"Ralph Dineen, have you been fighting?" Veronica gasped as Ralph walked into the house.
Ralph smiled.
"Well, let's just say words weren't enough." Ralph laughed.
Veronica shook her head.
"Well come with me. We'll get some breakfast going for you and I'll get the first aid kit so I can look at your hands." Veronica told him after giving him a tender kiss.
They walked into the dining room and Ralph smiled at all three kids eating breakfast.
"Ah it is good to see you three up. Did you sleep well?" Ralph asked as he stepped over and sat down in his chair.
Paige, Happy and Walter all nodded. Happy's eyes opened wider first, looking at her Father.
"Where were you Daddy?" Paige asked and then her eyes went wide seeing some bruises starting to shine through his skin.
"I went to have a talk with Sean." Ralph told her.
"You didn't kill him did you?" Happy asked with concern.
Ralph laughed and shook his head.
"No sweetheart. I might not like what Sean did to my son here, but he is still my brother. But I had to try and get through that thick head of his." Ralph told her as Veronica came back with a first aid kit.
"Maybe I should go back home. I hate being the cause of so much conflict." Walter told them.
"No, you aren't going anywhere until I'm sure you are going to be safe." Paige told him.
"Well I believe he is safe now Paige." Ralph told her as Veronica began cleaning the scrapes and cuts. "And you aren't the cause of the conflict Walter. Your Dad is. And you are staying here tonight as well. I brought a change of clothes from your Mother and she said to tell you that she loves you and not to worry."
Walter nodded even as he hung his head down.
"May I be excused?" Happy asked as she finished breakfast first. With Ralph's smile and nod at her she took off for the garage to get her tools so she could get back to work on her robot.
"Have you given any more consideration into creating some place, maybe in the garage to make it into her work area Daddy? One of these days she's going to get oil or grease on Mom's carpet and you know how she'll respond to that." Paige warned him.
Ralph smiled.
"While that's not a bad idea, not really, she's been so desperate to be involved in our lives, I didn't want her thinking I wanted to put her in some place that would separate her from us. Her working on any of the hardwood floors or the family room carpet isn't ideal, but the cost of replacing a carpet or refinishing the floor can't compete with her happiness. So I'd hate for her not to be around the family, as much as she loves working on things. She's really improved since she came to live with us. I want her to stay used to having family around her, even when she is working on projects." Ralph said as he rubbed his chin.
"Maybe you could have some workers come in and then box a corner of the family room off with short walls, maybe just two or three feet high. Take out the carpet in that area and put down rubber matting to protect the hardwood under it. That way everyone could see each other and talk back and forth without any issues." Walter suggested.
"That's not a bad idea Walter. What do you think about moving your piano to the living room and using that space for her Dear?" Ralph asked his wife.
"Well I wouldn't disagree with that. I'm not sure where in the living room to move it though." Veronica told him as she finished with his hands.
"I think I'll go take a look. Would you like to come with me?" Ralph asked her as he stood. Veronica smiled and they walked out of the room together.
Walter waited until Ralph and Veronica had been out of the room for two minutes before he leaned over to Paige.
"When did you want to take the test? Or did you already?" Walter asked.
"I haven't done it yet. Let's go for a walk. I don't want to do it here because I'm not carrying a used stick around with me to keep Mom or Dad from finding it in the trash. We can go to town, to that gas and stop." Paige whispered back.
Walter smiled as he nodded.
Paige told her parents they were leaving and then left the house.
Since their heart to heart last night, Paige had mostly returned to her normal loving nature around Walter. She still acted a little frustrated at times, but with everyone, not just Walter. She thought it was because of what Sean had done. Walter and Paige hugged often since last night, almost as if to try and make up for all the hugs they'd missed the last few days. They walked everywhere holding each other's hand or with arms around each other. Even if they were just going into the next room.
Cabe just smiled the whole way to the gas and stop, he enjoyed seeing them back to normal.
Walter browsed the periodicals that the store offered while Paige went back to the restrooms. He didn't like the looks of any of the magazines, but he was so nervous. Part of him would be very happy if Paige was pregnant, but he knew that would be a bad thing right now for them. He picked up a Tech and Science magazine and flipped through it quickly. While he really felt what was in the magazine was beneath Happy, he still thought she'd like it. He grabbed it and a couple of stylish and home decor magazines he thought Paige and Veronica might like. Walter wasn't sure but he grabbed a copy of The Atlantic and The Smithsonian magazines for Ralph. And then he saw it, the store had kept a copy of Teen Beat Magazine that he was in. They'd put it in a frame and had it on display. His cheeks were red as fire.
