It had been two weeks since Tony had been kidnapped. Every news outlet had made their statements about what they believed happened. Brock said he'd stay for another week but had to go back to work then. Pepper had soon received a phone call from Obadiah Stane, requesting to meet with her about the media coverage of Tony's kidnapping. When she'd tried to tell him she had business to attend to in the tower and couldn't leave at the moment unless it was an emergency Obadiah had suggested he come over there around noon tomorrow.
Pepper wasn't too excited about Obadiah coming over while Tony was trying to keep Peter a secret from the rest of the world. Although she'd already told Brock about him, but she was in need of some help taking care of him while she was trying get some work done. Now, Pepper had to tell Brock when he got in at 7 about Obadiah's visit.
Brock and Pepper had agreed on him getting there around 7 in the mornings and he could leave about 9 since Peter slept during most of the time in between. Although Peter usually woke up around 6, they had agreed on 7 so Pepper could have an hour alone with Peter every morning while Tony was gone.
Peter seemed to live on an internal seclude. He'd sleep around the same time everyday. He'd want food around the same time everyday. And he'd need a diaper change around the same time everyday. He was oddly consistent which may help Tony in the long run, help him adjust to a normal sleeping schedule for once.
As her thoughts were about Tony's life may be affected by Peter if he returned, the elevator dinged open as Brock entered the living room, which had become their workspace during the mornings. Peter seemed to be slightly cranky in the mornings but once it was around 9 and was having his second nap of the day he was the happy, giggly baby he normally was.
Brock walked over to the couch where Pepper and Peter were. Pepper was lightly rocking Peter as he slowly perked up after finishing his breakfast. "Hey Pep." Brock said, falling onto the couch.
Pepper looked over to Brock as Peter blinked up at her, "Hi Brock. How are you this morning?" she asked, starting to bounce Peter in hopes to help wake him up some more.
While the two adults greeted each other, Peter grabbed at a piece of Pepper's hair and tried to pull it. Pepper and Brock looked at the little boy, who was grinning up at both of them. "I guess someone's ready to start playing today." Pepper said, standing up from the couch and walked over to the play mat that was near some of the windows along the edge of the living room.
"You know Pepper," Brock called from the couch, "I was thinking maybe I could take Peter and we could go to the park or the zoo today. Get some fresh air." Pepper contemplated the idea for a moment before agreeing that it would be a good idea for Peter to get out for a day.
She'd known Brock for two weeks, well enough to trust him with Peter, out for an afternoon. "I think if you guys went around 10 and were back by 2 at the latest, Peter will just sleep till 5." Pepper suggested.
"Sounds like a plan, thanks Pepper." Brock replied.
Pepper walked back towards the kitchen, "I'll pack you guys a few things and I can go get the stroller from the garage." Pepper said, pulling a few empty bottles from the cupboards.
Two hours later, everything was packed and the stroller was brought up. Brock had spoke with J.A.R.V.I.S. and had decide on going to the Central Perk Zoo that was a short walk away from the tower.
When Brock and Peter had gotten to the zoo, it wasn't very busy by a New York standard. Peter was giggling and clapping his hands together as they walked past the animals. Brock would tell Peter what the animal was called, Peter would try to say it and was quite unsuccessful.
First it was the lions. "These are the lions Peter."
Followed by Peter's response, "Ions."
Then it was the tigers. "Peter, those are tigers."
"Ige!"
Bears were, "Beas."
Turtles were, "Toots."
And penguins were, "Pegoos."
But when Brock was showing Peter the different animals in the air-conditioned insect exhibit, Peter wasn't trying to say anything back. He thought maybe he'd fallen asleep but when he looked down at him he saw he was looking intently at something towards the exit of the room.
As Brock walked closer to what Peter was looking, he realized he was looking at a bunch of spiders that had brown fur. Brock tried to find what kind of spider they were but the plaque was broken so the name was missing.
When Brock pushed Peter out of the insect exhibit. Peter let out a big yawn and started making grabby hands at Brock. Brock walked them over to a nearby, empty bench and pulled Peter out of the stroller. Brock tried to give him a pacifier but Peter just batted it away. He tried one of the bottles next and watched Peter try to grasp the bottle but his hands were still too small.
After Peter finished two of the three bottles that were packed, he accepted the pacifier the second time it was offered and dozed off to sleep shortly after. When Brock looked at his watch once he realized Peter was asleep, he saw that it was just 15 after noon. He pulled out his phone as he walked back toward the entrance of the zoo, heading towards central park.
B: Hey, you available?
J: Yeah. Why?
B: I'm with the kid
J: Alone?
B: Yeah
J: Where are you?
B: Heading to Central Park
B: Meet me there?
J: Be there in five