Epilogue

I didn't get a lick of sleep last night. And, even though Tony denies it, I know he got at least a couple hour's worth from sleeping for small snatches of time. We talked all night long, about everything. About our separate episodes of captivity, what it did to us, the nightmares that we both were still scarred with.

We had taken Tony's private plane to Tuscaloosa. The ride was only about an hour long, and I had slept through the whole thing, my head resting on Tony's shoulder.

Now we were sitting silently in the cab we had taken. I pointed out landmarks whenever we passed by- my grandmother's house, where I used to take batting lessons, my favorite restaurant. But as we got closer, the knot in my stomach was getting tighter and tighter. I was so excited to see my family, but I was so nervous to leave Tony. He was my best friend.

The cab finally came to a stop in front of my house. I stepped out of the car, giving Tony some space to exit as well.

I stared at the little house with orange-colored bricks. The shutters were the same light blue as always, and the old oak tree was just as tall as I remembered. The swing hanging from the lowest branch creaked a little in the slight breeze. The grass was a little overgrown, and, in the yearly summer drought, the grass was yellowing on the edges.

"My mom's gonna cut the grass today," I told Tony, my voice shaky. My mom was extremely OCD; the grass, even though it was merely centimeters taller than usual, must be killing her.

"Are you ready?" he asked quietly.

My hands were shaking, and I did the only thing I knew might help to make them stop- I grabbed Tony's hand. I clung onto it like it was dear life, and I gave a tiny nod. He tugged on my hand, pulling me up to the door. I couldn't bring myself to move, so Tony knocked on the door for me.

"Mom! Door!" Micah shouted from inside.

"I've got it, Micah!" she responded. "Wouldn't want you to ever feel the need to get up-" The door opened, revealing my mom. She was just as flustered as ever, her apron tied loosely around her plump body. She came up to my shoulder, so I had to look down to see her.

"Anna?" she breathed. I couldn't move or respond. A grin suddenly split across her face, tears rolling down her cheeks as she started screaming. She threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist. I clung onto her, my body racked with tearless sobs as I buried my face into her shoulder.

"My baby! My baby!" she kept saying over and over again.

"Sarah, are you okay?!" my dad thundered, coming into view behind my mom, shotgun in his hand. His eyes fell on me, and he dropped the gun. A hand went to cover his mouth. "Oh my God…" he muttered.

I pulled away from my mom. "Daddy!" I whispered, throwing myself at him. He wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me so tight I couldn't breathe at all, but I didn't care. I clutched him as tightly as I could, sobbing.

"What's wrong?"

I looked up and saw Micah at the bottom of the stairs. He just stared at me, stunned into silence. I saw his eyes fill with tears, and my heart broke.

Dad released me, and I walked over to him.

"Annie?" he whispered. I nodded, grabbing his arm and pulling him to me. He buried his face in my shoulder, sobbing. I stroked his back, feeling awful that I had been the one to cause him this much pain.

"Don't leave," Micah begged quietly. "Don't leave again."

"Oh, Micah," I breathed. I pulled back, placing my hands on either side of his face. He reached up, wrapping his fingers around my wrists. I looked into his tear-stained eyes, and my voice broke. "Micah, I swear I will never leave you again. Okay?" He nodded, and we hugged again.

"Who are you?" Dad asked roughly.

Realizing I hadn't come alone, I released Micah. I turned to Tony, who was standing awkwardly in the doorway, grabbing his hand and pulling him inside. His eyes were wide, and I realized he was totally out of his comfort zone. But that didn't keep him from softly asking if I was okay. I nodded, holding onto his arm as I turned to face my parents and Micah.

"Guys, this is-"

"Ironman," Micah stated, his jaw about to fall to his knees. "Y-You know… But… How… Ironman," he finally breathed, staring at Tony with complete awe.

I turned my head away from my family, stepping on my tiptoes as I leaned towards Tony's ear. "Micah," I whispered, only loud enough that Tony could hear.

