54 days. That's how long it took for me to finish Country Lass: Return.
Anyway, here's the epilogue!
Heather's room is filled with people. All the Avengers are present, the Novelty are mixed among them. Heather has new bandages, and her knee is in a cast. While waiting for her to come out of surgery, again, the team was told about Heather's history. The part August latched onto was how Heather's family was hurt by Hydra and are at this same facility.
August looks at Heather's pained face before he turns around. He grabs Josh's arm on the way out the door. "Gus-"
"I have an idea."
Josh stops talking, but takes his arm back. He follows August to one of the help desks. "Hello boys, what can I help you with?"
August forces a smile, "We're looking for the Morse family. Can you tell us where their rooms are?"
The secretary types on the computer. Then she writes something down. "Here are their rooms."
"Thank you, ma'am," Josh says as August starts to walk away. He follows after his brother. "What's this idea again?"
"Heather could use a visit from her family. And they need to know she's okay," August says, looking over the room numbers.
"Are you sure she's okay?" Finn asks.
"..She's alive, that's what's important." August steps into the elevator and Josh follows. They step out onto the right floor and August walks down the hall. All the rooms are next to each other. He knocks on one.
A middle aged woman opens the door. "Mrs. Morse?" August asks.
"Yes? Who are you?" She asks.
"I'm August and this is my brother, Josh," August says, "we're friends of Heather."
Susan's face falls, "She's.. She's not.. I heard-"
"Your daughter is alive, Mrs. Morse," Josh assures.
"Susan, please," she says, a little relief flowing into her eyes.
"Susan. We were wondering if you'd like to come see her. She's here in this facility," Josh says.
She smiles bitterly, "Yes, I'd like that."
"Does Heather have any-"
"Andrew and Leslie are down there," she points. Josh leaves to find them. "August… Josh.." August looks back at her. "Ah! Yes, Heather mentioned you two once when she came to visit."
August nods, "..What about her father?"
Susan's face falls, "Colin.. Colin's been in a coma for.." She shudders out a sigh, "a long time, actually. But I'll tell him the next time I visit."
August nods again. He sees her standing shakily and offers his arm, "May I?" She takes it, thankful. They walk down.
Leslie is wary of Josh, so he gets down on his knees. "You must be Heather's sister," he says.
"Who are you?"
"A friend of Heather's," Josh answers. Andrew steps out of his room and walks over. He steps in front of Leslie. "Hello."
"Don't touch my sister," he says.
"Andy," Susan says. The boy looks at her.
"Mom? Who are they?"
"These are some of Heather's friends. Josh, and August." Josh stands up. "These are my other children, Leslie, and Andrew."
Josh offers his hand to Andrew, "Pleasure to meet you."
Andrew looks at his hand. August sees the action figure in his back pocket. "We're ninjas," he says.
Andrew looks at him, "Really?"
"Yeah, really," August says.
"Can you show me some moves?" Andrew asks.
"Later, sweetie," Susan says, "for now, let's go see your sister."
"Heather's okay?" Leslie asks, peeking over Andrew's shoulder.
"Heather will heal," Josh says. He offers his hand to Leslie. "You can trust me."
"..Does my sister trust you?" Leslie asks.
"Yes, she does." Leslie slowly takes Andrew's hand instead. Josh pulls back, understanding. They walk back to the elevator as a group, then Josh leads them to Heather's room. Jacey, Finn, and Nikki are outside the room. Jacey notices them first.
"Josh, where did you go?" She asks. Then she sees Leslie. "and who are they?" She asks sweetly.
"This is Heather's family," Josh answers. Susan walks away from August and looks at each in the group.
She snaps her fingers to herself, trying to remember, "Uhh.. Finn?"
"Here, ma'am," he says, raising his hand from where he's sitting on the floor.
"Jacey, and Nikki," Susan finishes.
"I'm Nikki," she answers, not moving from leaning against the wall.
"The Avengers are having a private meeting," Finn says. He peeks through the mostly closed door, where some voice filter out. "They're almost done."
"..She'll stay here," Steve's voice says. There are murmurs of agreement, then the door opens. Thor and Bruce walk out first. They see the family. Bruce nods and continues to the larger area with couches. Thor walks over to Susan. He takes her hand and kisses it.
"I'm so sorry for what happened, Lady Susan," he says, "Your daughter is strong, I know she'll pull through."
"Thank you," Susan says, touched by the gesture. Thor then kneels in front of Leslie and Andrew.
Leslie hugs him. Andrew watches Thor a moment, then starts to tear up. "Ah, brave lad," Thor says. He cups Andrew's cheek, "You take care of your sisters."
"I will sir," Andrew says.
"Aye." Thor stands up and follows Bruce. Tony walks out next. He sees the family, but only nods briefly before leaving the hall. Clint and Natasha walk out. The assassin has small tears in her eyes. She looks at the family and walks over to Susan. She hugs her.
"I should have.." Natasha doesn't finish the thought.
"Everyone is acting like Heather's.. Dead," Andrew says.
Natasha pulls away. Sam walks out, hearing Andrew's comment, "She is not dead, Andrew. But.. She is different than you remember her. It will take her time to heal." Natasha goes with Sam to the others. Clint follows, after giving Leslie a hug when she asked for it. Susan and her children go to the open door. Steve is sitting at Heather's side, looking like he lost the battle.
"Captain Rogers," Susan says softly. Steve looks up. She starts over to him. He stands up, offering her the seat.
"Heather will probably wake up soon," he says.
Andrew and Leslie share the other seat.
Steve stares at the family, out of breath from the emotional stress he's going through, "I'm sorry for not protecting her," he says, "You didn't even want her to be a part of this. I shouldn't have let her come with me. I should have got you all to safety. ..I'm sorry."
Susan doesn't say anything. She blinks back tears and looks at her little girl asleep in the bed.
"I'll leave you alone with her," Steve says.
"She still needs you," Leslie says. Steve looks at her. "..We all do."
The corner of Steve' mouth twitch. Heather groans to herself.
"Heather? Sweetheart?" Susan whispers.
Heather opens her eyes and looks at her mom. "Mom..?" She looks at the other side of the bed, "Leslie? Andy?"
"We're here, sis," Andrew says.
Heather looks at the doorway, but Steve is gone.
...I have no words. I have absolutely no words for this. ..I did not think I'd get this finished this summer. ...But I DID!
I WILL NOT END HER STORY HERE! MARK MY WORDS, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER COUNTRY LASS STORY!
(Only I may or may not call it 'Country Lass' something or other. ...And I don't know when I'll get to it.)
If you have an interest to read my other stories, or you have not read the first two parts of Heather's story, then find them on my profile. They are semi-explained on there.
Any final thoughts on this story? Any idea what the next story will be about?
Signing off!
~Created to Write