Our Story

018

"Come in, child!" Mary calls when JARVIS tells her who rung her doorbell after we decided we should stop by and say 'hello'

"Hey, Mother." I greet when I open up the door and slip in with Aj gazing at everything in the house he was excited to see when he heard she finally moved out of the apartment. "Got a surprise and a new surprise for you." I say with a smile

"What do you mean?" She asks and turns around from the sink where she gasps and smiles when seeing Aj who makes himself at home immediately and that is what Mary has always loved about him. "My favorite southern genius!" She drops the dish she was working on and dries her hands as she walks over and gives Aj a hug

"Make sure you slip your shoes off, sweetie." I tell Eli who is very shy but doesn't look like it on the outside as he confidently takes his shoes off and stands by the door

"Hello, darling." Mary moves on to give me a hug I smile through as she moves a hand to rub my stomach. "And my favorite grandchild." She murmurs under her breath lovingly and I smile

"Mary, this is Eli. Isaiah's grandson." I step to the side and hold a hand out to Eli. "He was the one I was telling you about and how he was traveling with Aj." I remind her

"I wouldn't forget." She waves me off and I sigh a small eye roll as she goes over and hugs Eli who accepts her soft touch. "It's nice to meet you, child. My name is Mother Mary or Mary. Whichever makes you more comfortable." She gives her classic introduction

"Pops spoke about you a few times, Mary." Eli smiles. "Said you and Grandma Pam should take DNA tests to prove you two are sisters." He jokes which earns a laugh from Mary

"I do remember that." She laughs and motions for us to walk deeper in her home which I already did when I made my way to hug Barron who is sitting at the table with his guns out. "How is she doing? I talked to her on the phone last week but I got held up in something." She asks Eli

"She's doing great and won't stop moving around now that her hip isn't hurting anymore." He smiles and casts me a glance that Mary follows

"Always one to help others before herself." She gives a half smile when the corner of her lip lifts up proudly

"And it won't stop." I promise as my right arm slings around Barron's shoulders and my left hand drops to rub the side of my stomach

"B, I do not want your guns around my children and especially my grandchild." Mary scolds when a rather large click of Barron's gun catches her attention. "I do not care if Bucky got you those." She predicts Barron's next words

"May, it is alright." Barron sighs and I agree with him as I start to verbalize it before Eli speaks before me

"Is that a Glock 17?" Eli blurts and points to the still assembled pistol on the table which makes Barron stop cleaning his other gun and look over the tops of his glasses

"It is." He nods slowly and sets down his brush to pick up the oil he has. "Do you know how to work a gun?" He asks

"Yes, sir." He responds respectfully. "My pops has a closet of weapons he's trained me on. Bucky and Steve have also showed me a lot of their weapons so I am very familiar with all types of guns and knives." He explains and Barron's looks at him for a moment

"Have a seat and clean it then." He offers and I smile as Eli excitedly sits down beside where I am standing and grabs the Glock. "How old are you, son?" He starts his questions of getting to know who is in his home

"Nineteen and soon to be twenty in May, sir." Eli says as he sets a cloth down on the table so he doesn't get anything on the polished wood

"No need for formalities, Eli." Barron chuckles and relaxes the poor kid. "My home is comfortable and open to anyone... Just look at Aj." He chuckles and nods his head at the younger teenager who poured himself a glass of juice and has Alpine slung around his shoulders like a white fluffy scarf