-One Year Later-
"Pepper called." Steve entered the lab. "She wants to know when you are coming to visit."
I didn't respond. I barely even heard him. I was staring at a picture of a baby who left this world too soon. My little girl. She has the blackest of hair. She had a soft complexion like her father. Her smile was full of mischief.
"Alexis." He whispered, resting his hand on my wrist. I closed my hand on the picture.
"Life's just a cruel game." I leaned into my chair. Trying not to cry - again.
"At least there's some comfort in knowing she's not alone."
"It's not fair." Tears rolled down my face.
"Unfortunately life's not supposed to be fair." I heard my dad say from behind me. "Steve."
"Tony." Steve kissed my head and said, "Talk to him." I heard his footsteps fade.
I sat back up, wiping the tears out of my tears. "How's Pepper?" I asked as Dad sat in the chair next to me.
"Worried about you." He took my hand in his. He felt the picture that I had and pulled it out of my grip. He opened it and rubbing his hand over his mouth.
"Her name's Lyla." I said.
We sat in silence. I wasn't sure how to keep the conversation moving. Honestly wasn't sure if I wanted to. I couldn't look at him. He lost his granddaughter that he was never able to meet. This is the first time he's seen a picture of her.
"How's Morgan?" I asked trying to keep either of us from crying.
"She's good." He folded the picture. "She reminds me of you." He smiled but only for a moment. "Are you doing okay?"
"Yeah..."
"I wish you would have called me." He placed the picture back into my hand.
I shook my head slightly, "It was a win if I just sat up in bed. I wasn't talking to anyone."
"Well," He glanced at the door, "I'm glad you had Steve. I'm glad you weren't alone. Now," He stood up. "Pepper said I can't come home unless you're in the car too. We leave in an hour."
I chuckled as he walked away and I heard him make conversation with Steve. I got up and went to my room to start packing a bag. Once I reached my room, I walked over to my nightstand and placed the picture in the drawer next to the black velvet box.
"How long are you going to be gone?" Steve asked as I closed the drawer.
"I don't know. Probably a while considering that I haven't seen them at all this year. I mean, you've met Pepper." I smiled.
I spent my time trying to be happy. Happy for my dad and the life he built. Happy to have a half sister. Happy but incredibly jealous. Borderline hate. I was supposed to have this life. But I lost it all. I lost the man I love but was given a gift to remember him yet that was taken from me too.
I spent a month with my dad, Pepper and Morgan, it was all I could handle. I went back the compound but left that too. I went back to the cabin by the Norwegian Sea I had. My dad tried to talk me out of it. He thought I was running to hide and start cutting again. Can't say I blame him for thinking that. I just can't stay and watch the life I was supposed to have happen right before forever my eyes.
I barely stepped into the house and an orange door appeared and a man with a mustache walked through.
"Alexis Stark, I'm going to need you to come with me."
I stared at him blankly. "Who are you?"
"Name's Mobius of the Time Variant Authority, also known as the TVA."
"Right. TVA. Because that's not at all sketchy." I exasperated.
"Oh come on Darling. Where's your sense of adventure." Loki walked through the door.
I could tell immediately he wasn't my Loki. It was the eyes. They weren't as soft or mature. It was nice to see him but he's not the Loki I know.
"It's real… the multiverse is real…" I whispered. "Or I'm delusional."
Loki smirked and shook his head. "This is very real Darling."
"Don't call me that."