A long chapter- a New Years present.

There is a revelation in here that may upset some people, I am nervous about including it but feel it makes sense especially in this day and age.

Thank you for all the lovely reviews, they have really encouraged me and as a result I am enjoying writing.

BellElliot5- I am endeavouring to include your idea in a future chapter.

Anyone else want to chip in with any future ideas for chapters, then please do. I am experiencing some writer's block ( although I have an arc) at the moment so ideas would be great. Especially around family interactions.

Thanks, enjoy. x

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Tony was tense, most of the Avengers were arriving home that day.

Was it their home? Tony wasn't sure but they seemed to think so.

''You okay?'' Steve made him jump; he had been for a run and looked good enough to eat.

Tony swallowed back his desire which was not appropriate at that moment.

''Always,'' he gave his conditioned response and Steve sighed.

''Tony, this will be okay. It will be difficult at first but that won't last. Plus Pepper is bringing Morgan home,'' Steve could not wait to see his daughter, cuddle her, take care of her. Although he was afraid to see how she had changed and he understood she wouldn't know him, which was yet another price he'd paid.

''I know, I know, I just..'' Tony faltered.

Steve came up behind him, placed his arms around his neck and leant his chin on his head.

''And I am here now,'' he whispered and Tony nodded.

Yes, that made a huge difference.

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''So are you gonna come to my house? We can build my new Death Star,'' Ned was nagging Peter.

''I'm grounded Ned,'' he said as he pulled some books from his locker.

''You're always grounded. Anyways, you've never let that stop you recently,'' Ned replied and Peter had to agree, that was true. Although, Pops was home now so that complicated matters.

''I will try okay?''

Ned nodded.

''Why haven't you been doing your thing?''

Peter laughed

''You know, your whoosh, whoosh thing?'' Ned expanded.

''Dad took my suit,'' Peter was angry about that but again Pops was back which meant he was less inclined to be confrontational- Pops didn't like that much or at all.

''So use your old one,'' Ned said and Peter slapped his forehead, why hadn't he thought of that? Yeah, he could use his old one.

The suit he made himself was basic, had none of the safety features of his new one although it looked very cool, and it disguised his identity. More importantly it could not be tracked so it served the purpose very well.

''Good job Ned,'' Peter held out a fist and Ned blew it up.

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''Hey sweetheart!'' Tony held his arms out as Morgan reached for him from Pepper's arms.

''Dada! Dada!'' she kicked her legs in excitement and waved her fists, eager to get to him.

'' How's my beautiful girl?'' He hugged her, breathing in her scent.

She laid her head on his shoulder clutching his neck.

Steve stood to the side, reeling, she was so big and talking, she was talking! He was poleaxed with regret, he had missed it, missed her developing, changing into a toddler- her first birthday a month away- she had forgotten him. Steve had been her main care giver in the early days and the pain was profound.

''Steve,'' Pepper nodded at him, she was being cool but her eyes were affectionate.

''Hey Pep,'' He hesitated then hugged her; she stiffened for a moment then returned his embrace.

''Say hello to Pops, this is your Pops. I told you about Pops,'' Tony turned Morgan to him and she looked at him curiously as she sat up, unsure.

''Hello baby girl,'' Steve said softly, desperate to hold her but knowing he couldn't rush in case he frightened her.

There was a moment, a tense moment then Morgan smiled, held her arms to him. He smiled in relief and took her; she snuggled into him as if it were yesterday.

He kissed her head and began to cry.

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Steve took charge of Morgan immediately, fed her, changed her and put her down for a nap. They fell back into their routine together and Steve was in heaven, he had literally died and gone to heaven.

''How are you guys doing?'' Pepper asked Tony as they were alone, her concern obvious.

''Its good Pep, real good,'' Tony's eyes were soft and loving then she knew this was going to be okay.

''I am pleased for you Tony, so happy. You guys belong together,'' Pepper smiled genuinely and Tony nodded, it was true, they did.

''How about the boys?'' she asked nervously.

''That is good too. Peter was tricky at first but that was only because he missed Steve so much. He has come round,'' Tony was honest, this was Pepper.

''You find out about the speeding tickets?''

''Yep, Harley. He's working them off. Plus we dealt with the school attendance problem, '' Tony reassured her.

''Wow, you guys have been busy,'' Pepper was impressed.

