M: The Star Spangled Birthday
AN this is NOT Stony.
Tony's point of view
After we watched Captain America: The First Avenger and saw Steve cringing his way through the Star Spangled Man With a Plan scene… I got an idea.
Late that night, when everyone was in bed, I approached Metatron
"Hey, Metatron, I was wondering, how feasible is it that we can use this on the Capsicle's birthday? It's coming up, isn't it, and it's a big one?"
"Yes, it is tomorrow, and he's 100 years old. What did you have in mind, Mr Stark?"
"Well, I was thinking that there's quite a few of us who play instruments… and I thought we could learn to play Star Spangled Man With A Plan for him and maybe make a cake? 100 years old is a pretty significant milestone"
"OK… I like that idea"
Pepper went onto the internet (which was restricted because Metatron knew that we would try to sneak information about the movies if it wasn't restricted) and she got the marching band music. We gathered those interested and started rehearsing in our spare time. Pepper choreographed the movements.
Mom, Dad and Buddy were responsible for the cake — the design was suggested by one of Buddy's employees—Ralph. He'd chosen a life-size model of the Avengers Logo with the Shield in front of it, an army helmet, a grenade, girls dressed in Red, White and Blue, an enlistment form and the compass on a chain.
Steve's point of view
At dinner on the night before I turned 100 years old, Tony said
"Get ready, Capsicle, we got a big surprise for you tomorrow."
"You're going to embarrass me, aren't you?"
"Not intentionally, no"
"OK"
The next day, during the first break the others went to get ready for their surprise. I sat with the Gregoriate Council and watched.
Tony's point of view
It had been decided that since Constance's coordination was so bad, she would use a manual wheelchair that she uses on very long journeys. Paul was responsible for manoeuvring her and keeping her in time with the others.
"Ready?"
"Ready"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the following is a tribute to our esteemed leader… Captain America. He shares the same birthday as The United States of America… July 4th. He is 144 years younger." said Constance.
"5…6…5…6…7…GO!"
Steve's point of view
The musically gifted among the gathered had formed a marching band and they played the Star Spangled Man with a Plan, Rhapsody in Blue, and since I have (and have always had) a very healthy appreciation for Glenn Miller they also played In the Mood and Moonlight Serenade.
"We're not done yet, not even close!" said Tony
He, Buddy, Ralph and Buddy's brother-in-law, Joey brought out the most amazing cake I had ever seen. It was the Avengers 'A' Logo decorated in Red White and Blue for the 4th of July and it featured decorative elements that were a tribute to me.
"Ralph, Mauro, Joey and I worked on this together" Buddy explained "Ralph and Mauro made all of the decorative elements and it was Ralph's idea to use red white and blue. Joey, Cousin Anthony and Danny baked, filled, dirty-iced and covered the cake. It's a vanilla sponge filled with our cannoli cream and raspberries and our cream cheese and fresh blueberries."
"Wow… thank you"
"Pepper is allergic to Strawberries which is why we went with raspberries"
"Well, it looks wonderful, thank you."
"SPEECH!" yelled Tony
"OK well… thank you for making my 100th birthday my best ever… thank you, Tony and Pepper for organising all of this."
"Oh this is nothing Capsicle… wait until you see the presents we got you!" said Howard.
Howard was right.
"Whoa! Thank you so much!"
"All right everyone, time to watch the next film... which is... Agent Carter" said Serendipity.