A/N : Hey everyone. Small chapter. Mostly focused around a character that isn't Peter or Gwen. Had lots of fun with it, despite a few troublesome parts. Also, Civil War was great movie, definitely would recommend it. Spider-Man was done really well, thankfully. I honestly can't stop thinking about how it would be with an older Peter. Maybe we will find out.
Have a good read, hopefully! Feedback is always appreciated.
February 9th - 2031
New York - Hell's Kitchen
"Control your breathing, focus on your surroundings. Take advantage of the awareness ability your father has passed to you." Matt Murdock said calmly. He had his legs crossed over the floor while his both hands were resting over his ankles.
Elizabeth took a deep exhale, sat in the same exact position as her trainer. She closed her eyes and stood in total silence for a few couple of minutes, not feeling any change at all.
She eventually opened her left eye which was slightly covered by her blonde fringe. Matt wasn't wearing any glasses. His eyes were also closed. She smiled, innocently.
"Focus... Elizabeth." He ordered, still concentrated.
She widened her eyes in surprise. "How did you know..."
"That's not important, child."
Elizabeth sighed with a bored groan. She proceeded with the training, quickly feeling like an eternity had passed by. She always thought those type of lessons were pointless, she preferred the action.
"Uncle Matty..."
He quickly intervened, "Shhh."
Elizabeth frowned. She opened both eyes and smiled proudly once she came up with something to pass the time. She slowly waved her left small hand in front of his eyes, receiving no reaction in return.
Ha! Not that much aware, eh?
She then carefully approached his face and tried to gaze her nose with both eyes, before giving him a silly smile at the same time, holding her breath to not let a giggle slip.
Her mother was the one to actually teach her such silly expression.
Elizabeth moved the tip of her tongue out her mouth and pointed at him
Unexpectedly, Matt suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Boo."
She accidentally let a terrified yelp out as she fell backwards and laid down in the ground. "That's not funny...!"
Matt chuckled. "I kindly question your concept of funny. That seemed funny enough to me."
She blew away a hair bang that covered her nose, annoyed.
One hour later...
Spider-Man landed ontop of the Murdock's gym's rooftop and took off the backpack off his shoulders, changing to his 'daily' clothes and opening the one of the set of windows that led inside. He spotted a fastly sleep Matt Murdock sat in chair and behind a desk where it seemingly looked to the manager's office.
Many books were spread open over the desk. Also, many pictures from Matt's father were hanged against the wall, including his boxing gloves, dusty ones. He could hear the lawyer snore lightly.
Peter carefully dropped himself down onto the ground, getting surprised at the fact that Matt didn't notice his arrival due to his advanced hearing. "Hey, Murdock."
He groaned in exhaustion and slowly regained his consciousness. "What... Peter?" He yawned.
"Busy day, I see." Peter placed his backpack over the empty seat in the other side of the desk. He approached the blurred window of the office and saw a silhouette jumping from one skinny log to the other, while dodging the swinging pendulum in the middle of the ring. He teased, "Are the books so boring they made you fall asleep? No wonder why she took off."
"Dammit." Matt sighed quietly. "I was teaching her some basic fundamentals, theory, but important ones." He noticed the door of the office was closed. The girl apparently was careful enough to avoid waking him up.
Peter chuckled. "Thanks, Matt, you don't know how much this means to me." He turned on his shoulder.
"Anything for a fellow Parker." He rose from the chair and approached the window. "She's tackling the pendulum, isn't she?"
"It sure looks like it." Peter crossed his arms, hearing her many grunts of persistence.
Matt affirmed calmly. "How many times do I have to tell her... don't train alone it only reinforces your mistakes."
Peter smiled. "Don't get mad at her, Matt."
He shrugged. "I'm not mad. Little she-devil just refuses to do what she's told. She wanted the hardest training for today."
Peter knew his friend was one whose training was basically focused around discipline, his frustrations were more than understandable, and the fact that he was outsmarted by an eleven year-old girl made the whole situation more amusing to him. "Come on, you like that about Liz."
Matt chuckled kindly. "Fine, I suppose I do. Self defense is not something to be taken lightly, though. She has to understand that."
