Chapter Text
Chapter 29
AN: So, long time no read. I did plan a lot more of this story, but after a lot of things, including the way my life has gone I decided to finish a chapter to wrap up a lot while setting up things for a sequel, which I may write, or I may write another story with Tony/Natasha and a family post-civil war (that includes Yelena) that I have just gotten an idea for, but I have a little more of my store What Gives us Strength, to write before then.
I just wanted to say thank you so so much for everyone who has given me support, it means more than I can ever say to you. Once I finish what I need to finish for What Gives us Strength I am going to go through all my in-progress stories to see what I can wrap up before get started on new ones. This chapter was already mostly finished so I was able to wrap it up easier. I have loved writing this universe and I hope that I can figure out a sequel or something to follow as I do think I would love to address Infinity War and Endgame in this universe. I'm just not sure where to go with a lot of things which is making it hard to write, so i though it was best to wrap up what i could.
June 30th 2016
A few days have passed since both Natasha and Tony woke up and ever since the two of them have been slowly healing under the watchful eyes of Peter and Helen. It is early morning and Natasha and Tony are together in their bed at the compound. Due to everything that is going on Natasha, Peter, Hope, Rhodey, and occasionally Pepper, have all been staying at the compound. While they have been staying at the compound, they have been working on it to make it more comfortable, have been working to make it seem more like it is theirs, while also doing their best to get rid of any reminder of ‘Team Cap’.
As they lie in their bed together both Tony and Natasha are awake, but neither are making the effort to get up, rather they are just lying together, having a rare moment of peace. As Natasha lays on Tony’s chest, she just stares at the arc, which has had to be made stronger, as a way of reminding herself that he is alive.
“I can hear your brain from here. I’m okay, Nat,” Tony says as he kisses the top of her head. After everything that has happened neither are sleeping well, but they have been enjoying quiet time together, time they are sure was fleeting.
“You almost weren’t,” Natasha reminds him, sounding pained.
“Same could be said about you,” Tony reminds Natasha, sounding just as pained, it being perfectly clear that neither of them want to loose each other.
“Guess we both have a lot of healing to do,” Natasha comments, as she kisses Tony’s chest. “Jim too,” Natasha adds.
“Good thing we’re going to do it together,” Tony says, as he is pretty sure none of them will be able to get through what they have to do without the others. “Peter and I should have the prototypes done today. Have them ready for Rhodey to try this afternoon,” Tony admits.
“That’s great,” Natasha says with a grin, knowing how much that will mean not just to Rhodey, but Tony and Peter too.
“It’s going to be baby steps, but he’ll walk again,” Tony says, sounding proud of that, and Natasha leans up and kisses him.
“Boss, Nat. Ms Van Dyne told me to tell you both that you better get up and to the kitchen before Mr. Peter and Colonel Rhodes eat all the food,” FRIDAY, who has been completely installed to the entire compound, says.
“We’ll be right there,” Natasha says, looking amused, but not at all surprised that they have been interrupted by their family.
“This is going to be an interesting summer,” Tony comments, as it has been nice to have Hope around all the time and he can imagine how well she is going to get along with all the kids; and how much trouble they are going to get into.
“Yep,” Natasha confirms, and they both get up, get dressed, and head to the kitchen.
When Natasha and Tony get to the kitchen, they aren’t at all surprised to find Rhodey, Hope, Vision, and Peter sitting around the table. With the exception of Vision, they are all eating breakfast. Vision on the other hand is just enjoying having company, which he has been doing a lot lately.
“Any food left?” Natasha asks curious.
“A little,” Hope says, purposely looking over dramatic.
“New house rule, everyone gets enough breakfast,” Tony says, as he and Natasha both sit down.
“So, the compound is a house now?” Peter asks curious, as he is still trying to make sense of everything.
“Yeah,” Tony confirms, after exchanging a look with Natasha. “How do you feel about that?” Tony asks his son curious as he wants to make sure Peter is okay with the changes that are going to happen.
“The Tower feels more like home, but this place will do,” Peter admits, as he looks around. “Plus, it will be better when Harley and Kenzie get here,” Peter says, knowing that they will be arriving in a few days.
“Yeah, it will,” Natasha confirms.
“Aunt Hope, are you helping Dad, Uncle Rhodey and I are in the lab today?” Peter asks curious.
“For a little while,” Hope says as she also has plans. “What are you up to today, Nat?” Hope asks curious.
“I’m going to try and get some training done,” Natasha admits.
