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Chapter 38 – Announcement at the Winery

Rose was breathtaking in her lovely dark blue dress. She walked with Pepper, wearing a wine red, dress and high heels into the winery. It was nearly noon there and the cool breeze reminded them it was February.

The Doctor, Tony and Lance walked with them. All three of the men wore their nice suits. The Doctor looked around and nodded his approval. "I can't remember ever going to a winery. This is interesting."

Lance nodded. "This reminds me of Taltus 7. You know. All of those, little fruits they grow-"

"And turn into candy! Yes." The Doctor smiled. "We need to go there. The children will love it."

Tony agreed, "Especially our oldest child. John."

Lance laughed, "I was going to say Lewis."

The winery was constructed of stone and wood. It looked as if it had been misplaced from the Spanish countryside. The rolling hills that surrounded the structure, had grapevines as far as the eye could see. The entryway to the winery was flanked by palm trees. English ivy had begun to grow on the stonework of the walls.

A woman with short, curly white hair met them. She spoke with a heavy Irish accent. "Wow. I'm so pleased you are all here!" She smiled and shook Pepper's hand, proudly.

Pepper smiled back at her.

Tony took over introductions. "Brianca? Right? We spoke on the phone."

"That was you?"

He smiled and took her hand. "Ma'am. I've heard only wonderful things. I'm Tony Stark, Pepper Potts' assistant."

The Doctor looked surprised, "That's not right-"

"Shut up, man. It is." Tony insisted.

Brianca laughed. "It is very nice to meet you."

Rose shook her head. "Nevermind, these guys. I'm Rose, and this is John and Lance."

They all smiled.

"I'm Brianca. I manage the winery here. I'm sorry, I'm sure you would rather not have camera and press in your face-"

"Naturally." Tony agreed.

"But, we were just named the Top Winery in the United States. There are all sorts of press here. I feel I should warn you before you stumble upon them in the main room. I will be making sure to put you all someplace, where you can enjoy yourselves. I want you to feel welcome here."

The Doctor took a deep breath and looked back at Rose. "What do you think?"

"We're here. We'll just make the most of it."

Brianca smiled warmly, "Splendid. Pepper has already called ahead and warned me of your arrival."

The Doctor looked impressed. "Wow. Really?"

Tony looked back at him, "Sure. She usually does that when we're going someplace." Tony put his arm around Brianca and walked back into the main room. "I need to get your number. I think I might need to get in touch with you about other things."

Pepper groaned and rubbed her face. Rose could feel she was uneasy. She took her hand. "What is it?"

She smiled and shook her head. "I just need to get through the next hour."

Rose took her arm in hers. "And a drink it just what you need. We're in the right place."

They walked into the main room which was a large, open place with tables set up everywhere. It had a marvelous view of the vineyards. At least 500 people were closely packed in the area. The room gasp as soon as they walked in. The Doctor turned and spoke to Lance. "Get Legate, Arcite and Adriano here and put everyone else on alert."

"They are on their way."

The five of them sat down at a round table near the stage, away from everyone. Seven large barrels sat behind the podium. Brianca went to the podium and tapped the microphone. The crowd grew silent.

"Good afternoon! My name is Brianca and I'm very pleased to welcome you all here today. As you know, our little winery is celebrating being honored as the Top Winery in the United States this year."

The crowd clapped politely.

Tony leaned over and asked Pepper, "Where are the subtitles?"

She laughed under her breath. "Tony."

He chuckled and propped his arm up on the back of Pepper's chair.

"I've been here for over 40 years. And I can tell you stories about Jimmy Potter, rest his soul, who build this winery with his own hands. Jimmy came here from Ireland after the war with $12 in his pocket, and a grape vine. Today, we've been able to expand his dream into a multi-million dollar winery and bed and breakfast."

The crowd clapped again.

Tony leaned over and asked Pepper. "Did she say, 'Bed and Breakfast?' I didn't know that. We could stay here."

"Shhhh. Tony." Pepper insisted.

Tony chuckled and rubbed his face.

The Doctor looked confused back at his friend, "What are you on about?"

Tony shook his head. "Nothing."

Brianca continued. "Yes. I believe Jimmy would be proud. Absolutely. So, we'll all celebrate with a glass."

She raised her glass and looked around the room. After everyone else had raised their glass, she said, "As the old Irish toast goes, 'If my Irish eyes are smiling-'."

Pepper a few others replied, "They are up to something."

