Hey everyone! Thank you for the nice comments it means so much to me. I just want to address a couple of things, I mention a clock tower in this chapter but it is not the one at the Power Plant. It is from the deleted scene in the first TASM. The Bourbon Room is the lounge that Mark opens, I hinted at it in the previous chapter. Also warning: this chapter is a little long. Enjoy!
August 30th 2017:
"So Friday is the big night," Helen paused as her daughter nods while sipping on her water. "How has Mark been?"
"He has been relatively calm about the whole thing. He hasn't actually come and said it yet, but I think the only opinion that matters to him is his father's," Gwen stated.
"Oh, I'm sure he will approve. Ted Thompson maybe a Real Estate mogul, but when it comes to family joining the business, there is none better than him," Helen reassured her daughter.
"I just hope everything runs smoothly. Is Phillip coming with you or is he bringing someone?" Gwen questioned her mom.
"He's coming with me. I wouldn't-
"Look who I found," Mark announces cutting Helen off. At that moment Gwen was face to face with two men, her current boyfriend and the other, the owner of her heart—whom she has spent the last month avoiding. Mixed emotions came with Peter's presences: excitement, pain, bliss, frustration and love, but when she finally meets his eyes, all those emotions drift away as she loses herself in him. "You can sit here," Mark speaks while gesturing to the vacant space next to Helen.
"I told Mark I didn't want to interrupt but he was quite insistent," Peter shyly apologizes.
"It's no problem Peter, we are glad to have you," Helen says with a smile. "How are you?" She asks while patting him on the back.
"I'm doing well. I'm actually on my way back to the Bugle after I get my order," Peter states.
"Can I get you something to drink," a brunette woman asks.
"No, no thank you. I'm just waiting on my to-go order," Peter answers before the waitress nods and leaves to tend another table.
Sitting there—uncomfortably—Gwen realizes for the first time just how different these two men actually are. She didn't see it before but now, looking at both, she does. The man in the well-tailored suit, hair gelled to perfection to her left was more of the serious type— too proud to let vulnerability take over; as if it were a weakness. A guy who would let loose with his friends, but when it was just the two of them, he always seemed guarded. Sure, they would laugh and tease each other but it was never like what she had with the guy sitting across the table who was wearing jeans and a casual button up, with loose gel in his hair. That was the guy who made vulnerability sexy. That was the guy who with one look from his brown doe-eyes, Gwen knew she was loved. That was the guy with one touch, she was gone. That was the guy her heart ached for. Wrapped in her thoughts, it took Gwen a moment to hear her name being called.
"Gwen…babe," Mark attempts to get Gwen's attention before placing a hand to her arm.
"Huh," Gwen raises her eyebrows.
"Shouldn't Peter come to my lounge opening Friday?" Mark asks again, this time when Gwen was actually paying attention.
Gwen's eyes stayed on Mark before she could find a confident voice to answer in, "Yeah," Gwen nods while looking over towards Peter. "You should definitely come," Gwen smiled hoping Peter couldn't see anything different in her eyes.
"See and you should bring Mary Jane. Make a date out of the whole night," Mark voices not knowing at the mention of Mary Jane, Gwen's smile fell flat as she looked anywhere but at Peter, leaving Mrs. Stacy to witness the disappointment.
"Actually we broke up," Peter softly replies.
"Man that's terrible. Sorry, I didn't know," Mark apologizes.
"It's alright," Peter pauses before somberly declaring, "Somethings just don't work out like you'd hoped." Peter glances across the table towards Gwen and he saw the blond raise her head with confusion and a tinge of relief clouding her eyes.
"I wonder where our food is, I'm starving," Helen abruptly says hoping to break the trance her daughter and Peter were under. Noting that Mark was completely oblivious to what was transpiring right before their eyes.
"That's a good question," Mark utters while looking for their waitress.
"I…I should be," Peter glances over his shoulder before continuing, "Going."
"You haven't got your food yet," Mark exclaims.
"Yeah, I—I forgot my camera at my apartment," Peter blurts before looking behind him once more. "It was nice seeing you all," Peter states while getting up from where he was previously sitting.
