Present of the Past || TONY STARK fanfiction

CHAPTER 25: ''Ahmed and Sons''

Ahmed.

*Three months ago*

I was standing on the balcony of my private quarters, staring out into the distance. A soft breeze against my face. Bustling of the people running around and living their lives. While my world was standing still. My feet were glued to the ground but at the same time, I felt like I was floating and watching myself wither away.

My wife Amina appeared behind me. "Darling, you're staring out again," she said, her voice soft. She placed her head on my shoulder and wrapped her arms around my waist. To keep her close, I placed my hand on top of hers. I was debating if I was gonna lie to her or not. But after a while, I just decided against it. Since she knew me too well and would see right through me in an instant.

I sighed and simply said: "I have been having this feeling lately that something bad is going to happen. I can't tell exactly what it is." I said, turning around and facing her. Her arms were still wrapped around my waist. She gave me this look. Not the look that told me that I was crazy. No, it was the look that told me she understood.

"My love." she sighed. Now her arms slipped from my waist as her hands slid over my arms onto my hands. She grabbed them tightly and squeezed a little bit. "Do you know what day it is today?" she asked. I shook my head at first and looked away, thinking about something. I prayed I wouldn't forget our anniversary like last year. I can't go through that again.

But when I caught a glimpse of the big picture hanging above the fireplace, It hit me. Today was the anniversary of my daughter's disappearance. Ayla. "Oh" Was the only sound I could muster. Feeling instantly guilty that I had forgotten. Now Amina gave me a sorry look. As I felt like I could fall apart now. It has been decades. I don't even know if she was still alive.

Before I could start spiraling again, we got interrupted, The door flew open with a loud crash. Amina grabbed onto her chest as she gasped at the loud noise. When I turned around one of my sons ran in, out of breath looking very troubled. "Amir" I grabbed him by the arm as he started sliding because he was running too fast. "What's going on?" I asked, making sure he wouldn't hurt himself.

"Dad, You have to see this" I smiled slightly at his excitement. Amir was trying to catch his breath.

"Of course" I nodded and glimpsed playfully at Amina who also had an amused smile on her face. "I guess, I'll see you later then?" I said to Amina who just smiled and kissed my cheek.

"You boys be careful" she yelled as I placed my arm around Amir.

"So, where are we off to?" I said as we made our way to whatever he wanted to show me.

"Do you remember that beeper we made years ago?" He asked. I nodded.

"What about it?"

"It just lit up," he said excitedly but I stopped walking and turned towards him. I felt like my heart was going to bounce out of my chest.

"When?" I asked, trying to keep it all together.

"About 30 minutes ago. We pinpointed the location" We walked into the room, and the big screen had a red dot blinking. People were busy running around.

"Guys, where is it coming from?" I asked, leaning against the big desk. It had multiple screens and a bunch of keyboards, and I had no idea how any of this worked. Amir stood next to me with a small smile, amused by how I looked confused at the technology in front of me.

"Midtown Manhattan," he said. "Ehm- Stark Tower," Amir looked closer to get an exact location. My smile dropped. 

"Go get your brother. We're going to New York I guess" I sighed, truly dreading the fact that I had to go to New York. It was such a contrast to the boy happily jumping up and down. Amir ran out of the room yelling his brother's name.

After he left, Amina walked in, a smile on her face. "What's going on?" she asked pointing behind her. I sighed, uncomfortably.

"We're going to New York," I said, Amina's smile dropped. I felt secretly happy that she felt as miserable about this travel arrangement.

"Why?" she asked, irritation in her voice. I grabbed the beeper from the deks and showed it to her, it was still flickering red. Her eyes went wide. "It might be her" she sighed, her face turning as white as a ghost. She knew what I was going to say, so she grabbed my hand. "I know you don't want to be there. But if it's her and you're not there. That guilt will eat you" she said. I didn't dare to meet her eyes. I know she was right.

"Alright," I sighed. "Besides, Amir sounded genuinely excited" I chuckled. Amina smiled, her eyes soft. She placed her hand on my cheek. "I don't think Anwar is going to be this happy he was just in the middle of a very intense game of Minecraft," Amina said, quietly giggling.

And sure enough, Amir came strutting in with a big smile on his face. Anwar was sulking behind him. "Do I need to be here?" he asked, his voice whiney. The two boys couldn't be more different in personality. The only thing they had in common was their appearance. But that was it. I sighed and shook my head at my sulking son.

"Don't sulk. This will be good" I said. "It's far better than sitting in your beanbag chair playing games all day" I walked over to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. "We're going to Stark Tower," I said, trying to cheer him up. It seemed to work when he looked up, straightened his shoulders, and smiled.

"Really?" I nodded. "Let me get my stuff" he ran out, his Nike sneakers squeaking against the floor. I shook my head a bit exasperated. 17 year olds were no joke.

30 minutes later we were sitting in our jet crossing the border between our world and theirs. Not feeling ready for whatever I was about to stand against.