Thank you all so much for the support you've shown this story. We're approaching the end now and have a little more fluff before the real angst begins—though there is some at the end of this chapter. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"You sure it's okay for me to be up here?" Peter asked nervously.

They were in the cockpit of the jet. Peter was sitting beside Tony, looking at the multitude of buttons and controls, wondering how even a genius could remember what they all did.

Tony nodded. "As long as you don't press anything and send us down to a fiery death, we'll be fine."

Peter grinned. "I'll try to resist the urge."

They were on the way to Phoenix to visit the Grand Canyon, one of the things Peter had wanted most on his bucket list. Much to Tony's surprise, Peter didn't argue about the cost for once, mostly because Tony made it clear that he wanted to go just as much. Apparently, Tony had promised Pepper a trip that they'd never made, so this was an excellent excuse to dust off the jet and go.

"Air hostess," Pepper called behind them, striking a pose with a hand on her hip and her other holding a silver tray with a can of soda and a thermos cup of coffee.

"Thanks, Pep," Tony said, turning to take the drink.

Pepper bent in front of Peter and said, "Would you like ice, sir?"

Peter laughed. "No, but thanks. You make a great hostess."

Pepper relaxed and said, "It's a special occasion. I expect you to wait on me during the flight home."

Peter nodded. "Happy to."

Tony flipped open his cup and took a swig. "Perfect," he said. "You're a marvel, Pep."

Pepper stroked his hair. "I know."

She perched on the edge of Peter's seat and placed a companionable hand on his shoulder. "Shame May couldn't come."

"It is," Peter said, and it was the truth. He missed May and wished he could share this with her, too.

"Shame?" Tony scoffed. "She's a coward. Flying is nothing to worry about."

"I don't think flying was the problem," Pepper says, winking at Peter. "I think her exact words were 'I'd sooner pull a week of double shifts than trust Stark in control of a plane with me in it.'" She laughed.

"That hurts," Tony said. "I'm a good pilot."

"You're an excellent pilot." Pepper leaned over and stroked Tony's hair. "She knows it, too. She'd never have let Peter fly with you otherwise."

Peter ducked his head and grinned. There were a lot of things on his list that hadn't managed yet, but there was one thing he wanted that he was too afraid to put on the list, thinking it went too far. He wanted to fly, really fly, in the Iron Man suit. He knew it was possible because Rhodey did it in his braces. And it would be a dream come true, but he didn't want to ask because he knew Tony would say no.

Tony took another swig of coffee. "We're almost there. Get a good look at it. You won't get a better view than this."

Peter leaned forward, staring out at the ground beneath the clouds, then Tony took them a little lower, and he saw the vast canyon below them.

"Oh, wow…" he breathed. "That's amazing."

"It is," Pepper agreed. "Thank god you wanted this, Peter. I don't think he'd ever have brought me otherwise."

"Well, you know how it is," Tony said easily. "You can only have one favorite, and that's the one that gets the treats."

Pepper sighed theatrically and said, "Don't I know it. I'm a Spider-Son widow."

Peter knew she was joking, and he laughed, but it did make him think of something he'd not considered before. When it was over, when he was gone, Tony and Pepper would still have each other. Ned would have his family. But May would be alone. He didn't want to break the moment between them, but he felt urgently now that he had to do something about it. He could leave May alone, not after she had lost Ben, too.

Before he could decide what to do, Tony said, "Buckle in. We're heading down."

Peter leaned back in his seat, snapping on the seatbelt. Pepper disappeared into the plane's depths as they banked left and gradually got closer to the ground. The runway was ahead of them, and he watched as it seemed to rush up to meet them, and then with a gentle thud, they were touching down and decelerating.

The plane came to a halt, and Tony touched the controls, then glanced back over his shoulder. "Okay, before she shows up and starts ordering us around, I need an opinion."

Confused, Peter nodded and said, "Sure."

Reaching into his pocket, Tony pulled out a small velvet blue box. He flipped it open, holding it out to Peter. There was a gold ring nestled in the silk lining with small diamonds set in the edges like stars. "What do you think?"

