

He was marrying Paige Dineen.

"Oh boy."

That thought kept rattling around his brain as he cleaned up the decorating mess from the living room, placing Paige's very fancy gingerbread house, and his and Ralph's failed attempts at gingerbread houses, that they had joked looked like the aftereffects of their Scorpion missions… exploded and left in pieces for Homeland to fix later, and placed them on the dining room table.

Pulling out one last magical surprise, he pulled out his phone, opening the app he had encoded. Quietly he snuck down the hallway, peeking through the cracked door of Ralph's room, finding him fast asleep already.

So much for trying to hear Santa...

Being as quiet as he could be, he peered through through the doorway of their bedroom, to see Paige laying in bed, watching out the window, rubbing her belly, as if she was searching the sky for Santa's sleigh. He knew she was waiting, listening, just as she did as a child. Wondering if it were possible, especially after Ralph's letter.

Now.

Walter pressed the button on his phone, and from outside both Ralph and Paige's bedroom windows, a faint, but still clearly audible sound echoed through the condo walls.

Sleigh Bells.

Jingley, jangling Christmas bells echoing the sound of innocence, wonder and hope through their windows.

He watched, covertly, as she sat up, listening intently. A single, stray tear fell down her cheek, and her fingers covered her mouth as she gasped, and laughed through her sobs. He couldn't help his own smile at seeing her.

He would do anything to make her happy.

Even if it got him in trouble with the Homeowners Association.

As he turned to leave, he heard her whisper "Merry Christmas Dad. Thanks for sending me back for this magic. Thanks for him." And his heart warmed. He was successful.

Without a sound, he moved all of the gifts from the spare room closet, plus some others he had hidden away in his own trunk, filled the stockings, drank the milk, gnawed on the carrots, and ate the cookies - leaving a few bites behind for dramatic effect, careful not to leave distinct tooth impressions.

Peeking again on Paige and Ralph, and finding them both now asleep, he returned to the living room, sprinkling flour on the floor and taking the oversized boots he had borrowed from Cabe last week and making footprints in the flour all over the place, ensuring it was a random pattern of footsteps coming to the tree, to the tray of snacks, and even dusting light foot prints coming to both bedroom doors, as though Santa had peeked on them too.

Finally, he took the framed photo of Ralph and the department store Santa and placed it on the tray, along with the copy of his letter, and in his best cursive writing - that no one would recognize - he wrote a notation on the bottom of the letter, simply writing 'Merry Christmas, Ralph. I hope you received everything you wished for and more. Sincerely, Santa Claus'.

Once he was satisfied with his work, and had any evidence removed, he smiled, and picked up his "gift" from Paige. Simple lab report. A lab report that had changed his entire world in an instant. Walking to the kitchen, carefully to avoid the flour, he hung it on the fridge - right next to a printed photo of Paige, Ralph and him from Thanksgiving. He loved that photo. And he loved that lab report.

The baby would be here and he would still be in shock, he was sure of it.

He, Walter Patrick O'Brien, was going to have a baby. A real baby.

And a wife.

And a ten year old son.

He definitely needed to call his parents.

He couldn't wait to tell Megan.

He really hoped that Paige wouldn't want them to keep this secret from the gang. The memory of keeping them a secret for two days, seven months ago, still stressed him out.

Locking the door and shutting off the lights, so that the only illumination was that of the tree, he stood and chuckled. His joy was tremendous. Oozing from every pore of his body. Walter O'Brien was making Santa magic for his future wife and their children. The glistening tree, the 'snow' falling softly behind it in the window, this was certainly not how he thought his life would be. If he could fit that tree in his box of treasures, he would. Eight months ago, this wouldn't have even been a blip on his radar.

Quietly, and even more carefully given the minimal light, he made his way to their bedroom, taking in the sight of Paige's restful sleeping face. She looked so peaceful. He never tired of watching her sleep, but this was different. She was truly at peace. Quickly, he brushed his teeth in the adjoining bathroom, and, already clad in pajamas, climbed into the bed beside her, doing his best not to wake her.

He failed. He always did.

She, half awake, turned into him, curling up in his arms.

"Mmm, hey you."

"Shh, go back to sleep." He whispered, wrapping his arms securely around her and kissing the top of her head. "Santa will be here soon." She smiled into his chest, her face nuzzled in as close as she could get without him absorbing her.

"Mmm. I think you're right. I heard Santa's sleigh earlier. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?" Her voice was heavy with sleep, and utterly adorable.

"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. I could run the statistics on the likelihood of hearing jingle bells on a flying sleigh going faster than the speed of light, but, you know, Santa keeps things very hush hush for a reason. Don't want to spoil the magic." She gave him a quiet giggle, muffled by his chest. "Just to be safe, we better get to sleep, though. If you heard him, he must be close." She squeezed him tight, and he did the same in return. Her hand on his chest caught his attention, as the barely existent light in the room reflected off the diamond now resting on her finger. Grabbing her hand with his, he rubbed the ring on her finger and felt her smile again against his chest, with his other arm wrapped around her, he placed his hand as close to her belly as possible.

"Merry Christmas, future husband."

"Merry Christmas, future wife."

He couldn't ask Santa for a more perfect Christmas, or life. He had everything he had ever wanted and more. A job he loved, where he made a real difference every day. A sister who was defying odds, pushing him to enjoy his life, not just live it. Friends who had become his chosen family, who loved and accepted him and kept each day an adventure. Parents he, with his future wife's help, was building a jew relationship with. A son he loved, who he watched meet and exceed his potential every day, making him proud in ways he never knew he could feel pride in. A woman he loved and would die for, who would soon be his wife, who was exceptional in every possible way, smart, kind, funny, loving, compassionate, patient, fierce. And now, in a tiny life force, growing inside the woman in his arms, was his child. His own flesh and blood, who in a few short months would be in his arms as well. Everyone alive, safe and healthy. Everyone thriving. He had everything he could possibly dream of and then some.

Walter O'Brien was reflecting on how he was the happiest man alive, drifting off to sleep, when, faintly, from far away he heard what he could only describe as sleigh bells.

Sorcery, he thought. It must be that wonderful sorcery.