╔══════════════════╗

ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING
POST-CREDITS

╚══════════════════╝

   RILEY WAS SO IN LOVE. She was so unbelievably in love with Peter Parker. She loved everything about him—from his eagerness to help others to his unhealthy obsession with Aunt May's cherry pie. Even watching him pace around their home reminded her of how much she loved him. Riley was convinced that after a little more than nine years, her love has only grown.

   "You know, I think if you keep pacing around like that, you might pick up speed and fly away," commented Riley Stark, amusement lighting up her radiant face.

   Peter Parker stopped in his tracks to shoot the woman a little glare. Riley laughed from her spot on the couch. "Aw, c'mon, amor," she beckoned. She rose to her feet, approaching him and wrapping her arms around his torso. "You know I'm kidding."

   "Believe me, I know," replied Peter. "I married you because you're a comedian, remember?"

   Riley rolled her eyes. "Funny," she replied with a matching tone. Still, she smiled at him like she had every day since their wedding last year in the late Spring of 2032.

   The corners of Peter's lips flickered upward. He couldn't even pretend to be mad at her. "I thought you were the funny one?" he taunted, pinching her cheek just like how she would to him.

   "I am," Riley lightly confirmed. She took his hand, their fingers webbing together. She gently pulled him toward the front door. "Come on. I refuse to be late to the greatest dinner in history. Dad keeps spam texting me because he's alone with Roman."

   Peter grimaced. "Alone? With Roman? Jesus, I wouldn't do that to my worst enemy."

   Riley narrowed her eyes at him. "Didn't you cry when he gave a speech at our wedding?"

   Hesitation crossed the man's face. "Uh, well... that was because he went on right after Mr. Stark," he excused. "Roman just got my... leftover tears."

   Riley stopped walking to stare at her husband skeptically. "Leftover tears?" she repeated. He nodded. "That's what you're going with?"

   Silence blossomed between the couple. Peter was at a loss for words. Riley had a point, after all. Roman did give a tearjerking speech, which surprised everybody because of how intolerable he was most of the time. Who would've thought that the brooding alien had such a way with words?

   So, instead of replying with something relevant, Peter decided to say something else to make himself look better.

   "Hey, have I ever told you that I love you?" he wondered. "Like, a lot? So much? Is hella a proper measurement?"

   Riley smiled at him. "Changing the subject, are we?" she teased, to which Peter just pretended he had no clue what she was talking about. She studied him for a short moment before adding, "So, I'm guessing you're not worried anymore?"

   Peter didn't hesitate to answer, "Oh, no. I'm still nervous."

   Riley released her hand to straighten Peter's tie. "It's just a family dinner!" she reminded him. "What's so worrying about that?"

   A scoff escaped him. "Well, when you put it like that, it doesn't sound so bad," he mentioned. "Riles, I'm going to dinner with all the Avengers I grew up idolizing and my wife whom I also grew up idolizing. Of course, I'm nervous!"

   Riley internally awed at how Peter spoke of her family—the people that made up her village. Furthermore, Riley couldn't believe that she successfully convinced the Avengers, both new and old, to gather for a belated Christmas dinner at the Stark household. Maybe Riley really was the glue of the Avengers. If anyone else had tried to pull that off, they would've failed.

   "Stop laughing at me!" weakly whined Peter. "These guys are legends! Like, what am I supposed to do if Steve freaking Rogers asks me to pass him the salt?"

   "Well, you just pick up the salt and hand it to him," Riley matter-of-factly explained. "But I'm gonna warn you. He really likes his salt, so I'd start rehearsing what you're gonna say if that happens."

   Riley couldn't refrain from snickering when Peter's eyes widened. In all honesty, she couldn't process his worries. Spider-Man had fought with his favorite heroes time and time again. Hell, one time he even fought against some of them. Yet after all that, Peter Parker was still in awe of the heroes that came before him. Some things just never change.

   "Everyone loves you, Pete. Remember how excited they were to see you at the Senate a few months ago?" Riley reminded him. She pulled her arms around his neck, gently running her hands through his hair. "Don't worry! I'll be right there with you."

   Peter smiled at her as his worries melted away. Riley had that effect on him. "You always know exactly what to say. It's kind of annoying," he admitted, earning a little triumphant giggle from Riley. "Hey, I love you."

   "That's a relief," she humorously mumbled, kissing him gently before pulling away. "And I love you. Like, a hella lot." The two chortled at the remark.

   Riley started to head toward the front door once more while adding, "Now, do you have the fake pregnancy test?"

   His hand went into his pocket, fishing out a small pregnancy test with two pink lines on it. See, Riley and Peter thought it would be hilarious to scare everyone into thinking the two were expecting a baby. With all the people Riley held nearest to her heart gathering in one place, the married couple just couldn't pass up the opportunity to prank them.

   A satisfied smile crept onto her face. "You complete me, babe."

   Peter scoffed. "Nah," he denied. "You complete yourself. I'm just a cool bonus."

   Despite swooning, Riley shook her head. "Yeah, yeah," she replied. "Let's get going already. I still have to figure out what Wanda's planning for her New Years' party."

