Being in a relationship with Spider-Man was definitely unlike anything I had ever experienced. It had only been five months since we started dating, but it felt like no time at all. I loved that Peter was Spider-Man, even though the constant worry for his safety definitely had me drinking a bit more.

Thankfully my cast was taken off and my arm was completely healed. It took a bit longer to heal my paranoia that the Rhino was going to come crashing through the wall next to me, but visits to a local therapist and John Jameson helped tremendously.

John was slowly becoming one of my very best friends. The shared trauma we experienced made him easy to talk to and his dry sense of humor matched mine perfectly. I felt as safe with him as I did with Peter. Unfortunately though, John was currently orbiting the earth on a scientific mission, making it impossible to talk to him. He was due back in a few days and I was looking forward to his return.

One day when the air was finally starting to feel like something resembling a summer (I was still used to the heat of the California Sacramento Valley), Peter asked me to come with him to a graveyard before going to his aunt's house for dinner. I wasn't too sure about the idea, but agreed nonetheless. I had a feeling I knew who we were visiting. The fact that he asked me to accompany him meant he was willing to open up even more, something I still craved in our relationship.

I followed his lead through the graveyard, holding his hand in what I hoped was a comforting way and adjusting my hold on the bouquet I bought in my other. My stomach twisted uncomfortably, nervous about "meeting" someone who had been so close to Peter.

Eventually, he stopped in his tracks. I looked down and read the name "Gwen Stacy" on the tombstone we stood in front of. I turned to look at Peter, whose face was carefully blank as he stared down at the name. I waited for him to speak, but when he didn't I detached my hand from his, bent down and placed the white lilies on her grave.

"Hey Gwen," I started softly. I looked back at Peter who was gazing at me with confusion and wonder. I turned back to the tombstone. "My name is Emily. I'm Peter's new girlfriend." I hesitated before continuing. "I know this is probably weird, but I feel like I knew you with how much everyone talks about you. They all miss you so much. I wish I had been able to meet you properly.

"I just wanted you to know that Peter is okay. And I will take care of him and make sure he stays that way, I promise. I will never be able to replace you, but I hope I can deserve him like you did." I placed a kiss on my fingertips and touched her gravestone gently. I was about to stand when I saw Peter's hand extended to me out of the corner of my eye. I took it gratefully and he helped me to my feet.

Once I was upright, Peter enveloped me in a tight hug. No words were spoken, but his meaning was clear. He was thanking me for saying something when he couldn't find the words. I rubbed his neck softly, kissing his cheek before leaning back. I smiled encouragingly and he nodded. Slowly, he too knelt in front of the cold gravestone.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, almost too quietly for me to hear. "I miss you." He stayed motionless for a few moments.

"Do you want some time?" I whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder. He reached up and held my hand.

"No," he said finally. "I need you here." My heart warmed at his words and I nodded, even though his back was to me. After a few more minutes, he stood. I gave him another quick hug before he stood back. "There's one more place I want to show you." I had a feeling I knew where he was talking about.

Sure enough, after winding through the graves carefully, we arrived at a modest stone slab in the earth upon which the name "Benjamin Parker" was carved. We stood before it, hands entwined.

"He would have liked you," Peter said suddenly. I turned to him.

"You really think so?" I said, a small smile on my face. He chuckled.

"I do," he said. I playfully tossed my hair over my shoulder.

"Well what's not to like?" I joked, giving him a wink. Peter laughed appreciatively.

"Thanks for this, Em," He said after another moment. "Usually I'm alone when I come here. It's nice to have someone helping me." I squeezed his hand softly.

"I'm always here when you need me, Pete," I responded. He turned his head to me, his eyes misty. He nodded but stayed silent, his gaze straying back to the tombstone. I stroked his hand with my thumb. "I'll give you a minute. Remember we have to go to Aunt May's for dinner," I reminded gently. He nodded again and I meandered my way to a nearby tree.

I took the moment of solitude to try and comprehend what had just happened. This was a huge step in our relationship, even more so than meeting his aunt. I chuckled at the thought of our first encounter.

I had been writing in my apartment, my cat Pumpkin sleeping on my lap and my laptop perched precariously on the coffee table in front of me. I was nodding my head softly to the music I had playing in the background. Suddenly, I heard a thump from my fire escape balcony. I jumped slightly. Pumpkin however, had a much more violent reaction. His claws flew out from his paws, grabbing through my sweats and into my skin before leaping off my legs. I gasped in pain.

"God dammit, Pumpkin!" I muttered, rubbing the spot roughly.

"You okay, sweetheart?"

His voice startled me, but only slightly. I had had an inkling of what the loud crash was on my fire escape. I looked up to see an upside down Spider-Man head gazing at me through the open window.

Chuckling and looking back to my work, I said, "You know I have a front door." I heard a lighter thump as he twisted himself right side up and let go of my wall.

"That's not nearly as much fun, though!" Peter said, ripping off his mask as he made his way into my apartment. He gave me a gentle kiss on the top of my head when he reached me. "Hey, your cast is off!" He exclaimed. I instinctively looked at my left arm.

"Oh yeah!" I responded equally as excited. "I'm sorry, I was going to text you but I got caught up with my article." He rolled his eyes, but I could see the laughter in them.

