SOOOO much Pepperony to feast on these days, am I right?! That is certainly NOT a bad problem to have! In FACT, it is LOOOOONNNNNGGGG over due! And don't you just LOVE our lovely little lovebirds?! (Can I say the word "love" some more! LOL!) Christmas has come EARLY this year, hasn't it!

I can't get enough of these two! And to celebrate our happy couple, I'm uploading TWO chapters to end this fic. I couldn't resist!

SO thankful to those who have read and reviewed! You don't know what your support means to me!

Happy Pepperony Engagement! And Happy Reading! :D :D :D

Outside, the sound of the suit's rockets could be heard, followed by a loud thud when it had clearly landed. "And not a moment too soon," Tony muttered.

FRIDAY soon spoke with an update. "The suit has returned with the replacement fuel line, Boss. Shall I begin repairs?" she asked.

Tony rolled his eyes. "No, FRIDAY. We've grown rather fond of sitting in this abandoned field in a broken-down helicopter," he spouted with a smirk, making Pepper giggle. "Come on. Let's get this bird in the sky, huh? My wife and baby girl need to get home," he said, giving Pepper a loving smile. She smiled back, and tilted her head to kiss his lips. He kissed her back, letting it linger for a moment before breaking away to gaze at her in amazement of what she'd endured to bring their daughter into the world.

"Got it. And might I give you my formal congratulations?" the AI replied.

"You may," Tony purred proudly, keeping his eyes on his wife. "And might I say how amazing you are, Mrs. Stark? I'm so proud of you. Look at what you did!" he said in astonishment, moving his eyes from hers to their daughter, who was now a very rosy shade of pink, and sleeping soundly in her mother's arms.

"Look at what we did," Pepper corrected, smiling proudly at the little girl. "She's perfect. I can't stop staring at her! I'm so in love."

Tony grinned and wrapped his arm around Pepper's shoulder to lean in for a closer look. He gently grasped the baby's hand, and her fingers instantly curled around her father's index finger. Tony and Pepper both chuckled softly when this happened, and he began to lovingly stroke the back of his daughter's hand with the pad of his thumb in reply. "So am I," he murmured, confessing. He chuckled at himself in surprise. "Who could've guessed, right?"

"I knew you would be. I saw it in your eyes the second we found out I was pregnant," Pepper replied, looking up at her husband in admiration. "That, and you wanted to tell anyone who would listen that you were going to be a father."

"She's not wrong," Happy chimed in. "You've had baby-on-the-brain since day one. You're complete mush, now," he teased.

"Well, it's only gonna get worse, Hap. Better get used to it," Tony informed him, giving him a defiant grin. Pepper and Happy chuckled.

"Glad to hear it, Boss. That's the way it should be," Happy replied, giving his friend a look of admiration.

Tony and Happy exchanged knowing glances, each recognizing how much things had changed since the early days, when Happy was just an amateur prizefighter, and Tony was a devil-may-care playboy who hired the scrappy guy to be his bodyguard.

Tony's lips curled in a reminiscent smile for a moment before he turned to Pepper with his hands out. "OK, Pep. Hand her over. Gimme the baby. It's Daddy-daughter time, " he commanded.

Pepper scoffed, and then chuckled. "My,my! A new baby and a new philosophy on being handed things. You are coming along quite nicely, Mr. Stark," she teased, as she gingerly placed the baby in Tony's eager hands.

"Well, how can I say no to this little face? Hellooo, beautiful. Yeah, that's right. Daddy's got you," he cooed to his daughter, as he delicately settled the baby into the crook of his elbow and then eased back against the seat.

Pepper grinned lovingly at the sight, and sleepily rested her head against her husband's shoulder. "Oh, now I've done it, haven't I?" she teased. "I may never get her back after this."

"Yep. I'm afraid you've made a grave mistake, here, Potts," Tony joked. "And I regret to inform you that you'll also have to share my heart with another woman from this point forward."

Pepper laughed. "Well, I'm willing to go along for two reasons," she explained. "One, I'm more than happy to share you in this particular set of circumstances. And two, I'm too exhausted to argue."

"Then sleep, Baby. You've certainly earned it," Tony said, turning to kiss the top of his wife's head.

At her husband's behest, Pepper settled in, and let out a relieved sigh as she closed her eyes. It wasn't long before she was sound asleep, and FRIDAY announced that the repairs to the fuel line had been made.

"Then, homeward bound," Tony murmured, not wanting to wake his sleeping wife, infant daughter, and now, he found, his Head of Security, who had also dozed off.

"Sure thing, Boss," the AI murmured back, and soon, Tony felt the rotors engage. Shortly after, the helicopter gently lifted off, and headed north for the compound. The baby seemingly had felt the upward shift in momentum, and frowned, sleepily opening one eye.

"Sshhhhhh, it's okay, Princess. I've got you," Tony quietly assured his daughter. "And look at this! Not even a whole hour old, and you're already taking your first ride in a company helicopter! Are you a Stark, or what?" he mused with a proud, loving smile.

XxXxXxXx

Happy awoke suddenly when he sensed the doors to the waiting room had opened. The chopper had safely landed about an hour before at the compound, and the medical staff had rushed Pepper and the baby off to give them both a thorough exam. Tony, of course, had followed closely behind, stopping only long enough to promise Happy he'd be back to give him any news as soon as he had some before leaving his loyal friend alone to wait.

Tony entered the waiting area about an hour later beaming, and Happy lumbered sleepily out of his seat to meet him.

