"Come on, dad, we need to get to grandmas!" Ellie, now thirteen along with her twin brother Wyatt, whined.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Hold your horses; you nag just like your mother."
"I heard that." Pepper chorused. Together Tony, Pepper, Ellie and Wyatt went to Roberta's place to meet her, Rhodey's teenage daughter who was about the same age as Cameron, who was now fifteen. Cameron had started a tradition with her cousin(s) (Rhodey had two daughters, one fifteen and one eleven) that consisted of the three of them staying overnight at Roberta's the night before New Year's Eve, not to return home until New Year's Day.
~…~
While Ellie and Wyatt played with Rhodey's younger daughter, Gianna, and Cameron and Rhodey's older daughter, Lily, hung around on the couches in the living room, watching Times Square, Tony, Pepper, Rhodey and Roberta stood around the kitchen drinking their wine and talking. (Gianna and Lily's mother had passed away when Gianna was only three and Lily was seven. She had died of pancreatic cancer).
"Gosh, I look at all your kids and I think of how long it's been since high school. You three grew up too fast!" Roberta said as she caught a glance of Ellie, Wyatt and Gianna running around.
"I know, I think about it almost every day," Pepper commented.
"Time goes by too quickly when you're having fun…" Tony said.
"Dad, mom, Uncle James, grandma! It's almost time for the ball to drop, come on!" Ellie prodded excitedly, pulling her mother and father towards the living room.
Together, the nine of them (Tony, Pepper, Rhodey, Roberta, Cameron, Lily, Ellie, Wyatt, and Gianna) stood in front of the TV as everyone counted down from ten.
Ten!
Tony looked over to Pepper with a smile.
Nine!
He ran his hand over her cheek.
Eight!
He remembered everything the two of them had been through together.
Seven!
He remembered how much he loved her.
Six!
He looked back on all the times she had shown his world light when he was in a state of darkness.
Five!
He remembered all the times they shared that made him realize his life would be nothing without her, and how he would die for her any time, any day, anywhere.
Four!
He remembered that he cherished her presence and the fact that as long as she was by his side, life wouldn't seem so bad.
Three!
He thanked her for everything she's given him and done for him.
Two!
He caressed her cheek with his hand as he pulled her closer to him.
One!
He slowly closed his eyes, their whole journey together flashing in his eyes.
Happy New Year!
Tony kissed his wife as Cameron and Lily threw confetti all over the room in celebration, hugging everyone and cheering and laughing. Tony smiled and wrapped his arm around Pepper's shoulders as he watched his children dancing around the room with Rhodey's daughters.
He had learned one thing as result of having kids: my parents may both be gone, and I may have no blood-related family, but that's okay because I have all the family I could ask for right here.
Wooow, was that ever short. *Shrugs* what can ya do. Hope you all have a happy New Year! Review!