Like I said, this chapter will finish it in the future, the day after Peter and Gwen returned to the past. I threw in as many scenes as I could that I'm sure fans would approve of, and I apologize if there were any that I missed.
Chapter 7: A Lifetime well Lived (Epilogue)
"With great power, comes great responsibility." (Moral of the Spider-Man story)
x-x-x-x-x
In the year 2035…
The following Monday morning after returning from the New York Sanctum, Rose Parker awoke in her room to the sound of her beeping alarm clock. Silencing it, she got out of bed and dressed for the day before heading downstairs to make some breakfast. While in the middle of cooking, she heard someone coming down the stairs and turned to see her grandfather George Stacy entering the kitchen with his cane.
"Morning sweetie," he said.
"Morning grandpa," Rose replied with a warm smile.
"Up bright and early I see," said George.
"You know me, I've always been an early riser."
"Haha, I know, what is it your Grandma May used to call you? Her 'Blooming Flower' because you always rose with the sun."
"Hehe, yeah she always did say that," Rose softly replied before she whispered sadly, "sigh, I miss her. Probably as much as dad does."
"I know you do honey," George said as he prepared some coffee, "and if she could see you now, I have no doubt she'd be proud as I am of the young woman you're growing into."
Rose blushed and said, "Aww thanks grandpa. Well, at least she's with Grandpa Ben now, for eternity."
George nodded, sharing the belief. One day, he hoped to be reunited with his dear Diana all the same. Until then, he still had a family here to look after, and to watch grow. He poured the coffee into his mug before Rose spoke again after turning off the stove with her completed eggs on a plate.
"Speaking of dad, he and mom should be back anytime now right?"
"Yup, they said early Monday morning before you head to school," said George while looking at the clock on the stove. "Though they might miss that window since you need to leave in the next thirty…" KNOCK…KNOCK…KNOCK
"Hello, is anyone awake? We're home!" the sound of the Parker patriarch at the door interrupted them.
George and Rose smiled at each other as he finished what he started, "...and I spoke too soon."
Rose put her plate on the table before heading for the door and unlocked it. On the other side stood her 41 year old parents, Peter Parker and his wife Gwen Stacy-Parker. Peter was dressed in a light blue short sleeve business shirt with navy jeans and brown shoes. His face and body had grown to full maturity and was even sporting a full goatee on his face. Gwen's face and body had also fully matured into a young woman's with a figure that made her husband swoon over her every chance he had, and was wearing a blue full body dress with black leggings, brown knee high boots, and a pink headband which held her hair back.
"Mom! Dad!" Rose hugged them both as they each let go of their own suitcase to hug their daughter.
"Hi sweetie!...Hey kiddo!" Gwen and Peter said cheerfully back to back before breaking the hug.
"Welcome back, how was your trip?" Rose asked.
Gwen replied, "it was wonderful honey."
Peter corrected in a jesting manner, "actually, I believe the word is spectacular if I'm right."
His quip earned him a patented LOOK from his wife, which he cringed at even today, "sheesh, just joking, does everybody have to be a critic?"
Rose could only sigh, shaking her head in embarrassment at her parents usual antics, "oh dad…"
"Heehee, I know Rose, your father always has to throw in his two cents," Gwen quipped in response before they picked up their suitcases again and walked into their home as Rose stepped aside to give room.
As she closed the door behind them, George walked out of the kitchen to greet them with a smile, "Gwen."
"Hey daddy," Gwen said, releasing her suitcase before giving her elderly father a warm hug.
"Welcome back, both of you," George said, breaking the hug before turning toward Peter.
"Captain," Peter said respectfully before shaking his hand as his father-in-law returned the greeting.
"I presume you both had a good trip?" George asked them.
"Yeah we did, even more memorable than our wedding one," Peter said, sharing a gaze with Gwen.
"Definitely, heeheehee," Gwen said with a light laugh before asking her father, "so how was everything here? Did the kids behave themselves?"
