Chapter 32
After everything I thought Jamie would hate me. He should have hated me or resented me but as we stood up waiting to be let off the plane he tugged on my hand.
“Auntie Hanna, can we make hot chocolate when we get home?” Jamie asked looking up at me with his big green eyes.
“Hot chocolate its 90 degrees out?” Theo said.
“But I haven’t had real hot chocolate in forever. And mom…” Jamie said freezing at the mention. It was the first time since the hospital that he had even mentioned her.
Theo just gave me a look not knowing what to say.
“You know your uncle has to go home and pick up a few things so how about you spend the day with me. There’s actually someone I want you to meet.” I said.
“Can I?” Jamie asked Theo.
“Of course you can buddy.” Theo said ruffling his hair. “And we can all have dinner together before your Aunt leaves for her trip.”
“Where are you going Auntie?” Jamie asked.
“A place that’s really far away.” I said. “Come on kiddo. We still have to go get our things.”
We dropped Theo off at his studio on the way to the loft. Once we got there Jamie ran into the building and up the stairs excited to be home. He didn’t even wait for me to get out of the elevator before he ran down the hall, grabbed the keys out of the planter and ran up the stairs of the loft.
“Jamie wait for me.” I called out after him hoping Steve wouldn’t panic and try to attack the short intruder.
“Hanna!” Steve said but instead came face to face with Jamie. “Uh hi?”
“Hi.” Jamie said scrunching his eyebrows eying Steve up and down. “Auntie Hanna why is Captain America in our house?”
“Uh…” I said looking at Steve. “What do you mean sweetie?”
“Captain America.” Jamie said running to where we kept the movies and coming back with one of the DVD boxes.
“Uh well, Jamie remember when I said I had a friend I wanted you to meet?” I said. “This is Steve. He’s a really good friend of mine. Steve this is my nephew Jamie, he’s going to spend the day with us.”
“It’s nice to meet you Jamie?” Steve said bending down to eye level and gently shaking his hand.
“Hi.” Jamie said before turning to me. “Can we make hot chocolate?”
“That’s why we stopped at the store.” I said. “Put your backpack away and wash your hands. Meet you in the kitchen.”
“Okay.” He said running before turning around to look at Steve. “That’s America’s ass.”
“Jamie!” I said.
“He said it in the movie!” Jamie retorted before running off to the bathroom.
“Why would I say that?” Steve asked.
“It’s… Don’t worry about it.” I said.
“You keep saying that.” Steve said following me as I went to the kitchen and took out a pot poured some milk into the pot to melt the chocolate. “So he’s who you went to see in Texas?”
“Yeah. There was an accident and his mom is not going to be around anymore.” I said.
“Is she…” he started.
“In jail facing 20 to life.” I said. “She’s gone.”
“So he’s back.” Steve said.
“He’s back and he’ll be moving in.” I said. “With Theo.”
“Here?” Steve asked. “Hanna what…”
“I’m here!” Jamie cheered before jumping onto the counter at the same spot Theo and I used to let him sit to watch us cook or when we made him hot chocolate.
“Alright we got milk, chocolate now what?” I asked.
“Stir it so it doesn’t get stuck and burn.” Jamie said.
“Okay and are we adding cinnamon?” I asked.
“Just one stick.” Jamie said gently tossing it in.
Once they were done I poured out the hot chocolate in three mugs, put whipped cream on top, sprinkled some cinnamon and stuck a chocolate pirouette in the drink.
As soon as they were in. Jamie picked up his mug and I picked up mine.
“Cheers.” He said before we clinked our mugs together.
“Did I do it right?” I asked. Jamie pretended to take a sip and hummed before signaling with the hand that was in a cast that it was perfect. “Finish up your hot chocolate I have a whole day planned out for us.”
“A whole day?” Jamie asked.
“Yeah just the three of us.” I said ignoring the look Steve gave us. “That okay?”
“Depends?” Jamie said.
“On what?” I asked.
“Can I try throwing the shield?” he asked and Steve chuckled.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I said.
