Spider-Man - Thanksgiving Dinner, a year later

Spider-Man

Thanksgiving Dinner, a year later

By Cheri.

TITLE: Thanksgiving Dinner, a year later.

AUTHOR: Cheri ([email protected])

RATING: PG

FANDOM: Spider-Man: The Movie

KEYWORDS: Drama, Angst, Peter/MJ Romance

SUMMARY: It is a year after the Thanksgiving dinner in the movie….

DISCLAIMER: Spider-Man doesn’t belong to me, it belongs to Marvel Comics and Stan Lee. I’m making no money off of this. This story is copywrited Nov, 2002 and may not be altered in any way without the express permission of the authon.

Thanksgiving Dinner, a year later

By Cheri.

Part One

“There!” Peter said, as he finished cleaning the apartment.

He yawned and stretched. He had managed to break up an Oxycontin smuggling ring, which ended up taking half the night. He had raced home and had gotten a few hours sleep before he had to get up and prepare for Thanksgiving dinner.

Peter shook his head. He couldn’t believe a whole year had passed. His life had changed so much in that time. Norman Osborne was dead, Harry had sworn revenge on Spider-Man and he had given up Mary Jane.

“Gave up the woman I love just so I could dodge smuggler’s bullets at three in the morning.” He said to himself. “Sometimes, I think I’m more of an idiot than the criminals I go after.”

Still, he was glad that he had the power to stop people like those smugglers. It sickened him that people trafficked in something that normally would be going to save people’s lives and that people were stupid enough to keep them in business. And, all for the sake of getting high. Peter smiled to himself. It was too bad that everyone couldn’t experience the high he got web slinging through the city. He figured that was a high the most powerful drug on earth couldn’t match.

Peter shrugged. The criminals were helping him to pay for this apartment with the pictures he sold, so at least a little bit of good was coming out of all of it. Now if he could only figure out a way to tell Mary Jane who he was and keep her safe, he would have it made.

He walked to the refrigerator and grabbed a can of Coke. He opened it and walked over to the couch. Mary Jane, Harry and Aunt May weren’t coming until noon, so he had a little time to crash before they arrived. He slumped down onto the couch and turned the TV on to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He sipped his coke as he watched the marching bands and floats. As a huge Barney balloon came on screen, his eyes widened as he suddenly flashed back to the World Unity Festival. Those giant balloons there that he had to hop on to get to Mary Jane…

Peter shook his head. He had to stop doing that. It seemed like every little thing reminded him of Spider-Man or Mary Jane lately. The thought barely passed through his head before he saw the Barney balloon replaced by a gigantic Spider-Man balloon on screen. Peter’s mouth dropped.

“Oh my God, I’m part of the Macy’s parade now!” he said.

He laughed.

“I wonder if Jameson sees this.”

He could imagine his boss sitting at home with his eyes bugging out of his head and his mouth to the floor. That was one photograph he would love to have in his possession.

“And now making its way down Broadway, is a brand new balloon this year. The hero of our city, Spider-Man!” he heard Katie Couric say, in a chipper voice.

“Hero?” Peter said, with an amused grin.

He imagined Jameson getting several ulcers from hearing that.

“That’s right, Katie.” Al Roker replied. “The Spider-Man balloon measures forty feet long and twenty foot wide. He is an impressive sight as he crawls his way through the air.”

Peter rolled his eyes. These host commentaries were so cheesy. Still, he felt a bit of pride that somebody had actually thought he was important enough to put his alter ego in the parade, and call him the hero of the city too. Peter grinned. And, it actually was a pretty neat balloon too, they had him in his crawling position and as the handlers carried him down Broadway, they were even pulling on his hand to make it look like he was waving to the crowd.

The balloon was replaced by another marching band.

“And now, all the way from Indiana, we have the Ben Davis Giants Marching Band from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis…” Al Roker said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Peter stretched as he heard a knock at the front door.

*Here we go, Thanksgiving dinner…Take two. * He thought to himself.

