A/N: Sorry for the slightly longer wait for this final installment. I had issues to work out with some of the plot points. Thanks to my three beta readers on this chapter: hazelle, Georgia Kennedy, and my DH.

Best Wishes

Chapter 11: Finally

May pulled tightly on the large bandage, securing it so that it wouldn't come loose. Peter let out a little grunt of protest. "You boys, really. Always fighting at inappropriate times..." May scolded.

Peter chuckled, or at least tried to with his sore ribs. "Thanks, Aunt May."

"Are you sure it's tight enough? I don't want it breaking open and ruining your shirt."

"It'll be fine. I've lived through worse, you know." Peter chided.

"Don't remind me, young man."

His eyes drifted back to the television screen, where the news was again running the top story - "Green Goblin captured!" He hoped Harry was doing all right. It would be too dangerous to go visit him in the hospital. As delirious as Harry had been, there was no telling what he might say in Peter's presence. If only there was some way to let the authorities know that Harry was not to blame for the atrocities Norman had committed. But how to do that without compromising his own secret?

May clucked her tongue. "Oh, Peter, you know there's nothing you can do about that right now," she said, reading his thoughts as always. She began to help him button the tiny tuxedo buttons on his shirt. "I thought Mary Jane convinced you of that last night."

The two of them had stayed up late the night before, talking into the night. Mary Jane had finally kissed him and left for Louise's apartment, saying, "Peter, you didn't make Harry follow after his father. No one did. He made that decision on his own. Now, I had better go, or it'll be tomorrow. And you know it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding," she had teased.

"I know, Aunt May, but I will always wonder if there was something I could have done to prevent it."

Aunt May wrapped him in a gentle hug. "My dear, you constantly amaze me. Rest easy today - this is your day. Focus that energy on that sweet girl of yours." She released him, and gave him a once over. "Let's get that bowtie tied properly."

"...Park was the scene of a horrific fire, apparently started during an altercation between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. The Goblin's reappearance was a surprise to many; he had been absent from the skies of New York for three years. The criminal is being kept in a high-security ward of St. John's Hospital, as he recovers from injuries sustained during the fight. Authorities have not released the Goblin's identity. Stay tuned for further developments. In other news..."

The radio went silent as Robbie switched off the ignition. He got out of the car, shaking his head. The day before the wedding? he thought grimly. The only worse timing would have been today! He was here to drive Peter and May to the ceremony in Central Park. He hoped Cedar Hill had not been affected by the fire.

Robbie pressed the call button at the entrance. An older woman's voice answered, "Hello? Watson-Parker residence."

"Is this Peter's Aunt May?" Robbie asked. He had never met her in person, only spoken to her on the phone.

"Yes, it is. Is this Mr. Robertson?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Please come up. Peter's just about dressed." There was a final click and buzz as the door released.

When he reached the apartment door, Robbie raised his fist to rap on it, but suddenly Peter called out, "Come in, Robbie."

Smirking slightly - he hadn't even had a chance to knock - he opened the door. May, dressed in a lovely rose-colored dress, was fussing over Peter's bowtie. "Peter, great tux. Ready for your big day?"

"Absolutely." Peter stuck out a hand to shake Robbie's in greeting.

Robbie shook his hand firmly and gave him a hearty pat on the back. "That's the spirit. No cold feet, then?"

He couldn't help but notice the way Peter had winced when he had patted him. Peter shook it off, and replied, "Are you kidding? I've wanted nothing more for... I don't know how long."

"More than 10 years, I'd say," May put in warmly. "My dear boy finally got the girl next door."

Robbie noticed the television was on in the background, set on mute. He picked up the remote control, asking, "May I?"

Peter started to speak, but nodded curtly instead. He began walking away toward the bedroom. The sound came back on. The bottom of the screen read: "BREAKING NEWS: Goblin's Identity Revealed." Pictures on the screen juxtaposed Harry Osborn against the demonic-looking Goblin mask. "The authorities have just released the identity of the infamous Green Goblin to be the heir to the Oscorp fortune, Harry Osborn."

Shocked, Robbie turned to Peter, who had stopped cold. "Harry Osborn?" Turning around slowly, Peter nodded. The look on his face was the epitome of sadness.

May wouldn't meet his gaze. She announced airily, "I'll go get the boutonnières, gentlemen." She headed quickly for the kitchen.

The anchorwoman was continuing, "...toxic substances found in his blood may explain Osborn's delirious state. It is likely that he will be charged for multiple murders and crimes from three years ago, as well as recent incidents of arson and terrorist activities. No word as of yet as to whether he will be facing a life sentence in prison, or a life of confinement at Ravencroft Asylum."

Robbie couldn't believe it. It didn't seem right. "Peter. All this time, Harry Osborn has been the Green Goblin?"

A series of emotions flashed through Peter's eyes, and he finally said, "No. I'm sure he was not the original Goblin. I think he may have found the stockpile." Peter seemed to focus his gaze inward. "I don't know if you knew this, but he blames Spider-Man... for his father's death. This was his way to get revenge." Peter turned and noticed May hanging behind in the doorway of the kitchen and nodded that it was okay to come in.

Wheels were turning in his mind. He wasn't a senior editor for nothing. His father, the stockpile - the original Green Goblin was... Norman? That would explain a lot.

