March 6, 1999, Saturday 10:30 a.m.:
Paige was so excited. As they walked through the terminal of the airport to get on their flight home she saw a little booth selling all kinds of things. Newspapers, comics, coffee mugs, gum, T-shirts, mirrors and magazines, to mention a few things. As one item in particular caught her eye she ran into the booth and snatched the magazine from the stand and stared at the picture of Walter on the cover. Her grin grew exponentially as she saw him standing at the open window of the barn's upper level. He was wearing a denim jacket without a shirt and the jacket was open to his pants. Revealing his sternum and belly button. She'd quickly paid for four copies of the magazine and ran back to join her parents. She gave one to her parents and one she was going to give to Walter's parents. One she was going to keep in as pristine condition as she could. She'd spent many hours on the flight reading the interview and reliving the moments captured in the pictures.
While she had slept on the plane Paige still tried to take a short nap after they arrived home as she knew that while Sean and Louise O'Brien would be up early working on the farm that Walter wouldn't be awake until closer to 9 a.m.. She rode over in the detail's SUV and was greeted by Megan who was using one of the arm braces to walk up from the barn.
"Did you have another attack while we were gone?" Paige asked with concern on her face.
Megan smiled.
"A small one with my left foot. I missed you sis. Welcome home." Megan greeted her with a hug.
"Has Mom and Dad been okay?" Paige asked as they broke their hug.
"Yep, Dad's out wrestling the sheep. One of them escaped the paddock overnight. Mom's probably cleaning the kitchen." Megan smiled. "And Walter's in his loft. He's been a complete space cadet since you left for the States."
Paige smiled and began walking back to the barn.
As she stepped into the barn she started to yell up to Walter but then thought she'd try to sneak up his ladder.
"Paige?" Walter said suddenly as her hand touched the railing of the ladder. The sound of scurrying feet sounded across the floor instantly and then Walter appeared over the banister. "Paige!" Walter yelled and jumped over to the ladder and slid down.
Paige laughed as she stepped back.
Walter flew into her arms the second his feet hit the ground and he crushed her against him.
"You don't know how much I missed you." Walter said softly into the side of her neck. He inhaled sharply and his brain was flushed with even more dopamine and oxycontin.
"Oh Walter, of course I do. I missed you too." Paige said softly with tears as she gripped him tighter to her. "I never want to spend a day away from you again."
Sean walked into the barn, his boots covered to his thighs in mud. He had large patches of mud on his chest and arms and some on his face. He smiled seeing the two kids hugging.
"Well, it is about time you got home girl. Welcome home." Sean said as he put the rope he carried back on the wall.
"Thanks Dad." Paige said with a smile.
"Don't mind me, I've got to go take a shower." Sean chuckled as the couple still hugged and then he walked past them into the house.
Paige smiled as she heard the screen door of the house slam a second time.
"Where's my daughter?" Louise yelled.
Paige laughed.
"I'm here in the barn Mom, I'll be there in a moment." Paige yelled back as she pulled back from Walter enough to kiss him deeply.
They turned and began walking hand in hand out of the barn. Louise smiled at the couple and held out her arms and Paige moved up quickly and they hugged tightly.
"Tell your folks we expect them over for dinner tonight. Now, how are things with our Happy?" Louise asked as they broke their hug. Louise wiped at her eyes and then reached out to touch Paige here and there as if adjusting her clothes.
"I'll tell them Mom. The case went really well. As it turned out the judge didn't even need me to come over. He was satisfied with the deposition I gave. He felt like the orphanage was playing a game so to speak. We're considered as her foster family until they can complete a background check on us and then he'll rule on our adoption." Paige explained.
"Well good, that is a positive start. So she was allowed to come home too?" Louise asked.
Paige nodded.
"Mom, is it okay if we walk into town and have lunch?" Walter asked as he stood there.
"Do you have money? Are your chores done?" Louise asked.
"Yes Ma'am." Walter told her while patting his back pocket.
"Be safe and have a good time." Louise smiled and nodded.
Walter and Paige walked down the street hand in hand grinning at each other and talking about the little things that happened during the short time they were apart.
"How did you know I was in the barn?" Paige asked.
"Your lavender body lotion." Walter grinned.
Paige laughed even as they reached a certain door Walter signaled agent Todd as he stopped and pulled back against Paige's hand and she turned and looked quizzically at him.
Walter was just smiling and he nodded his head to the door and Paige looked and saw it was a jewelry store even as Agent Todd moved inside quickly.
"You want to go in here?" Paige asked with her face showing how puzzled she was.
Walter nodded even as he turned and pushed into the store. Paige followed behind him and they were greeted by the store keeper who immediately walked over and pulled out a small tray. Walter stepped over to a table with a chair next to it and gestured for Paige to sit. Agent Todd stood in a corner holding up a JVC video movie camera and was recording everything.
