Surprise Birthday
It had been a few weeks and we were still in New York with our house in Malibu being fixed. It was a mess and I was rather annoyed with all the damage dad had done just because he was stubborn and then would get annoyed with how stubborn I was.
Though he had to know it was coming with both him and mom being very stubborn people.
Things between dad and Pepper also seemed to be going well. They would go out together once a week but still spent time with me making sure I never felt left out. I was pretty sure that was Pepper's idea and even though I was 19 now it still felt nice to be included.
I sighed as I looked at the new idea dad had. He wanted to make the tower that would run solely on ace reactor technology. It was a good idea, I just knew it would be a lot of work for me.
"So what do you think? Do you want to help me with it?"
"It's an amazing idea but I am not doing all of the work. I need you to help and not get bored with it halfway through because this is not something I am taking on by myself."
"Done, I will be helping with every step. I just wanted to know if you wanted to do this as a father-daughter project."
"I can't believe I am saying this but I am in."
"You will not regret it," he tells me as he starts to walk out.
"I think I already am," I say to myself as he closes the door. With a sigh, I lay my head down on my desk, so many things running through it and all that I would need to get done. Feeling completely exhausted I let my eyes close for a moment just to rest them.
The next time I opened my eyes Pepper was quietly standing in front of me.
"Are you alright?" She asked as I sat up.
"I'm fine, just more tired than I thought I was."
"Sweetie, you really need to start getting more sleep. You are running on empty and that is not good for you. I know you want to help everyone, but if you are so tired you will not be able to help anyone."
"I know Pepper, it just feels like everyone needs me to do something for them and I can't keep up with everything. I am running so many different ways and it's not like I can quit any of it because it is all-important and needs to be done. It's not like I can pass these things off to anyone else to get done. They are things that I need to do and I am just lost on how to keep up and maybe at some point be able to have some kind of life outside of all of this."
"So just take a day and enjoy yourself some. You always were telling me to take time for myself. Well, now it is my turn to tell you that you need to take a day, not worry about everything that needs to be done and just enjoy yourself. This year you didn't even get your birthday to be about you because of, well you know. Tomorrow you are going to do something fun and relaxing. No work or anything else for a full 24 hours."
"Pepper I would love that but I can't. I'm not a kid with no responsibility anymore. Part of getting older I guess."
"Even adults have a day to themselves every now and then. Sometimes the best thing is to give yourself a break and get away. It will help you to clear your mind as well."
"Pepper"
"No if, and, or buts, you are doing it and I promise you will feel better. Now come on, it is time to go home and eat and sleep in your bed. A full 8 hours of sleep."
"I don't know if I can sleep that long anymore."
"Well you will try because you need it, now come on." I got up and grabbed my things and left with Pepper so we could head home. I had been working in an extra office at the New York Stark Industries while we were staying here and It was pretty much my office at this point because I was almost always there anymore.
Heading down to the car Pepper informed me we were meeting dad at home and picking up dinner on our way. For the first time, I looked at the time to see It was a little after six, and dad had left my office at 3:30 so I slept a lot longer than I thought I had.
As we drove through the city I looked out the window and watched the city pass by. The sun was starting to set and lights were slowly coming on all around us.
I had always been amazed by all of the lights in the city but yet at the same time I wondered how it would have looked back when grandpa was younger. I always wanted to know what things were like then. One of the many reasons I loved hearing the stories from back then. I also remember hearing a story about grandpa trying to figure out a flying car and wondered if maybe there was a way dad and I would be able to figure it out. I would have to put it on my list of things to do.
We got home a lot faster than I thought we would. Where the house in Malibu was being fixed it was nice to be staying in New York. I was not sure if I would want to leave New York again once the house was fixed because I did have so many people here that I loved. Plus it made me feel closer to mom as well.
Grabbing the food and our things Pepper and I went in. as I opened the door I saw dad there with idea upon idea up and trying to figure out his tower.
"How's it going?"
"Better than I thought it would be. Did you get everything done you wanted to?"
"No, but I guess I got a nice nap in."
"What do you mean?" He asked looking up.
"When I got there to get her she was asleep."
"How long?"
"After you left."
"You should really get more sleep."
"Like you do?"
"I'm different, I'm the dad. Parents don't sleep."
"That is when their kids are little, not adults."
"No, that is when we worry most because we can't protect you from everything. We have to trust that we raised a good person and that you will be better than we are."
"That was deep dad, I liked it."
"See I have this dad's advice down, no need to worry."
"I think I will always worry."
"Well how about we take a break and have some dinner," Pepper told us both.
We all got our food and sat down to eat. Talking a little through dinner we were not at it long before I helped to clean it up and then went into my room.
