Chapter 16
AN: SO, I hope you like this chapter. I am very drunk right now so I apologise for any mistakes. I have finally figured out a couple of things I was stuck on, so I should be able to update more. Hope you like this…
July 2nd 2000
Five months have passed since Melinda was hurt on a mission. Ever since it has become clear that Daisy is scared when her mother goes to work, but every time she goes Melinda tells her that she will always do whatever she can to come home to her which seems to help.
It is a lovely summer Sunday that also happens to be Daisy's fifth birthday. As it is an extremely special birthday Melinda is throwing a big party with Phil, Kora, Gordon, Natasha, Clint, Maria, Izzy and Hand all attending.
"Mommy how long until they get here?" Daisy asks curious.
"Soon Sweetheart," Melinda says and just as she finishes there is a knock on the door.
"Can I get it?" Daisy asks curious.
"Sure," Melinda says and Daisy hurries over to the door, while Melinda walks as well, and as Daisy gets to the door she quickly opens it to reveal Kora and Gordon, who just teleported into a nearby storage closet.
"AUNT KORA! UNCLE GORDON!" Daisy says, sounding beyond thrilled.
"Hey Daze," Kora says handing Gordon the presents she brought so that she pick up Daisy. "Did your Mom get you good presents?" Kora ask curious as she and Gordon walk into the apartment.
"I don't know. Mommy said we had to wait for everyone to open them," Daisy explains, as Kora swings her around before putting her back down on the floor.
"Really Mel?" Gordon asks, looking surprised, as he thinks that's a little mean.
"I thought Daisy would want everyone around when she opened all her presents together," Melinda says. "I need you to hang this close to the celling," Melinda says as she hands Gordon a banner.
"Because you're too short to do it," Kora teases.
"You're not that much taller than me," Melinda tells her sister, with an annoyed look, but before the twins can get into a fight the door opens and Phil walks in.
"COLS!" Daisy yells excited as she runs over to him.
"How's my favourite birthday girl?" Phil asks curious, as he hugs her.
"Good," Daisy answers. "I'm five Cols," Daisy says, looking excited.
"I know, you're getting so big," Phil says with a grin.
"Yep," Daisy says, and over the next few minutes Clint, Natasha, Maria, Hand and Izzy all arrive.
Once everyone arrives all the SHIELD agents, Gordon and Kora do everything they can to make sure Daisy has the best birthday she can possibly have.
Hours later, Daisy has opened all her presents, eaten more junk food than Melinda usually allows, and is lying in bed next to her mother, getting ready to go to bed.
"Did you have a good day?" Melinda asks, as she puts her arm around her daughter.
"Yep!" Daisy explains.
"I'm glad," Melinda admits. "Do you want me to read one of your new books?" Melinda asks curious, and Daisy shakes her head. "Okay, what story do you want?" Melinda asks her daughter.
"Blue Angles?" Daisy asks, to Melinda's amusement.
"I think I can do that," Melinda responds and she proceeds to tell her daughter the story that tells the origins of their people, knowing that the day will come, though she doesn't know when that will be, where she has to tell Daisy that it is not just a story.
September 4th 2000
Two months have passed since Daisy's birthday ever since Melinda has been doing what she can to make sure Daisy has the best summer.
It is extremely early on the morning of what will be Daisy's first day at school and Melinda is doing what she does every morning tai-chi. As she does her routine Daisy's door opens and Daisy walks out of her room, fully dressed and carrying her brand new schoolbag.
"Daisy, what are you doing?" Melinda asks.
"It's time for school!" Daisy says, to her mother's amusement.
"Daisy, I know you're excited, but it's too early," Melinda says as she moves out of the position she is in and stands up.
"But it's time for school," Daisy says, like it should be obvious.
"Not quiet yet," Melinda tells her. "How about I get dressed and we walk down to the diner for breakfast," Melinda suggests.
"I don't want to be late," Daisy informs her mother.
"You won't be," Melinda assures her and she heads into her room to get ready, knowing better than leaving Daisy for long as she wouldn't be surprised if Daisy walked to school alone.
After a breakfast that Melinda attempted to draw out as long as possible she and Daisy have walked to Daisy's school. As they know where Daisy's classroom is Melinda and Daisy are able to walk straight there where Daisy's teacher is waiting outside.
