Chapter 6
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AN1: Thank you for all the support. I really hope you like this chapter. Please review/comment.
A few hours after she went to bed Melinda wakes up, and even though she only got a few hours of sleep she wakes feeling well rested. Once she is awake Melinda doesn't get up, she just lays in her bed, and as she does she realises that she can smell good food, something which she is pretty sure she has never woken up to in her apartment and so she gets up and heads out to the kitchen.
When Melinda walks into the kitchen she finds Tony taking all kinds of breakfast food out of take away containers and putting them onto plates.
"You went out and got breakfast." Melinda says, looking slightly surprised, as she walks towards Tony.
"Well yeah, I wasn't going to let Bobbi get food poisoning on her first morning with you." Tony explains.
"You know for the record you can't cook either." Melinda informs her friend.
"I know, why do you think I went and brought food." Tony comments, causing Melinda to shake her head.
"It looks like you got every possible breakfast food there is." Melinda says, looking around.
"I wasn't sure what Bobbi likes, and I also wasn't sure if her abilities caused her to need to eat more." Tony says, as his father talked about Steve Rogers's appetite increasing after he was given the super solider serum, so he can't help but wonder if it would be the same for Bobbi.
"I'm not completely sure what she likes either, she's eaten anything she was offered the last few days." Melinda admits, "And yeah, the Doctors at S.H.I.E.L.D who examined her said her metabolic rate has increase, and the more she uses her powers the more food she will need." Melinda explains, knowing for a fact that Tony will understand the science a hell of a lot more than she will.
"I'll keep that in mind." Tony says, "Does Bobbi have control of her powers?" Tony asks curious.
"Some, not a lot." Melinda admits, as Tony gets an idea, "Why?" she asks curious.
"I think I might have an idea how to help her get a bit more control, or at least understand how to control them a bit, I'll let you know if the idea pans out." Tony says, looking distracted by what he is thinking, which is a look Melinda has seen on Tony's face a million times, so she knows what it means.
"Okay." Melinda says, trusting him completely, "I was…" Melinda starts to say, but before she can say anymore both she and Tony hear,
"Melinda?" And Melinda turns to see Bobbi standing partly inside her room and partly out of it.
"Good morning Bobbi." Melinda says, and she realises that Bobbi looks hesitant, "It's okay you can come out." She says, and Bobbi still looks hesitant, and so Melinda walks over to her, and squats down next to her, while giving Tony a signal to say walk out from behind the bench, but not get to close, which is exactly what he does, "Bobbi, this is Tony." Melinda introduces, "He's a really good friend of mine. I've known him since I was a little older than you, he won't hurt you." Melinda promises.
"Hi Bobbi, it's really nice to meet you." Tony says, honestly having no clue if he is saying the right thing.
"Hi." Bobbi says, looking nervous.
"You know Tony brought us breakfast, are you hungry?" Melinda asks curious.
"A little…" Bobbi answers, strutting slightly.
"Well, what would you like?" Tony asks Bobbi, wanting to show her that she has no reason to be afraid of him, but he has no idea how to do that, "I got bacon, and eggs, and waffles, and pancakes, and toast, and sausages, and fruit." Tony says, looking at all the food, trying to make sure he doesn't forget anything.
"Pancakes… please." Bobbi says, in a quiet voice.
"Good choice." Tony says, with an approving nod, "We have bird shape or star shapes, which would you like?" Tony asks curious, as when he was buying breakfast he mentioned that he was buying it for a child so the pancakes were made into different shapes.
"Birds…. I like birds…" Bobbi says.
"Birds, you've got it Little Bird." Tony says, and the second he calls Bobbi Little Bird she grins and looks a lot less afraid.
"Is there syrup?" Bobbi asks, walking over to Tony.
"Yep, different kinds too." Tony says, walking back over to the counter.
"Wow." Bobbi says, looking amazed, like she just realised how much food there is, as Melinda stands up, with a smile on her face, feeling like things went a lot better than she was expecting, "Melinda, there's chocolate syrup!" Bobbi says, looking excited, from the chair she has climbed up onto.