Jamie crossed his arms and stared at me arching an eyebrow. Steve chuckled at the irony of me getting a taste of my own medicine.
“Finish your hot chocolate.” I said ruffling his hair and kissing the top of his head.
Jamie did as he was told and once he was done we all grabbed our jackets and headed out. We stopped by our favorite taco truck and after a quick bite we were back on the bus to the pier. We got on a few rides and played a few games before we spit a funnel cake between the three of us.
“Can we walk on the beach? Can we? Can we? Can we?” He asked all hopped up on sugar.
“Still think that extra scoop of ice cream was a good idea?” Steve smirked.
“Ice cream is always a good idea.” I said. “We sure can but no going in the water. You can’t get your cast wet and trust me you don’t want to get sand in there either.”
“Okay!” Jamie said running ahead of us.
“Jamie are you forgetting something?” I called out. He stopped before running back and grabbing both mine and Steve’s hand and pulling us with him to the beach.
Steve and I walked a few steps behind him as he ran avoiding the waves as he picked up seashells.
“So Jamie?” Steve said.
“His mom fell off the wagon, drove while high and killed three people so she’s going to jail.” I said.
“Oh.” Steve said.
“She signed away her right.” I said.
“So He’s coming with us? We can find another way that’s safer…” Steve started.
“Jamie’s not coming with us.” I said.
“But you just said…” Steve said.
“Grace signed her parental rights away to Theo.” I said.
“I didn’t know they knew each other.” Steve said.
“They didn’t but couldn’t handle being a parent. She couldn’t be a mom but that didn’t mean she couldn’t do the right thing with the right nudge.” I said.
“Why didn’t you do it? We could have figured something out.” Steve said.
“There’s nothing to figure out.” I said. “Jamie can’t come with us Steve. To start I’ve caused enough trauma to the kid to make him watch me die for us to get home and the world we’re going to it’s a better place but it’s a lot more dangerous. There’s the Mandarin, Hydra, Ultron…”
‘Thanos’ I thought to myself.
“Nothing a hulk, demigod, two master assassins, a billionaire in high tech suits and well me can’t handle.” Steve said.
“You mean like Tony getting his house and blown up?” I retorted. “We can take a hit. Jamie can’t. Then there’s the fact that there is already a Jamie in your world.”
“He’s a baby.” Steve said.
“Still the same person. There’s this thing they mentioned in Dr. Strange. An incursion event. Essentially it’s when two separate universes crash into each other destroying each other in the process. It’s mainly caused by two identical singular entities trying to exist in the same plane. It’s like time traveling to see a past or future version of yourself or in this case going to another universe to find that universe’s version of you. If we take him with us we could be risking destroying the world which would also put him in danger.” I said. “This world isn’t the best but it's safer for him to be here. And he’ll be with Theo. There’s no one I would trust more with him.”
“Are you really okay with this?” He asked.
“Five years ago I thought I was doing the right thing giving him back to his mom. This time I know I’m doing the right thing.” I said. “He belongs with Theo.”
“Auntie!” Jamie said running back to hand me a seashell.
“Wow, you found a conch.” I said.
“Not just that I found this pretty one. I think it’s a sapphire.” Jamie said pulling out an almost.
“A sapphire?” I asked as he showed me a very light aqua blue piece of Sea Glass. “That’s so pretty but this isn’t a sapphire this is sea glass.”
“Sea Glass?” Jamie asked confused.
“Yeah some of the trash that gets dumped in the ocean are glass bottles that break the waves make those pieces crash against the rocks and sand smoothing out the edges until you get smooth pieces like this.” I said.
“It’s pretty.” He said. “You keep it auntie.”
“Don’t you want it?” I asked.
“You can take it with you on your trip to remember to bring me back a pretty one from far away.” Jamie said.
“Thank you sweetie.” I said hugging him. “Want to go find another one for Theo?”
“I think I saw a green one.” Jamie said running off.
“He’s a good kid. Reminds me of his Aunt.” Steve said.