Peter stared at it, "It's beautiful. Really pretty."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Of course it's 'pretty,' I designed it, but is it good enough for Pepper?"

"Yeah." Peter was still wondering what Tony was asking him.

Tony sighed. "You're killing me, kid. This is a wedding ring. Pepper is going to be my wife. Do you think she'll like it?"

Peter's mouth dropped open. "You're getting married? Like really married, not just engaged?"

Tony grinned. "That's what usually follows the engagement process, yes. I've got it all arranged for tomorrow, we're doing it. She has no idea since I might have fudged things a little to get the license, but I'm pretty sure she'll say I Do anyway. But… is the ring good enough?"

Peter examined it with a new determination, grinning as he imagined the ring on Pepper's finger. The idea of them finally marrying—it was awesome. And he'd get a chance to see it. That thought made his eyes prickle. He never thought he'd live to see them married. He figured it would have happened eventually, but not until some point far in the future. They both seemed so busy.

"It's perfect." Peter beamed. "Really. She's going to love it."

Tony grinned and then quickly stuffed it back in his pocket. "May and others are all staying in the next hotel, so it'll just be you, me, and Pepper until just before the ceremony tomorrow. Don't say a word."

Peter mimicked zipping his lips and grinned. Tony had done an excellent job pretending May wouldn't fly out with them. Pepper had no idea. He had one concern, though. "Uh… Tony … What about the dress? I thought that was a big deal for women."

Tony grinned, making the corners of his eyes crinkle. "It is, but luckily Happy knew where she'd been shopping, so I could go in and find out which one she'd put aside. She doesn't think I know about it, but Happy is pretty good about tipping me off most of the time." He looked over his shoulder and said, "One more thing before she shows up. I'm going to need a best man."

"Sure, Rhodey's here, too, right?"

Tony blew out an exasperated breath. "And Pep calls me a stupid genius. I want you to be my best man, Pete. I can't think of anyone better. You up for it?"

Peter's breath caught, and he had to focus, not letting the prickle in his eyes become tears. He nodded and said, "Yeah, absolutely."

Tony clapped him on the shoulder. "Let's get out of here. I've got us a donkey ride into the canyon booked in an hour."

Peter raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

Tony snorted. "Can you picture me riding a donkey? No, kid. We're not riding donkeys. But we can fix it for you if you're interested."

Peter shook his head, a small smile on his face. "I'll give it a miss, thanks."

Tony got to his feet, and Peter unsnapped his seatbelt, pushing himself to stand. He steadied himself on the back on the chair when his legs began to waver. Once his feet were under him, he followed Tony out. They found Pepper waiting for them, her foot tapping.

"What were you two doing in there?"

"Just talking," Tony said innocently. "Peter was trying to persuade me to do a donkey ride, but I figured we'd give it a miss and go for a dip in the hot tub, instead."

"Hot tub? Tony, we're at the Grand Canyon. You can soak if you like, but me and Peter are going to make the most of this, right, Peter?"

She wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and Peter nodded. "Definitely."

He was going to see the Canyon today, and tomorrow he'd get to see his dad marry the woman he loved.

Tony could tell Peter was anxious that morning as they ate breakfast. He kept glancing around at the people at their tables, and Tony was worrying he was going to tip Pepper off if he didn't cut it out.

He didn't mind, though. The fact he was so hyped about the wedding meant a lot to Tony. He'd not expected that. The fact the kid had such a hard time catching on to what Tony was saying when he'd told and asked him to be his best man was kind cute.

Thankfully, Tony saw the restaurant door open, and May, Rhodey, and Happy came in, May carrying the dress in its silver cover. They were all grinning, and when Peter saw them, his breath rushed out in a laugh.

Pepper looked from them to the door, her mouth dropping open. "Uh … Tony? What's going on?"

With a nod to Peter, Tony slipped out of his chair and dropped to his knee beside her, holding out the box with the wedding band in it. "I know we've already done this part, but I thought we could actually do the marriage part now."

Pepper clapped a hand to her mouth. "Are you kidding?"

Tony's face fell. "That's a no?"