“Do go too hard too soon,” Tony tells her as he knows that while Natasha is healing, she isn’t completely heled and so it would be bad if she pushes herself too soon.
“I won’t,” Natasha responds.
“If you need a sparing partner…” Hope starts to say.
“I’ll let you know,” Natasha finishes and the group, including Vision, drift into comfortable conversation as they eat their breakfast.
Hours later Tony, Rhodey and Peter are in the lab, while Hope said she had to go see someone and Vision is off checking everything. As they have just finished a prototype Tony, and Peter have just finished helping Rhodey get into his new leg braces.
“How do they feel, Uncle Rhodey?” Peter asks curious.
“Tight, but secure, and supportive,” Rhodey admits.
“You think you want to try and stand up?” Tony asks his best friend.
“With help,” Rhodey admits, and so Peter and Tony move so that they are standing either side of Rhodey.
“Okay, we’re going to go at your pace, you tell us what you need, don’t push yourself, okay Buddy?” Tony asks, wanting desperately for this to be okay.
“Okay,” Rhodey confirms, and he takes a deep breath. “I’m ready,” Rhodey says, and very, very slowly as both Tony and Peter are watching Rhodey for any signs of difficulty Rhodey stands up, with Tony and Peter standing either side of him.
“Uncle Rhodey, you’re standing,” Peter says, sounding proud, and also amazed.
“Yeah, I am,” Rhodey confirms.
“How does it feel?” Tony asks.
“Good, really good,” Rhodey admits.
“Do you want to try to take a few steps?” Tony asks. Because he knows his friend so well, he can tell that he is nervous and he has no intention of pushing Rhodey.
“Yeah,” Rhodey says and he hesitantly takes a step, then another, then another. Just as he goes to take a fourth step Rhodey stumbles, but he doesn’t fall thanks to Peter and Tony.
“We’ve got you, Honeypunch,” Tony assures his best friend as he and Peter hold Rhodey until he is steady. “Overall, how did it feel?” Tony asks curious.
“Good, really good,” Rhodey confirms. “I know I’ve got a lot of work, but I feel like this is a good first step,” Rhodey reveals as for the first time he can see himself really walking again.
“It really is,” Tony confirms.
“You’ll be running and flying the suit in no time,” Peter tells his godfather.
“I hope so,” Rhodey says as he looks at his godson.
“I’ve got to call Harley and Kenzie, they’ll be so happy,” Peter says, before hurrying away, even though Rhodey is made a little unsteady by Peter hurrying off he is able to stay standing, thanks to Tony.
“You really okay?” Tony asks his best friend curious.
“Yeah, I am,” Rhodey confirms.
“Boss, Ross has been trying to call you again,” FRIDAY says, causing both Rhodey and Tony to roll their eyes.
“Keep sending him to voice mail FRI,” Tony requests. “Alert me if he says anything I need to know immediately,” Tony requests.
“Yes Boss,” FRIDAY responds.
“You know we can’t keep avoiding him. Soon enough he is just going to show up again and start demanding things,” Rhodey informs Tony.
“I know. I’m just trying to make that day as far away as possible,” Tony admits. “FRI, tell Nat we need to talk in my office,” Tony requests. “Is Hope still here?” Tony asks curious.
“Yes Boss. She is with Ms Potts in the living room,” FRIDAY answers, causing Tony and Rhodey to exchange looks as neither knew that Pepper was going to be around.
“Okay, ask Hope and Pepper, and Vision, to meet in my office too,” Tony requests, realizing it may actually be good for Pepper to be a part of the meeting.
“Yes Boss,” FRIDAY responds.
“Do you want to try to walk or take the chair?” Tony asks curious.
“I think take the char,” Rhodey admits.
“Okay, then let’s try to make it over there,” Tony says and slowly him and Rhodey make their way over to the where Rhodey’s chair is. Once they are at the chair Rhodey gets into the chair and the two of them head out of the lab.
A little while after they left the lab Rhodey and Tony arrive at Tony’s office where Natasha, Pepper, Hope and Vision are, all of them sitting around the circular table that is in Tony’s office.
“What’s going on?” Hope asks curious, as Tony moves a chair out of the way so that Rhodey can roll in and take a place at the table as he sits down.
“Ross,” Tony and Rhodey say simply.
“Oh great,” Natasha says sarcastically. “What’s he done now?” Natasha asks curious, knowing that considering everything there is a lot he could have done.
“Nothing… yet,” Tony says. “That’s exactly the problem. We all know Ross is coming, and we need to try to figure out what he is going to do,” Tony admits.
