Holiday Mess
The next few months were not bad but very busy. Making time for everything and everyone in my life. Plus I had been spending all the time I could going over files and trying to figure out a plan to take down Hydra once and for all. Plus I was learning all kinds of things that I had no idea about.
The biggest shock was when I found out that Bucky was alive and Hydra was using him as a weapon named the Winter Soldier and grandpa and Peggy found out about it not long before grandpa died, and the Winter Soldier killed him.
I was in Malibu right now with dad and Pepper for Christmas and then would be heading to New York to spend New Year with Nat and Steve and whoever else joined us.
Setting in my room I was working on files that I had digitized from the office. I had made a secret digital file that only I had access to so I could keep going over them while I was not in New York. It was starting to get late when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
"Hi sweetie I was just making sure that you ate," Pepper said walking in.
"I got some food before you got home."
"What are you working on?"
"Going over some old files. Just trying to learn what I can."
"I thought you were supposed to be taking time off while you were here for Christmas with us."
"I am, but dad was busy, you were at work, and it is date night. So I figured I could work some."
"Well, tomorrow we will do something fun."
"That would be nice."
"Now just need to get your father on board."
"That will be the fun part. How was your day?"
"Not too bad, meetings and whatnot."
"Happy still driving everyone crazy?"
"You know it."
"At Least he is trying."
"I know he's doing his best but it has been a lot."
"Give it some time and it will mellow out. Happy can be a lot for some people but he does it because he cares."
"I know sweetie. Don't stay up too late."
"I will try, good night Pepper."
"Good night sweetie." She hugged me and then left my room. With a sigh, I went back to reading files knowing I had a lot still to get through.
The next time I looked at the clock I saw that it was after midnight. Putting the tablet down I got up and stretched before walking downstairs to get some water. Walking into the kitchen I pulled water out of the fridge. Then I heard something upstairs. Walking to the staircase I saw Pepper coming down.
"What happened?"
"Rebekah, did we wake you?"
"No, I was awake, just came down for some water. What happened?"
"One of your dad suits thought I was attacking your father."
"What?"
"He said he must have called it in his sleep, I think he was having a nightmare."
"Are you alright?"
"I will be, I'm just going to sleep down here tonight."
"If you are sure. If you need anything let me know."
"I will. Good night."
"Good night Pepper." I walked back upstairs and shut my door behind me. Walking over to my bed I cleaned it off, setting things on my table before climbing into bed. Laying down I pulled the blankets up and closed my eyes. Then there was a light knock on the door before it opened.
"Rebekah"
"Yes, dad."
"So you are awake?"
"I am" I sat up and looked at him.
"You should be asleep."
"Yes but now you are here."
"True, what were you doing?"
"I was just downstairs getting water. I talked to Pepper."
"Is she mad?"
"A little, just give her some time."
"Well, I will work on that."
"Sir, you have a phone call from the hospital. Shall I put you on?"
"Yes Jarvis"
"Hello, this is Kindred Hospital, Los Angeles. Is this Tony Stark?"
"This is."
"I am calling because it shows you are the emergency contact for Harold Hogan."
"Did something happen to him?"
"He was brought in after being in an accident. If you would like, you can come down and talk to the doctor."
"I'm on my way." Dad gets off the phone.
"I'm coming with you."
"Fine, I know you won't listen to me telling you to stay here. Let's go." I got up with dad and grabbed a light jacket. I was wearing sweats and a tank top so I slipped the jacket over my top and slipped on shoes. I walked out of my room and met dad in the hallway before we went downstairs.
"What is going on?" Pepper asked us.
"Happy was in an accident. We are going to see how he is."
"I will take care of things here. Let me know what you find out. Be careful."
"We will" Pepper hugs me and dad kisses her before we head out.
The drive to the hospital goes faster than I thought it would and we park. Then we made our way into the hospital. Dad asked around before finding the doctor and talking to him. He led us to the room and we went in. Happy was always there from the start for me and it broke my heart seeing him like this. We stayed with him for a while. I let Pepper know what was going on and dad turned on the tv putting on Downton Abbey. It kind of became something Happy and I would watch together when he was on Rebekah duty. So now we watch it every week.
After a little while, a nurse walked in to check on him. She went to turn the tv off when dad talked to her.
"Hi"
"Oh"
"Do you mind leaving that on?"
"Sure"
"Sunday nights. PBS. Downton Abbey. That's his show. He thinks it's elegant. One more thing. Make sure everyone wears their badges. He's a stickler for that sort of thing. Plus, my guys won't let anyone in without them." Dad walked out and I looked at the lady.
"Please take good care of him. He's family." I walked out after dad and we headed out of the hospital. Dad wrapped his arm around me when we saw all the reporters as they were all talking over one another. Dad had this thing that when reporters were around and overwhelming he would wrap his arm around me to keep them away from me. We keep walking, not answering any questions. Dad got me to the car and I climbed in as someone asked dad when someone was going to kill this guy.
Dad goes off before giving our address out and throwing the guy's phone before getting in and we took off.
"You just gave the world our address, why?"
