Gangster Child

Big Day

"You're where?"

        "San Francisco." I said softly as I watched my boyfriend during our Skype. The team had just left, no one besides me was up, and now I was breaking it to Peter that I wasn't coming home. "I'm sorry Peter." I whispered "I wish I could come home so badly... but I can't." Tears were slipping down my face as I spoke and I quickly tried to wipe them away.

        "Hey," Peter said gently "don't cry. You're too pretty for that." I laughed hoarsely and made a face at him "Everything's going to be OK." he assured me "I know it doesn't seem like that now, but it will. So we can't visit each other, that sucks. But, we can always call each other and I do give pretty good virtual hugs." he teased. I shook my head in amusement as he smiled at me.

        "Yeah." I said, a little happier "You have your super secret vigilante thing going on. If I'm not in New York I can't worry over you that much." Peter laughed and stared at me lovingly.

        "Part of me thinks I should never have told you about my Spiderman project." he muttered.

        "Well I'm glad you did." I assured him "Because now, whenever I see Spiderman on the news, I can be proud of my boyfriend and all that he does." Peter smiled at me as I ducked my head, blushing bright red.

        "I love you Sadie." he murmured.

        "I love you too Peter Parker. My amazing Spiderman."

        "Is that your boyfriend?" I burst into laughter as Cassie finally woke up and looked at my phone. Peter smiled and waved at Cassie kindly.

        "Peter, meet my little sister Cassie. Cassie, meet my boyfriend Peter." Cassie giggled and waved shyly "Alright," I said to Peter "I got to get Care Bear here some food. Call me later?"

        "Absolutely." he said immediately "Love you."

        "Love you too." I hung up the phone and looked at Cassie who was smiling up at me. "And why are you so happy this morning?" I teased. She was silent at first before hopping up and dancing on the couch.

        "Sadie and Peter, sitting in a tree," Cassie sang, causing me to laugh again "K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage. Then comes-"

        "Then comes the tickle monster coming after a certain little girl." I said playfully, grabbing her and tickling her sides. She squealed and tried to fend me off as I held her tight.

        "I'm sorry!" she shrieked "I take it back." I laughed and kissed the top of her head before leading her into the kitchen where I set her on the counter.

        "What do you want for breakfast Care Bear?" I asked as I searched through the fridge for some food.

        "Can you make your famous pancakes?" Cassie exclaimed with wide eyes.

        "I'm surprised you actually remember those." I said in astonishment "I only made them once or twice before I left."

        "They were really good." Cassie said excitedly. I chuckled softly and ruffled her hair as I grabbed everything I needed and set it down.

        "Now I just need a super special sous chef." I said with a grin "Where on earth am I going to find one of those on such short notice?"

        "ME! ME! ME!" Cassie cried as she hopped onto her feet and waved her hand in the air. I dramatically dropped to my knees and looked up at her.

        "Will you be my helper?" I begged playfully. Cassie nodded happily and I jumped to my feet before steering her to where I had everything sitting out. "Now," I said firmly "what's the number one rule?"

        "If the house burns down, it was Luis's fault."

        "Exactly."

        "Is that pancakes I smell?"

        "I helped!" Cassie said proudly as she dashed a plate of pancakes over to Scott who had just woken up.

        "Thank you Peanut." he said with a smile, taking the plate and going to sit down at the kitchen table "Is anyone else up?"

        "Just you." I called "Luis probably won't wake up until noon, and Maggie and Paxton are still asleep too." I handed Cassie another plate of pancakes for herself and grabbed my plate as we joined Scott at the table.

        "I forgot how good you were at making these." Scott mumbled through a mouthful of food. I gave an over-dramatic bow and Cassie did the same. "So," Scott said after a minute "today's the big day." He, of course, was referring, to Maggie and Paxton officially adopting me today.

        "Yeah." I said nervously "I'm kind of scared. I don't know why, I wasn't nervous when Tony adopted me."

        "Don't be scared!" Cassie exclaimed as she gave me a hug "You're going to get to be my sister!" I laughed and hugged her back, trying to dispel my fear.

        "That is something I am extremely thankful for."

        "Next!" I took a deep breath and followed Maggie and Paxton into the social service office. A lady who looked to be about thirty or so was sitting behind the desk and she gave a tired smile. "Ms. Stark, isn't it?" she asked as she looked down at a file.

        "Yes ma'am." I whispered, holding Maggie's hand tightly.

        "I'm Ms. James." she said kindly "Alrighty, so we are transferring custody from Tony Stark to the two of you?" she asked, looking at Maggie and Paxton. They both nodded with small smiles on their faces. Ms. James pushed a pile of documents towards them so they could sign. I saw that all of the papers bore Tony's signature and it broke my heart to look at, even though this is what I had wanted. It took a while for the documents to be approved, and Maggie and Paxton had to get a background check, but finally, finally, everything checked out and I was officially their kid.

        "We love you Kiddo." Paxton said as we walked out of the office and towards the car.

        "I love you guys too."