“We need to be prepared,” Hope says. “Dad’s already on the run,” Hope says, looking pained.
“You couldn’t get him to come here?” Rhodey asks curiously as Pepper gives Hope a supportive look.
“Doctor Pym would be safe here. With the precautions Mr Stark and Ms Romanoff put into the Accords the Compound is the safest place he could be,” Vision explains.
“I know, but unfortunately he won’t come here,” Hope admits. “But he says he’s okay. I’m going to keep trying to convince him,” Hope admits. “But my point is if that is happening to Dad what else is happening that we don’t know about?” Hope asks. “The Accords are needed, but Ross needs to go,” Hope admits.
“That he does,” Natasha confirms. “Let’s all go through the accords, figure out what needs to be changed, or removed, and try and figure out what to do about Ross,” Natasha says, as she looks around, feeling that that is a good first step.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Pepper says, and that’s what the group does, work together to try and get rid of Ross and make the Accords Better.
July 3rd 2016
Three days have passed since Tony, Natasha, Hope, Pepper, Rhodey, and Vision started their plan to work on making the Accords better and getting rid of Ross. While they haven’t come up with a foolproof plan, yet they are working on it, and something else they are working on is getting Rhodey to be able to walk again something which he is managing to do to a degree.
While Hope, Rhodey and Vision are at the Compound Natasha, Tony and Peter have arrived in Rose Hill Tennessee where they are going to pick up Kenzie and Harley. As they get out of their rented car and walk towards the doorway of the Keener house none of them are surprised when Harley and Kenzie throw open the door and hurry towards them.
As Kenzie and Harley hurry towards Natasha, Tony and Peter, Peter hurries towards them and the three of them hug. Once they break apart Natasha and Tony are close enough so that they can hug Harley and Kenzie.
“Are you guys really okay?” Kenzie asks worried as she looks both Tony and Natasha up and down.
“Yeah Kenz,” Natasha tells her.
“Yep,” Tony confirms.
“Good,” Harley says, looking relieved as they head into the house. “Pete, I want to show you something in my room,” Harley says and he, Kenzie and Peter head towards the bedrooms, and as they do Natasha and Tony walk towards Jill.
“It’s good to see you, Jill,” Natasha greats.
“You too, Nat, and Tony,” Jill says, but she looks concerned about something.
“Is everything okay?” Tony asks concerned.
“I need to talk to you both in the kitchen,” Jill explains, heading there, and exchanging looks Tony and Natasha follow and they are both even more concerned when Jill closes the door.
“Jill, are you okay?” Natasha asks concerned.
“No, I’m not,” Jill admits, as she pulls out a chair and sits down. “Tony before you met Harley, I had cancer, I was in remission, and I never told the kids,” Jill explains to the shock of Tony and Natasha.
“I’m so sorry,” Tony says as both he and Natasha pull out chairs and sit down.
“Thank you, I was fine, for a long time, but a few months ago I went in for a check in and I found out that it had come back, and was a lot worse,” Jill explains. “That’s why I asked if Harley and Kenzie could come stay with you over spring break,” Jill admits.
“What are the doctors saying?” Natasha asks, feeling concerned.
“That it’s a lot worse this time. I have been undergoing tests and treatments, and I have been told that I only have a few months left,” Jill explains, and that hurts both Natasha and Tony to hear.
“Jill… we’re so sorry,” Tony says, sounding shocked, and not what else to say. “If you want to have Harley and Kenzie stay this summer we understand, and no matter what we’ll do whatever we can to help you; and them,” Tony says, feeling completely powerless, a feeling he truly hates.
“I appreciate that, and I know I am going to need help, but over the next few weeks I am going to be in and out of hospital a lot, and I really don’t want the kids around while that is happening,” Jill explains.
“Are you sure?” Natasha asks.
“Yeah, I don’t want them to know that I am sick,” Jill explains. “So, I need you both not to tell them until I have,” Jill says as she expects it will come the time where she won’t have a choice but to tell them.
“Jill…” Tony starts to say.
“This is my choice, I don’t want my last few months to be spent with my kids worrying about me,” Jill admits. “I can still make choices for myself, and that’s what I want,” Jill explains, her voice stern. “And so is this,” Jill says, sliding legal documents over to Tony and Natasha.
“Custody Papers?” Natasha asks surprised.
