“My water just broke!” You burst into your shared bedroom and shouted at your husband, who was currently trying to fix his web shooters. He only had one sock on and his hair was still messy from bed.
“But you’re not due for three weeks.” Peter looked up at you and set his screwdriver down.
“You’re so right Peter. Why don’t you get on the ground and shout that up at my vagina so the baby can hear you and stop trying to come out.” You yelled angrily. Peter nodded and got up.
“Right. Sorry. I’ll grab the diaper bag.” Peter scrambled to get diaper bag and quickly grabbed the keys. He tried to keep calm as he locked the door and got in the car. His hands were shaking but he had a huge smile on his face. In just a few hours, he was going to be holding his newborn child. But right now, you were in pain and he had to focus on getting you help. Peter opened the car door for you and helped you in.
“Peter.” You whined. You were in extreme pain. You felt like you peed your pants. Every single part of you ached.
“I know, baby. We’ll be there soon. Just hold on.” Peter assured you.
So you held on. You held on the entire 25 minute drive to the hospital. Peter got you to go through the breathing exercises you learned in all the birthing classes you attended together. You hadn’t realized how well Peter had paid attention, even better than you had. He knew exactly what to do and did the breathing exercises with you. If you weren’t in so much pain, you would’ve thanked him for being such a great partner.
“Keep pushing baby!” Peter encouraged you, squeezing your hand sweetly. You were in the stir-ups now with an OBGYN between your legs. You’d been pushing for over forty minutes now. Every push took the wind out of you. You were sweating, exhausted, and in pain.
“SHUT THE HELL UP.” You screamed in his face. Peter nodded in understanding. He knew it was the pain talking and not actually you.
After forty minutes of pushing, you’d lost your ability to be nice. You were in the endgame now. You just wanted the baby out.
“You bet.” Peter kept his optimism high. “I’m right here, baby. I promise, nothing will make me let go of your hand. Squeeze as hard as you need.”
“The baby’s crowning!” The OBGYN called from between your legs.
“Really?” Peter let go of your hand and went over to the OBGYN.
“Oh wow, that’s really-“ Peters voice stopped suddenly, followed by a thud.
“What was that?” You panted.
“Your husband fainted.” A nearby nurse informed you.
“WHAT?!” You yelled. You tried to look but the stirrups and curtains blocked your view. All you saw was Peters arm on the ground.
“Don’t worry.” A nurse laughed. “This happens all the time. We’ll wake him up. Just keep pushing.”
You did as you were told. You squeezed your eyes tightly shut and pushed with all your might.
“You’re doing a great job, mama. Just a few more.” Some nurse encouraged you.
“I can’t do it.” You said breathlessly. Your entire body was exhausted. You felt sleep pulling your eyes shut.
“Yes, you can.” Peter appeared at your side. He slipped his hand back into yours and gave you an assuring smile.
“Peter.” You choked. “It hurts.”
“I know it hurts-“ Peter began.
“No you don’t.” You deadpanned. He was a man. And a man with super strength no less. He had no idea how bad it hurt.
“I’ve read that it hurts.” Peter corrected. “But you have to keep pushing. You can do it, baby. Just a few more minutes of pain for a lifetime of happiness.”
“That’s really sweet. Did you think of that yourself.” You smiled for the first time in a while.
“No. I uh, I saw it on Jane The Virgin.” Peter admitted sheepishly.
“Almost there.” The OBGYN shouted.
“I can’t do this.” You shook your head.
“You’re the strongest person I know. You can do anything.” Peter smiled.
“One more!” Another nurse.
You let out a cry of agony and pushed as hard as you could. You squeezed Peters hand until it was white and sat up a little. You felt an unfamiliar sensation and collapsed onto the bed in a fit of pants.
Then you heard it.
Crying.
“It’s a boy!” The OBGYN announced. You could barely hear her over the sound of your labored breathing. You let your hand slip out of Peters as you looked up at the ceiling. You were in and out of consciousness for a moment.
“Dad, want to cut the cord?” You heard a nurse ask Peter. Peter nodded slowly, unsure of himself. You peaked over your legs and watched as Peter saw your firstborn for the very first time.
Peters slowly approached the OBGYN and looked down at the baby in her arms. Someone handed him a strange pair of bent scissors. Peter took them with his shaky hands and cut the umbilical cord, separating you from your son. Peter couldn’t take his eyes off the baby. His eyes were wide and frozen open. He didn’t blink once. He didn’t even hear the chorus of congratulations from the nurses. A nurse wrapped the baby in a blanket and held him up to Peter.
