Tony Stark is known to be a lot of things; no one would ever image that being a father was one of them. Before he was Iron Man, and before he was CEO of Stark Industries; he was just a father to his little girl.
Briana Stark has always been the lig...
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1991
Briana Stark
My feet went down the hall and carried me into the living room where Grandma was at the piano, lightly pressing on the black and white keys. A long body was stretched out on the couch and was covered in tousled blankets. One deep red blanket laid over the body's face, but I knew exactly who it was.
Daddy.
I made my way over and he didn't stir when I reached him. I giggled when I heard Daddy softly snore. I went over to the couch and sat down before I grabbed a coloring book and the crayons that Uncle Rhodey got for me.
Grandma played a soft, sweet song at the piano as her voice began to gently sing. "Try to remember the kind of September. When grass was green."
Grandpa quickly stepped into the living room and pulled the blanket off of Daddy's face. He stared down at his stirring son with a slight disapproving expression before dropping the blanket back on him.
"Wake up, dear, and say goodbye to your father." Grandma said.
Daddy threw the blanket off of his head. He blinked tiredly as he sat up, wearing one of the Santa caps on his head.
"Who's the homeless person on the couch?" Grandpa asked, fixing his suit jacket.
Daddy rolled off the couch and moved to his feet slowly, I looked up from coloring since he was awoke now.
"This is why I love coming home for Christmas right before you leave town." Daddy said.
Grandpa raises his eyebrows at his son.
"Be nice, dear, he's been studying aboard." Grandma said.
"Really? Which broad? What's her name?"
"Candice."
"Do me a favor? Try not to burn down the house before Monday." Grandpa said.
Daddy speaks sarcastically, "Okay, so it's Monday. That is good to know. I will plan my toga party accordingly. Where are you going again?"
"Your father's flying me to the Bahamas." Grandma answered. "For a little getaway."
"We might have to make a quick stop."
"At the Pentagon, right?" Daddy said quickly.
Grandpa looked down in acknowledgement.
"Don't worry, you're gonna love the holiday menu at the commissary." Daddy said.
Grandpa began lecturing again, "You know, they say sarcasm is a metric for potential. If that's true, you'll be a great man someday."
Daddy stepped to the doorway and crossed his arms over his chest, scowling back at his father.
"I'll get the bags." Grandpa told Grandma quietly.
It was quiet after he left. I placed my coloring book down and climbed off the couch as I went over to Daddy and hugged his leg. I felt Daddy bend down and picked me up as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Grandma didn't say anything for a long moment and her fingers pulled away from the keys.
"He does misses you when you're not here. Say something, you'll regret it." Grandma told him.
Daddy only nodded and Grandpa came back with the bags.
"Watch the house until I get back." Grandpa told Daddy.
Daddy only nodded again, not looking in his direction.
"Come on, darling." Grandpa told Grandma.
Grandma nodded. "I love you, Anthony."
"Love you too." He said.
I giggled as Grandma tickled me a bit before she kissed my forehead. I smiled and lied my head on Daddy's shoulder, waving bye.
But what I didn't know or possibly understand was that this was the last time I would see them. And I wouldn't know till later on.
