Somewhere in his conciousness, Tony heard a feminine voice yelling "Tony!" Like a scared animal, he shot up at the sound. "Pepper" he thought as he ran out of bed.
"Oh shit" he hissed when he stubbed his toe on the bathroom door. "Pepper?" he asked wearily "What's wrong? It's so early." Pepper turned round and looked at him with headlamp eyes. She was scared. "Peps. Are you ok? You look terrible. Have you been crying? You were so happy when I proposed to you." Tony grabbed her hands and guided her back to the bed. "Please." he asked "Tell me what's wrong."
Pepper composed herself for a few seconds but couldn't keep hold of it, so she burst into a river of tears.
"Oh Tony. I am happy about our engagement, but I just found something out. I don't know how to explain it, and I'm scared of how you will react." the lady gushed "I don't know what to do." She then completely let herself go and crumpled in Tony's arms. He was completely baffled. Sure he was expecting a few tears, but not this whole emotional meltdown. This was his strong Pepper Potts, soon to be Mrs. Stark. That was also mind numbing.
"Honey." Mr Stark comforted " I'm sure we can work our way through what ever you are trying to tell me. It will be just fine, trust me." He stroked his still-in-shock fiancé while she trembled. Slowly she moved her head up towards him and gulped. The tired woman stroked the creases in her nightgown and cleared her throat. Tony's confidence gave her a boost, so she tried one last time.
"Ok, Tony. Here it is. I can't believe I'm about to say this. The stork might be giving us a visit soon." she was offered a confused glance. The lady sighed. "You know." Pepper prompted "The birds and the bees?" more silence. "Oh for god's sake Tony!" she shouted " I may be pregnant. Get it now?"
"Do I...Oh!...Ah!" Tony stammered. "Yes. I get it." He could see that Pepper was still uncomfortable about it. "Sweetheart. I think it's wonderful, but I don't have to live with another person inside me. Since it is your body, you have the choice; but Pep" Tony looked into her eyes "I'm no spring chicken, and you know it. If we... get rid of the baby, then who knows when I'll be a father?" the billionaire rhetorically asked. Tears were rolling down Pepper's cheeks slowly, the last of her chokes were dying away and her eyes were red. "Come on Peps. We'll check this in the morning. We need our sleep." Tony murmured sleepily as he lay underneath the covers. They both fell asleep straight away, dreaming of nothing.