A/N: My wife and I watched Iron Man ten years ago as our official first date. After Endgame… and just having a child. Wowie, that hit me so hard I didn't even see it coming.

Had to write something. If you're on ff dot net and have to be warned about spoilers… I have no idea what you're doing.

Let's all read, write, and support each other as we heal from the masterpiece that is the MCU.

… This is my take on a fix-it. An alternate ending and setup. A story of the Stark family. The Avenger family… and something more. Please leave feedback if you wish for it to be continued. I really needed this for my soul.

Love everyone 3000.

Avengers: Rifts

The Most Beautiful Girl in the World Pt I

It really didn't seem like yesterday.

It was more like… five minutes ago.

When Pepper first joined Stark industries, she vividly remembered that brash playboy persona Tony put on for the world to see. The retro music playing at the moment made her think of that constant party atmosphere at Stark towers back in early 2008. Tony would be cranking the company sound system so hard even when stockholders or business partners were there trying to wheel and deal.

Serious meetings aren't necessary when you hold all the cards Tony used to say. It was a power play… he didn't give a damn.

Besides… pre Iron Man Tony Stark being serious?

Funny.

He was the epitome of everything that annoyed Pepper in a man really. Brash, egoistic, chauvinistic, and impulsive… but as the entire world knew? He always had that charm working its magic.

~ Could you be the most beautiful girl in the world?

It's plain to see you're the reason that God made a girl ~

Right. His love for Prince's music and his charm…

Those were his only redeeming qualities as far she was concerned.

A near death experience, a multi billion dollar exo suit, and an Avenger's ride of impossible proportions later… and well you know the story.

Besides his crazier days, retro beats and cheesy lyrics of the 80s always brought back those memories of Tony courting her too. She loved it. God knows good memories were going for a premium in a post snap world.

So the stage was set all these years later. F.R.I.D.A.Y. was the disc jockey for this special day, playing that funky music at a nice gentle volume though, just enough to pulse their bedroom but not break the mood.

The 'pop out that baby mood' as Tony would say in the last few weeks.

Indeed. Today was the day he and Pepper would become parents.

They had it all planned out for months. That's just the Stark thing to do. Strategize every little detail of an objective, taking into account every asset and advantage to make sure the end goal was obtained. It wasn't simple, cut, and dry though. Of course they argued. Of course at some point Pepper had to stare at an overly complicated holographic diagram, entertaining her husband while Tony explained why his way was the best way.

Tony knew better but was a glutton for punishment. The battles with his wife he would never win. Even Cap and his shield's assistance were futile.

An all natural birth at home was the decision. Pepper was tired of the abnormalities. There was enough amazing-ness and technological excess in her life with the Avengers and Iron Man himself. Simple, calm, natural… and normal. That's what she wanted for her, Tony, and the baby.

No numbing nano-gels from Stark Industries. No Wakandan vibranium healing magic that Shuri would introduce them to. Just on sale pack of strawberry scented candles they grabbed at the nearest Walmart, an 80s playlist F.R.I.D.A.Y. put together on Youtube, and a pair of Asgardian women who specialized in aiding laboring women elites back in the old Asgard days.

Yes Asgardian… doulas if you will.

Okay so maybe not entirely the normal normal. But by all means this was the Avenger's normal.

Tony may have played the loyal husband… but inside he was not on board with this at all.

This was going to be a problem.

"Mr. Stark," A blonde Asgardian with emerald eyes shooed Tony to the side with the most gentle of presses, barely touching the black cloth covered chest piece. "Your energy is quite distracting. The room's energy and aura needs to be peaceful… understood?"

"Aura? Right, that's going to help this baby come out safe and sound?" Tony disagreed with an animated shrug of his shoulders.

"Please be a calming presence Mr. Stark." She almost whispered it, now preparing some oils and herbs in a fancy stone pestle and mortar with ancient engravings Tony guessed was some Asgardian proverbs.

