Tony woke up a few hours later due to the urge to use the bathroom. He wasn't sure what time it was, only that it was dark. He immediately noticed that Peter was no longer on his chest, then he looked over to see Bree had rolled in her sleep and was curled in a ball.
She curled tighter into herself, fighting a nightmare in her sleep. Her eyes were tightly shut, gripping the blankets in her hands, though she made no sound of distress.
Seeing her white knuckled grip on the blanket, Tony winced as he rolled over, but he ignored the soreness and gently kissed Bree to wake her. "Honey, I need you to come back to me."
Bree turned, a small whimper leaving her lips, shaking her head slightly in her sleep.
"Come on honey." Tony pleaded, kissing her again, trying to gently wake her, feeling her respond to his kiss.
Her eyes fluttered open before meeting Tony's chocolate eyes. "Tony..."
"Hey. Whatever it is, it's just a dream." Tony promised, pulling Bree into his arms.
Bree let go of the blanket and wrapped her arms around Tony's neck. "It felt so real."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Tony asked Bree, stroking her hair.
She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. "I can't... I can't."
"It's alright, you don't have to. Deep breaths darling. I'm right here." Tony said in a soothing tone, keeping her in his arms.
Bree tightened her grip on Tony, clutching at the back of his shirt as hard as she could. Tears streamed down her face as she cried silently, her shoulders shaking with the sobs. Feeling lost as to what to do, Tony just held Bree tight in his arms, letting her get it out. He rubbed her back softly. He slowly rubbed her back, shushing her gently. After some time, Bree calmed and fell back into a light sleep, her body relaxing against Tony's chest.
Tony carefully dried Bree's tears, then lightly rubbed her back while she slept. He turned his head, hearing the bedroom door open, to see May standing in the doorway.
"Is everything alright?" she asked softly. "Do you need anything?"
"She had a nightmare. I failed to help her this time." Tony said, feeling horrible about it.
"You didn't fail, Tony. She was pretty shaken up about yesterday. It's almost four in the morning."
"I want to help her. She doesn't need this level of stress." Tony said, not hiding his concern.
May nodded. "I know. But being here is helping. She might not even remember the nightmare when she wakes up. Hormones tend to start acting up early."
"I hope she doesn't remember it. She was so shaken and upset." Tony sighed.
"Time will tell. Things might be rough for a little while, but it'll get better," she assured.
"This is exactly why I tried to retire. I don't want to put her through this kind of stress." Tony muttered.
May walked further into the room and looked down at the pair. Bree had relaxed and was back in a deep sleep, one hand loosely holding Tony's shirt. "She knows how you feel, Tony. Don't let this bother you too much."
"How can this not bother me? What if this level of stress makes us lose the baby?" Tony asked, fighting back tears at the thought.
"Don't think of that," May said softly. "You'll dwell on it if you do." She patted him on the shoulder softly. "Do you want to get up for a bit? I can lay with her."
"No, I won't leave her side. She would do the same for me." Tony said truthfully.
May nodded. "If you have to use the bathroom or something, let me know. I don't mind lying with her while you do so."
"Thank you, May. I appreciate it. I don't want to be away from her though." Tony said, hoping she wouldn't take it personal.
"Alright. I'll let you go back to sleep." She smiled down at him before turning and leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
Tony laid there and listened to the sounds of Bree's gentle breaths until he finally dozed off again.
Bree woke with the sun in her eyes. She grumbled and rolled over and pressed her chest against Tony's back, feeling that he'd removed his shirt at some point. She smiled softly before pressing her lips to his skin.
Tony carefully rolled over and smiled at Bree. "Good morning, beautiful."
"Morning," she smiled before tilting up to press a gentle kiss to his lips. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm still sore. How are you feeling?" Tony asked as he wrapped his arms tight around Bree.
Bree pecked his lips once more. "I'm alright. I don't feel as stressed as I did yesterday."
