Peter paced back and forth outside the bedroom, repeating the three steps that May had given him over and over again in his mind. He had finally worked up the courage to try and smooth things over, but he still had no idea what to say. At first he had figured he'd wing it, but once he reached the door, his feet had grown cold.

"Pull it together, Peter! Listen, talk, grovel. It's simple." He scolded himself. "Yeah. Yeah! She's easy to please."

Feeling more confident with his affirmation, he twisted the handle and pushed the door open. Gwen lifted her head upon his entrance and shifted almost uncomfortably on the bed, ready to get up and leave if it came to it.

"No, sit." He told her firmly.

"Didn't realize that I was your pet dog now." She smirked.

"That's not what I was implying and you know it, you're just commenting to wind me up and I can assure you that it's not gonna work."

Gwen let out a heavy breath, but settled back down in her seat. She wanted to stay mad, but was slowly running out of reasons, making it impossible. Even more than she wanted to be mad, she wanted to hear what he had to say.

"Yeah, I didn't mean that." She admitted. "And I've been thinking…"

"You have?"

"Mm-hm." She nodded. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I have been overreacting, and I'm sorry. It's just when-"

"Okay, let me stop you there." He cut in. "If anyone should be sorry, it's me. You were completely justified and your feelings were- still are, valid. I was the one who was in the wrong."

"Really?" She questioned.

Peter attempted a smile and then sat down beside her on the bed, placing his hand on her upper back. "Yes. You were worried about me, and you were scared because I left you alone after what happened and I shouldn't have."

"No, you shouldn't have and yet you did."

"It was a mistake and I know that now, but I wasn't thinking straight." He admitted. "It's just unfortunate that I didn't realize it before it was too late."

"Too late?" Gwen's eyes widened in question. "You didn't… you know?"

"No, no. He's still breathing." He assured her. "But I almost…"

"Wait, what do you mean?"

"I'd rather not get into it right now, let's just say that I made a huge mistake and by the time I realized it, it almost got me killed."

"Peter!" She gasped.

"Gwen, please… don't make me talk about-"

"I wasn't going to." She said softly. "I just… I'm glad that you're okay, I was afraid that you would get badly hurt or- or worse." She told him, unable to stop her voice from breaking.

Wiping at her eyes, Gwen quickly recomposed herself and leaned against his side. Peter managed to relax as he thought about how easy it had been to smooth things over compared to what he was expecting, and with a wry smile, he pulled her closer.

"You can't get rid of me that easily, I'm afraid." He quipped.

"That's not funny!" She scolded him.

"I know, I'm sorry. I can't help it." He shrugged with a chuckle. "But seriously, I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing. Once is enough, and it's okay."

"It's not though. I've been so unfair to you, and not just tonight but pretty much since we've been back in New York. I've been so selfish, not listening to you and lying to you for over a year only to cause you more pain and much more. I've been a jerk and it's not okay." He rambled. "And while I can't change any of it, I am promising that I will do better from now on."

"You don't have to promise me anything, Peter. I know that you are doing your best with what you've been dealt."

"Even still, you've been through enough already and I'm done adding to that."

"We both have been through enough. Not just me." She corrected him. "But none of that matters, I don't hold your mistakes against you and as long as you are good to me… and to our little family, then I can forgive you for anything."

Peter's smile widened and he couldn't keep it off his face, even as his cheeks began to ache. "You say the sweetest things to me, even when I'm undeserving of them."

"It comes with the territory." She teased. "I kinda do love you, you know."

"Oh really?" He questioned, wobbling his eyebrows in amusement. "Hmm, well I guess I sort of do love you too." He added teasingly.

"Yeah, you'd better, you goof!"

"And I would like to make it up to you, any suggestions?"

"Well… I could really go for a cbc and p sandwich right now." She hinted.

"Cbc and p?" He repeated.

"Corned beef, chocolate and pickle."

Peter's mouth fell open and he cringed hard. In a joking manner, he placed his hands on Gwen's shoulders and pushed her back gently so that he could read her expression.

"Gross!" He commented. "Are you for real?"

"What?" She questioned. "It tastes good."

"I highly doubt you'll be saying that about four months from now." He muttered. "But alright, your wish is my command."

"You should try it. It's nice."

"Yeah, not a chance in hell. Sorry." He laughed as he got up and exited the room.

Laying back down, Gwen closed her eyes and leaned into the peace that the bedroom provided her. Though she didn't intend to, she quickly fell asleep, allowing her mind to wander to another place.