“Congratulations, Dad. Why don’t you bring him over to Y/n.” The nurse asked.
This was the moment Peter had been preparing for for the last nine months. Holding the baby. He practiced countless times on eggplants, dogs, even an occasional box of cereal. But this baby was no eggplant. Peter looked at the nurse to see if she was sure. The nurse gave him a reassuring smile and transferred the baby into Peters arms. Peter knew what to do. He supported the baby’s head and wrapped his arms firmly, but not too tightly, around his body. The baby stretched his arms out and looked around, seeing the world for the first time. Seeing Peter for the first time. And finally, Peter looked at his sons face for the first time.
Peter felt like he too was seeing the world for the first time. The birds outside sang a little sweeter. The sun seemed to shine brighter. The clouds in the sky looked like balls of cotton. Flowers grew taller, kids laughed louder, and a gentle breeze blew through the warm air. The world was in perfect harmony.
Peter has always thought all babies looked the same. Even more so, he thought all babies looked like blobfish. But he took one look at the tiny miracle in his arms and knew he was wrong.
The baby was covered in blood and some white gunk, but Peter didn’t even see that. All he saw were the jet black eyes that were void of color but simultaneously overflowing with emotions as they looked back at Peter. Eyes that had seen nothing of the world, yet somehow contained that world within them.
Peter saw the tiniest little nose he’d ever seen. Tinier than he thought possible. And even at its minuscule size, it looked like Peters mothers nose.
Peter saw a tiny, open mouth with bright pink gums inside. Soft cried left that mouth. A sound Peter didn’t think he’d love upon hearing, but was once again proven wrong.
The baby was the most perfect thing Peter had ever seen.
His baby.
His own son that he brought into the world. Half him, and half of the person he loved most in the world. Well now, the person he loved second to most. As far as Peter was concerned, this baby was the most beautiful thing God had to offer.
He was perfect.
Not one flaw to be seen.
Peter had made something that was perfect.
He couldn’t take his eyes off the sweet creature.
In the midst of Peter admiring his newborn son, he noticed a small drop of water fall on his perfect face. Peter looked up to see if a nurse was putting something on his baby, immediately feeling an urge to protect and shield his son from any and everything. But no one was even looking at Peter. All the attention in the room was on you. Peter realized for the first time that he was crying. The drop of water was his own tear. Peter used the blanket to wipe the tear off his baby’s face and looked up at you. You weren’t breathing heavy anymore. You were now looking at Peter and the baby in his arms with the most hopeful expression Peter had ever seen.
Slowly, you opened your arms and looked Peter in the eyes. You didn’t say a word. You didn’t need to. Peter brought your son to you and carefully placed him in your arms. Peter immediately felt the lack of warmth now that he wasn’t holding a baby anymore. He felt cold and he didn’t like it. He wanted his son back in his arms as soon as possible. Peter was torn from his thoughts as a sob escaped your mouth. Peter was instantly on his knees at your side. You admired your newborn baby together for the first time.
“He’s beautiful.” You whispered as the baby placed a hand on your mouth. You instinctively kissed his little hand. And he was beautiful. You had never seen a more perfect being. You pressed a soft kiss to his head. He smelled like fresh baked cupcakes and vanilla. He was an angel.
“Hello.” You laughed as tears came out of your eyes. Happy tears, this time. “My little cupcake.” You cooed.
“We made that.” Peter breathed out, still in shock that he was capable of making something so angelic.
“Yes we did.” You smiled at Peter. Peter tore his eyes away from his son and looked at you. He leaned in and kissed you firmly on your lips, a tear escaping his eye as he did it.
“We’re the most gifted artists in the world.” Peter laughed happily as he looked back at his son.
“I have to agree.” You shared his laugh. Peter looked at you in admiration and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear.
“Thank you.” Peter said sincerely.
“For what?” You asked.
“For going through all that pain. And for giving me the most beautiful gift I could ever receive. More beautiful than I ever imagined.” Peter replied with a dreamy glint in his eyes.
“Babe, you’re crying.” You whispered as you leaned your head towards Peter and rested your forehead against his. Peter wiped his eyes and laughed.
“I didn’t even realize.” Peter brushed away his unnoticed tears for the second time that day.
“Mom, Dad, we need a name.” A nurse called from a table in the corner. She was busy making up the baby’s birth certificate. You and Peter hadn’t decided on a name yet, thinking you had at least three more weeks until the baby was born. You looked down at your baby, and then up at Peter. Peter was still crying, probably without his knowledge again, while stroking your baby’s head. He was saying soft “hi”’s and “hello”’s with the biggest smile on his face. All his movements were gentle. You felt your heart glow as a name came to you.
