New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, NY, NY
The next thing Peter was aware of was the huge headache pulsating in time with his heartbeat. Causing him to let out a small groan that came out more as a whine due to his current body. Opening his eyes and taking a moment to get used to seeing after so much dark, Peter tried to turn his head and take a look around the room. Keyword tried, as there's not much a newborn could do movement wise and staring at the fluorescent lighting of what he presumed was the hospital was not helpful to understanding his situation.
'Whaaaat. Ugh this headache is killing me. How long is it going to stay...' Peter thought continuing to try and strain his underdeveloped neck muscles to turn his head and barely was able to notice over the sounds of machines working, two soft and deep breaths.
'Is that...my parents?' At that thought Peter's eyes closed in pain as his headache started to get worse a whine escaping his mouth. It felt like a symbiote was digging into every synapse of his brain. The more he thought the further out the digging sensation spread to his body. At that point Peter was in pain due to every movement and thought. And released cry's due to the pain being overwhelming at this point.
Fortunately, it got to the point where he started to lose consciousness again, body not able to handle the pain that seemed to emanate from his brain. His last sense of awareness was one of the breaths stopping abruptly and made some noise at Peter's cries before the sound of shuffling steps getting closer assaulted his ears.
'Everything hurts…' Was Peter's last thought before black was all he knew again dreams eluding him.
His next sensation of consciousness was being held in someone's arms, no noise. Oh and the headache still going through his body but not as bad for now.
'They're soft and feminine. A woman.' Peter thought. Waiting a bit for the headache to subside he deigned to open his eyes… And got hit with a face full of light for his troubles causing him to cry out in surprise. 'Motherf-'
"Oh look! Richard he's awake" Mary exclaimed in an excited yet also tired voice.
For what felt like an eternity Peter kept his eyes closed in pain radiating through his body again, before he felt the lack of the sun on his face and deigned to open his eyes again. The sight of which made him gasp in surprise.
'Mom…Dad…' There in front of his face were his parents his mother beaming and looking like she was about to coo at him, and just over her right shoulder the face of his father grinning at Peter. It was like looking at a spitting image of his own face except for the small details such as the nose being slightly sharper along with the thinner eyebrows his father sported.
'Spitting image is right…' Peter thought as he took in his parents faces again and felt a surge of emotion overtake him. 'I didn't realize I missed my parents this much...this feels...nice.'
Unfortunately, the feeling of his persistent headache came back to bite him and spoiled the moment causing him to let out a little cry that caused his mom to let out a coo and whisper to try and sooth him as he drifted off into unconsciousness once again.
"Awww it'll be okay! Poor baby." Mary said in a tired voice, as she held him closer to her and proceeded to nuzzle him in the crook of her neck. Making sure to still try and be as gentle as possible. "Richard, you made sure to get everything setup in the house right?"
Exasperated a little, Richard responded "Yes dear, we have the crib in our room, his blankets, stuffed toys all the amenities he could need. I'm telling you, we're going to be fine. We've prepared for everything possible." He then reached out one of his hands to give a squeeze to her open shoulder. Under his breath he continued, "Along with having a crib in almost every damn room."
Giving a small smile at her husbands words Mary gave a kiss to the top of her sleeping sons head. "I know I just wanted to be reassured." She then noticed that they made it to their car and that her husband had stopped pushing the wheelchair she was in.
"Well lets get going home then." She said as Richard opened the door for her while also helping her into the car.
Parker Residence
The next time Peter awoke it was dark and nearing morning from the glimpses of sun that were stretching across the ceiling. Hearing what he assumed was once again his parents snores confirmed it.
'I'm in our home…' Peter thought once again becoming lost in thought. Hazel eyes moving along the golden stripes from the sunlight peaking through.
Like a broken record stuck on repeat, his headache came back causing him to let out a cry once again that jolted his father awake at the noise. At least that was what he guessed at hearing the masculine grunt.
'Why...why the hell hasn't this go-' Peter started to think, before it hit him and let out a groan that came out as a small whine, solidifying his father having to start performing his new responsibilities while mumbling something before the sounds of shuffling started heading his way.
'With what we know of brains and their constant creation of neural pathways it would make sense for that amount of knowledge when put into a newborn's head would cause a headache. Hell I'm lucky I it didn't cause any other complications.' Peter thought while letting out a sigh.
'Wait, but there's no physical body to get all my knowledge from.' Peter continued as his father made some words of consolation and reached down to pick him up.
Feeling his father start to gently rock him back and forth Peter continued completely oblivious. 'Unless...my soul? Yeah that must be it. My soul would theoretically hold my accumulated knowledge and since it's now in my younger body my brain is trying to account for that and must be creating neural pathways like crazy to account for the knowledge growth…taking up too much of my body's limited energy supply as a newborn.'
Yawning now as the gentle rocking started to calm his body down along with his father's gentle yet gruff voice from barely waking up trying to sooth him started to get to him unconsciously. 'So how long…'
Doing an approximation of the math in his head for how long this might persist with the knowledge of what he was told his weight was as a newborn and accounting for his current sleeping patterns affecting his possible food intake and lastly estimating his adult minds requirement to getting back to a normal sleep schedule.
