The doctor finished her measurements, while Tony and Pepper reveled in the delight of hearing their baby's heartbeat for a few more moments as she worked. Dr. Stephens copied all of the video and audio to a disc, and printed pictures for them as well.
She shut down the machine and Tony held out his hand, helping Pepper to sit back up. The doctor handed him the disc and the photos.
"Well, guys," she said. "Any questions before I go?"
"Next appointment?" Tony asked.
"Four weeks from now. So your eighteenth week, Virginia," the doctor said, turning to look at Pepper. "The appointments will continue to be every 4 weeks until we get closer to the end of the pregnancy. Then we get to see each other weekly!" she said brightly, smiling.
"And what about, um..." Pepper said, suddenly blushing at what her next question would be. "I mean, Tony and I were wondering..."
"About sex," Tony said, finishing her thought. "Is there such a thing as having too much, right now?" he asked, smirking and cocking an eyebrow.
Pepper spluttered and looked at him like he had grown a second head. "Well, okay, that. And is there anything we need to be cautious of, is what my husband," Pepper said, nudging Tony hard in the ribs. "Is trying to say."
He winced and looked at her, shrugging. "What?" he asked defensively.
"Semen produces a hormone that can create small contractions in the uterus. But you aren't high risk, so these will be harmless. A little uncomfortable at times, maybe. But nothing to be alarmed about."
"And orgasms? Especially multiple orgasms? Those okay, too?" Tony asked point blank. Pepper's cheeks turned crimson now, and she closed her eyes and looked away.
Tony noticed this. "Pepper, we need to know," he urged.
"Orgasms, single or multiple, are just fine," the doctor assured. "But, of course, if there is any unusual pain or discomfort afterward, don't hesitate to call or come in."
"Good to know," Tony said, smiling with satisfaction.
"Bottom line, here, is," Dr. Stephens said, speaking to the both of them. "Just do what is most comfortable for the both of you. Use common sense, and everything will be fine. Okay?"
"Okay," they both said simultaneously.
Dr. Stephens winked at them. "Then ta-ta for now. See you in four weeks," she said.
They bid her goodbye and Pepper scooted off the table to get dressed again, her cheeks still reddened by Tony's forthright questions to the doctor.
"I don't know why you're so bashful about that stuff," Tony wondered. "In the bedroom, you have the mouth of a..."
"Watch it," Pepper warned, holding up a pointer-finger to stop him.
Tony grinned. "I'm just saying, it's better to be out with it, and get the answers you need, than to be bashful and left wondering," he said, handing her her jacket.
"I guess I'm just a bit more discreet than you," Pepper argued. "Excuse me if my mother always taught me to keep the bedroom talk in the bedroom."
"Then good thing I was here!" Tony touted. "Cause now I have express permission to rock your world for the next six months!" he purred, pressing up against her and waggling his eyebrows flirtatiously. Pepper giggled and kissed him in return.
"Ready to get outta here?" Tony asked, when the kiss broke.
Pepper nodded. "I just need to stop by the reception desk to make the next appointment."
"And then to dinner to celebrate," Tony said.
"Dinner? It's only 3:30," Pepper said.
"Then late lunch. Whatever, Pep. All I know is you're not going back to that office. You're leaving for San Francisco tomorrow, so I am spending every moment I can with you today," he said pecking her lips again. He pulled her into a hug. "Four days without you is gonna suck."
"Hey, don't blame me," Pepper said, hugging him back. "You're the one that insisted Bill go in your place this year."
Tony inhaled, wincing."That's right. It's on me, isn't it?" he admitted guiltily. "But at least I'll be up there for the Gala, right?"
"Right," Pepper said, nodding. "So, more like three and a half days without me."
Tony grumbled. "That's not helping," he said.
XxXxXxXxXx
Pepper made her next appointment, and then they left to find a place to eat. She suggested somewhere with outside seating, since it was a bright sunny day, and the temperature was warm. Tony agreed, and soon they came to a bistro in Malibu with a rooftop terrace where you could watch the waves crash onto the beach below.
Tony grabbed her hand when they exited the car, and they walked into the bistro together. They were seated, placed their drink orders, and then Pepper turned her gaze toward the water.
"So, Mrs. Stark?" Tony asked. "You realize our first Valentine's Day as a married couple is fast approaching."
"I did realize that, yes," Pepper said, turning her head back to look at him and smirking.
"It's the weekend after next," Tony said.
"Yes, I'm aware," Pepper said, smiling.
"Thought about what we should do?" Tony asked.
Pepper pursed her lips and squinted for a moment. Then she smiled.
Tony looked at her curiously. "Uh-oh, I know that look," he said.
Pepper chuckled. "Then tell me what I'm thinking," she purred, leaning forward.
Tony leaned forward as well. "Well," he purred back. He picked up her hand and kissed it tenderly. "You're thinking, 'my always thoughtful, always romantic husband has already come up with a grand plan to make this Valentine's Day so gosh darn special that I don't have to worry my pretty little head about it any further'," he remarked slyly.
Pepper laughed out loud. "Um, o-kay?" she said. "Not quite, but..."
"But close, right? I was close?" Tony teased.
Pepper laughed again. "I'll decide after I hear this grand plan of yours," she replied.
"Fair enough," Tony said, sitting back. "Get ready to be blown away."
"I'm ready when you are," Pepper said.
Tony smirked and pumped his eyebrows. "What I am about to divulge to you, my beautiful bride, is the grand plan to beat all grand plans."
"Considering you planned our entire wedding in a week's time without me having the faintest clue, that's a pretty tall order," Pepper said.