Through the thick blanket of darkness that seemed to surround her, Gwen could just about make out a dim yellow light in the distance and like a moth to a flame, it drew her in. Despite the voice in her head telling her not to, she put one foot in front of the other and crept slowly towards it.

She paused as the light got brighter and threw her arm up to shield her eyes, though as heard the sound of yelling, she continued forward until the light got bigger and bigger, eventually enveloping her completely. Eventually, she was able to see where she was but it cleared nothing up and instead only led to more confusion. It appeared to be some kind of alleyway, though not one she recognised.

More yelling pulled her attention to the center of the alley and she took a couple of steps forward, finally laying eyes on the source of the sound.

"P… Peter?"

But he didn't notice her. He seemed to be completely engrossed in whatever he was doing. Still unable to see clearly, she edged even closer and as she saw what was in front of her, she squealed in shock and horror.

Peter was knelt on the ground, trapping someone, whose face was hidden by the shadows, and one hand was clamped around their throat while he rained down punches on their face with the other. Covering her mouth with her hand, she stumbled backwards and then turned to run, only to crash straight into Peter. Glancing over her shoulder, she shuddered when she saw only the limp body, and turned back to face him.

"I did it, Gwen." He cheered. Though she found his voice far from soothing. "He's dead now, he can never hurt us again."

"W- what?" She stammered, unable to tear her eyes away from his bloody face.

"I took care of him. We don't have to worry anymore."

"Peter…" She whispered, not knowing whether to scream or cry.

"It's okay." He grinned. "Wake up."

"Huh?"

"Wake up, Gwen."

"Wake up!"

Gwen's eyes opened suddenly and her chest heaved with heavy breaths as looked frantically around the room before settling her focus on Peter.

"I don't understand…"

"You must have fallen asleep, I was downstairs making your disgusting order, and I heard you, I came up because I thought something was wrong but I- I guess you were dreaming."

"Right." She nodded. "Just a dream."

Peter frowned and he reached out his hand, placing it against her cheek, wanting to ask what she had meant but not bothering to.

"Are you okay?" He questioned. "And please be honest."

"Yeah, I'm okay. It was just a bad dream and-" She began, cutting off and shifting in discomfort. "Oh. Wow."

"What is it? What's wrong?" He asked, his eyes wide with concern.

"Nothing is wrong, I just- hmm." She answered with a little laugh. "Give me your hand."

Though confused and concerned, Peter offered out his hand. She took it with a smile and without saying a word, she moved it to rest on the baby bump that had grown over the past few months. All worries faded fast as he realized what she was doing, and as he felt the small movement beneath her skin, a smile spread across his face. Though as he felt it again, his smile wavered, which didn't go unnoticed by Gwen.

"What is it?" She pressed, and he sighed.

"It's just… I don't really feel like a hero, or even a good person right now." He admitted. "And… I feel like I'm going to screw up this dad thing. I've already let you down twice as it is."

"Oh… Peter, come on. You know that's hardly true." She said with a sad smile. "We have had our moments but you have never let me down."

"Nah, you don't understand. Of course you don't, and I can't blame you because I didn't tell you everything but I-"

"You what?" She pushed.

"I did something tonight, Gwen, and I hate myself for it." He confessed. "And I don't feel worthy of any of this; you, your love and understanding, your patience and all that you have given- are still giving me."

Gwen blinked away the tears threatening to fall and tried to think of something to say, but words avoided her. She didn't know what to say because she didn't know exactly what he was talking about.

"What happened tonight?" She asked.

"For a moment I… I became someone I hate."

"Yeah, but what does that mean?"

"As you probably guessed, when I went to find Eddie I… I found him." He began. "We got into a fight and before he got the advantage, I-"

"You…" She prompted.

"I lost control of myself and I beat him within an inch of his life, Gwen." He admitted.

"But you didn't have a choice once the fight started, right?"

"Actually, I did. He wasn't fighting me, I was the one making all the moves and I knocked him down then continued to beat him. If I hadn't stopped when I did, I would have killed him."

"Oh my God…" She gasped. "But you didn't kill him, so why did you stop?"

"I don't know… it was like a slap in the face, I remembered Harry and how he attacked me out of rage, and I couldn't let myself become him. I- I need to be better than that."

"Peter, you are better than that."

"No, I'm not. At least, I wasn't tonight." He denied. "So you see? I don't feel good at all, boy or girl, I don't want to teach our child that acting out of anger or seeking revenge is okay."

"You won't. You made a mistake, but it's not gonna happen again, right?"

