Tony had come home once again to his now empty house, and headed straight for the shop. Distraction would be the name of the game today, he decided. "Just like it always is on this day," he murmured to himself. So he opened the files on some pet projects he'd been fiddling around with for quite some time, and began to tinker.

Later, that morning, his phone rang while he had his welding helmet on. He cut the gas to his torch and lifted the visor to read who it was. It was Rhodey. Tony took off his helmet and his gloves, and answered.

"Hey, buddy. How you holding up?" his best friend said on the other end.

"Oh, you know," Tony said. "Just trying to stay busy."
"Right," Rhodey said. "You know this isn't an anniversary I like to call on. But for the sake of my god-children..."

"Sure," Tony said. "And we appreciate it."

"Kids doing okay, today? Anything I need to do?" Rhodey asked.

Tony shook his head. "No, man. This morning was like any other morning. Busy and chaotic. I mean, these are my kids I'm talking about. Everything they do is busy and chaotic," Tony joked. Both men laughed. "But we'll head up there after they get out of school. Like always. Which reminds me," Tony said. "I've gotta go get the flowers before I pick up the kids."
"Roses?" Rhodey asked.

"You know it," Tony said.

"Well," Rhodey said. "I just wanted to check in on you guys before I head to the base. I can't believe it's been as long as it has since all of that happened."

"Me, neither," Tony said. "And days like today make it feel like it's happening all over again."
"I'm sure it does, buddy. I'm sure it does," Rhodey agreed. "Hey, you guys wanna get together this weekend? It's supposed to be nice. I'm barbecuing."

Tony smiled, the lonely chill of the day being warmed by his friend's generous offering of hospitality. "Sure. We'll be there, man. Thanks," Tony replied.

"Any time," Rhodey said. "I'll let you go. Talk to you later, man."

"Okay, Rhodey. And thanks again," Tony said, disconnecting. Tony smiled to himself, and sighed. "He takes good care of us," he remarked to himself fondly. And he meant it. Rhodey had done everything he could in the last few years to help Tony keep it together and be able to march forward. Without his help, he wasn't sure could have carried on. The man was a saint, in Tony's book, and he was extremely grateful to have him as a friend.

XxXxXxXxXx

The overcast skies of the morning had burned off midday, and the rest of the afternoon had been bright and sunny. Tony stood outside of the car, and was leaning against the driver's side with his arms folded, waiting for his kids to get out of school. The buses had all pulled up in front of the building, and, slowly, students began to trail out. Soon, he spotted H.A and Ginny walking outside together, and he smiled warmly when he caught their eye. He opened his arms wide as the children ran across the school crossing. "Daddy!" Ginny squealed, as she smashed into her father's arms, hugging him around his middle.

Tony squeezed her back. "There's my girl," he said, picking her up and holding her tight.

"I made mommy a new picture!" the little girl exclaimed.

"You did? Awesome," Tony replied, smiling lovingly at his daughter. "I can't wait to see this one."

"You know you have to wait," Ginny said. "I have to give it to mommy first."

Tony smiled gently. "Of course, sweet pea." He set her down and opened the back door. Both kids climbed in the back seat and Tony climbed in behind the wheel, and pulled out into traffic.

"So? Spill it. Did this ridiculously expensive school manage to teach you anything new today?" he teased.

"In robotics, we're going to start building our prototypes for our end of the year projects," H.A replied.

"Great!" Tony cried. "Got any idea on what you want to build?"

H.A shrugged. "I don't know. I have some ideas. I thought...you could help? And we could do it together?" he asked, hopefully.

Tony smirked. "You mean you actually want me to help you?" he asked. "I thought you were too cool to ask for your old man's help."
H.A shrugged again. "Not on this," he admitted.

"Oh, okay," Tony teased. "Every other time, but this time, I suppose?"

His son chuckled sheepishly. "Something like that, dad."

"Uh-huh, I read ya'. You're only using me for my brain. I see. Love me and leave me. Like all the others," Tony joked.

Ginny giggled at her brother and father's banter. Tony's eyes shifted from his son to his daughter in the rear view, and he winked at her before grinning.

