Author's Note: Okay, so I was originally planning on updating my story 'Some Things Never Sleep' before updating this one again but I just couldn't help myself. I am truly updating STNS after this though. One Word from You will come after that and then this one again hopefully. So that's kind of a rough outline of my update schedule.
Some of you who aren't familiar with the original version of the story are probably wondering why I keep referring to Ivy as Vivien. That's not a mistake. Ivy is just a nickname and a name she'll later go by since Tony will find the name Vivien too stuffy and old lady sounding.
I also decided recently that I will not be including the Thor storyline like I previously said in the prologue. Thor: The Dark World will be included but not Thor. I just decided to make a change in some of the character decisions for Ivy so it wouldn't really make sense for her to be in New Mexico when Thor comes to earth.
Tumblr-0-Trash: Glad you're liking the story so much. I'm really excited too and especially since the pairing for this story is still up in the air. I'm really torn at this point so anything could really happen. I'm mostly just focusing on Ivy's relationship with her dad for now which will kind of be complicated.
Athena05: You'll find more out about Ivy's powers in future chapters. At this point everyone knows that she's only half human but I'll go into details later. People who read the original version will know what she is but I don't want to ruin the surprise for new readers. If you really want to know then you can PM me and I'll be happy to tell you.
I don't see any reason why I can't include Sam Wilson as a potential love interest. I love Anthony Mackie! I think he's one of the funniest people ever but I'm also aware that Sam Wilson doesn't get much love in the fanfiction community. Maybe it's because he doesn't have as big of a part as the other characters do. I just read that a lot of second tier marvel characters in the MCU will be getting their own series on Disney's new streaming platform so I hope that he'll get his own show or maybe if he and Bucky can share a show. That would actually be really cool and a dream come true. Loki and the Scarlet Witch are already confirmed but I hope Bucky and Sam will be getting their own shows too.
I totally get what you mean about there not being a lot of Sam Wilson/OC pairings because I've never found one that I liked. I'm also not sure if that would happen in this story though since I'm really leaning towards a Bucky/OC pairing. I've thought of a different scenario for every character I've listed except for T'Challa but the one with Bucky is the one I'm really leaning towards at the moment. However, romance in this story is definitely going to be a ways away so I have plenty of time to consider these options. I'm not saying I'm picking Bucky but it's just what I'm feeling right now. A Steve/Ivy pairing would be cool too and I've definitely given a Sam/Ivy storyline some thinking after you suggested it. Sorry for all the rambling but I'm just trying to get my thoughts in order because I really have no clue what pairing I want. Time will tell, I guess.
Oly E: I'm really leaning towards Bucky at the moment but I have given a Loki/Ivy storyline some thought. I've thought up a few various plot lines for that pairing, just like all the other pairings I'm considering, but I'm not sure how it would work past Thor: The Dark World since I'm going to be following a lot of the movie storylines. I don't know. I'm really loving the idea of a Bucky pairing at the moment but I might change my mind tomorrow. I've changed my mind so much over this matter in the past couple days so who really knows?
Thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites. Let me know what you think of this chapter. Thank you.
Life in the Stark family was peaceful the following two years. Vivien was everything Maria had ever wanted. Maria had always wanted a little girl but Howard was adamant about just sticking with the one child. However, it seemed like things had worked out in the end although it was nothing like what Maria ever expected. She didn't think she would be getting the little girl she always dreamed of through her son. Maria typically would've scolded her son more over the issue but she was just grateful for Vivien.
Vivien was two years old now and it honestly scared Maria how fast she was growing. She remembered feeling something similar when Tony was the same age too but it had been a while. Maria was sure that it wouldn't be long until Vivien was all grown up too. Time seemed to pass by quickly. Especially when there were children in the house.
Still…Maria was worried about Vivien's relationship with Tony. Tony had been distant these past two years. He made himself overwhelmingly scarce, mostly sticking to rooming with his friend Rhodey in Malibu while Howard and Maria lived in the Stark mansion in New York. Tony had only shown up to Vivien's first birthday party with Rhodey in tow who honestly seemed more enthusiastic to be there than Tony. Tony who mostly lurked in the background as Rhodey helped the one year old blow out the candles on her cake. For her second birthday Tony hadn't even shown up. Rhodey came in his place offering his apologies and claiming that Tony was tied up back in Malibu.
"Tied up with what?" Maria had questioned with a disappointed look on her face. Howard just scoffed as he shook his head.
"Tied up with some blonde with a huge rack more than likely." Howard said sarcastically. Maria gave him a look of disapproval while Rhodey just blushed.