"So, there is." Melinda says, as she walks over to join Bobbi and Tony with what is going to be a very filling breakfast.
A little while later Melinda, Tony and Bobbi have eaten a lot of the breakfast Tony brought, though both Melinda and Tony know that the reason that so much of the food has been eaten is because of Bobbi's enhanced metabolism.
During breakfast it has been clear that Bobbi is still hesitant around Tony, but Melinda realises that she is quickly warming up to him, something which doesn't surprise her.
"Can I have more orange juice?" Bobbi asks Melinda.
"Of course." Melinda says, pouring her a bit more, "Are you still hungry?" Melinda asks, as she pours the drink.
"No." Bobbi answers, "Thank you for breakfast, Tony." Bobbi says, looking at him.
"You're very welcome." Tony tells her, as Bobbi drinks some of the juice that Melinda poured her, "What's the plan for today?" he asks, looking at Melinda, knowing that she would have figured that out already.
"Well, Bobbi doesn't have many things, so I thought we could go shopping, if that's okay with you." Melinda says, looking at Bobbi.
"You mean with people… that I could hurt?" Bobbi asks, looking nervous.
"You won't hurt anyone Bobbi, I'll be with you the whole time." Melinda promises.
"Tony too?" Bobbi asks, looking at him, it being clear that she wants him there, and as she does Melinda looks at Tony too.
"Yeah, I guess I could come." Tony says, honestly having no interest in going shopping, but Bobbi clearly wants him too, so he can't say no to that.
"Great." Melinda says, resisting the urge to smirk as she is pretty sure at this point, because of what Bobbi means to her, she could ask Tony for anything she she'd get it, "Do you want to go wash up and get ready?" Melinda asks Bobbi.
"Okay." Bobbi says, jumping down from her chair, and running to her bedroom.
"Less than an hour, is that the quickest you've ever been charmed by a girl?" Melinda asks curious, with a teasing tone.
"Nah, I think that record belongs to you." Tony says, causing Melinda to laugh.
"Do you want to use the bathroom first while I clean up." Melinda suggests.
"Nah, I'll clean up." Tony comments, and Melinda gives him a shocked look, "Yeah, I'm never going to offer to clean up again, so you might as well take advantage of it."
"Okay." Melinda says, "Just listen for Bobbi, make sure she's okay." Melinda requests.
"Of course." Tony says, and with a nod Melinda heads into the bathroom while Tony gets started on cleaning up.
July 10th 1993
Ever since Bobbi moved in with Melinda has been off work while the two of them get used to their new circumstances. Tony, Clint, Coulson, and Melinda's parents have all spent time with Melinda and Bobbi, but for the most part Melinda and Bobbi have been alone as they get used to their new situation.
It is a Saturday afternoon and Melinda and Bobbi are in the living room of Melinda's apparent, waiting for Richard, Rhodey and Mary, who Bobbi hasn't met yet, along with Tony, to arrive.
"Who's going to be here?" Bobbi asks curious, looking nervous.
"My friends, Richard, James, and Mary." Melinda explains, "They're really nice; and they're looking forward to meeting you." She explains, as she has called Richard, Rhodey, and Mary about her taking in a kid, and Tony explained the more sensitive details to them, because she couldn't over the phone.
"Okay." Bobbi says, looking nervous, "Tony will be here too, right?" Bobbi asks, looking at Melinda, as they both hear a knock the door.
"Yep, that will be him." Melinda says, standing up.
"How did you know?" Bobbi asks, looking surprised.
"I recognize his knock." Melinda explains, as she heads to the door, and opens it to let Tony in.
"Hey." Tony greats, "Can you hold the door open." Tony requests.
"Okay." Melinda says, side stepping a little so that she can open the door fully, and as she does Tony leaves her site, and then a few seconds later returns to view carrying a large object, that is covered in plastic, "Tony, what is this?" Melinda asks.
