Chapter 65 [Forest Hills, NY—Parker House]

Peter strolled up his aunt's front walk. He'd traced that path hundreds of times from his youngest days. He'd played in the yard with Uncle Ben. He watched his parents disappear down that trail and into a cab for the last time. He'd dragged himself into that sanctuary from Ridicule's abuse.

Never had he dreamt he'd stroll (and practically skip) up that same walk.

Even a week and a half earlier, he worried that a certain hand wouldn't be in his. That the woman whose hand that was would break up with him. That her father's death would drive her from his side.

Faith had resolved all. He squeezed the blessed hand. His eye caught Diamond's sparkle. His smile only encompassed more and more of his face.

"Excuse me? Do I know you?" Gwen smirked at him. Her giggle serenaded his ears. "I believe I was supposed to be with this depressed guy. Maybe you know him? He thinks the whole world's on his case or something like that."

He rolled his eyes. "Not today I don't. Maybe it's this perfect lady. I don't know…"

"Perfect, huh?" She raised an eyebrow. "Can I get that in writing, Mr. P?"

"You've got the license. I believe that's on Line 20."

"Line 20 huh? You have x-ray vision, Man of Mine?" She peeked in her purse.

"Okay. Line 6. I just know that has our names on it. Just a few formalities." He surveyed their surroundings. He could almost imagine Osborn swooping out of the sky. Perhaps they'd walk in to discover Octavius at the table. Even if there was nary a tingle in his head, Paranoia chilled him. "We need to find the right dress for you. I don't care."

"You don't care, huh?" Joy teared up in her eyes. "Well we're in luck. We've got help with that too."

"Gwendy, I don't want to push Lex any further. I…." He started.

"It's not him. It's Princess Jasmine. She's apparently booked me an appointment next week at a dressmaker's in Smallville." She shook her head. "I just need to bring my Mom's dress back with us. She's offered to help with the adjustments. Guess you made a good impression."

"We made a good impression, Miss Stacy." He kissed her cheek. "Remember that."

"Mmm…we huh? I'll definitely need to do that." She rested her head on his shoulder. "Just don't wake me up if this is a dream."

"If it is, we're both dreaming it." He saw Aunt May watching them. "Excuse me, Ma 'am. We're here with the Sweepstakes Winner Association to announce the big winners tonight."

"Oh, Peter! That nice Mr. Luthor called and told me. Did everything go well at City Hall?" Aunt May fretted.

"Everything's right as rain, Mrs. Parker!" Gwen patted her purse. "The marriage license is right inside. We met up with the gang this afternoon. I just need to get my dress altered. Then we pick a date."

"Enough of that. From now on, it's Aunt May. Do you understand me?" The older woman embraced them. "Your father would be so happy, Gwen. So would my Ben."

"Thank you. I know it seems like I'm competing. I…we…" Gwen bowed her head. Anxiety ate at her resolve.

"We share, Dear, not compete. I'd be upset if you didn't feel that way." May beamed at Gwen. "Now dinner will be ready shortly. Mr. Luthor and another young lady will be here soon. Mrs. Watson and Mary Jane are already here. I hope everything's all right. You have only been out there for a week."

"Everything's fine, Aunt May. We had to talk to Jonah about the feature stories. I want to make sure I don't take away from the internship or the students at the high school," he assured her.

"Mr. Luthor said Dr. Connors really likes you both. I'm so glad you're doing something else besides those dangerous crime pictures! I'm so proud of your story! You just think on those paths for Gwendolyn and yourself. Now you both follow me. Tonight we'll just relax."

"With my two best ladies, I don't know how else I'd be." He hugged each lady with an arm. He led them up the stairs and into the familiar house.

The best white tablecloth draped over the table. Her best china and silver sat at each place. Two candles sat unlit in its center. The scent of meat and au gratin wafted from the kitchen.

"There they are!" A slender elderly lady turned to face the newcomers. "I trust that everything went well?"

Mary Jane sucked in a deep breath. Assertion pushed forth a free-spirited persona more apt to partying than settling down. Unrequited Love, however,bit hard at her heart. She'd spent the afternoon following the get together at the Coffee Bean dealing with Reality's sharp sting. Still, she did want the best for them. She put her best foot forward. "As great as it can be, Aunt Anna! Show them the merchandise, People!"

"Merchandise?" Anna studied Peter and Gwen. "Is there something else?"

"I told you, Anna. They went to City Hall to get their marriage license! Now we can start planning!" Enthusiasm and Anticipation danced in her eyes.

"And to have a mansion to get married in! Drea-MY! Guess if you have to get hitched, Petey, that's the place to be." Mary Jane hugged Gwen and him in turn. "Wait until you meet the big man and the Princess!"

"MJ, Jasmine isn't into all of the bowing and titles. She just wants to be respected,' Gwen reminded her. "I'm glad we had a great time at the Coffee Bean. After this morning, we sure needed it."

"Why?" Aunt May stiffened. "Whatever happened this morning? Peter?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Aunt May, let's not get into that. We're having a great time…."

Aunt May raised an eyebrow. Almost as if he was seven and had broken the cookie jar, the Look penetrated Excuse's misdirection. "Peter, out with it! What happened?"

