This story has hit almost 80,000 views. That's positively insane. Also, shameless self-promo: I have published 2 new fics! They are both already completed too. :) One is a Tony-centric song fic and the other is a 70's Stony AU. If those seem interesting to you, check them out on my profile! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
It's three days before the wedding. There is so much to do in so little time, that Tony almost regrets getting married this fast. Almost. He can barely wait the three days as it is. Today is the bachelor/bachelorette parties, tomorrow is the rehearsal, and the next day is the wedding. After that, marriage. Tony still can't believe his luck.
They are leaving at about four to start the party, so naturally, at two, Peter comes bouncing into the kitchen ready to go.
"Let's go! I'm so excited! What are we doing?" He asks, practically bouncing with excitement.
"I don't know, Platypus, what are we doing?"
"You know it's a surprise, Tony." Rhodey rolls his eyes, clearly tired of his friend asking about it. "Cover your ears."
"Ugh, whatever." He grumbles, before begrudgingly covers his ears.
"We are going to drive race cars and then out to dinner." Rhodey tells him, while Tony glares.
"Fun! I thought bachelor parties would be bigger than that, especially for Tony. Is that it?" He asks confused.
"For you." Rhodey smirks.
He frowns. "What?"
"We love you kid, but you're sixteen. We aren't sneaking you into a club or a casino."
He sighs, "That's fair, I guess."
At exactly 4:30, Tony, Rhodey, Happy, and Peter found themselves in front of a long line of race cars. Rhodey, because of Tony's love for both cars and adrenaline, thought this would be a perfect way to start off the day. Tony was thrilled by this, so Rhodey counted this as a win. Peter and Happy both seemed excited as well.
Tony clapped his hands together. "So, who wants what car?"
"It's your party, Tony. You pick first." Rhodey encouraged him.
He barely had to think about it, before climbing in. "Fine. The red one, obviously."
"Dibs on the blue one!" Peter called out, running towards it.
"Grey one!" Rhodey smiled, jogging after Peter.
Happy got into the last car. "I'm fine with the yellow one."
They listened to the instructor and did a few practice skills before racing laps for about an hour and a half. Tony, being the asshole that he is, kept pulling his car a little to close to Rhodey's car, to the other man's frustration. Overall, Tony had a blast and was pleased to say if he ever had to seriously race against the others, he would absolutely dominate.
"That was incredibly fun." Peter breathed, climbing out of the car.
Tony laughed. "Do you know how little it surprises me that you think so? You're some sort of adrenaline junkie."
Peter gives him an incredulous look. "Says you."
Rhodey checks his watch and, seeing that it is already six, ushers them out the door. "Okay next up on the agenda, we are going out to eat."
"Where?"
"A restaurant about ten minutes away from here that sells really good burgers."
The restaurant was somewhat upscale, but also casual enough to sell burgers. It was decorated in mahogany and brown leather, with a bar in the center. Between the reservation and Tony's status, they were seated almost immediately.
To Rhodey's credit, their dinner was delicious. They all joked, laughed, and told stories of Tony's many, many, many failures. Some of them weren't too bad. Some of them Tony could not believe Rhodey was repeating in front of Peter.
After paying the bill, they left to drop Peter off at the tower.
"Okay kid, we will see you later." Tony told the younger boy as he climbed out of the car in front of the tower.
"Any chance you've changed your mind?" He joked.
"Nope." Tony grinned at him before pulling away.
It was definitely a good thing Peter didn't go. They started out at the casino, where Tony lost a reasonable sum of money, but won back in one lucky game of blackjack. Rhodey, who usually frowned upon gambling, was by Tony's side at every stop as his lucky charm. Tony, unfortunately, abstained from drinking due to him finally having controlled his alcoholism, but that didn't stop the other two from getting absolutely trashed. At least he wouldn't have a hangover. Once the lights got too blurry and they had headaches the size of Saturn, they decided to call it a night.
The next day was the rehearsal and dinner. They practiced who would walk down the aisle with whom and when. They made sure everything they needed for the wedding had arrived and was ready to be set up. Overall, that part was boring and exhausting. Worth it, though.
Once that was over, everyone in the wedding party (plus a few others) went out to dinner at a steakhouse in Manhattan. Tony and Pepper, now practically glued at the hip, both stood up to speak at the beginning of dinner.
"We would like to thank you all for coming. We are so lucky to have such amazing friends and family to support and celebrate us during this amazing time. To thank you, this dinner is on us, so order whatever you'd like."
"We're getting married tomorrow!"
"Woo!"