"That's good to hear. I'm still worried about you though." Tony said truthfully.
"I know you are. We can make an appointment today," she promised.
"Thank you." Tony said, leaning over to kiss her softly. "Do you want to get up?"
She nodded. "I have to pee."
"Go on then. Maybe we can go find some breakfast after." Tony suggested.
Bree nodded and climbed out of the bed to use the restroom. When she returned she saw Tony standing in front of a mirror holding up his shirt, viewing a black and blue part of his ribs. "It might be broken."
"I don't think so. I've had broken ribs before." Tony said, gently touching the bruised area. He didn't try to hide it, knowing that would only upset Bree more.
"I don't know, baby." She walked up to him and gently ran her fingers along the bruising on his side.
Tony winced softly. "You're going to insist I have it checked, aren't you?" He asked, prepared to not argue.
"You need to," Bree nodded. "You went through a lot yesterday."
"I suppose it's only fair as I insisted you get checked." Tony said with a little grin.
"Yes," Bree agreed. "Yes, it is."
"I won't argue then." Tony promised. "Did my phone make it?" He asked, having not seen it on the bedside table.
"Did you grab it from the house yesterday before you suited up?" she asked. "If not, it's probably back at home... that we need to see how bad the damage is."
"I thought it was in my pocket, but I don't remember if I grabbed it from my desk." Tony answered. "Can I use yours? It's also linked to Jarvis."
Bree nodded and pointed to it on the dresser. "Seems that May put it on the dresser last night."
Tony walked over and picked up the phone, turning it on. "Jarvis, we need a private medical team here, for both of us."
"I will have them there within an hour." Jarvis replied, afterwhich Tony returned the phone to the dresser.
"A whole team, Tony?" Bree questioned.
"It won't be a full team in that sense. Jarvis knows what we need." Tony assured Bree.
"As long as you're sure," she replied.
"Of course I'm sure." Tony promised Bree.
Bree nodded before leaning in to peck his lips in a soft kiss. "Should we go check on May and Pete?"
"Yes, I think so." Tony said, stealing another kiss.
She giggled and quickly brought him in for another kiss. "We better go then."
"I want to get a shower later as well." Tony said, taking her hand to walk out with her.
Bree nodded. "That might help you feel a bit better. I can't take a hot shower or bath, so you're on your own with that one."
"It doesn't have to be too hot for you to join me." Tony said truthfully.
"Are you telling me that you want me to join you?"
"It would give you a chance to make sure I'm not hiding any injuries." Tony grinned.
Bree laughed. "Are you just trying to get me naked?"
"What? Me? Never." Tony chuckled.
"Yeah right," she chided before quickly kissing him. Bree then turned and walked to the bedroom door, opened it then walked out into the living room in the search for May and Peter.
"Aunt May is making a big breakfast!" Peter announced when he saw them. "I also took care of the damage reports."
"Thanks kid." Tony said with a proud smile.
Bree smiled. "Look at you, already becoming like your uncle," she praised.
Peter smiled brightly. "Repairs have already started, but the main living areas are fine, so we can go back there any time." He added.
"Maybe after breakfast and Tony and I see a doctor," Bree answered.
"How badly is Uncle Tony hurt? The suit was too messed up to give a final report." Peter told Bree.
"He might have some broken ribs, other than that I think he's pretty lucky," Bree said as she walked into the kitchen to get coffee.
"I think they're only bruised, so the doctor will settle it." Tony chuckled, then walked into the kitchen after Bree.
Bree rolled her eyes as she fixed her coffee and took a sip. "If you say so."
"You don't trust the doctors now?" Tony asked, amused.
"We'll have to see what they say first," Bree countered.
"What if they agree with me?" Tony asked curiously.
Bree sighed softly. "Then I'll agree with them."
"But not me?" Tony chuckled as he walked over and wrapped his arms around Bree. "We are all going to be fine. It's all over now."
