DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Daredevil" or "The Punisher" or any part of the Marvel Universe. I have not published this story for financial gain of any kind. It is written simply for my enjoyment and that of others. Please do not sue me.
Foggy had forgotten how chaotic New York could be. Five years of living in Florida had given him a deep appreciation of personal space.
He adjusted his tie as he waited for the green light. His hand wandered up to smooth his hair and came away empty. Even after half a decade he still expected to feel the blonde mane he had sported for most of his twenties. His first move after arriving in Florida had been to find the nearest barbershop and have all his hair chopped off. It was the final farewell to what had simultaneously been the best and most painful chapter of his life.
The light turned green and he surged to the opposite corner with the rest of the crowd. He paused, seeing a flash of long blonde hair half a block away. It couldn't be. The woman turned. The feelings crashed over him like a wave. She was as beautiful as ever. More beautiful, if it was possible. The woman who had been one of his best friends and had held a piece of his heart since the moment he had clapped eyes on her.
"Karen?" He said gently, trying not to startle her.
Her eyes focused on him, lighting up with recognition.
"Foggy!" She hugged him tightly around the neck.
Memories triggered by her scent flooded back to him, both good and bad.
As she pulled back from their hug his eyes fell to her belly. The small part of his heart that had always held out hope sunk in his chest. She was maybe eight months along. His eyes flickered quickly to her left hand. There was a slim gold band shining brightly on her ring finger.
"You look great!" he said, quickly pushing down the feelings of pain, confusion, and disappointment that welled within his chest.
"Thanks! So do you! I made the fatal error not realizing that I was going to be pregnant in the summer. Nothing worse than the New York heat when you're waddling around, big as a whale!" She motioned at her belly and smiled widely.
You're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, he thought to himself. I hope whoever he is, he tells you everyday.
"And what have you been up to?" she asked.
"Well, I moved to Florida five years ago now," he said. "I opened my own law practice. Litigation, mostly. Personal injury cases, that's sort of thing. I'd had enough defense work to last a lifetime. I have an office in Miami. We have five attorneys, including myself, and four paralegals. I'm hoping to open another office in a couple of years, if things work out."
"Are you married?" she asked.
"Nope," he said. "I just never found the right girl. Not yet, anyway," he laughed, perhaps more enthusiastically than warranted. "And now, with the law firm being so busy, I just don't have time to date anyone. Maybe one day, though. I see that you got hitched," he said, motioning to her left hand.
"I did! Two years ago now."
"Good guy?"
"The best," she said, her voice going soft.
"How did you two meet?" he asked, hoping his emotions weren't writ large across his face.
"The old story. We were friends at first. For a long time, actually. He was there for me during a tough time." Foggy didn't have to ask what that tough time was.
"Do you ever see him?" Foggy asked. Neither of them had to clarify who him was.
"Not since…everything." She looked down at the pavement uncomfortably.
"I read all your stories," Foggy said quickly, hoping to change to subject to a less uncomfortable topic.
"Yeah?"
"Of course! Every week! I really liked your last one. Makes me feel like I'm still in the loop about what's new in the city." He smiled brightly.
"Do you ever see him?" Karen asked.
"No. We lost touch after everything, too."
They both looked away, suddenly finding the sights and sounds of the city more interesting than meeting each others' gaze.
"Boy or girl?" Foggy finally said, grasping at an attempt at less painful conversation.
"Boy," she said, smiling and absently stroking her belly.
"Got any names picked out?"
She hesitated. "Yes. He's going to be named after my husband."
Foggy smiled at her expectantly. Karen's hand curled protectively over her stomach.
"Frank," she said after a beat. "His name is going to be Frank."
The realization hit Foggy over the head like the proverbial ton of bricks.
They stared into each other's eyes for seconds that stretched on and on, feeling like minutes and hours. Neither said anything.
"Congratulations, Karen," he said, softly.
"Thank you, Foggy," she said, a hint of defiance creeping into her voice, her body stiffening into a vaguely defensive posture.
"I mean it," he said. "Really, I do."
Her body relaxed.
"He's good to you?" Foggy asked, searching her face.
"He's never been anything but."
"I'm happy for you," Foggy said.
"Thank you."
Foggy glanced at his watch. "I should get going. Meetings."
"Me too. I have a couple of interviews this afternoon."
They hugged each other.
She turned to go and then hesitated.
"You know," he said, carefully. "In my head, we're always just three kids, standing around a pool table, drinking beers and laughing. That's when it was best. That's when it was good."
She met his gaze, eyes filled with tears.
"Take care of yourself, Foggy."
"Always do!" he said with false cheer, his own eyes filling up and something in his heart cracking right there on the pavement.
"Bye, now."
She turned and waved awkwardly over her shoulder, going in the opposite direction.
He started walking, not really knowing what to do, trying and failing to not get caught up in the what could have beens.
He and his best friend and law partner dressed in tuxedos as they watch the most beautiful woman in the world walk toward them. She is dressed in white, her long blonde hair swept up. Tears fill his eyes as he watches his two favorite people join their lives.
"Uncle Foggy!" A small, brown-haired, blue-eyed boy squeals his name and leaps into his arms.
A candlelit dinner with his two best friends, laughing and talking about their day.
He shook his head to clear the thoughts from his brain. That was all over now. There was nothing to be done about it.
Karen's scent still lingered in his nose.
He straightened up, squared his shoulders, and lost himself in the movement of the crowd.