Girl's Day
Once Pepper was ready we headed out. Happy had offered to drive us around for the day and truthfully I was glad because I hated driving around the city. I knew I had grown up living between here and New York so while I was able to and a pretty good driver I still didn't like it too much with losing my mom and grandparents in car accidents, though I was doing much better than when I had first moved in with dad after losing mom.
We were on our way to the spa first and I was looking forward to it, I had not done anything like a girl's day in so long. It was hard after losing mom. Pepper had tried to help me any way she could and I will be forever grateful to her for it. It had been one of the many reasons that I was wanting to do all of this for her. The thing was, mom and she became friends. Mom knew that as long as Pepper was around when I was with dad, she would always make sure that I had everything and be cared for like I was with mom. Dad did do his best but with some things, mom and Pepper were just better at it than dad was.
Pepper was really like a mom to me when my mom was not able to be around and had stepped up in every way since losing mom, even though she did not have to do all she did for me she still did and there was no way I would let anything ruin the relationship the two of us had built over the years.
"I'm excited to spend your birthday with you."
"Well, I am glad I get to spend it with you." We smiled at each other and Happy pulled up to the spa.
"Let me know when you are done and I will be back." He told both of us as we climbed out the door he held open for us.
"We will thank you, Happy."
"Of course, and Happy Birthday Pepper."
"Thank you, are you ready sweetie?"
"As I have ever been." We walked in and went up to the desk.
"We have a reservation for Stark," I told the girl.
"Yes, I have you right here, if you could just sign in and we will get you right back." I signed and then we were taken back. We got ready and then were treated to the full spa treatment.
We were sitting in one of the rooms about an hour later just relaxing.
"Do you remember my first spa trip?" I asked her.
"You were full of so much wonder and so many questions."
"It was a pretty fun day though."
"One of my favorite days with you."
"Mine as well." I had just turned 9 and Pepper had been working for dad for a little over a year at that point. Mom and she got along so very well and mom had asked her to join us on my birthday spa trip. I had been upset because at the last minute dad had to do something for work and we had to push our trip a day. So mom and Pepper had made a fun day for me and really it had been an amazing day and after it, they were so much closer as well.
"I know you miss her but she would be so proud of you and how you have done so well with all that you have had to overcome the last little while. I know your father and I are so very proud of you."
"Thank you, Pepper, you truly are the best."
"Only because you make it all so easy for me."
"Well someone has to."
"I'm glad that the Starks are a two-for-one deal. You have completed a part of my life I had no idea was missing."
"You have mine as well."
Once we had finished at the Spa, Happy picked us up and drove us to do some shopping.
We went in and out of a few different stores buying some things that we like and I even found some things for dad. Happy had been following and placing the bags in the car as we had gone along. While Pepper was in the dressing room I made reservations for staying in a hotel tonight. That way we could continue our girl's day well into the night.
Plus I thought that it might be fun to stay in a nice hotel and wear the robes while watching movies and eating junk food.
Once she came out I told her the plan and she agreed after I convinced her that it was fine. Once done in the store we asked Happy to drive us to the hotel so we could check in and get ready for dinner as well. We both had new outfits to wear tonight.
At the hotel, we quickly checked in and then were taken to our amazing room.
"This is way too much Rebekah."
"No it is just right, you are always doing so much for us. Now I'm doing something nice for you, I could never do enough to thank you for all you have done for us over the years but it is a small thank you."
"I appreciated it but everything I do for you is not because I have to but because I want to. You are easily the best part of this job sweetie, you always have been."
"Thank you, Pepper, I love you."
"I love you, Rebekah." She pulled me into a hug and I just enjoyed it. I knew mom was gone but she made sure I would always have a strong and amazing woman in my life with Pepper, who she always loved from the beginning of Pepper working for dad.
"How about we get ready for dinner?"
"Sounds good." We both went to get ready, I was wearing a light blue dress that flowed down and would flare out if I were to spin. We met back in the suite's living room and Pepper was wearing a beautiful dark blue dress that also flowed down. If people didn't know better we almost could pass as a mother-daughter duo.
"Are you ready sweetie?"
"I am, and you?"