Brianca laughed, "Indeed. Cheers."

The room laughed and took a drink. Cameras and reporters had all noticed that they were there. The snaps of the cameras and the whispers of the crowd grew hard to ignore.

Tony sat back and looked at them. "I'll handle this."

Pepper quickly stopped him. "No. Tony-"

He smiled, "I'll be good. I promised."

He walked on stage with Brianca and kissed her cheeks in greeting. Then he turned and waved to the room who cheered that he was there and had taken notice of them.

Rose could feel Pepper's dread. She took her hand. "Pepper. It's alright."

"Oh, I really hope it is."

The Doctor looked curiously back at her as he clapped with the room.

Tony stood behind the podium and looked out at the crowded room. "Well, hello. I know you saw me and my friends walk in so, I thought I would get up and explain why we're here."

Pepper groaned.

Rose pat her hand.

Tony smiled, "My friends, John and Rose, knew about this wine tasting today….so, they called us up and ask if we wanted to join them. Pepper has us all drinking it now, but that's not really her fault. See, I had this wine once when I was in Napa. As soon as I tasted it, I called Pepper and asked her to buy me what was it? Five cases?"

Pepper grinned and held up seven fingers.

He nodded, "Sounds like me. Yes. It's all I drink. Well, when I drink wine. You know, I'm more of a whiskey guy, personally. Like John."

The Doctor shook his head. "Why is he bringing me into this?"

Tony smiled, "Now, Pepper has tried to educate me over the years about when you should drink certain wines. Help me, Pepper. It's white with fish? Red with red meat? Right?"

Pepper nodded at him.

He smiled, "But, I ask…why? A friend of mine said recently that 'wine is poetry in bottle'. Who would agree with that here?"

The room clapped.

Pepper continued to hold Rose's hand. Rose could feel her growing apprehension.

Tony nodded, "And I would have to agree with that statement. Robert Lewis Stevenson is the first person who said that in his 1883 work, 'The Silverado Squatters.'

'Those lodes and pockets of earth, more precious than the precious ores, that yield inimitable fragrance and soft fire; those virtuous Bonanzas, where the soil has sublimated under sun and stars to something finer, and the wine is bottled poetry; these still lie undiscovered; chaparral conceals, thicket embowers them; the miner chips the rock and wanders farther, and the grizzly muses undisturbed.'

The Doctor crossed his arms and looked impressed.

Rose continued to hold Pepper's hand.

Tony continued. "What does "bottled" poetry mean? A poem engages and changes us. Makes us see the world a bit differently than we did before we read it. Before it became part of us. James Potter, or Jimmy rather, perfected his work of art here. And for that, we are grateful. He lives on in every bottle that is corked. With every glass that is enjoyed. With every conversation that engages us while we drink it. With every moment of change which is life. We are all enjoying his work of art. We are all, having a drink with James Potter, whenever and wherever this wine is enjoyed."

Rose held Pepper's hand tighter as she felt the lump in her throat threaten to overtake her at Tony's words.

"It is no surprise to me at all, that this winery has won the Top Winery of the US this year. I only find it surprising that it took this long. America is full of secrets, and I have found this one to be one of her sweetest ones. Congratulations!"

He held his glass up and took a drink. The room clapped and cheered. Tony turned and spoke to Brianca about something. Pepper took a deep breath. What was he saying? Brianca covered her mouth and nodded her head. She went back to the podium and smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Stark. So, there is a big announcement that we will be making shortly. Please. Everyone fill up their glass."

Tony looked back at Pepper who was glaring at him, "I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him-" She was sure he was about to announce their engagement.

Rose laughed at her friend and held her hand.

Tony went back to the podium and smiled. "I'm curious. Can anyone understand what Brianca says?"

Brianca laughed, along with most of the room.

Tony chuckled, "I asked Pepper for subtitles earlier. Alright. Everyone ready? I see the press is here for the Winery and not taking anything away from that, I wanted to talk about work for a moment here. Brianca has told me it's alright, so I beg of you to forgive me for allowing this to take center stage for a moment in the middle of your celebration. At least I think Brianca said it was alright."

He looked back at Brianca who was laughing at him and encouraging him to go on.

Pepper relaxed. "Oh good. It's that."

"For years I've had the best assistant anyone could ever ask for. I truly feel as though I couldn't find my shoes without her. She's an independent, focused, ambitious queen who has quickly became the person everyone wants to meet with when dealing with anything at Stark Industries. Never mind, the guy named, 'Stark'."

