Author's Note: Hey, hey my readers! Welcome back to another chapter of Raise Me Up! We are at CHAPTER 18! It's the Fourth of July and then we will get to see Peter, Tony, Pepper, and Happy begin to officially gather May's things from the apartment. I hope you all enjoy it, BUT…before we get to that...REVIEW REPLIES!

SapphireRuby24: Thank you! Yes, I love writing them in this story! They are such rocks for Peter in this story!

Megan844: Memory lane indeed! Hope you continue to like what comes next!

Meli-Mel150: Lol, ouchies indeed! All the ouchies! I hope you like what comes next!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything related to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.


Chapter 18

Two days after Peter went back on patrol as Spider-Man was the 4th of July, and of course, Tony and Pepper wanted to make the day special for Peter, especially when it was his first one without May. They woke up early that day to meet up with Rhodey and Vision for a barbeque at the compound. After Peter and Tony went up to the compound the day after May died, Rhodey made Tony promise to bring Peter and Pepper up for the holiday, and the billionaire was happy to oblige.

"Did Ned and MJ say what they were doing today, kid?" Tony asked as he and Happy sat upfront with Happy at the wheel.

Peter knew Tony was referring to his call with Ned and MJ last night and smiled. "They're going to spend the day with their families, too," he replied. "Ned and his parents are going to Jones Beach, and MJ and her parents are going to the Hamptons. They said they'll be back after the press conference to hang out."

"That's good," Pepper said with a smile.

Peter took a deep breath and nodded.

Pepper of course noticed it and took Peter's hand into hers. "Don't think about it today, sweetheart," she said. "We'll work on that later this week. Today's the day for family and relaxation, okay?"

Peter looked at her hand and smiled. "Okay," he said. The CEO was right, and he knew without a doubt that May would tell him the same thing. Today was a holiday, and he was spending it with his family…just as May would want him to.

Tony couldn't help but smile from where he sat watching the moment between Pepper and Peter. As much as he loved bonding with…his kid, he loved seeing the kid with his fiancée, and it was something that Peter would need now that May was gone. He was going to need a female figure in his life. Pepper would never replace May. No one could replace May, but Peter needed a female figure in his life…someone to keep him grounded…to comfort him. While he would always be there for Peter, he remembered what it was like to have a maternal figure. His mother was an angel, and May was too. Pepper was as well, and Peter needed her just as he needed him.

His thoughts were interrupted when his phone suddenly vibrated, and when he took it out of his pocket, he could see that it was a text from Rhodey.

"As soon as you got here, we need to talk."

Tony furrowed his eyebrows together in confusion. "Sure, everything okay?"

Rhodey texted him back. "Hard to explain over the phone. It's better if I tell you in person."

"Everything okay, boss?" Happy asked jolting Tony to attention.

"Hmm?" Tony said pretending that his head of security didn't just startle him. "Oh, yeah, everything's fine, Hap. Rhodey's just wondering where we are."

Peter and Pepper looked at each other and then back at Tony and Happy.

"Honey, are you sure?" Pepper said leaning forward slightly. "You got a little quiet for a second."

Peter eyed his guardian curiously. He wanted to know if Tony really was okay, but he didn't want to overwhelm him with so many questions.

"Of course, totally fine," Tony said he typed on his phone to Rhodey.

"Okay, platypus, we'll be there soon."

Rhodey responded by sending a thumbs-up emoji leaving Tony to wonder what could be so important that his best friend needed to wait to tell him in person. However, that didn't stop him from sending a text to Pepper.

"Rhodey wants to talk as soon as we get there. He won't tell me what it is though," he texted her.

He snuck a glance at Peter. Thankfully, the kid was busy looking at the window and didn't seem to notice. Depending on whatever it was Rhodey wanted to talk about, he would have to figure out if this was something Peter could know about. He turned around back to the road in front of him taking a deep breath.


As soon as the group arrived at the Compound, Peter was able to see Vision standing outside waiting for them. Happy parked the car right in front of the door allowing the passengers to get out.

"Hey, Vision," Peter said as he hopped out of the car to greet the android.

"Greetings, Peter," Vision replied with a small smile. "I trust that you enjoyed the ride to the compound."

"Definitely," Peter said trying to push down the nagging feeling in his stomach when he thought about how quiet Tony got in the car, "but I'm excited to celebrate the Fourth with you guys." He looked around when he realized that someone else was missing. "Umm…where's Rhodey?"