"Did you get the flowers?" Ginny asked.

"I did, honey. Five roses. Just like always," Tony replied.

Ginny smiled with great satisfaction and settled in contentedly as she watched the cars go by outside her window.

Some time later, they pulled off of Highway 101 into a hilly community with tree lined streets. The children had been chattering in the backseat for the last few minutes, but suddenly the car was filled with a reverent silence as they watched the houses go by. They climbed the many hills, heading up and away from the hum of the highway towards their destination. Once they crested the last hill, Tony parked along the curb, grabbed the bundle of five, red, long-stemmed roses in green florist's paper, and quietly opened his door. He exited the vehicle, and opened the back door for his children to climb out. Ginny grabbed her dad's hand and stood by his side quietly as H.A climbed out. Tony shut the door behind his son and nodded at him. H.A nodded firmly back.

"Ready, guys?" Tony asked.
"Ready!" Ginny exclaimed, her innocent enthusiasm briefly lifting her father and brother's spirits. They smiled knowingly, in amusement, at each other.

Tony exhaled sharply. "Let's do this," he said.

They walked around the vehicle, and up onto the curb to pass onto the grassy area they had to cross.

"Place looks nice," Tony commented.

"As nice as it can look, I guess," H.A replied drolly.

"True," Tony said.

"Look at all the pretty flowers!" Ginny cried. "Aren't they pretty, daddy?"

Again, his daughter's innocent observations warmed his heart. "They are pretty, Ginny. Very pretty," he answered her. He wished he could be as upbeat as she was right now, but it was a comfort to know she wasn't feeling the kind of pain he felt. Ginny, being as young as she was, hadn't had to experience what he and H.A had. And, in a way, he was grateful. Her memories were happy ones, and, to him, that's all that mattered.

They crossed over the lawn and made their way up the hill. A groundskeeper, noticing their presence, gave a respectful nod to Tony and his brood. Tony nodded politely back.

Soon, they came upon it- a small, white, marble building standing tall at the top of the hill, though, comparatively, it was the largest of this type of building of the others standing next to it. It was quite elegant, as these things go, and Tony was always a little proud to see the name Stark on the front of it, in chiseled block lettering. Plus, he knew she was safe there, at last. No more evil. No more strife. No more pain. Forever, she would lie in wait, until someday he'd join her, and they'd be reunited once more.

They came to the entrance and Tony first walked inside, with Ginny's hand in his, and her trailing behind. The bright white, motion-sensored lights flickered to life and shown down from the tall ceiling above, and their eyes adjusted from the daylight outside. Their footsteps echoed on the shiny white marble floors in soft shuffles as Tony led the way to the middle of the wall of crypts where Pepper lay.

They all came to a standstill in front of the marker reading:

Virginia "Pepper" Marie Potts Stark

Tony turned around briefly to spot a bench to sit on, made of the same marble as the rest of the mausoleum was made. He sat down, and pulled Ginny into his lap. H.A sat down solemnly next to his father, and Tony wrapped an arm around his son's shoulders. They sat quietly for a few moments, letting the stillness seep into their bones.

Ginny rested her head on her father's cheek. "Can I give her my picture, now, Daddy?" she asked softly, after a few moments.

Tony raised his head and smiled. "Of course, baby," he said.

Ginny hopped off his lap, and walked over to Pepper's crypt. A little metal clip with a magnet on the back had been put there a number of years ago by Tony, when Ginny was first drawing pictures and wanted to leave one here. The picture Ginny had made last year was still there, though it was a little worn and faded. It was a drawing of a day they'd spent on the beach. Pictures of sand castles and the three of them swimming in the ocean were the subject of last year's artwork.

Tony watched as his daughter took down the old picture and handed it to her father. He graciously took it, making a note to file it away in the "Pepper's pictures" file with the rest of them, as soon as they got home. Then Ginny reached into her school jacket pocket and pulled out a crudely folded piece of white paper. Tony watched as she carefully unfolded it and pressed out the creases before she put up the new picture, her little fingers working the clip and then letting it close with a snap to secure the paper.

