Arriving at the garage just before 6:00am, much to Ralph's chagrin, displeased with them stopping for coffee, they entered. She didn't know what to expect with the way the two of them were acting all morning before the sun had even awoken, but she sort of expected... something. But it was just the same old garage.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Nothing.

"Okay... we're here. At 6:00am..." She said expectantly, hoping they would do... say... something. She placed her purse down on her desk, as Walter turned the lights on.

Ralph quickly kissed her cheek as she sat in her chair.

"Thanks mom. We'll be up in the lab!" And just like that, he was gone. She shook her head. 6:00am so they could work on a project. She should have known it wasn't going to be a welcome back banner, or flowers, or anything else frivolous.

"Are you good down here? Your leg? Need pain relief?" Walter, still so worried all the time.

"No, honey, I'm fine. I have 2.5 weeks worth of paperwork to catch up on. You go ahead, do your nerd things... that couldn't wait until 8:00am..."

"Thank you. Love you!" He kissed her head and ran up the stairs and she couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity that her life had become, surrounded by nerds.

Coming into work at 6:00am... so they could do science experiments.

Who was she kidding, with that smile of his, that youthful enthusiasm that made her feel so damn young, she didn't care if it was 3:00am. She'd follow him back into a cave if he smiled at her like again. He was so excited, and clearly Ralph was involved in whatever the project was and just as excited.

Truth be told, she was on cloud nine. The way that Walter not only accepted her as a single mother, but embraced it. How helpful he had been to her while she was quite literally getting back on her feet, happily taking Ralph to school, picking him up each day. How he had been there each night doing homework and projects with him, discussing quantum theory and a million other things she didnt understand. They were two peas in a pod. Sexiest thing he'd done, and she was very anxious to thank him for it.

It had been one, of many, indicators that she had made the right choice. Ralph was over the moon happy with them being together, with having so much time to spend with Walter. Was back to being her loving, sweet boy. But more than that, she was able to see the stark difference between Walter and Tim when it came to Ralph. With Tim, Ralph was invited to come along everywhere. But there was no engagement. Tim would have preferred to be alone with her. Ralph was part of the equation, but not a welcomed part. Which she didn't even really see until she saw Walter interacting with Ralph, asking what he would like to do, conversing freely and openly with him. When he had voluntarily given up time with her to sit at the kitchen table and work with Ralph on some new coding interface she didn't understand, it had hit her. He was just as excited to have this new relationship with Ralph as he was to have one with her. So, she happily sat and read her book, a grin plastered to her face, and watched the man she was so painfully in love with ignore her so that he could spend quality time with her son. She had never before felt so happy to be ignored by a boyfriend. Tim accepted that Ralph was part of the package, but Walter celebrated that he was, and accepted him.

She was happy.

Really, really happy.

Things had been going better than she could have ever expected given their vast differences. She absolutely loved all of the time they were spending together, getting to know Walter in a much more private nature. He was an excellent cook, for one. And he was ticklish. Very ticklish. That had surprised her. Not surprisingly was how competitive he was in board games.

She loved how if he was sitting on her arm chair and she walked by, he would pull her to sit on his lap, and she'd bend her legs up and he would rub his hands over her hips, her thighs, her ankles, her back. Not sexual, just intimate. And he would kiss her.

And good lord, the man was an amazing kisser. She could kiss him all day if he'd let her.

All. Damn. Day.

She had been trying to be patient, take things slow. He hadn't been wrong in wanting to do so, but it was getting harder and harder to stop herself around him. They would be full throws of hot and heavy makeout session, his hands feeling her up, his tongue leaving trails of brilliant hot paths over her neck and her chest. His hands would find there way beneath her shirt, and then he would abruptly jump off of her, stand awkwardly, and say a rushed goodnight.

Just like that.

Every night for over two weeks.

Gone into the night he would be.

And sexually frustrated long into the night she would be.

She reckoned he was also struggling, and the sexual tension was becoming too much to bare. Walter O'Brien was a gentleman though. Chivalrous, kind, attentive. And so damn worried about her leg. She hoped that being back to work, officially being done with her antibiotics, would be enough to show him that she was good to go. Was physically fit.

He wouldn't hurt her.

No injuries to be distracted by.