"Ok.. we'll see you Friday," Mark states as more of a question.
"Yeah," Peter smiles before hastily leaving the others behind.
"He must really need that camera," Mark emphasizes.
"Yeah," Gwen quietly speaks, eyes not leaving Peter until he is out of her sight. Please be safe. Gwen pleads inwardly knowing that he did not forget his camera. God he is a terrible liar…
"I need to take this, excuse me," Mark says while looking at his phone, "Would you all order me another coke please."
After Mark is out of earshot Helen acknowledges with a smile, "Well that was rather awkward."
"I know," Gwen leans forward and begins to rub her face with her hands.
"I thought you two were just friends?" Helen questions.
Gwen opens her hands that covered her face so she could see her mom while defensively asking, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," Helen shakes her head brazenly. "It just seems like you—hold on," Helen raises a hand to Gwen as she pulls at her vibrating phone.
Gwen brings her hands back to her face and lets out an agitated huff. Why did Mark have to invite Peter Friday? Well I guess he wouldn't have if he knew about our past. Gwen was startled out of her thoughts as the waitress returned with their food. She helped with who order what as she was the only one who was free at the moment. As her mom ended the call she noticed a soft look upon her face. "What has that all about?" Gwen asks.
"Oh, it was just City Hall," Helen answered.
"What did they want," Gwen inquired.
"They want to send flowers for George's 5th year anniversary and wanted to know if I would prefer them be sent to the house or to the grave site." Helen softly speaks.
"Oh," Gwen mimics. "What did you tell them?"
"I thought the grave-site would be easier." Gwen remained silent as her mother doctored her food to her liking and then she continued. "You visited recently, was it well kept?"
"Mmhmm," Gwen answers while chewing her food. And then she remembered the single red rose. "Didn't you visit also around the same time?"
"I haven't been since Memorial Day. Why?" Helen asks.
Gwen eyes her mother in confusion and questions, "So you didn't put a red rose by dad's grave?"
"No," Helen shakes her head.
"Huh," Gwen sighs looking off in wonder before deducing and returning to her meal, "Must have been Granny or someone else."
Helen stays quiet staring at Gwen absentmindedly nodding at her unaware daughter, knowing exactly who had put that rose there.
October 23rd 2016:
Helen slowly made her way towards the place where her husband lied without her. It had been four years to the day of his passing and she knew she would never like October 23rd, ever again. Nearing George's grave Helen notices a tall silhouette standing in front of her late husband's grave, Male she concluded. Once she got closer, the silhouette become clearer of whom it was. "Peter?" Helen spoke quietly as to not startle him.
When Peter heard his name coming from behind him, he turned and came face-to-face with the woman whose husband the grave belongs to. "Mrs. Stacy," Peter shyly spoke.
"What are you doing here?" Helen confusedly asked.
"I—I was uh," Peter nervously tried to form a sentence. "I was visiting my uncle and thought I would stop by."
"Oh, that's really nice of you," Helen thanked while walking up to where Peter was standing. Peter smiled back at her trying to hide the embarrassment he felt. "Thank you for stopping by, especially on today."
"Yeah, well, he seemed like a good man," Peter acknowledged.
Helen turned to incredulously look at Peter before remembering, "Do you not remember the night you might him?"
A shy smile formed on Peter's face when he saw the look on Helen's, knowing exactly where Gwen got that same look. "Well Gwen always made him out to be a good man," Peter smiled, causing a light, appreciative laugh from Helen. "Oh, I forgot," Peter shook his head nonchalantly, before bending down to place a single red rose by Captain Stacy's tombstone.
Helen watched in complete astonishment as Peter revealed himself to be the mysterious person who would leave behind a rose. "It's been you leaving the rose?" Helen asked in the same astonishment that was written on her face. "I have wondered for three years who was doing that," She smiled. Then she asked the inevitable, "Why have you been visiting George's grave?"
Peter hesitated before somberly responding, "Gwen and I use to come here and visit with my uncle and Captain Stacy and I know how much it meant to her for her to talk to him. And I know that it bothers her that she can't visit anytime she wants… It would bother me. So I come for her." Peter didn't know what overcame him to be that honest with Mrs. Stacy; especially with her knowing that it was he that ending things with Gwen.
