"I know."
It feels like there's a heavy blanket on my body. The first thing I notice is a beeping sound. It was steady and familiar. I focused on that for a moment trying to place it. As I listened, I tried to open my eyes but it was too heavy. After trying and failing for what felt like forever, I heard another noise. This one was louder than the beep, and I was surprised I hadn't noticed it before.
"...and then Petey let me play with his legos! He never lets me play but I think it's because Mommy and Daddy have been sad lately and they haven't had time to play with me. They want you to wake up and they're worried. It's been forever."
Morgan! Wake up? What does she mean, wake up? Suddenly the events of the explosion and Abigail and my conversation with Dani.
I hear her sniffle, "Plus, I miss you. I like having you as my brother."
I wanted her to comfort her. I feel a pressure near my hand. I think she was squeezing it. I try to squeeze back.
I hear a small gasp, "AJ, can you hear me?"
I try really hard to squeeze her hand back and then I hear some more monitors going off. Suddenly there's a very bright light and I have to blink really hard. The room comes into focus. I could see the white sheets of the bed I was in. The lights were dimmed so I couldn't tell what time it was. I looked over to my right and see Morgan sitting there with a watery smile on her face.
"AJ! You're awake!"
I try to nod my head as she jumps on the bed to hug me. Once she pulled back, I gestured towards the water and she handed it to me. I drank it greedily. I put it down and gestured for her to climb back onto the bed. She smiled happily and curled up next to me.
"Yep," I say, my voice feeling dry and unused, "Did you miss me?"
She nods, "I drew you pictures. Do you want to see?"
I nod as she leans over to grab them to show me. They were pictures of me and her playing together. I also noticed she was in her pajamas.
"See?"
"They're great Half-Pint. Hey, how long have I been sleeping?"
"A week. Daddy's been in here everyday but Mommy made him get some sleep and then she fell asleep too, so Uncle Happy brought her back to bed. He fell asleep on the couch though."
"And how did you get here?"
She shrugs, "I had a dream and I couldn't go back to sleep. I was gonna go get a juice pop but then I saw Mommy and Uncle Happy. Afterwards, I asked FRI if you were alone and she said yes, so I sat with you and started talking to you. And then you woke up!"
I smile, "I did, didn't I?"
She nods and tries to stifle her yawn.
I pulled back the covers, and patted the bed, "Climb in. We can tell them I woke up in the morning."
She nods as she climbs in next to me and snuggles against me as she yawns, "Ok, but you will wake up, right?"
I nod and we both drift off to sleep.
I awoke groggily as I cracked my back. Around one am, Pep and I switched back so I could get some shut eye. I looked at the clock and it now read six am. Great, Pep must have let me sleep.
I stumble out of my room and walk into the living room. I was surprised to see Pepper knocked out in the living room chair. I saw the blanket placed over her, meaning Happy must have brought her back here. I walk over and gently nudge her awake.
She stirred slowly and blinked back up at me, "Tony?" Her eyes go wide, "Oh my goodness! I must have fallen asleep."
I touch her gently on the shoulder, "It's okay Pep. I guess we both needed it."
She glances at me up and down, "That talk with Morgan help you, didn't it?"
I nod, "It did. I think she understood."
Pepper nods and then her brow furrowed, "What time is it?"
"Six thirty. Morgan is normally up by now, isn't she?"
Pepper nods and says, "Hey, Friday, is Morgan up and playing in her room?"
"Miss Stark is not awake and not in her room. She has been in AJ's room since two am."
"How'd she-nevermind. Do you want to collect our daughter?" I say extending my hand to Pepper. She nods and we both stand and walk out of our floor.
As we exit the elevator and head towards AJ's room, we see Happy passed out in a chair and I look over at Pepper, "Should we leave him sleeping?"
She nods, "Let him rest."
We walk in and I smile seeing Morgan curled up to AJ. His arm was around her protectively. Wait, his arms around her!?
Pepper must have realized the same thing as me because she looked at with surprise.
"While you two stare at me in shock can one of you hand me a glass of water?"
We turn back to AJ and Morgan and saw that AJ's eyes were open and he a smile on his face.
Pepper let out a breath slash sob in relief as she rushed over to hug him.
"I'm okay Pepper," he says with the rasp still in his voice.
She let him go and handed him a glass of water she sat on the bed.
He glanced back at me and I felt my face melt as I walk over to him and give him a hug, "Don't scare us like that again."
AJ smiled, "Promise."
I nod as I try to force my emotions back down, "Ok. Fri, can you tell Helen AJ's awake?"
"Yes Boss."
I smile at him, gently. I'm so glad he's not dead.
The next hour was pretty much a blur for me. Dr. Cho comes in to check my vitals and declares me officially on the mend, which is good. Then Peter and Harley run in and Peter pretty much almost kills me again with his hug. Tony had to to pry him off of me. They stayed and so did Morgan, Tony and Pepper, Morgan never leaving my side after she woke up. Peter is currently updating me on the basic things I've missed in a week and I'm only paying attention to him. I hear a knock on the door and we all turn to see who it is.
I smile as I say, "Well look who finally decided to show up. What me waking up from a coma wasn't important enough to put on your schedule?"