They had spent every night, well, evening, together. On the weekend, they had gone to the science museum with Ralph, and when she got tired on the crutches, he had appeared with a wheelchair to push her around. Had gone to the park for a picnic. She had become so accustomed to him being there. It felt oddly natural, easy. Sometimes just sitting there, working away on his laptop as she read or flipped through TV stations. Like he had always been there.

But they always, by night's end ended up in a very heated makeout session, and he would jump up and leave.

She was frustrated and needed to move to the next step with him. Needed. Desperately. She was certain she might explode if she didn't have him soon.

So, when Sylvester had kindly offered to take Ralph to the planetarium and keep him overnight so they could have a date night, she had jumped at the opportunity. She could feel all the nerves in her body misfiring in anticipation.

It was time.

But that all happened last night. She had not even expected to see Walter this morning, having been cleared to drive, and having discussed seeing him at work. She figured she'd happily greet him at the garage when she arrived for her first day back. Him banging down her door at 5:00am had been very unexpected... un-Walter. The fact that Ralph was also up and ready when she opened the door, was equally unexpected.

The way that Walter came through the door like a man on a mission and planted a passionate kiss on her at 5:00am without even saying hello had taken her breath away. But also, very un-Walter.

But then they had started dressing her and shoving food in her mouth and whining that she wasn't ready yet.

Less breathtaking.

And now, here she was sorting through files on her desk at 6:07am, while her boyfriend (insert inner monolouge giggle), and her son were off doing science projects.

If he didn't strip her down and make her toes curl later, she would be really upset about the early wakeup call.

Hands were suddenly on her face, and she mused that she must have been very deep in thought because she didn't even hear him come up behind her.

"Ooo. Hello." She said playfully, running her hands over his, and up his arms, settling on his face above her and pulling it down to kiss him.

"Hello to you." He whispered against her lips. An odd kiss, upside down, like Spiderman and Mary Jane, she thought. She liked it. She could make the reference, but he would never understand it. "I have something to show you."

"Kiss first, show after." He uncovered her eyes to give her an impatient, almost childish look. "Walter O'Brien, you woke me up at 5:00am to do science projects, and all this slowness means all I get are kisses. Kiss me. Now." She chuckled as she spun her chair around, grabbing his shirt to pull him down to her.

"I suppose that is fair." How she loved the feel of him kissing her, and like her, she knew he was addicted to it. Walter O'Brien was not a touchy person, but he was always touching her.

She was not complaining.

"Ahem." Ralph audibly cleared his throat behind them and she smiled against his lips. "Child in the room."

"I think Ralph would like you to stop mackin on his mom now." She loved this. This ever so intimate feel of whispering against his lips, feeling his smile against hers. It was a feeling that was unmatched.

"Uh, yes. I do believe you are correct." He closed the distance once more. "He's going to have to wait five more seconds." And he continued to kiss her, more as a joke toward Ralph than actual passion, but she didn't care, either way she got to smooch the man.

"Groooosssss. Come on! You guys can do... things... later. I can't wait any longer!" Ralph was so whiney and it made her laugh. Whatever they had been working on had him very worked up.

"Alright, alright." Paige placed one more kiss to Walter's lips, before scrunching up her nose in adoration. "But, I just love it so much." He kissed her nose in response.

"Yeah yeah, you two are like love sick puppies. Now come oooonnnnn."

"Right this way." Walter held out his arm as an escort and she took it with a smirk.

"What is the occasion?" He was leading them toward the ramp, which she felt like arguing that she could do the stairs, but that had been a pick and chose your battles moment between them already.

"Can't I just want the most beautiful woman on my arm?" That damn smile.

Just take her right here on the ramp.

"Sauve. Real suave." Arriving to the top of the ramp, Walter once again covered her eyes. "Seriously?"

"Don't worry mom, I'll make sure you don't get hurt." She felt Ralph's hands take hers as Walter walked behind her with his hands over her eyes. She been in the loft enough times to know the route even with her eyes closed.

"What's with the cloak and dagger thing here? What kind of nerd project is this?!"

"Just... Wait right here. Don't open your eyes. Please." It was hopeless, they wouldn't say a word.

"Okay. I promise." She felt a quick peck to her lips, not nearly long enough for her liking, and heard lots of movement and whispers between them that she couldn't make out. She felt strangely nervous all of a sudden. "Walter, this better not be illegal."

"It's not... I uh, checked." Definitely nervous.

"Walter!"

What the hell could they be up to?

"Just, hold on. We're almost done."

She sighed, taking a deep breath. It was entirely too early for this.

