June 14th - 2019
Early in the morning, Gwen splashed some warm water into her face. She looked at her image in the mirror within the bathroom. She was exhausted. She closed the faucet and wiped the water off her face with the towel. She later entered the bedroom again and found the bed empty.
The last couple of days were rough for her. She didn't want to accept what the sight in front of her could mean.
She opened the wardrobe and noticed that Peter's part of it remained intact. Not a single thing had changed since he last touched it. She wore a fresh pair of clothes and slid the golden ring down her finger.
She later added dog ration to Ren's bowl. The puppy immediately began to eat the food while it was patted in the back. She smiled to herself, content.
"Mum will be out for the day, ok?" She petted Ren one last time and approached the open window in the living room to close it. The city was extremely quiet lately, it was as if something had been missing it.
New York-Presbyterian University Hospital
Gwen stepped out of the taxi and looked at the crowd found in front of the hospital. There were also reporters spread all over the area. It was a historic event for many of the people in the country. She didn't feel good about such a situation.
Pictures of Spider-Man were placed against the building's wall along with candles on the ground. They all waited anxiously for news about Spider-Man. The last update everyone had was that he remained in a critical condition.
Gwen strolled past through the and showed her security card to the police officers that were guarding the main entrance. She was authorized and proceeded towards the reception where a brunette focused on the television set up in the wall.
She began, "Hi. I'm here to see Doctor Adams. He's aware of me."
"Full name?"
"Gwendolyne Maxine Stacy," She didn't feel like letting Peter's last name out. Anything was susceptible to a leak. They were all trying hard to keep his privacy intact. A tough act to follow.
The receptionist checked on her computer, "Okay, you can take the elevator in the hallway before turning left to his office."
"Thank you." Gwen nodded and made her way to the elevator. She was already used to the place. She had been in it for days now.
She later knocked on Adam's door. It didn't take long for it to be open.
"Hello, Gwen. Please come in." The tall young man with short hair gestured for her to come inside.
"Dr. Adams." They shook hands.
He then walked to his desk. "Please take a seat."
Gwen did as suggested. "How's he doing?"
"First things first, I've managed to swap his last name in our systems. I'm sure it will help."
She let out a tiny smile. "Thank you… so much."
He nodded. "Peter went through four surgeries so far… and I'm happy to inform you that they were all successful. His condition is stable for the moment."
"I'm so glad, you have no idea how tense I've been lately. "
He continued carefully, "But... there are still some risks about his recovery, when we got him for the first time after the fight, the way his body was just... I'm going to be honest with you, Peter shouldn't even be with us. But somehow, he's pulling through.
"How bad were his injuries?"
"Bad, like - really bad." He inhaled deeply. "Peter had a heavy concussion and trauma on his head. We've found some dislocated and shattered bones in his back, hands, and arms. His internal organs were slightly burnt, I don't know how. That's some of it."
Gwen sighed.
He added, "We did what we could to guarantee his survival… now it's up to him."
"Will he fully heal from this?"
"We took him out of coma during the past three days, so yes, I believe."
"... can I see him?"
"Of course." He raised from his chair. "He's in a guarded room, please follow me."
They left the room. Gwen tagged along. "I really appreciate what you are doing for us… it means everything.'
"Aside from doing my job, it's been an honor to treat the man who saved my wife and child at Times Square years ago. I'm just returning the favor."
Gwen smiled.
They stopped in front of the two armed guards that were guarding Peter's room. Adams showed his card and had them move to the side, allowing Gwen a free passage inside the room her husband was in,
Adams spoke, "Go on, please. You can take your time."
Gwen let out another smile. "Thank you."
Peter was resting on the hospital bed. Some equipment was set next to the bed. A window with brown curtains could be seen on his left side. The only thing anyone was able to hear in the room was the sound of his heartbeat coming from the equipment.
The bedsheets stopped at his waist. His arms were mostly wrapped in bandages. His eyes were still closed and it was possible to see the yellow bruises spread over his cheeks and chin.
Gwen carefully set her purse in the bed stand and sat down in the padded chair on the side of his bed. She looked at her husband. "Hey… you scared me pretty bad." She took his hand on hers. "It's finally over, we can stop running."
She watched him sleep for some time to make sure he was okay. She then rested her hand on his lap and fell asleep entirely for the first time in a long time.
Somewhere else...
Fiers headed towards the helicopter that waited for him. Even if the plans didn't go quite as planned, something was recovered from the whole ordeal. With Oscorp compromised and Norman Osborn behind bars, there wasn't that much for Fiers to do besides wait and recover.
He stepped inside of the and found Dr. Warren in the opposite seat. "Did you get everything that you need?"
The engines in the helicopter began to work.
Warren answered, "We've found a sample of the symbiote. When we finally get to Germany, I will start the tests with the data we've recovered from Oscorp."
