Ch.7
Beep…Beep…Beep
My eyes fluttered open, great I'm in the hospital. I looked to my right Pepper wa sleeping in an uncomfortable looking chair, as was Rhodey who was on the left side of my bed. With a little bit of struggle I pulled myself up to a seated position. Rhodey's feet had been resting on the bed and my movement caused his eyes to snap open. When he saw me up he smiled, I laid my head back against my pillow and watched him carefully. He was being cautious, and he kept glancing at me wearily. I sighed and closed my eyes again I really hated hospitals, my muscles were sore and my throat hurt a little. I tried to think, why was I in the hospital? Just then my memories came crashing into me, dad was missing. Panic seized me and my breathing quickened, the last thing I did was yell at him. He could be dead and the last thing I did was yell at him. I am so stupid, about something as silly as a random reporter. I didn't even spend time with him in the lab so we could be "Geniuses together." Together.
"Isabella Marie Stark." I heard someone yell.
My eyes snapped open, Pepper and Rhodey were standing over me. I groaned and rubbed my face with my hands.
"Bella?" Pepper timidly asked.
"Is he really gone?"
"Yes Bells, he is."
Tears spilled out of my eyes and down my cheeks. Rhodey took my hands in his.
"I promise you Bella I am doing every freaking thing and using every freaking tracking device known to man to find your dad."
"What if he's dead though Rhodey, what if he's not coming back?" I cried
"Oh Bella, it'll be alright. Maybe not right now but it will be. Tony wouldn't give up or leave you that easily." Rhodey reassured pulling me into his lap. I felt like a lost child, Pepper and Rhodey were my safe houses. They wouldn't let anything happen to me or my dad. I cried harder, Pepper began to rub my back, and Rhodey rocked me in his strong arms whispering comforting words. I realized how emotionally drained I was and I didn't even remember closing my eyes and falling asleep.
The next morning I woke in my bedroom in the mansion. Happy to be out of the hospital I headed to the bathroom. I still felt devastated and awful that my dad was missing but moping around and crying wouldn't help find him. I took a nice, warm shower, the warm water running down my back calmed me and I felt a little better, still sad but better. I got dressed and headed to the kitchen. I walked into the kitchen and found Pepper sitting at the breakfast bar. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. I walked over and wrapped my arms around her. I knew she had feelings for Tony. She cared for him like a mother hen, but also like a best friend or… a … girlfriend would. She jumped in surprise she apparently had been zoned out.
"Hey Bells, good to see you up." She said, a sad smile on her lips.
"Good morning Pepper, go get yourself a shower and wash your face it will make you feel better." I told the older woman.
She nodded and excused herself from the room. I realized tears were collecting n my eyes and I choked them down. I wasn't going to cry, not today. Dad needed to be found and crying was not going to do it. I remembered Rhodey's birthday present from a few days ago. I picked up my cell phone and called Rhodey.
"Hey Bells, you okay?" Rhodey answered.
"Hi Rhodey, no I'm not okay but dad wouldn't want me to mope around doing absolutely nothing."
"Alright so what do you need?"
" Can I take you up on those piloting lessons and self defense classes?" I asked.
You could practically hear Rhodey's smile when he answered, "What time can you get here?"
