I do not own any of these characters, inspired by Lolita by Vladmir Nabokov.
"Are you sure? I can go back to the hotel I was-" – Steve said limping, his stubbornness didn't let him use the crutches.
"Rogers, we have more than enough rooms here-first, uhm…I need to introduce you to someone-I uh…Pepper!"
"Yes? Oh Steve, is good you are here! Are you here to stay right?"
"I thought Tony told you-"
"I did tight pants! Relax- Pepper, I thought we should tell him…you know he is going to be here now"
"Oh…"
"What is it?"
"DADDY YOU ARE HERE!"
What I saw next took my breath away completely, the more gorgeous sight appeared in the room, long, toned legs jumped and arms encircled Starks neck hugging him tightly, auburn brown hair styled in milk braids, I couldn't process what was happening, her short shorts and her cropped shirt leaving her in a glorious exposure for me to see.
"Steve?, Steve are you alright?"
"Uh…I just" – I couldn't stop staring at her, her laughter was intoxicating, I felt dizzy. – "Didn't expect this"
"Baby girl, you know who he is" – Tony smiled kissing her temple, letting her down on the floor – "Steve, this is my daughter Ana Maria"
"Annie" – She smiled biting her lip, looking right thru me, she knew what I was thinking, her face was pure perfection, red lips in her pouty mouth and the same eyes as her father – "Nice to meet you St-Mr. Rogers" - she giggled and I noticed the freckles.
"Darling, why don't you go put some pj's, dinner will be ready in a few minutes" – Pepper smiled
"Sure Mom" – And she disappeared thru the hall leaving me feeling hollow and full of curiosity.
"I… what just happened?"
"Long or short version?" – Tony said taking off his coat
"The public think we've met while I was already a CEO and she was a secretary, the truth is we've met when we were teenagers at MIT and well… we-"
"Tony, you're ridiculous" – Pepper giggled – "He was the typical nerd at the MIT, my father was his professor and we were the same age, he was cute, we were stupid and lacked protection and I got pregnant, our parents weren't happy about it and well… we decided we kept it from the world, I would lay low and raise her and be a housewife for a while… when Tony went in as a CEO, I went in too, we weren't together for quite a while but he was always there for her" – she smiled looking at him, he smiled but it didn't reach his eyes – "She is our big secret Steve and we decided we trust you for you to know about her"
"I…but you…I, how?"
"It wasn't easy, it's not easy and its getting harder as she grows up which it kills me by the way" – Tony sighed – "We got married after I came back from Afghanistan, and well… you know the rest of it"
"Mom, I am starving to death" – Annie said running and throwing herself in her mother lap dramatically laughing – "Look my bones are showing now"
"Don't be outlandish Ana Maria" – Pepper sighed – "And she is just like him unfortunately"
Annie giggled again throwing her head back and her feet up, her nose scrunched up and looked at Tony upside down – "You smell, I am not sitting with you thru dinner Daddy, and you Mr. Rogers, c'mere I'll show you your room" – She got up and took my hand, I felt electrocuted and dumbfounded and couldn't respond.