Hey guys~ It's me back with another chapter! Sorry it took again some time to for me to write this up. I'm very busy with my thesis writing and the defense day is getting closer. At least I manage to squeeze this out! On another note, the response to the previous chapter was awesome! Thank you everyone! I am very grateful to everyone! Thank you to all who reviewed, followed, and favored this story!
I'll reserve the rest of my words at the end of the chapter. Here's your chapter!
Warning(s): Alternate Universe
ChildFEM!Harry
Mentions of Past Abuse and Neglect
Ratings: T+ for swear words
UnBETAed
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the Avengers. Harry Potter and the Avengers belongs to J.K. Rowlings and MARVEL respectively.
Chapter 8: With love, Lily
ADELAIDE
It's been two weeks since Adelaide had come to Tony's Malibu's home and one week since Tony had left for London to see through the Dursley's trial. But despite it all Adelaide still felt very jittery, especially when she woke up in the middle of the night with Tony still on his way back from London. She was inconsolable, close to hyperventilating when she came to and there was no Tony. Not seeing her daddy was Adelaide's new found deepest fear. If there was no Tony then she was all alone again. And Adelaide didn't want that, she was just getting used to the life of having a family and thinking that she had lost it once again… Well it was something that Adelaide didn't really want to think about. It was a good thing that Pepper was around though, okay she's still very shy around her daddy's girlfriend but she really likes Pepper. It was Pepper who calmed her down when she panicking that night. Reassuring her that Tony is not going to leave her and will be home soon. Without thinking she found herself minutes later clinging to Pepper like her life depended on her.
Adelaide found that Pepper's gentle touches were nice.
Now there she was sitting in front of her study desk staring intently at her Cherry Blossom bonsai tree which Pepper got for her and had just finished spraying it with water. Adelaide loves gardening as much as she loves cooking. Having something to take care of even if it's a plant made her jumping in joy. She couldn't wait for the flowers to bloom so she can show it to both Pepper and her daddy.
It still felt so surreal—all of this. Her having a daddy, moving away from London, meeting Pepper, JARVIS. It's just felt too perfect. She knows that she's being silly Tony had spent days telling her that all of these was true that she's not dreaming. She knew that but her mind just can't get around the thought of it just yet.
Speaking of Tony. Her daddy is great! She didn't expect having a daddy felt this good! She really didn't have anything to compare the feeling with to be honest. But all she really care about is how Tony makes her happy—feel protected, loved. He teaches her stuff that she haven't read in a book. And the best part of it is that he lets her ticker with some of his fancy gadgets which of course she manages to figure out in less than a minute or two. The look of smugness that her daddy would throw at Pepper every time she does something with his gadgets was really amusing.
But still he won't let her down on see his lab. What's up with that? Adelaide thought.
"Why can't I go down to see your workshop Daddy?" She remembered asking Tony one day while they were eating some sandwiches that Pepper left for them.
"Not yet kiddo. Uh…Maybe when you're older."
"How long Daddy?"
Her daddy looked really uncomfortable then, he was scratching the back of his neck and was avoiding her eyes.
"Uh… Oh look! Your Choco is getting cold. Drink up kiddo! Pepper makes great beverages don't cha think?"
Adelaide giggled at the memory. It's really funny how her daddy would try and use chocolates to distract her from asking about that. He could have just told her straight up that it would be years before she could see his lab. Adelaide pouted.
"Miss Stark? Your father is calling you for lunch." JARVIS voice pulled Adelaide from her inner musings; she looked up to the walls and smiled.
"I'll be right there!" came her cherry reply. It took Adelaide quite a while to get used to the idea of JARVIS and his (he was programmed a male afterall) omniscient presence inside the Stark home but she got there and ended up liking JARVIS.
She quickly stood up from her seat and turn to the door but not before giving her bonsai plant one last look before she disappeared through the door.
…
TONY
"You sure this is a good idea Tony? I don't want to scare Adelaide." James Rhodes aka Rhodey asked. Tony raised an eyebrow at the coronel and hummed. He, Pepper and Rhodey were seated around Tony's dinner table waiting for the girl in question (Adelaide) to arrive.
"Relax, Ria is going to be love you." Tony waved the man's concern off and focused back in making sandwiches. Pepper threw him a knowing look before she turn to Rhodey.
"But still…"
"No buts!" Tony shot back before they heard a Adelaide's soft steps approaching. Tony smirked at Rhodey who is looking rather pale.