"I'll talk to her. You should splash some water into that tired face of yours." He patted him on the shoulder. "And Matt? Thank you again; you helping me out with this... is something I will always remember."
Matt nodded. He spoke tenderly, "I've failed many people on my life before... but I won't fail Elizabeth. Go. I see you guys in a minute." He left to the bathroom's door inside the office.
Peter knew exactly what he meant with that. Matt had lost a dear person to him a few years back. He was there for him, during the funeral, although there wasn't much he could do back at the time.
He opened the door and took slow steps towards the ring, Elizabeth didn't see him. She was wearing a blindfold while she jumped to one of the eight logs that formed a circle around the swinging pendulum hanged at the ceiling.
She wore a blue tanktop and black shorts. Her hair was tied up by a ponytail. She held an object similar to Matt's stick, a much - much simplified version of it. She swung it at the pendulum while constantly changing her positions over each log.
Peter folded his arms as he approached her.
Elizabeth sensed the pendulum coming towards her and acrobatically jumped to the side, her legs spinning towards the air while her head was aimed to the ground, doing a full spin as she landed over another log. Without catching her breath, she instantly repeated the same exact movement.
"That's not correct, Liz." Peter added. Most of her left foot successfully stopped over a single log while the back of it was almost slipping into the air, she briefly supported herself with the tip of her left foot, groaning as she tried to regain her balance. "Now I see why you're so eager to practice. Strike."
"Haaa!" Elizabeth took a defensive position with the stick. She spun it around her hands and finally attacked the target, before once again jumping and leaning her torso to the side, quickly supporting her figure with a hand over the log while she was upside-down and midway through the spin. She landed on her feet and attacked the pendulum.
Due to the amount of force she recklessly pressed against the pendulum, the stick slid off her hand and fell into the air. She quickly took it with her right foot and focused in keeping her balance with one leg. Elizabeth threw the stick with her foot to her hands, grabbed and quickly swung it around in exhibitionism.
Peter could see a bit of Daredevil from those movements. He sighed and smiled. "You're not in a circus, pirouette, Liz."
From the office's door, Matt watched Elizabeth and her father at the ring.
"Footwork, Liz. Careful." Peter warned. "Okay, that's enough."
"I'm not tired!" She ceased her movements, her back facing Peter's direction. "I can keep going!"
"Still, get down, please."
Elizabeth let out an annoyed breath. "With a flip?"
"If you feel like it." He replied with a grin. "Just don't tell your mom."
She exhaled deeply and flipped backwards, safely landing in front of Peter. She turned to his side and took off her blindfold.
"Your reflexes are still kinda slow." Peter unfolded his arms.
Elizabeth placed her hands on her waist and affirmed cockily, "Maybe for an Avenger."
Peter crouched. She grew. "You think anyone will ever go easy on you because you weren't an Avenger?" Elizabeth nodded, convinced. "Though, in your shoes, I would fear Matt, disobeying his lessons? Unwise. Remember we're only doing this because you agreed with it."
She looked down to the floor. "Oh yes... but that book was horribly dull!" She shrugged her shoulders.
"I know... and you know that isn't a good excuse, Lizzie."
Elizabeth sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
He smirked. "It better not, Matt said if it does, he will make you eat slugs covered in salt."
Elizabeth grinned and laughed, before squirming her body in disgust. "Ewww...!"
He chuckled. "Yup. So you better behave." He heard footsteps from behind.
"Where were you?"
"Dealing with a few bad persons." Peter answered.
"Why didn't you warn me?"
"You know why." Elizabeth frowned.
Matt strolled towards them, wearing his red-tinted glasses while trying to contain an involuntary smile. "Anything to say for yourself, young lady?" He asked calmly.
"I'm very sorry, Uncle Matty."
"Young blood craves action, I understand that. But when you need to defend yourself from a person stronger than you, knowledge counts as much as strength. At the very least, you'll want to know the difference between martial arts and self defense."
Elizabeth quickly quoted, "While many martial arts did evolve as self-defense systems, they suited the needs of a people in a specific time and place, such as sword-fighting on horseback in 17th century Korea. They don't necessarily translate well to practical, modern-day needs. You're not, for example, going to do a flying kick to a bully or workplace harasser."
