Maya Stark

Chapter 152: Happily Ever After

 I set the Iron Man helmet on the shelf and make sure that's it's as shiny as possible. The last message from my dad is in this helmet. There's noise everywhere in the apartment. Four people moving into a space takes a lot of time and effort but thanks to a generous donation of money from my father's will, we've pretty much got it covered. Pepper wants me to look for a job but not many people are looking to hire an ancient witch. Strange got me completely rebranded in the media and only a select handful know who Peter really is.

   Lost in thought, staring at the helmet, I didn't hear the footsteps and before I knew it arms were wrapping around me, picking me up, and spinning me. I start laughing as Peter sets me down again but keeps his arms around me as he walks me in a circle so he can look at the room.

   After the spell succeeded, everything was changed. In such a good way. The universe basically fixed itself. Since Peter had nowhere to really go after May's death, Happy let him stay in his apartment although a lot of the times he stayed with me and Pepper. We jumped right back into school as if we had never left and we had been accepted into MIT. All of us.

   Finishing senior year was easy and then all four of us banded together to get a four-bedroom apartment. The four beds were insisted by a stressed-out Pepper but if we are being honest, it will probably turn into a work room. Or a superhero room if Ned has his way.

   'It looks perfect,' Peter said brining me back. 'It still has your father's charm.'

   He's right, of course. My dad set my old room up for me and I was hesitant to change it. But I've also grown, a lot. So, the walls may be a different color and the shelves may not have as many things on them. But the overall homey feel of the room isn't lost. I still have plenty of pictures. Plenty of memories surrounding my space.

   I smile as I lean against him. 'He'd be so freaked out if he was here.'

   'But he'd be proud,' he whispered. 'They'd all be so proud of you.'

   'You've turned into a real sap,' I say.

   He just smiles because he knows it's true. And we both are painfully aware of why. He spent a decent amount of time all by himself so when he got me back it was physical touch central. He needed to know I was there and real. We've barley separated since. Too scared of what may happen to the other.

   Peter lays a light kiss on the top of my head making me smile even more. I haven't felt this happy in a while. I still feel like I don't deserve it. Like I'm the one that should be dead. I try to ignore that little voice in the back of my head as I take everything in. My first real apartment.

   'We're gonna do amazing things,' Peter whispers.

   I smirk. 'Yeah. I guess we are.'

   I turn around in his arms so I'm finally facing him and put my own arms around his neck. I've gotten more comfortable being around Peter. Something that wasn't lost on either one of us.

   'And we are gonna do it together,' I continue.

   His smile grows impossibly bigger. 'Forever.'

   He leans down slightly, and I meet him in the middle. The kiss is sweet. Something out of a fairytale every single time. Until a pillow is thrown at us from the door.

   'Break it up, lovebirds,' MJ said. 'Come say goodbye to Pepper and Morgan so we can spend our first night all grown up and moved out.'

   She turns and walk out, and I look back to Peter. We break out laughing.

   'One night of many,' he says.

   I roll my eyes. 'That's a big promise, Spidey.'

   'It's a promise I'll make every day.'

   He moves his arm to wrap around the back of my neck pulling me into him as we walk out of the room. Ned and MJ were fighting over the PlayStation I invested in, and Pepper and Morgan waited for me downstairs to say goodbye. This time, the goodbye wouldn't be forever. This time, it really is temporary.

   As me and Peter make our way down to them, I realize I'm more content than I've ever been. Life is good. As long as I have this chosen family along with my real one, I'll be okay.

                                                                     Maya Stark will Never Return.