"You'll see in a second." Tony says, putting the object down.
"Hi Tony." Bobbi says, with a grin, looking less afraid than she has in the past.
"Hey Little Bird." Tony says, before heading back out of the apartment, and returning with a very large, what looks like, stuffed toy in the shape of a bird, a mockingbird, Melinda thinks.
"Is that everything?" Melinda asks.
"Yep." Tony says, and Melinda closes the door.
"What is all this, Tony?" Melinda asks curious, as she walks over to him.
"Well this, is for you." Tony says, handing the toy, that is about half the size of Bobbi, to her.
"A bird." Bobbi says, looking amazed, taking the toy, hesitantly as it is clear to Melinda that she doesn't want to accidently destroy it.
"Yep, a Mockingbird." Tony tells Bobbi and Melinda, "And you know there is something very special about that toy."
"There is?" Bobbi asks, looking interested, and the truth is that Melinda is very interested too.
"Yep, you can squeeze it as hard as you want, or hit it, and it won't be destroyed." Tony explains, having used the S.H.I. . reports Melinda gave him, and some of his father's old notes on project rebirth, which he actually couldn't find very many off, to create a soft toy that Bobbi couldn't destroy.
"Really?" Bobbi asks, looking glad, like she can't quiet believe what Tony is saying.
"Yep, give it a try." Tony says, giving her an encouraging look, and feeling worried Bobbi tries to squeeze the toy as tight as she can, but nothing happens, it doesn't break, or get damaged in anyway.
"Wow." Bobbi says, looking amazed, "Thank you, Tony." she says, before hugging him, to the surprise of both Melinda and Tony.
"You're very welcome, Little Bird." Tony says, as he returns the hug, realising that it is a bit tighter than what he would expect a hug to be, but it's not hard enough to hurt him, and once they break apart Melinda mouths 'thank you' to Tony as Bobbi has destroyed several stuffed animals in the past week, so it would mean a lot to her to have one that she couldn't accidently destroy.
"What's this?" Melinda asks curious, walking over to the other object Tony carried in.
"A punching bag, and gloves." Tony answers.
"I'm assuming they're not regular ones." Melinda assumes.
"They are. They just have sensors over them so that Bobbi's strength, and the amount of force she exhibits can be further tested and understood." Tony explains, "Hopefully it will help you understand your abilities a bit more." Tony says, looking at Bobbi, "Us to." He adds, looking at Melinda.
"Thank you." Melinda says, looking at Tony grateful, and knowing that building things to help them is how Tony shows he cares.
"No need to thank me, Mel, if it helps that's what matters." Tony explains, and as he does there is a knock on the door.
"Do you want to move this to the corner, we'll set it up later." Melinda says, looking at Tony.
"Sure." Tony says, as Melinda heads to the door, "Do you want to help me?" Tony asks, looking at Bobbi, knowing what Bobbi can be like around new people and so he wants to distract her a little.
"Sure." Bobbi says, as she gently puts her toy down on the couch and walks over to Tony and together the two of them pick up the punching bag and move it to the corner as Melinda opens the door and lets Rhodey, Richard, and Mary into the apartment.
As Bobbi turns and sees strange people in the apartment she looks afraid and tries to hide behind Tony.
"It's okay, Little Bird, they won't hurt you." Tony assures her, having no idea how to reassure a scared kid whose been through hell.
"Tony's right Bobbi, these are our friends that I was telling you about." Melinda says, walking over and squatting down next to Bobbi, "That's Richard, that's James, and that's Mary." Melinda introduces pointing to each of them as introduces them, "Can you say hello?" Melinda asks, "It's okay." Melinda says, with an encouraging nod.
"Hi." Bobbi says, sounding nervous.
"Hi Bobbi, it's really nice to meet you." Rhodey says.
"Hi." Richard says, with a kind wave.
"Hey Sweetheart." Mary greats.
