Determined to accomplish what she set out to do by coming to sit at the window, Pepper got her paper, and pen ready. Then after a moment to think about what she wanted to say, she began to write.
My Dearest James and Morgan,
As I sit here by the window, looking out on the sanctuary of our backyard, my heart is nearly bursting from the love and the joy you have both brought into my life. When I was younger, and I imagined what my life would be like, I never would have imagined the laughter that fills our home, or the shared moments we've had. The love I've shared with you both have sustained me through all the lengthy rounds of treatments I've gone through over these last months.
There is so much I need to say, and it's something my heart is urging me to put down on paper for you both. I know this journey I'm... that we're on is an uncertain one. The doctors are doing everything they possibly can, but I can't help the sense that by this time next year, I will no longer be with you. Cancer is so awful and it sucks, and it seems so unfair, and while I am fighting it with everything I am, I know I am going to lose this battle.
I am so sorry that I can't win this for either you or myself. I don't want to leave either of you behind but when I do, I find comfort in knowing you'll be there to love one another and help each other through the times to come.
James, my love, you have been my anchor through so much. You are my source of strength, and your support of me has never wavered. Your friendship and then your love made it easier for me to move on after Tony, and I am forever grateful that you were there in my life. I love you, James, and I am forever grateful for every day that we've shared together.
Morgan, my sweet sweet boy, do you know how much your laughter has been the music that has filled both my heart and our home with joy? You are remarkable, my dear son, and I know you will grow into an amazing man. I am so proud of you, baby, and I love you more than any words can express. I have so much gratitude that of all the moms on Earth, I was chosen to be your mother.
I want you to both know and understand that I am not writing these words out of grief or despair. Instead I am writing them because I want you to have this record and expression of my love for you both. Someone once said that life is like a tapestry of moments woven together, and that is so true. Our time together as a family has been such a beautifully woven piece of love that neither time or even death can break.
Please remember that I want you to remember the love that we shared. Remember all of the moments that made us smile and laugh. Never forget the strength we found together. No matter what's coming, I want you to carry the essence our family in your hearts: Our love, our laughter, and our undying spirits.
I know there will be a long road ahead in the times to come as you face new challenges without me. But please know that I have so much faith in your strength, the love you have for one another. Things may seem dark in the times ahead but I know that beautiful times await you too. I want you to live your lives, keep on loving each other and the new people who come into your lives, and always find joy in the tiniest of moments.
With all the love my heart can hold,
Ginny
Mom
Once she finished writing, Pepper did not read what she'd written. Instead she carefully folded the letter, and sealed it in an envelope before putting it away with all the others she'd written. Tears clouded her vision as she turned back to the window to gaze at the cherished place she'd soon be leaving behind.
She felt tired now, but it was a good kind of tired, as she knew she was leaving behind loving words that would help her husband and son find their way through the dark valley to come.
3
The evening was abuzz with excitement and laughter as Pepper and Rhodey worked to get ready their backyard for Morgan's ten birthday celebration. They'd hung colorful lanterns and lights in the trees, casting a warm glow all over the backyard. An enormous tent stood erect, ready to shelter Morgan and his friends for a night of fun and adventure.
Morgan's eyes were bright with anticipation as he eagerly helped his Dad in the setting up of sleeping bags inside of the tent. His friends from school all talked and played while they helped with putting out the snacks and games for the night.
Pepper was smiling as she watched the scene before her, "I still can't believe our little man is already 10 years old!" she murmured to her husband, who was now busy setting up a small fire pit for the smores they were going to make later on.
Time had both been slow and had flown by when it came to their lives in the last few years. Rhodey nodded, a fond smile on his face, "He is growing up so fast. Too fast if you ask me. But even so, tonight's about celebrating him hitting the big one oh and celebrate we will! I think he and his friends are going to love camping out tonight."
When the sun started to dip below the horizon, Morgan called his friends together, "Thanks for coming to my party, everyone! We're going to have so much fun tonight! It's going to be the best night ever!"
The next several hours, the backyard was transformed into their own haven of fun. The kids' laughter bounced off the trees as they played games, talked, and just had loads of fun underneath the night sky full of bright stars. Pepper and Rhodey were with the kids, maintaining a discreet distance unless the kids invited them to join in the fun.
As they were making smores around the fire, Morgan with his face covered in chocolate asked, "Hey, Mom, Daddy, can we tell some ghost stories by the fire?"
Pepper exchanged a glance with her husband, and nodded, "Sure, honey. Just try and make sure they're not too scary, okay?"
Morgan nodded, "Okay, Mom." Everyone could already see the wheels turning in his head, "Everybody ready?"
The other kids nodded, and everyone settled down to listen.
The fire crackled as Morgan out aside the remains of his smores to begin his tale. The other kids listened intently to the story he told them, completely enraptured by the scary but not too scary story. After Morgan finished his story, another boy started a story. The night went on with more stories, more laughing, and the decadent smell of smores being made and devoured.
As the night grew late, Morgan got into his sleeping bag in the midst of his friends doing the same. In their own tent across the way, Pepper and Rhodey watched as their son settled down to sleep in the midst of everything a childhood birthday should be: care free and innocent.
"He's having the time of his life," Rhodey whispered as he and Pepper laid down together.
Pepper snuggled into his arms, her heart so full of happiness, "That's what birthdays are all about. We've created memories that will last a lifetime tonight I think."
Yawning Rhodey said, "Yeah, we have."
4
The setting sun casts a warm glow over the Stark-Rhodes home as Rhodey caught up on some paperwork for his aviation business. Pepper was out doing some shopping with some of her girlfriends, and since Morgan was out in the backyard with his girlfriend Angie, the rest of the house was quiet. The peace, however, does not last when he can hear voices start to be raised.
