Monday June 27th, 2005, 1:p.m., Callan:
"What's this?" Megan asked as Louise handed her an envelope after they got back from seeing the newlyweds off, again.
"Open it and see." Louise grinned.
Megan looked suspiciously at her but saw Billy nod so she tore the envelope open.
"Happy early Anniversary!" The letter inside read with Walter's handwriting.
"Paige and I wanted to give you both a special gift. So we talked it over with Mom and Dad and they are going to watch Patrick for you two. While you and Billy go on a belated honeymoon of your own." Megan read as a tear ran down her face.
"Richard has approved two weeks leave for Billy starting July 2nd. In the envelope are your confirmation codes for your flights to and from Paris and the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. There is the name of Richard's travel agent and number. She's taken care of the whole trip, if there are any problems, call her. If she can't help resolve the problem in a timely manner or you can't reach her, call Richard's secretary at the number listed for her. There's a gift card here as well with five thousand dollars on it for eating outside the hotel, shopping or in case you have any problems. We love you both." Megan read and then grabbed hold of Billy and cried into his shoulder.
Monday June 27th, 2005, 2:00 p.m., LAX:
Cabe stood grinning even as a tear ran down his cheek as he watched Walter and Paige come out of the Arrival area. He moved forward quickly flashing his credentials to the agents with them and pulled them both into a tight hug. He kissed the tops of their heads.
"So damn glad to see you kids." Cabe said hoarsely.
"We're glad to see you too, Cabe." Paige and Walter said.
"How long are you staying in LA?" Cabe asked as he turned and began walking with them.
"Just until Saturday. We'll be going to our next destination. But we wanted to visit with you for a bit after what happened." Paige told him.
Cabe nodded happily.
"And if it is okay with you. We'd like to stop by the cemetery and pay our respects to Amanda." Walter said as they reached Cabe's SUV.
"Really?" Cabe said surprised. "Sure, anytime you want to go. Just say the word. I go there myself several times a week, at least." Cabe said as he started the SUV. "Any place in particular you want to go first? Besides your hotel?"
"Actually, Richard has us set up in one of his properties." Walter told him and then gave him a slip of paper with the address. While he already had it memorized, he knew it would be easier for Cabe to read it on the paper to put it into his GPS.
"Paradise Bluff Cove? Damn son, that's the most expensive real estate out here." Cabe said as he entered the info into the GPS device.
"Oh really?" Paige asked in surprise.
"Not really surprising with Richard." Walter said as he hugged Paige to his side. "He's been trying for two years now to get us to commit to working full time for him instead of contract work. Add in his feeling guilty over the plane incident and he's really going all out."
"All say." Cabe laughed. "I hope he gave you a password or at least has you on the access list."
As they turned into the outlying neighborhood Paige saw all the "normal" style houses. They just reminded her of all the homes the dignitaries had that she grew up around. Large and beautiful just like her parents' home in Callan.
"You need close to an eight digit income just to think about living in this area. I remember when Rebecca and I first got married and were looking for a place. Our realtor brought us out here, I was barely a kid out of the marines. Like I'll ever be able to afford one of these, let alone what's behind the gate down here." Cabe laughed looking about. "But Rebecca really loved looking at a couple of the houses that were on the market then."
"Even if we used all the money we've got saved for Scorpion, I doubt we could afford one of these." Walter nodded.
"How's that going?" Cabe asked.
"It will be going a lot better once the self-driving cars hit the dealerships." Walter sighed. "By my estimate, I'm down almost fifteen million at this point."
"No kidding?" Cabe looked shocked. "I didn't know you were shooting to earn that much for Scorpion."
"Originally I wasn't. I just wanted a couple of million to get a decent property, equipment and maybe a year of salaries. Knowing we were waiting at least until Paige got her associates I planned to get seven million, before my gambling system proved how good it was. But the plan of delaying it so Paige can get her bachelor's degree, opened up a bigger opportunity to generate even more money through gambling. I could have easily made twenty million by now, until I agreed to do the programming for Richard." Walter explained.
"Yes. The plan then would allow us a very comfortable start for the company. Nearly thirty million, we'd have a very nice facility and top of the line everything. But, if the car sales match the projections, we'll match that amount with the residuals Walter negotiated in the new contract. Speaking of which, how are you liking the car?" Paige asked.
"Well, I like the fact that with certain issues I am able to make the adjustment to get the car going again. So I don't have to drive it to the facility here for them to do it. The instructions Walter made on those videos really make it easy to do. I've only had to take it to the facility once for them to adjust it. It would be nicer if there weren't so many little adjustments to make to keep it working. But I understand Walter's concern over it." Cabe said as they stopped at the gate.
