Tony stood by his word, first making an appointment with an urologists for himself (mostly because he was stubbornly more willing to accept that if something was physically wrong with either of them, it was going to be him and not Pepper.) After a series of tests, everything checked out on his end- and though he never admitted it out loud – it was much to his relief.
This of course did little to relieve his wife, leading her to make several appointments with the OB/GYN that Tony had directed her to. Despite finding nothing abnormal in Pepper's work-up, the obstetrician eventually referred her to Dr. Ellen Brackner, reproductive endocrinologist, if for no reason other than to ease the patient's mind. Now after weeks of tests, Pepper and Tony were back visiting the fertility specialist's office for a consultation regarding her results.
Pepper sat tapping her heels impatiently on the tiled floor, Tony right at her side, having pulled his armchair as near to her as he possibly could. Both were silent in their anxiousness, settling for staring over the mahogany desk and past the empty office chair toward the large picture window before them.
Suddenly the door opened and in stepped Dr. Brackner, her pace quick as she headed toward her seat.
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Stark!" She acknowledged them cordially, offering her hand from behind her desk.
Tony rises to shake it. "Morning, Dr. Brackner!"
Pepper immediately ceases her foot tapping, following his lead to stand and shake the doctor's hand from across the table. "Hello, good morning, Dr. Brackner."
Ellen takes a seat after their introductions, stacking charts she had carried under her arm onto the desk. "I'm sure you both would appreciate if I skipped the formalities and got straight to business, so I will. Mrs. Stark, your results show that you are perfectly normal and healthy and very capable of having a baby."
"Pep, see I told ya!" Says Tony when Pepper lets out the breath she's been holding. Tony makes eye contact with the doctor before stage whispering, "I've been telling her this all along."
"Tony!" Pepper admonishes, but she can't help but giggle a little at the good news.
Dr. Brackner laughs along with her, "Your husband is a smart man, Mrs. Stark, but of course you already knew this."
"Yes, because he keeps reminding everyone." Pepper replies, giving him a playfully stern look which he smirks through unremorsefully. "So does this mean my chances of pregnancy are okay?"
The doctor scans the top pages of Pepper's results as she relays, "Well, your ovarian function looks good and confirm ovulation; after your pelvic exam and ultrasound, I can safely say there's no sign of endometriosis; and as you know we did some luteal phase testing and your hormone levels appear normal for your age. If you want it put simply, then I'd say your chances are perfectly fine."
"That's wonderful!" She says, trying to match Tony's grin, but failing obviously.
Ellen notices her faltering smile and comments, "You don't seem all that pleased, Mrs. Stark."
"Oh I am, it just seems like it's taking so long for us." She glances over at her husband as he slides his hand into hers for support, "I was only wondering if there isn't anything else you could check for?"
Familiar with her anxiety, having seen it in many women before, Dr. Bruckner smiles sympathetically. "While there are more extensive hormone testing or additional procedures we could perform, I honestly don't think you need them so early on."
Observing Pepper's look of surprise, Dr. Brackner asks," You and your husband have been trying to get pregnant for how long now, four or five months?"
They both nod.
"Good, because I wouldn't have most couples considering such extensive analysis until they were at least unsuccessful after more than a year. I don't believe infertility is an issue with you, Mrs. Stark. With women over age 35, things can take a little longer to catch on. You just need to keep trying, but with a little more patience. If you are still having difficulties after a year you can come back and see me."
Tony squeezes his wife's hand. "Then this will be the last you'll see of us, doctor, because we are going to keep trying and we are going to have that baby. Right, hun?"
Though still feeling doubtful, Pepper couldn't deny she felt a new surge of hope now, so she squeezes his hand back and puts on a brave face for him and the doctor. "Right."