“Benjamin Anthony Parker.” You answered. You looked at Peter for approval. His attention snapped to you and an disbelieving smile appeared on his face.
“Are you sure?” He asked you.
“I’m absolutely sure. Those were two important men in your life who couldn’t be here to see the most beautiful thing to ever exist. They deserve to have their names passed on to him. And he deserves to have those names. What do you think?” You asked Peter. Peter nodded as more tears fell from his soft brown eyes.
“I love it.” He answered. He pressed another kiss to your lips. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“Anything for my boys.” You smiled.
You told the nurse the names and she finished filling out the certificate. Another nurse came by to wash Benjamin and wrap him in a baby blue blanket. He was taken out of the room for a while to get his vitals checked as well and his hands and feet stamped. You and Peter missed him every second he was away. When he returned, he had on a little hospital bracelet that matched yours. He was placed in a little bin next to your bed that had his name written on it in a blue card. His name was surrounded by baby bunnies and chicks. It was very fitting. You tiredly laid back in your bed and watched as he slept.
“You can go to bed, love. I’ll watch him.” Peter offered.
“I don’t want to sleep. I don’t want to miss a thing.” You mumbled with a happy smile. You reached out and placed a hand on his bin.
“Baby, we have the rest of our lives to watch him sleep.” Peter laughed. “You need to rest. You’ve been through a lot today.”
“I’m not even tired.” You said through a yawn. Peter chuckled and rubbed your cheek.
“Go to bed, love.” He said softly. You sighed and rolled over. Everything hurt. Every single thing. Even your hair was hurting.
“Fine. Good night.” You said.
“It’s three in the afternoon.” Peter reminded you.
“Peter, I just pushed a human being out of my baby. If I say it’s night, it’s night.” You replied as you closed your eyes.
“And I thank you and women everywhere for doing that. Now get some rest.” Peter kissed your forehead and pulled your blanket to cover you.
Shortly after you fell asleep, Ben woke up. He started crying and Peter worried he’d wake you up. Carefully, Peter lifted Ben out of his bin and took him into the hallway. He walked around for a bit and stopped in front of a large window. The sun was shining brightly on the pavement outside. It was a beautiful day. The most beautiful day Peter had even seen.
“You see that?” Peter asked Ben as he held his son close to a window. “Before you, that was the only sun I knew.”
Ben gurgled and looked at Peter with wide eyes. Peter smiled fondly.
“Isn’t it lovely?” Peter asked as he began to bounce Ben gently. “It’s shining just for you.”
Ben blinked and held out an arm. Peter moved his thumb from under Bens head to Bens chest. Ben wrapped his tiny fingers around Peters thumb and held it. It was the first thing he ever held.
“That’s right.” Peter said, as if Ben said something in return. “The sun shines just for you. And the birds sing just for you, the world turns just for you. And my heart,” Peter held his sons hand over his heart as Ben looked around frantically, “my heart beats just for you.”
Peters eyes filled with tears again, much to his dismay. Peter didn’t want his vision to be blurred by tears. He didn’t want anything to get in his way of seeing Ben.
“Peter Parker, you better not be getting tears on our son.” Your voice came from behind Peter. Peter turned around and saw you in a wheelchair with a happy smile on your face. A nurse was pushing you around.
“What are you doing up?” Peter asked you with an equally happy smile. You were glowing from the days work.
“They had to give me some stitches. What are you doing with our son in a freezing cold hallway?” You asked in return. Peter suddenly became aware of how cold it was. He hadn’t even noticed. His son kept him warm from the inside out.
“I was just showing Benji the world.” Peter answered.
“Benji? Already nicknaming him I see.” You teased as you wheeled yourself over to Peter. Peter bent down so you could see Ben as well.
“Well, you called him “cupcake” earlier. At least I’m not calling our son a dessert two minutes after he’s born.” Peter teased back.
“But he’s my little cupcake.” You cooed as you gently took Ben from Peters arms. Peter admired the sight of his beautiful wife holding his beautiful son.
“May is almost here, by the way. And my parents are on their way. Ned is flying out tomorrow, MJ will be here Thursday, and the entire Avengers team is in the lobby waiting for us to let them in. I’ve been told Morgan is especially excited to be an aunt.” You recited to names off. You had finally been able to use your phone and tell everyone the good news. That was the news you received back.
