Whatever It Takes

~ 2 ~

*Author's Note: my friend sent the picture above and I felt it was appropriate...have a nice day*

———

I turned up the volume on my phone. The time was 12:47 AM. I normally didn't stay up too late, but it was a Friday...and I couldn't forget what Dr. Strange had said.

"You have the option to bring back your father."

Was I supposed to just let that go? Or was I supposed to just say yes right away?

I sighed and stepped into the shower. The water hit me, and I got a memory back that had totally slipped my mind.

*Flashback*

"No!" I giggled as he threw me over his shoulder. "Please! Daddy!! Put me down!!"

He laughed and ran towards the lake. It was summer time just before my fifth birthday. The sun was high and I could only guess the lake was cold. We had talked about swimming earlier but I didn't think we'd do it like this.

I saw Mom sitting at the picnic table laughing as she watched Dad and I headed for the dock. I heard the wood underneath his feet which could only mean that we made it. I screamed as I couldn't feel his shoulder anymore.

HE THREW ME INTO THE LAKE!!

The water surrounded me. I opened my eyes and worked my way to the top. When I was finally able to take a breath, water splashes in my face. I cough a bit and look around. Dad was gone. Now I was confused. Hasn't he jumped in after me?

I felt water splash onto my head and his voice, "Whatcha lookin for?"

I spun around giggling, "You said you weren't going to throw me in again."

"Well, I thought one last time would be fun."

I looked to his chest, "Aren't you not supposed to get into water with that on?"

He looked to his triangle light, "I shouldn't but I can fix it later."

"Yeah, just put it in rice. That'll fix it, right?"

He chuckled, "I like how you think kid."

"I love you, 3000, Dad."

"Love you a ton, Thea."

*End of Flashback*

And that had been his last time throwing me in the lake. In fact, that was his last time swimming with me.

I hadn't even noticed I was crying cause I watched the memory for so long. I sighed with a shaky breath, and wiped off my eyes and checks.

I finished up and changed into a pair of jean shorts and a T-shirt. I sat on the edge of my bed and thought for a minute or two before wondering what my father would think. "Friday will know," I whispered to myself.

I made my way downstairs as quiet as I could because Mom had gone to sleep an hour ago. I walked up to the table, "Friday?"

The table lit up, "Yes, Theadora?"

"Did you record the conversation from yesterday with Strange?" I asked.

"I record everything, Thea. You know that. So why are you asking me?"

"Can I watch it?"

She replayed it. I listened to what the wizard was saying. And I paused it after he told me everything. "Friday?"

"Yes."

"What do you think Tony would do?"

The bot kept quiet for a moment, as if thinking of what to say to my question. "Well," it started, "your father was a very determined man. He would've told you to do what you thought is right, at least in your heart. That's how you know you're making the right decision."