**A/N: AAHHH! IT'S OVER! Yes, this is the last chapter of 'When He's Needed Most'. It's been fun taking this journey with you and hope you all enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Not gonna lie, there were days when I was pulling my hair out trying to nail down specifics, being that I haven't wrote in so long. Anyway, this chapter is FLUFF personified. Hope you had a light lunch, haha. Just kidding, Enjoy!
Last of my Song Inserts: (I don't think I'll be adding this into any of my upcoming stories, not sure how it flows in with the story. Let me know if you like it or hate it. I can't tell if it confuses people.)
Nat King Cole- The Very Thought of You (Mentioned: You'll see it.)
Electric Light Orchestra- Strangle Magic (Look for the usual *GOTG*)
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Start of A New Chapter
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"There. All done."
"So, can I look now?" Dani repeated for at least the fifteenth time in as many minutes. She carefully rubbed a section of her scalp that she could reach, already developing a monstrous hair pin headache. Not to mention her nose itched but was too terrified to scratch at the irritated skin, terrified at losing a hand by Amelia's doing if she were to smudge anything.
The redhead stood back, appraising Dani with a tight, critical eye. Appearing satisfied, the corner of her mouth lifted in a satisfied grin.
"Damn, I'm good. Yes, you can turn around."
Spinning around at a speed that almost toppled her off the vanity bench, Dani's eyes flew to the mounted mirror. Gasping, her hands flew up to cover her mouth, stunned at the reflection in the looking glass.
"Hey! None of that. You'll mess up your makeup." Amelia snapped, swatting her hands away from her face.
Dani's hair was in a half up, half down style with a thick braid crowning the back of her head. Her fingers delicately traced the intricate bronze stars and moon with pearls hairpins that scattered randomly through her locks. It was magnificent. She couldn't contain the beaming smile as she studied her newly applied makeup. It was a bit heavier than what she normally wore, the dark eyeshadow accentuating her bright green eyes. Amelia had outdone herself.
"You did a phenomenal job." She remarked in awe.
"I had a helluva template to start with. Most of that is all you, baby girl."
Amelia fiddled with the neckline of her short mint green V neck dress as Dani took an extra moment to gawk at her hair, moving closer to absently adjust the perfectly placed hair pins in her friend's hair. She chewed on her bottom lip as her wide dark blue eyes watched her friend in the mirror.
"Dani?"
"Yes?" She answered, applying another layer of lip gloss.
"Are you sure about this? I know its not legally binding but it's still a big commitment. You and Peter haven't been together that long and…well, I don't want you rushing into this because you're afraid he's gonna take off."
Dani glanced thoughtfully at Amelia via the looking glass, contemplating her words before easing her friend's trouble thoughts. She understood where Amelia was coming from. Her and Peter were moving fast but she felt deep down in her bones that she would never want anyone the way she did him.
"Amelia, I appreciate your concern and completely get what you are saying. I know what I'm doing, that this course is right for me. It's what I'm meant to do. Being separated from Peter,' she paused, struggling to convey what she felt, 'it was hell. I was miserable. It was as though only half of myself was back here on Earth. Each day that went by felt heavier, harder to shoulder the burden of existing. He knows me and I him, better than anyone else even with the years we've been apart. I know in my heart now that if he hadn't been ripped away from my life when we were kids, this, us, still would have been. We've lost so much time and now I don't, I won't, wait another day on the what ifs anymore. We're ready to start our forever." She explained, trying the best that she could to describe how deeply she felt for the man waiting downstairs to marry her. Her words came from her heart yet paled in comparison to how much more there was.
She could've gushed on and on but knew Amelia would end up gagging; Unsinkable could only handle so much gooey-ness.
"That's deep, Dee, and well said. I only felt like tossing my vegetarian frittata once."
Dani shook her head in amusement, turning her attention back to the mirror to put in her matching bronze and pearl earrings.
"Bitch. You brought it up."
Amelia smirked jest fully, hip checking Dani into scooting over to sit down next to her friend, her eyes going wide and uneasy.
