Richard Parker and his years
2002.
Richard could barely remember the night he decided to make a baby with a woman who specializes in espionage. Let alone even recall the fact that the woman was indeed a teenager.
But it didn't even matter as he stares at the cardboard box holding a baby who was enjoying their sleep. Blue blankets barricading the baby (he's a boy! Richard just wanted to spoil him) he also saw an envelope and instead of grabbing the baby boy, he sits and grabs the envelope, opening it and reading it softly:
Dear Richard Parker,
I'm sorry for how long the delivery of our own baby took. But I sent the best nurse to deliver him. His name is Peter. I don't know what other names you want to give him but I wanted to give him one since I won't be in his life, sadly.
He weighs a healthy eight pounds and four ounces. I didn't get to look at him, but I know he's the most perfect angel I can even create. Words can't describe how much I love Peter and I've only known him for seconds. He was born on 9/10/01, and he's been vaccinated so far which is good but they mentioned that he has some strange DNA similar to an insect, so I hope you didn't do any self-experimenting.
Anyways, Richard Parker. I can't take care of Peter. My age doesn't really matter but it's where I am that matters. I can't keep Peter here. He might turn into what they're making me and I don't want that for him. To grow up as a weapon with no meaning. I want him to grow up normal and you're the only shot Peter has of making some sort of normalcy.
So please, with all the energy I have: take care of Peter. Make him happy and himself. You do that and I'm forever in your debt.
P.S., DNA testing, and birth certificate are on the back.
Greetings, Natalia Romanoff.
Richard's mouth was agape. He has a son. Peter. His name is Peter.
Peter something Parker.
Richard panicked as he grabbed the cardboard box and went inside, closing the door and putting Peter on the couch. Peter had to be six months since the letter must've been written after one day of Peter's birth. By the way, Natalia described Peter she must've loved him and how they tore him away from Natalia must've hurt her more than anything else.
He looks at Peter, who was awake. He could see some of Natalia. He could see that he has some of her light brown eyes and her lips. Peter had his curly hair and nose.
He really was perfect.
He was suddenly caressing Peter who had nothing but a puzzled look on his face before squealing.
It was then, Richard realized he wasn't prepared. Richard also realized that he was going to have to tell Mary about this.
Oh, boy.
-
August 10th, 2002.
"-- Happy birthday dear Peter!! Happy birthday to you!"
Richard watched as Peter blew out his candles and clapped excitedly. Richard was happy to see Peter enjoy his birthday to the point where he even put frosting on himself. Mary still did put frosting on Peter and Richard couldn't help but laugh as he recorded every living moment.
Telling Mary about his secret lovechild was difficult as she couldn't accept the fact that Richard had a baby with a minor and that he didn't even know. Richard regretted both, but he didn't regret Peter.
Peter was never going to be a regret.
He's going to be the greatest thing that happened to Richard.
And soon enough, Mary was on board with the kid and she even called him her own.
He recorded many things. It wasn't for him, nor was it for Mary, or even Peter (but he can still watch it.). It was for Natalia.
He could tell from the letter, that Natalia wanted to be apart of Peter's life. And it must hurt not to see monumental moments like Peter crawling, his first words, or even his first steps. But he had it recorded so if they bumped into each other by fate: he can show them to her.
Smiling as Peter laughed, Richard puts the camera on the table and goes behind his family.
"Say hi to mommy!" Richard exclaims to Peter.
"HI MAMA!"
The day ended with Peter going to bed as Richard regaled Peter with his own Gameboy or whatever he wished for. Instead of video games, Peter asked for a Lego set. Richard didn't mind.
He told him that he could have all the Lego sets in the world if he asked. Peter said he didn't want to be stingy.
Richard just smiled and kissed the boy’s head.
Was Natalia this selfless?
He goes to Peter's bed and lays him down. "What story would you like for me to read, kid?"
"Peter Pan, peelease."