Peter smiled, surprised.
Matt rose an eyebrow. "Hmm, you did read the chapter... still you should have ask if-"
She continued, "But you were asleep, uncle Matty..."
Peter found the way she replied incredibly cute. He kneeled and intervened, "You did do the reading, why not just say so?"
Elizabeth quoted a phrase from the book once again, "Never pounce in an advantage as soon as it appears, wait until it stands for maximum effect." She looked up. "Uncle Matty's words."
Matt nodded, impressed. "Well, you're a quick study. Quick and mischievous." He took a deep exhale. "Fine, we talked enough. Peter you're with me, and Liz is with the dummy." Peter stood up.
Elizabeth was not amused. She groaned. "Again...?!" She questioned, frustrated.
"Enough with groaning and grab another stick, little lady." Matt ordered.
Gwen moved her indicator finger next to her lower right eyelash and wiped away the incoming tear that was about to slid down her already wet cheeks. She sniffed. Her cheeks flushed. She was going through one of her hardest moments of her life.
"Oh god..." She cut another slice of onion over the kitchen's countertop, tearing even more. It was an eternal task, apparently. "The things I do for this family...!" She sobbed, releasing the knife for a second. "Honey...!" She called, desperately.
It took a few seconds for a shirtless Peter to quickly appear in front of the kitchen's entrance, carrying Aiden who was currently wrapped around a Sponge Bob bathrobe. He was already thinking she had gotten herself hurt. "What happened? Why are you crying?" He asked, urgently.
"You should do this." She begged.
He raised an eyebrow. "No - no, I'm busy already." He looked up. "Elizabeth, stop running in the ceiling!"
"Fine...!"
"We can trade tasks." Gwen suggested.
Peter shook his head, stubbornly. "I'm fine, me and Aiden are having fun in the bathtub."
"And why do I need to cut onions?!" Gwen forced shut her eyes, briefly. "I should be the one in the bathtub..."
"Because we all need to eat dinner later on; we can go to the bathtub once all its done." Peter blew some air towards Aiden's messy hair, receiving a giggle in return. "Can we go now, mommy?"
Gwen rolled her eyes in indignation. She bit her lower lip and later nodded. Peter smiled smugly and walked upstair, leaving her alone, or only accompanied by the onions. She began, "Peter is a better cooker, but no - no, I have to do this for some reason, I mean - it's not like he has super powers of some sort while I'm common mere human. Yet, he chooses to bath the kids that are direct product of me, and I have to deal with this mean evil task."
She exhaled deeply. "Okay, Gwen... you don't need him. You're better than the onion. Nothing is impossible." She told herself.
Later in the night, sat in the middle of the large living room with legs crossed and besides his wife, Peter frowned in concentration as he analyzed his set of uno cards on his hands, not letting Gwen see them, or their children.
He was currently holding five cards which was a lot when compared to his rivals, meaning he was losing. "This game shucks." He complained.
"Maybe you just suck at it...?" Gwen smirked and teased. She turned to David at her side, helping him to pick the right card, before he energetically placed it over the deck in the center.
Elizabeth spoke, "Yeah, dad, I don't think you know how to play this." She gently threw the blue card over the deck and smiled happily.
Peter scoffed. "I thought we're bast buddies, Liz." He muttered aghast, "I cleaned a lot of diapers for you to betray me."
"That's not true." Gwen interjected. She raised an eyebrow, playfully. "Mommy was the one who cleaned the most, you two included." She winked for twins.
"Yep." Aiden nodded, not paying that much of attention to the topic, and more interested in learning how to properly play the game.
Peter chuckled. "I don't get good points for having to swing weekly through the city and get pizza for your guys?"
"Indeed-"
Elizabeth cut him off, "Uno!" She placed her last card on the pile and grinned happily.
"Ah, come on!" Peter sighed, frustrated. He was outsmarted by his own daughter.
David seemed confused. "Can I 'Uno' too, mummy?"
