November 13th 1993

Felicity Stark- 4 years old

Tony Stark- 23

At the sound of a front door opening, Felicity squealed, bounding down the stairs clumsily, as most excited four year olds do. Upon seeing her father, whom had been working all day, she grinned and ran at him, jumping into his arms. He chuckled deeply, planting a kiss on the crown of her head.

"I missed you, Daddy!" she exclaimed, hanging onto him. He shifted her to his hip.

"I missed you too, munchkin, work is boring without you," he said, smiling and waving as the nanny walked out of the house.

"The mansion is boring without you!" she exclaimed as he sat down on the couch, her in his lap. She spoke very well for a four year old, she rarely had issues in pronouncing things, and was always grammatically correct. On top of that she had inherited Tony's confidence, she was so animated and excited whenever she spoke.

"What?! How's it boring! There's everything here!" he exclaimed, it was true, Felicity was a spoiled kid. If she wanted it, she had it.

"Yeah but I just want you," she said. Tony was glad she couldn't see his face, because he frowned. He wasn't a softy, or a kid person, he hated kids, except for Felicity of course. When he was at work or parties, he was still his irresponsible, laid back, self. Around Felicity, however, he tried harder to be who he was supposed to be, at least to her. Howard had never really been around for him. He was always working and too busy for Tony, sure, he was also spoiled, but no toy or electronic could satisfy him, he just wanted to spend time with his dad. He tried to be better for Felicity, he wanted so badly to be there for her. To be supportive and friendly and to be in her life as much as possible. When she was old enough, he wouldn't even mind her hanging around Stark Industries, in fact, he would love it. So upon hearing his daughter say something he had often felt as a child, his heart broke. He wanted better for her.

"I'm sorry, baby. Wanna come to work with me tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yeah!...but Uncle Obie says I'm too little to be there," she pouted, turning to face him. Tony loved his God father, but he wanted him no where near his daughter. When Donna Smoak had first gotten pregnant, Obie had done nothing but encourage and beg Tony to pay the woman off and get them out of their lives. Tony was only nineteen when Felicity was born, he was too young to be a father and he desperately needed to focus on work. Tony refused, though, only thinking of Howard. He was going to do what his father never could, he was going to be an amazing dad. Ever since then Obie had been wary around Tony's blue eyed child and made sure to tell Tony how much of a distraction she was every chance he got. Tony didn't want Felicity hearing anything like that, he didn't want her to feel that way, so he tried to keep the two seperated when he could.

"Uncle Obie can suck it up," he said, flicking her nose. She giggled.

"I love you, Daddy," she said, burying her face in Tony's chest.

"I love you too kiddo,"

--

"Tony, do you really think it's a good idea to bring her?" Rhodey asked as they stepped out of the sleek black limo. A tiny Felicity was gripped her father's large hand, trying to keep up with his pace.

"Why not? She always loves an excuse to dress up," Tony shrugged, looking down at his beautiful little girl, fitted in a poofy red dress and matching flats.

"There's going to be alcohol and gambling going on," Rhodey said for about the fifth time that night.

"Come on, we won't be around that though, we'll be with all the snobby rich people as I accept an award," he replied.

"I'll be good Uncle Rhodey," Felicity promised, looking up at the man. Rhodey smiled and lifted her into his arms, of course she didn't understand, she thought she couldn't be there because of her. Rhodey was more concerned about her father's behavior.

"I know you will, you are always are," he smiled at her. He was another person who wasn't great with kids, but, of course, Felicity had her God Father wrapped around her little finger.

"If I'm extra good, do I get ice cream?!" she asked, excitedly.

"Of course, munchkin," Tony winked at her as they walked into the building.

--

They got about two hours in fine. No issues seemed to have arised and Rhodey was just praying they could get it over with soon, before anything did happen, but of course, Tony had to go and mess everything up. Rhodey was standing on the stage, looking over the crowd, waiting for his best friend to come up and accept the award, but instead Obie did.

When Rhodey noticed that not only was Tony MIA but so was his daughter, he began to panic. In a perfect world, the young girl would have gotten antsy or sick and Tony would have taken her home or to the bathroom or something. In the real world, however, Rhodey knew this wasn't the case. Tony was a good dad, he was trying really hard, but he was still Tony. When Rhodey found his best friend, several women hanging on his sides as he played poker, he was livid. Even more so when he realized Felicity wasn't with him.

"Tony, where is your daughter?" he asked.

"Isn't she with you?!" Tony slurred over the noise in the casino.

"No she's not! She must have followed you out!" Rhodey exclaimed. This caused him to sober up some, as he shook of the women hanging on him.

"She wasn't in the room at all?" he asked, pulling Rhodey to the side.

"No! I looked everywhere!" he exclaimed. Tony cursed as they began to search for the blonde.

--

Donna Smoak angrily burst through the house, JARVIS having let her in. She stormed into the living room where Felicity slept, her head on her father's lap, chocolate ice cream covering her face. Tony looked up and smiled sheepishly at the blonde mother, knowing he had messed up big time. By the time they had finally found Felicity, she had been lost for over two hours and she was sobbing alone in a corner, scared to death. Donna had been notified before hand and, now that she wasn't so terrified and her daughter was safe, she was ticked.

"Anthony Edward Stark, I cannot believe you!" she hissed, trying not to wake her daughter.

"It's not my fault she snuck out, she was with trust worthy people!" of course he had an excuse. Tony always had an excuse.

"Clearly she wasn't," Donna lifted her daughter into her arms, who stirred before settling her head on her mother's shoulder. "you were supposed to be watching her. How could you take her to a casino Tony? How can you keep doing stuff like this. She could have been hurt. Lord knows what drunk men are capable of," Donna's voice was low and angry, tears pricked her eyes as the memory of her scary thoughts came back to her mind.

"You know me, Donna. You know who I am," he said, standing and crossing his arms.

"So that's how it's gonna be? Choose playboy over father?" she asked. Tony didn't reply. He just stared at her. She nodded.

"Fine, but don't think you can come back. Once you've made this decision, you don't get to take it back," she said. Tony nodded.

"I'll have my lawyers in touch. You can have full custody." he said. She shook her head, shock filling her.

"She's going to be heartbroken," Donna turned and left before Tony could see her cry, taking her daughter out to her car and driving away.

After a moment Tony fell back onto the couch, burying his face in his hands. He didn't want this. He didn't want to be seperated from Felicity, but he wasn't a good father. Donna was right, he was irresponsible. This wasn't the first time something like this had happened, Tony couldn't control himself. If he truly wanted best for Felicity, he would stay away.

After custody papers were signed, he sent money to Donna every month, more if she needed it, which he always knew because he had people keeping tabs. He couldn't be physically in his daughters life, but he would do what he could. He would make sure she at least had everything she needed and more. He sent birthday gifts and let Donna pretend they were from her. He sent emails to schools if his daughter wasn't getting treated right. He did background checks on all of her friends... Felicity didn't know it, but he was there, he was there as much as he could be.