Chapter 19

The next day upon Peter's request, Tony and Pepper took the kids out to shop. When they went into the mall, Morgan insisted that they go to the toy store first thing. She was so excited knowing that she could probably get whatever she wanted since her parents are billionaires.

"Look, Peter!" Morgan yelled as she pointed to one of the bigger barbie houses.

Tony went over pretending to be interested, "Is that the one you want, kiddo?"

Morgan nodded as she bounced around to the next isle. Tony chuckled as he put the barbie house into the cart. Peter had managed to sneak off somewhere. No surprise, he was in the LEGO section, which is where Tony figured he was. When Tony found Peter, he was staring at one of the more expensive and bigger sets of LEGO.

"What did you find, Pete?"

"Oh, I was just looking at the Star Wars Super Star Destroyer 10221 LEGO set." Peter said still staring at it in all it's glory.

"Let's get it then." Tony said.

Peter's mouth fell open, "But dad its… its over $1,000."

"So." Tony said as he put in the cart.

"No, I don't need it that bad." Peter stuttered.

"You know you want it. Let me buy it for you, Pete." Tony said. "Do you see Morgan over there picking stuff out?"

Peter nodding noting that she already had a basket full.

"She is family just like you. I want her to be happy and not afraid to spend money. I want you to feel the same, kiddo. You're my kid now." Tony assured Peter.

Peter smiled and pulled out his phone, "I am going to tell Ned."

Lots of money later, they left the toy store and headed to the teens and kids clothing store.

"Okay, Pete. Remember get whatever you would like. If you don't find anything here, we can try somewhere else."

Peter went around looking in several stores buying clothes at every one. Morgan was getting tired of walking. Granted, she was only five. She used all her energy up in the toy store. So, after Pepper's arms got tired of holding Morgan. Tony held Morgan and she fell asleep almost immediately. Pepper tried to help Peter look and find the right size.

They finished getting clothes among extra things that they probably didn't really need. As long as the kids were happy, Tony and Pepper were fine with that. Tony put sleeping Morgan into her car seat and went to take them all out to eat.

"I don't want that." Morgan whined.
"Mo, you like Italian food." Tony said as he was trying to help her figure out what to eat. She clearly was tired and in need of a nap.

Frustrated and after hearing Morgan say no to everything on the list, Tony just chose for her. Of course, tears and whining ensued because Morgan didn't want it. Peter could see that everyone at the table was frustrated with Morgan.

"Hey Mo-mo, if you eat what Daddy ordered for you, I will let you get one of those toys of the machines or the candy." Peter offered.

"Really?" Morgan asked her eyes lighting up.

"Yeah but you have to stop whining and eat your food. Okay?"

"Okay."

Dinner ended up great and it turns out Morgan really enjoyed the spaghetti. She even said it was what she wanted.

The following day was school, and Peter went even though he slightly dreaded having to face Flash. Peter's day went smoothly until well Flash.

"Hey nerd, are you still living with that murder?" Flash asked.

"What?" Peter asked.

"That murderer, Stark."

"He is not a murderer!"

"Oh right, so you still a charity case? He will probably kick you out once he's through with you."

"Flash stop!" Peter yelled. "In case you didn't know, he adopted me. He is not a murderer!"

"Whatever, just saying, he probably only took you in and claimed he adopted you because he wants attention."

Okay, those words hurt more than Peter expected. Flash kept nagging him and making horrible comments. Peter was having none of it and Ned could tell that Peter was about to do something about it.

"Peter. Peter, calm down. He is not worth you getting into trouble. Let it go." Ned said, feeling Peter's muscles tighten.

Peter couldn't take it anymore and before anyone knew it, he had a tight grip on Flash's neck. A teacher walked down the hall just in time, pulling Peter off of Flash. Now here Peter was sitting in the principal's office waiting for one of his guardians to arrive. He knew they weren't happy at all. Pepper came because Tony had a really important meeting that he couldn't get out of. After hearing what had happened and that Peter had refused to talk, she was able to take him with three days of out-of- school suspension.

"Peter." Pepper said as they walked into the living room.

Peter sat on the couch sullen and angry, not saying a word.

"Hey, Peter. Honey, go to your room until Tony can come talk to you." Pepper calmly said.

Peter nodded and made his way to his room. He laid on the bed and just cried. The things Flash had said really hurt him and he was actually glad he stood up for himself and Tony. Now he only hoped that Tony wouldn't be too angry.

When Tony got back, Pepper had already informed him of what had happened. He was angry but Flash probably deserved it. Peter wouldn't just attack him without a good reason.

"Tony, remember he is just a kid." Pepper said. "Don't be too hard on him."

"I won't, Pep. Did he say anything to you?"