Gwen smiled kindly. "Nope. Your sister won this round. Maybe in the next one?" She saw her husband grab his phone from his shorts and glance the screen. Elizabeth distracted herself with Ren who crawled his way into her lap, receiving a close hug in return.
"Um..." Peter frowned.
"What's going on?" Gwen kissed the top of David's messy hair, without taking her eyes from Peter.
"Flint Marko is on the lose again. Flash texted me." He informed, reluctantly. "If I earned a penny for every time these guys escaped prison... I have to go, honey. Sorry."
Gwen nodded. "Be careful out there." He smiled.
"We're going after him?" Elizabeth inquired.
Peter rose. "You're staying here, Liz."
Her eyes followed his tracks towards the window. She insisted, "But..." He jumped off through the window and disappeared from everyone's sight.
"And that, kids... is something you should never practice at home." Gwen said, uninspired.
Elizabeth grunted in annoyance. "I could help him!" She stood up and approached the window.
"Liz..." Gwen noticed the sudden change in her behavior.
"It's not fair for me to just sit around while dad is out there getting himself hurt!" She crossed her arms, indignantly. "I've been training for months! I'm not a baby. I'm sick of doing nothing!"
Gwen released David from her arms. "Elizabeth, I know what you're thinking, because I did too, but this is your father we're talking about. He knows what he's doing... well - most of the time." She approached her daughter and placed her hands over her shoulders. "It's hard to admit, but yes - you're not a baby anymore, but you're also not someone like your father, and you don't need to become one."
Elizabeth sighed, slowly giving up at her previous gripe. She then felt a sudden pain from within her abdomen, as if her muscles were being pushed to all directions at once. "Mom..."
"Well, you're asking to get in contact with Tony Stark." The secretary countered.
Spider-Man looked over his shoulder. Flint was getting closer to the phone booth. "If I die tonight, I swear I'll come to haunt you all for this."
"You're just asking too much, whoever you might be."
Spider-Man scoffed. "Do you have a freakin' TV close to your desk?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
Someone quickly knocked in the booth's glass. "Do your job, freak!" The teen ran away from the stir.
He shouted angrily, "Have some respect, you punk!" Just what I needed. Awkward. "Then please take a look at any news channel."
"In a minute." The line stood in absolute silence. Spider-Man tapped his foot in anticipation. "Oh..."
"Exactly!" He turned around in the booth and waved his hand at the helicopter high above in the sky. "That's me! Now, do you have your confirmation? Can you kindly ask Stark to bring the goddamn Avengers?!"
"Um... I'm still not fully convinced that's you..."
Spider-Man almost rocketed towards the moon. "What?! Really?! I'm about to become a meme by the Internet and you're worrying about whether I'm the real Spider-Man or not...?!"
"It's just that..."
He interjected once again, "Listen, get me the Defenders and I'll be happy! Or, get Stark out of his golden bathtub because I can't always do the dirty sandy work by myself, I didn't get bitten for this!"
"I will-"
The call was cut short after the booth was destroyed due to Marko's attacks. Thankfully, Spider-Man had managed to land against some building's wall. He still held the phone on his left right hand. He gazed the useless object, tightening his grip over it. "Mother Hubbard...!" He shouted, before throwing it at the giant criminal made of sand. An useless attack.
Marko looked up to him from the ground. "Why don't you come down here and fight like a man?!" He raised his hammer shaped hand at him.
Spider-Man pointed his indicative finger towards Marko in return. "I don't suppose I can convince you to come up here and fight like a spider...?!"
"What? Are you seven, Spider-Man?!"
He closed both fists. "Hey! I'm actually five!"
"Are you feeling better, sweetheart?" Gwen brushed Elizabeth's blonde locks after they both took a shower. She wore a comfy bathrobe while her daughter herself was already ready to lie down with her blue pajamas. She was sat over Gwen's lap.
"I guess..." She looked at herself through the circular mirror over Gwen's makeup counter.
"We talked about this, but you know you can ask me anything, right?" Gwen observed every tiny detail of Elizabeth's hair with a proud smile.
Elizabeth asked somberly, "Will this always happen?"
