Author's Note:
This story is an extension of the story of Paige's engagement ring that I wrote for 'Weird and Wonderful Ways to be Loved by a Genius' chapter 11. That original story served as the inspiration for what you are currently reading. Some of the story points were introduced in that series, if you haven't read that fic, you may want to go back and do so. While both of those stories occur in what I call the 'Weird and Wonderful universe', I must caution you, dear reader, that in delving more deeply into Aveline's own story, I learned a great deal more about Walter and Megan's Granny, as well as Walter and Megan's early years. So please think about this story as more of a companion to the story of the engagement ring and not a direct continuation. You will find all the seams don't line up exactly, poetic license was taken to tell this story, even from my earlier work.
2016
Sylvester sat at his desk as darkness fell. He was grateful that Cabe had offered him a ride home before realizing he had several new Homeland forms to fill out for their last case. Now Sylvester had missed the last bus to his apartment for the evening, so he had no choice but to wait for Cabe, which was fine with him—several weeks had passed since Megan died. While his pain was not nearly the raw gaping wound that it had been in the hours and days immediately after her passing, his grief was still profound. He hated spending any more time alone in his apartment than absolutely necessary. Even though most of their courtship and marriage had occurred within the confines of the hospital, Megan had visited his apartment often enough that almost every square inch of the small area held some kind of memory of her, her life, and her love for him.
Sylvester appreciated that the rest of the team had gone home for the night so the only occupants of the Garage left were Cabe, himself, and of course, Walter. Walter wouldn't look at him with sympathy like Paige, try to psychoanalyze which stage of grief he was currently in like Toby or just painfully refuse to meet his eyes like Happy. Walter just treated him the way he always had, mostly ignoring him in favor of his work, and for once Sylvester was glad.
Sylvester opened one of his favorite issues of Super Fun Guy, relieved that it was one he had never read to Megan and soon lost himself in the world of superheroes and heroines who could save the world with a joke and foil a villain's nefarious plan with a corny sight gag like a rubber chicken.
He was so engrossed in the cartoon fantasy world, that he nearly jumped out of his skin when a loud crash came from upstairs in Walter's loft. Cabe looked up from his spot at Paige's desk where only moments before, he had been furiously typing trying to fill out the new forms. Cabe and Sylvester exchanged glances and then Cabe raised his eyebrows questioningly when Walter's voice floated down. "Nothing to worry about, just some-some boxes f-fell over." There was something Walter wasn't saying, but Sylvester didn't have the energy to try and figure it out or even to wonder what Walter was actually up to in his loft.
So with a shrug, Sylvester and Cabe went back to their respective tasks. Sylvester had finished the comic book and was now energetically disinfecting his entire pen supply when Walter appeared and dropped a shiny gold Lamborghini logo keychain with a small silver key attached to the younger genius' desk.
Sylvester looked up, startled. "What-What's this?"
"I've been finishing up dealing with Megan's estate, paying final bills, closing old accounts, and I ran across this." Walter picked up the key and toyed with the keychain for a moment before returning it to Sylvester's desktop and continuing. "As you likely already know, Megan and I shared an apartment when we first moved to LA. Then her MS took a turn for the worse and I started Scorpion as an attempt to further supplement our income. I rented the Garage as a workspace, but when Megan needed full-time care and she moved into the facility, there was no logical reason to keep the apartment for me to live in alone. After I moved out my clothes, computers, and the few personal items I owned here to the Garage, I realized that everything left in the apartment was hers. The furniture she had chosen, the kitchen appliances she had used, her clothes and mementos. After she moved out, I had everything boxed up and placed in storage. I tried to insist that Megan keep the key, but she refused. She worried about it getting lost in the shuffle of so many hospital personnel coming and going into her room. I kept it for her, waiting for the day she would move home and want her old belongings again. But now that's not going to happen." Walter paused as if briefly overcome by emotion. He quickly gathered himself and continued. "You should have it now. You are her husband. You should decide what to do with her things. I know you're probably not ready to deal with all of this right now, being sprung on you out of the blue like this, so I've prepaid for the storage unit well into the future."
Sylvester surreptitiously wiped his eyes as his brother spoke. The very thought of going through Megan's belongings made him feel as if he would break out in hives. "I-I don't know when I'll be ready for that, Walter. If ever." Sylvester spoke barely above a whisper.
Walter nodded. "Take your time. I mean it. Take as much time as you need. I mean that literally. I don't care if it's years or decades in the future. There is no time limit for how long I will pay for the storage unit. Just keep the key somewhere safe until you're ready." Without waiting for Sylvester to react, Walter simply turned and went back upstairs into the loft to continue working.
Sylvester picked up the key and rubbed the keychain between his fingers, knowing that it would be quite some time before he would be ready to face all of Megan's worldly belongings.
Author's Note:
The fact that anyone reads my stories at all amazes me. And then when readers take the time to leave reviews and comments, I am humbled and amazed all over again. I want you to know that I read and treasure every single review. FFN makes me sad because the only 'official' way to reply to a review is to PM the reviewer and that feels kind of weird to take a public comment directly to a private message. I know that many writers put answers to their reviewers in the next chapter or next story. I have mixed feelings about that. So what I have chosen to do is to leave a guest review as 'Masikka' addressed to each comment/commenter. If you leave me a comment, I will do my best to reply in a timely manner. If you are ever so inclined, also feel free to PM me and I will answer that as well. Thank you once again for reading, enjoying, and commenting on these stories. You are my Cyclone!