Chapter 25

AMERICA'S POV

"I don't know how you've never been to a Halloween party before," Steve comments from the bathroom.

I shrug even though he can't see me. I've been excited about this party for a while now, but after a week of not being able to sleep well and fighting off some irritating cold, I found it extremely hard to find the motivation to change from leggings into leather pants, which is a pretty crucial part of my costume.

Forget spandex super suits. Leather pants are a new level of tight.

"I'll be nice to see everyone else," I volunteer while applying cherry red lipstick. The makeup gives my pale face some life. Earlier today I looked like the walking dead. I still feel like the walking dead, but I can look killer all the same.

On top of that, I'm really ecstatic about tonight. We've finally gotten everything squared away. Our lives are going to change forever, and I couldn't be more excited.

Steve walks into the bedroom wearing a pair of black skinny jeans and a fitted black t-shirt, his blonde hair slicked back. A smile works its way across my face. "Hey there, Zuko," I tease, winking.

"Sandy," he replies with a smile of his own. "You look gorgeous, doll."

"The outfit's too tight!" I complain, standing to show off my black leather pants and off the shoulder top. "How did Olivia Newton-John dance in this? I can barely fit in it, let alone move!"

He laughs and pulls me in for a side hug. "Don't worry. You'll be back to baggy clothes in a few hours."

"I'd better be," I threaten. Flouncing my hairsprayed pinup curls a final time, I slide on a set of red heels to complete the look. "Are you excited?" I ask giddily, bouncing up and down in my seat like a little kid.

He leans down and gives me a kiss on the cheek. His smile is wider than I've seen it in a long time. "Yeah, I am."

When I stand, I almost fall over. Steve grabs me before I whack my head off of something. It may or may not have happened before, but that time I tripped. "Are you okay?" He asks worriedly, rubbing my shoulders in a comforting way. "I thought you told me you were feeling better."

I nod. "Yeah. I just stood up too fast."

He still looks concerned. "Are you sure? You don't have to go tonight-"

"No!" I protest. "There is no way that I am missing tonight. We've been waiting for this day for months now. I have a cold or something. No big deal. I'm fine. Besides, I want to see Wanda." I haven't seen my sister in weeks, and she's going to be at the party tonight. "Plus, I somehow stuffed myself into these pants. They aren't coming off until... like next week, so I might as well go."

Steve laughs and says, "Come on, then." We walk out to the garage, where the only vehicle parked is Steve's motorcycle. We never bothered to get a car. If it isn't in running distance, we generally either don't go or take the motorcycle. Besides, I can't run in these shoes.

I slide on behind him and put my arms around his waist as we speed off. There's something so amazing about moving so quickly without actually running. I love riding on the motorcycle, although I do hate driving it myself.

I have no idea how Wanda convinced Dr. Strange to let her throw a Halloween party for charity in the Sanctum Sanctorum, but the place looks amazing and properly haunted. I'll have to compliment her - if I can find her, that is. The room is packed with people. Some of them are our friends and the rest are all of the VIP guests she invited to donate money. My sister has a heart of gold, but she also has a mind for business.

"You two look like you stepped out of The Outsiders or something," a familiar voice says. I grin and give Sam a hug. It's only been a few weeks, but I've still missed him.

"I thought you were kidding when you said you were going as me," Steve says, looking Sam up and down with a chuckle. He must've stolen one of the Captain America suits, and now he has the shield.

"Nope. I think I wear it better," Sam claims. He then poses dramatically with the shield.

"I strongly disagree," I say. "Although I'm a bit biased. You look great."

"If you think I look great, you should see your brother."

"Pietro? Where is he?" I crane my neck to find him, but I don't spot my brother in the crowd. Sam only shakes his head, a knowing smile on his face. "What? What is it?"

"You'll like his costume. That's all. My lips are sealed."

I roll my eyes playfully. "Whatever. I'm going to find Wanda."

"She was near the steps last time I saw her," Sam offers.

"Thanks!" I weave my way through the crowd, saying polite but short hellos to the different business executives in attendance and I completely ignore the press. They've messed with my life too many times over the years. Now I'm happy. They're not going to ruin that. I only make one stop on my way to finding my sister, and it's for a very important group of people. My personal VIPs. I made sure Wanda invited them.

"America!" High-pitched voices squeal. Somewhere around ten kids all run towards me at full speed and almost knock me over. I crouch down and embrace as many of them as I can. "America! America!"

A big smile stretches across my face. "Hi, guys!" They continue to tackle me with hugs, and I'm laughing uncontrollably, the discomfort I previously felt this evening evaporating into thin air. "It's so good to see you all!"