Gwen nodded and gazed her green eyes in the mirror, seeing their two reflections next to each other. "For a long time, honey." Elizabeth sighed heavily. She continued, "This means you're becoming a beautiful woman in a few years, and you can always count on me."
She smiled weakly. "I guess boys don't go through the same things."
"No, it's exclusive to us, women. Don't turn your head." Gwen moved her hand deep within Elizabeth's hair, checking for the softness she was aiming for.
"That's why they're stronger?"
Gwen giggled, surprised. "No, it's just that they naturally develop parts we don't, due to hormones. Why do you ask?"
"I think I'm not strong enough to do this flip, I always fail." Elizabeth exhaled deeply. "Maybe it's because I have small breasts..." She wondered.
"What?! Where did you get that?" Gwen was trying to not laugh nor cry at once.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "The girls in the gymnastics were saying that I can't make it because of that."
"That's not true. They're silly. It's probably just a matter of practice." Gwen once thought she had heard enough.
"Yeah, Miles said that."
"Who...?" Gwen asked, interested.
Elizabeth replied, "Miles Morales. He's my friend."
"Oh, okay. He's right, though." She smirked. "Is that your concern right now? A stunt?"
"It's just that it's not fair for boys to be stronger. What if I was one?"
Gwen chuckled again, amused. "You can do everything you normally would do — as long as you're comfortable." She explained gently, "This natural, and wonderful part of being a woman, Liz. After all, without them, women couldn't become mothers for starters."
"Hmm..." Elizabeth stood in silence, briefly. "Does dad know?"
"He expects it." Gwen replied.
"Should I talk to him?"
Gwen shook her head. "I don't think that will be much productive, he will probably call me instead." Elizabeth laughed. Gwen smiled at the sound.
She placed the brush over the counter and snaked both arms around Elizabeth's torso, before leaning her face in so that they're brushing each other's cheeks. She looked at her through the mirror. "You, your dad and brothers, are the most precious things in this world to me." She gave Elizabeth a peck on her chubby cheek. "You know you can always count with me, for anything."
Elizabeth smiled slightly and nodded. She asked lowly, "Can I sleep with you tonight?"
"I wouldn't say no, but your dad will compete for space, you know."
"But the bed is huge!" Elizabeth gazed the mattress. She looked up to her mother. "Please?"
"I'm just kidding, if anything, we can kick him off the bed." Gwen winked. "Go warm the covers while I change." She unfolded her arms.
Once only a single lamp remained lighten and they were both cuddling under the many blankets, Elizabeth asked from within Gwen's arms, "Mum, tell me a story."
Gwen kissed the back of Lizzie's neck, smelling her sweet scent. "What would you like to hear?"
"Anything. Well, maybe a real story?"
Gwen looked up to the portrait standing over Peter's bedstand. It was a photo they took together in bed, he kissed the top of her hair while she rested her face under his chin, back to their highschool days. She began, "When me and your father were still teenagers... I invited him to dinner one day, with my family - your granny, grandpa and uncles."
"I... I wanted to meet him, George."
Gwen bit her lip, feeling her eyes getting wet. "I know, sweetie. And I also know he would have liked to meet you as well."
Elizabeth currently had the thousand mile gaze. "How was he like?"
"Not really distinct from your dad, they're both passionate, cute, brave and only want the best for their family. Your grandpa was a police officer, I don't think he initially approved of Peter." Gwen giggled.
"Why?" Elizabeth frowned.
"He didn't really like Spider-Man, and during the dinner, Peter was really defensive about him. So their ideas kinda clashed. It's funny when you think about it." She continued tenderly, "But my dad and yours teamed-up in the end. They helped save the city from something very bad."
"Awesome!" Elizabeth grinned.
Gwen laughed shortly. "Yeah. Well, going back a bit in the story, I brought Pete to our rooftop. He wanted to confess something to me, and boy - it took him some time."
"Don't stop, mom." Elizabeth yawned.
"Okay, okay. He wanted to tell me who embodied Spider-Man, 'wanted' being the key word, and so he eventually did, on his own very way, but he did. That was our first kiss, and the moment I fell in love with him." Gwen massaged Elizabeth's warm belly under her shirt. "So, technically, that's where it all began, and now we're here, with this blonde cutie lying besides me. You're our everything."
