A/N: Guess what, guys? We're there, at the final chapter of this tale. I seriously can't believe that this day has already come!

You guys, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, for your ABSOLUTELY AMAZING reviews, listings, love and support! It makes my heart sing that you've enjoyed the story and love Peter so much! (BEEEEEEEEAMS, and HUGS)

Are you ready? I really hope so, because here we go! I REALLY hope that you'll enjoy this conclusion!

Epilogue

Time passed by, as it tends to do without asking for a permission. Days… Weeks… Months… Years… Until the day dawned when Peter would've turned sixteen.

The memories had begun to fade. But someone like Peter Parker couldn't possibly disappear into the sands of time entirely. Tony's charity foundation, which carried the child's name, made sure of that. As did the photograph-collection on the hospital's wall. Over the years it'd grown exponentially when new children and their families wanted to include their snapshot. The legend of the boy who started it lived on.

And those adults, as well as kids, who got the chance to know Peter… How were they supposed to forget a boy who helped them as much as or even more than they helped him? That early morning Bruce felt a wave of warmth and melancholia while he looked at the collection.

It was a long and far from easy process. But Bruce stayed. He managed to start working at the hospital again. By some miracle Natasha was able to forgive him, and three years after his return from India they got married again. Less than a year more passed by before they encountered the greatest miracle of their lives.

A girl named Liz was found by Natasha and Clint after a car crash and rushed to the hospital. The accident claimed her mom's life when she leaned to shield her daughter. Her father had been sentenced to a life in prison not much earlier. The rest of her relatives wanted nothing to do with her, which meant that she had no one. She wasn't Bruce's patient but he ran into her accidentally, much like Tony met Peter for the first time. And the second they locked eyes Bruce knew that this was the child he and Natasha had been waiting for. (Which didn't make Gemini Constellation tattooed on his wrist, or the twins it honored, any less special.) They didn't know that she was Peter's Liz until much later, when they found a picture that had both kids on it.

"You led us to each other, didn't you?" Bruce whispered to a picture where Peter smiled radiantly. He was a man of science and rationality. But he really, truly wanted to believe that. And whether it was true or not, the fact stood that it was thanks to the little boy he ever came back home. He was more grateful for that gift than he'd ever be able to put into words.

"I thought you might stop by." May's voice, soft and sad, startled him. She stood beside him, also looking at the photos with a heartbreaking amount of longing. For a few years already she'd worked as a nurse but today was a day off. (There was no way she would've been able to concentrate on work.) "Tony stopped by earlier."

Bruce nodded, not quite sure what to say.

He pretended that he didn't notice how May wiped her eyes. She cleared her throat before continuing. "You're coming to the party today, right?"

"Of course." Bruce emitted a brief chuckle. "Though I'm a bit scared of Tony being the one who planned the whole thing."

May laughed. As short-lived as the sound was, it felt good to see that she could manage that much, even on an emotional day like this. "Oh, I know. I feel like checking my insurance policy." That was when her phone received a message. There was no misreading the look that appeared to her face when she read it. It was from someone special. If anyone was able to make her eyes light up today, only for a moment, it had to be special. Even someone with Bruce's lack of social skills knew as much. "So…" He couldn't resist the temptation. "Who is he?"

May's pale cheeks colored just a little bit. Light shone again in her exhausted eyes, which were surrounded by dark circles. "You're not telling Tony, or even Nat, got it? But… I've been dating this guy for a few months, now. We met at our therapist's office and… Well, it definitely wasn't an ideal or romantic start, but…" She shook her head, seeming embarrassed. "I'm rambling. Ben… He always said that it's adorable when I ramble." A shadow crossed her face, as though thinking about this mystery-man and her late husband simultaneously pained her. She cleared her throat. "His name's Stephen. He was a neurosurgeon until a car accident damaged his hands."

Bruce stared, his eyes widening steadily. "You mean… Stephen? As in, Stephen Strange?" He shook his head in utter bafflement. "I'm… his biggest fan. He's a genius!"

May snorted. "Oh, he knows." She breathed several times, once again focused on the pictures. "He's… a piece of work sometimes. But… I think Pete would've liked him."

