November 1st, 2015

      "She survived Halloween; sadly I had to work and was gone that evening, but Ophelia found ways to keep herself comfortable. As usual, a book, a ridiculously large pot of coffee, and the knowledge that the only person who would be coming to the door would be me at the early hours of the morning. She was asleep on the couch when I got home, her legs tucked underneath her and her head twisted in an uncomfortable position against the arm of the couch. I knew she'd be sore the next day if she slept like that all night, so I brought her to bed and she didn't even wake. She's getting better, better at handling the nights that I'm not there. This has got to be the third time that she's fallen asleep before I got home on a night she didn't work earlier.

        Not even the fireworks woke her, and they went on all throughout the night. I stayed awake a while, putting away her dishes and turning off the coffee maker that was too old to have it's own automatic shut off. I dog-earred her book and closed one of the windows. That's when I saw the stack of newspapers that had piled up higher than I knew possible. The one on top was still bright, the black ink not faded to a dull grey like all the others had. I reached down and grabbed it, because Steve was in the headline. He'd been remunerated for his services. I didn't read what he'd earned it for, I didn't need to know, because I knew that he deserved it. I still can't help but wonder, wonder how he is doing, but what matters is that he's alive, and O and me are safe. I know Steve would never intentionally out us, but where he went, the press followed.

        I can't look at them, all those papers in regards to Steve and the Avengers. I think O likes to live vicariously through their lives. I think she likes the idea of being one of them, the powers she has would benefit them incredibly. Imagine that; O as an Avenger. I wonder, if she chose that life, would they take her? Steve would, but would the rest? Would the United States allow her to enter again? Oh there are so many questions that will never be posed, never be answered. I look at O and think about how much she could change the world, but all she wants is to be with me, here in this life we have.

       I'd give her more if I could, which reminds me, I've figured out what I am going to do for this pseudo-birthday."