Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last set of text messages. I always appreciate your feedback. We made it to chapter 100. I couldn't have done it without all of you.
This was originally part of the last section of text messages, but per the story's rules, I decided it needed to be in its own chapter.
Note that some of these text messages were written at the same time Simmons sent her messages to Daisy a few chapters ago. Unfortunately, Leo was in the science zone and did not respond.
Conversation 82: You can't lie to your sister-in-law
The sister-in-law: Hey, I heard from my husband that you're back on Earth. I just wanted to see how you're doing.
The sister-in-law: I talked to Daisy a few minutes ago while she was in medical. She's doing OK physically, at least. Apparently, Wakanda has a better version of Xanax. This makes me sad that I will not get to spend quality lab time in the country. Maybe after your niece is born, I will have another opportunity.
The sister-in-law: Have you gone to medical? You should. You had a challenging mission. Who knows what you could've caught on a strange, alien planet. You should set up a session with Dr. Cruz as well.
The sister-in-law: I bet you're in the lab working on the project. My husband is with you, isn't he? We're in the middle of a communications blackout, so we'll just call it the project. I won't ask how it's going.
The sister-in-law: I'm having dinner with Coulson and the Purple Arrow's children, except for Connor. He's unhappy with his mom still being in the other timeline.
The sister-in-law: It's an unfortunate situation, but that's no excuse for him being an absolute brat. I hope my future daughter never acts like that.
The sister-in-law: Obviously, this is all hard on Coulson.
The sister-in-law: He doesn't blame you. He blames himself, but he doesn't blame you. It's impossible to stop Melinda from doing something she wants to do.
The sister-in-law: Nobody here knows you better than me except your husband, and I know you're blaming yourself. Or maybe you wish you were the one who died instead. That no one but Hunter would miss you.
The sister-in-law: None of that is true. I will miss you. Baby Melinda deserves to grow up with her uncle around to spoil her to pieces. I expect you to bring her all the good candy I won't let her have.
Dr. Leopold: I'm going to bring her first science lab. Hunter is going to bring her all the candy. I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier. I've just been kicked out of the lab and finally checked my cell phone. I'm so sorry. We can talk more in the morning. I'm OK.
Dr. Leopold: Or as OK as I can be under the circumstances. I'm looking forward to sleeping next to my husband.
The sister-in-law: It's OK. I'm up. I need to get the Princess a gift basket. Was my husband also kicked out of the lab?
Dr. Leopold: Yes. I just dropped him off at his guest room along with Benjamin. The only one not kicked out was the Princess's cousin. She's passing along her father's calculations, so Pym doesn't realize he's working on the project.
The sister-in-law: Considering what Hunter told me, I'm not surprised. I expect a more detailed explanation once you get some sleep and are no longer dealing with the communications blackout.
Dr. Leopold: Tomorrow or rather later today once you get some sleep as well. Why are you still up?
The sister-in-law: It's hard for me to sleep when I and the husband are on separate missions. Especially with everything going on. And unfortunately, I can't take a sleeping pill anymore.
Dr. Leopold: Nor should you be on missions with him now.
The sister-in-law: I'm hoping that after the situation with the purple one is over, we won't need to be separated.
Dr. Leopold: I hope for quieter times, but I doubt we'll get them. You need to rest in the meantime.
The sister-in-law: If I don't fall asleep soon, I'll eat something containing high amounts of tryptophan.
Dr. Leopold: Thank you.
The sister-in-law: However, I'll sleep better knowing where your head is at. You are far from fine.
Dr. Leopold: I'm not in a good place. I left fine behind on [redacted]. I think I'm going to need to check myself into mental health rehab after this mission is over. Or at least schedule a month's worth of sessions with Dr. Cruz.
Dr. Leopold: May is dead, and Daisy is in absolute denial about it. Your counterpart is an alcoholic because I decided to stay here with Hunter instead of going back to her, with your alternate timeline grandson stranded here who blames me for all of it. That's not even going into the fact that he was with me when we lost May.
The sister-in-law: I think you need that month. I know you won't believe me, but you are not responsible for the choices of others, and that includes my counterpart. We grew up repressing all our emotions and never processed any until they blew up in our faces. I went to therapy, and she went to the bottle. It was still her choice.
Dr. Leopold: You didn't lose the love of your life.
The sister-in-law: She still had choices.
Dr. Leopold: Since I got here, all I've done has been be responsible for other people's choices. Everything I've done has been to prevent world destruction, even when I wasn't sure what that meant. I even convinced Friday to actually send Stark's late-night text message confessions to Rogers. We wouldn't be here right now without that.
The sister-in-law: They were the ones who chose to keep writing to each other, who decided to make the Avengers work again. None of that was something you did. Now we have a fighting chance.
Dr. Leopold: Or will make completely different mistakes. We already have.
The sister-in-law: Maybe we will. We're going to get through this. We're going to win.
Dr. Leopold: Hopefully without losing more of our people.
The sister-in-law: I am pregnant right now due to catastrophic birth control failure on the eve of the Apocalypse. I have to believe that we're going to make it through this.
Dr. Leopold: I knew you would've waited until after we finished the purple one.
The sister-in-law: Well, my IUD had other plans. I'm not angry, although I hate being in Malta right now, away from everything. I'm sure I could re-create my variant's work quickly.
Dr. Leopold: Your translation of her notes was enough. Your husband and I could work from there.
The sister-in-law: I'm glad I contributed something.
Dr. Leopold: Besides, it's good that you're with Coulson right now. He needs one of us kids. I am afraid to ask how he's doing.
The sister-in-law: He ate half of dinner and fell asleep shortly afterward. So, he's doing better than me.
Dr. Leopold: Did you put sleeping pills in his dinner?
The sister-in-law: He may have taken one voluntarily.
Dr. Leopold: I would take one if I didn't have to be alert in five hours. We are doing testing at 10 AM. Hopefully, by then, the Princess can talk Stark Junior out of being the guinea pig.
The sister-in-law: Of course, she's trying to volunteer when you know her father will say no. Coulson also wants to call you and Daisy sometime tomorrow, but maybe it can wait until after the 10 AM test.
Dr. Leopold: I suggest we wait until Sunday. I'm not ready for that conversation yet.
The sister-in-law: I don't know if any of us are. It's better if it happens before whatever mission you're planning on doing. Let's not leave more things unsaid.
Dr. Leopold: You say Coulson doesn't blame me, but I don't believe you. I don't need that right now.
The sister-in-law: The only person he's angry at is himself. He doesn't blame you at all.
Dr. Leopold: I've seen Tony's bruised face; therefore, I'm skeptical.
Dr. Leopold: This is Hunter. I'm taking his phone away and forcing him to get some sleep. We will talk more tomorrow. Try to get some rest yourself.
The sister-in-law. I will try my best.
The sister-in-law: Cuddle your husband. He needs it.
Xxx
"Did you have to do that? We were having a nice conversation." Leo said, looking directly at his husband.
"Yes, because you need sleep. Although I've just been ordered to cuddle you."
"After I shower." Hunter leaned over and kissed him.
"I can help you undress," Hunter smirked at him. "I'm so happy you came home to me."
"I am too." despite the sadness he felt at May's death, at least that much was true for Leo. He was happy to be back in his husband's arms.
To be continued…