"Hello, who have we got there?" the teacher, a young woman, asks in a kind voice.
"Daisy May," Daisy says, sounding quiet proud.
"Well it's nice to meet you Daisy," The teacher says "Some of the other students are playing in the classroom if you'd like to join," the teacher explains.
"Bye Mom!" Daisy says, looking excited, and she runs to join the other students, without even looking back, leaving Melinda feeling shocked and saddened.
About an hour later, Melinda who went back home to get her motorbike, is arriving at the Triskelion where she isn't at all surprised to see Phil waiting for her.
"How'd she go?" Phil asks curious, it being perfectly clear what he is asking.
"She didn't even look back," Melinda answers, a level of sadness to her voice.
"And you?" Phil asks curious.
"I couldn't stop," Melinda admits. "I can't believe how grown up she is getting," Melinda admits, a level of sadness to her voice.
Wanting to help her friend Phil puts his arm around Melinda's shoulder, being able to tell how hard this is for her, as the two of them walk together.
Hours later Melinda and Daisy are sitting at the kitchen bench as Phil cooks them dinner.
"So it was a good day?" Phil asks curious as Daisy has been excitedly telling him and her mother all about her school day.
"It was great!" Daisy says, sounding excited. "It was so much fun and Ms Potter is really nice, and I can't wait to learn!" Daisy says, sounding excited.
"I'm really glad you had such a great time," Melinda tells her daughter. As hard it is for her to see Daisy grow up she is glad that she is so happy, and proud of who she is becoming.
October 31st 2000
Almost two months have passed since Daisy started school and she will still happily tell anyone what she thinks of school when asked.
It is a Tuesday afternoon and as Melinda has known for a little while that she would have to work late Kora and Gordon have come to DC and are going to take Daisy out trick or treating.
"Daze, you need a hand or you okay?" Kora asks from the living room as Daisy is in her room trying to get ready.
"I'm okay," Daisy responds, as she walks out of her room in her costume, a wonder woman costume. "What do you think?" Daisy asks her aunt and uncle.
"I think you look great," Kora, who is wearing a witch costume says.
"Uncle Gordon what's your costume?" Daisy asks curious.
"I think I would just go like this," Gordon says as he removes the sunglasses he put on to pick Daisy up from school.
"But that's not scary," Daisy says, in a matter of fact tone, and honestly Daisy has no idea how much that means to Gordon.
"I think there are some people who might disagree," Gordon comments, and Daisy pulls face as it is clear that she doesn't understand why anyone would think her Uncle Gordon is scary.
"How about we get going," Kora, who does know how much Daisy's reaction means to Gordon, says as she figures it would be best to avoid having this conversation for much longer.
"Yes!" Daisy says, sounding excited, and she, Kora and Gordon head out of the apartment together.
A few hours later Kora and Gordon have taken Daisy trick or treating, and the three of them have had dinner out together and are returning back to the apartment. As they walk in they find Melinda waiting.
"MOMMY!" Daisy says excited as she hurries towards her mother, dropping her bag of candy as she goes.
"Hey Daisy," Melinda says as she picks up Daisy. "How was trick or treating?" Melinda asks, her daughter, honestly feeling a little bad that she didn't get to take her daughter.
"It was great!" Daisy says, sounding thrilled. "It was so much fun!" Daisy reveals.
"I'm really glad to hear that," Melinda says, not being able to help but smile at how happy her daughter is.
"Mommy, why isn't Aunt Kora and Uncle Gordon around as much as Cols?" Daisy asks curious and even though they knew one day this would come Melinda and Kora exchange looks.
"Daisy, you know how sometimes I have to go away for work?" Melinda asks her daughter, and Daisy nods. "Well, Aunt Kora and Uncle Gordon work and live very far away," Melinda explains to her daughter. "Which means it is sometimes hard for Aunt Kora and Uncle Gordon to be here with us," Melinda explains, trying to give an explanation that will make sense considering Daisy's age.
"But Daze, never doubt how much we love you," Kora assures her.
"And we'll always be around if you need us," Gordon tells his niece, honestly he has been trying to think of a way to tell Daisy to call for him if needed that won't lead to a whole lot of questions.
"Okay," Daisy says, with a nod, not completely understanding everything.
