Chapter 14 : Funny Episodes.
Tony POV.
Pepper had progressed into her fifth month of the pregnancy.
I honestly never imagined myself with any of this. At all. It's crazy looking at Pepper, knowing I have her, but looking down to see the bump as well.
Pepper groaned from inside the walk-in-wardrobe after a good thirty minuets changing into a various amount of outfits.
I lay, fully dressed in a suit, on the bed ready before her for once, to head to work.
"I'm fat!" Pepper shouted from the depths of the wardrobe.
"We've had this conversation! You're not fat, just pregnant!" I replied throwing my arms over my eyes.
"Are you eating in there?!" I called after few minuets of suspicion.
"No..." Pepper laughed back coming through into the bedroom with a cereal bar of some kind in her hand.
"This is all I have that actually looks okay." Pepper emerged in a Ted Baker cream peplum business dress that stopped just above her knees. The frilled addition around the mid-section of the dress drew attention away from her swelling stomach slightly.
"Do I look okay?" She mumbled looking down at herself. Wiping her hands down her stomach as if trying to flatten out her bump.
"You look beautiful, just like you did yesterday.. Last night..-" I smirked and Pepper went scarlet "-just like you always do. Are you ready now?! No heels remember, you might just die and the doctor said no." I ordered pulling myself off the bed.
"Right, right." She slipped on a pair of Prada ballet flats using me for support then grabbing her handbag.
"Remember my parents are coming down this evening." Pepper said getting into the Bentley which I held the door open for her and Happy sat in the drivers seat, greeting us.
"Not going to forget. At least your mom and dad don't hate my guts. Especially now I've impregnated you." I replied cheekily.
"My mom hasn't actually seen me since I've been pregnant... She's going to be awful, you do know that right? When my older sister was pregnant my mom was touching her stomach all the time, saying whether it was going to be a boy or a girl, practically stealing the ultrasound photos, ordering Genna's fiancé around all the time because if she works too hard she'd collapse or she'll be too exhausted to give birth or whatever. Genna was either prisoner to the couch or her bed! I can't do that! I'm co-CEO of a multi-billion making company! I have board meetings to go to, your ass to keep in line, huge responsibilities!" Pepper cried frustratingly, it was 7AM and she already looked exhausted, and a little pale.
"Well, I'm CEO as well of my multi-billion making company! I think that's just a mom thing, we'll just have to be firm with her. Never mind that for now, you look really pale Pepper. Are you sure you don't want to take the day off, everyone would understand." I fussed over her.
"I'll be fine. Don't fuss, Tony please." Pepper sighed quietly leaning her head against the plush cream leather of the car head rest and closing her eyes.
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
"Tony." Pepper sounded exhausted as I looked up from my desk, she stood (very pale looking) a few feet away from me with her clipboard. "I need to talk.. To you-abo-" I shot up to catch Pepper's limp body as she suddenly fainted.
There was no blood. Good sign..
Moments later Pepper's eyes fluttered open to look at my concerned expression. Her lips were pale and the rogue had lightened on her cheeks.
"Pepper? Are you okay?" I said frantically sweeping my hand over her clammy forehead to check her temperature.
"What just happened?" Pepper asked, confused and dazed.
"You blacked out for a second there. C'mon the couch is more comfortable." She nodded wordlessly as I pulled her gently to her feet, guiding her over the white couch. Thankful she hadn't worn ridiculous heels today.
I grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-bar, handed her it.
"How do you feel now?" I stared, colour returning to her cheeks slowly, Pepper's lips had now brightened slightly into her usual pink-ish shade. Shock was however still plastered all over her features.
"A little dizzy still, but just shocked. What if...something happened?" Pepper suddenly sniffled, looking alarmed staring down at her bump. Covering both of her hands over her five month pregnant stomach, rubbing in soothing circles still staring. I watched as tears dropped and spread on the cream material of her dress.
"No. Don't think like that. We will leave now, I'll call Happy. Then go to the hospital for an ultrasound and check up. Yeah?" I sat down beside her. Pepper nodded then nestled her head in the crook of my neck. My hand joined hers affectionately and reassuringly on her stomach.
