December 16, 1991

Dear baby,

I wish I could tell you that your mum was one heck of a girl during her teenage years. I wish I could tell you that I was the epitome of teenage perfection. I wish I could tell you I was in one of the popular crowds. I wish I could tell you I made head cheerleader, prom queen, student council president and valedictorian and how I got into an Ivy League college. I wish I could tell you I became all those things, just so you could show your friends how incredible your mother was. I wish I could have been all those things too. I wish I had grabbed the chances, I wish I had made the right decisions; I wish I had changed earlier. I wouldn't be writing this letter to you now if I had done all those things. I would probably have been working at one of those companies you see in New York. I would have been successful. Yet here I am, writing a letter to my baby and I regret nothing of what I have done.

Can you imagine you're just a little peanut sized thingy in my womb right now? A month old to the dot. Your father doesn't even know yet. But I'd like to take this opportunity to let you know that even if no one else but me knows yet, even if I'm not sure you'll live, even if I'm not sure I'll live long enough to catch a glimpse of you, or to live long enough past your first birthday—I'd like you to know that you were the best decision I have ever made. No matter what I say in the next few months, no matter how much I complain I want you to know that I love you with all my heart. Even if your father may not want you, I always, always will. I've decided to tell your father on Christmas, I'm sure that will shock him out of his cockiness for once. I'm writing this letter not only for you to know how much I already love you, but to tell you who I am, what I have done, and what had become of my life before and after your father had come into my life. I'm writing this down because as I said I may not ever get the chance to tell you this. So darling (Yes, Tony darling I know you can't resist taking a peak) give this to our child when he or she asks you about me. Read it to them until they're capable enough to read it on their own.

Anyway my darling baby, I'm your mother. I lived in Cleveland, Ohio until I was old enough to move out. Your grandparents, I'm sad to say will never witness their grandchild brought to this world. I'm an only daughter but I wasn't spoiled. We had very little money when I was a kid and I wish that I could spoil you with all the things I never had as one. I have a best friend, her name was Virginia, and you'll come to know her as your Aunty Ginny or Pepper when you grow up. She's one of the most responsible, most beautiful, and most incredible women you'll ever meet. I hope she treats you as well as she treats me. Your Aunty Pepper and I grew up together; neighbours, classmates—almost sisters. I admit I always envied her back in high school. She was popular, pretty and smart. Everything I wish I could have been. But what I envied most about her was that she had a good heart. I told her everything and you know what she told me? She said "I wish I could be like you. Always so brave, free-willed, and happy. I envy your spirit. You have a good heart too". Up to this day she still keeps saying that and I never believe her. I wasn't popular like your Aunty back in high school. I chose to keep close, silent, invisible. I chose to practice with music rather than join the jocks and cheerleaders. I could spend hours on end listening to different sorts of music. Your Aunty was wrong to say I was brave because I was always so afraid to step up and speak my mind, afraid that I would get judged for being quiet—for being different.

When I graduated, I never took time to go to college, but moved to L.A to get a job so I could support your grandparents. I had a few odd-jobs here and there: a waitress, a nanny, a singer for random bars. With my high school level of education, I couldn't get a decent job so I couldn't get a decent salary. But I never went back to Cleveland. I felt that California was the place for me. It was my home then and now so I never went back to dreary old Ohio except to visit your grandparents during Christmas or to go their funeral when I was 19. Your Aunt Pepper joined me a few years later after she graduated college. The top of her class I'm proud to say. She offered me her flat, saying that with the salary she was going to get from her new job she could afford to accommodate us both until I got back up on my feet. I love your Aunt Pepper and I hope you love her like a second mother too.

Now meeting your father was one of the best things that happened in my life (second to you of course. No offense Tony). I like to think it was love at first sight. He likes to think of it as fate's way of giving him a new chance.

I don't remember it clearly but surprisingly your father does. He tells me the story of how we first met, how we officially met and how we fell in love every night on the 22nd day of each month. I've had it memorized by now and it won't be difficult to tell you the story but I'll just give you the gist of it.

