Enjoy! Edited 6/16

"What are you still doing up, Ads?"

I shifted my gaze from my book to the clock and found that it was just past midnight. Sleep wasn't an option when thoughts about my mom, my mom's voicemail, and Tony's plan were racing through my head. Part of me figured reading up on the later stages of pregnancy would help, but it actually proved to make me more anxious. Turning off my book light, I switched the lamp on.

"Addison?" said Bruce, his tone sounding more like a question as he sat up. He glanced from the book in my hands to my eyes. I knew he knew something was wrong. "...Please tell me you haven't been awake this entire time."

"I can't sleep."

"Racing thoughts?"

"Yeah. I know it's dumb, but I can't let what my mom and Tony said go."

"Well, ruminating on those things instead of sleeping won't help. Rest, it'll help you make a decision. If not, at least you'll be able to think about things better." Bruce gently took my book and placed it on his nightstand. "Let's go to sleep."

I looked down at my stomach, then at my husband. Negative thoughts about my mom messing with our future continued. The inner corners of my eyes burned, so I shut my lids to stop the tears. Bruce's lips touched my temple, their softness exceedingly comforting. I leaned into his lips, sighing contently at the feeling of his arms around my shoulders.

"You're okay...we're okay."

"No." I pulled back. "Not quite, but we will be."

Bruce studied my face and said, "You're planning something."

"If by planning you mean taking leave from the shop, then, yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Tony had a point, and Pep kinda agreed. I can't go to work tomorrow. I can't work with my mom anymore, or at least for the foreseeable future, and I don't want to quit. Reading through the book made me think. The only thing I could think of doing that would satisfy Tony and keep me away from mom was taking leave."

"Ads, I think that's a fantastic idea and I support you whatever you choose to do. But you don't have to satisfy Tony, you know."

"I know. I usually wouldn't mind saying 'screw Tony' when he's wrong, but he has a point. So, I'm taking maternity leave until the baby is born. That way I'm not giving up the shop, per se, and I'm not quitting. It'll give me time to nest, the book says I should be doing that. You know, getting the nursery ready, and everything. If anything it'll serve as time to figure out what my next plan is and what mom is planning against us."

Bruce nodded, taking in everything, then said, "Sounds like you really figured things out."

"I tried. Is that...do you think that's a good plan?"

"I do. Besides, I really think nesting will help you relieve some stress. You've been through a lot lately. I think maternity leave is a great idea, but it's your choice, Ads. Will it make you happier, or at least help you relax?"

"I think so. I'm just worried about how my mom will react."

"It will be okay. Even if she doesn't like your decision, it's ultimately your decision because it's your life and our child. You know?"

"Yeah. I do need to start sticking up for myself and making choices based on what I want not what I think other people would want for me."

"Exactly. Since you have the luxury of taking leave this way, I'd highly recommend you do it." Bruce rubbed the back of his neck. "To be completely honest, the doctor side of me has been concerned about you and your stress levels. So, to me, I'd rather you take leave now than before you're about to deliver, or there's an issue with your health and you have to stop because you're on bed rest."

"Pep mentioned that, too. I have been stressed at work. I mean...mom keeps fussing over me and undermining me. I think I'm going to go ahead and take maternity leave," I said. Just then, my phone vibrated on the nightstand. I groaned.

"Tony?" said Bruce, suppressing a smile.

"Yes. That's the second one tonight. You'd think he'd give me a chance to cool off overnight."

"I thought you weren't mad at him anymore."

"I'm not, but I am. You know?"

"I do." Bruce watched me turn off the lamp and laid back down as I joined him. "I also know Tony doesn't catch hints when you two are...fighting...or whatever you want to call this. I just don't want to be a carrier pigeon for you two." Bruce's phone buzzed. "Oh, no."

"Sounds like Tony wants you to be."

Bruce kissed me. I leaned my head against the pillow. "Well, it's late. It'll have to wait."

I laced my left hand in his and sighed. "I love you."

"Love you, too," he muttered.

The knock on the door startled me. I shut the freezer door and glanced at the microwave clock. There was only one person who knocked on my door in a rapid drumroll-like way, and one glance through the peephole confirmed it. I opened the door with a groan.

"Tony?"

"Midnight Ice Cream Man." Tony held up a bag. "You like cookies 'n cream, right? I also got cookie dough. Couldn't remember which one you like more."

I watched as Tony brushed past me and set the bag on the counter. "It's two in the morning, what the fuck? And I'll eat both."