"Everything turned out fine, Rose really stepped up around here, couldn't have asked for better aid," George commented toward his granddaughter.
Her parents smiled proudly at her as Peter said with a nod, "That's my girl."
Rose blushed from the praise, and only said, "Just doing my part, it was an interesting weekend to say the least…and on another note, Grandpa and Benji enjoyed their time city trekking, right?"
George confirmed with a laugh, "sure did, and with his energy, I'm sure that kid is gonna take me all over this city twice over before I kick the bucket, haha!"
"Heehee, gets it from his dad," Gwen said with a little stare at Peter, then she asked, "Speaking of your brother Rose, where is he? You both should be getting to school soon."
Rose shrugged and said, "probably still sleeping, if he's not snor…"
"YAWN…" A yawn from behind them on the stairs made them turn around to see Benjamin Parker in his pajamas wiping sand from his eyes as he woke up, "I'm up, I'm up, so what's all the?...Mom? Dad?!"
"Hey sport!...Hi honey," Peter and Gwen said back-to-back. Little Benji ran down the stairs, hugged his father's leg as he ruffled his hair, before running into his mother's waiting arms and cheered, "mommy! welcome home!"
"Awww, thank you honey!" Gwen said, picking him up and giving him a motherly hug, "ohh, so how's my little man?"
"I'm awesome!" He cheered bracing against her, "Grandpa and I saw the whole city over the weekend and it was the coolest! Rosie even ran into an old friend of yours who told an awesome story about you and dad!"
Rose bit her lip at Benji's big mouth, as well as being called Rosie again, before Gwen then asked, "really? Which old friend?"
"Mister Doctor Strange," Benji naively answered.
Peter and Gwen shared a look before turning their curious faces toward Rose, "really?"
Rose shrugged again and said, "like I said, it's been an interesting weekend."
The parents shared a look of acknowledgement before the Parker matriarch spoke again as she set Benji down on his feet, "well you can tell us all about it later tonight. Right now you two need to get ready, school starts in 20. So Benji, out of your pajamas and into some clothes young man, pronto!"
"Yes mom," Benji said quickly as he raced up the stairs while Gwen added, "don't forget to brush your teeth! And wear clean underwear!"
"MOOOMMM!..." her son whined in embarrassment while Rose snickered at the underlying comeuppance for calling her Rosie again, 'what comes around goes around, doesn't it little brother?'
Peter sighed, "don't you think that was a little too far?"
Gwen said amusingly, "oh he's not too old for it yet, and at least I'm not one of those moms who says those things in public, heaven help me if I was."
Rose cut in, "yeah, just don't do that with me ever again, otherwise I'm moving out."
"Hehe, anyway Rose, shouldn't you be getting ready for school yourself?" Peter asked her.
Rose pulled up her backpack from behind her, "already am, and my breakfast is waiting for me, all the perks of being an early riser."
"That's my Rose, my little Blooming Flower, though not so little anymore, haha" commented Peter.
"Got that right," Rose said with a LOOK directed at her father, who barely flinched. She had gotten better with her mother's patented move over the years, but he was the parent for a reason.
"Hehe, nice try little lady, but your mother has YEARS ahead of you using that trick on me, so I'm afraid yours just won't cut it against me."
Rose scoffed before her mother said, "just save it for a young man your age one day, maybe one in particular?" Gwen teased in a whisper. Rose reddened as she whispered back with crossed arms, "Mooomm! Stop embarrassing me!"
"Heehee, sorry couldn't resist," Gwen giggled before turning sincere, "but before you leave, your father and I would like to tell you congratulations."
The embarrassment subsided as Rose asked, "What?"
"Congratulations on defeating Killerwatt and Doc Ock on the same day, with some help of course," Gwen said happily.
Picking up the context, Rose went wide eyed as she stuttered, "wait…so you remember? Both of you?"