"Anything you wish for is my command!" Richard states in his silly voice as he gets Peter Pan and sits next to Pete.
He looks at Peter and holds his leg, "Don't go jumping on the wall, hear me? That scares me and Mary."
Peter nods with a pout. But nods regardless.
And without further due, Richard reads Peter Pan and gets to page 15 when he hears little snores.
"Goodnight kiddo," Richard says softly and puts the book back on the shelf before noticing Mary with his camera.
"Mary?"
"Just recording for Natalia." She says, her smile visible and stops recording. Mary goes to kiss her husband and Richard kisses back before pulling away.
Mary only smiles before going to the restroom and Richard on his way to the bedroom before hearing a thump.
"PETER!"
Both parents ran to his aid.
-
2003.
When Black Widow emerged into the scene, Richard was sure it was Natalia.
He could see the curly red hair that reached to her waist and the hourglass figure she possesses. Nothing else was showed from the CCTV besides her back and her left hand shooting the victim in the head with a suppressor.
Sure anyone can maintain whatever Natalia had that night they made Peter, but the way Natalia walked away? Her hips swaying side-to-side as her hair was parted in the back?
That was certainly Natalia. An older one. But still the Natalia he met.
He couldn't help but want to track Natalia down.
For her to meet Peter and to catch up on things. But mostly for Peter.
A two-year-old Peter waltzes his way to Richards' leg and Richard puts him on his lap, his leg suddenly jumping. "What are you watching?" Peter asks.
Your mother becoming a killer, maybe.
Your way too young mom killing someone with power as if he was nothing but a homeless man.
Your mom is on the news and not for good things.
"News," Richard answers with anything but happiness. Peter didn't detect that but either way, Richard was suddenly fearful. He grabs Peter and looks at him. He made a baby with a spy. A spy. A spy that was supposed to steal something from him but instead gave him the best present in the world.
It was odd how the world works. But as Peter switches his focus to the TV, sucking on his sour gummy bear, Richard decided not to question the world this time. He lays back and smells the lemon from Peter’s head, at peace.
-
2004.
Fuck, Richard wished he could've given Peter one last hug.
Richard wished he could've stayed longer.
Because the plane was hurled to the ground as someone shot their plane down. As the plane was in pieces, burning, He found Mary. Impaled. Her head is gone.
Richard cried.
He heard a twig snap.
Richard heaves, his eyes not giving him the vision he needs. He couldn't get up. A chunk of plane trapped his lower body and he couldn’t move. He couldn’t move. The gun was far and Richard couldn’t reach it. He won’t see Peter again. As he saw feet, Richard looks up and saw the man that killed his wife.
"Research?" The voice was thick with Russian.
Richard shook his head. "You beheaded her." He replies and points to Mary's body.
The man shrugs, "It happens."
And in those moments, his brain went fast. He thought of Peter. Peter, his one true love. He could live without Mary. But could he live without Peter?
Never.
He hoped Peter could live without him. He hopes Peter knows that Richard loves him and that everything he did could fulfill Natalia's wishes.
He hopes Peter could find his true mom.
He hopes Peter ca-
The bullet went through his head.
And Richard Parker was anything but a nametag on a body.
.
Weeks later, C.I.A. discovered the crash site.
And days later, Peter was placed in his aunts and uncles home in Queens, crying about his daddy and Mary. May was inexperienced. She didn’t know how to handle kids all that well and only dealt with Peter during the weekends and now as she looks at him sleeping, she acknowledged that any plans she had with Ben were going to the back burner. Peter holds her pinky with a sticky hand of a lollipop and she smiles.
Because this is her kid. Yeah, she didn’t plan for kids and neither did Ben but here they are, trying to cheer Peter up by going to the park and swinging him up and down on the swing. Ben is on the other side facing Peter as he giggles.
She may be grieving for the loss of her sister, but she left someone behind. And she’ll be damned if she doesn’t do her best to raise him.