“Funny.” I said before I saw the time. “Jamie pick a piece we have to start heading home.”
“I got it!” Jamie said running back. He shoved his treasures in his jacket pockets before taking our hands happy to be going home.
Oh course he insisted we needed to get ice cream for dessert because dinner would not be complete without it.
Theo was already making dinner when we got back to the loft.
“Took you three long enough.” He said stirring the sauce.
“Sorry someone couldn’t decide what ice cream he wanted.” Steve said.
“Chocolate or oreo cookies and cream are always the go to.” Theo said.
“I wasn’t talking about Jamie.” Steve said.
“There were a lot of options.” I said putting the ice cream in the freezer.
“Look what I found at the beach.” Jamie said tugging on Theo’s flannel. “Wow, green sea glass. Awesome find big guy. Can you do me a favor? Can you leave this on the night stand and go wash your hands. Dinner’s almost ready.”
“Okay.” He said running to go do as he was told.
“I love that kid.” Theo said with a smile.
“I’ll start setting the table.” I said taking the plates.
“Hope you all like enchiladas.” Theo said.
“Not too spicy right?” I asked.
“Relax it’s more tomato sauce than actual chili.” He mocked. “Can’t believe that after all these years you can’t handle even a little heat.”
“I don’t know how you can eat the way you do and still not have a stomach ulcer.” I said.
“You get used to it.” Theo said.
“No you don’t.” I said.
“Jamie’s never complained.” He said.
“He was five, he wouldn’t eat anything that wasn’t mac and cheese or in dino form.” I deadpanned.
“We’ll work on it.” Theo said with a smirk.
Once we were done we sat down and enjoyed dinner. Jamie took up most of the conversation talking about all the things he wanted to do now that he was back in LA. To no surprise the first thing he wanted to do was go to the comic book store.
“Uncle Theo?” Jamie said as we were eating.
“Yeah bud?” he asked.
“Doesn’t Steve look like Captain America?” Jamie said making Steve choke on his beer.
“Uh…” Theo said looking at Steve suspiciously. It was a good thing Steve had agreed to grow a beard. That was probably the only thing that kept him from being identified as a Chris Evans lookalike instead of Captain America.
“Went down the wrong pipe, right Steve?” I said patting his back.
“I don’t see it.” Theo said. “Though he does have Cap’s Ass.”
Jamie started laughing.
“Theo!” I said sternly.
“Butt, I meant butt.” He said as if that made it better.
“I don’t like this universe.” Steve whispered to himself only loud enough for me to hear. I gently squeezed his hand reassuringly letting him know it was just a joke and that I wasn’t picking on him.
“What about you two? You excited about your trip Steve? Where are you going anyways? You keep saying trip but you don’t way where?” Theo said.
“Thailand.” I said quickly.
But at the same time Steve said. “Egypt.”
I turned to him to ask why he would say Egypt.
“We’re going to a lot of places.” I said.
“And you’re just going to hang out in Egypt and Thailand?” Theo said.
“There will be missions.” Steve said.
“Digging wells, building houses.” I seconded. “Health clinics. A bit of everything.”
“You’re going to be a missionary?” Theo said. “The one weekend the power went out you said it was like living in a third world country.”
“It was dark.” I said.
“We had to camp indoors because the ground was too hard.” He said.
“I was being eaten alive by mosquitos.” I said.
“West Nile Virus and malaria.” Jamie seconded.
“Exactly.” I said high fiving Jamie.
“It was a picnic at a wilderness park in Arcadia.” Theo said.
“Lyme disease.” I said.
“She’s going to be loads of fun to be around when her phone stops getting any signal.” Theo told Steve.
“We’ll be okay.” Steve said. “We’ve handled worse.”
“I think it’s time for dessert.” I said and Jamie jumped out of his chair.
“Can we make sundaes?” Jamie asked.
“It’s almost time for bed and I think you’ve had enough sugar for one day.” Theo said. “Just one scoop.”
“Okay.” He said running to get his ice cream out of the freezer.
“Missionary work?” Theo said.
