December 21st - 2019

Empire State University

"Achieving financial support would be essential for the project…"

The man standing in front of the huge table in the meeting room tried to convince the potential investors that were listening to his speech while watching the screen behind him at the same time.

"... with this graphic, made by Peter Parker, we can see the clear potential in front of us, the substance we are developing is set to find the organism's intruder and destroy it without the help of our natural defenses, it can efficient and-"

A sneeze was heard at the far end of the table. Everyone looked at the sick individual.

"Sorry." Peter sniffed. His nose had turned into a shade of red. He had caught a cold after spending hours under snow.

Peter struggled to not fall asleep over the table and in front of everyone. He was dead hungry and even if the meeting was extremely important, he just wanted it to end.

The presentation went on once again.

"We would be able to save countless lives against parasites, diseases, and potentially end the battle against HIV… and much more."

The attendees eventually raised from the chairs and began clapping.

Peter forgot about the pain and began clapping with them. He looked to his co-worker who had just presented the project and smiled, before receiving a happy nod from his partner.

He had the job of his dreams, and he was starting with huge accomplishments.

After everything got dealt with, Peter took the elevator and later stopped at the main entrance to the building. He stepped outside and saw a city covered with snow. Christmas decorations could be seen at every corner such as colorful lights in many windows and angelical figures set in the light poles in the street.

Peter was about to cross the street and get himself a tasty hotdog from the cart on the other side, but his senses were fragile and so he was caught by surprise by the car that sped close to him. Three police cars followed the first car.

Peter watched the violator turn left and enter a new avenue. He quickly crossed the street and rushed to the empty alley. He opened his coat and exposed the spider symbol on his Spider-Man suit. As he got himself out of the coat, he then pulled the mask down his face and jumped into the air, before firing a biocable to the closest building.

He now swung above the cars as the cold snow brushed against the suit's fabric.

Back in the car, the lonely criminal placed his gun over the bag with the money in the passenger seat and focused on driving himself away from the cops. He was about to turn his head to the right to check the mirror but was surprised when he saw Spider-Man sitting beside him with his legs stretched over the panel.

Spider-Man turned his head to face the man. "Oh… hello there." He let out a loud sneeze. "... ah, I bet you're wondering how I got here."

The robber was shocked for a brief moment as he almost lost control of the car. He then tried to punch Spider-Man with his right hand but the hero quickly reacted by webbing the incoming fist back to the wheel.

After noticing that the gun and bag were gone from the seat Spider-Man was now sitting on, he demanded, "Where's my money?!"

"You aren't going to get cookies for Christmas with this type of behavior," Spider-Man opened the glove box and searched for any medicine for his illness. "Oh damn, look at what we got here." He spotted plastic bags inside the glove box, they contained some green herbs that wouldn't help him with anything besides making him see giant spiders everywhere.

"Close that!" The robber ordered as he tried to focus on the road ahead of him.

"So… you are going to throw a party but you won't invite me? That's very disappointing." Spider-man remarked, rather annoyed. "What's with you bad guys going all hating on me? Hey, watch out!" He pointed to the road.

The robber turned the wheel to the side and evaded the parked bus that was waiting for the light to turn green. The cops followed him closely, there were even more around since Spider-Man showed up.

He looked to his left and noticed that Spider-Man was gone.

The car was then lifted from the ground by its back and was now stuck in a large network of webbing that was found between the avenue's buildings. The cops stopped under the car and looked up. They found a piece of paper that could be seen webbed against the car's front window.

Merry Christmas! The message said.

"Open your mouth,"

Gwen ordered from the couch as she held a thermometer in her right hand. Her husband lied his head on her lap.

Peter did as ordered. "Ahhh…"

She placed the thermometer in his mouth and waited for the result. He kept his eyes pointed towards the television.

Gwen touched his forehead with her hand. "Why is it so hard to take care of your health for once, bugboy?"

"... you can take care of me."

