Sorry! This should have been posted a few days ago but I was preoccupied with getting ready for my sons second birthday!

When Annabelle awoke in the early hours of the morning of June third, two days before her seventeenth birthday, she had never felt so alone in her entire life. Her mother and step-father were both dead, never coming back to her, the same with her grandparents. When Alan had died, his family decided that they no longer wanted anything more to do with Annabelle and her mother, claiming that 'they weren't really family'. Even thought it had hurt at the time, it happened to suit the two just fine - neither having got on with the Cooper family particularly well but they both doted on Alan. No, the only person Annabelle had left was Tony Stark - her biological father. That was, of course, if he wanted her.

Annabelle wasn't holding out much hope that Stark would accept her in his life. Like her mothers letter had stated, his face had been plastered all over the media for years, and Annabelle had seen and read all the stories about the billionaire, and to be perfectly honest, she hated the thought of that lifestyle. She didn't understand how someone could party, get drunk and make a fool of themselves every night, yet manage to get away with everything. Yes, Stark Industries was one of the biggest tech companies in the world, but surely the mans behaviour brought some negativity to his business? Jonathon Russel had told her yesterday that Stark had already been informed that he had a daughter and that he would either be back to speak to her that evening or today. Considering that the man already had all the relevant information, yet she'd heard nothing more from Russel, told Annabelle that she was most likely not being taken in by her long lost father.

She couldn't exactly blame him. He had a company to run (though it had been reported in the news that he'd handed the reins over to someone else, who had yet to be named). He was finally in a somewhat stable relationship with Pepper Potts, the only woman ever known to tame the billionaire playboy. Annabelle entering his life might just jeopardise everything he's worked hard to achieve. There was also the teeny tiny little detail that he was freaking Iron Man! How could he be responsible for her when he was off protecting the world from threats every weekend? However much she thought about it, she found that these facts didn't entirely stop her wanting him to agree. She longed to feel wanted again, ached to know that someone wanted to take care of her, have her in their life. Even though she didn't exactly get along with her step-family, being cut off from them at eleven years old had made her feel abandoned. Even though her mom didn't die by choice, her death brought her the same feeling of abandonment she had almost six years ago. As Annabelle laid in her hospital bed she realised that she would have to come to terms with the fact that, however much she was now finding herself craving a relationship with her father, it was not going to happen.

Annabelle found herself unable to sleep for more than twenty minutes at a time over the next five hours. She was far too anxious about Russel's visit to sleep anymore than she had. The nurse came round at seven and offered her breakfast, she was hungry but found herself refusing food and only asking for something to drink. She knew that with how nervous she was feeling, eating was a very, very bad idea.

By the time her watch told her it was nine in the morning, Annabelle had been told she would be discharged that afternoon. The thought terrified her. Leaving the hospital meant leaving England and going back to the States, going back to the States meant burying her mother and burying her mother meant... the possibility of being completely alone. She wasn't sure what would happen to her if Stark didn't agree to take her in., most likely place her in the system for the next year. The prospect of that was almost enough to make her hyperventilate - no one wanted to get lost in the system. The same nurse who offered her breakfast helped her change from the hospital gown she was wearing to a spare pair of scrubs as she was finding it difficult to do it alone with her bruised ribs. The clothes she had been wearing the day of the accident had had to be cut away from her upon admission and, seeing as she didn't have anyone who could get her any, scrubs would have to do.

At half past nine the nurse who had been caring for her returned to the ward, accompanied by Jonathon Russel. Annabelle felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach as the two approached her bed. She couldn't red the expression on his face; she was hoping to be able to decipher whether he was bringing good or bed news to give herself a few seconds to prepare. Her palms became sweaty as she waited anxiously for Russel an the nurse to finish their conversation. Annabelle tried to focus her attention on the glass of water sitting in front of her and after a minute or so, she noticed Russel standing patiently at the end of her bed, waiting for her to look up.

"Good morning, Miss Cooper. How are you feeling?" His tone was light and friendly - was that a good sign?

"I'm okay, just a little uncomfortable." Annabelle didn't want to tell him how she was feeling about everything, it wasn't like he had any control over the outcome. He didn't speak again, instead he opened his briefcase and started digging around for the correct paperwork. Annabelle couldn't stand the silence any longer and cleared her throat.

"Would you like to sit down? Whatever you have to say is probably going to take a while." She tried to give him a small smile but found herself unable to do so. He, however, gave her a grin and sat in the vacant chair, placing his briefcase on his lap with the papers on top.

