Chapter Seven: Life After
The next morning Ronnie debated on whether or not she should go to the office to retrieve her things. There wasn't anything so important that she couldn't replace it; the picture of her parents on her third birthday, her favorite figurine of a glass rose, and a few files she had yet to get to. "I guess I'll just have to leave these for my replacement," she said to herself, looking over the files. A whole year spent researching and building their argument for the next two Stark buildings and Tony was kicking her out before she even got to see construction start. "Waste of a year," she sighed.
The door to her office opened and Veronica was shocked to see Virginia Potts walk in. "Ms. Potts," Ronnie gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"She returning to her post as my personal assistant," Tony said, walking into the office. "And she needs her office Ms. Chambers – immediately."
"What," she asked, confused. "I thought you fired her."
"Well now he's rehired me," Pepper smirked. "Me and Tony just work well together…what with all the history we have between us."
"Ms. Chambers," Tony cleared his throat. "I'd be more than happy to write you a letter of recommendation for your next job but right now…If you don't mind," he said, gesturing to the door.
The nerve of that man! Veronica was angry – strike that – she was way passed angry. Now, she was fuming. Ronnie stuffed all of her things in the box Tony had been oh-so-kind to provide and raced out of the office as fast as possible. She did not trust herself from giving into the urge to strangle the man were he stood. She still could not believe he would hire Pepper back – after how she broke his heart.
She was halfway to her car in the parking lot when a voice called out her name. She turned around and saw Tony jogging towards her. "What do you want now Mr. Stark," she asked.
"Look I'm – I'm sad it turned out this way," he told her. "Is there any way we…"
"What? Be friends," she scoffed. "Mr. Stark, we were never friends. You were my boss but that's over now. You fired me, remember?"
"Ronnie, don't be like that," he tried again.
"It's Ms. Chambers and we're done here Mr. Stark," Ronnie said, climbing into her car and slamming the door shut.
"Maybe this is really for the best," she heard Tony admit before she drove off.
A week went by and nothing changed. Veronica woke up every morning, made herself a cup of coffee and skimmed the want ads through the newspaper.
Ronnie woke up to the sound of her cell phone going off. Oh just great. Just what I need she thought, staring at the number of the incoming call.
"Hi mom," she said with a sigh.
"Veronica darling, I didn't wake you, did I," her mother all too snobbish voice asked.
"No mom, I'm up," Ronnie mumbled.
"Good, it's far too late in the morning to be lounging around," Elizabeth Chambers said sternly.
"Mother, I assume there's a reason you called me," Ronnie groaned.
"Yes, it's the most wonderful news. Rebecca is getting married," her mother exclaimed.
"What!? She's getting married! I didn't know she was dating anyone," said Veronica.
"Just image dear, our little Becca getting married and at only twenty-three," her mother gushed. "No surprise really, our little girl is such a catch."
"When did this happen," Veronica asked, choosing to ignore her mother's never ending praising of her little sister. "She never mentioned it to me."
"Oh it was all rushed…a world wind romance," her mother giggled. "Jerrod practically swept her off her feet and the wedding is in two weeks."
"Jerrod," Ronnie asked. Not her Jerrod. Not the man that had left her waiting at the altar two years ago. Her sister would never do that to her.
"Her fiancé dear. I know it's a shame things didn't work out between you too but I did warn you about chasing him away, didn't I," her mother explained. "I only want what's best for you and Becca dear. You'll find someone. Now, you have to come in to help plan the wedding."
"Yeah, sure mom," Ronnie agreed. "Listen I have to go now. How about I call you later and we start making plans?"
"Fine dear, you know you might want to start looking for date soon. You wouldn't want to attend your little sister's wedding without an escort. Perhaps your father and I can arrange something…"
"Mom, I'm perfectly capable of finding my own date," Ronnie exclaimed. "I have to go. Bye."
A call from her mother so early in the morning was not good for her nerves. Her sister was getting married and now there was no way she was going to hear the end of it. She was always going to be stuck in her little sister's shadow – the spinster whose longest relationship lasted 3 months. It didn't help Becca was marrying her ex-fiancé without any regard for her feelings.
