Helena Stark: A WWII Legacy

chapter eight: Highest Honor

"Violet, come here," my Bisnonna ordered. It has been two years since everyone vanished, and Grandma Rosemary hasn't been the same since. I still remember that day, I was talking with my mom about how excited I was for high school, she was about to say something, but then she was gone.

We were all at the family house that Uncle Tony had gotten for us, well, apparently his father got it for Rosemary. We were all at this family home when fifteen members of our family vanished, it broke Grandma Rosemary's heart. 

"Yes, Grandma Rosemary?" I asked as I walked in. 

"Would you brush my hair?" Grandma Rosemary requested. 

"Of course," I said as I sat behind her and brushed her hair. 

"You remind me so much of her," Grandma Rosemary said fondly.

"Helena?" I asked.

"You look like her," Grandma Rosemary said. "You're like the stories Uncle Howard used to tell me, my mother was very rebellious, spunky, and smart."

"She always seemed so quiet," I said as I started to braid Grandma Rosemary's hair. 

"Madre was the most caring woman I knew," Grandma Rosemary said. "So caring, so careful, but the stories of her younger years. Reminds me of what Chris has been telling me about your pranks on Tony." 

"Messing with Uncle Tony is entertaining," I said. "Not to mention, Aunt Pepper thinks is wonderful."

"Yes, Tony has put Pepper through a lot," Grandma Rosemary said laughing, but then she started coughing. 

"Grandma Rosemary," I said with concern as I grabbed her a glass of water. But she didn't stop coughing, "Grandpa!" I said when Grandma Rosemary didn't stop. 

"Rosemary?" Grandpa Gabrielle said with concern, "Violet, go get Chris." 

I ran off to get my uncle, but I wasn' allowed back in the room as they took care of Grandma Rosemary. And I wasn't allowed to go with them to the hospital. Not until Steve came to pick me up from the house. "Is Grandma Rosemary okay?" I asked him. 

"I don't know, Vi," Steve said gently as he gripped the wheel. 

"Is Grandma Rosemary going to die?" I asked him softly. 

"Violet," Steve said gently as I started to cry when he didn't answer. 

"I don't want to lose her too," I said sadly.

"I don't want to lose her either, sweetie," Steve said as he drove. "We've all lost a lot of people over the years, but we need to be there for her." 

~*~

"My mother, Rosemary, was an amazing woman," My Uncle, Fr. Angelino said. "Growing up, she would tell me so many stories about her life. She talked about her Uncle Howard, and how he was a womanizer-" Uncle Tony started laughing, which made everyone else smile. 

"Mom told me the most entertaining stories about my cousin too," Fr. Angelino said, to which Uncle Tony rolled his eyes. "A lot of people would say that since Mom didn't have a job, or a career that she didn't do much with her life. But those people would be wrong, my Mom took the legacy left to her.

"She finished school, went to college, almost dropped out of college to marry my dad," Fr. Angelino, which brought another round of laughs. "When Mom got married, she became an Angelino, but she was still a loyal to the Stark family. Instead of getting a job, she took care of my cousin Tony. Instead of getting a desk job, my Mom started her family. 

"And it's a huge family. 

"Mom might not have been a big inventor like her Uncle, but she was the best mother I could have ever asked for. She was the best grandmother of my many nieces or nephews, and great-grandmother to the next generation. I'm going to miss you, Mom." 

I went up with everyone and placed a rose on the coffin. "I'm gonna miss your stories, but I'm going to miss you the most." 

~*~

I was helping Grandpa Gabrielle with going through Grandma Rosemary's things, he was heartbroken, but he didn't give up. Our family used to be huge, you couldn't turn somewhere without running into a cousin, aunt, uncle, or something they left behind. 

And they're gone. 

I was looking at Grandma Rosemary's desk when I saw a letter there. Curiously, I picked it up and saw a letter from 1945 from Helena to Grandma Rosemary. 

To my Sweet Rosemary,

I miss you, my darling girl. Your uncle has been as difficult as ever, but I know he misses you as well. How are your studies going? I assume that Jarvis has been rather helpful, he is an incredibly knowledgeable man, and his wife is so sweet. You remember when I came to visit and we saw that Captain America show? Well, I have had the pleasure of seeing Captain Rogers again. I told him about how much you loved his show, and he said he'd love to see you again. If you'd like to that is, he said he's not that skinny guy anymore.

I think my part in the war will come to an end soon, or at least I hope it will. I miss you incredibly so. What would you like to do first when I came back? It should be sometime soon. I sent you a few things that I hope you like for your birthday. Just in case I won't be there.

I love you, my sweet Rose.

Love,
Madre

I smiled as I put the letter down, "Rosemary treasured all of the letters from her mother." Grandpa Gabrielle said as he walked in. "Helena sent her a few drawings that Steve actually made. Along with a doll that Helena had found."

"The one in the glass case?" I asked.

Grandpa Gabrielle smiled, "the very one."

"Isn't it a nesting doll?" I asked. "Grandma Rosemary would let me take it apart and put it back together all day when I came over. Only after I brushed her hair though, her hair was always so long." 

"She used to brush Helena's hair," Grandpa Gabrielle said fondly. "She loved brushing our daughters' hair, and she loved it when people did it to her."

"I miss her," I said sadly.

"I miss her too, kiddo," Grandpa Gabrielle said as he pulled me into a hug. A moment later Uncle Tony walked in. "Looks like it's time for you to go home."

"Did Aunt Pepper cook dinner?" I asked.

"I would not allow Pepper to poison you," Uncle Tony said. "We're picking up Portillos on the way home."

"But that's in Chicago," I said.

"Which is why Happy is getting the jet ready, kiddo," Uncle Tony said.

"Really?" I asked excitedly. 

"And they say fourteen-year-olds are hard to please," Uncle Tony said smugly.

"Just wait for it," Grandpa Gabrielle wared. "All of the girls of this family turn into a handful by the time they turn sixteen. And usually, run away from home before eighteen." 

~*~

Another Author's Note...

I'm sorry, please don't hate me. I have plans for this, and I hate myself, but it is necessary. So, I'm very sorry, don't kill me. As penance for killing off one of my favorite characters, I'm going to post as least two new chapters after this one. Hopefully five, also I'm sick, so blame the crazy things on the fever. 

KiraKisa