"So I think we need to talk." I said. That was probably a huge understatement but I didn't really know what else to say. Especially considering everyone was here. The staring made it worse and no one was saying anything. "Too late to make a getaway?" I muttered to Aiden.

At that second the doors behind us closed and I saw Wren's hands glowing.

"I'd say so." He confirmed.

"She knows." Steve told Aiden and he nodded.

"How did this happen?" Bucky said.

"Aya?" Wren said and she appeared.

"Nora always knew but I never knew how she found out." Aya said.

"But you know everything." Ellie said.

"I can see almost everything." Aya said corrected. "That idiot Wade is one of the few exceptions. He's unpredictable maybe because of how moronically impulsive he is but somehow it's like he works on a different plane to ours. Works around my range of sight."

"And you didn't think that maybe you could have warned us?" Wren said angry.

"You really think I wanted this?" Aya said. "I didn't want her to know. But no matter what one way or another she was going to find out."

"How long have you known?" Wren asked me.

"Wren…" I started.

"How long?!" he demanded.

"I found out the day after I showed up." I answered.

"You've known the whole time?" Bucky said. "You lied to us for months?!"

"Calm down." Aiden said.

"And you helped her?" Steve said. "What the hell Aiden?!"

"Steve calm down." Sam said.

"Sammy…" I said shaking my head at him.

"You knew too?" Wren said turning to Sam.

"Wren calm down." I said.

"You don't get to tell me to calm down!" He shouted.

"Wren." Ellie said trying to get him to calm down.

"Don't talk to your mother that way." Rhodey said.

"She lied to us for months." Wren shouted.

"Why? Why would you do this to us?" Bucky said tearing up.

"I did this for you." I said. "Because as bad as knowing I'm going to die is, knowing how much it's going to hurt you all and the fact that I'm willingly going to do it is worse than anything Aya ever put me through and that's saying a lot. I'm sorry Wren…"

"No, you don't get to say that." Wren said.

"Wren…" Steve said putting a hand on his shoulder but he shrugged it off and teleported away.

"I'll go." Elle said, "I'm pretty sure I know where he is."

"Hey sorry I'm late…" Morgan said as she walked in.

"Nope." Elle said taking her hand and taking her with her.

"I… I can't…" Bucky said storming off.

"Buck!" Steve said. "he's…"

"It's fine." I said wiping tears off my face. "I'm not really in the mood to celebrate, sorry."

With that I walked out of the room.

Third Person's POV-

"Nora…" Rhodey started.

"I got her." Aiden said going after her.

"Course you do." Steve said annoyed.

"Go talk to your other soulmate." Natasha reminded him.

"Friday?" Steve asked.

"He's in the gym." Connor told him. "Well there's a ton of food and booze, you can all help yourselves."

"Forgot what a mess those three were." Clint said and Natasha elbowed him hard. "Ow, what? Not like we weren't all thinking it."

Nora's POV-

"Nora." Aiden called out.

"Can we just go?" I said walking into the garage.

"Don't you think you should stick around?" He said.

"Steve didn't say a word besides 'she knows' Bucky doesn't want to be in the same room as me and Wren is probably halfway around the world at a pub." I said.

"Brooding on a roof actually, pubs are only when he needs a distraction or is trying to think." Aiden said and I just gave him a look.

"This isn't the worst birthday I've ever had but its definitely in the top five. Right behind Wren getting his tumor diagnosis after Jess died and having to help gramps cover up his affair." I said. "I need a drink."

"Way ahead of you." Sam said walking into the garage

"Sam." I said. "How bad…"

"They're working it out." Sam said. "But since the party's over, guess we can go do what we normally do." That's when I noticed the fancy bottle of tequila he was carrying.

"Guess we can show you what we normally do on your birthday." Aiden said.

"Good thing the car can drive itself." Sam said activating the alarm on his car. We got into Sam's car as Aiden programmed his to go back to the building.

"So where are we going?" I asked as we got into the car.

"We're going to visit you." Aiden said as Sam started the car. He drove for a few hours until we got upstate. I didn't really recognize any of it but there was a lake and a huge cabin like house.

v1/image/2838167/size/gn-gift_guide_variable_

"This doesn't look familiar." I said looking around at the house in the middle of the forest next to the lake. Kind of reminded me of the ranch for some reason.

"Not yet it doesn't" Aiden said. "It's your dad's retirement home."

"Dad retired here?" I asked.

"Took a page out of your book. The ranch was being used for something else so he got a place of his own." Sam said as we got out of the car.

"Sure Aubrey doesn't mind you disappearing for the day?" I asked Sam as we started walking.

"She's used to it. Do this every year, though I do have to explain everything that just happened to her when I get home." Sam said. "That's going to be a fun conversation."

"Which part the time traveling or that I know I'm going to die in the future?" I asked.

"Basically everything." Sam said. "No one except those closest to you know about the time traveling."

"Safety reasons." Aiden said.

"Right." I said as we walked around the house. It was pretty and peaceful. Knowing dad he probably bought all the surrounding land so he wouldn't have to deal with any neighbors. I followed Sam and Aiden as we walked along the lake until they stopped by a tree near the dock.

There was a plaque at the Base of it.

Nora Eliana Stark

Mother, Daughter, Friend, Avenger

Under it was the original pattern for the arc reactor with twelve tick marks around it to symbolize time. My unofficial emblem.

"Took a page out of Wren's book." I commented.

"We couldn't really bury you, because of the serum your body was cremated. Split the ashes in half. Half here and the other half in Dallas with Wren." Aiden said.

"Good. Never was a fan of burials." I said looking around at the hanging decals on some of the branches. They were old but still well maintained.

Sam started pouring us each a shot of tequila and handed us each one.

"Happy fifty sixth birthday." Sam said. I nodded and we clinked glasses before taking the shot.

"So how bad did I screw up this time?" I asked Sam staring at the plaque.

"You didn't screw up… Well not completely." Sam said handing me another shot. "And its not all on you. It's a shitty situation. There isn't really a right way to deal with it."

"Besides if you had been up front with them from the beginning, they'd still be avoiding you." Aiden said.

"True, though now the kids hate me." I said taking a shot. "And Bucky… Steve has gotten better at filtering his thoughts though."

"Took him long enough." Aiden said as we kept taking shots.

A while later once they started hitting us.

"You know I keep thinking… Where did it all go wrong?" I said.

"You mean when you decided not to tell anyone you knew you were dead?" Sam said.

"For me it's when I left you alone in close proximity to that idiot Wade." Aiden snarled.

"I meant my life." I said. "I'm dead because Aya came into my life and as much as I want to blame it on her I don't think it's completely her fault."

"Is it because she never interferes?" Sam said sarcastically.