"I didn't think it through all the way. Maybe I will send you to New York for a while."
"We are supposed to spend Christmas together. Not me in New York and a crazy person after you."
"Well, he made it personal."
"I know he did." We got home and dad went downstairs while I went up. As I was going into my room I saw Pepper.
"Where is your dad?"
"You mean after telling the world where we lived? Downstairs."
"I want you to pack anything you might need. We are leaving."
"On it." Walking into my room I started packing anything important to me after placing my suitcase on the bed.
In about a half-hour I had all my important things in my bags and ready to go. Pictures, things from mom and dad, from family and friends. Plus outfits that I loved. I knew there was a good chance that now the world knew about this place. I would not be living here again. So I grabbed all that I could not replace and put them in the bags before taking them down. I was putting them in the car when I saw a lady walk in with dad.
They were already showing up. With a sigh, I walked back in to see if they were almost ready. Lucky for me I already had a lot of my things in New York so I was not too worried about forgetting anything here. Pepper came back down and I picked up the bags she had dropped. They all started to argue and I just went with it.
"I'm taking these to the car." I walked out and was putting the bags in the back of the car when something exploded in the house.
"DAD, PEPPER" I yelled and tried to get into the house. Trying to find the best way and be safe while doing so. Then I saw the suit come out the window and land on the ground with the lady. The mask went up.
"Pepper. Where is dad?" She looked at the house and then the suit started to fly piece by piece into the house. More attacks hit the house and one of the helicopters flew into the house. Parts of the house fell into the water below. I ran in with Pepper and dad was gone with most of the house in the water below.
"TONY"
"DAD" I watched the water and air trying to see if dad was anywhere but I didn't see him anywhere. I was in a daze.
People were all around us looking through what was left and I stared at the water hoping to see dad. It was dark and Pepper walked over to me.
"Come on sweetie, we need to get out of here."
"I don't want to leave dad."
"I know" she leaned in to whisper in my ear. "He's alive, he sent a message and I need to keep you safe." We went to the car and had the lady come with us. I sat in the back and listened to them talk. Once the lady brought up her boss I could tell Pepper was stressed.
"Rebekah, I'm dropping you off and Natasha is meeting us to get you."
"Then come with me, Pepper. Or let me come with you. I can help."
"I need you safe." We got to the meeting place pretty quick and she let me out. I grabbed my bags and went to Pepper.
"Stay with her and listen to her. I will call you as soon as I can." I saw Nat walking over to us and looking at Pepper.
"Please be safe, I love you."
"I love you too sweetie but I need you safe now go." She quickly hugged me before getting back in the car and taking off.
Nat walked up to me.
"How are you, love?"
"I have been better."
"Come on sweetie, let's get you out of here." She helped me grab my bags and we got in the car.
"So where to?"
"I have the quinjet and the others are waiting there. Figured Tony and Pepper would want you as safe as possible.
The drive to the quinjet was not too far and we were there before I knew it. I got out with Nat and grabbed my things before walking over to them. Steve and Clint were there waiting.
"How are you, little star?"
"I'm alright I guess. Dad let us know he is alive, just no idea where he is."
"Let's get you out of here and somewhere safe," Steve said. We all got in and we took off. Nat and Clint were flying it and Steve sat in the back next to me.
"Are you really alright?"
"I will be better once all of this is over."
"Trust that things will work out."
"I am really trying." I sat there next to him and slowly let my eyes get heavy, not releasing how tired I was, and fell asleep.
Waking up some I could tell I was being carried.
"Shh, go back to sleep, I got you," Steve whispered to me. I did what he said, holding on and letting him carry me in.
"Her room is this way." I heard Nat say. A few moments later I was laid down on my bed here in New York.
"Sleep well," Steve whispered to me and I culled into my bed and let sleep consume me once more.
It had been a few days and Nat and Steve were staying with me at the apartment. I had not been able to get a hold of Pepper, or Rhodey. Nothing from dad and I was really freaking out.
"Sweets you need to eat. You know your dad, I'm sure they will all be fine."
"Nat, how do you know?"
"I have worked with your dad and Pepper to know they are no quitters, they will fight to get back to you."
It was Christmas Eve night and I was worried. With a sigh, I ate the dinner we had made.
Once we were done and cleaned up we sat on the couch to watch Christmas movies.
That's when my phone started to ring.
"Hello"
"Please tell me you're safe?"
"Daddy?"
"Hi baby girl, where are you?"
"In New York. Are you alright? Pepper?"
"I'm alright, and Pepper is here."
"Rebekah, are you ok?"
"I'm fine Pepper. I'm at the apartment with Nat and Steve."
"So with babysitters?"
"Very funny. You almost died, don't make me mad at you."
"Alright put them on the phone."
"Hi, Tony."
"I trust you have looked after my daughter and kept her in one piece as well."
"Yes Tony, she has been safe this whole time."
"Do you think we will be able to still be together for Christmas in the morning?"
"We are on our way, sweetie. Have not missed one yet, not about to start."
"So I will see you soon?"
"We will be there by the time you wake up."
