New York, 2012. It changed everyone somehow.
It changed Steve Rogers. It changed Tony Stark. Most of all though, it changed Aurelia Stark.
When nothing in Aurelia's world is what she thought it was, how will faces from her past change her whirlwind...
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Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? Isn't she precious? Less than one minute old -Isn't She Lovely, Stevie Wonder
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September 3rd 1994 Stark Manor, Upstate New York
After opening the door for Aria and letting her get in, Tony walks around the other side of the black Aston Martin and climbs in. He revs the engine loudly, flashing a grin at her as they speed off, gravel flying up from beneath the tires.
Driving through the large gates to exit their home, he glances at her, "You excited for school?"
She nods with a big grin, practically bouncing up and down in her seat, "Yeah, I'm gonna have so much fun and I'm gonna make so many new friends! Can they come over to our house sometime?"
"Woah, woah, woah, slow down there, young buck. Don't get ahead of yourself, let's just start with getting you to school, okay?" he chuckles.
"Can I have slumber parties with my new friends?" she asks.
He just rolls his eyes amusedly and drives down the winding country lanes, which eventually lead them to the city. Every now and then, Aria will chirp up with an 'Are we nearly there yet?', but they mostly just sit in comfortable silence. Blasting from the radio, AC/DC plays and they both bob their heads to the rhythm.
After driving for about half an hour, she's slumped down in her seat looking a lot less excited than she did at the mansion, "You okay over there?" Tony asks.
"Why is school so far away from home?" she whines.
"Because I got you into one of the best elementary schools in the state and it's only fifteen minutes from Stark Industries, which means you get the privilege of driving to school with your dear old dad every day."
She stays silent after this and he looks over, furrowing his brow. Normally, Aria can and does chat for days and days, so much so that even Tony struggles keeping her quiet. Just this morning, she was nattering away to herself about school and tottering around the mansion.
"Lia," he calls out in a sing-song voice, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing," she mumbles, pulling up her knees to her chest.
"Talk to me, kiddo." he presses.
After contemplating her options for a few seconds, she decides it's best to just talk with him, "I heard Pepper say that you hated school and I don't wanna hate it too."
"You know why I hated it? Because I was away from my parents all the time. But you're gonna come home to me every night." he reaches across and holds her hand in his.
"But what if I don't make any friends? What if nobody likes me?"
"Hey, don't ever think that! Lia, you are the funniest, kindest, least annoying kid I've met. You're Aurelia Stark, all of those kids would be lucky to have you as a friend."
"Hm," she says quietly and he just squeezes her hand.
Fifteen or so minutes later, they arrive in the parking lot of a red-bricked school, leaves on the trees just turning. Tony parks up messily, his car cutting into two spaces. The two Starks climb out and Tony grabs Aria's backpack and lunchbox, before walking over and crouching down in front of her.
"Okay, munchkin, here's your backpack," he hands it to her and she swings it onto her back, "and your lunch box. Don't lose 'em. I packed you PB&J, because I know that's your favorite, Oreos, and a juice box." she takes the lunchbox. "Alright, you ready to go?"
"Yeah." she whispers.
He stands up and takes her hand, the two of them walking toward the school together. As they start to get closer, Aria stops walking and plants her feet firmly on the ground. Tony glances back at her and realizes she's stopped, "Oh, kid."
"I don't want to start school." the tremble in her voice quickly turns into shaky sobs, "Dad, I'm scared. Nobody's going to like me and- and I'm going to be all on my own! I just want to stay with you and Pepper!" she cries.
He tsks and picks her up, "Hey, don't cry, sweetheart. Look, this is all gonna work out, okay? You're a social butterfly, you're gonna love school. You know what, I'll come pick you up after school and take you to the office. We can even get ice cream on the way home if you want." She nods and sniffles, as he sets her back down on the ground, "'Kay, good, 'cause I've kinda gotta send you to school."
Together, they walk into the reception of the building, where a few parents and their kids, who all appear to be around Aria's age, are scattered. The two Starks walk up to the front desk, Aria's eyes just above the desk even when she's on her tip-toes.
"Hi!" the receptionist says in a friendly voice, "Is this her first day here?"
"Yep." Tony nods, smiling down at Aria.
"Kindergarten, right?" she checks, he nods again, "Okay, and the name?" she asks, as if she doesn't know who both Tony and Aria are.
"Aurelia Stark." he tells her.
She scans down the names on a clipboard on her desk before finding it, "Okay, you're with Miss Sharp. She's so nice, you'll love her. If you follow the corridor down, then turn right at the very end, her classroom should be right there."
"Thanks." Tony smiles, before taking Aria's hand and leading her toward where the receptionist pointed. "You hear that? Your teacher's meant to be really nice. There's no need to be worried."
"Yep." Aria nods several times, reassuring herself.
"Don't make too many friends though, gotta keep time for me." he grins.
"Always."
They reach the classroom and Tony says his goodbyes. Then, with a deep breath, he leaves her in the classroom and heads for work.