May moved to pin the boutonnieres on him and Peter. "Why are we standing around here talking? We have a wedding to get to!"

Peter stood with Robbie at the front left of the canopy, Louise on the right. Judge Spencer waited with a calm air. At the change in music, the smallish crowd assembled turned toward the entrance. Mary Jane stepped out of an adjoining tent to stop in the center aisle.

Always the consummate actress, she paused to let everyone, especially the groom, take in her radiant beauty. He could just imagine what Jameson would have said: "Made it to this one, did she?" Mary Jane flashed him a blinding smile before stepping forward.

Peter was floored. He had seen her in her first, barely-worn wedding dress, but this one... was... stunning. The dress was close-fitting through the bodice, flaring at the knees. Her arms were covered in sheer lace, with cutouts at the shoulders. But what topped it off were her sparkling eyes, now only for him. His heart swelled with love as he thought about the fact that this woman - this gorgeous, talented, brave woman - wanted to be his forever.

She took his hand when she reached the front. He hardly listened as Judge Spencer read through the ceremony. He was getting lost in the depths of her green eyes. He had a feeling she was having the same difficulty. He suddenly noticed that the judge was looking at him, waiting for something. He reviewed the last half-heard sentence in his mind... "...vows to pledge to each other. Peter?"

He startled, embarrassed. "Oh! Yes," he started to say. Mary Jane smiled indulgently. He recovered enough to begin, and squeezed her hands tighter. "MJ - even though I was afraid to let you into my life and my heart, you made me realize I can't live without you. No matter what else we have to deal with, no matter what tries to get in our way - you are first in my heart. Thank you for 'saving my life.'" He took the ring from Robbie and slid it on her finger. "With this ring, I pledge my love forever."

Mary Jane took her turn. "Peter - you are the most amazing man I have ever known. I want to be there for you forever, to care for you when you are hurting, to share in your successes. You make me whole, the only man I've ever loved." MJ turned to get the ring from Louise. "With this ring, I pledge my love forever." As the ring slid onto his finger, he felt a sort of charge, like the circuit was now complete.

"By the power invested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife!" Their kiss started almost before the judge finished the words, to the gathered crowd's applause.

"Okay, happy couple, smile!" Andy cheerfully snapped a picture of Peter and Mary Jane, who were sitting at a table, relaxing and enjoying themselves. Once Andy had moved on to get photos of other guests, Peter shifted - and winced again. He had to be a bit careful of his bandaged ribs - luckily the wound hadn't opened and soaked through. That would have been difficult to explain.

This really was a great little restaurant. He caught Ms. Peters' eye and nodded thanks and approval. She just beamed back at him, and went about keeping the buffet stocked. She really had done a wonderful job on very short notice. The food was excellent, the cake light and sweet, there was even a DJ spinning some great tunes for the guests. And of course, her flower arrangements were beautiful as well. She had incorporated Mary Jane's favorite, yellow carnations, with other complementary flowers. In other places in the room, she had placed a combination of red roses with sprays of blue wildflowers. He would not have guessed that two distinctly different flowers would go so well together.

MJ stood and took his hand. "I know there's no dance floor here, but do you think we could have our first dance as a married couple?" She winked at him.

"How can I deny you, Mrs. Parker? Lead on."

The DJ seemed to sense what she had in mind, because the music faded into a romantic ballad. Placing his hands on her waist, they began to slow dance. Time seemed both to slow down and speed up as they simply rocked together through several songs.

He felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Ms. Peters. "Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to give you this before you leave for your hotel." She had a distinct twinkle in her eye as she handed him an envelope, then left the two of them alone.

They started to walk back to their table. "Is it the bill?" MJ wondered.

"I'm not sure, but she seemed to want us to open it before we left--" He slid a finger under the flap and tore the envelope open. It looked like a printed receipt for services. "Yes, the bill..." But before he could take in the total, he saw a note printed in large lettering at the bottom. He read it aloud in astonishment. "PAID IN FULL."

"What?" Mary Jane leaned over his shoulder to read it with him.

After a long list of items and services, the total had been scratched out, and those words were below. There was an arrow indicating the receipt should be turned over. They read the other side with growing wonder. "Best Wishes for the future, to the man who gave us our futures back. Gratefully, the passengers of the El-Train, Car 1." There were nearly 20 signatures below.

Peter slowly raised his head to look at Ms. Peters. She winked and nodded around the room at the other servers. He looked at each face in turn, realizing that each and every one of them - Ms. Peters, the bartender, the DJ, the servers, the greeter, even the young men serving the punch - had been on that train. As they each caught his eye, they nodded their thanks.

An overwhelming sense of what they had done for him came upon him. Such a grand gesture, when I was only doing what was right... His throat closed up, and he blinked away a tear...

MJ looked at Peter, who was still reeling in shock, and realized what needed to be done. She mouthed the words, Thank you, to Ms. Peters and the others. She then replaced the note in the envelope, took Peter's hand, and led him back for one final dance.

THE END

A/N: Thanks for all the encouragment along the way. Review thanks to: Jenn1, Mark C, Georgia Kennedy, betty brant, Ziggybuttercup, hazelle and LordLanceahlot.

I am pretty sure (though don't hold me to it) that this is the end for this particular story arc. Look for something set several years in the future next, maybe after the holidays are over!