May 15th

10:05 PM

Location: Classified.

Phil Coulson was at his desk at S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters late at night doing his best to finish his paperwork that threatened to consume his entire soul. His head ached and his body was exhausted from the day's events. He had been shot at numerous times, whacked around like a rag doll, and beaten up badly by his own boss and friend, Dir. Fury. Of course, it had only been friendly sparring but Dr. Fury wasn't the type to go easy especially when their day had been full of stress.

Phil was jotting down quickly on the paper about his report on his earlier mission when his phone rang. He paused slowly wondering who could be calling him this late in the night. Hardly, anyone called him not that he minded but most of the time when someone called this late was either Clint Barton or Natasha Romanoff or Dr. Fury calling in about a mission that needed his immediate attention. With a sigh, he picked up his phone that had been sitting, screen down, at the corner of his desk and frowned when he saw the caller I.D:

UNKNOWN

His body was now on full alert and his mind raced with endless of possibilities' of just who could be calling him. Phil wouldn't lie…his life was dedicated at shield and he knew of the enemies that were out there dying to get their hands on him. Phil relaxed himself setting up a tracer so that if things did go wrong, like he expected, then he'd at least had a location of whoever was calling him.

He answered on the sixth ring and pulled his phone to his ear and cautiously stating, "This is Phil Coulson."

He heard labored breathing on the other end and quickly deuced that it was a woman calling him and he was proven right when a strained, breathless, familiar voice replied, "Phil?" Phil's body froze and his heart stopped beating for a spilt second. He was acutely aware of someone entering his office: Dir. Fury. Dir. Fury stared at Phil, upon seeing his reaction, and narrowed his one eye at him silently asking what was wrong.

"Lana?" Phil asked after his shock surpassed him.

There was a commotion on the other end and he heard the soft cries of a child in the background, "Phil…" Lana whispered in a voice that was full of anguish and grief and that alone, alerted Phil even more.

"Lana, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Phil fired out questions.

Despite, his brief but lovely relationship with the woman, Phil did care for her greatly and had told her if anything were to happen that she would always be welcomed to call him but he hadn't spoken to her for nearly a year. He heard her exhale unsteadily, "Phil, I know this isn't the best way to have told you this but…the reason why I haven't answered any of your calls is because…I was pregnant," Phil's eyes widen instantly alerting Dir. Fury who had taken a step closer to Phil but the man quickly held his hand up stopping his friend from advancing. Phil struggled to understand that words Lana had told him. Immediately, his mind counted back to the last known date he had sex with her and the time they spent apart. It made sense. Phil knew Lana wouldn't lie about something so serious.

But something in his gut told him…something was terribly wrong. "And? What's wrong, Lana? Did…Did the baby not survive?" Phil demanded feeling his ache clench tightly at the possible knowledge that his child hadn't survived.

Lana's airy and beautiful chuckle eased his worries but not all of them because of the pain in her voice as she answered, "No, she did survive," Phil's heart jumped and his eyes widen with relief and then he felt the urge to go Lana and see their daughter together, "She's so beautiful, Phil. She has your eyes, you know, got your ears too." Lana whispered sadly and Phil clenched his hand tightly desperately wondering what was wrong.

"Lana…" Dir. Fury was now sitting in front of Phil with look of curiosity, "What's wrong?"

Lana broke out in a sob whispering frantically, "Phil…I'm dying."

Phil's world collapsed onto of him and he jumped up as grief struck his heart, "What do you mean you're dying, Lana?" Phil demanded in a loud voice unwilling to believe that the woman…the mother of his child was dying.

He heard her soft cries as she stuttered to answer him, "S-S-S-Something went wrong after I gave birth to our daughter, Phil, I don't know what and the doctors won't tell me but I'm dying and I don't have a lot of time left…" She choked out a sob as tears began to sting in Phil's eyes, "Our daughter…she needs you, Phil. I don't have any family left...and I know with your job…oh god, Phil, I'm so scared. I don't want our daughter to be thrown into foster care!" She sobbed as Phil swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Lana…" Phil struggled.

"The doctors said I only have a few hours left…maybe less…Phil…please, be here with me…please give our baby girl a chance because I don't think I can go peacefully knowing she isn't with you." Lana's voice was full of pain…and fear…and grief.

Phil looked at Dir. Fury who had been watching him but Dr. Fury was already on the phone demanding the fastest S.H.I.E.L.D plane to be ready for take off in five minutes. Phil's mind raced desperately trying to decide what to do. He knew he wouldn't leave his only daughter to suffer through the system of foster care, hell, he wasn't going to say no to Lana. Phil wasn't that kind of man. As much as taking in a newborn child scared the shit out of Phil…he would never do that to Lana and his newborn girl. Phil could never live with himself even if he had thought about it.

