Monday morning neither Walter or Paige showered , both just had a quick wash and cleaned their teeth . Paige had to put her night hair tidy , Walter just ran his fingers though his hair , as he was doing this , Paige walked over to him and began to run her fingers through his hair , a feeling that sent a sensation all though his body and bought a big smile to his face .

Today once they had dropped Ralph of at school they intended to go to the garage and shower there.

Paige and Walter walked into the kitchen , Walter put a pot of coffee on and Paige began to make breakfast . As soon as the smell of bacon began to travel around the house , Ralph appeared from his bedroom , although he was dressed for school , he still looked half a sleep .

" What's up buddy ? " Walter asked him .

" I don't know , I did not get that good a nights sleep . I think it was seeing the garage so empty yesterday . I kept remembering it as it was the first time I really saw it , it was the most exciting place I think I had ever seen , then the way everyone treated me as normal and not a freak , it was brilliant . "

Paige had been listening to his reply , she removed the scrambled eggs , which she had been cooking , from the heat , she walked over to Ralph and pulled him into a hug . " It's alright sweetie , you know Walter had no choice but to let the garage go back to the bank . But I am sure once we find somewhere suitable you will be just as happy . "

Ralph looked at her a half smile on his face , he replied . " As long it is with you and dad , I have no doubt that it will , but the garage will always remain in my heart . "

This bought a tear to Paige's eyes . " I am sorry I was so stupid and bitter that night and even more stupid to let Toby persuade to join Centipede Partners . Thankfully your dad was able to forgive me , so now we can all begin this new life together . "

Walter looked across a smile on his face and simply said . " I concur . "

Paige smiled back at Walter and went back to her cooking , the eggs had finished cooking from the heat they had retained , all she needed to do was to fluff the eggs up with a fork , the bacon and sausage had overcooked slightly , but not burnt . She took a plate of eggs and a plate of bacon and sausages over to the kitchen island , she poured two cups of coffee and a fruit juice for Ralph , by which time the toast was ready , which she also took to the island .

Once everyone had finished and everything put away it was time to take Ralph to school .

As soon as they dropped Ralph off at school they made their way to the garage . They pulled Paige's car into the garage , Walter shut and locked the roller shutter door . Then like a pair of teenagers , arm in arm and both giggling they made their way up to the loft .

Walter immediately went to the bathroom and put the shower on and got the water to the correct temperature . Paige went into Walter's bedroom , a few minutes later she left and walked over to the bathroom door , she opened the door , leaned against the door frame with one arm . Walter had heard her come in and once he looked at her , his legs went to jelly so much so he made a quick grab for the sink to stop himself from falling to the floor .

In front of him was a goddess , Paige had changed into one of his white shirts , which she had kept behind when she packed all his clothes and nothing else , the shirt was only fastened by the bottom button, so most of her body was exposed . She was wearing a pair of black shoes with four inch heels that really showed her legs off in the best possible way . It took him a few seconds to find his voice and all he could manage was "WOW ! "

" Ok nerd , get your clothes off NOW , unless you want to get them wet . " Paige told him a big smile on her face .

He shook his head to clear it and walked past Paige , as he did he felt her butt cheek and squeezed causing Paige to let out a little squeal .

" I will be back in about thirty seconds . Please don't move . "

At that Walter ran to the bedroom , a minute later he was back , all he had on was a white bath towel around his waist . Paige was still standing by the bathroom door when he returned .

" Could I have the pleasure of escorting you to the shower my lady ? " Walter said as he gave a small bow .

" You may my good sir . " Paige replied .

At that Walter picked her up causing her to give another little squeal . Once they reached the shower he gently put her down in doing so the last button on her shirt came undone , so the shirt had opened completely exposing one of her breasts . That was it for Walter , he whipped his towel off and Paige removed her shirt .

" Lets get wet NERD . " She told him a big smile on her face .

They were in the shower for almost a hour , Paige was exceptionally vocal , something she had not been able to be the past few days .