" I know," Tony said, waggling his eyebrows. "But what if I told you that I have the perfect Valentine's Day destination, and it's somewhere you have been wanting to go for a long time. Like, years, at this point."
Pepper looked at him with surprise. "Really," she said. "Okay. For the record, I was just thinking we should have a romantic dinner somewhere. But so far so good. What else you got?" she said, smiling.
Tony smiled back. "What if I also told you that it's somewhere neither of us has been able to spend any time in, regretfully, but starting on Valentine's Day, we'll be able to be there as much as we want?"
Pepper pursed her lips. She cocked her head, and furrowed her brow. Tony just smirked at her, watching the gears in her mind turn.
Finally, Pepper shook her head. "I don't..." she started to say. "I...give up. What do you have up your sleeve, Tony?"
"You and I are going to be spending Valentine's Day in..." he purred, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He smirked knowingly.
"Yes?" Pepper murmured, leaning forward in suspense.
"Our new house," he finished.
Pepper gasped. "No!" she said excitedly. "That's impossible! Construction won't be done until..."
"I pulled some strings. Hired some more subs. It'll be done by February 14th, guaranteed," Tony said, grinning.
"Everything," Pepper said.
"Everything," Tony repeated.
"The floors, the clean up, the interior design," Pepper listed.
"Everything generally means everything, Pep," Tony teased.
Pepper shook her head. "Oh, Tony!" she cried, breathlessly. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Tony chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly back.
"I can't believe it!" Pepper gasped excitedly. She pulled back to look into his eyes. "Really?! We finally get to be in our house?"
Tony chuckled again and nodded. "Valentine 's Day is the deadline. And they've assured me it'll be done. Well, everything but the baby's room. I figured you'd want to have a say on how that'll be decorated. Isn't that kind of like a...a...thing pregnant women do? Like you suddenly have an urge to organize and clean like a freakin' banshee, or something?"
"The word you're looking for is nesting, Tony. And yes. I do want to be the one to decorate the nursery. I thought we could look for baby furniture as soon as I get back from the conference," Pepper said.
"Oh, Lord, now it begins," Tony whined. "You're going to drag me to every baby store in SoCal, aren't you?" he teased.
Pepper giggled and poked him in the chest playfully. "You knew this was coming," she teased back. "And besides. I want your input on the décor, anyway."
Tony spluttered. "Yeah, right. Since when, Pep! You never want my input on stuff like this. Hell, you practically took over the interior design of the house both times we had to remodel. Plus, the penthouse was, how did I put it? Your baby? I meant that to its fullest extent, Pepper. And you're saying that now that it actually does involve our literal baby, you want my input? Psssh. I'll believe it when I see it!"
Pepper laughed. "Okay, okay," she admitted. "What can I say? Both places needed a woman's touch. But," she purred, cupping his face in her hands and pulling him to her. She pecked his lips. "I want you to be as much a part of this as you can be. That means helping me get the baby's room ready."
Tony cocked an eyebrow, and then sat back and looked at her skeptically. "I think I understand better now what you actually mean by help," he said.
"Oh?" Pepper replied slyly.
Tony nodded. "I'm the wrench monkey. The crib, and the various other furniture items? Mine to put together or move around. Paint on the walls? Grab a roller, Stark. Am I hitting the target, here, Pep?" he asked.
Pepper giggled. "Now, you're catching on," she said. She batted her eyes at him innocently. "Plus, I can't paint. The fumes aren't good for the baby," she stated. "I'll pick the color, and you paint the walls."
"Yeah," Tony said, shaking his head, and giving her a wry smile. "Why do I get the feeling this won't be the last time I hear the pregnancy excuse? Mighty convenient of you, Potts," he joked.
"Oh, you best believe I'm going to get you back for every excuse you ever handed to me, buddy boy," she joked back.
"Don't I know it," Tony replied. "What have I got myself into?" They both chuckled at each other. Tony smiled and winked at her playfully.
"So, even in the midst of all of this last minute finish work on the house, you'll still be able to come to the Gala, won't you?" Pepper asked hopefully.
"I wouldn't miss it," Tony replied.
"Are you flying up?" she asked.
Tony shrugged, and looked out at the water before returning his gaze to her. "I don't know. It's been a long time since I let any of the horses out of barn, you know? And a drive up the coast might be just what I need."
"A law-abiding, speed-limit-observing drive, you mean?" Pepper said, looking at him wryly.
Tony grinned slyly. "Of course!" he chirped. "Whatever would convince you otherwise?"
"Uh-huh. L.A. County has plenty of evidence to convince me, as I recall. Just no more points on your license, okay? Or the horses are going to have to stay in the barn permanently. And that's not me making that rule. That would be the great state of California," Pepper affirmed.
Tony just chuckled. "I give you my word. I'll be as law-abiding as all get out. Unless, I find myself alone on a stretch of highway at any point. Then,I might have to..."
"Tony," Pepper warned.
"Alright, alright. I'll behave," Tony relented. "Plus, I figured we could enjoy the drive back," he purred suggestively. "Been a long time since we took a road trip. And as I recall, we always find a way to pass the time, don't we?"
Pepper smiled, her cheeks blushing. She and Tony had driven up the coast together a few times, and somehow they'd always managed to find some back country road to travel down to escape the prying eyes of the other travelers on the highway long enough to find a way to creatively satiate each other like a couple of horny teenagers until they got to their destination.
"Always," Pepper cooed, in agreement. "And I'm looking forward to it," she assured, rubbing Tony's thigh seductively under the table, just as their food was arriving.