In which Rhodey shares a story with Morgan
No one had ever stayed awake longer then Rhodey on Christmas eve.
Rhodey sat relaxed on the couch of the compound. He was the last one up. He always was on Christmas. The tree always seemed much more beautiful late at night when it was just him. One time Tony had tried to stay up with him, but even Tony the god of not sleeping had fallen asleep on Rhodey's shoulder. Something about Christmas eve always seemed to make everyone more sleepy.
"Uncle Rhodey?" Rhodey jumped as Morgan tugged on his sleeve.
"What are you still doing up?" Rhodey asked in surprise.
"I got bored trying to sleep, so I decided to come look at the Christmas tree for a while... You don't mind do you?" Morgan pulled herself on to the couch next to him.
"No not at all," Rhodey wrapped his arm around Tony's daughter, "Your dad used to try to stay up with me."
"Before he got old and boring?" Morgan asked innocently. Rhodey couldn't help but snort. Tony may have retired five years ago when Morgan was born, but boring was the last word he would use to describe is friend. Old? Well he was getting up there, on that note so was Rhodey. 50s was what small people considered old.
"Yes, before he got old and boring... do you really think your dad is boring?"
"Well no... but I mean like when he was young and kicking bad guy ass."
"WOAH! Where did you get that potty mouth?!" Rhodey was shocked. Everyone had been watching their language around her.
"Harley."
Of course it was Harley. Harley had no filter, and he had baby sat on various occasions.
"I see, and in answer to your question it was long before your dad was flying around kicking bad guy butt."
"Oh. Tell me a story," the kid nestled closer.
"What? About me and your dad staying up late?"
"Sure... or just you favorite Christmas story about him."
"Alright..." Rhodey thought for a minute, "Oh, I got it! Okay so it was 1994, and let's just your dad really hated Christmas, and just December in general-"
"Cuz of his parents being--?"
"Yeah," Rhodey didn't want to dwell there. There were dark stories there that did not need to be told, "Anyway 1994 I was fed up with him being a shi-poopy head on Christmas so I decided I was going to make him have a good time, but without getting him drunk."
"Okay, So how did you do it?"
"I didn't."
"Oh," She looked both surprised and disappointed.
"My sister did."
1994
"Come on Tony get off your ass," Rhodey threw a pillow at his friends head.
"No! Just let me sleep..." Tony's voice was muffled by the pillow.
"No. You are going to come celebrate Christmas with me and my family."
"As awesome as your mom is, she is to happy this time of the year."
"That's because people are supposed to be happy this time of year dumbass!" Rhodey pulled his blanket off.
"Give it back!" Tony cried, but made no effort to move.
"Tony! Up. Now."
"N-"
"Do. Not. Make. Me. Tell. You. Again."
Tony groaned and pulled himself out of bed, "Fine gosh! What are you my mom?"
Tony sat with his legs bunched up in front of him. Rhodey's family was so... so cheery, and it was intoxicating. Tony eyed the non alcoholic eggnog, and rolled his eyes. Why couldn't there alcohol?
"Hey Tony, I got you something... or I made you something," Rhodey's seven year old sister tugged on his sleeve.
"No thanks," Tony was quite content sitting on the couch sulking.
"Please," The young girl pleaded. Rhodey probably put her up to this, "I spent all last night making it."
Tony looked at her in confusion. All night?
"Why?"
"Because I overheard James telling mommy that you didn't like Christmas, and that it made you sad. I don't want you to be sad on Christmas," The little girl explained. The little girl looked so determined to make him happy, that it actually made him want to be happy.
"Alright," Tony sighed.
"I'll go get it!" she said and ran out of the room.
Tony couldn't help but smile as he watched her run excitedly out of the living room.
"Oh, is that a smile I see?" Rhodey laughed. Tony found himself smiling more. It felt so good. Rhodey smiled wider and made a silly face. Tony laughed. Then he found he couldn't stop laughing.
It was Christmas, and he was finally happy.
Morgan liked that story. She loved it when her dad laughed.
"Can you tell me anoth-" Morgan trailed. Her uncle had fallen asleep in those few minutes of silence after his story. Morgan smiled, leaned her head on his shoulder, and went to sleep as well.
For the first time ever someone had stayed awake just a little bit longer then James Rhodes on Christmas eve.