"I'm sorry I didn't return yesterday, but I was asked not to. Upon receiving his letter from your mother, Mr Stark spent the following hours signing the necessary paperwork to become your legal guardian." He paused to give Annabelle time to digest what he had just said. She didn't trust herself to speak, not entirely believing what she was being told. "From what my partner told me when I spoke to him, Mr Stark signed the papers without argument. He also showed great concern about your current welfare. From what I understand, he was more than willing to do what your mother wished for him to. Miss Cooper, are you understanding what I'm telling you?"

She nodded but it took her a minute or two to verbally answer. "I'm going to live with Tony Stark." It wasn't a question but a statement. All that worrying she had done for the past half a day had seemingly been for nothing. She was finally going to meet her father, a man she always thought never wanted to know her. Tears had sprung to her eyes when Russel told her Stark signed the papers without complaint. All she could think of was that someone wanted her, he wanted her.

"How does this work then? Do I fly out to him or do I have to wait until he comes to get me? Because I'm getting discharged this afternoon."

Russel smiled at her again. "Let me explain further, Miss Cooper. I didn't return to speak to you yesterday because my partner had been instructed not to tell me of Mr Starks decision until after he'd arrived and settled himself in London. Mr Stark believed that you would need some time to adjust to the fact that he was your father. He flew in yesterday and I was summoned to speak with him before doing so with you again. By the time we finished finalising all the details my partner hadn't, it was far too later to come and see you again, hence why I'm here early today. Miss Cooper, are you alright?"

It was safe to say Annabelle was in shock. Not only had her biological father taken custody of her within hours of discovering of her existence, he'd flown straight out to London to see her. From everything she'd learnt about him in the media, she never thought that he'd drop every thing to come and meet her. She took a moment to wonder what Pepper Potts' thoughts on the situation were. Had Tony told her? Had she been okay with his long lost daughter coming to live with them in the house they shared as a couple? Her throat became suddenly dry - Annabelle didn't want to be the reason for the break down of a good, potentially lasting relationship.

"Miss Cooper?" Russels' voice snapped her back to the present, away from her thoughts. She gave him a quick glance before reaching for her glass of water, draining it in two large gulps, the cool liquid soothing her throat. She finally managed to give him a nod and a look that lasted longer than a second.

"I'm... I don't know, in shock? I mean, he's actually here already?"

"Yes, he is?"

"Oh my God." At his confirmation, it dawned on Annabelle that she wasn't as ready for this as she thought. So much was happening in such a short space of time and it was overwhelming her to the point she started to feel that she was suffocating. "This is all happening so fast. Two days ago I had a mother but was fatherless. Yesterday I was parent-less and now today the tables have completely turned and I have a father but I'm motherless. How am I supposed to cope with this? I didn't realise it before but so much has to change. Everything has to change..."

Russel looked at her, his face filled with pure sympathy. He really and truly felt for the girl in front of him. She was going through so much at the moment and all he could do was give her all the information she needed. He didn't know what he could say to help her get through this but he knew that only time could help her. He was glad, however, that Stark had stepped up, Annabelle needed someone in her life. Gabriella Cooper had been introduced to his law firm by a close friend, who also happened to be Fergusons wife. The two had dealt with Mrs Coopers affairs for years, the same with her late husband. Neither, however, had met with their clients daughter, Mrs Cooper having always kept her away. He let the young girl ramble away with her fears before smiling gently at her.

"Miss Cooper, I know that this may all be a little too much for you, but I assure you that no one expects this to all figure itself out so soon. It will take time, yes, but things will get easier." He inched his chair closer to the bed, placing his elbows on his knees and leaning forward, removing his professional demeanour. "Mr Stark has the same fears as you."

That made Annabelles head shoot up. "What?"

"When we spoke yesterday, he expressed the same fears as you. He vowed to end me if I mentioned this to anyone but seeing as you to are struggling, I'm prepared to take the chance. He doesn't know what to expect from any of this. He found out that he has a daughter, one who is nearing seventeen, and he knows nothing. This is unfamiliar territory for him and he's terrified of making a mistake. I must say, he seemed a very different man to the one you see on TV and in the newspapers."

Annabelle stared. So Stark was scared to? She thought he'd be all confident about the whole thing, adamant that he knew what to do and how to deal with everything but now it was clear that she was wrong. Could they get through this together?

"Where is he now?"

"Currently in the family waiting room." Russel straightened himself up and went back to acting like the lawyer he was. "He's been speaking with the nurses about your care, so he knows what you should be avoiding. They're allowing him to see you on the ward even though visiting isn't for another few hours, and you're getting discharged in to his care but if you don't feel ready to meet him, I'm sure something can be arranged."