"I'm really sorry." He said once more before he went to drop off the gifts with all the others at the party. There was a toy piano from Rhodey since Maria had informed him that Vivien was showing quite the interest in music. There was also a stuffed penguin from Tony because penguins were currently Vivien's favorite animal. However, both Howard and Maria knew that Rhodey was really the one who picked out the penguin. Tony seemed to have taken a liking to pretending that he didn't have a daughter.
"What's wrong with him, Howard?" Maria asked worriedly as she watched Rhodey kneel down in front of Vivien. He grinned at her as he greeted the two year old who only giggled in return.
"I don't know, Maria." Howard said softly. She glanced up at her husband, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"She already lost a mother. She can't lose a father too." Maria said sadly. "It's not fair to her."
"No, it's not." Howard remarked, sounding just as sad as his wife while he quietly watched his granddaughter. Right now she was too young to know that her father wasn't there. She barely knew who her father was. But in a couple years time she would start noticing his absence more. She'd have more questions and Howard didn't know how he was going to answer those questions.
He understood what was happening now.
Howard was finally paying for all the mistakes he made with Tony. Well, technically his granddaughter was paying for his mistakes. Howard had made a lot of mistakes in his life but he thought he might've really screwed up with Tony. He only meant to toughen Tony up a bit…to make him independent. Howard never wanted Tony growing up to be like all the other spoiled brats in their social circles. The only way Howard had made it in this life was learning to do things on his own and depending on no one but himself. He had to be strong in this line of work and he wanted that for Tony too but he might've gone one step too far.
That much was clear now.
In his efforts in making Tony into someone who didn't need to depend on his parent's wealth and influence, he had made Tony into someone who didn't know how to be a father. Tony didn't know because Howard had never been a good enough father to him. Now the twenty one year old was so overwhelmed and frightened of the concept that he made sure to steer clear of any sign of his daughter. He was scared of his own daughter. This deeply troubled Howard but there was only one thing that seemed to course through his mind as he watched the two year old girl who had to spend her birthday without her father.
My fault. My fault. My fault.
This was several months ago. Vivien was now nearing her third birthday. She was more than half way to three and not to mention celebrating her third Christmas as well. Christmas seemed to be one of her favorite holidays and the Stark household was much more lively than usual with her in it. In fact, Vivien loved Christmas so much that she tried getting her grandparents to start decorating in July. Much to her disappointment that was a hard pass but they made a compromise for after Halloween.
"Grandma, who's that?" The small girl asked as she sat beside her grandmother on the piano bench. The two year old was already much smarter than most children her own age. Her speech and cognitive understanding was more developed than the average two year old, proving that she wasn't much different than her father. It must be a Stark thing, Maria determined.
"Who are you talking about, sweet girl?" Maria questioned offhandedly, not knowing what the girl was talking about.
"The man on couch." She whispered and Maria glanced back at her son who was passed out on the couch. He was more than likely suffering from a terrible hangover after partying all night. Maria swallowed hard before returning her attention to the piano. Maria only realized then that this would be the first time Vivien would be meeting her father. The last time they had even been in the same room together was at Vivien's first birthday but Maria doubted she remembered that. It must've been so strange to not even know what your own father looked like. Maria felt pity for the poor young girl.
"He's your father, Vivien." Maria finally said after a long pause of silence. She watched the girl's large, doe like, brown eyes widen as she immediately whipped around to look at the man on the couch again. Maria smiled softly because she noticed that Vivien was looking more and more like Tony and Howard every day. They shared the same exact brown eyes that always seemed to contain that sparkle of mischief in their warm and chocolate-ty depths. The same brown locks of hair and even the same smile. Maria could already tell that Vivien was going to be incredibly beautiful when she grew up. She and Howard were definitely going to have their hands full with Vivien.
"Daddy?" She said in surprise and Maria nodded as she smiled kindly at the girl.
"Yes. He's your daddy." Maria told her and this seemed to excite the two year old girl. She practically squealed as she hopped up and down in her seat. Vivien hadn't asked a lot of questions about her father yet but she was a curious child just like her father and his father before him. Every now and then they'd get a random question about her father but never one that made sense.
Daddy's favorite food?
Does he like Ninja Turtles?
His favorite color?
The serious questions hadn't come around yet. Vivien didn't seem that concerned with the absence of her father but they knew that would only change as she got older. With time, the more serious questions would come which had Maria worried. For now, however, Maria didn't mind answering questions like that for her curious granddaughter. The questions were innocent enough.
