A/N: I don't know if this is clear to everyone, but this is taking place right after Iron Man 2. I just thought I'd clear that up for anyone who may be confused.
In the weeks that followed, Tony and Kagome went from friends to dating, but it was a slow process. They really wanted to get to know each other first before rushing into anything. It was important that no matter what they remain, friends, for the baby's sake.
So they went out on dates and talked. Tony felt more comfortable with Kagome than with anyone else in the world. And soon he considered her a close friend. Kagome too considered Tony a close friend and was seriously considering telling him everything about her life.
It was Thanksgiving when Kagome reached her 16-week mark and Tony decided the week before that he wanted to have an old fashioned Thanksgiving dinner. He asked Kagome and she agreed, but she said that she wanted to do the cooking.
"Kagome it's going to be a lot of food, let me just hire a catering company instead. I don't want you to strain yourself."
Kagome eventually agreed, after realizing that she would have to get up early to make the turkey and she was in no condition to do that. As it was, Kagome was sleeping more than usual, but that was to be expected at this point in the pregnancy. She learned that she now had to sleep on her left side in order to sleep comfortably and with a pillow between her legs.
So, Tony made all the arrangements. He ordered a fairly large turkey with all the trimmings and was going to invite Happy and Rhodey over. It had been a long time since Tony had seen Rhodey, but he wanted him to know that he was going to be a father and wanted Rhodey to meet Kagome.
Tony called Rhodey and asked him if he had any plans for Thanksgiving.
"No, I don't, I was going to order some Chinese food and watch the game."
"Well, you do now, buddy. You're having Thanksgiving dinner with Happy and me. There's also someone I want you to meet, and I have something to tell you."
"You have a new girlfriend, Tony?"
"Kind of."
"What do you mean kind of?"
"We're dating, it's not official yet."
Rhodey thought for a moment, "Yeah, sure, I'd love to join you for Thanksgiving dinner."
"Okay, then I'll see you on Thursday."
When Thursday rolled around Tony was up bright and early. JARVIS had informed him that the catering staff had arrived. Tony went downstairs to let them in then showed them to the kitchen. He then went down to his lab and worked on his suit for a while, then a thought occurred to him.
"JARVIS, does Pepper still have a full security clearance?"
**Yes, sir.**
"Revoke all access that Pepper has and change all the passwords. And give Kagome complete security clearance, including the lab. Give Kagome her own password."
**Yes, sir.**
Tony realized at that moment that he had been holding out some hope that Pepper would come back. That's why he never revoked her clearance. But now things were different, he had put his past behind him, including Pepper. Tony had finally gotten over Pepper Potts.
It was around eight when Kagome woke up. She sat up and sighed, finally she was over her morning sickness and was beginning to wake up feeling good again. She got out of bed and went to the bathroom to get ready for the day. She went downstairs and noticed that the catering crew was already hard at work cooking their Thanksgiving dinner. Kagome's stomach growled at smelling all the delicious food.
She rubs her baby bump, "Okay, baby, let's get you something to eat."
Walking into the kitchen, Kagome does her best to stay out of the catering crews way. One of the crew notices her and asks her if she needs something.
"I just wanted to get something to eat."
"We have some freshly made croissants and jam if you would like, Mrs. Stark."
"Thank you, and I'm not married to Tony,"
The caterer assumed then that Kagome was Tony's girlfriend and smiled at her, she handed Kagome a basket of freshly made croissants and jam and a bowl of cut fruit. Kagome thanked the young lady and went to sit at the bar to have her breakfast. At that moment Tony comes upstairs, he sees Kagome happily eating a croissant and smiles. Walking up to her, Tony kisses her cheek and steals a croissant.
"Good morning, Kagome, how are you feeling?"
"Good morning, Tony, I feel good. No morning sickness."
"That's good, I'm glad you're getting over that. Oh, I wanted to let you know that I changed your clearance. You now have complete access to absolutely everything, including my lab."
"Tony, you already gave me clearance."
"Yes, but now you have it to Stark Industries and to my lab."
"I don't want clearance to your company, Tony."
"No, no, it just means you can come and go as you please same with the lab. JARVIS is going to set up a password for you," Tony takes her hand, "It means a lot to me if you would accept."
Kagome looks into Tony's big brown eyes and melts, "Okay, I accept."
Tony kissed her lips, "Thank you, mmm, strawberry jam," He said then kissed her again.
After that, Tony goes upstairs to shower and change. Happy and Rhodey would be arriving in a little while, they were going to be watching football with Tony until dinner. It was around noon when the doorbell rang, Kagome had just put out some hors d'oeuvres for Tony and his friends on the coffee table when the doorbell rang.
Tony comes down the stairs, "I'll get it."
He walks over to the door and answers it, "Happy Thanksgiving, guys!"
"Happy Thanksgiving, Tony." Rhodey and Happy say.
"Come on in, JARVIS has the game on and Kagome put out some hors d'oeuvres for us."
