Here's the new update! It's a short chapter but as soon as I start writing the canon chapters they will be longer! Thank you so much for the support, I was so happy when I saw how much attention this story was getting! You guys keep me motivated! Enjoy this chapter.


Date: October 17th, 2006
Primrose's Age: 5 years old.
Location: Malibu, California, 7:22 PM

It was a warm afternoon in California, the sun was just setting, and Tony thought it was a perfect day for his little girl's fifth birthday. The catering company that he chose had already set everything accordingly. There were Baskin-Robbins ice cream, pastries from Paris, milk and white chocolate fountain and most importantly Primrose's birthday cake that she chose herself, it was chocolate with peanut butter ice cream cake that everyone enjoyed. Especially Primrose.

The table on the dining room that he has never used was set for the birthday dinner between him and the people in Primrose's life.

Such as her godparents, her mother and Emma even invited Happy, because the personal driver has become someone that Prim included in her drawings. At first, he felt awkward by being around, but then after everyone welcomed him, even Tony made a few jokes around him, he opened up more and became laid back. Unfortunately, Emma's parents couldn't make it, but they sent their gifts through the mail.

Everyone was getting ready for dinner, Primrose was still hungry even after eating two pieces of cake and a few scoops of ice cream not even two hours ago.

Emma was now twenty-eight years old, and she couldn't believe it has been five years since her life changed – she thought it would be for worst but it had been for the better. Prim was sitting on her lap, and both were waiting on everyone to come to the living room as they watched the sunset on the sea's horizon. They were both silent, taking in the beautiful sky all colored with hues of pink, orange, and red. Emma hugging her daughter closely, and she could feel Primrose already planning on drawing the scene before her, she was an artist and Emma was proud.

Since everyone already realized that little Prim enjoyed sketching and drawing, Tony had given his daughter very expensive art supplies, Pepper gave her a beautiful dress with matching shoes, Happy - who would feel awkward if he didn't bring anything - gave Primrose a generic baby doll that she ended up naming Lola. Rhodey however, gave Primrose fifty dollars since he had no idea what to buy her, Emma kept those fifty dollars and promised Primrose that they would go shopping for her gift soon.

Primrose had a good birthday, and that's all Emma could've hoped for. The two enjoying the sunset was the perfect way to end the day.

"Beautiful isn't it? A California sunset attracts many people."

Emma's skin jumped at a voice she hadn't heard in almost years because she had avoided it.

"Obadiah!" She gasped as she stood up quickly, Primrose wrapped around her arms.

He chuckled, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!" Obadiah was carrying a wrapped present on his left hand, "I just want to drop by quickly to wish the little one a happy birthday and leave her a gift from uncle Obie." he smiled at Primrose, and the friendly toddler smiled back.

Emma gave him a curt smile, "That's nice, say hi, Prim." Emma encouraged her.

"Hi," the brunette shyly greeted.

Obadiah's smile widened, "Hi yourself, happy birthday! Jesus, look at you, last time I saw you-you were this little mouse! I hope you like this gift, I'm not good at buying things for other people I'm only good at buying for myself," he casually joked, and Emma forced a chuckle.

She didn't know why Obadiah Stane seemed so off to her, the man simply didn't cause a good first impression when they met. When Tony introduced them, Obadiah kept staring at her and Emma felt nothing but uncomfortable under his eyes.

Emma put Primrose down and watched Obadiah give her the gift, it turned out to be a 'Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone' book. Emma was intrigued at that, she heard about the books and she saw the movie, it had come out a month after Primrose's birth. Emma liked it but she hasn't watched the others.

"She doesn't know how to read yet," Emma informed him, watching her daughter inspect the book with interest.

Obadiah seemed to stare at her as well, thoughtful, "Well, when she starts learning at least she'll have something to practice with. The lady in the store said that this was a good children's book. Very popular in England." he asserted.

Primrose smiled at him, "Thank you." she addressed. She looked at the cover again and decided to approach the window to keep watching the sunset, which was almost gone.

With Primrose gone, Obadiah stepped closer to Emma, a long smile on his face. Emma wanted to step back but she stayed in place, fearless.

"So, five years have passed. You must be proud," he started, "I don't know what it's like – to have children. I mean, when I met Howard I also met Tony and he was a brilliant kid. I've always known that he'd surpass his father, and boy was I right. But I would never think that Tony would become a family man." he ended his little speech and Emma sensed envy and a little bit of passive-aggressiveness on his tone, even though he was smiling all the time.

She nodded, agreeing with him would be the logical thing to do, "Yep," she shortly replied, staring at Primrose all the time, "Before going to that party, I read a column about Tony Stark and all I got was that he was a billionaire and a playboy, two things that the world hates to love. There are shows about it, magazines and even products to make people look like them, but now? I love who Tony Stark is," she smirked when Obadiah looked mildly surprised, "No, not like that. Tony is my friend, nothing else," Emma quickly added as she heard Obadiah chuckle shortly, "Now I think that Tony is a good person, a complicated one but good. He's a good father, a good friend, a good man," she sighed, now noticing how much her daughter looked like him.

Obadiah hummed, letting her words settling in, "Well you came into our life like a surprise attack. But I'm sure Tony doesn't regret it."

The way he phrased that made Emma feel uncomfortable again, but she continued forcing her lips into a smile, "I guess he doesn't."