Pepper shook her head. "No, idiot, it's a yes. It's just a shock. And I've not got anything to wear."

"That's where I come in," May said, holding up the garment bag.

Pepper pulled Tony close, kissing him firmly on the lips.

"How long do I have?" she asked.

Tony checked his watch and said, "Three hours. I figure it'll take Pete and me that long to make ourselves look pretty."

She swatted his arm. "You're funny. But I've got to go." She jumped up and said, "I've got our room. Where are you two going?"

"It's all sorted," Tony said. "We've got everything we need, and Happy will swing by to pick you up when it's time."

Pepper beamed, and then she and May rushed out of the restaurant together, chatting animatedly.

Tony sat down again and said, "Grab a seat, you guys. We've got plenty of time before we've got to get ready."

Happy and Rhodey sat down, and Tony gestured over the waiter who brought menus for them to examine and order from, and Peter began to fork up his eggs again. He was grinning, though the shadows under his eyes were darker than they had been the day before. Tony told himself it was just because he'd had a long day before, with the flight and their time exploring the Canyon, but he knew that wasn't it.

He shook off the thought, though, reminding himself that this day was for Peter as much as it was him and Pepper, and if the kid was tired, they'd make sure he slept later.

Besides, Peter was obviously happy, and what was what mattered to Tony right now.

Though Tony had been perfectly relaxed all morning, Peter could tell he was starting to get edgy once they were in their suits, and he, Peter, and Rhodey were piling into the car that would take them to the place the ceremony would be held.

He fiddled with his cufflinks and adjusted his tie.

"Tone…" Rhodey said lazily.

Tony's eyes snapped to him. "Yes?"

"Can you calm the hell down? You're going to give yourself an ulcer." He nudged Peter. "Come on, buddy, you're the best man. Give him some words of wisdom."

Peter felt a little awkward being the best man with Rhodey there, but the man seemed perfectly happy with the situation.

"Okay … uh … wisdom." He licked his lips, mind blank. "Pepper is great, and you get to have forever with her after today."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "That's wisdom?"

Peter shook his head. "No, but it's a fact. This is just standing up in front of a judge or whatever and saying some words. The scary part is already done. She loves you, and you love her." He shrugged. "I've never been in love, but I know that it's pretty scary to let yourself trust someone with your heart, so the scary bit is over."

Tony stared at him, seeming to be seeing something more than just the skinny kid in his grey suit, and he nodded. "That is actually pretty wise. And you're right. The scary bit is over."

Peter smiled, feeling bolstered. He was struck by the thought that he had never experienced romantic love and never would, but the thought didn't trouble him the way it once would have. He might not have been in love, but he had loved. He loved Tony and May, and Pepper and Ned, and the only scary part was trusting that they wouldn't leave him the way his parents and Uncle Ben had. Instead, he was the one leaving them.

The car came to a stop, and they climbed out. A woman in a blue pantsuit rushed toward them and said, "Mr. Stark. Great to meet you at last. Everything is ready for you."

Peter looked around, taking in the area. There were white chairs with ribbons on their arms, and a beautiful flower arched stood at the end of a walkway. There was a table with plates of canapes and bottles of champagne in silver buckets waiting beside rows of sparkling glasses. It was surprisingly lowkey for Tony, but he thought Pepper would like it better this way. She always seemed happiest when she got home at the end of the day and could disappear into her room, coming out in sweats with her hair in a messy bun.

"We need you to speak to the judge," the woman said, leading Tony away to a man in a black suit.

Rhodey stood beside Peter and said, "You okay, kid?"

"What? Yeah. I'm fine."

"Nervous?"

Peter shrugged. "I don't really know what I have to do to be the best man. I looked online last night, but it was all about speeches and stuff, and I don't think it's going to be that kind of wedding." His eyes widened. "Is it?"

Rhodey laughed. "Definitely not. Tony hates speeches. He says he's listened to too many of them in boring meetings and tends to fall asleep the moment they start. All you've got to do is stand up there for him and hold the rings."

Peter nodded. "Yeah. I can handle that."

"Of course you can. Tony wouldn't have asked otherwise."