“What can I say, I found my true calling.” I said.
“Missionary work?” Theo said again not buying it.
“I get to travel, help people and I don’t have to deal with the guilt of scamming the elderly.” I said.
“And you’re going to live in a mud hut, squat into a whole to poop and deal with possible malaria in the future?” Theo said.
“It’ll be fine. There are pills for that.” I said.
“Who the hell are you and what have you done with Hanna Marin?” Theo said.
“Language.” Steve said and I kicked his knee telling him to be less him around Jamie. That kid did not miss a beat.
“Okay Cap… and you’re just okay dropping everything to follow this one to… Thailand and Egypt and wherever else you’re going?” Theo said.
“There is no one I would rather go on this adventure with.” Steve said taking my hand.
“Huh…” Theo said just watching us before Jamie ran back.
We talked a bit more before we got the kid ready to go to bed. We were going to ‘catch our flight’ that night and were going to head to the ‘airport’ soon so it was time to say goodbye.
“Alright buddy.” I said tucking him in.
“Do you have to go?” Jamie asked.
“I do.” I said.
“But I just got back.” He whined.
“I missed you more than you’ll ever know but there’s something I need to do… people who need me.” I said not finding any other way to put it. “They waited a really long time for me.”
“So did I.” Jamie said.
“I know you did.” I said. “This is where you were always supposed to be and I’m sorry it took me so long to figure that out. You’re were always meant to be with your Uncle Theo. He loves you so much and he’s going to take really good care of you.”
“Okay.” He said. “You’re not going to forget me right?”
“Nothing could ever make me forget you.” I said.
“Promise?” Jamie said sticking out his pinky.
“Super pinky promise and we don’t break pinkies right?” I said.
“Never ever.” He said before letting go and hugging me.
“I love you Auntie.” Jamie whispered.
“Love you too buddy.” I said giving him one last squeeze before kissing his temple as I tucked him back into bed.
I stood up straightening my top. I was wearing a long sleeved square neck nude colored ribbed knit bodysuit with light washed blue denim jeans and tan Chelsea boots. I grabbed my grey and brown plaid print shacket before picking up the bag I had packed.
“You’re really going.” Theo said.
“It’s time.” I said.
“Are you sure about this?” Theo asked as Steve was finishing putting a few things away. “Are you sure about him?”
I turned to Steve and smiled.
“Surprisingly yes.” I said. “We’ve had our ups and downs but his heart’s always in the right place and he’s one of the good ones.”
“Never thought I’d see the day.” Theo said. “You’re going to be careful right?”
“When am I not?” I retorted. “Take care of him for me.”
“You don’t even have to ask.” He said before hugging me. “Thank you.”
“I owed you both.” I said letting go.
“Ready?” Steve asked.
“Ready.” I confirmed putting on my jacket.
“Steve it’s been nice knowing you Cap.” He said sarcastically before hugging Steve.
“Thank you for all your help.” Steve said hugging him back.
“Take care of her.” Theo said.
“I will.” Steve said.
“Oh I know you will because if you don’t I’ll hunt you down and castrate you with a rusty butter knife.” Theo said making Steve pale. “Enjoy your trip.”
With that we headed downstairs where our Uber was waiting for us.
“Hanna don’t take this the wrong way but I don’t like your universe.” He admitted it.
“I did tell you multiple times that its sucked.” I said.
“You did but if you changed your mind…” He started again.
“Nope.” I said. “Someone once told me that there are no such things as coincidences. I ended in your universe for a reason and that’s because that’s where I’m meant to be. We’re going home… after a drink.”
“A drink?” Steve said.
“Just because I want to go home doesn’t mean I’m not going to need some liquid courage to take the plunge.” I said. “Think of it as a last goodbye to this world.”
“Whatever you say.” Steve said having learned that sometimes it was wiser to pick his battles.
It was a surprisingly fast ride to the bar and once we were there we left out bags of things, we probably weren’t going to need and weren’t exactly sure would make survive the trip back, with a homeless woman asking for change on the streets.