"Alright, I'm about to get completely serious here for the first time in my life, so, listen up." She stated evenly, taking a deep breath. Dani paused, turning towards her, curiosity getting the best of her.
"I love my family dearly though they can be some straight up soul sucking D bags. You, though, you are the little sister I would have loved, hated, laughed with, cried with. But I am blessed with having you in my life, Dee. And now with Terry—" She trailed off to look away, willing herself to hold her emotions in check. Dani wrapped her arms around her, trying her best to console her. The two women had always been so close but with everything that has transpired in the last year alone, their bond grew even stronger.
"I wish things had worked out between you two. Then you would have really been my sister." Dani whispered, smashing the wall around Amelia's emotions, causing tears to stream down her pale cheeks.
"Gahhh! My makeup!" Amelia choked out, wiping at her face as she pointedly studied her reflection. Satisfied that she wasn't puffy and smeared, she turned back to face Dani.
"I thought I already was. Anyway, I can see how happy Tall, Tan and Bulging Muscles makes you and that's all I care about. So, you guys planning on taking a honeymoon trip?"
The innocent question brought Dani up short, her throat dry as she scratchily gulped, not sure how to answer. She was saved by a hesitant knock on her bedroom door.
"Stay.' Amelia barked, launching herself towards the door. 'That better not be you, Hot Pants!"
She cracked the door, suspiciously peeking through the narrow gap. Breathing easier, she pulled it open fully, revealing a timid looking Mantis.
"Hey Mantis, what's up?"
Confused by the question, her dark wide eyes lifted upwards, inspecting her surroundings.
"The ceiling is directly above us, but I sense there is another meaning to your question."
Dani snorted comically, covering her mouth. Amelia smiled earnestly, turning to stare sarcastically back at Dani.
"She's too adorable. I want to keep her."
"She isn't a pet, Amelia. How can I help you, Mantis?" Dani asked sweetly, wondering what was on her mind.
"I came by to offer my 'services' for any help that you may require in preparing for your ceremony.' Mantis replied, stepping into the room so Amelia could close the door. 'Peter was the one who suggested that I ask. He said it was common curtesy on Earth for women to do such things."
"That's very kind of you. I could use some help getting into my dress. It was my mother's. She was slimmer than me and I'm also fuller in the hips than she was.' She explained, glancing absently at her bedside clock. 'Crap! It's already 3:30. Better hurry."
She leapt up off the bench, rushing to her closet and pulled out the black garment bag. Dani stripped down to her strapless bra and panties as Amelia diligently removed the dress, appraising the lacy vintage number.
"This is so classic, timeless. I love it.' She remarked, turning her gaze to Dani, eyeing her form. 'Hope you brought the K-Y lube and saran wrap, Thunder Thighs. We may need to go old school to get you in this." Amelia teased, undoing the fabric back buttons carefully.
Dani snorted in derision.
"Go to hell, you pale ginger. Oh wait, you need a soul first."
Mantis stared at the two women in horror. "Is this how earthling friends speak to one another?"
Amelia smiled widely at her, her gaze moving to her best friend.
"No, this is how sisters talk to each other."
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Gamora sat back in her seat, clutching her side painfully as Nebula flew their space craft at breakneck speed through the jump point. Her dark eyes scanning the monitors in front of her in haste.
"How many more jump points?" Nebula hollered out, keeping her black eyes steadily locked on the windshield, keeping a close lookout for trouble.
"Approximately seventeen." She responded through gritted teeth, the pain in her side not helping her nerves. Nebula shook her head dejectedly.
"We're not going to make it in time."
"YES, we will. We have to." Gamora stated, a hint of finality in her tone. Her eyes flew forward, watching in anticipation as they approached another jump point.
(Oh man, they're going to be so pissed.)
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Taking deep, steady breaths, Dani willed herself not to pass out from anxiety. She bounced from one foot to the other as she stood on the top landing of the staircase, awaiting the cue from Amelia. She closed her eyes, focusing on the voices drifting up the stairs towards her.