Peter and Gwen nodded as her father explained, "we didn't for a while, our memories were wiped as soon as we got back to the past. A precaution courtesy of Dr. Strange to maintain the integrity of the timestream. However, our memories were restored a few years ago after a very significant event. Since then we've secretly prepared for it, including scheduling our trip for this exact time so that everything worked out the way it should."
"Wow," Rose was surprised at how thorough they planned all this. Then again, her parents weren't genius superheroes for nothing after all. "So, what was the event?"
Gwen said, "the day after Benjamin was born, since our family was then set to be the way it is now, there was no need to keep our memories wiped anymore, Dr. Strange said so himself."
Rose was in awe of the explanation, though Peter cut in and said, "we can share more about it later, I'm gonna go unpack our stuff Gwen and settle back in."
She nodded to her husband as he headed up the stairs with their suitcases. George took his cue and returned to the kitchen to finish his own breakfast and coffee. That left Gwen and Rose together who still had something to ask.
"So, you really remember everything we, or I did with your teenage selves?" Rose commented.
"Sure do," Gwen said before walking up to her to whisper, "I've also kept it to myself about our little talk regarding your interest in a certain 'friend' of yours?"
Rose blushed in embarrassment once again, knowing who her mother was referring to. She tried to form words but she couldn't, and shrunk herself down as her face went all red.
Gwen saw her reaction and smiled before proceeding with some motherly advice, "oh it's alright dear, teasing aside, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. You're at that age now, and it's only natural given how well you and Andy know each other, not to mention sweet."
Her mother's encouragement somewhat helped her confidence, and Rose at least said, "yeah, but mom, is risking both our friendship, and his life really worth me hoping for something more? We're not like you and dad, you two share the same powers, Andy and I don't, it's just, I don't wanna risk him getting hurt."
"Rose," Gwen said, setting a hand on her shoulder, "being together with someone is as much a risk as it is a blessing, superpowers or not. Perfect example, I secretly fell for your father before I knew he was Spiderman. Soon after I learned the truth we started our relationship, and that was BEFORE I ever obtained my own powers. My point is, I was willing to take the risk to be with him because I LOVED him, and he respected my decision because he shared those feelings. So, even if I never got my own powers, which I'm still fully grateful for even today, I would have still chosen to spend the rest of my life with him despite the risks. No relationship comes without sacrifice, regardless of any 'special' abilities one may possess. If Andy really loves you, and I'm sure he does, then you should respect his choice if he chooses to take the risk."
Rose took in her mother's words, then relaxed and smiled before giving her a big hug, "thanks mom, I love you."
"Love you too sweetie," Gwen said, returning it as she made another memory with her daughter.
Later in the day at Midtown High, the school day had come and gone for Rose and her friends. Anna and Andy had both asked during lunch how her 'cousin's' visit went, to which she replied, "it went very well. She left yesterday to get back to her family. They travel a lot so it will probably be a LONG time before we hear from them again." Relieved her answer satisfied them, they agreed to meet up after their last class, which was Rose's favorite, Chemistry. Now, five minutes after the last bell, Rose was at her locker ensuring she was ready to head out.
"Hey Rose!" Her best friend Anna Allen walked up by her side.
"Hey Anna!" Rose greeted back.
Anna then asked, "so are you up for hanging out after school? Or are you going patrolling with your folks?"
Rose snickered, "nah, they just got back, so dad has it covered while mom tends to the lab. It's great that Dr. Bill Connors and his wife are very obliging and there to help."
"Awesome, so it's a girls night for us then huh?"
"You bet!" Rose said fist bumping her bestie.