"He does like him", Bruce agreed. He went on at the confused look his comment earned. "This is gonna sound stupid, but… I don't think Peter would lead us to people he doesn't approve."

His words made May smile through nearly spilling tears.

At Stark Tower four teenagers were just taking their leave. Two of them were openly overjoyed, one tried her hardest to hide how excited she was and the fourth seethed visibly. While Ned and Liz chattered enthusiastically MJ shot a glare at Flash, who was clearly sulking. "You're pissed, I get it. But you can't just yell stuff like that at Mr. Stark!"

Flash's eyes narrowed. "You guys do get that you were only picked for the program because Stark feels sorry for you, right? You're just a bunch of losers who spent time at a hospital when you were brats." The boy focused on Liz. "And you…! Your dad tried to steal stuff from Stark and killed a couple of people. I don't know what the hell Stark's thinking, choosing you." MJ was the frustrated wrath's final target. "You were definitely picked because you're so pathetic. Your dad drank himself to death and your mom left. The only person who's ever given a damn about you is some nurse."

MJ's eyes blazed hellfire before she pushed the boy, almost hard enough to make him fall down. "Sharon left her job because she wants to be my mom so much!" she hissed. "I have a mom who loves me, now. Liz has two parents who love her. And Ned's the smartest person I know. You call that being a loser? Then… You know what? We're happy being losers." She gestured for Liz and Ned to follow her. "C'mon, let's go. We've got better stuff to do than waste our time on him."

So the three friends walked, and wheeled, away. Leaving Flash behind humiliated and steaming. They were surprised to find Tony Stark waiting for them outside. The billionaire offered them a grin and a shrug. "I owe you Three Musketeers a favor for defending my honor. How about I give you all a ride home?"

The drive was full of thoughtful silence. Excluding Liz they were all entirely too aware of what day it was, and the kids still processed Flash's words. "You do know that Flash is a jerk, don't you? And totally wrong?" Tony offered the trio a rare, genuine smile. "I picked you three for the trainee-program because you're the best. And now I know that I made the right call."

The words seemed to do the trick. Liz smiled. Ned positively beamed, like the sunshine outside the car. Even MJ couldn't stop one corner of her lips from twitching.

They reached Liz's house first. Shortly afterwards MJ noticed a tiny bulge on Ned's coat she'd paid no attention to before. She frowned and poked to find something solid. "What's that?"

Ned shuddered. "Just… something I needed along today." The boy was clearly embarrassed. "It's totally stupid."

MJ scoffed. "You're stupid if you think so." Her eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity. "Can I see? Please?"

The shocking, rare word worked like magic. Slowly, unfolding a great treasure, Ned pulled out a small, adorable robot. The boy's eyes weren't entirely dry while he shrugged and swallowed thickly. "I've had it for years. May said that Pete wanted me to have it for a Birthday present, so I'd look after it. She gave it to me on my first Birthday after Pete's…" The teenager couldn't say the final word. Instead he composed himself the best as he could. "It's called Jarvis." The boy didn't mention that May also said that the tiny robot was Peter's most cherished possession, and should be treated accordingly. He didn't want to make MJ feel sad or jealous, especially today.

Apparently that didn't work out very well. Because grief was heavy in MJ's eyes when she stared at the item, her mind obviously somewhere far away. "Gotta admit that it's pretty cool", she acknowledged.

"Wanna come over and see how it works?" Ned offered. Because he really wanted to make her feel better. "And, we could put together that new 'Star Wars' Lego set…"

MJ's nose wrinkled. "Legos are for kids. But…" She nodded towards Jarvis and pushed a strand of long, pink-dyed hair from her eyes. "I'd really wanna see how awesome that is."

Neither teenager noticed how pale Tony had gotten behind the wheel. Or how badly the billionaire was trembling. The man cleared his throat. "So… Just one address for the pair of you? Super. Because I've gotta go and pick up a princess."

MJ and Ned exchanged a curious look. By then they'd already reached Ned's apartment building. The boy's brows furrowed when he finally began to realize that Tony was also feeling the day's weight. "Do you… wanna come over, too?" he invited hesitantly while settling to his chair.

