Chapter 33
AN: Thank you so much for the support. This might be the last chapter for a little while as I have no new chapters for this story written.
May 29th 1971
Since Melinda had a nightmare where she woke up her parents and siblings she thankfully hasn't had a nightmare like that again, and she managed to have a pretty nice fifth birthday, even if she did miss her parents a lot.
It is a Saturday, which also happens to be Tony's 3rd birthday, and there is a family party going on at the Carter-Stark Estate; a party which involves a scavenger hunt that Peggy and Howard designed for everyone. Due to how smart Tony is it involves some clues that are more intellectual because they know he will love it.
A Melinda, Natasha and Tony are near each other as they read the clues Melinda gets an idea, she just hopes that her siblings agree.
"Tash, Tony," Melinda says, causing both her siblings, who are a little way away, to look at her.
"You okay Mel?" Natasha asks concerned, worried that her sister is having a hard time with the questions.
"Yep," Melinda answers. "I was thinking, how about we work together," Melinda suggests.
"On the hunt?" Tony asks, looking surprised.
"Yep," Melinda confirms. "If we work together we can get it done quicker and share the prize," Melinda says, everything making perfect sense to her.
"That does seem like a good idea," Natasha admits, feeling a little amazed that a five year old came up with such a great idea.
"It does," Tony confirms. "Let's work together," Tony says, and the three Carter-Stark siblings work as a perfect team to get through the scavenger hunt.
A little while later everyone is enjoying Tony's birthday cake, which he managed to blow out the candles on without destroying the cake, and as she eats her piece Peggy walks up to her daughter.
"You three walking as a team, that was a good idea," Peggy tells her daughter, as she sits down next to her.
"It was, but it wasn't mine, it was Mel's," Natasha explains.
"Really?" Peggy asks, feeling impressed with her daughter.
"Yep," Natasha confirms. "And it was a great idea, we kind of worked as a perfect team. We complimented each other," Natasha admits.
"That's nice to hear," Peggy responds and the two of them drift into silence as they watch, and soon join in, the celebration for Tony's third birthday.
Six Days Later
Ever since Tony's birthday everyone has noticed how the three Carter-Stark siblings have become even closer; something which makes their parents very happy.
It is a Friday afternoon and Melinda is just sitting in window alcove in the library, just looking out at the side yard. Because she is so distracted she doesn't even hear approaching footsteps.
"Mellie," A voice says and Melinda, who jumps in fright, looks and sees Peggy and Howard, it being Howard who spoke. "How you doing, Kid?" Howard asks curious.
"I miss them," Melinda admits.
"That's completely understandable," Peggy assures her.
"I love you guys, I'm so thankful for you, I just miss them," Melinda admits, not wanting to seem ungrateful because she truly does love Peggy and Howard.
"You never have to thank us, and we know you love us," Howard assures her, as he doesn't want any of his kids to think that they should be thankful for the fact that he and Peggy love them.
"Mel, do you want to go to the cemetery today?" Peggy asks curious, as she and Howard wanted to give Melinda the couch about that.
"I think…I think I would like that," Melinda admits, after a few moments of hesitation.
"Okay," Peggy says, with a comforting smile. "Do you want to go now?" Peggy asks, and Melinda nods. "Let's go," Peggy tells her before, picking Melinda up with ease, and together she, Howard, and Melinda walk through the halls of the estate together before leaving.
(Line break)
About an hour later Melinda, Peggy, and Howard are standing together Infront of Lian and William's graves. While it is painful for both Peggy and Howard, they are doing everything they can to support their daughter.
July 2nd 1971
A month has passed since the anniversary of Melinda's biological parents death, and since then it is clear that she is struggling, but she is doing better than she was before; in fact, Melinda, Tony and Natasha have become even closer.
It's a summers day and Melinda, Natasha and Tony are playing in the pool under the watchful supervision of Jarvis and Ana.
"Mr Tony, do not jump on your sister!" Jarvis objects as Tony basically just dunked Melinda by jumping on her.
"It's okay Jarvis!" Melinda assures him. "I'm asked him too!" Melinda explains.
"Well you shouldn't have Miss Melinda," Jarvis tells her. "It's unsafe," Jarvis explains to her.
"Okay Jarvis," Melinda says, with a nod, and the three siblings go back to playing together.
For another ten or so minutes the three Carter-Stark siblings continue to play together in the pool, and because they are having so much fun they don't even realise when their parents arrive. Not until Peggy splashes them.
"MOM!" Natasha and Tony yell.
"AUNT PEGGY!" Melinda yells at the same time as her siblings.
