A/N: This chapter is a continuation of Tony's birthday to show Morgan's interactions with other people. Peter makes an apperance in the next part :)

Of course, Pepper had managed to pull it off. She had gotten a caterer last minute and a team to set up the large wooden barn where she and Tony and had held the wedding reception a few years ago. The barn was a fairly intimate space with room for around a hundred people. There was a dance floor, and several rows of folding chairs facing the stage. Christmas lights strung from the rafters and illuminated the items that decorated the walls—wedding photographs, drawings of Iron Man from all the kids Tony inspired and pictures of Morgan. Everything that was or had been an important part of Tony's life was up on those walls.

Tony also wanted the team to blow up balloons. He wanted streamers and banners and red-gold confetti, matching Iron Man plates and cups and napkins, and of course Pepper made sure he got all that, because she didn't want him to get grumpy. Because when Tony was grumpy, then his daughter usually was too, as if they were somehow connected. It was something she certainly adored about Morgan—that she was such a daddy's girl—but it cut both ways. Sometimes, watching her daughter copy Tony's moods could be exhausting.

The big sliding barn door was cut in half and made into two panels on each side of an entrance porch. Inside, the sun rays sifted through cracks in the boarded sides of the barn and played along the walls. It was a beautiful setting, and Pepper couldn't help but grin upon realizing that the decoration looked a lot like they were having a children's party. It was so Tony, everything about it, but especially the Iron Man theme. She knew he would love it—just as much as their daughter probably—and if her man was happy then she was, too. He deserved to have a silly birthday bash.

"I think you did an amazing job with this, Pepper." She knew exactly who that voice belonged to.

"Thanks, Rhodey," she said, as she welcomed him with a hug.

"So where is my favorite niece?" he asked.

"You mean, your only niece?" she replied with a smirk.

"Still my favorite." Rhodey smirked back at her.

"She's getting ready for the party," Pepper told him, as they walked to the house. "She said she wanted to look extra pretty for daddy tonight, and I should go see how she's doing, but we'll see you later. Tony's with the alpacas."

"Bonding with family?"

She laughed. "Yeah."

Upstairs, Pepper opened the door to her daughter's room and saw her clothes scattered all over the floor. Her little girl didn't really know how to dress herself, at least had never done it by herself, but Morgan had insisted to be left alone, so Pepper had let her. Now she stood in front of the mirror with a midnight blue dress that had sort of iridescent stripes in the flouncy skirt, which flared at the bottom like a tulip. Pepper couldn't remember her daughter ever wearing that dress.

She let out a high pitched squeal of delight. "Oh my God, you look so cute!"

When Morgan turned her head, Pepper instantly felt worry gripping her heart, creating a heavy feeling in her chest. The corners of her daughter's mouth were tilted downwards, and with those puffy eyes, she looked, like she had been crying.

"What is wrong, Morgan?"

"I don't like it." The child made a sound of disapproval.

"Why not?"

"It's blue." Morgan pouted, as if she were going to cry, and took a deep sobbing breath. Pepper thought of how much she resembled her father when she pouted. "But daddy's favorite color is red."

"Oh, my baby..." Pepper sat down on the Spider-Man bedspread and opened her arms to her daughter. "Come here." Morgan crawled into her lap and Pepper held her little girl close, then leaned back to look in her eyes. "You want to know what your daddy's favorite color is?" She paused. "The color of your eyes."

"My eyes?"

"Yes, your eyes. And do you want to know why?" The child nodded yes. "Because when he looks into your beautiful brown eyes, your daddy can see just how much you love him and that means the world to him." Pepper kissed the crown of her daughter's head over and over, rocking her gently in her arms. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to your father and he is so happy that he gets to celebrate his birthday with you. He doesn't care what color your dress is or what you're wearing, sweetie. He just wants you to be there. Do you understand that?"

"So, he is happy even if I'm naked?" she asked, frowning.

Pepper laughed softly. "You so are your father's child," she mumbled. "Yes, baby... Even if you didn't have anything to wear to his party, your daddy would still be very happy."

Morgan pulled back and stared at her mother. "You have blue eyes," she said, as she reached out to touch Pepper's face, and Pepper closed her eyes for a minute to savor the moment.

"I do," she then said, smiling.

"Like my dress."

"Not quite like your dress, but—"

"You're so pretty, mama."

