It's finally here! This is the final chapter of Remedy! It's been a wild ride with more procrastinating than I am comfortable with.
The cameras still blind her as she steps out of the sleek black car. It was just like Stark to rent sixty limos for one event. May fakes a smile waving to the crowd who begin to scream enthusiastically as soon as she steps through. She stops for a few selfies with the fans before moving on to the main part of the carpet. She was one of the fortunate ones, being one of the main cast members she arrived next to last. Stark being the only one to succeed her. It would have been Phil too had he not insisted on showing up early.
Her eyes fall on him and it suddenly feels like her dress is much too tight. He's laughing, one arm wrapped around Rosalind's shoulders as they pose for a picture. He's wearing a classic suit, nicely pressed. Foregone is his tie, however, the top two buttons on his shirt undone revealing a bit of his chest. His glasses are worn on the tip of his nose, nearly sliding off. She has to resist the urge to go fix them. They broke up. It's been nearly four months. She's still not over him. Her breath catches in her throat when a small piece of metal gleams off his collar. It's a bit rusty but she recognizes the Captain America pin from the far, still. She had gotten it for him his first birthday after they met in college.
The flash of a camera snaps her out of her nostalgic state. She forces herself to stride over to the two of them. They all laugh and hug but May can't help but notice how Phil's smile doesn't quite reach his eyes.
Only a few more hours.
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"You shouldn't have gone in there like that." James frowns wrapping the gauze around her trembling hand.
Stark did a wonderful job covering up her mistakes.
"Like what?" Elizabeth frowns, staring at her wounded hand.
"Alone. You smashed through the window before my orders."
"They were going to get away." The character insisted wincing as James tugged a little tighter.
It wasn't faked. Phil pulled too tight on freshly stitched wounds. It hurt like hell. He had a habit of doing that.
"You could've gotten hurt."
"I can handle myself." She argues.
"I could've lost you."
Bile builds in Melinda's throat. She whispers to Peggy, who had taken a seat next to her before excusing herself quietly. She quickly makes her way outside, the cold air piercing her lungs as she sucked in a steady breath. Phil hadn't known what had happened prior to that scene. He had no idea that she hurt herself in a desperate attempt to alleviate the pain in her heart. That scene was the first time the two of them had seen each other since the fight.
He looked at her with such gentleness that it felt like she would be lit on fire from his gaze. She tried so hard to resist him. He didn't deserve that. She didn't deserve him. He apologized so many times. He had tried to call her time and time again. Every ring felt like her resolve breaking a little more.
The bitter cold prickles against her bare arms forcing herself to wrap her arms tight around her shivering body.
"Hey." A soft voice startles her from her reverie. "You okay Lin?" She turns her head meeting Phil's warm gaze. Even after all she did to him. He still looked at her like that. She broke his heart. She left him. He still didn't give up.
"Yeah, I was feeling a bit nauseous. I've had a bad stomach flu for the past few days." She lies easily turning her head back to the street.
"Are you sure it wasn't the scene?"
"Phil-"
"Lin I know when you're lying. Please just be honest with me for once." Phil pleads.
"You really want to know what's wrong?" She asks with a frown.
"Yes."
"I don't deserve you. I destroyed myself. I accused you of horrible things. Yet, here you are. You keep trying no matter how many times I try to push you away." She faces him once again. "You wanted children and I couldn't even do that. I couldn't because I fucked up." Her bottom lip quivers. "I want to tell you to leave but I can't because I still love you."
"Lin…" He whispers.
"Are you happy?" She seethes pushing his chest. "You broke the ice queen."
"Melinda." Her eyes snap up to him at the use of her full name. "I love you. I don't care that we can't have children. We'll just adopt. I don't want anything but you." He whispers gathering her into his arms. "I wanted to do this today anyway. I was saving it." He places a kiss to the side of her head before stepping away. He drops down pulling a small black box out of his pocket.
"Phil…" She whispers.
"Melinda, you've been my best friend for over twenty years. I've been in love with you for just as long if not longer. I was your best man at your wedding and I don't regret anything more than letting you go. I want to spend every day with you by my side. Melinda, will you marry me?"
"Phil I broke your heart."
"I had to take one more chance. I couldn't let you walk away from me again."
"Yes."
"Yes?" His voice cracks adorably making her break into a smile.
"Yes." She laughs as he slides the ring on her finger. He stands wrapping her in a fierce hug. "Thank you." She whispers into his shoulder. "For not giving up on me."
"Never."
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"What are you doing?" Phil asks snapping Melinda out of her thoughts. Her fingers trace over the photo of them walking back into the theatre, his jacket draped over her shoulders, their fingers interlaced.
He wraps his arms around her from behind, his fingers splayed across her swollen stomach. A smile plays at her lips as she looks over her shoulder at him. "The paparazzi does take some pretty good photos don't they."
"I still can't believe he gave us this as our wedding present." He murmurs into her shoulder.
"It could be worse. He gave Peggy and Daniel a framed autograph as theirs." She smiles slightly. He chuckles against her skin guiding her back to bed. He lays her down before settling between her legs.
"Hey angel eyes." He smiles stroking her stomach as gently as he can. "You're our little miracle you know that?" He asks. "Mama got really hurt while trying to be a superhero. The doctor told her that this couldn't happen. When it did she warned Mama that you might not live. You put up a fight though. They say you're perfectly healthy and we'll get to see you in a month. Your big sister is gonna love you. Mama and I adopted her right before we found out about you." He smiles.
"Daddy?" Her head perks up seeing the little five year old standing in the door, her blanket clutched between her fingers. They adopted Adaline a month after they got married. Daisy had found her in the same orphanage she grew up in. They couldn't resist her as soon as the little girl blinked her dark brown doe like eyes at them. "Can I speak to Angel?"
"That's not her name baby." Melinda chuckles softly as the small girl crawls into bed with them.
"But Daddy calls her Angel Eyes." Adaline states confused.
"It's a nickname sweetheart. Like Addie."
"What's the baby's name then?" Addie asks softly.
"Well," Melinda smiles. "We wanted you to pick her name." Addie's face breaks into a wide smile as she sits up excitedly. Then her face morphs into one of extreme concentration that is almost comical on the young features.
"Skye." Addie smiles. "Like Auntie Daisy."
"Skye?" Phil asks.
"Yeah! Auntie Daisy found me and brought you to me. It's only fair that she get's to be named after the new baby." Phil chuckles placing a kiss to the side of her head, her curls tickling his nose.
"That's perfect." Carefully the little girl crawls down the bed to sit on Phil's lap. Her little hands press just above his as she whispers as gently as she can.
"Hi Skye."