She chuckled and kissed him softly. "Yes, you too."
"Yes, me too. All of us." Tony promised, then kissed her again.
Bree softly returned the kiss until May cleared her throat, making her pull away.
"Sorry May. I just can't help it sometimes." Tony chuckled, letting Bree continue making her coffee.
"You're newly weds, it happens," May smiled.
"It's not that so much. It's that I love that woman more than anything." Tony said truthfully.
May watched Bree blush as she stirred her coffee. "I know you do. I also know she feels the same about you."
"I know. It's easy to see it every time she puts up with my crazy antics." Tony chuckled.
Bree stuck her tongue out at Tony, proving his point, making May laugh. "I can't wait to see what you two are having. I'm excited for you both."
"I really hope it's a baby." Tony joked. "I just want a happy, healthy baby."
May chuckled. "I'm sure it will be."
"That's why I have to pamper and spoil the beautiful momma." Tony grinned.
Bree blushed, turning to hide her face. "Guys," she whined.
"You know I will always dote on you." Tony told Bree with a smile.
"I know... you're just turning me into a tomato," she laughed.
"Yes, but a beautiful tomato." Tony grinned. He turned to the cabinet and took out a coffee mug for himself.
Bree shook her head and took a sip from her coffee. "You always make me blush."
"All I'm doing is telling the truth." Tony grinned. He moved closer and poured his coffee.
"I made a nice, big breakfast. It's already on the table." May told them.
Bree turned and looked at the dining table to see a large spread of eggs, bacon, sausage, and hashbrowns waiting for them. "It looks good, May. Thank you." She walked over to the table and chose a chair to sit down at.
Tony followed, sitting next to Bree. "I already let Peter have his. He was hungry and neither of us wanted to wake you." May said as she walked in behind them.
"It's still perfect," Bree praised. She made her plate and swiftly began to eat. They had skipped dinner the night before.
Tony fixed his plate as well, though he wasn't sure how hungry he was. "It's not fancy, but I figured a hero deserves a big breakfast." May said truthfully, ignoring how Tony rolled his eyes.
"Thanks again, May. It means a lot to us both," Bree said softly.
"It was no trouble at all." May assured lthem. "Also, since you're closer now, I can stay with you guys for a week or so, and help out while you heal." She offered.
Bree smiled softly. "I'm pretty sure that I'll be taking you up on that offer."
"I hope you do. I want to do whatever I can to help." May said truthfully.
"We'd love to have you," Bree assured her.
"I just need to grab some things from home, but I can do that when I take Peter to school tomorrow." May told them. "He will be there after school to help Tony."
Bree nodded. "I still need to pick out a baby doctor."
"If you like the doctor you see today, you can continue with them. If not, everything for their profiles should be on your phone." Tony told Bree.
"That's not a bad idea," she commented, chewing on a piece of bacon.
"I'm not trying to stop you from picking, I just want to do a check to make sure everything is alright." Tony clarified.
"I know, Tony," she grinned. "I know."
Tony kissed Bree's cheek, then turned to his plate again and picked at it a bit more.
Bree ate a few more bites of her food then took a sip of her coffee. "When are the doctors supposed to be here?"
"It shouldn't be more than a half hour or so at this point." Tony answered.
She nodded and wiped her mouth before sitting back in her chair. "My stomach is a bit uneasy."
"Do you want to lay down again?" Tony asked, giving Bree his full attention.
"It... might not be a bad idea," Bree answered quietly.
"May, please show the doctor in upon arrival." Tony said as he stood and offered his hand to help Bree.
Bree took Tony's hand and stood slowly, feeling her stomach lurch. "Might be a bathroom trip before bed," she murmured.
"Do you want me to carry you to bed?" Tony offered.
She shook her head as she stopped walking, feeling her stomach lurch again. "Shit," she grumbled before letting go of Tony to dart into the nearest bathroom.
