- I still can't believe you did that. But I'm glad you did. - Rhodes opened another bottle of beer and toasted with Tony. - You deserve it, you know. - he looked around: the sun hiding on the horizon, the lake with calm waters; birds singing in the trees; the smell of nature, mixed with the smell of food coming from the kitchen... - This peace. - he took a sip. - So, how's it going with the trying to have a baby thing?

- We're in the best part, if you know what I mean... - Tony drank some of his beer, looking directly at the lake in front of him.

- Are you scared?

- Not at the moment. Perhaps because it's not a reality yet.

- You'll be a good father. - Rhodes put his hand in his friend's shoulder.

- Yeah. All I need to do is the exact opposite of everything my father did to me. - Tony snorted, and then took another drink.

- Do you know what you should do? Get a pet to practice.

- That's actually a good idea. - Tony pointed to his friend with the bottle.

- I suggest a dog. Or a cat. A real one, not a robot.

- Dog or cat. Okay. - Tony drank the rest of his beer in one gulp and got up from the lounge chair, followed by his friend.

- Hey boys... - Pepper greeted them when they entered through the back door. - I was about to call you. Dinner is almost ready… - she lost herself for a moment, when Tony hugged her from behind and placed a kiss on her lips, then on her hair.

- So it became routine now? - Rhodes asked, noticing that the redhead was preparing dinner.

- We're taking this normal life thing very seriously. No cooks. It's very relaxing, actually. Happy, when you finish cutting the tomatoes, mix everything with the sauce and finish with the chestnuts. - she gave the instructions to the man in the apron beside her.

- Why can Happy help you and I can't?

- Because you're a fucking disaster. - she was direct, and their friends

laughed.

- That's not true! I can make a perfect omelet! - Tony replied, but he knew it wasn't true. - What is this? - he asked, opening a bag from a garden store.

- Seeds and seedlings that we'll plant tomorrow.

- Nice! Oops… - he bumped into the new gardening toolbox that was on the floor, making a loud noise. - I'll just... get ready for dinner.

- Great idea. Wanna help? Set the table. Rhodey, will you come with us?

- Sure. - he replied, before finishing his beer.

- So table for four. And the dishes are yours after dinner.

- Yes ma'am. - Tony stole a cherry tomato and immediately obeyed.

…

The next morning, the couple woke up early and planted the seeds and seedlings bought the day before. Soon they would be harvesting tomatoes, carrots, potatoes and various spices.

- We should have some chickens. - Pepper suggested. - About three or four. We can set up a space for them right there. - She pointed to the area and wiped the sweat from her forehead with her arm.

- I can do that. - Tony said, handing her a very cold glass of water. - There are a few woods in the garage that are left over from the kitchen renovation. I think that can be turned into a chicken coop.

- Well reminded. - the woman took a sip of her water.

- You know; last night i was reading things on the internet like "Choose random images and we'll tell you what kind of nut you are". Then I found a poll about what sexual position makes prettier babies.

- And which one is it? - Pepper asked with a smile, wondering why the man was reading that kind of news.

- I don't know, I didn't get into the link. But I think we should ask your parents. - he replied, and the woman laughed out loud.

- You should stop reading these things. - she drank more water, trying to stop laughing.

- I know... I should get a hobby. - then Pepper was immediately serious.

- This hobby story again?

- Don't worry, there won't be 42 armors again. I was thinking of something common... Like this. - he referred to gardening.

- Well, in that case I agree. - Pepper stood up, hearing her phone ringing in her pocket. - My video conference is in thirty minutes. I need to take a shower.

- Go ahead, I'll put the tools back to the box. I can enjoy and take a look at the woods in the garage and see what I can do with them.

- Thank you ... - she kissed him. - Love you.

- Love you too. - he said, and slapped her ass when she got up.

…

- Friday, show me the nearest places where chickens are sold. - Tony said, putting away the toolbox. Then he started checking the sizes of the woods abandoned in a corner, to see what could be done with them.

- Here are the results, boss. - then holograms were displayed with information from several nearby farms.

- Draw a trip plan to this one. - He pointed to the third of the list, after giving a brief analysis.

- Plan outlined, boss.

- Great. Now where's the car trailer?

And so the mighty Tony Stark: genius, playboy, billionaire and philanthropist; with dirt-soiled clothes and a trailer attached to his luxury car, drove to a nearby farm to buy chickens.

When he got there, he found an old man sitting in a chair under a tree and reading a newspaper, which cover had a picture of him and his armor side by side with the title "RETIRED HERO".

- Good morning Sir! How can I help you? - the man with a strong accent greeted him.

- I'd like to buy some of your chickens.

- They're the healthiest in the region and produce the best eggs you will ever taste! Come on, I'll show them! - the old man folded and put down the newspaper, before heading to where the chickens were. - So, how many you want?

