February 10
Michelle yawned and stretched her arms out as she walked out of her room into the communal area. She rubbed her eyes and plopped down onto a seat. Pepper was pouring cups of coffee and Tony was standing next to Pepper.
"Good Morning, Michelle!" Pepper said, very cheerily.
Michelle narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "Why are you so happy?"
Pepper stopped and pursed her lips and shrugged, "Why can't I just be happy?"
Michelle raised and eyebrow and ran a hand through her hair. Tony turned and looked at Pepper funny, "She's right, you're never this cheery this early in the morning."
Pepper rolled her eyes and grabbed some creamer out of the fridge, "I just got an idea about the accords last night," she shrugged, "just excited to work on it I guess."
May walked in, and sighed. Her hair was wet just from a shower and she muttered a soft hello to everyone as she grabbed one of the cups of coffee that Pepper was preparing. May sat down next to Michelle and smiled at her, "You're up early."
MJ shrugged, glancing at Tony who was sipping on his coffee, "I couldn't sleep last night."
"Do you want some coffee?" Pepper asked, holding up a mug, "We have a lot of work to do today."
"She wishes she could," Tony muttered. MJ gave him a sharp glare and Tony choked on his drink. Everyone's attention gathered to Tony. Michelle ran a hand down her face in exhaustion.
"S-Sorry, can I have another cup?" Tony spluttered, trying to keep his shit together.
Pepper furrowed her brows in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"I mean - um - I wish I could, you know, have another cup of coffee. Which I can - am!" Tony grinned sheepishly, grabbing the coffee pot from a confused Pepper, "You know, I can. It is possible for me to have coffee."
MJ frowned, clearly unimpressed. May was giving Tony a weird look and Pepper asked "You're sweating. Are you okay?"
Tony gulped with wide eyes, "Yeah, Yeah I am good!" He leaned against the wall, trying to look nonchalant.
"Why can't MJ have coffee?" Pepper asked, crossing her arms. Her gaze traveled between Tony and Michelle.
"Um-" Tony started, biting his lips, "Because coffee is very bad for you. And Michelle has been trying to become healthier. You know, for her health. And life longevity. Cause she eats so crappy. No other reason. No other reason at all." He took a big gulp of his coffee and smiled nervously.
MJ blinked and sighed, turning to Tony, "Okay, get out."
Tony breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh thank god." He set down his coffee mug and raced out of the room, but not before giving Michelle a shit-eating grin, "Have fun!"
Pepper furrowed her brows and watched Tony leave the room. She turned to Michelle and May and looked at them with a confused look, "Why is he acting so weird?"
MJ smiled sheepishly, "I have something to tell you guys."
Pepper narrowed her eyes in confusion. She walked over to the table where May and Michelle were sitting and sat down. "Okay..." Pepper said, confusion evident in her voice.
"I ... um," MJ scratched her neck, "I was going to tell you guys sooner but time kinda escaped me and then Tony and I were fighting so I just-"
"What is it?" May asked calmly, eyes fixed on Michelle.
Michelle blinked. She bit her lip, "I'm-I'm um ... I'm..."
"Pregnant." May finished for her. She smiled and gave Michelle a knowing look.
MJ blinked, shocked. Her eyes narrowed and brows furrowed in confusion, "You knew?"
May shrugged, "I started suspecting it last week."
Pepper's eyes were wide and she was gaping, "What!?" Her eyes shifted to Michelle, "You're pregnant!?"
MJ nodded and bit her lips, "Yeah..."
Pepper's mouth was still gaping open, "Are you serious? What the fuck?"
Michelle sighed and rubbed her face with her hands. "I know... I know." She turned to May, "How did you figure it out?"
May smiled, "You were washing the dishes the other day and got your sweatshirt wet. It stuck to your stomach and I connected the dots. I think sometimes you guys forget that I'm a nurse."
Pepper was still gaping. "Take off the sweatshirt," She turned to face MJ, "I don't believe you."
Michelle scowled, "You think I'd joke about this?"
Pepper shook her head, "No ... I just" She pursed her lips and then stated bluntly "... I don't believe you." She pointed a figure at MJ, "Take your sweatshirt off."
MJ gave her an 'Are you kidding me look' and Pepper raised her eyebrows in expectancy, "I'm waiting."
Michelle rolled her eyes and sighed. She took her sweatshirt off and sighed, throwing it on the couch, "At least I don't have to wear that thing anymore."