"That's all she does." Aiden said.

"I wish I could say my life would be better off without her but…" I said tearing up as everything finally started catching up to me. "It's not. Some of the best things that ever happened to me were because Aya walked into my life. If it weren't for her. I wouldn't have met Wren, wouldn't have met Aiden. I wouldn't be a mom. She ruined my life, but she gave me an even better one even if it isn't always easy and I end up dead. Fuck I need another shot."

"But something other than tequila." Sam said. "Getting way too old for this."

"Let's check the house." Aiden said helping me and Sam up from where we were sitting on the ground.

Meanwhile…

"So Nora knows?" Morgan said as she and Elle drove into the city.

"Apparently she's known the whole time she's been here." Ellie said filling her in.

"And Wren didn't take it well." Morgan answered knowing how things went from there.

"He didn't so we're going to go check on him and try to talk some sense into him." Elle said. "Think you should go. He'll listen to you more."

"She lied for eight months Elle, it's going to take more than just talking for Wren to get over this." Morgan said.

"Well we have to do something." Elle said. "Connor's handling everyone at the compound, Uncle Steve is talking to Uncle Bucky trying to figure out what to do now and Dad's with Aunt Nora and Uncle Aiden."

"And we got Wren." Morgan said looking up. "Hope the elevator isn't out."

Meanwhile back at the Compound…

Bucky was in the gym as Friday had told him and he was working a punching bag.

"Buck?" Steve said as he walked in.

Bucky completely ignored him and kept throwing punches. His hands weren't wrapped and his knuckles were starting to bleed but he wouldn't stop.

"Bucky." Steve tried again. "Nora…"

"Don't." Bucky said.

"We have to talk about it." Steve said.

"Talk about what? How Nora lied to us for months? That all this progress we thought we were making with her was just her…" Bucky stopped. "Why?"

"I don't know." Steve said. "Why does Nora do anything?"

"Aya and the timeline." He said. "Stupid timeline. How's Wren?"

"He left. Ellie and Morgan went to go talk to him." Steve said. "Sam left with Nora and Aiden. Everyone else is in their rooms or went home."

"What the hell are we supposed to do Steve?" Bucky said.

"I-I don't know." Steve answered.

"She didn't just lie to us the past couple of months, she lied to us back then. All those years." Bucky said.

"She came back different and we never figured out why. Until now." Steve said. "We need to talk to her."

"And say what?" Bucky said. "What is there left to say Steve?"

"I don't know get answers try to figure things out…" Steve said.

"That's just it… there's nothing left to figure out. She's going to die and she knows it's going to happen. We can't stop it from happening and she isn't going to stop it either." Bucky said. "She gave up."

Back in the City…

Wren was sitting on the ledge just looking out at the city. It wasn't quiet, New York never was but at least it was louder than his thoughts. Too bad Aya wasn't a thought.

"Okay let's hear it." Aya said.

Wren didn't say anything just ignored her.

"You're a bit too old to be pulling tantrums so just say it." She said.

"You knew, this entire time you knew she was going to find out but you still drilled it into all of us that she couldn't find out." he said.

"It would have been better if she didn't know." Aya said.

"So you're going to wipe her memory before she leaves?" Wren asked.

"I didn't want her to find out Wren." Aya said.

"That's a no." Wren said. "Unbelievable… actual it's totally believable coming from you."

"You're angry and you have every right to be…" Aya started.

"Of course I fucking do!" Wren shouted. "It was all a lie."

"Her knowing didn't change how much she loves you Wren." Aya said. "Since the day she found out she was pregnant with you, you were her world and everything she did…"

"Don't finish that fucking sentence." Wren said his eyes glowing green. Aya disappeared before reappearing next to him.

"If there is one thing you inherited from your mother it's your stubbornness." With that she put a hand on his shoulder. He felt the chills run down his spine as he started glowing.

"You're the worst." Wren said before disappearing.

"I've heard that before." Aya said as Morgan and Ellie walked through the door as the light faded.

"Aya really?" Elle said.

"A heads up would have been good before the last five flights of stairs." Morgan said panting.

"He'll be back in a few days." Aya said.

"Days?!" They both said.

"It took Nora thirty years, Wren's easier to get through to." Aya said before disappearing.

"Shit." Morgan said.

Back With Nora…

Dad's cabin was everything you'd expect out of a house Dad built. High tech but tastefully decorated. It was a lot more homier than the Tower or the compound and of course it was stocked with the best booze money could buy.

I walked into the kitchen and saw that there was a cleared out dining room that had a holotable instead. I kept walking and saw drawings of Iron man that a kid had made. There was actually a few of them, some with red and gold iron man and another with blue armor.

Weird.

There were a few more photos. One of dad with a teenager. Dad was holding up bunny ears behind his head and the kid was holding up a certificate upside down. I guess he was an intern or something. Those two must've been close.

There was another one of a group of kids outside by the lake. I could immediately tell which one was Wren by those adorable red curls and blue eyes. Connor was the tallest and the blonde girl with them was obviously Ellie. Didn't know who the girl next to them was. She had short brown hair and brown eyes and her smile just screamed sass.

I kept looking and found one of Dad and Pepper and then I saw one of me and Dad. It was from years ago. From before everything… before Afghanistan. Simpler times.

"We got scotch, vodka or if you feel like crying wine." Sam said.

"Scotch." Aiden said before peeking in. "Nora?"

"Scotch." I said putting the photo down.

"Haven't seen this one in a while." Aiden said picking up the photo of the kids.

"Hard to believe they were ever that small." Sam said smiling. "Morgan really does have Tony's smile."

"Morgan?" I asked.

"Shit…" Sam cursed.

"Really Sam." Aiden said.

"Sorry thought slipped out." He said.

"Guys?" I said. "I know we're not talking about Connor's girlfriend. So Morgan?"

"She already knows she's dead I doubt this will make much of a difference." Aiden said.

"Yeah but she's not supposed to meet her yet." Sam argued.

"Wren, Connor and Elle met her years before she really met them." Aiden said. "This is normal for her."

"Guys?" I said getting annoyed.

"Tony and Pepper got married and had a daughter. Your sister Morgan." Aiden said pulling out a photo album. There she was.

Morgan H Stark.

Photos of her and Dad and Pepper. From the day she was born to the Morgan I met.

"Something about her always reminded me of Dad. Guess this explains why." I said. "And she does have his smile."

I closed the album and put it back and looked at the photo of me and Dad. I could really use one of Dad's everything is going to work out pep talks right about now or at least a fraction of his confidence.

March 4th, 2010- Malibu, California

"Ah!" Wren groaned as he tripped outside a bar in Malibu. "Aya!"

Except there was no answer.

