"Hello!"
Gwen's smile nearly overflowed when she heard Hawk introduce her to someone else with her new title. She extended her left hand—not her right.
Why the left?
Because the six-carat purple-red diamond engagement ring glittered on her ring finger.
Every girl who's proposed to wants to show it off to the world. Gwen was no exception.
Of course, if a woman never posts anything, never mentions it, never shows her ring… there's only one explanation: she doesn't love the man.
Sharon Carter's sharp eyes immediately caught the ring. In a flash, she pieced it together—so that's why Hawk had gone to the moon. NASA's data was also in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s database.
She shook Gwen's hand warmly and offered sincere congratulations.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you," Gwen replied, her face radiant. Then curiosity sparked. "Carter… that surname…"
It wasn't common. But it was written into history because of its tie to Captain America. His first great love had borne that name.
Sharon didn't dodge the truth. She nodded with quiet pride. "Yes. Peggy Carter was my aunt."
Gwen's eyes widened, then softened in understanding.
"So you're here today to—"
"Talk to Hawk," Sharon confirmed.
"Alright. You two chat, I'll head to the backyard." Gwen kissed Hawk lightly, then walked out. She'd decided the garden needed a redesign. Yesterday she'd looked at it from her parents' window while admiring her new ring—and suddenly it didn't seem good enough anymore. Now, as Hawk's fiancée, she wanted it perfect.
Hawk watched her go, then turned back to Sharon with a smile. "I don't think I need to explain much."
Sharon chuckled wryly. "Maybe not, but Hawk, what you did last night scared a lot of people."
It helped that right now the Council's attention was on Wakanda. And it helped that Maria Hill had vouched for Hawk at the UN session, with Alexander Pierce backing her.
Ross had tried force and ended up in the ground. Hill had chosen respect and reason, and Hawk had rewarded her by helping break Wakanda's shield. Without him, the UN would have needed nuclear-scale firepower—and even then, ten years wouldn't have been enough.
Still, Hawk's sudden flight into orbit last night had rattled them. That's why Sharon was sent—on her day off, no less.
Now she knew why. The moon rock NASA had found was missing because Hawk had claimed it for Gwen's ring.
She could already imagine the faces of the Council when she reported it. It was going to be priceless.
Hawk said it plainly. "I have no interest in changing Earth. As long as no one provokes me, I won't provoke them."
It was the truth. Even without his Cloth, he could already cross the stars. The only reason he remained was because his home was here. His sister, his fiancée, his peace—here.
Sharon nodded. "I'll deliver that message." She stood, checking her watch. "I also have to pick up Thor and his girlfriend from the airport."
With most agents deployed in Wakanda, the duty had fallen to her. Thin reasoning—she was Peggy Carter's niece, Peggy had loved Steve Rogers, and Steve had fought beside Thor. That was enough for S.H.I.E.L.D. command.
Hawk laughed. "Then you're going to be busy. Thor's staying on Earth. We've already agreed to spar regularly, maybe even off-planet."
Sharon's expression shifted, becoming more and more complicated. She nodded at last. "I'll report that too."
They exchanged farewells. Gwen reappeared from the backyard just as Sharon was leaving, and after closing the door, she eagerly shared the morning's gossip.
"You gave Howard a diamond, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
"He tried to show it off this morning. Mom confiscated it and said she'll give it back when he gets married." Gwen's lips twitched as she tried not to laugh.
Hawk met her sparkling eyes, chuckled, and thought: mothers really are the same everywhere.
Still, he couldn't give Helen one himself. Diamonds symbolized love, and the only person who could give Helen such a gift was George. Even through Gwen, it wouldn't feel right.
Speaking of George…
"Is his headache any better?" Hawk asked.
"Mom says it's worse."
"…Poor George." Hawk could only offer silent sympathy for his future father-in-law.
And then there was Peter.
Gwen had already shared the proposal news with Mary, who screamed in excitement and demanded Hawk treat them. He agreed.
But when Mary saw Gwen's six-carat ring, envy flickered in her eyes. She didn't say a word, but Peter felt the weight of her gaze like a spider-sense trigger every ten seconds.
After dinner, Gwen and Mary walked ahead arm in arm. Hawk and Peter followed behind. Hawk slipped something into Peter's hands—a round object wrapped in newspaper.
"What's this?"
Peter peeked inside, then panicked, trying to hand it back. "I can't! This is way too valuable."
"It's just a rock." Hawk grinned. "You're my friend. Do you think our friendship is worth less than a stone?"
"Of course not."
"Then take it." Hawk clapped his shoulder. "And instead of worrying about the cost, start worrying about how much it'll cost to have that rock cut and polished."
Because Hawk had given him a raw diamond.
Not a finished one.
…
(End of Chapter)
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