Thank you for the reviews. This story has a solid readership so I think there is a market for it. Early update as very busy the rest of this week.

I keep my notes to a minimum, don't want to detract from the story, let it speak for itself- a lot of Harley here.

Condolences to my American cousins for your loss, Kobe seemed an outstanding person.

Thought our family could use a holiday.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Steve carried Peter to bed; he had lasted about ten minutes into the movie- wiped out by his busy weekend.

''Do you think Pete will listen to you about Spiderman?'' Harley asked Tony, who glanced at him.

Harley was stressed by his brother's activities which was worrying as he was currently dealing with his own demons – that was more than enough for anyone, let alone a teenager.

''He has no choice kiddo, we will keep him safe, you are gonna need to trust us okay?'' Tony reassured his eldest son who nodded doubtfully.

''It was kinda mean making him do all those chores,'' Harley chuckled and Tony smiled.

''Was it? Trying to teach him a lesson, you have extra chores, do you think we're mean parents then?'' Tony was interested to hear Harley perspective. He had lived most of his life in a chaotic, impoverished home with no rules and no stability, which was the antonym of his new situation (baring one notable exception).

''No, you're great parents. I didn't mean that Dad, it was a lot that's all,'' Harley clarified.

''He has super strength Harls, it was no more than he could handle. It wasn't supposed to be easy, that's the point of a punishment,'' Tony was touched that Harley was going into bat for his little brother.

''I guess. It would be good to have a break from trouble so Pete not doing Spiderman will help with that, '' Harley shrugged.

Tony nodded, there had been a lot of problems recently; they could all do with some peace and relaxation.

''Anyone want more popcorn?'' Steve called from the kitchen.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

''Take the kids out of school? I dunno Tones, it will be Summer soon enough and Peter's grades have barely improved,'' Steve laid back against the pillows.

''We all need a vacation Steve. The house in Malibu is just sitting there. I will home school the boys, finish up their year- I guarantee they will end up with better grades. We can go to Europe afterwards as we planned,'' Tony had it all worked out.

''Mmm, maybe,'' Steve still wasn't convinced, it felt like they were rewarding the kids and they had done little to earn that recently- the exact opposite in fact.

''Tell me you are not tempted by the sun and the beach, plus Peter will be far, far away from New York and Ned,'' Tony played his ace card and Steve laughed in defeat.

''Very subtle.''

''It's my middle name babe,'' Tony smirked.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

''Can we go to the beach?'' Peter asked excitedly as he dropped his bag in the hallway.

'' Go unpack and Dad will take you to the beach once you're done,'' Steve was indulgent, the house had been opened for them, there was groceries in the kitchen and the pool was ready to go. The benefits of immense wealth. Peter raced away as Tony struggled in- Morgan asleep on his shoulder and a suitcase in his hand. They had opted to have no staff so they could spend quality, alone time with their children; plus Steve was never comfortable having others doing his biding.

''Wow, this is your house; you have this house and the tower. Wow!'' Harley was still getting used to the trappings of money.

''It's our house, our home, '' Tony said gently, he dropped the suitcase and placed his arm around his eldest son's shoulders, understanding it was a lot for him. Harley nodded and blushed, getting the message.

''Harls, help Dad with the luggage and then you guys can go to the beach whilst I settle your sister and get dinner ready,'' Steve took Morgan from Tony, his husband had been right, he felt lighter and more relaxed instantly.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tony walked along the beach with the boys, Harley beside him whilst Peter chased waves and ran off his excess energy after the long journey.

''This is amazing Dad,'' Harley commented shyly.

''My mom hated California, but I enjoyed living here,'' Tony replied.

''Why did you move back to New York?'' Harley knew about the attack, of course he did, it was why he met Tony in the first place.

''Well, cos I was needed there, with Iron Man and all. Plus, most of SI is based there and to get away from the memories, have a fresh start,'' Tony explained.

''And cos of the Avengers?''

''Yes because of the Avengers. It made sense to base them in New York, more central, worldwide wise, ''Tony agreed.

''What was your mom like?''

''She was beautiful and elegant, funny and wise, very wise. She was a tough cookie, took no BS,'' Tony laughed, it was nice to reminisce about his Mom; although he had to block out her final moments from his consciousness- that was very far from nice.

''Kept you in line huh?'' Harley read the subtext and Tony nodded.