"Ah, he's in the conference room," Vision replied glancing at Tony as the billionaire stood behind Peter, "but he said to go ahead and head out back. He will join us when he's finished."

"I better go check on him," Tony said as he patted the kid's shoulder.

"I'll come with you, Tony," Peter said as he took a step to follow Tony.

However, his guardian quickly turned around with a small smile and a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, buddy," he said. "It's probably nothing. Why don't you help Pepper, Happy, and Vision set up? Rhodey and I will meet up with you guys, okay?"

Peter felt his shoulders sag as Tony basically told him to stay behind. As much as he hated that Tony was keeping him out of the loop, he couldn't help but feel that there was something seriously wrong. Tony did something similar the day after May died, but now, something felt off. Whatever it was, he knew that Tony was probably not going to keep him in the loop, but maybe there was a way he could help him. He sighed in defeat and nodded. "Okay," he said.

Seeing the defeated look on Peter's face made Tony's heart sink, but the billionaire couldn't figure out if this was something Peter or Spider-Man should be involved. It was better to keep the kid out of the loop for the time being. He gave Peter and Pepper one last smile before walking into the Compound making his way to the conference room.

As he walked to the conference room, he could see his best friend standing in the middle of the room with his arms crossed clearly talking. He seemed tense, which confused Tony. What could cause Rhodey to look so tense? He opened the door and immediately found out why…Secretary Ross was on a videoconference with him.

"Hey, Tones, I'm sure you remember our dear friend, the Secretary of State," Rhodey said coolly.

"Remember yourself, Colonel," Ross interjected before Tony could say anything. He turned to the billionaire. "Stark, nice of you to drop by. It's been a while since we last spoke."

It indeed had been a while. Ever since Steve helped Wilson, and Wanda escape from the Raft, Tony had done everything he could to stay out of anything to do with Ross. Instead, he focused his time on making sure no one found the Rogues. He made sure Clint and Scott—Hawkeye and the Ant Man—were given house arrest after they struck deals. They had families and realized that going on the run wasn't worth it. He also had been doing everything he could to keep Spider-Man off Ross' radar. The very thought of Peter…a teenager being dragged away to the Raft all because of his abilities had always made Tony sick to his stomach, and it's only increased over time, especially now.

"Well, with all due respect, sir," Tony began, "I'm very busy man. I've had a lot on my plate yesterday."

"Oh, yes, I'm sure going to Coney Island with your intern is quite time-consuming," Ross retorted.

Tony couldn't help but feel a chill go down his spine at Ross' comment. Nevertheless, he maintained his composure as best as he could as he snuck a look at Rhodey. "Mr. Secretary, with…somewhat due respect, my private life is none of your business," he said. "However, if you're so curious as to why I was with my intern, he suffered a tragic loss in the family, and I was trying to help him. More information will be given at a press conference, and that's all I have to say on the matter. Although, I'm quite surprised the Secretary of State himself even cares about gossip." The billionaire could see Rhodey trying his hardest not to burst out laughing.

"I make it a point to keep an eye on people I work with…especially those who claim to be Earth's Mightiest Heroes and have no problem running around with no boundaries."

"May I remind you, sir, that we were the ones who signed those Accords," Rhodey added.

"As did Agent Romanoff, but look what happened there," the Secretary said.

Tony visibly flinched at the mention of the Black Widow. Ever since the battle in Germany…when Natasha purposely thwarted T'Challa's attempts to bring in Steve and his buddy, Barnes, their last encounter left a sour taste in his mouth. Natasha pulled a double agent stunt…all for a criminal, and it only continued to rip the Avengers apart. "Is there a reason you're calling us?" Tony suddenly said. "Because it's the 4th of July, and I have a barbeque calling my name."

"…and a kid…" he added mentally, "waiting for me…"

"I was calling to ask Col. Rhodes if there were any updates regarding the Rogues," Ross replied, "but since you're here as well, you can give me your updates as well, Stark. Where are they?"

"Sir, we've been through this," Rhodey replied. "Barton and Lang are the only two under house arrest. There have been no signs of Rogers, Barnes, Wilson, Maximoff, or Romanoff anywhere. It's been that way for about a year."

The Colonel wasn't wrong. It had been a year…more than a year since the Avengers broke up over the Sokovia Accords…since the fight between Tony, Steve, and Barnes…since he received a phone and a flimsy letter from Captain America. Tony occasionally checked in on them through satellites and security cameras, and he did what he could to prevent his former teammates from being arrested. His problems were with Steve, Natasha, and Barnes, not completely with Sam Wilson and Wanda Maximoff, even though he was offended being accused of locking the girl in her room…when she had complete freedom to roam around the compound.