Pepper could feel the emotions rise when tears shot into her eyes and blurred her vision. Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones in action, or maybe it was simply the fact that she was completely overwhelmed with happiness. Her daughter was special in every way. She had done more than showing her how deep a mother's bond to her child could be. From the moment their baby had been born, Pepper had felt a much stronger connection with Tony than ever before. Morgan's arrival had deepened their love for one another in ways never thought possible. She loved Tony more than she thought a woman could ever love a man, and motherhood was a gift he had given her that she would never take for granted.

"Thank you, baby." A tear escaped from her eye and ran slowly down her cheek.

Morgan now noticed her mother's expression. "Are you sad?" she asked, wiping the tear away, and Pepper immediately felt more tears erupting from her eyes.

That child was so sensitive to other people's feelings, to their suffering, she sensed when things were going well or poorly for someone. She sensed people's moods, shared in their joys, and commiserate with their troubles. She picked up the most subtle signals and could so easily make someone forget about their pain, Tony had said once that these human relations skills were their daughter's superpowers. And though it was meant as a joke, they both had known there was some truth to it. Morgan's high level of empathy was definitely something they were incredible proud of.

"Those are happy tears," Pepper explained to her. "You know, when daddy tickles you and won't stop, and you cry because you have to laugh so much? It's the same thing. I'm crying because I'm happy."

Morgan smiled, relief flooding her face. Then the little one threw her arms around her mother's neck, and Pepper hugged her tightly.

"I love you so much, mommy," she said, clinging to Pepper.

"I love you even more, sweetheart," Pepper replied, as tears continued to stream silently down her face.

"No," Morgan protested, "I love you more... You are the best mommy in the world."

Hearing those words fall from Morgan's lips tumbled Pepper's heart in her chest. Hardly able to wipe the huge smile off her face, she slowly stopped crying, sniffing away the last of her tears. She closed her eyes and let a few minutes pass by, sighing in the back of her throat, as she kept stroking her daughter's head. Was it selfish of her to wish that her little girl would forever stay this way? Little? Because once she was grown up, a teenager, Morgan wouldn't want to cuddle with her mother anymore and instead be driving her parents crazy—probably more so since she took so much after her father already—and Pepper just wanted to hold on to her daughter's innocence forever. She would never be ready to let go.

"Please remember that when you're a big girl, okay?" Pepper chuckled. "Now give mama a kiss." Morgan giggled and gave her mother a big whopping kiss on the lips, and Pepper responded with a hearty 'mwah' sound. "So, what are we gonna do about your dress? Do you want to try on another one?"

Morgan shook her head. "I like this dress, because it's blue... like your eyes," she said, as though she had never had a problem with that dress in the first place. She hopped off her mother's lap and looked at her like she was waiting for something.

"Do you want me to do your hair?" Pepper asked, trying to read her daughter's expression, and when she nodded, Pepper smiled.

Not all of the Avengers had made it to their farm on such short notice, but at least his closest friends were there to celebrate with him: Rhodey, Happy, Bruce, Natasha, Steve and Peter. And then there were also a few of his S.H.I.E.L.D co-workers and a bunch of people Tony didn't really know—officials from the State of New York and reporters—that he had invited to cater to the public's interest in his personal life. He gave interviews and arranged a photo op, telling the press they could take pictures of everything and everyone, except his daughter. When it came to Morgan, he and Pepper still made sure to keep her out of the public eye as much as possible. If any pictures were ever leaked to the press, they usually came from Tony himself.

"Are we done here?" The tone of his voice was polite, yet people could tell he was growing impatient.

Amid the flashing cameras, Pepper took him by the arm and guided him away from the press. "I think your daughter may be scared to set a foot in this barn, because of all the press in here. You know, she's not used to that, Tony." She sighed. "I get why you wanted them here, it's just a bit too much for our child."

"You want me to send them home?" he asked, completely serious. "I can do that, you know? It's fine."

"Just tell those animals to act like normal people for at least a few hours... until she's going to bed."

"You got it, honey," he said, pecking her lips. Then he turned back to the media, "Listen up, people! You had your fun, got everything you need, and now Princess Stark is about to make an appearance, so if anyone of you doesn't know how to act civil in the presence of a four-year-old, the door's right there." He paused. "No, let me put it this way... If I see anyone trying to snap a pic without my permission, or harassing my kid, you're facing one hell of a lawsuit. Don't make me regret inviting you."

