From Thereafter
Days later, as they waited for all those invited to arrive, Evie sat quietly on the couch with Laura, Morgan, and Pepper. They were in the company of Happy, Rhodey, Thor, and Steve. All of them listening to the holographic display of her dad coming from his helmet.
As he spoke, Evie appeared to be the perfect portrait of strength and fortitude. Keeping a small smile on her lips while internally, she was wrecked and heartbroken. But as Holo Tony concluded his farewell message, Evie replayed the promise she had made to him before the undoing of the blip. That, “no matter what happens, you’ll smile.” Something she fully intended to keep.
She was committed to remain steadfast. To be the strong one, so that her mother, sister, and children wouldn’t have to be. Even though it hurt every day to be without her dad.
As he signed off, seemingly looking at his girls and saying, “I love you 3000,” Evie blinked away the tears threatening to spill. Rubbing Laura’s shoulder before placing a loving kiss on her crown.
Afterwards, the guests began to arrive one by one.
Evie maintained a solemn expression as she stood with her sister and mother, putting on a meticulously crafted front. Laura wasn't present; instead, she was holding Clara's hand tightly, watching as her grandmother bent down to place the floral arrangement with Tony’s reactor into the lake. It had long been decided that, in order to keep her children safe, Evie would not allow anyone outside a small circle of trusted individuals to know of their existence. So today, the story would be that Laura was Clara’s niece—an effort to ensure that her carefully guarded secret remained tightly locked away.
As they watched the reactor float away into deeper waters, Evie stepped back to give her mother and sister a moment alone. Only Steve and his close friend, Bucky Barnes, would witness the flicker of agony that crossed Evie’s face, a reflection of the sorrow she would cry over behind closed doors.
When the funeral went by accordingly, everyone scattered about the cabin, engrossed in quiet conversations or contemplating their existence in a secluded corner to themselves. Evie discreetly snuck away to say bye to her daughter. Laura was being escorted by Clara to go to spend some time with her friends and Logan. Allowing Evie a few days to gather herself and mourn in complete solitude so the girl wouldn’t worry about her wellbeing.
She watched as the car drive away, when she saw two men pass them by riding motorcycles. They wave to Laura as they cross paths, eventually coming to a stop at the end of the driveway. As they approach, Blaze tips his cowboy hat to Evie before beginning her in for a hug. When she’s released, Jake places a kiss on her cheek, flashing her a small smile before asking where Laura was heading. She walked with them further away from the house, the three of them doing small talk till Blaze decided to check in with her.
“How you holdin’ up, Mija?”
Evie sighed deeply, crossing her arms over her chest. “About as good as to be expected…”
His eyes fixed on her. "Mija, we know you're putting up a tough front for everyone’s sake, but we see through it. You ain't fooling no one." He said, his tone firm but caring. “You've always been a tough cookie, but even tough cookies can crumble at times” Jake placed a heavy hand on her shoulder, getting her to look up from staring at the grass beneath her shoes. “Oye, mi chula, estas bien? There’s no need to hide it from us.”
She sucked in a shaky breath of air, a single tear escaping. “I’ll be okay guys, no need to worry about my little old me.”
It would be the Ghost Rider’s turn to gain her attention by slinging an arm over her, bringing her in for a side hug. “Honey, you're the closest thing to kin we've got. We’ll always worry about you.” She chuckles and gives him a sad smile. “Thanks, I appreciate it, gramps…” Jake, ever the one to be closely invested in her welfare and security, spoke up next. “Y el bebe? How’s the little man?”
Evie had delivered the news through a tearful phone call. This was the main reason her friends wanted to see her in person—to ensure she was truly okay, especially given her current condition. Although neither of them knew much about what a pregnant woman might need, they understood that grappling with grief and depression was not a suitable state of mind for anyone.
“Strong…” she mused, placing a hand over her magic-concealed belly. “He’s going to be a little rascal, I just know it.” It wouldn’t be much longer before they, too, were saying their goodbyes, promising to stay in touch and be available for whatever she needed. They reassured her that they were just a phone call away to help in any way, no matter how small it might seem. As they rode away on their bikes, Evie felt the familiar and comforting presence of Steve Rogers approaching from behind.
“I see you made new friends?”
“Yeah… beats making new enemies, ya’ know.”
“True,” he said as he grinned down at her before adding himself to the long list of people asking how she was doing, handing her a hot cup of tea. “You okay, kitten?”
Evie shrugged, taking the cup and walking towards the cabin. “Every time I get that question, I give the same answer… I don’t need anyone coddling me right now. I'm holding up just fine. Honestly, I’m okay.”
He sighs, “I just… I don’t think I could, in good conscience, leave you alone right now.”