May and Michelle's eyes both traveled down to the swell in Michelle's stomach. She wasn't huge, but she wasn't tiny either. Her stomach was slightly protruding but you could definitely tell when she was wearing a standard T-shirt.
May looked back up to Michelle, "How far along are you?"
MJ frowned, "25 weeks."
This time, May was surprised. Pepper sputtered around, not believing her eyes. "25 weeks?!" May stuttered, "You're so tiny? Have you been eating? Oh my god Michelle!"
Michelle rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "I'm not stupid! I've been taking prenatal vitamins." She shrugged, "I've just always been small."
Pepper's eyes still hadn't left Michelle's torso, her eyes still wide. May sighed and turned to Pepper, "We should call Doctor Cho."
Pepper's eyes left Michelle's figure and traveled to May, "Yeah, I can get her to come by today."
Michelle blinked, "She's an OBGYN? I thought she worked with genetics and other stuff."
Pepper shrugged, "She was my OBGYN when I was pregnant with Morgan. Plus she's the avengers doctor and knows all of us already."
MJ pursed her lips and hummed in agreement. A smile returned to May's face and she patted Michelle's shoulder affectionately, "I'm happy for you."
Michelle raised an eyebrow, shocked, and said, "Really?"
May nodded, her eyes twinkling. "How did Peter react? You have to tell me everything."
. . .
King T'Challa walked beside Okoye. The two were in the outskirts of Wakanda in the valley. Out in the distance, T'Challa could make out a small house and farm. It was a nice day. The sun was out and there were only a few clouds in the sky. T'Challa never got out to explore the valley often.
Steve Rogers sat on the small stone porch of the house. He watched, unimpressed, while Bucky and Sam were arguing and yelling at each other. It was Sam's turn to help Bucky feed his goats and Steve regretted ever making Sam do anything with Bucky. Whenever you put the two together they yapped and prodded at each other until either Natasha or Steve snapped at one of them.
"God this goat is so dumb! Move, goat, move!" Sam yelled, prodding the goat with his stick.
Bucky rolled his eyes, "Don't hurt Sam."
Sam froze, "What?" He turned to Bucky, "Did you name your goat after me!?"
Bucky shrugged, a shit eating grin on his face, "His names Sam. Y'know, 'cause he's dumb just like you."
Sam gaped at Bucky, "You are intolerable!"
Then, Steve shut them out of his awareness. Steve rolled his eyes at their constant bantering. A warm smooth hand patted his shoulder. He turned to see Natasha grinning down at him slightly.
"Are they still going at each other?" Natasha asked, staring at the two.
Steve sighed, "When aren't they ever."
Natasha rolled her eyes. Her eyes glanced around the valley and her eyes rested on T'Challa and Okoye walking nearer and nearer to them. She straightened up and patted Steve again, "Steve."
Steve's eyes shot to T'Challa and Okoye and stood up, on alert, just like Natasha. The two walked down from the house. They passed Bucky and Sam.
"Sam, Bucky." Natasha said, snapping the two out of their world. She gave them a look and the two stopped playing around. Sam nudged Bucky and Bucky kicked Sam. Steve gave them a glare and the two straightened up.
"T'Challa," Steve said, smiling.
T'Challa smiled as he and Okeye stood in front of the rogue Avengers. Okoye's glare was hard and demeaning as she gazed over the men. She smiled slightly at Natasha and Natasha smiled back. Natasha was one of the only people Okoye would be friendly to.
T'Challa cleared his throat, "I got notified of an unknown weapon dealer who had acquired some Wakanda Vibranium. While searching the base, I came across a young man. He hasn't woken up and Shuri is examining him, but I am sure he is American."
Sam muttered, "Do you think we're gonna know every white person?"
Okoye growled and gave Sam a glare. Natasha spun around and kicked Sam's ankle. Sam rolled his eyes.
Steve narrowed his eyes in confusion, "Do you think he's enhanced?"
T'Challa shrugged, his voice sounding unsure, "I'm not sure yet, but Shuri is running tests on him. I was just wondering if you all would come in and see, just in case he strikes one of you familiar."
Natasha nodded, "We can do that." She turned to Bucky, "Are you coming?"
Bucky shrunk, clearly uncomfortable, "I think I'll just stay here."
The group nodded understandingly in Bucky's direction and the group started walking back with T'Challa and Okoye. They boarded their transport vehicle and in no time Natasha, Steve, and Sam were in the city of Wakanda.