Pepper said she wanted me to relax some.
So I headed into my bathroom, filling the tub with water and lighting some candles. Then put in some bubble bath. I grabbed a book from my room and then climbed it letting the water relax my sore muscles and then started to read my book.
I got through a few pages before putting it down and turning on some soft and slow music just relaxing in a way that I had not done in so very long.
Staying there until the water got cold I quickly finished and got out dressing in some PJ pants with a tank top and then slipping on my robe. I put my wet hair up and then walked out to the living room.
Dad and Pepper were on the couch together sitting in front of the fireplace with a movie playing. I was not sure if they were paying attention to the movie though.
"Rebekah, come join us," Dad said as he saw me.
"It's alright, you two can have some time together. I was just going to say good night."
"Just sit with us for a little while and then you can head to bed," Pepper told me.
"Alright if you are sure." Pepper held her hand out to me and I walked over to sit next to her. Dad was on the far end of the couch with Pepper pulled into his side. I started off by setting up by Pepper. But after a few minutes, I laid my head on Pepper's shoulder and she put her arm around me. I felt dad slowly start to play with my hair with the hand that was around Pepper. Smiling, I tried to focus on the movie playing but slowly I felt my eyes get heavy and was not able to keep them open. I fell asleep right there with Pepper and dad just feeling safe and calm.
The next morning I woke up to the sunlight coming into my room and was tucked into bed. Dad must have carried me to bed last night after I fell asleep. I looked at my alarm clock to see that it was a little after nine. It had been a while since I had slept in that long so I got out of bed and started to get ready for the day.
I decided on something that was cute and comfy for the day. Putting on a lavender color sundress and pulling the top half of my hair up. Making my way out of my room I was met with balloons, flowers, and a pile of gifts nicely wrapped on the table. Then a banner hung that read Happy Birthday.
"Happy Birthday" dad, Pepper, and Happy all said.
"What is this?"
"Your makeup birthday. I ruined your birthday so it is only right I make up for it."
"Dad, you really don't need to do this. It is fine, really I am alright."
"Well I am your father and I get to do what I want so you will like it."
"Alright, I will try."
"Good. Now breakfast first." He came over and led me to a chair and Pepper set a plate in front of me.
"Chocolate chip pancakes?"
"Well, your mother used to make them for you every year for your birthday breakfast. We thought you would like it."
"I do dad thank you, and thank you Pepper for making them."
"How do you know I didn't make them?"
"Dad you can't cook."
"Alright, fine Pepper made them." with a laugh we all sat down to breakfast.
Enjoying breakfast together laughing and sharing stories it was nice to just have an easy calm morning.
"So what are the plans for today?" I finally asked as we were done eating.
"Well first you will open your gifts, then we are all going to go out for a while and have fun. Then we are going to get ready and we are going to have a father-daughter dinner."
"That kind of sounds perfect."
"Good, let's open some gifts."
They started to hand me gifts and I opened them grateful for all the love. I got a gift from Rhodey who wanted to be here but could not make it, and one from Fury, Phil, Nat, Clint, Laura, and the kids that Nat had included with hers. Plus ones for dad and Pepper.
I got clothes, shoes, jewelry, music and books, and a few other random things.
"Thank you, I love it all."
"Well, you deserved it, sweetie."
After everything was cleaned up we went out and did some things in the city. We did a little shopping, had lunch, went on a ferry ride, and had a lot of fun like a family would.
We got back home and dad went to get ready while Pepper helped me. I put on a blue dress that was long and had some gems around the waist of it.
Pepper curled my hair and penned some of it back.
"How do I look?" I asked her standing up after slipping on my shoes. I wore flats because I hated trying to walk in heels all the time.
"You look, beautiful sweetheart."
"Thank you, Pepper." She quickly hugged me and we headed out of my room. Dad was standing in front of the window putting a watch on with his back to us.
"You ready?" He asked before turning around.
"I am, are you?"
"Yes, you look breathtaking baby girl."
"Thank you, daddy."
"Well, we will see you later, Pepper," Dad said and they kissed before Pepper kissed my cheek.
"Have fun sweetie."
"I will, thank you."
"You are so welcome." Dad and I headed out after saying goodbye and he opened the car door for me once we were in the car.
"So we are doing more than dinner." He told me after getting in the car and starting it.
"We are, what?"
"We are going to a show."
"You are going to watch a show?"
"A ballet, yes."
"When have you ever liked ballets?"
"I know you like them and today is about you."
"Thank you."
"Of course."
We got to the restaurant and went in, being seated in the back so we did not have a lot of people watching. Ordering our food we waited.
"I do have one more gift for you."
