Chapter 40

"It's starting May!" Peter shouted, sitting up on the sofa, calling to May who was making them some hot cocoa in the kitchen. He looked intently at the large TV watching as his parents approached a podium set up in the Tower. The press swarming around them.

May rushed in a moment later with two cups. Setting them down, she grasped Peter's hand; "It will be fine honey."

"Thank you for being here today." Pepper said first offering a small smile at the crowd. But Peter could see how nervous they both were too, especially the way they were holding hands so tight. It was then Peter realised what his parents were doing for him. He felt so touched and so loved.

"I'm sure you are all wondering why we called you all here on such short notice." Pepper continued; "Tony and I are here to make a statement, but we will not be taking any questions today."

A few murmurs went out, and a few confused questions were shouted out.

"All you need to know will be revealed in our statement." Tony said stepping forward. He nodded at Pepper moving to take his place at the podium, and he cleared his throat.

"As I'm sure many of you are aware, my wife and I were seen at Midtown High school with a student, Peter Parker for parent teacher day a week ago. We released a statement that said he was my intern and part of a paid internship at SI. That is the truth. However, there is more. Peter," Tony paused to look at Pepper for support, and Peter leant forward off the sofa, listening intently; "Peter Parker is my son." Tony said facing the camera and smiling. For him.

It made Peter smile.

"Mr Stark!"

"Mr Stark!" The press were all shouting.

Pepper just raised her free hand; "No questions please."

"I understand this is a shock to all of you." Tony continued; "Especially given our last statement. We held back the truth to protect Peter. So he would not have to suffer any scrutiny from all of you, and could have a normal childhood. However, I would like to be able to be out in public with my son without any of you jumping to the wrong conclusions. So...no more secrets or lies. The truth is, I had a brief relationship with Peter's mother, Mary Parker at a tech conference in November of 2000. She was separated from her husband at the time, which I'm sure you will all soon find out once you look into this. We cared for each other, but our relationship did not last. She returned to her husband, and I moved on with my life. However,.." Tony trailed off hesitating, he wasn't sure about this next part. Because it would hurt Peter's mother. For keeping Peter from him. Peter had said he wanted to tell the truth, but he wasn't sure it was right.

"It's ok dad." Peter whispered urging him to go on. It was true they could lie and say Tony knew all along about Peter, but stayed out of his life for his own good, but Peter didn't want that. It might fall back on his dad for abandoning Peter for so long. He wanted to tell the truth. He didn't want to hurt his mother's memory, but Peter felt they had to tell the truth.

"She found out she was pregnant, and she decided not to tell me."

More murmuring went out, and Peter turned to May, hugging her tighter. Support for her as much as him.

"I did not find out the truth about Peter until last year. I am upset that I missed so much of Peter's life, but I understand why Mary did what she did at the time. You've all reported on my playboy lifestyle from all those years ago, and can see why she might have wanted to keep Peter a secret from me. To protect him from the life I had back then. So he could have a normal family, a real family. Peter's aunt, May Parker respected his mother's wishes, but did not know about me." Tony took a deep breath; "I'm not the man I was. I hope you can all see that now. I've grown, and I'm married, with a son now. A family. I would just like to spend time with my family, without all of you following us everywhere we go asking us questions. If you have any questions about this, please send them to my office and I will respond in kind. Don't go badgering my son please. He is just a kid, and doesn't deserve to be followed around and have his picture taken like a zoo animal."

Peter paused this extra bit wasn't in the statement he saw. His dad was adding parts now. For him. To protect him.

"I know you won't listen, but I'm still going to ask. Give him some space. You can ask me and my wife questions that's fine, but leave him alone."

"Over thanksgiving," Pepper added; "think about your own families, your own sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and think how they would like it to have crowds of reporters following them everywhere they go, assaulting them with questions."

"We get that you are all looking for stories, the truth," Tony wrapped up; "and this may be a big scoop for you, but this is my family. My son."

"Our son." Pepper added, smiling warmly at him, which she got in response from him.

"Please, respect that. And respect my wishes. And remember he is just a kid."

"There's no more story here than that." Pepper finalised; "You can look but there's nothing else to find. We may not seem like it, but we are just a normal family."

"Thank you for your time." Tony said lastly, nodding at the crowd as they turned to leave.

The press all stood up shouting and screaming questions, but Tony and Pepper quickly made their exit. Happy getting them back into the car and driving off before they could get stopped by reporters.

