Next morninig Paige was at the house just after 9.30am. , once she had offloaded the car and put Megan , again in her car seat , on the kitchen island . She put a pot of fresh coffee on and sat on one of the high stools waiting for Susan .
Paige had drunk two cups of coffee by the time she heard a knock on the door., Standing there was Susan , this time looking more like a decorator , dressed in a white shirt under a pair of paint spotted dungeres , standing next to a younger version of Susan in almost an identical outfit .
" Morning Paige , this my daughter Kathleen ,but prefers Kat . " Susan explained .
" Good morning , Kat please come in , would you like coffee before you start ? " Paige asked .
" Very kind of you , but we would like to start work if you don't mind . " Susan told Paige .
" Of course not , were are you going to start ? " Paige asked .
" Well as there is only two of us today we will concentrate on what you called the pink bedroom. We will go up and move all the furniture away from the walls so we can begin preparing the woodwork . "
With that Susan and Kat , after returning to their van , to collect dust sheets and other items they would require , then made their way upstairs .
Paige decided to check the kitchen out , although she had been coming here for over four weeks , the most she really knew about the kitchen was were the fridge , coffee maker and one cupboard were the cups and a few glasses were stored .
Megan was watching Paige move around the kitchen checking the cupboards one , by one ,calling out an occansional Mo , Mo. Paige had checked six cupboards, when she heard a knock on the door , Megan began to move excited in her car seat and shouting Da , Da.
Paige looked at her a smile on her face . " No sweetheart not Da, Da . He is still at work .
She picked Megan up in her car seat and made her way to the front door . Mark was standing ther a large tool box on the ground next to him .
" Good morning Mark , please come in , Susan and Kat are already working upstairs working on one of the bedrooms . "
" Morning Paige . " Mark replied as he picked up his tool box and followed Paige into the house .
" Would you like coffee before you start ? " Paige asked him .
" Maybe later , but thank you for the offer . " Mark replied .
Paige went back to the kitchen as Mark made his way upstairs . She put Megans car seat back on the kitchen island , she noticed Megan's smile had disappeared .
" what's the matter little princess ? "
Megan shook her head and uttered Da, Da .
" You are missing daddy , so am i , but we will have to wait until tonight . "
Megan still looked sad as she again uttered Da, Da .
Paige went back to the cupboards , she was about halfway through the cupboards , when she heard the front door open , she immediatly picked up a heavy frying pan , as she slowly walked towards the kitchen door . the door started to open , she raised the frying pan into the air ready strike who ever came through the door . As the door opened wider her eyes went wide . " Walter ! . "
She put the pan down and ran to him .
Walter put his arms around her . " Sorry if i scared you . " He told her as he hugged her .
" Sam as not got any work to do at the moment so she as come over to begin work upstairs , so i took the chance to come and see my two favourite ladies . "
Sam stepped from behind him . " Morning Paige , i expected him to ring you and tell you we were coming over . "
Paige smiled at her . " It is one of the few things he does forget to do . But it is good to see you again . "
By now Megan was bouncing in her seat shouting DA, DA. Walter walked across to Megan and lifted her out of her seat and cuddled her in his arms . Megan looked up at Walter the smile back on her face and uttering Da, Da.
" Would you like some coffee Sam ? " Paige asked .
" No thank you , i will just go up to the loft and doble check all my measurments before i buy wireing and other electric fittings i need . Is it alright if i go up ? "
" Of course , Mark the builder is working in the bedroom were the staircase is . " Paige explained .
" Not a problem , i will not be in his way . " Sam said a smile on her face .
" I will follow you up in a minute Sam . " Walter told her while looking at Megan .
" Ok boss . " With that Sam left the kitchen .
" It is good to see you , but are you sure Richard won't mind you being here and bringing Sam with you . " Paige asked as she moved closer to Walter .
Walter a big smile on his face . " When i told him Sam was giving up some of her spare time to help to work on the loft , he told me i could use my team as i saw fit as long as their work for him was done . Tomorrow we begin the destruction tests on the hoist and water filter . So we both will be required for that , but today work is quite , Jayne as just started on a new coding job, that Richard wants doing . James is just double checking everything for the tests that we are carrying out tomorrow . Mary is making sure all the paperwork required for tomorrow is in order and ready . Tomorrow i will not see you until the tests have been carried out .
" Are you going to stay for lunch ? Only i have not packed any lunch today . Paige asked , without a smile .
" I had planned to , but do not worry about it , missing lunch won't kill me . " Walter told her .
Paige bit her lip , before she spoke . " No, but i will not let you go hungry . Do you mind looking after Megan for a while , i will slip out out to the store and pick up some bread and what do fancy on a sandwich ? "
" Of course i will look after Megan , how about tuna . Should you ask the people upstairs if they would like lunch with us ? "
" I will go and check ? " A now smiling Paige told him .
