AN: Sorry this took so long, guys, but here it is and hopefully to your liking. The first one is an 'alternate scene' of sorts, if Pepper had never lost the baby. The others will not follow this storyline, they will follow the path of the story. But I just couldn't help the cuteness.

-O-O-O-

Small Bump - ed Sheeran

-O-O-O-

He leaned back into the tiny seat of the chopper and let the medics tug the tattered t-shirt off of his head to inspect any injuries.

"Hey, hey guys. Careful now. Don't muss the goods," he commented, his voice hoarse with exhaustion and relief.

The taped up the cuts on his face and arms and diagnosed the tear in his elbow; he would need a sling for a few weeks. Once they'd finished poking and prodding, he let his head fall back against the hard surface behind him, and his eyes closed. Finally, he was going home. He'd never really lost hope that he would be. There had always been some glimmer there that he'd find a way out. Tony Stark did not go quietly. Though, he never pictured freedom without Yinsen by his side.

Now he was finally here, out of the blistering hot sand, away from those murderers. He breathed a sigh and glanced over at Rhodey, who was grinning like a fool.

"What?" he asked stubbornly.

"You're back."

"Of course I'm back," he said with a smile and closed his eyes again. All he really wanted was sleep.

-O-O-O-

At the base, his injuries had been treated with proper care. Several stitches had been put into his forehead, a sling wrapped around his arm to help the tear in his elbow. He wasn't sure when that had occurred, but he guessed it was when he'd crash landed in the middle of nowhere.

Instead of the usual junk food, he was served a prime rib eye with a loaded baked potato. He scarfed it all down in fifteen minutes. He clinked his silverware against the plate as he leaned back, satisfied.

"Can I call Pepper?" he asked Rhodey, across from him.

"Later."

His head shook. "Nope. Mmm-mmm. Now. I've been in captivity for three months; I want to hear my girlfriend's voice."

"We need to talk about the…"

"Pepper first," he insisted, making Rhodey an ultimatum.

The colonel groaned and tugged his phone from his pocket and handed it over.

-O-O-O-

The ramps lowered and he stood slowly from the wheelchair the medic crew had insisted he have. He could walk just fine, it was the rest of him that was screwed up.

He let Rhodey take his elbow and lead him down, if only to placate him. All this pity nonsense was getting old. He just wanted a cheeseburger and Pepper and he'd be a happy camper. He glanced up, eyes scanning the tarmac in hopes of seeing her. She stood next to Happy, back to him, hands on her hips. God, he missed those hands. And those hips. And those hands on those hips. Oddly, he found himself wishing she would nag him with her hands placed just-so on those curvy hips of hers. He missed her nagging.

He missed her.

She glanced over one shoulder, ginger curls tumbling over her navy-blue blouse. Her eyes flickered towards him, blue and clear as always. Her glittering smile was wide and only slightly teary. But there was something else. Something that hadn't been there before. Her belly was rounded, and one manicured hand moved to rest over the bump and smooth against the material covering it.

He couldn't even hide the smile that broke across his face. He turned to glance at Rhodey and just laughed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Rhodey grinned. "I wanted to give her the honor."

He tugged himself away from his friend and marched with greater fervor for the gorgeous redhead in front of him.

"Look at that. I'm not even around and I make a baby."

She laughed softly through her tears. "Babies," she corrected.

If his eyes could get any wider, they would've busted. "Wow. I'm good."

She rolled her eyes. "I missed you."

"Yeah you did." His hands roamed over the bump and she watched his face change from shock and surprise to pride. Not his usual prideful smile, but mixed with awe and wonder as his fingers roamed her belly. His forehead leaned down against hers.

"I love you," he whispered.

She smiled and brought her lips up to his in answer. He hummed in satisfaction, hands wandering over her belly, trying to take in every tiny inch, every month that he'd missed. When there the tiniest of kicks, she laughed against his lips and pulled him closer. "They're happy to see you too," she whispered.

His hand slipped around her waist and he tugged her off to the car. "I want a cheeseburger. And I know my babies do too…"