After doing the estimated math in his head Peter gave a sigh. 'Okay so just a few years before I have some semblance of a sleep schedule. Thank God I can use child prodigies as a reference for this.If tiring myself out after hours of wakefulness counts. Wait but my body's used to my Spidey-Sense which is connected to my nervous system.' Peter thought worriedly.
'Ugh I'll figure this out later the good thing is that in a couple of years my brain will be more susceptible to gaining knowledge which should speed this up.' Peter thought before yawning loudly from the gentle rocking.
'I'm going to have to start thinking of what I can do until then…' Were Peter's last thoughts as his father's rocking finally put him to sleep.
Smiling a prideful grin Richard commented to himself, "Huh now that wasn't so bad. Don't know why everyone makes a fuss about putting newborns to sleep when it's that quick."
Glancing down at his watch he hummed to himself. 'Welp, 5:30AM anyways better get in my daily workout and start making breakfast for my family.'
He set Peter down gently and made his way back to leave his wife a kiss on her forehead. Before then making sure to use the restroom and finally set out to complete his self-assigned tasks.
About an hour after finishing his work out and then showering he noticed his wife walk downstairs as he was cooking, still in her pajamas with Peter sleeping soundly in her arms.
"Morning handsome," Mary said in a joyous tone as she walked up to her husband and gave him a kiss. Making sure not to squish Peter before moving off to set him down next to a conveniently placed crib. 'See Richard I knew these were a good idea.'
Moving to gather plates and utensils for them she asked, "So what's for breakfast?"
"French toast, scrambled eggs with cheese, and bacon as a side. Oh and some hash browns!" Richard replied with a grin as he finished scrambling the eggs before moving to lay the bacon to sizzle before flipping the hash browns to get them as crispy as possible.
"And you should just wait at the table and tend to Peter." He said laying a hand on her hip before nudging her gently yet firmly towards the dining room table.
"I got this handled, in fact I wanted to surprise you, so shame on you for waking up early." He continued, now more insistent with his pushing.
Sighing in resignation Mary nodded her head, as she was admittedly still a little tired from giving birth 2 days ago and her legs were killing her honestly. And walked to the nearest chair next to Peter.
'Thank goodness the training Richard and I do made my body strong enough so as to not leave me as bedridden as I hear most women are.' She thinks before sitting down and taking a look at Peter.
'Is it normal for a newborn to sleep this much?' She thinks while caressing her sons face.
"Richard, do you think this is normal for a newborn to sleep this long?" Mary asked worryingly as the lack of her son's wakefulness started to get to her.
"Actually about a couple hours ago Peter woke me up from crying and I helped put him back to sleep very easily." Richard responded as he brought them their plates of breakfast and took the next seat nearest to his family.
"But yeah it is kinda weird that he's been sleeping so much." He said before taking a bite out of his breakfast. "Sweet baby Jesus this tastes awesome." Richard moaned.
Rolling her eyes at her husbands antics Mary gave her son one last caress on his face before digging into her food herself lost in thought.
"We'll take him to a doctor to see if there's anything wrong with him if this continues hm?" Richard said as he finished chewing.
Sighing Mary just nodded her head in agreement and began finishing her plate. "Mmm you were right this is pretty awesome."
Richard just nodded this time with a smug smile.
Unfortunately for the worried parents, Peter refused to wake up throughout the day. Thankfully Peter still had the instinct to feed, so that was one major concern that was lifted off their shoulders.
"Richard, can you try calling a pediatrician and asking if this is just a rare occurrence that can happen with newborns the first few days? He's slept through a lot of stuff," Mary asked worryingly.
"Of course honey just wait right here." Richard stated comfortingly as he stepped over to their living room phone and began to dial for the hospital.
As her husband called the hospital Mary frowned as she leaned over Peter's crib and began caressing his face gently.
"I know this is probably silly since you're asleep and still a baby. But I still want you to know I love you so much already Peter...and that's why I'm worried." Mary whispered to her sleeping son.
"Hopefully this is just something that'll pass quickly." Mary continues while taking in her son's features. Noticing how he has her nose and if the size of his eyebrows as they were now to go off of, those were hers too.
Giggling she thought to herself 'The rest must be all from Richard. He's going to have to beat the girls off with a stick.' Before the situation was brought back to the forefront of her mind quickly sobering her thoughts.
The feeling of her husband wrapping his arms around her though helped bring some sense of comfort.
"I called the hospital and scheduled a consultation with a pediatrician. We have an appointment in the morning at 9AM." Richard said as he rested his head on top of his wife's.
His wife only hummed in response still looking at their son. With what he assumed was an intense stare.
Taking a look out the window and noticing the darkening sky he sighed. "Let's head to bed and get rest for tomorrow. Something tells me we'll need it."
Again he received a hum for a response. Causing Richard to roll his eyes in slight exasperation. 'Yuuuuuuuup There's the talkative Mary I know.'
Putting Peter to bed was admittedly easy, and holding Mary till she fell asleep was also thankfully quick. And after a couple of minutes hearing both their soft breaths he too went to sleep.
New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital,NY, NY
"And you say this has persisted since he has been born just a few days ago?" A pale and dark haired man asked towards Richard and Mary as he tentatively poked the child and tried to get a response while mumbling words under his breath the two parents couldn't understand.
