A/N: Here we are at the last chapter! Hope you enjoyed it. There will be more stories soon keep an eye out!

Epilogue

Steve sat on the couch, reading a newspaper when Tony stepped into the room, it had been two weeks since the miscarriage, both Bruce and Clint were back on duty, though light for Clint, and Tony would be back on light Avengers duty next week. He was looking forward to getting out beyond board meetings. Pepper had also started to make progress, though slow, she'd spent several days off of work before finally returning.

The rest of the team was downstairs helping show Jane and Darcy, who had only just recently shown up, self defense in case they ever needed it. Something about what had happened to Pepper ignited an overprotective streak in the men on the team. So Tony decided to take this moment to clear the air. "You know, when I was a kid you were all my dad talked about. Sober or drunk, he was so damn proud of you."

Steve looked up, but kept quiet as Tony moved over to the chair next to him. It was rare for Tony to talk about his dad, but he wanted things between them to be better. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little envious of Clint, Bruce and Tony's friendship. Sometimes he felt so alone even surrounded by all his friends.

"Maybe it's selfish or stupid of a kid to want his father to say 'wow son, you've done so well', or 'congrats kiddo you got into MIT at the age of fourteen', but I always heard him talk about you in such high regard, I always wondered what did I have to do to hear him talk about me like that…I think after awhile my childish admiration of you became envy and hatred."

"I'm sorry, Tony. No child deserves to be treated that way, especially not by their own father, and it isn't childish to want to hear you're a good kid and that you've done well for yourself."

Tony nodded, "It took a long time for me to realize it wasn't my fault, it was his. I was eighteen when he died, and I didn't cry over his death, only my mom's. It wasn't until my kidnapping in Afghanistan that I started to regret not knowing him better, could I have made more of an effort to be his son. Was there something I could have done to make him happier? And then you were found, and a part of me hated you, but another part of me couldn't wait to see if you were really as cool as my father said."

"I should never have said what I did to you, Tony. Certainly not now that I know what you went through, but it was cruel of me to say it to begin with."

Tony waved his hand, "We already hashed that out, Cap. I guess what I'm trying to say now is can we just start over. Both of us put the picture of Howard Stark we have out of our minds. You can just be Steve Rogers and me Tony Stark?"

Steve smiled, "I'd like that, Tony."

"Good, good." They were silent for a moment, before Tony spoke again, "I'm proposing to Pepper…I was wondering if you'd be one of my groomsman."

Steve chuckled, "I'd be honored, Tony."

"Awesome, we good here?"

"Yes."

"Cool," Tony stood and walked out.

o0o

3 months later

Tony looked up at his building, both Clint and Bruce were seated in the car with him, Clint in the back. Natasha, Steve and the girls were on their way. Pepper was supposed to be in meetings for another ten minutes.

"Okay, so we go in, you put it on her desk and you are going to walk into the room, once she's inside."

"Right, then I'll pop the question."

"Stark, do you copy, we're in position," Natasha's voice rang over the com system.

"Operation Pop to Pepper is a go," Stark replied as he hopped out of the vehicle, he took the package from Clint and headed inside, before the front desk manager could speak he silenced her with lips to his finger and held up the small box in his hand. She gave him a thumbs up, knowing the day was coming and he took the express elevator that would take him directly to his office without any side trips. "I'm in, and headed to my office now."

"We're headed in, the bubbly and celebratory cake is at the front desk, awaiting your word," Bruce answered.

"All right, be subtle, don't take the elevator until she's in my office and I give the signal."

"Roger that," Clint's voice filled the line.

"Gloria," Tony grinned as he walked past their assistant, he stepped into the room and set the package and the card on her desk, he then stepped back out of the office where Gloria stood and moved to a cabinet, as according to the plan he slid under the desk where he would be unseen by Pepper.

Five minutes later he heard the ding of the elevator. He waited until he heard her footsteps inside the office and he clicked his ear piece, "Send in the clouds," he murmured. He took off his headset, stood up, brushing himself off and moved towards the door.

Pepper stepped into her office, sighing, another day another dollar, but she didn't want to be at her office, she wanted to be in Tony's arms. She walked towards the doors, smiling at her assistant who was giving her an odd grin. "Morning Gloria," she opened the doors to the office, it used to be Tony's but since they took over New York and the Avengers only she used the office in California.

A small box wrapped in red with a yellow card sat on her desk. Turning her head slightly she walked over to it, and opened the yellow card.

To my beautiful Virginia Potts

Confused she unwrapped the box; it was in similar size as the one she'd given him when she'd mounted his arc reactor three years ago. She gasped, inside a glass box sat a ring box, around it laid a circle that read in beautifully delicate words: Proof that you are Tony Stark's heart.

"Oh my god," she murmured her hands shaking as she slowly lifted the glass and grabbed the ring box. She flipped it open to find it empty.

"Virginia Potts," a beautifully familiar voice caused her to turn around, Tony was standing in his favorite suit with a large grin on his face and he smiled at her. She was positive the rest of the team stood outside watching the video feed of this, but she'd let him have whatever necessary. He began to move slowly towards her, speaking, "For the past twelve years you have been my assistant, my friend, my partner and ultimately the only person on this planet I honestly trusted." He took her hands in his, gently rubbing them with his thumbs. "You are beautiful, smart and I love the way you can go toe to toe with me. You are my better half, and the only half of me that makes me want to get up every morning. You were the reason I fought to get out of the cave in Afghanistan," he began to sink to one knee as Pepper covered her mouth to keep from crying and grinning at the same time. "You were the reason I flew at an unbelievable speed to make sure you didn't get blown up. You were the reason I flew a nuke through that portal and you were the reason I knew I had to live after all that damage. Pepper, you've done so much for me, so I'm not sure if I even have a right to ask you for one more favor, but would you do me the greatest honor and marry me."

Outside the office, Clint pulled Natasha closer and kissed her forehead as she grinned. Steve, Darcy and Jane watched intently and Bruce was too busy wanting to jump up and down.

Pepper sank down to her knees as well staring at him; she reached out, cupping his cheeks and face. "Tony, I couldn't imagine a day in my life without you. It's not just a favor, it's my dream come true. Yes, yes I will marry you Anthony."

He threw his arms around her, and she him held tight. When he pulled away finally, he gripped her shaking hand in his and slid the beautiful ring over her dainty finger. "I love you."

"I love you too, Tony."

The End, for now.