He opened the door and smiled as he saw Harry, Mary Jane and Aunt May standing there, talking to each other.

“Peter, honey! Happy Thanksgiving.” Aunt May said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Peter smiled and gave her a quick kiss back before taking the covered pot containing the turkey out of her hands. He walked into the kitchen and sat it on the counter as Harry and Mary Jane followed carrying more covered dishes.

“How’s it going, Pete? ” Harry asked as he sat his covered dish down next to the turkey.

“It’s going good. I can’t complain, really.”

*Actually, there is one thing I can complain about. * Peter thought, casting a quick glance at Mary Jane.

“How are things with you?” he asked Harry.

“Oh, okay, I guess. The house is pretty quiet with just me there.” Harry said.

Peter gulped as he watched Harry go back out the door to go down and get more food. He felt so sorry for him. He knew what it was like to have someone absent for the holidays. He felt that way about Uncle Ben. He would trade back all his powers just to see Uncle Ben carving the Thanksgiving turkey again. Peter let out a sigh. He started towards the door, so he could help everyone carry the food up. As he walked out the door, he was so occupied in his thoughts; he hadn’t noticed Mary Jane had followed him until he had turned around to close the elevator door.

“Hey Tiger. Aren’t you going to say hello to me and ask me how I’m doing?” she said.

Peter bit his lip as Mary Jane stared at him, worried.

“Are you okay, Pete?” she asked.

Peter nodded, as he swallowed hard. He leaned over Mary Jane and pushed the down button drinking in the scent of her perfume as he did.

“Um, how are you…doing?” he said, as he forced out the words

“Okay, I guess. I’ve been pretty lonely too.” She said, wistfully.

Peter nodded as Mary Jane looked at him.

“Aren’t you lonely too living here in this big apartment all by yourself?” she said, studying his face.

“Yeah, well…it’s kinda strange some nights just waking up and being the only one in the apartment now. Sometimes, it drives me crazy so I have to get out and go somewhere to shake the blues away.”

He frowned as he saw an enigmatic smile flash across Mary Jane’s face for a moment.

“Yeah, I bet being alone like that has you climbing the walls sometimes.” She said.

Peter stared at her in confusion. Then he mentally shrugged. Climbing the walls was just an expression….

They felt the elevator grind to a halt.

“About time this hunk of junk showed up. Whatever’s in this dish is burning my hand.” Harry said, with a chuckle.

“Well, we’ll get out of your way then.” Peter said, sliding the door back.

As Mary Jane and Peter stepped aside, Harry entered the elevator. He pointed a finger out towards the entrance as Peter slid the door back for him.

“There’s a couple of dishes left and I think that’s all.” He said.

“Okay, thanks, Harry. We’ll get them.” Peter said.

As the elevator started up, Peter and Harry headed out towards the Rolls Royce.

“It was nice of Harry to bring you and Aunt May here.” Peter said, as they walked around to the trunk. “Especially Aunt May, I know how skittish she gets trying to drive in traffic.”

Mary Jane nodded.

“I agree, Tiger. I want Aunt May to be safe just as much as you do. Especially since she’s the only family you have left.”

She frowned as she noticed a pained look cross Peter’s face. She took Peter’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

“That was so terrible, what happened to your uncle.” She said, softly.

Peter nodded, feeling a lump forming in his throat.

Mary Jane noticed the tears beginning to form in his eyes and looked at her feet.

“I’m…I’m so sorry, Peter. I shouldn’t have brought up such a painful subject on Thanksgiving. I can be such an idiot sometimes.”

Peter laid his hand on her back.

“You aren’t an idiot, MJ. You didn’t do anything wrong. I think of Uncle Ben all the time, so it’s not like you suddenly opened an old wound or something.”

*I doubt if that wound will ever really heal, anyway.* he thought to himself.

He rubbed Mary Jane’s back trying to give her reassurance that she hadn’t done anything wrong. Mary Jane looked up at him, gratefully.

“I knew there was a reason I fell in love with you.” She said, smiling.

