This year had been exhausting. Between working with the architects in Malibu on the new house, remodeling Stark Tower into one to accommodate the Avengers, Tony recovering from his heart surgery, and working to build an army of Iron Man drones for use at a moment's notice (by said Avengers), the weight of the year had effectively worn them down.
Pepper had worked like crazy to cover her bases at the office before they'd left, including finalizing a plan for she and Tony to visit a children's hospital the day before Christmas to deliver toys and some much needed good cheer. Tony had brought what he jokingly called his "suit in a suitcase", just so he could take it to the children at the hospital, and give them a bit of a show. She was happy that he was always such a willing participant, as she'd made it a point every year for him to do something for charity since he'd become known as Iron Man. The only catch was, they'd have to find time to go shopping in New York for the toys for the kids. Tony reassured her that he and his trusty driver could handle it while she prepared everything for Christmas dinner at home. Pepper was very grateful to Tony for volunteering, and showed her appreciation to him that next morning in the shower. "I'll volunteer for anything you want if that's the thanks I get," Tony quipped, as he was drying himself off when they'd stepped out of the shower together.
Before they'd left Malibu, they'd agreed that just being able to have this time alone was gift enough. ("I have you, Pep," he'd told her. "I don't need anything else.") Pepper agreed that there wasn't anything else she wanted more, either, than to be able to spend some time alone with him. It was a very exciting proposition, and she was looking forward to what was setting up to be a very romantic Christmas alone with Tony.
Happy, Tony and Pepper had taken the jet to New York on December 22nd, landing late that evening in a light snow fall. Happy drove them to the tower from the airport, both of them relatively quiet out of tiredness from the trip, accept when they drove through the city, and past Rockefeller Center. "OH!" Pepper gasped, in awe. "Tony, look at the tree!" she said.
"Oh, yeah," he said, leaning over to look out her window. "It is pretty, isn't it?"
"It's beautiful," Pepper cooed.
He looked at her and smiled adoringly as she gazed in wonder. Already, he was happy he'd brought her here. But, secretly, he was more excitedly for what he knew would be waiting for her at their penthouse.
Soon, Happy pulled up to the private parking for Stark Tower. He entered the parking garage after waiving to the night attendant, parked the town car, and got out to open the door for Tony and Pepper. Tony exited first, and held out his hand to assist Pepper out of the car. Happy bid them a good night, and they walked to the elevator.
Once inside the doors, Pepper rested her head wearily on Tony's shoulder. But Tony suddenly was giddy with anticipation, and fidgeted nervously. Pepper raised her head and looked sidelong at him. "What's gotten into you?" she asked, smiling, and looking at him curiously.
"You'll see, Potts. You'll see," he said mischievously.
"Tony, what? What is going on?" she asked.
Tony made a zipping motion across his lips, and pretended to throw away the imaginary key. She pursed her lips, and shook her head.
"Sneaky, " she muttered.
The elevator bell dinged for their floor. "Okay, Pep. Close your eyes," he said, quickly stepping in front of her.
"What? Tony, what are you..." she argued.
"Come on, just close 'em," Tony pushed. She huffed and close her eyes.
Tony waived his hand in front of her face to make sure she had them closed. Satisfied, he waited for the doors to open. "Keep em closed, keep em closed," he told Pepper, as he guided her through the doors, and into the penthouse.
Pepper felt him stop. Tony stepped to the side of her. "Okay, Pep. Open sesame," he ordered.
Pepper slowly opened her eyes to find the penthouse lavishly adorned for Christmas, with pine garlands lining the staircases, doorways, window sills, and the fireplace mantle. They were twinkling with white lights, and decorated with red and gold ribbons and ornaments of all shapes and sizes. Potted red poinsettias, embellished with gold-colored glitter on the ends of their leaves were grouped in threes on the coffee table, the dining room table, the bar and the kitchen counter. The fire in the fireplace crackled and popped with a warm, welcoming glow. The smell of pine in the air filled the room with cozy Christmas spirit.
Pepper gasped. "Oh Tony!" she whispered. "It's...it's..."