Tony laughed, they had, they really had. Settled family business.

Then the elevator door opened, Tony stiffened, Pepper placed a reassuring hand on his back. He was relieved to see it was Natasha- they had already settled their differences.

''Hey guys,'' she smiled as she dropped her bag, she looked tired.

''Oh Wow, you need some tea or wine, maybe wine? Yes, I prescribe wine,'' Pepper laughed, they had become friends as they assisted Tony with the Accords.

''Actually wine would be good,'' Nat walked over.

''You look happy,'' she said bluntly to Tony, who held his hands up in defeat.

''I'm glad, you guys fighting doesn't work for any of us,'' she patted his arm as she took the glass from Pepper.

''Nat!'' Steve was walking towards her with a wide smile and open arms.

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Clint and Sam arrived next; it was awkward for about five minutes.

No one sure what to say.

''There's beer in the fridge,'' Tony said sardonically and that was enough to break the ice. Soon, a comfortable chatter settled over the room.

''How is Rhodey?'' Sam approached Tony reticently.

''He's okay, doing well with his new legs. That's on all of us Sam,'' Tony said and Sam heaved a sigh of relief. He nodded at Tony who returned it.

They had a drink, sat around and socialised, reminisced and laughed together; it was cathartic and healing. Steve stayed close to Tony, offering constant support and reassurance. They all noticed and were bolstered, there was hope for the Avengers; with Steve and Tony back together, there was hope.

Wanda and Vision arrived late in the afternoon.

Steve greeted Wanda affectionately.

''You okay?'' he embraced her warmly, truth be told he had a soft spot for her and was paternally protective.

''I, we are good,'' she looked coyly at Vision who was speaking to Tony.

''Oh right, wow! And that's going well?'' Steve was not altogether surprised.

''Yeah, really well, the best. And who is this beautiful little girl? Hey you!'' Wanda sighted Morgan who was sitting surrounded by toys giggling at all the adults who were spoiling her rotten.

Steve winked at Tony, checking on him. He gave a quick nod, all was fine.

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'' So do you think I should go? Can I risk it?'' Peter was asking Harley's advice as they rode the elevator home.

''I dunno dude, maybe you should lay low for a while? Play nice, then you can get away with more cos the parental units won't be watching. Stop mouthing off, that draws attention,'' Harley replied.

''You do that don't you? Play nice. I know what you've been doing Harls,'' Peter replied.

''Bro,'' Harley indicated upwards and Peter nodded, Oh yeah Friday was back on line for now. Peter had Ned working on that.

They walked into a roomful of people, not that anyone noticed them as they were all cooing over Morgan who was standing with her hand on Steve's leg, giggling up a storm.

''Ball?'' Harley looked at Peter who nodded, yeah he really did not want to deal with happy families- he was not ready for that.

The boys disappeared away.

'' So Tones, do I smell your world famous Lasagne?'' Sam asked.

''Did I invite you for dinner? Did I do that? I don't believe I did,'' Tony quirked an eyebrow.

''No, I did,'' Steve smiled apologetically.

''So you can help me then, cos these guys eat a lot,'' Tony was good natured about it.

''Shouldn't your kids be home from school by now?'' Clint asked the two men as they fixed salad.

Tony looked at Steve, yeah they should.

''The boys are playing baseball in the quad,'' Friday provided.

''I'll go get them,'' Steve said, that would give him the opportunity to talk to them.

Wanda looked anxiously at Nat who smiled reassuringly; Steve would control Peter.

''Wanda, would you like to help me bathe Morgan?'' Pepper stepped in to help, aware of the issue and Wanda nodded gratefully.

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Steve went to the quad but it was deserted; the boys' mitts discarded on the ground, he picked them up and looked around.

''What does it feel like?'' Peter was watching Harley smoke a joint.

''Just relaxing, helped me through all this shit,'' Harley admitted.

''But you didn't seem to care,'' Peter was amazed. His brother had been mellow the whole time.

''Are you kidding? Of course I cared. I have already lost one family bro, then I thought I was losing another one. Freaked me totally out,'' Harley replied.

''Oh,'' that hadn't occurred to Peter, he forgot that his brother had another life before.

''So that helped,'' Peter waved his arm at the joint.

''Yeah it did.''

''Can I try?''

''Hell no, you're my little brother. I am not giving you this shit,'' Harley was very clear.

