"Today, marks the fifth anniversary of the Avengers Initiative. Five years ago today six heroes joined forces to bring down a powerful enemy. An enemy that is younger brother to Avenger Thor God of Thunder. 137 Lives were lost during Loki's siege, until finally he was brought down by the Avengers. Currently The Avengers are a big part of New York and the world, they have defended us bravely and we salute them." The news anchor man droned on. His co host turned to him curiously.
"What ever happened to Loki anyway?" She asked. Her co host chuckled. "I don't know Amy; but I'm hoping he got what was coming to him."
"Agreed." Amy stated nodding and smiling at the camera.
Pepper pursed her lips as she and the rest of the Avengers minus Thor watched the station. Film of the fight broke up. Of The Hulk catching Iron Man mid fall, of Captain America running down the street shield in hand. Even some of Loki popped up, images of his prowling around gripping his scepter like a lifeline and a haunting image of him speaking to a large purple figure shrouded in shadows. Unbeknownst to them Lola stood peaking out of the hall watching. Her daddy had been so brave, Uncle Steve as well, but she couldn't understand why they were attacking the skinny guy. He looked so tired and scared...why weren't they helping him?
Clint was the one to notice Lola and he stepped away from the television and approached Lola who offered him a smile. Clint easily distracted her from the television and led her to the kitchen. He sat across from her and grinned at her. "Almost your birthday eh Lola?" He asked. Lola nodded smiling shyly. "Mhm." Clint chuckled. "How old ya gonna be?" Lola held up her hand showing five little fingers. Clint gaped.
"That old!? My god!" He declared clutching his heart. Lola giggled completely forgetting the television and the scared green eyed man.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR LOLA! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOOOOOO YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUU!" Sang the adults loudly. Lola beamed at her parents who smiled back. Clint literally shoved his way past Steve and Darcy to hand Lola her gift. Lola took it happily adoring the silver bow attached. She tore open the wrapping paper to see a miniature bow and arrow set with suction cup bows. Lola's little mouth fell open, looking from the gift to Clint earning laughs from everyone else.
Lola launched herself at Clint squealing happily. He caught her and hugged her tight petting her dark hair.
"You like it?" He asked. Lola nodded vigorously.
"I love it!" She declared. Clint laughed and set her down. Utterly pleased she grabbed the bow and arrow and copied how she had seen Clint handle it several times. With a happy shriek she shot it off towards the Elevator.
"I have been struck!" A loud voice cried out. Lola peeked from behind Steve's legs to see Thor and his lady friend Jane standing at the Elevator the arrow attached to Thor's breastplate. Instantly the bow was dropped and Lola raced to where Thor was, concerned and mortified. She watched in horror as Thor keeled over tongue sticking out while Jane watched eyebrows raised. Lola's face fell. She killed Thor! Then she saw a smile spread across his face and her fear turned to annoyance. She marched up to where Thor lay and whacked him in the head.
"Get up you oaf!" She declared earning an endearing smile from Thor who's eyes shined with delight to see her and brightened at her words as though deep in thought. He wrapped his strong arms around her and scooped her up kissing her cheek.
"My fair Lola, shall you ever forgive me for worrying you?" He asked taking her hand. Lola gave a god awful sigh and regarded Thor will calculating eyes.
"I guess..."She replied. Thor beamed at her and placed another kiss against her cheek. Lola finally offered Thor a smile before plucking the arrow from his chest and leaping from his arms, landing like a cat and scampering off after Clint. Thor watched her go with an almost sad smile on his face.
"Hey buddy, how's the parent's?" Tony asked clapping Thor on the shoulder.
"They are well friend Stark. They are pleased that Loki is well taken care of" Thor replied clapping Tony right back nearly throwing the man off his feet. Tony brushed himself off and offered a grin to Jane who smiled back lightly.
"Hey Jane, still with him I see." Tony jeered. Jane laughed lightly.
"Of course I am, someone has to talk to him about Science."
"It is a topic most interesting." Thor confessed proudly glancing around the room. "There are no other children here?" He questioned. "Just Darcy, Clint and Lola." Tony shrugged earning an indignant huff from Darcy as she walked by sipping a CapriSun. Thor frowned.
"Does my...sister have no friends?" He asked voice low brows furrowed in concern. Tony waved him off. "Nah, of course she does buddy, she's the babe of pre school." He replied.
"Babe?"
"Ahhh, never mind... " Tony replied grinning sheepishly.
"Thor, usually kids don't make too many friends until they start school." Jane pointed out. Thor glanced at her then back at Tony. "This school...when does she start?"
"September."
"Ah, and she shall make many friends?" Thor asked, head cocked to the side.
"Tons." Tony chuckled with a nod.
"Will she also be a babe there?" Thor asked hopefully.
