Chapter 31
AN: Thank you for the support. Hope you like this chapter.
June 8th 1970
After four days of being in a SHIELD medical facility the day has finally come for Melinda to be release and go to her new home of the Carter-Stark Estate.
"So, Melinda, remember it is very important that you tell someone if you get any headaches, or problem seeing," Doctor Matheson informs Melinda. "It is also important that you do not get your cast wet," Doctor Matheson explains as the most obvious of her injuries is that she has a cast on her left arm due to her arm being broken.
"I know," Melinda says.
"Do you have any questions?" Doctor Matheson asks as he looks between Melinda, Peggy and Howard.
"No," Melinda says, in a quiet voice, shaking her head.
"No, thank you Doctor," Peggy says.
"Thank you," Howard says sincerely as he and Doctor Matheson shake hands.
"Are you ready to go, Mel?" Peggy asks.
"No, but I know I have to," Melinda admits, and she, Howard, and Peggy head out of the SHIELD medical facility together, heading back to the Carter-Stark Estate.
After a pretty quiet drive, as Melinda was silent for the entire thing, Peggy, Howard, and Melinda are finally arrive back at the Carter-Stark Estate.
"Mellie after you said you didn't want to go to your apartment, we collected your stuff, and other things for you," Howard explains, as the extended family worked together to pack up the May apartment. "It's upstairs in what is now your room," Howard explains, knowing they put the rest of the stuff in storage as they figured Melinda might want it one day.
"Okay," Melinda says, saying the most she has said since they left her medical room, and the three of them head inside.
When Peggy, Melinda, and Howard walk into the house they find Ana, Jarvis, Natasha and Tony waiting in the foyer. Looking hesitant Natasha walks up to her parents and Melinda.
"Can I give you a hug?" Natasha asks Melinda, who gives a small nod, and so Natasha hugs her friend, her new sister.
"Miss Melinda there is breakfast in the kitchen if you are hungry," Jarvis explains as Melinda and Natasha break apart.
"I'm not hungry," Melinda answers. "May I please go up to my room?" Melinda asks curious, looking at Peggy and Howard.
"Sure Darling, I'll show you what room is yours," Peggy says, putting a hand on Melinda's shoulder and taking her upstairs.
"Mel sad?" Tony asks, looking at his parents.
"Yeah Pal, Mel's sad," Howard confirms, a level of sadness to her voice.
"Can we help her?" Natasha asks curious, as she isn't really good at this kind of thing, but she knows she wants to help Melinda.
"We've just got to be there for her, that's all we can do," Howard explains, as he puts his arm around Natasha, who nods in understanding.
(Line break)
Upstairs Melinda and Peggy have made it to Melinda's room, which is next to Tony's, and the two of them have walked into the room. As soon as they walk in, Melinda realises something.
"This looks like my room at home," Melinda realises, while the room is at least twice the size, and has a bigger bead, it looks really familiar.
"We thought it would make you feel more comfortable to have familiar surroundings," Peggy explains. "But if you don't like it we can change it," Peggy explains.
"No, I like it," Melinda admits, as it does make her feel more comfortable.
"Melinda, it's okay if you don't want to talk right now," Peggy assures her. "But know you can always talk to me, and Howard, and Jarvis, and Ana, even Tasha," Peggy explains, and Melinda gives a nod. "Do you want to be left alone for a little while?" Peggy asks Melinda curious, as she knows that there will be a lot for the four-year-old to adjust too.
"Yes please," Melinda answers, with a nod.
"Okay, we'll be right downstairs if you need anything," Peggy assures her.
"Okay," Melinda says, with a nod, and once Melinda speaks Peggy heads out of the room, purposely leaving the door open, and planning on checking on Melinda a lot.
After Peggy walks out of the room Melinda walks over to the bed and lays on it, once she is lying on the bed Melinda picks up a picture of her and her parents from the bedside table, and holds it as she cries, thinking about how much she misses her parents.
A few hours later Melinda is still lying in her new bed, but rather than holding the picture of her parents she is just staring at it.
"Hey," A voice says from the doorway and Melinda looks to see Natasha. "Can I come in?" Natasha asks curious.
"Sure," Melinda says, so that she is in more of a sitting position, and Natasha walks over to her.
"Lunch is soon, if you're hungry," Natasha explains, as she offered to come get Melinda.
"Not really," Melinda admits, as Natasha sits down on the bed, accords from her.
"You should try to eat, even if it's just a little," Natasha informs her, and Melinda looks hesitant. "Look I was just a little older than you when I was rescued from everything I knew," Natasha reveals. "I came to a whole new place, and I was scared, but I couldn't admit it," Natasha admits. "So, if you are scared, or upset, or if you just miss your parents, you can talk to me; I'll just listen," Natasha explains to her.
"I don't like talking," Melinda admits.
"Then how about some company?" Natasha asks curious. "Your parents are gone, and that's… beyond horrible, but you're not alone," Natasha assures her.
"Aunt Peggy told me that," Melinda admits.