Tony could only do that eye roll. Understanding wasn't really in the cards. He was so not into this naturalist mumbo jumbo. He didn't see the genuine confidence or assurance from these two probably millennia old beings who looked in their thirties. He just saw a wife he needed to save and this was an obstacle he needed to get by peacefully.

Or semi peacefully rather.

"Look, she doesn't have to be in this much pain. One phone call." Tony had his authoritative finger pointing down pat as always. "I've been playing it cool for the last twelve hours but the baby doesn't look like it wants to come out anytime soon and the longer-"

Shh. A simple finger to his lips stopped the plea, the Asgardian's slender extremity being just as authoritative as his apparently. He blinked his eyes in frustration. Tony couldn't see a way out of this. Repulsor blasts were not an option were they?

"This is perfectly normal and your wife is doing amazing. The child will come when it comes." The other Asgardian was still trying to be as sweet as can be, not like her partner who was getting a bit fed up with dear old Tony.

"Dear, you promised me you were going to listen to them no matter what." Pepper finally slid in the conversation after a bit of a recovery time. She was so composed even though she was exhausted. Even in a hard day like this she kept it together. That's why Tony loved her so much.

She was his backbone.

It was proven law. Tony's biggest strength was his wife. Tony's biggest weakness was his wife. It was the only thing keeping him from ending this naturalistic birth charade with a call into Stark Enterprise medicine division.

Iron Man was in a quandary his suit could not help him. He had a promise to keep... and his own worried husband's fleeting mind to calm down.

"Promised..? Y-yeah… I know but-"

"… No buts."

Promises. Stupid promises.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y. note to self…"

"Yes sir?"

"Promises suck and I will no longer be making any more of them."

"Note ten thousand and thirty one logged and saved sir."

"Thank you kindly..." Tony once again forced his rear into the wooden seat beneath him, crossing his arms like a kid not getting his candy. This has been a long night for him mentally… just like it has been for Pepper physically.

He wanted to give her what she wanted. He was rooting for her.

But this kid wasn't coming out as easy as they wanted.

Never according to plan…

Typical... Stark luck.

"Heh... you're cute when you worry you know that?" Pepper even in her exhaustion had to even giggle a bit at her husband. She appreciated his concern deep down.

"Then I must look like a freaking Pikachu to you right now." He quipped, his fingers tapping nervously against his arms.

"Cuter than that... but Tony... please... let the process happen. Let these ladies do their thing... they're doing a great job."

"Heh... r-right..." Tony could only close his eyes, getting deep into his own zen self... as if an inner peace in him ever existed.

Pepper only smiled again at his effort. He was trying so hard… trying so so hard even. She understood him in and out now more than ever really. In a post snap world people have become protective… over protective really of the loved ones they had left. Tony wasn't an exception. He was the golden child of being protective.

Losing Vision… and... Peter… hell everyone to the dusting. How else would someone like Tony who felt like he had the power to protect them feel?

Bad hurtful memories... needed to be buried deep inside... it was killing them but the remnants of the effects would always bubble up. Moving on was a constant struggle.

But PTSD from the dusting or not, there was a slim of chance there was for something to go wrong in labor. Iron Man doesn't like taking those chances. Miscarriage? Complications for Pepper or the baby? Tony's mind sometimes ran with the worst case scenarios. But this was something Pepper knew she had to do… after all that's happened this was her moment.

Their baby's moment.

Morgan… you're coming out soon...

Pepper let out a deep breath at the pleasant thought of the child soon to be, letting her round pregnant belly heave as the labor was wearing on her. She winced slightly even in positive thoughts, groaning in a bit of discomfort as her hips though were killing her. Soon her Asgardian doulas were pushing against her sides for counter pressure, wet cold clothes to her head to cool her down.

Sitting defiantly in his wooden chair Tony rocked, wrestled away in the dark corner of the dimly lit bedroom of their cabin home. Pepper didn't even want to do this in a hospital for god's sake Tony thought. He looked out the window for some solace and distraction. He was trying to give his wife what she wanted.