The room laughed.

Tony smiled and continued, "She's the boss of the place. She absolutely is. I returned injured and had to endure a long recovery. My business partner was killed shortly afterwards, and she unfortunately had the job dropped in her lap. But, she rose to the occasion and did what had to be done. Stark Industries grew more under her direction than it ever has in all of the years that it has been in business. And at the same time that she was doing this, she was taking care of me and overseeing my recovery. She still yells at me to be cautious when I use stairs, or even a sharp knife. Maria Stark would be very proud. I don't think she fussed at me as much. Actually, I'm sure she didn't."

The room laughed. Rose felt Pepper's relief.

"She tells me what I'm going to do, and refuses to let me do a lot of what I think is a great idea…that I usually realize later, wasn't."

The room laughed again. Rose looked back at Pepper, who was smiling at Tony.

"She's one of the few people who has no problem telling me no. She would tell anyone that she's made a full time job out of telling me no, and it's true. She tells me all of the time that I need to hear it more often. She's truly an amazing person. An incredibility hard worker who has put herself through school, held down multiple jobs at the same time, while always selflessly looking out for the little guy. She's truly something. Which is why it was no problem at all for me to put her into a position more fitting of her talents. I only hope, that she, Pepper Potts, will still help me find my shoes while serving as the Executive Officer of Stark Industries."

The room gasped and cheered. Pepper exhaled in relief.

Rose smiled back at her, "Wow. Congratulations!"

The Doctor kissed her cheek. "It doesn't surprise me at all. Wonderful, Pepper. Congratulations."

The room cheered loudly, but no one more than the staff of the winery. Pepper blushed and held her hand to her face. She looked back at Rose, who hugged her.

After a few minutes, the room grew quiet. Tony smiled, "Well, and as you see she's here. She's speechless, even though she already knew about it. But, I'll tell you a secret. She's not really too speechless, she's been ill. So, she's not able to really speak. So, allow me to express her apologies to the press. She won't be giving any speech here today. However, she will be either issuing a statement or having a press conference sometime next week regarding this. Right, Pepper?"

She smiled and nodded.

"Alright. So. That's all I had. Everyone, raise a glass….and let's share another drink with Jimmy…. to Pepper Potts."

Brianca rose her glass with the rest of the room as tears filled her proud eyes. The room took a drink and then cheered loudly in celebration.

Tony took Brianca's hand and had her join them at the table. She sat down and smiled warmly, "Congratulations, Pepper. That's wonderful."

Pepper smiled, "Thank you."

Lance and Legate moved a tall screen that separated their table from the rest of the room. Lance nodded to the Doctor and went to stand on the other side with Arcite and Adriano. Legate put his hands behind his back and stood behind the table, keeping watch over everyone.

Rose smiled at Tony. "That was an amazing speech. And you just….were able to…..just…."

Tony sipped his wine, "What? I tell Pepper that I'm actually really good with the press."

The Doctor wasn't convinced. "How long had you practiced that, mate?"

Tony groaned and looked back at Pepper. "Do you see this?"

She smiled proudly at him. "Thank you."

He returned her smile and rubbed his hands together as he looked back at her. "It meets the Pepper Seal of Approval?"

She sipped her wine and nodded. "It does."

Tony had to clear his throat to remind himself that he couldn't kiss her there in front of everyone. He poured himself another drink.

Brianca smiled, "And a brilliant place to announce it! Thank you for that, Mr. Stark. Our little winery will be all over the news tonight."

"No. I'm simply Tony. Anyway. Please meet a friend of mine. John Smith. He wants to talk to you about something."

The Doctor smiled, "Yes. I have a friend who has published a book. The main character in it is named Harry Potter."

Brianca laughed, "I know of this book. I love it. We are all reading it here. The series is wonderful."

"Indeed. Well, it's to be made into a movie. I love this wine, and would like to have it help promote the movie. Would that be something you would be interested in?"

Brianca looked back at Pepper and nodded. "I'll have to speak to the owner about it."

Pepper smiled.

Brianca continued, "But, I think it's something we can work out. Would you be having a card?"

The Doctor reached in his pocket and handed her his business card. "Call me, anytime."

Someone called for Brianca. She looked back at the table. "I'm very sorry. Please excuse me."

She walked away.

The Doctor sipped his wine. "This is such….Rose. I'm going to figure this out."

