Pepper came at the hotel past 9 in the morning after. She has a spare key of Tony's hotel room so she graced herself in quietly since the father and son might still be sleeping.
"Tony..." she called but stopped short at the door of the bedroom. What she saw is a sight that can warm even the coldest of hearts, Tony's arm protectively around Peter's side while Peter's hugging his father, his face into Tony's chest.
Without a second thought, Pepper immediately opened her phone camera and captured the candid shot. She looked at Peter for a moment, Tony's right, Peter still looks like a baby. A cute baby in fact. She can't imagine the pain the child must be feeling. She went to Peter's side and caressed the boy's curls. The father and son looks so peaceful sleeping that she's mentally taking a picture of it to remember forever. She called room service afterwards to order breakfast so when they woke up, food's already served. She then headed to the window to pull the curtains for the lights to get through. Tony's eyes opened as the light peaked through; Peter's also waking up and moving.
"Rise and shine boys. We have a day ahead of us." she said to them as she head out to the living room.
"Oh Pep, you're here, good, when did you arrive?" Tony went to the bathroom then came back soon afterwards. Peter's sitting in the bed still half asleep.
"Just half an hour ago. Don't worry about it."
"Peter, are you awake? Do you still want to sleep?" but Peter's already crawling to get down to the bed and headed to the bathroom.
"I already ordered breakfast Tony. Continental, is there anything else you'd like to add?"
"Add some grape juice for Peter and a mimosa for me."
"Uh uh no Tony, no alcoholic drinks for today, not if I'm here." Tony groaned.
"Pep, it's just like orange juice."
"That's a NO, Tony."
Pepper was about to call room service when Peter walked up into the room.
"Peter, this is Pepper, she's my secretary." Tony introduced and Pepper kneeled down in front of Peter and looked at him with gentle eyes. "Hi Peter, you can call me Pepper, it's nice to finally meet you baby." and she hugged him.
"Nice to meet you too Pepper." Peter said smiling still half asleep with his curly hair all over the places. Peter's hands went up to her face and cupped it.
The doorbell ringed that slightly startled the three of them. "I'll get that" said Tony and ushered the room service in with their breakfast in tow. He then asked for a grape juice then tipped the bellboy generously afterwards.
Tony carried Peter into his baby chair so they can start eating. There was a set of toast, Sunnyside up and scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, salad, and waffles in front of them.
They started eating and Tony noticed Peter's barely eating his plate full of food.
"What's wrong bud, you don't like Toast?"
"I don't want Toast."
"You don't want Toast. What do you want?"
"I want bwead." Tony laughed a little by the silliness of Peter and just the way he said it. The kid might still be half-asleep. Pepper laughed as well.
"Can you not just eat you toast? Or we have waffles here? Let's get you some"
"No..."
"Why?"
"Cause I'm too sad" Peter said it with silliness but Tony and Pepper looked at each other at the same time. They know it means more than that.
"It's just Toast Pete, it's not the end of the world."
"It is." mumbled by the boy looking at his pajamas now.
"Peter, look at me baby. It's not the end of the world. Okay? I'm right here, I won't let anything bad happen to you" Tony said as he convinced his son. "Let's eat even just a little bit, alright?"
"Mmm okay." Tony cut up the waffles with syrup and blueberries then feed it to Peter's.
After a few bites, they heard a click from a phone camera, and when they turned to Pepper, they saw her grinning.
"You two are so adorable Tony, Oh Rhodey's not gonna believe this."
"Yeah Yeah. How long have you been doing that?" He shot a disbelieving look at Pepper who only laughed. Deep inside he thought he can't believe it at himself either.
Happy came in afterwards with the tailor from Tom Ford. They took in the measurements which roughly lasted for just about fifteen minutes, saying the suit will be delivered in the afternoon.
"Mr. Stark, is the suit for the funeral?" asked Peter looking up at Tony. Tony doesn't know how to open up the topic to Peter that his aunt and uncle's funeral will be later that day. He didn't even know if the kid knows what a funeral is.