"Yes, that's right." Richard responded for him and his wife. Knowing she was exasperated as this was the 3rd time the doctor has asked that. Seemingly that incredulous of Peter's sleepiness and at how deep it was for a newborn.
'I have to admit this isn't doing any favors for my own concerns but knowing Mary she's about reached her limit for this doctors seeming incompetence.' Richard thought worryingly but trying to keep in mind that everyone sometimes might just have off days.
"So uh, Doctor Michaels, any thoughts for as to why this may be happening." Richard asked a little concerned at the pensive stare the doctor was giving his son.
"Hmmm" Was all Richard received from the man as he stared.
Growing a little exasperated himself Richard repeated himself but noticeably louder. "Doctor, anything come to your mind."
Twitching as though startled the doctor snapped his head towards the couple and notices the stare of the husband and slowly growing glare of the wife.
"Uh yes, actually." Clearing his throat the doctor continued. "Actually if you both wouldn't mind waiting for just a few minutes I can see if one of the MRI's for newborns is available for us to check. Your son doesn't seem to be exhibiting any signs of sickness and for all intents and purposes is healthy. Just...seems to be sleeping an abnormal amount. Please wait here." And with that the doctor left the relatively young couple alone with their son.
"Are we sure he's a doctor Richard?" Mary said with a huff. "His bedside manner was atrocious. And he seemed out of it almost the entire time except for his incessant mumbling."
Sighing Richard walked behind his wife and placed his hands on her shoulders and tried to sooth her, "I know he seemed a little...off? With his mannerisms but the hospital wouldn't just let anyone work here."
Mary sighed knowing her husband was probably right. "I know, just...I guess I'm still a little strung up about all of this and what it might mean for Peter."
"I understand I'm worried too you know?" He said with a smile. "Let's just wait and see if the MRI is open and what they find okay?"
Receiving a nod Richard hummed a gentle tune as they waited for the doctor to come back.
Thankfully not even 5 minutes later Doctor Michaels walked back in a hurried pace. "So good news the MRI machines we use for newborns is open right now. If you both would just accompany me and bring Peter along we can actually be done here in, oh say about 30 minutes."
At that both parents moved to follow with Mary grabbing Peter, and Richard moving to keep the door open for his wife and son. Following the doctor was also relatively quick and in short order they arrived at their destination. The words Neonatal MRI Room #3 stood out to them before they were ushered by the doctor to head inside, a nurse in scrubs waiting already to help.
As Peter was put on the tray by the nurse and subsequently pushed into the machines center, Mary especially was glad the nurse at least stood next to her son if for whatever reason he needed to be pulled back out. As the machine whirred to life though, both parents waited with bated breath for the doctor to find something that could explain their son's ailment.
And they didn't have to wait long as the screens in front of the doctor started presenting data.
The doctor let out a gasp in surprise while staring at their sons head being projected on the screens in front of them. To them it looked like a light show was going on in their sons head and from their rudimentary understanding that was a good thing. So Mary felt comfortable in her next words.
"What? What is it? His brain is active right? What's that gasp mean?" Mary said in a worried tone trying not to make a scene but the doctor not doing anything for her nerves. 'I swear this doctor has got to have the worst bedside manner in the world. I mean really who gasps like that in a hospital you work in.'
Richard on the other hand was pensive deciding to wait for a response after hearing his wife's concerns. After all no need to possibly overwhelm the doctor.
Grinning for some weird reason, the parents thought together, the doctor turned around. "Sorry sorry, just this is exciting." He then started to wave his hands at certain parts of the brain scans shown as they lit up. "Yes your son's brain is active and that is a good thing. But it's a little too active so to speak. You both might be familiar with when you think for a long time and get a headache or get overwhelmed by sensory overload? The level of activity in your sons brain is similar to those that we see in adults. Especially around the regions of the head that would be associated with nervous system stimulation."
At this the doctor entered some commands to print out the results and waved to the nurse to bring back Peter and shut down the machine.
As Peter was brought in the doctor continued "As I was saying, with his level of brain activity around what we know to be connected to the nervous system, combined with his growing body I believe that he is simply sleeping to conserve energy and to let his body rest while also preventing sensory overload."
Seeing the mother of the boy look at him incredulously he hurried his words. "Now what I mean by that is that he's more cognitively aware of everything around him, which combined with his growing body and ever growing nervous system just tires him out...a lot apparently. I think that his first year and maybe his second year will be where he sleeps the most. After that he should be as active as any child. And perhaps more aware and pretty sleepy." The doctor finished with a smile.
"Now as for why this happened...well there could be a multitude of reasons for the specifics but generally his brain simply formed quickly and is just more aware of his surroundings for now. I wouldn't be surprised if he started to speak a bit more properly when his vocal cords come in. And same with motor function as his muscles grow." The doctor was speaking rapidly now. The only reason the parents even tried following along now was due to the importance his words seemed to carry.
"This is honestly very exciting! This doesn't happen often you know and never this sever so, this may sound cliché or disingenuous to your ears, but I think your son will have the capacity to be a very intelligent man." He finished with a beaming grin.
The parents were nonplussed at the influx of information and at the thought of their son being already that aware.
"So uh, is there anything we need to do to help facilitate his growth or?…" Richard trailed off.
