My Dad, the Boy (*Man) Who Lives

June, 2003

“Honey, you said you need to work, “ Maria smiled at the way his son cradled his daughter to his chest lovingly.

“Just a minute, mom, “ Harry answered, not letting his eyes stray away from his sleeping daughter.

“You said that 10 minutes ago, darling, “ she chuckled, opening her hands to receive her granddaughter. “And three more times before that.”

The wizard looked rather dejected at letting go of his child. He kissed his daughter on the top of her head and several more times before giving her to Maria. The old woman looked at her heavy granddaughter, Lily Hill-Evans or Lily Hermione Potter fondly.

She couldn’t believe it. In a month, her baby girl would turn a year old. She has his daddy’s black hair and green eyes, but her feature, that’s all her mommy’s for sure.

July 29th 2002

After getting back from Italy, Howard and Maria moved to a penthouse in New York. Since Harry started seeing Aria, he decided to live in his new apartment and Tony began to move out of the house for privacy reason. (‘I love you guys, but I can’t exactly bring a girl home.’)

After that, the mansion felt so empty. When her husband brought her home to his mansion decades ago, Maria dreamt of filling the house with their children. Not just the parties and how many guests the place could hold, but she wanted to fill it with laughter and family.

But with their best friends gone and their sons, they were both reluctant to go home. It didn’t feel like home anymore. It’s too big for the old couple. Thus, Maria suggested for them to find a new place to stay, smaller one.

Then they found this penthouse overlooking the Central Park and with Stark Tower being located not far away from their living space, Maria could visit her son for their lunch dates while Howie golfed or tinkered.

As for the mansion, they left it as it was. There were housemaids and gardeners came weekly to clean the place. The security of the mansion has been monitored by JARVIS since Tony installed him there. Now, it’s more of a vacation house rather than anything else. When the whole family visited, they would open the mansion back and relocated everybody there.

“Mia bellissima moglie (my beautiful wife), “ she felt her husband’ warmth lips between her shoulder blade and neck. “Here’s your tea, sweetheart.”

He handed her a cup of warm lemon tea before sitting on the chair next to her on their balcony. The moon was bright in the sky and it wasn’t exactly quiet but from where they were enjoying the view, the noises were muffled.

“Thank you for the tea, Howie, “ Maria thanked her husband. “It’s exactly what I need right now.”

“Anything for my Marie, “ he held his palm out on the chair’s arm for Maria to lace their fingers together. He pulled up their hands and kissed the back of her hand. “ I love you.”

“Ti amo, “ she smiled at him sweetly. “Mio Caro. 85 E angora cos I sorprendente.”
(My darling. 85 and still so stunning)

His eyes looked a bit darkened and suddenly she was being lifted off of her seat with a pair of strong hands. Mrs. Stark was on her husband’s lap in a second and instinctively put her arm around her husband’s neck. Maria cocked an eyebrow at this display of strength her husband rarely showed.

“I can’t help myself. You looked delicious, “ the billionaire purred in her ear.

She put her hands on Howard’s face and pulled him for a passionate kiss.

Suddenly there was loud footsteps with soles comings rom the penthouse. “Mom! Father! I need to…”

“Ignore him,” Howard mumbled and startled trailing kisses down her nape.

Then they heard a screech noise of shoes soles skidded to a stop. “My eyes! I cannot undo that! Merlin! For the love of Isolt! How could you guys do this to me?! This is child abuse! You know what, I lie! This is one of the reason why I moved out! I do not want to walk in on my parents doing…! God I can’t even say it! Aren’t you guys too old for this?!”

The moment was completely utterly broken now.

“We’re old, son. Not dead,” Howard sighed as Maria put her head on his chest, muffling the voice of her laughter.

Maria tried to wipe the smile out of her face but it’s too hard. She stood up, smoothing her robe. “Smettila cara. Risparmia il nostro povero ragazzo.” (Stop it, darling. Spare our poor boy)

“E i suoi occhi! (And his eyes!)” Tony shouted from inside the penthouse.

“Alright boy,” Howard threw a smile, took a glance at the back. “Why do you think it’s a good idea to visit your old folks this late?”

“Oh, that,” Tony came to the balcony, smiling. “Yeah, I was going to say that I came here to pick you up. The baby’s coming.”

Tony looked so calm that what he said didn’t register in her mind until the next few seconds. “The baby is coming?! Why didn’t you say so?!”

“It’s your fault, mom!” Her son defended himself. “I was going to tell you guys, but you just had to put on a show!”

Disregarding the mom son duo, Howard jumped out of his chair and pump his fist on the air,” My granddaughter is coming!”

10 minutes later…

After putting on some appropriate clothes, Tony transport them with his uncomfortable magic transportation (Portkey, mom. It’s a portkey, *eyeroll) to the hospital. A normal hospital in DC since some of Aria’s good friends would be there waiting on her as well despite their busy schedule. Aria was an orphan and her co-workers were always there for her. They’re her family.

They arrived at a secluded spot in the hospital and hurried up with Tony leading the way to the room. When they got to the VIP room, there were already several familiar people in the room.

“Stark, you’re late,” said agent Coulson, whom was sitting on the sofa with an excited looking Teddy,” Tony.”

Even Andromeda was there, putting a cool wet cloth on her daughter in law’s forehead. Harry was holding his wife’s hand, looking like a worried father while Maria looked as calm as a cat.

“Teddy bunny, you’re here. Hi dad, Hill, Aunt Andy,” Tony smiled before responding to the agent’s comment. “I do need to pick up my parents first, agent agent.”