"Natasha." I buzzed into the intercom. Natasha Romanoff came in seconds later, true to her word a few months ago, she decided to lend a hand here.
"Yes Tony, what- Pepper are you okay?" Natasha came closer. Pepper batted her off wiping her eyes.
"Natasha, is Happy on site? If so could you let him know we need his driving services. Instantly." I ordered.
"Right away, Mr. Stark." Natasha marched out, talking to Happy through her in-ear.
After five minuets of reassuring 'shss's' and rubs, Happy appeared in my office.
"Need a lift, boss?" He chirped.
"Yeah, Happy. Please. Get Pepper's bag will you. And we need to get to the hospital, Pepper fainted." Happy rushed forward, grabbing her bag and the bottle of water. While I helped Pepper off the couch. Fully wrapping my arm around her taking all her weight.
"Deep breaths, sweetheart." I guided her to the lift, earning some curious looks.
"Everything will be fine, I promise you." I whispered pulling a whimpering Pepper towards me.
"It-It took such a long time to get this." We both rubbed her stomach again. "What if it gets taken away from us now?"
"The baby's going to be fine, there was no blood or anything. Your not miscarrying. We're.. Double checking." I think I was trying to convince myself more than I was her.
We booked an emergency appointment. Our doctor was waiting by the main reception with a wheelchair in hand.
"Hello Dr. Connors, I'm fine to walk thank you." Pepper said weakly.
"If you're sure Pepper, Tony. Right this way please. My private room is upstairs." Dr. Connors lead the way. I tightly wound my arm around her waist.
"So, Pepper how did you feel earlier?" The doctor sat down. Pepper's was on the examination table, I was seated the other side.
"It came over quickly, and then I blacked out I think. Is it something to do with the baby? Is something wrong?" Pepper stressed getting herself all worked up again. I stroked her arm.
"Pepper, I need you to be calm. You have some spare clothes? Otherwise you'll need to take off you're dress; I know some pregnant women would prefer to be comfortable than having practically no clothes." Pepper nodded grabbing her handbag and exiting into the doctors little bathroom.
Minuets later she came out in a long sleeved t-shirt and comfy joggers.
"Right, this is your 20 week or 5 month scan that your due for anyway, so lets see how your little mite is doing." He prepared his equipment.
"And hopefully okay." I mumbled.
Dr. Connors squirted the gel on Pepper's stomach and waved the wand around.
The baby appeared on the screen.
"Completely unharmed. Here's the heartbeat." The familiar noise filled the room again.
"Oh thank God." Pepper gasped grabbing my hand. I squeezed back. Relief bathing me.
"Oh look, can you see that there? He or she is sucking their little thumb and moving a lot too." The doctor outlined and pointed.
Pepper was crying again, so was I almost. I bit them back but tears prickled in my eyes.
"Would you like to know the gender?" Dr. Connors asked us.
I looked speechlessly at Pepper who nodded slightly.
"Yes?" I laughed nervously to her.
"Yeah, I do. Do you?" She asked back.
"Yeah!"
"Okay, well guys it seems... Your having a... Hang on. Baby girl!" That was it, tears broke free. Reputation gone. But who cares?
Pepper was smiling, staring at the screen in wonder and awe.
"A girl. Pepper, a mini you."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
"Everything okay boss?" Happy asked nervously before opening the door for us.
"More than okay, Happy thank you." Pepper said.
"We found out the gender, we're having a girl!" I cheered.
"That's amazing, congratulations!" Happy congratulated us and got in the front seat.
"Happy? Straight home please. Pepper will be relaxing and I will be looking after her. Then can you go to the airport and pick up Pepper's parents please?" I told him, Pepper gasped.
"Oh god yeah, I completely forgot. Go straight to the airpor-"
"No Pepper. Home." I argued.
"Tony No. We need to get them." She argued back.
"They'll be fine. You're my priority. The doctor said you need to really take it easy. You should think about maternity leave. I can't have you like that again. Scared me to death." I concluded.
"Fine." Pepper snuggled closer.
"We need to do the nursery.." I pondered. Having both of our busy lives to deal with I completely forgot about the nursery.