"Magnificent? Majestic? Spectacular?" he offered.
Pepper's eyes drifted over to the piece de resistance- the 9 foot tall evergreen standing by the fireplace, beautifully dressed to match the garlands. "When...or how?" was all Pepper could manage.
Tony beamed. "I hired a crew of elves," he teased. "Security let them in to do this as soon as we'd made plans to come," he said proudly.
Pepper looked at him, her eyes glassy with tears.
"Do you love it?" Tony asked softly, his eyes sparkling as he pulled her into his arms.
"I love it," Pepper said. "Thank you."
"Of course," Tony said. "I want this weekend to be special for us, Pep."
Pepper swiped at the tears on her cheeks. "To be honest, I was a little sad about not decorating much this year. I really wanted to, I was just too exhausted."
Tony nodded. "I know, Pep. I know how festive you can get," he teased. They chuckled.
"And, of course, you picked red and gold, Tony, " she teased back.
"What? They're Christmas colors!" he defended.
"Well, in this instance, I'll forgive you," Pepper said, smiling. "Only because it's absolutely gorgeous in here," she said looking around. Her gaze came back to rest on her boyfriend's face. His eyes sparkled lovingly at her.
"I'm glad you love it," he said proudly.
"I do love it," she agreed. "And I love you." She stepped closer to him, and kissed him deeply. "Thank you," Pepper whispered, when the kiss broke. "Coming here was a great idea. We needed this."
"I know," Tony said. "So what would you say to a night cap, Ms. Potts? As I am guessing you are probably too exhausted for anything else?"
Pepper chuckled. "You read my mind," she said. "And we are sleeping in tomorrow."
"Absolutely," Tony said.
Pepper scoffed. "Well, sleeping in for me is like, what, 8? 9am? I'm so used to getting up at six."
Tony glowered. "I was thinking more like 10 am, Potts," he said.
Pepper teeter-tottered her head back and forth. "Alright, 10 am it is," she reasoned. "Just don't forget your little shopping spree you have to do with Happy tomorrow. "
"Don't worry," Tony said. "We'll have plenty of time." Tony grimaced. "The wrapping," he muttered.
Pepper looked at him curiously. "What's that?" she asked.
Tony inhaled sharply through his teeth. "The wrapping. I need it all wrapped." Tony sighed. "I guess I'll have to call ahead to get all of this going before we get there, huh?"
"They'll wrap that many packages?" she asked.
Tony shrugged. "Yeah. Why not? FAO Schwarz in L.A will do it. Why not this one?"
"Yeah, well, make sure you tip generously," Pepper said. "That's a lot of paper and bows."
"Don't worry, Pep. The second they hear we're buying this much inventory, I have a feeling they'll hop to. All I will have to do is make arrangements with them for delivery. Easy. Done," Tony said, snapping his fingers. "We'll be back in a couple hours, tops."
"So, riddle me this, Tony," Pepper said, tucking a fist under her chin. "If you can just 'call it in'," she said, making air quotes. "Why do you have to go down there at all tomorrow?" Pepper asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Well," Tony scoffed. "Somebody has to inspect the product," he said, shrugging.
"Right," Pepper said, skeptically. "You just want to go play with the toys."
Tony tried to fake insult. "Me?" he said, bringing a hand to his chest.
"Uh huh," Pepper said. "I should've known with you. You could have called days ago, but no. You waited until we got here so you could go down there and play," she said, trying to look annoyed, but having a harder time hiding her amused smile.
Tony huffed. "Fine. I'm busted," he said. "Can you blame me? FAO Schwarz is a cool place, no matter what age you are. Just ask Tom Hanks," he quipped.
Pepper huffed. "Well, I hope for your sake that, three days before Christmas, they have enough inventory for what we need, Tony Stark, not to mention enough elves to help with the wrapping," she scolded.
"Don't worry about it, Pepper," he said. "Happy and me. We'll get it covered."
Sweet, right? I would think Tony would be getting the hang of this "boyfriend" thing by now. (But it doesn't end here! Just wait! You'll see!)
Please review! I'd love to know what you guys think so far!
Thanks for reading!
