Chapter Ten: Surprise!

"Whoa."

Lights, bright shining lights were hanging everywhere. Decorations were hanged up, and I couldn't believe that only did it all by himself. I'd think he'd have some help, but no, Tony decorated the entire house by himself.

I took a look at the living room, and was surprised to see the biggest Christmas tree I've ever seen. The whole entire thing the lights, the decorations, the Christmas tree, it all seem to compliment the house. Truly amazing.

"You like?" I heard a voice behind me. I turned my head to see who it was. Tony. Of course. I faced the living room again.

"Yeah, how did you do this? It's amazing." I was in awe.

"I had a little help from JARVIS, DUM-E, and U." he replied.

"Ahhh. That explains it. You couldn't have done this by yourself." I turned and faced him.

"Hey, I could've done this by myself, thank you very much."

"But I know you, Tony, and you couldn't have done this by yourself especially with the little time left until Christmas." I argued.

"Yeah, well, it got done. Be happy it got done in time. I'm usually late by about a month at most."

"Seriously? Do you even celebrate Christmas, Tony?" I asked.

"Yes and no. I give Pepper and Rhodey presents, but that's all I do. I don't do anything else, besides calling you every year."

"What about Jarvis's stocking? Don't you hang that up every year?" I asked.

Tony scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah. I still do that." I awed at the fluffiness.

"Well, for a guy who doesn't celebrate Christmas, except for hanging his butler's stocking, you've out done yourself, Tony. Well done." I complemented.

"Thank you, it means a lot from you." He replied.

"Anyway, tell me Tony, what did you get Pepper this year for Christmas?"

I walked around and sat on the couch looking at the enormous tree in front of me. Tony walked past me and sat next to me putting his arm around my shoulders. I leaned towards him.

"Well, I got her what I get her every year. A picture of me!" I turned my head and gave him a stern look.

"Kidding. This year I gave her a necklace. I usually give her jewellery." I turned back and stared straight at the tree.

"Nice choice. What about Happy? What are you going to give him?"

"A buff guy to beat up. Have you noticed he has a thing for boxing?"

"Really? A guy for him to beat up? Why don't you just give him tickets for a boxing match?"

"Good idea. Didn't think of that."

"Really? Ugh, you're so hard to understand sometimes. Anyway, what did you get Rhodey?"

"Well, we do own him a new girlfriend after the whole food fight fiasco, so I'll give him a date for the upcoming party I'm having next week."

"Party? What party? I wasn't told of a party?"

"Well, now you know. We're having a party. For New Year's. Kinda of an office party, but there's an important guy coming and now that I think about it, you can help me."

"How?" I asked.

"Dunno, but we'll figure that out when the day comes."

"One more question."

"And that would be?"

"What did you get me for Christmas?" I said.

"Went for the blunt way, I see. Well, you aren't getting a peep from me. You'll just have to wait until Christmas morning."

"But that's 2 days away! I can't wait that long!" I responded.

"Of course you can. Don't even try to look for your present. It's not in the house."

"I'll keep that in mind." I said and snuggled closer to Tony. Silence. It was peaceful and I enjoyed every second of it.

"Tony?"

"Hmm?"

"You're the best."

"Now you're just stating the obvious." He said, while I laughed softly.

Narrator's POV

Quite a scene. Tony and Callie sharing a brother/sister moment. How touching.

During their conversation, neither of them heard Pepper walk up behind them. She didn't hear the beginning off their conversation, so she hasn't found out about her present.

She stares at the two in awe. She never thought that Callie would mean so much to Tony. Pepper knows of their close friendship, she just didn't think they were that close.

Pepper quietly walks away, only to return with a camera in hand. She snaps a picture of the two as they sit on the couch, just enjoying each others presence. Pepper smiles and walks away.

Christmas Day

Callie's POV

"Thanks for the presents, Callie." Pepper said.

"No need to thank me. At least not until Tony gets his present. As for the other one, Tony helped me. So you should thank him for the dress as well." I replied.

I had gotten Pepper two presents. A dark red strapless dress that complimented her. I also got her some ear plugs.

"Well, thank you too, Tony." Pepper addressed the genius who was sitting on the couch.

"Well, the only way I helped was to pay for it. So you're welcome. Now where's my present?" He asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Behind the tree. Where you can't see it. Also, Tony?" Tony had already gotten up and went in search of his present. His head popped from behind the tree.

"Yes?" He said.

"Don't use your present day and night. Especially night. At least don't use it to a point to where I'll go deaf." I pleaded.

"No promises." He emerged from behind the tree with a big rectangular present. He sat on the couch and stared immensely at the present.

"Well, are you going to open it or just stare at it?" Pepper asked.