"Do you know what a funeral is, Pete?"
Peter nodded. "Me, aunt, and uncle have been when Mom and Dad died."
Tony put Peter on his lap as they sat.
"It's this afternoon, are you okay with us going there?" Peter nodded but then his eyes glossed and are now fighting back the tears to flow. He knows the child is fighting hard to be strong.
"It's okay, bud. It's okay to let it out. I'm here." hearing Tony's soothing voice, Peter cried once again for the loss of his guardians. While Tony, rubs his back, sniffed his hair, and kissed the top of his forehead. A few minutes after crying, Peter relaxes at Tony's chest and closed his eyes as he takes a nap.
"Tony, pictures of you and Peter have already circulated the Internet." Pepper sat by his side and also showed a newspaper with a picture of him carrying a child in the headline. Tony cursed under his breath. How did they manage to get a picture so quickly in the lobby?
"Shit. Headline on tabloids? Really?" Why do people like to meddle in other people's private lives?
"Tony, you're more than just a celebrity now, you know that right? You're basically an icon with tons of magazine covers as the genius and CEO of a billion dollar company."
"Well, yeah I know that but this is different, my son is already involved."
"Exactly. So, how do you want to play this? Do you want to set up a press release, press conference?"
"Just press release, maybe the day after tomorrow when we head back to California. Make it as short and concise as possible."
"Copy that. I'm gonna go back later tonight to California Tony, after the funeral. I left so much meetings and work to do.
"Thanks for saving my ass once again Pepper. Tomorrow morning we'll head back, pretty sure Pete's going to be tired and exhausted later."
Pepper made some calls, while Tony continued to sit on the sofa still holding Peter sleeping soundly on his chest. He decided to turn on the TV for a white noise, ideas forming in his head for the next project for Stark Industries, taking note of it on his phone. Peter woke up an hour later and they prepared to go to the funeral.
"Mr. Stark..." Peter muttered as Tony's fixing Peter's bow-tie. Tony stared at him; he still cannot believe this child came from him.
"You can call me Tony, buddy. You don't have to be so formal now."
"But my auntie said to always use Mister or Missus or Miss or Sir when respecting elders."
"That's right kid always remember that, but you know this is me right. You know that you're still respecting me when you call me by my first name. It's okay."
"Mmm okay Mr... T-tony."
"Good. Now what are you trying to ask me?"
"Where are going to stay after this? What will happen to Auntie and Uncle's apartment?"
"We're going to my house in Malibu cause that's where I live. The things from your Auntie and Uncle's house are already transferred there. The apartment is vacant for now until it found its new owners. Is that ok with you? Do you want to visit the apartment?"
"Mmm.. No, it's okay. I'll just miss Ned. He's my friend."
"Ned can visit you in Malibu, Pete. I can arrange that, and we can come here in New York whenever you like."
"Thank you, Mr. Stark.. oops.. Tony." Peter opened his arms and hugged him and hugged back as well. "It's no problem. You always tell me if there's something you want to ask. Okay? No need to hesitate." "Okay."
The ride to the church was short. The church was filled with Ben and May's coworkers and neighbors and they greeted Tony earnestly, mostly advising to take such good care of Peter as he was such a precious kid which Tony can agree to definitely. Ned was also there with his parents, who came and consoled Peter. When it was time to see Ben and May's casket, Tony carried Peter in his arms. He asked twice and made sure if Peter wants to see the open casket and the kid willingly said yes. When they went and look, Peter brushed his hand on the each casket then cried, the grief and pain sinking in and the reality that his parents and guardians are already gone. He cried in Tony's chest and shoulders the whole time and he held the boy until the cemetery. His heart also clenching by the sight of the kid crying. He is pained that the kid feels pain.
When they are the only one's left, Peter started talking to their graves.