"No, he wouldn't say a word. I just sent him to his room. I didn't want him to get angry if Morgan tried to bug him."

Tony nodded. "Okay. I am going to go talk to him."

He made his way to Peter's room. When he knocked on the door, there was no answer. So, Tony opened it and noticed that Peter had fallen asleep. Upon closer inspection, there were dried tear tracks on Peter's face. Tony decided that he should probably wake him up and just get it over with.

"Peter, wake up." Tony said as he gently shook the boy's shoulders.

Peter just groaned and mumbled a "go away."

"Nope, come one Peter, sit up." Tony said a little more sternly.

Peter did as he was told and just stared at the blanket. Tony just stared at Peter for a moment hoping that maybe Peter would talk first.

"Pete, do you want to tell me why you assaulted Flash, or should we skip that part and go straight to the lecture?"

Peter didn't say anything and continued to stare at the blanket.

"Okay. Pete, unless you tell me a reason other than just starting a fight, you're grounded until further notice. It also means no Spider-Man. I know you wanted to go out soon, but not until I say otherwise. Also, no lab time." Tony continued, "Fighting is not okay, and I won't put up with it. If you want to actually talk to me about it, we can do that. I don't believe you would just start a fight without a good reason. However, if you don't talk to me, I am just going to think you started a fight."

A single tear dripped down Peter's cheek, he turned over and laid back down. Peter covered his face with his hands, clearly through with hearing what Tony had to say.

"Dinner is at 6. I expect you to be down for dinner. Okay?"

Peter didn't respond. Tony leaned over and gave Peter a kiss on the side of his head.

Dinner was ready and no Peter. Tony had asked FRIDAY if he was still in his room. He was. Tony figured he wasn't brave enough to sneak out again.

"Should I go get Peter?" Pepper asked.

"No. He knows he has to be down here. If he isn't down here in another 2 minutes, I will go get him even if he is kicking and screaming." Tony said hoping it wouldn't come to it.

Peter walked in just as Tony was getting ready to go get him.

"Well, look at what the cat dragged in." Tony teased.

Peter didn't say anything or even look up. The silent treatment was new. When Tony saw that Peter was refusing to eat the food on his plate, he made a decision.

"Pete, this is a family dinner. However, if you refuse to at least be pleasant or eat your food, then you can go back to your room. You can do your homework and go to bed."

Peter went back to his room not having eaten and not saying a word. This was clearly just a case of teenage attitude and pride.

The next day, Bruce came by to talk about some things with Tony in the lab. Pepper was cleaning up the kitchen from lunch which Peter had refused to come down. To her surprise, she saw Peter walk into the kitchen sheepishly.

"Hey, Pete. Would you like something to eat?" Pepper asked kindly.

Peter nodded and at about 4 plates full of food.

"Where's dad?" Peter finally asked.

Pepper couldn't help but smile, "He is down in the lab with Bruce. You can go down if you would like to talk to him. Just tell Tony that I let you, so he doesn't get mad. Okay?"

"Yes ma'am. Thank you." Peter said.

He made his way down to the lab and punched in the entrance code. Immediately, Tony noticed Peter entering his lab.

"Peter, you aren't allowed down here. Remember? Go back upstairs." Tony pointed to the stairs.

Peter stuttered, "Um, Pepper allowed me cause I wanted to talk to you."

Tony sighed feeling relieved that Peter wanted to finally talk. Tony looked over to Bruce, "Hey Bruce, Pete and I need to go talk about something. Can I meet you down here in a little bit?"

Bruce nodded. Tony and Peter made their way to Tony's office. Peter sat down at the couch as Tony sat next to him.

"I am sorry." Peter said.

"I know, bud. Do you want to tell me what happened at school?"

So, Peter did. Needless to say, the conversation ended with tears. Tony reassured Peter and just held him, telling him to let out all the bottled-up emotion. When Peter managed to stop crying and was just sniffling, he laid his head on Tony's shoulders.

"So, I've talked, am I still grounded?" Peter asked.

"Not at all. Want to go play in the lab with Bruce?"

Peter's face lit up, "Yes!", as he made his way to the office door. Forgetting the door was closed, he ran into it.

"Oww!" Peter exclaimed although the pain was already going away.

Tony laughed, "Watch where you're going, spider!"

Author's Note:

Couple of things: The whole restaurant scene with Morgan, I think we can all relate. I know I did that a couple of times when I was younger. Also, the LEGO set that Tony got for Peter, I totally looked it up on Amazon just to get an idea.

For now, Monday will be the day I post a chapter. However, I am starting my final semester of college, so it may change, or I may have to stop until I graduate. We will see. I just want to give y'all a heads up.

I hope you are not getting bored of this story and I hope I can come up with some really good content for the next few chapters. Any ideas or prompts are always appreciated!