Morgan's lamp was placed in her room, on top of the dresser where the sheets, blankets, pacifiers and bibs that the girl had been given over the months were kept. Not far from the dresser, Tony was setting up the crib, with the help of DUM-E.
— If it gets crooked I'll turn you into a trash can for baby's diapers. — he warned, before the robot screwed where the instructions said.
— Knock, knock. — Pepper said as she entered the room. — How is it going? — she handed a glass of lemonade to her husband and caressed the shaft of DUM-E, that was caressing her hair with its claws. — He's been behaving like Gerald, did you notice?
— Envious. — Tony drank some juice.
— Maybe he's afraid of becoming a trash can after so many threats... — she said, and the man snorted. Then Pepper took on a serious tone. — You got a call.
— If it is the Senator, tell him I'm retired.
— It's not. It's from Tennessee. — the woman informed. Then Tony sighed, knowing what was going on.
…
— Eat it. — he gave the order, when the waitress delivered the plate of hamburger, fries and soda. So Harley gladly obeyed. — Kid, you gotta stop doing this. I can't drop everything and I come here to get you out of jail every time you get in a fight. I'm about to have a baby.
— So go back to your perfect life and leave me alone. — the boy was rude, but Tony kept his tone calm.
— You know, I lost people too. People I considered my family.
— Yeah, but you still have your family. Your friends. And what do I have?
— You have me. — Tony replied immediately.
— I don't want you, I want my family back! — Harley hit the table angrily. His eyes watered, and he wiped them with his jacket.
— Then help me help you! — Tony replied, bending his body towards the boy. — Instead of doing shit around, use that energy to try to bring them back!
— And how would I do that? — Harley asked angrily.
— For a start, stop making a mess. Finish high school. Go to college. Have you thought about college?
— Not in the last few months. — he admitted, and ate a french frie.
— I can put you at MIT if you like. I just need to make a call. September Foundation can fund your research. What do you think? — he suggested. And Harley reflected for a while, before answering:
— OK…
— Great! — Tony smiled. — We can have this conversation again when you graduate. Do you want me to come to the graduation?
— It would be nice. People never believed that I know you.
— So let's prove them they were wrong. — Stark joked, and stole a french frie. Then he took on a serious tone again. — You are a good kid.
— I got arrested five times in the past few months.
— I would get too if I were in that situation. And I did. But you won't remember, because you weren't even born yet. — he remembered the times he got into trouble, after the death of his parents.
— Thanks for not giving up on me.
— I would never give up.
— My father did. He is alive. And I only know that because I looked for him when my mother and sister… — he was unable to finish the sentence. — And even after all that happened, he still pretends that I don't exist.
— Welcome to the "my father is an asshole" club. — Tony joked, puting sauce in his french frie, before eating it. — The burger will get cold.
— Oh! Right. — the boy started eating again; this time with more desire. — How's Miss Potts doing? I mean, Mrs. Stark.
— Well, she still uses Potts most of the time. My surname is basically used only at home and in gossip magazines.
— Sorry for not going to the wedding, by the way.
— It's okay. Your absence was understandable. Anyway, Pepper is great. Her belly keeps growing, her ankles are swollen, and she couldn't be more radiant.
— And the baby?
— It's a girl. Morgan. — Tony said proud. — I have some pictures and videos of the 4D ultrasound here, if you wanna see.
— I'll pass. These things are scary.
— My daughter is adorable, okay?
— I'm sure yes. But ultrasounds are not.
— Shut up and eat your burger. — he said, and the boy obeyed.
…
— Pepper is desiring Indian food. I think that's my cue. — Tony put the phone in his pocket. — Don't go to jail again, okay?
— Okay. — Harley shook the man's hand.
— Call me if you need anything. And when you know the date of the graduation.
— Early June, probably.
— Great. Morgan will be born by then.
— Send me pictures after the knee face phase.
— Why don't you go see her in person?
— After the knee face phase?
— Obviously. The only people allowed to see my daughter during the knee face phase are Pepper, me, the grandparents and the pediatrician. No one else. — Tony joked, and the boy laughed.
— Bye, Tony.
— See you, kid. — he said. Then he got in the car and drove off, leaving the boy at the school door and about to have dozens of people around him, asking if he was really with who they thought he was with.
…
— So, how was it? — Pepper asked, before eating some more chaat.
— Easy. I finally managed to convince him to stop the mess and focus on his studies. He even agreed to go to MIT.
— Honey, this is great!
— Yeah. He's a good boy. He just needs support.
— And you are an incredible man, for doing that for him. — she paused, caressing his face. — And you'll be an incredible father.
Then she kissed him on the cheek and the two continued their dinner.