"Aya send me back." Wren said. "Send me back!"

"Shut up." A hobo living in the alley shouted before throwing a bottle at him and missing.

"Fucking hell." Wren said walking out of the alley to get a look at where he was. It was dark so it was night, all the signs were in English and judging by the weather he was on the West coast. Probably California.

Wren looked around and all of the shops were closed. He closed his eyes and focused on going anywhere but there. New York… Dallas…

"Uh!" He groaned frustrated. He took a breath and started walking on the side of the road.

Aya wasn't talking to him and he couldn't teleport so she sent him here to cool off. Though that's what he was trying to do in the first place so this was pointless.

He walked for a while. Lost track of time and just kept walking. It was quiet and dark but oddly relaxing.

Too bad that didn't last.

Suddenly some idiot started speeding down the road in a white Audi. The driver was distracted looking at something on his phone not noticing Wren. Luckily being raised and trained by two super soldiers and an assassin, Wren was always aware of his surroundings and had fast reflexes.

He managed to jump out of the way before the car hit him and swerved to a halt.

"What the fuck?" Wren said.

"Shit." He heard someone shout before getting out of the car. "Hey are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. You really should watch where…" Wren started before he saw his grandfather standing in front of him. "You're going."

"Sorry, I was handling something." Tony said. "Are you alright? Need a doctor?"

"I'm fine. Jumped out of the way in time." Wren said.

"You sure? Really don't want to get sued. Pepper would kill me." He said.

"I'm fine. Promise." Wren said.

"Kind of a weird place for a walk?" Tony said looking around the empty road.

"Needed to clear my head." Wren answered honestly.

"Know the feeling. It's why I went for a drive." He said. "Should've just stayed home and had a drink."

"Should've found a bar." Wren said.

"I know a place." Tony said. "Come on."

"It's fine. I'll just walk back." Wren said.

"I almost ran you over, the least I can do is buy you a drink." Tony said. "Chop chop, let's go."

"Not like it's the first time…" Wren muttered before getting in the car. Tony sped up the driveway and pulled over at a small empty lounge by the beach. The place was a real hole in the wall and you probably wouldn't be able to find it unless you knew where it was.

When they walked in Wren was surprised that it didn't look like a bar… it was more of a lounge. Tony led Wren towards the back close to a fireplace where there were a few arm chairs scattered about.

"I'll have a scotch neat, top shelf." Tony said.

"Of course Mister Stark and you Sir?" The waitress asked.

"Same thank you." Wren said.

"I'll bring those right over." She said going to the bar.

Wren sat there looking at his grandfather. He was a lot younger than he remembered him. His hard was longer. He still had his signature goatee. Classic rock tee shirt. He was wearing a leather jacket.

"Do I have something on my face?" Tony said.

"What?" Wren said snapping out of it.

"You were staring. I know I look good but I don't go that way." Tony said.

"Oh no I wasn't…" Wren said.

"I'm pulling your chain. Relax kid." Tony said. "Do you have a name?"

"Yeah it's… Aiden. Aiden Barnes." Wren said.

"Nice to meet you Aiden." He said.

"Nice to meet you too Tony." Wren said still staring but catching himself this time. "Sorry you just look a lot like someone used to know."

"Can't say I get that a lot." Tony said as the waitress came by and gave them both their drinks. Wren took a small sip and savored the smoky flavor.

"Smooth." Wren said.

"It's the best." He said. "So why were you walking in the middle of the road in the middle of the night?"

"Uh that's complicated." Wren said. "Why were you speeding down the road in the middle of the night?"

"Uh that's… also complicated." Tony said and they stayed quiet for a minute. "Girl trouble?"

"No, Elle… she's amazing. Beyond amazing. She's been my rock through everything." Wren said.

"Sounds like someone I know." Tony said smiling.

"Girlfriend?" Wren asked.

"No well she is but this isn't really about her…. Actually it kind of is her and her.. shit." Tony said taking another drink. "It's been a rough couple of months."

"That's an understatement." Wren said. "My whole life's been a lie."

"Did you get betrayed by someone you considered a father, get kidnapped by terrorists and find out that your life's work ends innocent lives?" Tony said.

"My mom lied to me." Wren said.

"Well that's almost as bad…" Tony said sarcastically.

"I don't think you'd understand if I told you." Wren said.

"Okay if it's not girl trouble, is it trouble at work?" Tony asked.

"No, work is great." He said. "I'm killing it… not literally though. I'm a surgeon with a high success rate."

"Surgeon huh? My ki- I have a friend… I know someone who's going to be a surgeon. She's great." Tony said and Wren smiles a bit. Tony looked at him curiously.

"I'm sure she is." Wren said. "So this friend…"

"She's a little young for you." Tony said.

"Oh no… no god no." Wren said shivering at the thought. "I meant is she the problem?"

"Nora? No she's… telling her about the problem is the problem." Tony said.

"What is the problem?" He asked.

"Well you're a doctor, you must have experience telling people bad news. How do you do it?" Tony asked.

"There's not really a right way." Wren said. "It's kind of the hardest thing about being a doctor. You can't save them all, that's a fact of life but having to give someone news that will destroy their world as they know it… That doesn't get easier."

"Doesn't really help." Tony said.

"Sorry. The best advice I can give you is be honest. As bad as it is, it's better if she hears it from a friend than some other way… in the worst way possible." Wren said taking another drink.

"I have to give my friend some news. Her dad is the only family she has and he's dying but doesn't know how to tell her." Tony said. Wren looked down at the light peeking through Tony's shirt.

"Is there any hope?" Wren asked. "No way for him to get better?"

"I tried everything but I-he has a few months." Tony said and Wren stayed quiet.

"I'd be direct. Tell her the truth. Be there for her and help her process it and make the most of the time you have left. Get her ready for life without her dad." He said. "Though maybe her dad should take some time and comes to term with it first. He's probably having a rough time."

"Yeah." He said. "He has things to do. Update his will, Tell his other friends. Pepper."

"Yeah." Wren said sadly before he started feeling chills run up his spine. "Thanks for the drink but I should get going. And I think you have a lot to think about."

"Thanks for the advice." Tony said standing up and shaking his hand.

Wren shook his grandfather's hand. He let go and just as he was about to walk away he gently put a hand on Tony's shoulder making Tony freeze.

"Tony, everything's going to be okay. It'll work out." Wren said hugging him as Tony stood there awkwardly patting his back. Wren pulled away and walked out the back door.

"You want to tell me why I'm here?" Wren said waiting for Aya to appear.

"I'd think it'd be pretty obvious by now." Aya said.

