…A Little Place Called Home…

/Warning/: This Chapter contains… maybe cursing, fluffiest fluff, a little sadness, Peter is cutest, Howard is protective, and things are looking up! And who knows what? All reviews are appreciated.

P.S: This is an Omegaverse story as in Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics, you have been warned!

"Character talking"

"Character thinking"

…Flashbacks…

Chapter 12

Howard could only gaze at his son; his son that looks the happiest that Howard saw, his son that Howard was sure the last time he smiled like that was when he was pregnant. Howard's eyes could only take Tony in; gazing at how happy and at ease he was, listening to him humming whatever song that was on the radio this morning with a skip in his steps. The smell of the delicious breakfast filled the kitchen, causing Howard to blink his eyes when he was thrown back into an old memory; an old memory just like this, with Howard sitting on the dining table with his newspaper and coffee, Maria standing over the stove just like Tony was, humming happily as she twirled around while preparing whatever Italian dish that she fancy that day, Jarvis as always, was shaking his head at the mess, but the smile refused to leave his face as he cleaned the dishes that Maria caused with her spontaneous cooking, and Tony, small, not older than five years being a ball of energy, does nothing but rush toward Maria and hold her tightly as he called her Mama with the biggest smile a five years old can have.

Howard tried to shake the echo of that memory away, tried to shake the heartache away; Howard though, furrow his brows when he realized that the voice he heard calling out 'Mama' was not that of fantasy, he was sure of that, because it sounded too real, even to Howard's old ears. The answer came not a few seconds later when Howard gazed at the small boy of ten years old with a shock in his eyes.

The boy was shuffling toward Tony with a sleepy face, calling his son 'Mama' as he held into him refusing to let go, which did nothing but make Tony give a happy laugh and ruffle the boy's hair; a boy with dark brown hair like Tony's, dark eyes, and pale skin. A child that resembled his deceased grandson and at the same time doesn't, a child that was the reason for his son to smile; a child that made the picture that Howard hide in his wallet for three years to burn and weigh him down.

"Is he bothering you again?" The blond Alpha, which Tony told him named 'Steve', came into the kitchen, a big gentle smile on his face as he took in the sight of Tony and the small boy attached to him. they made a happy picture, a picture that Howard had a long time ago but waste it away because he listens to the delusion of a mad man. "Good morning, Tony." That was a murmured breath between the Alpha and his son; the Alpha stood near Tony and the small boy, a whispered of something shared between them before the Alpha kissed Tony the cheek causing his son to chuckle happily.

"What about me? That's not fair!" The boy whined as he shuffled, snuggling into the Omega's stomach more, glaring at his father, giving him a warning look, causing both Tony and Steve to let out a laugh. 'Brat' that's what the blond Alpha whispered, affection in every letter in the word; the Alpha grin as he ruffled the small boy's hair causing the boy to squeak, and try to slap the big hands away from his hair, which gained him nothing but happy laughter from both the adults surrounding him.

Howard though could only gaze at the sight in front of him; he could only watch as the family in front of him smiled and laughed and joked with each other, their grins refusing to leave their faces. A part of Howard felt a little jealousy at the sight in front of him, he was so jealous that, he has wasted his chance in having this, having the family he always loved and cared about because he followed the empty promises of Stane. The larger part of Howard on the other hand was feeling love, pride, and happiness that his son finally had the family he deserves, with a loving Alpha that made it his mission to paint the smile on Tony's face, the lovely child who gave his affection readily; this was Howard's only wish for years, for Tony to find his happiness. It seemed that his boy did find it in the end, even when the road started with heartache and bad decisions.

"Who's that…?" The pup asked when he finally noticed him; Howard could do nothing but smile at the boy who shies away behind Tony, a flush on the boy's face as he waved a hello toward Howard. The action was sweet and it caused a small smile to take over Howard's face as his eyes took in the family in front of him.

"Brat…" Steve sighed as he said that word, poking the small boy behind the ear, a gentle smile on his face. "Is that any way to talk to Tony's father?" The Alpha questioned, causing the small pup's eyes to widen, and Howard had to smile behind his teacup when the boy's wide eyes turned toward him.

"Does that mean, he is my…?" The words trailed off as they left the boy, causing Howard to tilt his head as he took in the boy; the small one looks like the picture. He looks so much like the picture that Howard wanted to go to the boy and pull him in his arms, but Howard reigns himself in, he doesn't want the little one to be afraid of him because he couldn't hold himself in.