"No, I'll never let myself go that far again." He assured her. "After seeing what he did, all I wanted to do was defend you and give him a warning. I never meant to take it that far and I feel so stupid for not listening to you and aunt May. When I walked in and saw everything, I was just so angry and it blinded me, I couldn't see through it."

As he finished speaking, he wrapped both arms around Gwen, desperately clinging to her and resting his head upon her shoulder. Though surprised, she embraced him tightly and rested her own head against the top of his. She had been confused, but after hearing him out, everything had become clear to her, including the dream she'd been having when he woke her. Peter's body shook, sending tremors through her own, and her eyes widened as she realized just how bad he was feeling. She could feel his tears soaking through her top and it gave her an idea. Things had been rough lately, and it was about time that they made a change to that.

"Ohhhh, Peter."

"Hmm?" He hummed, lifting his head and causing her to wince at his reddened eyes.

"Better turn off those water works before we need a rowing boat in here. You made me all wet now." She teased.

Peter sniveled and took a shaking breath. It took a moment, but he quickly caught on and her teasing comment earned a laugh. She managed to laugh with him despite how much it hurt her to see him in such a state, and with a soft sigh, she hugged him even tighter.

"And you don't have to worry about being unworthy and a bad example, you know why?"

"But I do, I don't want to-"

"No, you don't." She insisted. "You don't have to worry because in four months time, when you hold our baby, he or she is gonna see you through eyes that no nothing of malice or pain, all they're going to see is a man that will love and care for them unconditionally because he or she won't know of your past, or any of your mistakes. All they will know at that moment is you, and as they get older your experiences will become stories that can be used to guide them in the right direction."

"Wow…" He whispered. "I guess I never thought of it like that."

"That's the best thing. You get to decide what kind of person you want to be to them, and in their eyes, you will be the one they look up to. Their own, personal hero." She added.

"I just wish that their innocence could wash away my guilt." He admitted. "It's not like Eddie didn't deserve it, but it's not my place to be the one to bring it to him."

Gwen smiled sympathetically, remembering the time that she had let herself fall off track and how it was Peter who had helped her bounce back. She remembered vividly, all the things she had done and come to regret, from striking Peter to running away to fight Venom. As she realized that he had acted the exact same way as she once had, the last of her anger towards him slipped away, having been replaced with a newfound understanding.

"You forget that I know how that feels." She said softly. "It wasn't all that long ago that you stopped me from making that mistake with Harry… Does it make you see me any differently?"

"Of course not."

"Then why should it be any different with yourself?"

"Because I- I… I don't have an answer."

"Hmm…" She hummed. "Things have been so damn hard these past couple of days, and I think it's time to break that streak."

"What do you mean?" He frowned.

"First, we should get you patched up before you bleed out all over the bed and then, I think we should forget all about Eddie and Venom-"

"Gwen!"

"Not for a long period of time, just for the rest of the night and tomorrow." She continued. "I just wanna have some fun. Are you really gonna deny me that after what you pulled?"

Peter flashed a weary smile. "Never, though should you not be resting? I mean, you're still injured and not to mention somewhat heavier now that-"

"Heavier?" She questioned teasingly.

"No! I mean… damn it, I am very bad at this." He chuckled. "But if you're sure you can handle it? I don't want you overdoing it."

"Yeah I can handle it." She insisted. "If I have to spend another day stuck with these four walls then I'm gonna go crazy."

"Alright." He shrugged. "What did you have in mind?"

"I don't know… anything other than sitting around feeling anxious about the things that are beyond our control."

"Usually I'd suggest taking a walk, but that doesn't sound like a good idea."

"Crutches? Yeah, no. I don't think I want to be hobbling about on them for miles."

"Hmm, tell me how you're feeling, it'll help to be able to think of something suitable."

"I feel fine, just a little tight in the chest after being stuck indoors." She answered.

"And your foot?"

"Still broken and painful, but I could use a distraction."

"Sooo, something that's outdoors but doesn't involve too much walking or too much physical activity?"

"Pretty much."

"I think I know exactly what to do." He grinned.

Peter couldn't keep the dopey grin off his face as he guided Gwen down the stairs and towards the back door. It had taken a good ten minutes just to get back downstairs, and there wasn't much time left.

"Watch your step, I accidentally spilled some water on the porch steps." He warned. "It might be slippery."

"Did you not think to wipe it up? I don't wanna slip and break another bone."

"There wasn't time." He shrugged. "But I'm not gonna let you fall, now come on…" He pleaded, leading her out onto the porch.