"Thanks, but… Raincheck?" Tony shrugged. The grin on his face didn't seem genuine. "You know… I've got stuff to do, places to go. The life of a genius billionaire is busy." He winked. "See you later. Don't be late." And with those words he left.

Ned stared at the car driving away. The boy gulped. "I'm scared."

MJ snorted and rolled her eyes. "Don't be wuss. It's gonna be something brilliant."

Ned and MJ spent over half an hour exploring the robot. Until something curious happened. They succeeded in triggering its fifth and final form. A spider. Two pairs of huge, fascinated eyes stared while a tiny present, clearly wrapped by a child, fell out. 'For MJ' announced the note attached to it.

MJ's hands shook when she took the gift and opened the wrappings. Her welled up without her noticing it as the contents became revealed. A tiny, wounded whimper slipped past her lips before she slapped her hand to her mouth.

The present was a very cute ring. Fake-golden with a pink stone. A note had been attached to it, written in Peter's messy handwriting. 'If I'd ever had the chance to marry anyone it would've been you. I would've asked you with a ring like this. Because I really like you. Don't be sad when you remember me. You'll find someone else you want to marry when you're all grown up. Just don't be mean to people, because you can be nice when you want to be. Look after Ned for me, and Jarvis, too.'

Ned sounded choked up when he whispered. "Pete… He knew that we'd still be friends…"

MJ couldn't hear him. She hated the way her heart thundered and broke when she made her decision and slipped the childish gift to her left ring-finger. "I don't wanna find someone else", she muttered petulantly. She growled the second she caught Ned's lips threatening to part. "Shut up."

Ned did. Because he could tell that she needed quiet time, now. He didn't have the heart to tease her about the single tear running down her cheek.

A pair of curious and confused eyes looked around while a dad and daughter pair made their way through a cemetery. A frown appeared to the child's forehead. "This isn't where grandma and grandpa are buried", she pointed out.

Tony swallowed thickly. He hadn't visited this cemetery in years but finding the grave he wanted to see wasn't the problem. Mustering the strength and courage to get to it turned out to be a challenge. "We're… not visiting them today", he explained and didn't sound even the slightest bit like himself.

"Oh?" Penelope Stark, who was sitting on his shoulders, frowned again. Wind played with her long hair, which had color identical to his, while her eyes, which were definitely inherited from Pepper, became thoughtful. "Then who?"

That was when they reached the grave. It was beautiful and maintained to perfection. A tombstone made of white marble shone surreally when sunlight touched it. Tony couldn't look away from the words and numbers engraved to it, no matter how much he wanted to.

'Peter Parker,

Our little star'

Seeing Peter's name on the stone and remembering the bubbly child he once got to embrace was even more painful than seeing the short timespan between the two dates. Many years had passed by but the taste of injustice and grief was still bitter on the billionaire's tongue.

But Peter wouldn't have wanted the bitterness. Or the anger. So Tony gulped again, fought a war past the lump in his throat. "Mommy and I… We've never told you who inspired your name, have we? Years ago… There was this amazing kid. Almost as amazing as you. I tried to help him, but…" His voice broke and he had to wait for a while before continuing. "Honestly? I think he helped me more." If it wasn't for Peter he wouldn't have at least four of the friends he did now. (Bruce, Clint, Natasha, Laura… Would he have ever even met them?) He would've never decided to do as much charity work as he did now. He most certainly wouldn't have had the courage and confidence to become a proper dad, and he almost definitely would've ended up losing Pepper at some point. Thanks to Peter he'd become the kind of a man he could be proud of.

Penelope pursed her lips, thoughtful. "Mommy… She says that we only get to have a handful of people who…" She fumbled, the words almost too big and difficult for her child's mind to understand. "… make us the people we are. Was he one of yours?"

Tony's eyes began to sting and grow blurry. He had to blink several times. "Yeah, Penny. He was. Just like you, mommy, grandma and grandpa." He tickled her bare foot, making her giggle. "You're my handful. And I'm so, so lucky that I have you all, right here." He tapped at his chest.

