31- New Beginnings… chapter thirty-one

Waking in the morning, Walter and Lynn researched the needed paperwork and process for getting married. Walter gathered his naturalization papers, ID, and Lynn had her ID and off to the LA courthouse they went to get married. After the simple ceremony, getting the legal paperwork, Walter took Lynn to a jewelry store. Lynn picked out a simple one caret white diamond engagement ring, Walter picked out simple gold band wedding rings and kissed Lynn as he slid the rings onto the third finger of Lynn's left hand. Lynn kissed Walter when she slipped the gold band onto the third finger of Walter's left hand. From the jewelry store they went to take a walk on the beach, to sit on a rock and talk.

"You know, I don't feel any different. Thought when one got married things change, but I got nothin' here," Lynn said leaning over to kiss Walter. "Feel the same as yesterday and the day before, and the day before all the way back to when I first met you…"

Walter extended his left arm splaying the fingers of his left hand to look at his wedding band. "Well, I may feel more…. responsible, does that count?"

"You know, Walter, we forgot a step in this process."

"Do tell, what have I forgotten? Have all the legal paperwork, have the rings, the ceremony is completed… what is missing?"

"Honeymoon, Walter. You know, when the man takes the woman someplace to be alone…"

"So I, the man need to take you, the woman someplace to be alone…. there is a very nice five star hotel just three blocks from here. That is the first step. You can give me further instructions once there…. shall we go? You know me, always interested in learning new processes, and being a genius, may come up with an improvement or two…"

"Well, I can't call in for time off anymore, will just have to go in. Wonder how long it will take anyone to notice the rings. Should be an interesting experiment to see how long it takes and who notices first," Lynn said turning to Walter just emerging from the shower in the guest bedroom of her townhouse. "So when the remodelers going to start work in the garage?"

"Tomorrow the entire crew will be invading now that the design is done. The floor extended with proper support will be done first of course. Then all the rest- the bathroom enlarged- complete with oversized spa tub and larger double shower just for you, larger modernized kitchen, one larger bedroom, a den and two smaller rooms for future use. I will be there every day- still have things to do, but we will stay here at this place. Look at us, newly married and already have two residences in LA," Walter said drying off. Then grabbed a comb to comb Lynn's hair, "so many colors in your hair. Much more interesting than mine."

"I like your dark curly hair, love, and I like going from one place to the other- will always like the garage, the special Walter place," Lynn said giving Walter a kiss. "I am going to make an appointment to see my primary care doctor about getting off birth control- don't know if after being on for years you can just 'cold turkey' or what. Just think, we may have a little Walter in the oven by this time next year."

"Could be a little Lynn in the making, you know," Walter murmured in her ear putting his arms around her. "A lovely blonde just like you."

"Don't get started with the warm and cuddly that ends up with us back in bed, I REALLY have to get to work," Lynn chuckled. "For an old man, you have no problems getting your motor running…. must be your interplanetary, other worldly origins."

"No, it is just what you do to me."

"Too bad you never got into genetics, Walter- you could work up a formula on what our kidling would be like. My blonde hair with your dark eyes, your dark hair with my blue eyes….. a spitting image of you would be my favorite… wonder if the third eye will be noticed by the medical staff."

"Well, if it is a little Lynn, they will be too mesmerized to notice," Walter said, kissed Lynn on her shoulder and went into the bedroom to dress. "Time is short if you want to get to work on time. I'll call an Uber to get to the garage. Dave will be there at ten for the run to the next data center to scan. Looks like we be back on the work schedule, like it or not."

"I would much rather be warm and cuddly in bed with you, visitor from Arcturus, but bills need to be paid, college funds started, and groceries to need to be bought as man cannot live by coffee alone even though you keep trying to disprove that notion."

Walter was dressed in proper business attire and waiting for Dave who arrived at ten on the dot. "Good morning, Dave. Back on schedule," Walter said, exiting the garage with laptop case in hand turning to set security then get in the car as Dave was holding the door open for him.

Dave shut the door and got in behind the wheel, glanced at Walter in the rearview mirror. "At some point in the last couple days you got married, Walter? Sure hope it is Lynn or I will have to step up my security protocol."

Walter grinned, "you have a sharp eye for detail, Dave. Yes, Lynn is now Mrs. O'Brien- has a nice ring to it doesn't it? She just started back at work and was wondering who if anyone would notice the rings. I dare say you will come in first. What three letter organization were you with before attaching to the Elias Enterprises security department?"

Dave laughed, "the one not discussed. Congratulations on getting married, Walter." And off to the Fullerton data center they went.

Lynn made it to work on time and was clocking in when Joe strolled by.

"Hope you enjoyed your time off, Lynn. We had to bust booty making up for your absence. Matter of fact, I had to write a report so may be on thin ice with the eggheads….. I get fired it will be YOUR fault so hope you feel bad."