Tony hurried after Bree and held her hair back for her. "I'm so sorry I wasn't able to grab your nausea pills." He said, truly feeling bad.
Bree groaned before spitting into the bowl of the toilet. "It's not your fault," she murmured.
Tony gently let go of her hair, then grabbed the glass by the sink and filled it with water for her. "Here, rinse your mouth. It will help you feel better."
She slowly stood, feeling slightly shaky on her feet before taking the glass. Bree took a sip before swishing and spitting then taking another drink and swallowing it. "I hate getting sick."
Tony wrapped his arms around Bree, for her own stability as much as comfort. "Let's get you back to bed."
Bree turned and leaned against him as she nodded. "Okay."
Tony helped Bree back to bed and tucked her in. "Is there anything I can do?" He asked, kneeling beside the bed.
"Could I have some cold water? Other than that, I just want you," she answered.
"I will be right back with the water, then I will lay with you." Tony promised. He kissed her forehead as he stood. He quickly left the room and went to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, then returned to the bedroom.
Bree smiled as soon as she saw Tony again and partially sat up to take a long drink of the cold water, enjoying the feeling of it run down her throat. "Thank you."
"Anything for you, honey." Tony said softly. He walked to the other side of the bed and climbed in to lay next to Bree.
She turned and snuggled up to his chest, one hand tightly gripping his shirt while she willed her stomach to calm down. "I didn't think this would start so fast."
"Part of that is likely because of the stress." Tony sighed. He held Bree in a comforting embrace. "I'm so sorry all of this happened. This is everything I tried to avoid." He said softly.
"It's not your fault," she murmured. "Please don't think that it is."
"I feel like it is though. If I had helped from the start, it may have never gotten to that point." Tony said softly.
Bree shook her head. "It's not, Tony. You did what you thought was best. If you'd gone when they first asked... we wouldn't even be expecting."
"You don't know that, but either way, I can't change the past." Tony pointed out.
"Focus on the present," Bree murmured. "On our little marshmallow."
"And you. All I focus on is you and little marshmallow." Tony admitted.
She hummed softly before leaning her head upward to steal a gentle kiss. "I love you, Tony."
"I love you too." Tony replied, then leaned in for a deeper kiss.
Bree sighed softly, opening her mouth to him, letting him explore. "Don't get... too carried... away," she murmured between kisses.
"I won't. I just wanted to kiss you properly." Tony mumbled against her lips.
She chuckled, letting him push her to her back before kissing her again. "God, I love you."
"I love you too." Tony confessed. He then laid with Bree, holding her close while they waited for the news that the doctors had arrived.
When May came to announce the doctors had gotten to the house, Bree ended up sitting on the bed as she watched one doctor look over Tony for injuries.
"The ribs are just bruised, right?" Tony asked the doctor, knowing Bree would worry more if his injuries were worse than that.
"Pretty bruised," the young man answered. "One might be cracked, but all in all it's not horrible."
Tony sighed in relief. "Good, that's settled. Now, where is the OB to check on my wife?" He asked impatiently.
"She's in the next room," the doctor answered. "Do you want me to bring her in? She has a mobile unit with her."
"Yes, right away. I wanted Bree checked first from the start." Tony said, getting a bit snappy.
Bree reached over and swatted Tony in the arm from her place on the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry, doctor. My husband is a bit on edge."
"It's alright and perfectly understandable. I will leave a prescription for an anti-inflammatory, and I'm recommending rest for a few weeks." The doctor told them, then walked out to get the OB for Bree.
"There was no need to be so short with him," Bree scolded, crossing her arms as she looked at Tony. "I know you're worried but being mean won't get you anywhere any faster."
"I made it clear I wanted you checked first. I also made it clear that it hurt like hell when he kept poking at my ribs." Tony said softly, feeling bad for upsetting Bree. He looked over when the OB walked in.
"Hello Mrs. Stark. First, were you physically injured in the attack?" She asked Bree.