The doctor shook his head. "No no, nothing you probably haven't already read or been recommended before. Make sure to feed and take care of him obviously. It would help though that when you notice he is getting tired to help him get to sleep as fast as possible so as to spare him growing pains and sensory overload."
After that the parents asked the doctor if anything else was relevant before leaving in a slight daze. Thoughts of Peter's apparent need for sleep concerning both parents before they both decided to leave it and do their best for Peter.
Peter was getting tired of feeling the sun on his face, more specifically his eyes and squirmed in discomfort. Thankfully his squirming seemed to do something as a shadow seemed to block the sunlight in his face. Deigning to open his eyes Peter was again at a loss for words at seeing his mother's face.
"Oh look who decided to wake up." Mary said to Peter. A grin encompassing her face at seeing her son's eyes stare at her. "You know we just got back from the doctor. You're supposed to be apparently sleeping a lot so that you can grow up to be big and strong."
Hearing that caused Peter's eyes to widen. Something his mother noticed while letting out a giggle as they arrived at the car.
"You know Richard, if I didn't know any better I'd say he already understands us." Mary said still giggling as she strapped Peter into the booster seat before giving him a kiss on the cheek as her son continued to stare at her.
As his mother got into the back seat with him and continued talking to his father Peter wished he could rub his cheek in thought. Already missing his mother's touch as she deigned to help support the booster seat. Always making sure to look at him with a smile and coo at him every once in a while as he continued to stare at her.
'I'll always love Uncle Ben and Aunt May as my parents, but sitting here and listening to my parents speak...feeling their love…I can get used to getting to know them.' Peter closed his eyes as emotions surged through him. 'I can't let them go again.' He then jolted in his seat causing him mother to look at him in concern before letting her eyes drift back to her husband.
'Oh my God. Teresa...she's not born yet...wait when is she born again. She's around 2 years younger than me...or is it 3? Ughhhh come on brain think before we get tired.' Unfortunately for Peter his headache came back with a vengeance cutting his thoughts short and he unconsciously let out a whimper.
'Dammit. I have too much to do and I'm on a time crunch. I need to-' He cut off as he felt his mothers hand caress his face.
"Awww it's okay baby. You don't need to stay awake." Mary said with a smile. "The doctor already told us your body needs to sleep lots." Mary started to softly coo afterwards nearing her head towards Peter's and nuzzled him.
Feeling his mother's head nuzzled against his, Peter's breath hitched before forcing his body to relax and closing his eyes as he heard his mother gently coo at him. 'I'll figure something out...in the mean time. I'll cherish this…"
Life for Peter after that doctor visit almost became monotonous, not that he was awake for the majority of it. His days as a newborn went mainly with his father or mother always checking on him in the morning to see if he was awake before continuing on with their daily assigned tasks. Anytime he was awake they both took the time to interact with him and shower him with attention.
Thankfully though, due to the monotony the days also seemed to pass by until Peter was finally not considered a newborn at what he assumed was around 6 months. He's been able to stay awake for at least 30 minute increments at least twice a day now and was currently playing with his father by rolling a ball back and forth.
'Honestly the only reason why this is even remotely entertaining is because of both their reactions to me rolling it back' Peter thought before letting out a giggle at his parents laughter. 'I still haven't landed on a sure fire way to prevent them from dying in that plane crash."
A ringing of the phone interrupts his father from tossing the ball back before placing Peter in Mary's lap and heading to pick up the phone.
As his mother started to play and move his arms around to elicit a reaction Peter continued 'I mean as soon as my vocal cords develop I can't just say Mom, Dad, I'm actually older than you think and am from the future. You both can't get on any planes while on assignment from the CIA.'
'Actually when do they start heading out on missions again? I would assume it's somet-' Peter's thoughts were cut off as his father let out a noticeably irritated grunt.
"Yes. I understand. I'll inform her." Richard paused as the voice continued speaking. "I'll make the necessary preparations, Director Fury."
Peter turned to look at his father bugged eyed. Not that either of his parents were paying attention as his father hung up before sagging in defeat and turning around to face his wife.
"Looks like they aren't letting us retire like we wanted to after all honey." He said with a sigh.
Peter was amazed at his mother's face going through multiple different emotions in such a short time. Sadness, Fear, Anger, back to sadness before going back to anger as she picked up Peter as though to take him away. "Why? We did our part for our country. Don't they understand that?"
Richard raised his hands placatingly "Mary, you know I agree with you completely. The top brass at Langley and apparently Fury have stonewalled our paperwork from being completed. Fury is now a part of this organization called S.H.I.E.L.D and is it's head as Director."
Licking his lips because his wife was only giving him a menacing stare Richard continued. "He's asked for us to work on these last few assignments as we are the ones most experienced with...Hydra or at least the individual the Baroness."
Seeing her face go red with rage, and realizing her holding Peter so close is the only reason he's not on the end of her own fury for going against her, continues with about the only good news. "But it should only be for a few missions Fury said. No front-line or immediately dangerous ones. Just espionage with us as a couple going to embassies as a front. You know basic stuff. Just gathering intel and leaving. He's even giving us time to find somewhere to keep Peter with someone we trust."
"You know as well as I do that those take the longest to finish." Mary replied bitingly before hugging Peter closer to her.
