Chapter 2: Encouragement

Astrid's mouth dropped open, incredulous. "Not fairy tales? Tony, I know you're a devoted atheist, but my culture isn't fairy tales."

Tony flushed, his face a firm and resolute, trying to keep his cool. "My point is, Brigid is just going through normal kid stuff. It's nothing out of the ordinary."

Astrid looked ready to bang Tony on the head. Her face was a firm scowl as she did her best to tower over Tony to show her dominance. "I know you love her, but Brigid is our daughter. We know her best. This is not normal at all. Constant nightmares aren't right for a child and these … premonitions are scary."

Will nodded, his face a mask of worry and his voice strong."I agree. Brigid has never done this before, no matter what you may think, Tony. This is scary."

"Excuse me, but someone told me she loves me three-thousand, and it wasn't one of you," Tony scoffed. "I know she's not my kid but she's as good as any I may ever want. I'm telling you these nightmares and s*** will pass."

Astrid laughed. "Look at that. Tony Stark, the billionaire playboy who won't have anything to do with kids, is turning soft for our daughter."

"Is it a miracle?" Will chuckled.

"Yeah, yeah, get your jibs in now," Tony jeered,, rolling his eyes."For some reason I like you guys. I like the kid."

Tony wanted to argue, but he knew they were right. There was no one else he loved more than Brigid, apart from himself. He could not fathom the idea of children. He never saw himself as a father or role model. Yet he loved Brigid more than anyone he knew.

"Maybe you're not wrong," he whispered with a shrug.

The next afternoon, Will, Astrid, and Tony drove to pick Brigid up from first grade. As they stepped out of the car, they heard a great commotion coming from the playground.

"Well, recess can't still be going on, can it?" Tony questioned, listening to the noise.

The three of them raced up to find the children crowded in a circle, chanting, and screaming, "Fight, fight, fight!" Much to the horror of the three, Brigid was rolling on top of a boy, clawing at him and slapping him wildly.

"Brigid!" Will said, aghast, the horror written on his face.

"Yes, Brigid, you should know better," Astrid cried, cupping her hands to her face as she grinned proudly. "Go for the jambags!*"

"Astrid!" Will cried angrily. "Don't encourage her!"

"What? She's kicking butt. I'm proud!" Astrid shrugged.

"Listen to your mother!" Tony cheered. "Kick his butt!"

Will rolled his eyes before he pulled the kicking and screaming Brigid off of the bruised boy.

"Brigid, what was this all about, young lady?" Will demanded. "Why were you beating up that boy?"

"And what did it feel like?" Tony asked excitedly.

"Tony!" Will shouted, giving his friend an annoyed look.

Brigid held up her copy of Norse Myths. Much to the horror of Tony and her parents, it was dog-eared, torn to shreds, and caked in mud.

"They made fun of my book," Brigid sighed, tears welling up in her eyes. "They said I was weird for reading about make-believe. They called me a baby because I was reading a book my mom gave to me."

"And then you beat them up?" Will asked gently.

Brigid shrugged. "No. They stomped my book and tore it up and then threw it in the mud. Then I beat them up."

Brigid broke down in tears. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to fight them. I just...I just got so mad."

Will held her close, as did Astrid, and Tony put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Are they right? Am I weird?" Brigid asked, fear in her voice.

"My daughter? Weird?" Astrid laughed. "Ha! You are special. If anything, it's everyone else who is weird."

"You don't want to be like everyone else," Will replied confidently, hugging his daughter's shoulders. "If we were meant to be the same, it would be like reading the same book. Boring."

"If they don't know how special you are, they're the idiots," Tony said, his face and voice smug. "You're Tony Stark's goddaughter. You are special. If no one knows that, they're an a******."

"Tony!" Will cried, annoyed at Tony's use of language.

Brigid mopped her eyes and laughed.

"That's better, a smile," Astrid said, beaming as she touched her daughter's cheek gently.

"Now, I hope you know it was still wrong of you to fight," Will said, his voice firm but gentle, "but remember, only when you are given no other option, then only then, you fight."

"I will," Brigid replied, smiling brighter.

Astrid smiled. "Why don't we clean you up and get some lunch?"

"And after we'll get you a new book and you can tell me all about how good it felt to beat up those little p*****," Tony said excitedly, holding Brigid's tiny hands.

"Tony, will you watch your mouth?!" Will admonished.

Brigid jumped up and threw her arms around Tony. "Yes! I can't wait! They were definitely p*****!"

"That's my girl!" Tony cheered as he laughed uncontrollably and hugged Brigid tightly.

"Brigid! Don't say that!" Will cried as he shot a deadly look at the hysterical Tony. "Bath time!"

"Last one to the bath is a lame duck!" Astrid laughed.

Astrid ran to the bath, with Brigid following behind, laughing as she did. As she did, she had no idea what awaited her in the days to come.