I totally forgot to do a disclaimer! I own nothing but my brain! Sometimes, I don't even own that. So, I really meant to put this up earlier, but… I had stuff going on and I sorta… forgot. But, I hope you like it. (:
It had been a week since the mission and almost two weeks since Pepper Potts had been home in New York. She had been on business and had been too busy for anything but work. She hoped her boss hadn't managed to kill anyone he wasn't supposed to; Tony wasn't one for rules. When Pepper walked into the Stark Mansion the first thing she thought was, 'It looks like a department store threw up in here.' The second thing she thought was, 'Where the hell is everybody?'
When she had left, only Steve and Tony were home. Thor had gone to Asguard to ask about the magic their current villain possessed. Natasha and Clint had gone to stay on the Hellicarrier to work with S.H.E.I.L.D. on battle and weapon strategies. Bruce had gone to a science convention in Boston. Even so, they should have all been back by now. Even if it was only Tony and Steve, the house should have been much louder. It was the middle of the day! Pepper let her curiousness win.
"Tony? Steve? Hello, anyone here?" She began to walk upstairs. "Hello? Anthony Edward Stark, if this is some plan to scare me, forget about it!"
Suddenly Tony flashed out of a room, a wild look in his eyes. His hair was disheveled and he looked like he hadn't slept in a week. He clamped a hand to her mouth, "Shh. They just fell-" Crying. "Asleep," Tony mumbled, releasing her.
"Is that a baby crying? Tony, what the hell is wrong with you?"
"Yes, Pepper; it is a baby crying. Six of them, actually. I haven't slept all week and I may explode soon. Excuse me."
He walked back into the room he had come out of. Pepper followed him. She was shocked to see six cribs lining the wall and two changing tables and a million toys and bottles and diapers and outfits littering the floor. Tony had walked over to a crib, grabbing a baby with black hair, and another from a different crib with blonde hair.
"What is this?"
"This," Tony said, walking over to Pepper, "Is my personal hell." He handed Pepper both the babies and walked back to another crib.
"Where is Steve, Tony, and who are these babies?"
Tony laughed. "You wanna know where Steve is? You wanna know who these babies are?" He lifted another blonde baby from a crib and walked up to Pepper. "This is Steve and the rest are my team and Loki, who you are holding along with Thor."
"What? Tony, no jokes."
He let out a frustrated yell, "Why the hell does everyone think I'm joking?" Steve let out a cry from Tony's arms. "Sorry, baby. I didn't mean to scare you."
Pepper got a good look at baby Steve and let out a small gasp. Then she looked to the babies in her arms and recognized them too. "You are serious."
"I said I was, didn't I?"
"What the hell happened?"
"Another favorite question lately." He let out a sigh, "Mission went great. We beat the Red Sorcerer and Steve commanded me to take the final shot, for the kill. The asshole was muttering a spell and when I killed him, he finished his spell. Then we all blew back and I was suddenly the only adult in the area."
"How… will they turn back?"
"We don't really know how or when and we can't make it happen when we want it to. With my luck, it will be right as I'm wiping Loki's ass."
"I could see that,' Pepper nodded. "So, what are we gonna do?"
"We?"
Pepper raised an eyebrow, "If you don't want my help, that's fine, really. I've got enough work with the company as it is. I can just go." She put the babies into Tony's arms, and he juggled them to keep them from falling to the ground.
"No, Pepper. Wait, I was just surprised because I'm, well I'm sleep deprived. Or stupid, because of lack of sleep. Take your pick."
She laughed. "I dunno, Mr. Stark. I'm a very busy woman these days."
"Do you want me to beg?" Tony looked shocked.
Pepper shrugged, "That may help."
Tony set the babies on the floor and got down on his knees, folding his hands like he was praying. "Please, Ms. Potts. I, Tony Stark, need your help. Please, I am begging you!"
"… Well, if you insist. Who am I to refuse?"
Tony huffed as Pepper came to pick up baby Thor, laughing her head off. He grabbed Loki and Steve as he said, "Never expect to see that again. That was a once in a lifetime opportunity."
"Oh, I know. That's why I videotaped it."
Tony's eyes widened. "How did you videotape it?"
"Well, it was sitting right next to us when we were talking. What did you expect? Why did you have that there anyways? And all the cameras?"
"I've been taking videos and pictures of them since day one. You can look at them if you ever get the chance. But, with these guys, you probably never will."
