Chapter 26: Surprises

"So no matter what, I promise you, if you need us...if you need me...I'll be there."
- Steve Rogers

After announcing her pregnancy the family celebrated the whole afternoon, talking about wether it was a boy or a girl. Carter was certain it was a girl while Ember and Angela believed it was a boy. It was a night full of laughter and happiness and as the time for Ned Leeds to come pick her up grew closer she wished for that night to be as great as the last.

"What do you think?" Ember asked as she twirled her way to the living room where Angela was reading a book. The dress was very simple but Ember loved it, she was never one for showing off and she wouldn't want a dress that screamed 'hey look at me!'

Looking up from her book Angela gasped and clapped at the sight of the teenager. "You look beautiful!" Angela praised as she walked closer to her to get a better look. "Its a good thing your father is at work or he wouldn't allow you to leave the house!"

"Thanks" Ember grinned happily as Angela beamed at her. "I was wondering if you could help me with the hair?"

Angela smiled and guided her back to her room to help her. It reminded her of a younger Ember, when her hair looked a mess because her father never knew how to tie it up properly. Angela was the one who taught her how to do it, along with many other things. She treated her like her own daughter and Ember couldn't be happier to know that the little baby growing in her stomach was going to have the best mother.

"There you go" Angela said after a few minutes, leaving the brush back on the counter. Ember's blonde locks were on a braided half updo with a silver hair clip holding it together. Ember took a deep breath a bit nervous as she stared at her reflection. It was funny, the teenager was able to fight crime and head into action without hesitation but when it came to high school dance she was just a normal teenager, terrified of her first school dance.

"Oh I almost forgot!" Angela exclaimed just as she was about to leave the teenager to finish getting ready. "This came earlier for you" she smiled, handing her a small brown package and leaving her to it.

Ember frowned looking at the mysterious package. It had no name or any label, and even if it had any clue the girl wouldn't be able to read it. It appeared like the package came from a long way, since all the writings were on a language she couldn't identify. For a second she wondered if it was even a good idea to open it, maybe it wasn't even meant for her and there had been some sort of mistake, but in the end curiosity killed the cat and by the time she gave it a second though she had already ripped the brown paper apart. Inside there was a letter and a small box, now she was almost certain there had been some sort of mistake and that wasn't meant for but she still decided to open the letter. Unlike what she first thought the letter was indeed addressed to her and as soon as she saw the calligraphy she knew who wrote it.

Dear Ember,
I know it's been a while and for that I'm very sorry but this are tough times and I'm afraid communication isn't always possible.
First of all, I wanted to let you know that I'm alright so stop worrying about this old man. Don't even try to deny it, we both know you've been beating yourself up about somethings. I made my decision and I took a risk, now I'm paying the price and no matter how much I miss you I'm glad you got away and I'm glad you are safe.
Second of all, happy birthday Ember, I know I'm late but like I said I couldnt write before. I was thinking about our first meeting the other day, you were so little and shy clinging desperately to Anastasia's hand, its hard to believe you are growing up so fast and that I'm not there to see you but know that I love you and that I'm always a call away if you ever need me.
Anyway, I got you a little something, sorry for the delay but I had to call in a couple favors to get it. Its not much but I thought it might be time to hang up the old cloak. Take care kid, we'll talk soon.

Love, SGR

Ember couldn't help but smile as she read the letter. It was like no matter what , Steve always knew how to make her smile. She had been worried about him since Germany and it was nice to finally hear from him. Even if she still had no idea where he was, at least she knew he was safe. Ember read the letter a second time before carefully folding it and saving it on the jewelry box she kept in her bookshelf. It wasn't a special box by any means but it held her most priced possessions.

Then, she went for the small black box and opened it. Inside laid a simple silver bracelet with a beautiful snowflake charm that had a tiny stone in the middle. It was very pretty yet simple and she loved it. Carefully lifting it and watching it closely she noticed some weird engravings on the inside, again in that unknown language. Shrugging it off Ember went to try, only to feel a stinging sensation as soon as the charm touched her wrist. With a grimace Ember went to take it off only to find it almost holding onto her skin but the slight pain was gone as soon as it came. Starting to panic she tried to pry it off, when suddenly a small screen appeared from her wrist, like the little black stone was projecting it, and if that weren't enough it began speaking.

"Identity confirmed" a computer like voice announced. She watched in awe as some of her information began appearing on the screen. It had everything, from her name to her blood type, along with her vital signs.

"Hello, Ember" A new voice said, with a very strong accent. Suddenly the image of a young girl came to view as she kept talking. "My name is Shuri, your friend asked me to make you a suit and after I saw that cloak you wear I decided to try and make something interesting." At this point Ember was extremely confused, she though Steve sent her a simple bracelet but apparently there was more to it than what met the eye. "This bracelet has acquired a sample of your blood in order to identify you as the owner of this special gift. I'm sure you are confused, but before I explain why don't you try it on?" As soon as she said that, some kind of particles began covering her from the neck to her feet, creating some sort of white fabric as they went. Ember was quick to take a look in her body length mirror and was absolutely stunned by what she saw.

The suit covered her entire body on an almost silver fabric with some navy blue details on the wrists and some kind of boots in the same color. There wasn't any kind of mask but there was some type of armor headpiece that kept her hair out of her face. And right on her chest there was the image of a snowflake almost identical to the charm on the bracelet. It was definitely an improvement from her old cloak.

