Something About The Future (January 1991)

James was finally free of the casts. His legs were scarred from the large incisions and twice a day Malia would massage his legs with a special cream that she had been taught to use. Sometimes, when she was in a hurry it was just doing what needed to be done but other times, likely when she was feeling close to him it was a far more sensual experience. James never raised his voice to her and he never ever was angry about her or his situation. In his view you took life however it came and he thanked her all the time for everything she did for him. The hardest part was for Malia to push him. The Orthopedic rehab specialist coached her with what she needed to do and pushing James when he was in so much pain was not easy to do. His refusal of the pain medications had helped the healing process but the rehab was certainly killing him now and because he refused pain meds, it was painful to watch.

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Christmas came and went and the nursery was completely stocked with furniture, diapers, baby clothes and toys. They were alone for now as they sat in the main living area. Tony was messing around with one of his gauntlets as they watched a movie. Isabella was on the couch next to him with her feet up and a bowl of popcorn rested on her round belly. He saw her looking at him often but so far she hadn’t said what was on her mind. He thought he knew what she was thinking and so he stopped what he was doing and looked at her.

“So i was thinking of making Steve Serena’s godfather,” he said. This was an odd statement coming from Tony for 2 reasons. First, he was ‘asking’ her if they could make Steve Rogers their daughter’s godfather. AND he named her. Instead of ‘their daughter’ he spoke a specific name as if he hadn't realized it and he actually didn't.

Malia had given up her job and her apartment and had fully moved in with James. She had found a full time vet replacement for her for the clinic and promised them that the moment she could come back that she would. She loved her job and leaving was difficult, but James needed her and she was going to be there for him. She devoted all of her time and attention to his recovery and did what she needed to do. She knew it was hard for him to have to fully rely on her when he was used to his independence, but she tried to make it as easy as she could for him.

They had just finished a rehab session and she got him some water. “You did really well today. We should relax tonight and watch a movie, whatever you want.”


Isabella was two weeks away from her due date. She was ready to meet her daughter and she knew Tony was too. Everything was finally set up and ready to go in her nursery. All they needed now was her. Knowing that the palladium had been removed and that the vibranium wasn’t going to poison him was a relief for Isabella. Tony’s health had rapidly improved and he was no longer in any kind of danger. Isabella and Tony were able to relax and just wait for the arrival of their daughter.

That afternoon, Isabella and Tony were sitting together on the couch in the main living area watching a movie together. Isabella had been wanting to bring up the subject of their daughter’s godparents, and more specifically making Steve her godfather, but she wasn’t sure how to do it. And so she was grateful and rather surprised when Tony suddenly suggested it himself. Not only that but he had given their daughter a name. Isabella smiled warmly at that.

“Serena Stark...I love it. And I love the idea of Steve being her godfather. What made you decide you wanted to ask him?”

James wiped his face of sweat. His arms were perfectly ok and they were mostly what held him up as he tried to walk. His pelvis was in agony but he had been in pain before when his helicopter went down a few years back. This was worse but he recalled it now and the nurses were not so gorgeous as his was. Malia learned quickly it seemed and never forgot anything she was taught or shown. “Whatever I want?” James said in a very suggestive way in hopes he could make Malia blush. He was in no shape for sex, well, not intercourse anyway. And they had not really ‘tried’ other things. He thought of those now though and smirked at her. He could use those kinds of distractions but he also needed to get back to work.

“I asked my assistant to bring my laptop," one of the first mac powerbooks. Being who he was he was allowed to have one of the prototypes though they probably wouldn't really go on sale until the end of the year. He doubted Malia even knew what a laptop was but she didn’t react to what he said. “And that is what I wanted to talk to you about. You’ve been with me every step of the way and asked for nothing. You’ve left your practice to take care of me Malia. I don’t want you to think you had to give up your life for me. I am truly grateful for you. For every moment your here. For each time you look at me like you do. But I might never walk again,” he said. He saw her expression change and he raised up his arms. He didn’t yell or even sound angry. His voice was firm but very calm. He could not imagine being angry with Malia. “We’ve only been together for a few months. I want you to take a couple days and think about our future together. I might always be in a wheelchair. I know you deserve better than that,” he said but he didn’t say ‘better than him’. James was confident about who and what he was. He had alot to offer a woman or he once did. Still what he was going to ask her was on the tip of his tongue...if she stayed.  