"So what do you suggest we do, Col. Rhodes?" Ross suddenly asked jolting Tony out of his thoughts. "Simply allow these Rogues to go free? Allow the crazy man from the 40s who murdered the previous king of Wakanda to roam without boundaries?"

"Sir, if you recall correctly, Barnes wasn't responsible for what happened in Vienna," Tony retorted. "Zemo framed him. I tried to tell you that myself."

"And like I told you," Ross retorted, "after the stunts you pulled in Germany, I wasn't going to listen to you."

"Yet you wonder why I constantly put you on hold," Tony said.

"Alright, alright," Rhodey finally said holding his hands up to calm both his boss and his best friends. "We're clearly not getting anything accomplished by arguing. Mr. Secretary, with all due respect, is there a reason you called us? Because if it's just to criticize Tony on doing a nice thing for his intern, then we have better things to do."

"I want you to take the Vision and find those Rogues to bring them to justice," Ross replied.

"Can't do that," Tony said quickly. "Like I said, I have a lot on my plate right now." The thought of going after the Rogues made his heart pound. Not only would he risk running into Steve and Natasha, but there was a certain teenager, who would certainly drop everything to try to help. The thought of Peter being sucked into this matter again scared him immensely. As much as he hated to admit it, Natasha was right when they last spoke. Rhodey getting paralyzed was the best-case scenario. Steve's shield went down on his chest and could've done more damage. He couldn't risk his family again…now…not when Peter needed him and Pepper. "However, there is one thing I am willing to try…something I have been thinking about for a while now…a chance for Rhodey, Vision, and I to amend the Accords."

"Absolutely not," Ross quickly said.

"Under what authority are you in a position to deny us that chance, Ross? Are you seriously willing to risk a repeat of Germany just so you don't have to admit that some of those Accords were just a little bit extreme? I don't know how Rogers or his cronies will react, but if we can use the Accords to make things right, we get them to come back and back on our side again."

There was a long pause. It was about a minute, but to Tony, it felt like an eternity as he and Rhodey watched Ross look like he was considering it.

"Col. Rhodes, you agree with your buddy here?" he asked.

"100%, sir," Rhodey replied. "If we can get the Avengers back together and the Accords straightened out, things would be a hell of a lot easier."

Tony couldn't help but smile as he heard Rhodey supporting him, but he was jolted out of his thoughts when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He took it out of his pocket and saw a text message from Pepper.

"Any chance you found a certain teenager? He said he went to the find a bathroom, but he didn't come back. I think he got a little worried about you."

Tony raised his eyebrows, as it didn't take him very long—only a matter of seconds to figure out whom Pepper was referring to. He should've known that Peter wouldn't listen to him and would want to know what was going on. He figured the kid was hiding somewhere here to avoid being spotted and to use his enhanced hearing to eavesdrop, and he didn't want to alert Ross that the kid was doing so. So, he maintained composure as Ross finally spoke up again.

"I will discuss it with the UN reps and my colleagues," he finally said, "and I will get back to the both of you."

Both Tony and Rhodey sighed in relief. Neither of them was expecting this conversation to take such a turn, but it was definitely welcomed. They could avoid further bloodshed and get Earth's Mightiest Heroes together again. It wouldn't be easy, but it was something.

"Thank you, Mr. Secretary," Rhodey said. "Enjoy the 4th."

"Don't make me regret this," he snapped back. With that, he hung up leaving Tony and Rhodey alone in the conference room.

"Well, he's certainly cheery," Tony commented.

Rhodey couldn't help but chuckle. "Sorry to make you worry like that," he said. "He demanded that you get on the call as well, and I knew that you wouldn't have come if I told you."

Tony shook his head. "Not your fault, Rhodey," he said. "I had been dodging him for a year. I've been busy with SI and the kid, I guess, it was bound to bite me in the ass sooner or later after things calmed down after the hearing." There was a pause as Tony looked outside the conference room remembering what Pepper texted him. "Speaking of the kid…" He made his way out of conference room before his best friend could ask him to clarify, and he looked around the hallway. "Hmm…FRIDAY?"

"Yep, boss," FRIDAY said.

"Any chance you can tell me where Peter is?"

"Why, yes, boss," FRIDAY sounded like there was a smile in her voice. "I still believe he is using his powers to stick to the ceiling…right above you."

"FRIDAY!" someone shouted…right above him.