It had been a month since Pepper got home, and the Avengers were growing. They went from looking, at the beginning, like newborns to now looking like they were a year old. Pepper and Tony had become a pretty good team, though Pepper only came five days a week for regular work hours. Tony would get to nap for a couple hours while Pepper took care of the babies. Then Pepper would get to go to her condo at night and sleep it up while Tony took care of the six babies.
They had come to love music, especially when it was Tony singing. Pepper never thought she'd see the day that Tony Stark sang in front of anyone, babies or not. She had caught it on camera many times and when Tony found out, he was angry. But, Pepper knew, he didn't truly hate it. If he didn't want it around, he would have gotten rid of it. Tony and Pepper were trying to teach the babies things that babies their physical age were learning. They were trying to get them to talk and walk. But they had adapted rather quickly to crawling, so who knew if they needed to be taught.
When Pepper walked into the mansion one morning, she was surprised to be met by the sound of Tony's soft singing. She entered the room and helped him make to babies make the actions to his songs. During the ones that had no actions to do, Pepper watched Tony sing and interact with the babies he called his team, his friends, his family.
"The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the came the rain and washed the spider came the sun and dried up all the the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again."
"Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you above the world so high, like a diamond in the , twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are!"
"I'm bringing home my baby bumble 't my Mommy be so proud of me!I'm bringing home my baby bumble bee -OUCH! It stung me!
I'm squishin' up my baby bumble 't my Mommy be so proud of me!I'm squishin' up my baby bumble bee -EW! What a mess!
I'm lickin' up my baby bumble 't my Mommy be so proud of me!I'm lickin' up my baby bumble bee -ICK! I feel sick!
I'm throwin' up my baby bumble 't my Mommy be so proud of me!I'm throwin' up my baby bumble bee -OH! What a mess!
I'm wipin' up my baby bumble 't my Mommy be so proud of me!I'm wipin' up my baby bumble bee -OOPS! Mommy's new towel!
I'm wringin' out my baby bumble 't my Mommy be so proud of me!I'm wringing out my baby bumble bee -Bye-Bye baby bumble bee!"
"There was a farmer had a dog and Bingo was his name-o. B-I-N-G-O B-I-N-G-O B-I-N-G-O And Bingo was his name-o."
"I've been workin' on the railroad, all the live long day. I've been workin' on the railroad, Just to pass the time away. Don't you hear the whistle blowing? Rise up so early in the morn. Don't you hear the captain shouting "Dinah, blow your horn?"
Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow your horn? Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah, won't you blow your horn?
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah. Someone's in the kitchen, I know. Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah Strumming on the old banjo.
Fee, fie, fiddle-e-i-o. Fee, fie, fiddle-e-i-o-o-o-o. Fee, fie, fiddle-e-i-o. Strumming on the old banjo."
"Do your ears hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?Can you tie them in a knot?Can you tie them in a bow?Can you throw them o'er your shoulder, like a Continental Soldier?Do your ears hang low?
Do your ears hang high?Do they reach up to the sky?Do they wrinkle when they're wet?Do they straighten when they're dry?Can you wave them at your neighbor, with an element of flavor?Do your ears hang high?
Do your ears hang wide?Do they flap from side to side?Do they wave in the breeze, from the slightest little sneeze?Can you soar above the nation, with a feeling of elevation?Do your ears hang wide?
Do your ears fall off, when you give a great big cough?Do they lie there on the ground?Or bounce up at every sound?Can you stick them in your pocket, just like Davy Crocket?Do your ears fall off?"
"Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,Head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.
Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat,Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat,And hair and hips and chin and cheeks,Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat."
"If you're happy and you know it, clap your you're happy and you know it, clap your you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it, tap your toe.
If you're happy and you know it, tap your toe.
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show you're happy and you know it, tap your toe.
If you're happy and you know it, nod your head.
If you're happy and you know it, nod your head.
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show you're happy and you know it, nod your head.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show you're happy and you know it, clap your hands."
By the end of the singing session it was food and naptime. When they got them all feed and in bed, Pepper called out to Tony. He turned to look at her on his way to his room to take a nap while Pepper kept an ear open for the babies.
"You really are great with them. You'd make a wonderful dad."
"Thanks, Pepper. It means a lot to me." He smiled and walked to his room.
Of coarse, what was bedtime without their favorite song. They didn't go to bed at night without it, it was a necessity. So, when it was time for Pepper to leave that night, Tony sang the song.
"Hush little babies, don't say a word.
Tony's gonna buy you a mockingbird.
And if that mockingbird won't sing, Tony's gonna buy you a diamond ring.