"You wanted me to drink with Grandpa?" Wren asked

"Well first I wanted you to calm down, secondly I thought you should see things from someone else's perspective. Someone who you knew and went through something similar to your mom." Aya said. "Forgot Tony was still a bit green."

"Grandpa told mom about the palladium." Wren said.

"After she figured it out on her own. Tony did not handle things well. He was a drunk mess towards the end but it wasn't the fact he was dying that made him act that way. It was that he was worried about leaving your mom alone." Aya said.

"It doesn't change anything Aya she lied." Wren said.

"Tony lied to your mom, your mom lied to Tony, Aiden lies all the time but at the end of the day you know there is nothing your uncle wouldn't do for you all. How is this any different than that?" Aya said.

"We're talking about the woman who fought Nazis, Hydra, the KGB, Fell off a train trying to save Dad from dying. Who went against you time and time again no matter how impossible it seemed and still gave up. Who chose to leave everything and everyone, left me…" Wren said tearing up.

"I think there's something you should see." Aya said disappearing before Wren time jumped again.

Meanwhile…

Bucky was in the common room taking shots of bourbon staring off into space. Trying to figure out where it all went wrong. How he never noticed what was right in front of him.

"Guys?" Morgan called out.

"Hey." Bucky said.

"You okay?" Ellie asked.

"Been better." Bucky said taking another shot.

"I'll take a shot of that." Morgan said but Bucky moved it out of the way.

"Mixed in Asgardian liquor." Bucky said.

"Nevermind." Morgan said cringing a bit.

"Where's everyone?" Ellie asked and Bucky shrugged deciding to ditch the shot glasses and go straight for the bottle. "Wren's gone. Aya took him somewhere, said he'd be back in a few days."

"Great." Bucky said sarcastically as he bit into a wing.

"Oh, are there more of those?" Morgan asked.

"Morgan." Elle said.

"What I'm hungry" She said grabbing a wing before she saw a wrapped dish of cheeseburger sliders. "Oh score."

"Uncle Bucky maybe you should slow down a bit…" Elle said concerned but Bucky just took the bottle and moved to the couch. The girls exchanged concerned looks.

"Maybe we should get Connor and Uncle Steve." Morgan suggested.

"Not really sure they're going to be much better." Elle said. "Aya has Wren at least, though not sure her looking like Aunt Nora's going to help."

"Friday, Where's Uncle Steve and Connor?" Morgan asked.

"Captain Rogers is in the gym and Connor is currently in his lab." Friday answered.

"I'll go get fill in Uncle Steve." Elle said.

"I'll be here. Enjoying the mini cheeseburgers." Morgan said. "These are so good."

February 1992-

Wren appeared in another dirty alley. Except this time it was day time. He walked out of the alley and saw a bunch of shops and cafés.

"Aya?" Wren whispered.

"Turn left and go down the block. Take a seat in the café's patio." Aya answered.

"I can get a coffee at home." Wren said.

"Do it." Aya insisted.

"Fucking hell." Wren muttered before doing as he was told. He took a walk. The street signs told him he was in Los Angeles and a newspaper he found on the empty seat told him he was in 1992.

"What the hell happened in 1992?" Wren said.

"Your mom was born." Aya reminded him.

"Not for another nine months." He muttered.

"What was that?" The waitress asked hearing him answer.

"Uh… nine months for election day." Wren said smiling awkwardly.

"Right." She said smiling at him biting her lip obviously trying to flirt. "Can I get you anything?"

"I'm fine thank you." He said smiling at her.

"Well give me a shout if you change your mind." She said leaving a piece of paper with her phone number on the table before walking away.

"I'm pretty sure you didn't bring me here to get the waitress's number." Wren said.

"Look who's walking into the café." Aya answered.

Wren looked over and saw a younger Nora walking into the café. She was dressed not like the current trends or even in jeans. She was wearing heels and an old fashioned dress. Looked like something he saw in history books Steve had in his office or old photos of them during the war. That's probably where she got it.

"She's younger." Wren said.

"Eighteen." Aya answered.

Wren watched her order a coffee and then take a seat at a table close next to the window.

"Why is she here?" Wren asked.

"Same as you." Aya answered. "I brought her here."

Wren watched his mom sit there by herself when suddenly a girl walked by. He couldn't see her face but the way her back was so straight he could tell she was on guard. The girl sat across from her.

"Who is she?" Wren asked.

"Eliana Martell, your grandmother." Aya said.

"Wait that's… " Wren said looking at her again. "You brought mom to meet her mom before she died?"

"To meet her mom the day before she was conceived." Aya said.

"That's a bit harsh don't you think?" He said.

"I've been around a long time but the one thing that never gets easier is dealing with death. It's an inevitable part of life but your mom, she got more than her fair share of it. She was stubborn and wanted to save Bucky from falling off that train but that couldn't happen." Aya said.

"So you let dad fall, lose his arm and get tortured on and off for seventy years, which also led to Great Grandpa Howard dying." Wren said. "Great plan Aya."

"Yes because of that your other father crashed that plane, they both survived long enough to get to when the world needed them most and they saved the world multiple times and got to raise you." Aya said. "She had to make the right choice so that when the time came she'd do the right thing. So I brought her here. She could have told her not to go to that party where your grandmother met your grandfather. They never would have had your mom and she would have lived a long happy life. But if she had then every person your mom had ever saved not just with her powers but as a doctor probably would have died. She had to make the hardest choices but she always made the right choice no matter how much it hurt her."

"That's a load of shit." Wren said. "Why her? Why didn't she just walk away? Let someone else deal with it. Why wasn't I enough to make her fight it?"

Wren watched his mom walk out of the café. She briefly turned towards him and saw her crying before she ran across the street.

"Come on." Aya said. "I think there's someone you should meet. Never really thought I'd say this but I need his help."

"Why did you say it like that?" He said.

"Alley across the street, get going." Aya said.

Wren left some money on the table. Good thing Aya made him keep paper currency in all of his pants for times like this.

Third Person's POV-

Bucky was still wallowing in the common room. It was dark and the only light was coming from the lamp posts outside. Morgan and Elle had decided to head home. Steve was locked in his office or in the gym or somewhere Bucky wasn't really paying attention to where he was going.

He was alone wishing he had more of Thor's booze and didn't have to water it down.

Suddenly the kitchen lights turned on and Connor walked in.

"Did Morgan take all the wings?" Connor said looking through all the food and only finding the bones.

"In the microwave." Bucky said making Connor jump.

"Shit!" He said. "Didn't know you were there."

"Mh." Bucky shrugged looking out the window.

"You feeling okay?" Connor asked.

"Been better." Bucky groaned about to take another drink but the bottle was empty.

