Chapter 24
AN: Thank you for the support. I really hope you like this chapter.
November 24th 1966
Two months have passed since Daniel and Jack took MJ and Natasha to a baseball game, an event that Natasha wouldn't stop talking about for weeks afterwards. It is thanksgiving and while Peggy had to go into SHIELD to deal with something Howard, Natasha, Ana, Jarvis, Michael, MJ, Rose, Lian, William, Melinda, Jack, Daniel, Dugan, Gabe, his wife and daughter, Janet, and Hank are all in the kitchen of the Carter-Stark Estate.
"Okay, you all know the deal, we work together to get everything ready for dinner," Howard says.
"While making sure you don't blow anything up," Hank teases.
"Which is really a fulltime job for someone," Daniel says, joining in on the teasing, and causing Howard to roll his eyes.
"What can I do?" Natasha asks. "I want to help more," Natasha reveals, as she usually has to do easier, more basic, tasks but this time she wants to do more.
"Do you want to help me with the pies?" Daniel asks curious.
"Yes please," Natasha says, and they get to work.
Over the next hour everyone works together to make their Thanksgiving dinner while listening to music, having a great time together.
"Done!" Natasha says, as she finishes following Daniel's instructions.
"That's great, Nat," Daniel tells her. "I'll put it in the oven," Daniel says, taking it from Natasha, and heading towards the stove.
As Daniel heads to the stove his crutch slips on a bit of water on the ground, and it causes him to fall, as the pie goes flying, straight into Dugan's face, causing everyone, with the exception of Jack who hurries over to Daniel, to laugh.
"Are you okay?" Jack asks concerned.
"I'm fine," Daniel assures him.
"It's not that funny," Dugan comments, as he wipes pie of his face.
"it kind of is," Gabe tells his friend.
"Let's see how you like it," Dugan says, before throwing cranberry at his friend, and hitting him in the face.
"FOOD FIGHT," MJ yells, and that is exactly what happens, a massive food fight breaks out between those in the kitchen.
Feeling glad that what she had to do at SHIELD didn't take as long as she was expecting Peggy is arriving back home, and as she walks into her house she hears the sound of loud laughter coming from the kitchen and so she walks straight down the hallway to there.
Walking into the kitchen Peggy is shocked by the sight that greats her, as rather than everyone working together to make dinner the kitchen is a mess and there is a food fight going on.
"What on earth is going on?" Peggy asks shocked, and once she speaks everyone stops what they are doing.
"Food fight," Michael answers, like it should be obvious.
"Yes, I see that," Peggy answers.
"It was fun!" Stephanie says, as she enjoyed it a lot, and as Stephanie speaks Peggy notices Howard pick up a handful of cream.
"Don't even think about it," Peggy tells Howard, knowing exactly what he is thinking.
"Oh, but I am," Howard responds, with a smirk, as he slowly starts to walk towards Peggy.
"I'm serious Howard," Peggy tells him as she slowly starts to back up.
"Oh, I know," Howard says, before he starts to run towards his wife, who takes off down the corridor.
As Peggy and Howard run away those in the kitchen hear the sound of laughter, and squeals, which it's hard to tell who it comes from, and then finally Peggy and Howard walk back into the kitchen, both of them having cream on their faces.
"How about we try to make dinner," Peggy suggests, as she picks up a couple of blueberries off the floor, which she throws at Jack.
"Good idea," Jarvis says, feeling horrified about how long the kitchen is going to take to clean.
A couple of hours later the entire extended family are sitting around the table in the dining room of the Carter-Estate, a table which is covered in food as even with the food fight they were able to make quiet a lot.
"Before we eat I would like to say something," Howard says from head of the table. "I'm thankful for days like this, for the memories I'm going to cherish forever," Howard says.
"I second that," Peggy says, and everyone happily breaks out into conversation as they enjoy their thanksgiving dinner.
January 7th 1967
Just over six weeks have passed since Thanksgiving and ever since the Carter-Stark's and their extended family have had an incredible Christmas and New Years together.
It's a Saturday afternoon and Natasha, MJ and Stephanie are happily playing in the snow in the backyard of the estate.
"I'm going to do it," MJ says, looking at a huge mountain of snow that the three of them have piled together.
"But it's so big!" Stephanie objects.
"I'll be fine," MJ says and he climbs up onto the mountain with a bin lid.
Once MJ is standing on top of the snow he stands on the bin lid and starts to ride it down the mountain of snow.
