What Comes After

Serena hated being angry and upset at Peter. Peter meant everything to her. She could see herself marrying him one day and starting a family with him. She didn't know what was going on with herself, but it frightened her. She needed Peter with her to help her figure out what was happening. She suddenly turned and was in his arms. She buried her head against his chest and began to cry. "I don't know what's going on Peter. I...I feel like something has changed inside of me."

Isabella enjoyed the feel of Tony's hands on her body. She felt his hand go across her lower belly and she suddenly put one of her hands on top of his and held it there for a moment. There was a scar there and it was a constant reminder to Isabella of something horrific that had happened to her 13 years ago. "Do you ever regret that we decided not to adopt?"

Kate, Steve, and Pharaoh were enjoying their coffee and talking about various topics as they relaxed at the table. Their conversation was light and not at all about work. Kate heard someone walk in and looked over to see Evan. His comment to her actually made her blush a little. "So what do you think you will do?" she asked when he said that he might actually get out more now.

Natalya was getting ready to serve at the beginning of their second game when suddenly Logan dropped that bit of news on her. She had actually already thrown the ball into the air and when she hit it it was a terrible serve and went out of bounds and she lost the shot. She turned and looked at Logan, now completely focused on what he had told her. "No, Steve hasn't said anything to me. What does SHIELD know exactly?"

“Not at all,” Tony said simply. “I have an amazing wife and daughter, and you two together are more than capable of keeping me on my toes,” he said as he let the shower rinse them off. “I won’t second guess our fortune nor our luck,” he said and thought she might know what he was talking about. She had died and they had been given another chance. Tony wrapped her up into his arms and lifted her up onto the whetstone shelf in their shower and held her to him. He angled his mouth toward her ear. “I’d do it all again Isabella. I have no regrets,” he whispered and kissed her cheek. The payment was a high one and they might yet die from that but she was alive and he hoped they’d grow old together and love one another, without end.

“Well I don’t know really...the only places I’ve been was where duty called. I do have a recurring dream though where I am floating on a calm, bright blue ocean. I don’t know where a place like that is but If it existed I’d like to go there,” Evan said with a grin. “So you two gunna get married or what?” Evan asked out of the blue. Pharoah was rarely ever surprised but he nearly choked on his coffee when he heard Evan’s question.

“Well...three safe houses have been abandoned and there appears to be a lot of chatter between their operatives. Either they’re doing some kind of field exercise or they have an actual objective that has pulled agents into the field,” Logan said and then watched her for her reaction.

Isabella didn't know how she had gotten so lucky with Tony. She had misjudged him at first, but he had turned out to be the love of her life. They had been through some tough times together, but they had always seemed to make it through. She knew that Tony had taken a huge risk by saving her life and she hoped that they wouldn't pay for it in the end.

After they got out of the shower Isabella put on her robe and then spotted the set of tickets on the dresser. "Oh, don't forget we have that charity event tonight. Kate and Steve are going too. I had your tux cleaned and pressed. Please be sure to keep an eye on the time this afternoon. We don't want to be late...like last time," she teased with a loving grin. She, Tony, Steve, and Kate were often asked to attend social events around the city. They agreed to appear at such events most of the time because they were a source of good PR.

Kate's face turned rather red at Evan's question and she glanced at Steve and then fumbled for an answer. "We might...when we're ready...and if we want to..." Kate was trying not to put pressure on Steve for a proposal. She knew he loved her and she loved him and they were happy together. She didn't want pressure to get married ruin that. However, if Steve was to ask her she knew she would say yes without hesitation. She quickly got up and went to go refill her coffee.

Natalya was suddenly no longer in the mood to play racquetball. She wanted to find out more about what was going on. The SSB was dangerous...extremely dangerous, as she well knew. If they were planning something then Natalya wanted to know what it was. She put up her racket and then immediately headed upstairs. She was planning to pay Director Fury a visit.