I pulled back, watching a charming grin spread across Tony's face. "Micah," he greeted, reaching a hand out to the stunned teenager. "Annie's told me so much about you." Tony stepped back, and Micah nodded. He seemed to realize that he was a guy, and it was shameful for a guy to cry, because he started to furiously wipe at his cheeks.

"Mom, Dad, Tony Stark," I introduced, gesturing to the arrogant superhero beside me. Tony shook hands with my parents, muttering hi's and hello's, his brilliant smile never fading. "Tony, this is my momma and daddy."

"What are you doin' with my daughter?" Daddy asked bluntly, making me smile.

Tony paled a little. Obviously, he wasn't aware of how protective Southern daddies can get when it comes to their daughters.

"Tony's a superhero, Daddy. He saved me from them!" I didn't have to say who for them to know that 'they' were my kidnappers.

"Well," Daddy said gruffly, stroking his beard. "Seems like I'm in-debt ta ya. Thank ya, Mr. Stark."

Tony waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. My pleasure."

"Speaking o' which, Anna, we need ta talk 'bout them," Daddy told me.

"Daddy," I whined. "I just got home. Please? Save it for another day?" I asked, knowing I would never tell them. They could never know about my ordeal, or my powers.

Daddy huffed. "Fine." Something started beeping from the kitchen, and Mom jumped. "Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise. "We were jus' makin' dinner! Mr. Stark, you can join us if you'd like," she invited, heading towards the kitchen.

"I'm sorry, but I need to get going," he returned.

My stomach dropped, and my gaze fell to the floor. I lightly squeezed Tony's arm, silently asking him to stay for a second, before biting my lip and giving my dad and Micah pointed glances. Dad nodded, getting the picture, and grabbed Micah by the scruff of his neck, pulling him through the living room and into the kitchen.

I dropped Tony's arm, taking a step back. I realized I was still wearing his sweatshirt. "Oh! You probably want this back." I started to take it off, but he stopped me.

"No. You keep it."

I glanced up at him, my arms in awkward positions. "You sure?"

He nodded, a slight smirk coming across his face. I dropped my arms, sliding them back into the sleeves. I crossed them in front of my chest, staring at my feet. I wasn't sure how to say goodbye. I wasn't very good at it.

"I-" Tony started, but he was cut off.

"Anwieeee!" the voice of a very familiar six-year-old screamed. I spun around to see Noah, all forty-seven pounds of him, barreling towards me. I easily scooped him up, his tiny arms wrapping around my neck. I buried my face in his neck, trying to stifle my sobs. God, I was crying again. I kissed his neck, nuzzling against his cheek.

He giggled, leaning back. "Anwie, I missed yew sooo much!"

"Really?" I asked, eyes wide. "How much?"

He stretched his arms out as far as they would go. "This much!"

"Oh my goodness, that's so much! You wanna know how much I missed you?" I questioned, poking his stomach. He nodded, his blonde hair bobbing. "I missed you this much!" I started covering his face and neck with kisses, bending over and leaning him backwards.

"Ewww! Stop! Cooties! Mommy, Anwie is kissing me!" he shrieked, pushing my face away. I pulled back, standing upright again.

"Did you like your trip?" he asked happily.

I gave him a sad smile. He wouldn't know for a long time that his sister never went on a trip- that she was taken. "I loved it." My eyes flew past his shoulder to Tony, who was watching with a similar sad smile. "And guess what," I whispered to Noah, like I was about to tell him a secret.

"What?" he asked, excited.

I pointed at Tony. "That's Ironman."

The boy's brown eyes widened to saucers, and he gasped dramatically, clamping both hands over his mouth. He looked back and forth between me and Tony. "No," he breathed.

"Yes," I promised. "He's just not wearing his suit right now is all."