And if that diamond ring gets broke, Tony's gonna buy you a billy goat.
And if that billy goat don't pull, Tony's gonna buy you a cart and bull.
And if that cart and bull turn over, Tony's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.
And if that dog named Rover won't bark, Tony's gonna buy you a horse and cart.
And if that horse and cart fall down, you'll still be the sweetest babies in town."
And Pepper was glad to get every second on camera.
Another month went by and the kids looked and acted like they were two. They were being potty trained and they were very into Disney. Pepper had walked into the mansion one morning to see six small kids sitting on the living room floor, watching the T.V. like their lives depended on it. Tony was in the kitchen, at the table. He had a mug of coffee in his hand and had his head on the table, sleeping. Pepper smirked and walked over to him. She leaned down, her lips at his ear.
"Where are the kids?" Tony shot up, spilling his coffee on the table.
"What? They were watching a movie! They aren't there?"
"They are, they're fine. But what if they weren't, Tony? What if they got loose in the city? This is New York, Tony, not some small town. People wouldn't find it weird that kids are rooming the streets or help them find you, they would either ignore them or turn them in. I'm pretty sure Director Fury would have a problem with that."
"Tony?" a small voice asked from the kitchen doorway.
"Yeah, Loki? What is it?" Tony asked gently.
"Our movie over." Tony got up and put his hand on Loki's head, leading him out of the room.
"Did you guys like it?"
"Yeah," Thor said excitedly.
"Tony, can we get a doggie?" Natasha asked.
Tony snorted, "No, we cannot." All the kids frowned.
"Why not?" Clint asked.
"Because I don't think I could take care of a dog while I have all of you."
"We be good." Bruce said.
"Alright guys, how about we watch another movie. No more 101 Dalmatians, how about Pinocchio or Dumbo or Peter Pan?"
"Otay, Tony," Steve said.
So they spent the day watching more movies and Tony and Pepper found themselves enjoying the movies too. But who doesn't love a little Disney?
"Guys, we have watched enough movies for the day. It's time for night-night."
"No!" all the kids shouted.
"Alright, one more, guys. Then you are going to sleepy town, in beddy-bye land." Tony said, earning a laugh from Pepper. "You can go home if you want. If you are just gonna make fun of me, you don't need to watch the movies that I can tell you are enjoying."
"Shut up." But it was half-hearted and she had a grin on her face as she said it. "So what do we wanna watch now guys, we've got a couple princess movies and one about monsters. What will it be?"
"Princess!" Natasha, Thor, and Steve shouted.
"Monster!" Loki, Clint, and Bruce yelled.
"How about we make a compromise? How about we watch The Fox And The Hound? It's about friendship. It will be like you guys." Tony said.
They all smiled and happily nodded. Tony put the movie in. Pepper leaned down to whisper in his ear before going back to her spot on the couch. "When did you get so good at stopping fights before they even start?"
"Practice."
83 minutes later, the movie ended and all the kids were asleep. Tony was leaned against the couch with Steve lying on his chest. Under his arm to the side Steve hadn't originally been on laid Bruce, and next to Steve's old spot laid Loki. Pepper was on the couch with Natasha sitting on her lap, and Clint was curled up next to Natasha. Her hand was in his short hair and his hand was in her hand, and Thor was on the couch above Loki. Tony lightly moved Bruce so he wasn't on him and then he stood up, holding Steve. Pepper managed to get off the couch with Natasha in her arms and she followed Tony to the kids' room.
They set them in the toddler beds that Pepper had gone out to buy recently and started for the living room again. Tony picked up both Bruce and Loki, while Pepper picked up Thor and Clint. They put them in the beds and then Tony helped Pepper find her purse, buried in all the stuff. She started for the door with a smile and Tony followed her.
"Thank you, Pepper. Really, thank you. I don't know how I could have done any of this without you."
"I'm sure you would have found a way, but I'm glad to help you. I'll see you tomorrow, I'm sure we will be re-watching that movie."
"Yeah, I bet we will. It's a good one, at least. It could be worse, we could be watching Dumbo again. That was just plain awful."
She smiled and shook her head, "Good night, Tony."
Did ya like it? I used to like Dumbo when I was little but it sure is a weird movie. I haven't seen any of these Disney movies in forever. So, you may notice, or start to anyways, that I have favorites in this story. I'm better at writing about some of them cause I've read more stories about them…. Thor is a hard one for me. You may notice this and I am sorry. Anyways, I got my favorite number of reviews on my first chapter. Hopefully I get some this time, too. Please review, it makes me happy!