The next evening was the night of the engagement party. It was being held at Pepper's house and it was only the family of Todd and Lizzy and whoever was in the wedding. She was a bit nervous that someone would betray their trust and let slip that she and Tony were here; actually it was only one person she had to worry about.
Tara.
She may be a sweetheart to Lizzy and Rebecca, but to Pepper it was a whole other side. Pepper sat on the bed in a light blue summer dress waiting for Tony. Lizzy insisted this wasn't going to be formal. Her and Todd preferred a cookout instead of a big fancy party. Jake was going to pick them up from the hotel in less than twenty minutes.
Tony came out of the bathroom dressed in a red shirt and black shorts. Pepper smiled a little. She was pretty sure that was the only color shorts he ever wore. Tony looked over at her and saw worry in her eyes. He went over and pulled her up from the bed, which granted him a smile. He kissed her lightly.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked. Pepper shook her head.
"It's nothing," Tony raised his eyebrows. Pepper knew he didn't buy it. "Just tonight… someone is going to be there who I don't get along with. She is insensitive, rude, and has always tried going after whomever I'm dating at the time. And she is only like this to me!"
Tony brought her in for a hug and didn't speak until she relaxed.
"Don't worry about her tonight and you most certainly don't have to worry about her trying to get at me. I'm yours."
He felt her smile against his shirt. "You've become such a softie in four days." She mumbled against him. Tony smirked.
"Well I won't be a softie tonight if she tries coming onto me."
Pepper laughed. That would most certainly make her night. They put their wigs on and went down to the lobby to meet Jake.
They were the last to arrive at Pepper's house. Jake told them in the car that Lizzy and Todd asked everyone for their trust and they wouldn't go to the press and ruin their wedding. Tony and Pepper left their wigs in the car and entered Pepper's house. Everyone was in the backyard except for Rebecca, who was inside preparing pasta salad. She smiled when she saw Tony and Pepper.
"Oh good you're here!" she greeted and kissed Pepper's cheek and hugged Tony. "Everyone is in the backyard and I'm sure Jake told you what Lizzy said?" Rebecca asked. Jake nodded. "Good."
Tony took Pepper's hand as they went into the backyard. William was sitting and talking with who Tony guessed to be Todd's parents. Everybody else was split into two teams and playing volleyball. For now, only William and Todd's parents noticed they were here. They stood there for a while talking with them. Tony had his hands wrapped around Pepper from behind as they talked. It wasn't until the volleyball bounced over towards them that everyone noticed they were here.
"Virginia! Tony!" Lizzy said and went over to greet them. Pepper suddenly felt a little uncomfortable with everyone looking at them. Tony gave a small smile to Lizzy. "You guys should come play." Lizzy said as she picked up the volleyball. Pepper smiled.
"Maybe next round. I'm actually parched."
Lizzy nodded and headed back over to the game. Tony removed one hand from Pepper just to reach into the cooler and grab two beers. Pepper looked through the guests and recognized a couple of Lizzy's friends and two of her cousins. She then saw Tara. Tara was dressed in a tank top that barely covered her and shorts that barely covered anything. She rolled her eyes and turned to Tony. Tony sat down in one of the chairs and Pepper sat beside him.
"Okay, so who are these people?" Tony asked quietly. Pepper chuckled a bit and pointed people out to Tony.
"On my sister's team are her friends Beth, the one in the gray tee shirt, Natasha, the one in the orange spaghetti strap shirt, and Tara…" she said and trailed. Tony knew it was the one who was barely in any clothing. "Then the men must be from Todd's side. On Todd's team are my two cousins, Andrew in the jean shorts and green shirt, and Amelia in the yellow summer dress."
Tony nodded and smiled. They both knew Tony would remember none of their names. Rebecca then came out with the pasta salad and placed it on the table. There was so much food on the table there would be no room to eat. The game then finished and everybody came over to the table to grab food to snack on. Tony stood up and grabbed Pepper's hand so they were out of the way. They stepped back and towards the door.
"Ginny!" the girl in the summer dress said cheerfully and walked over. Tony believed Pepper said her name was Amelia. Pepper smiled and hugged her cousin.
"Hi Amelia," Pepper said sweetly. Amelia smiled and looked at Tony. Pepper took a deep breath. "This is Tony, Tony this is Amelia."
Tony nodded. "Hi."
Amelia smiled and didn't know what to say. Andrew coming over saved her. Andrew swooped Pepper into his arms and hugged her. Pepper laughed as he put her down.
"It has been too long since I have seen my baby cousin," he said. Pepper blushed. Andrew then turned to Tony. "And you must be Tony," he said and extended his hand. Tony shook it. "Pleasure to meet you."