"Oh no," Natasha says worried as she realises something and so acting on instinct she runs as fast as she can and she manages to grab MJ before he would her almost certainly hit a tree. "Are you okay?" Natasha asks her cousin concerned.
"Yeah," MJ answers. "Thanks Nat," MJ says gratefully.
"Wow, you're fast," Stephanie informs Natasha.
"Yeah, I am," Natasha says, as she spots her father walking towards them. "Hey Dad," Natasha greats.
"Uncle Howard!" Stephanie says happily.
"You three having fun?" Howard asks, and as he does it is clear that he is trying to keep his voice natural but Natasha can hear the pain underneath it.
"Yep!" Michael confirms.
"Steph, your dad's inside, he needs to talk to you," Howard explains, to the three year old.
"Okay," Stephanie says and she heads into the estate.
"Dad? What's happened?" Natasha asks, being able to tell that something has.
"Something bad, Kiddo," Howard tells her, and he starts to explain what has happened to his daughter and nephew.
While Howard is telling Natasha and MJ what happened Stephanie has headed inside where she finds her Dad sitting with Peggy and Dugan at the kitchen table. While she may not have the same training as Natasha Stephanie can tell that they are upset.
"Daddy?" Stephanie asks.
"Hey Honey," Gabe says, forcing a smile, and after getting a reassuring nod from Dugan, and a comforting hand squeeze from Peggy, Gabe gets up and walks over to his daughter. "There's something I have to tell you," Gabe says as he picks up his daughter and sits down on one of the kitchen chairs while holding her.
"Okay?" Stephanie asks, sounding confused.
"Honey, your Moms been in an accident," Gabe says, honestly having no idea how he is going to tell his daughter what he has to, he just knows that he has to. "She fell down the subway stairs," Gabe explains.
"Is she okay?" Stephanie asks curious.
"No Honey," Gabe says, as tears come to his eyes. "She died,".
"What does that mean?" Stephanie asks confused.
"It means she's gone, and we're not going to see her again," Gabe explains, it being the simplest explanation he can think off.
"MOMMY!" Stephanie cries and Gabe just holds his daughter tightly as they both cry.
March 30th 1967
Almost three months have passed since Stephanie's mother died, and ever since Gabe has been adjusting to now being a single father. While he may have lost his wife, he isn't alone as his extended family have been doing everything they can to help, and Dugan has even moved in to help him with Stephanie.
It is a Thursday afternoon, the day of MJ's eight birthday and he, and Natasha who were driven home by Jarvis are arriving at the Carter-Stark Estate. As they arrive they find Howard and Michael waiting outside for them.
"Hey Dad, Uncle Michael," Natasha greats.
"Hey Nat," Michael says to her.
"Now, if you two would like to follow us, we've got quiet a treat for the birthday boy," Howard explains.
"Really?" MJ asks, looking excited.
"Really," Michael confirms. "Come on," He says, and they head through the house.
After walking through the house, and through enough the gardens of the estate to get to the very back of the estate grounds Natasha, MJ, Howard, and Michael get to where their the rest of their extended family, including recently turned one Melinda, are standing by what is clearly a homemade go-cart track.
"Wow," Natasha says, impressed.
"This is awesome!" MJ exclaims.
"I'm glad you like it," Michael says, smiling at his son as while Howard and Hank designed the track, and the cars, he helped make it.
"We've got to race," Natasha says.
"Definitely," MJ confirms.
"But you will both be wearing helmets and the other safety equipment," Rose instructs.
"Yes Mom,"
"Yes Aunt Rose," MJ and Natasha respectively say together.
Over the next couple of hours MJ's birthday is celebrated by a lot of go-cart riding and food. Whilst almost everyone has a go Natasha is the person who ends up driving them the most, and to the amusement of her parents, once they got over their terror, she to particular joy in going as fast as possible.
June 17th 1967
Three months have passed since MJ's birthday and since then Natasha, and MJ have finished another year of school, and Natasha has officially become ten years old.
It's a Saturday afternoon and Natasha is doing her favourite activity which is training with her mother in the backyard. While Natasha's skills are incredible and Peggy knows that she would beat most people if she were to fight them, she can also tell that her daughter is distracted.
"Okay, what's going on?" Peggy asks her daughter as Natasha almost fails to block something she can usually block with ease. "Something's bothering you," Peggy says to her daughter.
"Yeah," Natasha admits. "Mom, biologically I became ten earlier this month, but I technically turn fourteen in December," Natasha explains to her mother. "I can feel the disconnect…. It's strange," Natasha admits.