The gate had already been advised of their arrival and quickly ushered them through with the IDs made for them and a map of where the house was.
"But thankfully when the car has to disengage the autodrive it does it in a very controlled and safe manner. I even fell asleep the other day and the car just drove me to my destination." Cabe laughed. "I was so confused when I woke up and was there."
Paige laughed as Walter just grinned.
As they drove up the road even Paige was growing impressed and excited with the lavish estates they passed.
"Now these mansions are what I would call decadent." Paige grinned.
Walter nodded with a smile.
The home they came to was monstrous in size. In beauty and elegance it was off the chart to everyone in the SUV.
The gate had called the house and so they were greeted by the entire staff as they arrived at the door. At quick glance Paige was sure there were at least thirty maids, a butler, several cooks and most likely a Majordomo.
Paige, Cabe and the agents were all stunned at the beauty inside the mansion. Walter seemed appreciative of it, but clearly it didn't impact him the same. Their bags were taken to the penthouse as the Majordomo escorted them through the major rooms they'd most likely want to know about the most.
Paige gasped at the penthouse. The East, South and West walls were mostly polarized glass. The bed was against the East wall so the morning sun wouldn't cause a problem as well as providing a wonderful view of the sunset in the evenings. There was a patio with a gorgeous view to the South. The patio had an elegant jacuzzi built into it.
"I may want to cancel the rest of our travels." Paige said dreamily to Walter.
Walter chuckled as he hugged her tightly to him.
"If you want to spend the rest of our honeymoon here, then this is where we will spend it." Walter told her.
"Think we can talk Richard into letting us live here as part of your compensation for you to keep working for him?" Paige grinned.
"I-I." Walter froze. He pulled back a bit and as far as he could tell Paige was serious. "Really? Are you so impressed with this place…that you want to give up Scorpion and try to negotiate some kind of permanent residence here?"
"I'm not talking about giving up Scorpion. That's our dream and I want us to make it a reality. But I am about forty - sixty on figuring out a way for us to work as much as Richard wants, to let us live here, right now." Paige nodded as she stepped back into his arms.
"Both of our Moms and Dads won't like that I don't think." Walter whispered.
"Children grow up and leave the nest." Paige shrugged. "Besides, how would we run Scorpion from Callan? But all this time, until this moment, I always wanted to go back to Callan. But, there is something here that just calls to me."
"Well, as a company that works to solve problems, using the internet for meetings, we could run Scorpion from anywhere. But for now, let's see how you feel come the end of the week. If you want to stay until we're supposed to go back to Cambridge so you can go back to school, I'll clear it with Richard." Walter promised.
"Mmmm…" Paige thought.
"You do remember you had already signed up with Harvard for the next two years. And don't forget the contest you entered your script in." Walter smiled.
"I seem to recall something like that…" Paige grinned as she tilted her head up and kissed Walter deeply.
Cabe stepped off the elevator and was about to knock on their door when he heard mutual moaning and he grinned as he shook his head.
"Have a happy honeymoon, kids." Cabe said before getting back into the elevator.
Paige frowned as she heard a buzzing noise. She opened her eyes and saw the sun had gone down. She yawned and saw Walter sleeping next to her. She smiled and then the buzz sounded again. She looked around and saw the intercom module on the nightstand next to her.
"Yes?" Paige asked a little sleepily after pushing the answer button.
"Mrs O'Brien, this is Daniel in the kitchen. I'm sorry to disturb you but I wanted to know if you wanted me to fix anything before I go off duty." Daniel explained.
"Oh, I'm sorry. What time is it?" Paige asked.
"9:30 p.m. Mrs O'Brien." Daniel responded.
"Oh wow, time really got away from us. Umm, no, thank you for checking though. I really appreciate that. If we want something we can either make it or go get something." Paige smiled.
"Very good Ma'am. I hope you have a good night." Daniel said and then the intercom went dead.
"Did you say something Paige?" Walter asked sleepily.
"Daniel called up to see if we wanted anything before he went off duty." Paige grinned.
"Oh, did you?" Walter asked as his eyes opened.
"There is one thing I want." Paige whispered.
"What's that?" Walter asked before he looked at her and then saw the wicked grin.
"Let's go get in the jacuzzi." Paige said as she pulled the covers off of them.
Monday, July 4th, 2005, 6:30 p.m. Dineen home Cambridge:
"Foods ready." Ralph called from the grill as everyone else sat talking around the picnic table.
"We were so relieved they found your kids." Millie said.
"Oh I think I aged ten years each of those two days." Veronica shuddered.
"And then to have Happy blurt out that Paige was pregnant." Ralph chuckled as he stepped over with the large platter of steaks.