Tony nodded. "Same, it is Andrew right?"
He nodded. Pepper smiled. She was impressed. For once he remembered a name. Todd then came over to the group.
"Hey Virginia, Tony. We are about to move the net and set up the soccer goals. You two in?"
Pepper and Tony looked at each other and then at Todd.
"We're in."
William ended up making the teams for the soccer game. It ended up being Lizzy, Pepper, Tara, Andrew, Amelia, Todd's brother Justin, and Todd's stepbrother Chris on one team. Then Jake, Tony, Natasha, Beth, another one of Lizzy's friends Tina, Todd's youngest brother Matt, and Todd's cousin Rick. Jake had his team huddled by the pool to make a plan.
"Alright, Natasha and Matt will play defense with Rick in goal. Tine in the middle… ish then I'll have Tony and Beth with me."
Everyone nodded.
"Have you ever played soccer, Tony?" Beth asked as they left the group. He smiled a bit.
"You could say so. I haven't played in a while, but I shouldn't be too rusty."
He was certainly not rusty. By halftime he had scored two goals, Jake scored one, and Beth scored one. Pepper wasn't too bad herself having scored three goals and Andrew scored one. There were thirty seconds left and it was Lizzy's team's ball. Jake called a time out for a huddle.
"If Virginia gets the ball we're screwed." Natasha pointed out. Jake nodded in agreement.
"So we need a plan to make sure she doesn't get the ball." Tina concluded.
Tony got that smirk look on his face. Kind of like the face he gives Rhodey all the time. Jake called him on it.
"I have an idea… however she may see it as cheating." Tony stated. Jake shook his head.
"I don't care if it ends in a tie I just will not lose to my sister's again, what is your plan?"
They set up for Tony's plan. Pepper was set up by the goal in between Tony and Jake. Tony nodded at Jake and Jake smiled back. Pepper knew that look Tony gave Jake. She sees it everyday. Her dad blew the whistle and Lizzy threw in the ball. It went to Amelia and Amelia passed it to Pepper quickly. As the ball was coming towards Pepper she prepared to kick it when she screamed. Tony came up behind her and whisked her off her feet and Jake stole the ball to bring it down to the other net.
"You cheater!" Lizzy yelled and ran after Jake. Jake laughed as William blew the whistle to call the game as a tie. Pepper was still in Tony's arms with her arms crossed.
"You completely cheated." She said trying to stay firm and angry at him. Tony knew she would cave. Tony kissed her cheek sweetly, but still nothing. He did it again, only longer and that is when Pepper smiled.
"Come on it ended up being a tie, we both won." Tony said as he put her down. Pepper rolled her eyes.
"I'll remember this the next time you excuse me of cheating."
Tony smirked and followed her towards the food. So far, whisking her off her feet was his favorite part of the night.
He thought it was his favourite part, but he was mistaken. After dinner Lizzy made an announcement that surprised everyone. Andrew and Todd helped bring out musical equipment and Pepper knew what was coming. She quickly stood up and headed for the patio door when Lizzy stopped her.
"Virginia you get back here! Tony stop her!"
Tony smirked and grabbed her by the waist from behind and swung her back.
"Tony! Put me down!" Pepper said and tried to break free, but Tony walked over to Lizzy and put her down next to Lizzy. Lizzy was smiling.
"It's my engagement party, please!"
Tony was very curious as to what Lizzy was asking. Pepper was turning red.
"Fine," she mumbled and put her hair into a ponytail. Lizzy clapped and yelled for everyone to gather round. William, Lizzy, Amelia, Jake, Pepper, and Andrew gathered in a small circle. Tony went and stood next to Rebecca.
"What is Pepper doing?" he whispered to her. Rebecca's eyes went wide.
"You don't know? Oh you are in for a treat darlin!"
Tony looked back at Pepper. He couldn't help but notice Rebecca calling him darlin and he smiled a bit. He hadn't heard that in a long, long time.
"No!" Pepper snapped. Amelia glared at her and Pepper rolled her eyes. Jake went behind the drums, Andrew on guitar, William on keyboard, and Amelia and Lizzy behind two microphones. Tony's eyes went wide when William handed Pepper a wireless microphone.
"I felt that for the party," Lizzy began and everyone quieted down. "We needed to get the old band back together seeing as how we probably all won't be together for a while."
Band! Tony looked at Pepper who wouldn't meet his eyes. She never told him she was in a band or was the lead singer!
"And so, the Potts family presents Forget You!" Andrew said and William started the keyboard.
