ANother quick update! It may seem like I write fast, but most of these chapters were already written so they just required a little tweaking. Nonetheless, here's another update. 2 more chapters!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of it.

A few days later, she sat at her desk looking over paperwork regarding the next day's meetings. Her phone buzzed and she reached for it, seeing it was a text from Tony.

Surprise for you. Top right desk drawer.
- T

She smiled and opened the drawer. Inside, a note in a familiar, illegible scrawl attached to a small box.

Hey Pep, hope you're having a good day.
Happy one month! Dinner at my house at 8, I'll meet you there.

She looked up as she heard someone come in and saw Tony standing against the doorframe smiling.

"That was a sweet, Tony," she said as he entered and shut the door behind him.

"I dunno what it is about you, Potts, that turns me into a gushy romantic," he replied sheepishly. "Did you open the box?"

"No, not yet. I was going to wait until later to open it. You know, after I left work."

"Ok. I better go. 8 o'clock?"

"Mhmm."

"See you then, love."

"Tony?" she called as she entered his house later that evening.

"In here," he yelled from the kitchen.

She walked over to meet him, finding him attempting to cook something. She smiled and walked over to kiss his cheek. "The necklace is beautiful, Tony. Is it a locket?"

"Yeah, you like it?"

"I love it. It's just…"

"What?" he asked confused.

"Well, it's locked. Is there a key or something?"

He just grinned at her. "Or something…"

She glared at him with a raised eyebrow. "Tony, what did you make?"

"It's just a locket, Pepper," he grinned.

"Nothing is ever just what it appears to be with you, Tony," she said smiling.

"Here, let me see," he said as he took the gold necklace from her. "Ok, give me your hand."

She looked at him curiously, but extended her hand anyways. He took her thumb and placed it on the back of the locket. Instantly, it popped open.

"Oh! How did you do that?"

"I'm amazing," he said with a brilliant smile plastered across his face.

She looked back at the locket still in his hands. Inside was a tiny picture of the two of them, one they had taken during their trip to the zoo- the two of them laughing, just spending time together. It was absolutely adorable and a single tear fell down her face. She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"I'm pretty much the best boyfriend ever, aren't I?" he said with a proud grin.

"Surprisingly enough, you just might be."

He moved to wrap his arms around her and kiss her softly. "Happy one month anniversary, Pepper."

She leans against him, burrowing her head in his chest with a sigh.

"You ok?" he asked, a bit concerned.

She nodded against his chest. "Yeah. I love you, Tony."

"I love you too, Pep."

"Has it really been a month?" she asked softly.

"My math is never wrong, Potts."

"I'm sorry I didn't remember," she said, as she looked down ashamed. "I…I don't have anything for you."

"It's ok, Pep. It's only a month, nothing really special. I've just never gotten this far before so I thought we should celebrate. And let's be honest- I'm bound to forget more times than I remember."

"Should I wonder where all this is coming from? I mean, I always knew deep down you were a nice guy, but this much of a romantic? This I never expected."

"I know, me either, trust me. It's weird," he said softly, shaking his head in wonder.

She eyed him questioningly, silently begging him to explain.

"It's not bad, just new. The idea of a long-term relationship, being with someone that you love and who loves you back," he shrugged his shoulders, "it's so different than anything I've ever done, and yet it makes me so happy. You make me happy. And you know me, impulsive as always, so when I'm happy, I text you or send you flowers or…make you jewelry," he said with a grin.

"It's really sweet, Tony."

He straightened up and cleared his throat. "But I'm still Iron Man and Tony fucking Stark so I have that image to keep up too, you know."

She laughed at his bravado, especially contrasted with this new, adorable romantic side. "Yes, I know. But I like this side of you too."

"Well I hope so. This part is all trial and error for me, Potts. Evidently I've been doing well so far, but I expect you to tell me when I fuck it up."

She leaned forward to kiss him gently. "Tony Stark, former playboy turned hopeless romantic…I like it."

"Yeah, yeah. Well, I only have eyes for you, Potts."

She smiled at him warmly. "It took you long enough to figure it out."

"You've always been necessary in my life, Pepper. But now it's like...you're vital to it, like trying to imagine my life without you in it is impossible. Sometimes I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. Ugh, I know what I feel, but trying to say it in words doesn't work out so great. I guess that's where the gestures come in. I dunno, this whole 'being in love thing' is so different than anything I've done before. Amazing, but I'm like a fish out of water."

"You'll figure it out. This whole 'being in love thing' thing, as you so eloquently called it, it's actually pretty easy. I love you, you love me, end of story. The rest is just details, babe," she said with a smile as she patted the side of his face.

"I love you, Pepper."

She sighed and smiled, leaning into his chest. "I know. I think the knowing is the best part. It's like, you don't even have to say it but I can just see it in your eyes. Like at work, I'll look up and catch you staring and I can just see the look in your eyes and I know. I've seen it there since you got back. You might not have known it, but I knew."

It's hard to say what it is I see in you
Wonder if I'll always be with you
Words can't say and I can't do
Enough to prove, it's all for you

Lyrics from All for You by Sister Hazel

Story almost done...please read and review.