There was so many questions and obstacles that run through his head and he feared for the safety of his daughter. Phil shook his head. No, he would cross the bridge soon but first, he needed to get to Lana…get to his newborn daughter before it was too late.

"Where are you, Lana?" Phil asked with a fierce mask of determination.

He wouldn't abandon Lana or his daughter.

May 16th

Portland, Oregon.

12:15 AM

Phil raced through the hospital with Dir. Fury as his side. Phil was beginning to panic and he knew his friend noticed. Dir. Fury had been strangely silent throughout the plane ride to Portland. Phil knew Dir. Fury was only giving him his space which Phil was extremely grateful for. "You need to relax, Phil." Dir. Fury stated calmly ignoring the frightened looks of the nurses they were following.

Phil shot Dir. Fury a dry look, "I am calm."

Fury scoffed but kept any further comments to himself.

But Fury was right. Phil needed to relax but how could he? His ex girlfriend and the mother of his child was dying and was leaving him with said daughter. Phil had a massive knot in his stomach as they reached the child's section of the hospital. Phil was torn. He wanted to be happy. He had a daughter! A sweet baby girl who had his eyes and ears! But he was extremely stricken with grief. Lana, a woman whom he cared deeply for, was dying and very soon.

His heart was torn in two.

He didn't know what to think…or what he would even say when he saw Lana but he had to keep calm. He couldn't show his fear…or his grief…or his happiness.

"Do you think I can do this, Nick?" Phil looked up at his friend with a helpless expression.

Nick's serious and cold face softened slightly, "No, because you raising that baby alone is a dumbass idea," Phil's jaw almost dropped to the ground, "But you raising a baby with friends isn't," Fury looked at his friend with a determined frown, "Lana…Lana might be leaving you…but you won't have to do this alone, Phil. We'll figure something out."

Phil nodded meekly slightly reassured before the nurse, who had been guiding them, stopped at a pink door with the number: 1052 on it. The nurse turned towards them with a sad smile, "She's in here. Are you ready, Mr. Coulson?" She asked eying him and she could probably see the panicked and pale look on his face.

Phil sighed but composed himself for seconds before nodding to the small, fat nurse, "Yes, I am."

She smiled a bit more and opened the door gesturing for the gentlemen to step in first. Phil stepped in and immediately the smell that came with babies swept his senses and all he saw was a pink room with girly flowers and decorations around him. In the middle of the room laid Lana…pale and sickly but with a happy, beautiful smile on her face as she gazed up at Phil. A doctor was hovering over her checking her vitals. A bundle cradled gently in Lana's arm.

"Phil," Lana whispered softly seeming so happy to see him, "Director Fury." She seemed surprised but she slipped another beautiful, strained smile at the intimidating man.

"Lana." Fury nodded respectfully gracing the woman with a very small, sad smile.

Fury leaned against the wall as Phil moved towards the bed, towards Lana, towards his newborn daughter. His eyes were glued onto the cooing bundle in Lana's arms. Lana adjusted her hold on their child and allowed Phil to see her.

Phil's world momentarily stopped. His eyes connecting to that of his daughter's and he felt the air in his body vanish. His heart clenched painfully before shattering and then going back to rebuild itself as Phil fell instantly in love with the pink baby girl staring at him with kind blue eyes that were almost identical to his own. He forgot to breath. He forgot to speak; He forgot that the mother of his child…his only child was dying.

The baby was small but healthy with rosy cheeks and a beautiful face that was similar to Lana's. Her blue eyes stood out in contract to her pink skin. She babbled and cooed reaching out towards him with a look of pure, innocent happiness. Phil, too shocked to even speak, reached out with his index finger until the newborn clasped her tiny fingers around his index. How could something be so small and fragile? Phil thought in utter shock. She was so tiny. Her little hand was so tiny.

Phil couldn't believe that this was his daughter.

Phil blinked when he felt tears in his eyes and hastily wiped them away, "She's so beautiful." Phil told Lana in an amazed whisper.

Lana, despite the obvious pain she was in, smiled happily at Phil, "Isn't she?" Lana mused gently playing with the tuff of light brown hair on top of his daughter's head. The baby had gained her mother's hair color. "Would you like to see her, Director Fury?" Lana asked gently shifting her arms towards Phil.

Phil's eyes widened in panic and his mind started racing with bad thoughts. Oh my god, please don't let me drop my own child! Phil pleaded silently as he awkwardly cradled the cooing baby girl in his arms but amazed at how she felt in his arms. She was so small…so innocent…so beautiful. Fury moved away from the wall and stood next to Phil. Lana relaxed in her bed knowing how little she had before she would perish. Phil looked up at Nick whose face had softened considerably. Nick smiled faintly, "Never seen anything so damn small before."