Tony couldn't help but chuckle as he looked, and sure enough, there was Peter on the ceiling using his powers to stick to the ceiling. "You're not exactly very sneaky when you're out of the suit, are you?"

"I can be very sneaky!" Peter said defensively.

"Really? Because Pepper texted me that you told her that you went to the bathroom and never came back."

"Okay, but that's Pepper," Peter said as he maneuvered himself so that he came down from the ceiling and turned around to face Tony. "She could see anything." He really should've known that he wouldn't have been able to fool Pepper Potts.

"If you knew that, why'd you come down here?" Tony asked. He just barely missed Rhodey looking at him like he had 10 heads out of the corner of his eye.

Peter couldn't help but shrug. "I knew that she would try to tell me that everything is okay," he began, "but—I know you—you didn't look like everything was okay. So I got worried."

Tony sighed with a small smile as he remembered Pepper's text. Of course Peter was worried. He, Pepper, Rhodey, Happy, and Vision were all he had left, especially him and Pepper. He couldn't blame the kid for eavesdropping. He would've done the same if Peter weren't acting like himself.

"I-I'm sorry for lying and eavesdropping, Tony," Peter finally said. He cringed somewhat as he twiddled his thumbs. "Are you mad?"

The billionaire sighed and shook his head before pulling Peter into a hug. If Howard had heard him eavesdropping, there probably would've been a punishment not too far behind, but for Tony, he couldn't do that to Peter. Peter knew it was wrong, but he only did it because he was worried. That was all. "No, buddy, I'm not mad," Tony said as he carded his hand through Peter's hair. "No harm done, and I would've done the same. I just wasn't sure if this was something I should bring you into."

Peter nuzzled into Tony's chest breathing in his scent smiling. "Well, now that I heard," he began carefully, "are you really going to do it? Try to change the Accords?"

"We're going to try, yeah," Tony replied.

"Only if Ross and the UN agree to it," Rhodey said. "Although, I have a feeling that there will be some sort of catch."

"Steve Rogers?" Peter asked looking at both his guardian and the Colonel.

"Most likely, kid," Rhodey replied.

"But we're not going to worry about it right now," Tony quickly said. "It's the 4th, and we came up here to celebrate. So that's what we're going to do. We can worry about Ross and the Accords later, okay?"

Peter smiled feeling a little better knowing that Tony was keeping in him in the loop. He also knew that Tony didn't want to waste the holiday talking about politics for both of them.

"Okay," the teen replied.


As ready as Peter felt to move May's things out of the apartment, he still dreaded it. Not only was he officially saying goodbye to May…again…but he was saying goodbye to their home…their little apartment in Queens. He couldn't ask Tony and Pepper to move. Plus, it made more sense for him to move into the tower. However, grief and logic often didn't go so well together. There was a part of him that wished he, Tony, Pepper, and Happy could stay at the compound a little longer. After a fun 4th of July celebration, they woke up early the next day to get a rented U-HAUL in the city before heading toward Queens. They made it to Queens around 11 before Tony finally suggested that they would stop at Peter's favorite deli to grab some lunch, which Peter deeply appreciated.

Happy pulled up with the U-HAUL a little ways away from Mr. Delmar's deli, and Tony and Peter got out leaving Happy and Pepper outside with the car and the U-HAUL to avoid police looking to give them a parking ticket. Tony and Peter walked into the store, and sure enough, there was Mr. Delmar at the counter.

"Ah, hola, Peter, Señor Stark," Mr. Delmar said with a smile.

"Hola, Mr. Delmar, ¿cómo está?" Peter replied as he and Tony walked up to the counter. There were no customers around to see Tony Stark walking into the deli with his intern.

"Bueno, bueno," Mr. Delmar replied. "How have you been doing, Peter? We didn't have much of a chance to talk at your aunt's wake and funeral."

Peter realized that the deli owner was right as he pet the orange cat, Murphy sitting on the counter. He remembered Mr. Delmar talking to him briefly at the wake and the funeral, but it wasn't for very long. There were other people who wanted a chance to express their condolences, and Peter himself was not all there the entire time. It was difficult to hold conversations at the time.

"I've…I've been hanging in there," Peter answered honestly. "I mean…it hurts still, but…I…eventually, I…I don't know…I'll be okay."

Mr. Delmar nodded. "You will be," he said. He threw a quick glance at the billionaire right behind Peter. "Mr. Stark taking care of you?"

Peter smiled and nodded. "Yes, sir," he said. "He's been doing so much for me, him and Ms. Potts."

