Chapter 18
Peter stood on the porch with Wade. He was dressed in civilian clothes, a long sleeve underneath a video game t shirt, a pair of jeans, boots, and a big winter coat. It was in the closet with the other new clothes. He preferred his own, but he tried to keep his wardrobe and Peter's separated. He had his mask on, like Wade did. The merc also dressed in civies. Peter had no idea who the family was just that they had to travel a couple of hours to get here. Wade insisted it was worth it and it would only be for dinner. It was an early christmas present.
It was the day before christmas eve. Peter had promised his Aunt May that he'd see her tomorrow since they weren't able to meet for Thanksgiving. He already bought her a small gift and hoped this year would be alright. This was always a hard time for both of them. They always had a nice time together. They cooked a big meal, watched christmas movies with desert, exchanged gifts, sometimes they'd go caroling with the neighbors. But at the end of the night, sitting in the small sparsely decorated living room there would be a time when they cried. When they thought about the people that weren't there to share the moment with. When they realized that they were the only ones left.
"Ready?" Peter blinked out of his daze. He cleared his throat and nodded. Wade rang the doorbell, the sound of small feet following after. The door was thrown open by a small girl. Her mass of brown hair hair thrown across her face, wide brown eyes landing on Spiderman, then Deadpool. Instead of running like any kid would her face lit up. A big smile on her face as she threw herself at him. "Dad!"
Peter gaped at the girl Wade had now picked up. Twirling her around with a laugh. "Hey sweetheart! I know it's early but Merry Christmas."
"You brought Spiderman," she yelled pulling away to look at the hero.
He waved awkwardly, still shocked to find out Wade had a child. "Hi."
"Heck yes, how's that for a christmas present?"
"No fair," she pouted. "My gift is just-"
"Ah! Spoilers!"
A woman walked to the doorway, an amused smirk on her face. "Here a little early aren't you?"
"Had to move some things around," Wade shrugged. "I brought a guest, hope you don't mind."
The woman nodded to Peter, "Spiderman."
"Ma'am."
"Emily Preston," they shook hands.
"And this beautiful lady is Elenor," Wade said setting her down.
"Ellie," the girl pronouced holding her hand out to shake Peter's.
"Nice to meet you," the hero said. He noticed her eyes. They were the same color as Wade's.
"Do you have room for two more at the dinner table?"
"I'll see what I can do," Emily said leting them in. Ellie pulled them into the living room where two boys were playing on an xbox. They immidiatly stopped and rushed over to Spiderman bombarding him with questions and praises.
"Hey you guys be careful he's an awkward spider." Peter turned to glare at Wade who laughed. Ellie joined them, asking about Spiderman's battles and how he produced webs. They all ended up seated in the living room as Peter told them about his web shooters and how he could stick to walls. They had gone on about his abilities and a few of his enemies until dinner was called.
"Do you still team up with my dad," Ellie asked when the boys ran to the table.
"Yeah."
"Can you watch him for me? I know he can heal and stuff but he's does really stupid things sometimes."
Peter snorted, almost choking on his laugh. "Yeah I will," he lifted up his pinky. She beamed locking her finger with his.
"You know my dad talks about you a lot." She said as they made their way to the dining room.
"Oh? Anything bad?"
"No. He said you have a nice butt." Peter sputtered tugging on the hem of his shirts.
"Ellie," Wade snapped as he set down a bowl of mashed potatoes.
She shrugged innocently, "you did." It's not like Wade hadn't told him before but to hear he was talking about him to his daughter made his stomach flutter. Wade muttered under his breath as he helped set the rest of the table. Peter took a seat next to the scarred man on one side of the table. Ellie sat on his other side. Across from them Emily's sons, and at one end of the table was their father. On the other was Emily.
They talked about the kid's school and how the holidays were going. The kids all talked over one another keeping things loud and constant. It was nice. Peter had never had any siblings. Family dinners were always just him, Uncle Ben, and Aunt May. He always wished he had siblings. But after his parents passed he figured it was better that it was just him.
"What about you Spiderman?"
"Sorry," he asked bringing himself out of thought.
"Is the heroing business all that you do?"
He glanced at Wade trying to think of a way to respond without giving too much away. "I go to school too."
"High school?"
"College."
"On a better track then that one," she said pointing to Wade.
"Hey," he gasped. They laughed and changed the topic to something else. After dinner Ellie and Wade sat by the Christmas tree. Ellie gave him a gift and Wade all but squealed as he tore it open. It was a sweater, handmade with the help of Emily. It was red with Deadpool's symbol in the middle. Peter wandered off as he thanked Ellie. He was pulled outside with the boys who demand to see his web shooters. He made a zip line from the house to a tree, not too tall in case they fell. He had a snowball fight too. And they ended the night with them all building an igloo. Or trying to. Wade managed to get it standing but the roof caved in.
"Alight Ellie," Wade said as they stood on the porch. "I've gotta go."
The light attitude changed. Ellie seemed to be holding back tears as she stared at her dad. "When are you going to visit again?"
He sighed placing his hands on her shoulders, "it's gonna be a while. I'll be back as soon as I can." She nodded solemly and Wade gave her another hug.
"Be careful okay?"
"Okay. You better get those grades up when school starts," he mumbled into her hair. Peter stood just a few steps away looking at the car Deadpool had borrowed from somewhere. "I love you mi corazon."
"I love you too." Wade was quick to leave after that. Not looking back as he took long strides to the car. Ellie looked to Peter, who lifted up his pinky to remind her of the promise. She gave him a small smile and waved. He did too. The ride back to the house was quiet. The radio played christmas carols. It wasn't tense, it seemed melancholy. Peter knew Wade was upset for having to leave, he'd never seen the man as happy and at ease as he was with Ellie.
"She was nice. Ellie," Peter spoke.
"Yeah," Wade murmured quietly. "Sorry I didn't tell you who she was."
"It's fine," the younger turned to look out the window. "Just wasn't expecting it." He leaned back still feeling full from dinner. "Thanks for bringing me along. It was nice to eat at a full table."
"Thought you had a full table at Stark's place?"
"Some times," if Tony or Bruce wasn't working on a project. Or if there weren't any missions. "It's different with them. We're all adults. And we're always talking about missions or work."
"Sounds boring."
"It is."
Wade chuckled, "what about your family?" Peter was quiet, he pictured Aunt May in her nurse uniform sitting in the dining room over a cup of coffee, tired eyes fixed to the small kitchen window. "You don't have to tell me."
"It's just me and one other person right now. We don't get to see each other too often."
"Yeah I can get that."
Peter picked at the small whole in his sleeve. While he had been good at acting like nothing had happened he was still giddy around Deadpool. He had kissed him after all. And now he had met Wade's family. There was still a heavy amount of guilt in his stomach but now that he was sure of his feelings and hearing how Wade felt about him the other day he wanted to tell the other man everything. He just had to find the right time. Right now with the holidays being such a big distraction he decided it'd be best after Christmas. Maybe he'd meet up with him on New Years. He would ask to meet on a rooftop, take off the mask, tell him how he felt. That is if Wade didn't hate him for keeping such a huge secret.
"Thanks for trusting me," Peter mumbled pulling at the hem of his mask now feeling like it was suffocating him. He really hoped the older man didn't hate him for it. He was in far too deep. Wade hummed staring forward at the icy road. They were traveling at a slow pace to avoid an accident. But that also meant it would take longer for them to get back to the city. It had just started to snow. Fat snowflakes collecting on the side of the road covering any tracks. If it continued this way there'd be a whole new layer by morning.
"Thanks for coming with me," Wade finally murmured. Peter looked to him, a smile on his face.