I've been spending a lot of my free time at the local orphanage in the last few months. When Wanda told me about the Halloween party she was planning, I instantly asked her to invite these kids. Most of them are below ten years old, and I love all of them. They bring out a different side of me.

"America, you look pretty!" A shy voice says.

I pull the little redhead girl in for a hug. "Thanks, Addi! I love your dress! You look just like Cinderella!"

"What about mine?" Another girl practically bounces up and down as she vies for my attention. "What about mine?"

"Yours too, Leah! Wow, you guys are all so amazing! Your costumes are great! Are you all having fun?"

"Yes! We got to meet Spiderman!" Joey exclaims, pointing to Peter Parker, who apparently decided to go as himself to protect his identity. I shake my head and laugh a bit. They tell me about the other famous superheroes they saw and the amazing food they tasted and which costumes are their favorites and how cool this place is. Kids are the best, they really are.

"That's so cool!" I make a mischievous face and point behind me. "If you go that way, Captain America and the Falcon are hanging out."

I'm barely finished speaking before they're all off, shouting goodbyes over their shoulders. I brush my pants off and stand, still wearing the biggest grin. I can't wait for later.

Finally, I spot the person I've been trying to find for the last twenty minutes. Wanda waves me over to the side of the room. "Val!" The minute I reach her, she throws her arms around me. "You look beautiful!"

"So do you!" Her mermaid costume fits her perfectly and her red curls fall loosely down her back. "This place is packed! How did you convince Stephen to let you do this?"

"Incessant nagging." Stephen himself joins us, a smirk on his pale face and a champagne flute in his hand. "Also, I was outnumbered."

Wanda rolls her eyes at the sorcerer. "It's not my fault Wong also wanted to have fun."

They bicker playfully for a few minutes and I mostly just listen. I'm glad she's happy living in the Sanctum. Just like me, she's finally found her place.

There are so many people here. Even though it's the last day of October, the room feels hot, stifling, and something I can faintly smell on the snack table makes me want to vomit. Nausea overcomes me and I lean against the wall until it goes away. I'm not going to let this stupid bug ruin what I think will be one of the best nights ever.

Someone taps me on the shoulder. "Hello."

I turn around to see Pietro and almost shriek in surprise. Why? Because he's wearing a burgundy spandex suit, silver paint on his hand, and a curly red wig.

He's me.

"You are such an idiot!" I laugh, flicking a few coppery locks of hair out of his face.

"Don't say that about yourself!" He laughs, and when he does, all of him laughs. "We could be twins, Valeria."

"Unlikely. I don't look that ridiculous when I fight crime," I say. Shaking my head, I ask, "Have you seen Steve?"

"Right here, doll." He puts an arm around my waist and pulls me closer. "You ready?"

I take a deep breath. "Yeah. Let's do it."

Hand in hand, we work our way through the crowd until we reach the group of chattering kids again. Right now, they're crowded around Sam, who's showing off the shield as if he created it himself.

"Hey, Addi?" Ten faces snap toward me. "Can we talk to you for a second?"

The little redhead nods. I hold out my hand to her and the three of us walk over to a quieter part of the room, her slightly too-big Cinderella dress trailing behind her. Steve and I kneel down to be on eye level with the five-year-old. My heart melts as she watches us nervously.

"Addi, do you like us?" I ask, squeezing her hand and giving her an encouraging smile. "Steve and I, I mean."

She nods enthusiastically. "Yeah! You're so nice and you take us places and Steve tells awesome stories and you give the best hugs. I love you guys!"

Steve and I exchange knowing glances. "I'm so glad that you do," Steve says. "We love you too. We were wondering if you want to come live with us."

She stays silent for a moment, her bright blue eyes widening significantly. "With you?" She repeats. "You want to be my mommy and daddy?"

A tear slips down my cheek. "Yeah, sweetie, we do," I say softly.

"Yes! Please! Yes!" She throws her arms around me and I hug her tightly. Steve wraps his arms around both of us, and it's all I can do to keep myself from sobbing, because we're finally becoming a family.

"In a few weeks we'll be able to officially adopt you and you'll come live with ys," Steve tells the girl. She holds onto every word he says, completely awed. His blue eyes well up with tears. "Welcome to the family, Addi."

It's not conventional or traditional, but then again, neither are we. It feels right, though. The day I met Addi at the orphanage, I knew there was something special about her. I brought Steve to meet all the kids a few weeks later, and he agreed with me. Ever since then, we've been working on renovating our spare bedroom and dealing with endless paperwork, but it was all worth it. It's finally happening.

I can't help it now. I cry.

I LOVE THIS CHAPTER!

If you didn't get it, Mer and Steve went as Sandy and Danny from Grease.

Leave comments and please vote! What do you think's gonna happen?

As always, stay safe and keep the faith. Happy Friday! Xo