"Yes, you look beautiful."
"Thank you, you do as well. Fabulous birthday gift."
"Well thank you, my dear, shall we."
"We shall." We smiled at one another and headed out to go to dinner.
Downstairs Happy waited to take us to our dinner and we were off once we were all in. We made it to the restaurant quickly and we went in for our dinner.
Over dinner, we talked about all kinds of random things just having fun and enjoying a nice dinner. Once done with dinner we headed back to the hotel telling Happy we would be ready the next morning at check-out time to head home before dad would be getting back.
After getting back to the hotel we made our way to change into some PJs and get comfy for some movies. We curled up on the huge bed together and started the first movie. We spent the rest of the night watching movies and just having a fun time. I don't know when my eyes closed but I do remember hearing Pepper whisper a good night to me before falling asleep all the way.
The next morning we got up and had breakfast and got ready. Gathering our things and making sure we had left nothing we walked downstairs and checked out. Like promised, Happy was there waiting for us. Helped put the bags in the back before we all got in and drove off. He drove us home and once there helped to grab bags.
"I'm going to put things away if you need me just let me know."
"Alright sweetie, we will eat here in a little while."
"Thanks, Pepper." I walked up to my room with my things and started to put things away.
Pepper was also staying in the guest room while dad was gone so she was here for me. In all reality, it was pretty much her room anyway. It had happened that way many times over the years when dad had to go somewhere I couldn't or when I did go Pepper was always with us so she could stay with me.
The rest of the day was spent hanging out and having dinner with Pepper and Happy. I was close to both of them and they were my family.
I was trying to stay up so I would not miss dad's call to tell me he was on his way home. Just as I thought I would lose the battle and not be able to talk to dad before bed, he finally called.
"How's it going?"
"Good just getting ready to head home now. I trust Pepper is looking after you."
"Even Though I don't need a babysitter, yes I have been with Pepper this whole time. She will most likely be sick of me by the time you are home."
"It's not possible she loves you too much. I'm pretty sure you are the reason she is still around, I'm a hard person to work for."
"I know dad, believe me. So I will see you before bed tomorrow?"
"I will be there, maybe we can go for some dinner just the two of us."
"I would like that dad."
"Good, I have to go but I will see you soon."
"Alright dad, I love you."
"I love you too baby girl." I hung up and put my phone down and fell asleep with a smile on my face.
Waking up the next morning I quickly got ready for the day and made my way downstairs. Pepper was setting breakfast on the counter for me.
"Good morning Pepper, thank you for the breakfast."
"You are welcome sweetie, and good morning to you as well. Did you hear from your dad?"
"Yes, he was on his way home when I talked to him before I went to sleep. Said he should be home by dinner, and then he would take me out to dinner."
"That will be good father-daughter time."
"I can't wait, it's been a little while since we have."
"Well I am happy for you, now eat up."
"Alright." I start to eat and we talk as we eat our breakfast.
The rest of the day was spent hanging out around the house. Whereas I graduated a year early from high school, I was going to do college classes but since moving in with dad I had been working with him a lot, but I learned a lot more just by working with dad than in any class I would end up taking. Plus I also liked being with dad a lot. I was pretty sure it was because I was so afraid of losing him. Although I knew I was not as smart as dad or grandpa, I was still pretty smart and knew a lot because being an only child and being a Stark helped me to know all kinds of things that not everyone else would know. Plus mom's job has helped me to learn all kinds of things from all kinds of people.
So I was spending my day reading while I waited for dad to get back home.
Around 5 I told Pepper I was going to get ready for dinner with dad because he should be here soon. Happy had already left to pick him up. So I got ready which didn't take all that long and I was ready just before 6. They had not gotten back yet so I pulled out some files I had been given on the companies and started to look over things. I wanted to know and learn all I could so that I was able to help dad in any way. Plus it is what people were expecting of me being the next Stark.
A half-hour had passed and I was starting to wonder where they were when Pepper let me know they were pulling up.
I grabbed my bag and walked downstairs. Once in the living room, I saw Pepper with Happy and Rhodey.
"Where is dad?"
"Rebekah there is something I need to tell you."