"What's that one of, sweetie?" Tony asked.

"It's a picture of me, and you, and H.A," she said. "We're at our house."
Tony examined the drawing. Three stick figures, one small one with a skirt on, and long red hair, another taller one with thick, short black hair, and an even taller one with the same thick, short, black hair were standing next to a house with lots of squares stacked in a staggered pattern, representing the many levels of their home, with a round platform out to the side that Tony could only imagine was the circular driveway. There were clouds in the sky and a bright yellow sun in the corner, and on the right hand side was another stick figure, this time in a dress, with long flowing red hair, and a pair of wings, standing on a cloud. It was smiling, and a dialogue balloon was coming from its mouth with the words, "Hello! I love you!" written inside it.

"I see," Tony said. "And who's that, in the clouds?" he asked, inquisitively.

"That's mommy," Ginny said, pointing to the place on her picture. "She's saying hello to us. And she's smiling because she's happy."

"Oh, okay," Tony said, nodding. He smiled, and he bit his bottom lip, trying to keep the tears welling up in his eyes from showing. But his daughter frowned.

"What's wrong, daddy?" she asked. "You don't like it?"

Tony reached for his daughter and pulled her into his arms. "No no! I love it, baby. I think it's the best one yet."
"Do you think Mommy likes it?" Ginny asked softly.

"Honey, she loves it," he said, his voice breaking. "I just know it," he whispered. He held his daughter close for a few moments, the tears running down his cheeks. H.A rested his head on his dad's shoulder, and kept his eyes on his mother's name in front of him.

The family sat in silence for several minutes again. H.A's eyes flicked from crypt to crypt, reading the names of lost relatives prior to his mother. The bodies were still in New York, at a separate mausoleum from generations ago when the Stark's had immigrated to the U.S. But markers had been placed on the empty crypts as reminders of the loved ones that had passed before them.

H.A flicked his eyes once more just past his mother's crypt to the right, where his gaze came to rest on the placard marking it. It read:

Anthony Edward Stark

"Dad?" he asked, a realization suddenly coming to him.

"Yeah, son?" Tony said.

"Did mom's spot used to be... your spot?" H.A asked cautiously.

Tony nodded. "Yep," he said. "I never thought I'd outlive her, so...I figured I'd be there, where she is, because I'd be the next in succession to pass away, and she'd someday come after me. But, obviously, it didn't...um..." Tony said, his voice cracking again. He took a moment to steady himself and then continued. "It didn't work out...that way," he said softly. "So, I had to shove over, you know," he said, smiling weakly.

"Oh," H.A said. He fell quiet for several moments. "I miss 'er," he said finally.

"Me, too," Ginny said sadly.

H.A scoffed. "You were too little to remember her, Ginny. How can you miss her?" he said.

"I remember her! I do! Stop it, H.A. I can miss her, too. Just like you can!" Ginny argued defensively.

"Alright, you two. That's enough," Tony warned. He turned toward his son. "H.A., do me favor and just humor her, okay?" he asked. He then turned to look at his daughter. "Ginny, honey? What do you miss most about your mom?" he asked his daughter.
"I miss her smell," Ginny said. "She had a good mommy smell. When she'd tuck me in at night? I remember the smell of her hair. And her perfume."

Tony smiled sadly. "I guess I miss that, too," he said wistfully. He adjusted Ginny on his lap, and she rested her head on his shoulder again. Tony remembered how fond he was of the smell of Pepper's perfume all those years ago, when she was his assistant. Soft wisps of it would drift through the air, teasing his senses and making his heart ache for the next moment she'd be around. It made for many lonely nights for him for a long time, until they finally had become a couple and he was at liberty to bury his nose in her hair to allow her unique scent to lull him to sleep. Long ago, Pepper's pillowcase had lost the smell he'd grown so fond of. He remembered that night. The feeling of yet another piece of her slipping away, and leaving him far behind reduced him to a shivering pile of grief and despair, clutching that pillow in desperation, in the darkness.