Peter flinched and quickly averted his eyes. He felt a pang of guilt as he heard Mary Jane sigh deeply. In his efforts to protect her, he was tormenting her more than the Goblin ever could.

“Well…I guess we better get these dishes back upstairs before Aunt May thinks everyone has run out on her again.” Mary Jane said, deliberately changing the subject.

“Yeah.” Peter said, sadly.

He let Mary Jane grab the first dish and then he grabbed the other one. He closed the trunk with a slam and followed Mary Jane as they headed back towards the elevator. As he stared at Mary Jane’s backside, he felt himself screaming over and over…

*Tell her, you idiot! Quit tormenting the poor woman.*

Peter held back though. He just couldn’t risk it.

As they neared the elevator door, Peter walked up and pushed the down button. As the elevator whirred to life, he stood and stared at Mary Jane who was now taking great pains not to look directly at him.

*I can already tell, this is gonna be another wonderful thanksgiving.* Peter thought.

The elevator finally reached the ground floor and Peter slid open the door and allowed Mary Jane to go first. At least he could still show Mary Jane the respect she deserved.

As Mary Jane nodded her thanks, Peter hurried in after her and sliding the door back. They began to go back upstairs to what Peter hoped was a better Thanksgiving than last year.

*-----------------------------*-----------------------------*-----------------------------*

Part Two

“Well, finally we can have a nice Thanksgiving dinner.” Aunt May said “And I don’t want to see any misbehavior this year like we had last year either.”

Harry gulped and blushed as Aunt May stared pointedly at him.

Peter felt a little grin creep onto his face. He remembered how upset Aunt May had been last year over Norman’s sudden departure and both his and Harry’s comments about Mary Jane. He had a feeling Harry would be on his best behavior. He knew from experience just how mad Aunt May could get if she really got pissed off.

Aunt May saw Harry nod and smiled warmly.

“Well, now that that’s out of the way, let’s say grace and then we’ll eat.”

Peter sat down in the same place he had occupied the year before as did Harry. But, to Peter’s delight, Mary Jane sat down beside him. He glanced over at Harry and saw that he was staring at Mary Jane with the same look of envy he had when Mary Jane was sitting next to him. His heart ached as he watched Harry’s glance go from Mary Jane to the head of the table. He knew from watching his expression that he was seeing his father there. Peter shut his eyes wishing he could tell Harry the truth, but a promise was a promise.

Aunt May sat down beside Harry and they all bowed their heads.

“Our heavenly Father.” Aunt May began. “Bless this food we are about to eat and bless those at this table”

*And bless you for giving me the strength and courage to rescue MJ from the Goblin and keep her safe and alive. * Peter added, in his head.

“And as we give thanks for being together, let us be mindful of those who are not so fortunate and help them in any way we can.”

Peter smiled at that.

“In Jesus name we pray, Amen.” She finished.

“Amen” everyone else added.

“Harry, will you do the honors, dear?” Aunt May said, indicating the knife next to the turkey.

Peter watched as Harry flinched visibly. He knew he was having another flashback to his dad holding the knife.

“That’s okay, Aunt May. I can do it.” Peter said quickly, as Harry flashed him a grateful look.

He stood up. He considered sharpening the knife, but considering the way Harry had reacted. He decided that would not be the best thing to do. He instead cut into the turkey and began to lay the individual pieces on a serving plate Aunt May had laid beside it. As he continued to cut into the turkey, Aunt May turned to Harry.

“So, Harry. How are you getting along?” she asked.

“Oh, okay. I guess. It’s pretty lonely without dad.”

Aunt May nodded sympathetically.

“Um…Most of the time though, I’m up at Oscorp. Since dad died, they gave me his seat on the board and I’ve been trying to help determine what direction the company should go in. So, the loneliness hasn’t been that bad, except when I get home at night and have to sleep in an empty house.”

Aunt May nodded as she placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder.

“I know how you feel, Harry. Ever since Uncle Ben died and Peter’s moved out of the house. The nights have gotten pretty lonely too.”