"Mom, Dad, Uncle, Auntie..." Peter said in a small cracked voice as he stands. Tony's kneels next to him, hands in Peter's shoulders. "I won't forget you." his hands brushing away the tears. "I'll miss you, but don't worry up there, okay? I'll be fine, Mr. Stark's..." Peter looked at Tony. "Daddy's going to take care of me, he said. and I believe him. We're going to Malibu tomorrow to live there but I'll still visit here."
Tears started falling endlessly, and with one last cry, he said "I love you" to his parents and guardians. He laid down pure white roses for each, and Peter said his last goodbye.
They're in the jet on their way now back to Malibu. Before they head off, Tony and Peter went to Queens to say goodbye to the Leeds, his friend Ned. The happenings of yesterday's events still haunts Tony's mind. How he wished he could just wipe away the pain and sadness Peter had, but the only thing he could do is be there for his kid. Be his support and protect him from any kind of pain and hurt to come. But Tony knows, that can never be done. To live in this world is also to live in a world of pain. One can only endure and in the process and you get stronger. and he knows Peter's going to get through it all, he's his kid after all.
Peter's pretty much asleep the entire ride and only woke up where they're about to touchdown. After they landed, Tony hopped on his white Audi Spyder waiting at the tarmac, and helped Peter on his seat-belt at the passenger seat next to him.
"Alright kid, Ready to go?"
"Your car's so cool Daddy!" Peter exclaimed. Tony caught glimpse of the awe in the child's eyes when he saw the car earlier. Tony grinned through his red sunnies and started driving.
"Yeah it is. Wait till you see the rest in the house."
"So where are we going?"
"You'll see."
"WOW..." Peter stared into the vast blue ocean, appreciating the scenery he's been seeing, the fresh wind sweeping across their faces. "This is my first time here Daddy. Does it snow here?"
"No Pete, just cold weather when it's winter. but No, it never snows."
"That's cool. Auntie always slips up on the ground when snow turned into ice in New York, she said she's so sick of it. She would have loved being here." Peter laughed, at least he's not crying anymore so that's good. Certainly Peter knows how to handle grief and pain more than he is at such a young age. When his parents died, he was so devastated that his mother is gone. He tried to drown his feelings through alcohol that just slowly wrecked him, didn't eat properly for weeks, and was always at parties wasted. Occasionally there's Rhodes to help him sober up.
They parked in a parking lot of an In and Out burger joint since it has no drive thru. "C'mon Pete. I know you're already hungry." They hopped out of the car and hold each other hands as they walked through the entrance.
"Are we going to eat inside Dad?"
"Nope, we're gonna order for takeout and eat it in the car. Eating in this open crowd is troublesome." Some people recognized Tony but didn't bother anyway while some took photos once again. Malibu is basically a whirlpool of celeb and famous people so some ordinary people are used to just respecting privacy but others can't.
They ordered 3 cheeseburgers and fries for takeout then headed to the car and Tony drove with one hand and food at the other.
"I like this cheeseburger Dad." Peter said after a bite halfway finished then munched on some fries.
"I like it too bud."
"I like pizza and meatball sandwich too from Mr. Delmar's in Queens, but aunt and uncle rarely buy me some, they said it's too oily and fatty for a growing boy like me..." Just then a ketchup greased the side of Peter's mouth and Tony wiped it clean with a tissue. "...they always tell me to eat vegetables, even if I don't like it, but I still eat it though cause it's in my plate."
I didn't get to say goodbye to Mr. Delmar Dad, I forgot."
"Yeah? that's okay, I think Mr. Delmar understands Pete, don't worry about it. We can drop by Mr. Delmar's anytime when we come back to New York." Tony pats and ruffled Peter's hair.
Peter gazed at the wild palm trees as they neared the house, car circling in the front door. "Wooowww... Dad this is your house?" Peter's eyes widened and mouth hanged open at the sight of the big and luxurious white mansion at the edge of the cliff with the vast bright blue ocean in full panoramic view.
