Everything Stays: In the Future

Bathtime

The week after Stark was born, Fred returned to work back at Signal, leaving Yang to be a stay-at-home mother until she got missions or until her father had time available to take care of his grandson. Additionally, their financials took a hit in order to get necessary equipment to raise Stark and to keep him safe around the house and in the car. That and entering him into a pre-school with a four year wait wasn't the best deal, but it was one they made quickly. However, circumstances aside, Yang was loving her life with her little boy.

From sunrise till sunset, they were practically inseparable. That didn't mean Fred didn't have a hand in raising him, far from it. Like Yang, Fred had an active roll in their son's life. Regardless of that, Yang like playing with Stark and helping him grow and develop. Seeing him being curious about everything in the world. And like his mother, Stark loved being outside and to see the world around him.

Yang would blow bubbles towards Stark sitting in little play mobile while outside. Stark would laugh about it and the two would walk around the yard and look at every little thing within the yard just to get a feel for it.

After being alive for a couple months, Stark would stay with his father while his mother would leave for a mission. Of course he would stay with his Aunt Ruby during the work hours due to his father and grandfather's jobs. Everything seemed to be peaceful.

Currently, Stark and Yang were out back, looking around at the world and too see what was in store for them today. It had rained the previous night and mud littered their yard. Yang was carrying Stark, trying to avoid the mud and keep him above ground as much as possible. As she was avoiding everything, she could hear him coo and awe at a lot of stuff. She could also feel him pushed against her arm, trying to touch something far off.

Yang: Enjoying today, buddy-boy?

Stark cooed in response. Yang smiled and continued to carry him across the yard. Finally, the two stopped at a large oak tree in the front yard. The tree was there before they moved in and Yang thought it could be used as something else like a treehouse or maybe an outdoor eating area. For now, she just admired the massive tree as Stark reached out, trying to touch it.

Yang: You want it?

Stark cooed before reaching out towards the tree. In the process, he has grabbed some of Yang's lose hair near her shoulder.

Yang: Hey! No touching that! Only daddy can. But the tree's all yours.

Yang began to slowly to walk towards the massive tree and was about to reach it until she missed placed her step and landed on some mud instead. Yang's leg slide backwards and Yang felt everything slow down. She tucked Stark close to her chest and covered him with her arms as she fell backwards and onto the ground, some of her hair landing into the mud.

Yang: (Winces) Spine, spine. Ow. (She removes her arms from Stark and looks at him) You ok?

Stark slowly begins to tear up and cry a bit. Yang pulls him closer into a hug and pecks her cheek.

Yang: Sorry, baby. I'm sorry.

Yang pats his back and tries to calm him down. When he finally does calm down, Yang begins to pull him back until she sees some of her hair in his mouth.

Yang: Oh, buddy, that's gross. For both you and me.

Yang pulled her hair out of his mouth and looked him over to see any possible damage. Seeing nothing so far other than mud, she sighed to herself and hugged Stark closer to her.

Yang: Welp, I guess now we both need a bath. How does that sound? You want a bath with mommy?

Stark cooed and Yang smiled.

Yang: Alright. Let's go get you a bath. Come on.

Yang carried Stark back to the back door and went straight into her bathroom. After getting the water nice and warm for them, gathering up some bath toys from the closet her father had given her from when she was a child and adding in some bubbles as well, Yang picked Stark up from the floor where he was sitting and the two entered the bath together.

A bubble arose and popped right onto Stark's nose, making the little baby laugh with Yang giggling behind him. Stark was quick to grab a toy and start playing with it, sending it down under the water and back above. Yang meanwhile was holding onto Stark with one arm as the metallic one was off due to the water. She rose her legs along with Stark and propped him up against her while she grabbed a bar of soap.

She began to clean Stark off, primary getting his arms and legs while she got soap from the tub to wash his face. Getting some more soap, she began to wash her own hair along with Stark's few strands. Finally, Yang was able to erase all signs of mud along both her body and Stark's. Rather than end it so quickly, she thought she let Stark play around in the tub while she held onto him.

Seeing Stark play around just made her smile with joy at the happiness he displayed. All while she was doing this, the thought of her mother came to mind. Would she let her know about her grandson? Would she even care? Would Raven come back to met him? Does she even know about him? Question upon question racked her mind over and over again. Yang closed her eyes tightly as the thoughts rattled off throughout her mind. However, she was shocked out of it by a splash of water hit her face.

Her eyes shot open and she looked down and saw Stark splashing the water, playing with his toy still with a smile on his face. She then glanced to under the water and felt her fingers dig into the palm of her hand, forming one of the tightest fists she's ever made. She took in another deep breath and turned Stark around to face her. Stark looked up with a smile on his face. Yang returned the smile and leaned down and kissed his forehead once again.

Yang: I love you.

Yang then turned when she heard a door open and close inside the house.

Fred: Home!

Yang: In the bathroom!

A few minutes later, Fred entered and smiled at seeing Yang and Stark in the tub together. He walked over and sat down beside it, equal level with Yang's head.

Yang: How was work?

Fred: It was fine. Just those kids being kids is all.

Yang: Not a fan of this class?

Fred: No. It's just...on the same level as last years.

Yang: Oh, I'm sure one of these days you'll find a class that will blow you out of the water.

Fred: Yeah. So, what have you two been up to.

Stark laughed and began to splash the water. One splash was close to the edge and kicked water up and landed on Fred's small beard hairs.

Fred: (Sighs) Thanks...Stark.

Yang giggled a bit as Fred wiped his face. Yang reached for a small towel next to the tub. She handed it to Fred who understood what to do. He reached into the tub and got Stark and pulled him out of the water and wrapped the towel around him. Stark still laughed and giggle to himself as he reached out and towards Fred's jacket and grabbed it.

Fred got up and grabbed another towel as Yang got out of the tub. He handed it to her and she wiped off the stump on her arm before reattaching her metal arm. After she got dried off and began to drain the tub, Yang let out a yawn and cracked her back a bit.

Fred: If you want, I can make dinner tonight? How about yo go lie down?

Yang: No. I got it. Can you handle Stark for about half an hour?

Fed: Of course I can.

Yang: Sorry. I know you have work and-

Fred: Hey. I can do that later into the evening.

So, with that, Fred took off to get Stark changed and grabbed a toy from his crib in the masters as Yang got changed and ready to start the evening off right.