She glanced over at Peter and smiled at the concerned look on his face.

“Now, Peter. I know what you’re thinking. Don’t worry about me. I’m glad to see you out in the world with your own apartment. You can’t stay in your old room forever.” She said, patting his hand.

Peter nodded. He knew she was right, but there were still times that he did worry about her just as he worried about Mary Jane and Harry. The Goblin was gone, but who knew what was lying just around the corner. He spent many countless hours playing the What If game with himself over and over imagining the consequences if he failed to rescue any one of them from danger.

He finished cutting the turkey and sat back down. As everyone reached out to get their portions, he felt a small squeeze on his right hand. He glanced over and saw that Mary Jane was smiling at him.

“Don’t look so down, Tiger. It’s Thanksgiving.” She whispered.

The thought that Mary Jane cared enough now to pay attention to him cheered him up and a smile spread across his face.

“That’s the spider I know.” She whispered.

Peter blinked. Did he hear right?

“What did you say MJ?

Mary Jane looked at him.

“I said,”That’s the Peter I know.””

Peter breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

“Oh, okay. I didn’t hear you the first time.” He said.

As he concentrated on spooning out some mashed potatoes on his plate, he failed to hear the little giggle coming from Mary Jane.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The dinner progressed smoothly. Aunt May and Harry were talking about his plans for the future and Peter made small talk with Mary Jane trying to keep her from getting too romantic in their conversation.

“So…Um, Peter. Did you see the parade today?” Mary Jane asked.

“Most of it.” Peter said.

Mary Jane grinned.

“Did you see the new Spider-Man balloon?”

Peter laughed.

“Yeah, that was really something.” He said, allowing a hint of pride to come to the surface.

He poked Mary Jane in the ribs.

“And I bet you enjoyed seeing a forty foot version of your crush flying above the city too.” He teased.

“No, actually, I’m over him. I believe I already told you that once, Pete.” She whispered as she gave his hand a squeeze.

Peter stared down at her hand griping his and gulped. He could feel Mary Jane’s eyes boring into him. He breathed a sigh of relief as he heard Aunt May speak up.

“Are you talking about that horrible Spider-Man they had in the parade this morning?” she asked Mary Jane. “I swear, I about dropped my coffee cup when that came on the screen. Why anyone would want to make a giant sized version of that menace is beyond me.”

“I second that.” Harry said. “Putting a Spider-Man balloon in the parade is almost the same as having a balloon of Charles Manson or any other murderer. Which is what he is.”

Mary Jane looked over at Peter as he flinched. She looked back at Harry and frowned.

“Now Harry, you know that is not true. Spider-Man is no murderer.”

Peter’s eyes widened as Harry and Aunt May both looked at her with shocked expressions.

“You…you’re defending him, MJ?” Harry said, barely getting the words out. “He murdered my father!”

“I don’t believe that, Harry. Spider-Man isn’t capable of something like that.”

“And how would you know?” Harry asked, fighting to keep his temper under control.

“Because I’m a friend of his.”

Peter sucked in his breath as Harry and Aunt May’s jaws practically hit the table

“YOU’RE WHAT?” Harry said, unable to control himself anymore. “HOW COULD YOU BE HIS FRIEND, MARY JANE? AFTER ALL HE’S DONE?”

“WHAT HE’S DONE, HARRY, IS SAVE MY LIFE! ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, I MIGHT ADD!” Mary Jane screamed back.

She took a deep breath as Peter and Aunt May stared at her.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t agree with you, Harry. Spider-Man had three chances to stand back and let me get hurt or killed, and those three times, he stepped in and saved me. So you’ll forgive me, if I don’t think that fits the profile of a ruthless serial killer.”

The room was deathly silent as Harry sat in shock, Aunt May shook her head sadly and Peter looked down at his hands. Mary Jane sat with her eyebrows raised staring at Harry, waiting for him to say something back to her. Instead, Harry flung his napkin on the table.