"HA!" Lynn said. "Just goes to show I should get a raise being so very valuable to the organization and that others have to work harder to make up when I am gone. So what is on the agenda for today?"

"A different APU than that little screamer we ran some weeks ago. Fortunately NOT a pneumatic start system, so no going deaf this time. Set up is in test cell six. See you in a bit."

Lynn headed to her office, grabbed the coffee pot to take to the water cooler to fill and get her coffee going. Powering up her computer while the brewer gurgled on the shelf behind her, she glanced at the pictures of bandaged animals, cars and the rest on her corkboard wall she mumbled, "I need a picture of Walter….. but not when he was injured. Don't like seeing him injured." The brewer quit gurgling so she turned to pour some in her company cup, turning back around as Sue popped in.

"You have a nice few days off?" Sue asked plopping in a chair. "Do anything fun and interesting or sit at home and fart with the 'Vairs? Should be a race day coming up at some point." Looking at Lynn as she turned back to the desk with coffee cup in hand, Sue's eyes widened. "HOLY SHITSKY, GIRL! WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

Hearing Sue yell, Joe and Tim came running into Lynn's office, "What happened? What's wrong?" They both asked at once.

Sue, one hand on her mouth with the other pointed to Lynn. Both Joe and Tim looked at Lynn then Sue. "What the hell you yelling about?" Joe asked.

"Good grief, you guys BLIND? She has an engagement and WEDDING RING ON!"

Joe turned to Lynn, "You're MARRIED? You take a couple days off and you come back MARRIED?"

Tim looked at the rings and with a big cheesy grin asked, "Who's the lucky bastard? You finally jumped a guy and caught him!"

Sue looked at Lynn, "It's that O'Brien guy, isn't it? Wow, first time and hooked. Took that step, huh, girl?"

Joe looked at Sue, "the egghead beater? THAT O'Brien?"

Lynn just looked from one to the other unable to get a word in until Sue spoke up- "let's hear all about it, give her a chance to tell us."

"Yes, I am now Mrs. Walter O'Brien…."

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Sue squealed.

"GODS Sue, you're worse than a pneumatic starter," Tim said. "Why didn't you let people know? We would have had a party. You always gotta' do things different, Lynn. Oh crap, I am the last, the only one of the crew not married, now….. gods, I feel the four wall closing in on me."

Ben came to the door, "what's going on? Been waiting for you guys in the test cell."

Sue, Tim and Joe all said in unison "Lynn got married!"

"Well, congratulations, Lynn. Who is the lucky guy?"

Joe popped up, "Remember the guy that made the eggheads look like idiots? THAT guy, O'Brien. The booster designer."

"Wow, between the two of you, you gonna' have some pretty smart kids. Gonna' have kids or haven't though that far ahead yet?" He chuckled, "When Annie and I first got married we couldn't keep our hands off each other- woman wore me out I had to come to work to recover."

"Gods, Ben, that is much more information than I ever wanted to know about you," Tim said. "Congratulations, Lynn, but if the married around here are going to start telling stories of married life, I gotta' get out of here- heading to the cell to get stuff started. I am too young to listen to Ben's wedding tales."

"Yeah gotta' get to work, everyone," Joe said. "Lynn, working around the equipment in the cell hooking things up and whatever, be careful with the rings- don't need to lose a finger getting it caught on something not being used to wearing them."

"I got something for you, Lynn, back in a minute," Sue said getting up to go to her office. Meeting Lynn in the hall heading to the test cell Sue handed Lynn a light, stainless chain. "Put your rings on that to hang around your neck while working. Like Joe said, can lose a finger getting hung up on something- know a guy who did- was NOT pretty. One reason why most working in the cells and production don't wear jewelry. I am sure Walter will understand if you forget to put them back on your finger. Who knows, maybe he will like seeing them hanging there," Sue laughed looking at Lynn and waggling her eyebrows. "Anything that brings your man's eye to your chest- yahooooo….." Sue laughed going down the hall seeing Lynn's cheeks get a bit red. "Oh yeah, girl, love seein' you like this- ain't life GRAND?"

End of shift, Lynn, to save Joe's job was in her office writing up the day's test report when Richard came through the door to sit. "Don't let me disturb you, I can wait until you're done and send it off."

Lynn finished up and hit 'send' then sat back in her chair.

Richard smiled, "that's some nice bling you have on there, Lynn. Want to tell me all about it? To be honest, while I thought it would never happen, I am overjoyed to see you obviously happy. Looked like you were in Arizona, but…. well, Walter I find rather difficult to read, especially when he is so focused on an issue like he was, so was not sure it was mutual….. married, huh? So guess it certainly is. Knowing both your back stories, I could not be happier for both of you."

Lynn smiled, "As you are well aware, Walter is quite an unusual personality, but we understand each other, and have what the other lacks- we… compliment each other, and each gives the other the love they need. He is a remarkable man."