She frowned. "You wish." She retrieved the thermometer from his mouth and saw it point out the 99.5 °F mark. "You are going to rest for quite some days now."

"Aye, aye, captain."

She caressed his hair. "So, I guess we will spend Christmas eve with my mom. Aunt May will be there too."

"It will be great." He smiled. "I forgot to tell you before, but we've managed to get funding for that project I mentioned."

"Really?" Gwen smiled and received a nod from him. "I'm so happy for you."

"Maybe I should start a company after all… like… Parker's Enterprise."

"Oh god..." Gwen rolled her eyes at the cheesiness. "You can't be serious."

"What about the Stacy's Enterprise?"

She chuckled. "That's much better by a long shot."

"You're such a tease."

Gwen winked. "You should catch some sleep now."

"You could lie here beside me so that we can snuggle." He mumbled.

"There's a reason why we have a bed." She patted him in the chest and moved off the couch.

"Are you going to leave me here? That's it?"

"Join me in our bed… and maybe I'll let sick you cuddle with me."

Four days later...

Feeling much better, Peter was focused on shaving the small amount of beard he had. He had applied the foam to his cheeks and chin and moved the razor down those parts with enough care. He usually didn't feel like sporting a proper beard, but maybe he would try one day.

He splashed cold water into his cheek and took the towel from the sink to wipe the water off his face. He looked at the mirror in front of him and smiled happily. He later stepped out of the bathroom and found Gwen curled up on the bedsheets, wearing an old snug shirt and underwear.

She was peacefully sleeping close to his pillow, her right hand rested where his chest was supposed to be.

Peter walked to her side of the bed and rested behind her. He snaked an arm around her waist, slipped a hand underneath Gwen's shirt, and started to stroke her belly. He moved a trace of her blonde hair behind her ear and leaned down to plant a kiss on her cheek, before moving the trail of kisses down her neck

He was awarded a low moan from her.

Gwen slowly opened her eyes. She shrank herself on his arms, feeling cozy and protected "Watching me sleep?" She turned on his grip to face him.

Peter intertwined his legs with hers. "You know me." He caressed her shoulder with his hand found underneath her shirt.

She cupped his cheek. "I see that you shaved."

"How do you like it?"

"It's good." She kissed his lips. They later parted and Gwen looked deeply into his eyes. "I have a question."

"Ask away. I'm an open book."

"How do you feel… about becoming a daddy?" She let out a smile. The muscles in her body turned slightly tense.

His eyes widened. "A… daddy? Are you… pregnant?"

Gwen giggled and cupped his cheek. "No, I'm not supposed to be. I just… wanted to know how you felt about it. We never talked much about it."

"I… I don't know, I mean - I think I would love to, but… I don't know if bringing a baby to my… type of life would be a good thing, I'm not sure. So many bad things have happened recently, maybe it's not fair."

"I know what you mean."

He added, "There's also my DNA, how would this work? Should I pass this… burden and responsibility further? What about you? Could anything happen to you? To your body?"

She nodded, "I guess… they could have a choice, and we could guide them to deal with their gifts if they ever come to exist…. and only if you were up to." She added, "I would love them no matter what.

"And what about you?"

She snaked her arms around his neck and brought her husband even closer as they touched foreheads. "I understand you. I do share the same concerns that you do... but I think that when the time comes… if we want to, we will find a way. Maybe Dr. Adams could help us. He knows your case very well. I think I'm going to be fine, love."

He inhaled deeply. "I want this… with you, I do."

Gwen smiled and whispered delicately, "So do I,"

He kissed her lips and asked, "Do you… want to be pregnant now?"

"Not now, I think. Maybe some months into next year? I… I don't want to be a mother when I'm much older, you know? I feel good right now."

He smiled. "I love you."

Gwen giggled and pulled the sheets over them. He pressed his weight over his wife and started kissing her lips.

Helen's Apartment

After getting done with the roasted turkey, arranged by May herself, the family hung around the large Christmas tree in the living room.