"Yes, baby, he is your grandpa." Tony stated, a playful smile taking over his face as he winked at Howard. That action caused Howard's heart to pound uncontrollably in his chest, and he turned his gaze toward the small boy, who was watching him with wide eyes full of awe and curiosity.

Slowly, so slowly, the boy untangled himself from Tony's side and came toward him, a wondering look on his face as he took Howard in, a small smile growing on the boy's face as he reached him. "H-hello! My name is Peter Rogers, nice to meet you!" The blush on the boy's face caused Howard to give am amused chuckle, for Tony used to do the same thing when he was nothing but a small child, the blushing thing, Howard meant.

"Hello, little one, my name is Howard." If the boy's grin wasn't wide enough before it sure is now. It seemed that the little boy only needs this much of an ice breaker before he took the closest place near Howard and start chatting him up, telling Howard about everything and nothing, about what the little boy likes, what he hates, about the wedding that will take place soon and how Tony told him he can be the ring bearer.

That day, Howard can say he had so much fun, he had so much fun being a part of a family that he never thought he will have a place in. it made Howard think, it made him wonder, what if he was more acceptant of the baby that Tony had, would the small boy be with them now, roughing up with Peter and planning many mischiefs together; it made Howard wonder if the last three years would have been spent here, spoiling his grandkids and being a part of a family that loved him, instead of spending it in Malibu, staying in that big and cold mansion alone, doing work and work and wallow in regret and pity.

It made Howard wonder, but he was glad that Tony had finally found the happiness he was after; it made Howard glad that Tony could finally smile and laugh without the weight of the world on his shoulder. It made Howard relax when he sees such a loving Alpha treat his son like he was the Alpha's world.

When breakfast was done, Howard watched as Peter jumped out of the chair, telling everyone that he was going to his grandma to tell her about his new grandpa, which did nothing but make Tony and Steve laugh; Howard on the other hand was feeling quite embarrassed, for he had never thought that it will be a big deal being bestowed with that title. "I will go with him, knowing Peter who will go to Bucky first so the two of them can roughhouse together…" Steve said as he stood up, taking his and his son's plates with him to the sink, and coming back to give Tony a kiss on the cheek; before the Alpha was gone though, Howard saw the knowing smile send his way, and it made him wonder if the Alpha did this on purpose, making his son go to his grandma's house so he will follow him, leaving Tony and Howard alone.

"They seem like good people…" Howard started, getting a happy laugh from Tony as his son stood up, taking the rest of the plate with him putting them in the dishwasher after cleaning them; it was only a few minutes before Tony was back, two mugs of steaming coffee in his hands.

"They are…" Tony agreed with Howard as he gave him his mug, causing Howard to smile after he took a sip; black, two spoonfuls of sugar, his son always knew the kind of coffee he liked. "Steve was the one who pesters me about getting in contact with you; he said some really important points that I seemed to forget, or didn't think of. He is a good man, and his son is a good boy; I'm happy being a part of their family." Howard hummed to himself, his eyes not leaving Tony, whose face had a big smile, Howard could only study his son, hoping against hope that he won't make a mistake this time, that if he took everything calmly and heard Tony first everything will be fine.

"Are you happy Tony?" Howard finally asked after a short while of silence, causing Tony to blink his eyes in confusion. But Tony as always was smart and seemed to realize what Howard meant because his eyes soften and his smile became the pure definition of happiness causing Howard's heart to pound in his chest; this, this was the look that Howard longed to see on his son's face, this was the look he and Maria wished Tony will have when he will see his one and only, and it seems that God has heard his prayers because Tony has that look on his face.

"Yes, Dad, I am." Tony smile widens as he said these words, and Howard's heart felt as light as a feather when he saw the happiness radiating off of Tony. Howard could only take hold of Tony's hand and give it a gentle squeeze, words refusing to leave his lips, and Howard was sure if he opened his mouth now he will start sobbing…

This is what Howard hoped to hear for so many years now…

It was two hours later and just as Tony's friends promised him, today they decided to have a picnic in the park. It was a nice day to be outside, the sun was shining, the autumn breeze made everything bearable and cool, there was no cloud in sight and everyone was having fun. The kids were running and screaming in delight, being led by Peter on a treasure hunt, the adults were sitting and exchanging stories and food, laughing and joking with each other; Bucky was hiding behind Steve for protection against his mother who vowed she will kill him for hiding the secret of him dating Natasha for years without telling her.