It was the 22nd of August, 1990 when we first met. I was 21 years old. I was young, wild and lost. Pepper was busy at her office, working as an intern and I was singer for one of the classier bars in L.A where they still kept good music and good bands. I was in the middle of my second set when a man, dressed in a stylish and very original Armani suit entered, walked straight to the bar and ordered some whiskey. I almost skipped a word from the song because I was staring at him, but managed to get back on track and ignore the gorgeous man sitting at the bar. It was in the middle of singing my version of "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" when I felt someone staring. I looked up to see the man watching me from behind the rim of his glass. I felt beautiful under his gaze. It's well known that I'm not the most beautiful woman out there but under his stare I felt like I was the most beautiful woman alive. Unfortunately after my set, your Aunt Pepper called me on an emergency; the flat was broken into and thrashed. I had immediately talked to my boss and pleaded for and early exit which he granted. I never talked to the man and I didn't even get to take a last glimpse of him.

A week later, Pepper came home ranting about her boss. Anthony "Tony" Edward Stark, the owner of Stark Industries, as she described him was rude, snarky, cocky, egoistical, and narcissistic and down-right the worst man she had ever met. I just laughed and laughed as she told me about her using her handy pepper spray on him and thus the nickname Pepper. As she was telling me about how he had chased her down the halls the doorbell rang and I had offered to get it as Pepper was busy fixing dinner. And guess who it was baby? It was the same man at the bar. I could only imagine my face when I saw it was him. I believe I was in awe if not a little bit spooked out and also mortified since I was only in an oversized shirt and pyjama pants. I began stuttering and he looked back at me in surprise. My mind was in a jumble and I couldn't even form a coherent thought until Pepper appeared and said two words that shocked the socks off of me "Mr. Stark?" I could only gape at them both. It was really very funny baby. The same man your Aunt Pepper loathed was the same man at the bar that I could admit I liked. He was one of the richest and most successful men in the world and he was at the flat! He was Anthony Edward Stark! Tony entered the room turned to me with one of his famous smirks and said "Close your mouth darling or you'll catch flies" and with a wink he turned to Pepper. It was a whirlwind from thereon out. Tony visited the flat often even when I was the only one there. The first time he asked me out on a date was when I was in the middle of giving him a pedicure (I had to force him to be my doll). I just stared at him for long time before I started to laugh hysterically and promptly dropped the bottle of red nail polish I was putting on him, to the floor. Once I stopped I asked him if he was insane and why me? Out of all the women he could choose from, why me? The only things I remember from our whirlwind romance were these exact words: "I like you Evelyn. I think you're different from all the people I've been with and I like you for that. We're both different and different people should date different people who are special and make the world more interesting" I agreed to the date him without much hesitation. I told him I didn't want anything fancy; just some dinner and maybe a movie. He ended up bringing me to one of L.A's top restaurants and renting the whole theatre so we could watch Pretty Woman. By the end of the night I knew I was in love. He was smart, witty, funny and charming if not too extravagant. But I had to remember that this was Tony Stark: infamous billionaire and playboy who designs and creates weapons. When we came out dating publicly you could guess that the media world was in an uproar! The Tony Stark, dating a nobody? Someone who barely got through high school, and had no experience in the corporate world? I took all they could throw at me and sometimes it got too much but I could care less. I knew he was the one. And he knew it too. I could see in your father's eyes that he loved me too even just a little bit. He is my first love and he is also my last.

It was August 22nd of this year, 1991, when we married. We got married in Las Vegas or as Pepper liked to call it: Tony Style. It was quick but it was real. Our relationship no matter how short was the realest thing I've felt since I came to L.A. He had his flaws but he tried not to let it get to him. Many people may not like him, they may hate him but he is an incredible man and I'm sure he will love you as much as I do if not more. He may be a bit closed off or distant at times but just know that he will always care for you. Remember baby, no matter what other people will tell you, your father is a wonderful man even though he may not see it for himself. When your father finds this he'll probably think that I'm so old school writing on pen and paper instead of making a video but I wanted something that would leave a mark. He'll get lazy but force him to read this anyway.

It all seems so fast, and now it's December and I'm pregnant with you. 9 more months until you're born. I can only hope much more good days will come to our family. I wish we could all be one big happy family, with your dad, Pepper, Happy, Rhodey, and JARVIS too (Maybe even Dummy).