Bree huffed softly, but turned and greeted the OB with a soft smile. "No, I wasn't. My husband got our family out before things got bad."
"Very good. And how far along are you?" She asked as she cleared off the bedside table to set up the portable ultrasound machine.
"Umm... Two? Three months?" she guessed. "I've only just now started having symptoms."
"Do you remember how long ago your last menstrual cycle was?" She asked as she took the ultrasound gel out of her bag. "Are you ready?"
"Month before last," Bree answered, then nodded.
"That would put you at around two months." She said, then began the ultrasound. After a minute, she turned the machine so they could see the small screen. There's the little one. Looks like closer to ten weeks."
"Such a small little thing," Bree mused. She couldn't help but tear up at seeing her tiny baby on the monitor.
Tony leaned over, placing his hand on the side of Bree's stomach. "He's really in there, and growing so much." He said in awe. He watched as the OB turned the sound up on the machine so they could hear the baby's heartbeat.
"Good, strong heartbeat. He might be a little stressed, but he's overall doing fine."
Bree furrowed her brow. "He? You're able to tell so early?"
"Oh, sorry. Mr. Stark said he, so it stuck in my mind." She said apologetically. "You need to be around four months before we can actually tell."
"Okay," Bree smiled. "I think I would be happy with either though."
"I will be as well, but he just feels right for the moment." Tony shrugged.
Bree grinned as the OB removed the probe and gave her a towel to clean up with. "Could you imagine a miniature you?"
"Can you imagine how absolutely adorable a miniature me would be?" Tony corrected. "I'd be equally as happy with a miniature you."
She laughed and nodded. "We'll just have to wait and see."
"I will start a countdown." Tony chuckled, before leaning over to give Bree a soft kiss.
"Regardless of gender, baby is very healthy. I'd still recommend taking it easy for now though. Prolonged stress isn't healthy for either of you."
Bree nodded in agreement. "The last thing I want is for something to happen to either of us."
"That's been my fear since Fury called me that first time." Tony softly admitted.
"You've done great so far. I would like to follow up in two weeks or so, just to make sure you're still on the right track. If all continues to look good, then you can resume the regular checkup schedule." The OB told Bree.
"That sounds alright," Bree agreed. "We should be back home by that time."
"I'm going to leave a medical release here for you. If you schedule with someone else, they can get the records from me." She told Bree. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"I don't believe so," Bree answered as she took the photos from the OB as she gave them to her.
"Yes there is. You need better nausea meds." Tony reminded Bree.
"I can do that. How bad has it been?" The OB asked Bree.
"I lost all of my breakfast this morning," Bree answered quietly.
"Has it been that bad all along, or just since your stress level has been elevated?" She asked curiously.
"This morning was the first time I have been that sick," she answered.
"The intensity is likely worsened from the stress. I will give you some stronger meds for a couple days, and regular nausea meds after that. If it doesn't start at least improving in a few days, I'd like to see you again." She told Bree.
Bree nodded as she watched the OB write on a notepad. "Should I have Tony go to the pharmacy to pick them up?"
"I will call the pharmacy and have someone bring them to us." Tony promised Bree.
"Alright," Bree agreed. "That sounds like a pretty good idea."
"I don't want to go out right now." Tony admitted.
Bree nodded. "I don't either. I could go back to sleep."
"Go ahead honey. All I need to do is call the pharmacy, so I can stay right here with you." Tony promised.
The OB smiled. "The meds are put in and can be picked up soon. Both of you take it easy. Be safe, and I'll see you soon."
"Thank you." Tony replied before shifting to look at the pictures Bree held. "So tiny." He said softly, then rested his hand on her stomach.
Bree looked up at Tony as the OB left the room. She smiled as she watched tears fill his eyes. "Tony," she murmured, placing her hand over his.
Tony looked at Bree, then pulled her into a loving kiss. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, sweetheart. So very much," she answered back softly.