Parting Ways
Epilogue: Parting Ways
May 5th, 2012
The next day, after handing the Scepter over to STRIKE, a SHIELD covert-ops team, and having the shawarma that Tony had wanted for dinner, the Avengers walked through Central Park as the mid-morning sun shone down on them. A small group of SHIELD agents stood guard at a distance, keeping an eye on their surroundings for the team that had saved the world the previous day.
Evelyn was next to Tony in, dressed in civilian clothes like the others except for the Asgardians who were in their armor. While Tony was in a light grey suit with a light blue shirt and slightly darker blue tie, black shades over his eyes, Evelyn was in a crème and black cap-sleeved pencil dress with a crème-colored wrap over her shoulders, crème 4” heeled suede pumps and a pearl and diamond bracelet on her right wrist*. Her long hair was tied away from her face in a half-pony held by a crème-colored ribbon, while the rest was left loose to tumble around her shoulders and down her back. She had her beige purse handing off one shoulder, over the wrap, while dragging a simple, small black carry-on suitcase* behind her. It was filled with a few changes of clothes, toiletries and personal items, having sensibly pointed out when Tony commented on her ‘traveling light’ that she would outgrow the clothes she had within the next few weeks due to her ever-growing belly, so there really wasn’t a point in taking too many things.
Thor, a few feet away from the siblings and firmly holding a chained Loki, his mouth forced shut by an Asgardian Collar, by the elbow, had added that anything Evelyn needed or wanted would be provided for her. It was obvious the statement was more to reassure and comfort the billionaire than the pregnant woman as she had additionally pointed out that the three of them were going to Asgard via Tesseract and there was only so much it could safely transport, even for a powerful item.
Dr. Selvig removed a cylindrical container from the SHIELD van while Tony opened the silver briefcase he was holding, and Bruce lifted the Tesseract with a pair of fire tongs. Both scientists were dressed in button-down shirts, Bruce in a pale yellow with tan trousers and Dr. Selvig in royal blue with a darker blue sweater over it and dark grey trousers. Carefully, the mild-mannered scientist placed the Cube within the container and closed it. Dr. Selvig held it out to Thor who grasped it by the handle and supported it with his other arm, smiling gratefully at the elderly man who had shown him much wisdom and love in the time they had known each other.
While Dr. Selvig had certainly been shocked to learn that the babies the Stark Heiress carried where Thor’s, he was more horrified to learn at how it had occurred as he knew of the method Bruce had mentioned. When Thor expressed his fears of how Jane would react, considering the not-so-subtle torch the feisty woman held for him, and whether he was making the right choice, Dr. Selvig had bluntly told him that if he didn’t take Evelyn with him, then she would definitely die giving birth to the babies, and they would possibly die as well. At least on Asgard, there was a chance, however small, that they would survive, or at least the babies would as they had been Evelyn’s primary concern. He then reassured the worried God that he would explain everything to Jane. Other then that, all they could do was hope the woman accepted the reality of the situation.
“It’s time.” Thor said gently, looking at Evelyn. “You need to say your goodbyes, Evelyn.”
Evelyn let out a shaky breath and turned to Tony. “Bye, Tony.” She said in an equally shaky voice, tears filling her eyes.
“Bye, Aunt Stell.” He said, his voice just as shaky as hers. He wrapped his arms around her in a hug, as tightly as he possibly could with her swollen belly between them. Pulling apart, he bent down, pressed a kiss to his fingers before placing that hand gently on her bump. “You two be good for Mommy, okay? Now, if you want to drive your Daddy insane, that’s fine, but you look after Mommy.”
In the aftermath of the battle, Evelyn and Tony had revealed to the team and Dr. Selvig the truth about their family and who Evelyn really was. The revelation was met with mixed reactions of shock and realization – the former was due to the fact that Evelyn had also been a recipient of the Super Serum and that Evelyn Stark was in fact Estelle Stark while the latter was due to the dots finally being connected with the news; most of them had figured that there was more to the Stark Family and the story that was told to the world, especially because of the slipups over the past few days.
“Oi!” Evelyn cried indignantly, slapping Tony lightly on the arm. “Don’t give them ideas before they’re even born!” She paused, realizing what she had said. “On second thought, don’t give them such ideas, period!” She backtracked hurriedly.
The small group laughed, a glimmer of light-heartedness in the midst of the sorrow-filled moment. Steve stepped forward, dressed in a light grey and blue plaid shirt with a brown leather jacket over top and tan trousers. He hugged Evelyn tightly, also being mindful of the bump.
“Goodbye, Stella.” He said softly, pulling back. He took a breath and let it out. “It feels like I just got you back and now I’m losing you again.”
“Tell me about it.” Evelyn said with a tearful laugh. “I spent almost 70 years thinking you were dead and then several months only speaking to you over the phone when I found out you were alive.”
Steve stepped back and Natasha and Clint took his place, both assassins hugging Evelyn gently one after another.
“Look after Tony for me, please?” Evelyn asked them. “When you’re out in the field together? Pepper looks after him the rest of the time, but when he’s in the field…” She trailed off.
“Don’t worry.” Natasha reassured her. “We’ll look after your baby for you.”
The redheaded assassin grinned cheekily at the billionaire who only made a face at her in response.
“Look after yourself.” Clint said gently. “The babies need you at 110%.”
Bruce stepped forward and took his turn, hugging her gently as Clint and Natasha moved away.
“Thank you, Evelyn.” He said softly into her ear before pulling back. “Pretty Bird.”
Evelyn nodded in response and they separated. She turned to Dr. Selvig, the older scientist standing a short distance away and watching the farewells, having already said his own to Thor. The man moved towards her and pulled her into a gentle, brief hug before pulling away.
“I know you have looked after yourself and Tony for the past several years, but let Thor look after you now.” He said softly to her, his voice pitched so only she could hear him.
“I’ll try.” Evelyn promised. “Goodbye, Dr. Selvig.”
“I think you can call me ‘Erik’ from now on, Dr. Stark.” The scientist said with a small laugh. “Especially after what we had all been through these past few days.”
“Then please call me ‘Evy’.” Evelyn said.
Erik nodded and they moved apart. Evelyn shouldered her purse properly before grabbing her suitcase and joining Thor and Loki. She grasped the handle of the container and Thor adjusted his hold so that his hand was covering hers before he held it out to his brother. Loki glared at him but grasped the opposite handle tightly.
With a final nod to the gathered group and a wave from Evelyn, Thor twisted the handle he and the redhead were holding. They were engulfed in a bright blue light before being beamed upwards and disappearing from sight.
Links:
*Evelyn civilian outfit (hair in a half-pony held with a crème-colored ribbon) - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/AW1MVSn_S5wHfRPlaTahTQrE_71PXBFclWyFRjgcfU3vViKYOFaAhzI/
*Evelyn’s suitcase (black) - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/551057704405898024/