Smiling, she could make out Mantis relentlessly questioning Drax on what was going to happen. Dani could hear the irritation in his voice as he tried his best to answer her probing questions.
Dani wiped her sweaty palm on her thigh, the lace of her mother's dress rubbing her skin.
(Am I overdressed? What is everyone else wearing? Oh god, what's Peter wearing?! We should have coordinated. Maybe I can change really quick.)
Dani nearly laughed out loud at her last thought. It had taken both Amelia and Mantis to squeeze her into the dress and she'd need at least one of them to get out of it. She gripped the banister to steady herself, not trusting her wobbling knees. She wasn't nervous about marrying Peter, more like overwhelmed at that moment by the entirety of everything leading up to now and what lay ahead of them. Her heart thumped erratically when she heard Peter's voice downstairs.
Amelia came into view at the bottom of the staircase, pressing the play button on the stereo situated on the end table, turning in Dani's direction. She waved quickly, signaling that it was time. Dani hesitated, gesturing down at her outfit.
"Do I look ok? Is it too much?" She mouthed to Amelia, who smiled up at her.
"You look wonderful. Like a sexy grandmother." She called up to Dani loudly in a teasing manner about the vintage dress once again. Dani sighed in irritation.
"Can you be normal for like, five minutes?" She asked in a normal voice.
The irritation she felt melted away, replaced with soaring happiness when the music began playing. It was Nat King Cole's version of 'The Very Thought of You'. This had Peter written all over it. Amelia moved out of sight, presumably to sit down.
Willing herself to be confidant, Dani took one last steady breath then took a tentative step down the staircase then another. Coming into view, her gaze skimmed over her friends' faces. Drax and Mantis smiled widely at her, Groot sitting on Mantis' shoulder. He waved ecstatically at her. She lifted her hand from the banister, wiggling her fingers in response. Even Rocket had an odd, amused sort of smirk on his furry face. She moved her gaze away, locking eyes with the man she had gladly give her heart to.
The look on his face made her pause for a fraction of a second on the bottom step.
He stared in full open mouthed, wide eyed wonder. As if he just witnessed something miraculous.
Peter had bitten back a snort at Amelia's grandmother comment a moment earlier. He was positive that she was perfect and was just stressing like she always did. Dani was a gorgeous woman even though she didn't see it. No matter how many times he told her so, she still blushed and would laugh awkwardly, attempting to change the subject. Peter prided himself on his song selection for her bridal walk. Not only had it been Christine's favorite song, it also perfectly described how Dani made him feel.
The creaking of the stairs pulled his attention. He recognized the dress, knowing it had been her mother's. Peter's eyes widened when Dani fully appeared from the upstairs level.
She was breathtaking.
Peter knew he was impulsive, that his cocky attitude and filter less mouth had nearly gotten him killed a thousand times over. He sometimes made horrible choices, not meaning to but doing so just the same. He occasionally wondered to himself if maybe he should have stayed away from the beginning. The life he led was perilous, dangerous and Peter felt selfish for knowingly putting Dani's safety in jeopardy. There were times when he thought that her life would be better, more stable if he wasn't apart of her world. But seeing her moving down the stairwell, glowing like an angel graciously descending from heaven, there wasn't a single shred of himself that regretted being here, being in this moment. He was the luckiest man in the universe to have the love of such a creature and he would spend the rest of their lives, no matter how long that maybe, loving and cherishing Dani as she deserved to be.
Watching her step closer, he knew that deciding all those months ago to revisit his past was the best decision he had ever made.
Closing the distance between them, Dani casually looked Peter over, smiling in approval. She was thankful that he wasn't wearing a tux or a suit, seeing him wear a simple light gray long sleeve dress shirt and black dress pants was more Peter than any expensive outfit could ever be.
"No leather I see. Pity." She teased. Peter laughed nervously, looking down at himself.
"Nope, not today. No tux. I would've looked like a penguin."
"I seriously doubt that. You would have put James Bond to shame."
His eyes roamed over her.
