Helena Stark: A WWII Widow

chapter two: Rafael

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark." A voice announced as everyone started clapping.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. What if I told you that in just a few short years, Your automobile won't even have to touch the ground, at all." Howard said trying to be impressive as girls came out and took off of the wheels. He kissed one of the girls making Rosemary gasp and hide her face. "Yes. Thanks, Mandy. With Starks Gravitic reversion technology. You'll be able to do just that."

I rolled my eyes, "his machine rarely works. Especially at home." He powered it up and it floated for a few seconds, but then it fell to the ground.

"Well I did say a few years, didn't I?" Howard asked making everyone laugh. Everyone started to clear out as I ran backstage. "How'd I do Helen?" Howard asked me as he took Rosemary from me and started to swing her around.

"Well, other than your failed experiment. Excellent." I replied cheekily as he gave me a playful glare.

"And how is my favorite niece?" He asked.

"I got lost, but Madre found two nice men to help her find me. One of them gave me a ride on his shoulder!" Rosemary said excitedly.

"Why didn't you come get me when she wandered off?" Howard asked once Rosemary had fallen asleep and we were in the car on the way home.

"I was in such a panic that I wasn't thinking, I just panicked Howie. I'm sorry." I said looking away.

"Hey, sis it's not your fault. We both know that Rosemary has a habit of vanishing when we least expect it." He said smiling at me.

I nodded, "I know, I just was so worried. All I could think about was how I couldn't stand losing her too."

"Well you're not going to, I'm going to make sure of that," Howard said.

"What does that mean?" I asked curiously.

"You remember Colonel Philips?"

"Yes."

"He offered us both a job to help with the war efforts, and I told him I would help. I didn't say anything about you. Just told him I would bring you and Rosemary if you decided to come. He wasn't so happy about having a child on a military base, but he agreed. Seeing as how you are the best mechanic in America."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" I asked Howard, not even mentioning his compliment.

"I'm sure it's a great idea, don't worry. Besides, they want your help with picking out the man they're planning on using. Something about how you will know a good judge of character since they would've just chosen Rafael originally."

"Howard, you know I don't like talking about that."

"Helena, it's time for you to move on," Howard said gently.

I looked away stubbornly. "He was declared MIA, not KIA. I won't give up hope that he is coming back."

"Have it your way," Howard said holding up his hands.

"I just don't want to give up hope..." I said softly as I looked down at Rosemary as she slept in my lap.

"I know Helen, I know."

***

"Mrs. Rosa, there is a man here to see you," Jarvis said as he knocked on my door. I looked up confused, what's going on.

"Madre? Who is the man in a uniform like Mr. Barnes?" Rosemary asked as she ran into my room.

"I don't know sweetie," I told her gently as Jarvis gave me a sad look, I knew that look. It was the same look Howard had when he handed me the letter telling me that Rafael was MIA. "Jarvis, no it can't be..." said softly as I backed up away from the door.

"I don't know ma'am, but he is not with them," Jarvis said sadly.

"Mamma? What's wrong?" Rosemary asked me concerned, she looked at me with her beautiful gray eyes. The same eyes Rafael had, the same eyes of her father.

"Helena," Howard said as he stood at my door. "You need to go and talk to them."

"Them?" I questioned fearfully.

"Come on." He said as he came and grabbed my arm. "Jarvis, could you please watch Rosemary for a while," Howard asked.

"Of course," Jarvis said. "Come on dear, let's go get you some tea."

Howard guided me out of my room and into the entryway. "Mrs. Rosa?" A man in a uniform asked, I nodded, I couldn't speak. I was too afraid. "I regret to inform you that your husband Rafael Rosa has been killed in action."

"No," I whispered as my knees gave out from under me.

"Helena!" Howard said alarmed as he held me up, the officer in front of me looked at me with pity.

"I am very sorry for your loss."

"I-I, thank you for l-letting me know." I stuttered out as I tried to stand up again. I felt my heart breaking, he was gone. All of my hope, gone. The man gave me a small letter and quickly left, I don't think he wanted to see a young woman fall apart. "He's gone Howard, he's gone..." I whispered as tears streamed down my face as the door closed behind the man.

"I know Helen, I know," Howard told me in my ear as he helped me to the floor and held me in his arms. "I'm here for you, I'm not going to leave you."

"How am I supposed to tell Rosemary?" I whispered as I looked at the letter in my hand.

"I don't know sis, I really don't."

"Howard..."

"It's going to be okay Helena. Trust me, everything will be alright." Howard whispered in my ear, but then Rosemary came running over.

"Mamma? What's wrong?" She asked when she saw my tears. "Are you hurt?"

"Rosemary, let your mother rest," Jarvis said as he went to grab her hand, but she evaded him and ran to my side. Sitting in my lap.

"Madre? What's wrong? Is Padre okay?" She asked afraid.

"Padre is doing very well Rosemary," I told her through my tears.

"Then why are you crying?"

"He's in heaven darling, he's not coming home," I told her softly.

"But why won't he come back to us?" Rosemary asked confused as tears filled her eyes.

I bit my lip as I cradled her in my arms, rocking her back and forth. "Because heaven is a place where heroes go darling, he can't come back from there though. We can visit him one day, just not right now."

"Why not?" She cried out.

I kissed her head as she began to sob in my arms. "Because he was taken to heaven, but he's happy there. Your padre is happy in heaven, he wants to be with us, but he can't."

"I miss him..." Rosemary cried.

"I miss him too, but remember he's always watching over us."

***