Annabelle took a minute to think about what she wanted. He not only was in London but he was actually at the hospital waiting for her. It made her heart swell knowing that she still had someone. She wanted to meet him, she really did but the thought not only scared her but it upset her. She couldn't help but feel that having her father in her life meant that she was forgetting her mother and all that she'd done for her. She couldn't not meet him though, he'd come all this way... and she didn't exactly have a choice considering the circumstances.

"When... when will he be allowed in?"

"That, Miss Cooper, depends on you." Russel gave her another small smile before placing his gaze on the papers before him. She glanced at the upside down document though she wasn't able to make out the words but guessed it was something to do with her mother. She gave every thing one last thought before pushing herself up further up on the bed and sitting cross-legged. She took a deep breath before focused her attention back on the man.

"I think I'm ready... if he is."

Russel gave her a quick nod before gesturing to the papers he had resting on his briefcase.

"I'll check that for you, but I believe he is. First, I have to ask, would you rather discuss your mothers will now, when your father is in here or when you get back to the states?"

Annabelle thought about it for a moment before answering. "Honestly, I think I need some time, could we maybe arrange something for when I'm back home? It will be better."

"Of course, if you wish, I will contact you again when you have return home but I'll give you a week or two to settle in to your new environment, I dare say this is all a bit too much to comprehend at once. I will have a letter sent to your new address, or would you rather I contact Mr Stark's attorney?" He gathered the papers and placed them back in his briefcase as he spoke before standing up to straighten his suit and staring down at her.

"Um, both?" She didn't know what would be best, she'd never had to deal with anything this like this before, but she guessed it would be better to cover all bases.

Russel nodded. "As you wish. Once again, Miss Cooper, I'm sorry for your loss, and that we had to meet under such terrible circumstances. I'll see you in a few weeks and I'll have a nurse bring Mr Stark in to you. Until we meet again, Miss Cooper." He held out a hand to her and she took it, giving it a quick shake before releasing it. He left her seated on the bed and walked towards the end of the ward, calling over the same nurse as earlier. She watched him go, nerves settling in again.

Tony was drawing attention to himself while he sat in the waiting room for three reasons. One - he was wearing his sunglasses inside. It was not uncommon for him to do this back home, but normally it was customary to remove such things when entering a building. Two - he was using one of the latest prototypes of Stark technology cell phones, currently unavailable in the States and so unlike anything those in the London hospital had ever seem before. The third reason was Happy. He was sitting one place down from Tony and happened to be accessing every single person who passed the billionaire, sometimes getting up to move between Tony and the stranger if they happened to hang around for too long.

They'd been in the waiting room for the past hour and a half, first speaking to the Doctor treating Annabelle, then again with Mr Russel and now counting down until Tony would finally meet his daughter. Tony had finally filled Happy in about everything when they'd settled themselves in to their hotel suite. Happy, though completely and utterly shocked to the point where he couldn't initially speak, agreed wholeheartedly to help in any way he could, an act that earned him a rare hug and sincere thanks. From his seat, Happy was still in the process of scrutinising the hospital staff and other visitors, causing enough whispers to draw Tonys attention away from his cell.

"I'm surprised anyone still dares to enter the room with you in here. That look of yours is enough to scare any one." There was a notable smirk on his face as he rounded on his friend.

"I take that as a compliment. You never know, anyone of these people could pose a threat, and say I let my guard down, who knows what could happen."

"I can always defend myself, you know."

Happy stifled a laugh. "I'd like to see you try without the suit, it's the only way you can protect yourself."

"I resent that comment."

They lapsed back in to silence with slight smiles on their faces, both feeling the pent up tension ease slightly at their banter. Tony didn't return to messing around with his cell, instead he started to check his watch every minute or so, as if it would hurry time along if he did so. By coincidence, it worked, because not five minutes later, Mr Russel entered the room, followed closely by one of the nurses who worked on Annabelles ward.

"Mr Stark, she's ready to meet you." Tonys breathing hitched slightly and his heart began to beat that little bit faster. It was time, it was finally time to meet his long lost daughter. "She's extremely nervous, and terrified, about what happens next, so please tread carefully, she has expressed that she's feeling the weight of everything happening at once."

Tony nodded and they shook hands before the suit-cladded man left. The young nurse smiled kindly at Tony and gestured for him to follow her. Before stepping out the door, he turned to Happy, who had stood to join him.

"After you, boss."

I apologise if the interaction with Russel and Annabelle was completely wrong, I've never had to deal with anything like that and I have no idea what the procedure is... Just... pretend that's how it goes? Don't forget to follow/review/favourite!