Noah started wiggling like he always does when he wants down. I complied, bending over and setting him on the ground. He instantly ran over to Tony, pulling on his pants leg. "Are yew Iwonman?" he asked.

Tony smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am."

Noah suddenly hugged Tony's legs tightly, pressing his face against his pants. "T'ank you, Iwonman for keeping us safe," he muttered.

If I could've cried, tears would've filled my eyes. Instead, a proud smile spread across my face, and I glanced at Tony. He looked a little proud, but mostly uncomfortable. He awkwardly patted Noah's back. "Your welcome," he said stiffly, but nothing Tony said/did could ruin this minute.

Noah let go, shooting Tony a magnificent grin, before looking at me. His little eyes widened again as something clicked in his head. "Are you dating Iwonman?!" Noah screeched.

A blush spread across my cheeks, and I ignored Tony's smirk as I crouched down to Noah's level. "No, I am not dating Ironman."

"Can I talk tew yew?" Noah asked seriously, grabbing my hand and pulling me a few steps away. "Please, please, please, will you marry Iwonman? Pwetty please with a cherry on top?!" Noah begged, tugging my hand desperately.

Oh, I would do anything for this kid. Even marry Ironman, if it would make him happy. I sighed, biting my lip and pretending like I was thinking really hard. "You know what? I'll make you a deal. If you," I poked his stomach, "promise to be a really good boy, and always do what mommy and sissy say, then I'll think about marrying Ironman."

He grinned, jumping up and down. "Deal! Deal! Deal!"

"Shake on it," I told him sternly. He immediately sobered, holding out his hand. I shook his hand once, and he grinned, turning around and running away.

"Mommy, guess what!" he shrieked, running into the kitchen.

I smiled, standing. I crossed over to Tony, sliding my hands into the back pockets of my jeans. "I think I just promised to marry you," I told him.

Tony chuckled, watching as Noah ran back out into the living room. He started jumping on the couch, holding his teddy in his arms. "You're his favorite superhero, you know," I said, watching my brother start to shake his booty. I giggled.

"Of course I am; everybody loves me," he said, waggling his eyebrows.

I laughed. "Gee, Tony, I almost forgot you were in love with yourself."

He laughed as well, and we both trailed off, our smiles fading as we stared at each other.

"Tony, thank you, so much for everything you've done. If you hadn't helped me, I'd be dead by now," I added in a whisper, so no one could hear. "I'll find a way to pay you back."

He waved his hand, waving away my words. "Don't worry about it. It's what friends do."

I peered up at him, unwilling to say anything else. This isn't goodbye, I reminded myself. We were going to text/call/skype etc.

"Come here," he muttered, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. I pulled my hands out of my pockets, nuzzling my head into his chest. "I'm going to miss you," he mumbled, his warm breath blowing on the back of my neck. Goosebumps rose over my arms, and I smiled a little.

"I'm going to miss you too," I told him. We didn't want to, but we eventually pulled away. I stared at him for a second, before standing on my tiptoes and gently kissing his cheek.

"This isn't goodbye," I stated firmly, staring at him.

"Absolutely not," he agreed. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

"Oh my goodness, Anwie just kissed Iwonman!" Noah shrieked from the couch, his hands covering his mouth again. We both grinned at him. "Anwie and Iwonman sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G~" Noah sang, dancing.

I blushed, my cheeks turning deep scarlet as I laughed. I grinned sheepishly at Tony, who was chuckling.

"I'll see you soon, Annie," he stated.

I nodded, watching him back out the door. "'Bye Tony!" I called as he got into the cab. I watched as it drove away, not moving until it had long disappeared from sight. I leaned my forehead against the doorframe, sighing.

Finally, I convinced myself to shut the door.

I'm not crying... yet. This is it, guys.

Thank y'all so much. Without your constant support, I would've never gotten this far into this story. I'm already working on the sequel, but I want to get a lot of it done before I post the first chapter.

Thank y'all again.. I love you all!