"That went better than I thought." May murmured with a small smile.

Suddenly Peter's phone started ringing on the table. He picked it up grinning as he answered; "That was amazing dad."

Tony sighed closing his eyes, so happy to hear Peter's voice, having him on speakerphone on the drive back; "You think so bud?"

"Yes. I do. Really. You and mom, you did really great."

"Thanks honey." Pepper replied; "Are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm good. Thank you. Both of you, for doing that for me." Peter replied, unable to stop smiling.

"Of course spider baby." Tony said; "So we'll be back real soon and I expect a big hug when I get in."

Chuckling Peter nodded before remembering his dad couldn't see him; "A hug I can do. I love you 3000 dad."

"And I love you 3000."

Peter giggled as he hung up. Was that going to be a thing now? He kinda hoped so. He'd like that. It reminded him just how much his dad loved him.

0o0ooSPIDERMAN00o0oo0o

As soon as the door opened, Tony found a small bundle of spider baby jumping into his arms.

"Dad!"

"Hey spider baby!" Tony grinned, wrapping his arms around Peter, and closing his eyes as he covered Peter's head. A sense of calm waving over him. Peter always had that effect on him.

Then Peter rushed to hugged Pepper as she passed.

"Oh honey. I missed you too."

Happy closed the door, and May moved to hug him, staying in his arms.

"So how is this going to play out?" May asked as Peter leant back, but Pepper kept an arm around him.

Tony looked at Peter hesitantly; "I'm not exactly sure. This has obviously never happened before."

"The press usually move on to a more exciting story after a while." Pepper offered, brushing over Peter's head; "It will blow over eventually."

"In the meantime, we'll be fine here." Tony said reaching to squeeze Peter's shoulder; "We're got the best security system here, Happy's called a security team as well to be stationed outside at all times to keep the press away. We've got plenty of food to last through thanksgiving. We'll just have to hole up for a little while."

Peter nodded before turning to May; "Are you...do you have to work?"

"No honey I'll be here. I've taken the next couple of weeks off. So I can be with you." May reassured him.

"Oh good." Peter grinned. So they could spend the time together as a family; "So um should we watch a movie or something?"

"Why don't you go hang out with dad in the lab for a bit?" Pepper offered kindly; "He hates press conferences so I think it will be good for him to have some fun. What do you say?"

Tony looked at Pepper in awe and gratitude. It was true he felt the need to spend some time with Peter after that, it just amazed him how well Pepper knew him.

Peter looked at his dad hopefully; "Yeah that sounds good."

"Great come on bud." He slung an arm around Peter and guided him out; "To celebrate I was thinking we could start building your own Iron Man suit."

"Mine? Really!" They heard Peter exclaimed in excitement as they were leaving.

"Be careful!" Pepper called after them shaking her head in amusement and fondness. They could act like two big kids when they were working, she just hoped they didn't do something stupid.

0o0o0SPIDERMAN00o0o0o0o

"So what do you think?" Tony showed Peter the schematic he made up for Peter's Iron Man suit; "It's just a rough idea. I know you've probably got some ideas. And well we're doing this together so just say whatever's on your mind. I will say though that I'm not equipping it with a load of weapons, this is more for recreation than you going out and fighting in it."

Peter just stared at his dad, he had changed into his casual band t-shirts and jeans, and looked more like himself. But all Peter could think of was what his dad did for him today. He was in awe.

When Peter didn't reply Tony turned to him and froze. Peter had a goofy look on his face.

"What? You don't like it?"

"No no I do. It's just...you're my hero."

Tony snorted; "Er yeah I think I know that bud."

"I'm not talking about Iron Man. I'm talking about you. My dad. Tony Stark. Iron Man is great, but he didn't do what you did for me today. You did. What you said for me...and you've been there for me through everything. Nightmares, injuries, being sick, hanging out...you're my hero dad."

Tony's eyes watered, and he pulled Peter in for a hug.

"You're mine too you know."

"Dad." Peter rolled his eyes.

"No I'm serious. I'm a changed man because of you. You make me want to be better. So thank you."

"You're welcome."

Ruffling his hair, Tony gestured at the screen; "Ok now what do you think?"

"I love it. But...maybe a few ideas?"