"And you…WOW…" Peter stuttered, his eyebrows lifting comically as he waved his hand out to her.
"Thanks." Dani replied bashfully, her trademark red creeping over her cheeks.
"No really, Dani. I have no words, nothing I can say would do you any justice." He whole heartedly professed, knocking the air out of her lungs with the seriousness in his voice.
Amelia cleared her throat obnoxiously from her seat next to Drax, alerting the two that there were others in the room, and they were here for a specific reason.
"Oh, right.' Peter stammered, taking Dani's hands in his. 'Should I go first, or do you want to?"
"You first." She replied. He smiled anxiously, exhaling slowly.
"Right, no pressure." He cleared his throat, tightening his grip on her hands, his dark green eyes locking with her bright emerald ones.
"Here goes. Daniella Rose Patrick, this, us, was meant to be. Our mothers had been best friends since childhood, as we were. You are the first and best friend I've ever had, and we were, are destined to be so much more. I wish I could've been your first everything, as I was supposed to be but hey, life happens. I promise today that I'll spend the rest of our lives being whatever you need me to be. Your best friend, your shelter from the storms to come, your lover, your husband. With you, I have found everything I've been waiting for all my life that I didn't realize was missing. I look forward with a full heart to all the laughter, the tears, the inevitable emasculating insults." Peter paused, waiting for the quiet laughter to subside before continuing.
"Returning to Earth was the best thing I've ever done because I wasn't simply reconnecting with my past. I was searching for my home and I finally found it in you. I will walk with you by your side through this life, no matter where we end up or what may come. You're all I'll ever need, my beautiful Sun Ray. I love you more than all the stars above. Forever."
Peter finished his vows, giving Dani that infamous smirk he knew made her weak in the knees. Fighting through the tightness in her throat from his declaration, Dani released a shaky breath, tears welling up in her eyes.
"That was beautiful, wow. Maybe I should have gone first. That's a hard act to follow but here goes. Peter Jason Quill, yes, you are my best friend and so, so much more. You are my destiny and you are right, don't get use to it though. I know in the deepest part of my soul that you were meant to be mine, my love, my heart. I am eternally grateful that you did not give up on me when I stupidly kept pushing you away on more than one occasion. You know how stubborn I can be and yet you look past all my flaws and insecurities and manage to still love me. From this day on til the end of time, I vow to take you willingly as my husband, my best friend, my man of the stars, my everything. I vow to be a listener when you need to vent and a shoulder when you need to cry. When you need guidance, I will do my best to assist you, guide you even though neither of us has much luck with 'plans'."
Dani paused to regain her composure, gently wiping at her eyes as she tried not to smear her mascara. Taking a deep breath, she locked her gaze with Peter's, smiling brightly at him.
"I vow to follow your lead as we set out across the galaxy together, even if we are following one of 'your plans'. I wish for nothing more than to see the universe by your side. I love you, more than my own life, Peter, and all I'm ever going to need is your hand in mine. Forever."
Peter, upon hearing her decision about their future, beamed widely, scooping her up in his arms to spin Dani around joyfully. Placing a giggling Dani back on her feet, he cupped her face, holding her close to him. She sighed happily, resting her forehead on his.
"Peter, do you take me as your wife, promising yourself to me and only me?" She whispered, tears now fully cascading down her face. Makeup be damned.
Hands still cupping her head, Peter gently wiped at her tears with his thumbs.
"I do. Dani, do you take me as your husband, promising yourself to me and only me?" He reiterated the question that they had predetermined the day before. Choking back an emotional sob, Dani nodded.
"Yes, I do, more than yes. I love you." She rushed, grabbing his neck and capturing his lips with hers, kissing him fiercely and thus, sealing their union.
Amelia jumped out of her seat, tears in her eyes as she broke out in applause, the others in attendance joining in once they realized that it was the socially acceptable response.
"My god, guests actually put themselves through this? Willingly? That was a hundred times more nauseating to watch than anything else these two cooked up before." Rocket complained. He let out a loud hiss when Drax flicked him hard in the ear.
