Life is complicated when your dad is Tony Stark. Hello, everyone my name Melody Maria Stark and I am obviously Tony Stark's daughter. I am just as smart as my dad having graduated MIT a couple weeks ago at 17 just like him. I just turned 17 about 4 months ago and graduated about 2 weeks ago. Unlike my dad, however, I am not cocky or arrogant. I'm pretty down to earth, I know surprising for a smart rich girl, and I care very much about people. I'm not really a fan of my father being in the weapon business, because being a part of something created to hurt people isn't something that sits well with me, but I would never guilt my dad over that. He had me so young and he's done his best by me. He was only 20 when I was born and grandpa gave him a hard time about me. Don't let that confuse you though, because I'm told grandpa loved me very much. But he never could miss a chance to look down upon my dad's decisions. I know he just wanted better for my dad; he just tried to bring it about the wrong way.
Grandma helped dad with me a lot that first year. When my grandparents went away on that trip my dad was terrified, it was the first time he would be staying alone with me. Grandma assured him he could do it and Grandpa told him to man up. After their accident he still took care of me, but he was so lost. He hired a nanny and the partying and hookups increased from what they had been before. Now mind you he was and still is protective of me. I never saw those things happening growing up, but I saw the pictures on TV and in magazines. Once I got older I realized what he was doing in them, I have no anger towards him for it, he was there for me when it counted and I can guarantee he has left in the middle of a, "date," or a party to come check on me because I called him crying more than once. For a while he went through a few nannies over the years and when we were in between nannies my dad's assistant, Pepper Potts, would take care of me.
Sometimes Pepper took care of me even if I had a nanny, my mother took off after giving birth to me. She never wanted a kid, but figured having Tony Stark's kid would be a pay day. She was right, to make sure she signed over her rights grandpa gave her the money she asked for. Dad wanted to fight her in court, but grandpa said once she signed over her rights she had no more leverage to get any more money. Pepper is the only mother figure I've ever known and I appreciate all she has done for dad and me, even if he doesn't always appreciate it or notice it for that matter. My dad and Pepper are in love with each other, they just don't realize it. I do, but I'm letting them figure it out for themselves. My major in college was the same as my dad's were, except I threw in Psychology too. I am really good at reading people and seeing things other people don't.
I know I didn't have a normal childhood, but it was a good one. My dad can be an arrogant jackass, even to me, but I love him so much and wouldn't trade him for any other dad! He isn't like grandpa was to him; he tells me how proud of me he is all the time and showed up for all my dance recitals, choir concerts, science fairs, beauty pageants, and anything else I wanted to take part in. I'm a scientist no doubt about it, but I'm also a little bit of a girly girl, which my dad did not anticipate, but having Pepper helped him figure out all the girly stuff I wanted to do. I look a lot like my dad, but I have bright blue eyes, which actually makes dad happy. He thinks my eyes help me stand out, like I need another reason to stand out.
There is one thing that makes me stand out that only my dad knows about. I'm, I guess what you would call a mutant; I can control and create ice and water. My dad noticed it at an early age and we have spent my whole life working on controlling. Which we learned requires me to use it, because suppressing it only makes it more difficult to live with. And because my dad says it is a part of me and I should never ignore it. We both believe being normal is overrated, the reason we keep it hidden is to keep those who would want to experiment on me from finding out about it. Or those who would try to hurt me or even those would try to turn me into a weapon. We know people in the world would use me for their gain, we'd rather not let it go that far.
Currently I am sitting in a crowd look up at my uncle James 'Rhodey' Rhodes on stage in a fancy hotel ballroom while we are all watching a moving video over my father's accomplishments since he took over Stark Industry. I love my Uncle and I call him a combination of Uncle James or Uncle Rhodey it depends what suits my mood. Do you know who is not in this ballroom watching all this? You guessed it, my darling father. Uncle James is going to be pissed. I can't wait to play mediator for that fight, I hope you noted my sarcasm there. Uncle James says, "As liaison to Stark Industries, I've had the unique privilege of serving with a real patriot. He is my friend and he is my great mentor. Ladies and gentlemen it is my honor to present this year's Apogee Award to Mr. Tony Stark." Everyone claps and I wait a couple seconds to see if my dad will show up. He doesn't. Uncle James says, "Tony?" He looks to me and I shake my head. He gives me a nod and I stand. I make my way up to the stage, usually Mr. Stane does this, but only when I'm not here. It means more when family does it I guess.