"Now how about you show me all of your candy," Melinda says as she puts Daisy back on the ground.
"Can I eat it all?" Daisy asks her mother.
"Not tonight. Tonight, you can have a couple of pieces," Melinda tells her daughter.
"You're no fun," Kora says, and Melinda rolls her eyes at her sister.
As Daisy starts to show her mother all the candy she has gotten Kora purposely sneaks her niece candy, doing her best to make sure Melinda doesn't realise what she is doing.
January 8th 2001
A little over two months have passed since Halloween and in that time the only time Kora, and Gordon, were able to come to DC was for Christmas.
It is Daisy's first week back at school, and as Daisy seems to be less happy with school Melinda is glad that it is parent teacher interviews, as she wants to know what is going on with her daughter.
"Ms May, it's good to see you," Daisy's teacher, Ms Potter greats.
"Please, call me Melinda," Melinda requests, as she and Daisy sit down, and as she does she notices Daisy slide down in her chair. "How's Daisy going?" Melinda asks, having a lot of questions, but she figures that that is the best place to start.
"First, I would like to say that when it comes to any task involving a computer Daisy excels, she is always the first finished, and even helps any of the other students who need it," Ms Potter explains.
"That's great," Melinda says, proudly.
"Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for her other subjects with the exception of PE," Ms Potter explains.
"What do you mean?" Melinda asks, as she notices Daisy slide down in her seat and avoid looking at her.
"Daisy's struggling," Ms Potter explains. "She won't stay in her seat, and she distracts the other students," Ms Potter explains. "She is clearly smart, but she is just not paying attention," Ms Potter explains.
"Thank you for bringing that to my attention," Melinda says, knowing that she is going to have to talk to Daisy about that. "Do you have any other concerns?" Melinda asks curious.
"No, in every other way Daisy is handling the transition extremely well," Ms Potter explains, and she proceeds to go through some of Daisy's most recent assignments with Melinda.
About an hour and a half later Melinda and Daisy are arriving back at their apartment as they arrive back Daisy goes to go straight to her bedroom.
"Not so fast, Daisy," Melinda tells her daughter. "Come sit down so we can talk," Melinda suggests.
"Okay," Daisy says, looking ashamed and the two of them walk over to the couch. "Are you disappointed in me, Mommy?" Daisy asks as they both sit on the couch.
"Of course not, Sweetheart," Melinda tells her daughter. "But I want to know what's going on," Melinda explains to her daughter. "How do you feel about school?" Melinda asks her daughter.
"Sometimes I like it, and I like our computer classes," Daisy asks.
"And other times?" Melinda asks.
"I just… I just can't sit still," Daisy admits. "I try and my legs just want to move. I want to learn, but It's like I am just really excited, and can't listen or learn, as everything else just… it's like it how on my birthday when I just want to think about my presents. When I try to listen and learn I just want to think about everything else and I can't stop," Daisy admits, and as she does Melinda realises what is going on.
"Daisy, I think you might have some problems concentrating," Melinda realises.
"So, there is something wrong with me," Daisy says, looking down at the ground.
"Oh Honey, no," Melinda assures her, as she never wants Daisy to think like that. "It just means that you get excited, and that school might be a little harder for you," Melinda admits. "But I think I might no some ways to help," Melinda reveals.
"Really?" Daisy asks, sounding excited.
"Really, it will be ways to help you calm your mind, and help you try to concentrate," Melinda explains to her daughter.
"I want to lean. I want to do better at school," Daisy assures her mother.
"Okay," Melinda tells her daughter. "I am going to teach you something called Tai-Chi and some mediation and other techniques to help you calm your mind," Melinda explains to her daughter.
"Okay," Daisy says, with a nod, and Melinda gets started on teaching her.
June 15th 2001
Five months passed have passed since Melinda found out Daisy is struggling with school and thanks to the techniques her mother has been teaching her Daisy is doing a little bit better with every day.
It is a Friday night and Melinda and Daisy are sitting at their table eating dinner, and as they eat Melinda has realised that Daisy is a little quieter than usual.
"Daisy, are you okay?" Melinda asks her daughter concerned.
"Yeah," Daisy answers. "Mom, is Cols my dad?" Daisy asks, to Melinda's shock.