Peter bit his lip. "I didn't expect it. I figured it would…"

Rhodey chuckled. "Be me? Maybe it would have been once, when Tony needed someone to make sure he didn't run off at the last minute and steal a getaway car, but he's not that man anymore. He chose right."

Peter shifted awkwardly. "Yeah, but you know him better."

"I don't think I do. I've known him longer, sure, and he's my best friend, but you're his kid, Peter. You know him better in a different way. This, Tony and Pepper getting married, means you'll become a real family. Nothing I've ever been able to do for Tony can match that. With you and Pepper, he's got the family he deserves."

Peter had to swallow hard as he was a bit overwhelmed. He didn't think of it like that. They already felt like a family, him and Tony, Pepper, and May, but this was making it real.

"Head's up," Rhodey said. "It's time."

Tony came back to them, shifting from foot to foot, and then the woman Peter guessed was the wedding planner came over and said, "Positions, gentlemen."

Rhodey stood, and Peter and Tony went to the altar. Peter stood to the side, watching his friend as the car drew up. He knew the moment Pepper was revealed, even though he wasn't looking, as Tony's face broke into a huge smile, and all the tension seemed to seep out of him.

He looked away, seeing May adjust the folds of the dress Pepper was wearing, white and lacy and really pretty. Peter wasn't a fashion expert, but he imagined it was an expensive dress—no less than what Pepper deserved. May came forward to stand beside Rhodey as Pepper looped her arm through Happy's and started down the aisle. Classical music began to play from the table where the food and drinks were set up.

As she approached, Peter's eyes moved between Pepper and Tony, seeing the blinding happiness in both faces.

When Pepper and Happy reached them, Happy placed Pepper's hand in Tony's and said, "There you go, boss."

Tony thanked him and then looked into Pepper's eyes, his own shining with happiness.

Peter saw the moment it happened when he and May, Rhodey and Happy, ceased to exist for Tony and Pepper. It was just them and the judge. All that mattered was this moment and ritual.

He watched, his smile so wide it was hurting his face. He'd seen Tony go through a variety of emotions, but he'd never seen him in real joy before.

Peter and May were stretched out on lounge chairs on the balcony of his room, staring up at the stars.

The wedding was perfect. The ceremony had been something special to witness. Peter had been startled when it was time for him to hand over the rings as he'd been so consumed with what he was seeing. It wasn't the romance or sentimentality. It was seeing two people he loved so wholly happy and committed to a moment in time.

When it was over, and May had given him a nod of permission to have a glass of champagne, but he didn't like it. It went up his nose and tasted funny, but he figured it was an experience.

They'd spent a few hours at the reception, talking and taking pictures with the pushy photographer that had been hired for the occasion. Even as blissed out as Tony was, Pepper had still needed to soothe him when he began shouting orders.

Tony did not take orders well.

Peter gave a little shiver, and May's eyes settled on him. "You cold?"

"Yeah, but I'm okay."

May sat up, and he expected her to go into the room to get him a blanket, but instead, she just stared at him for a moment. Knowing she had something on her mind, Peter wrangled his legs around, so he was sitting up and facing her, too.

"What's up?" he asked.

"How do you feel, Peter?" she asked.

"Great. Today was awesome. It'll kinda suck to go back to the tower tomorrow after being here, but Pepper's got to work." He rolled his sore shoulders. "Tony says they're going big for the honeymoon when she can take time off."

May nodded with a smile. "Today was great, but I want to know about you."

Peter looked into her eyes and saw the worry there. "I'm okay, really. Sure, it's getting harder, and I don't think I'm going to be able to use the braces much longer since I'm not as strong, but that's okay."

"Are you in pain?"

"Yes, but the Tylenol is good for it."

May gave him a serious look. "I need to make a deal with you, Peter."

"Sure."

"I need you to start telling me how you feel. When you need stronger painkillers, I need to know so I can arrange that. I don't want you to feel I don't trust you, but I know you hide stuff to protect us, and you mustn't do that anymore."

Peter sighed. "I know. I will tell you. But I don't want you all worrying. I can handle it right now."

