Due to recent events, nothing huge has been arranged for the honeymoon. The couple would spend only a week in the Maldives. An entire island has been set aside for them to have complete privacy, away from paparazzi and journalists.

- I just saw a turtle! - Tony said as he left the sea and approached the woman sitting on the deck chair. - You'd love it! It was big and green, just like in Finding Nemo. - he took a sip of Pepper's coconut water and sat next to her feet. - We should ask for the coral diving service tomorrow.

- Sure, my love... - she put her foot on her husband's chest, who grabbed it and started massaging and kissing it.

- A coin for your thoughts. - Tony said, noticing his wife's vague look. Then he lifted her leg and began to kiss her gently as far as he could reach.

- My uncle. - she replied, and the man froze, stopped kissing her knee.

- I was clearly showing you I wanted to have sex and you're saying you were thinking about your uncle all this time? - he asked seriously and she laughed. - Which one?

- Morgan.

So Tony froze again.

- Are you trying to tell me you're…

- No. - she immediately cut him off.

- Not even a bit?

- How could I...?

- You know, I really think we should do this. - Tony tried to convince her.

- You know... I agree. But…

- There is always a "but"... - the man sighed.

- But I'm scared. You know, in the past few months some things happened. Things that some people could never imagined that would be possible. Everybody's still scared. I don't want it to have that life, Tony.

- Me neither. And that's why I retired.

- What? - it was Pepper's turn to froze.

- I thought you knew!

- I thought you were taking a break!

- A break forever. - he completed. - Pep, seriously. It's over. All I want now is to enjoy the rest of my life with you and this baby I'm trying to convince you to make. - he put a smile on the woman's face. - We can have a vegetable garden, learn how to fish. I don't know. Have a normal life.

- We are the Stark's. Our lives will never be normal... - Pepper approached him, and used her free hand to caress the man's neck.

- As normal as possible then.

- OK…

- Is that a yes? - Tony was filled with hope.

- No ... That's a "We need to see our doctors".

- That's almost a yes. Okay, can we at least practice?

- Alright. - she let the coconut aside and clung to the man. - Now you definitely have a yes. - then she kissed him hard, being gladly returned.

…

Pepper and Tony consulted their doctors shortly after the trip. Their biggest concerns were whether the baby could come with any alien traces due to Tony's past, or if Pepper would be able to hold the baby for nine months and Tony would have quality sperm due to their age and stress level. But after a battery of exams, it was concluded that they were both in full condition to have a child.

At the same time, through Damage Control and the Stark Foundation, the couple ordered a project to restore the affected cities during the passage of the aliens (with the exception of Wakanda, who managed to rebuild in a few days) and a whole support network to the most needy people who had lost the loved ones after Thanos' snap.

The only thing missing was the news Tony should tell the world about Iron Man leaving business. And while he waited for his wife to finish her speech updating the news about Stark Industries' philanthropic projects, Tony decided that the time had come.

- ... And before finishing, I would like to once again remind you that the Stark Foundation is working all over the world; and if anyone wants to be part of our team, just fill out the registration on our website. Thank you. - Pepper finished her speech, and was about to step away from the microphones when her teleprompter showed a few more words. - Thank you... thank you... now ... - she started to speak again, causing the audience to interrupt the applause and shut up. - I would like to invite to the stage now... Tony Stark. - the woman ignored the part of the text that said "my hot husband" and looked in the direction of the man, who left the backstage amid applause, hysterical voices and flashes. It was his first appearance to the public since he got back to Earth.

- Stop hacking my teleprompter. - the woman asked seriously, hiding it in a smile.

- You look beautiful. - Tony changed the subject. - And don't look at me with that face, It won't too much. Now excuse me, this is my moment. - he gently pushed her away, and Pepper let out a disguised sigh as she practically paraded off the stage. - Thank you, Miss Potts, for your great speech... - he said in front of the microphone, but still looking at the woman, who had her back to him. - So! - he finally looked at the journalists who filled the Stark Industries' auditorium. - As you all can see... I'm back! Wow, how I missed , I... Yes? - he pointed to a journalist who had his hand raised.

- How was it like...being in space? - he asked. Then Tony looked at him in a way that terrified him, before answering:

- Terrifying.

At that moment there was silence in the auditorium. All the guests were startled by Stark's dark tone. Until another journalist raised his hand and Tony tried to soften his features by looking at him.

- Where have you been since you came back?

- At home, doing therapy, physiotherapy and nutrient replacement. And many. Many exams.

- Can you tell us anything about the wedding?

- Absolutely not. It was great. We're happy. That's all you need to know.

- What about the people who disappeared? Did you forget them? - A journalist stood out amid the questions that came.

- I think about them every single day. - Stark was sincere. A memory of Peter Parker turning to dust came to his mind and he was unable to hide the pain.

- And you're not gonna do anything about it?

- There's nothing we can do. Believe me, we tried. - he said devastated. Then he recovered his posture and looked into the journalist's eyes. - Do you want an advice? Go home and spend as much time as you can with the people left in your life. That's what I'm doing. And that's why I'm officially declaring Iron Man's retirement.

Then the flashes started to flash even more, all the journalists started talking at the same time, and the place became a melting pot.

The media burned. People were freaking out, crying, lamenting, celebrating, and spreading the news to as many people as possible.

At Stark Industries, neither the guests nor the employees were able to control themselves and started asking Tony not to retire, or to explain why that was happening. Some people got panic, everybody were agitated, no one knew what would happen next.

Only Pepper remained calm, being watched by Happy, who also knew the information, but was attentive to possible public reactions and ready to act if necessary.

- Did someone force you do this?

- What's gonna happen with the Avengers?

- What you gonna do now? - Tony heard several questions at the same time.

- The Avengers will continue to operate normally. Or the ones left. We'll be safe. Nobody forced me to do this. I just decided it was time to stop. All I wanna do now is to be with my family. Thank you, that's all. - he said goodbye and left the stage.