"Cool, right?" The voice of Shuri shook her out of it and brought her attention back to the video projecting from the snowflake cuff on her right wrist. "And that's just the beginning" Even if it was a recording it was almost like the Shuri in the video knew exactly what was going through Ember's head. "This suit has been design to resist your body temperature no matter how cold you get. By using some kinetic energy it is able to resist energy from any incoming source hold it and be able to release it later.
With the kimoyo bead in your cuff you'll be able to use it as a communication device, not to mention you'll be able to use it as a tracking device if needed. Im sure you'll find my design useful and that you'll find some surprises along the way" Shuri announced smirking a little at her last words, making Ember questions just what kind of surprises there could be "Good luck to you, Ember Snow." And with that the image disappeared leaving Ember to keep staring at her brand new suit, still trying to process all the information.

That's when the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of her date. "Shit" Ember silently cursed as she tried to figure out how to get off the suit. She discovered it was way easier than she thought with just one mental command the suit began retreating back to the bracelet like it was never there in the first place. And just like that Ember was back on her homecoming dress with her hair back on its half updo and her make up still intact.

"I'll get the door while you finish grabbing your things okay?" Angela announced knocking on her door.

Trying to get her thoughts away from the whole suit and Steve ordeal Ember gave herself one las look before putting on a bright smile and grabbing her purse, giving her bracelet a nervous tuck as she left her room.

"There she is!" Angela said happily as she saw Ember walking out of her room all ready to go.

What Ember saw once she came to the living room was not what she was expecting. There sitting on her couch and chatting to her stepmother was no other than Peter Parker himself looking all dressed up on his black suit. Sitting next to him was a very nervous Ned Leeds and a happy May Parker, the latter completely oblivious to his nephew's nervous thoughts.

When Liz told him she had a plan to help him win Ember back, sitting on her apartment waiting for her to freeze him on the spot wasn't what he had in mind. Her plan was simple and the senior felt confident about what she referred to as her 'Peter-proof 5 Steps Plan'.

Step 1: Get Ned to ask Ember to go earlier to the restaurant so that his mother wouldn't be able to drive them.

Step 2: Ask May to give the three of them a ride to the restaurant where Peter will try to charm Ember into agreeing to saving him at least one dance.

Step 3: Have May take them to Liz' house where she'll put in a good word for him and try to get Ember to take him back.

Step 4: Liz' dad will take them to the dance where Peter will ask Ember to dance to romantic ballad Liz will get Flash to play.

Step 5: Peter gives Ember the gift he bought and the two of them kiss under the lights in a totally romantic scene.

Sounds simple enough. It shouldn't be that hard and as Liz said, not even Peter Parker would be able to mess up something so simple. Worst case scenario she completely rejects him and he spends the last of his high school career in shame and crying over the girl he was too stupid to lose. Doesn't sound that bad, right?

Now, sitting on her grey couch trying to go through the five steps over and over again is his head, he feels almost confident that she won't kill him at first sight in front of so many witnesses. But as soon as he saw her walk into the room all steps flew out the window. He completely forgot everything around him and the only thing on his mind was her. How perfect she looked on her simple dress and the smile on her face that showed her dimples until the smile washed away as soon as she laid eyes on him, reminding him of their situation. He could see in her face she wasn't expecting him, obviously, but he could definitely see she wasn't thrilled about it either.

Peter realized all eyes were on him, May looked at him expectantly while Ned looked at him completely on sure on what he was supposed to do, Angela was even giving him and encouraging yet subtle nod urging him to say something.

"You look pretty" he babbled, nervously playing with his hands as Ember looked at him "oh not like ah, I mean you look really pretty today" he rambled, Ember raised her eyebrows and everyone cringed at his choice of words "I mean not just today but like" the words just kept flowing and he just couldn't stop them "ouch" Peter groaned as his aunt kicked his leg in a way that clearly said 'please stop talking'.

"What's going on here?" Ember asked through a fake smile, ignoring Peter's ramble as she looked into Ned's direction with a look that almost made the boy pee his pant.

Ned opened and closed his mouth to nervous to even say anything. He knew Ember was going to be mad, but he hoped that the night would end with her and Peter making up and she wouldn't hate him for the rest of their lives. Peter discreetly pinched his best friend in the arm to tell him to say what they rehearsed before Ember got tired of waiting and ended up refusing to go anywhere.

"Dude" Ned cried, not really getting the message and glaring at Peter like he was crazy.

"You didn't tell me it was a group date!" Angela gushed at her stepdaughter trying to break the tension with her sweet smile. "Sounds fun"

"Oh don't worry, no one told me either" Ember scolded, crossing her arms and glaring at the two other teenagers in the room who were to busy arguing with each other to even listen.

"Actually," May interjected, smiling at the two Snow's while nudging her nephew to get him to cut it out. "Ned's mom couldn't make it so she asked me to fill in"

"That's really nice of you" Angela said gleefully before a still unsure Ember could intervene. "Well, picture time!" She announced holding up her camera paying no mind to Ember's groan.

❅

[word count; 2461]

A/n: This was supposed to be way longer but since its been a while I figured I'd publish something even if its not that great

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