"And she was right," Natasha informs her. "Mel, your words been turned upside down, but all of us here, Mom, Dad, Jarvis, Ana, Me, even Tony, are all here for you, we want to help you in whatever way we can; we all love you," Natasha explains.
"I don't know what I need," Melinda admits.
"That's okay too, we'll help you figure it out," Natasha admits. "How about you come downstairs, and just see how you feel," Natasha suggests.
"Okay," Melinda answers after a few moments.
"Great," Natasha says, jumping off the bed. "Do you want me to carry you?" Natasha asks curious.
"Can you?" Melinda asks, with wide eyes.
"Yep," Natasha says, knowing it is thanks to her abilities, and Melinda nods, actually looking excited, and so Natasha picks her up and carries her downstairs.
Hours later while Melinda, Natasha and Tony are in the living room Peggy and Howard are watching on when the doorbell rings. As they know Jarvis will get it Peggy and Howard just continue to watch their children.
"Mr Carter-Stark, Mrs Carter-Stark," Jarvis says not long after the doorbell rings and they turn to see Jarvis standing with Daniel and Michael.
"We need to talk," Michael tells his sister, and brother in law.
"Of course, my office," Peggy says, and that's where, she, Howard, Daniel, Jarvis and Michael head, while Ana keeps an eye on the three kids.
"What's going on?" Howard asks once the five of them are in the office, and the door is closed behind them.
"We've got a hit on the enemy list Janet's created. About ten years ago when Lian had to go back to the CIA to go undercover to deal with brothers dealing with illegal arms," Daniel says, as he hands the file to Peggy.
"'I remember that, but that mission only lasted a couple of weeks," Howard remembers, as Peggy reads the file.
"There's no time requirement on making an enemy," Michael points out.
"It definitely seems like something we should look into," Peggy realises. "I'm coming to bring them in," Peggy reveals as from the evidence in the file it definitely seems like they could be the ones behind the accident.
"We figured, that's why we came here first," Daniel explains.
"I'm coming too," Howard says as he doesn't want to sit this out, causing the others to look at him. "You might need me to secure any weapons," Howard says, as it is the only valid excuse he can think of rather than just wanting to be apart of it.
"Mr Jarvis…" Peggy starts to say.
"Ana and I will look after the children until you get home," Jarvis assures them.
"Thanks Jarvis," Howard says gratefully.
"Let's go," Peggy says, and she, Daniel, Howard, and Michael leave.
After a quick stop at SHIELD Peggy, Howard, Daniel, Michael, Rose, Dugan, Jack, Gabe, Janet, and Hank have travelled to the location where, intelligence indicates, the brothers Lian got arrested a decade ago are staying.
"Let's cover the perimeter," Peggy say as they get out of the cars. "Howard, Rose, Dugan, Janet, you're with me, we'll take the front," Peggy instructs. "Daniel, Michael, Jack, Gabe, Hank you'll take the back," Peggy instructs, and everyone nods and starts to get to into the place Peggy said.
"Peggy, we've got the back door covered," Michael says, about a minute later, and so Peggy knocks loudly on the front door.
"Federal agents," Peggy says as she knocks. "Federal agents, open up," Peggy says, as she continues to knock, and as she does she hears the recognizable sound of a gun clocking. "GET DOWN," Peggy yells, as she tackles Howard. "Stay down," Peggy tells Howard as she engages in the firefight.
Over the next few minutes the agents of SHIELD, with the exception of Howard who doesn't have a weapon, engage in the firefight until the enemies stop firing.
"I'll move in, cover me," Peggy says, looking between Rose, Dugan and Janet.
"Be careful," Howard tells his wife, as Peggy heads inside the building.
As she is inside Peggy realises she isn't being fired upon she figures it is safe and so she heads deeper into the building. Looking around she sees a man on the ground who she recognizes as one of the brothers who she was here to talk to and so she walks over to him, and realises he is alive.
"Lewis Chen, just the person I wanted to talk to," Peggy says, as she squats down next to him.
"I need help," Lewis says.
"And you'll get it," Peggy informs him. "But only if you tell me what you know about the murder of Lian and William May," Peggy explains.
"What?... I'm hurt….you can't…." Lewis starts to object, clearly having trouble breathing.
"I can do whatever I want, they were family," Peggy informs him. "I'll walk away right now unless you give me reason not to," Peggy explains.
"She destroyed my life," Lewis says, speaking as fast as it is possible for him to do with his injuries. "May got me deported, I went to jail, I lost everything," Lewis explains.
"And you killed her in revenge," Peggy says, and he nods. "I'm not going to let you die, you will face justice for what you did," Peggy informs Lewis as Janet and Michael walks into the room. "Get medical attention for Mr Chen," Peggy says, before leaving the building as she needs a minute.
After more than a few hours of dealing with the fallout of finding the people who killed Melinda and William Peggy and Howard are finally arriving home; and neither are surprised to find Jarvis and Ana, despite the time, still awake in the sitting room.
"Was the information correct? Were they the men who killed Lian and William?" Ana asks, honestly not sure if she wants the answer.
"Yeah," Howard confirms.