"Stop your nonsense. That was beautiful. You should consider yourself lucky to have witnessed such an act." Drax reprimanded, turning back to smile at his newly wedded friends.
"You know, it's not normally official until the couple consummate their union. How about we sneak away for a few moments, Mrs. Quill? You look so amazing. I can't keep my hands to myself for much longer." Peter whispered into her ear, his hand sliding down her back. Dani snatched it, bringing it to rest on her hip, raising an eyebrow in disapproval.
"And abandon our guests? I think not, Husband. Besides, when has anything in our lives been normal? So, I take it you aren't going for the 'Mr. Daniella Patrick' idea?" She teased, receiving a sharp glare in response.
Arms suddenly engulfed her from the side, pulling Dani away from Peter. Realizing that Amelia practically tackled her, Dani smiled fondly as she pulled her friend close, returning the embrace.
"I'm so happy for you, both of you." She gushed, her voice shaking with emotion.
"So, you're definitely leaving this time? When were you planning on telling me?" Amelia pulled back to stare sternly at her.
"I officially decided yesterday. I'm sorry but this is what I want, what I need to do. Please try to understand." Dani reached down, grabbing Amelia's hand firmly in hers. She studied her critically, another stray tear sliding from her eyes as she nodded.
"I know how it feels, Dee. I know. I want you to be happy, no matter what."
Dani squeezed her hand once more before turning her attention to everyone else.
"Thank you so much for being here for Peter and myself today. It means the world to us. Amelia and I prepared an after dinner—"
A loud, shrill beeping from Rocket's vest cut her off. He pulled out what she recognized as a communicator, the small device ringing shrilly and lighting up like a Christmas tree. His forehead bunched up as he glanced at the screen.
"It's Gamora." He noted as he pressed the accept button.
"Hey Gamora, man, I'm jealous of wherever you and Baldy are that's not here—"
"Save it, Rocket! Are you guys on Earth?" Gamora demanded, her stressed voice putting everyone on high alert.
"Yeah, what's wrong?" He asked. Peter strode quickly over to Rocket's chair, standing behind him to focus on the screen.
"Peter! Congratulations are in order but there's no time for that. You're all in danger!"
"How do you mean?" He inquired, his face morphing into his all business look.
"Short version it is. We were on our way to the Sanctuary to go after Thanos. Nebula and I were intercepted by a fleet of slave salvagers. It's another faction that are not very happy with us destroying Turos' section. They tortured us, trying to get information on where the rest of you are. We didn't tell them, but they heard Dani's messages on my communicator and were able to pinpoint your location."
Peter groaned, sighing as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"They're on their way to Earth now. We escaped barely. We're ahead of them but they'll be there in a few hours." She explained.
"How many?" He asked in resignation.
"Too many. It gets worse. They know what planet you're on and they have no plans on being thorough with searching for you." Gamora remarked, gravely.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Dani cut in, moving to stand next to Peter behind Rocket. Gamora's beaten and cut up face came into view on the screen, her dark eyes turning towards Dani.
"It means they're just planning on blowing up the planet in an attempt to take you all out. One shot, job done."
Dani's stomach rolled violently, her hand shaking as they covered her mouth to stifle her gasp. She had done this. Her messages would be the end of her planet, of mankind. She spun around to face Peter.
"We have to do something."
He had fixated his gaze on her, his eyes conveying his nervousness.
"WE will. I need you to stay here, we'll handle this."
Dani's mouth gaped open. "The hell I am. I'm going too, my place is with you."
"I'll come back for you—"
"You won't need to because I'm going." Sighing, Peter gestured to her outfit.
"In that?"
Her eyes drifted down to her wedding dress then returned to his.
"Fifteen minutes and we leave. Drax, if Peter tries to leave me behind, tackle him violently."
The grey man smiled, a glint of something between evil and playful in his bright eyes. "With pleasure."
She turned to Amelia. "Mitchell. You're with me. I need your help."