Elizabeth smiled to herself, closing her eyes and letting the sleep come in. She whispered, "I love you, mum..."
Gwen kissed the top of her hair. "And I love you too." Her left arm left Lizzie's waist to pull the lamp's cord over her bedstand. "Dream with angels."
"You guys arrived just in time, I mean - almost in time, two seconds late." Spider-Man quipped, hanging upside-down by a single web-line that went from both hands and towards the street's light pole.
Steve Rogers took his helmet off and held it between his waistline and hand. He watched the rest of the Avengers securing the perimeter while the tactical team made sure the large black container containing Flint Marko was fully locked and ready to be transported by a special truck that passed the formed barricade.
He smiled, "You should have called us before anything.
"I called Stark, you guys were probably somewhere else back then." Spider-Man yawned under the mask.
"And so is Tony, you know he's not wearing the armor since Sokovia and Paris." Steve breathed heavily, exhausted. "He was attending conventions, last time we talked."
He sighed. "Yeah. I don't know what I was thinking... I think I suffer of Alzheimer, to be honest." He joked.
Steve laughed. "I think you just suffer of sloppiness, Pete."
"Oh well, my Aunt always said I was special."
Steve looked up to the web-slinger. "And you are, that's why our doors will be always open to you."
"I think that ship has sailed, Cap." He replied gently, seeing Wanda and Vision chatting not far away in the street. "It was a great time working such amazing people, I won't lie. Good old times."
"There's a mission in the horizon, something we've been planning for a while, Nigeria." Steve began. "We could use you, you're agile, great tracker and recon."
Spider-Man cocked his head. "Nigeria?"
Steve nodded. "Your talents will be useful."
He mumbled in thought. "I don't know, it seems I will be out of my natural habitat."
Steve chuckled sincerely. "Like I said, you're capable of much more, I've seen you doing the impossible before, Pete. It's your choice, though. I wouldn't ask you if I didn't trust you and your skills."
Spider-Man dropped onto firm ground. He stretched his arms. "Well, I usually have to help my oldest with her homework, then file office reports, clean the house and pay my bills - which are way expansive, by the way. Not mentioning the long walks with my dog." He rubbed the back of his covered in spandex neck. "I'll give it a thought."
Steve nodded again. He was aware Peter had more normal issues to handle himself. "You know where to find me. Or just text me through that app I keep forgetting the name."
"I thought you already played catch up, old man." He teased, before taking a more serious tone. "Anything on Bucky?"
Steve hesitated, that was a hard subject. "Still looking." He paused. "What about your suit? Doesn't look good. Didn't Stark make you one?"
"He did, but it's not much necessary here. Besides, I like to wear my own handwork." Steve grinned. Peter never ceased to raise his spirits whenever they're together. He was someone Steve would trust his life with.
Spider-Man chuckled back. He checked his hands, they're exposed. No signs of his web-shooters. "Um... Hey, Steve. Could you lend me some cents for the train ride? I will pay you back in pizzas delivered straight to your HQ."
The next morning...
A covered in spandex head appeared in the window of Peter and Gwen's bedroom, gazing the area before slowly pulling the window up after he made sure its occupants were sleeping.
The mask itself was torn. Both lenses were cracked. And small tiny cuts could be seen everywhere. His gloves were non-existent, they're ripped off the suit for good.
Peter moved his left foot inside, then the other one, holding a Macdonald's sack under his left arm. "Aw, crap..." He whispered, seeing both Gwen and Elizabeth cuddling towards the other side of the bed.
If he now messed up, double the damage he would get.
He took one step at the time, walking besides the bed, aiming for the counter where he would deposit the warm sack.
Gwen muttered lowly, "It better have been Loki again. That's all I'm telling you." Peter quickly stopped on his tracks, standing still with the breakfast being held by both hands. "If it wasn't Loki, don't even bother telling me who it was." He gulped. She kissed the top of Elizabeth's hair, her daughter was still asleep. "I swear if you tell me it was Vulture I will punch in the face." She turned to his side.
"Want a big Mac?"
