Tony was putting the dishes away and he was enjoying the rare silence. It's not often quiet when you live with a four year old and a three month old baby. Morgan was easy but James was an entirely different story. He put the last dish away and went into the bedroom. He began to get undressed when he heard a cry coming from his son's bedroom. He went in and picked him up and sure enough a diaper change was needed. By the time Morgan was out of diapers Tony thought he was an expert and then having a boy changed everything. He had an actual target on his head. Thankfully he was able to change it without incident and soothed him back to bed. He went to the bedroom and undressed down to his boxer briefs when Pepper returned to the bedroom.
Pepper tightened her robe and let her hair down and began to brush it slowly. Tony knew Pepper had a tough time with James' birth and she was having a hard time. Sex was still painful for her but she would still let Tony try when he wanted to because she also wanted things to get back to normal.
She grabbed pajamas out of the drawer and tried to hide herself while getting undressed. She was not bouncing back like she did with the first pregnancy and she didn't like it. She hated the way her body looked and she felt the farthest thing from sexy but knowing Tony was still attracted to her made it a bit better.
Tony wrapped his arms around Pepper from behind and kissed her neck.
"Mmmm you smell so good," he said.
"It's just my soap," Pepper said as she turned to face him and gave him a kiss and then went into the bed.
Tony hurried in next to her and snuggled close and was kissing and caressing her. Pepper never felt less sexy but she let his hands roam for a few moments but couldn't help tensing as he touched her.
"Why are you so tense?" he asked.
"Gee Tony I don't know. Maybe it's because my hair is thinning, I have permanent dark circles, my nipples look like shriveled prunes, my vagina is dry and none of my clothes fit right," she said out of frustration.
"Well maybe you need to have an orgasm but you won't let touch you at all,"
"Of course you make this about sex," she said.
"No Pepper, I haven't complained at all. I can't imagine what you're going through. I have woken up at feeding times and changing times and I've taken both kids for the day as much as you need so you can have time for your yoga class and whatever else you wanted to do. I am doing everything I can to help you. Why don't you let me give you a massage? Nothing naughty unless you want it to be. When I'm done you might," he said.
"I don't know Tony. I-
Tony started on her feet and she fell silent. She did start to relax and by the time he was finished kneading and pressing all the tension out of every single part of her body she was feeling very turned on. Tony had that effect.
Pepper kissed him and he returned the favor and was trying to pull her shirt off.
"Can we try and do this with as much clothes on as possible?" she asked as she pulled her pajama bottoms off.
Tony was sad but didn't argue.
"Of course," he said as he began to kiss along her panty line.
After some time despite his best efforts Tony failed at his mission and Pepper was feeling awful. She sat up and pulled his face up.
"Let's face it Tony I'm all dried up. My vagina is like Death Valley. And it's not your fault at all. I'm so sorry" Pepper said as a few tears poured out of her eyes.
She pulled his head close to her chest and kissed it gently.
"Pepper, why are you crying? We have lube. This is an easy fix," he exclaimed as he went into the drawer to grab some.
Tony squirted some out and applied it to her and was making his way back down to his former position but Pepper grabbed him.
"Let's move on from that and we can give regular sex a try," she said.
"But Pepper it hurts you,"
"Yes Tony but we won't know when it stops hurting if we don't try," she said.
"Only if you promise to tell me the minute it hurts," he said.
Pepper closed her eyes to brace herself for the discomfort but it was ok when he entered. He was going slow and gentle and kissing her a lot. They were at it for about ten minutes when Pepper started to feel pain. She winced and tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention since she couldn't seem to get words out. It hurt so bad. Tony stopped immediately.
"I'm sorry Tony," she said tearfully.
"Don't be sorry. It's not your fault. We can keep working on it. This time was longer than the other times,"
"At least let me take care of you," she said as she ran her hand over him.
"Pepper you don't have to,"
"Shut up and lay back," she said.
Pepper gave Tony the pleasure he needed and then she started to cry again.
"I'm so sorry Pepper. What can I do?" he asked.
"Nothing. It's me. I just miss sex. My god Tony that massage got me so hot. I wanted you so bad. I so badly need this not just for the release but the connection. I miss you," she said through her tears.
"That's it. I'm calling Clint and telling him I can't go. I'm not leaving you and the kids for a week," he said firmly.
"Tony, you have to go," Pepper said, giving him a look.
"Says who?"
"It's not right. He needs you. There is no one else and after what he did for us you owe him. I'll be fine,"
"Pepper no offense but you're a mess," he stated.
"I'm married to you and I've been through far worse than this. I can handle a week. You're going and that's final," she said, putting her foot down.
"Fine but I'm going to be miserable and unlikeable the whole time," Tony said, pouting.
"Come and snuggle with me," Pepper said as she patted the mattress next to her.
Tony got into bed and pulled Pepper close and kissed her forehead.
"I miss the connection from sex too but I still feel so connected to you. Don't lose hope. We will figure this out," he said, hoping to ease her mind.
"I know now go to sleep. Clint will be here early,"