“I gotta go outside for a moment.” He muttered. “I gotta be by myself.”

As he walked towards the door, Aunt May opened her mouth to protest and then closed it again. As Harry slammed the door, she stared over at his plate. Mary Jane sighed.

“I’m sorry, Aunt May. I shouldn’t have said that. But, I believe Harry is wrong and I just got mad when he started comparing him to Charles Manson. I guess I lost my temper. I’m sorry.” She said, sheepishly.

Aunt May sighed.

“Well, I don’t agree with what you said, Mary Jane. But, what’s done is done and all we can do is apologize and try to make the rest of this Thanksgiving a pleasant one.”

Mary Jane nodded. She started to get up, when Aunt May stopped her.

“Not yet, dear. Let some of the anger burn off, or he won’t listen.” She said.

Aunt May resumed eating. Peter tried to eat too as Mary Jane mumbled softly to herself. Normally, he wouldn’t have been able to make out what she was saying, but his sensitive hearing heard every word plainly.

“Harry should apologize too…for calling Peter a murderer”

Peter’s eyes widened and he dropped the fork on his plate with a loud clang that startled everyone.

Mary Jane stared at Peter in confusion as he stared back with a shocked expression.

“Tiger? What’s wrong?” Mary Jane asked.

“Um, MJ? Do you mind if I talk to you privately upstairs for a moment?” he said.

Mary Jane’s brow furrowed as Aunt May looked at him, panicked. Peter looked over at her.

“Just for a moment, Aunt May.” He said, quickly “I’m not abandoning the dinner, I just want to ask MJ something.”

“Um…sure…Pete.” Mary Jane said.

“Thanks.” He looked at Aunt May. “It’ll just be a moment, Aunt May. I promise.”

He followed Mary Jane up the stairs as Aunt May stared at them in confusion. Once they were out of sight, she turned back to her plate and shook her head.

“What is it about Thanksgiving that has people acting so strangely.” She muttered to herself.

*-----------------------------*-----------------------------*-----------------------------*

Part Three

Peter closed the door behind Mary Jane. He folded his arms across his chest as Mary Jane looked at him, confused.

“Okay, MJ. How do you know?” He asked.

Mary Jane blinked.

“How do I know what?” she asked, puzzled.

Peter sighed.

“How do you know I’m Spider-Man?”

He raised his eyebrows as he noticed Mary Jane’s surprised expression.

“Harry should apologize too…for calling Peter a murderer” he prompted as Mary Jane stalled.

“You heard that?”

Peter grinned.

“Yes, MJ. It’s one of my many talents being Spider-Man. I have improved hearing. Now, answer me.” He said.

“Um, I guess since around the time of the funeral. That message you left on my answering machine plus the kiss you gave me, which matched the kiss Spider-Man gave me in the alley that night. It just all made sense, you know.”

Peter sighed.

“So why didn’t you admit to it, MJ. Why all this muttering under your breath and bringing up little hints like talking about the Spider-Man balloon and using the phrase “Climbing the walls.” ?

Mary Jane sank down on Peter’s bed and sighed.

“I guess I did that, because I didn’t know how to approach you directly. Especially at the funeral when you made it clear that you didn’t want to be more than friends. I figured out that you being Spider-Man was one of the reasons and I was afraid if I went to you with my suspicions, you would becoming angry or push me away even further, so I kept my mouth shut. But at the same time, I wanted you to know that I knew, so that the issue would come out in the open so we could talk about it, so I started throwing out the hints. But, the muttering just now, I never meant for you to hear that. I was furious at Harry for calling you a murderer and in my anger, I had to vent my feelings somehow. So, I said it as softly as I could so no one would hear. Except, you did hear and now here we are.”

Peter sunk down on the bed beside her. He put his head in his hands and sighed.

“I hoped you’d never find out, MJ. I hoped you’d just accept my offer of friendship and leave it at that.”

“Why?”

“Because then, I don’t have to worry about you getting hurt.” Peter said, looking over at her.