"Oh…That really twisted my guts." Veronica said as her eyes closed.
"Speaking of that, Sylvester. Richard Elia and our family have a gift for you." Ralph told them as he sat down.
"Oh, no, please. I was glad to help refine Happy's thought. She deserves the gift more than I do." Sylvester blushed.
"She's already getting a gift for her part in it. I'd told the family if you helped to figure out where they were I was going to get you a car. Veronica said because of your age I should probably consider giving you a monetary gift and you can pick how to spend it when you reach eighteen. I thought that was fair and Richard wanted to contribute to it. So here is the trust paperwork for your parents to keep for you." Ralph said as he pulled out a large envelope and handed it to Sylvester.
"I don't know what to say besides, thank you. I did it because they are friends and I just wanted to help. Not to get anything out of it." Sylvester said with tears running down his face.
"You're a remarkable young man Sylvester. Richard also said to let you know to contact him when you get your degree. He'd be interested in hiring you at his think tank." Ralph grinned.
"Oh. I couldn't do that. I'm going to be working for Scorpion." Sylvester explained.
Ralph laughed.
"Well that's between you guys." Ralph told him as Sylvester opened the envelope.
Sylvester's eyes went wide and he swallowed hard as he looked up at Ralph and then to his parents.
"I-I, I don't think I can accept this." Sylvester told them.
Kenneth frowned and took the envelope and looked at the paperwork.
"Uh, Ralph, this is unbelievably generous but I'm with Sylvester. We can't take this." Kenneth told them.
"It's a done deal." Ralph told them dismissing the issue. "Are you looking forward to your first week back at work Toby?" Ralph asked to change the subject.
"I don't really want to, but I have to pay the bills." Toby laughed. "I got an email Friday saying I have a new patient to see as part of the indigent program. I guess they thought I have been doing such a great job with the at-risk youths that they wanted to try me at handling some tougher cases."
"Well that sounds positive then." Veronica smiled.
"How was the rest of your trip over to Ireland and back?" Kenneth asked.
"Really good. Of course being back in Callan was wonderful. If it wasn't for Paige and Happy wanting to be in school here, I'd have stayed." Ralph grinned. "As for the flight itself, it was top notch. Of course, flying on one of a billionaire's private planes is almost always going to be top notch. Of course I had to invest into another solar farm to offset the emissions." Ralph laughed.
"So you really are into the environment thing?" Kenneth asked.
"Absolutely. Even if you think the agenda of protecting the environment is going too far, look at studies of what cities were like for air quality before the government offices like the EPA started cracking down on car, factory, plane emissions. Just like we know smoking a cigarette is bad, that smoke causes all kinds of health problems, so do emissions from cars and planes. So if we can offset some of that by cutting down on energy plants using coal it helps." Ralph explained.
Greetings! I hope this finds you all well!
Champagne42 - So glad you enjoyed it! hehe Well, the reason no one did is, other than Toby, they didn't know Happy was using Walter's software. They just thought she hacked her way in. Richard was just happy she figured it out so he wasn't about to alienate anyone by saying anything. Ralph assured me he did have a small sit down with her over it. lol I couldn't imagine how that would of felt, a "fleet" of helicopters fly in, land on your property and then bust through your door like that. *yikes* They are all pretty proud of Happy over it!
Railman - Happy is pretty proud of that award too! Funny you should ask about where they are going. lol Yup, LA for 5 days and then off to wherever... lol
LouBe - hehe Yeah, I had thought about trying to drag it out for more effect, but no, the Muse wanted it short and sweet. lol As sweet as 3 people with gunshot wounds can be. LOL She definitely got a bigger reaction in the moment over catch Walter. Probably because they'd expected her to be pregnant long before now and everyone had already kind of already dealt with the prospect. But they are still very happy and stoked! Happy says "Thank you." They thought about trying to fly commercially, then decided they'd probably be recognized and how many people would want to fly on a plane with people who's plane was hijacked before? lol They plan to take full advantage of her being out of school and Walter not having to go back to "work" all month! lol Yup, 1 call does it all! lol
Pearliegirl - Nope, the story isn't over and will probably never say "complete". I'll probably leave it open so that anytime the Muse wants to add to it, I will. Right now it is written to chapter 96, still 5 months from the baby being born. Glad you enjoyed it so much! LOL No worries on that! lol Don't get your blood pressure up! A friend was telling me she uses a blue tooth keyboard with her phone. I was telling her I was looking at getting a cheap laptop I can take with me appointments and places and when I need to talk I can type on it and have it convert the text to speech. So, depending on power drain, using my phone in the same fashion would be cheaper probably. Adventures are my hobby! M-o-o-n, that spells Hobby!
To the Adventure! -Tim