"Does Gwen know that you come here?" Helen quietly asked.
Peter began to shake his head and then looked up to give Mrs. Stacy a verbal answers, "No, and could you please not tell her?"
"I won't," Helen assured. She raised her hand to pat Peter on the back and confessed, "You're a good man too Peter. I'm sure your uncle Ben is very proud of you."
Peter slightly nodded as a silent thank you and stood for a couple of more minutes with Mrs. Stacy before leaving her so she could have time alone with her late husband.
…
September 1st 2017:
The room was dimly lit, filled with mainstream twenty and thirty year-olds to socialites to wall-street businessmen all seeming to be enjoying the Grand Opening of the Bourbon Room in Thompson Towers Hotel. Music flowed through the room as fine liquor flowed through the patrons. Gwen was putting on the "Perfect" girlfriend front for Mark and his Father's business partners when in all actuality; all she wanted to do was enjoy the night with her friends. Glancing around the room Gwen noticed the room was filling up quite nicely and she was proud of what her boyfriend had accomplished but that dissipated as soon she laid eyes on a 5'10", dark haired guy, dressed in a light blue dress shirt and dress pants ordering a drink at the bar. Everything else that was going on around Gwen was now background noise at the sight of Peter Parker—the only person responsible for making her heart race and break at the same time. Gwen had tried to avoid Peter and it worked for about a month, but now, seeing him, she came unglued at his sight. She turned back to the men discussing politics and excused herself.
Gwen made her way to the bar where Peter was sitting and when she was within earshot she announces her presences, "Not on duty tonight?"
Peter swivels on the bar-stool to face the familiar voice, "I'm hoping that's the case."
"I'm sure it will be ok if you take one personal day," Gwen smiled.
"Can I get you a drink?" Peter asks noticing Gwen's empty hand.
Gwen sits on the empty bar-stool next to Peter and unconsciously flirts, "I would say 'I'll have whatever you're having' but I don't think I'm in the mood for a Bourbon and coke."
"I'm just following the suggestion of the bar name," Peter teases.
Gwen laughs while gesturing towards the bartender, "I'll take a white wine please."
"I could have gotten that for you," Peter says.
"I get mine for free though," Gwen smiles hoping she didn't offend Peter.
"I guess dating the owner does come with some perks," Peter spoke before taking a drink. "Hey, I don't want you to think that I'm crashing. I—"
"Oh, I know," Gwen reassuringly nods her head before taking a drink of her wine. "Besides, I'm glad you're here." Peter questions her with a simple look and Gwen realizes what she had just confessed. "I mean if you weren't here I know that you would be out there getting into trouble and now I can keep an eye on you." Peter's eyes widen in a teasing form. "Not that I'm watching you," Gwen nervously tries to backtrack before taking another sip of wine.
"How many wines have you had tonight?" Peter continues to tease Gwen.
Gwen playfully slaps Peter's arm before laughing, "A half." Peter laughs as he takes the slap from Gwen. A comfortable silence fills the gap between the two before Gwen looks back in Peter's direction whose eyes were already focused on the blond. "What?" Gwen shyly asks.
"Nothing," Peter shakes his head earning a look from Gwen. Knowing he was made, Peter confesses, "It just feels like I haven't seen you in a really long time."
"Yeah I know," Gwen breathes.
"You look really beautiful," Peter confidently speaks causing a smile to form on Gwen's face.
"You look nice too," Gwen repeats.
"Yeah?" Peter enthusiastically asks while bringing both hands to dress shirt. Gwen starts to laugh not expecting Peter to react like that—which was typical Peter.
"I take it back," Gwen declares with laughter still in her voice. "Did Aunt May finally teach you how to fix your hair like an adult?" Gwen couldn't resist teasing Peter some more.
Peter scoffs as if he was offended by what Gwen had to say, "I know how to fix hair." Gwen mockingly nods her head. "I fixed my hair back when we dated," Peter defended with his goofy smile.
"You were into more of the windswept look?" Gwen smiled while reaching up to touch Peter's head but he swats her hand away causing a playful laugh to escape.
