Chapter 32
AN: Thank you for the support. Hope you like this chapter.
August 31st 1970
Almost three months have passed since Melinda's parents were killed. Since then it has become clear that she is struggling, but with the support of her family she is doing a little better every day. As it is what William and Lian requested in their will Peggy and Howard have formally adopted Melinda, but they have agreed that they will not push her into seeing them as her parents, and are okay if that is not something she is ever able to do.
It is Monday morning and The Carter-Stark's, Ana and Jarvis are sitting around the kitchen table enjoying breakfast.
"You all ready for school today, Tash?" Howard asks curious.
"Yep," Natasha confirms.
"When do I start school?" Melinda asks curious.
"Next year, Darling," Peggy informs her.
"Me?" Tony asks.
"Not for a while, Pal," Howard says, though with how smart he is Howard wouldn't be surprised if his son started school sooner and quickly advanced when he did.
"Okay," Tony says, and he goes back to enjoying his breakfast, as he does Natasha, who is sitting next to Melinda notices she looks a bit sad.
"I'll be home before you know it, promise," Natasha assures her sister, with a comforting smile, and because they heard what she said Peggy and Howard exchange proud looks as the family continues breakfast.
A few hours later it is recess time at school and Natasha has tracked down her cousins; unsurprisingly they are together.
"Hey," Natasha says, as she sits down with MJ and Steph.
"Hey," MJ responds. "How's Mel doing?" he asks curious, despite the fact that he saw her the day before.
"The same," Natasha admits. "She's misses her parents, we're trying to help," Natasha admits.
"And you're being as overprotective of her as you are of Tony," MJ realises, knowing that because he knows Natasha.
"Of course," Natasha answers, like that should be obvious.
"Death is stupid," Steph suddenly says, causing both MJ and Natasha to look at her.
"Step…" Natasha starts to say, in a gentle voice.
"My Mom, Mel's parents. All of our family's friends, it's not fair," Steph says pain in her voice. "One day I'm going to be a Doctor; I'm going to save people; stop them from dying," Steph says her voice full of determination and sounding much older than how old she is.
"I'm sure you'll be a great Doctor," MJ says, putting an arm around her, as the three of them drift into silence.
After a day at school Natasha is arriving home and a soon as Jarvis opens the front door she goes in search of her siblings. Thanks to how big the house is it takes her a minute but she finds her siblings in the library, both sitting on the ground playing with LEGO.
"That looks like fun," Natasha says from the doorway, causing both Tony and Melinda to look up from what they are doing.
"Tash!" Melinda and Tony both say, looking glad to see her.
"Do you want to join us?" Melinda asks curious.
"Yeah, I really do," Natasha confirms, and she walks over to her siblings, and starts to play LEGO with them, and that's how Jarvis finds them when he comes to get them for dinner.
November 6th 1970
Just over two months have passed since Natasha started a new school year, and as she already knows most of what she is being taught she is rather bored at school and tends to use her lesson times to teach herself other things and observe those she goes to school with.
It's about lunchtime on a Friday and Peggy is in her office dealing with the paperwork from a recent mission when there is a knock on her door.
"Come in," Peggy says, without looking up from what she is doing, and as she does Janet walks in.
"Peggy, we just got a call," Janet says, and because of her tone of voice Peggy looks up from what she is doing.
"What's happened?" Peggy asks, fearing war, mass casualty event, or something else equally horrible.
"Lewis Chen was found dead in his cell, it looks like suicide," Janet explains. "I'm sorry, I know we all wanted him to face justice for what he did," Janet comments.
"Mel deserves justice," Peggy says, looking at the picture of Melinda which has now joined the others on her desk.
"Yeah, she does," Janet explains. "I asked for the reports on everything. Is there anything else I can do?" Janet asks curious.
"No, but thanks," Peggy admits, not looking away from the picture of her daughter.
"I'll leave you too it," Janet says, before leaving.
"I'm so sorry," Peggy says, looking at the picture of Melinda and knowing that when the day comes where she tells Melinda what happened to her parents it's going to be an extremely difficult conversation.
