After signing release papers for her, he wheeled her to a waiting car. Twenty minutes later they were inside the Lobby at Stark Tower. Rhodey guided her to a small room, where an automated Robot took her fingerprints and iris scan. "Name and age?" it asked.

Rhodey turned to her instead of answering. "Rosie, I understand if you're opposed to it, but I'd like to make an offer to adopt you. I can clearly see that you're having doubts on how long you can stay with me and this will confirm that you're staying here because we want you to, not out of pity or anything else." He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck while Rosie processed what he had told her.

She couldn't believe her ears. "A-are you serious? You really want to adopt me?" She'd become quite fond of him in the time he spent visiting her in the Hospital and she really wanted to live with him permanently. Rosie had no clue how to broach the subject, though, nor did she have any idea whether he even wanted to look after her any longer than he was legally obliged to.

"I understand you're having trust issues after everything that happened, and I want you to know that I've started to care for you like my own kid and I wouldn't want it any other way. This'll give us the sense of security that you are not going anywhere, kiddo."

She felt like crying out of happiness, but she asked again, just to be sure. "You're really doing this?"

"Of course. Why else would I make the offer? It's very hush-hush, in case you're worried about the fame that Tony and I deal with everyday. As far as I know, only a couple of CPS workers and two of Tony's lawyers know. Deputy Leeds has given his report, so there won't be any issues from Law Enforcement. All of them have signed waivers not to talk about it without your consent and adoption records are anyway unavailable to the general public."

"Would you mind if I-um-if I..."

"Yes?"

"Is it okay if I kept Carter as my last name? It'll help with the anonymity." Seeing the flicker of sadness in his eyes, she hurried to clarify. "It's not like I don't want to be known as your kid or anything! In fact, I hoped you would let Rhodes be my middle name."

"Rosanna Rhodes Carter," he murmured, smiling softly. "I really like the sound of that."

"Does that mean I call you Dad now?" She eagerly asked, but her face fell when he didn't reply. "I-I understand if you don't want me to-"

He cut her off hurriedly, "No, I'd love it if you called me that. It's just that I hadn't expected you to accept it so quickly. I must say that I'm looking forward to parenthood."

She gave him a hug. "Thanks for doing this for me, Dad."

If his eyes were unusually misty when he gave her her new access card, neither of them said anything.

"That's a Resident Level Card. It gives you access to all parts of the Tower except for Tony's workshop unless Tony gives you a personalized access code. No one other than the four-now five of us-who live here full time can access any floor above 80, so you can wander around and explore." He told her, guiding her to a hidden elevator.

Just as he was about to step inside, his phone started ringing. Dad made a face before receiving the call. "This is Lieutenant-Colonel Rhodes. Yes... Of course... Right now? Alright. I'll be there as soon as possible. Yes, sir. "

Rosie said, "Lemme guess, you have to go do something top-secret that you can't tell me about, and you have to leave right now?"

He sighed, running a hand across his tired-looking face. "Pretty accurate, kiddo. I was looking forward to showing you around, but I guess I'll have to leave it to J.A.R.V.I.S.. I hope aren't too mad at me..."

"I'm not mad at you, Rh-Dad. I get how important your job is. Don't worry about me - I'll be perfectly all right. Just tell me which floor and I can manage the rest."

"J.A.R.V.I.S.? Can you please take Rosie to the Living Area?" He asked out loud.

"Of course, sir. I would also like to inform you that there is a Military Jeep outside and a Captain Studger asking for you." A voice came from a small speaker in the lift. Rosie had expected high tech-stuff. It was Stark Towers, after all, but she never imagined that there would be a goddamn AI installed in the entire building.

"Thank you. I'll go there immediately. See you soon, Rosie."

He briskly walked off and the elevator door closed as it began to move upwards. "Welcome to Stark Tower, Miss Carter. I am J.A.R.V.I.S., the resident AI, and I am programmed into all the living areas of the Tower. I am here to assist you at all times. Would you prefer to go there first?"

"Yes please. Oh, and J.A.R.V.I.S., can you call me Rosie?"

"Of course, Miss Rosie. I would like to congratulate you on the adoption."

"Thank you."

A few minutes later, the elevator stopped and the doors automatically opened. "This is one of the Living Areas. The Tower was designed for more residents, so you are alone on this floor, Miss Rosie. This floor is a fully fledged home to make it easier for you in your current condition, but the Common Area on the Penthouse Level is also available. "

Wheeling herself into her new room, Rosie's mouth fell open.

It was absolutely enormous! There was a twin bed in one corner, just under a big window that looked out over the city. Ceiling to floor bookshelves covered one wall, with a cozy little reading nook nestled in the middle. A large pin-up board was on the opposite wall, with shelves that Rosie assumed were for her school books and the wooden desk that she had chosen a few days ago. A brand-new laptop, StarkPad and StarkPhone were sitting on the desk.

She had a medium-sized flat screen television opposite to the bed and her brand new closet, dressing table and mirror were in place. A pair of collapsible crutches were placed on her bed. Rosie mentally applauded her colour choices when she saw how well everything looked and hoped that she would be able to get her stuff very soon. It was much bigger than she had expected and Tony had spared no expense in making her comfortable and happy.