"Have at it bud." Tony sat back and watched as Peter played around with the holographic schematic, removing things and making notes for other ideas. He looked at Peter's face in fascination. The kid was so smart, maybe even smarter than him. He was actually. Tony knew that without a doubt. He just wished Peter saw that in himself, if he believed in himself more. He would see he could do anything. Tony had complete faith that SI was going to be in good hands when the time came.

0o0o0SPIDERMAN0o0o0o

The next few days were actually pretty normal Peter thought. He just hung out with his family like he usually would. He resisted looking at the news reports, scared what he might see. His parents were checking he knew, but they never told him what they saw. Because he asked them not to. The only one who did was Ned. But surprisingly, Ned said the stories weren't so bad. It was mostly just about the shock of a Stark Heir coming to light. There were some stories about Peter's mom and step dad's death and Ben's, and frequent reference to him being a 'love child'. A few were more aggressive accusing Tony of abandoning Peter all those years, along with the more conspiracy theory stories. But Peter knew it wasn't true, they were just trying to dredge up readers, and he didn't really care about what they thought or said. He wasn't going to let what anyone said affect him, or his relationship with his dad again.

Peter had also done a few video calls with Ned which was great. He apologised to Ned profusely for getting him involved with the fight with Flash, and not being a great friend to him lately. Ned had always been there for Peter through everything, never turned his back on him, and Peter felt bad for not confiding in him before, for shrugging him off. Well and for the press badgering him too. Ned was his best friend and Peter wanted him to know he valued their friendship, and wouldn't take him for granted again. Ned said it was fine, he hadn't been mad but worried about Peter. Still Peter used some of his allowance money to buy Ned some LEGO sets with a promise to hang out more to build them together. That and an assurance that he wouldn't hide things from Ned anymore. Suffice to say Ned forgave him, and looked forward to hanging out together again. They were both jumping for joy that Flash wasn't going to be an issue anymore too.

0o0oo0SPIDERMAN0o0o0o

When Thanksgiving rolled around, Peter got up that morning and took a chance and looked at the news. He was still top story, but given they weren't taking interviews or answering questions, the press were soon starting to get bored. They were running out of things to write about on him, so he found other stories were soon making headway. He was sure when he went out in public with his dad, the press would be there and there would be more stories. And then there was school... But he could handle it. As long as he wasn't alone.

Bounding downstairs, Peter entered the kitchen and watched in amusement as Tony and May were weakly arguing as they cooked. Both trying to take over from each other. Pepper just rolled her eyes as she was setting the table with Happy. May wasn't much of a cook, but it was tradition for her to cook Thanksgivings dinner. Sometimes it was burnt or dry, but Peter still loved it.

Peter stood and watched them for a few moments. His family. Warmth spread throughout his body.

Then when Tony tried to sneak a taste of one of the pies. May squealed and slapped his hand, as Pepper came over and whacked him with a towel. In response, he pulled Pepper in for a kiss, making her laugh and swat him away.

Happy sidled up to May to kiss her, and she gave him a taste of the pie Tony tried to eat.

"Hey no fair!" Tony gaped.

"She just likes me more. Sorry boss." Happy jeered.

"Betrayed by own wife and friend."

Then Tony saw Peter and his grin widened; "Hey bud! I'm glad you're here. You got to help me out here, your mom and your aunt are being mean to me!"

"Well get out of my kitchen." May mocked.

"It's my kitchen actually."

"Have you actually cooked Thanksgiving dinner before?" May said putting her hand on her hip, looking at him expectantly.

"...define Thanksgiving dinner..." Tony drew out.

Pepper just snorted; "No we haven't May."

"Hey my darling wife you're meant to be on my side!"

"And I always will honey."

Tony sent her a sceptical look before turning back to Peter, tilting his head; "You ok bud? You seem quiet this morning." He rushed around the counter to him, as the others looked up concerned.

Peter just hugged his dad.

"I'm just happy."

"Aw spider baby me too. Come on." He slung an arm around Peter; "I need backup here. I'm being out numbered."

"Maybe we could all cook dinner together." Peter offered, and waited whilst everyone paused to mull that over; "I usually help May out anyway. It might be fun." He insisted.

Tony and May shared a look and nodded.

"Great. Ok Peter come here honey." Pepper ushered him over, and they both starting cutting up some carrots. May and Happy were cosying up whispering, and Peter watched his dad sneak another taste of pie, and wink at him.

Peter just laughed. He had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Most importantly, his family.

THE END.