Pepper smiled, "What is he talking about, Rose?"

"This wine has an odd flavor to it. He's determined to figure it out."

Pepper giggled. "Just a second. I'll be right back."

She got up and walked with Lance into the other room where Brianca had disappeared to. The Doctor looked curiously at the situation.

"Tony?"

Tony sipped his wine and looked at his phone. "What?"

"Hmmm….Pepper?"

Tony put his phone back in his pocket. "Pepper, what?"

"Well…."

Tony laughed, "Yeah. Can't form words, huh? She does that to me, too. Hell of a video of Soli. He can really do that?"

The Doctor sipped the wine and nodded. The waiter brought them several appetizers.

Tony smiled and sat up, "Awesome! This is: Avocado Toast, Lobster Roll, Roasted Baby Beets and Fresh Berries and my personal favorite, Brioche French Toast." He chuckled, "I think she did that on purpose."

The Doctor crossed his arms and looked curiously at Tony. "What?"

Rose smiled, "That was really sweet, announcing that for Pepper here. I'm surprised the press isn't all over her."

"She's sick. That usually keeps them at bay." Tony told Rose as he put some beets on a small dish and handed them to her.

The Doctor looked confused, "That wouldn't cause her to be unable to speak. What's going on? Is she alright?"

"She's fine, John. Thanks for giving her some medicine. However, that shit you gave me-"

The Doctor groaned and sat back. "Oh, I know. Nope. Don't take that anymore."

"Well, duh….freak."

"Have you ever walked in your sleep before?"

Tony tossed some food in his mouth and shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. I slept through it if I did. It didn't leave an impression."

Rose rolled her eyes and sipped her wine.

"What's your number?"

"9%. It's been a hell of a day."

"9%?! Tony!"

Pepper rejoined them with a bowl of sliced peaches.

Tony pointed at him. "Shut up, John."

The Doctor groaned. "Well, Pepper. How are you feeling? I've not asked."

She smiled, "I'm fine. Thank you, John. Hand me your glass."

He handed her his empty glass and watched as she rubbed a peach around the rim of it. She put the peach inside of the glass and poured it full of the wine. "Taste that."

He took the glass back and sipped it. Then he took Rose's and sipped it. "That's it. A peach. It's so subtle, that you don't spot it. Wow. Thank you, Pepper. How did you know that?"

She smiled.

Tony took her hand. "There is a story about this. I read it in…something at home. The guy that made this wine, had a granddaughter. She played in the winery and was just into everything. Her favorite thing to eat was peaches. As they were putting up some wine to…ferment…she dropped a slice of a peach in it. It turned out to be the best wine anyone had ever tasted. They changed their recipe to always include that. It's in, every bottle?"

Pepper sipped her glass. "Most of them. Yes."

Rose was impressed, "How in the world do you know this?"

Pepper rose her eyebrows, "You would never believe me if I told you."

The Doctor sat back and crossed his arms. "Huh."

Lance leaned over and spoke to the Doctor. "I'm sorry, John. Lewis says there is a-"

"Ugh. I'm getting that, too. Tell him I'll be there in 30 minutes. They aren't going anywhere."

Rose sipped her wine. "Problems?"

"Nah. Discoveries. So. Pepper, Tony said you got your….present?"

She smiled, "It's lovely. Have you seen it, Rose?"

Rose smiled, "I've heard about it. I have to say, I'm envious. Someplace you can go….to be alone?"

The Doctor looked back at her. "I didn't realize you wanted that-"

"Who wouldn't?"

He rubbed his face. "Well, I'll get to work on that. Right."

Rose looked at Pepper, "Especially, after this morning. Oh wow."

Tony chuckled, "Trouble in the kitchen again?"

Rose smiled, "Trouble in the sitting room. And let's just leave it there."

The Doctor shook his head. "Oh, it wasn't. I had it under control."

Rose took his hand and raised it to her mouth to kiss. He smiled at her.

Tony laughed and pointed at the Brioche French Toast. "Pepper, are you picking on me with this?"

She looked at what he was pointing at and smiled, "Yes."

He nodded his head. "Cool."

Brianca returned. "Doctor Smith. I've spoken to the owner."

He looked impressed. "That was quick."

She sat down. "She is interested. She said to pull together a proposal, and send it to me. I'll be handling everything."

He smiled, "Brilliant. I'll talk to J.K. about it! Thank you!"

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