Then they heard Pops shouting their names.

''Not a word, you swear?'' Harley hurriedly extinguished the joint and put it in a tin box.

''I swear,'' Peter offered some gum.

''You gonna be able to do this without back talking? Pops will skin you if you do,'' Harley stood up.

''I know,'' Peter was going to focus on Spiderman and just get through it.

''Love you bro, we have each other. We always have each other,'' Harley hugged Peter.

Steve's shouts were getting more urgent.

Peter nodded, he was forced to share his parents with all these other people, but he had his brother, Ned, Spiderman; so he was lucky, that was solid backup.

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Steve had his hands on his hips, looking around him, where were the boys? His anxiety began to build, a weight forming on his chest.

Then he saw two figures walking towards him and he sighed in relief, out of control panic about the kids only ever a heartbeat away.

''Where were you?'' he demanded as they got within hearing distant.

Peter looked at Harley, who smiled. He had this.

''Chill Pops, we were just hanging, talking. You could have warned us, not great to walk into a room full of those people.''

Steve cringed, that was unfair on the boys, they should have thought of that.

''Come on, its dinnertime,'' he appeased and Harley grinned at Peter who nodded.

Yeah right, so this worked better, don't attract the heat, avoid it.

''You okay Pete?'' Steve asked, he knew he had just been played but he wasn't entirely sure how.

''What? Yeah Pops, I'm good,'' Peter smiled sweetly and Steve was very unsettled.

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''Hey guys, wash up and set the table,'' Tony kept it light, as he threw a questioning look at Steve; he had been gone a long time.

He shrugged, not sure how else to respond.

The other adults had gone quiet, aware this may be an ignition point; Berlin casting an unpleasant shadow.

Peter and Harley didn't acknowledge them, didn't look at them, they walked by as if they were invisible.

''Excuse me,'' Pepper got up and followed the boys.

Clint pulled a pained face at Sam, who was the most apprehensive; his last encounter with Peter had resulted in him seriously injuring his beloved Uncle.

''Are the children happy with us being here?'' Trust Vision to come to the point.

''No Vis, they're not but we will have to get through it. Just remember we are the adults,'' Natasha was the one who answered.

Her relationship with Peter was terrible these days- he could hardly bear to look at her let alone speak to her. Her anguish was all encompassing and she had spent many hours mourning the loss of a connection that meant so much to her. In her darkest moments, she agonised over her decisions, her choices, one in particular; at the time she had been so sure what she was doing was right but now, well now she questioned it constantly.

''What she said,'' Tony added instantly.

''But they will be polite,'' Steve said firmly.

The others grimaced, that didn't bode well for a peaceful reunion.

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''You two, front and centre right now!'' Pepper stopped the two boys in their tracks.

''Hey Aunt Pepper, you look nice today,'' Harley smarmed and Peter had to stop a snort of amusement.

''Cut that out right now. You Harley Rogers-Stark cannot get around me that easily. Where were you?'' she demanded.

''Playing ball in the quad,'' Harley answered as Peter stared at his shoes.

''Peter?'' she went for the weaker link. Peter revealed his true feelings more easily than Harley.

''Like he said Aunt Pepper, just playing ball.'' Peter replied innocently.

Pepper looked between them, just like Steve, she knew she was being played but just wasn't sure how.

''You will be polite and behave, do you understand me? This is important to your parents, got me?''

They nodded.

''Okay so go wash up,'' Pepper sent them away, although the uneasy feeling remained.

As Peter walked away, he couldn't help but wonder why how he and his brother felt didn't seem to matter.

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Everyone was already at the table when they got back, pausing to set up Halo for an over dinner game; there was no way either of them were passing time with these people, once dinner was over, they were gone. Peter was grounded from Video games but he was hopeful the dads would be too distracted by their guests to notice.

They sat down, their places on either side of their parents, separated for a reason.

Morgan was in her high chair right next to Peter, she reached for him and he pulled away from her.

Despite the fact Peter completely ignored her; she adored him and constantly tried to get his attention.

''Be nice,'' Tony warned quietly.

''She has food on her hands,'' Peter made wide eyes back at him. Jeez, even when he didn't do anything, he got told off.

'' Just be nice!'' Tony dumped salad on his plate, so much salad.

''Do you hate me or something?'' Peter couldn't help it, his dad was goading him.