''Yeah, she did, she really did but she always put my Dad first and that was hard. I needed her in my corner with him and she wasn't always there. It was hurtful,'' Tony was honest, he figured Harley would understand.

'' Is that why you were so wild back then?'' Harley knew his dad's history.

''Yeah kiddo, it was. Plus being put in too many adult situations when I was only a kid.''

''That sucks. Are you still mad at her?'' Harley revealed his inner feelings about his own mother.

''No, not now. I was back in the day but now I just miss her, she would have loved you guys. Would have adored being a grandmother, I guess I am just sad, sad that she missed all this,'' Tony was very open; Harley was a kindred spirit as he had an equally conflicted relationship with his mother.

''My Mom was, is a train wreck but I still love her. I feel like I shouldn't but I do,'' Harley said nervously.

''She's your Mom Harley; you should not feel guilty about loving her. Loving is never wrong, it's hard sometimes but never wrong,'' Tony reassured him.

''But what about you guys? You and Pops, you're my parents now,'' Harley revealed his conflict.

''Yes, we are and we always will be but that does not mean that you have to pretend you don't have a Mom or deny loving her,'' Tony felt a small twinge of pain when he said that. But he would do anything for this boy and if he had to share him because it was what was best for him, then he would do that however much it hurt.

''You don't mind?'' Harley was surprised by Tony's words and checked he understood.

''No we don't mind,'' Tony reiterated.

''You're the best Dad and I really, really love you,'' Harley spontaneously embraced Tony who hugged him tightly back. This was his reward, being magnanimous did not come easily to him but he knew it was the right thing to do.

They walked silently for a while, Peter skimming stones in front of them.

''Is how your Mom and Dad were why you and Pops are the way you are?'' Harley asked and Tony gave him a quizzical smile.

''And how are we exactly?''

''You're kinda over-protective Dad and pretty strict,'' Harley pulled a face as he said that.

''Are we? Well we are the deal you were dealt so gonna have to put up with it,'' Tony pulled him under his arm and tickled him- he wasn't offended and didn't disagree with Harley's description, it was accurate.

''It helps that you have a ton of money so I guess I can do that,'' Harley sassed as he broke away.

''Sure sucks to be you,'' Tony winked.

''Where's Peter's Mom?'' Harley asked bravely, he was curious and had wanted to ask for a long while and now seemed an opportune time.

Tony paused, this was difficult for him but as much as he wanted to believe he could ignore this question forever, he couldn't. It was only a matter of time before his youngest son asked; he was surprised he hadn't already.

''Peter's mother gave up her rights to him when he was born, she didn't want to be a mother,'' Tony cringed as he realised how that sounded. He was defensive about this subject so his reply was harsher that he would have liked.

''Oh, does Pete know that?'' Harley looked over at his brother playing carefree in the waves, he was angry on his behalf, what sort of person does that?

''No, no he doesn't. Please Harley do not tell him, when the time comes Pops and I will tell him,'' Tony wished he had not been so blunt.

''Maybe don't say it that way Dad,'' Harley pulled a pained face.

''No, I won't. She did love him Harley; she gave him up because she loved him. I know you will struggle to understand that but one day you will. For now, you say nothing okay?'' Tony tried to repair the damage and Harley nodded, reading his dad's turmoil.

'' I found a jelly fish,'' Peter ran over and pulled Tony over to the gloopy pile.

''Do you think it's deadly?'' Peter was delighted with that idea as he prodded it with his toe.

''I have no idea but can you please stop touching it just in case,'' Tony slung Peter over his shoulder and ran towards the waves.

'' Dad, Dad, put me down! Put me down!'' Peter squealed.

''Put you down huh?'' Tony smiled maliciously at Harley who nodded; Tony waded deeper and then dumped Peter into the cold Atlantic Ocean.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

''Dad's a bully, he threw me in the water and it's freezing,'' Peter grumbled to Steve who was sitting on a lounger, sipping a chilled glass of wine as he enjoyed the warm evening sun.

''You wanted me to put you down so I put you down,'' Tony sat down next to husband and took his hand.

''I didn't mean in the water,'' Peter slumped on the end of Steve's lounger.

''Warm up in the hot tub. I turned it on a while ago, it should be toastie now,'' Steve looked suggestively at Tony who chuckled.

''Eeew, so that's gross,'' Harley said, he understood the sub text which went over Peter's head.

''Why is that gross?'' Peter frowned at Harley who was pulling off his T shirt.

