Cornelia Street - Avengers

Avengers Initiative

"Did some things you can't speak of. But at night you live it all again. You wouldn't be shattered on the floor now, if only you had seen what you know now, then."

Washington D.C

(Avengers, Alan Silvestri)

...

Lucia had never broken so many speed laws in her life or multitasked like this before. She was simultaneously tying her tie, applying red lipstick and turning into an intersection, all while on her way to her Father's medal ceremony. 

The heat of Fury's disappointment could be felt from here, but it wasn't her fault that she and Steve had just got to talking in the library. Time slipped away from them as she piled his arms full of her favourite novels, talking his ear off about her favourite shows and songs that she had discovered.

This ceremony was going to be highly televised, and whilst the public was yet to know about the entire discovery of Tony's daughter, she didn't want to disrupt the ceremony in any way.

"Honey, your tie is crooked," Pepper whispered as she quickly sat down beside her. Her Mom immediately moved to adjust it, flattening the collar of Lucia's satin black suit. "And you're late. Your promised me you'd be on time."

"I know I'm sorry," she whispered, rubbing her painted lips together. "It's been the longest week of my life; I've been filling out paperwork for both a ninety-year-old Captain as well as a Prince who is like thousands of years old." Her Mother chuckled, pressing a haste kiss to her cheek before turning back to the front. "Any word from Harley?" The redhead whispered, referring to her younger brother by a year. Upon the end of his semester and exams, he went on a backtracking trip across Europe with a group of friends.

He wanted to connect with the 'real world', and he was doing so by not bringing any technology with him. He hadn't even written a postcard since he left. Lucia had seen photos, and sure he resembled more of Pepper than anything, but her anxiety and tension only grew as his absence did too.

Pepper clenched her jaw as she shook her head, "He'll show up when he wants to. It's what he does. We need to be patient."

"Okay," she whispered, her Mother meeting her eyes with a knowing look. Thankfully, she had made it just in time to watch as Senator Stern moved to pin the medals on her Dad's pressed suit. She watched as he flinched in sync with the flash of a camera, before moving on to shake the Senator's hand, face placid.

Lucia clapped proudly, as the room erupted into thunderous applause. She watched on with pride she hadn't felt before she turned to wave at Rhodey across the rows. His dark eyes crinkled fondly as he saw his Goddaughter. Upon the commencement of the ceremony, she and her Mother patiently waited for the press and journalists to ask their questions and get their pictures.

"Congratulations Dad," she whispered in his ear, as her Father pressed a quick kiss to both of her cheeks.

"Agent Collins," Stern said from behind them. She turned over her shoulder to see him approaching, a smug look on his face.

Lucia gave him a professional nod, turning to stand tucked between both of her parents. "Senator Stern. Nice to see you."

"I find it very kind of you to give up your evening to attend the ceremony alongside your Aunt," he told her, resting his hands behind his back. "I figured I should also congratulate SHIELD on Captain America's discovery. I do hope for a chance to meet him soon."

"Captain Rogers, as you would imagine, is extremely overwhelmed given his circumstances. I think we should give him some time." Lucia gave him a pinched smile. "Although it was oil miners who discovered him originally."