Giving Peter a fast peck on the lips, Dani turned heel, all but running through the living room. She bolted for the front door, throwing it wide open and sprinted down the front steps. How she ever made it across the yard and down the rock slab walkway to the guest house in white stilettos, she couldn't fathom.
Once upstairs, Dani quickly pulled out her hairpins, yanking some strands out in the forceful process then pulled her thick curls and braid up into a secure ponytail. Amelia's fingers flew down the back of her dress, undoing the buttons.
"Dani?"
"Yes?" She asked absently as she peeled the dress off, throwing it on to the bed.
"Is this goodbye?" Amelia's voice, small and quiet, startled Dani, her black skinny jeans halfway up her thighs. Pulling them up the rest of the way, she snatched a baby blue hoodie out of the closet, throwing it on over her white tank top. Dani turned to Amelia, taking her hands.
"Only for now. I will come back to see you as soon as I can."
"That sounds like a bad breakup line."
"It's not. You're my family too, Amelia. I could never forget about you. I'm just ready for more than what Earth can offer me. I've had a taste of that life and nothing here will ever be the same."
Dani stepped away, pulling a pair of sneakers on then moved to her closed. She pulled out two large duffel bags and a backpack. Amelia raised an eyebrow in astonishment.
"Only yesterday, huh? Seems you're ready to go."
"Almost." Dani added, running over to her desk, pulling out a large and heavy manilla envelope. She handed it to Amelia.
"What's this?"
"Terry left everything to me. I donated half to charities and I'm giving the rest to you, along with the deed to my parents' estate."
Amelia's eyes nearly popped out like a cartoon character, her mouth gaping wildly.
"No. No, Dani. I can't take this." She stammered, trying to push the envelope back into Dani's hands.
"I have no use for it now. I still have more than enough to last a lifetime. I want the house to go to someone who would appreciate the memories here and I know that Terry would have wanted you to be taken care of, to live here. It should stay in the family."
Dani's eyes moved around her room, a smile creeping onto her face.
"You should move into the main house. It's all yours now after all."
Her eyes landed on the Laffy Taffy, her stuffed zebra.
"Ah! Almost forgot someone!" She raced over to the stuffed animal, looping it through a strap of one of her duffel bags.
"DANI! T minus five minutes until we need to go!" Peter's voice hollered up the first floor.
"Don't worry about your dress, I'll handle it, but I don't know what to do with all the food we cooked. Oh! The cake! What am I going to do with that?" Amelia exclaimed, clearly getting flustered.
"Breathe, Amelia. Take the food to your sister's. Lord knows those boys of hers eat like horses. Take the cake too but save the top tier. I'll make sure we're back in a year to have at it." Dani strategized as they made their way back downstairs, then heading outside and up to the main house, moving to the backyard where Peter's new ship, the Milano 2.0 she dubbed it, was parked.
Peter, already changed into his usual leather pants, matching jacket and a long sleeve shirt, ran down the platform and grabbed the duffel bags from her hands.
"Good lord, what's in here? Bricks?" He groaned, turning to Amelia.
"Well, Amelia, always a pleasure and by pleasure, I mean I'm always on the verge of filing a sexual harassment lawsuit coupled with a restraining order." Peter teased, a playful smile on his face as he extended a hand to her, which she shook as she smiled back.
"Don't act like you don't enjoy my banter. Take care, good luck and watch out for my girl."
Peter placed a bag on the ground, fishing around in his jacket pocket, producing his communicator.
"Here, take it. That way you two can stay in touch."
Amelia pocketed the device. "Thanks, Peter. So long."
He nodded once at her before heading back up the platform, giving them a moment. Literally.
"One minute, babe." He yelled back over his shoulder.
Moving forward, Dani snatched Amelia up into a crushing embrace, the two women hugging tightly
"You better come back and see me, Dee." Amelia threatened. Dani pulled away, kissing her cheek quickly.
"I promise.' She swore, giving her hands a brief squeeze with hers. 'I know you will hunt me down if I don't."
Amelia's lips quivered, trying to put on a tough face but failing miserably. "Damn straight."
