This takes place a few years before Iron Man 1.

3rd

  "Don't do this! Please! She needs you!" Kate yelled as her now ex-lover just stood there.

   "No Kate, I can't take care of a kid, it would only interfere." He spoke harshly behind his sunglasses.

   "It? IT?! 'IT' IS YOUR DAUGHTER! A small 3 year old child that practically worships her father. Do you know how hard it is to look at your child and explain how her father won't be around to kiss her goodnight?! Or why she always sees him on tv kissing women that aren't 'her mommy'?!"

    He grit his teeth. "That's your problem. Not mine. Take care of our daughter Kate." He spoke softly before exiting the home. Walking swiftly he approached his newest car. He quickly started the car and drove into the night, leaving behind those he loved most.

    Kate collapsed to the floor. Sobs left her mouth raggedly.

  "Mommy?" A quiet voice spoke from the stairwell.

  Kate stood quickly and hurriedly wiped her eyes as she walked towards her newly awakened toddler. "Hey honey, what are you doing up?" She asked softly.

     "I heard yelling and when I came down I saw Daddy yelling at you." Kate's breathe caught in her throat.

   "Daddy just-"

   "He's not coming back is he?" The girl spoke quietly, gaze trained on the floor.

    Kate reached down and hugged the child. "No, he's not." She sighed as she lifted Nadia to rest on her hip. "How about you and me watch some movies?"

   Nadia nodded. "That would be good." Kate nodded and carried her small child into the living room before they both settled in for old Disney reruns.

3 years later

     "And here we stand infront of Stark Industries where it has been said that Tony Stark himself has just announced that in a few years he will have a weapon that will turn the tides of the Afghanistan war."

   Kate quickly turned off the T.V. as her now 6 year old daughter ran into the room. "Momma! Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny's here!" She cheered and danced in her newest gift from her father, a purple fairy costume, complete with wings and a wand. Her pigtails swung wildly around her head.

   "That's great hun! Did you let them in through the gate?" Kate chuckled as she picked up her small fairy.

   "Uh-huh, Auntie said she needed to talk to you though." Nadia replied as her mom carried her through the house to the front yard where family and friends were gathered for said child's birthday. "Lizzie!"

   The young fairy jumped to the ground and ran to her cousin that ran across the yard. Both girls hugged before running to the large fairy garden that took up most of the yard. Kate watched her before walking over to where her sister sat, rubbing her large belly under her yellow sun dress.

   "Hey Sis, how's little Louise?" Kate asked as she walked over.

    "Good, a little more active now, she's definitely gonna be an athlete." Ginny looked fondly to her belly.

    "Or a fan of cars!" Harold called from where he had begun to set up the grill.

   Both women chuckled. "Any way, how are you? Y'know, with Him being out of the picture?" Ginny spoke pointedly before picking up a glass of lemonade.

    Kate sighed, picking up her own glass. "Things are great. He sends weekly checks that are more than enough to take care of us. I only use what we need and put the rest into a college fund for Audi." Ginny nodded.

   "That's good. But I meant mentally. Not financially." She stated pointedly.

   Kate looked towards the ground. Her shoulders stiff and her eyes tired. "In all honesty, I don't know, Sis. I loved him. I really did."

    Before Ginny could respond, a couple of mischievous children ran to them giggling. "Momma! Uncle Harry said he's gonna take us star gazing tonight!" Nadia clutched to her mother's side as she jumped excitedly.

    "That's great sweetie!" Kate smiled at her energetic child. (⬅ 666words)

   "Kate! I need those bratwurst if you wanna have the kids eat before dark." Harry chuckled.

     "They're in the cooler!" Kate called to him.

   "What cooler?" Harry asked as he searched the immediate area.

  Kate rolled her eyes. "I'll be right back Sweetie, I have to help your uncle use his glasses." She joked, making both girls giggle, along with her sister in law.

   Kate rose from her chair and made her way to where her brother stood.

     Both girls turned their attention to the driveway where a black SUV had pulled into the driveway. A red headed woman stepping out and looking at Kate sympathetically with a large gift in tow. Kate sighed before looking toward her sister and motioning towards the house.

    "How about we go see if we can find a blanket for us for tonight? I'm sure we can find a couple big enough." Ginny spoke softly in her heavy English accent. Both girls nodded eagerly, the truck now forgotten.

⏳ Time skip ⏳

     "Did you have fun Sweetie?" Kate asked as she tucked her now exhausted child into her large fairy bed.

  "Mhm." She mumbled as she snuggled in next to the large panda her father sent for her birthday.

   "Goodnight." Kate smiled before turning on the music box next to the door and shut off the main light.

      None were prepared for the tragedy that ensued.