He grabbed two spoons from the drawer closest to the fridge. After both shutting and locking the door, I rubbed my eyes. Part of me was thankful he brought ice cream because I had a craving and I had just discovered we were out. The other part was still irritated from the day before.

"Let's do cookies and cream," I said, sitting on the couch. "I'm really craving those ice cream soaked cookie chunks."

Tony handed me a spoon and sat beside me. He held out the pint. "Prego gets first dip."

I took a spoonful, "I'm telling Pep."

"She doesn't scare me."

"Mm-hm."

"She told me not to come over here."

"She was right."

"Are you kicking me out?"

"No, but he might." I gestured my thumb over my shoulder. I could always hear Bruce coming in the apartment, the way his feet sounded on the hardwood always gave him away. "Hey babes, we have a visitor."

"...the hell are you doing here, Tony?" asked Bruce with a yawn. "It's late."

"I brought ice cream," said Tony. "I text you both to see if you'd be up for a visit. Then again that was a couple hours ago."

"You saved me a trip to the store." Bruce sat on my left. "Thanks."

"Want some?" When he nodded, I scooped a spoonful out of the pint and fed it to him.

"Thank you, honey." He gave me a quick kiss. I ran my fingers through his hair a few times, then kissed him.

"Don't be gross, Banner."

"Which one?" I reminded. "This is the Banner household."

"Dude Banner." Tony dug a cookie piece out of the pint with his spoon. "Keep all PDA at a minimum, Bruce. Rex is my sister."

Bruce scoffed, "From another mister."

"I can kiss my husband in my own apartment." I pointed my spoon at Tony and said in sing-song, "You don't own me."

"Neither of us do."

"If you don't want to see PDA, don't show up in the wee hours of the morning." I taunted, handing a spoonful of ice cream to Bruce, who happily took the bite.

"Yeah, speaking of which," Bruce swallowed. "Did Pep kick you out?"

"I was just thinking the same. Something tells me you were banished to the couch."

"Nope!" Tony shook his head. "I wasn't kicked out. But yes, I was on the couch. I just needed to come over here. Felt the urge. I couldn't sleep."

"What else is new?" said Bruce and I.

"No, this time it was because of the way I ambushed you. I don't like upsetting you, kid."

"I know."

"So I got you ice cream—"

"As a bribe?"

"Yes and no. I just…" Tony sighed. "I couldn't stop thinking about...remember when you had your first panic attack around me while Banner and Pep were away? And-And-And it was just us and I had to get J.A.R.V.I.S to help me help you calm down? You fell asleep because you were tired, and we ate cookies and cream ice cream after you woke up. I felt horrible then because I was the one who worked you up until you ended up having the attack and I feel horrible now because–"

"You're the one who worked Ads up?" said Bruce.

"I don't know, I just…"

"I get it." I took the pint from him and passed it to Bruce. "Look, Tony, I heard you. Through all of this craziness, I get why you did what you did. I accept your apology and I'm not mad anymore. The convo I had with Pepper really helped. Bruce and I talked it over and—"

"And?"

"I'm taking maternity leave, it's the best way I can keep away from my mom until we can build a better plan."

Tony frowned. "Rex, I don't want you to take maternity leave if you feel pressured. I want you to do that because you want to do that."

"I want to," I said. "Besides, Bruce made a great point about stress and ending up on bedrest and I'd rather not let it get that far."

"Thanks, doc."

Bruce placed his spoon in his mouth with a nod and tilted the pint in acknowledgment.

Tony gave a small smile and got to his feet. "I should go."

"You might as well stay the night," said Bruce. "You can sleep on the couch in here or on the futon in the spare room. Head back home when it's light."

"Good idea! Don't think of saying 'no'," I said. "I'll text Pep that you're here, and I'll make you breakfast in the morning."

"Ads makes the best crepes. I'd take her up on that."

"With blueberries. How's that sound?"

Tony sat down with a huff and kicked his shoes off. "Fine! You said the B-word and Banner made it sound like a threat if I don't. I'll stay."

"Good. I'm headed back to bed. No rush, hon." He gave me a quick kiss and stood. "Good night, Tony."

"Night."

"I'll get you a pillow and some blankets." I started to gather the now empty pint of ice cream and both spoons when Tony stopped me.

"Go join your man," he said. "I'll clean up. Blankets in the cabinet on the left, right?"

"Yeah. Pillows on the top shelf...hold on. You don't offer to clean. What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing. I'm just really...relieved that you're not going back to work with your mom."

"You know what? Me too."

"Good. Now go to bed. G'Night, missy."

"Night, Stark."