"Okay, mom! Open!"

She was afraid to do as instructed. Ignorance was bliss. But with a slow flutter she opened her eyes.

They both looked so excited. Adorably eager, standing there, looking so proud.

Standing in front of... something. Covered in a drop cloth.

She wanted desperately to give the reaction they were both clearly looking for, but she had no idea what was happening. Her face couldn't hide it. Her eyebrows rose in confusion, and anticipation, an uncomfortable smile spread across her lips.

"Umm..."

Walter looked so hurt, until he looked back at the... something.

"Oh, ha. That's... yup. Just, uh...one moment." And just like that, he pulled the cloth off.

If he was looking to make her cry, he definitely got the reaction he was looking for. Her hand covered her mouth in shock as she stepped forward.

Under the cloth, was a giant saltwater tank, with the most gorgeous array of colorful fish, but that's not what she noticed. In the corner, sitting atop a large boulder was an eight tentacled friend. Just hanging out on a rock, being... weird. As she stepped closer, she chucked through her tears. Right in front of a cave-like structure below the rock was a little plastic sign coming out of the 'ground' which read 'Hello, My Name Is Howard 2.0'.

"It's Howard! Walter... I... I... Uh! I am completely speechless." She could not process. At all.

Walter had gotten her an octopus. A real, live octopus.

"I promised you. That was the deal. You survive, you get an octopus. He is all yours. All of it is. Uh, don't worry, everything was purchased, not stolen." He was so happy, and oh man that grin. "And uh, that rock he's on... do you recognize it?"

"Oh please don't tell me that was in my leg." She never, ever wanted to see that rock again.

"No! But, it was from our cave. It seemed like a sentimental thing you would appreciate. Though, to me, it's just a rock and doesn't hold intrinsic value. But you enjoy things of that nature."

She had definetely died in that cave and this was some bizarre version of the afterlife.

"Walter. This is so sweet. Unbelievable. Crazy. But... an octopus? A real, actual octopus. I mean, I was sort of joking. I never thought you meant it. This must have cost a fortune! You did not have to do this. I would have appreciated an octopus keychain, or one of those really ugly tshirts from the stands by the beach! And where in the hell am I going to keep an octopus!? I was eight, Walter. I don't know the first thing about taking care of a Davy Jones's little brother!"

"I don't believe he had a brother. Unless that is a reference, and in which case, I don't know who that is or why he has an octopus for a brother. Beside the point. Paige. You wanted an octopus since you were a little girl. You were dying and talking about having an octopus. You get to have your wish now. If you don't want him at your apartment, that's fine, he can stay here at the garage. Ferret Bueller seems to really enjoy watching the fish. And Ralph has already agreed to help care for Howard, and he and I have been doing a lot of research on how to care for them." Ralph nodded eagerly beside her and she brushed her hand through his hair. "You lived. Now you get to live."

"Yeah, mom. You deserve to have something special from your childhood come true." She couldnt remember ever feeling so loved. "Oh! Mom, we have this for you, too!" Overwhelmed. She was entirely overwhelmed. Ralph handed her a small gift, hilariously wrapped in newspaper. She looked nervously at the two. Walter's face had morphed from gleeful excitement to a weary sort of enthusiasm that had her stomach twisted.

"You guys. This all too much."

"Just open it!" Ralph demanded impatiently.

She eyed Walter who nodded imperceptibly. Carefully, she peeled back the newspaper, dropping it to the floor, and then carefully opened the white box.

She gasped.

"Oh..."

"Gramma may have helped. Unless the feds are asking, in which case I operated solo." Ralph chimed in, as a tear silently fell from her eyes to splash on the glass below her fingers.

"I, uh, hope you don't mind. I told Ralph your octopus story when he asked me why I was doing all of this. He reached out to Veronica and she sent him back that. So, we had it printed and framed. I noticed you don't have any photos of you together in your apartment."

Her heart could not handle this.

"I don't even remember this being taken. I don't think I have ever even seen this before." Memories flooded her senses, and the tears cascaded down her cheeks.

Below her fingers was a photo of her with her father, hands in the touch tank, octopuses by their fingers, and little her holding Howard (1.0). A young, pigtailed Paige with beaming smile, and her incredible dad looking at her with a grin to match.

