Almost Dusk {A Black Widow Story}

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

(Eva's Perspective)

We spent the day walking through Central Park and visiting the various sites of New York.

I knew Milton was just trying to distract me from everything that happened between me and Clint the other day, but I'm grateful.

Milton spends a lot of time talking, telling me about the places we visit and what not. I just listen to him and take in the sights. I didn't feel much like striking up a conversation.

It was late afternoon when we arrived at Saint Patrick's Cathedral. It was a big, beautifully designed structure, and when we went inside, it was mostly empty.

As we went in, Milton send a text message to Clint and Natasha, telling them where we were so they wouldn't wonder if we got lost. Then we went inside to take a look around.

The rain had let up by the time we got there, but most people had opted to stay indoors today. Even Central Park was relatively peaceful on such an unpredictable day.

As we walked around inside, I admired the tall ceilings and large windows.

"Shall we take a seat?" Milton offers.

The benches were sleek and polished, stretching across the room and facing the small podium at the other end of the room.

We took a seat on one of the benches close to the back of the room.

"So Eva," Milton started, "Are you enjoying the day?" He asks.

I nod, "This place is really beautiful."

"That it is." He muses. Then he turns his body to face me.

"Listen, I know it must be difficult for you to feel safe with everything that's happened to you in your life. I just want you to know that I am on your side and even when it seems like nothing is going well, know that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. I want you to feel safe, I want you to feel like you are being taken care of." He explains.

His words are comforting, but they remind me of everything horrible in my past that I wished had never happened. At that moment, I just wanted my turtle, but I left that in the car.

"What I'm trying to say," Milton continues, "Is that Eva, it would mean the world to me if you would let me adopt you?"

My jaw dropped as I took in his words.

"You want to.. adopt me?" I question in astonishment.

He nods, "I want to give you your best chance, and I think it's best for you to be in a stable environment, like a home. With your own family, your own things."

"Home" I breathe, my eyes welling with tears as I tried to imagine it.

I look Milton right in the eye as I tell him "I would love that." I smile through a couple of stray tears.

He beams brightly at me and pulls me in for a hug.

"I have a home out in Florida that I think would make the perfect place to grow up in. You would get to go to a normal school and make friends your own age and do all the stuff normal kids get to do." He goes on.

But I frown.

"Florida?" I say. "But what about Clint and Nat? What about Rose?"

Milton shakes his head apologetically, "Rose is going home, and Clint and Natasha will always be off on one mission or another, they don't have time to deal with a child. You'll only get in their way, think of what happened yesterday."