"I miss her smile," H.A said. "No matter what was going on. Or what I did. In the end, she'd always smile. And I'd know it was going to be okay."

"I know exactly what you're talking about, son," Tony replied, smirking fondly. "And I could use an 'it's all okay' smile from her some days, even now. I'd carry it around in my pocket, if I could."

Both children nodded in agreement, and chuckled softly. Tony re-wrapped his arms around his daughter and held her close. They all quietly reminisced for a few moments more, recalling, in their minds, fond family memories and missing Pepper's presence more than anything.

"Well," Tony said finally, exhaling as he looked at each of his children. "Shall we?"

"Me, first!" Ginny exclaimed. She slid off of Tony's lap and walked to the little bundle of roses he'd brought in. He watched as his daughter gingerly grabbed one of the roses and walked to the door of her mother's crypt where a little silver,cone shaped vase had been fastened for small tokens of memorial to the deceased. Ginny stood on her tippy toes, carefully placing her rose in the vase. Tony smiled, as he was amazed that she could reach it this year, remembering that last year he had to lift her up to do it.

"I love you, momma," Ginny said sweetly. She stepped backwards to her dad's side. Tony grasped her hand and squeezed it tight, lovingly.

"Me, next, I guess," H.A. said. He grabbed a rose and walked to the vase. "Miss you, mom," he murmured, as he put his rose next to his sister's. "Love you." He patted the name placard baring his mother's name, and then turned to walk back over to Tony. H.A shoved his hands in his pockets as Tony wrapped an arm around his son's shoulders, and squeezed him in an embrace.

Tony took a deep breath. "Okay. I guess it falls to me," he murmured. He grabbed the last few roses, and slowly walked to crypt. He stood there, silent, for several moments.

"Uh, Ginny, why don't we, uh, go look at the flowers outside?" H.A offered. "Is that okay, dad?" he asked.

"What?" Tony said, turning to look over his shoulder. "Oh. Yeah, H.A. That's fine. Just stay close. I won't be long."

H.A nodded knowingly. He grasped his sister's hand and led her out the door and back into the sunlight. "Goodbye, momma!" Ginny called out, as they left. "See you next time!"

Tony watched them leave, Ginny's words causing a lump to form in his throat. He turned back around, and stayed silent for a few moments, staring at the roses in his hands. Then he shifted his gaze upwards again, laying his eyes on the placard baring his wife's name. "Hey, gorgeous," he said, fiddling with the roses he held between his thumbs and forefingers. He smiled weakly, imagining Pepper saying, "Hello, yourself," right back at him, the way she used to do. He looked away and then back again. He stepped forward to lay a hand on her name. He ran his hand over the raised lettering of the metal placard, and furrowed his brow. "It's been a few years now, hasn't it, Pep?" he murmured. "Yet, every year, here I am. Feeling just as raw, and...alone as ever." He worked his jaw in thought for a moment before speaking again. He sniffed and looked away again before bringing his eyes back to center. He smiled. "If it wasn't for the kids, I'd..." he said, trailing off. "I'd be in this place, too, I suppose. But they need me. And, you probably won't believe me, but I...I need them, too." Tony smiled, his eyes glassing over with fresh tears. He chuckled to himself, and backed up to be able to sit down again on the bench. "God, they're great kids, you know? H.A, he's...he's just like me," Tony said, chuckling. " 'Great', you're probably saying. 'Look out, world, there's another one of them now'," he joked, chuckling. "But, wow, is he so much better than I am! On so many levels, Pep. You'd be amazed. He builds stuff, faster, and...and better than I ever did at his age! He's going places, that one. Oh, you'd throw a fit if you saw his room, and roll your eyes at what a charmer he is, but man, honey! We've got one amazing son," Tony admitted. He smiled with great satisfaction, and nodded his head.