The lake view kind of helped, the way the moonlight reflected off it surface was kind of beautiful really. To move away from the craziness of the city was a great idea. The wilderness was a healing place for Tony for sure.

Fair enough. Quiet and calm was their new home.

Quiet and calm was not Tony ever.

But especially not right now.

"Close your eyes Pepper…" The Asgardians led their guided relaxation expertly. "You are in a vast lively garden… feel the cleansing energy from the trees… from the plant life around you..."

Sure. Listen to the hippie ladies in the flower hats. Of course they know more than a genius stud like yourself.

Tony would've taken a plain old fashioned hospital setup than this hocus pocus as he described it. The Asgardian ceremonial cloth of angelic whites and tans. The drapes of assorted flowers making caps, necklaces, and bracelets loosely worn, did bring a bit of royal grandeur to the whole thing. In fact, these two ladies helped Frigga give birth to Thor they assured Tony. They've been doing this for centuries and they sold their experience.

Tony just doesn't take things at face value anymore...

Another half hour passed.

Painful groans from Pepper were all Tony could hear now, and progress was still stalled. It was driving him nuts. Patience could only last so long...

Creak! A creak of the chair leg against the wooden floor and everyone knew Tony was going to make another stab at changing plans, "With all do respect uh… um…"

"Asta… and Bera." Asta reminded Tony of their names about the tenth time tonight.

"Right. Hannah Barbara of course. Uh, listen ladies..." Tony went into bargaining mode with his all too cool tone. "I know we said wanted this but Pepper's given the natural thing her best-"

"Tony…" Pepper glared at him completely embarrassed. "We agreed to this. You are not going to freak out alright? She's coming..." She had just about enough now. She was so close… so close to doing it her way.

Her worry wart of a husband was not going to ruin this.

"I'm freaking out? You're freaking out!" Tony's eyes bulged back in defense. "Did you not hear what you were sounding like during that last contraction? You were begging me for help… my wrist is still bruised from the other-"

"Contraction?! Hypnobirthing class Tony! Don't use that word!" Pepper yelled louder than she realized, squeaking the bed as she turned a bit triggered, pregnant belly and all.

Asta gasped in a bit of a panic. "Oh dear! Please you two we need peaceful energy! Peaceful energy!"

A triggered Pepper kind of end that that hope. Nope… no peaceful energy anymore at all.

"It's called a surge! Use positive words!" Pepper snapped as Bera held her down gently. "Of course I'm going to yell out and grip your wrists. I'm freaking in labor, not hanging out at a day spa!"

"Sir... may I suggest you not upset Pepper...?" Even F.R.I.D.A.Y had to chime in. "Her vitals are hard to track if you keep doing so."

Tony heard it loud and clear became a bit self aware, taking a big gulp as he took a breath to refocus. The famous Pepper claws came out there ready to strike. What was hell was he doing? He was making this exponentially worse. He had to stop this pronto.

"Wow. Wow. Okay okay let's calm down." The outburst made Tony literally jump back a few steps. "… Love you honey bunny. Just trying to help here."

Safety word was honey bunny. His wife's 'claws' retracted quite quickly.

"Ugh…" Pepper leaned back, eyes closed in frustration. Her sweetheart husband was a hindrance to the process.

On Tony's end he knew he wasn't making things any better… but damn she was being so stubborn. Why?

"Hey… got your text Pepper..."

With a creak, the door to the bedroom opened and a calm voice of reason flowed into the room as if on cue. She was commanding attention like she always did. Pepper knew that Tony had his heart in the right place, but she had a contingency plan just in case he couldn't handle this. When a problem needs solving? Black Widow was always the ticket. Of course she could get through to Tony, of course she could.

Natasha Romanov was just that good.

"As always you're right about this whole thing Tony, and I agree with you." Natasha patted him on the shoulder calmly, that sensuous face always radiating composure. "It'd be way easier with your medical team and tech."

Someone in this room was on Tony's side? Victory!