After a few more hours of work Peggy, who missed dinner, has arrived home, feeling the need to take out her frustration Peggy heads to the outside boxing bag and to her surprise she finds that Natasha has bet her to it and is beating the crap out of the bag.
"Tash," Peggy says concerned, as she walks up to her daughter.
"Oh, hey Mom," Natasha says, as she continues to hit the bag.
"Would you like to talk, or continue to hit the bag?" Peggy asks her daughter.
"Both… neither," Natasha says, as she hits the bag a couple more times, clearly using a lot of her strength.
"Tash…" Peggy says simply.
"I can do all these things," Natasha says, stopping what she is doing to look at her mother. "I can run faster than a car, I can punch a hole through solid steel, put my hand over an open flame without getting burnt, I am eleven and almost seventeen at the same time; but I can't protect the people I love from pain," Natasha says, guilt in her voice.
"You can't put that on yourself, Tash," Peggy informs her, as she really doesn't want Natasha to carry around that much guilt. "The abilities your Dad and I have are different from yours, but one thing we all three of us have in common is that as powerful we are we can't prevent everything," Peggy admits. "Not a day goes by that I don't wish that I could protect the people I love from ever even knowing pain, you and your siblings especially, but I know I can't, as hard as that is to admit," Peggy explains.
"How do you live with that?" Natasha asks. "Being so powerful, but so powerless?" Natasha asks curious.
"I'm still working on figuring that out," Peggy admits. "But what I do do is focus on what I can control," Peggy admits. "I can do everything I can to protect the people I love. I can make sure that whenever I send someone on a mission they have the skill and supplies to protect themselves, not to mention all the intel they need. I can limit what the public knows about you and your sibling, and make sure you're always with someone who can protect you if I'm not around, so you're as safe as possible. I can make sure I'm with your Dad when he insists on coming on missions, and make sure he eats and rests when he's working for days straight; and I can hold off telling Melinda what happened to her parents until she is old enough to understand," Peggy explains. "Tash, I am so proud of everything you've become over the past nine years, but you cannot put the weight of the world on your shoulders; it's not fair, and it's not right," Peggy explains to her, as she doesn't want that for her daughter.
"I'm going to protect Tony and Mel," Natasha informs her mother. "I know I cannot protect them from everything, but I am going to do what I can," Natasha admits. "That's my job as their sister," Natasha says.
"They're lucky to have such an incredible big sister," Peggy says, smiling at her daughter, but making an internal note to make sure Natasha doesn't put too much pressure on herself. "Feel up to some sparing?" Peggy asks her daughter curious.
"Definitely," Natasha answers, and the two of them start to spar together.
December 22nd 1970
A little over six weeks have passed since one of the men who killed Melinda's parents killed themselves and ever since Natasha has been trying to not put the world on her shoulders, like her mother told her, but she is still incredibly determined to protect her siblings.
It is late afternoon on a Tuesday and Melinda is in her room, drawing while sitting on he floor, when Natasha appears in the doorway to her room, holding Tony.
"Mel, can we come in?" Natasha asks curious, before stepping foot in the room.
"Sure," Melinda answers, and Tony and Natasha walk over to her. "Is something wrong?" Melinda asks as Natasha has a serious look on her face.
"No," Natasha says as she sits down with Melinda, still holding Tony as she does. "Mel, what do you know about Judaism?" Natasha asks, as she knows it will give her a place to start with her explanation.
"It's a religion," Melinda says. "Jewish people were hurt in the war," Melinda says, showing that she knows a little more than Natasha was expecting.
"Exactly," Natasha tells her, a level of sadness to her voice. "Dad, and Ana and Jewish," Natasha explains.
"I didn't know that," Melinda says, sounding surprised as even before her parents died she was family so she is surprised that she didn't know that.
"Not many people do," Natasha admits. "Today is a Jewish holiday, but since the war it is difficult day for Dad and Ana," Natasha explains.