Tony was up very early the next day, consuming enough coffee to kill a small horse. He had a permanent smile on his face, but him tapping his fingers on the counter told everyone who knew him how nervous he was. Peter wanted to ask how he was feeling, but was unsure what kind of answer he would get. Luckily, Rhodey entered the kitchen, and would likely ask the questions Peter was thinking.
"Today's the day. Are you excited?" Rhodey greeted him.
"Very." Tony answered.
"Are you nervous?"
"Very." His perpetual smile turned to more of a grimace.
Rhodey shook his head. "Tones, she loves you a lot. You have nothing to be nervous about."
He frowned and looked down at his cup. "What if she regrets it? What if this doesn't last?"
"She's known you for about fifteen years. She knows you. If she was going to leave, she would've."
Tony points out. "A marriage is very different than employment and dating."
"I know. That's why you're doing this." Rhodey tells him.
"Do you love her?" Peter pipes up.
Tony gives them an incredulous look. "More than anything else."
"Then you're ready."
Tony still felt nervous, but that conversation made him feel a little bit better. It wasn't until he was getting ready that the nerves really kicked in. He could barely button his vest, his hands were shaking so was currently in his room getting ready, with Peter, Rhodey, Happy, Steve, Bruce, and Thor. The Asgardian had come all the way from Asgard for this, which made Peter very excited. They all were waiting for him in his room as he finished getting dressed.
"Oh god. Where's my suit jacket. I haven't seen it anywhere." Tony comes out his closet practically sweating. Every time he felt a little bit better or more confident, something else would go wrong.
"It'll be fine, Tony. It's gotta be around here somewhere." Rhodey reassures him.
"Oh! Found it! It's right under Thor's hammer." Peter calls out, heading towards the dresser. "I'll get it, Tony."
"Oh, Peter-" Tony tries to tell him, but his voice falters.
Peter lifts the hammer up with ease before passing Tony his jacket. "Here." Noticing the looks on everyone's faces, his eyebrows scrunch together. "What?"
"You just lifted Thor's hammer!" Steve sputters.
"So?"
Thor, breaking out of his trance, explains to the young boy, "Only those who are worthy of ruling Asgard can wield it, young Peter."
"None of us can other than Thor." Bruce says.
Peter's jaw drops. "Oh."
Tony's face splits into a massive grin, before yelling, "That's my kid!"
The weather was perfect. They took a gamble having an outdoor rooftop wedding, but it turned out perfect. It was overcast, but not too dark, and little chance of rain. The weather was slightly chilly, but that was expected for November. The decorations were beautiful too; the aisles were lined with white flowers with gold accents. He didn't have much design input, which is understandable, so most of this is a nice surprise for him.
The picturesque setting is interrupted by an angry red head in the middle of the aisle.
"The chairs do not get set up there. Are you stupid? They aren't even in line." Natasha barks. "Clint!"
"Yes ma'am." The poor worker apologizes before skittering off to fix his mistake.
Tony laughs. "As much as I appreciate this Nat, you don't have to."
"I'm more than willing. I'm having a great time." She tells him with a genuine smile. A split second later she frowns and angrily yells into her walky-talky. "Clint!"
Tony shrugs. "She'll be fine."
Only a few minutes later, everything is set up and the guests start filing in. Tony could see from his spot in the building Pepper's family taking up the first few rows of her side, and some of their colleagues in the rows behind them. Tony's side, on the other hand, was taken up by all the Avengers in the first few rows, then a few trusted reporters. He scratched his arm nervously. Rhodey, sensing his change in mood, places a comforting hand on his shoulder, and encourages him to take a few deep breaths.
After a few more minutes, when everyone had taken their seat, Tony took his place, his groomsmen filing in line behind him. The music begins to play.
"Here we go." Tony takes a deep breath as the ceremony begins.
Tony is standing at the altar, tapping his fingers in anticipation. Next to him, stands Rhodey, then Happy, then Peter. He can't keep the smile off his face as he watches the procession begin. First down the aisle is Pepper's niece, Patricia, who is the flower girl. She is followed by Elizabeth and Florence, Pepper's sisters and bridesmaids, and Natasha, doing her duty as maid of honor. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Tony watches Pepper walk down the aisle. Her simple off the shoulder dress makes her freckles stand out, which Tony thinks is adorable, and he is impressed how she walks so calmly and intentionally, despite her floor length sheath dress. He absolutely would trip if that were him, but she doesn't seem concerned at all. God, he loves her.
When she makes it up the aisle to stand in front of him, he is not ashamed to admit he is already crying.
"Friends and family, thank you all for being here on such a joyous day. We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Anthony Edward Stark and Virginia Rose Potts. We now welcome words from each of them." The priest introduces.
