Caught In The Widow's Web

Ch 66

Christmas Morning

I wake up slowly, instead of being well rested I wake up with a headache. Memories of last night flood my mind making me groan, covering my face with my hands. I get out of bed and take a quick shower. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror I practice my smile, or different versions of them so I can look somewhat happy despite feeling the complete opposite. After I'm changed into a set of clean clothes I check my phone to see if I have any responses from Ariana only to come up short. With a defeated sigh I make my way down to where everyone was gathered, opening presents enjoying themselves.

"Merry Christmas." I greet the room, getting a chorus of them in return as everyone turns to me.

Bucky and Steve make their way over to hug me.

"Merry Christmas, knuckle heads." I chuckle making them laugh and playfully push or punch me.

I then go over and take a seat on one of the couches next to Maria, Morgan then comes over to me.

"Hey kid. Like your presents?" I ask picking her up and she nods.

"Want to open your presents, Sarge?" Stark offers with a raised brow.

"Thanks, Tony, but I'll wait for a bit." I nod looking down at the toy Morgan has in her hands.

She then gets off my lap to go to her parents and open more gifts.

"No one would've blamed you if you slept in." Maria tells me lowly making me turn to her.

"It's Christmas. I'm not gonna be down especially in front of the kids." I chuckle slightly before turning to the TV to watch the Christmas Day parade that was playing in the background.

When there's a commercial break, a news report is broadcasting showing an accident that happened on the George Washington bridge last night. The footage shows of a crane lifting a car up from the water. I recognize that car.

It was Ariana's.

I slowly stand up from my seat, still looking at the television screen in disbelief.

"..Joey."

"Th-that's Ariana's car. I gotta go to the hospital." I make my way over to the balcony, my suit coming on.

"You don't know which one." Clint says after me.

"Then I'll go to all of them." I reply over my shoulder.

"J.D- J.D wait." Tony insists making me stop and turn to face him.

"You're not talking me outta this, Stark." I tell him.

"Talk you out? I'm going with you." He replies his suiting coming onto his body.

With the help of FRIDAY it was easier to find which hospital Ariana was taken to. My mind is all over the place as I get there and talk to a receptionist.

"I'm here to see Ariana- the accident on the bridge- the woman- I'm here to see her." I stammer.

"Only family members are allowed to see her." She tells me.

"Wh- she's my girlfriend. I'm all the family she's got." I tell her.

They let us go into the room and see her. I take a seat next to her bed, my eyes glossing over as I see her. She was in a rough condition. Tony doesn't say anything, standing by my side for moral support.

The doctor comes in, she tells us about her condition and cause of her death but I don't really pay attention to all of the details, not being able to look away from Ariana.