"Yeah it was a rough day." Connor said rubbing the back of his neck. He turned on the coffee maker and made his uncle a huge cup of coffee before going to sit on the couch. Connor put the coffee in front of Bucky. He stared at it for a minute before picking it up and taking a sip. The bitter hot liquid waking him up from his stupor.

"Aya took Wren." Bucky said.

"He should be back in a few days." Connor said biting into a wing. Bucky eyed Connor. His eyebrows furrowed. His foot tapping. His fingers tapping and the way he was eating. Stress eating.

"Say it." Bucky said.

"What?" Connor said freezing.

"Whatever's bothering you, just say it." Bucky said.

"It's nothing." Connor said.

"Connor I've known you since you were a kid. I know when something's wrong with you so say it. Whatever it is it won't make things any worse than they already are." Bucky said.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." He said tapping his fingers anxiously. "Uh… I knew… about Aunt Nora, that she… knew. I think I've known for a while now."

"Fuck who didn't know?" Bucky said annoyed.

"I've known for years." Connor said.

"What?" Bucky said not expecting that answer.

"I was there for all of it. The good days and the bad. When the snap happened, when you and dad and Wren and Elle were gone, it was bad. Everything was a mess. Uncle Tony, Steve, Aiden, Thor… everyone… they all gave up. I did too. I was with her everyday for five years and she never gave up. She promised me that we were going to get them back." Connor said.

"You were a kid, you couldn't have known." Bucky said.

"Except I did." Connor said. "Aunt Nora always keeps her promises. Before the end, I remember she was going to leave me with Aiden. We were in Wakanda and they were arguing until she convinced him to stay. I didn't want to her to go but she just smiled and hugged me. She told me that everything was going to be okay. That we were going to get everyone back and she promised me that I was going to see her again but that it might take her a while to come back and she asked me to look after Wren and Elle for her until she did."

Connor was tearing up and sniffling a bit.

"I've had nightmares about that day on and off for years and it never really made sense until now." He said. "Everything she did, she did for us. Because she was here and knew we would be okay after she was gone."

Bucky stayed quiet trying to process everything.

"Your uncle, aunt and I have been trying to find our way back to each other for more than a hundred years… Used to think soulmates meant you're meant to be but every time we do, life just breaks us up again." Bucky said.

"You guys got dealt a pretty shitty deal." Connor said. "But it wasn't all bad. I mean after everything even that rough patch with Uncle Steve and his ex who was literally the worst, you all still look at each other like you're each other's world."

"Yeah, I just never thought I'd have to do this again. I don't think I can do it again." Bucky said. "I was always the one going away, never the one left behind. Don't know which is worse."

Nora's POV-

We were all drunk. Very Drunk.

"Darling, you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?" The Clash sang as the song played out of the speakers placed around the house.

"Don't actually have a choice." I said.

"If you say that you are mine
I'll be here 'til the end of time"

"Not like I have a choice." Aiden said taking another shot.

"Guys I'm fucking old." Sam said and we both glared at him.

"It's always tease, tease, tease
You're happy when I'm on my knees"

"That's fucking life." Aiden said.

"You know in this entire mess there is one thing I am grateful for…" I said.

"Looking at the bright, hey we're getting somewhere." Sam slurred.

"Always the bloody optimist." Aiden said throwing his head back onto the couch behind him.

"I'm glad Dad isn't here. If he knew…. Pretty sure this would kill him all over again. Fuck my other dad knows…" I said in realization.

"More like everyone that was there and at the party knows." Sam said and Aiden and I gave him a look. "Shot?"

"Shot." We agreed.

November 8, 1978- Third Person's POV

Wren appeared in a dark room. He couldn't see anything but he could hear shouting.

"What the hell were you thinking Gramps?!" Nora shouted.

"Mom?" Wren whispered quietly cracking the door open to see what was going on. There was a study and there was a desk and books all around. There was a man in a grey suit. His tie was loose and he was swirling a glass of scotch in his hand. In front of him was a younger version of his mom. She was in blue denim bell bottoms and a cream colored lanterned ¾ sleeved, bow neck top. Her hair was blown out and she had bangs that were framing her face.

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"Wait." Aya said.

"I didn't think it'd be a problem." Howard argued.

"It wasn't a problem it was a cluster fuck. All because you couldn't keep it in your pants. You're a grown ass man don't you think it's about time you started acting like it?" Nora argued. "You're a married man, for fucks sake. You have a wife who adores you and a son you should be paying more attention to."

"Hey who I decide to spend my time with is none of your business." Howard argued.

"Not my business? Then why did you call me in the middle of the night practically begging me to save your sorry ass?" Nora argued. "Maybe I should have let them throw you overboard somewhere in the Atlantic, maybe you would have learned your lesson."

"Wouldn't be the first the first person you lost to the Atlantic." Howard said.

"I don't even know who you are anymore." Nora said.

"I grew up Nora, maybe its time you do too. Maybe then Aya will show up again." Howard snarked back.

"You know what, stick your dick wherever you want, maybe you'll get the clap and it'll stop coming up. Problem solved." Nora said.

"Not like you care. You finally got what you wanted." Howard said.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Nora asked.

"Dad?" A young boy that couldn't be older than seven or eight years old said.

"Go back to bed Tony." Howard dismissed not even looking at his son.

"Grampa." Wren whispered.

"Where's mom?" Tony asked.

"Go to bed, we're busy!" Howard snapped.

"No we're done here." Nora said glaring at him before looking at Tony and softening her look. "Sorry about the noise buddy. Your mom's away working but how about I read you a story and tuck you in?"

"Stories are for babies." Tony mumbled. "Can I go home with you?"

"It's a little late for that but how about I pick you up for breakfast tomorrow and we do something?" She offered.

"Can we try out my rocket?" Tony asked.

"You bet." She said. "Let's go tuck you in."

Wren smiled at the interaction between the two but noticed the scowl on Howard's face as he watched them leave.

Howard walked over and closed the door to his study Wren took a step back but tripped on a shoe and stumbled against the door falling out.

"Ah!" Wren cried out falling onto the afghan carpet in the study.

"What the…" Howard said standing up.

"Ow." Wren said sitting up and looking at his great grandfather.

"Wren?" Howard said but then got a closer look at him. "You're not Wren."

"He is and he isn't." Aya said appearing.

"You." Howard said scowling. "Finally showed up. It's about damn time. Nora's been waiting for decades."

"And she's going to keep waiting. I'm not here for her." Aya said. "We came to see you."

"Me?" Howard said surprised.

"Really?" Wren said surprised considering the argument he had just heard.

"Yes. I…" Aya said genuinely struggling to get the words out. "I need your help with him."

"Who are you?" Howard asked string at Wren.

"Howard Stark meet Wren Spencer-Stark, your great grandson." Aya said.