"Come on-
"Hey," A voice interrupts Gwen and Peter. As Gwen turns around to meet the voice that had disturbed her conversation she locks eyes with Mark.
"Hey," Gwen tries to speak calmly forgetting it wasn't just her and Peter in the room.
"Peter, how's it going?" Mark offers him his hand.
"Good man. This place is great," Peter congratulates.
"Thanks, I put a lot of work in this. Um, do I mind if I steal Gwen for a moment." Mark asks. Peter shakes his head gesturing with his hand that he didn't and Gwen raises herself off of the bar-stool giving Peter a slight smile. Mark Places his arm on Gwen's back and looks back at Peter, "Thanks for coming, let loose and have a good time." Peter nods and takes another sip of his drink unable to take his eyes off of Gwen walking away. Peter's eyes follow the couple to where they meet a couple of older gentlemen and women and Peter is unaware that there is another set of eyes watching his movement.
With Peter's attention still on the couple across the bar, Peter is taken aback when the empty bar-stool next to him becomes occupied. "Mrs. Stacy," Peter greets.
"Hi Peter," Helen smiles back towards the younger man. "I'll take a white wine please," Helen requests from the same bartender as before. "Enjoying yourself?" Helen asks.
"Yeah," Peter shyly nods.
"Good," Helen also nods. "Thank you," Helen says to the bartender after bringing her a new wine. "Gwen looks beautiful tonight doesn't she?" Helen nods towards Gwen's direction.
May 5th 2013:
"Peter stop fidgeting, you look too handsome," Aunt May demanded while waiting on the Stacy door to open.
The door swung open and a mid-height brown head boy answered, "Hi, I think Gwen is almost ready," Howard announced. As he turned around he yelled throughout the apartment, "Peter and Mrs. Parker are here."
Peter shut the door behind him and heard the voice of Mrs. Stacy coming down the hall and pulled Aunt May into a hug. Once seeing Peter shyly entering their living room Helen tilted her head and gave Peter a smile, "Oh, Peter, you look so handsome."
"If he would stop fidgeting he would look a lot better," Aunt May laughed causing a laugh from Helen.
"Gwen should be out anytime. I honestly don't know what she's doing," Helen apologized for her daughters delay.
"Mom, I'm right here," Gwen announced while everyone's head turned towards the pale blond wearing a dusty peach, 1960's era dress with a ladylike silhouette paired with pale makeup and lipstick. At the sound of Gwen's voice, Peter turned and could not take his eyes off of Gwen and couldn't speak, so he just stared at his breathtaking girlfriend. Both focused on each other, neither moved.
"Oh, Gwen, you look absolutely beautiful," Aunt May broadcasted.
"Do you like it?" Gwen shyly asked Peter.
Stepping towards Gwen, Peter stammered, "Gwen, I—you…I mean, yeah."
"Geez Peter, learn to speak," Howard teased from behind.
"Howard," Helen snapped, but earned a smile from Aunt May.
Still unable to take their eyes off of each other Peter cleared his throat, "You look so beautiful." Gwen smiled as Peter leaned in to kiss her cheek.
September 1st 2017:
"Gwen always looks beautiful," Peter answers softly.
"You know, with Gwen back in town you don't have to visit George's grave for her," Helen speaks with a knowing smile. Peter cautiously looks back at Mrs. Stacy causing a light laugh to escape before she confirmed, "Gwen saw a single red rose at his grave and thought it was me."
"D—did you tell her it was me?" Peter asks hesitantly.
"No," Helen shakes her head. "But it does make me curious," Helen pauses trying to gauge Peter's reaction. "Knowing that Gwen is back, why do you continue to visit George's grave?"
"I—I um…" Peter shakes his head and takes the last drink his tumbler had to offer, saying a lot more than he knew.
"You still care for her," Helen acknowledges.
"I will always care about Gwen," Peter vocalizes, while his eyes quietly confirm everything Helen already knew.
Helen nods in understanding while getting off her bar-stool. Before Helen leaves, she places a hand on Peter's shoulder and gives it a light squeeze before admitting, "For what it's worth Peter, I always liked you with Gwen." After Helen walks away, Peter turns back towards the bar and lets the bartender know that he's ready for another drink.