Penelope gave his cheek a kiss. Clearly sensing how much he needed it. "Daddy? Can I give him a present? I mean… It's his Birthday and everything."

Tony blinked twice, confused. Then nodded slowly before placing her gently to the ground. She searched through her pockets and panicked for a moment before a radiant smile appeared. The billionaire watched with utter bafflement how his daughter scattered some golden glitter to the grave.

Penelope obviously sensed his confusion and smiled. "It's stardust, daddy", she explained like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I was supposed to save it for art class, but… I think he likes it."

It seemed that she wasn't mistaken. Because just then a warm, tender breath of wind picked up. It whirled around the glitter, spreading it all over the grave. Soon the substance shone like diamonds on the petals of the roses someone, most likely May, had brought.

Tony wiped his eyes just swiftly enough to avoid her noticing. "See that, Penny? It's Pete saying 'thank you'."

Penelope's smile widened. She looked towards the sky and waved. "Hi, Pete! And… Thank you, for helping daddy."

Another warm gust wrapped around them. Embracing them as much as it seemed to be ushering them forward. Tony could've sworn that for just a couple of seconds he felt Peter's arms wrapped around him.

Soon the beautiful but heartbreaking day was coming to an end. After dark had already fallen seven people gathered to the rooftop where Peter once got to spend a magical fake-Birthday. Tony felt a little guilty for how tightly he was squeezing Pepper's hand but if the look on her face was any indication she didn't mind.

"Nat wanted to come, too", Bruce explained. "But Liz… got a call from her birth-father." Those were always crushing on the poor girl. "One of us needed to stay with her."

May smiled faintly and wiped her eyes. "You know… I'm pretty sure that if Pete was here, he'd understand."

That was when the two teenagers present noticed what Tony had brought. Ned's eyes, which were suspiciously red and puffy, widened. "Are those… fireworks? Mr. Stark, that's like… like super cool!"

MJ's eyes were moist but sparkled in a manner that promised trouble. "I love fireworks! Can I light one?"

Tony snorted. "Ha, ha, kid. Good joke. Try again when you're old enough to buy your own alcohol."

MJ scoffed and rolled her eyes theatrically. But she didn't continue fighting. The years Sharon Carter had spent raising and loving her had done miracles. And she knew that today was supposed to be about Peter.

"Light them, daddy!" Penelope cheered from beside Pepper. "Make them so bright that Pete sees them!"

Which was exactly what Tony aimed to do. "Yes, ma'am", he managed despite the lump forming rapidly into his throat. He took a deep, steadying breath. The weight of Friday-the-robot, which never left its spot close to his heart, gave him the push he needed. This is for you, Space Traveler…, he mused affectionately. "Okay, people. On three. One… Two… Three…"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PETER!" everyone hollered, as loudly as they could manage.

And so the rockets were lit. In a flash a breathtaking amount of noise, light and colors burst out, painting the sky in a way that would've filled any artist with envy. On the street below a large crowd gathered to admire the sight. The people on the rooftop didn't notice or care. Tony recognized that night's magic as similar to the one he experienced on the night they celebrated his and Pepper's wedding along with Peter's fake-Birthday. This was every little bit as beautiful and painful.

Pepper burst into tears. She pulled a beaming Penelope close, who fortunately didn't notice her mom's distress. May was crying as well while she mouthed words meant only for one person who couldn't be with them. Bruce wiped his eyes so subtly that no one noticed.

Ned's tear-filled eyes widened when MJ grabbed his hand. Forgetting the fireworks for a moment, he stared at their joined hands, then at her. "What…?"

"Shut up", she interrupted him sharply, and it was the second time he ever saw her really, properly cry.

Tony noticed the tears rolling down his cheeks. But he soon decided that he didn't care. Didn't he once tell a special little boy that if you've really loved someone, it's okay to cry sometimes when you remember them?

Tony watched the rockets lighting up the dark. And hoped from the bottom of his scarred but still strongly beating heart that they were bright enough to be seen from a certain star. So Peter would see how much he was still loved and know that he would always be remembered.