"One of the brothers is dead, the other is going to face justice," Peggy explains, the tone of voice she is using making it clear that she is going to make sure of that fact.
"What are you going to tell Melinda?" Ana asks curious.
"Nothing, until she's old enough to understand," Peggy admits as that is what she and Howard agreed too, that they wouldn't keep the truth from her, but wait until she was old enough to understand. "How are the kids? How was Melinda when we were gone?" Peggy asks worried.
"The kids are in bed," Jarvis answers, knowing that is the easiest of the two questions. "Miss Melinda was quiet while you were gone, she barely talked. She sat with Miss Tasha and Mr Tony all evening, I think she is still adjusting," Jarvis admits.
"That makes sense," Howard admits, not being able to help but wonder how long Melinda is going to be adjusting and how to help her to do so.
"I've been meaning to ask. What is going to happen about the funeral?" Ana asks curious, as she has been meaning to ask that for days, but she has kept getting distracted.
"It's in three days," Peggy answers. "William and Lian left instructions. Howard and I have made sure Lian will get full honours," Peggy explains.
"Good, she deserves it," Jarvis comments.
"That she does," Howard confirms.
"I'm going to head to bed," Peggy comments.
"Same," Howard says.
"Goodnight Ana, Mr Jarvis," Peggy says.
"Goodnight Mrs Carter-Stark," Jarvis says.
"Night Peggy," Ana says.
"Night Jarvis, Ana," Howard says, and once he does he and Peggy head upstairs while Jarvis and Ana head to bed themselves.
Over the next few minutes Peggy and Howard make their way upstairs and check on both Tony and Natasha, both of whom are sound asleep, and as they approach Melinda's room they hear her voice muttering so exchanging looks they hurry into the room where they find Melinda thrashing in her bed, clearly in the midst of a horrible nightmare.
"no, no. MOMMY! DADDY!" Melinda says in her sleep, crying, her voice full of pain and terror, and so Peggy and Howard hurry to her side.
"Mellie, wake up," Howard says, getting to her side.
"Melinda, it's okay, wake up, Darling," Peggy says, as she also gets to Melinda's side, and slowly Melinda stops thrashing and opens her eyes.
"Uncle Howard? Aunt Peggy?" Melinda asks, seeing her godparents.
"We're here, Kid," Howard says to her.
"But Mom and Dad aren't," Melinda realises.
"I'm sorry, Darling," Peggy says to her, having no idea what else to say.
"I miss them," Melinda admits.
"We know you do, Sweetheart," Howard says to her, as he gently pushes her hair out of her face. "Do you think you can go back to sleep?" Howard asks curious, and Melinda looks hesitant, even a little afraid.
"What is it Darling?" Peggy asks concerned.
"I don't want to be alone," Melinda answers, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You never have to be," Howard assures her. "How would you like to sleep in Aunt Peggy and My room tonight?" Howard asks curious, feeling like it might be best for her.
"I'd like that a lot," Melinda answers.
"Okay, come on," Peggy says, moving Melinda's blanket off her, picking her up, and carrying her out of the room and down the hall.
Not long after Peggy picked up Melinda she is nestled between Peggy and Howard in their bed, an she falls asleep without issue, this time she sleeps without nightmares.
Three days later
Ever since Melinda came home from SHIELD medical it has been clear to everyone who lives at the Carter-Stark Estate, even Tony, how much she is struggling. Even though she has always been quiet she has become even more so, causing the adults, and Natasha, to become even more concerned.
The day for her parents funeral has finally arrived and Melinda is sitting on her bed as Howard, who has helped her get dressed finishes doing up her shoes.
"Not too tight?" Howard asks curious.
"No," Melinda answers, shaking her head.
"Mel, if you are overwhelmed by anything today I want you to tell me, or Aunt Peggy, or Ana or Jarvis," Howard tells her as he sits down next to her.
"How long will this go for?" Melinda asks, not really understanding everything that is going on.
"A few hours," Howard tells her. "But if you want to leave, at any time, just tell me," Howard says, purposely speaking in mandarin and as he does Melinda actually smiles, looking glad to hear her native language.
"I will," Melinda responds, also in mandarin.
"If you're ready, we've should go downstairs, we have to leave soon," Howard explains, and he notices Melinda look hesitant. "What is it Kid?" Howard asks curious.
"Today is goodbye, but I don't want to forget them," Melinda admits.
"Oh Honey, you won't. me, aunt Peggy, Ana, Jarvis, your others aunts and uncles are going to make sure of that fact," Howard assures her.
"Thank you," Melinda says, gratefully.
"Come on, Kid," Howard says, before picking up Melinda and carrying her downstairs.
When Howard, carrying Melinda, gets downstairs they find Peggy, Ana, Jarvis, Natasha and Tony, all dressed in black, waiting.
"Let's go," Peggy says, and with a solemn feeling all too clear they head out of the house, and to the car, together.
An hour later Melinda is sitting between Peggy and Howard, with the rest of their extended family surrounding them, as the funeral for her parents begin and despite how horrible she is feeling she does know that she isn't alone; which gives her comfort.