They were now staring at each other as the last light of the sunset disappeared under the ocean, as the sky became darker so did Obadiah's and Emma's instincts were telling her to just walk away from this man.

"Well!" Obadiah suddenly clapped his hands quite energetically, "I have to go back to work. I just wanted to drop by quickly, in and out."

She was about to say goodbye when a very excited voice interrupted them.

"Obie! You're here, what are you doing here?" Tony approached them with long, quick steps but went straight to Primrose instead, making her squeal happily, "Now I got you!"

Obadiah and Emma smiled at the exchange.

"I only came here to give your daughter a gift. I'm already leaving," he told Tony.

Tony seemed surprised, "What? No, stay!"

Emma gave him a warning look.

"Or not," Tony quickly and casually shrugged, after seeing her face, "If you have work to do, get out of here."

Obadiah shook his head, already knowing that Tony was only joking, "No, no. I have to go, just enjoy the day with your daughter. I have work to do." he dismissed himself by already starting to walk towards the door, "JARVIS, please open the door for me."

"Right away, Mr. Stane." the robotic voice replied from the ceiling.

Tony looked at Emma with a questioning look, he never really understood why Emma didn't want Obadiah around, but if she was uncomfortable around him then he would just not mention the man at all, it was still very confusing to Tony still. Obadiah was his partner, almost a father figure. Even Primrose liked him!

"See you tomorrow, Obie!" Tony called out, his voice echoing.

"Oh, and thanks for the present!" Emma added, not wanting to be rude. She might think he's odd but he still gave something to her daughter.

Obadiah waved at them as he kept walking, and then he was gone.

Primrose squealed again as Tony made a raspberry on her cheek, "Well princess, did you enjoy your birthday?"

"Yeah!" she giggled, "Look what uncle Obie got me!" she showed him the Harry Potter book and he hummed, interested.

"Seems like we got us here a new bedtime story." he grabbed the book from her hands and inspected it, "Seems interesting enough." he put her down again and ruffled her hair, making her giggle again, "Go show it to everyone else, they're already in the dining room waiting for you and mommy," he gave her a gentle push for her to start walking, leaving Emma and Tony alone.

There was a small pause.

"So did Obadiah get on your nerves or something?" Tony walked up to Emma, his tone calm.

She shrugged, hugging herself, "No, he's actually nice."

"So why the silent treatment on him? Why not invite him?" Tony didn't want to seem like he was pressuring Emma to tell him the truth, but he was just so lost about the whole situation.

She groaned, "Tony just drop it, I just find him a little weird! I'm not forced to really like him, am I?" Emma exclaimed.

Tony raised his hands up, in surrender, "Hey, hey! It's a happy occasion, no arguments! It's fine, you're right! But I'm not forcing you to like him, I'm just curious and confused. But if you don't like him I get it, I don't trust bald people too. Obie is an exception," he took hold of her hand, "Calm down" he smiled at her, "Look at you all red with anger, at least you don't go green." Tony joked, grinning when he saw Emma crack a small smile.

"Leave the Hulk out of his you dummy," she flicked his nose, and he almost avoided it. Almost.


He brought her back to the dining room, where everyone greeted the two. After sitting down, Emma fixed Primrose's plate and noticed that her daughter wasn't that picky with her food, the only thing she refused to eat was the steamed carrots. Which was strange because her daughter loved raw carrots. Everyone chatted between each other, told appropriate jokes because a child was with them (and they didn't miss Tony and Emma's warning stares), and in the end, when they were having dessert, Tony decided to rise of his chair a raise his champagne glass filled with apple juice, Primrose's favorite.

"I'd like to make a toast," he gave time for everyone to raise their respective glasses, even Primrose raised her sippy cup, "To Primrose, my love, my life, and my greatest creation. Today she's five, tomorrow she rules the world. And I'll be there to guide her," he paused, "Or at least I'll ask Emma to guide me into guiding her," everyone chuckled at that as Emma rolled her eyes with a fond look on her expression, "Anyways, a toast to Primrose, my daughter, and the future."

Everyone clinked glasses with each other, "A toast to Primrose!"

"ME!" the five-year-old exclaimed, reaching to clink her sippy cup with everyone as well.

They continued eating dessert, Emma even made coffee, and when nine o'clock rolled in, Primrose was basically fighting to keep balance on her chair as she nodded on and off into sleep. Tony stopped Emma before the woman could stand up to take her to bed, she thanked him and when Tony picked Primrose to carry her, she kissed her daughter's cheek and bid her a good night, and so did everyone else as the toddler sleepily waved at them while resting her head on her father's shoulder.

Tony hummed a melody as he went up the stairs, from listening to her breathing he could tell that she had already fallen asleep, so he felt bad when he had to wake her up again to dress her up in her pajamas, a soft onesie. Primrose finally got in her crib, when Tony covered her he noticed that his baby girl was getting too big to continue sleeping in a baby crib, he had to start thinking about buying a toddler bed. She snuggled herself against her favorite blue bunny plushie.

"G'night daddy" she tiredly said, her voice cracking a little bit.

Tony felt his chest warm up instantly, it was something that only Primrose could do. Only her.

"I love you baby girl, sleep well," he kissed her head and stayed there for a while, waiting for her to really fall asleep, "Daddy will always be there for you, and if I break my promise I'm so sorry" he whined a little bit and closed his eyes, not wanting to even imagine he being like Howard, "But I'll try Prim, I'll try happy birthday, honey."