Deciding staying in bed wasn't going to help solve any of her problems; Ronnie pulled herself up and started getting dressed. She was pouring herself a cup of coffee when her phone went off again.
"Who are you and why is your number blocked," Ronnie asked, sarcasm seeping through her words.
"I might be your best friend in the whole wide world," a voice said from the other end of the line.
"What do you want Lex," Ronnie laughed.
Alexis Mitchell had been Veronica's best friend since their sophomore year of high school. They had been inseparable and had held on to their friendship dearly when they both went off to separate universities after senior year. Now Alexis lived in Manhattan and owned a bookstore downtown. It was Ronnie's favorite place to go and she often helped her friend and her husband run the place whenever she was shorthanded.
"First, how much do you love me," her best friend asked.
"Immensely, now spit it out," said Ronnie.
"Can you please watch the store today," Alexis asked. "I have a doctor's appointment. We have an ultrasound and James doesn't want to miss it."
"Sure," Ronnie agreed. "With the week I've been having I need the distraction. I'll be there in half an hour."
"Thanks, you're a life-saver Ron," Alexis squealed before cutting the line.
As Ronnie pulled up to the small little building downtown that was her friend's bookstore she could see Lexie waiting by the door.
A 5'7 Alexis was an Amazon compared to Ronnie. She towered over her friend even in flats. Her long blonde hair was pulled into a tight ponytail. A bright blue maternity blouse and light grey stretch pants was all her friend could fit into now that she was over six months into her pregnancy.
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," Alexis exclaimed, pulling her into a tight bear hug.
"Can't breathe Lex," Ronnie chocked out.
"Honey, she won't watch the store for us if you choke her to death," a voice called out.
"Hi James," Ronnie greeted her friend's husband.
"Hey, thanks for helping out Ronnie," he smiled.
"Not a problem," she assured him. "Now you guys head out. I got this covered."
"Great, there are a few boxes that need to be stocked other. You know where everything goes. Other than that just help the customers," Alexis instructed. "Are you okay," her friend asked, obviously noticing something was wrong.
"It's nothing," Ronnie denied. "My mother called this morning. Rebecca's getting married…to Jerrod."
"No," her friend gasped in shock. "Not the same Jerrod?"
"Nope, it's him. My mother couldn't be happier. She's on cloud nine now that her little girl is getting married," Veronica frowned.
"I can't believe your sister would do that," James cut in; shaking his head is obvious disgust.
"I'm so sorry Ron," Alexis said, enveloping her in a huge hug.
"It's fine. I'm dealing. You guys should head out before you're late for your appointment," Ronnie assured them.
"We'll talk," Alexis promised. "We have an all-nighter like we used to. And if there's anything you need…"
"You could always name your kid after me," Ronnie smirked.
"I think one Ronnie is enough for the world," James laughed.
After her friends were gone Veronica set out stocking the shelves with the new books that had been ordered. There was a small ringing of a bell and the door opened.
"Be with you in a second," she called out.
"Take your time," a familiar voice called out.
"Bruce," Ronnie asked turning around. "It is you!" She rushed around the counter to give him a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh I was just around," Bruce answered nervously.
"Uh huh, then why can't you look me in the eyes Bruce," accused Ronnie.
"Alright, Tony asked me to talk to you. He tracked you here," the scientist admitted.
"He's stalking me," Ronnie exclaimed.
"Don't be mad," Bruce said sheepishly. "He's worried about you."
"Then why the hell did he fire me," Ronnie was screaming now and the good thing was that there were no customers around to hear it.
"It's complicated," Bruce answered with a shrug.
"Sometimes I don't think I really even understand him Bruce," admitted Ronnie.
"Who does understand Tony Stark," he laughed.
"So what does he want? I suppose he had a reason for sending you here," she frowned.
"Yeah, well he wanted me to check on you," Bruce told her.
"Well you can tell him I'm fine and I hope he has a great life," replied Ronnie.
Bruce stayed for a little while and they made plans to get dinner the following week and catch up.