She eyed the sack in disgust. "No. When do I ever want a Big Mac? Have you ever seen me eat one during the whole time we've been together?
Peter moved his left hand to the front of his mask and pulled it off. "I'm sorry. I have had one hell of a night. I'm not thinking straight." He dropped the mask onto the ground while Gwen sat in the bed. "Cut me some slack, hon..."
"Oh, your poor baby." She took his exposed hands on hers. "Does it hurt?"
Peter shook his head in response. "Not really. I just feel like crap." He spotted Elizabeth wrapped around the blanket and where it was supposed to be his part of the bed. "Nightmares?"
Gwen planted a delicate kiss on his left hand. "She just wanted to sleep with me, probably to feel safer after what happened."
He gazed her eyes, concerned. "What happened...?"
"What we were both expecting to happen anytime soon." Gwen replied softly, letting his hands go.
Peter required a few seconds to understand her innuendo, the realization eventually arrived. He looked at his daughter and sighed heartbroken. "I should have been here. Dammit."
"Hey, it's fine. I handled it. And besides, I don't think you would be much helpful, it's a lady's thing. I also got to do what I love most as a mom - which is cuddling and hearing them say 'I love you' before falling into sleep." She smiled, kindly.
Peter feigned in defeat. He moved both hands to his waistline and pulled the suit's top over his torso, sliding off his arms as he kicked the shirt under the bed. He was about to crawl in when his wife placed her hand against his toned chest.
"Slow down, shower first." Gwen raised an eyebrow, playfully.
"It's freezing, Gwendy." He complained, hugging himself.
"Then hurry, I'm not sleeping next to a sweaty husband."
He countered, "That's not really accurate when you think-"
"Go." Gwen ordered, holding a smile back.
And so did Peter Parker walk away for a quick hot steam shower that made him a lot more comfortable and relaxed after a confrontation that lasted for a considerable amount of hours. He later approached his side of the bed, pulled the blankets up so that there was way for him to slid-him, and settled himself besides his daughter.
Elizabeth was positioned between her mother and father, trapped by their warm bodies. Her breath reached Peter's neckline as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. Gwen watched him doing so, hugging Elizabeth closely against her breasts while nuzzling her soft and delicate hair.
"God, she looks so much like you." Peter whispered in adoration. His eyes never moving away from Elizabeth's serene expression. Gwen smiled and stood quiet, eyes closed, just listening to her heartbeat. He continued, "I wish they could stay this way, forever."
She finally answered without opening her eyes, "I think you are afraid of the future male competition."
Peter chuckled softly. "I won't lie, I am." He leaned in and planted a kiss against Elizabeth's forehead. Her right hand instinctively reached for Peter's arm which was positioned above her head in the pillow so that he could play with Gwen's hair. She held his bicep, making sure her father wasn't going anywhere while being embraced by her mother. "If I ever did something right, this right here, is a product of that."
"Hey, ditto." Gwen replied, looking at him. Peter slightly rose his chest so that he could lean down forward and kiss Gwen in the lips. "Goodnight, baby."
Gwen teased once they parted, "Good morning, technically."
Brooklyn Bridge Park - New York
"Not fair, Parker!" Flash groaned after Peter threw the basketball all the way through the small open court in the park, scoring a perfect point.
"Just because you're not wearing a suit, doesn't mean I won't go hard on you." Peter countered with a grin. Flash just dismissively waved his arm at him in return. He turned to Harry who was standing besides him, wearing a tired expression. "See, Hare? Not so complicated."
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, seems boring."
"Come on man, you need to gain some more weight. You look breakable." Peter patted him in the back.
Harry sighed.
The Parker walked past his friend and towards the court's entrance, seeing Gwen not far away in the park. She headed towards him, holding a little girl's hand. His wife wore a Giants' cap, long sleeved black shirt and tight jeans. As for the redhead child, she wore a simple jean dress. She was younger than his boys.
"Hey, you two." Peter greeted.
Gwen helped the blue eyed girl step into the court.
"Thank you, Auntie Gwendy." She smiled widely.
"You're welcome, Sarah." Gwen winked, holding a bottle of water on her free hand.
