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[32] Bad Dreams and Big News

"Fear. There is no more powerful weapon. You need to harvest it, use it, and control it. If you don't, all is lost, the ones you love most will hurt more than you can imagine. And you, little girl, will only begin to know the definition of pain." A voice whispered, sweetness dripping from its words.

"N-No. You c-can't do this! I w-won't let you! I thought you were my friend! I trusted you during it all! You are a monster! And you'll never get to my baby girl, or the love of my life. I won't let you!" A woman whispered, tears spilling onto her cheeks.

"Oh, but Veronica, we already have." The voice hissed, and it all faded out.

_________

My eyes snapped open, and my chest was heaving. Bruce was sleeping soundly beside me, and I looked up at him. He was in a different position from last night, and his shirt was gone. My breathing seemed to even out, and I didn't dare close my eyes again. I checked the clock, and it read 4:30 AM. These dreams always pick the worst times to occur. I glanced up at Bruce again, and I looked down. His arm was gently draped over my waist, and at that moment, I needed fresh air, urgently. I slowly lifted his arm up, slid out from the bed, and shoved a pillow in my place. I looked down and gasped. I was only in my underwear, and I didn't want to know what Bruce was in. I grabbed my robe and slipped it on, tightening the rope around my waist. I left the room silently, and I went downstairs. I padded over to the sliding glass door and opened it slowly. I stepped outside, where it was nice and cool for a summer night. I leaned against the door and sighed. Memories came flooding back of last night, memories that the dream wiped out. I felt my cheeks heat up when I remembered what happened, and I fanned my face. I looked up at the sky, and I smiled up at the stars. My father and I would go stargazing when I was three. We would climb the trees and watch the skies late at night. I sighed, and I turned around to head back inside. I opened the door and slipped back inside and shut the door, locked it, and tip-toed back upstairs to the room. Only about seven minutes had passed, and I sighed. Bruce looked to be at peace, and I wished I could be the same way. I took my robe off, hung it up, and switched places with the pillow that had been me for a few minutes. Bruce's arm was around my waist again, and I snuggled up to him, and I tried to sleep again.

***

"Beautiful, it's time to get up. We have company." A soft voice whispered.

"Ugh, five more minutes." I groaned, rolling over and pressing my face into the pillow. I was overly tired, and I had a bit of work that had to be done. 

"No can do beautiful. Everyone's waiting for you downstairs. I said we had big news." Bruce whispered, and I rolled over to face him. He was fully dressed, and he was smiling down at me.

"Tony was making a couple of jokes about how we celebrated our engagement. I made no comment." He said, and I smiled a bit.

"You should've said there was champagne, candles, and rose petals. Would have given him strange dreams." I said with a sleepy smile. He smiled back and I sat up, stretching and yawning. I stood, and I began to look through my drawers.

"Classy or casual?" I asked, turning back to face Bruce.

"You look beautiful in anything, and I mean anything. But, everyone downstairs is casual." He replied, and I smiled.

"Mixed it is then." I smiled, pulling out a nice white top and a pair of black capris. I pulled on the capris and buttoned them, then I reached for my deodorant. I uncapped it, applied it, and slipped the shirt on. I looked in the mirror, nodded, and turned back around again.

"Perfect, let's go see everyone." Bruce held out his hand, and I took it. We left the bedroom, and I could hear Marie laughing. We went downstairs to the living room, and everyone smiled at us. McKenna was there, and so was Pepper. 

"How nice to see you again McKenna." I said, and she smiled.

"And you, Cynthia. Your daughter is adorable." She said, and Marie giggled.

"Bruce made mention you had some news. Care to share it?" Natasha asked, and I couldn't help the grin that formed on my mouth.

"Yes, and it's good news. Bruce and I, we're getting married." I said, and Bruce's arm wrapped around my waist. McKenna squealed, and I giggled. Marie smiled, even though she's know this for a bit, and Steve picked her up.

"Speaking of news, I have some as well. Well, it's not totally important, but I have a girlfriend." Steve said, and Marie looked at him.

"Can we meet her soon?" She asked, and he grinned.

"Maybe. Her name is Blossom, she's Agent Hill's sister. Well, she's Co-Commander Blossom Hill now. She'll be head of the New York Division with Maria. It's a big step for her." Steve said, proudly. I smiled, and Marie hugged him.

"I'm so happy for you Uncle Steve." She smiled, and we all laughed at her cuteness.

"Thank you Marie. I think she'll like you. She's good with kids." Steve smiled at her, and Bruce brought me to the couch. We sat down, and we joined in the conversation. Things can only go up from here, right?