At the same time, Andrew Brock was rounding the bend down the hall, and was on the edge of anxiety with what he was about to do, confess his feelings to Rose. He had faced every danger he could think of for as long as he remembered, given how closely knit he and his folks were with the spider family. Still, facing a dozen supervillains still sounded easier than telling the girl he's known his whole life and now grown to care that he loves her! Guess his father was right, given his advice last night…
…FLASHBACK…
After departing from the Sanctum, Eddie returned home to his family which included his wife Dr. Ashley Kafka-Brock and their son Andrew aka Andy. His recent memories of aiding his friends from the past coerce him to tell his family how grateful he is for the second chance they gave him. The Brock family warmly embraced, and not too long after that, Andy confessed to his father about his feelings for Rose, and what he should do, coercing Eddie to give some fatherly advice.
"When it comes to women, you have to be ready to take the chance and go for it, especially if you know and believe she's the one. Because I can say from experience, there's nothing a woman loves more than a man who is willing to pursue her despite everything, because at the end of the day, that's what truly makes them feel loved. It certainly did for your mom, even though she was out of my league, I pursued her to the end and it all paid off. Even today, I'm still pursuing her."
"And you still manage to catch me," Ashley's voice came from behind him as she hugged him from behind. The couple exchanged loving smiles as the scene became embarrassing for Andrew, who muttered to himself "get a room you guys."
Ashley then gave her own bit of advice to her son, "just be honest and be yourself Andy, you'll be surprised how much Rose will appreciate it."
Eddie nodded and said, "truthfully, no man ever feels like they're ready to confess when it comes. But when they do, they always look back and say, 'I'm glad I at least took the chance'."
…FLASHBACK ENDS…
Andrew ended the memory as he rounded the next bend and saw Rose and Anna in conversation before they fist bumped. Well, he figured it was now or never.
"Hey girls," he said, walking up to them.
The two of them turned to see Andy before Anna greeted, "Hiya Andy."
"Hi…" Rose said as she stuttered like a schoolgirl.
Andy said, "you two ready to head out?"
Anna replied "you bet! It's a GNO for us, what about you?"
"I'm set to meet up with the guys for a rec game later, but first, I was hoping I could talk to you Rose, one on one?"
Anna smirked at Rose as she blushed, the former knowing where this was going.
The Spider heroine answered, "uh, sure. I actually wanted to talk to you too. Anna could you give us?..."
"Say no more girlfriend, I'm gone," Anna said casually with a wink before she mouthed to Andy, 'good luck, don't screw it up.'
As she walked away, the two lifelong friends faced each other as they attempted to speak, "so Rose…Andy."
They chuckled at their silly moment of overlapping, and Andy said, "ladies first."
Rose continued, "okay, well Andy, we've known each other and been friends for, well forever. We've had each other's backs through everything and shared many amazing memories, times I wouldn't trade for anything. Yet, somewhere down the line, I can't remember exactly when, but I know, I eventually started to like you as something more, more than what we are now. Truth is, I'm in love with you Andy, there's no other way I can say it. I've never said anything before because I didn't want to risk losing an irreplaceable friend, nor do I want to risk your well-being due to my 'responsibilities.' But I just can't hold it back anymore, and if you don't feel the same way I understand, but truthfully, I'm in love with you Andrew Brock."
Andy was speechless, but at the same time thrilled and extremely happy that she shared his feelings. It wasn't reaching his face though as Rose only saw blank surprise in his expression. Fearful she may have ruined their friendship, she dropped her head in sorrow. Only for Andy to lift it up under her chin to see him face to face.
"Rose, I feel the same way about you."
Rose gasped and started tearing up joyfully as she whispered, "you do?"
Andy smiled and said, "Rose, I've known you my whole life. Ever since I can remember you've been my best friend, and also ever since I can remember, I've always thought you were really cute. I just could never bring myself to say it, I was a kid after all, we both were, I couldn't understand stuff like that at the time. But as we grew up, I finally started to realize I've always liked you, more than just a friend. Rosemary Parker, you are the most amazing, talented, funny, smart and extraordinary person I've ever known. On top of that, you're also the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, both as Spidergirl and Rose. So even though risks may come our way from being together, I'm willing to face them with you, if you let me?"