"You know, I think Mary, Richard, and James would like to see your room. Do you want to show them?" Melinda asks curious, trying to help Bobbi be a little more open, and at Melinda's suggestion Bobbi looks between Melinda and Tony, both of whom are looking as encouraging as possible, and around the room.
"Okay." Bobbi says, with a hesitant nod.
"Tony and I will be right here." Melinda assures Bobbi.
"Okay." Bobbi says, nodding once more, and she heads over to her room, with Rhodey, Richard, and Mary right behind her, though they are all keeping a respectful distance.
"You're incredible." Melinda says, walking over to Tony and hugging him, and once she is sure everyone else is in Bobbi's room she kisses him.
"I'm just doing what I can to help." Tony explains as they break apart, as there aren't a lot of things he can do to help Bobbi what he can do is create things that help her.
"Which is exactly why you're incredible." Melinda explains, "We should go check to make sure Bobbi's okay." Melinda says, Tony nods, and the two of them head into the bedroom where Bobbi is explaining things around the room to Richard, Rhodey, and Mary, it being clear that Bobbi is nervous, but trying to be less afraid as Rhodey, Richard and Mary are trying to be as reassuring as possible.
October 20th 1993
Ever since Melinda took in Bobbi the young girl has started to feel a little more comfortable around other people, and is less afraid of hurting them, but it is clear that Melinda is the person she is most comfortable around. However, that being said she developed a level of comfort around Tony, Phil, Clint, Rhodey, Richard, Mary and William all of whom she has spent time around.
Even though both Melinda and Bobbi were nervous about it Bobbi has also started school, and since she started it has been clear that Bobbi loves learning and to both their reliefs there hasn't been an awkward to explain incident.
While Melinda feels that Bobbi is the best thing in her life and she is beyond happy that she took her in, she has found herself struggling and feeling like she isn't being as good of a parent as Bobbi deserves. While she feels guilty Melinda is also starting to feel like she has things under control a little more as her father moved in a couple of weeks ago, just before they moved across the hall to a three-bedroom apartment, so that he can look after Bobbi Melinda when Melinda suddenly has to go out of town on a mission.
It's late at night and Melinda, who was called into S.H.I.E.L.D because of an emergency thirty-six hour earlier, is finally returning to her new apartment where she finds her father sitting on the couch reading a book.
"Hey Dad." Melinda says, walking over to him, "How's Bobbi?" she asks concerned.
"Completely fine, she's asleep." William explains, "Her spelling test is on the counter as she got everything right and made me promise to show you when you got home." William explains, as Bobbi wanted to stay up until her mother got home, but she got too tired.
"That's great." Melinda says, feeling proud.
"She also insisted that she called Tony to tell him." William explains, "Are you and Anthony dating, Melinda?" William asks, and thanks to the tone Melinda feels like she is once more a teenager getting in trouble.
"No Dad, we're just friends." Melinda explains, telling the complete truth.
"Bobbi said he's around a lot, and I've seen that the last few weeks." William reveals.
"That's because we're best friends. We've always been there for each other, that's never going to change." Melinda tells her father, as just because they are close, and have sex occasionally, doesn't mean their relationship is more than what it is.
"If you say so." William tells his daughter, it being clear that he doesn't believe her, "Bobbi said that Tony is making her Halloween costume, that she's seems very excited about."
"She's thrilled about it." Melinda says, knowing that all too well, and she sees the look on her fathers' face and because of that she knows what he is thinking, "I'm tired, I'm going to go to bed." Melinda says, before heading to the kitchen where she looks at Bobbi's test and then puts it on the fridge before heading to bed, wondering if anyone other than her and Tony will ever understand the relationship the two of them share.
March 12th 1994
In the almost nine months since Bobbi moved in with Melinda she has become less afraid, more open which Melinda suspects is partly because Bobbi has developed more control of her abilities. Her control has increased so much that she never accidently breaks anything anymore, she can control how much strength she uses, something which has been possible thanks to all the things Tony created to help her, and the support she has gotten from not just Melinda and Tony, but William, Clint, Coulson, Richard, Rhodey, and Mary as well.
