Pepper was in the kitchen making breakfast when Tony appeared from the bedroom, showered and dressed. She had pulled her hair up into a bun on the top of her head, and had slipped on his dress shirt he'd worn to their lunch date with her mother the day before, rolling the sleeves to her elbows. It was one of Tony's favorite looks for her. He found her absolutely delectable in his shirts, with her long legs fully visible underneath, and the idea of easy access to her body at any given point. He smiled at his wife when he saw what she was wearing, and sidled up next to her at the counter, kissing her temple sweetly. "Hello, gorgeous," he cooed. "You are looking good enough to eat, right now."

Pepper was chopping vegetables for an omelet for him, and she smiled at him when he appeared. He was in dark jeans, and a navy blue polo shirt. His hair was perfectly mussed and piecey, and he smelled of very spicy, very expensive aftershave. She inhaled deeply when he came close. "Mmmm, you smell good," she purred.

Tony smirked. "Well, as much as I hated to wash off the smell of really great sex, I figured I needed to make myself presentable."

Pepper giggled. "It was really great sex, wasn't it?" she cooed.

"You bet your sweet bippy, it was," Tony agreed, lightly smacking her behind, and squeezing it flirtatiously, making Pepper squeak in delight. He groaned playfully and he affectionately kissed and nipped at the base of her neck. Pepper giggled, and he smirked as he strolled over to the refrigerator, and grabbing the orange juice cartoon. He started to open the carton to take a long pull off of it, but Pepper pursed her lips and shot him a warning look. He smiled sheepishly, and stopped his actions, setting the carton on the counter instead. He started searching for a glass.

"Yes, ma'am, and I am starving this morning. You flat wore me out, Potts," he said.

Pepper smiled. "Well, this omelet should build back up your stores," she replied.

"An omelet, huh," Tony said. "You sure you don't want me to make it?" he joked.

Pepper giggled. "I think you'll want it to be edible, Tony," she joked back.

"Ooo, ouch," he said, wincing. He chuckled as he found a glass, and walked behind Pepper, setting the glass on the counter beside the orange juice carton. He ran his hands around her waist and hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, watching her as she worked. "Yeah, you're probably right," he said. "Edible is preferable when it comes to omelets. Or food in general, for that matter. I just thought I would share my culinary skills with you," he teased.

Pepper chuckled. "Well, it's the thought that counts," she said. She turned her head to gently kiss his lips. "And you were very sweet to try," she murmured softly, referring to his attempt to make her an omelet on the flight back from Monte Carlo a few years ago.

Tony smiled at her. "Yeah?" he said, cocking an eyebrow. "Even though it was a disaster?"

"Even then," Pepper said.

Tony smiled again and kissed her cheek. He patted her side before leaving to walk around to the other side of the counter, orange juice in hand. He plunked down on a bar stool, and watched her, propping his chin on his hand and sipping his juice.

She finished chopping all of the vegetables, and she dumped them all in the bowl filled with whipped eggs. She then poured the contents of the bowl into a hot, greased skillet, seasoning everything as it cooked.

"Smells amazing," Tony said after a moment. And Pepper smiled.

"It does," she said. She sighed. "I just wish I had the appetite to help you eat it."

Tony frowned. "Still don't feel like eating, huh?" he asked.

Pepper shook her head. "Not really," she replied.

"Well, you gotta eat, Pep," Tony said. "You're in the baby-growing business, now."

Pepper chuckled softly. "I know, Tony," she said. "And I'm sure I'll make up for it in spades the farther along I get, but this first trimester is a killer. At least it has been for me. I don't know what my body's going to do at any given moment these days."

Tony chuckled. "You're telling me," he said, cocking an eyebrow. "I still can't get over last night."

Pepper smiled at him coyly, and stuck a lid over the frying pan.

"Seriously, you were awesome," he cooed. "Pregnancy sex is fantastic. I recommend it highly."

Pepper chuckled and Tony winked at her. She chewed her lip and looked around as she waited for his breakfast to finish cooking. "You know, I'm going to be sad to see the decorations go," she said wistfully.

Tony looked around as well. "Yeah, this place looks pretty great, doesn't it?" he agreed, smiling proudly.

Pepper smiled fondly at the memory of when she and Tony had first walked in. She was blown away by Tony's loving gesture of wanting to surprise her for Christmas. So much so that it had brought tears to her eyes. "It seems so long ago, now," she murmured to herself.

"What's that, babe?" Tony asked, looking at her.

Pepper smiled sheepishly. "Nothing. I was just..." she stammered. She cleared her throat. "I was just thinking that us coming here for Christmas seems like it was so long ago, now, but it has only been just a few weeks."

Tony nodded. "I know. How crazy is it that our lives have changed so much in that time?"

