Water Lily
New York City was not the best place for a girl that lived for water but I made the best of it. The waters had gotten cleaner since it was discovered that pollution would destroy our world and the wildlife basked in the planets renewal. The fish population was exploding, the seals played in the waves, even the gulls stopped their incessant chatter to enjoy sitting in the sun.
I sighed wearily and started to get ready for work. I didn’t have the most glamorous job but it paid the bills and I loved it. Being one of the few waitresses at a small, downtown, owner run diner had its perks. Especially if your favorite Aunt was the owner and had guaranteed your job for as long as you wanted it. I laid out the clothes I was told were acceptable for my shift and then jumped in the shower. I hummed softly to myself as I allowed the water to caress my body. I was running late this morning so I needed to focus and not get lost in the lure of the water. I quickly washed my hair, turned off my shower and got out. After drying and brushing my hair, I dusted on some eyeshadow, and got dressed. I never wore much makeup, my mother used to tell me I had a natural beauty that shouldn’t be covered up. Glancing at the clock, I swore, grabbed my purse and dashed out the door. Thankfully, I lived a block away with my best friend in a Brownstone she had inherited.
“I’m sorry,” I called to my Aunt. “I was running late and forgot to charge my cell!”
“I figured,” Aunt Sarah smiled at me. “If I didn’t love you so much, I’d fire you. Jack’s cooking today, I have errands to run. Just waiting for one of you girls to show so I can get going.”
“One of us to show?” I frowned. “Did Mary call in?”
“No, but her mother did.” Sarah looked down.
“What?”
“Girl ran off with her boyfriend last night,” she smiled wickedly. “Lordy, is her momma pissed!”
“Sarah! Order up.” Uncle Jack caught a look at me and nodded. “Hey Water Lily! Decided to show up?”
“Somebody has to keep you from running off all the customers,” I bantered.
“Lily,” Sarah pointed to the plates. “Table six, drinks are on the ticket. Everyone else has their ticket, has paid and only need to be kept an eye on.”
“Got it,” I tied my apron on and put my hair in a tail. “Scat, you have errands to run!”
“Feisty today! Watch it Jack, she’s in a good mood.” She waved and walked out the door, while a nice looking man held the door open. “Why thank you, young man!”
“Chivalry isn’t dead ma’am.” He smiled at her. “Just hard to find.”
He came in and sat at the counter, flipping his coffee cup over. I handed him a menu and poured his coffee. He’d been coming in pretty regularly for the last two weeks and seemed safe to get to know better. He has beautiful blue eyes and a heart churning smile.
“So, back for more rotgut?” I asked quietly.
“Yeah,” he laughed. “Can’t stand my own cooking. This is the best place that’s also close to where I’m staying.”
“Ah, convenience!” I teased. “Our favorite reason! Never caught your name, sug.”
“Steve,” he smiled, boy that was a nice smile. “Steve Rogers.”
“Lily McMillan.” I shook his hand. “So Captain America likes our humble fare?”
“I had heard it was a good place to try,” he blushed when I recognized him. “Clint Barton recommended your place.”
“What’ll it be today?” I asked.
I took his order and handed it to Uncle Jack. As I walked around filling coffee, taking empty plates and just chatting with some of the customers, I thought about what he had said. Clint was a sweetie, he and Tasha came in at least twice a week. I never would have thought they knew Captain America, heck I never would have thought Captain America would be in our little diner.
“Lily, up!” I excused myself and went to the window to get the order.
As I walked back, a new guy came in and sat with Steve. I gulped and took a deep breath. Tony Stark! Oh my, ahhh! That’s Tony freaking Stark, Iron Man!
“Here ya are Steve,” I put his plate down. “Anything for you, Mr. Stark?”
“You tell her I was coming?” He looked over his sunglasses at Steve.
“No cutie,” I flirted. “I’d know that face anywhere!”
“Coffee, black.” He smiled back.
I winked and went to get the coffee pot.
“She’s a looker,” I heard him say.
