Chapter 106 [Talon—Thirty Minutes Earlier]

Gwen sipped on her cappuccino at one of the reserved tables. She wanted everyone to really enjoy themselves on that weekend. Really she did. That included Aunt May and Mrs. Watson too. What will Aunt May say? She shook her head. "Don't Peter and I deserve our own lives?"

"And who would say you don't?" Lana set another drink in front of Gwen. She raised an eyebrow. "Those nerves must be going crazy."

"They are." Gwen looked around. "I mean doesn't everyone have the right to be happy?" She looked at her phone. "That was our friend, Mary Jane. She says Peter's aunt talked to the Bugle folks. They told her everything." She bowed her head.

Miri, I'm going to need a minute, Lana requested.

Gotcha, Boss. I'll let you know if we need you up front. Miranda headed back toward the counter.

Lana sat down across from Gwen. "Maybe it might be good if she knows? I think you know how secrets stink."

"You can say that again." Gwen finished her first drink. "Thanks, Lana. I mean it's not like we're not happy back in New York. I grew up in my house. Peter grew up in his aunt's house. We have school and friends. But well…."

"You've found something out here?" Lana smiled. "For what it's worth, we're glad you're here. Whatever you both decide, I'm sure Lex will help. We're fairly good as friends."

"I'd say great friends. Thanks, Lana." Gwen glanced toward Dubois in the corner. "Why does he always sit by himself?"

"Not always. He wants to be alone." Lana shook her head.

Such as in this case. A voice bade in both girls' heads. They looked over at him. They saw him motion toward Gwen and point to the seat across from himself in the booth.

"You're being summoned. Wow." Lana rubbed her forehead. She took her serving platter and hustled back toward the counter.

That's a new one. Never received a psychic cue before. Anxiety chilled Gwen even further. She edged her way around the rest of the reserved area and toward the booth in question. "Sorry to bother you."

"What?" He narrowed his eyes. "I invited you. So how are you bothering me?" He shut the literary text and his laptop in front of himself. "Getting keyed up before your guests arrive I take it?"

"Something like that. I just hope Peter's aunt can deal with our change in plans. I support Peter not digging up things on you. I just wish Mrs. Parker would understand that. She will want us there with her. I am not sure she wants to move." She took a draught from her mug.

"Yeah that's tough." He nodded. "Of course there are ways around such things." He took a draught from his mocha.

"Ways? You mean you'd help us?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah I would. Angie and I do go to the City from time to time. I love the Cloisters and some of the bookstores. Besides we've been having these discussions too. Guess a lot is still up in the air." He exhaled a sharp breath. "Look, Miss Stacy…"

"Gwen, Mr. Dubois. Please." Gwen requested.

"Then it's Dave. Thanks, Gwen." He smiled at her. "I was going to say. My grandmother and I were very close. When she got sick with the cancer, she had to move in with my father. She wanted me to live with them. As much as I had my girlfriend and life in Amherst, I tried it in Ludlow. I only made it three days. I was miserable. The bullies beat up on me. The Other wasn't fully formed yet. I ended up going back to Amherst to finish high school. My grandmother was disappointed but she had to understand. I got my license and saw her twice a week until she passed away. Sometimes you have to find a way to balance both sides. Talk it out. See how it goes with her. All you can do is let her know you care."

"She knows that, Dave. We both want to include her. It just feels like our life together is heading for Metropolis. It depends on the Daily Planet and that interview. I mean it's such a great chance!" She bit her lip. "Peter would love to have that full time job. He'd be salaried with benefits. At least until I get through school, we'd have insurance. We can buy a house there and start a life. It's not like we can't get a direct flight to JFK or LaGuardia, right?"

"As I said, who says you'd need flights at all?" He tapped the table. "She wants dinner twice a week with Peter and you, done. We can try it. See how it goes." He leaned back in his seat. "There. I just took the pressure off."

"Just like that?" She stiffened with surprise.

"Just like that. Maybe you might offer the Big Kid some corned beef or something once in a while? I don't know. I assume though he likes to be appreciated." He shrugged. "It helped with Gram. I was there when she passed. That meant the world to her." He looked toward the door. "Those your friends?"

She saw Mary Jane, Betty, Robbie and the rest of the guests filter in. "That's them. Thanks, Dave. I know you like your alone time."

He raised an eyebrow of his own. "You're welcome. Glad I could help. Go and have fun. You get married once. Enjoy it."

She grinned. "Now I'm right as rain again!"

He chuckled. "I haven't heard that expression in a long time." He made a shooing motion with his hand. "Fun. Now. Or do I have to sic Miranda on you?"

"Nope. I'm on the way! You need a refill?" She looked at his drink.

"I'm fine. Thanks for the offer though." He tipped his mug to her. "I do have the bridal fun committee on speed dial. Mush!"

She sighed. It's too bad he has that other person inside of him. He's such a nice man. Really. She nodded and walked over toward where Jasmine, Lex and Clark greeted everyone.

Enjoy, Kiddo. This is the time of your life. He opened his laptop and the literature book again. He could see Gwen embracing and joking around with people. Even Robbie and she did great. A red headed woman with them strummed the Child's sensitivity. Who's she? You two have met?

No answer….

It never ends. He went back to his research.

Best to keep at the edge and watch the goings-on. The invite could come and one could hope it did….