He sighed. "Okay. You know the girl I collaborated with in Smallville on that article, Chloe Sullivan? Well Mr. Jameson wanted her to do an in-depth interview with a couple from Upstate. They're staying with us at Mr. Luthor's mansion. Well the couple wants their privacy. She respects that. He wouldn't stop. You know how he is. He ranted at her. Apparently he insulted her. The Principal wants an apology which he won't give. This morning, we were at the Bugle to discuss story ideas. Mr. Jameson got into it with Mr. Luthor, Jasmine and Chloe. He's pushing me too."

"Couple Upstate?" Anna interjected.

"A village north of Albany, Mrs. Watson," Gwen continued. "The Duboises are really nice. Mr. Dubois has his issues. Still he's really like Mr. Medieval. His wife's a doctor. They were reunited with their niece, Miranda, last weekend after fifteen years. You can ask Mr. Luthor when he comes."

"Hey! I heard about them. They're the ones who everyone thought was dead until Saturday morning!" Mary Jane realized.

"We met him at the airport Friday night. His wife a couple of hours later. They had their reasons for doing what they did. Let's leave it at that." He shook his head. "Just like we're here, they're back at their farm for the weekend."

"Oh. There's another Dubois at the mansion too! Mary Jane, we met Jennifer Dubois from Greenwich State. She said hi," Gwen noted.

Mary Jane grinned. "I thought History was boring. She really made it interesting! She'd tell stories about that stuff that grabs your attention. It's almost like she was there."

"Hopefully you'll see her at the wedding." He scratched his head. He wouldn't mention the ghosts or Osborn.

At that moment, a knock came from the door.

He cracked the door to find Lex and Jasmine waiting. "Lex! Jasmine! Come in! Hope the rest of the day went better."

"Thanks, Peter. It was a great afternoon." Lex walked into the house. "Good Evening, Mrs. Parker. That sure smells good!"

"It's our pleasure, Mr. Luthor. I appreciate what you're doing for Peter and Gwendolyn. These are our other friends, Anna Watson and her niece, Mary Jane. We were discussing your friend. Is this the Princess?"

"I am a Princess, Mrs. Parker. You may call me Jasmine. I thank you for your hospitality." Respect coaxed a nod from Jasmine to her hostess. "My father is Sultan Mahmud of Javalastan. "

"Isn't she great? A swinging Princess no less!" Mary Jane praised. "We had a great talk over coffee earlier."

"Mary Jane! If she's a Princess then we should bow," Anna chided.

"No, my Friends. Please do not! I simply wish to give respect and be respected. Mary Jane is being enthusiastic and friendly. I am glad for that. It makes life better for us all," Jasmine requested.

"It was great. I got to catch up with Harry Osborn. We met Mary Jane, Flash and a Vietnamese young lady," Lex noted.

"Her name's Sha Shan. They met while Flash was in Vietnam. She can be shy at first," Gwen reminded him. She smiled. "Mrs…Aunt May, that roast smells divine! I hope I can make one like this some day!"

"I am sure you are quite capable, Dear. Now let's sit down and enjoy. Mr. Luthor…?" Aunt May turned to Lex.

"It's Lex, Mrs. Parker. What's on your mind?" Lex sat down with the others at the table.

"It's about the wedding. There's talk about you hosting it in Kansas? That's an awfully long way away." A frown spread across the elderly woman's face.

"I understand. I'm offering to fly everyone out there. Everything will be taken care of. I wouldn't want to have anything without you there of course. You'll just go out there and enjoy yourself." Lex took a mouthful of water from the glass by his plate.

"You've been so nice already. May mentioned the ring," Anna pointed out.

"Peter and Gwen are already doing more than their share out in Smallville and back here. They paid me back in their own way. I can't wait to see what else they come up with. I see enough misfortune in the world as it is. Why not use money to make people happy?" Lex proposed.

"I suppose you're right. Land sakes! There are enough rich people who could care less about people. I'm glad someone does!" Aunt May nodded to the billionaire. "Have we set a date?"

"I was thinking of two weeks from tomorrow. That way we can get Gwen's dress fitted for her. Peter needs a tux. Otherwise we're set. I'll see about some music. I also can get some poets to compose if you'd like. Now that everything's set, why should they wait three months? They can have their ceremony at City Hall here. On the other hand, I can have a small ceremony out there as well. Maybe twenty-thirty guests?"

"Again that's so much expense! You are being so kind. I just wish I could do something to help out," Aunt May protested.

"Wait until you meet the Kents, Aunt May. You'll love them. Mrs. Kent and you could bake some of those pies together," Peter suggested.

"Oh? She's a baker?" Aunt May raised an eyebrow.

"Trust me, Mrs. Parker. Martha Kent wins blue ribbons at the State Fair for her baked goods. She's a real great lady." Lex took a bite of the roast beef. "Mmm! This is great. Thanks!"

"I think we have reservations to book, May," Anna presumed.

"Yes. I am not about to turn down such kindness. Thank you, Lex. If there's anything we can do," May accepted albeit grudgingly.

"Just enjoy. My mother would want it that way. Oh I was going to ask. Peter mentioned you make wheat cakes? I'd like it if you could show my staff while you're out there? I can't wait to taste them." Lex smiled at her.

"I don't know if they're that good. I just make them for Peter and me. Of course, I can show them." Aunt May motioned to the dinner. "Now eat up. I won't have this getting cold!"

"We wouldn't dream of it, Mrs. Parker. Thank you." Jasmine winked at Peter and offered a warm smile.

Hospitality was the word for that house all right….