“Yes, this James speak truth Malia,” Nanyehi said and moved onto all fours as she cocked her head at him. “A noble man...conscious about his unfitness to be your mate. We should go,” Nan said plainly.

Malia looked at James after he finished speaking. She blinked at him and then glanced at Nanyehi, but didn’t move to leave. She looked back at James and into his eyes. “I don’t need to think things over James. I already have and I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me.” When she saw him open his mouth to speak again she interrupted him and continued on. “My mind is set James. I love you and I’m never going to love another man the way I do you. You’re my soulmate. Our lives together won’t be traditional, but who says what’s ‘normal’? I’m staying and we’re going to figure this out together.”

But then a thought occurred to her. “Unless you don’t want me here anymore...” Everything she had just said was under the impression that James still loved her and wanted her there...but perhaps that wasn’t the case and he was trying to find a nice way of letting her go.

He expected her responses and his eyes shifted when hers did but again he saw nothing. He began to suspect it had to do something with this spirit of hers but as she continued love bloomed in his heart for her. She would not go and the only way she would is if ‘he’ made her go. Part of him wanted her to. He was going to subject her to alot in the years to come. But then there was his love as well. It poured out of him like a dammed up river when he looked into her eyes. “That is as far from the truth that anything can be. I want to marry you Malia. I want you with me for the rest of my life. I don’t know what your customs are for marriage but I am willing to do that if you will say yes,” He said.

Nan’s eyes grew wide at this new development. She had witnessed marriage. Marriage and children. Life and death ten times over. She had hoped Malia was different. A free spirit who would run with the wind and soar with the eagles. She did not say anything though. This was Malia’s decision, not hers. She was just an observer. Still James being a pilot...a human that did like to soar like an eagle. He spent so much time in the air she thought of him like some kind of large bird. Do birds need their feet to soar? She asked Herself. As she looked at him and as the love Malia felt for him filtered through to her. She believed now that perhaps they did not.

Malia's eyes widened in surprise when James told her he wanted to marry her. She had not expected...not this soon. However, she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with James so why not just get married? The thought made her happy and made her smile. She felt a few tears come to her eyes of pure happiness and joy and she nodded as those tears began to slip down her cheeks.

"Yes, James. I will marry you."

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Tony and Isabella had gone to find Steve. They found him in his room and asked if they could speak to him. He invited them in and immediately gave Isabella a chair so she could sit down. She gratefully took a set and she smiled at Steve.

"Tony and I are here because we have something to tell you and something to ask you. What we wanted to tell you is that we have decided on a name for the baby. Her name is going to be Serena."

Steve smiled and seemed to like the name and she reached over and took Tony's hand and smiled at him and then looked back at Steve. "What we wanted to ask you is if you would do us the honor of being Serena's godfather?"

James took Malia up into his arms. And though it hurt he would not let her go when she felt him stiffen and tried to back off of him. He kissed her over and over and over and smiled as her long, dark hair tickled his cheek. He pulled her face back to look into her eyes “I really really...really, love your hair,” he said and her smile grew as his did than pulled her back toward him to kiss her again.

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Steve wasn’t certain what this was all about but it seemed fairly serious if Tony’s face was any guide. He said nothing and invited them in. He shifted his desk chair around for isabella to sit on it. Tony waited for her to sit than sat on the edge of Steve’s desk. Steve moved over and sat down on his bed. He picked up the remote and turned off the tv as he looked at their faces.

What Isabella said actually shocked him. For a moment he only looked at the floor and then he looked over at Tony. he and Tony did not always get along. They weren’t exactly the best of friends but they did work well together most of the time. “You saved their lives Steve. Who knows what would have happened a moment longer she was in all that. You didn’t think, you just reacted. You reacted and they are alive. I don’t think there is a better choice for Serena...and for us,” he said.

“So you’ve named her already?” he asked and looked at them a moment. “Well I’d be...honored,” Steve said. And with that Tony stood just as he did and extended his hand to him. Steve took it and it was as good as sealed now. “Excellent, now its just a waiting game,” Tony said. “But considering its Isabella, probably late,” Tony murmured and did not see isabella’s look of mock outrage though it warred with her pleased smile. She stood as Steve came up and hugged her. He kissed her cheek. “Thank you isabella...for everything,” Steve said.