"I'm sorry, Darling," Peggy says to her. "I can't imagine how that feels," Peggy admits, as while she is biologically younger than she actually is, for her there isn't much of a difference between the two ages.
"It's strange," Natasha admits. "Sometimes I feel the age I biologically am, but other times I feel how old I've been alive," Natasha explains to her mother, having no idea what to say to help her daughter Peggy just hugs her and kisses her head.
Hours later Natasha is in her room reading when there is a knock on her door.
"Come in," Natasha says, and her father walks in.
"Hey Kiddo," Howard says, as he walks over to his daughter's bed, and sits down on the edge. "So, your Mom talked to me, and I think I might understand what you're feeling," Howard explains to his daughter.
"You do?" Natasha asks surprised.
"I was a child genius' Tash," Howard reminds his daughter. "My mind never really matched my body, still doesn't," Howard admits.
"How'd you handle it?" Natasha asks curious.
"I embraced it," Howard admits. "Tash, you are both a kid and a teenager, both ten and almost fourteen," Howard tells her. "Your Mom said the age you feel changes, and that's okay. Be the age you feel you are, and if that changes moment to moment then so be it, your Mom and I will support you, and follow your lead," Howard explains. "You don't have to be anything other than what you are,"
"Thanks Dad," Natasha says gratefully, before hugging her father.
Nine Days Later
Since Natasha has admitted the struggle she has been having she has been embracing her father's advice and it has helped her a great deal. After a week of extremely late nights it is finally time for Howard to make moves and deal with the consequences.
Along with Lian, Michael, and an FBI agent Howard is walking into one of the main labs at Stark Industries, the lab where someone Howard once considered a friend, Anton Vanko, works out of.
"Anton, stay. Everyone else clear the lab," Howard instructs as they walk in, and because Howard is the boss everyone listens and hurriedly leaves.
"You know," Anton says, once everyone but him, Howard, Lian, Michael and the FBI Agent have left the lab.
"Did you really think you could hide it from me?" Howard asks, anger clear in his voice.
"You've been so focused on 'fighting for Humanity', that I didn't think you'd notice," Anton says, there being a level of disgust to his voice when he says 'fighting for humanity'. "We used to agree on things, Howard, the arc could make us more money that either of us ever dreamed off, and you're more concerned with helping," Anton says to Howard, sounding disgusted.
"And you think the Soviets care about anything other using the Arc to destroy everything?" Howard asks.
"At least they'll give me the money first," Anton tells Howard.
"You're being deported Anton," Howard tells him. "And one day the Arc will exist, but it will never be a weapon, or a way to get rich," Howard says, knowing that he has changed a hell of a lot from the person he used to be, and so much of it is Peggy's influence.
"When did you get so naive?" Anton asks his former friend.
"I'm not naïve," Howard says. "I know what exists in the world, and I know what I want to be apart of, and that's not doing things just to get rick," Howard explains. "Take him away," Howard requests, and Lian and the FBI agent handcuff him and take him out of the room.
"You okay?" Michael asks his brother in law.
"I will be," Howard answers.
"Do you want me to come with you for this next part?" Michael asks curious, as if Howard will let him he wants to help.
"No. I want to do this alone," Howard says, before heading out of the lab.
After leaving the lab Howard heads to the top floor of the Stark Industries Headquarters, and goes directly to the second biggest office, which he enters without knocking.
"I assume knocking is beneath you?" Obadiah Stane asks.
"This is my company, I don't have to knock," Howard says, as he approaches the desk Stane is sitting behind.
"Our company," Stane corrects. "This is our company, we're partners," Stane says.
"No, we're not," Howard says, taking an envelope out of his pocket and practically throwing it on the desk Infront of Stane. "After finding out what Vanko's been doing I did an audit, you've been selling our ideas and inventions on the black market, even the ones I marked to be destroyed," Howard says.
"The fact that they sold should tell you that you were wrong to do that," Stane says.
"No, considering who you were selling too it proves I was right," Howard explains. "I'm not having your arrested Obadiah, but you're done at Stark, the board agrees," Howard reveals, as one of his late nights was spent convincing the board to agree to this. "In the envelope is the form to sell your shares back to me at a reasonable price, you're going to sign, pack up your office, and leave today," Howard explains. "Or you'll spend the next twenty years in jail," Howard says, not completely sure if the evidence he has will be enough for that, but Stane doesn't know that. "It's your choice," Howard says, and he watches as Stane opens the envelope and reads it.
"You think this is reasonable?" Stane asks shocked, as he would not consider it to be reasonable.