"Daddy!"
"Hey there Ria! Come meet my not so best-bestfriend Coronel James Rhodes!" Tony beamed at his daughter, gesturing her to seat right next to him.
Adelaide stared at Rhodey intently, like she always does with the people she doesn't know. She stared at Pepper the same way when they first met, Tony noticed.
"Uh… Hi there Adelaide. I'm James Rhodey…" he looked at him then to Adelaide once again. "I'm your father's not so best-bestfriend."
"Hi Mr. Rhodes. You're a colonel? Does that mean that you work for the Military?" Tony had to release a sigh of relief at that one. He was actually nervous on how Ria would react to Rhodey but seeing that she fired off a question after acknowledging the man, Tony knew that it's going to be smooth from here on.
"Yes. I work for the Military but more on the Research and Development. I used to work close with you Daddy right here…"
Tony watched as Ria fires off question after question to Rhodey, the look of amazement was eminent in her eyes. It glows with curiosity that it makes her eyes look brighter than it usually is. She even has the same look that he used to have whenever he was listening to the stories that his mother used to tell him about a man who sacrificed himself for them to win the war.
"But Daddy's not a soldier." Ria's brows furrowed, she even gave Rhodey a look. Pepper stifled a giggle and he had to push down a snarky retort on that one.
"Well… He's not a soldier. He used to make things for the military."
"Oh! Oh…"
Tony had to give it to Rhodey, he really knows how to deal with kids—unlike him. He was threading on thin ice with Ria, remember he doesn't know shit about dealing with kids. But somehow it's working out; at least he has Pepper to walk him through parenthood.
Thank God for Pepper!
…
There were nights that Tony gets this huge urge to clean out his workshop until it was sparkly clean. It was OCD of him but hey! He is a perfectionist—in a way. And tonight just happens to be one of those nights.
"Alright JARVIS it's spring cleaning time. I need you to monitor all the stuff that we actually need and log all the things that we don't." Tony mumbled as he rummages through a pile of scrap metal under his work desk. Loud clattering of metal hitting each other, falling in the floor and Tony's occasional cursing echoed against the basement's walls.
He was in middle of hauling boxes of scrap metal when JARVIS called him out.
"Sir. There's a package sitting on top of your workdesk along with Miss Stark's documentation. You still have yet to work through it."
Tony turned his head and saw a small package sitting on top of a small pile of paper. It was a small box—old and worn looking. Shrugging, he drops the boxes on the floor and sauntered to his desk, pushing away the other tinkles on top. He held the box and examined it.
To Anthony 'Tony' Edward Stark
He furrowed his brows and sat down, his dark eyes gazing down at the offending package in front of him. Where did this came from? The genius inventor asked himself. Then he remembered hearing Happy mentioning some parcel found somewhere inside the Dursley's house that was addressed to him. Is this it?
With a mix of trepidation and curiosity, Tony tore the package open revealing numerous DVD's stacked and labeled with numbers 1 to 7. A folded letter was lying on top of the stack.
He took the letter and folded it out. His eyes widened when he saw who writer was. Quickly he straightened up and held the piece of paper in front of him.
Dear Tony,
Hi. I know it's been ages since we last saw it other. How are you? I hope you're not giving everyone in California hell. But who am I kidding? You're Tony. Anyway I'm sure you are wondering why the letter. I know it's old school but I really don't know how am I supposed to tell what I am about to say or rather write to you.
But here goes…
Tony, I am Pregnant. Yes, you read that right. I am pregnant and it's definitely ours. Don't ask me how this happened because your guess is as good as mine. But I'm pretty certain that this is yours. I just found out a while ago actually. I wanted to freak out but I know it would only make me look silly.
Tony couldn't help but snort. The way the letter was written was screaming 'Lily' all over. She even managed to berate him.
'Yep, definitely Lily.' Tony chuckled and read on.
I really wanted to tell you immediately but I don't know how. You're such a big thing right now and between your family's business and everything, I thought that it was not the right time to tell you. Please don't get angry with me Tony. I know this decision is going to bite me in the arse one day but I just don't know what to do. I don't know when the right time is but you will know. Soon anyway. To make it up to you (If I ended up not telling you for a long time) I'm going to make photo slash video journal for you. I'm going to document this pregnancy step but step so maybe one day…We, together with our child can watch it.