"What is going on, where is my dad?
"Sweetie, there was an accident with the vehicle your dad was in."
"So where is he, is he alright, is he at the hospital?"
"We don't know."
"How do you not know Rhodey? Where is he?"
"He was taken before we could get there. We think it was a setup."
"No, he was fine, I just talked to him last night, he said he was going to take me to dinner, that he was going to be back before I went to bed. He promised me he would be careful and come back to me. I want my dad, I can't lose him too." I started to cry and just before I fell to the ground Rhodey caught me.
"I will do everything in my power to find him and bring him back to you sweetie." I just sat there crying into the men I had grown up with as an uncle.
"I just want my daddy back."
"I know, I know."
He sat with me for a little until I was moved over to Pepper and she held me on the couch as all of them were on the phone trying to find dad.
I let the voices of all of them talking soothe me some. I don't know how long I had been lying there with my eyes closed before I heard Rhodey and Pepper talking.
"We need to find him. She can't go through losing her dad as well, not within a year of losing her mom."
"I know Pepper, she has been through so much and she is too young to deal with everything they will throw at her with Tony gone. Do you even know what her parents wanted in case something like this happened?"
"She would stay with us or Peggy Carter. But I don't know what would be best. She used to watch Rebekah when she was in New York and her mom was working. I met her a few times, Rebekah adores her and all of her stories of Howard and working with him and Captain America."
"Do you think Peggy would be the best option for her?"
"I don't know before I would have said that Peggy was the best for her, but she is now in assisted living because of Alzheimer's. It might be best for her to stay with us."
"I had no idea that it had got that bad."
"I know. Rebekah is not taking it very well because they are so very close. So right after Rebekah was born Howard went and changed part of his will and added Rebekah to a huge thing and I don't even know all of it but from what I understand he set up a thing if anything happened to him, and Rebekah's parents she would own everything and Peggy would help her because she was the only person Howard trusted with his granddaughter. Like I said I don't know all of it but Tony's will does work with his father's. They wanted to make sure Rebekah would always be taken care of. It was the one thing they agreed on according to Lilly. Howard even put Lilly in the will to make sure she would be alright as well. You know how they loved her though."
"So in other words Rebekah is now one of the richest people and also inherited any enemies her family has until we find Tony."
"Do you think she is in danger?"
"I don't know but until we know for sure she is not to go anywhere without one of us or Happy and I want to increase security wherever she is at. She is Tony's world and he would never forgive us if we let anything happen to his little girl. We just need to keep her safe and bring her dad home to her. I can't let her down. She trusts me to bring Tony back to her and I don't think I could handle telling her that he's not coming home."
"Then we do everything we can to bring him back to her. She is a strong girl but this is too much for her right now. I know she turns 18 in a few months but I can't stand the thought of her needing to take over everything so young because of this. You know she will try to do everything herself because she wants to make people proud of her and she wants to always help everyone. She will wear herself out."
"I know Pepper, that's why we help her through all of this. I will search for Tony with everything I have and find him to bring him home to her. She deserves the world after this last year and I know wherever Tony might be right now he is going to fight to get back to his little girl."
"I know, we can just hope that it is soon because she will fall apart if it is not."
After that I let my mind slip away thinking about all I had just heard. I knew I would need to look at dad's and grandpa's Will so that I knew what would happen and I knew that I wanted to stay with Pepper because we could find dad quickly. Plus I didn't want to leave her alone with everything. Not when she was always there for me. I thought up to mom, grandpa, and grandma or whoever might be listening to me. Please let dad be alright and bring him home to me as quickly as possible. Because Pepper was right I didn't know how I was going to handle dad being gone. After mom, I clung to dad like a lifeline and I was not ready to lose them both just yet. Not when I still had so many things to learn from dad and to do with him. As I slipped into the darkness all I could think about was that I could not lose my grandparents and both parents to accidents like this. I didn't know if I would ever get over that. I didn't know if I would ever be alright again if I lost the only family member I had left that was blood. Even if I had people in my life that had become family, no one would be able to feel the hole that would be left if I lost dad as well.
I let sleep take over me as a silent tear rolled down my cheek.