“I am hurting, Peter. I’ve been hurting since the funeral. What are you gonna do about that?” she asked.

Peter sighed.

“I don’t know. I thought if I pushed you away. Things would get easier. But, it’s only made everything more complicated. Especially since Harry and Aunt May are so vehemently against Spider-Man. Although, Harry is the one I’m really concerned with. Aunt May is just scared of him, but, Harry tried to shoot me.”

Mary Jane’s eyes widened.

“Shoot you? When?” she asked, taking his hand.

Peter sighed and put his head in his hands, not wanting to tell her the truth. Mary Jane bit her lip. She placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Please, Peter. Trust me.” She said.

Peter looked over at her.

“Please, let me in, Tiger. You’ve thrown up so many walls around your heart and I’m tired of trying to break through them.”

Peter squeezed her hand.

“Are you sure, MJ? If I open up, it might put you in danger and one day, if another Goblin comes after you, I might not be there to save you.”

Mary Jane nodded.

“I understand that, Tiger. That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” She said.

She stroked his cheek.

“Please tell me, Peter.”

Peter closed his eyes and sighed. He opened them again and looked at Mary Jane who was patiently waiting.

“Harry tried to shoot me when I brought Norman back to their house. As I finished laying him on the bed, Harry came in and saw me standing over him. That’s why he thinks I killed him.”

Mary Jane’s brow furrowed.

“Where was Norman, Pete? Why did he die?”

Mary Jane saw Peter hesitate.

“Please, I wanna know. I won’t tell Harry.”

Peter flinched as Norman’s voice saying “Don’t tell Harry” echoed through his head. He gulped back the lump in his throat.

“Norman Osborne was the Goblin, MJ.” He said, after much effort.

He looked over at Mary Jane who was staring back at him, stunned.

“Why?” she finally managed to get out.

Peter shrugged, sadly.

“Who knows, MJ. Who knows why someone like Norman Osborne would turn into a heartless murderer. All I know is he found out who I was. I’m not sure how, but I think it was when we were here last Thanksgiving.”

He rolled up his sleeve and pointed to the scar across his arm.

“This was caused by one of his weapons. It sliced my arm in front of him as we were fighting and I guess when he saw Aunt May roll up my sleeve and saw the cut for himself. That’s when he figured it out. Anyway, that’s when he went after Aunt May….and you.”

“No wonder you’re scared to love me then.” She said.

Peter nodded.

Mary Jane took her hand from his and wrapped it around her shoulder. She laid her head on his shoulder and kissed his cheek.

“That just makes me love you all the more, Tiger. That you love me enough to want to protect me from getting hurt again.”

“I would go out of my mind if you were killed, MJ. Either that, or I’d commit suicide. I just couldn’t go on living without you being here.”

“Same here, Tiger.” Mary Jane said, softly.

They sat like that for a few moments just taking in the warmth of each other’s bodies and the sound of each other’s breathing. Suddenly, Mary Jane raised her head and Peter saw a terrified look in her face.

“MJ? What’s wrong?” Peter asked, fearfully.

“You didn’t really kill Norman, did you?” Mary Jane asked, with tears in her eyes.

Peter smiled, sadly.

“No, MJ. Norman killed himself when he tried to impale me on his Glider in that abandoned hospital. I got out of the way in time, but he couldn’t.”

Mary Jane felt a tear go down her cheek.

“Poor Norman.” She said. “And poor Harry.”

Peter nodded.

“His last words were “Don’t tell Harry.” “ So that’s why I’ve been silent and let him think that Spider-Man killed his father. If I told him the truth, I’d have to tell him about Osborne’s death and he probably think I was responsible anyway because I should have prevented it somehow.”

Mary Jane nodded. She reached up and stroked Peter’s hair.

“I won’t tell him either, Peter. Or Aunt May. Your secrets are safe with me. And, I’m sorry for the outburst and upsetting Harry too.”

Peter kissed her head.