"I know. But you know I know. But there's not much we can do if we are still under the CIA officially now." Richard said while walking over to join his family's hug and provide some type of comfort.
Mary seemed to melt in her husbands arms as he held her before shaking slightly. "I hate your Parker luck." Was all she said before ducking her head back into her husbands chest.
Chuckling forlornly Richard just held his wife and son closer. "I've been told it occasionally gives me good luck. After all I have you and Peter."
Peter was feeling a little choked up due to the care his parents were showing him, but his mind was still reeling from the revelation that his parents knew Fury. 'Wait didn't Fury teach Teresa everything she knew?'
Before he could continue following that train of the thought, the excitement of the call and it's subsequent event, combined with being held in the warm embrace of his parents quickly drifted Peter off to sleep.
The next few days Peter followed as much as he could. He knew his father called his Uncle Ben before both his parents began packing suitcases and making calls to other people he's never heard of.
Before he knew it he and his parents were at the front door of the house he knew so well. The knock sounded throughout the house before two sets of footsteps were heard inside moving towards the door.
Peter couldn't help but let out the gasp of seeing his Uncle Ben's grinning face when the door was fully open.
'Uncle Ben…and Aunt May.' Peter again couldn't stop himself from feeling the swell of emotion coursing through him. 'I really need to think of a sure-fire way to keep Mom and Dad alive. If not because I've already grown to love them for all the care and affection and because I could never not do something when I knew I had the power to, then because Uncle Ben and Aunt May won't need to carry the burden of me on their shoulders.'
Peter knew that his Aunt and Uncle weren't the best off financially, but were comfortably middle class at least before he was a permanent fixture in their lives after his parents deaths. After that, well, until he took the reins over Parker Industries he rarely himself was outside of middle class.
'Actually I don't think I was at that point except when MJ was living with me. Ughhhh' Peter groaned internally. Making a silent promise to do better for himself financially.
"RICHARD, MARY IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU! AND WHO'S THIS WELL IT MUST BE LITTLE PETEY!" Ben exclaimed excitedly as he started to reach out for a hug between the couple before stopping to gently rub Peter's head as who stared back at his uncle.
Richard sheepishly smiled at his wife at his brother's antics. While Mary sighed knowing Ben got excited over family very easily.
May shook her head in embarrassment behind him at his loudness. "Ben you're lucky little Peter didn't start crying at your bellowing." May chided her husband before greeting the couple in a more subdued but no less excited tone.
"Now, Richard, Mary so good to see you. Please, please come in." Looking to Peter in Mary's arms as the couple stepped inside she continued, in a noticeable cooing tone "Sorry for your uncle Ben, Peter. He's just really happy today."
"It's fine May, Peter's not a normal baby regarding loud noises. He's also really quiet thank God." Richard chuckled as he hugged his brother and sister-in-law.
"Yes he's been the easiest to take care of outside of his sleepyhead tendencies giving us a scare occasionally." Mary laughed greeting her in-laws in the same manner as her husband.
"Sleepyhead tendencies?" Ben and May said together in surprise.
"Ah yes, can we go to the living room. No need to stand while we talk." Richard asked while wrapping an arm around his wife and son.
"Yes, yes, you know the way." Ben replied with a grin.
As the family entered the room and sat down comfortably on the L-shaped couch. Richard and Mary informed Ben and May of Peter's 'condition'. To which Peter quickly tuned out. He didn't comment to himself before, but he was glad that his parent's took him to the hospital and some doctor found out something was going on. No one needed to see his poor acting skills of trying to imitate a baby.
'Though I could probably get away with it as an actual baby.' Peter thought with a giggle. Causing his mother to look at him questioningly.
Thinking quickly as he wanted to take this time to think more on ways to help his parents survive, decided too reach with his little hands at her hair. Thankfully she just gave a soft laugh before letting him play with it and went back to the conversation.
Internally sighing in relief as dealing with his parents attention right now would distract him. Peter went back to his main concern. 'I don't know how I can possibly convince them of anything. Best I got is to make a heartfelt attempt of making sure they check their plane on the return trip…'
As his family seemed to now be catching up, and done explaining Peter's condition, Peter mulled over it more and more creating new ideas before tossing them out just as quickly as they came.
'Hacking their plane? No, no guarantee that it's a digital sabotage. Stowing away on their plane? What am I thinking that's crazy. If only I was an...adult. Yes that's it. I NEED AN ADULT! I NEED A PHONE!'
Peter started cackling in glee at his presumed breakthrough, which came out more as gurgles causing May and Mary to coo at the sounds he made.
"Does he do that often Rich?" Ben asked as his wife moved over to start playing with Peter.
Humming in thought Richard responded, "Not often but if Mary or I do something in front of him he'll giggle sometimes."
The brother's grinned at seeing their wives shower Peter with attention and May looked like she was about to lightly tickle Peter.
'No Aunt May stop, I remember those hand motions. STOP tickling me! MOM?! Et tu!?'
Unfortunately for Peter all that came out of his mouth were shrieks of laughter in short bursts at his aunt and mother's interactions with him.
After hearing about Peter's condition and Peter's parents aware of how being that active in such a short time might tire him out. No one was surprised to see Peter soon snoring on his mother's shoulder.
"So about taking care of Peter for the month? Can you do it?"