"How can we help?" Melinda asks.
"We go downstairs and we sit with Mom, Dad, Ana and Jarvis Infront of candles," Natasha explains. "Dad, and Ana might tell us stuff, teach us about the Hanukkah," Natasha explains, knowing that they don't always do that, it just depends.
"I want to learn," Melinda admits, and Natasha smiles proudly at her sister.
"Then let's go downstairs," Natasha says, and even though she is still holding Tony she picks up Melinda and carries her downstairs as well.
When the three Carter-Stark siblings get down to the sitting room Peggy, Howard, Ana and Jarvis are already there. Seeing her children Peggy walks over to them and takes Tony from Natasha, who is still carrying Melinda, and then they all walk over and sit with Ana, Jarvis, and Howard who are already sitting in front of the unlit menorah, and Melinda experiences her first Hanukkah as a Carter-Stark
Three days Later
Since the first night of Hanukkah, and every night since Melinda has joined her family in honouring Hanukkah, despite the age she can tell that it is a difficult experience for Howard and Ana, but it is also clearly very important to them.
It is early hours of Christmas morning and Natasha is fast asleep, or at least she is until she feels someone jump on her bed, acting on instinct Natasha grabs a weapon from under her pillow.
"Tasha! Wake up!" the voice of her, very excited, little brother says, and so Natasha quickly stashes the weapon before he can see.
"Tony, what are you doing?" Natasha asks as she sits up and her brother continues to jump on her bed.
"It's Christmas Tash! Wake up!" Tony exclaims.
"Oh, I see," Natasha says, with a smirk. "You know Mel is going to need waking up," Natasha tells her brother, who eyes widen, and looking quiet excitedly Tony runs jumps off Natasha's bed and hurries out of the room.
Knowing that she has no chance of getting back to sleep Natasha gets up and heads out of her room, getting to the corridor just as Tony and Melinda, both looking excited, hurry out of Melinda's room.
"Race ya," Natasha says, and as soon as she speaks Tony and Melinda run.
Purposely not using her powers, so that she comes last, Natasha follows her siblings and the three of them hurry into the living room where they find, what looks like, a mountain of presents waiting for them under the tree, and unsurprisingly Melinda and Tony hurry straight towards the pile.
"Not so fast," A voice says and the three siblings turn to see Peggy standing at the door that leads to the dining room/kitchen.
"Merry Christmas Mom," Tony says, grinning at her.
"Merry Christmas Darling," Peggy tells him, walking over. "I know you're excited, but it's not time to open presents yet," Peggy explains.
"First we eat breakfast by the fire," Natasha says.
"Exactly," Peggy confirms. "Why don't you three pick your spots and I'll help Mr Jarvis, Ana and your Dad, with breakfast," Peggy says, looking between them.
"Yes Mom," Tony and Natasha say.
"Yes, Aunt Peggy," Melinda confirms.
"Tash, you're in charge of making sure no presents are open until after breakfast," Peggy explains.
"Yes Mom," Natasha says as she heads over to the area by the fire with her siblings.
Together the three of them sit very close together right in front of the fire and once they are sitting Natasha grabs a blanket off the couch which she uses to cover herself and her siblings. Before long they are joined by their parents, Ana and Jarvis. Then over the next hour or so they are joined by the rest of their extended family and they are finally able to open presents.
January 10th 1971
Sixteen days have passed since Christmas day and even though Melinda clearly struggled with missing her parents, and everyone felt the gap where they should be, she did manage, to even her amazement to have a great Christmas, most of which she spent playing around with her siblings.
It's a Sunday afternoon and feeling a little nervous Natasha is pacing back and forth outside her mother's afternoon where she knows both of her parents are. Due to Natasha actually being distracted she doesn't realise that Ana has walked up to her.
"Do you want to talk about what has you nervous?" Ana asks curious.
"Do you know what today is?" Natasha asks, and for a minute Ana looks confused, then realisation comes to her.
"I do," Ana confirms. "And they will too," Ana assures her.