"Well, she'll need to sleep in our room for a while. But yeah, a nursery would be great. Light pink I think."
"Sounds perfect we'll get onto that as soon as your feeling better. How do you feel now?" I kissed her temple relieved both of my girls were going to be fine.
"Still a little shaken up, I'm fine. We're fine." Pepper clasped her hands around her stomach.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Pepper was soundly asleep on the living room couch after a bit of a stressful afternoon. She had pillows supporting her everywhere ; pregnancy had really taken a strain on her, meaning that it hasn't really been the best for her yet. But I'm sure it'll all be worth it in the delivery room.
Pepper had been having trouble sleeping, so we found a testable variable online, she pretty much had pillows every where. Under her stomach, under the hip she was bearing all her weight on and in between her legs and under her ankles.
Pepper stirred in her sleep, her face twisted with discomfort, rolling onto her stomach and finding that even more uncomfortable. I sighed quietly, debating whether to wake her up.
I heard the Bentley outside. Pepper's parents. Pepper apparently heard this too.
"Tony?" She mumbled trying to sit up. She found it hard because of her stomach.
"I'm sure you're bigger than any other 5 month pregnant woman, you're mother is going to scold me. You look really tired!" I helped her up and right on cue she yawned.
"So do you though." Pepper hugged me as close as she could get a little obstacle in the way in between us.
"Be happy okay, I know it's been a long one today. Hopefully your mother won't be too fussy, you don't seem very tolerant of it!" I kissed the top of her head as she laughed into my arc reactor tiredly.
Pepper's parents came through then, we broke apart to greet Gregg and Clarissa.
"Hiya Tony. Pepper you're looking fantastic!" Gregg came over clapping me on the shoulder and hugging Pepper.
"Hi dad." I had to give Pepper a little credit, we'd had a tough day and she was shattered.
"Hey, Gregg. You'll have to forgive us. Long day. Did Happy say?" I asked also very tiredly. Gregg nodded.
"He sure did. You okay Ginny? Every thing tip top now?" Pepper only nodded while Gregg hugged her again.
"Yeah, everything's okay. I just had a bit of a funny episode in Tony's office earlier at work. Where's mom? Is she already crying yet?" Pepper sighed.
"She's helping Happy with the bags a second. She's very excited though. I just sneaked in her to have you to myself a minuet." Gregg winked causing Pepper to giggle a little bit.
"Oh! Ginny! Look at you! You look so beautiful, you're glowing!" Pepper's mother hurried over to hug Pepper tightly before inspecting her all over.
"Hi mom." Pepper hugged her mother looking at me rolling her eyes.
"Oh honey, I was so worried! I'm glad you're okay. But what about the baby? Is the baby okay? Oooh, I bet you're having bad cravings, I did. You look really tired, Ginny dear you need to sleep more often!" Clarissa predictably touched Pepper's stomach through her peplum dress.
"Fine, fine. She's fine." Pepper smiled down at her bump, rubbing gently. Discreetly trying to sweep her mothers hands off.
"Her? A girl? Oh Pepper!" She was already wiping her eyes. I smirked, walking over to Peppers handbag and digging out the latest ultrasound photo.
"Here," I said handing it to Gregg. "That's her feet, her head, and she's sucking her thumb right there. We didn't really get a chance to have a proper look earlier." Gregg smiled and took the photo.
"That's amazing; I really am happy for you both." He said.
.. … … … … … … … …
We'd experienced two whole days of my fussy mom and not so bad dad. I found Tony spending more in the workshop than usual. I did tell him how aggravating my mom could be, and especially now I was pregnant. But it was nothing less than I expected.
Unintentially, my mom was slowly pushing Tony out of the picture. Which pained both me, and him of course. I knew she didn't mean to do it which made me feel all the more worse.
We tried to get my parents out for evenings so we could have time to ourselves or have a different type of company. But that slowly failed too.
I could sense Tony getting angry, slowly. I knew he was trying to retain it. But the damn broke when the event that should've been a happy mile stone was corrupted by my moms unintentional interference.
Why did I let that happen?