I wish I could have told you that I was an independent woman but I always needed Tony beside me (I could tell you though that I am one of the women your daddy feared. Don't deny it Tony). I wish I could have told you I was a strong woman but I always needed Pepper there. I may not have been the most successful persons alive but I am one of the happiest. I wish all those things for me but now it's time to wish for someone else.

I'm about to become a mother now and I can't do selfish wishing anymore. Because you baby, are now my world and I will wish all the best for you. But there is nothing I wish more for you but to be all that you can be. I want you to choose your path, do whatever makes you happy and live your life to the fullest. You will leave behind a legacy of your own, you will be a wonderful person and people will look up to you. Because not only are your father and I's child but you are also a Stark. But that doesn't have to define who you are. Your actions will define who you are. Then one day you will meet someone who will love you, who will be with you the same way you and your daddy are together. Remember to love that person like the other half of you and protect that person from any harm and hurt just like your father does with me. So my darling, my baby, my love, be your own person and show the world that real people— the people who feel and aren't afraid to show it, the people who followed their own path and stood by their beliefs are the ones who leave this world as legends.

Lastly I want to say to you that no matter what there will always be people who love you and will never leave you. Everything will be alright. I love you baby. I will always love you and I may not be there for you at times but I will always, always love you. To the moon and back and even more than that.

Your Mother,

Evelyn Stark née Anderson

August 22, 1992

Anthony Edward Stark was a man with different faces. People in the corporate world saw him as a man of success, cunning and a threat. People in the media world saw him as a playboy, party king and a hall-of-fame to be. Rarely though did anyone see the side of Tony Stark that showed weakness and the people who did see this side are the ones who, by his standards could be considered close to him. It was a short list of people though. Namely: Happy, Rhodey, Obadiah, Pepper and his wife of a year today, Evelyn.

His wife who was currently screaming her lungs out in the room just beyond two metal doors.

His wife who was currently in labour a month too early. On their first anniversary nonetheless!

They were just about to go out when Evelyn suddenly told him that her water just broke. He carried her to the car and rushed to the hospital as her contractions hit her. And now here he sat in the waiting area, helpless and scared and he wasn't even keeping it cool like he usually does, because his wife was in labour! Evelyn was giving birth to their child! And he wouldn't admit it out loud (though it was probably showing on his face) but he was terrified. The doctors wouldn't let him in because they said, if he was going to panic (which he was when he brought Evelyn to the hospital) then it would only distress his wife more and make the birthing much harder for her

He felt a small, feminine hand settle on his shoulder but he didn't raise his head to acknowledge her because he knew that she knew that he was alert

"Tony she's going to be alright. They're both going to be alright" Pepper soothed to the best of her ability but it was obvious she was just as nerve-wracked as he is.

"Ms. Potts is right Anthony" Obadiah said as he patted Tony on the back "Evelyn and the child will be fine. Your mother's screams were much worse than hers"

No one gave notice to Obadiah's effort to joke because they were all just as freaked out as the father-to-be. No one spoke for a while until finally Tony broke the silence

"I just want to be with her. Just—just tell the doctors I need to be there with her. She needs me. Evelyn needs me right now"

Pepper's heart broke for him. She always doubted the relationship between her best friend and her employer, but now she could see why Evelyn fell for Tony. If his last words weren't proof enough then surely the next ones were

"Please—I'll do anything. I'll even beg. I just need to be there with her"

If there were two things Tony Stark didn't do then it would be to say "Please" and beg.

Rhodey stood up and headed for the door "I'll see what I can do"

Just before he could reach it, the door opened revealing Evelyn's attending doctor, Dr. Richards, whose scrubs were dirtied with blood. He took of his face mask and gloves and sighed before running a hand through his hair

Pepper spoke up breaking the tense silence "Are they alright doctor?"

Dr. Richards sighed "The labour process is taking longer than we thought. We just discovered that the umbilical cord is wrapped around the infant's neck so we're going to have to perform a c-section or we might end up losing the baby"

Everybody was shocked into silence. Thankfully and surprisingly Happy was the first to stir "Well then what are you waiting for?"