Uncle James helps me up the steps of the stage, heels are dangerous, but worth it. I take the award from him and kiss his cheek. I turn to the crowd and say, "Thank you, everyone. Thank you, so much. This award is such an honor and I know my dad is so excited to have won it. I'm clearly not my father, but I know how proud and honored he must feel to have won such a prestigious award. The best thing about my father is also the worst, he is always working. He's always trying to innovate and push forward. So, from my father and I thank you for this wonderful honor." I give one last sincere smile and then my Uncle escorts me off stage and out of the ballroom. I guess we are going on a search to find my father. Once we step out of the ballroom he asks, "Where is he?" I shrug and say, "We walked to the elevator together; he said he forgot something in the room. Then he told me that I should head down and he would meet me there. We are in Vegas, my best guess of where he might be is gambling." He nods and says, "Alright let's go find your father and I promise to only hurt him a little."
I sigh as I follow after him; sometimes I wonder who the adult in this family is. Because half the time is feels like it's me. As we go through the casino looking for my father I see a crowd surrounding one of the tables. I know instantly where he is. I tap Uncle James shoulder and say, "Found him." I point out the table to him and he nods. When we get closer I see him flirting with some woman, well that's not going to make Uncle James any happier. I go and stand next to Happy as Uncle James goes up to my dad and says, "Excuse me? Can I get in here please?" Dad says, "Hey! Oh no! They roped you into this?" Rhodey says, "Yeah they said you'd be deeply honored if I presented you with an award." Dad says, "Yeah, yeah. Just a couple more and we'll get going." Uncle James hands him the award, "So here you go. To Tony Stark the Apogee Award." Dad says, "Oh geez. I'm running a little late they don't have clocks in here." Rhodey rolls his eyes and says, "Yeah. It's ok. Why don't you thank your daughter for accepting it for you? You know the one you told you'd meet at the awards." Dad turns to me and hands me the award as he says, "Thank you sweetie." I smile and say, "Anytime daddy."
He gives me a quick kiss on the forehead before going back to his game. As he plays he says, "Alight ride." He puts the dice up for the woman he was flirting with to blow on them and then he tries to get Uncle James too as well. But Uncle James pushes his hand making him throw the dice. Both dice landed on 1 and from the reaction I'm assuming that's a bad thing. I lean over and ask Happy, "So he lost right?" He smiles at me and says, "Yeah he lost big time." I nod and go back to watching. Uncle James shrugs and says, "That's what happens." Dad says, "Worse things have happened. I think we're going to be fine. Pony me up will you?" We followed dad to another table where he bet 3 million dollars. While the ball spins around dad asks, "Ready for tomorrow?" Rhodey says, "Its hot town I don't think we should be going." Dad cut him off, "I want to demo," That's all I could hear of what my dad said. But I did hear when he lost 3 million dollars. Dad says, "Tommy can we comp the room? Maybe some eggs? Come on let's hit the slots." I walk next to dad and say, "Dad, are you sure you should go tomorrow? I heard what Uncle Rhodey said. I don't want anything to happen to you." Dad tells me, "Everything will be ok, princess." I nod and follow him to the slot machines.
After the slots we were walking through the casino Uncle Rhodey and I were on either side of dad. He said something I didn't hear, but I heard Uncle James say, "Nothing is weird with you. You got the world. I'm out, tomorrow don't be late." I say, "Can I leave with Uncle Rhodey. I have a feeling you are going to get distracted on your way home and I'm tired." My dad drops the arrogant act for a second and becomes the caring father. He says, "Are you sure? I can take you straight home I don't have to make any detours." I smile and say, "It's ok dad. Have fun Uncle James is leaving anyway. It works out." He nods and I turn to Uncle James, "It is ok if I leave with you right?" He nods with a smile and says, "Of course it is kid." I turn back to my dad and give him a big hug as I say, "I'm proud of you for winning the award even if you weren't there to claim it. I love you daddy!" He hugs me and says, "I love you too princess! Be careful getting home see you in the morning." I nod and take my leave with Uncle Rhodey. It took a little bit to get back to Malibu, but once we did I went to my room and went straight to bed. It was a draining night and I want to spend time with my dad before he leaves, probably late, in the morning.