…
Gwen had finally met all the necessary people Mark wanted her to, so it was her time to relax and enjoy the night with her friends. She was enjoying the night until one of her friends unknowingly punches her in the gut—so to speak.
Gwen was in casual conversation with a couple of her friends when Rachel, another friend interrupts, "Hey Gwen, who was that guy you were talking to earlier?"
"Which guy?" Gwen asks.
"The extremely cute guy at the bar," Rachel explains.
Gwen remains quiet knowing exactly who she was referring to. "Parker?" Mark butts in.
"Parker?" Rachel questions with a raised eyebrow looking at Gwen.
"Peter Parker," Mark clarifies.
"Do you know him?" Rachel inquires.
"Yeah, we went to high school together," Gwen speaks indifferently.
"Do you know if he is single?" Rachel asks interested.
"I—I uh, think he has a girlfriend," Gwen nods her head trying to sound convincing.
"What? No he doesn't. Him and Mary Jane broke up," Mark reminded while butting in once more.
"Oh, yeah," Gwen shakes her head as if she forgot.
"Here, I'll introduce you two," Mark says leading Rachel to find Peter while looking back at Gwen with a confused look on his face. Gwen's friends continue back to their conversation but Gwen cannot take her eyes off of the two walking to find Peter. Just when she had found out that Peter was single again one of her friends wanted to snatch him up. Again. A content feeling took over when Gwen realized that Rachel was not the type of girl that Peter would date. But then again Mary Jane wasn't either. Gwen tried to re-enter her friend's conversation but thoughts of Peter and Rachel kept most of her attention.
"Mark you are the best," she heard one of her friends yell and noticed that Mark was back solo with a try of shots. Everyone grabbed a shot and Mark made an obviously drunk toast which made Gwen feel better about him not noticing her slip up earlier.
After everyone fell back into conversation Mark was back at Gwen's side and he slightly pulls her away and asks, "What was that all about?"
"What?" Gwen innocently asks.
"About Parker being single," Mark restates.
"Oh, I just forgot," Gwen covers while waving her hand like no big deal. "Hey, tonight is about celebrating you and having some fun with our friends at your bar."
"My bar," Mark grins while clinking his glass to Gwen's. Gwen finishes her drink and informs Mark that she was going to get another one, which he tries to get it for her but she insist that she can get it. Plus Gwen really wanted to see if Peter and Rachel were hitting it off. Gwen gets to the bar and orders a beer while subtly scanning the area for her friend and Peter. She couldn't find either of them, so she decided it was time for her to get some air. Gwen exits the Bourbon Room and heads towards the elevator. She directs the elevator to the top floor and makes her way onto the sky deck. She was hoping there wouldn't be anyone else out on the deck and at first glance there wasn't. Gwen walks towards the railing, inhales a deep breath before letting it out, looking unto the vastness of New York City and looks to her right to notice a young man about her age staring back at her.
"Hey," the young man says in an inviting tone.
"Hey," Gwen reciprocates. "What are you doing out here?" Gwen asks lightheartedly.
"Just wanted some air," Peter answers before looking back towards the city. Gwen nods in understanding. "Plus, this spot is advertised as the best viewpoint in this part of the city." Peter added with a slight smile.
"Ehh," Gwen utters causally walking towards Peter. "Have you ever seen the view from the Clock Tower?"
A loving smile forms on Peter's face as the memories from those nights flood his mind. "Yeah, a time or two," Peter softly speaks. Gwen returns the smile as she reaches his side and the two fall silent. "I see you switch to beer now," Peter notices.
"I was getting tired of the wine," Gwen answered. "I see you stuck with the bourbon."
"How do you know there's bourbon in here?" Peter teases.
Gwen reaches for Peter's drink and takes a sip. After the bourbon burns the back of her throat she scrunches her face in distaste, "Yeah, that's what I thought."
Peter laughs, "Sorry."
"Are you going to be able to swing home?" Gwen jokes.
"I don't know. Do you need to take my web shooters away?" Peter teases.
