Featuring regular appearances from the Avengers! And if it wasn't obvious (because I'm not sure it was), the title of this story is a spin off of the saying "the gem of my life".
For those of you who haven't read my first story Insert Title Here (aka Starting Anew) you don't actually have to (though I would recommend it. I had a lot of fun writing that one). All you need to know is that Genevieve Charlotte Stark is Tony and Pepper Stark's adopted daughter. Oh, and this is set after Iron Man 3, but before Thor 2. Got that? Then let's go!
Tony had never been a fan of animals. His dad had never let him get one. He'd been told that all kinds of animals were stinky, unsanitary, and they got in the way. So no matter how many times he had begged for a puppy, he'd always been shot down. He eventually let the subject drop, and his dad's distaste for animals wore off on him. Besides, Pepper had never expressed interest in getting a pet anyway. So he decided they'd stay petless for life.
Until Genevieve came into his life, that is. She hadn't been living in the Avengers Tower with them for very long (though she'd had time to turn five in that short time) when one day she skipped up to her adopted parents while they were sharing a cup of coffee in the living room.
"I want a puppy," she said unceremoniously, not bothering to chirp her usual hello.
Pepper tilted her head while Tony choked on his coffee, thumping his chest to dispel the coughs. Why did his family always manage to surprise him like this?
"Why do you say that, sweetie?" Pepper asked while her husband recovered.
"Because I've never had one," Genevieve answered, clasping her hands behind her back and bouncing on her toes. "And I get bored."
"Bored?" Tony asked finally, his voice only slightly strained from his drink going down the wrong way.
"Yeah. Mama's always at work and you're always working in your shop. And I love J.A.R.V.I.S, but he can't play with me."
"He can play virtual games with you," Tony insisted, refusing to cave in to his daughter's pleading teal eyes.
Genevieve stuck out her bottom lip in an impossibly adorable pout. "He only likes to play chess or checkers. And I'm not good at those!"
Pepper smiled, and Tony feared she was beginning to consider this puppy possibility. "A puppy would take a lot of responsibility."
Gen nodded eagerly. "I know! But I can take care of one! I'll feed it, and walk it, and play with it, and take it out to pee, too!"
Tony found himself biting back a laugh at that last cheery statement. But he still shook his head. "I don't think this is a good idea."
Pepper glanced at him, frowning slightly. "Why not? If she promises to take care of it, why shouldn't we get her a new friend to play with?"
"Because this kind of thing happens all the time," Tony argued. "A kid promises to take some responsibility when it comes to a pet, and the parents end up taking care of it in the end."
"That won't happen!" Genevieve protested. "I promise! I'll only need help when I take it to the park!"
"Besides," Pepper put in. "I'm sure one or more of the Avengers would be glad to pitch in."
"Glad to pitch in with what?" Clint queried suddenly from his position up in the air vents. He swung down and plucked an apple from the basket on the coffee table.
"Uncle Clint!" Gen crowed happily, beaming up at him.
Clint crunched on his apple and grinned back, ruffling her golden curls. "Hey ya, kiddo. What's up?" he asked with his mouth full which earned him a disapproving look from Pepper.
"I'm getting a puppy!"
"Really?" His eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he smiled. "That's great! When?"
"Whoa, timeout," Tony interrupted, making a T with his hands. "We haven't decided on anything yet."
Clint glanced from Pepper, to Tony, and then back to Gen before nodding in understanding. "Oh, I get it," he said quietly, kneeling next to the little girl. "You and your mom are all for it, but Dad isn't so sure."
She nodded in return, her expression suddenly serious. "I don't think Daddy likes puppies."
"I never said that," Tony protested, not wanting to be set up as the bad guy.
"But you were thinking it," Pepper pointed out, an amused glint in her eyes.
"Not you, too," he shot back, rolling his eyes briefly. "Am I the only one who's against getting a pet?"
"Yes," the three others said in unison.
"Please, Daddy?" Genevieve pleaded, her large teal eyes seeming even larger with her currently ironic 'puppy dog look.'
Tony resisted, even going as far to comically cover his eyes. "Nope! I'm not looking at you. You know those eyes always get me."
"Pleeeeeease?" Gen drew the word out, trotting over and pulling his hands down.
One glance at her and Tony caved. He sighed reluctantly. "Okay, okay. Go ask the other Avengers what they think first before we head to the pet store."
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!" Genevieve shrieked happily, dashing off as fast as her little legs could carry her.
Half an hour later, the Starks plus the other Avengers (save Thor who was away on a day trip to Asgard) were at the local Pet Smart looking at the puppies the place had to offer. Genevieve was the one having the most fun, but every Avenger seemed to have a rare, childlike look in their eyes. Even Natasha.
"What do you think of this one, Gen?" Steve asked, lifting the little girl up to see the black lab puppy in one of the top cages. "Isn't she cute?"
She studied the dog for a moment before shaking her head. "She is, but I want a boy."
"What about this one?" Bruce offered, pointing at a shaggy gray dog that was more of an adult than a puppy.
"No, Uncle Bruce, I want a puppy."
Tony chuckled at her insistent tone as he started to think that maybe getting a pet wasn't such a big deal after all. It certainly seemed to make a good team outing. Who knew?
All the Avengers (save Natasha) tried showing Genevieve their favorite dogs, but she turned down every single one of them. It wasn't until Natasha finally spoke up that the girl actually seemed interested.
"How about this little fella?" the red-haired assassin asked softly, kneeling next to a cage and poking her finger through the bars to stroke the dog inside it. The golden retriever puppy was smaller than the dogs in the other cages, and Tony assumed it had been the runt of the family and had probably been abandoned. A fitting pet for a girl who had been through a similar situation. He actually found himself swallowing a growing lump in his throat. Only his two girls (and a dog, apparently) could get him emotional, and he kind of despised it.
Genevieve got on her knees next to Natasha to pet the puppy through the bars. "He's perfect."
Tony called an employee over, and the man helped them get the correct supplies for the golden retriever. After a few more minutes, the Starks and the Avengers loaded into the two cars they'd driven to the pet store. The puppy sat in Genevieve's lap who had refused to let him go after she'd picked him up from his cage.
"What are you going to call him?" Tony couldn't help but ask.
He was surprised at how quick the answer was. "Manny."
Pepper smiled at her over her shoulder. "That's a cute name. Why did you choose that one?"
"It's short for Iron Man!" Gen answered with a bright smile as she stroked 'Manny's' ears.
Tony found himself grinning from ear to ear. "I think that's a perfect name, Genny."
Yes, it seemed like getting a pet had turned out to be a good idea after all.
Well, what did you think? Love it? I hope so! Why don't you leave a review to tell me what your thoughts are. ;)