"I'm trying to guess what it will be." He replied.

"That's going to get you nowhere, Tony, just open it." I said.

He grumbled and started opening it. Tony ripped the wrapping paper and was met with a cardboard box. He proceeded to open the box and pulled out a... guitar.

"Thanks Cal! I love it! Did you-"

"The amp is in the garage." I said with a smile.

"I like his present too. I just don't like what he might do with it." Pepper said. Tony dismissed her comment.

"Well, if it's in the garage then let's go get it. Your present is down there anyway, Cal." Tony said.

"Seriously? Well, what are we waiting for let's go!" I said and quickly got up and sped down the stairs toward the garage, followed by a chuckling Tony and a giggling Pepper.

Once I reached the garage I put my code in and opened the door. I scanned the room and found nothing. Completely empty. What was he playing at? I heard the door open behind me. I turned with a look of disbelief.

"There's nothing here. What are you playing at, Tony?" I told him.

"You didn't really think I'd leave it out in the open, did you?" He responded.

"Maybe." I said sheepishly. Tony laughed. Pepper smiled at me from behind him.

"Well, then you don't have to wait any longer. JARVIS, please bring out Cal's present."

The door to the left that was near the entrance of the garage opened and out came what I has been wishing for since I was nine. A motorcycle.

Though I may resemble Mom much (apparently I look more like Mom, though I don't see it), she passed me some of her traits - other than being intelligent, one of which would be enjoying the thrill of motorcycles.

Mom enjoyed driving fast past the open country back home in Texas. She had a bike, but sold it when she joined SHIELD.

I had seen pictures of Mom with that bike and I always wanted one, since Mom told me stories about how it felt with the wind blowing in the air and breathing the fresh open country air. But I never told Tony about wanting a bike, so how did he know?

"How did you know, Tony?" I asked.

"I saw the picture of your mom with the bike and thought that you might like one. I saw this one, since its similar to the one your mom had. Do you like it?" He said.

"I love it! Thanks, Tony!" I hugged Tony. In return, he hugged me and gave me a pat on the head when I didn't let go.

I let go afterward and went to go and inspect my new present from Tony. The bike was amazing. I hadn't been able to see the engine, but I decided to do that tomorrow. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and found Pepper holding a box with a red ribbon on top. I gave her a quizzical look.

"What's in the box?" I asked. Pepper just pushed it into my hands as a response. I set it on the floor and sat down next to it. I cautiously opened the box, since I didn't know what was going on.

Because it might have been another of Tony's pranks. I was getting tired of those pranks, maybe I'll get him back. Soon.

What I saw before my eyes was a helmet, only this seemed to be familiar. I slowly turned it in my hands and inspected it. It was really familiar, I just couldn't place my finger on it. I looked on the inside of the helmet and saw in a neat handwriting the name 'Jay Williams'.

I looked up at Pepper, who was beaming at me, and Tony, who just gave me a sort of sad smile. He knew how touchy the Mom subject was. I didn't know what to say.

"It must have taken you forever to find this thing." I said at last. Tony snorted.

"Not really, your mom sent me the helmet after she sold her bike. Told me to guard it until she needed it again. She never needed it again, but Pepper decided that it would be a nice thing for you to have as reminder of her. Also, it'll keep you safe." He said.

I stared at him. He just stated the obvious. I looked back to the helmet. It was Mom's. This was Mom's helmet and now its in my hands. This was something that I will keep forever. I'm taking this with me when I go back to Dad.

Next Day

Tony's POV

"So...I heard that you had quite a time in Switzerland last year for New Year's." Cal said from behind me. How did she find out about that Pepper wasn't even there and Happy...well, yeah.

"How do you even know about that? I was at a conference there." I said.

"There was a report of you flying your private jet over there, that I just happened to stumble on when I was bored this morning." She looked over at me as she talked. Wow, she is good, but she's still in trouble.

"Blame Happy. He told me about that trip when I was talking to him this morning." She added.

"Sir, I can confirm that what Miss Callie said is true." JARVIS said in his sort of monotone voice. I looked at Callie. Way to go, Happy. Blabbing to the one person who can use it against me.

"Thanks for the info JARVIS...I'm going to work now. They just called me a while ago. They need my genius, so I'm going to be gone for a few hours. Be back soon." I said and left.

Callie's POV

Even when completely taken aback Tony, still had his arrogance. I saw Tony get in a car and drive away. I smirked. He fell for it.

"Thanks for the back up, JARVIS. Tony fell for that completely. That'll show Happy. He won't see it coming." I said.

"It was my pleasure to help you Miss Callie. I have had great fun in tricking Mr. Stark." JARVIS replied.

JARVIS is really helpful with pranks. I should get his help more often.