A/N: Set prior to Waige coupling, but not specific timeline. But I refuse to acknowledge Tim's existence in this story or anything to do with the magic of Christmas. So maybe an AU of S3 Xmas? Where Tim fell off a cliff or never made it through that military surgery or something. Just give me this gift. Please.
Okay! Just some fluff. Secrets Ch 13 coming to a device near you soon!
Xoxo.
--
Walter stood just outside the trailer, sorting through a few scattered tools, trying to look inconspicuous, tuned into the low murmur of Paige's voice, and truthfully, eavesdropping. She'd stepped inside to take a call, her tone tense and frustrated, and he had immediately grown concerned. She had seemed upset all day, but had made it clear it was not anything she'd be discussing.
"I just don't understand…" She said, her voice tight. "Isn't there any way to expedite this? The funds were stolen, it's not I spent them! This is your bank, I entrust my money to you, and you got hacked. Christmas is in a few days, and I need to make rent too. I've been saving for months for my son's gift. This drained my entire account. What am I supposed to do?"
Walter's fingers stilled, and he frowned, his mind racing. Paige's account had been hacked, her money stolen, and now she was left struggling right before the holidays. It was no secret that Paige struggled with money. She did okay, she managed fine. Ralph was always taken care of. But, as a single mom, with no help from Drew, she and Ralph relied on her sole income, and she was paying for Ralph's college classes. She went out of her way to ensure that Ralph never felt the strain of her financial situation, that he had the best life she could offer him. He admired her for it.
He could hear the worry in her voice, and as he listened, a surge of protectiveness welled up within him. It was her money, her hard-earned, and frequently at a price of risking her life, savings for her and Ralph, and the thought of her feeling helpless over it, nevermind at the holidays, fueled a determination he couldn't ignore.
"Thank you… I understand. No, I get it. Yeah… I'll figure out… something." She murmured finally, ending the call with a sigh.
Walter slipped away before she could see him, but his mind was already moving. Paige and Ralph deserved a Christmas without worry, and he'd do whatever it took to make that happen.
--
Hours later, the garage was dark, empty except for Walter, who sat in front of his computer, combing through security loopholes and bank records, having successfully hacked into Paige's bank account - which he found great irony in being able to do so immediately after the bank had a breach. When this was all over, he'd be giving her some advice on banks with better security systems, and maybe reaching out to hers to try and secure a job for Scorpion. She hadn't said a word all day about the hack, about being broke for Christmas. To everyone, she was, albeit distracted and not exactly jovial, but otherwise her normal self. She was too proud to ask for help, he'd learned that long ago. And she would never accept an offer of a loan, thinking it as hand out. No, this was the only way. Finally, after hours of work, he traced the original hacker, rerouting the stolen funds, and thensome, which he called the Christmas Interest, back to Paige's account. But he knew the bank's processing time would likely mean the funds wouldn't reach her in time for Christmas, so he didn't stop there. If she couldn't use the money, he'd find another way.
Walter pulled out his company credit card and searched for Ralph's dream 3D printer, the one Ralph had been excitedly describing to Paige nonstop for weeks, which had been driving her crazy. He ordered the best model he could get, along with every accessory and supplies, certain that Ralph's joy would be worth every penny. Checking that box to pay for expedited shipping, it would arrive just in time.
Then he paused, remembering the gift he had finally managed to track down after months of work, picking it up just a few days prior, and smiled, pulling it from his desk drawer. Paige had mentioned briefly in passing nearly a year ago, a story from her childhood, her voice unusually subdued. She had told him how her father had read her Treasure Island as a child, how it was her favorite book and memory, how he had given her an original copy of the book as a gift, inscribed with a message from him inside the cover, for her sixteenth birthday.. She'd mentioned, almost offhandedly, how that book had accidentally ended up in a donation box during a rushed move. The regret had been clear in her voice, but she hadn't dwelled on it. But, a plan had taken shape in Walter's mind. He spent nearly a year tracking down that very book, scouring online listings, the dark web, even going to obscure antique shops, determined to find the exact copy. Finally, he had found it - the rare copy was in pristine condition, her father's handwriting exactly as she had described. It had cost a pretty penny, but again, her joy was worth any expense.
He would see to it that they had a magical Christmas.
--
On Christmas morning, Paige sat on her couch, sipping her coffee from her 'World's Best Mom' mug, feeling very 'World's Worst Mom', a melancholy smile across her face as Ralph opened his small stack of gifts. She'd been relieved to learn the bank had finally restored her account balance the night before, even doubling the amount lost, though she had no idea why. But the funds wouldn't be available until after Christmas, which meant she couldn't buy Ralph's dream gift or even a few extras. Despite her efforts to keep her spirits up, she felt the ache of disappointment, a sense that she'd somehow let Ralph down. He'd been very understanding, and grateful for her efforts, but she could see his own hint of carefully hidden disappointment. It broke her heart.
A soft knock on the door startled them both, breaking her from her reverie.
Ralph was at the door in a heartbeat, his eyes wide with excitement as he opened it. Paige followed, surprised to find not a person, but an extremely large, beautifully wrapped box with Ralph's name, and a smaller one beside it with hers on the doorstep.
