Life with superheroes

Mike's deep blue eyes seemed to conceal countless stories.

As he walked through the place thinking over his recent adventures, his face exuded a feeling of mystery. Coupled with his good looks, it caught the attention of many vendors as he strolled through New York's Chinatown vegetable market. It was the only place he could find the ingredients for the Chinese dishes he loved to prepare.

He hadn't had the chance to visit in recent days, but now, with Clark at school and the farm managed by Bob and Mary, Mike had ample free time. Life as a farmer was turning out to be surprisingly satisfying. The only thing he wishes for now is that it remains the same.

After gathering everything he needed, Mike leisurely drove back into town. Clark wouldn't be home until noon, leaving him plenty of time to enjoy some personal freedom.

He decided to treat himself to lunch at a Restaurant. Parking his car outside, Mike walked in, ordered a meal, and sat by the window. Watching the bustling streets as he ate he felt like a pleasant change of pace.

Suddenly, a deafening crack of thunder echoed across the cloudy sky. Mike frowned. The storm was coming fast.

He hastened his meal, but before he could finish, the rain began to pour down in torrents, transforming the street outside into a watery veil. Standing at the restaurant's entrance, Mike planned to wait out the downpour before heading back to his car.

Then, amidst the rain, he noticed a woman running desperately down the street. Mike's gaze sharpened as he spotted her large pregnant belly.

He was just wondering why this woman was running when she staggered, and before he could react, she collapsed onto the wet ground.

Without hesitation, Mike dashed out into the storm towards her. The woman lay there on the ground, her face contorted in pain, and a dark, alarming stain of blood began to spread beneath her.

His heart sank as he saw her condition. Kneeling beside her, Mike scooped her into his arms and sprinted toward his car. "Hold on," he urged, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

The hospital was only a few minutes away, but with every second, more blood was spilling. Mike glanced into the rearview mirror as he sped through the streets, his stomach knotting at the sight. He didn't have any medical supplies, and there was no time to summon any of his materialised items.

Pressing onto the accelerator and pushing the car's speed to its limit, Mike skidded into the hospital parking lot, his tires squealing as he slammed to a stop. He raced into the hospital building with the woman in his arms.

"Help! Please, save her!" he called out.

The nearby hospital staff quickly responded. Nurses rushed over with a stretcher, and a team of doctors hurried the woman into the operating room.

Mike stood outside, his breath coming in hard gasps. He hoped the situation wasn't as dire as it seemed, but deep down, he feared the worst.

Unfortunately as he stood there wating, his fears were realised.

The doctors came out sometime later, faces grim. "I'm sorry," one of them said. "We cannot save the mother."

Mike felt a hollow pit open inside him, but before he could process it, one of the doctors looked at him with sympathy and added, "Go in. Say your goodbyes to your wife."

Wife? Mike blinked in confusion but didn't correct the doctor as he nodded and walked towards the operating room.

He entered the operating room, where the woman lay pale and still, her breaths shallow. Beside her, two newborns, her babies, slept peacefully.

The woman's tired eyes met Mike's, a faint smile appearing on her lips. With great effort, she reached out, grasping his sleeve.

"You're a good man," she whispered, her voice weak.

Mike, unsure of how to respond, simply nodded. "It's going to be okay," he said softly.

The woman's smile trembled. "Please... adopt my children."

Mike's heart clenched. "I—" he began, but she cut him off, her desperation palpable.

"They have no one else. No family. I can't... I don't want them to go to an orphanage. Please."

Mike hesitated. "What about their father? I could help you find him."

"No!" she exclaimed, though the effort left her even weaker. "He's a monster. Please, don't give them to him."

She was pleading now, her grip on his sleeve tightening despite her frail state. Mike could see the depth of her despair. She would rather trust a stranger than leave her children with someone she feared.

After a long pause, he finally nodded. "Alright," he said quietly. "I'll take care of them."

Relief washed over her face. It was as if she had been holding on for this moment alone, and now her body began to give in to its exhaustion.

"Please let me give them names," she whispered, her eyes fluttering shut.

Mike leaned in closer, straining to hear her faint voice.

"Eric... and Charles."

Mike froze, recognizing the names, but he pushed the thought aside. Now wasn't the time.

With her last bit of strength, the woman's eyes fluttered open once more. "Olivia Cannavaro," she said, her voice barely audible. "Tell them... that's their mother's name."

Her hand went limp in his, and Mike watched as the life faded from her body. A soft smile graced her lips as if in her final moments, she had found a bit of peace.

Mike stood there, staring down at her, feeling the weight of the responsibility she had just placed upon him. He looked over at the two infants, still sleeping soundly, unaware of the life they had just lost.

As he turned to leave, the quiet sound of the system's notifications echoed in his mind twice.

The gravity of the situation settled over him, but as promised, he'd take care of them. He'd ensure Olivia's sacrifice wasn't in vain.

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