“Should I go up there with you?” He asked.
“It’s probably better if you wait for me down here.” I said looking at the roof of the building I would be jumping off of. “Both of us don’t have to die for this to work.”
“Okay…. Uh I’ll just be here.” He said looking unsure. I took his hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” I said. “See you in a minute and make sure they don’t bury me alive. That would really suck.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you.” Steve said giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. I nodded before heading upstairs.
It was the middle of the week so the bar wasn’t packed and it was a skeleton crew staffing the place.
I figured for old times sake I’d have one last mango martini and take in the view. I took it all in remembering the bad and the few good times I had here. It was a hard world to live in but Theo and Jamie had each other and they would be okay.
I finished my drink and threw the glass over my shoulder not caring where it landed. I got on the ledge and smiled.
“Goodbye universe, I’m going home.” I said before jumping and closing my eyes.
Back on the street…
Steve was pacing, debating whether he should go up there and stop Hanna from jumping when he looked up he saw someone jump off the roof.
“Too late.” He said to himself and within seconds she the ground making a sound he hoped he would never have to hear again.
There on the ground was the bloody mangled body of his friend and soulmate.
“Hanna…” He said rushed to check on her. He took her hand and checked for a pulse but there was none. “Come on… Come on…”
Nothing was happening until something was happening.
Something within Hanna was glowing and it became brighter and brighter until he couldn’t see anything and all he could feel was something strongly pulling him and then he was falling and hitting the ground hard landing not to far away from Hanna.
Steve coughed as he tried to catch his breath.
“Ow.” He groaned.
Hours Later…
It was dark again, just like the last time and I was falling waiting for the inevitable snap back. I think it took a little longer than last time but it did happen again.
And when I went into the light I sat up gasping for air. Coughing as I tried to suppress the nausea I was feeling.
“uh… I feel gross.” I said.
“Hey.” Steve said rubbing my back before offering me a bottle of water.
“Did it work.” I asked.
“Yes and no.” he answered.
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“I think you need to see for yourself.” Steve said helping me up. We walked out of the alley we were in and came face to face with… a world that was not the one we were in or the one we were trying to get to.
“We’re not in LA anymore.” I said.
“Nope.” Steve said handing me a newspaper. “And apparently I’m running for president.”
“Huh… well anyone can run for president and you wouldn’t be the worst candidate.” I said. “And Tony’s going to be your secretary of defense. Huge conflict of interest considering he’s still in the weapons business.”
“This isn’t our world.” He said.
“No it is not… so do over?” I asked.
“Yes please.” Steve said.
“Let’s go find a tall building.” I said.
One Jump Later…
I woke up again… this time in a sewer.
“Ew.” I said. “I already don’t like this universe.”
“It gets worse.” Steve said leading be to where we could look at what was going on in the streets above us and it was indeed much much worse.
This was a world where Hydra ruled the world. Drones patrolled the streets and everyone greeted each other by saying Hail Hydra.
“Do over?” I offered.
“Do over.” Steve confirmed.
Another Jump…
They say third time was the charm and for us it was. Unfortunately we didn’t land on Earth.
Third Person’s POV- Earth 616
No one knew exactly how it happened but they knew something had changed. The dull greys of the world were suddenly colors they hadn’t seen in months.
Bruce was giving a guest lecture at Columbia University when he noticed a bright yellow daisies, the last bloom of the season out in the courtyard.
Natasha was on a mission in Marrakesh when she could suddenly see the blue paint on the walls and on the intricate patterned tiles decorating the restaurant she was in. Then she looked up and saw a blue sky.
Clint was in DC. He had been taken off active duty and had become a bit of a hermit. The only person he would talk to was Natasha and even then she wasn’t always so lucky. There was a knock on his door which was his daily pizza being delivered. He got up scratching the beard he was starting to grow when he opened the door the pizza box the delivery driver looked different. Their logo was red.
Tony was… well after his surgery and everything that had happened he had gone back to his old ways. He was currently killing time at a poker table on Vegas when his chips he was about to put in turned green.
