Chapter 10:
PVO - Tony Stark
When they all leave, Pepper has her back to me. "Pep?" I ask, wincing slightly since my throat is still incredibly soar.
"Your not supposed to be talking Tony." She says, still not facing me.
"Well you won't look at me, so."
"Stop talking Tony!" She practically yells at me turning, I see tears running down her cheeks and I freeze.
"Pep?" I ask, against her wishes. She walks over to me and I stretch my uninjured arm to touch her cheek, "what's wrong?"
"Tony stop talking, I got you the tablet you might as well use it."
"Fine." I type onto the tablet. "What's wrong?"
"I'm scared Tony." She says, running a hand absentmindedly through my hair. I look up at her.
"About me not being able to walk again?" I type and she nods.
"They say it is impossible for you to ever be able to stand again Tony."
"Nothing is impossible for me, I'm the great Tony Stark." I type, but she knows I don't completely believe it myself anymore.
"Natasha says you might be able to make something for your legs to help you stand."
"That might be possible." I write after a slight hesitation.
"Tony, you have to promise me that you will try. I can't bare to see you in pain, especially not able to move."
"I know Pepper." But I know she hasn't told me everything yet. "That's not the only reason why you are scared."
"It's not." She says, but doesn't offer anything else.
"Pepper..."
"It is two things Tony."
"What?"
"What are you going to do about Iron Man? Are you going to still fight?"
"If I ca-"
"No." She simply says.
"Pep-"
"NO. You are not going back to fight in this condition Tony."
"Pep, I can stand while I'm in the suit."
"No Tony!"
"But"
"I will not allow it." She says, tears springing into her eyes.
"Pep, I am going to try to make something that allows me to stand. Then will I be able to?"
"Maybe." She says, not agreeing to anything, well its a start. "I'm not saying you have to stop making weapons for the others, just no direct fighting."
"Yet."
"Tony-"
"What's the other thing?" I ask, speaking this time. She shoots me a look.
"Don't speak Tony."
"Fine." I type again.
"Tony." She says, in a serious tone. I turn to look at her showing her that she has all of my attention. "You know how for the past couple of months we have been truing for a child?" She ask, and I instantly know what she is saying.
"You are pregnant." I say verbally, smiling as the shock sinks in.
She doesn't scold me this time, instead she says, "Yes."
I turn to look at her, grinning from ear to ear, "That is great news Pep." I say, wincing once again.
"I'm scared though Tony." She says, and I know this is the main thing that was bothering her.
"You will be a great mother." I type.
"And you will make a great father Tony. But, it is a lot to think about with your current condition." Shit, I think. I completely forgot about that. She sees the realisation appear on my face.
I close my eyes and ask, "What are we gonna do Pep?"
She doesn't reprimand me for speaking, instead she says, "I don't know Tony."
"Well." I say, and Pepper lightly slaps my head making my eyes open and point to the tablet. I grin crookedly at her before typing, "At least now I have both a deadline and a drive to figure out how to walk again."
"If any one can do it Tony, its you."
"I hope so Pep, I hope so." I type.
I am told that I need to spend at least another week in the hospital. With the help of JARVIS, Bruce, and Pepper I am able to start working on my latest project. Something that I am currently calling, Mission Stark Legs. Bruce helps by filling me in on everything that is medically wrong with my legs. Pepper is there for moral support and is currently waiting to go to see a doctor until I can go with her. May god bless that woman.
Pepper hardly ever leaves the hospital, but I made Bruce promise to make sure she gets at least eight hours of sleep a night. I also make sure she eats extra food, without others noticing. Pepper says that after going to the Doctor we will tell the others. Bruce and Rhode first. Pepper left one day to allow some construction guys to make the stairs in the house into ramps so I could go there.
The press doesn't know where I am at the moment but they know I am very injured, they have seen the video after all. Natasha and the others have been visiting, but they mainly staying at the base to find out what they can from Hammer. Apparently Clint, Natasha, and Bruce are no longer allowed in the same room with him though for fear of one of them killing him.
Rhodey spends some time with me in the hospital, we catch up on what ever the military is doing before he has to go back. When only Pepper and I are in the room, we talk about names and who we want the godfather to be. If my child is male, he will not be named after my father. Pepper knew I wouldn't have wanted that and never even mentioned his name. We decided to have Bruce be the godfather, since he already lives with us and because he is the only person I know who is somewhat as smart as I am.
I know that once we get back to the house, I will not be fully healed. And I know that Pepper will not let me go straight to the lab when we get back. However, hopefully soon I can be down there. I want to make sure I can at least somewhat walk by the time my unborn child is born. Fingers crossed I will be successful.
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