Once out of the shower Paige towel dried her hair and patted her body dry ,Walter did the same . Once they were both happy with how they felt , they made their way to the bedroom were they fell into bed . For the next couple of hours , they were more than content to just cuddle up . Their two naked bodies feeling as one .

Paige instigated another round of pleasure . Although Walter was more than happy to join in . After another thirty minutes , Paige checked her phone and saw the time .

" Thank you my darling man , for the best morning of my life , but I think we need to shower , maybe on our own this time , as it will soon be time to collect Ralph and I think we should try and look a little respectable . "

Walter a big smile on his face . " It was my pleasure , but you are correct , I suggest you shower first so you will have time to dry and style your hair . But one thing before you go . " Walter rolled over so he was facing her and planted one last kiss on the lips .

With some reluctance Paige got out of bed and walked out of the room to the bathroom . Each step she took was watched closely by Walter until she was out of his sight . He lay there a big smile on his face as his mind went over what had happened over the past few hours .

Paige was back ten minutes later , a large white bath towel around her body , another one wrapped around her hair . " Go get your shower so that we will not be late picking up Ralph from school ."

Walter rolled out of bed as he walked past Paige he gave her a playful slap on the butt , causing her to give a little squeal .

When Walter came out of the bathroom , Paige was sitting in front of a mirror wearing just her panties and a bra , working on making her hair look as it normally did , but all she had to work with was Walter's old hair dryer which she was sure he had bought over with him from Ireland and probably adapted to work on the American system . Walter walked over to her , still wearing a bath towel , once behind her he gently kissed her on the back of her neck , it caused her to jump , she turned around and pointed the hair dryer at him like a gun .

" Ok buster , we do not have time for any of that now, so go get dry and dressed so we will be ready to collect Ralph . "

Walter's face dropped a little . Paige saw this and with a smile on her face said . " We could maybe resume again on Thursday morning . But please remind me to bring my own hairdryer , I think this one belongs in the Smithsonian . "

This bought a smile back to Walter's face . " I will look forward to that . " He moved away , finished drying himself , then redressed in the clothes he had come in . Once he had dressed he sat on the edge of the still ruffled bed content just to watch Paige fixing her hair and applying her light make up then applying some of her favourite lavender body lotion .

Paige had just finished making the bed when her phone alarm went off , it was time to go and collect Ralph .

The next morning , Tuesday . Walter stayed at the condo . He was going to look into finding suitable premises for Scorpion Computing Services , to work from .

Once Paige had dropped Ralph off at school , she made her way to Happy's apartment . Pulling up at the apartment around 9.45am , once out of the car she walked up to the door and knocked . Happy opened the door and called her in , Paige sat on the sofa were she accepted a cup of coffee . Once she had finished her coffee she asked Happy for a copy of the bid .

Happy left her alone and went into the C.P. office were both Sly and Toby appeared to be afraid of Paige . Toby because of how Paige had berated him the last time they had met , Sly because he was still embarrassed by what his actions had caused that night .

Paige was more than happy to be left alone to check through the bid . She took a small pad and pen to make any necessary notes it took her a good hour before she had read through the bid . Once she had finished reading and completed her notes she walked to the office door , she still had to smile as she knocked on the door .

Happy opened the door , but did not invite Paige in instead she stepped out and closed the door behind her .

Paige still had a smile on her face . " You got some sort of secret in there since I left ? "

Happy a stern look on her face . " No, but you are working for the competition now . "

Paige broke out in a loud laugh . " Competition , you have just showed me your bid for a job . "

" Yes but you signed a confidentially clause not to tell . " Happy said a smile on her face .

