Here we are at long last! Finally we've arrived at the birth. It's only taken us..26 chapters. Don't think this is the end yet readers; I've still got a chapter or two up my sleeve...or three. We'll just have to see. I also wanna apologize for the typos in the last chapter. I was writing it between homework and I didn't get to proofread it before I posted. Sorry about that.

"Ah Mrs. Stark, how good to see you," Ducky said as he walked into the hospital room, placing his bag on one of the tables. "Although I must admit I didn't think I would be seeing you for at least an additional two weeks. But that's not a worry. Every child marches to the beat of his or her own drummer as they say." Pepper lay in bed, dressed in a hospital gown and looked after by two nurses and an ever-vigilant Phil Coulson. Ducky paused as his eyes landed on Phil. "Oh hello, I'm Doctor Mallard. Who might you be?"

"I'm A-I'm Phil Coulson; I'm a friend of Pepper and Tony's," Phil explained, offering his hand.

"Ah, very nice to meet you," Ducky replied, shaking his hand. "Where is Mr. Stark?"

"Tony's away on a mission, but he should be home soon," Pepper answered him, looking to Phil for confirmation.

"He should be here within the next ten minutes," Phil confirmed.

"Very good. Now how far apart are your contractions, Mrs. Stark?"

"Not far," Pepper said, gritting her teeth as she gripped the sheets of her bed.

"Mr. Stark would do well to get here soon," Ducky murmured, walking to Pepper's side.

"You alright, Tony?" Clint asked as they neared New York. "You're looking a little green."

Tony nodded mutely, staring straight ahead. His mind was filled with swirling thoughts, his still body covering up the panic that was bubbling beneath the surface. 'Pepper's gone into labor. Pepper's gone into labor two weeks early. Pepper's gone into labor and I'm not there to be with her,' Tony thought frantically. 'She's gonna murder me when I get there.'

"I think he's okay; he might just be panicking," Steve replied. "Understandably panicking."

"Don't worry, Tony; Pepper's gonna be perfectly fine," Bruce assured his best friend. "Phil's with her and he's taken her to the hospital. You know he would never let anything happen to her. That place is probably swarming with SHIELD agents."

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was," Natasha commented. "Phil doesn't stiff on security for anything, especially not for the birth of a kid he likes."

"The healer you have employed shall be there, correct?" Thor asked as he got off the phone with Jane. "He is a most experienced healer; he shall care well for Lady Pepper. We shall arrive there soon."

"Pepper's gonna murder me," Tony murmured, his voice barely audible.

"Why?" Bruce asked curiously.

"If I miss the birth of our kid, she's gonna kill me," Tony explained. "She will get up from her hospital bed and beat me over the head with an IV pole. Our kid will be in a little crib at the side of the bed watching his father be beaten within an inch of his life by his mother."

The airplane filled with silence, only broken by Natasha's bark of laughter, surprising everyone. "Oh that would be priceless," Natasha laughed, smirking slightly. "Don't worry about it, Stark; Pepper doesn't want to raise her son alone. She'll beat you within an inch of your life, but at least she won't kill you."

"We really need to work on your comforting skills," Clint said to Natasha, smiling at her.

The Avengers quickly raced the three blocks from their landing position to the hospital, rushing past the hospital security and up to Pepper's floor. It wasn't as if the security guards could stop a group of heavily armed, incredibly muscled superheroes; it would have been insane to try.

"How do you think Pep's doing?" Tony asked as they walked down the hallway toward Pepper's room.

"I'm going to kill Tony when he gets here!" Pepper shouted as they approached the door, causing the other Avengers to take a step back.

"I'd say she's doing about that well," Clint said wryly.

Tony paled as he stood outside the hospital door, his palms sweating as he panicked. What the hell was he supposed to do? "Friend Stark, you are needed by Lady Pepper," Thor said as Tony continued standing still, pushing him into the bedroom and closing the door behind him.

Pepper looked up at the sound of the closing door, her heart skipping a beat. "Tony," Pepper sighed in relief, relaxing against her pillows as her contraction ended.

"Ah Mr. Stark, how good of you to join us," Ducky said, smiling at him. "I was worried for a moment that Mr. Coulson would have to stand in for you. It's almost time."

"Tony's always fashionably late," Phil commented.

"I could never miss this," Tony said, walking over to Pepper's side. He brushed Pepper's bangs from her sweat-covered face, kissing her forehead. Looking over at Phil, Tony nodded. "I owe you one, Phil; I really do."

"Pepper's a friend; I'm here when she needs me," Phil replied, walking toward the door. "I'm gonna wait in the hall with the others; I've had a bit too much time in this room."

"Where have you been?" Pepper asked, squeezing Tony's hand as another contraction hit.

"Ow ow, Pepper that hurts," Tony said, wincing from Pepper's grip. A glare from Pepper quickly silenced him. "I tried to get back here as quickly as possible. I'm gonna blame the little guy for being early."

"You are not blaming our son!" Pepper exclaimed.

"Mr. and Mrs. Stark, might I suggest you continue this conversation at a later time?" Ducky suggested. "It's time for Mrs. Stark to push."

Pepper looked up at Tony with fear-filled eyes. "Tony..."

"You can do this, Pepper," Tony assured her, kissing her quickly. "You're the strongest person I know; you can do this."

The Avengers sat in the hallway, wincing as Pepper's screams pierced the wall. "How much longer do you think Pepper will be?" Steve asked worriedly. "It doesn't sound like she can take much more."

"Pep will kill Tony before she gives up on her son," Natasha replied, tapping her foot nervously.

Their heads snapped up as Pepper's screams suddenly cut off, silence filling the air. "That has to be good, right?" Clint asked, looking at the others.

"It would seem so," Thor replied, nodding slightly.

They all jumped to their feet as the door swung open slightly as Ducky stuck his head out. "It is my great pleasure to announce the arrival of Alexander Stark," Ducky said, beaming at the assembled group.

ALEXANDER STARK! Reviews please!