MCU Parental one shots - part 2

[ 13.2 ]

Tony had taken a liking to the little girl, the only bright part of his languid and tiresome day. He'd take stuffed animals, hoodies and what nots with Natasha's help for her. 

He could see she was getting thinner, her head was completely shaved a week or two after they first met. She'd cried in his lap that night, her small figure trembling as she begged him to tell the doctors to giver her hair back. 

One week, per her request all the team had joined Tony to meet Emma, having a midnight picnic in the park. A few nurses had approached them, silently thanking Tony for his help in making her smile. 

Today, they were celebrating their six month long friendship. 

"Emma?" Tony called out, eyes scanning the park for the little girl. He frowned deeply, looking around.

"Mr. Stark?" A female voice breaks him out of his trance as he turns around. 

"Yes?" he asks

"I'm Kimberly, Emma's nurse" she says and Tony's breathe hitches in his throat.

Fuck.

"W-What happened?" he asks steadying his voice.

"Emma had a seizure this morning, and had to be rushed to the O.R., she's under heavy sedation so she couldn't make it out here, you can come in and meet her though" she says and Tony nods frantically, hands itching to hold the little girl close to him. 

His foot taps nervously on the elevator floor, running ahead as soon as the doors opened. As he rounds the corner, standing in front of her room, his heart pounds against his chest. He takes a few deep breathes, opening the door.

"Hey Em" he whispers, heart aching as he realizes how small she looks, hooked to the wires and tubes on her body. He places the gifts on her table, sliding on the chair beside her. His large hands take her smaller ones.

"T-Tony?" she whimpers, looking at him with watery eyes. He smiles, trying to keep his tears at bay.

"Hey munch" he replies, kissing the top of her head. 

"I M-Missed you" she smiles

"I missed you too Em" he says, his thumb brushing over her hands. 

Both of them sit silently for a few moments, looking outside as soft specks of snow filtered through the street lights. A soft sigh rumbled through Emma's weak chest, tugging on Tony's hand tighter.

"What would you do if you only had a hundred days to live?" She asks

Tony's hazel eyes blurred, tears threatening to fall over his cheeks as he sucked in a sharp breathe. Emma's sparkling blue eyes bore into his soul, searching for an answer.

"I-um- I'll spend it with everyone who makes me happy and l-live fully" he says choking on his words, coming out tad slurred.

Emma smiled, eyes crinkling at the edges as she hums softly in thought.

"You make me happy, very happy" she says, leaning slightly as she took out a small calendar. She crossed out one box. 

Tony watched her wide eyed and open mouthed. 

"I always feared that when I died, I'd have no one beside me, just like when I was born. And everyone says, we come alone we die alone, sort of old people saying. But I always felt, that somehow we're never alone, somewhere someone is always remembering us in their memories. Maybe my parents look back and regret giving me up, maybe. I'll never know. Maybe the universe regrets being cruel to me but you know what? I'll talk to god myself, when I go up their in the stars, I'll walk up to him and scold him. I'll say sorry too, because he did take a lot from me but he gave me you."

Tony's mind formed words but mouth never spoke them.

"Promise me, no matter what tomorrow morning brings you'll walk out of this room with a smile on your face, a pump in your step and brightness in your eyes. Even if I don't walk out the room with you, you'll have me in your heart forever. I'll never forget you Tony" she says with a teary smile.  "I love you"

"I-I love you t-too" Tony mumbles, squeezing her hand tight as he wiped his tears. He watched her as the robotic whirring and beeping of the machines lulled her to sleep. 

She never woke up. 

Her face rested with a smile, eyes closed and hand resting in Tony's. 

But he had promised. He smiled, kissing the top of her head. 

---- 7 years later ----

Emma.

She lived and she loved. She smiled and she returned to the stars.

"Its been seven years, there's not a single day that goes by where I don't look at our little polaroid on the fridge and remember you. You'd be eighteen today, Happy Birthday my little angel. I hope you're happy up there. I'll meet you soon, till then keep me within your memories and I'll keep you within mine"