"Dad, you have already done so much. I don't need anything else. All of this, everything today has been perfect. I'm not one of those people that you have to always be giving me things."
"I know but this I picked out special." He handed me a box that I knew held some kind of jewelry. I smile slightly, shaking my head before opening the box.
Sat inside the cushion was a beautiful gold heart-shaped locket. The front had 'Family' engraved on it. I slowly picked it up to look at it and turned it over to see 'Stark" engraved on the back. Opening it one side was empty while the other held a picture of mom, dad, and I from a month before she passed. The last picture we had together.
"I figured on the other side you can put a picture of your family when you have one in 20 years because I am way too young for that right now."
"Dad, I love it, thank you. This means the world to me."
"Well, I am glad. Do you want me to help you put it on?"
"I would love that." We both got up and I handed it to dad before turning around and lifting my hair up. He helped put it on and I turned around wrapping him in a hug. We held each other for a moment before letting go and taking our seats.
"This really is an amazing gift dad. Thank you."
"You are welcome, you deserve it. Plus now you have something to always remind you how much we love you."
"I will always remember." Our dinner was brought to us after that and we ate and talked.
After dinner, we went to the ballet and I loved it. Surprisingly dad seemed to not mind it as well. As we walked out I looked at dad.
"I don't want this night to end."
"What do you say about Ice cream?"
"Let's do it." We went to our favorite Ice Cream place to get some and then sat at a table under the sky full of stars.
"You know, back when your mom and I were still just friends we used to come here all the time. Then when we dated it became our favorite place."
"Really, I didn't know that."
"There is a lot you don't know about your mother and me. One day I will have to tell you all of our stories."
"That I would like very much."
"You know, you are so much like your mom. There are times that if I'm not paying attention to things you look just like her. I can't even tell you how many times I have thought you were her on the phone for a moment. Having you feels like having her here with us forever."
"Did you love mom?"
"I did, I think we both loved each other but after you realized that while we loved each other we were not in love and we didn't want to ruin the relationship we had by staying together. We wanted to be the best parents we could be so we knew that breaking up was the best thing to do. I still love your mother and always well. She gave me the greatest love of my life in you."
"So why did you guys get back together when I was younger a few times?"
"Well at the time it just felt right to be together. Plus we wanted to know if we could make it work for you. That love for each other never went away. It was always there and everyone could see it. Your mom was my first love, and for that she will always have a place in my heart. She gave me you, the greatest love I have ever known and for that, I will never stop loving her. Your mother was one of a kind and no one will ever be able to take her place. Loving her was something that came as easy as breathing."
"That's a lot of love. Does Pepper know?"
"She does, she understands that Lilly will always be a part of me because of you and always hold part of my heart but Pepper is pretty amazing and she loves you. Like she told me she could never not like your mom or be jealous of her because we have you and that is so much better than anything else. You know your mom and Pepper were friends, I think it helps her knowing that while yes I love Lilly it is a different kind of love than what I have for Pepper."
"Well I love Pepper too, and I'm glad that you are together. I can't think of anyone better for you."
"I'm glad and I also know I'm not the best father but always remember I love you so much. More than you know my love."
"I love you, daddy."
We finished our ice cream and headed home. Once we were there it was a little after midnight and the lights were all out.
"Thank you for today, it was amazing."
"Well, you deserve it."
"I am going to head to bed."
"Alright baby girl, good night."
"Night Daddy, Love you."
"Love you more." I went into my room and changed, getting ready for bed. As I was about to climb in I saw the light on through the crack in the bottom of my door. I quietly walked out to see dad still up. Jacket and tie off the top buttons of his shirt were undone.
"Are you alright?"
"Of course just making sure you got to bed."
"I'm fine dad."
"Well get off to bed then."
"Alright, Thank you again."
"Anything for my little girl."
"Dad, one more thing."
"Yes"
" You are an amazing dad, you don't have to be perfect just being there and being my dad is fine with me."
" Thank you, baby girl."
"You're welcome" I hugged dad. He kissed my head.
"Plus you know that I got pretty lucky to have a dad that wanted me and loves me so much. I'm glad I had parents that loved me and cared about me more than other things."
"We always have and always will. There is no place I would rather be than here being your father."
"Not even being Iron Man?"
"Nothing will ever be as important to me as you."
"You have told Pepper that right?"
"She said she would have it no other way. She loves you, sometimes I think she loves you more than she loves me. I love you so very much baby girl. I want you to always remember that no matter what."
"I will and I love you, daddy. Good night."
"Good night baby girl, I love you too, sleep well." With another hug and kiss to the head I went into my room and I went to bed, after having the best makeup birthday ever.