Pepper nodded, and they both smiled at each other fondly as they reminisced for a moment. Pepper looked away and exhaled. She pulled off the lid to the frying pan and used a spatula to fold and plate the omelet up for Tony. She sprinkled shredded cheese over the top of it, and grabbed a fork, handing both to him across the counter. He gladly accepted and immediately dug in, forking a huge bite. Pepper smiled, and grabbed her cup of peppermint tea off the counter, sipping it slowly.

She walked around the counter, pausing to cup Tony's cheek, and kiss his forehead. He smiled at her lovingly as he ate, and she squeezed his shoulder before she walked away, heading toward the living room with her tea in hand.

She gingerly sat down on the couch, and sipped her tea as she looked around as he ate. Tony spun in his chair to watch her while he scarfed his breakfast. Pepper glanced around the room dreamily, taking in the Christmas decorations for a few lingering moments before they'd have to get ready to go to the airport, and kiss them goodbye forever. She sighed. "We should get pictures," she mused. "This was a Christmas I want to remember forever."

Tony smiled. "Me, too, Pep," he agreed, eating the last of his omelet. "Though it'll be a hard one to forget." He stood up and carried his plate to the sink. He rinsed it and his fork off, and stuck them both in the dishwasher. He then grabbed his juice glass off the counter, and walked to where Pepper was sitting on the couch. He sat down beside her, and she draped a leg over his knee. He rubbed the inside of her thigh, and squeezed her knee affectionately, resting his hand there as he drank the rest of his juice.

Pepper turned her gaze to him and smiled. Tony smiled back, leaning over to peck her lips. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he rested his head on hers, laying his other hand on her stomach.

"I hate to go!" Pepper murmured softly.

"I know, baby," Tony said sympathetically. He kissed the top of her head, and laid his head back down on hers as they sat there together for a few moments together, silently.

After a time, Tony slowly raised his head again. "Well, Pep," he said sighing. "It's about that time." Pepper watched him as he moved to stand up. He turned around and offered her his hand. "Come 'ere," he said. "Let's make a few more memories before we go, huh?"

Pepper smiled at him in admiration, and took his hand. He pulled her to a standing position, and led her over behind the couch toward the Christmas tree beside the fireplace. "J? Take some stills of the decorations for the photo albums," Tony commanded.

"Certainly, sir," JARVIS replied.

"And put on a little music, please?" he asked his AI. "Our wedding song, for starters. And, uh, record this one for posterity, if you don't mind," Tony commanded. He pulled Pepper into his arms, and pulled her hand to his chest.
Slowly, the music began to waft out over the speakers, and they began to sway.

"When the bells all ring, and the horns all blow, and the couples we know are fondly kissing..." the words began. "Will I be with you or will I be among the missing?"

Tony gazed into Pepper's eyes, and she gazed back. She rested her forehead on his as they danced, and Tony tenderly stroked the hand he held in his at his chest with his thumb.

"So, in case I stand one little chance. Here comes the jackpot question, in advance. What are you doing New Year's? New Year's Eve?" the singer crooned.

Pepper smiled to herself. "I married my husband," she murmured softly.

Tony smiled. "And I married my beautiful wife, and the mother," Tony said, raising his head up to look at her, and Pepper smiled bashfully. "Of my child," he said softly. He looked at her adoringly. And then he shook his head, and furrow his brow. "How'd I get so lucky?" he asked.

"Funny, I ask myself the same thing all the time. How did you get so lucky?" Pepper teased. Tony chuckled at her joke, and went on smiling in adoration. "No, you know what I mean," Pepper said. She gazed into Tony's eyes tenderly. "I honestly couldn't be happier, right now," she said.

"Me, neither, Pep," Tony agreed. "Life couldn't be better."

Pepper nodded. "I know there are problems to deal with, and challenges to face, but..." she said. She bit her lip as her eyes began to threaten filling with new tears.

"Uh, oh," Tony said, chuckling softly. "Here come the ever-present pregnancy water works again."

Pepper giggled through her tears at him teasing her, the tears now spilling over onto her cheeks. She swiped at her eyes. "But I know we'll always get through it," she continued. "Because we'll be together, and we'll be okay."

"We'll be more than okay," Tony affirmed. "No matter what. We'll only get stronger, Pep."

Pepper sniffed, and nodded. "Yeah," she said, smiling lovingly at him. Tony left her hand at his chest, and cupped her cheek, swiping away a stray tear. He smiled sweetly, and pecked her lips. "Don't cry," he said. "Come on, Pep. I was trying to make this a happy memory," he teased.

Pepper chuckled. "And my blubbering ruined it?" she asked, smiling.

Tony shook his head. "No, not at all," he said. "Just you in tears wasn't exactly what I was going for, but, you know. Given the circumstances, I'll give you a pass."

They both chuckled and Pepper rested her head on his shoulder. Tony put his hand back over her hand that was resting on his chest. He kissed her head sweetly as the both fell silent, and swayed to the music.

