For your love

Homecoming

Her whole body was shaking like a leaf as Evie stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby to find a middle aged dark haired man waiting for her. He waved her over introducing himself as Happy Hogan and ushered her into a waiting Town car at the curb. He let her know that he already had her dad's address and would take her straight there. Also that she was welcome to choose whatever music she wanted to listen to or have a bottle of water that was chilling in the small cooler in center console. Declining both offers Evie just sat back and watched as they drove out of Manhattan and over into Brooklyn.

As they got closer to home the more afraid she became. She didn't know why because her dad and brother would be happy to know she was alive. Maybe it was because they would have questions that she wasn't ready to answer yet. How would she explain what she'd been forced to do for the last almost two years? The training she'd been made to do. The people she had hurt, had killed..

Pulling up to the curb outside her father's brownstone, Happy turned to say something but saw that she was silently crying. Turning off the car he hesitantly asked, "Miss, are you alright? Do you want me to go up and knock for you?"

Shaking her head Evie replied through her tears, "I just need a minute. If that's alright."

Giving her a small smile he told her, "I don't have anywhere else to be. Take all the time you need. If you want to talk, I've been told I'm a good listener."

Thanking him she sat there sniffling as she stared up at her childhood home. Seeing her sickly reflection she cringed. She'd become so thin. All skin and bones. Would they even recognize her? Staring at the stairs that led to the front door she internally groaned. Evie felt extremely tired and weak; she didn't know how she was going to climb all of those steps. Clearing her throat to get his attention she asked, "Happy, do you think you could help me up the steps please."

"Of course. Wait right there and I'll help you out." He says more than happy to help. Getting out of the car he ran around to her door and opened it for her. Taking her hands in his, he gently helped her up and out of the car.

Even taking their time, Evie had to lean into his side after a few steps for a breather. God, how pathetic was she? Here she was, a newly enhanced person and she could barely walk from the curb to the bottom of the stairs without help. Happy's chest rumbled under her ear as he spoke. "If I may, I could carry you up."

For a moment Evie debated on whether she would be able to do this on her own or not. Swallowing her pride she eventually nodded her consent. Gently, as if she was a baby bird, Happy picked her bridal style and quickly carried her over to and up the stairs. Setting her down on her feet just as gently, he told her to take her time to knock when he sees her hesitation.

Gathering herself together Evie wiped her tears away and took a deep breath. She tried to mentally prepare herself. Straightening out her clothes she tried to fix her hair as best she could. "You look beautiful." She glanced up to see Happy giving her a genuine smile. "It isn't going to matter to them what you look like. All that'll matter to them is that you're home."

With his kind words she lets out a shaky breath then raised her fist to knock. Once she had, she took a step closer to Happy who wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Giving her a light squeeze of comfort he told her it would be alright.

Moments later they could hear footsteps coming closer. God her heart was racing so fast.

Biting at her lower lip Evie twisted her fingers together when the door opened to reveal her father. At first he glanced over her before looking at the man standing next to her and then his eyes snapped back over to her. Tears instantly came to his eyes when he realized that it really was her. "Evie?"