"You're such a workaholic," he said, kissing my cheek. I gave a hoot of laughter.

"You're one to talk!"

Peter took my laptop from me and placed it carefully on the table. Turning back to me, he cupped my face in his hands and kissed me. I hummed in contentment and wrapped my arms around his neck. Before I had a chance to really get going, he pulled away. I frowned but allowed him to leave my embrace and sit next to me. His expression was nervous now.

"What's up, Pete?" I asked. He shifted slightly.

"I want you to come to dinner with me," he mumbled. I laughed, confused.

"Okay," I said immediately. "Why are you so nervous, we've had dinner plenty of times!" He finally met my eyes.

"I want you to come with me to Aunt May's for dinner," he clarified. I sat in stunned silence. I had not expected this. We had been dating about two months and while had spoken of his aunt many times, he had never given me any sort of inclination that he wanted me to meet her. I hadn't asked either. I knew he was nervous about being in a serious relationship after what happened with Gwen and I didn't want to push him.

Realizing I still had not given Peter and answer, I quickly said, "Yes! Yes of course!"

He grinned and pressed his lips against mine firmly. I giggled and pushed him away gently.

"What time do we need to be there?" I asked, leaping to my feet excitedly. I was halfway to my bedroom when Peter answered.

"5 o'clock."

I froze and swiveled on the spot.

"5?!" I screeched. I looked at the clock. It was already 3:45. I hadn't showered, I had no makeup on, I was still in my pajamas, and we were far from Aunt May's part of Queens. Peter turned to me immediately, shocked by outburst.

"Yes?" He responded questioningly.

"I have no time to get ready!" I continued in a panic, rushing into my bedroom and throwing off my shirt. I heard him laugh.

"Em, you look beautiful, you don't have to worry. Just come how you are!" I flew to the doorway of my bedroom in only a bra and sweats, eyebrows raised. His eyes widened comically. "Okay, maybe not just how you are," He croaked, his eyes staring so intently on my bra it was as if he was trying to will it to fall off my body. I rolled my eyes but smiled, ducking back into my bedroom.

Deciding I had no time to shower, I settled for applying a thick layer of dry shampoo on my hair. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do. I heard my tv turn on in the living room and the movie the Princess Bride begin. I smiled. Peter had grown very fond of it since I showed him two months ago. He quoted it often and even made quips when he fought bad guys, (I had happened to be a bystander on one such occasion).

I threw on a dress I had toward the back of my closet, a knitted knee length one with a turtleneck and long sleeves. Considering it was still very cold for me, I also grabbed some leggings and boots along with a hat and scarf. Putting on make-up in record time, I was ready by 4:15.

I quickly came back into the living room to see Peter sitting on the couch and laughing at the movie. I smiled, my heart growing warm. I cleared my throat softly, knowing he would hear it. He turned his head to me. He stared for a few moments before speaking.

"You are so gorgeous," Peter murmured. I flushed happily.

"Thanks hun," I said, brushing a piece of hair away from my face. Quickly, I grabbed Peter's arm and pulled him up from the couch. "Come on! We have to get a taxi!" He laughed.

"Come on babe, I can get us there ten times faster." I grimaced.

"I know you could," I conceded. "But you know how I feel about that." Peter cupped my cheek, still grinning.

"I thought you were starting to get over that," he said. I chuckled.

"I am, but I'm already nervous enough meeting your aunt for the first time. Traveling Air Spidey would not be a smart idea for me." He laughed loudly and threw his hands up in defeat.

"Okay, okay!" He made his way to my bedroom. "You still have my spare clothes here?" He called.

"Third drawer down," I responded, taking Peter's seat on the couch. While he was in the other room, I fished through my wallet and pulled out the business card for the taxi service I had used when I first arrived in New York. I couldn't remember the taxi driver's name, but I remembered liking him.

Within a few minutes, he was dressed in a plain shirt and jeans along with some old shoes he left here for such emergencies. I jumped up from the couch and began walking to the door.

"Come on, the taxi will be here soon!" I called over my shoulder.

A light touch on my arm jogged me back to present day. I turned my head to see Peter looking slightly concerned.

"You okay sweetheart?" He asked worriedly. "I was calling you." I chuckled and kissed his cheek.

"Sorry Pete," I said. "I was remembering the first time I met Aunt May." He laughed.

"You were so terrified," he said, reminiscing as well. "It was the most adorable thing I've ever seen." I rolled my eyes and playfully batted his shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah," I said. "Come on, we are going to be late."

Hello everyone! *throws confetti* Welcome back to the adventures of Emily and Peter!

I'm soooo sorry for starting this later than I initially intended! Holidays got the best of me.

As far as updating, I hope to update fairly regularly but because I have school and work I can't promise much. Especially since I'm also going through major writer's block with this story unfortunately. But I'm trying to work through it!

I don't think I will be doing as many pictures, if any this time as well. :( I think it's more important to get the actual story out instead of having you guys wait for pictures that would be subpar anyway. And my computer tablet is on its last leg so it's super annoying to draw with it now. Ugh. I do have some sketches I've done of them so I may be including those when I can.

Anyway, enough of my bitching, hope you guys are all doing we and had a great holiday season!

Much love! ❤️❤️❤️