The Amazing Story of Altered Fates

Chapter 8: Life Moves On

When Peter opened his eyes, he almost couldn't believe how easy it was. One part of him remembered waking up easily every day, usually with a golden curtain of hair in his face. Another part of him remembered only falling asleep when he had exhausted his body beyond its limit and waking up aching all over.

He sat on the edge of the bed and began looking around the room.

He once again woke up in the master bedroom, which he now knew belonged to him and Gwen. He remembered talking with Gwen about where they were going to live back in New York. They owned a penthouse in Oscorp Tower now, but they chose to remodel Aunt May's house and live here instead, trying to keep her alive in small ways.

Peter looked again at the queen-sized bed he was sitting on, the two nightstands on each side both the same black color as the bed's frame. On his nightstand lay his web-shooters, which, considering what he did the last time he woke up, was a smart choice not to leave on him. Next to the shooters was a picture of Peter with Gwen from their wedding day and another picture of him, Gwen, and May from their graduation. Gwen had a picture of the two of them after his proposal in London.

The white door of the walk-in closet was closed, as well as the velvet red curtains that hid the window and created darkness in the room.

In front of him was a long, large, dark marble desk that had all kinds of products Gwen used, as well as books and notebooks Gwen went through in her free time. Above the table, a TV was mounted on the wall. The PI logo was barely visible on its thin bezel.

Just as Peter finished scanning the room, the lights turned on without any visible reason. Peter knew it was a smart system he designed for programmable light. Knowing he was asleep, Gwen probably programmed the lights to only react when she was in the room so Peter could rest without triggering the system every time he turned on the bed. If the light turned on, it meant...

And just like Peter expected, the door opened and Gwen walked into the room, her PI true-wireless earphone in her ear as she spoke, "Thanks, Curt. I promise Peter and I will make it up to you for all the extra work you're doing this week." She listened to something the man said on the line before she chuckled and picked the bud out of her ear, setting it on the marble surface of the desk.

She gave him a sweet smile he returned with his usual goofy one before she sat next to him on the bed.

She turned her head to look at him. "How do you feel, Pete?"

He could hear the fear she tried to hide behind her calm words. Peter could more than understand it. She was afraid of losing her husband, of losing everything they built together.

Peter caught her chin between his fingers and pulled her into a short kiss. Once he pulled back, he looked into her dazed eyes and said, "A lot better, thanks to you, my sunflower."

Gwen's eyes gained a glimmer of happiness, her soft smile turning beaming with relief. She jumped into Peter's arms and said loudly with a wet voice, "Oh Pete, I was so worried. I'm glad you came back to me."

Peter held her close and responded, "I could never leave you for too long, love."

He heard her sniffling in his arms. He kept holding her until she pulled back. Once their eyes were locked, he had a point he had to make. "But Gwen. I'm not just the Peter you knew before."

She smiled softly at him again, this time with no fear hiding behind it, and said, "I expected it, Pete. And from what little you already told us, your other memories can't be easy to deal with. But I did promise you I will always be there to help."

Peter smiled widely at her. "You did, and I couldn't ask for a better or prettier guardian angel."

Gwen's smile turned wistful slightly, and she glanced down at her stomach before saying softly, "Soon I won't be the only one to help you."