T'Challa and Okoye led them into the royal building and up to the medical ward.
"What happened with the base?" Steve asked.
T'Challa glanced at Steve and smirked, "Gone. They weren't even prepared."
"Any chance it's HYDRA?" Sam asked, chiming in.
T'Challa shook his head, "Too amateur. HYDRA would have been more secretive."
As the elevator door opened it revealed Shuri typing away on her computer. Her eyebrows were furrowed and her tongue stuck out a little in concentration. Her concentration face reminded Steve of Tony when he would be trying to figure something out.
The group walked towards Shuri and Shuri stopped typing away. She faced the Avengers and smiled, "Ahh my favorite Criminal Avengers! Nice to see you all."
"Shuri," T'Challa grumbled "Do not be rude."
Steve waved him off and smiled at Shuri. Shuri smiled back, ignoring her brothers glaring look and cleared her throat. "The guys in there," she waved to the room and the one sided glass, "I've ran some blood tests and it's nothing like I've ever seen before."
Steve's eyebrows furrowed, "What do you mean?"
Shuri licked her lips, "His DNA is only half human. And there were countless serums in his blood. I honestly think it's a miracle he's still alive."
Natasha's raised an eyebrow out of curiosity. Steve watched as she shuffled past the group and up to the one sided glass. Her eyebrows furrowed and she stared at the glass for a few moments before her mouth stood agape and she struggled to get words out. She blinked rapidly and shook her head.
"Nat?" Steve asked, concern laced in his voice.
Natasha shook her head and stuttered, "O-Oh my god." Natasha rarely struggled and the group was shocked to see her so confused and unsure.
Steve made his way over to Natasha. Natasha kept on staring out at the young man in the room. He was unconscious on the bed and multiple wires were going in and out of his body. "What is it?"
Natasha shook her head again, but unable to rip her eyes of the man. "It's Peter." Her voice was quiet. "How could this have happened?"
"Um," Sam quipped up, "Who's Peter?"
Natasha faced the others, a look of pure shock on her face, "Peter Parker. He's Spider man."
. . .
MJ chewed on her lips, "You guys don't have to be here. Like, I can do this alone."
May shook her head vehemently, "Why would I not want to be here? Babies are beautiful."
Michelle furrowed her brows and scowled.
Pepper shrugged, crossing her legs and leaning back in the chair smiling slightly, "I kinda want another baby, but I don't want to be pregnant again, or have to deal with sleepless nights or diaper changes. Plus, babies throw up everywhere and I'm just too busy for that. I just want to have a part-time baby, like one that I can cuddle with and then give away."
May gave Pepper a harsh look and Michelle frowned and narrowed her eyes, "You're really making me feel so good about this. You're comforting skills are out of this world."
Pepper had a shit eating grin on her face and May rolled her eyes and turned towards Michelle. "Pepper's joking." Michelle tried to smile but it came out as a painful grin. May took Michelle's hand, "We're all here for you, trust me, you're not alone."
Michelle sighed, "Thanks ..." She felt tears start to prickle at her eyes and Michelle looked away from May. Deep down, MJ did really appreciate that May and Pepper were there for her. Hell, even Tony was there for her, something she didn't think she'd be saying ever in her life. But the only person she really wanted to be there with her was Peter. He loved going to the ultrasounds back in San Francisco. He'd ask questions and always have a boastful and proud look on his face every time the OBGYN would say something dumb like "strong heartbeat" or "10 toes and 10 fingers". Peter loved every second of it and he kept all the sonogram pictures in his wallet and taped them all around the apartment since they couldn't afford actual frames. One time she even found a sonogram picture in the fridge but Michelle didn't have the heart to move it.
He was just so damn excited.
In contrast, Michelle dreaded the ultrasound appointments. The only reason she was able to stand them was because Peter was there and he would hold her hand and he did all the talking while Michelle would just lay there, uncomfortable, with her nerves and anxiety basically seeping out of her pores.
The door opened to the medical room, pulling Michelle out of her thoughts. Helen Cho walked through the door and smiled at the three ladies in the room. She set down her bag, "Sorry I'm late." She turned towards Michelle. MJ bit her lip, trying to cover up her nerves and tried to smile at Helen but it came out more like a grimace. "Michelle," Helen said, smiling, "I haven't seen you in a while."