“Don’t worry about it, MJ. Aunt May is right. What’s done is done. Just apologize and let it be.’ Peter grinned. “Personally, I thought it was kinda cool that you were defending me like that. I need a little morale booster every now and then, especially since the Bugle runs that smear campaign of theirs constantly.”

“I know, Tiger. And, that’s another reason why I did it. I don’t want you to get discouraged and think that nothing you do matters. You are the savior of this city whether the Bugle likes it or not. Besides, I need my superhero stalker around to look out for me.”

Peter chuckled.

“I like that, MJ. I really do. Maybe I should get some business cards made up that say “Spider-Man: Superhero Stalker at Large.” “

“No!” Mary Jane pouted. “I won’t share my stalker with anyone else. You are to stalk me and only me and that’s an order, Pete.”

Peter laughed.

“Yes, Ma’am! I can face any bad guy, but I’m not gonna face your wrath. Especially since I saw a small sample of it, earlier. From now on, I’m Spider-Man to the rest of the world, but to you, I’m a superhero stalker.”

“That’s better, Tiger.” Mary Jane said, giggling.

They looked over as they heard a pounding on the door.

“Peter? I thought you said you weren’t going to be a moment. You’ve been up here for twenty minutes now. Both of your dinners are getting cold.”

Peter looked over and winked at Mary Jane.

“Okay, Aunt May. We’re coming!”

Peter and Mary Jane shared a quick kiss before opening the door and heading downstairs behind Aunt May.

Once they reached the bottom, both of them saw that Harry was back in his place, staring at them. Mary Jane and Peter shared a quick glance before they walked over and sat back down. Mary Jane cleared her throat.

“Um…Harry? I’m sorry for what I said, earlier. I got upset and I said some things I shouldn’t have.”

Harry nodded.

“I understand, MJ. I shouldn’t have stomped out of here, but I needed some time to cool off. I accept your apology.”

“Thanks, Harry.” Mary Jane said, smiling at him.

She glanced over at Aunt May who was smiling at her. She glanced at Peter and both of them began to eat their lukewarm meal as they held hands under the table.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“You sure you aren’t coming, dear?” Aunt May said, as Harry helped her get her coat on.

“No, that’s okay, Aunt May. Peter and I are going to talk and then he’ll get me home later.”

Aunt May smiled her thanks to Harry and hugged Mary Jane.

“Well, you don’t be a stranger, okay?”

“Oh, don’t worry, Aunt May. I think I’m going to definitely be around a lot more now.”

Aunt May looked at Mary Jane and looked over at Peter who gave her a smile and a wink. Aunt May beamed from ear to ear as she walked over towards him. As they hugged, she whispered in his ear.

“You finally told her?”

“Yup, I finally told her everything.” Peter whispered back.

“I’m glad, Peter. You two deserve each other.” Aunt May said.

She broke the embrace and headed towards the door. As Harry opened it for her, she looked back at Peter.

“Now you call me, young man. Just because you are out on your own doesn’t mean you don’t keep me updated from time to time.”

Peter laughed.

“Don’t worry, Aunt May. I’ll keep in touch.” He said. “And you keep in touch too, Harry.”

Harry nodded.

“I will. Don’t worry. The sheer boredom of the boardroom and my dad’s house would drive me insane unless I talked to someone else.”

Peter laughed as he and Mary Jane walked to the door. They waved at Aunt May and Harry as they got into the elevator. Once they were out of sight, Peter turned to Mary Jane and kissed her.

“I’ve never had a Thanksgiving quite like this one.” He said.

“Me neither, Tiger. We’ll have to have another one just like it.”

“What? You mean you want to yell at Harry again and eat semi-warm food?” Peter said, chuckling.

“No! I mean I want the hugging and the kissing and maybe a little something more next time.” Mary Jane said, glancing down.

“Well, we could always have our dessert now upstairs.” Peter said, grinning.

“Oooooo, Tiger. And I bet it’ll be the best dessert I’ve ever had.”

“Me too, MJ!” Peter said.

He picked Mary Jane up and kissed her passionately as they closed the door.

THE END

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