Chapter 16

It took a few weeks before my rib pain lessened to a more manageable level. My stitches got removed last week, and my partial arm cast got replaced with a full one. The orthopedist said my arm was healing, but I needed to wear the arm cast for four more weeks. I was happy when he replaced it with a waterproof version. It made showering so much easier.

The girls were thriving under our care. Both the Avenger and Rangeman families were taking time to ensure they felt safe and loved. They were too busy to miss their mom. Natasha and Clint were teaching them self defence. Angie preferred working with Tony or Bruce in their labs. Mary Alice was enjoying her lessons with Clint. He was teaching her how to use a bow and arrow. Tony provided all equipment for their extracurricular activities.

I swear they have their own arsenal. Valerie is not going to be happy.

While the girls were at school, Steve and I spent the afternoon together. He was careful with my ribs when he pulled me onto his lap. Once he started kissing my neck, I decided we should move to our room. Tasha, Clint and Tony are known to enter our suite when we started getting heated. He lifted me gently and carried me to bed. Steve quickly locked our bedroom door to prevent uninvited guests from entering.

We made love as we have for the past few weeks. I was sitting on Steve's lap with my back to his chest. He set the pace by lifting me and pulling me back onto him. We started off slow, but I wanted him to increase the speed. Using every ounce of control, he gave me exactly what I needed. "Steve," I screamed into our room.

"Steph," he moaned. He changed condoms and plunged back into me. This time he took his time. He built me up so much my orgasm was the most powerful one to date. My wonderful husband knows exactly how to pleasure me while being extremely gentle. I can't wait until we can have sex with his body pressed against mine. This way is still amazing, but I miss feeling his weight as he pushes into me. I also miss staring into his eyes as he comes undone.

Steve and I were careful with our birth control. I was on quarterly shots, and Steve used condoms. Neither of us wanted children right away. However, if I suddenly found myself pregnant while we used protection, I'd be happy. I know we'd make excellent parents. Taking care of the girls was proof enough. Steve would be an amazing father. He dotes on the girls and makes an effort to spend quality time with them. We're still unsure if my birth control worked while I was on antibiotics. I guess time will tell.

An Avengers assemble got called. Steve gave me a quick kiss before changing into his uniform. They were going to intercept a plane from leaving the airport. We received intel someone sabotaged the plane. It would explode once it hit an altitude of 15000 feet. I waited to hear if the mission was successful. Unfortunately, they weren't able to arrive in time. The plane left earlier than scheduled, and their radio system was disabled. They couldn't call for help or sent a warning. Later that night, the crash made national news. For the safety of their family, passenger names never got released.

A few weeks later, Valerie and Ram finally moved to Manhattan. Tony had their suite renovated weeks ago. Pepper and the girls selected the furniture. Mary Alice had one wall painted a shade of green eerily matching the Hulk's colour. Another surface was painted pale blue, with targets painted in black, red and white. It wasn't just the typical bulls-eye type targets either some were silhouettes. Clint gave Mary Alice a bow with Nerf tipped arrows. She could literally lay in her bed to shoot the targets. He also gave her a realistic-looking gun that shoots suction darts.

Angie's room got decorated with books. One wall had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with every type of book she could ever want. I wondered how they discovered what genre of books she likes. "JARVIS compiled a list of authors and genres using her library card. Books she borrowed at school are all on school records," Steve provided an answer to my thoughts. "You were thinking aloud," he added.

Valerie and Ram loved their room… I mean their two-floor suite. I'm always amazed how Pepper selects exactly what each person likes. She is obviously very good at her job. Tony's generosity is remarkable. He knows exactly how much money he has but wants to share his wealth with his surrogate family. The Avengers, my Rangeman platonic soulmates and my nieces are his family too. Oh… I can't forget the Stankovic or Gazarra, families. We're one large and happy family.

All the children love their new school. A different team drives them to school. Matthew Stankovic, Angie Sutton and Liam Gazarra were in grade six and in the same class. Mary Alice and Michael Stankovic were in grade four and in the same class as well. Hunter Gazarra is in grade five, while his younger brother Mark was in grade two. I was in the common room helping Mary Alice and Michael with their math homework when Matthew asked to speak to me. His parents were at Rangeman, and he was obviously itching to tell someone his secret.

"What's up Matt?" I asked.

"Can we talk privately?" he wondered.

"Of course. ME, Mike, I'll be back in a few minutes, okay? Just try to work through that problem. If you're still having problems and I'm not back yet, ask Uncle Tony," I looked at him to confirm. He gave me a subtle nod to let me know he heard.

"Umm… I met a boy at school today. He just transferred from another school. His name is Peter Parker. Do you think he can come over this weekend? I mean… am I allowed to bring friends home?"

"Is this important to you?" I asked. He nodded. "Matt, is he your platonic soulmate?" I had to ask.

"He's the first one I've ever met. I feel that he needs my friendship right now," Matt confessed.

"Why did Peter transfer schools?" I had a feeling I already knew the answer.

"His parents died in a plane crash. He lives with his Aunt and Uncle now," he explained. I had a feeling there was more to the story.

"JARVIS, are the children permitted to have sleepovers with school friends?" I asked so Matt could hear the answer.