"Nat. You know I always liked you." Tony peered over the rest of the women in the room proudly, hands up victorious. "See, Natasha here knows what's she talking about. Best S.H.I.E.L.D. agent ever agrees with me. Let me make a phone call here and get this baby-"

"Bu~t, that's what not what Pepper wants." Natasha stopped him dead in his tracks with a grab of his already tender wrists.

One minute she's on Tony's side? The next not on Tony's side. This was deja vu. Real bad deja vu.

The tight grip said Natasha meant business. "You need to take a breather and let Pepper and these ladies do their thing okay?"

She popped his bubble so good. So so good.

"Romanoff, you are not pulling a Lepzig airport turn on me again are you?"

An eye roll was his only reply to his jab at the past. That Civil War was so… yesterday.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Natasha grabbed him a bit more firmly by the arm now. "Pepper gave me permission to taze you and pull you out of here if you couldn't handle yourself."

"Taser?" Tony glanced over to Pepper with hurt puppy eyes, betrayed little puppy eyes as he was being escorted out. "That's a little extreme don't you think honey?"

"Tony… you know I wanted you in the room with me… b-but..." Pepper bit her lip suddenly, breaths coming much heavier now, clenching the sheets on the bed as she felt another contraction… or uh… surge coming. "... shit... I think another one is coming! Damn it... AAGH!"

"This will be better for Pepper Tony… come on." Natasha pulled an apologetic Iron Man himself by the arm, guiding him out of his own room like a child as the women were preparing for another contraction.

"I know I'm being a bit of a worrier." Tony sighed, more than disappointed in himself. "But she knows I'm only looking out for her right?"

"Of course we know." Nat patted him in support as she pushed him out the door. "Pepper will be fine. I'll stay inside here, played the assistant pretty well before remember? These Asgardians are pros. We got the nearest hospital on call… It's going to be all good."

"Turncoat..." Tony was defiant in her comforting, even in his slow realization of his errors.

The old Natasha would literally smack him in the face for that remark the first time let alone the second. But interestingly this Nat could only laugh a bit at Tony's situation. It was a bit strange these days. That rift between Tony and her about the situation in Europe four years back was something they thought could never heal.

The friendships have only grown stronger under the strange circumstances. They could make light of the most dire situations and it was a skill they were getting quite good at it. They had to in these dark times. These moments were all they had left.

"Fine… I'm a turncoat… now turn your ass around and go wait out there." Nat commanded with a bit of her own jest.

Tony let out the biggest breath he could, letting… his emotions go. Trying his damn best to let his concerns go. This is what Pepper wants… trust her. Trust her Tony.

"You win this round…" Tony nodded in defeat. "Take care of her for me alright?"

Natasha would always take care of the ones she loved. That was just her nature.

"That's what friend's are for." Nat's more than calming nod made Tony break a smirk for the first time in awhile actually.

The quiet wasn't so bad. Actually the room itself became more quiet as well.

He took a bit of solace being out of the bedroom for the first time in half a day, as he had a little bit of perspective on the situation. He couldn't remember the last time Natasha was actually smiling since Thanos did what he did. Nat was either really happy for them or living vicariously through Pepper at the moment. Or maybe this was just a diversion from the guilt and pressure she had now basically running S.H.I.E.L.D. with half the support they used to have. She like everyone else was a wreck but in the moment this whole thing was taking attention off that.

She seemed grateful for this... baby.

"Heh ... Chin up Stark. You're going to be a dad crazy huh?" Natasha flashed her pretty smile again shaking her head at the thought of daddy Tony. "Tony Stark responsible for a little girl... amazing."

Girl...

Daddy's little girl…

Shit.

Not thinking about Pepper it kind of hit him a bit hard. Right. He was going to be a father…

Tony Stark... a father.

... I think I need a drink...

A/N: The story is staying in this time period for just the first two chapters... and will pick up right at the end of ENDGAME... well.. not exactly the end.. end... but uh... yeah. You'll see. Please leave feedback if you can... even if its just venting because I am so ready to vent about the movie!