"You think so?" Natasha asks worried.
"I know so," Ana assures her. "Go, say what you want to say," Ana says as she gently pushes Natasha towards the office.
Even though she could have stopped it Natasha lets herself be pushed and she walks right up to the door of her mother's office, and knocks.
"Come in," Peggy's voice says and Natasha walks in.
The second she walks into the office Natasha recognizes the signs of her parents planning something and judging by the fact that they are planning whatever it is at home it is something they want as few people as possible to know about.
"Hey Tash, everything okay?" Howard asks and as he does Natasha realises that even though she has clearly interrupted something important neither of her parents look bothered.
"Yeah," Natasha confirms. "Everything's beyond okay," Natasha admits. "Ten years ago, you saved me, and you gave me a home, a family, both of which are something I never thought I would have or even deserve," Natasha admits.
"Tash, you did deserve a family, you always have and always will," Peggy tells her daughter.
"I know, because you made me believe I did," Natasha says, smiling slightly. "I know our family, and the life we live isn't exactly normal, but everyday I'm thankful for it," Natasha admits. "Everyday I'm thankful that ten years ago you decided to love me," Natasha reveals.
"Tash, you never have to thank us," Howard tells her.
"And we didn't decide to love you, from the moment I met you I knew I did, same with your Dad," Peggy reveals. "When I told you I was taking you home I meant it, I already saw you as a daughter," Peggy admits, causing Natasha to smile.
"I love you guys so much," Natasha tells her parents.
"We love you too," Howard says, and once he does both he and Peggy walk over and hug Natasha.
Six Weeks Later
Ever since the anniversary of Natasha being taken in by Peggy and Howard she has been just enjoying time with her parents, siblings, Ana and Jarvis, feeling even more appreciative of her incredible family.
Having been sound asleep over minutes earlier Peggy is confused about what woke her, but then she hears a scream and so she is out of bed in seconds, and running into the hallway, unsurprisingly Howard is right behind her.
As both Howard and Peggy realised that the scream came from Melinda's room they both run there and when they hurry into the room they find Melinda clearly in the middle of a nightmare.
"Mellie, wake up," Peggy says getting to her daughters side and attempting to get her to wake her up.
"Mel, you're safe. Wake up," Howard says, as he too gets to Melinda's side, and suddenly she opens her eyes, and they are full of terror.
"It was horrible! There was so much glass, and pain, and Dad was staring at me!" Melinda says, clearly terrified and Peggy and Howard realise she was remembering the accident.
"It's okay, it's not happening now," Peggy assures her.
"But it was!" Melinda admits, throwing herself into Peggy's arms.
"I know, and we're so sorry about that Kid," Howard admits, as Peggy holds Melinda tightly.
"I miss them," Melinda admits, as she nestles herself into Peggy's shoulder.
"I know," Peggy says, as she kisses Melinda's head.
"And I love you guys," Melinda admits.
"We love you too," Howard answers, as Natasha and Tony appear at the doorway, clearly having been woken by the commotion.
"Is everything okay?" Natasha asks concerned.
"Mel had a nightmare," Howard explains.
"Mellie sad?" Tony asks, walking over and Peggy feels Melinda nod against her shoulder. "I'm sorry," Tony says, as Natasha picks him up.
"Mel, do you think you can go back to sleep?" Peggy asks, being pretty sure that she can guess the answer, but she is still going to ask.
"Can I sleep in your room?" Melinda asks.
"Sure Kid," Howard answers. "How about we all do that tonight," Howard suggests as he knows that after being woken up by his sister's scream that Tony isn't likely to get to sleep and Natasha will want to watch over her siblings; even if she is told it is not necessary.
"Yes please," Tony says, and Natasha nods.
"Let's go," Howard says and the five of them head to the master bedroom.
It takes a few minutes but eventually Natasha, Tony and Melinda, are lying between their parents, and before long the three of them are asleep. As their children exchange looks Peggy and Howard exchange amazed looks, and smiles, both of them feeling incredible love for their three children; and each other.