We're in the Endgame Now | Endgame [2]

Chapter 9

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  Back at the Compound, Irina was a wreck. Her room was destroyed; clothes, books, items that once decorated the two nightstands and dresser were on the floor, and one of the lamps was broken, shattered.

  Now —after the destruction— she was on the floor, back leaned up against the side of the bed that faced the door, head in both hands; cheeks red and sticky with dried tears, eyes puffy and red. She felt numb.

  Knuckles tapped softly against the door before it opened. "Wow .  .  . Alright, I'm impressed. You did a number on this room." The door closed.

  "Please, leave me alone. I don't wanna talk," Irina's voice was hoarse. She looked up, "You're not supposed to be out-and-about, dad."

  "I think Bruce'll understand." Tony sat beside her. "Rhodey told me what happened .  .  . I'm sorry—" he paused momentarily, to find the right words, "—I'm sorry about Yelena."

  "I lost everyone, dad; except for you and Nat. Their parents, Lane and .  .  . and Fanny, for gods-sake. Widows we've freed over the years; some of them became apart of our family and helped us." She met her father's eyes, "And what did the universe do? Hired Thanos to take millions of lives, including theirs."

"And what will you do about it, hm? Wallow for the rest of your life?" Irene looked elsewhere. "You're 22, Irina—you're still young. Now, this isn't easy for me to say but . . ." he heavily sighed, and lowered his voice to a softer tone, " . . . you have to move on. Make a life for yourself, sweetheart. You tried."

Those words hit her like a freight train. "Easier said than done," she scoffed. "Pepper didn't disappear to god-knows-where. You're not left with the memories of the one you love most." And Tony was silent, much to Irina's surprise.

  She scooted closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder, like she did as a kid on rare occasion. "Remember Christmas?" Irina nodded, and smiled in remembrance. "I specifically told her not to break your heart."

"I know, dad. I eavesdropped," her light, airy chuckle muffled into the fabric of Tony's t-shirt.

"I liked her, you know. Like, honest-to-god, genuinely liked her; incase you're wondering." Irina lifted her head as she smiled and met her father's soft, dark brown eyes that matched her own. "All I ever wanted for you was to be happy. And seeing you as happy as you were with Yelena .  .  . That is everything a father, in my opinion, could ask for."

  Tears pricked up in her eyes, and she cried into Tony's chest as he locked her in a comforting, tight embrace.

  "I know I haven't always been around, or the world's greatest dad, but .  .  ." He kissed the top of her hair, "I'm so sorry, sweetheart."

  Irina scooted closer to him, squeezed her eyes shut, and a tear rolled down the side of her cheek and onto her father's t-shirt. "Promise me we'll make up for lost time."

  "I promise."

"I love you, dad."

"I love you too, sweetheart."

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Ten months later

"Dad, will you please stop," Irina chuckled. "I know you're nervous, but—"

  "What if they find something wrong? I mean, they're doctors—it's good for business."

  "Tony .  .  ." Pepper called, the exhaustion clear as can be in her voice. "Will you stop worrying? You're making me nervous. And worried."

"Why shouldn't we be?" he asked.

  "There's nothing to be worried or nervous about," Irina said, as she looked between them. She then walked up beside her father, who is at the foot of the hospital bed Pepper is laid in, "But, no pressure, dad .  .  . she's your second chance—don't screw it up."

  The door to the hospital room opened, and in came a nurse. In their arms, bundled up in a pink blanket, was a baby. They handed it to Pepper, and Pepper smiled —relieved and the happiest Irene's ever seen her— as she held her newborn-daughter for the first time.

  Tony rounded the foot of the bed, he too happy and relieved. "Can I—" Pepper allowed him to take her. "She's cuter than you were," he fired, smirking as he met his eldest daughter's unamused and narrow-eyed gaze.

  "Ha-ha-ha .  .  . hilarious, old man," replied Irina, dryly. She came beside her father and looked at her newborn-sister.

  "Do you wanna hold her?"

  Irina hesitated, nervous; the babe looked so frail. But, nonetheless, Irina nodded and he handed baby-Stark to her. Irina carefully took her in her arms and cradled her as if she were a bomb. "Hey there .  .  ." The babe's eyes cracked open and locked with Irina's. Tears pooled in her deep brown eyes as she melted, and her heart swelled as it found the same warmth and love that died months prior. Irina couldn't help the wide smile that formed, "Welcome to the World, button."

  As the hours turned to night, Pepper and Tony had decided to name their daughter after Pepper's uncle —Morgan. Irina adored it and thought the name fit well. Shortly after the name discussion, both parents were fast asleep.

When Morgan became restless and made noise, Irene was there in an instant. She picked her up and walked random patterns around the room as she cooed Morgan back to sleep.

Irina looked over at Pepper and her father —Morgan still in her arms, she too now fast sleep—, and her heart felt as if a hand clenched itself around it. She missed Yelena; her voice, her smile, the warmth of her skin and lips and touch . . .

  "I miss you so much, Lane." Irina looked down at Morgan, "You and 'Lina would've made fun aunts, and Alexei an even more fun uncle—Dad would never let you and Alexei babysit alone." She smiled, sadly, "I wish you guys were here to meet her."

  Irene kissed the promise ring on her left ring finger Yelena placed on there what seemed like forever ago, then —ever so delicately— placed her lips to Morgan's pink forehead. "I promise to keep you safe, button. Now and always."

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