After Paige sat down the store keeper handed the tray to Walter who turned and held it out.
"It's an Irish tradition to give someone you love a promise ring, which stands for friendship, loyalty and love. Paige, I know we're too young to swear to marry, but I want you and everyone to know that you have my heart, forever." Walter held out the tray and she saw the gold band with a blue-silver circled dolphin with a small 0.1 carat diamond for an eye.
"Walter!" Paige exclaimed looking at the ring. Her hand jerked a little as she reached out and pulled the ring off the tray and examined it.
"Mo ghrá síoraí" She tried to read the small inscription inside the band. "My" Paige paused as she tried to remember her gaelic teachings.
"My eternal love." Walter finished for her.
A tear ran down Paige's cheek as she held her left hand out to Walter. Her right hand had the ring pinched between two fingers.
Walter smiled as he took the ring and then slipped it on her finger. And they kissed after Paige jumped up and threw her arms around Walter's neck.
Agent Todd stood back capturing all of the event so their parents could see it happen.
"Walter, I love it. Where did you get the money?" Paige asked as they walked down the street all the while staring at the ring.
"The US Security Council has paid me for some work I've been doing to help them secure their encryption ciphers." Walter told her.
"Oh really? I know you told me that Cabe said they wanted you to try breaking them. I didn't realize they were going to pay you for it." Paige hugged his arm.
"I didn't either. I didn't like the way the guy threatened Cabe either." Walter told her.
"Who threatened Cabe?" Paige asked concerned.
"Someone he used to work under, they're in the Council now I guess. Said if Cabe didn't ask me to break the codes he was going to have Cabe reassigned to some bad place where he'd either have to resign or live without his wife and daughter. I couldn't let that happen." Walter explained.
"Of course you couldn't Walter. Which is probably what this person already knew about you. He preyed on your inherent goodness. That makes me so mad. I should tell Daddy." Paige swore.
"I would have but I was afraid it might get Cabe in trouble somehow. So I chose not to." Walter told her even as they walked into the cafe.
As dinner was winding down at the O'Brien farm Walter had been surprised at first that no one had noticed Paige's new ring. But then he quickly realized it was because they were too busy discussing the magazine Paige had picked up for them. He'd been so embarrassed when the Dineens broke out their copy and Paige gave his parents the copy she got them. He sighed as he knew the coming week at school would be a mess, but he didn't let that stop him as he stood up.
"Family, if I may have a moment of your time. There is something I'd like for you to see in the front room." Walter told them before reaching out for Paige's hand.
Paige grinned and took his hand and stood. They walked in and Walter gave her a quick kiss by the couch and left her there. He stepped over to the TV and waited until everyone came in and sat down. He reached down and picked up the JVC unit and turned on the TV. He adjusted the channel and then powered up the JVC. The TV displayed the JVC emblem and then Walter hit play as he sat it on the top of the TV. He walked over and stood by Paige sitting on the couch. They watched as the scene inside the store came into view and then Walter and Paige walked inside.
"Walter! You got this on tape?" Paige squealed.
"Thanks to agent Todd." Walter grinned.
Megan and Happy were excited immediately. At Walter's words both Louise and Veronica sighed happily. And the four of them congratulated the young couple at the end. Ralph and Sean both sat there staring. And Walter and Paige both grew concerned.
"Dad?" Walter finally voiced.
Ralph gestured to Sean and Sean stood up and stared at Walter for a moment.
"You did good, boy." Sean said and walked out of the front room and into the kitchen. Walter frowned and then frowned harder hearing the back screen door slam shut. Walter swallowed.
"Dad?" Walter said again.
Ralph stood up and Walter immediately thought he'd grown an extra two feet taller instantly. Ralph's massive looking hand reached out and grabbed Walter's shoulder and pulled him in tight against him.
"I love you Walter. I hope this continues to grow between you two." Ralph told him softly. He kissed the top of Walter's head and then smiled at Paige before he followed after Sean. Leaving both Walter and Paige confused.
"You okay Sean?" Ralph asked when he joined up with him in the barn.
"Aye, damn but I wasn't expecting that to happen already. I should have, looking back on the past six months. I think what you said that night out here might be coming true Ralph. While I'm all for it, eventually, our babies are moving towards that day quicker than I care for." Sean told him.
"Yeah, I agree with you on that Sean and I'll add to it, that I wouldn't have it any other way." Ralph told him as he put his hand on Sean's shoulder.
"Dad? Are you okay?" Walter and Paige said together at the entrance of the barn.
Both men smiled and laughed a short snort.
"Aye, we are kids. We're just a little overwhelmed." Sean told them.
"He's a little overwhelmed, I'm majorly overwhelmed." Ralph grinned.
"So you aren't upset?" Paige asked.