Tony tore his eyes from the letter and went back to the package. He took out the first DVD labeled as month one. He quickly stood up from his desk, carrying the package and the letters and settled down on his couch, the same couch where he sat as he watched his father's old footages.
"Play this for me JARVIS. Make copies as well."
"Right away sir."
The screen flared into life and Lily's smiling face greeted Tony's. He couldn't help but smile. It was Lily, he felt a pang on his chest as he watch her fumbling with the video camera, the shot was shaky and he could hear Lily's distressed voice as she tried to figure the thing out. The screen finally settled and Lily once again appeared on the screen. Tony took in Lily's face as much as possible. He had almost forgotten how his ex-girlfriend looked. There weren't many pictures of the two of them lying around his house in the first place.
"Hi Tony! Sorry about the mess but I just managed to figure how the video cam works. Don't laugh! Technology and I doesn't mix well. That's your forte not mine!" she smiles. "So here goes. I'm going to document this pregnancy step by step. Hopefully I don't make a fool out of myself as I do this. But here goes." She stands and raises her blouse half way through.
"Okay. So this is my tummy. You can't see it yet but there's something there." She pulls her blouse down and pulled something out. She walked closer to the cam and held a small black and white image against the cam.
"I got my first scan today. I don't know if you can see it through the video but I'll put it together with the DVDs for you to see."
Tony paused the video and rummaged through the package, true enough there was a laminated ultrasound scan. Tony didn't really know where to look at first until he finally saw it. There was a faintest blip in the middle of what he guessed was Lily's uterus. Adelaide.
He turns back to the video and continued watching. Watching how Lily developed through the pregnancy was a brand new experience. He watched her as she complained that her jeans don't fit anymore sometime during her fourth month. And one during her second visit to the doctor.
"Okay so we're down to my fourth month and I am going to see my gynecologist for my routine check-up." The video was shaky as Lily was holding it up as she walks through the hospital.
Tony kept close attention in this particular clip. He felt like he had to since he wasn't there when Lily goes to her checkups.
"Alright so I'm getting a scan in a bit and Dr. Westbrooke was nice enough to let me record all of this." On cue a middle aged woman dressed in a lab coat entered and smiled at Lily before turning to the cam and gave a gentle wave.
"Alright Lily let's get started."
Tony was transfixed at the screen as he watched as the small monitor of the ultrasound from the video.
"Alright let's see… oh there it is. You can see that the baby is developing well. Look at that…"
Tony had to bit back a sob as he saw Adelaide, she was perfect. She was such a tiny thing! He could make out the outline of her face already, he was entranced by each spasms that went through the fetus as it moved inside of Lily.
Then came a soft thumping sound. Tony marveled at the sound of his daughter's soft heartbeat. It was a different thing seeing that Adelaide was asleep in her room upstairs but hearing her small heart beat from inside of Lily it just felt so…
"Wow…"
"Do you want to know the baby's gender Lily? We can find out right now."
"Yes please! Oh gosh. Tony are you seeing this?" Lily turned the cam towards her, she wa s tearing up. A huge smile was plastered in her face.
"Okay let's see… Open up little guy let's see what you are… oh!" Tony watched as the baby moves and slowly parts its little legs.
"There we go. Completely flat. Congratulations! You're having a baby girl!" the doctor announced before the video ended.
Tony shakes his head to pull his head back from the experience. He turns back to the package and pulls another Dvd and popped it back into the player. The video immediately plays out.
It was Lily sitting down on a recliner, she had the camera trained on her now noticeable baby bump.
"Today I felt the baby kicked. It was the most bizarre thing ever." There was small toy on top Lily's stomach.
"I could still feel her and I wanted to try something. Watch closely Tony." The camera was still focused on her stomach before it did a little wave and the small toy fell down then the video stops.
The video starts again and this time it was focused on Lily. Tony immediately noticed that something was wrong. Lily looked haggard, there was no smile on her face and she just looked utterly distraught.
"Tony. I'm so scared. I'm sorry for being like this. I think I'm having a bout of baby blues. I… I don't know…" she sighs. "I'm so confused Tony. Can I do this? Can I raise her all alone? Will I even make a good mother? I'm so confused—so scared. I'm all alone Tony. I don't have anyone to help me go through with this…" tears spilled from her eyes. "I miss you so much Tony. I wish you were here…"
The video ends and Tony had to blink back his tears. God he felt awful. Knowing that Lily felt like that during her pregnancy, it just made him regret leaving her and ending what they had. It must have been pretty bad for Lily, she had no one to depend to and the only person she could have gone to for support (him) was hundred miles away from her and had no idea that she was pregnant. Tony rubbed his head and let out a long frustrated sigh.
