Chapter 1
Nine months had passed. Nine months since the Mandarin. Nine months since my home was destroyed. Nine months since everything changed.
I was no longer the Iron Man, but the Iron Man would always be me. Well, that was the promise I made myself.
I'd actually been sleeping since then. Not one nightmare. Not one anxiety attack.
I was completely devoted to the woman I loved. Mrs. Pepper Stark. Yeah that's right. I said Mrs. Pepper Stark. I purposed 7 months ago. The wedding was three months ago. And just one short month ago, we received some of the most wonderful news. My beautiful, amazing, loving wife was going to be the mother of my first child.
We bought a house right on the beach. Physically, it was a step down from our beautiful Malibu mansion, but to us, it was so much better. Did I miss being able to tinker around in my giant basement whenever I wanted? Sure, but this made Pepper happy and if Pepper's happy, I'm happy.
I was no longer interested in being a super hero. I didn't ever want to put Pepper in danger again. Especially now since she's carrying our baby. I decided that to become a full time mechanic, so I opened up a little auto repair shop right down the road. I work most weekdays, but never the weekends. Saturday was date night.
Pepper and I were invited to church service by one of Pepper's friends. I didn't want to go, obviously, but Pepper insisted. She thought it might be fun. I went, and it's changed me. That Sunday, I was sitting in the sanctuary of the church building. I promised Pepper I would try to participate, so I did. Something changed in me. I felt something stirring inside of me. Something I had never felt before. As I listened to the sermon, I began to take everything they were saying in. Once we were dismissed, I found the pastor greeting people as they walked out the door. I began talking to him about what I was feeling and he explained to me that I was being touched by God. I thought this was incredible. He sent a Bible home with me. Since then, I've not missed a single church service, I read that Bible almost every day, and I have accepted Jesus Christ into my life. Pepper is so proud of me.
So I guess you could say my life has done nothing but get better.
So that's what I've been up to for the past nine months. My life was perfect. My dream girl had become my wife, we were about to start our family, and our baby boy or girl will get to grow up in a good Christian home. I'm glad I'll will always get to be there as she grows up, instead of flying around saving peoples lives. I'll leave that job to the other so called superheroes in the world. Everyone except for Bruce Banner.
He too gave up the hero lifestyle. He's now the best friend I could ever ask for. Him and I were now determined to never suit up again.
That was yesterday.