"No girl. But we want you both to remember, you're only twelve and thirteen. Don't be getting carried away with your feelings." Sean told them.
"That goes double for me." Ralph told them.
"Where's your Mother?" Sean asked.
"They wanted to watch the video again." Paige told him. "Dad, Walter told me something earlier. We both think you need to know about it, but we're worried about causing problems."
"What's that pumpkin?" Ralph frowned.
Paige looked to Walter.
"Well, last month Cabe came to me. Said one of his old bosses with the US Security Council wanted him to give me some new ciphers a team developed. Wanted to see if I could crack them in a week. Which was no big deal, but what concerned me is, Cabe had hesitated about doing that and the man threatened to have him reassigned to some place where he'd either have to resign or live without his wife and daughter." Walter explained.
"Is Cabe back on your detail tomorrow?" Ralph asked.
Paige nodded.
"Okay, I'll talk with him then. I don't like the idea that someone is manipulating him and using Walter like this." Ralph told them.
"Well I wouldn't say using exactly. They did pay me, nicely too, for the work I did." Walter told them.
"You were paid for this?" Ralph asked even as Sean stepped up.
"Yes sir, it is how I bought Paige's ring and that video camera to record it for you." Walter told them.
"I definitely want to have a talk with this Cabe fella. He seems to be taking some serious liberties with Walter." Sean said angrily.
"Why don't you guys come over for lunch tomorrow after Mass? We can have a conversation with Cabe and get to the bottom of this." Ralph told Sean.
Sunday 12:30 p.m.:
Happy and Megan rode back to the Dineen's home with Paige and Walter from Mass and as they pulled up out front they saw Cabe standing there.
"Good afternoon Ms Dineen, Ms Quinn, Ms O'Brien, Walter." Cabe greeted them as he held the door of the SUV while they climbed out.
Walter shook his hand as he looked north up the road but didn't see the other SUV yet.
"Cabe, so you have a heads up. Paige and I had talked about it and we were both concerned so we spoke to our Dads and they are wanting to talk with you about whoever it was that threatened you over the ciphers. And Dad is a little upset that I was getting paid and no one talked to him about it first." Walter told him. "I'm sorry."
Cabe smiled as he nodded.
"It's okay son. They're your parents, they need to know to help keep you safe." Cabe told him. "How'd the ring turn out?"
Paige smiled and lifted her hand for him to look at. Cabe smiled real big while nodding his head.
"You did good, kids." Cabe told them.
They looked north and saw the SUV as it came around the corner and Cabe sighed.
"Well here comes trouble." Cabe joked.
Cabe stepped up and opened the door and Veronica stepped out smiling.
"Thank you Cabe." Veronica told him even as Louise got out and they both walked into the house.
"Kids, run along." Ralph said as he stepped out of the car with Sean.
"Where do you get off offering my boy paid work without talking to me?" Sean asked as the door closed behind them.
"I understand Sean, I'm sorry if I overstepped the bounds. I didn't think it was any different than a neighbor offering to pay Walt to trim a bush for them." Cabe told him calmly.
"The difference is, I know the neighbor. I don't know who is pulling your strings or what they want him to do and perhaps more importantly I don't know where the money is coming from that he's being paid with. You give him a math problem of course he's going to take to it. And you offer him money, what boy with a girl isn't going to want money so he can take her places and show her what she means to him?" Sean asked.
"You're right Sean. I clearly didn't think it through or that it had any potential problems. I'll make sure to talk with you about anything else that comes this way first." Cabe told him.
"I better have your word on that Cabe, I mean it. Or the next conversation we have won't be polite." Sean told him.
"Cabe, Walter says someone threatened you to ensure you approached Walter for this, and that is very concerning. Who was it?" Ralph asked.
"He's a director inside of the Secret Service with ties to the Security Council, Paul Merrick. We've butted heads a number of times sir. He learned the truth about Walter, that Walter is a supra genius. I had whitewashed a lot of the information about him. I was worried people, like Merrick, might try and take advantage of him. I like Walter a lot and I wanted to protect him." Cabe told him.
"Well I think all of us are glad you are looking out for Walter but you should have come to me with this info and as Sean said you should have talked with him at least about these codes. Okay, for right now I'm not going to rock the boat over this, at least until Happy's placement is finalized. But after that, I'm going after this Merrick, I don't like this. Is that okay with you Sean?" Ralph looked at Sean.
"Aye, not much I can do so, whatever you deem appropriate. We don't want anything happening to our Happy." Sean smiled.
Greetings! I hope this finds you all well! Spent a lot of the last 4 days chilling mostly. lol Need to get back into a writing frame of mind but haven't really felt it yet.
Railman - I love that expression, never heard it before. Cat among the pigeons...a very apt way of describing it. lol
Margaret - Thanks!
Susan - Indeed! Ralph is a man on a mission!
To the Adventure! -Tim