"Maybe. You could hit a bird. Or a building," Gwen laughs and Peter couldn't help but join. "Maybe I have had too much drink," Gwen adds still slightly laughing.
"It looked like you were having fun tonight," Peter acknowledges.
"I did. Did you?" Gwen asks.
"I did. I met some nice people," Peter responds.
"Rachel," Gwen asks inwardly kicking herself.
Peter looks at Gwen in confusion before he remembers meeting a girl by that name, "Oh, your friend." Gwen nods to let him know that's who she is talking about. "I mean she was nice but I only spoke to her for about five minutes." Peter declares.
"Oh," Gwen speaks coolly. "So, um…" Gwen pauses before continuing. "About MJ, if that had to do with anything I said…" Gwen says while inwardly swearing to all the alcohol she had that night.
"Oh, no it didn't," Peter shakes his head reassuringly. Then abruptly stops to restate what he had said, "Well it kind of did." Peter realizes that he has Gwen's full attention so he proceeds to explain, "Our talk that night made me realize that I would never love MJ the way she deserves, so I didn't think it was right to continue in a relationship that wasn't going to go anywhere."
"I'm really sorry Peter. I didn't mean for that to happen," Gwen apologizes.
"Gwen," Peter smiles. "Don't worry about it. I'm fine," Peter states. Gwen nods and turns her attention back to the city.
After a couple of moments in silence Gwen could feel Peter's mind working in overdrive. When she turned to look at him, her senses didn't fail her. "Peter what is it?" Gwen asks softly.
Peter tries to play it off, "Nothing." Peter shakes his head with a smile.
"Peter, you know you can tell me anything," Gwen caringly reassures him.
Peter swallows and then turns his attention back towards the city trying to stall so he could gain the confidence he needed. Opting not to look at Gwen, Peter begins in a soft voice, "Gwen, you look so beautiful tonight." An appreciative smile forms on Gwen's pale face as he continues still with averted eyes. "I was watching you tonight and so was everyone else. Gwen, no one could take their eyes off of you. And then it finally hit me, something that has been right in front of me all this time and I didn't realize it until tonight. He's the better guy." Peter then chooses to look at Gwen and in that moment he sees the beautiful Gwen Stacy smile dissolve into a frown that only he can cause. "Mark Thompson is the guy who gets Gwen Stacy, not Peter Parker. You belong at events like this. You belong with a guy who can bring you to events like this. A guy who can provide for you in the ways you need and deserve. He is the better guy."
"Are you done?" Gwen asks annoyed. "Are you done feeling sorry for yourself and making excuses as to why you can't be with me instead of facing the real reason?" Gwen pauses and Peter chooses to stay silent and let Gwen finish. "You're scared. This isn't about the promise—you hide behind that. Truth is, you are scared to be with me."
Peter begins to nod before the words come out of his mouth, "Yeah, I'm scarred. I'm terrified of losing you Gwen."
"But you don't have me Peter," Gwen interjects voice full of seriousness.
Peter agitatedly huffs while rubbing a hand through his hair and turning towards the city. "I love you with my entire being," Peter utters firmly and then looks back to Gwen's eyes that are filled with anger, sadness, and confusion. He continues with a stern tone, "But my fear of losing you is stronger. As much as it kills me to see you with another guy, pales in comparison to not seeing you at all." As the anger in Gwen's eyes softens, so does Peter's voice, "As painful as it would be, I can live in a world where you are married with children, but I could not survive in a world where you didn't exist in."
"What about you Peter?" Gwen whispers trying to keep her voice steady. "You are always worried about me, what about you? You are not invincible; you can get hurt just like me." Gwen swallows trying to rid herself of the knot forming in her throat, "And honestly, I would rather live a few years with the one person I love, than a lifetime with second best or a replacement—because that is what you are asking from me; to live my life with second best. To settle; because everyone is second best after you."
"I'm sorry Gwen. I love you too much to see you get hurt," Peter feigns confidence but self-doubt and sadness seep through. Tears come afloat in Gwen's eyes and Peter's heart shatters once more. Gwen turns away from Peter and brings her hand to her forehead rubbing it gently. Peter can hear the soft cries coming from Gwen and he steps towards her while placing a hand on her shoulder and a broken voice, "Gwen."
