Cardigan - Peter Parker

Intro

In the early hours of October 22nd, a young woman ran as fast as she could.

Rain beat down heavily on the pavement she tried her best not to slip on, the blanket she attempted to carry over her head to block the water droplets did nothing to stop the weather that blurred her vision. She cried out, a hand coming down to clutch her swollen belly. 

It was Ben Parker that opened the door, unable to hide the stunned expression that took over his face. 

"I need May, please," the woman struggled to get the words out, and the man before her was unsure if it was tears streaming down her face or the rain. 

May, having had many prior years of experience as a nurse, knew exactly what to do. Gentle words of affirmation were stated, Ben trying his best to help his wife in any way he could; finding blankets, getting a pot of water and rags, and holding the hand of the young woman as her body struggled against her. 

He met the eyes of the woman he loved so dearly, who was trying her best to present the situation as though nothing were wrong, but the concern in her eyes couldn't make it past his who had known her for so long. 

There was more blood than she felt comfortable with, but it was far too late to call for an ambulance, and the young woman had begged and begged. 

"I need you, May. I can't go to anyone else." She had said. 

It was at 4:55 in the morning that the little body of Ophelia Swan was pulled from her mother, her sweet little face turning a different shade as the umbilical cord had been wrapped tightly around her tiny throat. 

"W-why isn't she crying?" Her mother cried out. "Babies are supposed to cry aren't they?"

"It's alright," Ben reassured as best he could, and was eternally grateful when at last the sounds came into the air, floating into the anxious silence that had been sitting between everyone. 

"You have a beautiful baby girl," May spoke, a smile on her face as she handed the tiny baby over to her mother. 

She made quick work of trying to handle the tear that had been created when Ophelia's little shoulders had gotten stuck, as the young mother cooed at the little bundle in her arms. 

"Her name is Ophelia. Ophelia Raine Swan," her voice barely a whisper. 

But every happy moment has to come to an end.

The blood did not stop, and the stress of the act had put so much work onto the young woman's heart, until so quickly it gave out. 

Not even 5 minutes outside of the womb, Ophelia Swan had already experienced near death herself, and lost her only living relative all in one fell swoop. 

                                         ***

It was at the age of 4 that Ophelia met Peter Parker. 

Having snuck out of the place she so loathed to be, even at a young age, she found herself at the Parkers house. For as long as she could remember, the woman who only answered to "Aunt May" had been in her life. 

For reasons unknown to Ophelia, being that she was just barely 4 years of age, Aunt May and Uncle Ben could not keep her. There were many nights of crying, tantrums, and sadness from both May and Ophelia when she had to go back to the place deemed "home". 

But tonight was different, as there would be a new face she had never seen before.

Just like a night she couldn't remember, rain was falling hard, as she sat in the living room. A forgotten tv show played in the background but she focused on the coloring book in her hands, her little nose scrunched in concentration that she hadn't heard the rapid knocking on the door, and did not notice the set of adults mumbling words quickly to Uncle Ben. 

It wasn't until an anxious little boy, fidgeting with his sleeves, his face puffy and cheeks that had obvious tears that had slowly dried. "Ophelia," Uncle Ben stated, getting the young girl's attention. "This is my nephew Peter. He's going to be staying with May and I for awhile." 

Ophelia finally looked up, blowing air out her mouth in an attempt to get the hair falling in her face out of the way. She struggled to get up, her little limbs reminding young Peter of what a baby deer would be like, wobbling and clumsy she shifted nervously in front of the boy. Her little foot coming back to rub up and down the back of her other leg, the bows in her hair May had attempted to put in to keep the long strands contained sat in weird spots, obviously having gave up their job. 

Neither said anything, Peter avoiding her gaze as he looked sadly at the door, longing for his parents to come back. 

"Why are you so sad?" Her little voice asked quietly. 

It was then Peter looked at her, his lip quivering in the slightest as fresh tears came to the surface. 

"My parents left me," his voice was shaky, and her big forest green eyes looked at him as she tilted her head. Truthfully, she had no clue what to say, as she herself didn't have parents. 

So instead she just bounded forward, nearly tripping over her untied shoelace, and wrapped her arms around him tightly. 

"I won't go anywhere." 

Her voice was so confident. Not a single part of Peter doubted her statement. 

And from that day on, the two became best friends. 

I promise it'll get better