She lifted her communicator. "You better call me and let me know you are alive as soon as whatever goes down, well, goes down."
The engines of the Milano 2.0 kicked on, whipping up the air around them.
Dani smiled brightly. "Have a little faith in us. We are the Guardians of the Galaxy after all."
"The what?"
"Honestly, I don't even know myself." Dani admitted.
"DANI!"
"Your ride's leaving. Be safe. I love you, Dee, and thank you, for everything you've done." Amelia said tearfully, releasing Dani's hands and stepped back a few feet.
"Stop sounding so dismal, I'll be back soon. I love you too, sis."
*GOTG*
Turning away from her last connection to her home world, Dani raced towards the Milano 2.0, leaping up onto the ramp that had began lifting. Peter was there, waiting for her, grabbing her arm and pulling her safely into the bay. Dani spun around, catching a last glimpse of Amelia, still wearing her mint green dress as the ship flew upwards. She waved as the ramp slid shut, seeing her friend wave back briefly before the view was obstructed.
"Wow, you really milked every second. Your bags are in our room." Peter chimed in, leading the way as they made their way through the ship and up to the cockpit. He paused when they were both in, turning to look down to her.
"Not exactly how I imagined our wedding day. I'm sorry, Dani. Gamora said she's sorry as well and that you looked beautiful. Even though you always do." He observed, running his hand up and down her forearm as he spoke.
"It's not your fault, Peter. I have you, that's all that matters." She confessed, lacing her fingers through his. Peter cupped her face, kissing her tenderly, making her heart race. He pulled back, laying his forehead against hers.
"Well, I'm upset. You look so amazing. I was eagerly looking forward to removing that dress myself, along with your panties. Slowly. With my teeth." He muttered longingly, his breath teasing her ear. Dani shivered, chills running up and down her spine at the thoughts running rampant in her head.
"There's always later." She reminded him, skimming her fingertips down his chest.
A loud, gruff voice interrupted the playful conversation.
"Ok. We're going to need to lay out some house rules later if we survive this. Mainly, you two being more away of your surroundings, what you're saying and who is within earshot."
Following the voice, Dani's gaze landed on the chair beside Peter's. Rocket's head was poking up around the side, shaking in disgust as his small eyes narrowed in on them. Dani coughed uncomfortably, taking a step away from Peter who was smiling his stupid, smug smirk.
"Sorry, Rocket." She mumbled, taking a seat behind him as Peter moved to the pilot's chair across from him.
"Yeah, yeah." He said dismissively, rolling his eyes.
Drax and Mantis climbed up into the cockpit, taking their respected seats as Rocket flew the Milano 2.0 out of the Earth's atmosphere. Groot climbed up into Drax's lap, his wide puppy eyes glancing around the cockpit curiously.
Strapping herself in, Dani looked out the large windshield, a wide, satisfied smile lighting up her face. The black vastness of space stretched out in front of them, the scattered pinpricks of distant stars and far away planets produced an inner calm for her despite what they were currently heading towards. She knew she had made the right decision.
This was her home, her family. Dani was right where she was meant to be, travelling the galaxy with the man she loved.
"Grew on you, didn't it?" Peter's calm voice pulled her gaze to his handsome face as he looked over his shoulder at her.
Smiling brightly at her husband, she nodded.
"Most definitely, I'm home."
THE END
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**A/N: One for the road: Thank you for taking this journey with Peter and Dani. Just a head's up. I recently had an idea for a sequel that I am still hammering out the details. So yes, there will be a sequel. And for spoilers sake, it'll be a wide net of all different characters, including a handful of Avengers. So, I'll maybe disappearing from here for a bit while I work on that piece as well as my other stories that I've mentioned before. I maybe be having some free time in the near future so I'll be working on the sequel, diversifying my time between that and my Twilight (Carlisle/OC) and Magnificent Seven (Owen/OC) fics.
If you are interested in reading any of the stories I listed, please feel free to add me to your author alert notifications and I'll get those out as soon as I can. Thank you once again, smell you later! =-)