"Can I say hi?" The little girl questioned and Maria almost felt her heart break at the eager look on the girl's face. Poor girl, Maria thought to herself. Now she was oblivious to her father's indifference but that would change soon enough. Vivien was a smart girl, after all.
"I'm afraid not, Vivien." Maria told her with a kind look on her face. Her face fell at her grandmother's response and a disappointed look replaced the previously happy one.
"Why not?" She asked and Maria sighed heavily before answering.
"Your daddy's not feeling very well right now, Vivien. Maybe you can say hi later." Maria said as she tried to explain away the fact that he was hungover.
"What's a hangover?" The small girl asked much to Maria's surprise. Maria looked at her incredulously.
"Excuse me?" Maria questioned and Vivien just looked at her curiously.
"Daddy has a hangover?" She questioned and Maria just stared at her in wonder. Had she really said that thought aloud? How odd…Maria could've sworn that she kept that particular thought of her son to herself but maybe she was mistaken. Maybe she was just talking to herself now.
"It's something that happens when adults feel a little under the weather. Nothing to worry about." Maria said reassuringly before returning her gaze to the piano. "Now come on. Pay attention."
Vivien continued to stare at her father who was covered up with a blanket. She couldn't see much of him other than a Santa hat creeping out from underneath the blanket but it was enough to draw her curiosity. The two year old knew she had a father even though she didn't have a mother. She just didn't know why he was never there.
He was always a mysterious subject to Vivien. Her grandmother would sometimes show her pictures from the photo albums but that wasn't enough for her. She wanted to see him in real life. She wanted to know him in real life too. Vivien adored her grandparents but she wanted her daddy too. Seeing that her father wasn't going to be coming out from underneath that blanket anytime soon, Vivien finally tore her gaze away from him as she watched her grandmother play piano. A smile made its way onto her as she watched her grandmother. Her grandmother always had such a lovely voice. Vivien watched in fascination as her grandmother's long and elegant fingers hit the keys on the piano.
"Try to remember the kind of September." Maria Stark sang softly as she looked over and smiled at her fascinated looking granddaughter. "When grass was green." It was then that Howard Stark walked into the room with an unimpressed look on his face as he glanced down at his son on the couch.
"Wake up, dear, and say goodbye to your father." Maria told her son without turning back around as Howard threw the blanket off his son, revealing the hungover form of Tony Stark. Vivien immediately turned back around to get a glimpse of the mysterious stranger who was also her father.
"Who's the homeless person on the couch?" Howard asked sarcastically.
The man immediately stood up from the couch much to the two year old's delight. The man who was Vivien's father was younger then what she thought he'd be. He was incredibly young looking much to her surprise but he also looked a lot like her. Vivien couldn't help but continue to stare at her father in fascination. He was suddenly the most fascinating thing she had ever seen in her life.
"This is why I love coming home for Christmas…right before you leave town." Tony retorted as he smirked at his father. Vivien just watched her grandfather and the man, who was apparently her father, talk. Everything was incredibly interesting to her in that moment.
"Be nice, dear. He's been studying abroad." Maria told her husband as she continued to play the piano. Howard raised his eyebrows as he stared at his son.
"Really? Which broad? What's her name?" Howard questioned and Vivien suddenly didn't know what they were talking about. It sounded like gibberish to her.
"Candice." Tony answered as Howard ripped the Santa hat off his head and tossed it aside.
"Do me a favor? Try not to burn the house down before Monday." Howard said as he gave his son a knowing look. Tony's smirk was unwavering as his gaze remained locked onto his father.
"Okay, so it's Monday?" Tony inquired as he sauntered across the room, closer to where Vivien was sitting. "That is good to know. I will plan my toga party accordingly."
It was only then that Tony noticed Vivien for the first time since he had gotten up from the couch. He had known she was in the room before. He could hear her soft voice as she spoke to his mother but he hadn't really seen her until then. Tony briefly looked down at her, analyzing her appearance. He was momentarily surprised by how much she had grown since he had seen her last.
The last time he had seen her was at her first birthday party but it was still shocking to him that she looked so much bigger since then. She was like a little…person. Tony knew she was two now, close to three, but somehow it was terrifying to him that she was getting older. She was growing up and every time Tony saw her, she was older. He was to blame for that. He was to blame for not being there for her but Tony still couldn't bear the thought of being a father. The concept was terrifying.
Vivien locked eyes with her father as he looked down at her. She silently pleaded with him to acknowledge her or even just smile at her. Vivien wanted nothing more than for her daddy to notice her and shower her with affection. Her grandparents already did that but she wanted her daddy close to her as well. However, Tony did none of those things as he then looked over at his mother and ignored his daughter. The hopeful look fell off Vivien's face.