"And Ginny? She's going to test out of her grade any day now. Easily. I couldn't be more proud of her. That, and she's you all over again," he said, smiling. "Same smile. Same expressions. Same personality. It's amazing! But you know what? Some days, it's so hard to look her in the eye. It's like looking at you, baby. It's almost frightening, if I'm being honest. Because it's like, it's like..." Tony stammered. He stood up and walked back over to where Pepper lay. He shook his head, trying to find the right words. "I'm suddenly standing in front of you again, and you're looking at me, with those crystal clear blue eyes, and..." Tony said, his voice faltering. His breath caught in his chest, and quiet sob escaped his throat. "It's as if I've suddenly awakened from some terrible nightmare, and your alive. And everything is okay,again, you know? I have you back, and everything is okay. Pepper, I..." Tony said, his voice warbling. He swallowed hard, the tears now spilling down his cheeks. He crouched down, bringing his fist to his lips, as he squeezed his eyes shut, the sound of his heartbeat pounding achingly in his ears. "I miss you so much," he whispered.

"Daddy?" Tony suddenly heard his daughter's voice say. Tony turned to look over his shoulder, to find his daughter standing in the doorway again, looking at him with trepidation. H.A was just behind her, looking at his father apologetically.

"Sorry, dad. I tried to keep her busy," he explained.

"It's alright, buddy," Tony said, smiling gently. "Come here, honey," he said, opening his arms wide. His daughter ran to him and fell into his arms, and Tony wrapped her up tight in his embrace.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Tony nodded. "Yeah, baby, I'm okay," he assured. "Just talking to mommy, that's all."
"Did you have a nice visit?" she asked.

Tony chuckled. "I did, sweetheart. Thank you for asking. I was just telling mommy how proud I am of you," Tony said, beaming. He stood up. By then, H.A had followed his sister back over to where Tony was, and Tony pulled him into his embrace as well. "How proud I am of both of you," he said. He kissed the top of his son's head, and squeezed his shoulders lovingly.

"Can I give grandma her rose now?" Ginny asked, looking up at her father.

"Of course. Here you go," he said, handing one of the roses in his hand for his daughter to put in the vase beside his mother's placard. This part of their tradition had started the year after Pepper died. H.A had asked why they hadn't brought flowers for his grandparents as well as his mother. With them not actually lying in this particular mausoleum, it hadn't occurred to Tony before then to bring flowers for them. But that next year, they brought three roses for Pepper, one from each of them, and one for the kids to give to each grandparent in remembrance. He had always thought it was a nice gesture to his parents, as he was sure they would have loved to have known their grandchildren. Especially his mother, Maria. Tony was the apple of his mother's eye before she died. So he just knew she would have been a very loving, very doting grandmother.

Ginny walked over to where her grandmother's name was and stood on her tip toes, as she had at Pepper's crypt, to put her single red rose in the silver vase that matched the one by Pepper's name. "There you go, Grandma Maria," she said.

Tony handed H.A a rose, and the boy did the same for his Grandpa Howard. Tony smiled proudly at his son when he walked back over to join his sister and his father.

Tony still held one last rose. He broke away from his children and went to stand back in front of Pepper. "A rose for my rose," he said sweetly, gently placing the rose in the vase amongst the two his children had given her. "Goodbye, my love. Until next time," he murmured lovingly. He leaned forward, and placed a gentle kiss on Pepper's name. He patted it lovingly and then stepped back to stand with his kids.

"Love you guys," he said, giving his kids an affectionate squeeze. He sighed, swiping at the last of the tears on his cheeks. "Okay, ready to go?" he asked, smiling at them warmly. Both children nodded. "What do you guys say," he said. "To a little...Boardwalk Pizza?" he asked, knowing they'd never turn down a chance to eat at their favorite restaurant.

"Yay!" Ginny exclaimed, jumping up and down excitedly. Tony and H.A chuckled at her enthusiasm.

"Okay!" Tony said. "I knew that would get a reaction. Let's go!" he teased. The family headed for the doorway to go back outside. The kids walked, hand in hand, ahead of Tony. They stepped outside, but Tony turned back for just a moment before joining them. "I love you, Pepper," he said. "Mom, Dad? Take care of her for me, huh?" he asked. He smiled and nodded, and then stepped through the doorway and back out into the sunshine to join his children on their way back to the car.