"How are they? Is everybody okay? How's the baby?" he asked in his lingering grogginess.

"They're perfect. Couldn't be better," Tony replied proudly, his eyes sparkling in delight.

"Good. That's good," Happy said. He then exhaled heavily. "Well. It's been a long night, Boss. I...guess I should turn in..." he began, making a move toward the exit.

"Actually, Pepper would like to see you before you leave," Tony told him. "We...have something we need to talk to you about."

It's probably to agree to sign a confidentiality agreement, Happy thought, considering the graphic details of the birth. "Uh...sh-sure, Boss. Anything you want," he cautiously replied.

Tony smiled and nodded once in the affirmative before turning to head back toward Pepper's hospital room, with Happy following him.

XxXxXxXxXx

Once they reached the room, Tony opened the door and motioned for Happy to step inside, where he found Pepper resting comfortably in a hospital gown, with her baby girl sleeping softly in her arms. The infant had been bathed, swaddled in receiving blankets, and a tiny bow made of pink satin ribbon had been fastened in her hair.

Pepper smiled at the sight of her friend. "Happy!" she cooed softly. "I'm so glad you've come!"

Happy smiled back and walked to her bedside. "Hi, Pepper. I...uh...I was almost going to head out, but...Tony said you've got something you wanna talk about?" he stammered.

Pepper nodded and inhaled to speak, but Happy spoke up, interrupting. "If it's about what happened tonight?...With my having to...and seeing the..." he stammered again. He brought his hands up in defense. "Look. Don't worry. We can pretend it didn't happen. We don't have to mention it ever again. No one needs to know that I...I mean, just know that I tried really hard not to...to look at what was..."

Pepper chuckled, her cheeks reddening in empathy for how embarrassed he seemed to be. "Happy, it's fine. You did what you had to do. And I'm grateful for it, believe me," she assured him.

Tony moved around to sit next to Pepper on the other side of the bed, and leaned in to put an arm around her shoulders. "We both are, Hap. Honest. You were there for us when we needed you the most. Plus, you saved our daughter's life. We can't ever repay you for what you did tonight. But..." he said, glancing at Pepper briefly for permission before he proceeded. She gave him an affirmative nod, so Tony continued. "We'd like to try," he finished.

Happy frowned, not fully understanding. "Are you talking about...the thing I said before about the title?" he asked hopefully.

Tony chuckled. "The Head of Security position is yours, Hap. It was never officially stripped in the first place," he said, getting a delighted smile in reply from his friend. "But Pepper and I feel like you've earned another title, as well. How does co-Godfather sound? It's co because we've kind of already asked Rhodey to be Godfather?" he explained, wincing, and teetering his head from side to side. "But we're sure he'd be willing to share the role considering."

Happy gasped, and grinned. "I...really? You guys! I don't know what to say! I'm...I'm flattered! Honored! Are you kidding? You want me to be Godfather?...well, co-Godfather, technically. But, still that's..." he babbled.

"Just say yes, Hap," Tony prodded jokingly.

"Yes!" Happy cried. "Absolutely! I accept! Nothing would give me more pleasure!"

Pepper smiled fondly at him. "Wonderful!" she cooed.

Happy then awkwardly motioned to the baby. "You...uh...you mind if I hold my new...God-daughter?" he asked bashfully. "Just for a minute?"

Pepper happily obliged. "Of course! By all means!" she said, slowly handing the baby to him, as Tony watched, grinning at the rough-and-tumble ex boxer suddenly morphing into something of a gentle giant, his daughter looking so tiny in the big man's arms.

After Happy gingerly took the infant from her, he began to softly bounce up and down. "Hey, little one? Long time, no see," he cooed softly. Tony and Pepper watched fondly in silence as Happy gazed at the baby, his expression one of quiet wonder. "She's beautiful," he reiterated, his voice soft and reverent. "Truly. Like a little doll." Another quiet moment passed before Happy spoke again. "You and me are going to be buddies, aren't we? I already know it," he told the baby.

Tony and Pepper shared a loving glance, their expressions clearly displaying their confidence in their choice to make Happy a part of their family.

After a few moments, Tony spoke up again. "Well? In the interest of moving on, care to tell him what's behind door number two, Pep?" he asked his wife jokingly, making her chuckle.

Happy looked up from the baby with a curious smile. "There's more?" he asked.

Tony moved to start rubbing his hands together, and giving Happy a mischievous smirk. "I just have one question for you, my good man!" he teased. "If you could go anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would it be?"

Happy's eyebrows shot up, and his mouth fell agape. "Uh...well, I...uh...I haven't been to my sister's in Hoboken in a while, so...I guess I should probably pay her a visit..."

Tony spluttered, scoffing. "Come on! You're killing me. We're offering you a trip of a lifetime, all expenses paid, go where-ever you want, and you pick New Jersey?!" he exclaimed with a grimace. He waived his hands in dismissal. "Get outta here with that already, and live a little, huh?! You can do better than that! Come on, Hap. Give it to me," he urged, gesturing for Happy to give him what he was asking for. "Where would your dream vacation be?"

Happy worked his jaw, frowning as he thought. "Anywhere?" he asked.

"Anywhere," Tony and Pepper answered in unison.

Happy smiled, and then chuckled sheepishly, thinking for a moment longer before a knowing smile crept over his lips. "Somewhere you can get a massage while drinking endless Mai-Tai's on the beach," he said, his voice dreamy but his answer resolute.

Tony grinned slyly. "I know just the place," he replied with a smirk.