Chapter 11
The first night he kept waking up calling out for Daddy and my heart broke each time. He finely slept out of exhaustion. I was able to run to my room and grab some cloths and bath stuff while Aunt Tasha stayed with him. Over the next few days I barely left his side. Though everyone came to see us. Papa's spirits seemed to lift when people came but once alone again he would start to get depressed.
Aunt Pepper came in the second day and told us Daddy's funeral was going to be in two days and that it would be just how he requested in his will. All he wanted was something small at the cemetery. They had someone who could say a few words, then they would let whoever wanted to say something talk. He was also getting a full military salute. She had asked if we needed to have a suit ordered but Papa said he had one. This made us realize we would need to go back to this house. Papa went a head and had her order a suit. Bruce wouldn't let him leave to the tower yet, he was only cleared for the funeral. And I wasn't ready to go back to the house. Steve had volunteered but Papa nearly had a panic attack just at the thought.
I had to explain later that Papa didn't want Steve there out of spite but because half the house was in Captain America memorabilia. Well, not really half but a good chunk. He didn't want Steve to think less of Daddy for it. Steve just shook his head and said he didn't care. That it was actually nice to know that someone like Phil looked up to him. This choked me up a little and I had to hug him for it. He didn't seem to think I was crazy as he hugged me back.
The day of the funeral came quickly and I knew I wasn't ready for it. I had set aside a deep purple dress. Daddy had told me when I was little that after meeting Papa and seeing him in the purple outfit it had become one of his favorite colors. I told the others this as well so everyone in our group was wearing the color. Aunt Tasha was helping Papa get dressed as I was getting ready. When I came into the communal area Steve was already there. He was the only one not wearing purple as he was in his full military garb. Any other day I would have had to make a comment about how hot he looked, but not today.
"You sure look pretty, Darcy," I walked up and kissed his cheek.
"Thanks, Steve. Is everyone almost ready."
"Everyone is but Natasha and Clint." We started walking further into the room and I noticed that he was right, everyone but Papa and Aunt Tasha was there. The elevator dinged behind us. I turned to find my Aunt with her hand on my Papa's arm. He didn't look a lot better but that was to be expected. I walked over and hugged him lightly. Once everyone saw we were ready we headed down to the waiting cars. It was a silent ride, and I sat next to Papa holding his hand. When the cars stopped I took a deep breath and move to exit the car once Uncle Tony opened the door. Papa slipped out behind me. I walked him over to the chairs in the front row.
There was a lot more people here than I thought there would be. I knew Sitwell was coming thanks to Maria, who had been over a few times. I also saw Agent May walk around. Aunt Tasha sat on the other side of Papa, while Aunt Pepper sat next to me with Uncle Tony on the other side. The rest of the Avengers sat behind us. A few came up to us but it seemed that most didn't know the truth about who Papa and I were do Daddy. After about ten minutes everyone who could sit took a seat and the pastor began speaking.
I'll be honest I don't remember any of what he said. I just know that I was being asked if I wanted to speak. I looked at Papa and knew one of needed to and it wouldn't be him. I nodded and took a shaky breath before walking in front of everyone. I looked around and realized that most of these people didn't know my father, or they didn't realize they didn't. So I figured I'd let everyone know just who Phil J Coulson-Barton was.
"My father is..was one the biggest nerds you could ever meet. When I say nerd I mean with a capital N. He loved comic books, Star Wars, and knew that with Captain America in the world it was better. He was also a badass, though looking at his suits you'd never guess that. Which is just what he wanted. He told me once that he liked that people never really noticed him until he wanted them to. This way he could control the situation. He is a man who took out two would be robbers with floor at a gas station, and save a mans life by asking a friend to by a bar.
He was funny, smart, caring, but most of all he was the best husband and dad anyone could ask for. He remembered every birthday, anniversary, and made time to be there. It didn't matter what was going on in the world, if I or my Papa needed him he was there. He always read me a bed time story no matter what country he was in. He was a dork who would watch reality t.v. to decompress and sci fi movies to wind down. He saved the world more than you can ever know and never asked for a thank you. He died trying to save it again. Where ever you are, Daddy know we love you and miss you."
I broke into tears at the last and Aunt Pepper helped me sit back in my chair. The next thing I knew I heard shots go off. Aunt Pepper had to remind me it the salute to Daddy before I truly freaked out. They carried the flag that had been on the casket and handed it to Papa. He clutched it to his chest and kissed it. After that it seemed to be over and they started to lower the casket. I was really unsteady on my feet when we went to leave and was trying to control the tears. Steve walked over and wrapped his arm around me and helped me to the car.
I leaned into him and held it together, though just barely. We had a big lunch planned at the tower where we were going to tell happy stories about Daddy. I looked out the window of the car and felt someone take my hand. I glanced over and saw Papa was next to me again. Once everyone was ready we headed back to the Tower. I looked at the passing buildings, but didn't really see it going by. I was pretty much running on fumes at this point. I knew the food would help but I also needed to crash for a while. I looked at the tower as we pulled in. It was time to celebrate Daddies life, then I could crash or break, whichever came first.