"Good, I'm glad to hear that," Mr. Delmar replied. "In that case, what can I get you both today? The usual?"

It was moments like this that made Peter realize just how huge of a part Tony had become in his life over the past year. He was supposed to come to his awards ceremony. He and May planned it before she died. Before that, he and Tony made yet another habit to come to Mr. Delmar's deli quite a few times…to the point where Mr. Delmar remembered what he ordered. It made the warmth in his chest grow even more, and even more grateful to May for giving him this one final gift.

Once Tony and Peter got their orders and sandwiches for Happy and Pepper, Peter took the sandwiches while Tony took his wallet to pay.

"Forget it, Stark," the deli owner said holding his hand up to stop him. "It's on the house."

"No, no, Delmar," Tony tried to say.

"You're taking care of that boy," he replied with a warm smile. "Someone in your position could've just tossed him aside, but you didn't. Consider it a gift…on the account that you keep taking care of him."

Tony couldn't help but smile at Mr. Delmar grateful for how much he cared about the kid…his charge. He nodded and held out his hand for the deli owner to shake, and Mr. Delmar gladly accepted the gesture.

"Take care of him, Stark," he said. "He needs you."

Tony nodded before smiling once again and making his way out of the store to meet up with Peter.


After lunch, Peter, Tony, Happy, and Pepper drove to the apartment, and Peter couldn't but feel another pang in his chest. No matter that he knew that his aunt was gone forever, it still hurt when he remembered and when he realized that this was really and truly his last time in the apartment. He, Tony, and Pepper decided to sell the apartment knowing another family could make it their home in the future or maybe a young couple looking to live together. Peter even considered buying it again someday whenever he would be ready to live on his own someday, but it hurt to think of himself living there without May and even being away from Tony and Pepper. The logical part of him knew it was the nostalgia thinking this way, but it still hurt.

Once Happy found a parking space big enough for the car and the U-HAUL, Peter felt his heart sink as he looked up at the building, He took a deep breath as they all got out of the car. No one said much. There wasn't much to say right now as Tony, Pepper, and Happy followed Peter up to the apartment. Thankfully, once again, not many people were around, which they were grateful for. Now that the pictures of Peter and Tony were out there, chances were the paparazzi would try to track them down and take more pictures of them until the press conference, and that was the last thing any of them needed right now, especially Peter. As soon as they reached the door to Peter's…old…apartment, the teenager took out a key and unlocked the door to open it, and when he did, his heart sank even more at the sight.

The door leading to his bedroom was wide open allowing him to see how empty it was now that his furniture was with him at the Tower, and the apartment itself was just as dark as it was the night he passed by at Spider-Man. There was a part of him still that waited for her to come out of her room…to come up to him and hug him showing that it wasn't real…that she wasn't dead and that they weren't about to leave this place forever. Instead, a hand landed on his shoulder to his left jolting him out of his thoughts, and he turned to look only to see that…it was Tony…his guardian…looking at him with concern all over his face.

It wasn't May, but as he told them at the hearing, it was her gift to him…the gift of familiarity, safety, home, love, and family. Tears formed in his eyes as his heart swelled with so many mixed emotions.

"It's okay, Peter," Tony said quietly. "It's okay."

Peter nodded as a stray tear streamed down his face.

Tony sighed. "M-Maybe we can come back another time, buddy," he said pulling him in for a hug. "We can take the truck back and—"

"No," Peter said quickly as he pulled away slightly, "no, I told you, Tony. If I don't do this now, I never will. I have to do this…for me…and for May. I just…" he gripped Tony slightly tighter, "don't…want you to leave me…alone."

Tony sighed as he pulled Peter to his chest running a hand through his hair. "Never, bud," he said. "I'm stuck to you like glue. I'm right here. We're…your family…is right here…no matter what."

Peter nodded as he nuzzled into Tony's chest as more tears streamed down his cheeks. This was going to be one of the hardest things he had ever done, but with May's last gift…their family, he knew that he would pull through.

Tony looked over Peter's head and at Pepper and Happy as they watched. He could tell that they wanted to hug Peter as well, but they all knew that it would overwhelm him right now. It would be best to wait until Peter showed that he needed/wanted it. Right now, he just needed a hug from Tony.

After a minute of being in Tony's embrace, Peter was ready to do what they came to do. He slowly pulled away and wiped his face before sighing. "Umm…m-maybe we can start in her room? Work our way to out here?"

