Chapter 3: Family Time
"Pepper?" Tony asked over the phone, cradling it between his shoulder and his ear. "What's going on? Did I forget another meeting? Just tell those idiots in marketing I'll send them the images for the presentation once I've finished talking to Rhodey about the stuntman…for the presentation." Tony flinched, ready for Pepper's scolding.
"Wait, the release presentation is tonight and you're telling me we might not have a stuntman?"
"I'll have everything taken care of in the next couple hours. Rhodey told me this morning that our guy's as good as new. It'll be fine." Tony reassured, typing away frantically on his computer.
"It better be after all the work we put into this project," Pepper said tiredly. "But that's not the reason I called. It's about Harley."
Tony stopped his work. "What about her?"
"She got suspended from school today."
"What did she do?" Tony asked sternly, his full attention turned towards the conversation.
"Principal Irons told me that it was because Harley was starting to crack under pressure," Pepper said seriously. "And she really is, Tony."
"Wait, what pressure?" Tony asked blankly.
"The pressure of being your daughter," Pepper said irritatingly.
"What do you mean?"
"Tony, she's tired of living in your shadow," Pepper said. "And everyone's high expectations are really upsetting her. She needs you, Tony."
Upon hearing this, Tony leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on his knees. He sighed and rubbed his temples with his free hand.
"Tony?"
"I know." Tony said glumly. "I know, and I want to be there for her. It's just been busier than hell here getting ready and—"
"Tony." Pepper interrupted. "She's not buying your excuses anymore. She's practically convinced that all you care about is Stark Industries."
"You know that's not true." Tony interjected.
"Well, she doesn't know that," Pepper said. "She doesn't believe me when I tell her otherwise. She needs to hear it from you, Tony."
There was another long pause before Tony continued, "Pepper, the presentation is almost finished. Once it's out of the way, I'll have more time, I promise. But right now, I have an idea."
"Tony, I think I know where you're going with this, and it's not—"
"Just hear me out," Tony interrupted, getting a bit more animated. "I think Harley should come with us to the presentation."
"What?! Tony, you know she hates those kinds of things," Pepper grumbled as she recalled a fiasco where Harley had locked herself in the bathroom, refusing to attend a cocktail party funded by Stark Industries.
"Pepper, she's grounded, right?"
"Yes."
"Then making her go to the presentation will be like another punishment," Tony said matter-of-factly.
"Never thought a girl her age would view a fancy party like that…" Pepper mumbled.
"Just make sure she's ready to go by seven. I'll be picking you two up in the car." Tony was back at his computer, his fingers flying across the keyboard.
"But what is she going to wear? You and I both know Harley doesn't own anything remotely formal."
"Don't worry about that. I just ordered something she'll love." Tony smirked at the picture of the ensemble he had requested.
"Tony…" Pepper said in a warning tone.
"It should be there in a couple hours. I know she'll love it," Tony insisted.
Pepper sighed, "Okay, I'll go tell her. She's not going to be happy about it."
"She's not supposed to be. She's grounded, remember?"