"We need the permission of the husband first. We've already prepared the anaesthesia just in case"

Everyone looked towards Tony who was pale and deep in thought "What are the chances of both of them surviving if you perform the operation?"

Dr. Richards hesitated for a moment before saying "Fifty-fifty give or take"

Tony nodded, his jaw tensing "I'll take those chances"

"Good. Now we need to perform it imme—"

"But I want to be there holding her hand"

"Mr. Stark! It is not advised that yo—"

"No. I won't take no for an answer. I don't care if it's not advised because that is my wife and my child in there and I'm the father and I need to be there. So don't give me that bullshit because I will find a way to get inside" ranted Tony angrily

Dr. Richards let a ghost of a smile pass his lips before nodding and motioning for Tony to follow him "Very well then. But I do advise you to keep calm"

"Doctor" Tony managed to smirk "calm is my middle name"

Tony was forced to wear the standard blue scrubs of the hospital and made to sit beside Evelyn, a paper curtain covering the lower half of her body. Just before they had administered the anesthesia he had a chance to talk to her. Evelyn's forehead was dotted with sweat and her russet coloured hair was sticking to her neck. She managed to give a smile and say "I love you and in a few moments I'm going to give you one heck of a kid"

Tony managed to chuckle at his wife before kissing her on the lips then whispering to her "I love you and you're amazing. You're going to be fine. I love you"

She gazed up at him with the same sparkling eyes back when they had first met and said "To the moon and back?"

"Even more than that"

Now the only thing Tony could do was wait and hold Evelyn's hand as they cut her open. Everything was a blur, he stared at his wife's glossy eyes a small smile playing on her lips the next thing he knew a loud cry was heard.

The baby was wailing as it got its umbilical cord removed and got cleaned of the blood. Dr. Richards approached the couple and handed Tony a tiny bundle wrapped in pink "Congratulations Mr. Stark. It's a girl"

Tony stared in awe at the tiny little thing in his arms. This—little bundle was his daughter. He was holding his daughter! His daughter made by two different people who loved each other. This was his daughter and she was the most beautiful things he'd ever seen. Tears built up in his eyes and he let them slide down his cheeks as he smiled at his daughter. He turned to Evelyn who was staring at them a smile on her lips.

"It's a girl" she whispered, the wonder etched on her face.

"It's a girl" Tony confirmed before planting a kiss on his wife's forehead. Evelyn smiled at him once more before suddenly, her back arched off the gurney and she screamed in pain. Tony sat shock still at her sudden attack. Dr. Richards immediately headed to his wife and asked "What happened? Where does it hurt?"

"My—my spine. I-it hurts" Evelyn whimpered then she screamed again as tremors of pain shot through her spine.

Dr. Richards turned to Tony "Mr. Stark I need you to step outside. Please this is of utmost importance"

"B-bu—"

"Tony go!" Evelyn gasped out "I'll be fine"

"Evelyn—"

"Tony, I swear I'll be alright darling. I promise okay? I'll be alright"

Tony nodded before standing up and fixing his hold on his daughter. Just before he exited the room he turned back and saw her staring after them. He mouthed a quick "I love you" to her before she mouthed back their usual reply

"To the moon and back?"

Tony nodded, a lump in his throat growing as he saw her wince in pain "Even more than that"

He pulled his gaze away from Evelyn's cobalt blue eyes and walked out the door, trying his best not to look back.

"Doctor we're losing her!"

"No! Turn up the volts, we can't lose her"

"Doctor…doctor. It's no use. She won't make it"

Dr. Richards glared at the nurse but turned when he felt a tug on his scrubs. He saw his patient, Evelyn Stark giving him a sad smile and shaking her head

"Don't" she was trying to say "Just let it go"

Doctors were supposed to be professional, but he couldn't help but shed tears for one of the kindest women he's ever known. Evelyn Stark was a philanthropist. She had convinced Tony Stark to invest in schools, hospitals and orphanages. She was an incredible woman and she was dying. And he could do nothing to stop it now.