"Yes yes, you know I'm always here for you Richard. You're my brother."
Sighing Richard gave his brother a relieved smile. "And I'm yours, thank you."
Hours Later
Peter wasn't sure how long exactly it was since he fell asleep but knew it was way later due to the orange glow of the sunlight being gone from the walls of the living room.
"Oh good you're finally awake!" Richard's voice greeted Peter before his father picked him up.
"Your father and I are going to be going on a trip now for a bit Petey. You'll be staying with you Aunt and Uncle till we get back okay?" Mary said with a quaver in her voice, only voicing this for herself. She raised a hand to rub his cheek before kissing his forehead. "I love you. Be good for your Aunt and Uncle."
Richard did the same as his wife before handing off Peter to Ben and walking his wife out the door.
"We should be back within the month and we'll make sure to give you both calls when we can okay?" Richard said as he opened the door for Mary.
"Got it Richard. Make sure not to work too hard." Ben said with a smile. "Wave goodbye Peter. Bye-bye." Ben said as he gently reached to raise Peter's right arm and wave it.
'I can wave my own hand myself Uncle Ben.' Peter thought with an internal grumble and started waving his arm back and forth on his own.
His mother gave a sob before giving him a teary-eyed smile and waved back continuously even as the car left the street and went out of view.
Seeing his mother continue to wave Peter did so as well. 'Well... that's that. Hopefully time passes quickly. I need my vocal cords to grow in as quick as possible. I'm pretty sure I remember the school's number. What I need now is to find out the perfect way after speaking with him to get him to meet me.'
Unfortunately for Peter he was thwarted from having time to really think about it, due to, once again his family monopolizing his time awake.
'No Uncle Ben the rattler got pretty old. Why don't you just put on a show or something that we can all watch?' Was what Peter wanted to say to say to his uncle. But alas, his current stage of growth prevented anything but gibberish to escape his mouth.
Ben not understanding baby speak assumed Peter was ecstatic at the rattler going off in front of his nephews face and continued shaking it with a smile.
'It's going to be a long month.' Were Peter's thoughts after his uncle was satisfied with drawing Peter's attention for a set amount of time.
"May, it's time to get up. We have to put Peter to bed and then put ourselves to bed." Ben whispered to his wife.
'I'm going to just go to bed right now. No need to stay up until I get my headaches again.' Peter thought while laying his head back into Ben's neck.
Feeling the added weight on his neck Ben cried out "Wait Peter no, not yet I can't…" He trailed off already hearing the quiet breaths of his nephew. Coincidentally in-sync with his wife's breaths. Who was still asleep on the couch.
'Greaaaaaat.' Ben thought before sighing wistfully. 'Wonder if I knew I'd need to carry your butt around if I'd have always pined for you May.'
He snorted. 'Yeah no I still would have.' He thought before moving to set Peter down in a crib they setup before hand in their room before moving back to carry his wife back to their bed.
Thankfully, for Peter the month passed by quickly. Probably due to May and Ben spoiling him with attention and tiring him out very quickly causing Peter to sleep more lest he deal with the headaches. His parents arrived on time and caught up on anything new and proceeded to take him back to their own home.
Life continued like this for a while. One notable event Peter would say though, were his first words to his parents. "Mom, Dad, I love you." Corny and probably weird for a toddler to say for their first words, since he skipped the whole dadda and momma stage, but he's never been able to actually say it to them before and definitively know that they heard it.
Besides they just assumed he was able to mimic words heard before very well. The reactions he got, in his mind, were worth the insane hugs he got from both his parents from then on when telling them that. Seeing his father's jaw agape, and his mother's teary-eyed smile were priceless.
His parent's shortly after that tried reading to him to teach, but quickly found it was unneeded for long without actively trying to teach him skills that are normally reserved for older children. Even then his tendency to read through a dictionary and thesaurus the few times he was left alone gave a reason for his speech and vocabulary being larger than what his parents would expect.
Unfortunately, a consequence of this was his mother's dejected face at his apparent "rapid growth" and lack of need for reading to learn so they could bond while doing so hurt Peter just as much as a blast from Electro did with a non-insulated suit.
Not being able to withstand seeing that face, Peter made it his goal to spend as much time with her as possible. Seeing her glowing face at his "momma's boy" behavior was worth the gentle teasing from his family. Though he's not sure if Aunt May's behavior would be considered teasing as she always squealed when he asked to be with his mom or do an activity with them.
Thankfully his father, outside of teasing him was always open to discuss anything with Peter assuming he was just a curious boy hungry for knowledge. And Peter swiftly took advantage of that assumption by deciding to also implement a fallback plan of having his father learn with him not only about planes and jets, but other engineering prospects also. Science experiments he felt, would be a definite no from both of his parents with how volatile stuff concerning it would be.
He knew both his parents were quite intelligent themselves and his mother could probably join in. Except she was more concerned with Peter spending less time learning and more time bonding with family.
Peter liked to think that he does bond with his father when learning with him though, and so his father and him have taken to learning together when she leaves the house. Leading to now.
"Richard! Peter! I'm home. You boys better not be working on any machines in the garage!" Mary's voice echoed from the front door to the garage.
Both Peter and Richard stilled and took a glance at each other. Wondering what to do.