''You wanna play in the pool?'' Harley ignored the question and Peter jumped up.

Soon the air was filled with the sound of playing children as they rough housed in the water.

''Good idea right?'' Tony grinned smugly at Steve who nodded.

''The best.''

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

''Don't eat the sand Morgan, it's not food,'' Peter pulled his sister's hand out of her mouth. Her bottom lip trembled.

''Don't cry okay, here,'' Peter shoved a spade in her hand which she instantly began to chew on.

''Jeez, I give up, eat sand then,'' Peter rolled his eyes and went back to his castle.

''Hard to believe he's the same kid,'' Tony commented to Steve, they were lying nearby enjoying watching their children.

''Yeah I know, it is the right decision Tones, banning Spiderman. Look at him, he's a baby,'' Steve was now completely convinced that Peter was far too young to fight criminals, even minor ones.

''Yes, yes it is and yes he is,'' Tony agreed.

''She probably shouldn't be eating sand,'' Steve laughed but didn't move.

''Babies needed to be exposed to germs, builds up their immune systems, anyways I think she just learnt that herself,'' Tony chuckled as Morgan began to spit and splutter, suddenly realising sand didn't taste that good.

''Up, up,'' Morgan held her arms out to Peter who took her hand and helped her to her feet.

''Da Da! Pa Pa!'' she pointed where she wanted to go, she was yet to take her first step, despite her birthday being only a couple of weeks away.

Peter held onto her as she walked towards them, then let go; Morgan continued to walk as the men held their breath- she took a few steps and then fell into Pop's out stretched arms.

''Yeah, you walked Morgan, you walked!'' Peter cheered and clapped his hands.

''Well done little miss,'' Tony cupped her head and placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek.

Steve held her up above him as she squealed and kicked her legs in delight.

''Clever girl, you are so smart,'' Steve blew raspberries on her tummy making her screech.

He laid her on his chest and she snuggled in, she gave Tony a toothy grin who looked about to burst with pride.

''Can I swim? I'm hot and sandy,'' Peter asked but neither man heard him as they enjoyed this significant milestone with their daughter.

Peter shrugged, then waded into the water. He found that his super strength allowed him to move through the water at a vastly accelerated speed, plus he could stay under much longer than other people. He powered towards a rock formation far away to the side, figuring it would be fun to somersault and dive off them.

''So I guess we don't have a photo of her first step then?'' Steve was disappointed; usually every moment of their lives was documented by FRIDAY, so of course Morgan chose a place without cameras for her great achievement.

''Oh ye of little faith,'' Tony tipped his head towards the cliff behind them where a camera was watching over them.

''Can't take risks with the munchkins babes, our children are always being guarded,'' Tony kissed him gently on his lips.

''That is very reassuring although their privacy…'' Tony held up a finger to stop him.

'' Is not as important as their safety. There are protocols built in which erase anything that is too personal. So no babes, the more salacious moments of our love life are not about to surface on an illicit sex tape, that's for our eyes only,'' Tony teased him. He loved that he could make his super soldier blush so easily.

''Pa Pa! Pa Pa!'' Morgan slapped Steve's cheeks to get his attention, then made the sign for food and drink. They had taught her basic signs as she had exhibited frustration at not being able to communicate; she had taken to it very quickly.

''Yes honeybun, it's time for lunch,'' Steve sat up and placed Morgan next to him. She stood up holding onto his shoulder, then launched herself towards the half built sandcastle, this time she fell flat on her face. The subsequent scream almost burst their ear drums.

''Up you come, don't cry baby. Daddy kissed the boo boo all better,'' Tony whipped her into his arms and covered her with kisses making her giggle through the tears.

Steve pulled on his T shirt then looked around.

''Where's Peter?'' he asked and Tony looked over in surprise.

''He's right there,'' he pointed at the sandcastle which the builder had abandoned.

''He wouldn't go swimming would he?'' Steve had lectured both boys over breakfast about the dangers of the ocean here and warned that they could only swim with an adult.

Instantly, Steve was overwhelmed with anxiety, it was starting to be a real problem and was always lurking just beneath the surface.

''No, you scared them to death this morning, you didn't have to threaten them with man eating sharks you know, overkill babes,'' Tony wasn't worried, Steve had been very forceful.

''He will have gone back to the house to get some food, you know how he is about eating,'' he theorised.

''Yeah I guess,'' Steve allowed his husband to pacify him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

Please review, its like water to a writer.

Salutations.