"Considering the alternative I think it's very reasonable," Howard says, and after glaring at him Stane signs the forms hands them over to Howard. "You're going to be searched on your way out, so don't even think about trying to take anything with you," Howard says. "Goodbye Obadiah," Howard says, before walking out of the office.
After leaving Howard leaves the office that no longer belongs to Obadiah he heads straight downstairs where there is a press conference set up.
"Today marks the dawn of a new day for Stark Industries," Howard says to the public, feeling for the first time that Stark Industries is truly his. "VP and CFO Obadiah Stane has stepped down from Stark Industries effective immediately. He will no longer have any connection to Stark, and we wish him the best," Howard says, needing to force out the last few words. "Over the coming weeks and months Stark Industries will undergo changes, changes that are quite exciting and will focus on advancement, achievement and using technology to change the world and make it a better place," Howard says. "I truly believe that everything is achievable through technology and at Stark Industries we will prove it," Howard says. "Any questions?" Howard asks, and for the next ten minutes he deals with complicate questions with avoidance, and charm, answering questions only when they are simple ones.
After a day that felt like it was never ending Howard is finally arriving home. As he arrives home he hears soft music coming rom the sitting room and so he heads there, where he finds Peggy sitting on the ground, with files, listening to music and drinking some of their expensive whiskey.
"Is Tasha already in bed?" Howard asks, as he walks over and sits next to her, turning off his mask as he does.
"Yeah, has been for a while," Peggy confirms, as she greats Howard with a kiss. "How are you doing? I know today wouldn't have been easy for you," Peggy says to her husband.
"It wasn't," Howard comments. "I trusted Vanko," Howard admits, pain in his voice, so Peggy reaches over and takes his hand. "I expected something like this from Stane, I never did from Vanko," Howard admits. "I didn't see it coming," Howard says, pain in her voice, as he feels pretty foolish.
"I'm sorry," Peggy says, lifting up Howard's hand and kissing it, hating that Howard looks so hurt.
"For the first time Stark is truly mine, ours, and that excites, and terrifies me," Howard admits, only doing so because it's Peggy.
"Howard, you might have been given money to start Stark, but what it is has always come from your brilliance, your heart, and now you'll get to put more of yourself into it; and I for one can't wait to see what happens next because it's going to be incredible," Peggy says, smiling at her husband. "I know what you're planning, and how hard what you did today was, and I'm so proud of you, Darling," Peggy tells her husband. "I love you," Peggy says.
"I love you too," Howard responds, and the two of them kiss. Once they break apart Howard puts an arm around Peggy and the two of them drift into silence as they share Peggy's glass of whiskey as they listen to music.
August 14th 1967
Seven weeks have passed since Howard had Vanko deported, got Stane to resign, and started on his new plans for Stark. Ever since then Howard has needed to spend more time at Stark, rather than SHIELD, so that he can put his plans into actions.
As she came to work with her mother Natasha is sitting in her mother's office with her, while Peggy is going over intel reports Natasha is happily studying language books as she wants to add another language to the impressive number she already speaks and reads.
"Mom, can I go down to the gym? Watch the agents train?" Natasha asks curious, as she could use a break from what she is doing.
"Sure, but come back, and check in, in an hour," Peggy tells her daughter.
"Will do," Natasha says, before happily heading out of her mother's office.
After more than an hour Natasha hasn't come back to Peggy's office, and because she knows her daughter is usually pretty good at doing things like checking in with her Peggy is feeling concerned, and so has headed down to the gym.
Walking into the gym Peggy finds her daughter sparing with several of the New Agents, while Jack and Michael are watching on, the two of them clearly meant to be running the training. Standing just inside the gym Peggy watches as her daughter takes down no less than three SHIELD agents with ease, but Peggy also notices that her daughter is clearly controlling herself so that she doesn't actually hurt them.
Deciding that it is a pretty good learning opportunity for her agents, and Natasha is clearly happy, Peggy heads out of the gym, heading back to her office as she has a pile of work to do.
September 3rd 1967
Almost three weeks have passed since Natasha joined Jack and Michael in SHIELD agent training and since then she has joined them a few other times, and loved it every second.
As Peggy is on a mission Howard is doing what he does every time she is on a mission and is working in the home lab at the middle of the night, as he can never sleep when Peggy's away.
"It's done," Howard says relieved, as he finally finishes a prototype of something he has been working on for a while, and as he does he hears the secret entrance to the lab opens so he quickly turns.
"It's just me," Peggy says as she walks in, turning off her mask as she does.