"Great," Happy said as he came into the house.
"So, where is the little woman," Rhodey asked.
"She went upstairs, she should be down in a minute."
Tony led Rhodey into the house and into the living room. They sat down on the couch and turned on the TV to watch the Lions/Packers game. As the game got underway, Kagome came downstairs. Tony turned around and smiled at her, he tapped Rhodey on the shoulder. Rhodey stood up and turned around smiling. His smile faltered a little bit when he noticed that Kagome was pregnant. He looks at Tony who has a big grin on his face. Tony walks up to Kagome and puts a hand on the small of her back, leading her towards Rhodey.
"Kagome this is my best friend James Rhodes, Rhodey this is Kagome."
Kagome smiled at Rhodey, "Hello, James, it's nice to meet you."
Rhodey stood there stunned for a second until Tony elbowed him. "Uh, hello, Kagome, it's nice to meet you too. Please call me Rhodey," He said
Kagome and Rhodey shake hands and greets Happy, who waves at her then went back to watching the game.
"Okay, then, how about some drinks, Kagome what would you like?"
"Some milk would be good."
"Coming up, Hap, what do you want?"
"Beer's good."
"Okay then milk and beer, Rhodey?"
"Oh, I'll help you."
Tony gives him an odd look, "Okay."
Tony and Rhodey walked into the kitchen to get Kagome her milk. Rhodey grabbed Tony by the arm to stop him.
"You didn't tell me she was pregnant."
"Tony smirked, "Surprise!"
"Is it yours?"
"Of course its mine, we did a prenatal paternity test and everything."
"How are you not freaking out?"
Tony laughed, "Buddy, I did my freak out weeks ago, now I'm actually looking forward to being a dad. I tell you, Rhodey, this whole baby thing has changed me, I even gave up drinking. I am not going to be like Howard in any way."
"Good for you, Tony and if you're happy then I'm happy for you."
"Thanks, Buddy. Now, let's go watch the game."
They went back out to the living room where Happy was in the middle of explaining football to Kagome. Tony smiled and handed Kagome her milk.
"Kagome, smiled up at Tony, "Thank you, Tony."
"You're welcome, Kagome."
He sat down next to Kagome and started watching the game. Every now and then he would hand Kagome some food which she would happily accept. Rhodey would watch them interact and thought it was strange but cute at the same time.
After the game, they watched the Cowboys/Dolphins game. Now that Kagome understood the game, she was more into this game. By the time the game was over, dinner was ready. The caterers set the table and brought everything to the dining room for them. When they were finished and the kitchen cleaned Tony gave each of them a 100.00 tip.
After they left Tony, Kagome, Happy and Rhodey sat down to a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. The food was excellent, and the conversation was lively. Rhodey got to learn more about Kagome and he decided that he really liked her. She was completely different than Pepper. She was sweet and kind and had a warm and sincere personality. She fussed over them, making sure that they had enough to eat and drink. She had a motherly quality to her but an inner strength as well. Rhodey watched Tony and Kagome interact with each other. He noticed that they would unconsciously touch every now and then and that Tony was very accommodating to Kagome's needs. If she reached for something he would hand it to her. Whenever Tony's drink ran low, Kagome would fill it for him. Rhodey thought it was cute.
'I wouldn't be surprised if they're together by New Year's,' Rhodey thought.
As the meal wound down and they had all gorged themselves on as much food as possible could, Kagome started to clean up. Without even thinking or being asked Tony started helping Kagome take all the leftovers into the kitchen. Rhodey and Happy watched them, they looked at each other and smirked, since when did Tony become so domestic?
In the kitchen, Kagome made plates for Rhodey and Happy to take home and put them in Tupperware then put them away in the refrigerator. When Kagome and Tony had put everything away, and put the dishes in the dishwasher, they went into the living room to join Happy and Rhodey. They decided to watch a few movies before calling it a night.
Halfway through the second movie, Tony felt Kagome slump against him. Tony looked at her and found that she was fast asleep, he smiled at how cute she looked asleep. Tony carefully stood up and picked Kagome up to take her to her room.
"I'll be right back, guys," Tony whispered.
He took Kagome upstairs to her room and laid her down. Taking off her shoes, he covered her up and kissed her forehead. Tony went back downstairs and noticed that Rhodey and Happy were getting ready to leave.
"Hey, you guys don't have to go."
"Let's call it a night, Tony, it's getting late," Rhodey tells his best friend.
"Alright, but let me get you guys the plates that Kagome made for you."
Tony goes into the kitchen to get the Tupperware. He comes back and hands one to each man, they both smile at him.
"Tell Kagome thank for us, Tony."
"Will do, have a good night guys."
"Same to you Tony."
Tony hugs both men, but before Rhodey leaves he turns to Tony, "I like her, Tony, she's good for you. And congratulations on the baby."
"Thanks, Buddy."
And with that, both men take their leave.