Peter when outside of a fight almost always, without fail, acted very stupid or said something very stupid when caught off guard. Something he noted, that he shared with his father as he watched him move.
"Peter, when your mother gets in her here, act as innocent as you can okay? Dad's going to sneak out the house and then climb up the side of the house to the bedroom and act like I just took a nap okay?" Richard relayed to his son. Already packing their tools away and placing them on the high shelf before unlatching the window in the garage and diving out.
"But dad-" Peter cut himself off as he noticed his father dive. 'Mom knows you were awake when she left…And I still have grease on my face. How am I supposed to act li-' He cut himself off at hearing the door open and turned towards the door in fear.
"Peter…" Mary said ominously, opening the door fully to take a look at her son next to whatever machine he was working on, taking note of the open window that would be too high for Peter to reach.
'Mission failed, we'll get 'em next time.' Were Peter's last thoughts before he prepared himself for a tongue lashing from his mom.
Mary sighed to herself as she walked over to the window and closed it before turning around and walking back to Peter, kneeling in front of him to take a closer look.
'Greasy hands and slightly greasy face. Yup they were going over machines again.' Mary sighed to herself. 'Honestly Richard, I know you're proud of Peter's intelligence and want to foster it. I am too, but I don't want him to focus on learning so much and getting burnt out.' Mary thought with a huff before silently picking up Peter and taking him back inside the house closing the door behind them.
"Peter, where did your fa-" Mary cut herself off at hearing a loud thump and the shutting of a window upstairs. Causing Mary to sigh before letting off a tight grin from both humor and annoyance at her husband's antics.
Seeing her face, Peter panicked internally before he decided to use his own cuteness as a factor for simmering his mother down. "Mom, You know I love you right?"
Turning to look at her son in her hands she responded. "Of course sweety. And you know I love you and your father."
Another thump, this time of a person jumping into bed resounded inside the house.
"I'm just a little annoyed at your father's over reaction to me coming home and catching you both messing around in the garage." Mary said with a sigh before giving Peter a kiss on his greasy forehead.
"So dad and I aren't in trouble?" Peter said with a hopeful voice.
"Oh no. You and your father are in trouble I just haven't decided what you both will have to do." Mary replied very quickly and with a bright smile at seeing her son's face fall into horror. 'He's so easy to tease.'
"I'm kidding baby. All I want is for you to spend time with your father without having to learn something is all." She said while bringing him up the stairs towards the main bedroom before opening the door.
Richard was laying in the bed under the blanket snoring softly, his clothes thrown haphazardly all over the room with grease still on them.
'Thankfully Richard didn't dirty the sheets or blanket from what I can see.' Mary thought while adjusting Peter on her hip and smirking at seeing a chance to mess with her husband.
"So Peter. Your father has been sleeping here since I left? And you just decided to mess around in the garage alone?" Mary said in an angry tone but was watching for her husband's face to change.
"You know what," She said in a more bright and amused tone. "I can't stay mad at you." Mary said and made kissing noises on top of Peter's forehead but watched as her husbands right eye opened and his mouth went to give a grin towards Peter before catching her eyes staring at him. 'Got you.'
"Richard." Was all Mary said while Peter squirmed on her hip.
"Mary." Was all her husband gave in reply.
"Did you dirty the sheets or blanket?" She deadpanned while Peter looked rapidly between his parents.
"Nope."
"Did you really think I wouldn't notice the grease stained clothes or open window in the garage?" She asked with a sigh.
"Yup."
Sighing Mary shifted Peter again before walking towards the bed and giving her husband a kiss.
"You're doing all the chores for a week." Was all she said before moving to take Peter back downstairs to play with in the living room.
She stopped at hearing their bedroom phone ring. 'Is it Ben or May?' She thought curiously.
As Richard reached to answer the phone Peter thought, 'It is around the time when Mom and Dad should leave for a long time and birth Teresa based on my age.'
"Hello, Parker residence." His father answered with a smile on his face before it went to stone.
Richard gave his wife a tired look before stating. "Director Fury."
Frowning Mary shifted Peter again before moving to sit by her husband and laid her head on his shoulder staring into the wall while rubbing circles onto Peter's back.
If the situation didn't seem tense Peter could honestly fall asleep to his mothers touch.
Before he could eavesdrop on the call his father hung up ending it with, "Of course Director Fury, we'll be there."
Sighing Richard turned towards Mary and rested his head on hers.
"Fury's still working with the CIA for a joint-op and has asked for us again. This is apparently the last op they have planned for us if all goes well. We got a safe house we'll be working from…" Richard trailed off at feeling his wife shudder presumably in anger. Before sighing to give the worst news.
"...We're going to be gone for almost 8 months." Richard finished as he wrapped his arms around his family.
Mary wanted to cry and sob at the unfairness of it all. All she wanted was to retire and live a full life with her family. The last few assignments were supposed to be the last of them.
Sighing and relaxing into her husbands arms while bringing Peter closer to her chest she said. "This better be the last time Richard. I swear all this stress has messed up my cycle too. It's unhealthy."
Richard rubbed circles into his wife's back "I know, I'll tell Fury directly to his face that this needs to stop. We have a son now, he had one too a long time ago and if I remember hearing the rumors from the older operators, took the mother off-duty and sped up her retirement. We deserve the same."