"Why would you ask that?" Melinda asks her daughter curious, as she knows that the answer will dictate her answer.
"Today in school we were making things for Father's Day. The class talked about what we think Dad is, and everything that everyone was saying is what Cols is to me," Daisy explains to her mother, and Melinda can't help but smile.
"Cols, is not actually your Dad, but that doesn't mean you can't think of him as that," Melinda explains to her daughter. "There are many things that make someone a dad, and if you want to think of Cols as your Dad then that's okay with Me," Melinda explains to her daughter.
"I think I do," Daisy admits. "Everyone was talking today about all the things their Dads do for them and Cols does all of those things for me," Daisy explains to her mother.
"Okay," Melinda says, with a nod and slight smile.
"Mom if Cols isn't actually my Dad who is? Why do I never see him?" Daisy asks and even though she knew that this question would eventually come it doesn't make it easier for Melinda to answer.
"Daisy your Dad's name was Lindon, he was someone I knew a long time ago," Melinda explains to her daughter, knowing she will explain more when Daisy is older.
"What happened to him?" Daisy asks, as she recognizes her mother's use of past tense.
"Before you were born he got sick, and he died," Melinda explains to her daughter, as she knows that's the simplest way to explain a brain tumour.
"Oh," Daisy says, not sure what else to say. "Do you think he would have liked me?" Daisy asks curious.
"He would have loved you," Melinda says, smiling at her daughter, as she knows that without a doubt.
"If I think of Cols as my Dad do you think that would have been okay with him?" Daisy asks curious, as she tries to make sense of everything in her young mind.
"I think, actually I know, that he would be glad that someone is a father to you when he couldn't be," Melinda admits, as considering how Lindon, and Cal, grew up he would be glad that Daisy has someone who is filling the role of father figure.
"Good," Daisy says, looking glad. "Mom, I made a card for Cols, can I give it to him on Sunday, and can we do something for him?" Daisy asks curious.
"You know, I think we can," Melinda says, with a smile.
On Sunday, Melinda and Daisy have gotten up extremely early. While they did think about making breakfast for Phil both Melinda and Daisy knew that wouldn't end well and so they stopped on their way to Phil's apartment and got breakfast.
"Do you think he will like it?" Daisy asks worried as she made Phil a card and also picked out a tie for him as well as a Captain America t-shirt that Melinda knew Phil doesn't have.
"I think he's going to love it," Melinda says, with a smile as she uses the key she has to let them into Phil's apartment. "Do you want to put the food on the table, or find a tray?" Melinda asks her daughter as she knows this is Daisy's call.
"Um… tray," Daisy answers.
"Okay," Melinda says, putting what she is holding down. "I'll find the try and Cols favourite mug," Melinda tells her daughter as she knows exactly which mug is Phil's favourite.
Over the next few minutes Melinda and Daisy set everything up on a tray that can be carried into Phil's bedroom.
"How about I carry that," Melinda tells her daughter, as Daisy attempted to pick up the tray which is clearly way to heavy for her. "And you carry the presents," Melinda suggests.
"Okay," Daisy says, and she and Melinda start to head towards Phil's bedroom, as they do the door open and Phil, who was woken up by the noise Melinda and Daisy made, walks out of his room.
"May? Daisy? What are you doing here?" Phil asks curious, feeling incredibly confused.
"Daisy," Melinda says, knowing it will be best for her to explain.
"It's Father's Day," Daisy tells Phil in a matter of fact tone. "At school we were taking about what a dad is and to me that's you; you're my Dad," Daisy says, and Phil feels beyond overwhelmed. "I love you," Daisy informs Phil.
"Oh, I love you to Daisy," Phil says as he picks her up, and kisses her head. "I love being your Dad," Phil explains to Daisy, who smiles. "What did you two bring?" Phil asks curious.
"Breakfast, and presents," Daisy explains.
"Your Mom didn't make the breakfast did she?" Phil asks, and Daisy laughs.
"We brought it," Daisy explains.
"Good," Phil says, as he walks over to the table, where he sits down, and Daisy sits on his lap.
While he may not be Daisy biological father Phil can't imagine that he would love her more if she was. As far as he is concerned Daisy is his daughter and so Phil is beyond thrilled and touched to experience his first father's day with Daisy and Melinda.