"Gramma said that Grandpa brought the camera and had a stranger take it because you were so excited. Said this was right before you tried to steal it. And that Grandpa said he was really upset with you when you tried, but as soon as you went to bed, he couldn't stop laughing. She said that Grandpa kept that picture on his desk at work." Ralph was so excited to share a bit of family history with Paige, and hearing from Veronica such a fun and meaningful story was surely a positive experience. She knew that when Veronica had come back into her life, that all Ralph wanted with her was to have moment just like that.

"I had no idea." She couldn't stop staring at the photo, rubbing her finger tips over her late father's face.

"The father in that photo wanted you to have a Howard, Paige. He just also had to be a parent. I don't. Let me give you Howard for me, and for him." She looked up with tear soaked eyes at him, completely in awe of this beautiful man. "And Veronica seemed very on board with you having an octopus." He shrugged and she laughed. Of course Veronica thought an octopus was a good idea. Her next con job would probably be in animal trading.

"She also said she misses you and is glad you are safe, but said she's most happy to hear that you and Walt finally got together, and for you to know that she was right." Ralph shrugged, when Paige shot him an annoyed expression. "I'm just the messenger."

She exchanged a knowing Veronica smirk with Walter. One of the conversations they had had was about Veronica's influence on them while she was around.

"Of course she did."

"So, what do you think of Howard?" Walter asked, stepping over to slide his arm around her back and hold her in a close side hug, kissing her temple.

"I think... He is perfect. Perfectly weird and entirely unexpected." She hoped he knew she was talking about far more than the slimy mollusk.

"Well, I heard you like weird." He teased, as they both stood staring at Howard 2.0 moving around the tank.

"No. I love weird. I love you." She laid her head on his shoulder, completely bewildered.

"I love you." And one of her favorite new sensations, Walter kissing the side of her head.

"This was absolutely worth waking up at 5am for. I really thought you fruitcakes woke me up just to ditch me for a science project!" She stood on her tippy toes to wrap her arms around Walter's neck, hugging him tight. "Thank you. Both of you. This is the best gift I have ever received."

"Annnnd you guys are going to do the kissing thing. I'm going to go play Proton Arnold." Ralph dismissed himself, giving Paige a quick hug, before running down the stairs. "I love you happy, Mom!"

She loved her happy, too.

She laughed watching him leave, blocking his eyes from seeing them. He was not a big fan of the 'kissing thing'. Walter tightened his arms around her, kissing her head, hugging her close. Her eyes closed at the touch, resting her cheek against his chest.

"I can't believe you did all of this, Walter. An octopus. Like an actual live octopus." She was absolutely incredulous.

"A deal is a deal. Just...uh, no stuffing him in backpacks."

"Now that's a deal." She leaned up on her toes kissing him with pure devotion.

That night, as she lay falling asleep on his naked chest, having finally consummated their three year relationship, she had nothing but love and joy in her thoughts. Mostly, because her brain had shut down about the time her toes curled.

"Walter?"

"Hmm?"

"Getting trapped in that cave with you was the best thing I've ever done." She whispered, kissing his chest with a giggle. His chest shook under her face as he chuckled.

"Yeah, it was defin--"

SMASH.

The sound of glass breaking, and someone shuffling around echoed through the loft.

"What was that?!" She panicked as Walter jumped up, pulling on his boxers, and she threw his button up shirt over her. "You don't think it could be Tim, do you?"

She didn't like the idea of it, but it was one of the many things they had discussed, and how concerned they were with how things ended that he would try something.

"Stay behind me." He whispered, instinctively putting his arm out as a means to protect her, grabbing a heavy lamp as a weapon. Slowly, and silently, they moved toward the sound coming from the lab.

SMASH.

She startled.

The door was slightly ajar, and he peeked through cautiously, his body tense, ready to attack. But then... his shoulders relaxed, and he hung his head.

And was that... laughing?

"What? Walter! What!" She was terrified. Why was he laughing?

"Uh, see for yourself." He pushed the door open and stepped aside for her. Her jaw dropped at the sight, and her hands immediately covered her face.

"Wha-- How? --I..."

"Well, I did tell you that they are skilled at escaping..."

A glass beaker flew through the doorway shattering beside them, making her yelp.

"And that they like to break things!"

Inside the lab, Howard 2.0 sat atop a workstation, throwing glass objects across the room.

"Perhaps I should have looked into this part a bit more before getting an octopus."

"This is going to be like having a newborn, a toddler and a teenager all at once."

"You really wanted an octopus, Paige."

SMASH.