Opening Night
SIX MONTHS LATER
“Mama, where’s Uncle Tony?”
Kara smiled as she rested her daughter on her hip. “He’ll be here soon, honey. I’m sure he’s going to make some kind of crazy entrance.”
“Prolly.” The little girl nodded, a serious look on her face.
Kissing her cheek, Kara laughed. They were standing on the side of the stage, waiting for her brother to arrive. She knew that some people were giving her weird looks for holding her almost six-year-old on her hip, but it was a very busy place and Kara wasn’t going to risk losing her child in the chaos. Besides, it wasn’t like she couldn’t hold the child’s weight.
When Tony had originally brought up the idea of bringing back the Stark Expo, Kara wasn’t sure what to think about it. Now that it was finally here, she realized what an impact it could have for the future of their world…and for her daughter.
Just as the thought raced through her head, her ears picked up on the sound of jets and the familiar repulsors of the Iron Man suit. “Here he comes, sweetie.”
They waited as the first few chords of AC/DC’s “Shoot to Thrill” rang out and had Kara shaking her head. When he finally landed on the stage, Layna cheered along with everyone else. Smiling at her daughter’s worship of her uncle, Kara moved closer to the edge of the stage so that they could see everything.
She wanted Layna to see the legacy her family created. She saw her brother turn and quirk an eyebrow at her. Nodding, she felt the same excitement he did. Shifting her daughter to the other hip, she was glad she decided to wear the black jumpsuit Kit had given her.
As the song ended, everyone cheered, and the dancers left the stage. Taking in the applause, Tony clapped. “Oh, it’s good to be back!”
He turned and faced the crowd as they started to settle. “You missed me.”
“Blow something up!” A voice yelled from the crowd.
Tony laughed. “Blow something up? I already did that.” He paused. “I’m not saying that the world is enjoying its longest period of uninterrupted peace in years because of me. I’m not saying that from the ashes of captivity, never has a greater phoenix metaphor been personified in human history.”
Shaking her head, Kara bit her lip. She knew that he would be out there with his speech, when was he not, but she hoped he didn’t say anything too crazy.
“I’m not saying that Uncle Sam can kick back on a lawn chair, sipping on an iced tea, because I haven’t come across anyone who’s man enough to go toe-to-toe with me on my best day!”
“Oh baby, your uncle is in so much trouble for that line,” Kara told her daughter, narrowing her eyes at him.
As the crowd started to cheer for him, she saw Tony glance back at her and smirk. When they started to chant his name, he hushed them down. “Please. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s not even about us. It’s about legacy, about what we choose to heave behind for future generations.”
Pausing, he quickly walked to the side of the stage and, without asking, grabbed Layna from Kara’s arms. “What are you…? Tony!”
Walking away from her, he felt the girl’s arms slip around his neck in complete trust. “It is what we can leave behind for children like my niece, here. That’s what I focus on and why I knew it was time to bring the Expo back. That is why for the next year, and for the first time since 1974, the best and brightest men and women of nations and corporations the world over will pool their resources, share their collective vision to leave behind a brighter future that’s not about us.”
He paused and smiled at Layna as the crowd cheered again. “Therefore, what I am saying, if I’m saying anything, is welcome back to the Stark Expo.” He felt Layna hide her face in his neck and sighed. “And now, making a special guest appearance from the great beyond to tell you what it’s all about, please welcome my father, Howard Stark.”
As Tony turned and walked back toward his sister, Kara’s jaw dropped. He hadn’t told her that he would be using a clip of their father for the opening, and her heart burned with the sadness that overcame her. She barely registered Tony handing Layna back to her until she felt small hands on her face.
“Mama, is that Grandpa Howard?”
Looking back at her daughter, Kara nodded. “Yeah, honey, that’s your grandfather. He started this a long time ago. Let’s see what he has to say.”
“Everything is achievable through technology. Better living. Robust health. And for the first time in human history, the possibility of world peace. So from all of us here at Stark Industries, I would like to personally introduce you to the City of the Future.
Technology holds infinite possibilities for mankind and will one-day rid society of all its ills. Soon, technology will affect the way you live your life every day. No more tedious work, leaving more time for leisure activities and enjoying the sweet life. The Stark Expo. Welcome.”
“Mama, do you miss him?” Layna asked her suddenly.
“Yeah, sweetie, I do.” She said honestly, not bothering to try and explain the complicated feelings she had for him.
“Does Uncle Tony?”
Glancing back at her brother, who had seemed to wander off a bit, Kara nodded. “Yeah, he does. He doesn’t always show it, but he does. We both miss him and our mom very much.”
Layna leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Mommy.”
Holding her close, Kara moved to go to her brother. “I love you too, baby girl.”
When they got to Tony, he smiled. “Ah, there’s my best girl! Thanks for helping me out up there; I was a little nervous.” He put his finger to his mouth as if he was telling her a secret.
Ignoring him, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek the same way she’d done with her mother. “I’m sorry you miss your mommy and daddy. I love you, Uncle Tony.”
His gaze shifted to Kara, who watched him carefully. When he looked back at his niece, there was only love in his eyes. “I love you too. You know you’re my best girl.”
It was at that moment Happy walked up to them. “You guys ready to get out of here?”
Both elder Starks nodded, and as they made their way through the crowd, Kara held Layna even tighter. It seemed as though everyone in New York came out for the big event and all she wanted was to get her daughter out of the spotlight and home in bed.
As they finally approached Tony’s car, Kara saw a woman perched against it. She set Layna down finally, as there was no one but security out there and held her hand.
“Hi.” The woman said.
Of course, Tony was interested. “Hi. And you are?”
“Marshal. Please to meet you.” She said, and something about her tone piqued Kara’s interest.
Lowering her glasses slightly, she used her x-ray vision to check the woman and found what she was afraid of: a badge hidden underneath her shirt. “Happy!”
The men ignored her whispers and continued toward the car. “Irish, I like it.”
“What are you doing here?” He asked her.
“Looking for you.” She smirked.
“Yeah? You found me.” He replied as he got in his car. “What are you up to later?”
“Serving subpoenas.”
Kara rolled her eyes and gave Happy a look when he glanced at her. “Don’t look at me. I tried to tell you.”
“He doesn’t like to be handed things.” Happy told the woman and took the paper from her.
“You are hereby ordered to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow morning at 9 am.”
“Can I see a badge?” He asked, and Kara rolled her eyes.
She held it up for him, and his eyes instantly shifted to his sister for confirmation. Nodding, Kara shrugged.
“How far away are we from D.C.?” He asked Happy.
“D.C.? About two hundred and fifty miles.” He estimated. “You coming along?”
They all looked at Kara, and she nodded. “I’m going to get my own ride. You know, get Layna situated with Kit and then I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.”
Without waiting, Tony sped off. Looking to her right, Kara saw that the woman was still standing there. “Well, I won’t be flirting with you, so you can go now.”
Moving to her car with Layna, Kara watched as the woman walked away. Once she had the five-year-old buckled in, she called Kit and waited for her to answer. “Hey, Kit. So I have this issue…”