A long way home

Chapter four

May Parker didn't sleep much, sometimes it was because she had to work late night shifts as nurse and other times it was because she was kept awake by the cries of her distraught nephew. She so desperately wanted to help him, because he was taking this loss worse then any other he had been through.

When her husband Ben Parker died, Peter was a mess and it took time but he eventually forgave himself for it. Now however it was like he had completely shut down, Peter gave no more terrible science puns, no movie references and he's bright optimism was just gone. He was mostly silent and only talked when he was at school, on patrol or when he was sobbing in his room. So when May Parker was awoken by the sound of the bath being turned on she was confused but figured that her nephew was taking a late shower.

She was glad he was, because he hadn't been exactly been paying attention to his hygiene or taking care of himself. He had lost almost 20 pounds from not eating, hardly slept and was constantly having dizzy spells during the day. Still she decided she would talk to him, because she couldn't watch her nephew head towards his own destruction anymore. However to her suprise, when she opened her bedroom door she saw that the first aid kit was out and tons of heated towels along with Peter's jacket lay on the floor.

Curious she walked around her living room trying to figure out what was going on. Meanwhile Morgan had been freshed up thanks to her hot bath and now Peter was drying her hair and body with a towel. It certainly wasn't expecting what he would end up doing tonight. He knew that he couldn't keep Morgan with him legally unless he had custody of her, but he wasn't eighteen and if anyone found out not only would he be sent to jail but Morgan would have to go back to Pepper. But all of those worries seemed to disappear with Morgan's pure innocene and trust in him.

"Petey that felt nice, " she told him and gave him a hug causing him to get wet.
"I'm glad now let me just finishing drying you off so you can get dressed and I can make you something. " Peter said and after about ten minutes, Morgan was all clean and for the first time in awhile her hair and teeth were brushed and her nails were cut which was a relief because they were getting horribly long. The young girl quickly got dressed and happily let Peter pick her up again but when they left they saw May Parker standing in the living room wearing her bathrobe.

"Peter what's going on? " She asked completely confused at the fact she had just seen her nephew walk out of the bathroom with a young girl. Peter's mind blanked trying to come up with an explanation but he couldn't say anything other then.
"This isn't what it looks like, " May sighed and started at Morgan who looked terrified at the mere sight of her.

"Peter why is there a five year old girl in our apartment? " May asked as she didn't want to lecture him when she was so tired.
Also a little girl was watching so that wouldn't look good.
"I can explain, she's Morgan Stark you know Ironman's daughter. " Peter explained "I found her out alone outside in the cold rain, I know this all sudden but Pepper left her and she needs help. " Peter continued "and I'm going to be the one to give it to her, the best way I can. " Peter finished and the two started at eachother until the other decided to speak.

May knew it would be cruel to refuse the child, but she had no blood ties to the girl and Peter didn't either so this was technically illegal. But her heart melted at the thought of the young girl being left alone by her own mother. Peter knew how that felt, he had a parent walk away from him too.
"Okay what can I do to help sweetie? " May asked and Peter smiled like he never had while Morgan's eye lite up with joy.
"While she's hungry so we should feed her, just promise not to burn anything. " Peter said to his aunt still smiling.