"Great-grandson?" Howard asked. "So Nora's your…"

"Mom, yeah." Wren confirmed.

"And your dad's Wren. Explains the resemblance. You look just like him." Howard said. "Wait why are you here with her?"

"I'll leave you to it." Aya said disappearing before saying something only Wren could hear.

"You can tell him everything just don't mention Steve and Bucky, he thinks they're dead."

Howard watched as Wren's eyes glowed green for a sec before returning to their normal blue. He'd only seen that happen once before.

"You're it's host." Howard said walking toward the bar and pouring himself and Wren a drink. "Bet your mom's real happy about that." He said sarcastically before handing Wren a drink.

"She didn't get a say. Why does everyone in this family think the solution to a problem is at the bottom of a scotch glass?" Wren said.

"Your mom used to say the same thing." Howard said as they both took a sip. "If Aya brought you all the way here to talk to me then things must be bad."

"She really doesn't like you." Wren said.

"Feeling's mutual." Howard said still watching Wren. "Nora and Wren… always knew there was something there, Guess Nora did find a way to save him."

"Actually she didn't." Wren said. "Dad died before I was born, before mom even knew she was pregnant."

"Oh, sorry." Howard said. They both stayed quiet and took a sip of their drinks.

"Okay I get it now." Wren said swirling his drink.

"Well you had Nora, She's going to be a great mom. She's better with Tony than I am." Howard said.

"You'd be surprised. Mom didn't raise me." Wren said feeling his eyes water a bit and Howard froze. "She died when I was five. There was a fight and she didn't make it."

"Shit." Howard said. "After everything… She still… damn it kid."

"Aya's been with me ever since." Wren said watching his reaction. Howard's eyes seemed glassy like he was struggling to hold back tears which surprised Wren. Tony and Howard had a complicated history. His dad had an even more complicated history with the man. His other Dad spoke highly of him. He didn't really know who was right.

"I'm guessing there's more." Howard said observing Wren. The way his fingers fidgeted against his side and how he bit his lip when he was thinking. Nora did the exact same thing.

"Mom showed up a few months ago." Wren said.

"Time jump." Howard said understanding immediately.

"Accidental Time Jump." Wren said. "She's been with us for months and we haven't told her what happened except she found out on her own because it turns out she was always going to find out. She walked into that fight knowing how it was going to end and she still did it and I'm just having trouble figuring out why she did it."

"It's more than that. You want to know why she left you." Howard said.

"Growing up my mom and dad were my heroes. They died. Dad didn't have a choice but knowing that Mom died doing the right thing, trying to make the world a better place, that she wanted to be there to see me grow up but didn't have a choice… I don't know I guess it made it easier to deal with the fact that I didn't have a mom. But turns out she did have a choice and she chose to leave everything." Wren said. "To leave me."

"Kid it's not like that." Howard said. "I don't know the specifics of the situation she was under but I know Nora. For the people she loves there is not a single thing she wouldn't do."

"Well I'm having a really hard time seeing that Gramps." Wren said.

"Look I am not the best parent…" Howard started and Wren raised his eyebrows a bit before taking a drink to avoid saying something. "But I love my kid. I don't have the patience to deal with him most of the time, I work way too much, and the greater good has rarely outweighed my own self interests, but everything I do is for Tony. To help make the world a better place for him. Your mom only made that choice because it meant you would be okay, and from where I'm standing she wasn't wrong."

"You're defending her a lot for someone she just turned her back on." Wren said.

"Oh that? It's not the first time she's bailed me out. She's just mad because it's her birthday and I interrupted her pity party." Howard said.

"Didn't seem that way to me." Wren said.

"Not the first time she gets mad at me and it won't be the last." Howard said. "I don't know a lot about the future kid but I know Nora I've seen her at her best and her worst, she's been through the ringer and had to do things that would break anyone else but through it all she still sees the best in people. She still believes in second chances and she's never stopped trying to make the world a better place."

"The undying optimist." Wren said remembering what Aiden always called her.

"I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, some very recently but I must've done something right because she's the best of all of us. And no matter how many times I disappoint her she's still here." He said.

"Grandpa turned out great too." Wren said needing to clear the air a bit. "He wasn't perfect and he made a some of mistakes along the way but he always came through. Guess it runs in the family."

"Well my old man never met a problem he couldn't solve with a belt… And apparently we all think the solution to our problems is at the bottom of a glass of scotch so good to know I did slightly better." Howard said smirking.

"Slightly." Wren said smiling before he started feeling the chills and Howard noticed his eyes flashed to the eerie glowing green before returning to their normal blue.

"Times up." Howard said.

"Looks like it." Wren said putting the glass down and standing up. "Thanks for everything Gramps, this actually helped."

"It's what I do." Howard said shaking Wren's hand. "Take care of yourself kid."

Wren let go of his hand and hugged him.

"Oh…" Howard said awkwardly returning the hug. Wren let go and looked at Howard one last time before he disappeared in a flash of light.

Howard stood there for a minute processing everything. When the door opened.

"Tony's asleep, I'll pick him up for breakfast and bring him back when Grandma gets back." Nora was about to walk out.

"Nora." Howard said stopping her. "You know I love you right?"

"Are you drunk?" Nora asked.

"I know that sometimes I take you for granted and…" Howard said not knowing what to say.

"You're an idiot?" She suggested.

"At times yes… and I don't appreciate all the things you do for me but you're my best friend, one of the most important people in my life and I know I don't say it but I do love you kid." Howard said.

"I love you too Gramps, even if you're an idiot." Nora said. "But I'm still pissed at you."

"I know." Howard said deep in thought.

Nora's POV-

"Uh…" I said groaning at the pounding headache that was waking me up. I opened my eyes and cringed at my burning eyeballs. My back and arm were killing me. I was on the floor. Did I fall off my bed?

No wait there was carpet… this wasn't the fur rug I had next to my bed. I opened my eyes and saw the fireplace and coffee table with bottles and shot glasses.

That's when it all came back to me. The truth was out. My son hates my guts. My soulmates hate my guts. I got drunk with my best friends. Who were also passed out…

Wait where's Sam?

"Buah!" I heard from down the hall. I recognized that… oh shit… I ran to the kitchen and puked in the sink.

"Keep it… Uh!" Aiden said before I heard some stumbling and then he puked into the trash can.

"Uh… " I groaned.

"Guys I think I'm dying." Sam said groaned as he made his way to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. He was slightly more functional than me. I just turned on the faucet and drank straight from there. Aiden grabbed a bowl and dunked his face in it.

We were quiet for a minute before someone's phone started ringing.

"Turn it off." I cried.

"Bloody hell Friday." Aiden said before it stopped.

"I can't drive." Sam said.

