Conclusion [A Few Hours Later]
Colors streaked the early Manhattan skyline. People bustled by car, taxi and subway toward work and their other tasks. A few joggers hustled about Central Park.
Newlyweds however could sleep in a while yet….
[Former Stacy Residence (now Parker Residence)]
Peter tossed and turned despite Mattress' softness. He winced and frowned. Pursuit still had him on edge. Stench clogged his nose. Death chilled his heart. Sizzle crackled in his ears.
Sizzle?
He forced his eyes open. His fingers squished down into the mattress. Sweats rather than his costume adorned his body. His eyes blurred into focus.
Captain Stacy's former bedroom greeted him. A few bookcases lined the walls. Framed certificates and commendations rested above them. His clothes hung in the closet alongside a few dresses and blouses.
He forced himself from the bed. "Gwen?" He didn't see a trace of her anywhere around. He pulled on his robe and cinched the tie. He stuck his head out the door.
Gwen raised her eyes from the skillet. A big grin spread across her face. "Well good morning, Mr. Sleepyhead! I never thought you were going to get up." She flipped some bacon. "Hope your hungry."
"For your cooking? I'm always hungry." He relaxed. "We should be going out and celebrating."
She raised an eyebrow. "What do you think we did last night? Flash knocked them dead with his toast at dinner. We have to remember Carmine's for dinner some night. Then I had you all to myself on the dance floor!"
Memoria fixed onto that scene in his mind. It washed away the previous fears and thoughts. "Mmm…yeah. I'd never forget that." He surveyed her preparations. "It was some night."
"Yeah. Mr. Jameson even dropped that envelope off for us." She pointed at a manilla envelope sitting on the dining room table. "Wonder what's in it?"
Dread jabbed at him for some reason. Still Spider Sense remained quiet for the moment. What's in there? He edged closer to her. "Guess we'll find out in a minute. Right now, I want something."
"Oh? I wonder what that is, Mr. P?" Snark sparkled in her eyes.
"This, Mrs. P." He brushed his lips across hers. "Thanks and good morning on our first day together. Well not as a couple but…well…"
She giggled. "I remember we both said I do. I know what you mean, Man o' Mine." She put her hand on his forehead. "And you remember I told you I was going to make you happy for a long, long time, right? Well I'm going to do that. I have to make sure we're okay. Even if we are a trio." She shrugged.
"Trio?" He glanced at her trying to figure out her meaning.
"You, me and our Wall Crawling Friend." She served up French toast and bacon onto each plate. "Even if you are eating for two, you're going to be careful out there, Mr. P. Got it?"
"I try." He raised an eyebrow at her wry smirk and tone. "Maybe there's a place for a dark room?"
She set the spatula down and turned off the heat. "Follow me, Man of Mine. Dad had a place like that." She led him down the hall and past their bedroom. At the hall's end, there was a door to the left. "This should make your pics sing, Mr. Photo Bug!" She opened the door. Her finger flipped the switch.
He peered into the red-lit area. An old metal sink sat off to their left. A chipped oak table and a padded folding chair sat by the wall.
"Harry helped me to set this room up. Hope we got it right." She rested her chin on his shoulder.
"Uh…yeah! You bet!" Appreciation and Gratitude shone through his eyes at her. "Did anyone tell you how amazing you are?"
"Not yet but reminders are always appreciated, Mr. P." She smiled. "Best part's still coming." She led him toward a sliding closet door.
"It's an empty closet." He glanced around at the small space. He noticed a few boxes on the floor and an empty hanger rod.
"Your powers of observation wow me." She rolled her eyes. "Watch." She felt along the closet's back wall. "Here it is." She eased a panel aside to reveal a door.
"What the?" He stared at her. "I thought I was the only one who kept secrets."
"We all have secrets, Silly. Question is who we share them with." She turned on the lights. "Go ahead and take a look around. Sorry but I took some liberties with your stuff."
He almost crept inside. Anticipation and Dread played equal parts in his footfalls. He saw his spare Spidey suits hanging in the corner. His web shooters and belt sat on a folding card table. The boxes with his chemistry set sat next to the table. A small crawl space door could be seen in the northwest corner.
"How'd I do?" She leaned against the door. "This used to be a speakeasy during Prohibition. The door in the ceiling goes to the attic. There's a window you can swing in and out of. I guess you used to do something like that at Aunt May's house?"
"Yeah I did." He shook his head. "You thought of everything."
"I take care of my man." She rubbed his shoulder. "Just remember me too. Now let's get some of that yummy breakfast. Can't have my hubby's stomach growling. Now can I?"
"Nope. I can't let your handiwork get cold either, Gwendy." His lips whispered Amor's warmth across her cheek. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Just remember it's our secret now, Mr. P. Dad trusted you and me both. Now we share that trust. Come on, Genius. That breakfast awaits." She took him by the hand.
He shut the lights off and closed the hidden room's door. Then he did the same with the new dark room's red lights. Surprises and Adjustments would shape their lives. Decisions waited. Still to have Gwen onboard with his dual life would ease the burden dramatically. He felt whole and complete.
He was no longer alone….