"I love you Mom and Dad." Was all Peter replied with between them.
Causing his mother to let out a choking laugh before kissing his forehead.
'I swear you guys will make it back. Teresa still hasn't been born. After she is I'll put my plan in motion, you'll both get a sunset ending if I have anything to say about it.'
A call to Peter's Aunt and Uncle's residence soon followed. The next day his parents arrived at their doorstep. The same song and dance happening as it did the other times they needed Peter to stay. Parents, Aunt and Uncle catch up. His parents ask for him to stay this time for a longer period. Aunt and Uncle accept without question. Peter sleeps for a while. And when he wakes up his parents are about to leave but not before saying their goodbyes.
As the months passed without contact, Peter couldn't help but grow worried even though this was also like a dream come true to spend time with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May while awake. He's almost positive this should be around the time when Teresa should be born. But the lack of contact was disconcerting, and his Aunt and Uncle noticed.
Which was why Ben was asking for Peter's help in fixing their neighbor's, Anna Watson, A/C unit. Thankfully for Aunt May on the ground next to the house so Peter did not need to be on the roof, while Aunt May kept her company. Help being Peter handing him tools and "learning" from Ben about A/C units though and not any true work in Peter's mind.
"Okay, think we fixed this Petey. Thanks for your help sport." Ben said while giving Peter a grin. "Let's go inside and tell Anna the good job we did yeah?"
Smiling bashfully, as Ben and May had the tendency to speak nothing but praise about him to anyone who would listen more so than his parents even, Peter followed.
"A/C Should be coming on soon enough once it recognizes the set temp Anna." Ben relayed as he walked in and wiped his hands. "And little Peter here is to thank for it." He embellished while patting Peter's back.
Blushing red in exasperation, 'I swear Ben and Aunt May are too much sometimes.', Peter responded "Uncle Ben all I did was pass you tools while listening and watching."
Anna gave Ben a grateful smile before shifting to look at Peter and gave him a teasing grin. "Oh so we have two great handy-men here. Can I look to be calling on you when your Uncle Ben is out of commission Peter"
Face still beet red as he was never the best at receiving compliments, especially when being teased Peter replied, "Aunt Anna you know I'm not at that level yet." 'Mainly due to my body not being large enough honestly.'
Taking a glass of lemonade that was handed to him by his Aunt May Peter excused himself to read or more than likely sleep. His headaches still persisting but not as often.
At his modesty Anna let out a belly full of laughter. "How old is Peter again May?"
Smiling while she poured Ben a glass of homemade lemonade she replied "He's about to be 3 this year."
Anna hummed in thought. "You know I have a niece just around Peter's age. Maybe I should ask my brother and his wife to let her visit for a play-date."
May let out her biggest grin yet. Ben only shrugged not seeing any harm in it, though he did want to run it by Richard and his wife.
Peter was in the living room trying to sleep, but couldn't help but stay awake at overhearing Anna's remark. 'I think she means MJ. Gayle's a couple years older.' Peter's thoughts drifted.
'MJ…' Peter was putting off thinking about her as it brought a boat-load of emotions to the forefront of his mind. On the one hand he still loved her. But on the other… 'I'm a grown man inside of a child's body. Why am I even thinking this. She doesn't know me anymore and doesn't love me. It's not like I can-' Peter cut himself off from that line of thinking revulsion and disgust welling up inside him at what the greedy and lonely part of himself almost thought to do.
'A friend. That's all I can be and that's all I will be.' He thought resolutely to himself. Headache starting again though, he decided to sleep.
The last two months passed quickly after that, Peter rarely got headaches again and sleeping helped pass the time immensely. No MJ play-date was scheduled so Peter decided not to dwell on her if he could help it.
His parents arrived looking haggard. But they waved it off as a combination of jet-lag and tiredness from the non-stop meetings they had when questioned about it.
Ben and May were still a little concerned, but shrugged it off as they were just glad to have the two back. After relaying what their neighbor Anna suggested the parents nodded their heads and said they would think about it. Saying their goodbyes Richard and Mary brought their son to the car and began the drive home.
Something Peter noticed both his parents looked relieved to be doing. Not really knowing how to breach the subject of what he's assuming is Teresa Peter decided to go with his gut.
"Mom, Dad...is everything okay?" Peter said hesitantly.
Mary turned around with a tired smile. "Yes honey everything's alright. Your father and I are just tired. We had to cut our business trip short due to a surprise and had to wait for a bit." Grinning excitedly, she continued, "You'll have someone following you around in a couple of years."
Peter couldn't help the feeling of excitement that flowed through him at those words. 'I know it's Teresa, but this is still exciting to hear. I never got to really have a sibling. Johnny is my brother, but I never had a sibling I got to grow up with.'
Arriving home Peter waited for his father to open the car door before his mother reached for his hand and walked with him towards the door as his father opened and closed it behind them.
Walking up the stairs to the main bedroom his mother reached down to pick Peter up and beamed down at the crib next to the bed. There his baby sister with a small tuft of hair left
"Peter, say hi to your sister Teresa!" Mary said excitedly as Richard wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders
Smiling down at his baby sister Peter obliged. "Hi Teresa."
'Now I can start putting my plan in motion.'