Chapter Text
Anthony Edward Stark was never an emotional man. He thinks it might have been because of his childhood, with the way he would express himself to his father, just for the latter to deflect. He grew up to gradually recede his soft-side, except for Edwin Jarvis the butler, and his mother, Maria.
It all changed when he witnessed firsthand the birth of his daughter, at 1:37 AM of Saturday, August 3rd year 2002.
Francesca Eloise Stark was born into the Earth adored and anticipated by her parents and the extension of the family. Obviously, it was the family of his amazing partner. He met Jasmine Gonzales two years ago at a beach in Malibu. She was absolutely gorgeous that made Tony’s jaw drop at first glance. He asked her out, with a few stutters in between which was very uncharacteristic of him, this was his second nature. The pair hit it off, and the next thing he knew, he was already on his way to meet her family. Now her family was lovely, really. Her two parents, Myra and Enrique (or Rick, he said) and three brothers, Erwin, Marvin, and Kevin were really welcoming. He thought that it’s true what they said about the Filipinos being hospitable.
He let Myra hold his newborn daughter and stepped back for a moment. He thought it was a lovely scene, but he also thinks it would be better if his family were there as well. He doesn’t know about his father but his mom surely would be over the moon about this. He went to step beside Jasmine’s bed and touched her hair.
“You good? Do you need anything?” He asked with softness in his voice.
“I don’t know, Tony,” she said while she raised her hand to hold Tony’s wrist near her head, “I just pushed a baby out of me, let’s switch and I’ll ask how you are.” she added. Tony loved her comebacks. It was one of the many things she had that made him fall in love with, that he has met his match.
“Right. Rest up, love. We’ll be alright. You did a miracle back there.” he smiled and caressed her head.
It wasn’t long until Jasmine’s family put the baby back in the hospital’s cot and retreated as well. It was nearly the crack of dawn, after all.
When they were discharged, his best friend Rhodey took a visit and gave baby Francesca a gift. An Air Force onesie.
“Really, Rhodey? Come on.” He sad as he opened the present.
“What? I’m gonna be a full pledged uncle now, I am more than willing to teach her everything I know.” Rhodey said.
“We all know she’s gonna be taking after me, honey bear.” Tony said with a grin.
“You don’t wish for your daughter to be a party guy, do you?” Rhodey said with sass in his voice, and arms crossed in his chest.
“No?! Why would I ever?” Tony said aback.
“Then don’t say things like she’s gonna take after you.” Rhodey fought back.
“I am gonna blacklist you from this house. You wound me.” Tony said as Rhodey walks out of the house as they laughed.
“Alright. See ya, Tony. Give my regards to Jasmine, and don’t break the baby.” Rhodey said with a serious tone.
“Yeah, dad. Whatever.” Tony said while he rolled his eyes as Rhodey climbs his sedan, and he waved him goodbye.
6 months into Francesca’s life, the fridge is full of vegetables and fruit for her to eat. Tony blends them into purees while Jasmine portions them into small tupperwares as the baby’s prepped meal. Few weeks after her 1st birthday, she started to walk. What a heart attack has been for Tony when he looked away for half a minute just to see baby Francesca on her pretty little toes attempting to step when he looked back. A bit early for her age, the pediatrician noted. He told JARVIS to order baby-proofing materials to be delivered tomorrow morning. 13 months in, she started her adorable baby talk that made everyone around her coo, even Happy Hogan. Tony teased him about it for a week when he heard Happy say “aww” after Francesca’s “ba-ba-ba”. It wasn’t until she was 15 months old when she started to form words with literal meaning. Or the first syllables to words.
“Ma.” Baby Francesca said, while Jasmine was holding her up while playing with her.
“What?” Jasmine said, surprise all over her face. “What?!?” Tony said, looking up from his papers with even more surprise. He had hoped Francesca would say “Da” first. He was not situated far away from the two, so he heard everything. Then he got up to sit near them.
“Can you repeat it, please, sweet pea?” Jasmine said with a playful smirk on her face.
“Ma!” Ma, ma, ma” Francesca said over and over and that made Jasmine and Tony laugh because of the cuteness.
“Not that it’s a competition or anything, but she said “Ma” first.” Jasmine said, sticking her tongue out to Tony. A playful banter. Then she walked away to place Francesca on the floor to play with her toys again.
“Oh, darling. It is a competition and you’ve won.” Tony said as he stood up as well to walk and step behind Jasmine and snaked his arms around her waist. Jasmine faced him and planted a small kiss on his lips.
“You should have done better, then. I like to think you just let me win.” Jasmine said teasingly. Tony kissed her again and it lasted longer this time.
“Then we should have another baby and have him say “Da” this time.” He said with equally a playful tone. Then he took her hand and kissed her knuckles, “what do you think?” he added.
“Not anytime soon, Tones. Let’s wait until Francesca turns 5 or something. That okay?” Jasmine said truthfully to Tony. Honestly, he thinks that it was a good idea to wait until Francesca turns older.
“Of course, honey. However you like.” Tony said with a smile and kissed her forehead.
Tony slept with a smile that night. His perfect family. No, he and Jasmine weren’t married yet, but it feels like it. Eitherway, he loves her just as much. His last thought was Francesca, the new addition to his life. He adored her so much and he was willing to do everything for her, to avoid himself turning out to be a father like his dad was, and to avoid Francesca of the life he had due to his childhood. Nobody wants that, ever. He certainly doesn’t want that for his daughter. Tony slept peacefully. He should savor it, really. Nothing good lasts forever. Not even the dream life he’s currently living.