   "I forgot New Year was this week," Peter confessed. "I hope 2034 is good."

   "Me too," she said as they stepped outside. "At least we know that nothing will be as bad as the Christmas of 2023."

   "That was a mess," he commented, to which Riley nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's go, boss. Wherever you lead, I'll follow."

   Humming, Riley challenged, "And if I led you to hell?"

   "Define hell?"

   "Uhh, the It's A Small World ride at Disney?"

   Peter's face twisted with disgust. He had to think about it for a few seconds before deciding, "I'd follow you in a heartbeat, but you'd have to hold my hand."

   The two stood outside, laughing amongst one another without a care in the world. A cold wind brushed past their faces, slapping their cheeks and noses until they turned red. The sun was slowly beginning to set, indicating the end of the day, the end of another chapter of their lives.

   Peter glanced down at his wife as an idea emerged in his head. His brown eyes lit up with eagerness. "Hey, wanna race to your parents' place?" he suggested. He pulled up his sleeves to reveal his web-shooters.

   She had to consider it. "I dunno," admitted Riley. "Will you be too full for dinner after eating my dust?"

   Peter pretended her words had actually hurt him by placing his hand over his heart. "Ouch," he exaggerated. "That's a lot of trash talk for someone who lost last time."

   Scoffing, Riley returned, "Uh-huh, sure. Alright, it's settled. We're racing. But if my hair gets messed up, I'm messing yours up, too."

   Peter didn't seem to mind. "It doesn't matter. You're beautiful no matter what."

   Riley's jaw dropped at his words. Peter wasn't always very smooth, but when he was, it always took Riley off-guard. Luckily for him, that had been his intention. The moment Peter's words settled in her brain, he had already taken off swinging throughout the city in the direction of the Stark cabin.

   When Riley realized what was going on, she shouted, "You asshole!" His laughter echoed throughout New York as she pressed the buttons on her silver cuffs. Her suit materialized across her body.

   "Good evening, Ms. Valor," JOCASTA greeted. "You have several missed texts from your father. Would you like me to read them to you?"

   Riley had already levitated into the air on a flattened forcefield. "No, thanks," she denied. The wind whistled in her ears as she flew forward. "Give me the fastest route to their place, please!"

   "Sure thing."

   And so, Valor and Spider-Man sped off into the sunset. Motivation and pride surged throughout their bodies as they raced alongside each other. The people of New York would soon look up at the heroes, pointing in awe and taking pictures to share on social media. Some even shouted their names and their hero aliases.

   Other than figuring out how to win the race, Riley was busily thinking about how everyone would react to their pregnancy prank. Surely, she would have to be the one to settle everyone down, but then again, she wasn't too worried about that part. After all, Riley's certainly accumulated a lot of babysitting experience over the years that could help her out.

   Now that she was all grown up, Riley couldn't believe where her life ended up. Sure, it was impossible to escape the horrors life could throw at you, but there's always a silver lining in every story. Riley knew that no matter what, she would be just fine.

   Because for once, Riley wasn't the one chasing the sunshine after the storm anymore. Now, she was the sun, and life was finally paradise.

THE END

↯

RILEY J. STARK WILL RETURN AS VALOR IN MISADVENTURES IN PARADISE.

THE SEQUEL TO ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING IS OUT NOW!

THE PREQUEL, VALOR, IS OUT NOW!

○ ○ ○

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

SURPRISE BITCH

Before I get ahead of myself, I just want to say, there's a PREQUEL for this book called Valor that has already been published and completed! It entails Riley's life and journey before this book, which includes many of the MCU films up until Spider-Man: Homecoming! If you liked this book, you should check that one out for sure!

Now, this post-credits chapter occurs 10 years into the future in December of 2033. You know what that means, right? IT'S TIME FOR A SEQUEL, BABY! Come on, you didn't think I'd drop that kind of ending on you without showing you everything that happens in between, right?

The sequel is called Misadventures in Paradise, which follows Riley's life as she struggles with juggling her duties as the leader of the Avengers and trying to live a somewhat normal life as a teenager. She has to constantly choose between the universe and what she really cares about, such as her relationship with Peter and her friends.

It's a combination of Valor and Adventures in Babysitting. This means it will follow events that occur in various MCU films and shows, specifically Phase 4 (like WandaVision, FATWS, and FFH), but there will be my classic twists and turns (especially since my fics diverge a bit from what happens in the movies). There will be some original plots in there, too. It'll be fun! It's a lot of different things going on that all affect Riley (and Roman and Peter, etc) a lot!

The sequel is an OPTIONAL read, as well as the prequel! I wanted to solidify Riley and Peter's happy ending here because this is the main story you guys signed up for. BUT if you're interested in reading more about Riley's life throughout the MCU, that's where the sequel comes in!

ONE LAST TIME, thank you all so, so much for your endless love, support, and kindness. i'm thankful this story has positively touched so many of you, including myself. i love you all 3,000, and if you're ever suddenly reminded of how much you hate the russo brothers, know that this book will always be a safe haven for you.

thank you for everything. all my love,
liza <3

(PS I LOVE RILEY SO MUCH)