Hail Mary
It was cold outside, cold enough that it felt like it should be snowing but it just wouldn't come. Eddie's breath floated out in front of him and dissipated into the dark above them. He hasn't smoked in years but he could really use a cigarette right now.
“You gonna be okay?” Venom asked quietly.
He just shrugged, it was too late to change his mind now anyways, Mary's cab was already pulling up. She stepped out of the car and she looked exactly how he remembered, he vaguely wondered if he looked the same to her too.
“Hi, Eddie.” She spoke after he didn't.
“Hey.” He breathed.
“Why are you outside in this freezing weather?”
“Its not that cold.”
“You going to be surly for my whole visit?”
“Sorry.” He was really struggling with this.
“Is Venom with you?”
“Always.” He managed a weak smile.
“Hello, Mary.” Venom manifested.
“Sorry about Eddie. He really is trying.” They told her.
“I know he is.” She gave him a tiny smirk.
“Will you at least tell me how you've been?” She tried.
“I-I've been good. We've been good. Really good actually...Better than ever I think.”
She broke out into a bright smile at that.
“How have you been?” He asked back.
“I've been good too. Just celebrated four-years with Scott and got a promotion at work.”
He'd met Scott when they first started dating, he seemed like a really good guy. He was glad it was working out.
“You still doing the consulting job?” He inquired.
“Yeah, you still writing?”
“Mm-hm.”
They stood there in silence for a while and she studied his face.
“I'm really glad you're doing so well, Eddie. You had a rough couple of years.”
He laughed in spite of himself because that was putting it lightly.
“I know its hard for us to see each other. But I'm still happy you invited me here.” She admitted.
He felt Venom wrap around his insides in a way that had always been meant as a comfort between them, in their own private language, and he felt himself break.
“It's not your fault.” He croaked. “Its dad's.”
“I'm sorry I've pushed you away, I know its not fair. Whenever we see each other I remember everything. Everything he did, everything he made me feel. The anger and the sadness that filled that whole damn house. It's not your fault.” He sobbed dryly.
She closed the gap between them and pulled him down into a hug, resting his head on her shoulder. A few hot tears escaped him and Venom wiped his eyes but he's sure she noticed anyways.
“Everything I've done in my life has been to push away from him. I never wanted to push you away too.” He mumbled into her.
“You're nothing like dad, Eddie. You never will be.You never could be.” She assured him.
“You deserve to know them, they’re so amazing. You deserve to know your family.” He told her.
She squeezed him tightly and held him for a long time before speaking up again.
“You done? Can I meet my new nephew now?”
He laughed out loud again and nodded.
“Yeah, yeah of course. They're all inside.”
He lead her inside the house and Mary stood, suddenly quiet and unsure, at the edge of the living room. Hearing them come in Carnage, Agony, Lasher, Scream and Phage turned around curiously, it took a second but they did recognize her and Eddie was relieved he didn't completely sever the delicate relationship. As they all joyfully conversed with each other Eddie picked Sleeper up and brought him over to Mary. The infant had already nodded off for the evening, pacifier securely in his mouth with his little hands tucked into fists near his face, so he was careful transferring him into his sister's arms.
“His name's Sleeper.” Eddie informed her.
“You two pick the most....interesting names.” She replied.
“They just sort of come to us.”
But she wasn't paying attention to him at the moment.
“Hi Sleeper...Oh my gosh look at you, you're so small and perfect...You're way too cute to be my brother's.” She whispered softly to him.
“That's funny.” Venom said.
“What?” Eddie asked his other.
“That's the same look you had on your face when you first held him too, you guys are a lot alike.” And Eddie smiled again.
“He's so beautiful, Eddie. They all are.”
Venom rippled with pride under his skin.
“Are the claws ever a problem?” She asked playfully.
“Only sometimes.” Eddie joked back.
The night went on peacefully and without incident and Eddie was grateful nothing came up that reminded him too much of their father. The children were in bed and he and Mary sat on the couch together with beers just talking aimlessly about their lives. She told him she was thinking about proposing to Scott and he told her she should because being married was a lot more fun than people gave it credit for. In his opinion anyways, but maybe he was just lucky.
“You're a good dad, Eddie. I think you were kind of meant for it.” Mary took another swig of her beer.
“I think so too...among other things, of course.” Venom agreed with her and nuzzled into his neck.
Eddie warmed up at the idea that he was finally doing something right.
“Mary, we would love it if you came out here more often..."
“I'd really love that too.” She hugged him.