- My wife said three or four.

- Following wife's orders, huh? Keep doing this! The secret to a happy marriage is always to do what they say. - they entered the hen house. - So, are there going to be three or four? Because you already have three right there... - he pointed down, and Tony saw that three chickens had approached his legs. One pecked his boot.

- These three are fine. Wait. - he saw a completely orange chicken standing out from the crowd, not far from them. - I want that orange too.

- Perfect! I help you get them to your car. - the old man caught three chickens and waited for Tony to catch the last one. - C'mom, she won't bite you. Hey, do I know you from somewhere? You look familiar...

- I don't think so, sir. - Tony picked up the last chicken. Then the farmer looked closely at the man, who wore the same sunglasses, cap, and clothes soiled with dirt and grass since early morning.

- It must be because you're from town. You people from town are all the same! Everyone is afraid to catch the chickens! - he said. Then they made their way out of the hen house.

But halfway there Tony saw something on the other side of the fence that caught his eye and made him stop walking.

- It's yours?

- Yes. His name is Gerald. I won it in a bet, because the other guy had no money. My wife hates him because he's always eating her grapes. She dreams with the day she'll get rid of him... - the old man sighed.

- How much do you want for it? - he asked, willing to pay whatever was necessary.

And so the mighty Tony Stark: genius, playboy, billionaire and philanthropist; with dirt-soiled clothes and a trailer attached to his luxury car, drove home with four chickens and his newest pet.

…

- Tony? Tony? Oh! There you are... - Pepper smiled when found her husband in the garden. - What are you doing?

- The chicken coop! - he replied, measuring a piece of wood. The woman walked over to the picnic table and saw the digital plan for the new project.

- It's perfect…

- Wait until you see it ready... - he approached her, but didn't touch her, so he didn't get her clothes dirty. - Going somewhere? - he asked, looking at the bag on her arm.

- Emergency meeting. I'm going to have lunch with them, but I'll be back for dinner.

- OK.

- You'll be fine?

- Yeah and you?

- I'll be fine. - she smiled and kissed him. - Don't forget you have an appointment with your therapist at four.

- Therapist at four. OK.

- Eat something. There's leftovers from yesterday's dinner in the fridge.

- Therapist. Eat something.

- And please take a shower.

- Are you calling me a hog?

- No... in fact, I think you're very sexy right now...

- Oh yeah...? - Tony had to control himself not to touch the woman's clean clothes.

- Yeah ... - Pepper approached the man's face, but not only didn't kiss him, but also moved away, making him complain with his eyes. - But I don't think your therapist will think the same.

- Right.

- I'll call you when I get there. - she kissed him quickly. - Bye... - she said and turned around, heading towards the car where Happy was waiting for her.

Tony spent the day working in the chicken coop, forgetting to eat, as always. With less than thirty minutes left for his therapist to arrive, he finished the project. Then he took the chickens out of the car and introduced them to the new home. He would do the same with Gerald, but he had lost sight of it from the moment he got him out of the car earlier. He must have been recognizing the area. Did not know. Later he would look for him.

When Pepper came home in the late afternoon, Tony was screaming at the top of his lungs across the garden. She took a deep breath before getting out of the car.

- GERALD! GERAAAALD!

- Tony, what are you doing!?

- Pep! Hey, how was your day? Wow. You look gorgeous!

- What happened. - she made it very clear that she wasn't in the mood for jokes.

- Well, yesterday Rhodey convinced me to have a pet so we can practice, you know.

- I'm pretty sure he meant a dog or a cat. - Happy commented, looking at the animal that trotted towards them.

- Yeah, but why not something different?

- So you decided we would have an alpaca. - Pepper completed. Then Tony felt that there was something pulling at the leaves he was holding, and it was Gerald.

- Basically, yes. Love, this is Gerald. Gerald, these are Pepper and Happy. Here. Hold this. - he handed the leaves to his wife, and the alpaca came close to her. - Don't worry, he's tame. - he said, and everyone watched the animal eat the leaves Pepper was holding. The woman even dared to pet him on the top of his head, without receiving complaints.

- He's kinda cute. - Happy caressed the alpaca, when it finished eating.

Then Gerald looked at the security guard and spat in his face.

- Oh my God! Happy! - Pepper got worried, while Tony laughed loudly.

- I take back what I said. - The security guard wiped his face with the handkerchief Pepper had handed him.

…

After the episode, Tony showed the chicken coop to Pepper, who was sure the orange chicken had been chosen - and most likely would be named - in her honor. But for the sake of his own skin, Tony would never admit it.

And in the end, Gerald was very well received, and soon became an important member of the family.

There was only one thing left to complete it.