Spider Dad
Dr. Connor's cell phone rang suddenly filling the quiet laboratory with shrill noise. Peter jumped in his skin; spilling the contents of a beaker on the table as he fumbled quickly for his own cellular device.
He stared at it dumbly as there was no sign of an incoming call. Dr. Connor watched his associate carefully before sending the interruption to voicemail.
"Is everything alright, Peter?"
"What? No. Yeah, I mean.. yeah. I'm sorry - I thought I heard, my wife..."
Peter took a deep breath, exhaling as the doctor watched him with amusement on his face. The young man had given him an impressive resume - working along side Dr. Otto Octavius - who in his earlier works had spoke very highly of Mr. Parker. He was bright and eager - a star pupil and they were coming a long great with their research on limb regrowth.
"Come again?" Dr. Connor asked, glancing out the window of his office at Oscorp. It was getting late. They needed to call it a night.
"I thought that was my cell. My wife is pregnant, due any day now and she said she would call me if something happened."
He looked at the phone again before replacing it in his pocket. "I'm sorry."
"It's quite alright, Peter. Congratulations are in order! I had no idea you and Gwen are expecting!"
Peter glanced over at Dr Conner's with a forced smile, running a hand over his head and to his neck. They'd been at it for several hours now - the sun began to set behind the towering buildings.
"Thanks, sir. We were, surprised to say the least but it's good. We're excited..." His voice failed him as Connor's smiled, setting a coffee mug down between them and pulling a flask of whiskey from his lab coat. He poured Peter a small amount in the cup and ushered him to drink. "Gwen's excited. I'm... fucking terrified but we're in this together and I'm trying, I'm trying so hard to be there for her but..."
Peter just shook his head; drinking the contents of the mug down quickly. Dr. Connor's poured another small amount; taking a sip from the flask. "Slow, kid. This is imported from England. None of that watered down American shit."
Peter smiled, lifting the mug in a half-hearted cheers as he sipped the burning liquid.
"Thanks. Dr. Connor's. I just don't want to disappoint her. She has a loving family and I'm an orphan. My uncle Ben was the closest I ever had to a dad and I'm afraid he never really got around to showing me how to be one."
"It'll come. Quickly. The knowledge. You'll be a pro before you know it, Peter."
"Do you have any kids, Dr. Connor's?"
Although they had spent a lot of time together the past few months he knew little of his bosses personal life.
"One son. Billy. The light of my life. I was much like you when he was born - starting out on my own. I was in the military. I lost my arm. My son was born and I felt like I would fail him somehow but it all worked out, just like it will for you."
Peter finished the drink, setting the mug down between them as their eyes met. How could he be so sure?
"Don't fret my boy. You're the brightest colleague I've had in a long time. Good head on your shoulders. Fatherhood will be a walk in the park. Now get out of here and check on that pretty wife of yours. I've got a few things to finish up and I'm right behind you."
Dr. Connor's slapped Peter on the shoulder with a grin causing the younger man to smile, a genuine smile that assured Curt he was right about Peter.