"And you are a remarkable woman, Lynn. It is good to see the both of you happy- certainly deserve it. Let me know when the garage remodel is done- the party is on me," Richard said rising.

"Richard, how did you find out?"

Turning at the door, Richard said, "Walter's driver is very observant. Safe drive home, Lynn,"

When Lynn got to the garage, the door was open and she walked in to see Walter working on the software for the data center he had scanned earlier in the day. Walter looked up and smiled when she entered.

"I see you hung your rings so not to get caught on anything at work…. like the look. So who was first to notice?"

Lynn laughed, leaning against Walter's desk next to his chair, "Sue was the first and brought it to the attention of everyone else by squealing like a teakettle. I got the safety talk from Joe about getting rings hung up on equipment and Sue gave me the chain," she suggestively leaned over to give Walter a kiss, "as well as the idea that you seeing them hanging will bring your eye to my chest which she implied is a GOOD thing….. how can that possibly be a good thing, Walter?"

Walter pushed his chair back and she sat on his lap. He fingered the rings then gently slipped his hand to her breast. "Yes, that is a very good thing, indeed." Lynn leaned down to kiss Walter and he wrapped his arms around her, "gods, Lynn, I love you."

"Richard came by my office end of the day. Said congratulations- he said he knew I was happy in Arizona…. but could not read you. That surprised me. Anyway, I asked him how he found out- he said your driver is very observant."

Walter smirked, "observant is putting it mildly. Dave spotted it between me setting security at the door and getting in the car- said he hoped I married you or he would have to step up his security protocols."

"Richard also said to let him know when the garage remodel is done- party will be on him."

"Will be interesting if his opinion of the garage improves with the remodel- he has always carped on this place. Guess a mansion dwelling billionaire just does not appreciate a fine, industrial setting for modern software coding." Walter chuckled. "Speaking of which, give me a few more minutes and this job will be done and boxed up for safe transport. Then decide what you want to do about dinner."

Lynn gave him a kiss, "will see what is available around here or upstairs- surely there is something. I am going to pull the car in as I have absolutely NO desire to go anywhere. Being away from you all day, I now have you all to myself all night."

Walter returned to his security programming while Lynn pulled the convertible into the bay and closed up. She wandered into the kitchen checking the fridge, cabinets then went upstairs to the loft to check out the kitchen up there. She muttered to herself, "looks like we have a couple cans of soup and crackers or order a pizza. The bachelor living Walter did sure makes for sparse eating. We need to stock up both kitchens….. need to eat to keep your energy up, my special old man from Arcturus."

Walter had finished and came up the stairs….. "you muttering about my bachelor living? Shall I prove to you my energy levels are fine?" He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. "Is the young lady unable to keep up with the old man?"

Lynn turned around to look up at him. "Your other world time construct may be a bit difficult for me…. but I will catch up."

"Gods, I am so happy you caught up with me. You want to call in the pizza? Then kick back for a bit til it gets here? Tell me all about your day- Sue popping off like a teakettle."

Lynn got her phone to call in the pizza and sat back on the sofa while telling him of the APU in the test cell but was having a hard time of it with Walter fingering her rings on the chain lying between her breasts especially when he started to unbutton her shirt "Want to see how the diamond sparkles, so need to uncover it more…. to let the light hit the facets," he explained. Course then he had to get a much closer look so unclasped her bra. "Like these bras with the front clasp," he murmured while parting the bra. "Yes, it certainly sparkles and shines little rainbows onto your skin." He said getting a closer look. He glanced up at her watching him in his exploration- her lips parted, breath quickening as he gently cupped one breast as she arched her back with an intake of breath as the phone slipped from her hand and fell onto the floor. He bared her skin more by pushing her shirt open and off her shoulders. "To see your wedding band hanging there when you are so aroused- a picture of beauty that takes my breath away." He put an arm around her back and a hand behind her head and kissed her deeply laying back on the sofa bringing her to lay on his chest. "You fill my senses, Lynn," Walter whispered in her ear.

Five in the morning Walter awoke, Lynn's head on his shoulder, her tangled hair splayed across his chest, arm across his stomach, her leg over his. He smiled looking at her sleep- everywhere she touched him was warm and he chuckled when her as well as his stomach made noises… he thought skipping dinner last night makes for a couple hungry people in the morning…. especially after so much physical exertion during the night.

"What you smiling at, old man?" Lynn asked stretching to lay on her back.

Walter raised himself on an elbow to smile at her. "Have been laying here listening to a chorus of empty stomachs growling. It is early enough to get a shower, go have breakfast at Kovelski's, get back here before the remodelers, and you get to work on time… as long as you do not lead me astray somewhere along the way." He reached to get the rings on the chain that were laying at the base of her neck to bring them around to rest between her breasts. "Yes… I do like the look."