Paige gave her a curious look . " I have not signed anything of the sort , I tore up Toby's idea of an agreement , the same day as you bought it over . At the moment we are only doing computer repairs and web site building , but if Walter sees a coding job he is really interested in ,I will be presenting it for him ,so that would be one you would have to present yourself if you want to bid on the same job . So I would not see your bid . If Walter wanted to stop you , all he need do is to implement the no competition clause and that would squash C.P. like a bug under his shoe . So to be honest I am disappointed in your attitude . "

Happy's face now showed total sadness . " I am sorry Paige it is Toby who is suspicious , or actually I think he his actually afraid to face you . "

Paige's face went from curious to confused . " Why would Toby be afraid of me ? "

" Because like Walter , although your I.Q. is not so high , you also seem to be able to control him , he is certain you only agreed to join C.P. because you were still mad at Walter , he knew if he had left it a couple of more days you would never have agreed to work with us , because you would calm down enough to go back to Walter and talk things through . " Happy told her .

Paige had a smile on her face now as she spoke . " He would have been correct , but when I saw Walter's face at the Gentelman's bid , he seemed so sad and I just let the door shut on him , I thought I had lost him for ever , by humiliating him in front of everyone and if I approached him he would reject me . But now I know the truth , he had only lied to me to save hurting my feelings , thanks to Toby . So maybe Toby should be scared of me . " .

Happy had a small smile on her face . " I think it might be an idea to persuade Toby to stay here tomorrow . "

" Don't do that on my behalf , I will just ignore him . Anyway I have made a couple of notes about your bid you may like to think about , first you do not seem to have built in a contingency in case you require extra materials or tools to complete the job . Also the completion time seems tight it would be better to add a couple of days , then if you complete before the day you have on the contract , the client will be more than pleased with you . "

Happy sat down and said nothing for a while . " You never did that for us . "

Paige gave a sigh . " Because I was always out voted if I tried to suggest anything like this , because Toby always wanted to make sure we could not really be beaten by anyone else and both you and Sly would always agree . Now I am not working for C.P. Toby will still not want to do anything I suggest . "

" Oh yes he will . What would you suggest ? " Happy asked a somewhat stern look on her face .

" Well Walter insisted on 10% on the smaller jobs and 5% on the larger jobs . Again add between two to five days depending on how long you actually think any job is going to take . But I no longer have my stake in C.P. , or work for them so any decision will need to be made by you three . Thank you I have received the cheque for $300 . " Paige reached into her purse and pulled a piece of paper out and handed it to Happy . " Here is the receipt for it plus a letter confirming I have sold the three of you my shares in C.P. I am going now I will see you at Burns and son fifteen minutes before your appointment . Say goodbye to the others . "

At that Paige walked over to the door opened it and left , Happy just stood there watching her go , suddenly realizing how Walter must have felt the night they had walked out on him , a tear beginning to run down her cheeks .

Happy went to the bathroom before returning to the other two , she needed to put some cold water on her face and eyes , she could never show Toby or Sly her tender side . It was almost thirty minutes before she had got her confidence back to go back to the "Office" and face Toby and Sly .

As soon as she entered the office Toby jumped up from his seat . " Were have you been ? I heard the front door shut thirty minutes ago . " His voice sounding half snarky half angry .

Happy gave him a searing look , which made him sit down , especially when he noticed both of her hands , which were at the side of her body , were tightly rolled into fists .

" I needed a little me time . " Was all she told him .

Sly with no confidence what so ever in his voice . " Did Paige have anything to say about the proposal ? "

Happy took a deep breath . " She as made a couple of suggestions that Walter used to include in all the bids Scorpion made . "

As soon as Happy mentioned Scorpion's name Toby was on his feet again . " We no longer work for Walter or Scorpion , this is Centipede Partners and we work to our rules and not those of 197 . "

Happy moved towards him and stood looking up at him . " No we don't , we now work for Toby Curtis , at least he seems to like to think we do . Just what have you contributed to any of the jobs we have done , I will tell you shall I . NOTHING , ZILCH , NADA . So I suggest you sit down and listen , then we can in accordance with the rules of the partnership , vote on them being included or not . Do not forget Sly as the biggest share so is decision really is final .