She couldn't talk. Her voice was gone from all the pained screaming she did. Now her vision was fading and the darkness was creeping up on her. She could only wish now that Tony could move on; that Pepper would be there to support him and her daughter; that her daughter would grow up in a loving family even if she wasn't there. She wished she could stay but knew that her time was up. She didn't get to do all that she wanted to do, but the short amount of time she spent with the people she loved was enough for her now. She could just rest and watch over her family until they could join her in the far future. Evelyn hoped that Tony would find the letter for their daughter. Maybe JARVIS would remind him. She thought of Obadiah, Rhodey, Happy, Pepper and Tony being the ones to raise her daughter. She smiled, and let tears slip down her cheeks knowing that her daughter would grow up to be a wonderfully amazing person surrounded by people who will adore and love her very much—even if her own mother couldn't be there.

"I love you my darling, my baby my star. To the moon and back and even more than that"

"Time of death, 4:11 pm"

"You'll be alright"

He stood at the foot of his wife's grave, their daughter tucked securely in his arms. On her grave stone was carved the date of her birth, her death date and a quote Tony thought she would have said to him. It read: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." ― Dr. Seuss.

The funeral had just finished and everyone, but Pepper and Happy, had left after offering their condolences. Tony could care less. Condolences wouldn't bring Evelyn back. Condolences wouldn't help him raise a daughter. He sighed and took of his shades making sure to balance his daughter in one arm. He then sat down on the grass ignoring the fact that Pepper had chosen a designer suit and settled the baby on his lap.

"Hello darling" he said to the gravestone "This is Lana"

He fixed his hold on his week old daughter and continued talking "Her full name is Lana Carina A. Stark" he smiled down fondly as a small hand wrapped around his jacket lapel "It means beautiful darling and I thought you'd like it. Pepper helped me with the name. She doesn't trust me with names especially after the time I created You and Butterfingers. She said I might have ended up naming our daughter something like 'Fragile' or 'Cobalt'!" he chuckled and scratched his chin "Maybe it really was best that I got Pepper to help me name Lana"

Pepper watched from a few feet away as her boss spoke to his deceased wife; her best friend and sister. Her eyes were still red from crying and her nose was red from sniffling into a tissue. Her heart broke she saw Tony caress Evelyn's gravestone lovingly and say "I found the letter. Don't worry I'll read it to Lana when she get older" she saw Tony's shoulders shake a bit "I miss you every single night. It's hard to get used to you not being there to hog the sheets. You know I'm not good at goodbyes so don't make me say goodbye okay? We don't want to say goodbye just yet" Pepper stifled the oncoming sobs by biting her fist "I love you Evelyn"

Tony waited for a reply like she used to do but there came nothing. He heard muffled sobs from behind him and saw his assistant hugging her waist crying her eyes out. Tony stood up from the grass, settled the sleeping babe in his arms and approached Pepper before giving her a pat on the shoulder, the closest he would get to comforting her.

"Let's go"

Pepper nodded and took deep breaths to regain her composure "O-okay. Let's go"

Tony gave her a small smirk, the first since last week and said "Come on Pep! Everything will be alright. We'll get by. Now let's get Lana out of here before she catches a cold. Hey I'll even treat you and Happy to some cheeseburgers if it makes you cheer up!"

Happy perked up as he heard his boss say that. Pepper shook her head and managed to smile and she took Lana from Tony's arms and cradled her in her own "I'd like that Mr. Stark"

As she sat in the back seat beside her boss, she stared at the baby girl's face and smiled softly

"I'll love you like I would my own child. I'll be your Mummy if you want. I'll love you like I loved Evelyn"

Lana's eyes opened and peeked at her, revealing the same cobalt blue that was her mother's and she gave a small smile that made Pepper's heart swell.

Tony watched the scenery pass by as they drove back to the Stark Malibu Mansion. The sun was beating down on them cheerfully as if it was saying everything was fine. It might have been his imagination but he could still hear Evelyn saying her favourite phrase:

"Everything will be alright darling"

A/N: Hi! So this is my first Iron Man Fic! If you read it thanks! This idea just popped into my head all of a sudden and then POOF! Here we are!

Tony is a bit OOC here... sorry.

Anywho... Review please! Your comments are important in the improvement of this story! And also improvements with the title aha!

I'll post as soon as I can!

All my Love xxxxx

Goddess of Random