Rose finally let her joyful tears fall, before embracing the boy she had known and loved for so many years, and who lovingly embraced her back. They backed up a little to look each other in the eyes with love as Andy whispered, "so, is that a, yes?"
Rose giggled and lovingly whispered, "no, this is a yes." She gave him a passionate kiss on the lips which he returned. Their bodies went numb and tingly, including Rose's spider sense which buzzed with comfort and joy from the moment. They broke it and smiled as they finished their first kiss.
"So, are we officially dating? Not just friend dates anymore?" Andy asked.
Rose replied, "absolutely."
Around the bend, giving them their privacy, Anna secretly witnessed everything. With a loving sigh, she couldn't be happier for the two of them, and said to herself, "well it's about time."
After parting ways with Andy, Rose and Anna went out on their girl's night, and even met up with their mothers Gwen and Mary Jane at the Silver Spoon(still in business) for a friendly drink, before Gwen had to go to the ESU lab she now ran with Dr. Billy Connors, all grown up, and his wife Mara, a zoologist. Peter and Gwen had taken over the lab when Billy's parents retired to Florida years ago. Soon after Billy received his own doctorate in Herpetology, the Parkers had hired him as both an equal civilian scientist partner, and a new keeper of their secret identities.
At the Spoon, all three women were thrilled to hear how Rose Parker and Andrew Brock were now officially dating! Gwen gave her daughter a hug saying she couldn't be happier for her. Mary Jane laughed at the reality of how Rose started her relationship with Andy similarly to how Gwen started hers with Peter, with persuasion from her best friend.
"Guess like mother like daughter," MJ chuckled.
Gwen laughed back in reply, "back at ya MJ, you always seemed to know which people worked best together, something you've clearly passed onto Anna."
"It's a gift," MJ shrugged, to which Anna commented, "you bet! Love ya mom."
Rose sighed exhaustively and said, "you know, if it weren't for the fact that we're your kids, I wouldn't be surprised if people mistake us for being sisters."
The four women laughed again as Gwen said to her, "oh Rose, sometimes your jokes can be as silly as your father's, not like mine of course because they nail every time."
The Allans giggled at the remark while Rose replied and face palmed with dry embarrassment, "oh mom!..." Gwen soon had to leave, which left MJ to take out the girls on their night out.
Earlier in the day, Peter aka Spiderman had finished his first patrol back in town with three busted muggings. During one of them, he had the misfortune of running into Jameson, who chewed him out as usual. Given the old publisher's appearance now, Spidey just quipped with his new nickname for picklepuss before swinging away, "always a pleasure J.J., later baldy!"
He soon changed into his civilian clothes away from any witnesses and made it to Benjamin's school Midtown Elementary to pick him up as Peter Parker. Since he wasn't scheduled to be back at the lab with Gwen until tomorrow, and Rose was out with her friends for the day, he chose to spend the afternoon with his son and teach him something his Uncle Ben had taught him years ago. At the local park fishing pond, the Parker men were preparing their lines. Peter had his ready before he finished helping Benjamin with his own.
"Alright, our lines are all set, all we have to do now is set our bait, and cast the line…like SO!" Peter said as he cast off his line into the water as Benji watched. "Ok, your turn Ben." Unlike everyone else in the family, Peter chose to not call his son by his main nickname, just out of preference.
Benji nodded, "Ok, so…like this?" He made his first attempt to cast it off, only for it to fall in the grass in front of him, making him throw it to the ground in frustration "...oh darn it!"
His tantrum made his father sigh in sympathy as he set down his line to help him. "First time is always the hardest son."
"What's the point dad? I can't do it! You know my rotten luck." He sat down and grumbled.
Peter crouched down to put a hand on his shoulder, "you know when I was your age, I always thought the same thing. Every time my Uncle Ben, your namesake, introduced me to something new, I always botched it on the first try. Frankly the only thing I didn't stink at was science, which I had a natural gift for, just like you have natural hand to eye coordination, which you show in your gaming."
