The next few days back at Peggy's were quiet. Her and Sharon were pretty exhausted from their epic adventure. It took a while to recuperate. And luckily they caught it on a patch of rainy, hazy days. The two stayed indoors for most of the time, except on short trip to the grocery store to stock up. And a few times energetic Sharon put on her rain gear and played around outside with Daisy. Afterwards, the two of them needed a bath.
One of Harrison's postcards came in the mail. Sharon was scrambling to open it from how excited she was. It was a picture of Harrison with one of his colleagues, whom apparently Sharon was close with cos she screamed "Big Rich!" When she saw him. They were in front of a restaurant that had a giant burger painted across the front window.
Sharon was so happy that she taped the picture up on the wall of her bedroom.
For those days, the pair spoke almost entirely in French back and forth. Peggy promised they'd practice. The girl was quite good for her age. She had a very fluent tongue. It was good that they started her young, she could perfect the accent better.
For a while when the rain was really coming down and the entire world seemed pitch black despite it only being seven o'clock in the evening, Peggy and Sharon sat down at the coffee table in the TV room with a jigsaw puzzle spread out across the tabletop. Sharon sat on the carpeted ground with Daisy while configuring the pieces, and Peggy sat on the couch for better back support. They were both quiet, just listening to the sound of the news channel in the background. The only light illuminating the open room was a small table lamp and the TV screen itself as well as some back light filtered in from the kitchen. It was peaceful. Both felt at ease. They didn't even have the necessity to talk to each other in that moment, it was just a moment of utter calm that sometimes seemed so rare.
"This evening at the gala of which inherited billionaire Tony Stark was in attendance went awry when a series of gunshots went off during his brief speech." The reporter suddenly caught Peggy's attention.
Tony Stark, the son of her passed friends Howard and Maria.
"Turn it up Sharon," Peggy pointed to the clicker next to her on the table.
"Its still unknown who the shooter was or even what the motive behind the crime could be." The voice continued.
"My God. The poor chap." Peggy muttered to herself.
"Auntie Peg...Stark? Your friend was a Stark. The car crash guy." Sharon remembered.
"That's right. That's Howard's son."
"You didn't say he had a kid..." Sharon pointed out.
"Well Tony's a grown up now. In his twenties." Peggy elaborated.
"Someone tried to shoot him? Why?" Sharon asked.
"I don't know." Peggy admitted. But if she had to guess, it had more to do with Howard than with Tony. Though Tony was getting involved into some major technology in the wake of his parents' death. For years he'd been developing his own brand of Stark.
Suddenly Peggy thought of Jarvis. He was still in Stark Mansion from the last time she'd spoken to him. He stayed there with Tony to keep him company and help him out since his own wife had passed. She wondered if she might call him and see what he knows about this whole mess.
"Sharon, stay in here, I need to make a phone call." Peggy alerted the child before stepping into another room. It had been so long since she'd called that she needed to fetch her phone book. Sure enough she found the number for Stark Mansion's landline. She dialed and listened as it rang three times.
"Hello..." A labored voice answered.
"Jarvis? It's me...Peggy," She greeted.
"Peggy! Heavens, its been so long. Old friend, how are you?" He cheered up.
"I'm fine, its you and Tony I'm worried about. Is he there? Are you both alright? Did you speak with the police? Any suspects?"
"Woah, slow down Peggy." Jarvis chuckled.
"Sorry..." Was all she could offer.
"Tony is still speaking with them at a safe spot in the station. I'm here waiting for his return. Authorities plan to have detail on the premise to have the place completely secured. At this point, they aren't at liberty to discuss the case...But they think it was a random act of violence against the company. Or else the shooter would've made the kill." Jarvis informed.
"I was worried," Peggy hesitated, "That it was some unfinished business to do with Howard."
"I feared that too." Jarvis admitted in a whisper.
"I think I'm overdue a visit. What do you say when the police give the okay, I drive up to get a chat in?" Peggy offered.
"That sounds lovely. I don't know how Tony feels about house guests, but I will call back and let you know. I think the man could use the company of a woman who wasn't here just to shag."
"Dear Lord..." Peggy said under her breath.
"I can get back to you within the next few days. And Peggy, it is truly incredible to hear your voice. It's been too long."
"It had. It's good to hear from you too friend. This feels like such an odd coincidence of timing. I was just reminiscing of our stories the past few days."
"What brought that about?"
"I have a house guest of myself. My great niece. She's been staying with me for a while. She loves to hear all the stories. She's a spit fire. You don't think it'd be a problem that she came along if we do visit?" Peggy responded.
"It shouldn't be. Tony isn't a huge fan of kids but he's polite when I ask nicely. A spit fire aye? Not like your kids or grandkids then." Jarvis smirked.
"Not quite. Though I can say I'm rather thankful to have had kids with completely ordinary aspirations. This one wants to be a SHIELD agent already. She's seven." Peggy retorted emphatically.
"Well then she's a true Carter." Jarvis complimented.
"A bit too much if you ask me," Peggy answered with an air of disdain in her voice.