Gwen still does not face Peter but she faintly begins to speak in realization, "I can't believe it, I'm jealous of Spiderman."
Peter hesitantly asks, "What do you mean?"
Gwen turns towards Peter with tears running down her face, "Spiderman gets Peter Parker, and I don't."
And in that moment Peter knows that if he gives up being Spiderman right then and there, he could have everything he has wanted since he was seventeen, even before Spiderman—Gwen Stacy forever. But what would that mean for the city or Gwen's safety? He knew that he could never give up Spiderman; it was his responsibility— safety for others over his happiness. Peter tries to blink away the tears before speaking but fails miserably, "Gwen, I can't give up Spiderman."
"And I would never ask you to," Gwen immediately declares. Gwen looks down calming herself and wiping away her tears before speaking. Gwen looks back to Peter's tear stained face and she shakes her head before continuing, "But I can't keep doing this. Every time we are together, I think this is it; this is the moment he decides to be with me. And every time my heart breaks even more. So I just…" Gwen pauses to wipe away fallen tears. "I just can't do it anymore." Peter nods his head in understanding while tears continue to spill out of his brown eyes. Gwen steps forward taking his left hand in hers. She brings it to her lips and kisses it softly and then places it on her heart. She swallows before she speaks gently, "I gave you my whole heart when I was seventeen years old. I have loved you every day since and I will love you every day after. But this is goodbye." Peter stays quiet and Gwen slowly lets go of his hand, taking in one last look before turning to leave.
Peter watches Gwen leave and he doesn't know what overcomes him when he speaks but he is glad it does. "Gwen," Peter calls out. Gwen stops but doesn't turn around because she knows it will be that much harder to leave. Peter repeats in a cry, "Gwen." She inhales deeply and then turns to look at Peter. He solemnly speaks, "If you think that this, letting you go, is easy for me, then you don't know me at all." Gwen gently nods her head a leaves Peter on the Sky Deck.
Gwen races for the elevator and repeatedly pushes the button to call the elevator hoping that no one else had the same idea as her to come look at the view. Once Gwen steps into the empty elevator, she glances upward, hoping to see Peter that he changed his mind and came after her. But all she saw was patterned carpet leading the way to glass doors. Gwen lowered her head and soft cries began to escape her quivering lips. Gwen stopped on the fourth floor knowing that there was a bathroom that she could use in private to clean herself up. She looked once more into her reflection and told herself, this is it. This is the life you have to live now. No more Peter Parker—that was the past. You lost him before and picked yourself up. You can do it again, because this is what he needs—maybe you need this too.
Gwen got back on the elevator and descended towards the lobby to rejoin the party. During the ride Gwen repeatedly told herself you are with Mark. You are with Mark. He is a good man. The doors opened and Gwen took a couple of breaths before stepping out into her new life. As Gwen re-entered the Bourbon Room she peered around the room looking for a familiar face. You are with Mark. Once again repeated in her head and once her eyes locked on him, her heart deceived her. He isn't Peter. Gwen couldn't take it, she had to leave. She had to get out before anyone saw her crumbling. Gwen turned to exit but felt a touch on her arm.
"Gwen?" A boyish voice called out.
Gwen turned to see who had a hold of her and it was her eldest brother Phillip. "Hey," She spoke trying to hide the knot in her throat.
"Where are you going?" Phillip asks in a slight slur.
"I—I um, I'm not feeling well. It's my head," Gwen tries to sound convincing.
"Oh, do you want me to get Mark?" Phillip asks.
"No, no… I'm just going to get a cab and call it a night," Gwen answers.
"Alright, well I'll let Mark know. Be safe and feel better," Phillip brings her sister into an embrace.
"Ok," Gwen manages a faint smile and then walks away not ready to face what lies before her. It was later in the night so the streets of New York weren't as busy as usual. Gwen paid the cab driver, pretty sure he knew something was wrong with her but she didn't care. She headed up to her apartment and changed her clothes opting not to wash her makeup off, knowing her tears probably took care of that. Gwen climbed into bed and tried to sleep off the worse night of her entire life.
Hope you liked it.