And then there was Thor… Who with no other reason to ever have to return to Earth had turned his focus into being the king his father had always wanted him to grow up to be. He was in Vanaheim fighting an ogre uprising when the lush forests surrounding the village he was protecting suddenly turned green.
He had thrown Mjolnir to hit a ogre covering for Sif when something in the air shifted. He looked up at the sky and there was a flash before he heard shouting and he saw something or more accurately someone falling.
Thor quickly reached his hand out calling Mjolnir and once he had it he swung his hammer and flew up into the air to catch Steve and Hanna.
“Captain?” Thor said once he caught him.
“Thor?” Steve said surprised but still not letting go of Hanna.
“What… How are you here?” He said. “And what is wrong with Lady Hanna?”
Thor quickly put them down but immediately went to check on Hanna.
“She isn’t breathing. Is she…” Thor said already fearing the worse.
“No just… she just needs time.” Steve said.
“She’s not breathing.” Thor said quickly picking her up before shouting to the sky. “Heimdall!”
“Thor wait!” Steve said before a flash of light poured down from the sky and pulled them up to Asgard.
A While Later…
I was falling down that bottomless pit again. Except it was louder. I could make out voices and people shouting. The voices sounded familiar… almost Shakespearian.
“Thor….” I thought to myself.
“Father we must do something.” Thor pleaded.
“There is nothing to be done. She is dead as all mortals end up.” Someone said.
‘What a jerk?” I thought as I started feeling the very familiar pull.
“She isn’t dead. Not permanently. She just needs time.” Steve said.
“The healers already said…” Odin started.
“uh… sire…” Someone else said.
“She will be sent to Earth so her mates can put her to rest as they see fit…” Odin continued.
“Father please…” Thor pleaded.
“Uh Thor…” Someone else said.
“Odin….” Another voice said.
“Ah!” I gasped as I started coughing, struggling to catch my breath.
“Hanna!” Steve said immediately helping me sit up but I was still coughing.
“That’s not possible…” Odin said.
And as if things couldn’t get any worse Odin chose that every moment to step closer just as I puked my guts out.
“Oh…” One of the healers said.
“I forgot to warn you.” Steve said.
“Is this normal?” Thor said.
“It happens.” Steve said.
“Uh… I feel gross…” I groaned.
“How is this possible?” Odin said to Frigga.
“I have never seen such a thing in all my years.” Frigga said.
“Please tell me this isn’t a do over?” I asked Steve.
“We’re in the right universe just… wrong planet.” Steve said.
“I’ll take the win.” I said.
“Are you alright?” Thor asked placing a hand on my cheek almost as if needing to be sure I was really alive.
“Yeah… I think so.” I said. “Also Hi. It’s been a while.”
“So you two really do know each other?” Steve said.
“We celebrated my name day together.” Thor said.
“We should go grab a beer together again… like now. I could really use one.” I said.
“You just woke up.” Steve said amused.
“Hence why I could use one.” I said.
“I do not understand. You said she was human?” Odin said.
“She is.” Steve said defensively.
“This is a recent thing. I die wake up in another universe like it never happened. Die again and it happens all over again.” I said. “This is what… the third time today?”
“Or night… I lost track of time.” Steve said.
“Sire I have never seen anything like this.” One of the healer said as they looked at something on the display.
“Okay.” I said jumping off the table. Both Thor and Steve were hovering making sure I wouldn’t fall. “Thank you for your hospitality but I think I’ve overstayed my welcome and I’m ready to go home.”
“Nonsense.” Frigga said. “You have obviously been through quite an ordeal. You should stay until morning to recover your strength and you shall join us for dinner.”
“It’s really not necessary.” Steve said.
“I insist. I want to get to know my good daughter.” Frigga said. “Come now, let’s get you cleaned up and into a more appropriate dress.”
“It’s best not to put up a fight.” Thor said low enough for just me and Steve to hear. “Mother always gets her way.”
“Okay then… I’ll see you later.” I said following Frigga and her handmaidens as they led me to where I would be staying.