“Names Lily, love.” I continued to flirt. “You may be taken, but you’re still a hottie! Not often I get to serve two fine looking men at the same time!”
“Lily,” Jack groaned. “I get that they’re hunks but people are trying to eat.”
The diner erupted in laughter. Most were used to the way Jack and I picked on each other, and knew there was nothing but love there. Time passed and most of the customers left when they finished. I was starting to get a little nervous, Tony and Steve hadn’t left yet. They were talking too low for me to catch much. I caught snippets from their conversation. “Are you sure? Said we needed the help. Could even calm a dragon, if they existed.” I didn’t like the way this was going. Sarah came back from her errands and that seemed to decide them because they stood and motioned for me.
“What’s up guys?” I asked when I reached them.
“Do you have somewhere, um private we could talk.” Steve said.
“With me or…?” I left it hanging.
“With all of you,” Tony said.
“Turn the sign Lil,” Sarah answered.
I nodded and walked to the door. I turned the sign and locked the front door. Now I felt the beginnings of an anxiety attack, Jack had come around and was holding Sarah in his arms.
“How did you find her?” Jack asked and my heart leaped into my throat.
“Tasha saw someone jump off a bridge,” Tony replied. “She went to help but saw there wasn’t any need. The man had already been saved, by a beautiful girl that she hadn’t seen go in.”
“She could have just missed her going in,” Sarah said harshly.
“Ma’am, that would work for anyone but Black Widow.” Steve replied.
Crap baskets! I didn’t know Tasha was the Black Widow! She had seen me and probably more than once. I tried to keep a low profile, but I couldn't let people die if I could save them. I hung my head and sat with a thud.
“They go to the bridge to find answers,” I began. “They just come to the wrong conclusion and forget the love that they’re leaving behind. I bring them to shore, sing to them for a few minutes, then slip away as they come out of it. I just wanted to help.”
“We know Water Lily.” Jack and Sarah pulled me up into their arms. “You love life and you want others to find the same happiness that lives in you. Maybe this way you can help more people.”
“But Jack,” I looked into his eyes. “How will you and Sarah get along? You can’t trust people to do their jobs. When will you ever take time off if I’m not here to make you and watch over things?”
“Taken care of, Sprite.” Tony chimed in. “I have things all taken care of. Pep has decided that this lovely place needs some donations. We want to donate time, resources and especially money. Capsicle, the Widow, and Legolas love this place. They talk about it constantly, so we want to hire you. That way you can expand or update if you like the size, and we’d like you to cater for us. All our parties, daily lunches, and the occasional dinner. That will also give you a chance to hire on some reliable help. What’d ya think?”
I gaped at him. “Seriously?”
“Totally,” he grinned back.
“We,” Sarah seemed to collect her scattered thoughts. “We would be delighted. But we don’t do anything fancy, Mr. Stark. Just good old fashioned cooking.”
“Ma’am,” Steve came forward. “It’s some of the best cooking I’ve ever had. We’d prefer it to take out every night. Most of us aren’t too good inside a kitchen.”
“But,” I tried to come up with more reasons why this was a bad idea.
“Lily, love.” Sarah hugged me tight then let me go. “We aren’t going anywhere! You can come back to see us anytime, right boys?”
Both men started reassuring her and I, that I wasn’t a prisoner and I could definitely come to visit. I snorted and rolled my eyes, but it sounded like they needed me for something specific so I nodded. Jack made a sign for the door saying that due to circumstances beyond their control the diner would be closed the rest of today. Then we walked to my apartment to get a few things to hold me over until the movers could bring my stuff. Tony explained that due to the fact that I was now a trainee, he paid me to learn all I could. I would be taught defensive moves, we’d see how far my abilities went and adapt to them. He would be throwing a party in a week to introduce me to the public as the latest hero to be found. When we arrived at the Avengers Tower he excused himself and Steve gave me the grand tour. We were joined by a man Steve introduced as his best friend, Bucky Barnes. I was told where my room was, more of an apartment really, and then Pepper Potts whisked me off.