Walter stood nervously in line to pay for the magazines. It had been almost ten minutes and Paige still wasn't out there. His mind began wondering if the result was positive and he was now beginning to panic.
"You going to buy those or just stand there holding up my line?" The clerk behind the counter finally said loudly as Walter hadn't moved since the last person left.
Walter shook his head and looked at the guy quizzically and then realized what was going on and he quickly stepped up and put the magazines down.
Paige joined him as he paid for them. He looked at her questioningly and she had a big smile on her face. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
"So what did it say?" Walter whispered as they continued walking down the street.
"I might need to take another next week to be sure, but for now, I'm not pregnant." Paige said just loud enough for Cabe to hear as well since he was only about ten feet back. "Thank you for getting the tests for us Cabe." Paige told him.
"You're welcome Ms. Dineen. As I told Walter, anything I can do to help." Cabe smiled.
Sylvia opened the door and smiled at Sean, Louise and Megan.
"Please come in." Sylvia told them as she gestured.
Sean let the two women enter first and then he walked in.
"Everyone is in the dining room already." Sylvia told them as she closed the door. She walked around them and led them to the dining room.
"The O'Briens." Sylvia announced as she stepped into the room and out of the way.
"Welcome Megan, Louise, Sean." Ralph said with a smile as he stood up.
Walter stood up as well and stepped to a chair on the other side of Paige and pulled it out as he smiled at Megan.
Megan moved over and kissed Walter's cheek before sitting down. With Walter's help she scooted into the table.
"Mom." Walter said as Louise embraced him before giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Did you sleep well Walter?" Louise asked as she ran her hand through his hair.
Walter nodded with a smile.
"How's my daughter?" Louise asked Paige before she kissed the top of her head.
"I'm good Mom, thank you. Are you okay?" Paige asked.
"I am now my heart." Louise told her before she stepped on over to Happy and kissed her head. "How are you, my little heart?" Louise asked.
"Good, Dad's going to make me a workshop in the family room." Happy told her.
"Well that is very kind of him." Louise stepped on over and hugged Veronica before they both sat down at the table.
"Walter." Sean said softly before he sat Walter's suitcase on the floor. He reached his hand out.
Walter noted the number of bruises Sean had before he gave him a halfhearted smile but shook his hand before looking at the suitcase.
"I'm really sorry Walter. I was completely wrong for smacking you like I did yesterday. I hope you can tell I'm being honest and sincere. I hope you'll be able to forgive me one day soon. But until you are ready to do that, your Mom and I discussed it and if you want, and with Ralph and Veronica's okay on it, you can stay over here until you feel like you want to come home. We brought some more of your clothes in case you do." Sean told him.
"I just want you to know, I'm not excusing what I did Walter, but I was raised under a much different belief. My Father was unholy to put it mildly. It was rare not to be hit and beaten for even minor things. I've always tried to be different than he was, but I guess some of that still sunk into me. Your Mother and I have been discussing it, but if you don't want to go to America with Megan, then that is okay. I don't want to force you to be away from those you love." Sean told him while wringing his hat in his hands as he spoke from his heart, with feelings he'd rather never reveal.
Walter smiled and stepped closer and hugged his Dad.
"Thank you for saying all of that. I do forgive you." Walter told him. Paige smiled as a tear ran down her face. She was amazed at his honesty.
"I forgive you too, Dad." Paige finally said as she came off her chair and threw her arms around them both.
"So you are going to give Walter the option of not being separated from his loved ones, but you still want to try and force me away from mine?" Megan demanded.
"No, if you don't want to go to America for treatment, you're old enough to decide how you want your treatment handled. So you can stay home. And there is the Dr that is going to be taking over your care as well." Sean told her as he continued to hug Paige and Walter. His eyes opened and he looked at Ralph. "Thank you, for whatever you did. We got a call earlier from Dr. Verbena and she's going to be traveling here in two weeks to conduct an evaluation on Megan. She'll be working with Doc Johnson and his staff and arranging other medical personnel to come out to pursue therapies and treatments on Megan."
Ralph smiled and nodded.
"You are most welcome Sean, you guys are family and I'll always do what I can for our family. Sorry I got rough with you earlier." Ralph told him as he reached his hand out.