"I'm sorry Lily. Sorry for not being there…"
He felt awful, if there was something that he could have done, he would have done it in a heartbeat. Even after all these years, he still can't stand seeing bubbly Lily crying. Though he can't claim that he still loved her romantically, he still cared for her.
Tony composed himself once more before downing another shot of scotch that he had readied just for this. He was just about to pour another when JARVIS called out.
"Sir, Miss Stark is sitting outside the door."
Tony's head shot up and he quickly went to this workshop door. Surely enough Adelaide was there huddled against the wall across the door, her head buried between her knees. Tony gently pried Adelaide's arms from her legs and gently scooped her up to his arms.
"Ria? What's wrong? Bad dream?" he whispered to her, his hand stroking his little girl's back soothingly.
Adelaide bobbed her head slightly against his shoulder and wrapper her legs around Tony's waist.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Adelaide shook her head.
Tony sighed. Adelaide has been having these nightmares for a couple of days now. He tried to have her talk to her or with Pepper but she just won't talk. She only tells them that there was a scream and a big green light. That's it. And Tony and Pepper couldn't help but worry about Adelaide.
"Okay. You don't have to talk about it. Do you want to go watch some videos with me?" Tony asked, an attempt to distract Adelaide from her not so pleasant dream.
"In you workshop?"
"Yeah."
"But you said I'm still not allowed inside."
Tony chuckled, his daughter always the obedient one. "Yup. But I think tonight I can make an exception for you."
Adelaide whimpered and nuzzled deeper into Tony's shoulder.
He settled Adelaide to right next to him as they settled into the couch. His workshop was dimmed so there was nothing much for Adelaide to see. And she looked like she was content on being glued to him rather than explore his workshop—which was of course, a big plus.
Adelaide's eyes were immediately on the screen. "Daddy, who is that woman?" she asked, her eyes not meeting his.
Tony felt another pang in his chest. Of course Adelaide won't recognize Lily. This would be the first time the little is seeing her mother. He snaked an arm around Adelaide's shoulder and pulled her close. "That beautiful woman was Lily Evans. Your Mom."
"My Mom?" her eyes widened as she greedily took everything she could from the paused the video.
"She's beautiful…" Adelaide mumbled, she leaned her head against Tony's chest, not minding the Arc reaction that was softly humming underneath his shirt. She had grown accustomed to the metal contraption that was embedded in Tony's chest already.
The video then resumed and the room descended into a comfortable silence.
Lily was dressed in a beautiful maternity dress and was showing it off on the camera. She was smiling once again and rubbed her now bulging baby bump.
"So I was thinking of what we should name our daughter." She smiled again. "Well you can't really have any say about it so I'll go ahead with her name."
Tony's eyes softened, he could feel Adelaide slightly shifting from under his protective arm. He couldn't imagine what Adelaide was feeling right now. Her, meeting her mother for the very first time. It must be overwhelming for his daughter. But so far she's doing fine.
"Since you won't be able to comment on the name that I am going to pick for her, let's make a compromise. I'll name our daughter but I won't name her after a flower." She grinned. "I'll break my family's tradition just this time! You should be grateful!" she chuckled.
"I'm going to name her Maria Adelaide Evans or Stark should you want to claim her as your own." Her eyes looked hopeful at that. "So Maria Adelaide… or simply 'Ria'. What do you think?"
Tony couldn't help but smile at that scene. She always had a sense for naming stuff and she picked the perfect name for their daughter indeed. Tony couldn't bring himself to feel upset about not being able to say anything about naming their child.
Adelaide was still leaning over his chest as they continue to watch through the videos. She finally fell asleep again while they were watching Lily as she decorates a corner of her room with baby stuff.
Finally he's on the last dvd recording from the Lily's package. Tony didn't know what to think by then. This was the last recording Lily made before she died. He would be watching Lily's final moments. With a slightly trembling hand, he put the last disk to the player and settled back to his couch. Adelaide snuggled comfily on his side.
The video starts with Lily once again smiling at the camera. She was dressed in a pale green maternity dress. She looked wonderful, at seven months she looked radiant. She retained her slim body but more filled out. Not all soon to be mothers looked like that as far as Tony knew.
