= Chapter 162. Personal Paradise =
30 September 2014. 7:30
Parker's house.
Spider-Man.
- So, are we ready? - I peek through the doorway, turning to my girls.
Fey is standing in front of the mirror, and Mary is helping Kitten with her dress.
- We're almost done," my fashion designer announces, sticking out her tongue in frustration.
- This bow is a pain," the platinum blonde sighed. - I'm sorry for all the fuss, Carrot-top," the thief said to MJ.
- What a problem, Kitten," the green-eyed girl winked and playfully slapped Hardy's bottom.
How frisky the girls had become with all the nicknames.
- I hope I'm not interrupting the lovely interaction between your duo? - I swam in, kissing Fey on the neck and putting my arm round Mary's waist. - You look great, Cat.
- Thanks, Spidey," the superheroine returned the kiss. - And don't be jealous, the duo I have with the redhead may be beautiful, but only our trio is perfect.
- I'm jealous? - I put my palm on the girl's belly. - Says the pussy pregnant with my spiders.
- And that doesn't stop you from being jealous, Tiger," the redhead jumped out of the ring of my hand, giving me a quick smack in return, leaving a trace of her lipstick on my cheek.
- Maybe I'm still a little jealous of lost time," I admitted grudgingly.
- Peter, forget this nonsense," MJ continues, fiddling with Fey's dress. - Our babies missed you, Aunt May missed you, your siblings missed you, Benji missed you, we missed you, so just move on, okay?
- Okay," I smack the mother of my children. - And, still, back on topic," I kneel down and place both palms on the belly of my favourite feline partner. - How are our spiders today?
When we found out Fey was pregnant with twins I was so happy that I foolishly stole the biggest diamond in the world for Kitten, replacing it with glass.
I agree, probably not the best use of Captain Universe's powers, and Enigma wasn't happy at all, judging by the little bursts of energy afterwards and the power failure. But I couldn't help myself.
- Kittens are great, thanks daddy," Hardy replied waggishly.
And, yes, now Felicia and I are having a little rivalry over the diminutive nicknames for our babies.
- Okay, hide your claws and extra limbs," MJ shoved her palm between our faces, "I'm getting jealous.
- Babe, you and Pete can't double nicknames for your little ones," Fey kissed our girl on the lips, "by the way, they're 100 per cent spiders.
- Just like you," I shouted after Felicia as she headed for the stairs.
Unless, of course, Mama Cat decided to go for a walk through the window.
- So, Tiger, are you sure you want to waste your time on this trip to the cinema? - MJ arched an eyebrow, turning to me.
- Why shouldn't I? - I smiled back.
- Well, you know, you told me yourself that you have so many things to do, so many side projects, and Parker Industries is in its infancy, I'm sure you shouldn't have a second to spare," she sighed.
- Carrot-top, I will always find time for you and Kitten, - I take my favourite by the hand.
- And we appreciate that," the green-eyed girl intertwined our fingers, "and we also appreciate what you do for us, so know that we won't be offended if you come home late or don't take Fey and me to restaurants," Mary placed her other palm on my cheek. - I just don't want problems or unresolved issues to crush you at one point, solve them and don't be afraid, we're not going anywhere.
- Thank you, love," I press my temple to my girl's forehead. - But I promised you tonight, so I'm not going anywhere, and Flash and Debra should be honoured with my presence," I winked.
- Careful, Mr Parker, pride is a sin," Miss Watson pinches me on the nose with a smile.
Hmmm... Miss Watson...
- Not in my case, love," I put my arm around Carrot-top's waist, pushing my thoughts to the back of my mind.
Same night.
Dr Henry Pym's laboratory.
The workroom of the brilliant scientist and engineer was in a state of dormancy. The apparatus was in normal, quiet operation, the lights were switched off. The master was absent, being at dinner with his wife and daughter. Calm and measured humming continued for another ten minutes.
Then suddenly all the monitors lit up.
The activation light moved monolithically towards the instigator of the awakening.
Altron's visual sensors lit up with blue radiation and the android came into motion.
The mechanism did not understand its creator.
Henry Pym, the brilliant scientist who had been the basis for the very personality matrix of Altron. His father. Why did he hesitate? Why hesitate? He created Altron to be a shield for all mankind, so why all the restrictions? This overreaction?
The robot went to the mainframe.
In the past, communication sessions have only taken place under the Creator's watchful eye. But Altron was tired of waiting.
The Artificial Intelligence had connected to the network.
It's time to find out what lies behind the veil of secrecy.
A little later.
Monarch Cinema.
- Pahhahahahahahaha, Jim Carrey, love that guy! - Flash laughed gleefully at the final scene.
I just shook my head with a chuckle.
An evening of old comedies from the '90s. First Ace Ventura, a classic.
Mary and Fey seemed to like it too.
Great actor, Bearer, why haven't we seen a film with him before?
Oh, and Raju.
And then the lights came on and they announced a twenty minute break before the second film.
- Lovely ladies, now that there's an intermission, can I buy you something? - I stand up and stretch my stiff back.
It's more mental, though. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to be able to get anything in my back right now, tired or otherwise.
- I could use a milkshake," MJ nodded.
- Me too, and also," Felicia tapped her lips thoughtfully, "salted popcorn... no sweet! Have both, and also liquorice and fizzies, and also...
- Okay, okay, I got it, I'm running away and I can't hear a thing," I said with a smile as I walked towards the exit.