Rhodey knows he shouldn't eavesdrop on their conversation, but he can't resist easing over to the window. He sits down when some of his papers in his hand, and pretends to be working as he listened.
"... it's just not working out, Morgan," Angie's voice said, her voice tinged with unhappiness.
Morgan sighed, and he ran a hand through his hair, "I know. I get it, Ang. It's fine."
But Angie went on, "I just think we are at different places in our lives, Morgan. You know?"
"Yeah, I guess," Morgan replied with a sullen tone.
"Listen, I still want to be friends with you. I hope we can still be that much at least even if we as a couple didn't work out. Can we?" Angie asked.
Rhodey sensed the tension even from the living room. He really wished that he could give Morgan a pat on the back or even a hug right then.
"Yeah, sure. Friends sounds good," Morgan said, the tone in his voice said it sounded anything but good to him.
"I care about you, Morgan. You're a great guy, you really are. But I just think we're better off seeing other people."
Rhodey dared to peek, and he saw Angie kiss Morgan's cheek.
"I'll see you around, okay?"
Morgan nodded, and didn't say anything.
Angie exited their yard through the side gate, leaving Morgan alone.
Rhodey quickly went back to his papers, feeling a pang of empathy for his son. He debated on whether or not he should go outside to talk to Morgan. He decided on it in the end since he had been eavesdropping and invading Morgan's privacy. Morgan would tell him and his mom the news whenever he wanted them to know.
After a few minutes, Morgan shrugged and went inside. The moment he spotted his Dad, he put on a fake smile, as he tried to hide the obvious hurt feelings.
Rhodey looked at his son.
"Hey, Dad," Morgan greeted in a strained voice.
"Hey, son. How's everything going with you two? Did Angie leave? I thought she was going to stay for dinner?"
Morgan shrugged, then said, "Uh no, she's um not. Staying I mean. She left to go home I guess. She, um, broke with me, Dad."
Putting aside his work, Rhodey got up and put a hand on Morgan's shoulder, "I'm sorry to hear that, son. Are you okay? Did she say why?"
"She said it's just not working out with us and she thinks we're better off seeing other people. Whatever that means," Morgan replied, rolling his eyes.
"Well, it's her loss, Morgan. You're an amazing young man. I'm sorry she broke up with you."
Morgan managed a small, genuine smile, "Thanks, Daddy."
5
The soft music drifted through the air as Pepper and Rhodey, now advanced in their years but no less in love with each other, sat in their cozy living room of their home. The large window seat/window offered them a view into their backyard where their son Morgan, now all grown up, was slow dancing with Jiya, the woman who had captured his heart.
Pepper walked across the room, her cane clacking against the floor to go sit down on the window seat She smiled as Rhodey rolled his wheelchair over to join her at the window, and reached out to take her hand.
"He looks so very happy," Pepper said, her eyes drifting to Morgan and Jiya, watching as they swayed to the music, "And so in love."
Rhodey nodded, his gaze full of happiness and pride, "Yes, he does. I think Jiya's the one for him. He's grown into such a remarkable, determined young man. And I don't believe he could have found a sweeter, nor finer young woman for us to welcome into our family."
Pepper nodded, "He really couldn't have found anyone sweeter. He loves her so much and it's obvious that she loves him." She sighed, and laughed softly, "Remember when we used to watch Morgan play outside in that same yard? Time really does fly by too quickly."
"Yes, yes it does." he agreed, squeezing his wife's hand, "But in return, we've got a lifetime of wonderful memories."
While Morgan and Jiya shared a tender moment, Pepper continued to remember, "Do you ever think about how we got to this moment in time? Or all of the challenges we went through together?"
Rhodey smiled, his eyes glowing, "Each and every day, and I would not change a thing. Well... maybe if we could have kept Tony a little longer... and I wish you didn't have to go through cancer."
She nodded, "Yeah."
A comfortable silence fell between them as they continued to watch the dance unfold outside.
Jiya laughed when Morgan twirled her, and soon their laughter echoed in the evening. The years seemed to all melt away as the couple continued their dance under the soft glow of the string lights.
Pepper looked at her husband, her eyes sparkling, "We did a darn good job, didn't we?"
The best darn job two parents can do."
Epilogue
The atmosphere in the room felt heavy with memories as Morgan stood by the window seat, gazing out into the backyard of his parents' house. He'd had a hard time reaching the decision to the place had been a hard, bittersweet choice with all the memories of a lifetime found here.
His lifetime.
Behind him, Jiya entered the room and after seeing him standing there at the window, she went to him, wrapping her arms around him from behind.
"It's hard to believe that we... that I decided to let go of this house," Morgan said, his voice tinged with sadness.
Jiya rested her chin on his shoulder, "I know it holds so many memories and so much love for you. But with your parents gone, it is only a house in the end, Morgan. We will make a new home together, and as long as we're together, we'll be home."
He turned around, and wrapped his arms around her waist, sighing, "I know, Jiya. It's just... so many memories."
They were quiet for a moment, looking out in the backyard where Morgan had played as a child with his parents there watching him grow, and where they had spent countless moments together as a family
"I can remember all of the times Dad used to sit here and watched the sunset," Morgan said, nostalgia coloring his voice, smiling faintly.
Jiya nodded, "And your mom was never far away if she wasn't there with him. They really loved spending as much time together as they could.
Morgan's gaze shifted to the empty space where his parents used to sit together, "Yeah, it feels like an era is coming to an end."
"And a new one is beginning," Jiya supplemented, brushing his cheek, "We'll treasure all of the memories from the past, Morgan, and going forward, we'll create our own. In a new place."
He nodded, gratitude in his eyes, "You're right, Jiya. And we'll take all of the love and laughter of this place with us in our hearts."