whatever it takes

Epilogue: Last Words

Song: Lover by Taylor Swift

*5 Years Later*

Ben and I stood at the desk facetiming, Peter. Now as a young man he still had the boyish charm that warmed my heart. But nonetheless, he was grown. He conquered everything that came at him. Those couple of years no one knew who he was. Well, except me. I wasn't on earth so I always knew. It was like that until he finally just told the ones he loved that it was him. 

Now 3 years later, he and Ned are best friends again. And even better he and MJ are together and stronger than ever. With that said, I knew this call was coming. Had seen it for weeks now. I could tell by his nerves this was it.

"So Ophelia, do you think I could get the ring? I want to propose to MJ"

The ring was unique when I turned 16, Tony gave it to me. It was a black gem with a beautiful silver setting. It was perfectly MJ. I told Peter when he was ready it was his. He and Tony had such a bond, I knew how important it would be to him. 

"Of course, Pete. The kids actually miss you so we will make a trip out this week."

"Actually I was thinking why don't you come on the 15th, so you can actually be there for the engagement. I was going to take her to the top of Midtown High, you know bring it back to the beginning." 

I smiled at the screen. After Tony and Aunt May's death, I tried really hard to be there for Peter as a parental figure or at least a big sister. I went to all his events. Every graduation, every decathlon meet, and every birthday. With that said, I could not be any more proud of the man on the screen in front of me. 

I glanced up at Ben who stood at my shoulder and smiled before turning back to Peter, "Of course, kid. We will all be there. I'll even speak with Pepper and Morgan, I know they would love to be there."

"Okay, great they were actually about to be my next call. see you on the 15th." 

"See you kid. Love you 3000"

"Love you 3000"

The screen went black. I glanced over at the frame off to the side of the computer. It was the one Steve gave me all those years ago. It's crazy to think of everything that has happened but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I could tell Ben was thinking the same thing as he started rubbing my back in comfort. He placed a kiss on my forehead and mumbled into my head, "Time to make dinner." 

With that, we went into the kitchen. Ben was cooking as always. I sat at the kitchen island getting more and more turned on watching Ben cook. It never ceased to amaze me how everything he does is just undeniably attractive. 

I was so lost in my mind that I didn't hear Ben call the children, "Tony Peter and Natasha Leia, time for dinner," I also hadn't heard the little patter of feet until they were right next to me. 

"Mommy what's this?" Tony, my little Ben lookalike asked.

"Yeah mommy what is it?" my fierce daughter asked. She truly lives up to her name. 

When I looked over I saw something that I hadn't seen in 5 years. 

It was Tony's helmet. 

My heart stopped for a second. Ben glanced over and I knew he could feel my heartbreak. As I went to take the helmet out of Tony's little hands, I must have hit something because all of a sudden a hologram of my dad came out of the helmet"

"Hi, peanut,"

I felt the kids climb onto my lap and Ben come up behind me, holding onto me. 

"I know you're probably mad at me now. Because I'm assuming if you are watching this then things didn't turn out how you wanted with Thanos. I just want you to know this is always how I planned it. It's not that I wanted to die, I wanted anything to still be with you but I would also do anything to protect you, Pepper, and Morgan. This is how I do that. I want you to know that every second I thought about the love I have for our family. My death may have been untimely but your lives need to be lived. I hope someday you will forgive me for leaving you but also if I know you I already have. Because you would have done the same thing. I hope in my death, you got to have the twins and marry Ben. You deserve all the happiness in the world. 

So with my last words, tell Pepper and Morgan I love them. Watch out for the kid, I always loved him as a son. And finally, Peanut I love you 3000."

A tear escaped my tear ducks and I felt 3 pairs of arms wrap around me. I knew at that moment, that I would always fight for my family because that is what Tony taught me. 

And with his final words echoing in my mind, I glanced out of the window of the Finalizer seeing the reflection of my family holding onto me, I muttered to them, "I love you 3000"