Date Night

"Mama mama Mama."

Gwen grinned as Ben walked towards her quickly; shaking one of his many robotic toys as she returned her attention to the bathroom mirror. Tonight was date night - something her and Peter hadn't had since before Ben's first birthday. Almost a year since they'd been on a real date.

"Mama, wook."

Ben handed her the toy - which beeped and lit up colorfully in his hand. "I see baby. That's so cool."

"Cooo." Ben agreed causing her to laugh. Their son was growing up to fast - so smart and sweet. He was the best of both of them. "Hey champ!" Gwen was all but forgotten as Peter stepped into view - looking as handsome as ever in his evening wear. "Dada! Wook! Wook!"

Peter grabbed Ben up easily and tossed him in the air; taking the offered toy quickly. "This is so awesome, buddy!" As if he hadn't seen the toy a million times before. Ben squealed in delight at the attention. "Guess who's in the kitchen?"

"Hmm?"

"Pop pop."

"Pop! Pop!"

Ben wiggled down to the floor and took off to the small kitchen where Mr. Stacy was waiting, his big voice booming through the apartment as they embraced. Gwen met Peter's eyes in the mirror as she applied a light pink shade of lipstick to her perfect lips; smiling once she was done.

"You look amazing." Peter assured as she did a tiny spin in the even tinier room. She was wearing simple white flats and a white sundress with tiny pink flowers and green stems; her hair was long and flowing around them. "You too, Ace. How'd a girl like me get so lucky..." Peter kissed her quickly before Ben could clamper back into the over crowded bathroom.

"Where are you taking me, anyway?"

"I thought we'd go to that fancy restaurant we went to on our first date."

Gwen brightened. "The one with the little candles?"

"Yep."

She kissed him again causing their little boy to giggle at the bedroom door. "Awww, pop pop!" He declared before running back into the living room. They shared a smile and finished up in the bathroom; meeting up with Gwen's dad in the living room a few minutes later.

"You two love birds have fun tonight." Mr. Stacy assured, giving them a once over before Ben brought another toy to his lap.

"He's got half a hamburger left over in the fridge from dinner and two bottles made up. Bedtime by 8pm."

Mr. Stacy laughed at the thought. "Gwen, sweetie I've managed to raise four kids. Go have a good night with your husband."

Peter grinned as his wife puffed about.

"Thanks again, daddy. We'll be home before ten." Gwen assured, kissing his cheek quickly. Peter ruffled Ben's hair, slapping George on the shoulder like dads sometimes did. "Keep her safe, Pete." He muttered as Ben climbed into his lap.

"You know it, sir."

X

"Peter it's even more beautiful than I remember." Gwen assured as the maître d' ushered them to their table for the evening. It was a quiet spot deep in the restaurant; the candles and violin music all around them. "Nothing but the best for my girl." He assured with a grin, pulling her chair out for her before taking his own seat.

"How did I get so lucky." She repeated her words from earlier but Peter just smiled, staring at his beautiful wife from across the table. "That's my line, beautiful."

Gwen smiled, unfolding a napkin on her lap as she glanced around. It was a Tuesday evening - not many patrons in the restaurant - a perfect setting to drop a bomb on her poor, sweet husband.

"Peter. There's something I need to tell you."

"Oh, me first - Dr. Conner's recommend the veal here. He said he brings his wife once

a month - well, except when he's locked away in his office as an over grown lizard."

Peter and his colleague had finally invented a serum to help Dr. Conner's with the side effects of his experimental arm regrowth project. It was helping the rage that seemed to come along with being the lizard but they couldn't quiet figure out how to keep the change from happening.

"I'm glad there's no hard feelings between you and him. Seeing as he about ripped your vital organs out that one time."

Peter modded with a grin.

"I'm glad I was able to help him. He's a nice man."

A man that turns into something terrifying every now and again.

"Anyway, the veal. Also the duck."

Gwen nodded, smoothing the napkin in her lap. She opened her mouth to spill her own news but the waiter walked up then - taking their drink and appetizer order.

They were half way through dinner before she had the chance to mention it again.

"What were you going to say, your news?" Peter asked taking another bite of veal. The food here was exquisite- they had to get out more often. Ben was getting more independent and he knew George would be delighted to spend more time with his grandson. Things were finally settling down. They could make this their monthly place.

"Peter, I'm pregnant."

Peter coughed - loudly, hitting his chest as her words startled him. Of all the things he thought she may say - I got a promotion at the hospital - head nurse; I bought a new lingerie set last week at Victoria Secret; I'm having an affair —- pregnant was at the very bottom of that list.

"You're... pregnant." It wasn't a question - just a statement and he wasn't angry like the first time just... surprised. "Yes, pregnant."

Peter swallowed whatever food was in his mouth and forced a smile. He'd learned his lesson the first time - he was happy, as happy as a part time laboratory colleague, full time unpaid superhero could be.

"That's... great, beautiful. How?"

Surely he knew how. It's all the ever did in their spare time. Gwen smiled, placing her napkin on the table beside her. "How, Peter? Really?"

He swallowed again.

"Oh god, it was that night in the kitchen again, wasn't it? No more sex in the kitchen."

A waiter walking by eyeballed them.

"Oh, and they also gave me the head nurse position at the hospital - but I felt that was second on the list of news."

A strange half laugh escaped his throat - still processing the first news. "That's great, beautiful." He repeated causing Gwen to laugh. "I know - I was as shocked as you; about the baby, of course."

"Radioactive super sperm." They said in unison - meeting each others eyes before they burst into a fit of giggles. The prude waiter glared at then again. "Sorry - sorry," Peter called "Well take the check, please."

Gwen smiled at her husband from across the table; reaching her hand out to take his.

"Whatever this life throws at us - we'll meet it head on, right Ace?"

"That's right, beautiful."

Peter gave her fingers a squeeze.

"I guess this means we need to think about moving into Aunt May's house."

Gwen gave a slight nod. "I didn't want to be the one to say it but I think we're outgrowing our one bedroom apartment."

"Alright. We can stop by there on the way home, see what kind of work it'll need."

Gwen smiled, leaning across the table to meet his waiting mouth as they kissed.

x