''Peter!'' Steve snapped.

''What? He knows I hate salad, he just ruined my dinner and I'm hungry,'' Peter forgot Harley's advice.

''So you will eat the salad then won't you?'' Tony said an edge evident.

''Fine,'' Peter started eating, eating really quickly, eager to get away.

He was starting to understand he was the bad kid, the one his parents expected to give them strife. Morgan was a baby, Harley was so chilled he was virtually horizontal, and Peter couldn't keep his mouth shut, so they picked on him. His parents picked on him, they just did.

There was talking, lots of talking, the adults slipping back into an easy rhythm. Peter didn't listen or engage, he just ate, ate at break neck speed.

Clint watched him, then raised an eyebrow at Sam who frowned; that kid did not want to be here, he really did not want to be here.

Sam remembered a time when Peter hung on their every word and spent hours with all of them. Now, he couldn't bear to sit through dinner in their company, it made him sad. He loved Peter but here he was, afraid to speak to him because he didn't know how he might react.

Steve ignored Peter as long as he could manage; Tony was feeding Morgan so hadn't noticed.

''You need to slow down before you choke,'' he said quietly and Peter stopped, looked at him, shrugged then carried on eating as if his life depended on it.

''How was school Peter?'' Natasha broke the embargo.

''What?'' Peter stared at her in consternation.

Steve pinched the bridge of his nose, how many times did he have to correct this?

'' I said how was school?'' Natasha repeated.

''I dunno, ask Harley. He goes to school as well you know,'' Peter was rude; he didn't mean to be but honestly why did they always focus on him? Why did Harley get a free ride?

Steve just about controlled himself, this was never going to be easy and reprimanding Peter in front of everyone wouldn't help.

Tony frowned at Peter who ignored him and shovelled the last few mouthfuls of food in.

''Okay, so Harley how was school?'' Natasha was patience personified.

''It was good thanks Aunt Nat, we did a fun experiment in Physics,'' Harley smiled.

Natasha turned to Peter who was actually the one she wanted to answer her. He hadn't answered a direct question from her for weeks and now he was a captive audience.

''So Pete, to put it another way was school fun today?''

''I don't think you actually understand the concept of school,'' Peter dead-panned, again unable to stop himself.

Sam laughed, he knew he shouldn't but he did anyway. Clint did as well.

Even Natasha cracked a smile, Peter had always been funny.

''So can I go now? I am done,'' Peter turned to Steve who shook his head.

''No Peter, you can't,'' he answered firmly.

''Why not? I ate the salad, the mountain of salad,'' Peter glared at Tony as he said that.

Tony was struggling with Morgan who was throwing food at him, Peter smiled.

''Because I said so,'' Steve went for the familiar.

''Oh God fine, whatever!'' Peter crossed his arms and slumped down in his chair. Although his attention was diverted to his sister who began to blow raspberries at Tony, covering him in food.

Peter sat up, that was pretty funny.

''So how about those Patriots? Not a great result Cap,'' Sam said, a conversation about football was a good distraction as Steve was so obviously struggling with Peter. Steve was soon engrossed, as was Harley.

Peter began to make faces at Morgan over Tony's shoulder; she giggled and threw a handful of food at him which hit Tony in the chest.

Peter suppressed a snigger.

He stuck his tongue out at her and she blew raspberries at him, food flying around.

Tony turned around and Peter dropped his head. Tony narrowed his eyes suspiciously but as he hadn't actually caught him, he said nothing.

Wanda and Natasha watched this unfold with amusement; Natasha chose to say nothing as this was the most positive interaction Peter had ever had with his sister.

Morgan then closed her mouth and refused to eat; she waved her arms at Peter and arched her back, clearly about to scream.

''I can feed her,'' Peter held out his hand. Tony was speechless and passed over the bowl.

Morgan squealed, sat up and clapped her hands.

She ate the entire bowl with no fuss, she giggled in delight as her brother flew food aeroplanes into her mouth. Just like that a special bond was established. From that moment on Peter and Morgan were devoted to each other; it was a devotion that would be tested but would last a life time.

Tony patted Steve's arm, he stopped talking and turned. They watched silently not wanting to break the spell and by the time Morgan had eaten her dinner; the entire table had tears in their eyes.

The special things were always worth waiting for and they had waited a long time for this one.