“And I don't want to be a burden,” Evie insisted. “Plus, I’m not a weak little flower, you know.” Steve quickly shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. I just think it might be what he would've wanted me to do for a bit.”
“He would?” She asked, bringing the tea to her lips. He bobbed his head wordlessly. “I can take care of myself,” she persisted, her voice impassive. “But I appreciate the chivalry.”
Steve’s face became stern, concernment etched between the fine lines of his frown. “You can take care of yourself, can you? What have you eaten today?” Evie bit her lip and averted his gaze. “I thought so... Kitten, this isn’t a time to shut down. Why are you being so resistant?”
She preferred taking a large, searing gulp of hot tea before answering. “Let me deal with this my way, Stevie. Besides, I don’t want to be the reason you put a cork in your own plans.” Not shocked that she knew about his plans, he ultimately relented, even if it didn’t mix well with his classic 40’s standards of manhood. “Okay. Just… Talk to someone. A professional maybe? Even if it's only a few words every other week? Pepper worries... I worry.”
“You worry about everyone.”
“Yes, I do. And don’t you ever forget it!”
They shared a small laugh. She then pauses, reflecting a little. “I’m not going to hurt myself if that’s what you’re insinuating.” She places a hand on his cheek. Two of them were unaware they were being observed from afar by another soldier out of his time. “I have too much to live for now. And I won’t let Dad and Nat's sacrifice go in vain.”
The following day, she stood on the cliffs overlooking the seaside village of New Asgard, Evie was gently caressing her bump when Thor sauntered up to her side.
“So…” he said, placing his hands in his pockets. His dark shades reflected the beautiful view. “Are you going to be okay here? You could always come with me and the Asgardians of the Galaxy…” She giggled and laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m pretty sure it’s just ‘Guardians,’ not ‘As-guardians…’” He laughed and replied, "Yeah, sure... but in all seriousness, little sister, you'll be alright here on Earth with the little one on the way and Laura? I quite like her; she’s just like you—strong and resilient. She’ll make a tremendous warrior one day."
“I’m sure she will if that’s what she chooses. But yes, brother, I’ll be fine. My family is here, and they’re my sole responsibility now.”
“True, but you don’t have to go through this alone. I can stay if you’d like.”
Evie shook her head, looking up at the big blonde softy. “No, it’s alright. You’ve got to live your own life. Be who you want to be, not who you were once supposed to be. Follow your own path, brother. See where the adventure takes you.” He nodded and smiled, taking her hand in his. “But you’ll call me when he’s on the way, right?” A chuckle escaped her.
“Yes, Thor, we already talked about it. You’ll be the first to know because I’ll have Wong magic your ass here in time to meet your nephew.”
“Good, very good! Have you decided on a name yet?”
“Kinda, I got a few ideas I've been juggling.” He smirked, a twinkle of giddy mischief in his eyes. “Just so you know, Thor is a strong name.”
“I’ll keep it in mind… Have you talked to Valkyrie yet?”
He shook his head, turning towards the village. “No, have you?”
“Yes actually… She almost crushed my ribs by hugging me so damn hard.” They shared another laugh. “I take it she said yes then?”
“Yep, she is one very excited soon-to-be godmother.”
Just then, the woman whom they had just mentioned was spotted making her way up the hillside as the Guardian’s ship landed some yards away. “Well, I think this is where I’ll make my exit. I gotta get back to help Banner and Steve put the stones back. You take of yourself, you hear me. Your niece and nephew want an uncle with all ten fingers and toes. So don’t go being reckless.”
“Reckless?” He fringed innocence, earning a swat from Evie. “Me reckless, oh no, I think you’re thinking of someone else. I’m never reckless. I am the epitome of prudent.” They embraced one last time before he gently rubbed her belly, telling the baby to be good to his mother before Evie left. Giving Brunhilde a small wave before taking the footpath towards the Quinjet awaiting her.
Not even twelve hours later, she was once more at the outer edges of the wrecked compound. This time, in the company of Banner, Rogers, Wilson, and (reluctantly) James Buchanan Barnes.
As she looked over the controls one last time, Bruce went to the briefcase. “Remember… you have to return the stones to the exact moment we got em’, or you're gonna open up a bunch of nasty alternative realities.” He said, passing it over to Steve. Meanwhile, Evie couldn’t help but reflect on all that occurred. On everything that had led up to this very moment.
“Don’t worry Bruce… Clip all the branches.” Cap said with stoic confidence. But Evie was accidentally spilling her melancholy into the air, something the doctor was picking up on.