The few jobs we have got somehow managed to complete , have given us how much profit , thanks to your ego insisting we bid low , just so we would always be able to out bid Walter . Could you please tell us Sly ? "

Sly had got lower and lower in his chair the longer she spoke to Toby . It took him about thirty seconds to calm down enough to tell them . " A total of $245 . "

Happy looked at Toby . " Do you think C.P. will last that long if that sort of profit is all we are going to make on our jobs in the future . "

All Toby could manage was a shake of the head .

" Right I propose we vote on the subject of listening to what Paige as suggested . " Happy said .

" I second the motion . " Sly said .

Both Toby and Happy looked at him , then Happy began to speak . " We have added another 40% to the quote we are bidding on tomorrow , compared to what we have been doing . This still makes our price very competitive . I personally believe we should have increased it by 50% if not more , but that is a matter we can discuss at a later date . But for now I would like to explain what Paige as told me ."

Immediately Happy and Sly put their hands up . Toby his head down , then with a lot of reluctance he put his hand up .

" Ok motion carried . First Paige suggested we should build in a 10% contingency into the quote , to cover for things that can happen during the job which we could not have been aware of when we produced the original draught . The second to add 2/3 days to the completion date , just in case . Then if we finish on our original date , the customer would be pleased and remember that . " Before saying anything else she glared at Toby . " These are things Walter used on Scorpion quotes . "

Toby could not help himself he had to ask . " If she knew that why not mention that when she worked for us ? "

" Because any suggestions she made , she would always be out voted by us . " Happy told him .

Toby was still not happy . " But this means our prices will be up amongst everyone else . Do you not think that is stupid ? "

Happy gave him a look . " Are you scared to be amongst the big guys , if we carry on as we are we will not last Walter's prediction of six months . So I suggest we vote again this time on the matter of including Paige's suggestions into the bid . "

Immediately Happy and Sly put their hands up , this time Toby kept his hand down although his face showed one of defeat .

Happy was quick to announce . " Motion carried , Sly can you amend the bid for tomorrow to incorporate the two amendments . "

" Right away . " Sly answered and went straight to his computer .

Happy gave Toby a stern look . " Now you must feel how Paige must have felt every time we out voted her .

All Toby could do was to look shamefaced .

Paige's Condo

Paige arrived back at her condo just before noon . Walter was sitting at the kitchen island working on his computer , as soon as she walked in the conder she shut the door , kicked her shoes off and put her purse on the side table , then almost ran over to Walter , put her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek .

" It is so good to be back in your presence . "

Walter stopped working and managed to turn around enough so he could kiss her on the lips .

" I am pleased you are back , safe and sound . " He told her as he placed a kiss on her lips .

As they parted Walter asked . " How did it go today ? "

Paige moved her hands so they were behind Walter's head before answering . " It was a little strange at first , Happy let me in and I sat on the sofa , Happy fetched the bid out of the office , then left me to go through it . That took me about a hour , once I had finished I knocked on the office door " Again she could not help giggling . " Happy came out and led me back to the sofa . Apparently Toby is scared of me now , so much so she suggested she would stop him going to the bid tomorrow . But I told her , I would just ignore him . "

Once she had explained everything to him , she placed her lips on his and gave him a deep kiss to which Walter responded to , their lips seemed locked together for what seemed an eternity. Although it was only a couple of minutes , once the kiss was broken , she asked what he had been up to .

" I have been checking out offices to rent , that suit our needs . "

" Have you had any luck ? " Paige asked as she gently stroked his cheek with the tip of her fingers .

" Yes . " He spluttered . Which caused Paige to giggle as she moved her hand from his cheek .

Walter took a deep breath , to calm himself before speaking . " I have found four that might be suitable and have booked appointments to view them . "

" When is the first appointment ? " Paige asked a little joy in her voice .

" 4.00pm today . "

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Grykon Thank you , hope you enjoyed your chilli dogs .

Pearliegirl thank you

DaToad loved that game whack a mole , never seen the movie as it is not the sort I enjoy . Toby is in for a lot more trouble in later chapters .