The Adventures of Adelaide Banner

Part 2

 Addy was still awake, breathing heavily. Steve said that he was going to come get her, but that was roughly an hour ago. She hadn't entirely processed what was happening to her. Her mother was gone. No longer living. And God knows where her uncle was. She always said missing, even when everyone around her told her he was dead. She knew he wasn't. There was no possible way. That was the only thing keeping her hopeful. For the first time in her life, she found herself thanking the Hulk.

She stared at the ceiling, thinking about what people told her about heaven. She didn't believe in God. Or heaven or hell. But she thought about the way people described heaven. Endless joy and love, where only the good people go. She was never going to believe in a afterlife. But she imagined her mother in one. Smiling down on her from above.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you," Addy whispered to herself.

She closed her eyes and let her thoughts devour her. She took a deep breath, and then she heard a gentle knock on her door.

"Hello?" She asked.

The door was opened softly, revealing a large silhouette in the frame.

"Hi."

Addy smiled ever so slightly. "Hi Steve."

He entered the room and turned on the lamp next to her bed. He looked tired, worn. But he smiled at Addy, making her feel a bit better.

"This shouldn't be your life," he said finally.

Addy looked into his eyes and said strongly, "But it is. And I have to figure out a new way to live it."

He laughed, a sad breathy laugh, before tears started to roll down his cheeks.

"Please don't cry," Addy said.

"I can't help it." Steve looked up at the 15 year old and moved the hair out of her face. He pulled her in for a hug, making Addy cry again.

When they finally pulled back, Addy asked, "Does Tony know you're here?"

"Yeah. He let me in."

Addy nodded.

"Do you want to spend the rest of the night here, or?"

"Not really."

Steve smiled at her and picked her up, carrying her out into the main room, where Tony and Pepper were sitting in front of the fireplace.

"Hey, sweets," Pepper said as Addy and Steve entered the room.

"Hi." Addy gave Pepper a warm look as she was dropped into a nearby chair.

Tony looked at her and stood up from his chair. "Do you remember how I told you that you weren't going to end up in the foster care system?"

"Yes."

"One of us is going to have to adopt you." Tony paused briefly to look at Pepper. "If that's alright."

Addy's eyes widened. "Wouldn't you need legal rights from---" She caught herself. She didn't have anyone left. "Nevermind."

"It's up to you to choose who, sweets," Pepper said.

"Who gets to adopt me?"

"Yes," Tony replied.

Addy said very quietly, "Steve please."

Steve turned to her and smiled, saying, "Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Okay."

"If that's alright."

"Of course, Addy."

After saying goodbye to Pepper and Tony, Happy drove Steve and Addy back to Steve's apartment.

"I think Sam might have come over," Steve said.

"Sounds good."

He was right. When they walked in, Sam was sitting at the dining table eating ice cream out of a tub.

He turned and saw Addy, her cast and all, and ran over to hug her.

"Hey, are you okay? I mean, obviously not, but..."

"Yeah, Sammy. I'm okay."

Sam shifted his focus to Steve. "Did you and Tony decide who gets to---"

"No, she decided," Steve said. "And it's me."

Sam let out a sigh of relief and smiled in Addy's direction.

"It's nice to see you, kiddo. It's been a while."

"It's nice to see you too, Sammy. I just wish the circumstances were different," Addy said as her tears began again.

"Me too."