Pepper took a deep breath. She never told Tony she was in a family band when she was younger. It wasn't like she was hiding it, it just never came up. This was one hell of a week.
"I see you driving round town with the guy I love and I'm like, forget you!" Pepper began to sing and everyone cheered. Tony's jaw dropped. Amelia and Lizzy were the backup singers. "I guess the change in my pocket wasn't enough and I'm like forget you and forget him too!"
Pepper met Tony's eyes and she saw him smiling. She smiled back and continued on.
"Said, if I was richer,
I'd still be with ya
Ha, now ain't that some shhh?
(ain't that some shhh?)
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a...
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo"
Everyone, including Tony, began clapping along. He quickly took out his phone.
"Jarvis, record." He said and pointed the phone nonchalantly at Pepper as she began to strut to the music.
"Yeah I'm sorry,
I can't afford a ferrari,
But that don't mean
I can't get you there.
I guess she's an xbox
and I'm more atari,
But the way you play
your game ain't fair.
I pity the fool that
falls in love with you
(Oh she's a gold digger)
Well
(Just thought you should know)
Ooooooh
I've got some news for you
Yeah go run and tell
your little girlfriend"
Rebecca pushed Tony towards Pepper and took his phone. Tony's eyes went wide and Pepper smiled. Rebecca nudged him to dance with her as she continued singing. Pepper took his hand and Tony surprisingly found the beat and danced with her.
"I see you driving 'round town
With the guy I love and I'm like,
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo
I guess the change in my pocket
Wasn't enough and I'm like,
Forget you!
And forget him too!
Said, if I was richer,
I'd still be with ya
Now ain't that some shhh?
(ain't that some shhh?)
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a...
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo"
Tony twirled her and Pepper spun away and turned to him with a smile as he brought her back and close to him. She looked him in the eyes and saw the sparkle in his eyes.
"Now I know, that I had to borrow,
Beg and steal and lie and cheat.
Trying to keep ya,
trying to please ya.
'Cause being in love
with your face ain't cheap.
I pity the fool that
falls in love with you
(Oh she's a gold digger)
Well
(Just thought you should know)
Ooooooh
I've got some news for you
I really hate you right now
I see you driving 'round town
With the guy I love and I'm like,
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo
I guess the change in my pocket
Wasn't enough and I'm like,
Forget you!
And forget him too!
Said, if I was richer,
I'd still be with ya
Ha, now ain't that some shhh?
(ain't that some shhh?)
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a...
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo"
Tony spun her away again and this time when she came back she wrapped her arm around his neck. He loved this side of Pepper and he made a promise to himself this would not be the last time he saw this side.
"Now baby, baby, baby,
why'd you wanna wanna hurt me so bad?
(So bad, so bad, so bad)
I tried to tell my
mamma but she told me
"this is one for your dad"
(Your dad, your dad, your dad)
Uh! Whhhy? Uh! Whhhy? Uh!
Whhhy baby? Oh! I love you!
I still do. Oooh!
I see you driving 'round town
With the guy I love and I'm like,
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo
I guess the change in my pocket
Wasn't enough and I'm like,
Forget you!
And forget him too!
Said, if I was richer,
I'd still be with ya
Ha, now ain't that some shhh?
(ain't that some shhh?)
And although there's pain in my chest
I still wish you the best with a...
Forget you!
Oo, oo, ooo"
When the song finished, everybody cheered as Lizzy and Amelia took each of Pepper's hands and made a bow. Tony clapped and smiled at Pepper. He definitely had to get a karaoke machine. Pepper handed the mic back to Lizzy and headed over to Tony. She blushed and smiled as she embraced him with a hug. When he pulled away he lightly kissed her.
"You know what this means now, don't you?" Tony whispered. Pepper looked puzzled and looked up at him. "We have got to get a karaoke machine."
The rest of the night was filled with music and dancing. Tony wasn't much of a dancer, but he would dance with Pepper any day. They danced to various artists including Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, AC/DC, Colbie Caillat, and more. William stole Pepper away for a dance while Tony went to get a drink from the cooler. As he reached for a drink someone came up from behind and touched his back. He frowned and looked up.
Tara.
She gave a flirty smile and said, "Hi, I'm Tara. We haven't formally met. I'm the maid of honour."
Tony nodded.
"Hi."
"So, we seem to both be without a dance partner, care to dance?" she asked. Tony looked at her and then saw Pepper was finishing with her dad. He shook his head.
"Sorry, my dance partner is free."
Pepper walked over and glared at Tara before turning to smile at Tony. He put down his beer and took Pepper's hand.
"Hello Virginia." Tara said with a fake smile. Pepper gave a fake back.
"Hello Tara."