Carmen smirks and replies as she saunters over, "Nope. I had to move about a dozen things to come see you. Do you know how much time I am wasting?"
I roll my eyes, "It's not like your time is worth much," I say as I look at her. She hadn't been sleeping and I would bet money that behind her glasses, her eyes were puffy. I really do hate worrying her, even though she'll never admit she's worried.
She reaches me and says, "Says the guy who just slept for a week straight, speaking of which-"
I feel a burst of pain in my arm and I jump about a foot as a yell, "OW!"
She gives me a hard look and says, "Si me haces eso otra vez, te mataré. Entiendes?"
I rub my arm, "¡Sí! ¡Sí! ¡Eso duele como el infierno! Podrías haberme golpeado ligeramente…"
"That would defeat the point of punching you," she says as she takes a seat next to Pepper on the couch. She releases Acero off of his leash, presumably because she's been here several times, and he jumps up on the bed and greets me hello.
I chuckle, "Down boy. I'm alright."
"That's good to hear," a new voice says. I turn and see Audrey standing in the doorway.
I glance at Tony and I see that he's really nervous and then it occurs to me that I could probably easily be taken away by Audrey, even though Tony's my dad. I glance back at her and for the first time in my life I don't want to go.
"Um...thanks. Why are you here?"
She smiles at me sadly, "I need to talk to Tony and Pepper."
I look at her and I knew they didn't have a chance. Tony would have to fight a huge custody battle for me to prove he was a fit parent because of the injuries I had received.
"Your taking me away. Aren't you?"
I feel Morgan burrow into my side and I put a protective arm around her.
She hesitates, "Legally, I have to. I know that the events of the past few weeks weren't Tony's or Pepper's fault but stuff like this tends to happen to him. There is a very public pattern. You'll probably only have to go back to the state for a few weeks. Judges tend to look favorable on biological parents. I tried my best but I can't change the law."
We were all silent processing this information. Audrey hesitates, "Helen says you can be released in a couple of days. I'll be back later."
I nod as she leaves still digesting the news.
Peter's the first to speak, "Can she really do that?"
I nod, "Yep."
Carmen sighs, "At least you won't be alone."
I look at her with a confused look and she shrugs, "Spies apparently aren't fit parents either."
I nod as I collapse back onto the pillow. Morgan burrows deeper into my side as I hold her tighter. I knew happiness was a myth.
I hear a knock on the door as Tony walks into my room, "You all packed?"
I nod as I zip up my backpack. I was kind of surprised to see him, he had disappeared the last couple of days. Probably trying to find some way to keep me here. I glanced at him and I could tell he hadn't.
I chuckle dryly, "Ironman and a super spy couldn't find a way to keep their own children. What has this world come too?"
Tony gives me a small smile, "You know I won't let them keep you forever. And considering how grumpy Nick's been lately, I highly doubt he'll let them keep Carmen."
I shrug, "It's okay if you don't. You already have three kids."
He grabs my shoulders and looks my squarely in my eyes, "AJ, listen to me. I saw you as my kid pretty much since day one. Biologically being mine is just a bonus."
I smile, "Thanks Tony. For everything." I know he's going to try his best but I think it might take longer than he expects. However, I hope it goes his way. I like it here.
He smiles as her clears his throat and steps back, "We should probably get going. Audrey wants to have you at the group home by this afternoon."
I nod as I follow him out of the room to do my least favorite thing in the world, say goodbye. They always suck and no one leaves feeling good about themselves. Ever.
We walk into the main hallway and I see Peter, Harley, Pepper, Morgan, Happy, and Rhodey waiting to say goodbye.
Happy and Rhodey walk over and Rhodey gives me a brief hug and says, "See you soon kid." Happy nods in agreement.
"See you guys," I say as the move into the next room.
I glance up to see Audrey enter the room, so now we really have to start saying goodbye.
Harley picks up Morgan, and he and Peter walk over. Peter smiles sadly and says, "Hey, when you get back you can help upgrade the webs."
I raise my eyebrows in surprise, "You know, after everything, I completely forgot who you were. It's weird since I feel like that's something I should remember."
Peter chuckles and Harley shakes his head and says, "Yeah well you'll have plenty of time to remember when you get back."
I smile as I turn to Morgan, "What's up Half-pint?"
` She sniffles and I feel a part of my heart break, "You're coming back, right? I need someone to have tea parties with and to draw pictures with."
My smile threatens to falter but I hold it together, "Well I'll only be gone for a little while. I promise I'll be back."
She holds up her pinky, "Pinky promise?"
I grab my pinky with hers, "Pinky promise."
She smiles and I give her a side hug as I move on to Pepper. She engulfs me into a warm hug as she whispers, "I promise I will get you back here. I need someone on my side sometimes."
I chuckle as I whisper back, "I know. Try bribing Morgan."
We pull away and Pepper wipes tears from her eyes.
Audrey turns to me, "Ready?"
"As much as possible," I say and I we walk towards the elevators. I walk into the elevator and wave goodbye as the door shuts behind me.
Audrey turns to me, "You know it's not forever right?"
I turn to her and say, "Nothing lasts forever. Not even a forever home."
*Sorry for taking so long to update. I will try to update more frequently. The sequel about Fury's daughter should be up soon too.