"That's perfectly fine, kiddo," Tony said with a sad smile on his face. It hurt him seeing his kid…his ward…his kid making these decisions, but he told Peter needed to know that he wasn't being babied.


The boxes were split into three categories: Donate, Keep, and Throw Away. Peter figured that May would've wanted her clothes to be donated. They buried her with most of her jewelry, especially her wedding ring and the last necklace Ben gave to her before she died. Pepper suggested that they could keep her engagement ring for Peter to use someday, and Peter couldn't help but smile at the thought of the girl of his dreams…wearing his aunt's engagement ring once he would propose. He couldn't help but think that May would've loved that.

Once the clothes were placed in the Donated boxes, they moved onto things Peter could and wanted to keep, and the teenager wasted no time in grabbing all the pictures of him, of May and Ben, of his parents, and any photo albums he could find. These were precious memories, and he hated the idea of memories being lost forever. Plus, Tony would want to see them, and he wanted to show Tony and Pepper, as it would help keep May's memory alive. Peter also didn't hesitate in grabbing the large box that was full to the brim with old video recordings. The videos of May on his suit were good, but these were memories of his parents, May, and Ben. He was never going to let go of those. There were also a few keepsakes that he and Tony found in May's bedroom.

In a small manila folder stored in a box, Peter found himself taking out folded sheets of construction paper with pictures of flowers, hearts, figures, and Christmas trees drawn on them, and tears formed in his eyes as he read the messages…

"Merry Christmas!"

"Happy Mother's Day!"

"Happy Valentine's Day!"

"I love you very much!"

Peter let out a shaky breath and sniffled. "She actually kept these," he said.

"What, buddy?" Tony said as he crawled over to where Peter sat near the closet. "Are you okay?"

Peter sniffled. "It's…umm…" Peter said as the tears streamed down his face, "it's the cards…Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day cards I made for her when I was in elementary school. I-I didn't expect to…to find them. I…I didn't think she would keep them for so long. I mean…not that she didn't care…just….I don't know…"

"It's the memories, bud," Tony said as he pulled Peter into his arms. He couldn't help but remember when he went through his parents' things after the accident. Obadiah was taking care of things to get him set to take over as CEO, and Rhodey was visiting family. He was alone, and it was far too soon to go through his things. He refused to let the same happen to the teen crying in his arms…to let the teen think he was alone…to let him think that he had to do this right away. "Listen, kid, maybe this is a little too soon. Maybe we can come back and finish next week."

"No, no, Tony," Peter said crying. "I…I can do it. I-I'm not weak."

"It's not a matter of weakness, buddy," Tony said.

"I know, I know, but listen to me," Peter said as he held on a little tighter. "I'm not weak because…because you're with me, Tony. I just…I just miss her so much, but I have to do this now…because it will help me move forward…with you guys…my family."

Tony smiled and slowly buried his face in Peter's hair. "Damn right, kid," he said, "and we're not leaving you…never."


After Peter cried for another minute in Tony's arms smiling at Tony's promise to never leave him, they slowly went back to work gathering May's things. Peter decided to keep the cards along with the other keepsakes he found. He even found a blanket that May loved to use in the winter on cold nights, and he wasn't ashamed to press it against his nose taking in her scent before placing it in the "Keep" boxes. He even went through her china remembering her making him promise to keep it for when he would have a place of his own. Thankfully, Tony and Pepper found some bubble wrap to put it in the boxes along with the recordings, the engagement ring, the blanket, photos, and a few other items he found and decided to keep.

A few hours later…the boxes were moved down to the U-HAUL, leaving the apartment completely empty with the exception of the bare essentials a new couple or tenant or family would need. Sadness crept in his heart as he took in the apartment. It was his last moments on 15th Street…for real, and he wanted to take as much time as he could before returning to his new home at the Tower.

Tony and Pepper must've understood this. After Tony placed his key—the one May gave to him for his birthday on the table, he turned to him. "The…uh…landlord told me to leave our keys here and to shut off the lights," he said. "Pep and I will be waiting with Happy, and you take as much as time as you need, okay?"

Peter gave him a small smile and nodded. "Okay," he said, "I'll meet you guys. I won't be too long."


Author's Note: Annnnnnnnd that's all for this chapter, boys and girls! Next chapter, we'll get Peter officially saying goodbye and some more! I would've put it here, but it got way too long, so I decided to move that to CHAPTER 19. I'm still writing it so it should come soon! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Stay tuned for CHAPTER 19! Don't forget to read and review! Thanks, guys!