The Afterglow

Chapter 8; Plan in Action

The smell of fried food followed by a heavy weight at the side of the bed pulled Gwen out of her sleepy state. Her eyes opened partly to see Peter perched on the bed with a tray full of food in his hands. She sat up with a stretch and rubbed the sleep from her eyes before giving him a questioning look.

"What's all this?" She said through a yawn.

Peter smiled. "Just a little breakfast. Today's a big day, you're gonna need it."

"Okay… now what's the real reason?"

"Do I need one?"

"No. I mean, it's very sweet of you. I'm just curious."

"Alright. I admit it. I feel kinda bad after everything that happened, and I know that these past few weeks haven't been easy on you with the heavy sickness, getting Simon back into school and planning our trap for Venom, so I wanted to make you feel a little better."

Gwen smiled at this, knowing that Peter still hadn't forgiven himself for lying to her despite the three weeks that had passed since she'd learned the truth. She had tried to ease his guilt, but it hadn't been easy with everything else happening at once. Moving the tray aside, she leaned over and planted a small kiss on his lips.

"Give me two seconds…" She said, getting out of bed.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to pee."

Peter chuckled as he watched her disappear into the bathroom, but his smile disappeared as soon as she did and he sighed. He couldn't wrap his head around the plan; not fully, at least. In fact, he hated it. Though as much as he did, he couldn't come up with anything better. Lord knew he'd been trying. A few minutes later, Gwen reappeared from the bathroom and he turned his head as she walked over to the dresser and took some time to pick out some decent clothes.

"Hey… look…" He said with a smile.

She looked up, confused at what he was trying to point out but followed his eyes to the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her, but still she couldn't see what he was getting at.

"I don't see what you're-" She began, but stopped as he got up and crossed the room.

He stopped in front of her and moved his hand to rest over her stomach. With the other, he pointed back to the mirror.

"Look…"

Gwen studied her reflection for a few seconds more. Her eyes drifted down to where the mirror reflected Peter's hand, and then she noticed what he was trying to point out. The skin of her stomach has expanded, forming a bump; small but evident.

"Oh." She bit her lower lip as her cheeks turned scarlet. "I love you."

"I love you too." He said, placing his palm against her cheek and leaning in close to kiss her. "Are you not happy?"

"No, I am… it's just that this might make the plan a little more difficult. I should probably throw on a sweater or something."

"Yeah." He sighed. "But I'm still not keen on the idea."

"Peter, we've been through this. It's either this or the nuclear option."

"I know. I just don't like the idea of Eddie alone with you."

"Then it's a good thing that I won't be alone. I may be the one luring him out, but he nor Venom will have a clue that you're there."

Peter gave a small smile. "Alright, I feel a little bit better that we have the element of surprise, but I still hate it."

Gwen's eyes drifted from the mirror back to Peter, and she brought her hand up to caress his face. He closed his eyes, finding comfort in the display of affection, and pulled her towards him, planting a kiss on her forehead.