Because Tony would never, ever forget his Thursdays with Peter.

End

A/N: Oh mine…! (sniffles) I still can't believe that this story is coming to an end! Feels like it only just got started.

A COUPLE OF TOTALLY RANDOM NOTES…

Just take a look at Peter's track-record! It was already stated in this chapter how much he did for Tony and Bruce. But the list goes on. How adorable is it that he also sort of set up May to Stephen, enabled Clint getting a much-needed friend in Tony AND is still trying to help Ned and MJ? That kid sure is (oh no, was…) something else! (smiles fondly)

The title of this story was inspired by a book named 'Tuesdays with Morrie'. And I got a boost of inspiration for this from a Finnish song that tells about a child dying of heart problems. (Yeah, in case you haven't noticed by now, I'm addicted to sad stuff, LOL.)

My head typed this story from the end to the beginning. I saw the ending – Peter's death-scene and the 'I WAS HERE' wall – first.

AS FOR MY FUTURE PROJECT… Quite soon I'll start a new story named 'Home for Christmas'. The typing process is already ongoing, so the first chapter will be published this Thursday or next Monday. Summary: Tony Stark's luxurious but empty life changes forever when he literally runs into a homeless boy named Peter. Will he be able to and willing to help? And will Peter make it home for Christmas? (TRIGGER WARNING for non-graphicly described child abuse and domestic abuse) Anyone feeling like reading…?

BUT, for now… You guys, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart and soul, for sticking through this EMOTIONAL journey! For all the reviews, listings and love you've given this tale. It makes me happier than I can put into words that you enjoyed this story AND love Peter so much! (BEAMS, and HUGS)

Who knows. Maybe I'll see you around again. For now…

Take care, of yourselves and all the Peters of this world!

Lovie: OH, how happy and flattered your review made me! It means A LOT to me that you've had such a good ride with this story, and that you've even found it touching. (BEAMS) Peter is SUCH a special sweetheart, especially when portrayed by Tom Holland! It makes my BEYOND happy that you think I've done him justice.

I REALLY hope that you'll enjoy the final chapter as well!

Colossal thank yous for the review!

Nikypro: I TOTALLY get your feelings! (chuckles, and HUGS) I'm REALLY flattered that you've found the story thus far so touching! We'll see what the final chapter brings…

Massive thank yousf or the review!

Guest: I felt like now, if ever, was the time for some HOPE. (smiles) I'm BEYOND happy that you enjoyed the chapter so much! We'll see how this story ends soon…

That wall was one of the first scenes of this story I saw in my head. (grins) I'm really glad that you liked the idea!

Gigantic thank yous for the review!

Pijaaa: Oh mine… (smirks sheepishly and hands tissues) I'm sorry to make you cry so hard! BUT, absolutely overjoyed that you've found this so moving! Aaaw, I'm glad you still like me. (grins and hugs) We'll see how this story ends…

Monumental thank yous for the review! Until next time.

SomeRandomHuman: OH, dear! How happy I am that this story has succeeded in touching you so! I REALLY hope that the final chapter will please you as much.

It sure has been a touching ride, hasn't it? (sniffles)

Enormous thank yous for the review! Until next time.

MLAkittenz: WELCOME ABOARD! (HUGS)

Those poor dears, right? Two precious souls lost… And their parents (because yeah, Tony SO qualifies as Peter's parent) left grieving… (sniffles) BUT, at least it seems that they're moving on, hard as it is. We'll see just how this story concludes in the next chapter…

It means A LOT to me that you've enjoyed the tale thus far so much, despite all the pain and sorrow! We'll see how this ends…

Colossal thank yous for the review! Until next time.

Sofia: I'm gonna sound like a total sadist. (smirks sheepishly) But I'm BEYOND flattered, and also happy, that the story's managed to captivate you and touch you so! Peter is a REALLY special character to me, especially when portrayed by Tom Holland. It makes my heart sing that you think I've done him justice.

I REALLY hope that you'll be as pleased with the final chapter!

Massive thank yous for the review! Until next time?