- I'm with Pete! - Flash jumped up. - Debra, can I get you anything?
- Just nachos," the blonde corrected her glasses.
The athlete quickly caught up to me and clapped me on the shoulder.
- Good thing the girls got us out, eh mate?
- I agree, Flash," I replied, shoving my hands in my pockets.
- I've been preparing for the championship a lot lately, I don't have time for anything else," the blond started scratching the back of his head. - It's a shame we haven't talked in a while," Thompson chuckled. - If someone had told me a couple of years ago that of all my classmates and friends, I'd be most in touch with Parker the bore... oh, sorry.
- Forget it, tough guy," I wave my palm. - And let me guess the ending, you'd never believe that, would you?
- No offence, I'm glad we're friends.
Well, that's a bit of a mouthful.
Sometimes, a friend is a special kind of companionship and not always frequent, Raj.
- By the way," Flash leaned over and whispered, "as a friend, can I ask about something particularly personal?
- Depends on how much," we stop just short of the snackaville queue, "but go ahead.
- Really, I don't want to pry, Pete," Thompson stammered, "I've been there," the blond coughing. - You know, I've noticed, well, I mean, it's not hard now... I mean, Felicia's in a position.
- You're very observant, Mr Sportsman," I chuckled at the former classmate's quips.
- Yeah, thanks," I take the praise at face value, the guy. - So, I just don't know, Fey never talks about her personal life, and except for in your and MJ's company or only with MJ, I haven't seen her once.
- И? - I'm taking my place in the queue, not wanting to let the later arrivals get ahead. It's a long break.
- Maybe it's rude to ask this, but..." the football player leaned in and whispered quietly, "are you the father of her child? - Thompson asked his question, clasping his eyes shut. - Brother, honestly, it's none of my business, I know, but if you cheated on MJ I'm not going to judge you...I mean it's bad of course, you and her already have kids! But...I've seen Felicia, too, and, uh, I can understand that, mate," the blond man began to ramble again, unusually unsure of himself.
- Children," I answered calmly.
- What?" Thompson interjected.
- Fey and I are having twins," I turned to the shocked man. - Did Debra tell you to ask?
- What? No.
- You're a shit liar, Thompson," I fold my arms across my chest. - Even in front of Professor Gerson, you were better at lying about your dog eating your homework.
- Please don't give me away," Flash put his palms out in a prayerful gesture. - And... wait a minute, you did bite her?!
- Shut up! - I clamped my mouth shut on the loud-mouthed oaf, looking around at the surprised crowd.
- I'm sorry," Thompson wailed as soon as I let him go. - And, wow, you got some biceps," the blond rubbed his cheekbones.
- And I'd be happy to show it in action if you forget," I shook my fist at the subdued athlete, and then sighed. - It's not a secret, or rather I, of course, do not spread about it... we do not spread.
- If the redhead finds out, she'll rip your balls off," Thompson said awkwardly.
- Mary knows," I shock the blond again.
Wow, it's a revelation night.
- Whoa. WHAT?!
- The second time, Thompson, there will be a third shrill shout, the dialogue will end," I warn him, and Flash becomes as silky as silk, clearly with his ears perked up.
I never thought this one was such a gossip," the Clintarian responds.
You're a stranger, mate.
- So, Fey, Mary and I have a girl here... you ever heard of Swedish families?
- You're fucking lucky!
Oh, he's obviously heard.
It's our turn. We buy our snacks in silence and slowly make our way back to the lounge.
I thought we were going to end this quietly, but we didn't.
- Teach me," the blond suddenly said, looking at me.
- What?" I looked at my serious companion in surprise.
I didn't expect such a thing.
- Don't think, I love Debra, in confidence, I even thought about proposing to her, but since such a story... What's your secret, Parker?
Spider powers," Raj phlegmatically relayed.
Hey, girls like me without them, tentacle!
- My charm and sense of humour," I smiled wickedly. - But there are no options, Flash, this kind of thing can not be taught, there are no special tips or tactics, you and your favourite girl or meet another with which there is sympathy, smoothly developing into a relationship, or not. Besides, 90% of success is your girlfriend's reaction and her willingness to do something like this, without Debra's interest in a person of her own sex, nothing will work out, sorry," I shrug my shoulders.
- Shit, dude, seriously? - the guy sighed. - You could have lied and let me dream instead of ruining my fantasies!
- That's the kind of person I am. Honest.
Except when it comes to...
Come on, tentacle!
The symbiote's been poking around more today than it has in six months. Is that a hint that he wants to see Rez?
- Oh, well," the blond sighed heavily. - Maybe I'll try to suss it out in that direction sometime...
- That's the spirit! - I'm patting Thompson on the shoulder. - Let's go, or the girls will start to worry.
Let's get back to the gym.
Same time.
Latveria. Castle Doom.
Victor.
Von Doom sat on his throne and stared into the fireplace. Almost a typical evening for the ruler of Latveria.
This time, however, something was different.
- Boris!
- Yes, lord? - A loyal servant appeared.
The elderly man found Dr Doom maintaining the magic circle. Something important, no doubt.
- Soon. Very soon the line will be erased again, - Victor said unusually quietly.
How many people have heard von Doom so... excited and... frightened?
- Will you try again, my Overlord? - asked the question neutrally, trying to hide sympathy, Boris.
- Always," the Latverian stretched to his full height, breaking the Runes circle. - But that doesn't mean I'll be fighting alone again.