"Alright, be safe. I love you."
"We love you too sweetie."
"Love you, baby girl, see you in the morning." We got off the phone and I looked at Steve and Nat.
"I told you they would be fine. Now, will you relax some? I don't need Tony saying I didn't take care of his daughter the right way."
"Alright" and then we all finished the movie before I got ready for bed.
"Should we leave out the cookies and milk?" I asked Nat with a smile.
"Sure why not. I would love to see how Tony reacts to that." Once that was done we headed off to bed and I finally felt relieved as I laid down in bed. Dad and Pepper were alright and were going to be here for Christmas. It was the best gift ever.
When I woke up the sun was already rising and I got out of bed with a smile. Dad and Pepper should be here by now. Grabbing my robe and slipping it on I walked over to the door and listened to see if I could hear anything.
"How are you?" I heard Nat.
"Better now, is Rebekah still in bed?" Pepper responded.
"She is, I can see if she is awake yet. We stayed up pretty late." Nat told him
"No, let her sleep. Thank you for keeping her safe though." Dad told them.
"Of course Tony, we all love Rebekah and want nothing to happen to her," Nat told him.
"We are here to help in any way." I heard Steve talk for the first time.
"Well, I'm glad she had you both here."
"I am glad that he got nowhere near Rebekah."
"How bad?"
"Nothing we can't fix."
"I don't know what I would have done if he had Rebekah as well," Dad told them.
"I don't want anyone ever taking her like that," Pepper told dad.
"Well, I am keeping both of my girls safe, away from danger."
"Rebekah's good at finding it though," Nat told him.
"Don't we know it!"
"Good thing she is a pretty amazing person and can kick butt at the same time," Nat said.
"She's pretty special," Dad told them. They got quiet and I decided to head out. Opening the door I slowly walked out.
"Merry Christmas," I tell them.
"Merry Christmas Baby girl."
"Hi, Daddy." I ran over to him and he pulled me into a hug.
"I'm so glad you are safe."
"Well, I'm glad you are alright. Are you alright?"
"Yes, I will be fine."
"I am so glad you are alright," Pepper said as she came to us.
"Pepper, you are ok, right?" She hugged me as dad let go.
"I will be soon."
"What does that mean?"
"Don't worry I have got it covered," Dad told me.
"Now let's have some food," Pepper said.
"As much as I would love to, I am meeting up with a friend today," Nat said.
"Well if you are sure, thank you for staying with her."
"You're welcome. I will see you later, ok?" She said to me,
"See you soon." She hugged me, and I whispered in her ear. "Tell them Merry Christmas for me and I love them."
"I will take care of yourself."
"Always." We let go and she told us goodbye before heading out.
"What about you Capsicle?"
"Dad, be nice."
"Would you like to join us, Steve?" Pepper asked me.
"I wouldn't want to impose."
"You wouldn't, join us. Unless you have other plans."
"No, I don't, if you are all sure I would love to join."
"Come on." Pepper and I got busy making some breakfast for all of us and while we were working on it Rhodey showed up. So he joined us as well.
The guys set the table while we finished the food and brought it over to the table.
Setting around we started to eat, laughing and talking while we did so.
Steve and Rhodey spent the next few hours with us before they both left. Then dad, Pepper, and I exchanged gifts and enjoyed the rest of the night as a family.
Over the next little while dad found a way to fix Pepper, Happy was doing better and we now watched as dad was in surgery to remove the shrapnel from his chest.
"He is going to be fine right Pepper?"
"He has you waiting for him, he will be fine."
"He has you as well." She wrapped her arm around me and we stood there and watched with Rhodey while they did the surgery.
Dad was fine after the surgery and truthfully I think he is a lot better than before.
I continue to work on everything that I have been doing. But now I spent a lot more time with dad, which I was loving. Now that we all lived in New York full time and were here we did a lot of family things together.
"Come on dad, hurry up," I told him. I was in front of Pepper and dad and we were on our latest family adventure.
"We really had to come here?"
"Dad, everyone should visit this exhibit at least once. Especially you, after all, it does honor your dad as well. So hurry up, you're not that old."
They followed me in and I looked around. I brought dad to the Captain America exhibit. Dad had not really been while I had been many times over the years.
After a while, I even saw dad having a good time. The last few weeks have been some of the best. I finally felt like I had the family I always wanted. The only one missing was mom but I knew she was still with me.
Pepper had gone to answer a phone call and Happy was at a distinct watching her and dad, and me. We sat on a bench together waiting for her to get back to us.
"You know dad, I'm really liking this new you."
"Me too."
"So you are not mad I had you come here then?"
"I could never be mad at you baby girl."
"Promise, I know I'm a handful at times."
"Well with me as your father what did I expect to happen? After all, you are my daughter, and I could not be more proud of you."
"I love you, daddy."
"I love you too baby girl." I hugged dad and we sat there until Pepper came back over then we continued on our family fun day.
Life was pretty good and I was going to enjoy it as long as it was. After all, you never know what might happen next in life. So I would make the most of this moment I had and everyone that I would get.