"I'll go first, if you don't mind." Pepper starts. "Tony Stark, I was not prepared to fall in love with you. When we first met, you were a young man who had just inherited a company, so I was expecting you to be annoying and egotistical. And you were. But you were also the most charming and funny man I had ever met. You made me laugh like no one else could. And despite your best efforts, I saw what a kind and generous person you were. I don't know if I have ever told you this, but I was in love with you the second we met. To marry you today is a dream come true."
If Tony wasn't crying already, he definitely was then. The last of his worries flew out the window as he took in the bright blue in her eyes and her curled red bangs framing her face. He was memorizing every inch of her face and every detail of this moment. After a few moments of silence, he spoke his own vows.
"Pepper, I love you more than I can possibly express. You stood by me, supported me, and gave me a good kick in the ass when I needed it. I've spent my whole life surrounded by robots, believing that I could fix everything all on my own. But you, Pepper Potts, helped fix me. You showed me how much I can care about another person. Now, I can't imagine living my life without you. I can't wait for the life ahead of us."
He smiled at her. She smiled at him.
"Virginia Rose Potts, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
She didn't hesitate for even a moment. "I do."
"Anthony Edward Stark, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do."
"You may now kiss the bride."
He reached forward without a second thought and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in for a deep kiss. He could hear everyone around them cheer and clap, but all he could focus on was the woman in front of him, his wife.
From there, everyone headed back inside for the reception. There were long tables draped with white tablecloths and set up around a big dance floor. They used simple gold accents with a modern theme. It was Pepper's idea and he loved it.
They headed to the dance floor where they had their first dance. It was "Lucky" by Jason Mraz. Pepper had suggested it and Tony agreed, unsurprisingly. It was a slow, yet upbeat and hopeful song, that Tony thought was perfect for the occasion. The swayed and spun and time felt like it stopped for those three minutes.
The second Tony and Pepper left the dance floor, they were swarmed by friends and family members congratulating him. The first one was obviously Peter, wrapping the two of them in a big hug. He obviously had been crying, based off the many tear tracks, but the kid's big grin told them it wasn't caused by sadness. Then came Pepper's parents, Happy, various Avengers, some Stark Industries employees they were close with, and the two trusted reporters.
When they returned to their tables and Pepper left to talk to her sisters, Tony was finally approached by his best man. "I can't believe I lived to see the day where you got married." Rhodey tells him, passing him some sparkling cider.
"Me neither." Tony tells him, dazed.
Rhodey laughs at the look on his friend's face. "How does it feel?"
"Incredible."
"What are you doing for your honeymoon?"
"Pepper and I are headed off to Italy tomorrow afternoon."
"That sounds great!" Tony was really excited for it. Not jus because it was his honeymoon, but Italy is one of his favorite places and he surprisingly had yet to experience it with Pepper.
"Yeah. Peter is staying at the tower with the Avengers, so he should be fine, but…"
Rhodey rolls his eyes and cuts him off. "Tones. It's your honeymoon. That boy is sixteen years old. It'll all be fine."
"Yeah, you're right."
"Good. Now keep mingling and have fun." They clinked their glasses together and Rhodey disappeared into the crowd.
After a few more hours, things started to wind down. Most of their casual friends had left, leaving behind only their close friends and family members. Tony glanced around to see Pepper saying goodbye to her parents, who were leaving for their hotel, and Peter sitting in his place at the table. The kid looked exhausted, with his head propped up on his hand and his eyes half shut.
As if reading his mind, Steve materialized next to him. "I'll take the kid home."
"Are you sure?"
Steve nodded. "Yeah, of course. I'm heading back to the tower anyway."
"Thank you so much." Tony downed the rest of his drink. "I'll see you tomorrow before we leave?"
"Sounds good." The man started to walk away before turning around, "Oh and Tony? Congratulations."
Tony grinned at him. "Thanks, Steve."
After the last of the guests had left, Natasha shooed away Pepper and Tony, insisting they go to their hotel room while she stays to supervise the clean up crew. Because of their excitement to spend their first night together as a married couple and the look in Natasha's eyes, they didn't argue.
The next afternoon, the newly weds returned to the tower to pick up their luggage before their flight. Pepper did some last minute list checking, while Tony questioned Steve.
"So you know his school schedule and everything?"
"Yep." Steve reassured him.
"What about-"
Steve cut him off. "Tony, he'll be fine. Besides, even if we don't know something, he does. He's sixteen, not six."
"That's true I guess." He called out, "I'm leaving now, Peter!"
"I'll miss you. Have fun." Peter said into his shoulder, giving him a tight hug.
He mocked being offended. "You too. Don't cause too much trouble while I'm gone."
"What? Me? Never."
Pepper came up to the boy and gave him a hug too. "Bye, Peter."
"Bye, Pepper."
As the doors closed, Tony called out "see you all soon!"