It's a Saturday afternoon and Melinda has had a day off S.H.I.E.L.D, something which is a rarity, and as she and Bobbi had had a great day, just the two of them, Melinda decides its time to bring something up with Bobbi and so she walks through Bobbi's open door and over to where she is playing with Lego, something which she enjoys playing with, and sits down across from her.
"What are you building?" Melinda asks curious.
"A plane, like you fly." Bobbi explains.
"Wow, that's cool." Melinda says, meaning that, "Bobbi, can you stop playing for a minute, there is something I want to talk to you about." Melinda explains.
"Okay." Bobbi says, putting down what she is doing, and looking at Melinda.
"Do you like living here with me, Bobbi?" Melinda asks curious.
"Of course." Bobbi answers, "Why would you ask that?" Bobbi asks, looking confused.
"Because, if it's okay with you, I would like to adopt you." Melinda explains.
"That means you'd be my Mom, for real, right?" Bobbi asks, sounding uncertain.
"It does." Melinda confirms, feeling like that was a pretty simple explanation, but it works, "What do you think about that? Is that something you'd like?" Melinda asks curious.
"Yes, yes!" Bobbi sys, looking excited.
"Okay." Melinda says, grinning form ear to ear, "I'll get started on the paperwork right away…. I love you, Bobbi." Melinda tells her daughter, as that what Bobbi is to her, a daughter, even if she may not legally be.
"I love you too, Mom." Bobbi says, before quickly moving and hugging her tightly and as she does Melinda realises that this is the best moment of her life, her little girl calling her Mom for the first time.
June 26th 1994
Since Melinda asked Bobbi if she wanted to be adopted the young girl has celebrated her seventh birthday with a party that was attended by her family, Tony, Rhodey, Richard, Mary, Coulson, Clint, and Peggy all people she now calls Aunt or Uncle as well as her grandparents and Sharon Carter, who was brought to the party by her Great Aunt Peggy, who has become a good friend to Bobbi.
Finally, the day has come where the judge is going to make a decision about whether Melinda's adoption of Bobbi is going to be approved. Even though her court appointment isn't for a little while Melinda and Bobbi are already at the court house with Tony, Coulson, Clint, Richard, Rhodey and Mary who are supporting her, though Melinda is currently standing a little away form her family, or she was until Tony walks over to her.
"Hey, Little Bird." Tony says, with a smile.
"Uncle Tony!" Bobbi says, grinning at him, as Tony squats down in front of her
"You know, I think Uncle Clint has some gummy bears and if you ask real nicely he might give you some." Tony informs her.
"Okay." Bobbi says, looking happy as she hurries over to where Clint is talking with Rhodey, as Tony stands up.
"You need to take a breath, Mel." Tony tells her, "Relax."
"I can't Tony. What if the judge doesn't approve the adoption?" Melinda asks, sounding worried.
"Then he's an idiot." Tony tells Melinda, "Mel, anyone in their right mind can tell that you are an amazing mom to Bobbi, and that the best thing for her would be to approve your adoption."
"Thanks Tony." Melinda says, looking grateful, and not sure what else to say Tony just leans forward and hugs his friend, wishing there is more he could do, besides pay for the lawyer Melinda is using, as he knows Melinda's adoption being refused would destroy not just Melinda, but Bobbi as well, which is something he couldn't handle.
A little while later Melinda is sitting in a courtroom, between her lawyer and Bobbi, as Tony, Phil, Clint, Rhodey, Richard, and Mary are watching on from the public gallery.
"Ms May, I have reviewed all the relevant documentation, your statement, Bobbi's statement, the various character statements you have supporting you I have come to my decision." The Judge reveals, "While the requirements of your job would usually give me pause, the support you have of family and friends, and the fact that your father now lives with you, is enough to alleviate those concerns." The judge admits, and Melinda feels hope rise inside of her, "And it is to my great pleasure to approve Melinda Qiaolian May's adoption of Barbra Susan Morse, congratulations Bobbi from this moment on you are legally Barbra May Susan Morse." The judge says, and once he does Melinda just hugs her daughter tight, not seeing the glad looks on her friends, her families, faces.