Howard joked, "Do you know where Spider-Man spend Christmas eve?"

Peter could be found sitting on the couch while having an arm wrapped around Gwen's waist. Helen faced them on the opposite couch along with Simon.

Peter shrugged his shoulders, "I have no idea… maybe with some spiders?"

Gwen took a sip of her wine, "... or maybe he spends it with his family."

Howard nodded to himself, "That makes sense, I guess."

May interjected from her chair. "He certainly deserves a rest."

Peter smiled and exchanged a look with May. He wondered if he should ever reveal his identity to Gwen's family. They deserved to. It wasn't the right time, though.

Simon spoke, "I think we should unwrap the gifts now."

Peter looked at his silver watch around his pulse and checked on time.

00:28

"It's past midnight,"

Simon received a nod from Helen and jumped off the couch and headed for the tree. He sat down on the ground and held the nearest box in his hand.

"Gwen Stacy!" Simon handed the package to his sister.

She saw the note on top of the package.

From Peter Parker.

I hope this isn't one of your inappropriate gifts, Peter… She thought to herself.

She ripped open the packaging, revealing the luxurious bathrobe. The outside was fawn in color and made of a silky material. The inside was faux fur, white and soft to the touch. It looked a perfect fit for her, snug around her waist and chest and cutting off a few inches down her hips.

"You wanted it… I hope you like it."

"It's beautiful… I really needed a new one." Gwen planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you so much."

Simon continued, "May Parker." He handed her the package. It was from Helen.

May unwrapped the gift and let out a brief laugh. "A tablet? Wow, just thank you, but I'm not sure I can deal with this sort of… device."

"You're welcome." Helen smiled. "I figured it was time for you and me to get used to these things, and we can make video calls with a bigger screen too, there's a lot in it."

May smiled, "That would be great, thank you… Helen."

Their family moment went on. Gwen had given Howard one of their father's old police badge. She knew he was going to be a promoter, the small but meaningful object would serve as inspiration for him to never give up.

She had found the insignia back at their beach home.

Simon was awarded a Spider-Man photograph with his signature, he was bursting in joy. It was given to Peter.

As for Peter himself, the three women in the room had together arranged a high-end camera for him to use whenever he felt like it. He could use it for the Bugle or himself. They knew he loved taking pictures. It was expensive, he couldn't believe they gave him that.

The family stood celebrating Christmas Eve, laughing and opening the rest of the presents together. It was one memory that would forever be safe in their hearts and minds.

Later...

Everyone had already retired to their respective bedrooms.

Peter leaned against the window in Gwen's old bedroom. He wore a pair of shorts and an old shirt while he looked over the city from his position. The moon covered his figure with its brightness. His wife was deep in her sleep and curled up in the middle of their bed.

He looked at the bright sky of the night and sighed.

I don't know if you exist, my faith can sometimes be all over the place, there are times when I don't believe at all, but if you are really there… then I that we don't have a good relationship, but I still wanted to thank you… for allowing me to live another day with my family… I love these people with my heart and I would do everything for them. Thank you… for keeping them safe.

Peter closed the curtains and headed for the bed. He joined Gwen and embraced her from behind. He pulled the covers over them and later planted a kiss in the back of her head. She instinctively moved closer to her husband, resting her head under his chin while feeling protected.

The couple rested together for the rest of the night, wrapped in each other's arms while expecting what the future could bring.

A/N: A year is over and we are going to enter another one. These time gaps, for those that still aren't used to, will be happening more often due to the story of the story.

Also, I see Peter and Gwen (At least my continuation) as fully matured adults. They are careful, and an unexpected pregnancy is not something that would happen, at least not the first one. I also think that Peter would have some concerns, it's just not that simple. I tried to realistically and naturally portray these feelings and I hope that, in the end, I did an okay job, but you guys are going to judge that.

Suggestions and constructive criticism are always welcome.

Thanks for everything, see you guys later!

12/03/22: Fixed mistakes. Improved dialogues.