Chapter 109: A Night in Washington

The S.H.I.E.L.D. shuttle was silent as Ward prepared for his visit to Washington. The team was relaxing on their time off, and Ward had decided to spend the night with Maria, his beloved. He had planned a special surprise for her and was looking forward to some quality time together.

Ward arrived at Maria's apartment around noon. He had spent the morning preparing a special lunch for her, featuring all of her favorite dishes. Flowers were arranged in a vase on the dining room table, and the kitchen was filled with delicious aromas.

He began setting the table, carefully placing the plates and silverware, and then headed to the kitchen to finish the finishing touches on lunch. With the oven off and the last dish ready, he did a quick check to make sure everything was perfect.

"This is going to be a great surprise," he muttered to himself, a smile on his face. "I can't wait to see her."

Maria arrived home around 1:00 p.m., tired but overjoyed to see the effort Ward had put into the surprise. When she opened the door, she was greeted by a beautifully set table and the delicious aroma of lunch.

— "Wow, Ward, this is amazing!" Maria exclaimed, walking in and wrapping him in a tight hug. "You didn't have to go to all that trouble."

— "It was my pleasure," Ward replied, smiling. "I want you to know how much you mean to me."

They sat down at the table, and Ward served lunch, which consisted of sophisticated yet comforting dishes prepared with care. During the meal, they caught up on the latest news and shared stories, laughing and enjoying each other's company.

— "Lunch was wonderful," Maria said, raising her glass of wine. "Thank you, love."

— "I'm glad you enjoyed it," Ward replied, raising his glass in a toast. "We still have the evening to enjoy."

After lunch, Ward began preparing the romantic dinner. He wanted something special to top off the perfect afternoon. In the kitchen, he prepared an exquisite dish of filet mignon with fancy sides, including mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.

While he was cooking, Maria came into the kitchen and offered to help, but Ward insisted that he wanted to do everything himself for the special evening.

"Let me do it," he said with a smile. "You can relax and enjoy it for a while."

Maria smiled and settled into the couch, reading a book while Ward prepared dinner. Time seemed to fly by as he worked, and soon the aroma of delicious food wafted through the apartment.

That evening, Ward was ready to serve dinner. He set the table with candles and soft music played in the background. When Maria walked into the living room, her eyes lit up at the sight of the romantic setting.

"You really made all that?" she asked, impressed.

"Yes," Ward replied, taking her hand and leading her to the table. "I hope it lives up to your expectations."

The dinner was wonderful, with lively conversation and constant laughter. The food was delicious, and Maria was delighted with Ward's romantic gesture. After dinner, they got up from the table and walked to the balcony, where the view of the city at night was breathtaking.

— "This night has been perfect," Maria said, looking out at the view. "You always know how to make me feel special."

— "You deserve this and more," Ward replied, wrapping his arms around her. "I just want to show you how much you mean to me."

After enjoying the view, Ward and Maria returned to the apartment. The atmosphere was charged with romance and anticipation. Ward had set the mood with candles and soft music, creating a cozy and intimate space.

Maria moved closer to him, and they began to kiss passionately. The kisses intensified, and Ward gently led her to the bedroom, where they spent the night together. The intimacy was full of affection and passion, and they felt more connected than ever.

After a night of intense connection, Ward and Maria lay down on the bed. Ward hugged her from behind, wrapping his protective arms around her. They were both relaxed and happy, and the feeling of love between them was palpable.

— "I love you," Ward whispered, stroking Maria's hair.

— "I love you too," Maria replied, turning to face him with a loving smile.

They lay like that, together, exchanging whispers of affection and care. The night passed peacefully, and soon they were both falling asleep.

When morning came, Ward and Maria were still lying in bed, sleeping peacefully. The morning sun streamed in through the window, illuminating the room with a soft light.

Maria woke first and smiled when she saw Ward beside her. She turned to him and woke him with a light kiss on the lips.

— "Good morning, love," Maria said softly.

— "Good morning," Ward replied, still with his eyes half closed, but smiling.

"Have you had a great night?" Maria asked, caressing Ward's face.

— "It was perfect," he replied, pulling her closer. "And the best part is being here with you."

They spent a little extra time in bed, enjoying each other's company before getting up for breakfast.

After a leisurely and delicious breakfast, it was time for Ward to say goodbye and head back to the bus. He and Maria spent some time together, talking and planning their next meeting.

— "I can't wait to see you again," Maria said, hugging Ward.

— "I can't wait, too," Ward replied, kissing her softly. "I'm going to miss you."

With one last kiss and a tight hug, Ward left the apartment and headed to the S.H.I.E.L.D. bus, ready to resume his responsibilities and missions.