The reporters and photographers escaped like ants from the hot water being poured on them. They hurried away, blending in with the other people in the room, very much to Tony's liking. He turned to Pepper with a smirk on his lips, still amazed how well that protective-dad mode suited him. He loved looking out for his little girl and make sure no harm was ever done to her. He constantly tried to create an environment that gave his child potential to be safe and to grow as a person, to love and guide it, and while it wasn't always easy, Tony was proud of himself for he had become a better father than his dad ever was.

"How does she look?"

"See for yourself," Pepper said to him, as she faced the barn door. "It's okay, honey," she spoke softly, addressing their daughter. "It's just me and daddy now."

When Morgan kept hiding outside—only once did she peek through the door—Tony grinned. It never ceased to surprise him that his daughter's bubbly nature hid such shyness. But it only made him love her more. She was freaking adorable!

"Come on... Let me have a look at my gorgeous girl," he encouraged her. "Please? Pretty please?"

Shyly, the little one stepped forward, and Tony went stock-still. His daughter was wearing a pretty, blue dress, and on her face a smile Tony thought was there just for him. When she moved, the folds in the skirt looked blue and the creases black and the dress swayed so elegantly, as if it was dancing with her. In Morgan's curly hair was pinned a baby-blue ribbon with slightly frayed ends, and her pink ballet flats flaunted glittery upper that featured a velvet bow accent. Tony had never seen his daughter look more beautiful, and he was so moved by the sight that he began to tear up.

"Is that really our girl?" he asked Pepper while he kept his eyes on Morgan, and wiped away a tear with the palm of his hand.

"She's starting to grow up," Pepper replied, smiling at Tony's reaction.

"I forbid it," he said, catching a glimpse of his wife. "She's not allowed to grow up. Not ever."

Every day with his daughter was like opening up a jewelry box filled with beautiful, sparkling treasures and she was the most priceless treasure of them all. Tony couldn't imagine ever letting her leave home to take on the world. What if she went to college and never called? What if she was so busy being an adult, she wouldn't have time to come home anymore? Or worse, she didn't want to come home? The thought of becoming a father had freaked him the hell out, but it didn't compare to this feeling of seeing his baby girl grow up and the fear of missing out. He didn't want to miss one moment of her life.

Clutching a piece of paper in her chubby fingers, which she had rolled up and tied with a pink bow, Morgan stood in front of him. The excitement of showing everyone just how beautiful she looked was all over her face, but right now, all she cared about was her father's opinion. She didn't say it, but Tony could feel it. He knew that look she was giving him, because it was the exact same look he gave Pepper whenever he wanted her opinion on something. Sometimes being subtle was being obvious, at least in his case—and his daughter's.

"I must be dreaming," Tony said and crouched down to her level. Touching her arms, her hair, face and legs, he shook his head. "I'm not. You're real! I thought you were an angel." Morgan giggled. "Are you Morgan Stark?" She nodded. "Are you sure?" Tony looked deeply into her eyes, and she nodded again, as she tried not to laugh. "Then, I am officially the luckiest man on Earth, because my daughter looks like a real princess." He kissed her cheek, "I adore your pretty face and your beautiful dress. You look perfect... just perfect," and then the other one.

Morgan looked up at her mother, her face beaming with happiness. Then she looked back at Tony, her eyes holding the warm love of her heart. "This is for you, daddy!" she said, holding out her gift for him.

"You know, I don't like being handed things, but this... This I love to be handed," he told her, and Morgan giggled whereas her mother couldn't help but laugh. "I thought the cake was your present," he said, unrolling the small piece of paper. "But this is nice. Because who doesn't love to get more presents? But you, uh, don't have to give me much... You know that, don't you? One birthday gift is fine. Because I would still love you if you didn't give me anything. I will always love you. Because you're you... and you mean more to me than all the birthday presents in the world put together."

"Just open it, daddy!" Morgan stomped her foot, impatient.

"Alright, alright." Tony laughed. "I just wanted to make sure you know that I don't expect you to—" Morgan stomped her foot again, and Tony laughed louder. "You're definitely my kid," he noted and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Then he looked at the gift. It was a drawing of three people—a father, a mother and a child—in Iron Man suits, and Tony smirked as it became obvious to him what this was all about.

"This is you... and this is mommy" Morgan pointed at the different figures of her drawing with her index finger, "and this is me."

Tony aimed a smug grin at Pepper. "See? This is what I've been trying to tell you... My days as Iron Man may be over, but we could still suit up and have some fun."

"Until someone gets hurt," Pepper countered, grinning at him.

"Why would we get hurt? We're not gonna be heroes, just..."

"No one gets hurt, mommy," the girl came to her father's defense. "And I want—"

"No... You're not gonna get a suit, Morgan." Pepper cut her off.

"Pep, please... Don't make our child cry on my birthday." Tony pleaded, still wearing a grin on his face.

"Daddy, can you make me a suit?" Morgan had already learned that ignoring her mother wouldn't work, it never did, but she could at least try. "I want to be like you."

"I've heard that sentence before, kid, and, uh, let's just say, it didn't end so well. But I promise you, I'm gonna talk to your mama about it and we'll find a way for you to—"

"Tony, please don't promise her to get something you know she's never gonna have."

Tony got up from the ground and put a hand on Pepper's arm, as if that could have a magic effect on her. "Honey, I have ideas, okay?" He used his softest voice possible; the one that poured over her like warm cream, blowing all defenses. "About this whole suit thing... and they're safe. Nothing dangerous." Pepper sighed, and Tony knew his magic was working and she wasn't entirely saying no the thought. "It's gonna be fun, trust me."

Pepper looked him dead in the eye. "Just promise me, you're not going to—"

"I quit. That's a done deal." Putting a strand of her hair back in place, he smiled. He knew exactly what she was worried about. He knew why she worried. But there was no reason to. "I'm not planning to go back into that superhero business. Not now, not ever. I'm happy with my life and I wouldn't change a thing. You and my daughter are my priority. Nothing else matters."

Pepper heaved another deep sigh. The thought certainly scared her, but at the same time she trusted him to know what he was doing, as far as his suits were concerned. "If she gets so much as a scratch... I will kill you, Tony Stark."

"Fair enough," Tony remarked with a smirk, kissing her temple. "But hear me out first, alright?"

"I'm getting a suit?" Morgan's big brown eyes looked up at them.

"Your mom... I mean, we... are not saying no..."

"But we're not saying yes either," Pepper finished his sentence.

Although the little girl was a bit disappointed, she still smiled. If there was even the slightest chance that she could have a suit like her father, it was something to put all her hope in. She had always loved the fact that her daddy was a hero to so many people out there, and she was so proud to be his child. She had never seen him in one of his suits, but she had seen so many pictures and heard so many great stories about it, she couldn't wait to experience it first hand—and both her parents knew that she did. They knew how much she loved telling a total stranger that her dad was Iron Man; how proud she looked to see the admiration, the love, of other people for her dad. Morgan Stark would always be Iron Man's biggest fan.

"Come here," Tony said, scooping her up in his arms. He hugged her tightly. "Thank you so much for your drawing, Morgan. I love it!"

Morgan gave him a kiss on the lips, making that same 'mwah' sound that Pepper had made before. "I love you, daddy."

"I love you too, sweet thing."

Tony shed a tear when his daughter's arms wrapped around his neck with such intensity it seemed she didn't want to let go of him ever again. As the tear brushed her soft skin, she asked, without pulling away, "Are you crying happy tears?"

Tony laughed, looking at Pepper, and nodded. "Yes, baby."

"Mommy cried happy tears, too," their child responded.

"Then we should give mommy a big hug as well, shouldn't we?"

The moment he said it, Morgan let go and opened her arms to her mother. At the same time, Tony extended one arm to welcome Pepper into the embrace, and Pepper didn't let that invitation last long. Grinning, she stepped into the hug and flung her arms around both Tony and their daughter. She kissed the back of Morgan's head and the soft skin of her neck. Then she met Tony's eyes and smiled. Keeping their baby girl safely locked between their bodies, they kissed a few times with eyes closed, and let the warmth of that sandwich hug embrace them, their foreheads touching. They held each other so tight, they had to wonder if there was even enough room left for their daughter to breathe properly.

Tony opened his eyes and used one hand to cup Pepper's cheek. Their eyes were filled with tears, cheeks wet, but neither of them seemed to care enough to wipe the tears off. Pepper smiled at him again, feeling the undeniable connection between them in the deepest reaches of her heart. She knew it was time to tell him about the pregnancy. She had wanted this to be his birthday gift all along, but she wanted them to be alone when she finally told him. She had spent so many weeks just thinking of ways to break the news to him, she was so excited about it, she could hardly wait. Happiness radiated about her like an aura that extended itself towards Tony and engulfed him.

"Thank you for this incredible gift," he whispered to her, as he ran his thumb down the side of her face, making sure not to let go of the child he held in his other arm.

"You mean her?" Pepper laughed softly. "My pleasure."

"It was mine too." Tony joked. "Ever thought about..." He cocked a well-sculpted eyebrow at her.

"Doing it again?"

He nodded, smirking, and she just smirked back at him, not saying a word. But there was something in her eye that seemed to catch his attention. "Are you saying yes?"

"I thought we were already working on it?" Pepper feigned innocence. She was relieved that Tony hadn't managed to read in her eyes that she had briefly thought about telling him about the baby right now. "Isn't that what all the... playing contact sports... was for?" She didn't feel like mentioning sex in the presence of their daughter.

Tony's smirk widened. He didn't have trouble understanding that reference. "I must've missed somehow that you... weren't wearing protective headwear."

"You're talking funny," Morgan said with a giggle, her arms still wrapped around Tony's neck, while she watched her mother's hands move up and down her father's back, as Pepper was stroking it gently. Morgan usually wasn't one to screw up her face in disgust at her parents' display of affection, but she did have moments where it could get a little too close to the bone for her liking.

"So, we're... actively trying?" Tony asked in a quiet, hopeful voice. Well, not anymore, Pepper thought, considering they had already done more than trying.

"I guess we are," she said, smiling at him.

Tony's face lit up instantly and he pulled her close again. "I love you, Pepper Potts... Uh, Stark... Sorry, old habits... I'm actually head over heels in love with you."

"I can see that," Pepper answered, chuckling, and brushed her lips against his.

He closed the distance between them, dropping a hot kiss on her lips that was filled with as much passion as they could handle while being in public. They tried not to have their tongues join the action, but it was a lot harder than they thought it would be. Tony's breath caught in his throat, escaping in a small gasp when their lips parted, and he was worried for a moment that his ardent desire was showing between his legs. Pepper looked at him, as though she could sense his fear. A huge grin spread across her face. It wouldn't be the first time he had to hide an erection in public, but it certainly would be a first for him with his friends around.

"Do you mind, if I take a picture or are you gonna sue me too?"

"Uncle Rhodey!" Morgan screamed, and Tony had to tighten his grip on her to keep the wiggling child from jumping out of his arms.

"Whoa, easy there, girl," he said, carefully putting her down.

Morgan ran towards Rhodey, and he squatted down on his haunches and embraced her in a hug. He let go after a while, smiling at her, and she smiled back, excited that he had finally come see her.

"Oh, look what I've found," Rhodey said, voice full of excitement, and to Morgan's amazement, he skillfully made it seem as if a shiny coin had unfurled from inside Morgan's ear. "Your dad said you're saving money to buy a pony, so I think this will help. Let me see, if there's..." He moved his hand to her other ear. "I knew there was more. Look!" Morgan gazed at the two coins in his hands and then looked at him, and to see the happiness in her eyes warmed Rhodey's heart.

"It's for me?" she asked excitedly.

"Of course. Come on, take it!" He smiled. "You look very, very pretty, by the way. Like a beautiful lady."

"Don't say lady," Tony intervened. "That sounds so old... And this little girl here will stay young forever."

"You wish!" Rhodey grinned at him. "One day you'll wake up, Tones, and find her boyfriend trying to sneak out of the window."

"Ugh, boyfriend is a term we don't use in this house... Ever," Tony said, shuddering with disgust. Thinking of his little girl and another man—a lover—made his hair stand on end. It was already bad enough that he had to let her out of the house one day. Adding a boyfriend to that scenario was quite frankly his worst nightmare. "How can you be so calm about this?" he addressed Pepper.

"I think I'm just..." Pepper shrugged her shoulders and grinned. "Well, you weren't the ideal boyfriend either, but somehow I ended up with you as my husband and the father of my child, so I guess I'm just hoping that my daughter has the same influence on whatever man she chooses to be with that I had on you."

"She does have point," Rhodey noted, smirking, as he ruffled Morgan's hair. The toddler was still trying to figure out how the coins Rhodey had conjured like a rabbit out of a hat had fit into her ear and why she hadn't noticed them being there. Rhodey liked the way the small vertical wrinkle appeared between her eyebrows when she frowned. Everyone did. It was so cute.

"You two think this is funny? This is not funny." Tony shook his head, as if to dismiss a painful subject.

"Oh, it is funny." Standing up, Rhodey laughed, as he patted Tony on the shoulder. "But, don't worry, man. I'll make sure she stays away from guys like you."

"Okay, that's it… You're uninvited from this party," Tony groaned a little in annoyance.

Morgan's eyes shot up to her father's at the sound of his words. "Uncle Rhodey can't leave," she almost shouted. She stared at Rhodey, then at her mother and back at Tony, searching his face for reassurance.

"I'm not going anywhere, beautiful," Rhodey said, quickly glancing at Tony who appeared completely baffled by how attentive his child was, even when she didn't seem to be listening. "And you know what? You and I, we're gonna go grab some food and let your father be haunted by ghosts of the future."

"Ghosts aren't real," Morgan argued, trying to sound as convincing as possible—she didn't want anyone to know she was actually scared of ghosts—and took Rhodey by the hand.

"To your dad, these ghosts are very real… Believe me." Rhodey laughed a little harder, looking at his friend. Tony's troubled face reflected the fear of a father who couldn't protect his child from growing up and having to learn that the real world out there was not only kind and pleasant but also cruel and dangerous. It was a constant source of worry, causing new-parent anxiety and restlessness; not just for him, but for Pepper too. Rhodey could see it in her eyes, no matter how hard she tried not to let it show on her face. "It'll be fine," he said to both Tony and Pepper. "This girl got a bunch of superheroes looking out for her. She'll be okay." He smiled at the couple and then looked down at their kid who held his hand. "Right, Morgan?" He gave her a wink and she giggled, nodding her head.

"Can we go now?" she asked, pulling at Rhodey's arm. She was eager to get in line for the buffet, because the faster they were done with eating, the sooner she could introduce Rhodey to the baby donkey—and that was literally all she could think about right now.

"Patience isn't her strong suit," Rhodey remarked, "I wonder where she got that from," and cocked an eyebrow at Tony. When Tony rolled his eyes at him, he chuckled and then walked away.

"You really think we don't have to worry?" Tony asked Pepper.

"Yes," she answered, as she hooked her arm through his, forcing him to step closer, and leaned against him, resting her head on Tony's shoulder. "But I do it anyway." Pepper sighed a deep, long sigh, while she stared into the distance where Rhodey was being swamped by a flood of words coming out of their daughter's mouth.

"We could lock her up until she's thirty, you know." Running his fingers over the soft flesh of her inner arm, Tony turned his head to get a better view of Pepper's face. "This farm still needs a security system. I mean a better one. And our daughter's already a smartass, so she doesn't need to go to college, right? And I can put a tracker on her just in case she manages to get away." Eyebrows raised, a haughty smirk filled out his cheeks. "C'mon, Pep… It'll be fun watching her try to outsmart F.R.I.D.A.Y."

Smirking back at him, Pepper ran a hand through his short hair and gave him a light kiss on his cheek. Then she laced her fingers with Tony's and held onto his arm with her other hand. Her head fell back against his shoulder and her eyes focused on the drawing in his hands. "I didn't know she wanted a suit," she said softly, wondering if this could change anything.

Tony looked at his daughter's gift. "Do you want one?" he then asked curiously.

"You bet your ass, if my daughter's getting a suit, I will too."

Laughing, Tony tilted his head and kissed her hair, then lowered it to rest against hers. "Speaking of… What do I get?"

"You mean from me? For your birthday?"

"Sí."

"Oh, you'll have to wait until tonight." The very idea of seeing his reaction made a chuckle burble up in her throat.

"It is tonight… Like, right now… It's tonight!"

"Later."

"When is later?"

"I'm not gonna give it to you until we're alone."

"Then let's go and be alone."

"Tony," she said, laughing, "I didn't organize this goddamn party for you so you could find an excuse not to attend it."

"Honey…" He lifted his head and batted his lashes at her.

"Don't honey me, it's not gonna work."

"But it's my birthday," he whined, playfully pinching her arm.

"And that's why we're celebrating... Now... With all of these beautiful people." She dragged him along, as she walked towards the group of friends gathered at their table. "But what I got for you will be worth the wait." She turned to face him and grinned. "Although, I'm afraid, you're gonna have to wait a lot longer until you get it all."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tony wondered.

"You'll see," she said, her cheeks bursting with held back laughter.

"Oh, c'mon now… This isn't fair, Pepper!"

"Life never is... honey." And then the laughter escaped, but she swallowed it quickly in a kiss, a kiss that almost made him forget about all the secrecy—almost.