"Uhh yeah, course she will...she's my spawn...kind of." Tony shrugged. Thor beamed and hugged Tony thanking him yet again for taking care of his sister/brother.
The party went on as expected. Darcy and Clint tagged along after Lola wearing plastic tiaras and rings. Tony gleefully taking pictures and texting them to Phil...oh yes...Phil... Phil had been quite busy these days with what coming back from the fucking dead...
It was shortly after Lola's second birthday that they gotten a call from Fury who's voice was clipped and held no room for arguement, he wanted them in his office now. When they all congregated Fury had stood hands clasped behind his back. He regarded them all coolly.
"The Avenger Initiative went off as planned... one way to ensure that is to form you all together from one motivation. The death of Phil Coulson..." Fury kept talking but none of the Avengers heard him from the roar in their ears as Phil Coulson walked through the door silently. It was Steve who broke the silence.
"You're alive..." He managed voice tight. Phil smiled at Steve and nodded.
"I was taken to the hospital, they managed to stop the bleeding but of course it took a long time to heal the damage..." He trailed off as Clint suddenly approached and hugged him tightly, mouth screwed shut eyes shining. Tony and Steve approached soon after while Bruce, Natasha and Thor watched on smiling at the man. Should they all be furious with being lied to? Yes. Should they rage and fight and hate? Duh! But any anger they held was wiped away by looking at Phil alive and well and smiling.
Tony brought Phil by the tower, when Pepper saw Phil walk through the door she let out a happy kind of scream and threw her arms around the man face lit up happily. Phil hugged her back before asking after Lola wanting to see the child who had once tried to murder him. Tony was hesitant, but he carried his daughter out and Phil's smile was gentle as he cooed at the toddler. Quietly as he regarded the little girl he told Tony and Pepper of his final minutes of "life" how Loki seemed shaky and disoriented almost unstable.
"I don't think he was the real leader in all this..." He whispered as Lola babbled up at him. He offered her a pleased smile.
"None of us do..." Pepper whispered back watching as Lola encased one of Phil's fingers in a tiny fist.
Tony was pulled from his thoughts by a text back from Phil sending his greetings to the birthday girl. Tony sat back and grinned as he watched his daughter shoot Bruce in the back of the head with her toy arrow and watch as Bruce dramatically fell over hand over head.
"Five years already." He muttered taking a swig from his soda. Beside him Pepper hummed and smiled at her husband. They interlocked their fingers and watched as Lola approached Bruce looking almost worried; but mostly pleased with herself.
The First Day Of School
"But daddy, I don't wanna go." Lola said for the seventh time that morning. Tony knelt down in front of his daughter and brushed a lock of hair from her face. Lola stood before him face screwed up petulantly a neon green backpack on her shoulders wearing a navy blue dress.
"I know kid, but you gotta."
"This is horrible." Lola mumbled. Tony chuckled and ruffled her hair.
"C'mon kid, you have to go." Lola sighed and took her father's hand tilting her chin up.
"Fine." She huffed lips pursed. She took her father's hand and allowed herself to be lead into the limo Happy grinning at her as she sat down.
"Excited for your big day?" He asked. Lola shook her head.
"No Happy, this is not a good thing." She replied as Tony slid in beside her closing the door. Happy chuckled.
"Why is that?" He asked glancing at Tony who shrugged.
"People are gross."
"Germs." Tony questioned. Lola nodded in confirmation.
"Germs." Tony reached into his pocket and handed Lola a small hand sanitizer. "You think that will help?" He asked. Lola regarded the bottle seriously before nodding at her father. They pulled in front of the school ten minutes later, Lola scowled at the building and at the children rushing around, some students stopped walking gawking at the limo. Tony pulled Lola in for a hug telling her that her mother would pick her up this afternoon (She was currently in New Mexico with Jane and Darcy on what she called 'lady vacation') Lola kissed her father before Happy opened the door for her so she could slip out. Happy wished her good luck and she watched the limo drive off feeling a heaviness settle in her chest. She was ushered over to her fellow Kindergarteners by her teacher a young woman with dark brown hair called Miss Mctaggart.
Lola sat in the brightly colored classroom at her designated spot. She diligently was making macaroni art. It was of Brucie as the Hulk and Nick Fury smiling. She was just finishing the eye-patch when she felt someone nudge her. Lola glanced up to see a boy across from her. He had sandy brown hair and blue eyes, a smudge of dirt lay across his nose. She regarded him silently waiting for him to speak.
"I like your picture." The boy said pointing at the paper in front of Lola, Lola smiled with pride.
"Thank you, it's Hulk and Fury."
"Who's Fury?" The boy asked as he worked on his own art.
"An asshole." Lola replied mimicking her father's term of endearment. The boy's mouth gaped open.
"You said a bad word!" He hissed looking shocked. Lola shrugged.