Solemnly, he spoke, his eyes cast to the ground. “You know, I tried…” She froze, her fingers hovering above a dial. “When I had the gauntlet, the stones, I really tried to bring her back.” Bruce then turned to look down at Steve, “I miss her man.” As Cap replied, “Me too,” Evie rubbed small circles on his back. Hoping to convey that she too, felt the same. Sharing a small knowing nod with Steve.
Rogers took this as his cue to proceed and walked towards the newly built, smaller version of their quantum tunnel. While she assisted Bruce, Evie glanced up to see the former Winter Soldier studying her movements with an intense and heavy gaze. Although a glamour spell was concealing her pregnancy, the way he watched her made her nervous-as if he were looking right through her magic. That was until Steve approached him, and they exchanged a few words. While no one else might have known what he had planned, Evie did. So she chose to wait until after his time jump to let Steve in on the big secret.
As she powered up the machine, Sam asked, “How long is this gonna take?”
With his right arm in a hulk-sized sling, Bruce flipped a switch and replied, “For him, as long as he needs. For us-five seconds.” As Steve picks up Mjolnir, Banner speaks again. “You ready, Cap?” He turns to give them a small nod, and Evie flashes him a sweet, toothy smile. “All right, we’ll meet you back here, okay?”
“You bet.”
With his helmet engaged and the tunnel whirring softly. Bruce then began the countdown. “Going quantum. In three… two… one.” Evie discreetly took a few steps back to observe how the tunnel flickered. And in the blink of an eye, Steve was gone. But she knew, even as Bruce initiated his secondary countdown, that Rogers wasn’t going to reappear where he had once stood. She walked backward till she stepped into the shadows of the trees behind them before emerging to take a seat alongside an older gentleman on a bench overlooking the lake.
Sam was beginning to panic when Captain America didn’t materialize the same way he had vanished, as was Bruce when Barnes spotted the pair off to the side. He called Sam’s name and together they watched how Stark had her forehead touching that of the old man. Smiling to themselves with eyes closed and tears sliding down their cheeks.
Evie was mesmerized, seeing the beautiful life Steve went and got himself, observing the sweet memories he was replaying as she transmitted back a precious revelation. But what had moved him deeply was the child’s name. It was no surprise to him that she would opt to honor her father and husband. Steve was happy for her, knowing now that she had truly meant what she had said days earlier. It brought him a sense of security. That Evie would be okay, surrounded by her children and loved ones. After all, she'd always be in good company.
Sam’s footsteps were heard in the grass, and Evie placed a chaste kiss on his cheek before wiping away the salty water. Whispering, “Bye, Stevie. I love you.” When she got to her feet, Sam looked at her a bit wary, yet when Evie clasped his shoulder, she infected him with feelings of reassurance and bitter-sweet joy. Ultimately, he said nothing to her since she kept walking, sharing an unreadable glance with Barnes before disappearing into a portal of black smoke.
As she took a seat at the cabin’s back porch, Evie contemplated the meaning of it all.
Sure, it hurt-stung even, that Tony wasn’t there to guide her through this new stage of her life. But as she placed loving hands on her belly, Evie smiled to herself, allowing the emotions to come to the surface as more tears began to fall she told herself that this was the new beginning he had wanted for her.
The anticipation of finally meeting her son filled her heart with joy. If there was one thing she knew, it was that she had no intention of letting the sacrifices made by so many others go to waste. Evie vowed to raise her children in a home filled with love, where each day would be embraced with immense gratitude.
She held Loki, Natasha, and Tony in the highest regard, keeping their memories safely in the corner of her heart. Evie promised always to always share their stories so that they would live on not just in her but also in her children and Morgan. Although she planned never to join a hero’s crusade again, she made a bloodborne oath to do anything and everything to protect her family. In the end, she cherished what she told her father in his final moments: they were her sole purpose in life, her responsibility to watch over and hold close.
As the sun set over the autumn-painted forest surrounding her, Evie began to sing a lullaby to her baby. It was the same lullaby his father had sung when they first learned of his impending arrival.
“Så lilla vän
Dimman för dig hem igen
Om du går vilse”
The future held countless beautiful possibilities, and she was determined to ensure that her son, along with Laura and Morgan, could grow up to achieve whatever dreams they pursued.
“Natten är lång
Tusen stjärnors urtidssång
Dimmorna dansar”
She wanted to be for them what Tony had been for her: a loving and devoted parent, always supportive, even when he was uncertain about what to do or expect about parenthood.
“Sov lilla vän
Skogen vaktar, värmer dig
Om du är frusen
Norrskensljus
Dansar över skog och fjäll
Brinner i natten
Så lilla vän
Dimman för dig hem igen
Om du går vilse”
“But we cannot simply sit and stare at our wounds forever” - Haruki Murakami
TO BE CONTINUED....