I'm Grant Ward

Chapter 104: Surprise in Washington

Maria Hill's office was as busy as ever. S.H.I.E.L.D., even with its often covert and secretive operations, never stopped for long. Maria was immersed in a pile of reports and protocols when a knock on the door pulled her from her work.

— "Come in," Maria said, looking at the door with a slight smile on her face. She had been expecting a new report, but what she saw next surprised her.

Grant walked in, with a confident smile and a twinkle in his eye. He was dressed casually, unlike his usual combat attire, reflecting the special occasion.

— "Surprise," Grant said, with a wide smile. "It's been a while since we've seen each other."

Maria stood up quickly, her surprised expression turning into a genuine smile.

— "Grant! What are you doing here?" She walked over and hugged him. "I didn't expect to see you so soon. What's wrong?"

— "Coulson gave the team a week off," Ward explained, still holding Maria in a tight hug. "I thought it was the perfect opportunity to come over and surprise you."

Maria looked at him with a twinkle in her eye, clearly excited.

— "That's great, I'm so glad you came. I have a few hours free now. Do you want to go out for lunch or do something special?"

Ward smiled, visibly pleased with the proposal.

— "That would be great. I know a place you'll love."

Ward took Maria to an elegant restaurant, a place he knew she would like. The atmosphere was cozy and sophisticated, with modern decor and a panoramic view of the city. They were greeted warmly and shown to a private table, away from the hustle and bustle of other diners.

— "This place is great," Maria commented, looking around with a smile. "How did you find out about it?"

— "I found out about it by chance during a mission," Ward said, pulling out a chair for her. "I remembered how you talked about your passion for cooking and thought it would be the perfect place for our meeting."

— "You're a real romantic," Maria teased, looking at him with a smile. "I hope lunch is up to par."

— "You'll love it," Ward assured, calling the waiter over and placing their orders. "I already have a plan for after lunch, too."

As lunch was served, the conversation between Ward and Maria flowed naturally, as if the time they'd spent apart had never happened. They talked about their latest missions, updated their lives, and shared funny stories and old memories.

— "Remember that mission where you almost fell into an icy lake?" Maria asked, laughing. "I still remember the look on your face when you came out of the water."

— "I remember it well," Ward replied, smiling. "It was one of the most embarrassing missions of my career, but also one of the most memorable."

— "I still have the picture I took of you in that situation," Maria revealed, with a mischievous look. "I'll have to show you someday."

— "I'll be looking forward to seeing it," Ward teased. "But seriously, it was great to be able to spend this time with you. I really missed it."

— "I missed you too," Maria admitted, looking at him sincerely. "It's nice to have some time to ourselves, away from work."

After lunch, Ward and Maria decided to take a walk around the city. The day was sunny, and they walked together past the monuments and landmarks of Washington, D.C., enjoying each other's company.

— "I never get tired of seeing the Lincoln Memorial," Maria commented, looking up at the imposing monument. "The history here is incredible."

— "I agree," Ward said, looking around. "There's something special about being in a place with so much history. It makes you reflect on the past and the future."

— "That's true," Maria agreed. "And it's great to have moments like this to reflect and appreciate what we have."

They stopped at an outdoor café and sipped coffee while watching the city life go by. The conversation flowed naturally, and they enjoyed every moment together.

As the sun began to set, Ward and Maria decided to end the day with a quiet dinner. They went to a small restaurant on the riverfront, where they enjoyed a candlelit meal with a stunning view of the illuminated city.

— "I really didn't want this day to end," Maria said, looking at Ward with a smile. "It was wonderful spending time with you."

— "Me neither," Ward agreed. "It was a perfect day. I hope we can do this more often."

They finished their dinner and walked back to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters together. When they arrived, Maria looked at him with a tender look.

— "Thank you for doing this," she said. "I needed this time, and you made it even better."

— "I'm glad I could do this for you," Ward replied, taking her hand. "I want to be here for you, whenever I can."

Before saying goodbye, Maria and Ward and hugged again, both feeling that the time they had spent together had been precious and necessary.

— "I'll miss you," Maria said, looking at him with a sad smile.

— "I'll miss you too," Ward replied, holding her hand. "But I'll do my best to be more present. Until next time."

Maria smiled and gave Ward a quick kiss before pulling away.

— "Take care, Grant."

— "You too," Ward said, watching as she walked into S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

Ward, now alone, turned and headed toward the parking lot, feeling refreshed and high-spirited after such a special day. He knew that while the job was demanding and often dangerous, moments like these were what made it all the more meaningful.

He headed toward the S.H.I.E.L.D. shuttle, where the team was waiting to resume their activities. On the way, Ward reflected on the day and the importance of balancing work and personal life. He was eager to share his experiences with the team and to resume missions, now with a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose.