Over the next week, there was much file reading and paperwork, Tony ran a few statistical analysis to determine how many fertilized eggs ought to result in one viable embryo, Bruce made friends with Lorain while being her extra pair of hands, various other preparations were made, and a procedure was done that left Darcy downing several Advil and watching Disney movies for the rest of the day. After that, there was nothing left to do but get on with things. Sitting in the tower clinic, Steve put a hand on Darcy's shoulder. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"Come on, how much of a bitch move would it be for me to back out now?" She smiled but still looked nervous. "If it turns out I regret this, I've only got to put up with it for nine months. I've put up with bad roommates longer than that. You guys are stuck with this decision for eighteen years, minimum."
"When you put it that way—" Tony was cut off by Dr. Hueniger walking up to them with a hospital gown draped over her arm and a pair of empty plastic vials in her hands.
She held the gown out to Darcy. "You're going to need to put that on in a minute. And you two"—she handed each of the men a vial—"go have fun but be neat about it."
Steve blushed and he and Tony left the room. Bruce, who sat calibrating a piece of equipment, was torn between snickering—they were married, for goodness' sake—and being extremely uncomfortable. Darcy shook her head and said to Lorain, "I don't think I've ever seen a guy look less excited to have an excuse to get off," then slipped off to change.
Once Tony and Steve returned—the former looking smug, the latter still embarrassed—there was some very impressive mucking about with pipettes and syringes and microscopes, then all the males were evicted from the clinic. Bruce excused himself to his own little corner of R and D, and the familiar haven of his pet projects. Steve and Tony went up to the top of the tower where their apartment and the rest of the team's quarters were situated and fell together onto a couch. Tony kicked off his sneakers and lay across the couch with his head on Steve's thigh. "I am officially having second thoughts."
"Little late for that." Steve ran a hand through Tony's hair and bent to kiss him.
###########
A fortnight later, Darcy was officially proclaimed to be pregnant. The entire team—plus friends—was at the tower at the time, so a spontaneous party erupted. Steve felt lightheaded. Thor clapped him on the shoulder. "I congratulate you my friend! This is indeed cause for celebration."
"Thank you." Steve barely registered the demigod pressing a mug into his hand. He sipped it without tasting anything but the bite of the alcohol.
Across the room, Darcy leaned against the bar with a dazed expression and a glass of apple juice. Jane came up and hugged her, followed by Pepper. "Congratulations!"
"It's not my baby."
"Maybe not." Pepper tucked a bit of Darcy's hair behind her ear. "But you are the mother."
"I guess."
"Yes." Jane hugged her again and put a hand on her as of yet wholly unremarkable tummy. "This is a big deal for you, too, and we're here for you. We girls have to stick together and deal with girl stuff, especially with all these crazy men around. Right, Natasha?"
Six feet away, Natasha set her vodka down. "Don't drag me into your feminine solidarity bullshit." Despite her words, she halfway grinned.
Tony downed another glass of scotch and kissed his husband. "We're having a baby."
"I know."
"I can't believe it." The genius was grinning like a fool.
"Me neither." Steve chuckled.
Clint broke into their conversation from his perch on the counter of the bar. "Does Fury know about this?"
Steve looked to Tony, who turned over his shoulder to address the archer without removing his hands from the soldier's waist. "No, nor does he need to."
Clint opened his mouth but Tony cut him off. "Do you really think I give a fuck what S.H.I.E.L.D. thinks right now? Shut up and drink."
With a shrug, Clint did as told.
"Hey, ladies." Tony pulled out his wallet and held out a very shiny credit card. "Why don't you go do some preemptive shopping?"
There were no objections, except from Natasha as she was dragged to the elevator, but given that no one was drop kicked, her dissent was mostly for show.
A/N: I gotta say, if Tony Stark hands you a credit card, you take it and spend money, you don't argue.
Anyway, as always, reviews are appreciated.