“When I’m gone, I need to know that Harley and Kenzie will be looked after, I need to know that they will be safe and loved, and I know that they will be with the two of you. You love them as if they were your own, and they love you, and Peter, I know that being with you when I am gone is what’s best for them,” Jill explains. “That’s if it is okay with you,” Jill admits, and as she does Natasha and Tony exchange looks, but they don’t have to do to know exactly what the other is thinking.
“It’s beyond okay,” Tony assures her, and Jill looks relieved, and so she takes back the forms and signs then, then passes them over to Natasha and Tony so that they can sign them too.
“MOM? NAT? TONY?” Harley calls, just as Natasha finishes signing.
“We’ll be right there,” Jill calls back, and after putting the forms in a place where the kids won’t see she heads out into the living room, with Tony and Natasha right behind her. “Have you guys got all your stuff?” Jill asks Harley and Kenzie.
“Yep,” Kenzie confirms.
“Yep,” Harley confirms.
“Then come here,” Jill says and as she does Harley and Kenzie walk over and hug their mother, as they do Natasha and Tony have a heard time not reacting to how tightly Jill hugs their kids. “You guys have a lot of fun with Nat, Tony and Peter,” Jill says.
“We will,” Harley confirms, and for a little while Jill holds her kids, it being perfectly clear that neither Jill doesn’t want to let go of either of them, until she finally does.
“Let’s get going,” Tony suggests, and the kids head out of the house, as they do Tony and Natasha hug Jill.
“If you need anything, call, no matter the time or reason,” Natasha tells Jill as they hug, wanting to do whatever she can to help.
“I will,” Jill responds, and once they break apart Tony and Natasha leave with the kids.
Hours later, after an uneventful flight Tony, Natasha, Peter, Harley and Kenzie arrive back at the compound.
“Wow this place is cool,” Harley says, as he looks around.
“Really is,” Kenzie admits. “Is there a pool here too?” Kenzie asks curious.
“Yep,” Peter confirms.
“FRI, give Kenzie and Harley the same access as Peter,” Tony requests as he knows that that means that all the kids have almost full access, they will just be restricted from accessing a few places.
“Yes Boss,” FRIDAY responds.
“Mom, Dad, can I give Harley and Kenzie the tour?” Peter asks curious.
“Of course,” Natasha tells him.
“Great, wait until you see your rooms,” Peter says as he, Harley and Kenzie hurry off together.
As the kids turned away Natasha and Tony turn to each other. Without a word Tony walks forward and hugs Natasha, both of them finally allowing them to feel what they haven’t let themselves feel since Jill told them her truth.
“We’ll get through this,” Natasha says to Tony as they hug.
“But will our kids?” Tony asks in a quiet voice. “Once they find out Jill didn’t tell them, that we didn’t tell them, they’re going to hate us,” Tony says, as he can see that coming.
“That’s a possibility,” Natasha admits, as she and Tony break apart. “Everything we’ve just been through indicates that, but we’ve got to be there for them, and explain everything once we can,” Natasha explains. “This was Jill’s choice, and we have to respect that,” Natasha admits, it being clear that she doesn’t like it, but she doesn’t know if they have the right to go against what Jill requested.
“But that won’t stop them from hating Jill, she has to know that,” Tony says worried.
“I think a part of her knows that and that’s why she is choosing to do this, because she thinks the anger will make it hurt left,” Natasha explains.
“But it won’t! it will just mean they won’t be able to grieve,” Tony says, remembering when he was in that position. “Trust me,” Tony adds, and as he does Natasha reaches out and takes his hand.
“I always do,” Natasha tells Tony. “Look, I don’t have the answers about how we are going to get through this, how Harley and Kenzie are going to, but I know that the five of us will just have to stick together, and do everything we can to help them get through this,” Natasha says.
“Even if they hate us and try to push us away?” Tony asks.
“Even then, we don’t let them,” Natasha says, and she leans in and kisses Tony.
“What do you say we go find those three kids of ours and join in on the tour,” Tony suggests, once he and Natasha break apart.
“I like the sound of that,” Natasha confirms, “FRI? Where are the kids?” Natasha asks curious.
“By the pool,” FRIDAY answers and once she does they had to the pool where they find Harley and Kenzie looking amused.
For the next few hours Natasha and Tony do their best to enjoy their time with Peter, Harley and Kenzie, though with everything going on they can’t help but feel worry about what the next few months are going to bring, and how their kids are going to handle that, but despite their worries they know that together they are going to be able to handle it, because while their lives were woven together by chance, they have been gotten strength by the love they feel for each other.