She was back after a few minutes . " Sue as bought lunch for the three of them . Sam said yes ."
As she finished speaking she leaned in towards Walter as best she could , as he was holding Megan , to kiss him on the lips .
" I will see you soon . " Paige told him .
" Drive safe . " Walter told her .
She picked her purse up , gave Megan a quick kiss on the brow , which caused Megan to giggle . She then turned and walked out of the kitchen .
Walter looked down at Megan . " Shall we go and see how Sam is getting on ?"
A giggle and a Da, Da, was the reaction he got from Megan .
Walter was upstairs a few minutes later , Mark had already dismantled most of the false wall .
" Hello Mark , how are you doing ? "
" Morning Walter , fine it is actually coming down easier than i thought , who ever built it have used screws in the main , with this electric screwdriver it is a lot easier than trying to remove nails as I am trying to save as much of the timber i wallboard . I do have a query , i can save the door , but would you prefer a convential handle fitted rather than the push lock that is fitted at present and maybe a window fitted in the door or wall , so you can see the cot without always opening the door . "
" Could that be possible ? " Walter asked .
" It would not be a problem , but i would need some more timber to make a frame and glass of course , it will add to the cost and a little time to the work . "
" Paige as just gone out to the store , i will discuss with her once she gets back . By the way did Sam introduce herself ? "
" Yes , it sounds she as a big job up in the loft . " Mark answered .
" Electric wiring certainly , but the desks and items for the cinema are in the garage and Paige as got a lot of cleaning to do . Ralph and myself repairs on some of the things we have bought . " Walter told him .
" I would have thought you would have bought new items . " Marked said .
Walter smiled . " Paige wanted vintage items for her movie thearter , the desks we are going to use have sentimental value and the computers we are putting up in the room , they have all been purpose built ,mainly by me , for special work when we worked as contractors to Homeland . " Walter explained .
" You build computers ? " A shocked Mark asked .
" Yes , Ralph is also capable , in many ways he his better than me . " A proud Walter told him .
" If you don't mind can i ask how you got involved with Homeland . " A curious Mark asked .
Walter a wry smile on his face . " My initial involvement was in my country of birth , Ireland . At the age of nine i broke into NASA's computer network and downloaded the blue print for the space shuttle to put on my wall . But i did not cover my tracks well enough and they traced me through the computer . I was then arrested by the Secret Service , Homeland was not yet formed until after 9/11 , but the agent who carried out the arrest , Cabe Gallo actually took me under his wing and bought me over to America .
When i was 16 , we had a fallout and did not speak to him again until 2014 , by which time he was an agent with Homeland . He tracked me down , because he again needed my help and that's how we got involved with Homeland . it was also the first time i met Paige .
Mark looked a little shocked . " You must have a lot of stories to tell . "
" Plenty , but unfortunatly both Paige and myself had to sign the secrets act , so we cannot talk about much . " Walter explained .
" That is a shame , i enjoy a good story . Guess i had better get back to work . " Mark told him .
Walter left him to his work , and went up to the loft to check on Sam , Megan by now was quietly purring , but still with a smile on her face .
" Hi Sam . "
" Hello boss , i am happy with my measurments . So i can start on the electrics this weekend , if you like . Do you know were the electrics come into the house ? "
" I am certain the main fuse box is in the garage . " Walter answered .
" Could we go down and look , i want to put a seperate fuse board for these two rooms , i think i can use some armoured cable and run it up the outside wall from the main fuse box ." Sam explained .
" Lets go down and check the garage out . But what about your partner , don't you want to spend the weekend with her ? " A curious Walter asked .
" She is on long haul again , she should be back sometime Monday . "
They made their way down to the garage , Sam soon checked out the fuse box and worked out how much armoured cable would be required .
As they walked out of the garage Paige pulled up on the drive .They both waited for her to get out of the car , Sam helped her with the three brown paper bags from the trunk , then the three plus Megan in Walter's arms , walked into the house .
Megan was still asleep , so Walter was more than happy to keep hold of her . While Paige was making up some sandwiches , Sam made a fresh pot of coffee and told her about the plan for the weekend .
Megan woke up and smiled at Walter who then gently placed her back into her car seat . Paige and Sam put the sandwiches out and poured coffee , Megan immediatly made a fist and put it by her mouth . Paige walked over to her and put a bib around her neck , today a white one with a small rabbit on it . Paige walked back to the counter and picked up a piece of bread on which she had put on some spread , she handed it to Megan , who again took it in both hands and uttered Mo, Mo.
Sam was amused at the way Megan made a noise with her lips after every small bite .
" What about Ralph , who will be picking him up from school ? " A slightly worried Walter asked .