MJ blinked, "Yeah well ... I've been gone." She had met Helen Cho the various times when Peter would get shot or stabbed or some other dumb stuff he got into. Michelle would always watch as Helen stitched him up. To sum things up, Michelle already knew Helen Cho pretty well because of her dumb ass boyfriend always getting into messes. Michelle cleared her throat, "I didn't know you did this kind of stuff," gesturing to her stomach and the sonogram machine.
Helen shrugged and grinned, "When I was doing my residency I thought I was going to become an OBGYN."
Michelle raised an eyebrow, "But?"
Helen sat down, "I just really like genetics. But believe me, Michelle, I'm very good."
"Yes she is," Pepper chimed in, "She was my OBGYN with Morgan, and he turned out perfect sooo..."
Michelle looked down at Pepper smugly, "Is he though?"
Pepper narrowed her eyes at Michelle, "Careful with what you say."
May rolled her eyes and ran a hand over her face, "Can we focus?"
Helen chuckled and Michelle rolled her eyes. Michelle laid down on the exam table and put her shirt up to reveal her stomach. "Let's get this over with." MJ sighed, grumbling slightly.
Helen turned on the sonogram machine and it started up instantly. She squirted some of the goo on Michelle's stomach and MJ winced from the cool shock of it. May and Pepper were chatting casually with Helen but Michelle ignored them. She was just trying to make it through this appointment without having a breakdown.
A few moments later the gentle but fast thwip thwip thwip of the babies heartbeat filled the room and Michelle watched as both Pepper and May stood up and stared at the screen both going awww.
Michelle reluctantly looked at the screen to reveal the clear black and white outline of a baby. Michelle blinked, emotionless.
Helen smiled, "Everything looks good. Heartbeat is very strong and fast. The baby's just a little small for 25 weeks but it's nothing to be worried about," she looked at Michelle, "just make sure to eat lot."
Michelle nodded, still staring at the sonogram screen in silence.
"Do you want some pictures?" Helen asked, glancing at Michelle. Michelle didn't respond. Her throat was dry and her voice was caught in her throat. "Uh-"
"I'll take them," May said, grinning. She grabbed the photos from Helen and gazed at them for a moment before placing them in her pockets.
Helen turned the sonogram machine off and Michelle sat up, staring aimlessly into the air.
Helen stood up and clapped her hands, "Ok, everything looks good!" She grinned, "I'll see you next week."
"Woah woah woah!" Michelle said, finally waking up out of her trance, "Next week? Isn't that a little early?"
Helen shrugged, "Better be safe than sorry. We're in uncharted territories."
May and Pepper glanced at each other. "In what way?" May asked.
"Peter's DNA is manipulated. And therefore, so is the babies DNA." She said, motioning to Michelle. "Basically, the baby is part spider."
Michelle put her face in her hands, "Don't ever say that again. Do not remind me that I'm having a spider baby."
Helen shrugged, "It's kinda cool."
Michelle gave her a look, "Cool? Cool!?"
Pepper stood up and patted Michelle's hand to calm her down, "We'll see you next week. Thanks, Helen!"
Helen nodded and closed the door behind her.
Michelle looked up at Pepper and May with a look of desperation. "In no way is it cool to have a spider baby! No way! What if it has 8 legs."
May rolled her eyes, "That's not possible."
Michelle still had an annoyed look on her face, "I'm killing Peter and that god damn radioactive spider."
Pepper shot Michelle a reluctant glance, "I'm pretty sure the spiders dead, MJ."
MJ shook her head and clenched her fists, "I'll kill it again."
Pepper and May shot each other a look with both wide eyes.
. . .
Michelle followed Pepper out in the communal area. They were going over the accords, trying to find modifications. Michelle was staring at the paper in concentration while walking before she stopped when a smell wafted through the air to her.
Michelle furrowed her brows and looked up from the paper. Her eyes settled on a plastic bag where the smell was coming from. The bag had the words "Del Mars Deli" on it and Michelle smiled. She walked over to the bag and looked inside it to see her favorite sandwich.
She looked up to see Tony Stark grabbing a cup of coffee. Pepper looked from the bag to Tony and smiled. She sat on the couch and started inspecting the paper again. Michelle licked her lips and turned to Tony, "Did you drive all the way down to Queens to get me a sandwich?"
Tony pursed his lips and took a drink of his coffee, "It's not for you, it's for the baby." He walked out of the room towards the lab smugly and Michelle shook her head chuckling, trying to imagine Tony Stark with his red Ferrari buying a sandwich from the deli.