A song then came on that surprisingly Tony knew. He pulled Pepper back out and wrapped his arms around her. It was Falling For You by Colbie Caillat. Pepper's arms went around his neck.
"We haven't danced to a slow song since the charity event." Tony said. Pepper chuckled.
"Oh, you mean the night where I wore a backless dress, wore no deodorant, and then you brought me to the roof, we almost kissed and then you left me there?"
Tony gave a dramatic sigh.
"Somehow we keep coming back to the leaving part. Technically…"
Pepper moved her arm and put her finger up and shook her head with a smile.
"Don't you even start a sentence with the word 'technically' because the majority of the time you say it I want to hurl something at your head."
The song then changed to a faster song and Tony smirked.
"I rarely say technically!"
Pepper gave him the look. "Oh please! 'Technically the giant hole I put in the piano, ceiling, and floor was not my fault it was the suite!' or 'technically the photo of me nude at a party getting drunk isn't my fault. They gave me alcohol.' Oh yes Tony you never say it!"
Tony let go of her and crossed his arms. Pepper smirked and put her hands on her hips. He loved it when she did that. He then got a very Tony idea in his mind. He quickly scooped up Pepper and she screamed as he did and jumped into the pool with her. Pepper pushed herself away from him underwater and breached the surface with him behind her.
"How dare you!"
Tony laughed.
"Technically it is your fault."
Pepper splashed water in his face. Everyone was looking and smiling. Todd and Lizzy came over.
"Hey! I like that idea!" Todd says and grabs Lizzy and jumps in. Pepper smiled as Jake then jumped in followed by Andrew and Amelia. The pool was getting overcrowded so Tony wrapped his arms around Pepper and pulled her towards the edge of the pool.
"I hate you." She said. Tony smiled and kissed her.
"Sure you do, but isn't that why you love me?"
Pepper rolled her eyes and kissed him again.
"I won't be able to get out of this pool without a towel however. This dress will cling to me."
Tony smiled and looked down. "I see no problem with that."
All she did was roll her eyes and kiss him again.
Off on the patio, Tara watched the whole pool thing unravel. She was going to join when she saw Tony pull Pepper over to the edge of the pool. She took out her phone and snapped photos of Pepper and Tony kissing. She smirked. They would go great with the video of Tony dancing with Pepper as she sung. She put her phone away before anyone suspected anything and rejoined the party.
Tony helped Pepper out of the pool and covered her from everyone's view. Her dress was indeed very clingy. They grabbed two towels and went into the kitchen to further dry off.
"I think I have a tank top and jeans I can change into here," Pepper said. "And I'm sure Jake wouldn't mind if you borrowed a dry shirt."
Tony shook his head.
"Nah, I'm fine."
They headed down to Pepper's room and Tony watched Pepper dig through the drawers. He closed the door quietly and turned back to her. Her eyes went wide as she pulled out a hot pink sport bra.
"Certainly not mine!" she said and threw onto the ground. Tony picked it up and he couldn't help but try and picture Pepper in it. "How much longer do you want to stay?"
Tony shrugged. "I don't care. Whenever you're ready to leave."
Pepper continued to go through her drawers.
"Well it may be soon if I can't find my jeans."
Tony stood up and went through more drawers as Pepper entered the closet. He pulled open one of the top drawers and his eyes went wide. Out of all the drawers he would find her underwear drawer.
"Um…" he mumbled and pulled out something he never thought she would wear. Pepper came out with her jeans and her eyes went wide.
"Any reason why you're in my underwear drawer?" she asked and crossed her arms. Tony smirked and she rolled her eyes. "Well I haven't worn that stuff since college."
Tony put the pair he was holding back in the drawer and shut it. Pepper stood there with her lips pierced and she looked uncomfortable. Tony frowned.
"What?"
"Well I'd like to change so if you could either turn around or leave it would be nice."
Of course Tony would chose to turn around.
"How long have you been singing?"
Pepper smiled as the thought back to the first time when she sung. She was five in the kindergarten school play.
"Since I was five, it was for a play in school and my dad kept me singing ever since. I didn't mind of course it was fun. Then around my senior year I stopped because…."
Tony frowned. He turned around to peek and saw she was dressed and sitting on the bed. He came over and sat down next to her.
"Because?"
Pepper looked at him.
"You mean you don't know?" she asked with a frown. Tony frowned back and shook his head. "I would have thought you would have Jarvis look me up before you hired me."
He shook his head.
"No, I didn't do a personal background check on you."
She smiled a bit but it faded.
"Well my senior year of high school I did some modeling. It took up most of my time and I never really had time to sing."