"Honey, we're going to worry more if we think you're hiding stuff. And we don't want you 'handling' pain when we have a way to ease it." She moved to sit beside him and held his hand. "None of us want you to suffer."

A question rose to Peter's lips, but he bit it back. If he could ask anyone these questions, it'd be May as she was the one that knew the most, and he thought she was the strongest of them all now. But he didn't want to hurt her before he had to. It wasn't time.

"What?" she asked, stroking his cheek. "Tell me."

Peter examined her for a moment and then released the question in a whisper. "Is it going to hurt when I die?"

May flinched, squeezing her eyes closed and taking a breath. When she opened them again, she smiled at him. "No, I promise you that. I'll make sure it doesn't hurt." She seemed to hesitate on the verge of speech for a moment, and he nodded for her to go on. "Doctor Banner and I have made arrangements for when it's time. We've got everything prepared so you can stay in the tower."

"In my own room?" Peter asked hopefully.

She nodded. "If that's what you want. There is another room prepared with what you might need, but we can make sure it's your room if you like."

"Yeah, that'd be good. I'd like to be there." He wanted to be in the place that had become his home, with the Iron Man poster on the wall that he'd never taken down because it made him smile and, in a silly way, feel safe.

"Then that's what we'll do," she promised. "We'll make it all as normal for you as we can. There are other things…"

Peter squeezed her hand. "Say what you need to say. You're the only one that I can talk to about this, the only one that can tell me what I need. I can't talk to Tony about it. He can't…" It felt strange to say that there was something Iron Man couldn't handle, but he knew Tony couldn't. "We can't talk about it."

May nodded, seeming to brace herself and then asking, "What kind of support do you want to... give you more time."

Peter frowned. "Like what Doctor Banner is trying to do?"

She shook her head, hand coming up to stroke his face. "No, honey. I mean things that will give you just a little more time. When you can't breathe, do you want a machine to help you?"

Peter looked up at the stars, letting the question sink in. There was no clear answer. He didn't want it, but he didn't think he could say no either. He didn't think Tony would ever forgive him if he didn't use everything he could to extend his time and give Doctor Banner a chance to find a way to fix it.

"This is about what you want, Peter," she reminded him, maybe knowing what he was thinking. "Not me, not Tony, only you." She touched his chin, turning his face to hers. "You are the only one that matters in this."

But that wasn't true. It was about the people he was leaving behind, too.

He took a deep breath. "I want whatever there is to give me time. If Doctor Banner finds something, I'm going to need to be alive for it, right?"

May pressed her lips together and then smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. He could tell she believed there was no cure, and maybe there wasn't. He wasn't really sure he believed there was. It was possible, though. Stranger things had happened, so he had to buy them all the time he could.

"Can I ask you to do something for me?" Peter asked, nervously chewing his lip.

"Anything," she said, and she sounded so sure. It settled something in Peter. Her hand went to the back of his neck, thumb rubbing soothingly. It was a warm and familiar weight that grounded him.

"Don't be mad when it's over. I know you're going to be upset, but don't be mad. And let Tony and Pepper help you. They will, I know. Don't be on your own."

Tears gathered in the corners of May's eyes, and she raised her face to the sky for a moment before looking down at her lap. Tears trickled down her cheeks. "You're right. I am going to be upset. I am so scared to lose you, honey, but I know I can be strong as you've shown me how. And I will let Pepper and Tony help me, and I promise to help them. This family will stay together."

Peter's face spread with a wide smile. "Thank you." The relief he felt, the confidence and promise in her voice, was heady. He really believed they were going to be together without him. May would be taken care of, Tony and Pepper, too. They'd all take care of each other.

May kissed his cheek and then tugged his face into her shoulder. He thought she might be crying, but it didn't make him sad anymore. For the first time since he found out what was going to happen, he actually felt that it would be okay for everyone, not just him. He'd accepted that he was going to die, and he'd made peace with it, but he'd been scared of the ones he would be leaving.

He wasn't scared now, not about any of it.

So… Did you enjoy the fluff? Do you hate us for the angst? Please, let me know. I thrive on feedback.

Until next time…

Clowns or Midgets xxx