Who I am

Chapter 9

-September 23, 2023-

"Everybody wants a happy ending, right?" Sophiea squeezed Nat's hand listening to Tony's voice one last time. "But it doesn't always roll that way. Maybe this time. I'm hoping if you play this back, it's in celebration. I hope families are reunited, I hope we get it back, and something like a normal version of the planet has been restored. If there ever was such a thing. Gosh, what a world. Universe, now. If you told me ten years ago that we weren't alone, let alone, you know, to this extent, I mean, I wouldn't have been surprised. But come on, you know? That epic forces of darkness and light that have come into play. And, for better or worse, that's the reality Morgan's gonna have to find a way to grow up in."

Nat leaned up against Sophiea, listening to Tony speak. Tears still evident on his face. He held her hand and twisted her ring. Dark circles weighed under her eyes. She hadn't slept a wink all week. Each time she started to drift off memories and nightmares plagued her thoughts.

"So I thought I'd probably better record a little greeting... In the case of an untimely death on my part. Not that, death in any time isn't untimely. This time travel thing that we're gonna try and pull off tomorrow, it's-it's got me scratching my head about the survivability of it all. But then again, that's the hero gig. Part of the journey is the end. Uh, what am I even trippin' for? Everything's gonna work out exactly the way it's supposed to. And little Morgan, I love you 3,000."

Sophiea opened her eyes and a fresh wave of tears took over. Nat kissed the top of her head and they stood up and exited the small cottage with Pepper and Morgan.

As they watched the solitary wreath drift across the lake, Sophiea let her thoughts wander to her parents. To Tasha. To all the people that were now back home with their families because of the sacrifices made by her family.

Through the corner of her eyes she could see her mother standing hand in hand with her father. They smiled at their daughter.

"Both of them are here. Don't worry." Her mother's voice rang though her head. A smile crept onto her face for the first time in a week.

She held onto Nat's hand and watched the wreath float across the lake.

....

"Hey. Hey you. I want to talk to you" Sophiea whirled to find the person who Steve called 'Danvers' walking towards her.

Most of the people had gone inside for a quick brunch. She had seen Fury go inside, meaning that she would have to speak to him about him being dead. But as for right now, super lady was marching towards her.

"Hello. I never formally met you. My name's Carol." She stuck out a hand which Sophiea shook.

"Hello Carol. I'm Sophiea."

"I hate to be blunt, but do you know a Katia?"

"Yes, I do. That was my mother's name."

"Could I talk to her? I met her back in '91 when I came to earth and fought some aliens and we were fast friends. It would be nice if I could get to know her again."

"I'm sorry, but my mother died."

Carol's face went pale. "I am so sorry to hear that."

"It's ok. I'm ok."

"How's your dad? Do you have a dad?"

"Well, he died too."

"I'm sorry for your loss. Would you like to go inside with me?"

Sophiea nodded and followed Carol back inside.

....

A few hours later, Sopheia found herself outside on the lake front again. The sun was starting to dip behind the trees, and she breathed in the fresh forest air.

"It's beautiful out here."

Sophiea jumped at the sudden voice behind her and relaxed when she saw it was only Nathanial.

"Yes. Yes it is."

"What are you think about?"

"My mom and dad. Your mom and dad. Pepper and Tony. Parentless children. I don't know Nat. I was just thinking that this life- this life is what causes us so much pain. The superhero life. I don't want any child of mine to grow up without a parent; I don't want to lose one more person I love because they were fighting for the right."

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "And?"

"You said that if we- still wanted to,"

"Uh huh."

"That we could get married."

"Yes."

"What if we did that? Then what? We could lose each other in a heartbeat all over again."

"Sophiea."

"What if we had children? We can't just bring them up in this life style." Her voice was starting to grow louder.

"Sophiea."

"They could get hurt, we could get hurt. We can't hurt them!" Tears threatened to splash from her eyes as she worked herself up into hysteria.

"Sophiea!" Nat yelled.

"What?!" She yelled back.

His voice dropped to a whisper. "We'll overcome that situation when we get to it, but right now, it's just you and me."

"Then what do we do? There will always be another bad guy, a new threat. Something is always going to come up."

"We just leave."

"What?"

"We just run away. We just leave."

"Nathanial that's crazy. As much as a travesty it is, this life is who I am. The hero, the queen, the everything."

"Do you want it to be that way?"

She closed her eyes and thought for a moment. Thought of the nightmares plaguing her dreams every night. The sounds of battle and death. "No."

"Would you run away?"

"With you, I would do anything."

He stared at her eyes wide. "Really?"

"You made me who I am today, Nathanial Banner. And you will continue to shape me into who I will be."

"Sophiea." his voice was overcome with emotion.

"You are the biggest part of who I am."

He held onto her, and even if it was just for that moment, Sophiea knew without a doubt in her mind:

"This is who I am."

Sophiea Will Return