"You three having fun?" Howard asks, looking highly amused.
"Yep," Melinda, Natasha and Tony say together.
"Is everything okay?" Natasha asks curious.
"Yes," Peggy says as she removes her shoes and sits down, putting her feet in the pool. "Your Dad and I came home because there's something we have to talk to you about," Peggy admits.
"That sounds bad," Tony says, with a frown.
"It's not," Howard assures his son.
"Uncle Gabe, Uncle Dugan, Aunt Rose, and Uncle Michael have to go on a mission," Peggy explains, not planning on telling the kids everything but planning on telling them enough so that they understand. "Because of that MJ and Steph are going to stay here for a while," Peggy explains, and all three of the kids look incredibly excited.
"For how long?" Natasha asks curious.
"Just a couple of weeks," Howard says, knowing that should be the most amount of time assuming things go to plan.
"When will they get here?" Melinda asks curious.
"Later this afternoon," Peggy explains.
"Can we all do a sleepover in the living room? Or front room?" Tony asks, looking excited, and causing Peggy and Howard to exchange looks.
"Yeah, I think we can arrange that," Howard answers, as Melinda whispers something to Natasha, who grins.
"What's going on?" Peggy asks, having a bad feeling about the grins that both Natasha and Melinda currently have on their faces, but instead of answering Natasha moves fast and pulls both her parents into the pool, causing Natasha, Melinda, and Tony to laugh, Ana to smirk, and Jarvis to look like he is truly very hard not to laugh.
"You looked like you needed to cool down," Melinda says, with a grin, once Peggy and Howard have come to the surface.
"Oh, it's on," Howard says, and the five Carter-Stark's, usually the kids against the adults, proceed to have a hell of a lot of fun in the pool, mainly jumping on each other.
Hours later MJ and Steph have been dropped off at the Carter-Stark Estate, and the two of them, plus the three Carter-Stark siblings are currently having a fun time together in the living room by throwing pillows around at each other. Even though she knows that a pillow can't do a lot of damage Natasha is being incredibly careful so that she doesn't accidently throw a pillow too hard and hurt someone.
As the kids throw pillows around Peggy, who has been in her office, walks in and she catches a pillow that Tony was throwing at MJ.
"Mom that was going to hit him!" Tony objects.
"Nah it wasn't," MJ says with a teasing grin.
"It doesn't matter what was going to happen, it's time for bed," Peggy explains.
"But we're having fun!" Steph objects.
"You're going to have plenty of time to have fun in the next few days, but you can't have fun if you don't sleep," Peggy explains.
"That's logical," Tony comments, looking convinced and Peggy can't help but be a little amused that all it took was a logical argument.
"Get some sleep, and you can continue to play in the morning," Peggy explains, looking between the five kids, even though she assumes that it might be difficult to convince them.
"Yes Mom," Natasha and Tony say.
"Yes, Aunt Peggy," Melinda, MJ and Steph say together.
Over fifteen or so minutes, as just because they agreed doesn't mean it is a simple endeavour, Peggy gets Melinda, Natasha, Tony, MJ and Steph ready to bed, and all five of them into their respective sleeping bags.
Two days later
Ever since Step and MJ came to stay at the Carter-Stark Estate they have been having a lot of fun with their three cousins, and Peggy, Howard, Jarvis and Ana are all honestly pretty amused, and pretty happy at all the fun the kids are having together .
As it is the fourth of July the five kids, Peggy, Howard, Jarvis, Ana, Janet, Howard, Jack and Daniel are all out in the backyard having a bomb fire, and the kids are very much enjoying making s'mores.
"Mom, can I have more chocolate, please?" Tony asks curious.
"Here Pal," Howard says, handing over the chocolate before Peggy has a chance to say anything.
"Share please," Steph says to her cousin and Tony breaks off a bit of chocolate and gives it Steph, while Natasha helps Melinda put her marshmallow into the fire.
As the kids help each other Peggy and Howard exchange looks, and for the first fourth of years Peggy and Howard don't even think about Steve, and don't even realise that they haven't given their old friend a single thought.
August 30th 1971
Almost two months have passed since MJ and Steph had to spend two weeks at the Carter-Stark estate and because they had so much fun they ended up spending most summer days with their cousins, something which Melinda, Natasha, and Tony enjoyed just as much.
It is a Monday morning, but not just any Monday morning, it is a Monday that also happens to be Melinda's first day of school. Just like they do every morning the Carter-Stark's, Ana and Jarvis are having breakfast together in the kitchen. As they eat Peggy realises that Melinda isn't really eating, rather she is just picking at her food.