The agent immediately stood up, looking a bit nervous and stiff. “Mr and Mrs Stark, I…”

“Good to see you again agent Coulson,” her husband greeted him with a handshake. “Stop calling me Mr Stark, you helped save me from Afghanistan.”

“It was an honor, sir,” the agent looked nervous.

“It’s nice to see you here agent Coulson, for Aria,” she smiled gratefully.

“Ye, yes Mrs Stark. She is my best friend and I would never miss this for the world,” he stuttered.

“Wow Phil.” Said Aria in surprise at the same time Tony said,” Agent agent is tongue tied by my mom. Wow.”

Ignoring them, Maria immediately went to Aria. “ How are you, darling?”

“I’m fine, Marie,” she smiled, looking delighted and a bit of fatigue.

With the same name, they agreed to call each other with their husband’s nickname for them. It took some time for them to get used to having each other being called by other name besides Maria. Nowadays, they were more comfortable with the names and even joked about how Harry fell in love with a woman with the same name as his mom.

“That’s good to hear, honey.”

“Take a sit, Maria,” Andromeda pulled a chair for her.

She thanked her but her good friend just pulled her in a friendly embrace, telling her,” Congratulation, dear. You’re going to be grandmother soon.”

“I can finally catch up to you,” she teased her.

“I wish my Teddy could turn into a baby once more. He was such a cute darling,” said Andromeda in reminiscent before pulling away. “I’m so jealous of you.”

“Stop pressuring me to marry and give you an offspring to dote on, grandmama.” Teddy’s protest filled the whole room with laughter.

“So, where’s the rest of the gang, agent?” Tony squished a seat between The agent and Teddy.

“Agent Barton and Agent May are on a classified mission. They sent their regards for agent Hill and expressed their regret for not being able to come. Where’s sergeant Rhodes?”

“Oh, he can’t take a day off. But he congratulate us.” Tony asked another question. “And uncle James?”

“He went looking for beverages to bring to us,” Teddy scrunched his nose in disgust. “The cafeteria didn’t serve coffee. They served bean water. Bean water, Tony!”

Tony pulled the exact same expression as his best friend. “Eew. I hope uncle James come back soon with the real thing.”

Even agent Coulson and Aria agreed. The male agent expressed a deep sadness. “Even the coffee from the vending machine tasted better.”

Howard who has taken the empty arm chair next to the sofa nodded. “I feel your sadness. When the captain was alive, the army provided us with some dirt water they called coffee at the war room. It looked like coffee but it was no coffee. It’s a good thing I show them the real deal. I have their gratitude for life.”

“All coffee taste the same to me,” Harry stated truthfully.

Came burst of exclamations from half of the occupants in the room.

“Harry, how could you?!” Teddy faintly put a hand on his chest in shock.

“Daaaad, don’t say that. They could hear you.” Tony whispered conspiratorially.

Howard had a stormy look on his face. “You insulted a great name of good coffee, son.”

“I’m having your child,” Aria hit her husband’s chest none too gently. “The least you could do is respect the ‘coffee’.”

And Coulson just looked like a kicked puppy at his hero’s comment.

“It’s not my fault that I’m more of a tea drinker,” Harry rubbed his chest, looking a bit sorry at his blunt statement.

The drama in this family about coffee was truly spectacular.

Five hours later…

They were allowed back into the room after what seemed like hours of delivering. Maria was the first one to come inside, passing Tony. She couldn’t wait to see her granddaughter.

When they entered the room, Aria was resting her back against a pile of pillows looking tired but positively glowing. Harry was standing next to the hospital bed, smiling happily.

“This is Lily Hill-Evans and also known as Lily Hermione Potter,” he showed the baby to them with proud expression. “Say hello everybody.”

“Daddy loved you, honey,” Harry kissed his daughter again on her head before giving a peck on Maria’s cheek. “Thank you mom for coming.”

Her daughter in law loved being a mom but at the same time she loved being a part of something greater through SHIELD. Aria loved her daughter very much but she was a prominent figure in the organization. And since Harry has more free time with his work, he told his wife that he would take care of their daughter. Aria knew that it didn’t mean that she doesn’t love Lily, though.

And with most of their family and free babysitters living in New York, they agreed to moved back to the city and stayed in Harry’s apartment. When it’s time to go home, Harry would picked Aria up with his magic. They made it work, just like the time when they were dating.

If Harry didn’t have magic, the grandmother would have disagreed with the way they lived and how they raised their daughter. But since there’s magic, their compromise worked. And with Tony, Teddy, James, Andromeda, and her and Howard, they have many babysitters to choose and dote on their daughter whenever they’re busy with their job.

“I didn’t come alone,” She stroked Lily’s hair. “Your father is outside, taking a phone call.”

“Oh,” Harry said. “ I’ll tell him goodbye on my way out then.”

“You don’t have to, honey,” Maria stopped him. “Just go already. You’re late.”

After that, her son went and disappear… Apparated. She could practically hear her youngest son’s whine at her lack knowledge of magic.

“I love you, little one,” She cooed at the not so little bundle of joy.

The sound of door opening and shutting indicating that Howard has finished with his phone call. When he came in front of her view, he looked rather pale and anxious.

“Maria,” he drew a deep breathe before letting the air out of his mouth.

“What is it Howie? You’re scaring me. Is it Tony? Did something happen to my baby?” She asked frantically in a low voice, trying not to wake Lily up.

“It’s… it’s Dr. Banner,” Howard finally answered apprehensively. “I think something happen to him at Culvert.”

***