"Where are you going?" Tony asked his mother as he decided to get his mind off his daughter. Those warm brown eyes seemed to have an effect on him and Tony wasn't sure if he liked that.
"Your father's flying us to the Bahamas for a little getaway. Just a short trip before Christmas." Maria said as she smiled at her granddaughter, silently reassuring Vivien that they would be back before Santa came around. The little girl just smiled back at her happily.
"We might have to make a quick stop." Howard added.
"At the Pentagon, right?" Tony said as he gave his father a knowing look before smirking at his mother. "Don't worry. You're going to love the holiday menu at the commissary."
"You know, they say sarcasm is the metric for potential." Howard said pointedly as Tony then learned against the doorway. "If that's true you'll be a great man someday. I'll get the bags." Howard said before he left the room. Vivien didn't waste any time turning to her grandmother after that much to Tony's curiosity.
"Grandma, I'll miss you." Vivien said quietly as she then looked at her grandmother with a sad look on her face. Maria smiled sadly at the girl as she affectionately ran her thumb over her the girl's face before leaning down and pressing a chaste kiss against her forehead.
"I know, sweet girl, but Grandpa and I will be home soon. Just in time for Christmas." Maria told the two year old. "Santa knows you've been a good girl this year so there will be lots of presents. I'm sure of it."
"Wait a second." Tony said as he looked in between his mother and daughter incredulously. He couldn't believe what he just heard. "Are you saying that she's staying here. As in she's not going on the trip with you?"
"That's correct." Maria answered as Vivien looked back at her father curiously. "Vivien won't be going on this trip with us, I'm afraid. She'll be staying here until we come back."
"What? So I have to babysit her?" Tony questioned in disbelief and Vivien felt like she was about to cry. She might've been two but she wasn't stupid. She knew when she wasn't wanted and not being wanted by your father was utterly devastating for a child.
"It's not babysitting when it's your own child." Maria scolded as she glared at him. She couldn't believe the nerve of her son sometimes. It's like he didn't have any idea the level of hurt he could cause someone by saying something like that. Sometimes her son was a little too much like his father. He was utterly clueless.
It was then that Howard walked back into the room, disapproving of the way his son was on the verge of making Vivien cry. The last thing they needed was for Vivien to throw a tantrum before they left. It was difficult enough trying to explain to her that she couldn't come with them on the trip. The two year old had quite the attachment to her grandparents. She didn't even like being away from her grandmother for more than five minutes. It was difficult getting her to accept the fact that they were leaving so Howard didn't want his son to screw it all up.
"But to answer your question…no. You will not be babysitting Vivien." Howard told his son. The older man scoffed before shaking his head. "You honestly think we would be irresponsible enough to leave her alone with you? Most certainly not. Jarvis will be looking after her while we're away."
"Jarvis?" Tony questioned doubtfully. Howard nodded.
"Yes. We would have to be insane to leave Vivien here with you alone." Howard told him much to Tony's annoyance. Vivien just watched the two men curiously. Despite the hurt she felt from her father ignoring her, she was excited to spend some time with him at the mansion. She had never been around him before so the idea of spending the holidays with him was exciting.
"Thanks a lot, Pops." Tony said sarcastically and Maria just sighed as she got up from the piano bench. Her son was deeply troubled. Maria knew this. She just hoped with her whole heart that Tony at least made an effort in getting to know his daughter while they were gone. Vivien really needed a father but Tony also needed her. They needed one and other and Maria thought they would be good for each other too. She leaned in close to her son as she spoke in a softer and quieter voice so Vivien wouldn't hear.
"Please, at least, try to get to know your daughter." Maria pleaded with him as he stared back at her in silence. "Please…she notices your absence."
"Mom…" Tony whined, not seeming too eager to spend his time with a two year old. That was actually the last thing he wanted to do. He was planning on throwing a party at the mansion which he couldn't do with Jarvis and a two year old there. This was just great. Tony knew he sounded like an asshole but that was the truth. While he may have been an asshole, Tony certainly wasn't a sociopath. He knew ignoring the existence of his daughter was a very shitty thing to do. He already felt guilty enough without actually being around her. Tony didn't want to be reminded of how shitty of a father he was which he knew being around her would do to him.
"Please, Tony. For me." Maria asked, her eyes almost desperate. Tony swallowed hard because he knew he wasn't going to be able to turn down his mother's request. Not when she looked at him like that.
Damn it.