"Hello, Uncle Pete." Sarah looked up to Peter.
He caressed the top of her head. "How are you, little one?"
"I'm good! Thank you. Can I talk to my daddy?"
Peter laughed, exchanging a quick amused glance with his wife. "Of course you can. Would you tell him I said he sucks?" Gwen shot him a murderous stare. He was already teaching her vulgar vocabulary.
"I will!" She danced her way towards Flash.
Peter smirked and looked at Gwen. "You look super adorable with that cap." He wrapped both arms around her waist, bringing her closer despite she purposely and slightly leaning her back backwards on his grip.
"Don't say such words to Sarah, she's three, you know?" Gwen opened the bottle and took a sip. She saw Flash throw the ball at Harry's hands so that he could energetically raise his daughter from the ground and into his arms.
"Daddy, Uncle Pete says you suck!"
Gwen set a suspicious look at her husband.
Peter snickered. "That's the truth, though." He eyed the bottle, seeing its content disappearing.
Gwen moved the bottle's tip off her lips. "Thirsty?"
He exhaled deeply. "Yeah."
"It seems.. I hold the solution to your problem." She smiled, mischievously.
Her smile has to be the most precious thing in this world. Peter thought.
"That too." He agreed, impatient.
"What do I receive if I let you drink of my water bottle, uh?"
Peter's left hand teased to adventure down and below her waistline. "Something lovely, I hope." He leaned his head to the side and the distance between their lips was cut short. Gwen moved her free hand to the back of his neck and closed her eyes.
"Hand..." She said inches from his lips. He didn't move it.
He closed the gap between them and kissed her deeply.
For Gwen everything was blocked out, there was only them. Neither of them wanted to break the kiss. She moaned quietly for his ears only as their kissing deepened. Eventually Gwen reluctantly pulled away for a breath of air and smiled against his lips. "Convincing, very convincing - Mr Parker." She handed him the bottle, not letting go of his shoulder.
He smiled and took a sip, quickly drinking all of it.
Gwen deadpanned. "Really...?"
Peter cleared his throat and handed her the bottle back. "Thank you, baby. You are the prettiest and most helpful partner ever."
She laughed. That sound was music to his ears. "I better-"
"Mom?!"
The pair turned to Elizabeth who approached them from behind.
Peter unwrapped his hands from Gwen's waistline. "You okay, Lizzie?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Yeah. It's just that Aiden almost entered the lake." She hugged her red hoodie.
Gwen widened her eyes. "What?! MJ isn't with them?"
"It's okay mom. Auntie didn't let him." Elizabeth smiled. "We managed to throw the frisbee there, so... Ren also wasn't willing to get it. I think we need to give him less food."
"Oh well, that's a goner..." Peter sighed.
Gwen moved her cap up, spotting the trio sat over a towel and eating sandwiches besides a tree. They're all laughing. "These boys will be the end of me."
Peter felt a bolt trigger inside his head as he quickly grabbed the incoming ball that was flying towards his right arm without even turning around. He looked up to Flash.
"Yo, Parker! Did you catch your breath already?" He teased, holding his daughter with his free arm.
Elizabeth asked urgently, "Can I play too?!"
Peter gazed her emerald and huge eyes. He moved an arm around her shoulders and nodded. "Okay then. Team Parker versus Team Get Good. Harry - man, you with them."
Flash laughed. "Team Parker doesn't stand a chance. Gwendolyn won't math her way out of this."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Honey, you with me." Peter called Gwen. She shook her head and placed the bottle next to the entrance, before walking towards her husband.
"On you, Pete." Harry affirmed.
Peter bounced the ball and and shot it with a calculated power. It flew right over the opposite team, before unfortunately landing over the left edge of the basket and jumping high above again. Peter could see it wasn't going to enter the basket.
Before they could notice, a light-blue began to form slightly over the score, as Elizabeth popped out of the mist just in time to grab the ball and bury it inside the basket. She safely fell into the ground, her legs shaking in shock. She turned around, seeing everyone throwing a surprised glance towards her.
Peter cleared his throat and cocked his head at her. "Um... how did you... do that...?