Paige smiled at him . " I phoned Daniel's mom she will pick Ralph up everyday until the work is completed and keep him and give him a meal ,until one of us collected him . "
Walter just smiled and said . " Good . Could you go and speak to Mark sometime this afternoon , he as come up with something that i think is brilliant , but i said i would talk to you first , if you like it tell him to go ahead . "
Paige looked at Walter . " Why do you want me to make the decision , this is your house ? "
Walter gave her a stern look . " This is our house so all decisions have to be made by both of us . "
This caused Paige to smile . " Thank you Walter , i still find it difficult to accept this is our house . "
Walter a smile having replaced the stern look on his face . " Once we move in things will seem better . "
Not long after Walter and Sam left to go back to work .
Paige went upstairs to feed Megan , just in case , she went into Walter's bathroom and slipped the bolt . She was out about thirty minutes later and went to speak to Mark . She found him in the loft room bedroom , making good one or two bits of damage to the wall and ceiling , the bottom runner had only been put on top of the carpet , so apart from an indentation in the carpet everything seemed fine . He had also removed all the brackets from the wall , but he told her that Sue would fix that damage the screws holding the brackets had made .
Once he explained to Paige about the window in the door or wall , Paige liked the idea but asked if it could be both . Mark said would it would be ok , Paige told him to go ahead , but to ensure the window in the wall was the same side as the one in the door , she also showed were she would like the window in the wall .
She went back down stairs , Megan by now was getting sleepy , so she fetched her bassenet out of the car and lay her down , within minutes she was asleep .
At 5,00pm , Sue Mark and Kat finished for the day and asked if it was alright for them to leave their work items behind , which Paige agreed to .
Once they had left , Megan was now awake so Paige picked her up out of her bassenet and put her into her car seat . She then phoned Walter to tell him she would pick up Ralph , could he pick up some takeaway for the two of them .
Friday morning Walter took Rallph to school . Paige made her way to the house , as Sue , Mark and Kat were expected at 9.00am . There were already two vans on the drive when she arrived , as she pulled up alongside one of them , Sue got out the drivers side .
" Good morning Paige . "
Paige made her way to the back door of the car which she opened and unclipped her chair from it's brackets . " Morning Sue , ready for another days work ? "
" Yes , but i will be missing for a couple of hours . I am going to fetch the paint , so Monday we can start painting what you call the pink bedroom .
Megan looked up at Sue and giggled .
" That's fine i will be working in the garage , i am going to start cleaning the movie seats we purchased last Sunday . That is once i have carried out a few repairs on some of the seats . "
" Yes, Mark told me last night you are having one of the loft rooms turned into a bijou movie theater . "
" Yes , i love my old black and white horror movies . " Paige told her a big smile on her face .
Sue smiled back at her . " You can also show classic cartoon films to this little treasure . " As she held her hand out towards Megan who immediatly took her little finger and giggled .
" She is just so cute , by the way i phoned Owen last night , to tell him we were doing some work for Walter and his family . He wants you to know just how much you all did when he was trapped in the sink hole is really appreciated , he his a little jealous we get to work with and for you . "
" Well if Mark has to work tomorrow , he could bring him over with him , i am sure he will get on with Ralph .
" That is most kind of you , i will ask what Mark's plans are . "
Paige let them in the house and made her way to the Kitchen . " Well little lady , i hope you are happy being in the garage all day . " She said smiling at Megan who just giggled and uttered Mo, Mo,
Paige had spent some time the previous night checking out U-Tube films on the best way to repair rips in cloth seats . She hoped she had learned enough as she needed to repair the rips , before cleaning the seats . .
She made her way to the garage , once there she made sure Megan was in a safe place in her car seat , then opened the garage door from the inside . She fetched some cleaning items and sewing items from the trunk of her car , before going back to the garage .
It took her three hours to repair the rips in the seats , most of the time she was working , she was quietly singing to her self , Megan her only audiance , but an appreciative one . She was clapping her hands, bouncing in her seat and giggerling , with an occansional Mo,Mo.
Her phone rang and startled her , so lost in her own little world , as soon as she saw the ID a big smile came on her face .
" Hello my beloved , it is so good to hear your voice . "
" Your voice brightens up my day . We have taken a little break from the testing , so i thought i would take the chance to ring you . "
" I have been lost in my own little world repairing the seat . I have even been singing while i worked and Megan seems to have enjoyed my singing . "
Megan shouted DA, DA.
" I can hear her shouting can you put the phone by her ? " Walter asked .
" Of course my love . "
Paige moved closer to Megan and put and put her phone on loud speaker .
" Hello Princess are you being a good girl for mommy ? "
Megan began to bounce in her chair and shout Da, Da .
" You be a good girl and i will see you tonight . " His voice starting to break with emotion .
