The room went up and down to Lila as Pepper playfully rocketed her up and down on her knees. Lila started giggling like crazy and Pepper sat up on the bed and hugged her to her laughing a little herself.
"You said WE were gonna play rocket." Tony pouted, leaning against the door frame.
"I told you, LATER." Pepper purred out in a seductive whisper.
Tony smiled wide. He dove onto the bed and popped back up and took Lila from Pepper's arms. "That's right your mom and dad are playing rocket tonight and you, Lila Rose, are not allowed to play 'rocket' until... forever."
Pepper smiled at the sight of Tony trying to lay down the rules to a one month old who was pulling at his goatee.
"Tony, she's not even crawling yet. I think those rules can be made up later."
"She could be flying." Tony mumbled under his breath quickly and then spoke again. "Yeah, well aren't their brains like sponges at this time. They soak up everything and do whatever you say."
"You are not brainwashing our baby." Pepper laughed.
"Well one of us has to do it."
"Mr. Stark, Colonel Rhodes has arrived on the premises." Jarvis announced and Lila looked around trying to figure out where the voice came from.
"Thank you, Jarvis." Pepper said to the AI.
"You're welcome, Mrs. Stark."
A tingle of excitement ran through Tony's chest whenever he heard anyone, or in this case anything, call Pepper Mrs. Stark. He was quite positive it would never go away and he was damn happy about that because he didn't want it to.
"Are you ready to paint the town red and gold?" Tony waggled his eyebrows suggestively. Pepper bit down on her lip. "Come on, Pepp. You're an independent woman and I know you'll want Lila to be too. You're gonna have to cut those apron strings at some point."
"She's a month." Pepper said again smiling a bit sadly.
"Rhodes will be watching her, Pepp. NOTHING is going to happen to this kid. You know if you want her to be extra safe we could always grab the Iron Baby suit from her nursery and..."
"Let's go." Pepper said walking out of the room.
"I knew that would get her." Tony whispered to Lila as she waved ten tiny fingers in his black hair.
When Tony came downstairs to the living room with Lila Rhodey was assuring Pepper that everything was going to be fine. Pepper shook her head knowingly and kissed Rhodey on the cheek.
"Hey back off my woman." Tony said. "You're already kidnapping my daughter for the night you're not getting my wife too."
Rhodey shook his head and a huge goofy grin spread across his face when he looked at Lila. Lila started bouncing up and down happily at the sight of her Uncle Rhodey. She began to squirm in Tony's arms wanting to go to Rhodey. Rhodey gladly took the baby and cooed at her. Both Tony and Pepper couldn't help but stifle laughs. It was a new side to Rhodey that they both enjoyed. Neither of them knew he was so good with kids. Pepper felt more relived.
"Okay we'll be back around midnight." Pepper told Rhodey.
"Ah, don't wait up." Tony winked at him and slid his arm around Pepper's waist. He quickly began ushering Pepper out before she could change her mind. "Oh and don't let her talk you into a game of five card stud!! She may look all innocent and cute but she cheats!!" Tony yelled over his shoulder.
Rhodey rolled his eyes in amusement and sat down on the couch, bopping and elated Lila up and down on his knee. "What do you feel like doing, Peanut?" Rhodey asked Lila.
Pepper let out a content sigh as she looked out the window up at the night sky as Tony expertly winded the car through traffic. She glanced over at Tony who had a mischievous little smirk on his handsome face.
"Where exactly are we going tonight?" She asked.
"All in due time, Pepper. All in due time."
TBC....
A/N: Awe, I feel bad. I really wanted to finish this chapter but I've been up all night and I need to get some sleep but I wanted to leave you all with a little something to tide you over. The next chapter will be up soon and yes you will get to see Rhodey with Lila and what happens on Tony and Pepper's night out. ;)