XxXxXxXxXx

Tony turned off the video on his phone of that dance, and raised his eyes, blinking back the new tears that had filled them up. He exhaled sharply and looked around at the bustling nurses desk and corridor. He'd decided to take a break and stretch his legs. Rhodey had gone to get coffee from the cafeteria, and when he'd left, Tony stepped just outside the hospital room door in to the bright light of the ICU wing. What was probably a typically quiet part of the hospital was buzzing with activity, as Pepper wasn't the only victim in critical condition that needed attending to. He hadn't heard any of the casualty reports yet, and he could only imagine that rescuers were still working to free others from the rubble. It had been a miracle, in his mind, that Pepper had been found when she had. Had it been much longer, he doubted that she would have been able to stay alive. But his heart wrenched again with the thought of her having to be in that situation for any length of time at all, so scared and so badly injured, clinging to life alone in the darkness, not knowing if she'd be rescued. His imagination ran wild with the thoughts of what she must have experienced, and he had to grit his teeth and squeeze his eyes shut to block them out.

Just then, he heard a voice speak to him.

"Hi,darlin'," the voice said, in its sweet, comforting, southern drawl. Tony opened his eyes to confirm who his mind registered it was. Sure enough, standing before him, was Pepper's mother, Marilynn, her eyes red and her expression sullen.

Tony gasped, and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. Tony slammed his eyes shut again, trying to keep his new tears at bay, and to put on a brave face. But when Marilynn began to sob against his shoulder, his eyes burned with new tears which began to stream down his cheeks. He tried his best to comfort her, rubbing soothing circles on her back and squeezing her tightly.

They stood embracing in the hallway for several moments. She slowly pulled back and tried to smile at him, but it was faint. She swiped at the tears on her cheeks. "How is she?" she whispered.

Tony let her go, and grasped one of her hands in both of his. "She's stable," he replied softly, swiping at his own cheeks. He took a deep breath. "Critical, but stable."

Marilynn nodded. She sniffed and swallowed hard. "Can I see her?" she asked meekly.

Tony pursed his lips and nodded, keeping a hold of her hand. "Of course," he said. "But just know, with the shape she's in? It'll be tough for you to take."

Marilynn took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "I understand," she said gravely.

Tony nodded and opened the door to Pepper's room. He kept a hold of Marilynn's hand, and he felt her squeeze it as they entered. The busy commotion and bright lights from the hallway were a stark contrast to the silence of the room and the dimmed lighting, except for the one bright light shining over Pepper's body and the whirring and beeping of the equipment around her bed. Tony heard Marilynn gasp. "Oh,dear God!" she whispered. She dropped Tony's hand and rushed to Pepper's side. Her eyes searched her daughter's battered and broken body desperately. "Oh my...Oh my God, Ginny," she murmured. Her face contorted with the onset of bitter tears. She shook her head, and brought a hand to her mouth, in disbelief. "This can't be her. It just can't be," she said.

Tony went to her side and she shivered with sobs. He wrapped her in his arms and held her as she cried softly. "Is she going to be alright?" she whispered, against his chest.

Tony just frowned and worked his jaw. "They don't know," he murmured softly. "Only time will tell."

"Oh!" Marilynn gasped. She released herself slowly from Tony's embrace and turned back toward her daughter. She sat down on the edge of the bed, and took Pepper's hand in hers. She kissed it softly and patted it with her other hand. "Ginny, honey," she said, a sob choking back her voice. "It's your mama. I'm here, sweetheart."

Tony brought a fist to his mouth, trying to stay strong and not cry for the millionth time. He watched and listened silently as Marilynn spoke softly to her daughter.

She kept a hold of Pepper's hand, but leaned forward and lovingly combed her fingers through Pepper's hair with her other hand. "I know you can make it through this, darlin'. I just know it. You're strong. And you're a fighter. And we need you here. Tony needs you. I need you. And..." she said, her voice catching again in her throat. She brought a hand to her chest,as new tears ran down her cheeks. "We love you, Ginny. Please, honey. Please don't leave us."

She felt Tony's hand on her shoulder, and she turned to looked at him. He smiled a broken smile at her, and she smiled back at him weakly. Tony fell back into the chair he'd sat in for hours beside the bed, and stared forlornly at his wife.

Marilynn stroked his hair, trying to comfort him in a motherly way. Several moments passed by before Tony could speak. "I'm really glad you're here," he whispered, shifting his eyes from Pepper to Marilynn and back again.

She smiled softly. "So am I, darlin'," she said, sighing. She looked back at Pepper, clasping her daughter's hand in both of hers now. "She's got a long row to hoe, and she'll need us to be here and be strong for her. So, that's what we'll do," she said, her voice giving out to a whisper.

Tony gazed at Pepper through red, tear-stung eyes, resting his temple on his fist. "Yeah," he said, sniffing, trying to keep his composure. He laid his hand on Pepper's upper arm, and lovingly rubbed and squeezed it. "That's what we'll do."