Sean laughed even as he released Walter from his right arm and shook Ralph's hand.
"I deserved it." Sean told him and they all sat down and had supper.
Walter was awakened abruptly as something landed hard on his bed and then hands grabbed at him. His eyes opened in panic at first and then he saw Paige sitting there grinning at him and then she fell over on top of him and kissed him.
Ralph heard the loud thump and he stood up from his desk in his study and walked to the stairs and listened for a moment. He heard giggling and so he began climbing up the steps and walked to the door of Walter's bedroom. He looked in and saw Paige lying there, fully dressed thankfully, on top of Walter. Walter was still in bed under his covers.
"Excuse me young lady." Ralph started.
"Daddy, I left the door open. And I'm dressed. Like I'm going to do something you'd have a problem with, with the door open." Paige told him without looking away from Walter. She grinned at Walter's cheeks which were flaming due to embarrassment.
"I don't care, Walter isn't dressed, so out of his room, give him some privacy." Ralph told her.
"I love you Walter." Paige told him before she rolled her eyes and then gave Walter another kiss before getting up.
"Good morning Dad." Walter said as Paige walked out of his room.
"Good morning Walter. Don't forget mass this morning." Ralph told him as he shut his door firmly.
Paige hovered around outside Walter's door waiting for him to come out to the bathroom. Just as he opened his door Happy came running down the hallway. Paige could almost scream.
"Paige, I need your help. I can't find my green top." Happy complained.
"Okay, I'll help you in a minute. I just want to talk to Walter." Paige told her.
"Good morning Walter." Happy said as she nodded to Paige and then just stood there waiting.
"Good morning Happy." Walter told her.
"Uh, a little privacy please?" Paige told Happy with her hands on her hips.
Happy rolled her eyes.
"You kiss him in front of me all the time sis. What's so different this time?" Happy complained.
"Just go to your room, please." Paige told her.
Happy grumbled but began walking down the hallway.
Paige smiled at Walter and kissed him again. She turned Walter around so she could look and see where Happy was and to make sure no one else was there. Paige pulled back and her smile turned into a grin at Walter, before she hugged him tightly.
"I'm definitely not pregnant." Paige said softly into Walter's ear.
Walter blinked and pulled back.
"Does that mean you started?" Walter asked.
Paige nodded.
"Never thought I'd be happy about that as well as being a little sad too." Paige told him.
"I felt the same way yesterday. Part of me really wanted you to be. But for now it is really for the best that you aren't." Walter told her.
"I know. I just had to let you know as soon as I could. I was going to tell you in bed, but Dad just had to interrupt us." Paige grinned and kissed him again. "And now I need to go see why Happy can't find her green top."
"I guess we know why you were still feeling a bit irritated like you've been the last few days." Walter nodded.
Paige rolled her eyes but nodded before taking Walter's hand and walking to the bathroom. She kissed him before she winked and walked into Happy's bedroom across the hall.
Ralph made sure that when they went to mass that he was with Walter and Paige so that they were never alone, but only so that Father Flanner had to keep himself under control. Ralph sat at the end of the pew next to the aisle so Father Flanner couldn't hit Walter again. With Veronica sitting next to him and then Happy next to her, and finally Paige and Walter. Megan sat on the other end of the pew with Sean next to her and Louise between Sean and Walter.
Greetings and Happy Easter! Hope this finds you all well!
Railman - Yup, don't mess with a Momma, young or old! LOL Well I tried doing some searches but couldn't really find any pharmacy/chemists that seemed to suggest they'd be open 24 hours now or even back in 2001. Here they are carried in grocery stores as well and there were a few of those that came up as open 24/7 so I figured what the heck. Maybe Cabe just offered a owner some money to open long enough to sell him a couple. Hopefully it wasn't too much of a distraction from the story. hehe
Margaret - Good, glad you were able too!
Susan - Yes, get that teen drama over with! lol I like Sean but sometimes he lets little things really get to him and he just explodes. Kind of like how mad he got that Walter didn't realize what he meant showing him that clipboard with the list of doctors on it. If you don't work with a trowel you would assume it is about the list of doctors, I'm not sure even my cousin who was a bricklayer his whole life would have thought that was what he meant. And he called him a SSoaB for it. He wasn't being stubborn, he just wasn't able to make the mental shift to what his Dad already thought. And he's going to insult his wife that way? Or himself...LOL But he'll have to earn back some respect after this.
To the Adventure! -Tim