"Mel, are you alright?" Peggy asks concerned.
"Yeah," Melinda answers, and she doesn't sound at all convincing
"Mel, truth. What's going on?" Howard asks his daughter.
"I'm a little nervous," Melinda admits.
"You don't have to be, it will be fine," Natasha assures her sister.
"I want to go to school!" Tony says.
"Not yet Pal," Howard informs him.
"When?" Tony asks, with a pout.
"A couple of years Darling," Peggy tells her.
"Will it really be fine?" Melinda asks Natasha worried.
"Yep," Natasha says, with a comforting smile. "We won't be in your classes but me, Steph, and MJ will be there with you at recess and lunch," Natasha explains and as she does Melinda looks a little relieved.
"Mel, try to have some more breakfast, we've got to get going soon," Peggy tells her.
"Yes, Aunt Peggy," Melinda admits, and she tries to eat a bit more.
A little while later Tony is at home with Ana while Jarvis, Peggy, Howard, Natasha and Melinda are outside Melinda and Natasha's school. While Jarvis is waiting in the car, Peggy and Howard have gotten out with their daughters.
"It's going to be fine, Mellie. You're going to learn a lot, and have fun," Howard assures her as he hugs her. "I love you," Howard says, as he kisses the top of her head.
"I love you too," Melinda responds, as Peggy hugs and kisses Natasha goodbye, and then they two of them swap kids.
"You're going to really enjoy yourself," Peggy assures her daughter as she hugs her. "I look forward to hearing about it, I love you," Peggy says as she hugs Melinda.
"Love you too," Melinda responds, as she and Peggy break apart.
"Remember, do not…." Peggy starts to say.
"Leave school with anyone other than Jarvis," Melinda and Natasha both finish as they have heard this before.
"Good," Peggy says, with a proud smile, as Howard also smiles proudly.
"Stick together, and you'll be fine," Howard says, looking between his daughters.
"We always do," Natasha assures her parents. "Let's go, Mel," Natasha says, taking her sisters hand and together the two of them head into school together. As they go Peggy and Howard watch them go with proud, but sad, looks on their faces.
After a good day at school Melinda dan Natasha are hurrying to the car that Jarvis has parked outside their school.
"Hi Jarvis," Melinda greats happily.
"Good afternoon Miss Melinda, Miss Tasha," Jarvis greats. "How was school?" Jarvis asks as he opens the door to the car.
"Good," Melinda and Natasha say as they get into the car and once they are in the car Jarvis walks around to the front and gets inside.
"Why don't you tell me all about school," Jarvis suggests, and as he drives Natasha and Melinda start to tell Jarvis everything about what happened at school.
Six weeks later
Since starting school Melinda has enjoyed every single day and she is glad to be going to the same school as her sister, and cousins. Since Melinda started school Natasha, who has biologically became twelve years old, has been rather protective of her sister, and honestly Melinda likes that feeling.
It is late at night and because they had to deal with some complicated administrative SHIELD business Peggy and Howard are working out of Peggy's home office.
"We're done right?" Howard asks. "Please tell me we're done," Howard requests,
"We're done," Peggy confirms, as she closes the file.
"Oh, thank god," Howard says, and as he does the phone rings. "Are we expecting a call?" Howard asks.
"No," Peggy says. "Director Carter," Peggy says, as she answers.
"Good evening Peggy," Charles' voice greats.
"Charles," Peggy says, putting the phone on speaker. "I've put you on speaker, Howard is here," Peggy explains.
"Hey Charles," Howard greats.
"What's going on?" Peggy asks, feeling concerned as she knows that Charles wouldn't call this late at night without a very good, likely very bad, reason.
"I'm calling about Logan," Charles reveals.
"Is he okay?" Howard asks concerned.
"That's the thing, I don't know," Charles admits, saying something that he doesn't say that much. "Logan got a lead on the person who ran the facility he was held at, and he went after him," Charles explains. "I haven't heard from his since, and I haven't been able to find him," Charles reveals, the concern all to clear in his voice. "It's been over week," he explains.
"We'll see what we can do," Peggy says as she and Howard exchange concerned looks.
"Thank you," Charles says gratefully.
"How's everything else going?" Howard asks curious.
"Good, very good," Charles admits. "The students are very much enjoying the technology you donated," Charles explains.
"I'm glad," Howard says, with a slight laugh. "Let me know if you'd like anything else," Howard explains.
"I will," Charles responds.
