Welcome! nice to have you here :) I love Tony Stark.

I think he's got one of the greatest character arcs in modern cinema.
[I won't start on things I don't like, or you'll never read the story!]
I've always thought though, I wonder how he'd change if he had someone, a child, his child, to love and nurture earlier in his life. What would change? Would it change anything? Who would Tony Stark and Iron Man be, if he had that deeply activated paternal instinct in him earlier than Morgan? Earlier than Peter and Harley?

And how would he parent someone who, for all external views, appeared to be his little copy? What effects would his fame, genius and global standing have on a child?

This is what came of those thoughts. Some chapters may be intense, some will be long, some short. In the early years, we may just drop in on one significant event of the year- as their lives progress and the stakes raise, we'll spend more time in a year. The chapters are dated, and events are usually taking place in that one day. Some chapters will cover the full event that may span days, but I trust you as a reader to pick up the context.

Please do review if so inclined, I love feedback, and criticism if you have that too.

I hope you enjoy, love you!

aj x

April 3rd 1995.

'Mr Stark, I'm sorry to disturb you'

'Would that be because I told you not to disturb me!?' Tony snapped, not looking up from his workshop desk. He was so tired of being interrupted. Every damn day. Just let him work.

Edwin looked at the man he'd helped raise, a reckless young adult when his parents died, 4 years later little change but to be the CEO of Stark Industries. He watched the self destructive habits flourish, desperately trying to keep him from harming himself. Now consequences of his actions had landed directly on the doorstep.

He saw this going one of two ways. Either Tony would fall apart, and send the problem away. Or pull it together, and be the man he wished his father was.

'Yes sir, that would be it' he rocked the bundle of sleeping baby in his arms 'however this is rather an emergency'

'What now?' He slammed his tool to the bench, turning angrily. The noise woke the infant, the beginnings of a wail building in their lungs 'what the fuck is that?'

'It appears to be a baby, sir. Assumed yours, given there was a letter for you left with him or her' he hushed the little child as he rocked them, not a newborn, maybe 4 months old. Dark hair, long dimples, their eyes hadn't settled in colour yet. There was certainly a physical resemblance.

Tony stalked over, snatching the envelope and tearing it open.

'Dear Tony,

You might remember me, we shared a night in Monte Carlo when I played the Masters, 21st April, 1994. Annabelle Ibanez. 5 months later I was diagnosed with a 2nd trimester pregnancy at the same time as I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I tried to reach you, but was unable.

I am sorry to spring a daughter on you with no warning, I had hoped to have longer with her. I have no family of my own to raise her in my absence, and I hope that you will find it in you to be her father. I have included her birth certificate, her medical history, and important day to day details.

Astrid has given me the most wonderful gift in my final months. I have said my goodbyes, before I am incapacitated and she has been in the care of a trusted friend until my passing- a PI found your address for me. Forgive the mysterious methods, it was this or publicly announce her as yours- I did not wish to cause any additional trouble.

If you cannot take her in, please do me one favour of ensuring wherever she goes she can keep her name.

With gratitude,

Annabelle'

Jarvis could see the thoughts whirling in the young Stark's mind. He didn't so much as glance at the infant. He flipped through included documents, handing a list of notes about formula and sleep to his butler.

'Her name is Astrid. 3 and a half months old' he turned away 'Jarvis, please arrange anything she needs to be comfortable until I confirm or deny paternity' he was at his desk typing swiftly before he'd finished the sentence 'nanny and diapers or whatever'

He stood, processing. He would call Ana, she was a natural with babies. She would help until morning at least. 'Sir, should I alert the authorities? An abandoned child…'

'They'd only put her in care and do a DNA test and bring her back if she is mine. Stark medical will be able to run DNA faster than the LA government labs' Tony was close to breaking down. How!? How could he be a father? Howard had never been any good form of role model except in work ethic, but even that was probably a bad influence.

'Very well sir' he nodded 'at a minimum, perhaps I should call Ms Carter? She would be able to trace the child's mother'

'Mother is dead. Cancer'

'I see' Jarvis stroked the soft cheek of the little girl, who was now cooing at him calmly, shaking her tiny fists 'at any rate, she has raised two children of her own, and is your godmother. She would be happy to help'

'Whatever you think Jarvis' Tony was lost in his task, nodding without paying true attention.

'What a sweet little girl' Peggy cooed, cradling the infant, her finger held firmly within her fist 'she certainly does look like Tony. Though obviously that isn't enough to confirm paternity'

'She does' Jarvis nodded 'the similarities between Astrid and Tony's baby photos is striking'

'And he hasn't come near her?'

'Protecting himself, I assume' shaking the bottle to combine the formula 'I called a paediatrician here within an hour of finding her, she did a health check and took a blood sample. Tony took it straight to the labs to get his own. That was 6 hours ago, I imagine results would be due soon' he offered the tiny girl the bottle, and she latched onto it eagerly 'if he doesn't have them already'

'If she really is his daughter, we can't let her get mixed up in the system. Their genius is genetic and should be nurtured. We have a real chance at a 3rd world changing Stark' Peggy took over holding the bottle 'do you think he will take responsibility?'

'I don't know' with a sigh and a shake of his head he tidied the bench of the babies items 'let's face it, he didn't have a conventional upbringing. And Howard… well. I don't know that Tony is emotionally capable of being better than his father, right now'