Undefeated

Chapter Eleven

When I open my eyes, I'm in my old treehouse in the woods by the compound. I know it's a dream, but it feels just as real as it would if I was awake.

I walk around, my hand sliding across the rough wood walls. I read the title of every book on the floating shelves and look at all of the artwork from when I was younger on the walls. I smile when I see the colored pencil drawing of the Avengers and I as stick figures. I pick up a polaroid that Nick took of my family and I not long before I met Peter, and slide it in the waistband of my shorts.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, inhaling the smell of freshly cut grass. The only sound I hear is birds singing, and wind rustling the leaves. The peacefulness is interrupted when I hear a voice behind me. A voice I thought I would never hear again.

"Identical, isn't it?"

I turn around, facing my dad. He isn't hurt like he was when I last saw him. His skin isn't charred, and there is no blood or grime on him. He's healed and is clean, like it never happened. He's wearing a plain black long sleeved shirt and jeans.

"Dad?" I say, my voice shaking.

"The one and only." He smiles.

Tony opens up his arms and I run into them, closing my eyes. He smells the same as he always did. I look up at him, trying to remember him like this instead of what he looked like the last time I saw him.

"I'm so proud of you," I say, and a tear falls down my face.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. You were there for me until you couldn't be. You saved everyone. You saved me. You and Nat did."

He looks away, and when he looks back at me, there are tears in his eyes. "Will you be okay?"

"I'll be okay." I smile.

"Then if you're okay, I'm okay."

A gust of wind comes in through the windows, blowing my hair in my face as the tree house begins to shake. I back away from my dad, looking around in confusion.

"What's happening?" I yell over the wind.

"We don't have much time left." He looks down at the midtown crewneck I'm wearing. "Tell Pete that I love him."

"I will." I smile.

He smiles, his eyes glossy. I hug him again, and he kisses my cheek.

"I love you infinity," he whispers in my ear.

Before I can respond, I wake up. I jolt forward, shaking as I look around the room frantically. Peter sits upright at my sudden movement, moving to sit in front of me. Tears stream down my face as I stare at him with a shocked expression.

"Gracee, what's wrong?" he asks.

"Nothing's wrong," I say breathlessly.

"What happened?"

"I saw him, Peter. I saw him."

"Saw who? Who did you see, Gracee?"

"My dad."

"Did you have a dream about him?"

"No, it wasn't a dream. I mean, I- I was asleep, but it felt... real."

I remember the Polaroid I picked up and slide my fingers into the waistband of my boxers. My breath catches when I feel it between my fingers. I pull it out, and Peter stares at it with wide eyes.

"Where did that come from?" he asks warily.

"My dream," I say in disbelief.

I sit the picture down on the bed, looking back up at Peter. His gaze doesn't leave the picture.

"He wanted me to tell you something," I say.

"What?" Peter's voice breaks as he looks at me.

"He said he loves you."

He looks down, and his tears slip. He smiles, wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his face in my hair.

"Thank you," he whispers.

I blink back tears, hugging him tightly. "He always loved you. He just never wanted to admit it."

"I miss him."

"I miss him, too."

•

After spending a few nights in the hotel, we all decide that we can't take it any longer. May has been searching for an affordable apartment, but she hasn't been able to find one. I tell Pepper about our living situation on the phone one night, and she offers for us to stay at the cabin so we can spend more time together, and so we can meet Morgan.

I tell May about how Pepper insisted we move in with her and Morgan until we find a home, and I'm eventually able to convince her. There are three bedrooms in the cabin, so Peter and I decide that May will have the guest bedroom and Peter and I will share the couch.

After spending these last few nights together, I can't imagine sleeping without Peter. We both wake up with nightmares at least once a night, and we're always there to comfort each other.

May takes me shopping, and I use the money Pepper sends me buy some essentials, as well as a black dress for Tony's funeral at the cabin. I'm not sure I'm ready to say goodbye for good, but I am happy to be doing it with the people I love.

On the third morning spent in the hotel, we pack the few things we have and call Happy. May hasn't been able to buy another car, so he drives us to the cabin.

I'm nervous to meet Morgan. I hope that she'll love me as much as I know I'm going to love her. I just wish I didn't have to meet her on the day of our dad's funeral.