"Okay so I'm off to my routine checkup again. I really can't wait for Ria to come." She murmured, she then turned somber. "I'm really sorry Tony. It was very selfish of me not telling you about this pregnancy. You should have been aware of Ria long ago."
She stood up and grabbed the camera and turned it to her. Her face was zoomed in, her emerald eyes was showcased to Tony to see. "I love you Tony. I love you very much." She sighed. "I just have to say that. I'm afraid I won't be able to say that you in a long time." She laughs. "Oh don't mind me. I'm just being silly. Baby hormones are raging high at the third trimester, according to some mothers I've met." She paused. "But I mean it. Tony. I love you. You're going to be a great father for Ria." She then blew him a kiss. "I'm going to head out now. I'll tell you all about my visit when I get back. See you later Tony." And the video fades out.
Tony sighed. She won't be coming home from that doctor's visit. The video was dated on July 31st, Lily's deathday and Adelaide's birthday. Tony turned the video off and looked down at his sleeping daughter. He ran his calloused fingers over Adelaide's cheek and leaned down to kiss her hand. Lily gave birth to something or rather someone so perfect. It was a shame that she was not there to see her grow up. Maybe if Lily didn't die… Adelaide wouldn't have suffered for so long. He would have met his little girl sooner. But he can't blame Lily. At first he was upset with her for keeping Adelaide a secret from him for so long. But he can never say mad at her though—she sacrificed her life to save Adelaide. It was her life in exchange of their child. It was the ultimate sacrifice a mother can make. And Tony found himself being amazed with Lily Evans more and more.
He gently lifted Adelaide up to his arms, there was no way he was letting her sleep on his couch. Tony was just about to walk out the basement when his eyes caught another folded letter on the bottom of the package. He swiped the letter and stuffed it into his pocket and carried Adelaide out of the basement and up to her room.
Gently, he deposited his little girl onto her bed and pulled her blanket up to her chin. God, her daughter is beautiful. Maybe he was being biased since it was his daughter—but nobody can deny that she looked awfully like him. And he was genetically good looking.
He brushed away the stray locks of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ears. He could watch Adelaide sleep all night long. And after watching those videos that Lily left for him. It felt like he needed to double his efforts as Adelaide's father. Speaking of Lily, he fished out the letter from his pocket and folded it out. It was another letter.
Dear Tony,
Hi again. Sorry about the letter. I don't know if you are going to read this or not. Because if you are reading this, that means I'm not around anymore. Under what circumstances, I don't know. I'll go straight to the point Tony, I don't want to waste any more of your time.
If the event that I am not around anymore to take care of Ria. Please take care of our child Tony. I am very sorry for not telling you about her sooner. I know I've apologized countless times, but I felt like my apologies would not be enough for taking away your chance of being a father to Ria even before she was born.
I know our daughter is going to grow up into someone special. She is your daughter afterall, I would definitely be surprised if she doesn't inherit that brilliant mind of yours. That Stark Intelligence runs deep into your family.
Please tell Maria that her mother loves her very very much. That I'm sorry for not being there for her anymore. I wish it didn't have to come to that, but we can't know for sure. Fate can be cruel at times and I don't want to take any chances.
Anthony Edward Stark. Thank you for everything. I just have to thank you; you gave me the best possible gift that any woman can want. Thank you for loving me, for all the memories. I will cherish all the time we have spent together with all my heart. I love you Tony. Please don't ever forget that.
Take care of our daughter for me.
With love,
Lily
And cut! What do you think? There's chapter is more Tony-centric and not much of Adelaide. So her new nickname is now 'Ria'. Hope the change doesn't bother anyone.
What do you think about my attempt to write something fluffly and sappy? Yay or Nay? This is my first attempt to write something like this so I'm not sure if I did it good. Oh well.
The funny thing while I was writing this chapter. I was half way through this chapter when I stopped and wrote the first part of chapter 9. I ended up plotting the next chapter first before I finished this one. I felt so weird ed out when I realized it. Next chapter will be Adelaide-centric and will be moving on with the plot. The Avenger arc is just around the corner! Hope you guys stick around to read it.
Tell me what you think about this chapter below. All reviews are highly appreciated. And it's proven that the more feedback I get the more pumped I get in writing so yeah. Gimme your reviews! Lol kidding.
Thanks again for reading and see you all in the next chapter!
-stolideux