"Good thing it can drive itself then." Aiden said. "Friday program the car to take us home."

"I'd recommend stopping by for breakfast." Friday said and we all started puking again. Eventually we all pulled it together enough to find out things, slip on a pair of shades and climb into the car.

We were a few hours away from the city so we all took a power nap trying to sleep it off. By the time we made it into the city we could more or less stomach the idea of food so we pulled into a small brunch place.

We were a mess. The look on our waitress' face said it all. We were all hunched over the table, half passed out… Aiden ordered three of their hangover specials and the strongest coffee they had.

The coffee more or less returned us back to the land of the living.

"I might be getting to old for this." Sam said.

"Seconded." I said.

"Don't remember feeling this shitty from a hangover." Aiden said.

"I want to pass out on my bed with all the blinds closed and never come out." I said.

"Steam shower, there's nothing it can't fix." Aiden said.

"I have to face Abby like this." Sam said.

"Want us to come with you?" I offered.

"Considering she's only seen you drunk or hung over I think she might believe me if its just me." Sam said making me feel so relieved I didn't have to deal with that right now. "Are you going to talk to Steve and Bucky?"

"And say what? Sorry I'm going to die?" I said. "I don't think there's anything I can say that can make them feel better right now. I don't think they want to see me right now or ever again."

"Oh please, One of them murdered your grandfather and the other ditched you for his knocked up girlfriend and you got past that, you'll be screwing each other senseless in no time." Aiden said.

"Maybe we should just screw each other instead of actually talking? The sex has always been mind blowing, After all the shit we've been through we deserve some fun and fuck it I'm dying I deserve to go out with a bang." I said.

"Nora, you can't be fuck buddies with your soulmates." Sam said. "You guys were making progress, they were getting closure and you really think they're going to go for that now that they know?"

"Uh let me dream Sammy." I groaned. "My kid hates me and is probably never going to speak to me again. Your kids probably hate me too and I took shots with my kid sister. I may have even told her that the best way to get over someone is to get under someone knew or some other advice along those lines. I should not be giving advice. Wisdom does not come with age."

Meanwhile- Third Person's POV

After a very deep and profound conversation with his uncle Connor headed to his lab, opened the drawer at the bottom of his desk and pulled out a very expensive Scotch that Wren had gotten him for his birthday last year. He was saving it for a huge breakthrough or a really bad day, whichever happened first.

He took drinks and at some point Elle and Morgan had decided to join him. They started doing shots and then the night got fuzzy.

Which is why the next morning when he woke up naked in his bed spooning a naked woman he had no idea how it happened or who it was.

"Mhmmm." Connor groaned. "Friday blinds…"

"Hmm thanks." The woman muttered. Her hair was in her face and he couldn't get a good look at her. She turned over moving the hair off her face and her eyes widened as Connor's did before they both screamed moving away from each other.

"AHHH!" they shouted.

"Morgan what are you…" Connor shouted.

"Me what are you…" Morgan shouted before realizing they were naked. "Ah!" She quickly pulled the covers off the bad and put them around her while Connor grabbed a pillow.

"What the hell happened last night?!" Connor said.

"I don't know, we were drinking with Elle in the lab." Morgan said getting dressed.

"Oh fuck." Connor said panicking. "Oh shit… fuck Morgan! Fuck Morgan."

"I know. We fucked can you stop reminding me." Morgan said panicking as she rushed to get dressed.

"No I mean Morgan my girlfriend, Fuck I cheated on my girlfriend Morgan!" Connor said.

"Oh shit." Morgan said. "Fuck!"

"Shit." Connor said Before there was a knock at the door.

"Connor you okay?" Steve called out.

"Uh Yeah just stubbed my toe." Connor said while Morgan rushed to get dressed.

"Okay, I'm making breakfast any requests?" Steve said.

"I'm good thanks." Connor said.

"Alright then." Steve said walking away completely oblivious to the train wreck he almost walked in on.

"I need to get out of here." Morgan said.

"Should we talk about…" Connor started.

"No." Morgan said. "This never happened."

"Morgan, I have a girlfriend." Connor said.

"We had a bad day and got drunk. It was a drunk mistake that never happened." Morgan said.

"Another one." Connor said.

"You were the one that broke things off Connor and you were right, if anyone ever found out… not to mention the board at work…" She said. "You have a girlfriend who's perfect for you don't fuck things up because of one mistake."

"Morgan." Connor started but Morgan had already left the room. "Shit."

Nora's POV-

Sam dropped us off and Aiden and I went to our own apartments. Having to climb the stairs to get to my room almost killed me but I managed to crawl my way up there.

I wanted to knock out but I felt gross and my skin was all grimy so I got in the steam shower. I may have also had a good cry while I was in there. It had been while since I'd had time to just let myself feel anything without distractions and hangover always left me emotionally sensitive.

I slipped on a navy scoop neck night shirt and some underwear before face planting into my bed and knocking out.

.

Don't know how long I was out. Must've been a while it was dark out and I was hungry though my head still hurt.

I put on my slippers and headed downstairs. I was surprised to see Aiden on the couch. He was in a tee shirt and sweats.

"Finally woke up." Aiden said.

"Got hungry." I said.

"Schwarma?" Aiden offered. I took the to go box and sat down on the couch as we watched the sports reel in silence. "I drunk dialed Abby."

"What?" I said.

"We left a lot of voice mails." He said.

"That sounds like us." I said. "Guessing she got back to you?"

"She showed up. Listened to her cry from the other side of the door." Aiden said.

"You didn't let her in?" I asked.

"Not my finest moment." He admitted.

"We've been having a lot of those lately." I said. "Is it horrible I want to drink again?"

Aiden reached over to the other side of the couch and pulled out a bottle of vodka.

"Feeling's mutual." Aiden said.

After as few drinks…

"We did the right thing." I said.

"I basically lie for a living, This is one of the few times I've done it to spare someone's feelings." Aiden answered. "We did the right thing even if we feel like shit for it."

"Story of my life." I said putting my glass down.

"Think I'm going to head to bed. I'm tired of drinking." Aiden said standing up.

"You feel okay?" I asked.

"Just tired. See you tomorrow." Aiden said.

"Sleep tight." I said before he walked out.

I was alone for most of the night. I couldn't sleep. I didn't really have anyone to talk to. So I did some homework. Namely trying to find a way to make sure Aiden could grow old with whoever he chose to after I was gone. I did some research and then set up some simulations for Friday to run. Wish I could have worked on it in a lab but it wasn't really an option so when I finally got tired of reading I started baking. I made… well everything. I even had more ingredients delivered in the middle of the night.

Back at the Compound…

Steve and Bucky were laying in bed next to each other. Neither of them could sleep. They hadn't talked about Nora all day. Neither one of them really knew what to say.