"Yeah I know, and it's awesome!" cheered Benji.
"Yes, and why is it awesome?"
"Uhh, well, because it's what I'm best at, isn't that good enough?"
"It's good to be passionate about what comes natural to you Ben, but you shouldn't limit yourself to doing just that. For example, I never knew I had a knack for photography until my uncle gave me my first camera, and trust me, my first photos were anything but spectacular! Hehe, but I followed the same advice he gave me when he first took me fishing that I'm now going to share with you, 'you can do anything you set your mind to, as long as you don't give up on yourself'."
Benjamin reflected on the words spoken by his father. The wisdom of his namesake, his Great Uncle Ben sunk in, and made him stand up and say, "alright then, let's try it again!"
"You got it sport," said Peter before he helped him reset the line. With a few more practice swings, Benjamin cast it again, this time with success as it dropped right in the pond a few yards from his dad. "Alright I did it!"
"I knew you could," Peter said, nodding.
"So now what?" Ben asked.
Peter answered, "now, we wait for a bite."
They both sat on the grass, during which Ben asked, "so dad, you never used to be into photography?"
"Nope."
"But I've seen all the old photos you've taken of the spider heroes, they're awesome!"
Peter explained, "well I didn't get that good overnight, it took years of practice. Also like I said, I soon discovered I had a passion for it after I entered and won a photography contest in 2nd grade."
"Wow, cool!" Benjamin exclaimed, "you think you could teach me?"
His son's enthusiasm for one of his old pastimes made Peter grin as he replied, "you bet, but first, let me finish teaching you the fine art of fishing!"
Benji nodded as father and son sat down to enjoy their time out together, making a memory of their own.
Evening approached, and Peter and Benjamin made it back home after a good time fishing. The Parker women arrived soon after them, starting with Rose who bid farewell to Anna and her Aunt MJ for a great time out, and ending with Gwen who arrived home after finishing her lab shift. The Parker matriarch was greeted by her family with warm hugs from her kids and a kiss from her husband. With his whole family together, Peter said there was one thing he wanted to do before the sun went down and they retired for the day.
After dressing themselves in more formal clothes, the Parker family made their way to their family church cemetery, where two special individuals had been laid to rest side by side. The foursome stood in respectful silence in front of the two headstones, the one on the left reading…
'BEN PARKER, BELOVED HUSBAND AND UNCLE'
The one on the right reading…
'MAY PARKER, BELOVED WIFE AND AUNT'
Emotions were high and sad as they paid their respects to the Parker elders now pass, starting with Benjamin…
"Hello, Great Uncle Ben, Great Aunt May. I know we've never met, but I've heard all the stories about you from mom and dad. They said how you took him in as your son when he lost his mom and dad, and that he wouldn't be here if it weren't for you guys. So, I just gotta say, thank you for being the parents to my dad like he is to me."
Rose was next after patting her brother's head, "Hi Grandma May, it's Rose, your Blooming Flower. I know wherever you are, you're with Grandpa Ben and you're happy. You two deserve it, you were my dad's heroes before he was mine. Words can't express how much I miss you Grandma, I can only hope I'm doing you proud, and I'll always strive to, and I love you both. Also, if you ever run into Grandma Stacy in heaven, tell her Grandpa says hi."
The kids stepped back as their mother approached the gravestones, "Mr. Parker, May, I hope and pray wherever you are that you both are happy and well, as you so richly deserve. Ever since we first met Mr. Parker you were like an uncle to me as much as you were for Peter, he couldn't have asked for a better role model, and our son couldn't have been named after a better man. May, you weren't just like an aunt to me, you were like a second mother after I lost mine when I was Benji's age. So, I thank you, for both your blessing, and for raising such a wonderful man whom I fell in love with at first sight in 7th grade, and is now my partner, husband, father of my children, and love of my life. May you rest in peace."