Rosie would have been made uneasy by the grand room she was now living in if it hadn't been for the talk that her new dad had given her a few days ago. He'd talked about how the work was done in her room and it was ready for her to move in, before warning her about the extravagance of Tony Stark.

"He's not very good with words and feelings, so buying stuff for you is his way of showing he cares. That said, you can always put your foot down if he does anything too extravagant. Just don't be too surprised when there's more stuff in your room than you asked for."

She quickly unpacked the small bag she had brought from the hospital before setting out to explore the Penthouse. There was an enormous living room with half a dozen comfy couches, a futuristic kitchen, a mini movie theatre and a game room stocked with the latest video games. Rosie also saw the gym which had padded walls and a bunch of training equipment, most of which she recognised from her martial arts classes. A side room had a full-size boxing ring and punching bags hung up, ready for use. There was an entire floor designed like a casino and Rosie caught sight of an enormous ballroom and lots of empty party rooms too.

It was very apparent that Tony Stark did not have a lot of free time to spend in these rooms. Most looked unused and the contents untouched. Overwhelmed by the grand surroundings, Rosie felt a strong desire to leave the Tower for some time and go back home. "J.A.R.V.I.S.?" She called. "Is there a way for me to go to my old house?"

"Yes, Miss Rosie. Mr. Hogan is currently free and is willing to drive you there."

"Mr. Hogan?"

"Harold Hogan is Boss' personal bodyguard and driver who is currently residing in the Tower."

"Oh, can you show me to him?"

Rosie let out a small sigh as Mary Park taped the last of the cardboard boxes shut and she took in her now bare room. "Thank you so much for coming over to help me, Mrs. Park. I didn't know anyone else who would help."

"Of course, dear. We've been neighbours for years. Even though we never talked much, this was the least I could do for such a nice young lady like you. I hope you recover soon and have a nice life with your Godfather. All the best for your future!" Mary's husband John helped Mr. Hogan load the few boxes of her personal belongings into the trunk of the car. He said that someone else would bring her books over later.

Rosie waved at Mrs. Park as she drove away, officially ending her old life with her father. Refusing to be upset, Rosie tried distracting herself by opening an e-reader app on her new phone and beginning to read a murder mystery. As he helped her get out of the car, Rosie profusely thanked Happy for his help and he replied with a gruff, "You're welcome." He typed something on his phone, and a couple of robots came, picked up her stuff and left. "Follow them to the private Elevator. J.A.R.V.I.S. will let you in." He disappeared.

Rosie went straight back to her room and slowly unpacked her clothes, putting them away in the closet, one of the little robots helping her by carrying things around. She arranged her schoolbooks on the desk and placed her favourite pen-case she had made herself next to them. Once everything was neatly put away, Rosie got out her phone and continued her story. Just as she was reaching the climax scene, Rosie's reading was interrupted by J.A.R.V.I.S.

"Colonel Rhodes is back and wishes to come in, Miss Rosie."

"Let him in, please." She put down her phone.

"So, how do you like it Rosie? We tried our best to match what you wanted. Is it alright?" he asked.

Rosie nodded shyly, "It's more than what I expected. Uncle-sorry-Dad, I just wanted to ask: What am I supposed to do all day? All of you will be busy working, and I'm not allowed to go outside alone."

"That's exactly why I was a little late in coming back today evening. Based on your grades so far, you've been enrolled in Midtown School of Science and Technology's online program. They're hoping to put you into AP Classes, so you'll have to write a test and decide which classes you ant based on those results. Happy's your guardian, so you can go to school once your leg is healed or you can continue from home if you want to."

Rosie was dumbstruck. She couldn't believe that a man she had met less than a fortnight ago cared enough for her to do all this. "T-Thank y-you Dad." She stammered, reaching up to give him a quick hug. "It's always been my dream to go to a STEM School, but Arnold would never let me skip a year, let alone change schools."

Rhodey gently returned the hug and said, "No issues kiddo. I never do anything by halves. You've got talent, ambition and the stubbornness needed to succeed. I'm just giving you a tiny boost to speed up your career. Now, what about some dinner? I'm thinking along the lines of pasta..." They began making their way towards the kitchen on the floor above.

"Are the kitchen counters low enough for me to reach?"

"I think so, why?"

"I, uh, wanted to help in the cooking. So... which one do you want? Ravioli or Tortelloni?"

"What's the difference?"

Rosie opened her mouth to answer, but someone else spoke for her. "Ravioli's usually filled with cheese and Tortelloni can have veggie or meat filling. They're also shaped differently. I like Ravioli." It was Mr. Stark, who was casually sitting on the floor and fiddling with some device. "What? I'm half Italian! I know my pasta." He said defensively.

Rosie looked at her soon-to-be-legal-father. "I feel like cheese, so Ravioli?" He said.

"Ravioli it is." She went to the kitchen and began pulling out ingredients with J.A.R.V.I.S. telling her where everything was. Turning to face the two men who were standing in the doorway and watching, she raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning on helping? It'll be done much faster if you pitch in." They scrambled to help.