"Can you make it happen again?" Fiers wrapped his seatbelt as the helicopter ascended from the ground.
"A clone? Well… it's possible, but it will take some time."
"You can take your time, I'm not in a hurry."
Gwen slowly opened her eyes. She felt some movement on top of her hair. She turned her head around and found Peter caressing her hair.
He smiled, "Wow… I needed to be reminded of how gorgeous you are."
"Peter!" She got off the chair and climbed into the bed, before hugging her husband. She rested her head next to his neck.
"Ouch..." Peter groaned in discomfort and smiled. He wanted nothing but to feel her again.
Peter wrapped both arms around her back. He could see through her tired expression how his state was affecting her. It showed further once he noticed a portion of his neck to be wet with her tears.
He kept her safe. "It's okay. "How have you been?"
"Pretty worried," Gwen replied huskily. Her eyes remained closed. "I couldn't stop thinking about you."
"We will be alright. We still have dinner to make." He planted a kiss on top of her head and received a giggle in return.
"You need to heal a little more before you can go home with me." Gwen made eye contact with him.
"And I will." They touched their foreheads and closed their eyes. "I just want to be with you from now on." He now gently brushed his lips against hers, reminding himself how sweet they were, before finally kissing them.
They parted and looked at each other with loving eyes. He spoke, "God… I needed this."
"I'm glad you are here with me."
Peter caressed her cheek and smiled. "So, I assume that everyone already knows that I'm the guy under that blue and red spandex?"
"Not really." Gwen continued, "Only Dr. Adams knows about it. He's truly a professional, and you saved his wife and son back when Max went on his rampage for the first time, so there's that."
"I did? I… I think I remember webbing this lady's hand. She held this tiny baby with her."
"Yes." Gwen added, "From what I've seen, the cops didn't allow anyone to take pictures or anything. I was with you in the ambulance too. To be honest, you weren't looking good and it's not like you were carrying your ID with you either."
"I see... I owe them a lot.
"No - you don't, they are just returning the favor for everything that you ever did for this city after all these years."
He paused. "Does your family know anything about this?"
"I told them you have to travel for the Bugle, but I think my mom thinks we fought.
Peter chuckled. "Fortunately, that never happened." He cleared his throat. "Is... is Harry alive?"
Gwen gently snuggled closer, reassuringly. "They tried to revive him, but he had lost too much blood. I'm sorry."
Peter sighed heavily. "... he helped me. That's what matters."
"He's resting now." Gwen comforted him and eventually changed the subject. "Aunt May visited you before the… well, fourth surgery."
"Fourth?" Peter cleared his throat. "That bad…?"
"Not anymore." Gwen held his hand firmly. "I wish I could stay a little longer."
He tilted her head to the side. "Can you not?"
Gwen smiled. "I promised to finish the concept for this project… It involves a new scanner which can analyze the deepest cells in our body."
"I understand. Of course." Peter looked at the window and watched the rain land against the glass. "I can't wait to get home."
"We deserve a rest."
"I love you."
"Love you too." She gave him a tiny peck on the lips. "I better be going." She unwrapped herself from Peter's arms and sat on the edge of the bed.
Peter moved a hand on her back and down her spine. "Be safe."
"You too, mister." She turned on her shoulder and leaned in to give him a tiny peck on the lips. She touched her feet on the cold floor and went to pick up her shoes.
Peter watched her grab her purse and place it on her shoulder. She stood at the door and questioned. "I guess I can come later to sleep here with you."
He shook his head. "It's okay. You deserve a good rest in our bed."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, trust me."
Gwen nodded. "Alright, honey." She smiled. "See you tomorrow."
"Okay then." Gwen quickly kissed his lips. "See you tomorrow."
"I'll be waiting,"
She moved her hand to the light switch in the wall. "Want me to turn off the light?"
"That would be great."
"Rest well." Gwen turned off the lights and stepped outside the room.
Peter sighed heavily and stared at the ceiling. He felt both emotionally and physically exhausted. Harry Osborn had died at the hands of his own father. He had lost the person he first considered a friend.
What was going to happen with Norman was still unknown. The Osborn legacy was falling apart quickly. Norman was once again at death's door without his blood. He had to decide if he would try to save Norman after all.
The tragedies in his life were all tied to such a man.
Peter inhaled deeply and closed his eyes and naturally fell asleep for the first time after being taken out of the coma. Time would go on, the city would change and Peter would get older, but the one thing that wouldn't ever change would be the capacity Spider-Man had to put a smile on people's faces. They were counting on him, and he wouldn't ever let them down.
A/N: The first part of the epilogue is now completed. It's not the end of the story. Peter and Gwen's life will continue to be written but without a "main" plot for the moment, a new one will probably take place soon.
Nonetheless, I have to thank everyone who is still with me after those months. Without you guys, I wouldn't have matured as a writer and have the inspiration to keep writing.
17/02/22: Fixed mistakes. No major changes.