"What are we even doing out here anyway?" She questioned. "It's chilly."

"I guess it's a good thing that I prepared a blanket then." He beamed, helping her avoid the wet floor.

Reaching the porch swing, Gwen set her crutches aside and sat down, watching as Peter plonked himself down, making the swing rock. She still didn't understand what he had in mind, but decided to go along with it anyway.

"We still have a few minutes yet… are you hungry? Thirsty?"

"No and no." She answered.

"Then we are set. Now we just wait."

"For what?"

"Sunrise, of course. What else?"

"Oh, so that's why you dragged me out here." She nodded. "We haven't done that since…"

"Since the sunset the night that Harry…"

"Yeah." She said, knowing what he was trying to recall.

"Yeah." He repeated and flashed a smile.

A contented silence fell between the two of them over the next couple of minutes and at long last, the deep blue of the sky began to give way to an orange tinted with purple, which gave way to a baby blue dotted with white fluffy clouds.

"Peter…"

"Hmm?"

"There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

"Oh?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, actually a few things." She corrected herself.

"I'm all ears, Gwen." He prompted.

"Maybe it can wait…" She hesitated.

"No, what is it?"

"It can wait, I don't want you to take it the wrong way."

"Tell me." He insisted.

"It's okay."

"Don't make me have to tickle you."

"Please don't." She begged. "My senses are too high for that kind of foolery."

"Then spill it."

Gwen sighed, knowing that this was one battle she wasn't going to win. "Okay, well… I've been talking with May a lot and she came up with an idea."

"Alright, let's hear it…"

"She mentioned possibly moving in with us for a few weeks after the baby is born, just to help out because there are gonna be times when New York needs Spider-man more than you are needed here." She explained. "We just thought because of how often-"

"New York can still have Spider-man, but I'm not gonna be that uninvolved with our child, Gwen." He stated. "But, I do think it would be great to have an extra person since I don't like the idea of leaving you home alone." He added.

"So… you agree with the idea?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "It does sound like a good idea, and she has been struggling with rent lately."

"Okay, then I guess that's sorted."

"A few things."

"Huh?"

"You said you had a few things to talk to me about." He prompted.

"Ah, the second thing isn't as huge… just something that I've been thinking about."

"Go on…"

"These next few months are going to fly by, and while I've been housebound, I've been playing around with names and again, May and I were talking, and it gave me an idea…"

"An idea?"

"For a baby name, and I've been trying to find the right time to share it with you."

"We don't even know the gender yet." He chuckled.

"I know, but it's just an idea and I want to hear your thoughts."

"And I'm all for it."

"I've been playing around with names for both genders, and I came up with a boy name that would be meaningful to us both."

"Come on, stop teasing me. Let's hear it."

"Benson George." She told him, biting down on her lower lip as she fixed her eyes on his face. "Benson for your uncle, and George for my father."

Peter's eyes widened and after a second, a smile tugged at his lips. He could hear the echo of his uncle Ben's voice, the day in the school hallway and the way he'd thrown him under the bus for having Gwen's photo on his computer, and unable to help it, he laughed.

"I uh… I love it." He admitted.

"You do?"

"I do." He confirmed. "Benson George Parker… it's perfect."

"But we should probably think of a girl's name too, just to be safe." She laughed.

"Yeah, that would be wise." He agreed. "And I love how much thought you put into that name, you didn't even get the chance to know my uncle better and you still want to name our possible son after him? Could you give me any more reasons to love you?"

"I didn't have to know him well to see how much you loved him, and I only need to look at you to see what a great job he and May did raising you. It seemed fitting that if our first born should be a boy that their name would include him."

"First born?" Peter questioned. "You mean we're planning to have more of these tiny humans in the future?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows?" She laughed. "Don't worry, I hardly want to be doing this again any time too soon; my feet are hurting, I feel so imbalanced, my back aches, not to mention going to bed has become my new hobby, and the inability to stand certain foods without feeling sick." She added.

"Awe come on, you've gotta be exaggerating a little bit." He laughed.

"Says you, who acts like you're dying when you catch a cold." She teased.

"You had to call me out on that."

"What good would it be if I let you live all of your moments down?" She shrugged.

Peter rolled his eyes and pulled the blanket up higher to cover them both. The sun was high in the sky by now, but he didn't want to move just yet. He remained quiet as his own thoughts took over, reminding him that none of these moments would last without dealing with Venom, and they were running out of time too. It would only be a matter of time before Venom tried something else. Though this time, they would be ready for it.