Phil couldn't help but to laugh in agreement feeling his heart surge with pride, "Is it normal for her to be this small? Don't they have some sort of baby guide?" Phil turned to Lana who had her eyes closed.

Lana blinked groggily but giggled, "No, they don't, Phil," Her voice was full of patience and sadness, "She is quite small but the doctor said she's completely healthy."

Phil stared at Lana with pain and longing as Nick wiggled his finger, which the newborn had grasped with her tiny hand, "Lana…"

Lana shook her head, "Don't grieve too much, Phil. I know you'll take care of our daughter. I can see it in your eyes, you know, you won't disappoint me. I've made my peace…I'm sad that she won't be able to know me…but I'm sure you'll tell her everything about me when she gets older." Lana whispered as the heart monitor started dropping and her voice started fading.

The rapid beeping grabbed the attention of the doctors outside, who had stepped out to give them some privacy, and rushed in. Phil's eyes widened in panicked and he reached out to grab Lana's hand, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there, Lana!" Phil choked hear his daughter's cries. Lana gave him a weak smile and squeezed his hand.

"It's alright…I don't blame you, Phil. I love you, you know? I love our beautiful baby girl too. I just…I just hope you can forgive me for leaving." Lana's eyes blurred as her heart rate began to drop but no one could do anything. The doctors knew she could not be saved. The child birth had taken a toll on the young woman's body.

Phil felt his heart shatter as he handed his crying daughter to Fury who silently took the crying child. Phil kneeled at Lana's bedside whilst grasping her hand. Tears falling from their eyes. "Before you go…"Phil choked out, "What did you name her?"

Lana gave one last smile, "I thought it would be best for you to name her, Phil." Her voice growing weaker and weaker and Phil couldn't help but to feel so useless. He watched the smile on her face falter silently, the fading look in her beautiful green eyes, he felt the tight grasp of her hand in his falter completely, and heard the sound of the monitor flat lining.

A few hours later…

Phil stared blankly outside the window. Fury was in the back making a few calls. Phil didn't bother to ask who he was calling. Phil was too full of emotions to care. His mind was dull…his heart was shattered…his world felt like it had been stomped on. Lana was gone. She was really gone. Phil couldn't wrap his mind around it. Lana was dead and in her wake left Phil with—

The movement in his arms caught his attention. Phil looked down at the newborn sleeping soundly in his arms…where she belonged. In that moment, his heart built itself up again and his mind reactivated again with so many questions of what the future would have in store for him and his daughter…Spencer.

He named her after Lana…her middle name away. Lana Spencer Kingsley. Now, in his arms and sleeping was Spencer Rose Coulson. Phil watched his daughter sleep peacefully and strangely, he sought comfort in watching her. He never knew something could ever be so small and fragile and warm. He never knew something so small could leave such a massive impact in his heart but he would do right by this little girl and Lana. He would do anything for Spencer, be anything. There was no doubt in Phil's mind that he would move heaven and earth for this tiny bundle.

Even if it meant leaving S.H.I.E.L.D to raise her.

"You know, I don't like babies but this one is certainly a keeper," Fury's voice broke Phil out of his trance. He saw Fury take a seat in front of him, "Ain't never seen such a pink thing in my whole life." Fury's words were gentle and quiet as he gazed at the sleeping newborn with evident fondness.

Phil cracked a small smile, "I can't help but to think how small she is."

Fury nodded in understanding forward, "She'll grow."

Phil chuckled at that, "Not too fast, I hope." He looked at Fury, "How are we going to do this, Nick?" Phil rubbed his temples, "I don't know the first thing about raising a baby. What do they eat? Where do they sleep? Can I feed her hot dogs?" Fury's lips twitched up in amusement at his friend's panicked questions.

"I made some calls," Fury's answer had Phil confused, "Melinda May, Victoria Hand, Clint Barton, and John Garrett are heading to H.Q to meet with us for our newest mission."

Phil frowned at Fury, "A mission? Now?" Was Fury fucking crazy? The mother of his child just died and he was left to raise a baby!

Fury nodded and leaned over to run his thumb on the soft, pink skin of Spencer's cheek, "Our newest mission? How to raise a baby." Fury murmured with a small smirk.

Hello! I hope you all enjoyed the prologue of my new story! I am new to the Avengers Fandom so if I get anything wrong, please do not hesitate to correct me in a manner that isn't rude. I've had this idea for awhile so, hopefully it'll give you something new and different to read. I like Phil a lot so, I wanted to do something with him. This is a Pietro/OC story but, obviously, he won't come in until AoU. Which is in part two! So, please bare with me because it will be an eventual Pietro/OC.

I hope you enjoyed and please, review your thoughts!