Gwen wiped tears from her eyes before stepping back where Peter gently embraced her. He then bent down on one knee to finish their eulogies, "Hey Uncle Ben, Aunt May. Gosh, so much has happened since I was last here. You gained another grandchild, Rose has grown up so much, and Gwen and I just returned from our second honeymoon, and I'm more in love with her than ever before, hehe. You were right all those years ago Aunt May, the best relationships are forged with time. My responsibilities certainly haven't lightened, in fact they've only gotten heavier. For a while I wondered how I could make it work? Between being a husband, father, and my career, 'both of them', I wondered how it could be done? I've long learned by now, that I couldn't do it alone, I needed a partner, the right partner. Gwen is that partner for me, like Uncle Ben was for you Aunt May, like Ashley is for Eddie, and Mary Jane is for Mark. You know, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the both of you, I wouldn't have the most spectacular friends and family, with the most beautiful wife and two amazing children. I wouldn't have everything a man could ever ask for, if it wasn't for both of you. Thank you for being the greatest parents I could have asked for after I lost my biological ones, and, if you ever see mom and dad, tell them I said hi, and I hope I'm doing you all proud. I love you all, goodbye."
His wife came up behind him and warmly embraced him, his children following after that. Nothing else but silence was heard as the Parker family shared in their heartfelt moment honoring their loved ones now passed.
At night in their bedroom while the kids were fast asleep, Peter snuck up behind his wife taking her into his arms and whispered to her, "feel like making some spider love?"
Gwen giggled at her husband's banter as she leaned into him and teasingly said, "I venture you didn't get enough during our honeymoon then?"
"Did you?" Peter teased back.
She cupped his face with her hand and giggled before whispering, "heeheehee...I never do, we hardly get the time between our jobs, the children, and protecting New York, so I take every chance I get with you honey. After all, you're too good to pass up."
"As are you my spider woman, you're too beautiful to wait for, and you only grow more so with each passing day," Peter whispered to her from the heart. With that, Gwen turned around to face him directly, cupping his face with both hands as she rubbed his beard. The longing in their eyes only grew more intensely as they silently gazed at one another. Gwen had loved Peter since the day they first met, and over the years after learning he was Spiderman, her love for him only grew more and more, their marriage and their offspring following that were living proof as her love for him continued to grow even now.
She lovingly whispered into his ear, "then what are we waiting for? Let's go again, just keep it quiet though, the kids are asleep."
"You know I've learned how to keep it quiet," Peter replied before coyly adding, "without losing the quality."
"Oh Peter…Gwen" they dropped their restraints and the grown spider couple proceeded with their makeout. Their relationship had taken them far and beyond from when they met as kids, and even after they got married, they continued to fall more in love with each other as the years went by. They remembered how they publicly revealed to New York after their first honeymoon that Spiderman and Ghost Spider were an actual official couple, just so it covered their full lives even with their superhero identities still unknown to everyone save for a few. Peter and Gwen together could say with full certainty that after 20 years of marriage, countless adventures as a masked crime fighting pair, and becoming parents of two beautiful children, their life had become one well lived and an incredible story worth remembering. The city's usual rhythm echoed as New York's spider couple enjoyed their love once again, as they always would, for the rest of their lives.
THE END
Thank you all once again for reading this incredible saga, and I hope you all enjoyed it. I'm both relieved and thrilled that I was able to publish this for Spiderman day on the 60th anniversary of the Amazing Spiderman comic book that started it all. Again, thank you Aaron12 for your help in finishing this, thank you ClassicCartoon27 for writing the story that inspired me to start this, thank you LunaMidnight1998 for your inspirational artwork, live well fellow believer! To finish, thank you to all the fans who have followed this saga since the beginning, and I hope it continues one day, if not by me, then by someone else. I mean hey, I started this because I followed the story of another author, so it can happen! Right now, I bid to you my fellow Spider-Man fans a fond farewell, and as the late Stan Lee would say, Excelsior! God Bless you all!