The lake was frozen, snow was falling outside, the fireplaces were lit and the house was filled with the smell of turkey and eucalyptus. Christmas had arrived at the Stark's residence.

Tony's Christmas music records had been playing nonstop since december first. And the moment a bossa nova version of Jingle Bells was playing, Pepper was giving the final details to the socks hanging on the fireplace in the living room, waiting for her husband to get ready for dinner.

- So, how do I look? - he asked coming down the stairs, exposing his expensive suit. - Fabulous, I know...

- Oh! - she was surprised to be pulled to dance. - Yes... You look fabulous, Mr Stark...

- And you are more than fabulous, Mrs. Stark... - he said sensually, and kissed her. So they continued to dance and caress each other for a while, until Friday interrupted the moment:

- Boss, the guests are here.

- I'll open. - Pepper said, and went to the front door. - Hey guys... Come in! It must be freezing out there... - she made room, and her parents entered the residence, being followed by Rhodes and Happy.

- Hello, my love... - Mrs. Potts hugged her daughter carefully, after taking off her huge coat. - How are you?

- I'm great, how about you?

- You look fabulous! And you are shining! The second trimester is much better than the first one, isn't it?

- Oh, so much better... - the woman sighed. - But I know I can't celebrate too much, because soon I will be with back pains and breathless.

- Don't forget the swollen ankles. - Mr Potts commented.

- Hi dad... - she hugged him. - Thank you for reminding me of that.

- How's my grandson or granddaughter doing? - he asked with shining eyes.

- Happy said you had an appointment with the obstetrician this week! - Mrs. Potts said cheerfully.

- Oh, he did? - Pepper looked at the man, who shivered.

- So today is the day Hap is finally getting fired for being a chatterbox! - Tony teased, and shook hands with his father-in-law.

- How are you, Anthony?

- Getting better every day. - he smiled.

- In my defense, I didn't say the sex of the baby. Because I don't know it. - Happy tried to defend himself.

- So you already know the sex of the baby? - Pepper's mother was exalted.

- We know, and we'll reveal it soon.

- Oh, are you going to do that thing people are doing today? What's the name again…

- A gender reveal party.

- Right. Thank you, James... - the woman smiled at the Lieutenant Colonel. - Are you?

- We'll not. I tried, but she said no.

- Well, she's not wrong...

- She never is... - Tony raised his arm, offering support to his mother-in-law. - May I prepare you a vodka martini, madam?

- You know I would never refuse this offer... - she accepted the support and together they walked to the bar.

…

- Honey, everything is delicious. I need the recipe of the cream and this pie! - Pepper's mom said, eating her second slice of the dessert made with cranberries.

- Sure! I'll send you an email later. Tony, can you put a little more for me?

- Which one do you want?

- A little of each, please.

- Are these cranberries from your garden? - asked Pepper's father.

- They're not; but we should have, because those were very difficult to find. But the potatoes, the tomatoes, the carrots and almost all the spices came from there.

- I should do that too. Dedicate myself to a vegetable garden. It seems to be a good kind of therapy. - Rhodes commented, serving himself a little more wine.

- And it is. You can come and try, if you like.

- Just don't forget to put oil on your legs, or you'll be stuck after so long time crouched. Trust me. - Tony remembered the day he got stuck and Happy had to squeal him.

- It happened because you're old. - the head of security joked.

- Speaking of which: there are some adjustments that I wanted you to make on my prostheses.

- Okay. Stop by the garage later and we will fix it. There it goes… - Tony handed the plate back to his wife with a little of each dessert available.

- Thank you dear…

- More grape juice?

- Yes please…

- What do you miss most? Alcohol or coffee? - Rhodes asked.

- I don't know... I would say both. But I'm gonna say coffee, because I know I can be a pretty annoying without coffee.

- Tell me about it. - Tony and the woman's parents said at the same time.

- See? - she smiled, accepting the cup that her husband handed her.

…

- So, any progress? - Mr. Potts whispered.

- No, and it takes my patience. - Tony replied in the same tone. - Almost a year has passed and nothing!

- You, more than me, know that time travel is impossible. We're not in "Back to the Future".

- That movie is a mess. - Stark sighed.

- You better not be talking about work... - Pepper interrupted them and sat on the sofa, next to her husband. - Because we have rules in this house.

- Guilty. Sorry. - he kissed her temple.

- I think it's adorable the fact that you have socks for Friday and DUM-E. I see Gerald got one too... And Morgan... - Pepper's mom looked inside her granddaughter's sock, but all she found were sugar canes that would be eaten by the baby's mother soon.

- I know what you're looking for, and won't find it there. - Tony said, and smiled when he saw his mother-in-law's disappointed face.

- Can you tell us the baby's gender already, for God's sake!?

- Sure! Let's distribute the gifts! - Tony got up and took a medium-sized box from under the tree.

- No giant rabbits this time? - his mother-in-law joked.

- I actually bought one for Morgan, but we can talk about this later. - Tony's face looked like he knew he was in trouble and Pepper laughed. He gave the gift to his wife.

- That's all? Where's the speech, Anthony? - Mr Stark complained.

- This one is for Morgan... - Pepper started to say. - And we would like you to open it. - she handed the gift to her parents, who realized they were in front of the package that would reveal whether they would have a grandson or granddaughter.

Mrs. Potts carefully opened the box, and she and her husband looked at what was inside. Then the two turned away, laughing.

- So, what is it? - Rhodes and Happy asked anxiously.

- I hope this is the rabbit you were talking about! - Mrs. Potts was still laughing when she said it.

- Yes it is. - Tony and Pepper said smiling. Then everyone watched Mr. Potts take the pink rabbit-shaped lamp out of the box, revealing the secret to everyone.

- It's a girl! - Happy shouted excitedly, and everyone congratulate the Starks.