"This is OUR house now Pete, it's also already YOUR house, capiche?"
Peter smiled "Capiche!"
They entered inside and Peter ran fast at the glass window that has a panoramic view of the ocean. The view relaxes him.
"Good Afternoon, Sir. Welcome back."
"Who's that?" Peter turned confused as he looks for another person that might be in the house too.
"Nice to be back JARVIS."
"JARVIS meet my son, Peter."
"Peter, JARVIS"
"It's nice to meet you, young master Peter. I'm glad to be of service."
"He's our AI Pete, Artificial Intelligence. Basically, my virtual assistant and security."
Peter looks up "Hi, JARVIS, nice to meet you too." Just then Peter noticed the swimming pool. "and you have a pool too! Wow!"
"That's "we" now, Pete."
"Do I have a room?"
"What? Of course you have bud, come I'll show you." They went upstairs and headed to Peter's room just right across Tony's and he opened the door.
The bedroom came into view with a modern Star Wars and Outer Space design, colors of dark blue, white, and dark red silhouettes that match; Coordinated with StarWars posters and modern-art paintings, Star Wars sheets, a wall that looks like a blackboard, and a sofa at the side of the room. The ceiling has tiny little bright lights or stars that glows in the dark so it looks like space at night. There's also a bathroom connected to a closet. "Whoa... Dad, how did you know I liked Star Wars?"
"Just a lucky guess. Like it?" and Pepper really has outdone this bedroom." Peter's old things from the apartment are also neatly placed in the new room and there's a new set of clothes and shoes. There are different kinds of toys and Lego boxes too.
"Like it?! I LOVE IT!" Peter said as he run back to Tony and hugged him, "Thank you Dad." Tony sniffing his baby scented hair and gently laying a kiss on his forehead. "No need to thank me bud, this is all yours."
Later that day, after touring Peter into the house, Tony went into his lab to get started finalizing his ideas for the new weapons for his company. While Peter started building with his AT-AP Walker Star Wars Lego set on the couch and sofa at the far end of the lab.
Tony ordered Chinese for dinner and while they were eating, Peter noticed a chess board laying on top of the wooden glossed table at the living room.
"What's that thing called, Dad?"
"It's a chess board Pete. A mind game."
"How do you play it?"
They went to the living room with their food and sat opposite each other and Tony started with the basics. "Here laid out are black and white pieces. We alternate making moves and white always goes first. There are different kinds of pieces, each moves a specific way..." As Tony gestured and explained how each piece move, up to the special rules of the game, Peter listened intently and quickly grasped how the game works. Next thing he knew they were already playing the game of Chess.
"No fair Dad, why do you always win?" Peter groaned as the third time they played, he lost.
"Cheer up kiddo, I've had years of practice playing this, and you only learned two hours ago and you're almost at par with me" Tony was really amazed on how quickly his son learned things normal kids wouldn't.
"I'd say that's a feat, and remember mistakes make a man wiser, or at least that's what they say." Tony ruffled his hair and smiled. "Alright. Let's go, time for bed."
After cleaning up, Tony tucked Peter to bed. "Pete, does your aunt read you a bedtime story? Do you want me too?" Peter looked at the books in his bedroom and searched for something he liked. "Yeah, they mostly read me basic sciences Dad, from science book for kids, instead of children's stories, I also like listening to norse mythology."
"And you know how to read and write already?"
Peter nodded and went back to his lap with a book. "Mom taught me when I was three."
Well then his child's a genius after-all, a boy genius! Tony couldn't be more surprised. Peter opened a Physics book for kids complete with pictures of examples and Tony explained the concepts to him. After an hour of informative reading, Peter managed to say "I love you, Daddy" before he finally nodded off into sleep at Tony's chest. Tony kissed the top of his forehead and sniffed the baby scent out of his hair. "I love you too Pete" Gently laying down the kid to the bed, staring at his little one a few minutes before he walked out the door and go to his lab once again.