Peter had mixed feelings about everyone seeing his kid. Part of him was overjoyed to let other people bask in the glory that was Benjamin Anthony Parker. When you found something this beautiful, you just had to share it. But part of him worried they’d be too jealous that the most perfect baby in the world was Peters and not theirs. And a third part of him lamented who wouldn’t be there to see Ben. His parents, Tony, and his namesake, Uncle Ben. Peter was the happiest he’d ever been at the birth of his child. But he was also sad about who couldn’t celebrate it with him.
“I’m ready if you are.” Peter said. You could tell something was bothering him, but you decided to talk about it later when it was just the two of you.
You hadn’t lied. The entire Avengers team was there.
Morgan and Pepper were the first to hold Ben. Pepper assisted Morgan and gave her one of those pillows that helps you hold babies.
“Hi baby Ben. I’m your aunt Morgan. I love you 3000.” Morgan told Ben. She looked up happily at you and Peter. You and Peter smiled proudly at her. She was already a great aunt.
Cap and Bucky were next. Steve was a natural at holding babies. You didn’t even have to show him how.
“How’d you get so good at this?” You asked Steve with a smile.
“I had to hold a million babies on the Captain America tour. Women practically threw them at me.” Steve reminisced.
Bucky, on the other hand, was very nervous about holding Ben. Apparently, no one had ever let him do it before. He’d never even been around a child (according to Bucky, Sam was the closest he’d gotten). He worried he wouldn’t hold him right, or that his metal arm would be too cold. You held Ben out to him and he looked fearful.
“Are you sure?” Bucky looked at you. “I won’t be offended if you don’t want me too. I know what I’ve done.”
You and Peter looked at each other and nodded. You carefully placed Ben in Bucky’s arms, keeping his head in his real arm. Steve showed him how it was done. Bucky looked at your little baby and felt his heart melt. He smiled and bounced the baby as he’d seen Peter do.
Sam kept cracking jokes about Peter having a baby, despite being a baby himself.
Thor brought a tiny crown with the finest Asgardian jewels embellished in it. He held Ben and looked quite comical with such a tiny baby in his huge arms. Thor placed his hammer gently in Bens small fist and closed his own hand around it, making it look like Ben was holding the hammer.
“The tiny human is worthy!” Thor bellowed. He laughed triumphantly. You and Peter giggled as well.
May cried almost as hard as Peter had, especially when she heard the baby’s name.
Everyone else took their turns holding Ben. Your baby boy was showered in compliments and affection.
By the end of the day, when it was just you two, you and Peter collapsed on your hospital bed with Ben in your arms.
“I’m exhausted.” Peter stated. He pressed a soft kiss to yours and Bens head.
“You think you’re exhausted? An actual human came out of me.” You laughed. You snuggled Ben closer to your chest.
“I know, lover.” Peter sat up and kissed your lips sweetly. “You can rest. I’ll watch Ben.”
You had fallen asleep before Peter even finished his sentence. He laughed and pressed another kiss to your temple.
“Thank you, you beautiful, amazing woman. You’ve given me more than you could ever know.” Peter whispered. He gently picked up Ben and rocked him back and forth.
“Hey Benji.” Peter said softly, not to wake you up. “I hope you had a good first day in the world.”
Peter bounced his son in his arms and walked around the room.
“I definitely had a good day.” Peter laughed softly. “This is the greatest day of my life. Don’t tell your mom, though. She still thinks our wedding was the greatest day. You weren’t at our wedding. That’s why this is better.”
Bens eyes were open now and looked up at Peter. Peter could see the whole world in those eyes.
“I’m gonna take such good care of you.” Peter promised. “My dad wasn’t there for me, but I know he wanted to be. I promise. I’m gonna be the greatest dad in the whole world. You’re gonna have the best life, I swear. I will give you everything I have. I’m gonna give you the whole world. Because that’s what you’ve given me. Just by existing.”
Ben let out a gurgle and Peter chuckled.
“I can’t wait to talk to you. And show you things. I’ll teach you everything I know. I’m gonna swing you around the city in my arms one day. Unless you’re afraid of heights. Then we can do something on the ground with your mom.” Peter smiled at the thought of sharing his superhero life with his son.
“I’m gonna love you. And I’m gonna be there for you. Always. I’m never gonna leave you. You’re never gonna know pain. I’d never let that happen. I will never let anything, or anyone hurt you. I’m gonna protect you from everything bad in this world. You know why?” Peter asked.
“Why?” Peter answered himself in a funny voice, pretending it was Ben.
“Because you’re everything good in this world. And I love you. My baby boy.” Peter smiled as more tears fell from his eyes. “My Benji.”