Respect | S. Rogers [1]

36 | FLASHFORWARD

July 1977
Rosemary's Penthouse, New Jersey

"Thank you, guys, I love it." She smiled warmly at the Turner family, the younger ones, holding an editor's edition of Wuthering Heights in her hands, as well as a decoration for her bookshelf.

Florence smiled at her relieved. "Thank God you didn't have it." Rose scoffed smiling, she admitted getting books or music for her was tricky, since she had an awful lot.

"These two were having an existential crisis," Sam told her motioning her husband and daughter.

"Please, that's just Finnegan," Daniel said from his seat drinking his scotch.

"Hey!"

"Our present was still better," Howard muttered to his wife and son, the former rolling her eyes and the latter nodding, the latest stereo console. "Right Jarvis?"

"Oh, definitely sir," the old butler confirmed.

"Alright, it's time for the cake!" Lawrence said bringing a two-story cake freshly baked, for the party. Rose looked at the patterns impressed, Lawrence never ran out of ideas, and when his kids had time and helped, they seemed to be even better.

"I also think a cake once a year certainly does not add up to homemade cinnamon rolls every week," Mr Jarvis added.

"Oh, would you two stop?" Peggy scolded them. "Come on, we're supposed to sing."

As everyone gathered around the young-looking birthday woman and started to sing Happy Birthday making Rose stand awkwardly, she embraced the energy of the room, physically and emotionally. 

If it hadn't been for Tony's arms around her waist, she could've sworn she was flying.

October 1977
SHIELD Compound, New Jersey

"You're leaving again?" Howie questioned; it hadn't been long since her last mission.

"Yeah, the Delta team needed my help," she told him. She had come back from a long mission with Finn, and as usual, whenever missions lasted than a week, he took a couple of days off or focused on his other scientific projects. Today it was the former.

"You know, you could still, I don't know... listen to me and take a break just a little while."

She sighed. "Howie, I'm fine."

"I'm not saying you aren't, I'm saying that you've never, ever, taken a break, a retreat for just a month from work wouldn't hurt you know, even if you look at your prime," he mentioned. "I still think my idea of a cabin by the lake in the middle of nowhere is a good idea," he insisted leaving a tool on his desk.

"How come you don't do it, huh?"

"Maria prefers beaches, and we already have a house by the coast, and I'm also taking breaks, being a...family man or whatever it is I'm doing... I'm trying," he pointed out referring to their two-year conversation.