" She as got a big smile on her face now . I don't think she as really got the idea of the phone , as she is looking all around the garage looking for you . "
" I will try and ring you later this afternoon and hopefully i can let you know if i will be home late . Big kisses to you and Megan . "
" Big kisses back , see you later . " At that Paige disconnected the call .
Megan was still trying to look around the garage to find Walter and almost in a whisper da, da .
" Da, Da, is not here sweetheart he is at work . We won't see him today until later tonight .
Megan looked at her , folded her arms in front of her , gave a sigh and looked unhappy .
Paige went over to her picked her out of the car seat and cuddled her in her in arms . " I know little princess , i am missing him as well .
With Megan safely craddled in her right arm , Paige picked up her car seat with her left hand and walked back into the house and then into the kitchen .
She made herself a fresh pot of coffee and then took her sandwich box out of the fridge , poured herself a cup of coffee and sat close to Megan . As soon as Megan saw Paige sit down , she made a fist which she put to her mouth .
" Ok sweetie , mommy as got something for you . " She opened the sandwich box and took out a square of bread , coated with spread . Megan put both hands out and took it from Paige and immediatly took a small bite .
Paige took her sandwiches out of the box . The two of them eating , neither with a smile on their faces . Once Paige had finished her lunch and Megan finished her slice of bread , she wiped Megan's mouth , picked her up and took her upstairs to the loftroom bedroom , Sue would most likly be working in Walter's room ., again she went into the bathroom and slid the bolt .
Paige was back in the garage thirty minutes later . Again she made Megan was in a safe place , before cleaning the chairs . First she wiped the metal parts , just to remove the surface dust . She had bought a foam fabric cleaner , after trying a test patch , she sprayed all the seats and backs , then let it work for about fifteen minutes . Then using a small brush she rubbed it into the fabric . As soon as she finished the last seat , she went back to the first and began removing the residue off with a dry cloth , the colours on the fabric looked about four times lighter , a better result than she had expected .
By the time she had finished the last seat , she had a smile on her face and had begun to sing again . She hoped they would be dry by the next day , so she could give them one final treatment , brush them with a fairly stiff brush to try and bring the surface back to the almost velvet qualty of the material , which seemed to be how it would have appeard originally .
She had just began to put her stuff away when her phone rang . Megan had fallen asleep about two hours ago in her car seat , but was awake as soon as the phone rang and began shouting DA,DA.
Paige looked at the ID and smiled when she saw it was Walter . " It's daddy . Hello my prince ."
" Hello my queen . The tests have all gone well and apart from completing some paperwork , which Mary is doing at the moment , i should be home around the normal time . Or would you like me to pick up Ralph from Daniel's house ? "
" I am sure he would like that , if i go straight home i can start something for the evening meal . " Paige answered .
" Ok , i can hear Megan in the background . She sounds very vocal again . "
" She as been asleep for most of the afternoon , but as soon as the phone rang , she woke up and shouted DA, DA . Let me put my phone onto speaker and get a bit closer to her . "
Paige walked towards her . " It is Daddy . "
" DA, DA , DA, DA. "
" Hello my little princess , i will see you soon , so i hope you will be awake so i can give you a nice big cuddle . " Walter told her .
" DA, DA. " Was the answer he got .
Paige interupted Walter . " Let me get back to tidying up so i can leave as soon as the decorators go . "
" Ok please give Megan a kiss from me and this one is for you . " Walter told her as he made a kissing noise down the phone .
At 5.00pm Sue , Kat and Mark came down the stairs . Sue walked into the kitchen and found Paige holding Megan in her arms and singing quitely to her .
" You have a beautiful voice Paige and by the smile on Megan's face she likes listening to you . .
" Thank you , have you done what you wanted to do today ? "
" Yes , four of us will be here Monday around 9.00am , Mark is putting some things in his van , but he asked me to tell you he will be back tomorrow morning to put the two windows in the nursry , but it will probably be around 10.00am ,because he needs to pick up the glass and some timber to make the frames . Sue told her .
" That's fine , Walter will be here with Sam . "
" Ok we will see you Monday morning . Have a good weekend " With that Sue left to join her husband and daughter .
Ten minutes later Paige and Megan were on their way back to the condo .
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Grykon Thank you i am going through a little bit of a sweet and nice period , it helps with the other two stories that are WIP
LouBe96 The home improvements are going even further in this chapter , hopefully they shouls be moving soon .
Pearliegirl For you i will send you a gift voucher , dont tell me not to do something , how about this for a tease . A small glimpse of a couple of lines from chapter 2 of The Cyclone is broken . LOL
Although walking slowly he was almost at his car , when he heard running footsteps coming towards him , he began to turn around , but before he had a chance to remove his hands out of his pockets , he was almost knocked over , if he had not been so close to his car he would have , by someone throwing themself at him and hugging him tight .