Morgan was steadily watching Tony the entire time they ate dinner. At times, Tony would look over at her and smile and she would smile back even wider, then try to get the lasagna into her mouth without taking her eyes off of him. When she missed Tony would chuckle and wipe the mess off her face.

"You should probably pay attention to your food," Tony whispered, leaning in close as he finished wiping the sauce off. "I'm not going anywhere." His heart ached at the sentence because, in reality, he knew he wouldn't be able to stay here. Pepper wasn't comfortable with it, and Tony just wanted what was best for her.

Tony lifted his head, a smile still on his face as his eyes trailed over to where Pepper and Rhodey sat. Pepper had a soft smile on her face and that lifted Tony's spirits a little. His eyes moved to Rhodey and he was watching with an equally bright smile.

"I was thinking," Rhodey begins, fingers tapping on the table next to his empty plate. "We should go out tonight. Catch up and all that." Rhodey sends Tony a knowing look and Tony's smile falls a little.

"Why not?"

"But-" Morgan cuts in to object and Pepper stops her.

"They haven't seen each other in a while honey," Pepper tells her daughter softly, watching as her face falls. "You'll see him again tomorrow. Don't worry."

"Promise?" Morgan mumbles the question, pushing her food around with her fork and slumping in her chair. Tony swallows and looks at Pepper. The two lock eyes and Pepper nods.

"Promise." Tony clears his throat and checks the time.

"Isn't it past your bedtime?" He asks the little girl. It really had gotten late. Dinner had been a late start as Morgan kept distracting Tony from his food preparations. Morgan lets a smile slip onto her face. "Why don't you head up to bed?" He asks, giving her a small smile. Pepper stands and takes Morgan upstairs. Once they cleared the room, Tony sighs and places his head on the table.

"You okay?" Rhodey asks concern lacing his voice. Tony's body shudders and he lifts his head.

"At some point, I'm going to have to tell her I'm not really her father." Tony lets out a shaky breath and clasps his trembling hands in his lap. "I don't think my heart will be able to take that." He whispers, eyes closing as memories swarm through his mind. He feels a strong hand on his shoulder and he opens his eyes to see Rhodey crouching down in front of him.

"It's gonna suck, but we'll be there with you when you have to. Pepper will help Morgan get through it and I'll help you." Tony smiles at him and nods his thanks. He clears his throat and shifts in his seat.

"We should probably get this cleaned up before we leave." Rhodey nods and stands. It's not the first time Tony's eyes stray to the braces on his legs. He wants to ask why he has them. He wants to know what happened, but it's not his business.

So, he stands and helps his friend wash and dry the dishes, then place the leftover lasagna in a Tupperware for Morgan and Pepper.

"She'll still love you," Rhodey says to him a few minutes later after they've said goodbye to Pepper. The walk to Rhodey's car is cold and Tony shivers. "No matter what happens." Tony can't tell if he's talking about Morgan or Pepper.

"I hope you're right." Rhodey claps Tony on the back and the shorter man stumbles, letting out a rush of air as he does so.

"I've been meaning to ask you something." Rhodey states as they enter the car. Tony quirks an eyebrow at him as he buckles his seatbelt. Rhodey turns the car on and puts it in gear. "If Extremis fixed up your heart, why do you still have the reactor?"

"Extremis did what it could but the version we used must be different from the one you have. It fixed the damage as well as it could, but my sternum is a different story. We used a low concentration of it so it couldn't kill me, so in reality, all Extremis did was heal my heart a little. Scars still cover it and it doesn't always cooperate. The reactor is there to keep it going. Just as your Tony's would have. Shrapnel is gone, but that wasn't the only damage done. Until I can find something that can help make me a new sternum, I'm stuck with this beauty." He taps the reactor then lets his hands fall into his lap. "Can I ask you something?" Hesitation is what leaves with the words.

"It's only fair," Rhodey says with a smile.

"What happened to your legs?" Rhodey sighs and turns a corner.

"It's a long story." Tony quirks a smile.

"I've got time."