Frostbite |The Alternate Timeline

It's All In A Name

Sarah was absolutely how I had imagined her when Sam spoke of her over the years. She welcomed me into her home with genuine warmth and didn't question why I was there. Her two boys, AJ and Cass, were great. I couldn't remember the last time I had been around kids that weren't Morgan.

Sarah led me into the living room and waved to the couch. She passed a quilted blanket into my arms, and I hugged it to my chest.

"I wish we had a guest room, but this all I have," she explained, a small smile playing on her lips.

I nodded, my own smile answering in reassurance, "This is just fine, Sarah. Thank you so much for letting me stay here. I know it was kind of last minute."

"Don't mention it," she waved my worries off, "Any friend of Sam's is welcome, anytime."

The boys came trampling into the room, practically bouncing on their toes as they stopped before us. You couldn't help but smile in their presence. AJ elbowed his older brother and they exchanged a glance before focusing their attention on me.

"Uh- Miss Stark... We were wondering if you could show us your magic? Please?" Cass begged, his eyes shining with curiosity.

"Please, please," AJ added enthusiastically.

"It's late you two," Sarah reminded them, "She can show you tomorrow if she's up for it. It's time for you to get to bed."

I chuckled at their puppy dog eyes and said, "I'm all yours tomorrow. And call me Melanie."

They high fived each other happily and began scrambling back upstairs.

"Thank you, Melanie!" Cass called as they disappeared and it fell quiet once again.

"Your boys are great," I told Sarah, which brought forth a wide grin.

"Thank you. I've tried to raise them right. It's been hard with their daddy gone," she admitted.

My face fell as I recalled that Sam mentioned she was a widow. Then my thoughts drifted to Pepper and how she was in the same situation.

"I'm sorry about your husband," I told her sincerely, "I can't imagine how hard it's probably been for you and your boys."

She inhaled deeply before saying, "I appreciate it. We've managed so far. Just taking one day at a time."

I nodded, knowing how that went at least. Some days it was hard to push through to the end. Sam came down the stairs, more relaxed than I had seen him in awhile.

"I hope she's not talking your ear off," Sam teased, smirking at his sister.

Her mouth fell open in outrage and he and Sarah began bickering the way siblings often did over something trivial. They went back and forth for several minutes as I watched in amusement.

They reminded me of Tony and I once upon a time. As I continued to watch, my heart sank into my stomach. Would I ever be able to go a day where it didn't feel as if I wanted to die when I thought of how much I missed him? I was broken from my spiraling thoughts when Sarah bid me goodnight and vanished upstairs as well.

"You okay?" Sam asked once she was gone, noticing my expression.

I shrugged and offered a meek smile, "I'm fine. Just tired."

"Alright," he replied, knowing full well that I was lying, "Let me know if you need anything. I can take you down to the dock tomorrow if you'd like so you can see the boat. I'm hoping the people I've called in owed favors from pull through so we can get it fixed."

"I'm sure they will, Sam," I reassured him, "I don't know a thing about boats, but I'll do what I can to help."

We talked about the boat for a few minutes and then he made his way to his room as well. I flicked off the light and plopped down onto the couch, pulling the soft blanket up to my chin. It only took a matter of minutes for me to pass out from exhaustion from the craziness of the last few days. It didn't keep the nightmares at bay, though.