His eyes went wide. He had always teased her about with her legs she should be a model. No wonder she never fought back.
"Did you like modeling?"
She shook her head. "The first month was good, but the manager I had was an ass. It went from how I should eat to how I should work out and what colour my hair should be. I quit after he tried making me dye my hair brown."
Tony put his arm around her.
"Sounds like an ass."
She chuckled and stood up.
"Lizzy is starting a movie in the backyard to finish the night. We can sneak out half way through. Dad is giving me the car."
Tony nodded and followed her out and they headed back outside. Now he most certainly wanted to look up to see if he could find any photos. Not to drool over like he normally would, but he was curious. She was a model and could sing. He thought he knew her, but I guess he didn't.
Pepper and Tony came out of Pepper's room to find everybody coming inside. She frowned and looked at Lizzy.
"I thought we were watching the movie outside?"
She shook her head and sighed.
"Can't do that when it is raining. Dad says we will just move furniture around and some people can sit on the furniture and others will have to make do with cushions on the ground."
Pepper nodded and was a bit startled when Tony slipped his hand into hers. She gave a small smile and pulled him towards the living room. The couch and chairs had been pushed back and they made a horseshoe shape in the room. In the middle there were a bunch of pillows and blankets out.
"Alright, old folks take the couch." Todd says. His mother rolled her eyes and sat down on the couch with Todd's father next to her. Pepper's parents also sat down while Jake and Andrew set up snacks and drinks in the living room. Pepper excused herself from Tony for a moment to help Lizzy with something. It wasn't even two seconds before Tara came over to Tony. He bit his tongue.
"So, Tony have you ever seen Silent House?" she asked in a flirty voice. Tony shook his head.
"No. I don't watch a lot of movies." He answered dryly. Before he knew it Tara was touching his arm. He frowned and looked at her.
"Sorry, you had a piece of hair on your arm," Tony looked around the room to see if he could spot Pepper. "Nice biceps by the way. Do you work out?"
Tony looked back at her.
"Yes."
"Yeah me too, I love going to the gym. I mostly run and work on my abs."
Pepper was certainly right about Tara. He turned and saw Pepper coming over. Pepper knew that look on Tony's face and she then saw Tara. Tony and Pepper locked gazes. When Pepper reached them Tony took her hand.
"Hey Pep," He said lovingly and kissed her temple. Pepper blushed. Tara rolled her eyes and walked away. "You were right about her."
Pepper rolled her eyes and Tony slipped his arms around her to hold her to him.
"What'd she say?"
"Oh, the usual flirty annoying things like, do you work out? I work out on my abs, oh you have hair on you."
Pepper snorted and turned so she could see Tony.
"Then we're sitting far away from her."
Tony smiled in agreement. They ended up pulling a chair over a little bit behind the couch. Tony sat down and pulled Pepper into his lap.
"So, this is called Silent House?" Tony asked. Pepper nodded.
"I don't really like these types of movies to be honest."
Tony felt her tense up a bit so he ran his hand up and down her back.
"Well there is no need to feel scared with Iron Man here." He teased. Pepper rolled her eyes and smiled. Natasha hit the lights and Lizzy began the movie. Pepper rested her head on Tony's shoulder and watched. Tony was only half watching. His eyes would go from the TV to Pepper. He still couldn't fully grasp the idea of their relationship in his mind. He always wanted more than a boss and employee relationship, but before his capture he was as people say a billionaire playboy who didn't play well with others. And now within four days he claimed her heart and she had his. She's always had it, but now she realizes it. He kept his hand moving on her back up and down. Pepper's hand was on top of the cloth that hid the arc reactor. There was then a loud sound in the movie, which startled Pepper and she turned away from the TV. He smiled as she buried her face into his shoulder blade.
"I hate this part." Pepper whispers and looks at Tony. Tony hadn't really been paying attention so he had no idea what was going on. Only that a girl was looking for her dad in some creepy house.
"We don't have to stay." He suggests. Pepper sighs and looks at the clock. It is almost ten thirty. She nods and stands up pulling Tony with her. Pepper finds Lizzy in the dark to say good-bye before grabbing the keys from Jake and heading outside with Tony. The rain had stopped for the time being, thank goodness. Tony pulled out their wigs from the back and they put them on before Pepper began driving. Tony insisted he drive, but she refused with a smile. When they reached the hotel, they had the car parked in the garage and then headed to their room. Pepper showered first and then Tony. When he came out, Pepper was spread out across the bed and fast asleep. He chuckled and carefully moved her so he could get in. She turned so her head was buried in his chest. Tony spooned her closer before relaxing and falling asleep just as easily as Pepper had.