"Yes, Mrs. Rogers. Security requires names and descriptions. A minimum of 6 hours is required," he quickly replied.

"Thanks, Aunt Steph. I'm going to call Peter," he said before taking off.

I waited until JARVIS confirmed I was alone. "JARVIS, I need background on Peter Parker's parents." A few minutes later, a display appeared on the TV to outline their history. Captain Richard Parker was a decorated soldier for the US Army special forces and later recruited to the CIA.

He met his wife, Mary Fitzpatrick, a CIA translator and data analyst. They fell in love and married. She became an agent so they could go undercover as a married couple. After their first undercover mission together, Mary discovered she was pregnant. When Mary and Richard left for missions, Peter was left in the care of Ben Parker, Richard's older brother, and his wife Maybelle (May). They granted guardianship to Ben and May in the event of their death. The Avengers were called to assist the CIA agents but didn't make it in time. By the time the Avengers left, the plane had already gone down. There were no survivors.

After wiping the tears from my face, I quickly pulled myself together and returned to the common room. "We solved it," Mary Alice said as I sat in my chair. "Uncle Tony said we got the right answer." Her smile lit her face. Seeing her thrive here was making me very happy. I don't recall seeing either girl so happy before.

"Great job. I'm so proud of you, Mary Alice and Mike."

"Thanks, Aunt Stephie," they both replied.

"I really like it here," Mary Alice added. "My new aunts and uncles are amazing. I love all of them."

"We all love you too," I hugged her.

"Are you getting better?" she whispered.

"Yes. My ribs don't hurt as much, and I can have my cast removed next week."

"Jacob is really nice to Angie and me. Did you know he's adopting us?" she asked.

"That's great. I know he'll make a excellent father to you and Angie." I looked at my watch. "It's time for you to get to your floor for dinner."

"Me too," Mike announced. I entered the elevator with them and exited on my floor.

Steve was waiting for me in our dining area. He made us lasagna for dinner. "It smells amazing," I told him.

"Thank you, Sweetheart," he responded as he pulled out my chair for me. Steve is always a gentleman. Every day I loved him more. He shows me every day how much he loves me.

That night he carried me to our bed and gently placed me in the middle. He carefully removed my clothes before undressing himself. Steve kissed his way up my body. When he kissed my ribs, I didn't wince from any pain. I could feel his smile through the kisses. He was still being careful and put most of the weight on his forearms before pushing into me. I wrapped my legs around him and tilted my hips to meet him thrust for thrust. It didn't take long for me to reach my peak. "Steve," I screamed.

He released into me with a soft whisper of "Steph" in my ears. I loved feeling him on top of me and having my legs wrapped around him. It's been so long since we've made love in this position. We woke up a few more times to make love. In the morning, Steve carried me into our shower, where we made love again. I love feeling his chest pressed against mine.

We met the team for breakfast in the common room. The girls and boys were almost finished their breakfast before going to school. I heard Matt asking Mary Lou and Lenny if he had permission to bring his friend home after school for the weekend. They didn't have any problem having a guest for the weekend. Matt briefly told them Peter's story. Mary Lou had tears running down her face when she heard he lost his parents.

When the kids left for school, I talked with Mary Lou, Lenny, Eddie, Shirley, Valerie and Ram. I showed them the information I received from JARVIS. They wanted to give Peter, his uncle and his aunt whatever support they needed. "Once their estate goes through probate, they'll have the finances available to support Peter," Tony reminded us.

"Do they have everything they need in the interim?" Eddie asked.

"They do. Funds from the estate have been released for Peter's care. His tuition and education costs are covered," Pepper said as she walked into the room. Mary Lou was relieved Peter's financial needs were handled. I could see her visibly relax. Pepper was dressed in a beautiful pale blue silk blouse and black pants. Her four-inch black stilettos were gorgeous. "Thank you, Steph. It's almost time for your appointment," she reminded me

"Right. I'm meeting the doctor in the medical suite." I said goodbye to the team before taking the elevator to the appointment. Bruce and Bobby were waiting for me. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Waiting for you," Bobby answered.

The doctor arrived to check my arm. He decided to remove the cast but recommended I use a splint until I complete my physiotherapy. He flexed my wrist to see the range from being immobilized. After feeling the location of the break, he said, "You need to complete a minimum of two weeks of physiotherapy until can be cleared for limited duty. Once you've been evaluated by Dr. Banner, he would advise if you require more therapy or slowly be reintroduced to training."

I guess it could have been worse. "Thank you, Dr. Lambert." My arm felt weak after the cast was removed.

"It's going to feel weaker than normal," Bobby said as I tried to flex my wrist. I really hate physiotherapy, but I know it's necessary before Rangeman would clear me for working in the field. After both Bobby and Bruce updated my file, I was dismissed.

Steve was waiting for me in our living room. "How was your appointment?" he asked as he pointed to my arm.

"The usual. Minimum of two weeks physiotherapy, re-evaluate then maybe more therapy before training," I quickly replied. He already knew the protocol. Steve gently lifted my arm and kissed it. He released my arm before lifting me into his arms. I let him carry me to the shower. "We already had a shower," I whispered.

"Your arm still has traces of plaster," he said.

"So we have to get completely naked to wash it off?" I asked.

"Among other things," she said before kissing me thoroughly.