"Fine." Tony said as he finally gave in to her. Maria smiled contently as she took a step back, satisfied with Tony's answer. She then glanced at the two year old who was still watching her and Tony interact. Maria smiled brightly at the girl before picking her up from the piano bench. The little girl giggled as Maria held her close.
"I'll miss you and grandpa." Vivien said once more as Maria pressed another chaste kiss against her forehead. Tony rolled his eyes. He didn't know how anyone could miss his father. His father was the most unpleasant person in the world to be around. Tony assumed that the kid would figure that out for herself soon enough.
"We'll miss you too." Maria told her sincerely. "Don't worry. We'll be back before you know it."
"In time for Santa?" The two year old asked and Maria smiled again before nodding.
"Yes. Just in time for Santa." Maria confirmed. "Maybe we'll take you to the ballet when we get back…if you've been a good girl."
"Really?" Vivien asked excitedly, a bright and happy smile on her face. Tony tried not to let the way she couldn't pronounce her R's affect him. It wasn't cute, he tried to tell himself. It was actually really pathetic if you thought about it. This kid was the future of Stark Industries. She should know how to pronounce things by now. No, it wasn't cute at all. It wasn't even adorable.
"Of course." Howard said as he walked over to his wife and granddaughter with a smile on his face before giving his son a pointed look. "Although I don't think you're the one we have to worry about misbehaving."
"I'll be good. I promise." Vivien promised her grandfather as the man tore his gaze away from his son to look back at her. "I love you, grandpa."
"I love you too, munchkin." Howard said, his gaze soft, as he then affectionately ruffled the girl's hair. Vivien giggled while Tony was just left to sulk in silence. Of course his daughter would be his father's favorite. Of course she would be the precious apple of his father's eyes. The world was that fucking cruel.
Maria then set the two year old on the ground next to Tony. The little girl seemed disappointed to be parted from her grandmother so soon but she was also happy to spend time with her father. Tony, however, was terrified at spending time with his daughter. He didn't know her and he didn't know how to deal with her. Hopefully Jarvis would keep the kid entertained while he worked in the lab until his parents came home. Maybe he would barely even have to interact with her. Certainly not at dinner. Tony rarely ate a conventional dinner like a normal person. That was one thing he inherited from his father.
"We'll be back soon." Howard told his son sternly, any trace of softness was now gone. Tony withheld the urge to snort. It was clear to him who was the favorite in this family. The kid was a better and improved version of himself. Probably even more so if she showed any signs of having a prodigy level intellect which was highly likely. Rhodey always told Tony about how smart Vivien was and especially for someone that age. She could already read chapter books at the level of a six grader. Tony didn't doubt that she would become everything his father ever dreamed of in a Stark. Something Tony didn't think he would ever achieve. Nothing he did was ever good enough for his father, after all.
"Whatever." Tony mumbled.
"Be good." Maria said seriously and Vivien smiled brightly.
"I will." Vivien told her and Maria just gave her an amused look.
"I was actually talking to your father." Maria said with a small smirk on her face. Tony scoffed, looking the opposite of amused at his mother's remark.
"Ha, ha. Very funny." Tony said as he made a pouting face. Maria just gave him an affectionate look.
"I love you both. Be nice to each other." Maria told them as Howard began to usher them towards the door, bags in hand. The older Stark gave his son a stern look before his gaze softened once more as he looked at his granddaughter. Howard gave her one last smile before he followed his wife out the door. Little did Vivien and Tony know that it would be the last time they ever saw Howard and Maria Stark. Vivien wouldn't remember them years down the road but Tony would. He would tell her stories about them as she listened curiously. Tony would leave out the fact that they were better parents to her than he could ever be.
She didn't need to know that.
The sound of the front door of the mansion opening and closing signaled to them that they were finally alone. The twenty one year old and two year old must've stood there in silence for what felt like forever. Vivien stared up at her father with intelligence in her eyes that was far beyond what would've been normal for an average two year old. Tony looked back down at her uncomfortably, not knowing what to say or how to interact with her. He was clueless at this point.
"What?" Tony questioned, growing tired of having her stare at him. Maybe she was his kid, after all. She sure as hell acted just as weird as he did. "What is it, kid? Spit it out. I don't have all day."
"Daddy?" Vivien finally said, her warm brown eyes filled with curiosity. Tony stared back at her in horror. Oh god, was this really happening? Nope. No, no, no. Absolutely not. Tony couldn't deal with this. This was too much. He then looked around the room desperately as it somehow felt way hotter in the house all of a sudden. Tony was really starting to sweat underneath his t-shirt as he made a point of avoiding the two year old's gaze.
"Jarvis?! I need you in here like yesterday! Chop chop!"