"There's a card!" Ralph announced as Paige looked around for who could have left the packages, finding no one in sight. With a confused nod to him, he pulled the card from the envelope, typed and generic. "Here."
"Some wishes are too precious to be left to chance. This year, Santa wanted to make sure your Christmas morning was as magical as the ones you create for everyone else. For the mother who inspires dreams, and the son who brings joy to the world. Merry Christmas."
"Who's it from?" Ralph asked, peeking over her arm at the card.
"It doesn't say… not really. I guess… Santa…" Her eyes were wide as she again searched eagerly for anyone to no avail, wracking her mind for who it could have been.
They hauled the boxes inside, and with her nod of approval, Ralph eagerly tore into the bigger one. Paige's breath caught as layers of wrapping gave way to reveal the high-tech 3D printer Ralph had been dreaming of, with every imaginable upgrade included.
"WOAH! Oh my gosh, Mom! Look, it's exactly the one I wanted! Look at this! It has everything!!!!" Ralph was grinning from ear to ear, his fingers exploring every part of the machine. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!" He hugged her so tight, and she, stunned, just shook her head. She had priced the equipment out, what was sitting now in her living room was easily six thousand dollars. Her head was spinning. She hugged him back, but stuttered as she responded.
"Yeah, bud, this… this was not from me hunny. I uh, I… I can't take the credit on this." Paige gave him a teary smile, brushing away the emotion that threatened to spill over, suddenly realizing what all those parents in the Christmas movies felt on Christmas movie when the long sought after, but impossible to find, gift mysteriously showed up under the tree on Christmas morning. It was a Christmas miracle. "Maybe… maybe Santa really did get your letter, honey."
"This is the best Christmas ever!" His grin was so wide, his small frame practically bouncing with excitement. "Mom, open yours!!"
She turned to the smaller box, curiosity mixed with extreme confusion. She carefully unwrapped it, revealing an old, familiar hardcover with a faded cover and slightly worn edges. Her heart leapt as she ran her fingers over the title, a gasp escaping her lips.
"Oh my God."
It was the book her father had read to her, the one she'd lost so many years ago, certain she would never again see it. She opened it slowly, her fingers trembling, and found, on the inside cover, her father's handwriting. Her face turned up in overwhelming emotion as her fingers ran over the words.
My fearless Paige,
May you always seek adventure and treasure the journey as much as the destination. Remember, bravery is not the absence of fear but the courage to sail forward, no matter the storm. Keep your heart true, your spirit unbreakable, and know that you are my greatest treasure of all.
All my love always, Dad
A tear slipped down her cheek, her hand pressing to her mouth as she took in the inscription. She couldn't remember ever even mentioning this to anyone, nevermind, giving details, but someone knew, and had gone to great lengths to bring this remarkable part of her past back to her, healing a part of soul in doing so. Paige held the book to her chest, overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness, the love, that had gone into bringing her father's memory back to her.
"You're right, Ralph. This is the best Christmas ever."
Whomever Santa was, had given her the greatest gift they could. Magic. Joy. Memories. The smile on her son's face. The smile that would surely not leave hers for a very long time.
"Merry Christmas, Mom."
"Merry Christmas, Ralph."
A few weeks later, back at the garage, Paige reviewed the latest Scorpion credit card statement, shocked at the balance, certain that account must have also been hacked.
"I think something's wrong with this…" She trailed off, her eyes widening as she saw a charge for a luxury 3D printer, complete with accessories, and then… another charge for a rare book dealer. She froze, realization dawning as she remembered her offhand comment to Walter about accidentally donating the book months what seemed like ages ago.
Slowly looking up, she found Walter across the room, who was tinkering quietly with a circuit board. Her heart swelled, a surge of raw emotion coursing through her, her eyes misting as she took a step forward.
"Walter…" She whispered, her voice soft but clear.
He looked up, meeting her gaze, confusion at first, then seeing the statement in her hand realizing his single point of failure being she handled all their paperwork, he simply met her with an understanding smile. In that moment, she knew, he'd done it all, remembering even the smallest details she and Ralph had shared. Her eyes filled as a tear slipped free, gratitude and something deeper swelling within her.
Walter's expression softened, his quiet loving smile all the answer she needed from him. With a small nod, he turned back to his work, leaving her standing there, heart full and overwhelmed.
He had done it all, without saying a word. Without taking any credit. Unless she counted the nearly ten thousand in credit card expenses. Had listened to her rave about her secret santa for weeks, and had been so excited for her, again with Ralph, even coming over to see the printer and asking Ralph all kinds of questions about it, but never, not once had let on to it being from him. Walter was the definition of selfless. In that moment, she knew. Walter would do anything to make her happy, and would never ask for, or want the recognition for it. A silent sob shaked through her belly and tears slowly cascaded down her cheeks.
"Paige? You okay?" Sylvester asked, worried.
"Hmm?" She shook her head, turning her attention to Sylvester.
"You're crying. Are you okay?"
"Oh, um. Yeah. Sorry, I guess I got swept up in my thoughts."
"What thoughts made you cry?" Sly asked, and Walter briefly looked up, still not wanting the recognition, which filled her with so much love and respect.
"Just uh… thinking about… miracles. Christmas miracles. They really make you rethink things, you know?"