"Buck." Steve said.

"Yeah." He answered.

"We have to talk about Nora." Steve said.

"I don't know what to say." Bucky said.

"She knows and there's nothing we can do to change anything. She's going to go back and lie to us again." Steve said.

"It does explain a lot." Bucky said.

"Yeah. I always thought it was me." Steve said.

"I did too." Bucky said. "But we had Wren."

"Yeah." Steve said tearing up. "We did."

"I don't think I can do it again Steve." Bucky said. "I just… it was supposed to be the three of us. Til' the end of the line."

"And it was, it's just that Nora's wasn't a straight line and it ended before ours." Steve said.

"I don't know where we go from here, if there's anywhere to go from here. It doesn't change anything." Bucky said.

"Does it have to?" Steve said.

"Every time I look at her I see the love of our life, the one who joked around while we were getting tortured even though she was terrified because she didn't want me to be scared, the one who ran through a battle field to save a kid stuck in barbed wire just as an airstrike was about to hit, and I see our four year old son crying over her body begging her to wake up." Bucky said. "And we have to let her go back to die. I just… I can't. I can't pretend it's okay because it's not."

May 2021- Third Person's POV

Wren opened his eyes and for a second he thought he was home and in a way he was. Then he noticed the colors of the walls and the floor. The furniture was different and there were toys around the house.

It was late, he could tell because the street lights were on outside. He quietly walked down the hallway until he got to the kitchen where he could here someone on the phone.

"Dad I'm fine." Nora said. She wasn't much older but she looked older. A lot more tired. "He's at the compound with Nat."

She was quiet for a minute and that's when Wren noticed her red rimmed eyes and nose.

"No, stay at the house with Pepper, Morgan's a handful. I'm a big girl I can take care of myself. I'll call you tomorrow." Nora said even though he could still hear Tony talking she cut him off. Nora looked down… and started crying while trying to stay quiet.

"Mom?" Wren said.

"Wren? Hey sweetie." She said quickly wiping her tears and smiling at him. "When did you get here?"

"Just got here." Wren said moving closer and noticing the photo she was looking at. It was of him and Axl.

"Aunt Nora?" Someone said walking into the kitchen. Wren looked over and saw a ten year old Connor in his pajamas.

"Hey sweetie." Nora said, her voice cracking. "You okay?"

"I can't sleep." Connor mumbled rubbing his eyes.

"Me either." Nora said hugging him and kissing his forehead tucking his long hair behind his ears. "How about I make us some hot chocolate and we talk for a bit?"

Connor didn't say anything just looked up at Wren. Wren gave him a small smile. He turned to his aunt and whispered something to her.

"He's a friend." Nora said before she moved to start heating up milk and adding the chocolate before pouring it into three mugs and putting a bit of whipped cream.

Wren looked down at the counter and noticed there were more photos. Some of him and his Dad, Uncle Sam and Elle. Connor looked at one of the photos and started crying.

Nora put down her mug and hugged him. Rubbing his back while struggling to not cry.

"I miss my Dad." Connor sobbed.

"I know buddy. I miss them too." Nora said. "But it's going to be okay."

"No it's not! They're gone." Connor cried. "They're gone and they're not coming back."

"Connor." Nora started but her voice cracked and tears started falling down her face.

"Hey, buddy." Wren said getting out of his seat and kneeling down to Connor's level. "I know it's hard and you're scared but it's going to be okay."

"No it's not." Connor cried.

"Yes it is." Wren said. "Want to know how I know?"

Connor sniffled but nodded. Wren took a breath and made his eyes glow. Connor gasped and looked at Nora who nodded with a smile.

"I'm from the future." Wren said smiling at him. "Decades from now and I got to grow up with my dad and uncle and all of my friends because your aunt is a superhero and she saved them. When she makes a promise she always keeps it. It's one of her superpowers, so don't give up because she hasn't and you never bet against a time traveler."

Connor nodded wiping his tears with his sleeve before getting up and hugging Nora.

"I'm sorry Auntie Nora." Connor said.

"It's okay. It's just a bad day not a bad life." Nora said.

"I love you Aunt Nora." He said.

"Love you too Buddy." Nora said. "You ready to go back to bed?"

"Mhm." He nodded before hugging her again and then hugging Wren. He ran out of the kitchen and headed back to his room.

"Mom you okay?" Wren said noticing she was crying again.

"Yeah, sweetie. It's just a really rough day." She said smiling through the tears. Wren looked around and noticed a calendar.

"Anniversary of the Snap." He said.

"Aya send you to check up on me?" She asked.

"Not exactly… she didn't tell you I was coming?" Wren asked confused.

"She's not really talking to me anymore… or anything really." Nora said.

"I uh… I just found out you knew… how it ends" He said.

"The birthday party." Nora said. "You disappeared for a few days, didn't really know where you went."

"Went a few places." Wren said. "Mom I …I know it wasn't easy for you to know or anything really. Got a peek at some of it and I seriously don't know how after all of that you could still stand to be around Aya…"

"Hey." Aya said.

"You know what I mean." He thought.

"She grows on you." Nora said smiling sadly.

"You've always been my hero mom. You saved all of us, the entire universe and I am so proud of you and it's not fair but I'm so mad at you for doing it. For lying, for dying, for not staying and being my mom…" Wren cried. "And I know it doesn't make any sense…"

"Wren honey… no." Nora said putting a hand on his cheek. "Baby you're my kid and I'm the parent. It's not your job to make sense and you deserve to feel everything you're feeling, to get angry, to scream or anything else you feel you need to do, because I lied to you, because I died and because I didn't get to be the mom you deserved."

"You were the best mom I could have ever asked for, for as long as you could be. You tried your best and I wish we had gotten more time but the time we did get… we made it count. I grew up with two dads who loved me even when I made it hard for them to love me, I grew up safe and loved and I was never alone… literally never alone." Wren said making Nora laugh as she cried. "I'm sad and pissed at how unfair it is that you weren't there for the big moments but I'm lucky because I had you as a mom and I wouldn't trade you for the world. You are the strongest, kindest and most optimistic person I've ever met. I know this wasn't easy for you mom and everything you did you did for us because you never stopped fighting for us. You don't have to worry about us. We love you and we're going to be okay."

"You are everything and more than I ever could have hoped you'd be and I am so proud of the man you grew up to be. I love you Wren." Nora said.

"I love you too mom." Wren said hugging her before he started feeling the chills.

"It's time." Nora said smiling at him.

"Yeah." He said taking a step back.

"See you in a few decades." Nora said she said with a teary smile.

"See you in a minute." Wren said smiling back before he disappeared in a flash of light.