"Charles, we'll let you know as soon as we have anything on Logan," Peggy promises.
"Thank you, Peggy," Charles says. "I'll talk to you soon," Charles says.
"Talk to you soon," Peggy responds, before hanging up, and once she does she and Howard exchange concerned looks.
"This isn't good," Howard admits.
"It's really not," Peggy confirms, and the two of them drift into a tense silence.
December 1st 1971
Almost two months have passed since Charles called worried about Logan, and to Peggy and Howard's worry they haven't been able to find a single trace of their old friend. Even though Peggy and Howard both plan to continue to look for their friend, they aren't sure where else they can look.
It's a Wednesday morning, a school day, and Natasha is walking into the kitchen for breakfast. To her complete shock when she walks in she finds Peggy, Howard, Melinda, Tony, Jarvis, and Ana standing around the table, with a cake and present on the table.
"What's going on?" Natasha asks confused.
"This month is when you technically turn eighteen," Howard explains to his daughter.
"I know you said that you feel more like you are twelve then eighteen, but we thought we should celebrate this milestone," Peggy explains to her daughter.
"I do feel more like I am twelve," Natasha admits. "But this is pretty great," Natasha explains as she puts her arms around her siblings, and smiles. "Thank you," Natasha says, smiling at her parents, who walk over and hug her too.
March 3rd 1972
Three months have passed since Natasha technically turned eighteen, but because she feels more like a twelve year old has been trying not to think about it.
It is a Friday night and because they have had an incredibly long week Peggy and Howard are in Peggy's home office sharing a bottle of whiskey as they sit side by side.
"So, Zola's gone and we prevented a hydrogen wave crisis," Howard says. "Big week," Howard comments.
"Long week," Peggy corrects, as she rests her head on Howard's shoulder.
"I know I shouldn't, but I feel relieved that Zola is gone," Howard admits. "At least now we know he isn't sabotaging us anymore," Howard admits.
"I think I feel the same," Peggy admits. "It is like a weight is lifted because we don't have to worry about him secretly plotting against us anymore," Peggy says, knowing that admitting this to Howard isn't wrong. "We came close this week, Howard, to losing," Peggy admits, as the word was extremely close to being destroyed.
"I know," Howard says, kissing Peggy's head. "But we did what we do best, we protected everyone," Howard says, a level of pride to his voice.
"Yeah, we did," Peggy confirms, and the two of them drift into silence as they sit side by side and drink whiskey.
June 2nd 1972
Three months have passed since Zola died and Peggy and Howard prevented disaster. Since then they have had to prevent a couple more disasters, but that's all in a day of work for SHIELD's directors.
As it is a nice summers Friday night the Carter-Stark family, Ana and Jarvis are all having a barbecue outside. While Jarvis is cooking Ana and Howard are happily talking and Peggy, Natasha, Tony and Melinda are throwing a ball around with each other.
"Dinner is almost ready," Jarvis informs everyone.
"Thank you Mr Jarvis," Peggy says as she catches the ball thrown at her by Tony. "Tash, Tony, Mel, go wash up," Peggy instructs.
"Yes Mom," Natasha, Tony and to her complete shock Melinda all say.
"Grab jackets on your way back out, it might get a bit cool later," Howard explains.
"Yes Dad," the three siblings once more say, as they head inside, and Peggy walks over to Howard.
"Mel called us Mom and Dad," Peggy says to Howard, sounding amazed.
"Yeah, she did," Howard says, with a grin, as he puts an arm around Peggy and kisses her, both feeling overwhelming joy at the fact that Melinda called them Mom and Dad for the first time.
Hours later, after a very enjoyable family night, Peggy and Howard are putting their children to bed. Having put both Tony and Natasha to bed they walk into Melinda's room and over to her bed.
"Lights out, Kid," Howard informs Melinda as they walk towards her bed.
"I know," Melinda tells them.
"Mel, there's something we want to talk to you about," Peggy admits as she and Howard sit down on the edge of Melinda's bed.
"Is this about me calling you Mom and Dad?" Melinda asks curious.
"It is," Howard confirms. "Is that something you want to keep doing?" Howard asks curious, and Melinda nods.
"I am never going to forget my mother and father, they are my parents, I love them," Melinda admits. "But you're my parents too, and I want to call you Mom and Dad," Melinda explains. "Is that okay?" Melinda asks, sounding nervous.
"Of course, it is, Darling," Peggy says, before hugging Melinda. "I love you, Mel," Peggy says.
"I love you, Mom," Melinda says, as she returns the hug, causing Peggy's heart to fill with joy.