Andromeda Banner: A Marvel Universe Story

“Sam!?’ I call as I walk through the front door, ‘I’m home!” I call, unnecessarily, as I take my key out of the lock and shut the door.

He snorts as he walks around the corner, “Really? I had no idea!’ He says with a playful smirk; I stick my tongue out as I hang my keys on the hook, ‘Can I tell you something? It’s a little odd, but one of the stories at the VA today got me thinkin’.’ I raise an eyebrow and nod, signaling for him to continue, ‘Your respect and friendship mean the world to me, sweetie… I just wanted to let you know that…’ He hugs me tightly, resting his cheek on the top of my head, ‘I am so happy I said I’d take you in. I couldn’t have imagined that decision leading to such a wonderful relationship.”

I smile as we pull away, “I couldn’t have either, Sam.... I won’t lie, it’s been hard without my dad around, but you’ve made the transition easier…’ I bite my lip as I run a hand through my hair, ‘And I’m gonna stop this here, because we’re in serious danger of this gettin’ sappy, and we both know that neither of us is good at that.”

We laugh as we walk into the kitchen and sit at the table, “Alright, so what homework do you have? I know you’re officially on break, but McKinley’s given work over break, before.’ I nod, ‘And I know you won’t need help with your Double AP Physics, not that I could help very much anyway…”

He trails off as we share a smile and I unzip my backpack, “I have AP Calc.’ I laugh as he gives me his ‘bitch please’ look, ‘Okay, how about AP US History?”

He nods, “What do you need to do?” He asks as I take the folder out of my bag.

“A five-page report on World War 2; we get to choose our own emphasis, and I’m choosing Captain America and the Howling Commandoes…’ I explain as I run my fingers through my hair, ‘Single space, 12-point font… Easy enough.”

He nods, “Okay, so museum tomorrow?”

I smile as I put the folder away, “Sounds fun! I wish I could ask my great-grandmother, but I don’t want to upset her…’ I shake my head to clear it, ‘Ooh! Can we go to the…”

“Air and Space Museum.’ He finishes for me, eliciting a blush that I attempt to hide by burying my face in my Calculus homework, ‘Sure sweetie. We’ll go to the Captain America Exhibit in the morning and A&S after lunch. I’m assuming you don’t have to get anything for school?”

I shake my head, “I’m good until school starts again. Oh! How’d the rest of the VA session go?”

He smiles as he tells me everything he can, while I finish my Calculus and Physics; I pull out my Biotech folder and finish the study packet, “What’s for dinner tonight?” I ask as I put the folder back in my bag and pull out the book for Honors English.

“Grilled chicken stir-fry…’ He answers as he grabs the chicken from the fridge, ‘When are you supposed to have that book done?”

“We’re supposed to have the first four books of the series, along with the packets for each, before we come back from break.”

“And… which book are you on?” He asks with a smirk.

“The seventh." I answer with a smile.

“Seventh?! How many are there?”

“Uhm… Thirteen Novels and four Novellas.’ He shakes his head, ‘They’re really good, too. Do you need any help?”

He smiles, “Sure.’ I mark my place, putting the book on the table before walking over to him, ‘Chop the vegetables, while I make the chicken.’ He says as he hands me a knife, ‘Be careful.”

I stick my tongue out, “I know how to use a knife, Sam.”

He chuckles as he holds his hands up, “I know, I know. Oh, how’d your Robotics Club meeting go today?”

I grin as I finish chopping the first few vegetables, “Great! We’re almost done with the robot we started.’ He raises an eyebrow, knowing we only started it, three days ago, ‘What? We’re dedicated!”

He snorts, “Dedicated?! You’re borderline obsessed!’ I laugh as I finish the rest of the vegetables, ‘Five teenagers finishing a robot as complex as you told me it is, in what is technically only three days, should be impossible.’ He shrugs, ‘Then again, your club does have a massive advantage… They have you, after all.”

I bite my lip as I blush, “Alright, that’s enough. We’re teetering on sappy again.’ We laugh as we put the vegetables in the skillet, ‘Oh! The Club got the go ahead to sign up four members for the National League.”

He turns his ever-smiling face to me, “That’s great! It’s too bad you can’t go, though.”

I shrug, “Eh, I don’t mind… Besides, I’d rather focus on Junior ROTC. Oh! That reminds me: Do you know what your plans are for the Fourth of July and Veteran’s Day?”

He considers for a moment, “I’m taking the VA Vets to see the Changing of the Guard and Memorials on Veteran’s Day… On the Fourth I’m taking them to Arlington, why?”

“My Commander’s taking us to Arlington and the War Memorials, including the Holocaust Museum, on both days, to lay flowers and pay respects… He wanted to know if you could accompany us.”

He thinks for a moment, “I might know someone who can… I’ll give him a call and let you know. When do you have to give an answer?”

“Before summer break starts.’ I answer as I grab the plates, glasses, and silverware and put them on the table, ‘Who are you gonna ask?”

“Colonel Rhodes.’ He says as he brings the food over on a platter, ‘He was my commander when I was just starting out… You’ve seen him on the news.”

I nod as we sit down, “Oh yeah. He’s friends with Tony Stark…. Isn’t he War Machine?”

He nods, “Yeah.”

After a dinner filled with explanations about the series I’m reading and my Army JROTC training, I help with the dishes, before grabbing my pajamas from my room and going through my nightly routine.

“I’ll wake you in the morning, sweetie.’ He mumbles into my hair as we hug, ‘Sweet dreams.”

I bite my lip again, knowing that they won’t be, but smile anyway, “You too, Sam…. Thanks… for everything. I know I’ve said it before and that you’ve told me that I don’t…”

He gives me his classic ‘shut your mouth’ look, “You’re welcome, Andromeda. Good night.” He says as he kisses my head again.

“Good night.”