"So?" She replied testily. The boy blinked owlishly at her then a grin spread across his face.
"I'm Caleb." He told her. Lola smiled.
"I'm Lola Stark." She replied politely. The boy held out a hand for her to shake. She took it and nodded at him. "I like your...art." She nodded at the blob of macaroni.
"It's my mommy." Caleb replied proudly. Lola cocked her head to the side.
"It looks just like her." She offered. Caleb's face lit up happily.
"Thanks!"
For the rest of the day Caleb and Lola sat at each others sides. At reading circle, at lunch, at recess they swung on the swings happily chatting. Lola was surprisingly disappointed when at the end of the day they had to go their separate ways. Caleb climbing into his mother's SUV and Lola into the limo. Pepper was grinning ear to ear as Lola took her seat. Lola handed her the macaroni art and Pepper regarded it with furrowed brows and a smile.
"Is this Fury?" She asked after a moment. Lola nodded beaming. Pepper smiled at her daughter.
"Beautiful." She assured her little girl. Lola offered her mother another smile before settling back. Pepper continued to beam at her daughter and asked her how her day was. "Fun." Lola admitted gazing out the window as they passed by the building Steve lived at. Pepper nodded happily.
"Good. I'm glad you enjoyed it." She replied. Lola looked out the window.
"They're still germy." She muttered, Pepper sighed.
- First Illness-
Lola, as it turned out was a very healthy little girl. Almost no sniffles or ear aches ever plagued her thank you very much. But just as she and Tony suspected the germs of public elementary school soon had Lola puking for the third time that night. She whined and called out for her mother who had been busy preparing dinner. Pepper glanced at Tony stonily, until he got up from the couch and tended to his daughter.
Lola stood doubled over in her pink nightgown, he bare toes covered in vomit. Tony sighed and reached out for the girl. "C'mon baby let's get you cleaned up."
"I don't feel good daddy." Lola griped.
"You don't say..." Tonye finally managed to get a hold of her and scooped up his daughter despite the puke and carried her to the bathroom, setting her on the toilet. He considered drawing her a bath, but though better on it from looking at her ill expression. Instead he set up a warm shower for her and helped her out of her dirty clothing. He helped her into the tub and took her dirty clothing to the hamper. Pepper set out a plate and glanced at him. "Is she feverish?" She asked wiping her hands. Tony shook his head.
"I think it's just a stomach thing. I put her in the shower." Pepper nodded. "I'm going to keep her home from school tomorrow. Let her rest up. If she's not better by tomorrow evening; I'll take her to the doctor's." The two sat down and made a quick attempt to eat their dinner.
Lola stood in the shower, letting the warm water hit her back. She scowled at her toes. Her stomach gave an unpleasant lurch, but she didn't puke again. The water felt nice.
"Miss Stark, is there anything you need?" Jarvis asked. Lola glanced upwards. She certainly hoped he couldn't see her.
"No thank you." She replied before looking back at her toes.
"Your mother will be here momentarily."
"'Kay, thank you." Lola said. She heard her mother enter the bathroom.
"Lola?"
"Mommy?"
"Are you feeling better?" She asked.
"No." Pepper turned off the water and took a towel off the rack gathering her little girl up in her arms. "Let's get you to bed." She murmured. Lola rested against her mother as she was carried out of the bathroom and into her room. She allowed her mother to help her dress and tuck her into bed, an unhappy pout playing at her lips.
"This is Caleb's fault." She muttered. "Why's that sweetie?" Pepper asked as she brushed her hair from her face. "He was sick first, then he came to school. Got me sick too."
"It was bound to happen." Pepper pointed out. Lola smiled sleepily and cuddled into her watched quietly as her mother tidied up her room. Pepper placed a gentle kiss on Lola's brow and smoothed her hair smiling tenderly.
"Good night pumpkin." Pepper murmured before heading towards the door. Lola sat up and watched her mother.
"Mommy?" She called out softly. Pepper turned to her daughter.
"Yes dear?"
"Can you tell me a bed time story?" Lola asked with a yawn. Pepper approached Lola and sat down on the bed.
"How about the time, mommy got to wear Iron Man's Suit?" She offered and Lola beamed.
"I love that one!"
I tried to tie in a bit of Iron Man 3 from what I've seen on the commercials so far. While I was writing the part with Thor holding Lola, all I could picture was Thor holding a little girl with Loki's normal Tom Hiddleston face glued over the girls, it was an awkward scene to write. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
I've been working on another Loki Centric Story. It's much darker than this and I'm trying to put all my feels in it. Hopefully I'll post in within the week. I'm already mapping out Lola's future love life and how Thor is going to harass the poor guy she's with.
Pictures of different outfits will be posted on my account; Such as Pepper's wedding dress and Lola's flower girl dress.
