A/N: You will notice that says I have uploaded a new chapter to this story, only to come here and find Chapter 21, the same as Chapter 20 used to be, and Chapter 20. Let me explain. I am revamping Precious Daughters. I saw Spiderman 2 again for the first time in years, and I remembered how much I love the story. So I dusted off my Spiderman stories for old time's sake, just to read through them, and I was appalled, especially since I realized people were still reading them. So, I've set to work fixing them: changing as little as possible, but as much as necessary. There will be extra scenes in places that need it (especially the beginning). I inserted one such scene in place of chapter 2 and developed the old chapter 2 so much that I had to stick it into chapter 3's place. The story will be the same. Don't worry: I'm not tearing it apart.

So far, I have redone chapters 1, 2, 3, and 11. If you read this before, go back and reread these chapters. And send me a review telling me how it compares (I think and hope it's better).

P.S. My other Spiderman stories are under construction as well. You've Been Rejected has new Chapters 1 and 2.

Chapter twenty -When the River Calms

Rosie stared with her mouth agape at her husband who sat slouched in his seat across from her. Peter and Mary Jane had left the room and gone into Hillary's bedroom after sensing that something was stirring between the Octavious's. Rosie was quiet - very quiet. Too quiet for Otto to tell what she was thinking. Was she angry with him? Was she proud that he told her? Was she disappointed with him for not telling her earlier? Was she sad? Did she care? Rosie's face gave no clue other than she didn't expect what she had heard.

"Please say something," Otto muttered into his lap. Rosie paused as she sat up straight and closed her mouth. She eyed her husband carefully. The tentacles closed their jaws and sunk into the couch tightly outlining their host. Even they knew that punishment was coming. Rosie then grabbed his hand startling him.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" She asked with something - almost anger - in her voice. He tried to speak but she cut him off. "Did you think I couldn't take the truth?"

"No, I just didn't want you to have to live life knowing your husband is...a monster," he explained talking his hand out from under hers. Otto turned his face away to avoid looking into those eyes. "I yearned for a normal life again. Every day I wished I could have another chance to start over. And when I had the opportunity to, I was frightened to loose it again and was careful not to compromise anything - so that we can have a perfect life with our daughter. Evidently I failed. I guess some things were never meant to be." With that, he got up from his place on the couch and made for the door.

Rosie pushed herself up also and started towards him. "Otto wait." Despite his desire to leave, he obeyed and turned towards her again as she walked up to him. "I don't want you to leave, I was just upset that you didn't trust me with the news of everything you did and everything that happened." She put her arm around his waist. "No more secrets - no more dirty laundry that I don't know about, alright?." she asked with a smile up at him.

Otto smiled back. "Alright." he agreed.

"Though, I don't want any more dirty laundry either," Rosie added.

"Don't worry. There won't be."

"Good. I'll hold you to that." Rosie embraced Otto and kissed him on the cheek sweetly. She pulled back looking into Otto's eyes trying to decide whether he wanted that or not. As if answering, Otto yanked his wife closer for a kiss on the mouth.

XXX

The sun was setting outside the window. The street lights began coming on street by street though they really weren't needed since the light of all the signs and cars kept the city illuminated beyond the tallest building. Despite this lack of darkness, the cool air and knowledge of night time had a certain feel of contentment. A feel of certainty that no matter what had happened during the day, it would all wash away in the coming morning light.

A knock came on the bedroom door. Without waiting, Mary Jane opened it up slowly.

"Knock, knock," she called softly to the two sleeping girls.

Anna stirred a little and the tentacles gave a reluctant squeak before going silent again. Mary Jane moved to the side of the bed and shook Anna's shoulder ever so slightly being careful not to disturb what was healing. Anna opened her eyes a little and rubbed them to get a clearer view of the intruder. When she could finally see Mary Jane's face, she smiled. Mary Jane showed her the tray with soup and a sandwich. Getting the message, Anna sat up and the meal was passed to her.

"I see Hillary was tired as well," Mary Jane commented pulling off her daughter's spandex half mask and stroking her hair.

Hillary didn't stir but remained motionless and silent. Anna couldn't blame her. She had stopped a bombing, saved the bomber, nearly drowned, and saved Anna from a long and painful life. And after all that, she remained strong to keep Anna cheerful. The best thing she could do for her now was let her sleep. Anna smiled at her friend thankfully as she took a spoon of soup.

In the beginning of the fall, she didn't want to go outside into the unforgiving world, much less exist. Everyone was cruel now - she told herself - no one would treat her like they did back then. And that was right. She would be looked at differently her entire life now - there was no turning back time. But even so, she had defied the thought she had secretly implanted in her mind that she would never find acceptance, love or friendship. And though she hadn't found acceptance or love, she had found friendship when the one person she didn't expect to come, came. Hillary. She treated her like there weren't four other persons in her head; she treated her how loved ones treat one another when hard times come - and indeed they came. But through it all, she realized how precious a friend truly was.

Finis