December 3rd 1994
Months have passed since Melinda adopted Bobbi and besides the fact that Melinda is legally Bobbi's parent not much has changed in the way they act with each other.
It's mid-morning on a Saturday and Melinda and Bobbi are in Bobbi's bedroom, both wearing nice dresses, as Melinda is helping Bobbi with bows that are on her shoes.
"So, what do I have to do again?" Bobbi asks curious, as she plays with the Mockingbird soft toy that Tony made her.
"You're going to walk down an isle with Sharon, and your both going to have baskets with flower peddles, which you're going to throw out at the people who are sitting around." Melinda explains.
"I throw them softly, right?" Bobbi asks, wanting to make sure.
"Yep." Melinda confirms, "Done." Melinda says, with a grin.
"Thanks Mom, I just couldn't do it." Bobbi explains.
"That's okay." Melinda assures her daughter, as there is a knock on the door, "Yeah." Melinda says, and once she does the door opens and Tony, in a suit, walks in.
"A lovely car for two lovely ladies has arrived." Tony says, putting on a posh voice.
"You're funny, Uncle Tony." Bobbi says, with a laugh.
"I know." Tony says, with a smirk, "You ladies ready to go?"
"Depends, which car did you bring?" Melinda asks curious.
"Black Mustang." Tony answers, having chosen that car for a specific reason.
"Yeah, I think we're ready." Melinda says, standing up, and as she stands up Bobbi puts her toy on her bed, and stands up too.
"Then after you." Tony says, slightly bowing, causing Melinda to shake her head at him as she and Bobbi walk past him, and head out of the apartment, going to the wedding of Richard Parker and Mary Fitzpatrick.
A couple of hours later Richard and Mary are now Mr and Mrs Mary Parker, and their reception is in full swing. While most people are mingling Melinda is sitting at a table drinking a glass of scotch, as she looks around. As she looks around she sees her daughter happily playing with Sharon Carter, and a little boy about her age who Melinda recognizes as Gabe Jones grandson Antoine Triplett.
For a few minutes Melinda watches her daughter, and her friends, and once she is sure that Bobbi is okay she keeps looking around the room and as she does she sees Phil happily talking, and flirting with a friend of Mary's, Richard, and Mary dancing together, and Rhodey and Clint are clearly listening to stories being told by Peggy and the Howling Commandoes who are at the wedding.
"You look like you're a hundred miles away." A voice says, and Melinda looks up to see Tony.
"I'm not." Melinda answers, looking at Tony, as she puts her drink down.
"Well then, lets dance." Tony says, sticking out his hand and Melinda doesn't move to take it, she just gives him a less than impressed look, "Come on Mel, give me one dance before Parker has me thrown out because of my speech."
"That's not going to happen." Melinda says as she takes Tony's hand and stands up, "Richard knew what he was getting into when he named you best man." She comments, as they walk to the dance floor, "And we both know he wasn't really that mad."
"Maybe." Tony says, sounding uncertain, as they begin to dance.
"There is no maybe about it." Melinda tells him, "And for the record, I admire the restraint you showed in telling stories." Melinda says, as she knows Tony could have told much worse stories than the ones he did tell.
"It's his wedding day, I figured I'd be nice." Tony explains, shrugging slightly, causing Melinda to laugh slightly as she is pretty sure that no one would describe the story Tony told as nice, "I can't believe he and Mary are finally married, I still remember when he was too afraid to ask Mary out because he didn't want to ruin their friendship."
"It seems like so long ago." Melinda admits, as everything that happened before Bobbi came into her life seems like a lifetime ago, "But I guess they decided the risk was worth it."
"Guess so." Tony confirms, and once he does the to of them continue to dance together, just like they have many times before, enjoying themselves even though Melinda would never admit that fact.