Everyone was having fun, and Tony made sure of that, even his father seemed more relaxed as he exchanged stories with everyone and answering their questions about how Malibu was. Tony was happy that his father was finally reconnecting with everyone, on the other hand, Tony doesn't know what to do about his father and Steve's mother becoming rivals for the competition of who will gain the title of the most amazing grandparent, it was scary seeing the two of them glaring at each other and competing for Peter's attention.

Even his friends who were shocked about Howard finally showed up, couldn't help but laugh when he and Sarah start trying to one-up each other to be Peter's favorite; the little brat seemed to be enjoying it, which was good. Peter had pout for a whole hour when he realized that Harley couldn't come with them to their outing, he nearly starts crying about how unfair it was, only calming down when Steve promised him that they all could take Harley to the movies next week, all of them even Tony, so he could finally meet the boy who seemed to be Peter's best friend.

It made Tony a little unbalanced to be honest, how Peter attached himself to Harley like this in such a short time, it made him want to do research, on this Harley guy who seemed to gain Peter's trust. "Hey, Betty, can you tell me about Harley?" Tony asked the Beta sitting near him getting a confused noise from her. "Peter's friend, who he always goes on and on about; like the two of them are a married couple." Tony stated, getting a snort and a laugh from Betty who nodded her head.

"Ah, you are talking about Harley Keener. You know I can't really tell you that much about him, patient-doctor confidant, and all of that." Betty let out a sigh when she drank her hot tea, shivering pleasantly at the warm feeling spreading through her body, causing her to relax more.

Tony pout at her words, only to give a devilish smile later, causing Betty to narrow her eyes, and for Bruce to snort and turn his attention to Steve, telling him about baseball scores and all that jazz. "Fine then, if you won't tell me, I will have to hack the clinic security system, which won't be fun by the way; oh, and I won't go to the infants' room as I promised." Tony shrugged his shoulders; the bored expression on his face was hiding the giddiness he was feeling on the inside.

"You won't dare!" Betty hissed, causing Tony to raise his eyebrow, challenging Betty, which caused the woman to groan in defeat. "Fine, God, you are even worse than Clint when he sticks his nose in something. Come with me, I will tell you, if anyone from the clinic asked, I will say you forced me and I hate you." Betty grumbled as she stood up, knowing damn well that Tony won't stop pestering her until she told him what he wants to know, and that is she didn't he will hack the clinic server and by then she will wish she had told him, just to spear her of what will happen.

After they reached a faraway place from the screaming children and noisy adults Betty turned to Tony, a tired look on her face like she doesn't know what to say to him. "I gathered that he was abused by the way you acted over there, can you tell me more detail about him?" Tony stated as he crosses his arms, feeling like knowing what Betty will say next will make his mood darken.

"What I can say, Tony? The poor boy had it harder than even Peter when you first brought him in." Betty sighed causing Tony to frown as he realizes what she meant by that. "His father abandoned him and his mother when he was four, and his Omega mother pours all of her misplaced anger on him. Child Protective Serves took him away from her three years ago, by the time we finally rescue him he had been through ten foster homes, and half of them were as bad as his mother, as for the other half, they don't even know how to handle a child with his background." Betty grumbled, unhappy with the situation at hand, Tony was too, for his mind start going over and over many different ways to help the boy.

"He is with you for half a year now, right? Did he improve in that time?" Tony asked as he leaned on the tree behind him, causing Betty to hum and title her head in deep thought. The Beta looked like she was a step ahead from ranting and complaining about her job, which by then Tony would have let her do it.

"Well, Harley only starts getting better after Peter and him made friends; if you only could see them, the two of them are attached at the hips." Betty gave a chuckle as she crosses her arms her face becoming soft as she remembered. "Oh, Harley seemed to warm up to Steve too; after Peter introduced him to Harley, it seemed that your husband became attached to the boy, same as Harley, the boy only talk with Steve and Peter, sometimes me if I was lucky." Betty shook her head turning to the source of screaming to see Bucky chasing the kids, causing them to shriek and laugh as they tried to get away from him.

"Steve, huh…" Tony murmured to himself, what Betty told him playing in his mind over and over again, making him think and probably overthink things. Turning to Steve, Tony saw his husband slapping Bucky on the back of his head for scaring the children; it was only a second, but Steve glanced his way, giving Tony a gentle smile and a knowing look which made a smile twitch on Tony's face…

It seemed like his husband has something he wanted to share at the right time…

So what do you think?

Short chapter I know, but life has something to say.

Awe! Howard and Tony finally made up!

And poor Harley!

Read and Review

And tell me what you think…

Nazaki-Sama