A/N: I can't believe this... I thought I updated this chapter last weekend! I'm so terribly sorry for such a late update. I must have dreamt that I updated this story last weekend. I'm really sorry everyone for the late update. Here's the chapter! Also, thanks to Loca4Anime for the idea about Tony panicking when it comes to Jared's safety. Sorry again for the late update!

To him, it's a feeling that lasts forever.

It's the kind of feeling that lingers in the air around him and reminds him that nothing could ever be any more perfect. That no matter how rich he was and how he could so easily buy everything, money was one thing that could never buy this.

Money couldn't come close to that feeling he felt when he held Jared's little shivering body against his. It's the responsibility and the honour of knowing that the little child looked to him for comfort. It was pride that he felt that in the eyes of his son, he was the pillar of strength and the protector from all evil in the world.

He hardly noticed the crowd he suddenly drew at the fancy dress ball as Jared clung to him and quietly wept into his neck. He was too occupied with making sure Jared was okay that he didn't even notice Pepper rushing toward him with Happy and Natalie briskly in tow.

"I'm sorry, buddy," he murmured as he ran his hand up and down his little back. "I didn't mean to leave you for a moment there."

Jared's silent response mixed with hiccups and quiet weeping urged him to hold his little shivering body closer.

"What happened?" Pepper's hurried voice hushed beside him.

He glanced in her direction and sighed.

"I turned around for a moment to greet some people and when I turned around, Jared was gone," he explained as he nodded politely to Happy who quickly jumped into action to usher the bystanders away.

"Oh dear," she murmured. "Are you okay, Jared?"

He guiltily glanced to the floor as she leaned in to brush Jared's hair.

"I...I couldn't...couldn't see daddy..." Jared mumbled, "And...and I got scared...because all the...the people kept...kept looking at me."

"Come on..." he sighed as he pulled them to a stand. "Let's take this somewhere more private."

"Maybe we should just go," Pepper mused softly.

He shrugged and motioned slightly to her. "It's your call, Pep."

"I prefer room service anyway," she whispered softly as she glanced around at the extremely fancy setting around them.

He smirked and whispered softly in Jared's ear, "What do you say, Jared? Shall we ditch this place and have ice cream?"

"But...but its mummy's party," Jared hiccupped.

"But what if mummy wants some ice cream too," Pepper smiled beside him.

He smiled at the warmth visible in her eyes. She always knew how to make things better.

"I love you, you know," he said softly as they neared the exit of the building.

"Mr Stark, Mrs Stark may we offer any assistance?" a service man asked politely.

"It's alright. We've got it covered," he nodded.

"If you can, please pass our apologies to George," Pepper politely muttered to the service man.

"Absolutely, Mrs Stark."

"Thank you," she smiled before they walked out of the building.

"The hotel," Happy muttered to the driver as they entered the car.