"When did you get back?" Howard asks, feeling glad to see her.
"Not long ago," Peggy answers, and as she does Howard realises something.
"What's wrong?" Howard asks worried as he hurries over to the woman he loves.
"I got in the way of two bullets, and I can't exactly go to a hospital," Peggy says as she knows it will risk someone getting a sample of her blood, which she cannot risk.
"Sit down, I'll get the medical kit," Howard says, before hurrying to where it is.
When Howard returns a few minutes later Peggy is sitting on one of the benches and has removed her shirt and jacket revealing bullet wounds to her left shoulder and left side.
"That's not good," Howard says worried as he sits down on the bench.
"Yes, I once again find myself thankful for the serum," Peggy admits, as Howard, who has put on gloves, looks at the wounds and realises that bullets are still inside both.
"Weren't you wearing armour?" Howard ask worried, as he uses tweezers to get the bullet out of Peggy's shoulder, causing her to wince.
"Didn't seem like it would be necessary," Peggy says, as she uses her right arm to put the dressing over her shoulder, once Howard has the bullet out.
"It should always be necessary Peg, haven't we learnt that?" Howard asks, and Peggy has to admit he has a point, as he gets the bullet out of Peggy's side, causing her to once again react to the pain.
"Yeah, but sometimes it's just not possible," Peggy admits, as Howard puts a dressing over her side wound.
"Were the others hurt?" Howard asks curious.
"No," Peggy admits, clearly relieved.
"You're lucky that our cell loop means we can't get infections," Howard informs Peggy, as he puts everything he used on a tray, knowing he will have to dispose of it carefully, and because she knows him so well Peggy knows what he isn't saying.
"Howard, I'm okay," Peggy assures him.
"You're not bullet-proof Peg," Howard reminds her.
"I am bullet resistant," Peggy jokes, and as a tern of events that doesn't happen often Howard gives her a less than impressed look. "Howard, like you've told Tash more than once, I'm always going to do whatever I have to do to come home to you," Peggy assures him.
"I know," Howard says. "I love you Peg, and I'm always going to worry, even knowing better than anyone that you can handle yourself," Howard assures her.
"I know," Peggy says, and leaning forward Peggy kisses Howard. As Peggy kisses Howard she pushes him backwards, so that he is lying on the bench, and while she does that Howard removes her bra; and things escalate quickly.
November 3rd 1967
Almost nine weeks have passed since Peggy returned home with two bullet wounds. Ever since then Peggy has felt like something has change, she has felt different and combining that with the fact that she has actually been sick over the past few days Peggy knows something is wrong. And so, needing answers and knowing that there is only one person she can trust to give them to her, Peggy is walking into the main SHIELD lab where Howard is working out of.
"Give us the room," Peggy orders as she walks into the lab, and everyone with the exception of Howard hurries out of the lab.
"Peg, what's wrong?" Howard asks concerned as he knows it is rare for Peggy to storm into the lab, and even rarer for her to kick everyone out.
"That's what I need you to figure out," Peggy tells her husband. "Howard since I was shot I feel different, I've actually been sick, something's wrong, I just know it," Peggy explains, and Howard just walks over to her and hugs her.
"We'll figure it out," Howard assures Peggy, kissing her head. "I'll take a sample of your blood, I have a new machine that can detect any abnormalities in your blood in an hour," Howard explains, as they break apart, and Peggy can hear in Howard's voice how proud he is of his new invention; which Peggy knows as he's been talking about it a lot.
"Won't that just detect the serum?" Peggy asks.
"No, because I have to program the machine based on what your blood results usually are," Howard explains.
"Which you know of course," Peggy realises, smiling slightly.
"Of course," Howard says, returning the smile. "Peg, whatever it is, we'll deal with it, the way we deal with everything else….," Howard starts to say, as he goes to collect the blood draw kit.
"Together," Peggy finishes, as she takes a seat.
"Exactly," Howard confirms, as he grabs what he needs.
A little over an hour later Peggy and Howard are sitting together in the lab, holding hands, the two of them still being the only ones there, both fearing what Peggy's blood results are going to show. Finally, after what feels like an eternity for the two people who don't get older Howard's new, revolutionary, machine, prints out the results.
Looking at Peggy Howard sees her nod and so he reaches over and, quiet hesitantly as this could change everything, grabs the piece of paper, and reads it.
"Howard? How bad?" Peggy asks worried, and Howard just stares at the page in shock. "Howard?" Peggy asks concerned and in response Howard falls of his chair. "Howard," Peggy says, hurrying to where he landed on the ground.