He was relaying the story of their morning when JARVIS announced more arrivals, and it was Rhodey who entered the house this time, with Eric and Ned right behind him. They didn't drive in all together, it was just exceptional timing.

"Found the place alright?" Tony asked, offering his hand to Eric while greeting Rhodey with a smile.

"We did."

"This place is great, Mr. Stark," Ned said, looking around with interest.

JARVIS must have told Peter that Ned was there, because the door to the game room opened and the boy and Cooper walked out, and Peter was excited to see his friend. Introductions were made all around, with Ned's eyes getting bigger and bigger with each Avenger and SHIELD agent he was introduced to.

"Wow…"

Peter smiled up at Tony, who took a giant gift basket from Eric with a nod of thanks.

"Nancy and the boys told me to tell you hello."

Tony nodded his appreciation.

"Don't let me forget to send some cake home with you so they can be part of the celebration."

"What's in the box?" Peter asked Ned, curiously.

Ned was holding a brightly wrapped package, and he smiled and handed it over.

"It's your housewarming present. And Mr. Stark's too, if he wants it."

"Of course I want it, Ned," Tony told the boy, expansively. "It's probably amazing."

"Peter will like it," the boy declared.

"Can I open it?" Peter asked Eric, excitedly.

His former foster father smiled fondly down at him.

"You can't use it if you don't."

The boy took the gift from Ned, who was grinning, now, and proved that he was an expert at unwrapping things.

"Wow!"

"What is it?" Natasha asked, curiously.

All she could see was gleaming metal.

"It's a Batman toaster," Peter said, practically jumping up and down in excitement.

"You make toast in it, and it puts Batman on the bread," Ned added, helpfully. He looked pleased that the gift was so well received. "Pretty cool, huh?"

"It's something, alright," Tony replied, forcing a smile that made everyone who noticed smile.

None of the boys did, and Peter looked at Tony.

"Can I try it out?"

"Yeah. Of course."

OOOOOOOOOO

"Well, you're officially out of bread."

Stark nodded.

"Which is just as well," he said, looking at the piece of toast he was holding. One that was sloppily buttered and had the Batman logo toasted into it. "If I eat another piece of toast I'm going to throw up."

"Or throw a tantrum?" Romanoff asked, amused.

He scowled.

"I can't do that," the billionaire pointed out. "It would be a bad example to Peter. Besides, he likes that stupid toaster."

Those who were close enough to hear him smiled, but Peter, Ned and Cooper were at the kitchen island and the small group around Tony were in the game room. The new pool table was having its final pieces put on, and then it would be ready to play. The foosball table had been easy to put together.

"Imagine that," Pepper said, shaking her head.

"What?"

"You're trying to be a good example. I like it."

He scowled, especially when the others smiled. It hit a little close to home, because it was a true.

"Don't let it get around," he told her, looking for a place to dump the toast, but not finding anyplace that Peter might not discover it. He bit into the 5th piece that he'd been handed since the boys had started experimenting with Ned's housewarming gift. "I still have an image to uphold for the public."

"Before the party begins in full swing," Natasha said, handing her piece of toast to Clint, who was more than willing to eat it. He liked toast – and liked Batman, too, for that matter. "Let's make sure we're all on the same page for tomorrow."

"Right. Maria comes for Peter at eight."

"Maria and at least one other agent," Fury corrected. "She'll be lead on his detail, though."

Hill nodded.

"I'll be the one who delivers him to your office at the tower when school is out, as well."

"Thank you."

They didn't need anyone directly on him at the office or in daycare. JARVIS was in every room and could keep an eye on things, and there were already SHIELD agents in charge of the security there. Initially put there by Fury to keep Tony safe, so adding Peter hadn't been an issue, thus far, and wouldn't prove to be one.

"Any questions?" Natasha asked, clearly wanting things to go smoothly and more than willing to make sure it did.

Everyone involved shook their heads. Tony looked at everyone, and then at the pool table.

"Good. Then I'm going to try this thing out. Rhodey? Rack em."

Rhodes smiled.

"You're on."

OOOOOOO

It was a fun afternoon for everyone. The big house rang with activity and a lot of laughter. And it wasn't all the kids making that happy noise. Peter, Cooper and Ned ran through the place, alternating between chasing each other, chasing Lila, or being chased by one adult or another. They also found all of the paper houses and gathered all the prizes that were found within them. Snacks, money, and toys were always a hit, of course, and this was no exception.

The adults played in the game room, enjoyed snacks and drinks (all nonalcoholic) in the living room or stood around the kitchen chatting about nothing too important. Tony watched in amusement as Sam – sizing up Eric's large arms and shoulders – pointed out that he'd been quite the arm wrestler back in his college days and in the military. Eric had shrugged, more than willing to be challenged. Tony assumed that he was used it, since he was a big, strong, guy and that almost certainly would always make other guys want to take him on.

Not him; he didn't have anything to prove, but Sam wasn't the only one to step up to the island and square off against Peter's former foster dad.

The kids had wandered into the kitchen looking for another treat and immediately joined in while Natasha smirked at the women gathered around, pointing out that she could beat all the men, if she wanted, but she didn't want to make them look bad in front of the other guys.

By the time everyone started getting themselves ready to leave, the sun had gone down, and the winter sky was dark. Peter and Tony stood by the door, perfect hosts, and said goodbye to everyone. The little boy was the recipient of a lot of hugs and was so happy that it made Tony smile each time one of the others picked him up to thank him for having them there.

"You have a good week," Natasha told Peter, pressing a kiss against his cheek. "If you need anything, make sure you call me."

"I will."

"Or he could call his dad in the next room," Tony pointed out.

She smiled.

"What's the fun of that?"

Tony sent the last of the cake home with Eric and Ned, reminding them that they were always welcomed, and suggesting that next time maybe it wouldn't be the end of the world if the rest of the boys from the home came, as well. Ned hugged Peter, too, and thanked him for the fun time, and Tony took a deep breath when the door closed behind Pepper, who was the last to leave.

He smiled down at Peter.

"That was fun."

The little boy nodded his agreement.

"We should do it next weekend, too."

"That's not how housewarming parties work," Tony told him. "It's one per house, and we're not going to move every week just so we get free food."

Peter laughed, feeling the same giddy thrill that always ran through him at any reminder that he didn't have to move, again.

"We could have a yard warming party…"

"We might do that when Spring comes," Tony agreed, walking over and settling himself on the sofa. The others had helped clean the place before they'd gone, so they didn't have anything pressing to do. "Maybe we'll have everyone over to help us put together your playground set."

Peter smiled, climbing into Tony's lap.

"That would be fun."

"Think so?" Tony asked, putting his arms around him, and pressing his chin against the top of the boy's head.

He had never really considered himself to be a cuddler, but Peter had proven him wrong. He loved it. Or maybe it was just the company that he was keeping?

"Yeah."

"Then we'll set it up. But not until Spring. I'm not going to freeze my fingers off trying to put something together that isn't going to get a lot of use until it warms up a little."