Chapter 29

Food poisoning came and went. In fact, it felt more like it was invading then anything else. The kids were miserable. Thankfully, it lasted about a week.

After Peter felt better, he was still grounded. He was beyond bored but didn't complain too much. Tony and Pepper both found him things to do which amazingly, he seemed to rather enjoy. The pain of losing May eased every day. Some days a memory would come back into Peter's mind and he would be sad only for a moment, but he looked around him and realized how blessed he really was. Needless to say, his grounding passed rather quickly. He wanted to go back to Midtown again, so he was on his best behavior. Tony wondered what was up with the kid because he was suddenly the star child.

"What's up with Peter?" Tony asked Pepper one evening after the kids had gone to bed.

Pepper laughed "Nothing, Tony. He's behaving himself."

"Well, it's like suddenly he's the star child that everyone wants."

Pepper just shook her head, "He's fine, Tony. Leave him be."

The next few days went by and Peter was waiting on his parents hand and foot. He volunteered to do things around the house and do things with Morgan. Tony was still curious about what was actually going on with Peter, but hey, he would take what he could get. Right? Tony let Peter back into the lab a couple of weeks after Peter's grounding was up. Peter never begged or asked once, since his grounding was up.

"Want to go to the lab, Pete?" Tony asked after lunch.

Peter's eyes lit up and immediately nodded his head. Tony chuckled as the kid nearly tripped under his own feet. Spending time in the lab with Tony was amazing!

"So, Pete, what's up?"

"Oh, I am fine, Dad."

"Spider."

Peter sighed, "Okay, okay. I really want to go back to school. I promise I will be on my best behavior and won't cause any trouble. And I will be home by curfew and keep my grades up. Please, please!"

Tony rolled his eyes , "Fine. You can go."

"Thank you! Thank you!" Peter exclaimed, giving Tony a hug.

Monday rolled around and Peter was up bright and early, ready to go back. God, he wanted to go back! Tony was surprised to see Peter in the kitchen, making breakfast of all things.

"Pete? What are you doing?"

Peter turned around to face Tony and smiled. "Here." Peter handed him a cup of coffee.

"Thanks." Tony looked at him surprised but confused. "So, what are you doing?"

"I am making breakfast."

"You could have had Pepper do that."

"I know."

"Okay then. Are you sure you want to go back?" Tony asked.

"Of course!" Peter exclaimed.

Peter rushed through breakfast and then proceeded to rush Tony through breakfast. Peter volunteered to clean the kitchen and was ready to go. Peter was bouncing up and down with energy. He had told FRIDAY to tell Tony he would wait downstairs in the lobby, with Tony's permission of course. Tony had told him yes.

"What took you so long?" Peter asked as Tony finally met him downstairs.

"It's only been 10 minutes since you came down here. Let's go, kiddo."

The day flew by! Peter had a great day besides being asked questions by everyone he came across. His teachers had accepted all of his work. Even the teachers were surprised at how attentive Peter was. He was full of energy and couldn't seem to calm down. Happy picked up Peter and took him back home. Peter nearly talked his ear off the whole ride home. When Peter got home, he got himself a bottled water and sat on the couch. Boy, it was nice to be home. He went sat on the couch for a few minutes and suddenly, he felt sad. Out of nowhere, sadness seemed to sweep over him. He laid down on the couch and started to cry. Peter couldn't understand where it came from. He must have been too overwhelmed to have noticed that Tony was talking to him. A moment or two later, Peter's head was in Tony's lap and Tony was carding his hand gently through Peter's hair. A few minutes later, Peter rolled over onto his back and looked up at Tony. His eyes red and a few stray tears rolling down his cheek.

"You okay, kiddo?"

Peter nodded, wiping his face a little. "Sorry."

"Spider, you have nothing to be sorry for. It's okay." Tony comfortingly said.

"Dad, will the pain and the sadness ever go away?"

"Uh, it won't ever go away completely but it will get easier."

Peter sat up, "Dad, can we go to the lab?"

Tony ruffled the kid's hair, "After homework."

Peter grinned, "Yes sir." He retrieved his backpack and made his way to the kitchen island to do his homework. Tony pulled out a soda and handed it to Peter, which was accepted with a thank you. Tony was pleased to see Peter doing well, despite the emotional rollercoaster they had just experienced.

The following few weeks went smoothly. Bruce came by and commented on how well Peter seemed to be doing. Of course, Morgan was always happy to see Bruce, partly because he would always bring Morgan a lollipop or a candy bar. Pepper invited Bruce to stay for dinner.

"Pete, I heard you went back to school. Are you liking it?"

"It's great. I get to hang out with Ned." Peter stated.

"You're going to be a senior before you know it." Bruce reminded Peter.

Peter couldn't help but smile at that idea.

"What's after high school?" Morgan asked, looking at Peter.

"Uh, college."

"College?" Morgan asked.

"Yeah for super smart people, who are really old!" Peter teased.

"Like you?" Morgan retorted.

Peter threw a green bean at Morgan, which was returned with a giggle and a "hey!" She threw one back at him.

"Kids!" Pepper scolded.

It seemed as though it set off a chain of the kids being crazy and goofy. When Tony tried to ask Peter a question that was intended to be serious, Peter started laughing and couldn't seem to stop. Same with Morgan. Morgan wanted to play rough with her older big brother, which Peter happily let her. Why not? Tony was a little concerned that she would hurt herself or Peter, but he wasn't going to stop them or tell them not to. Not yet, anyway. Morgan jumped around on Peter and Peter gently rolled her around and tickled her. Suddenly, Morgan decided to start playing with Bruce.

"Bruce! Bruce! Come get me!" Morgan had a big smile on her face. She made a silly face at Bruce.

Tony looked over at Bruce and smiled. Bruce went to her and just as he was getting close, she ran off yelling down the hallway. "Come get me, Brucie!" She yelled down the hallway. Bruce played with her the best he could. Peter tag teamed with Bruce and they ended up cornering her in Tony and Pepper's bedroom. Peter picked her up and began tickling her. She was screaming, kicking, and laughing. Peter stopped tickling her, ran her into the other room where Tony was and dumped her in his lap. She started yelling 'no' as Tony began to tickle her more.

When he stopped, he told both the kids, "Bedtime!"

Tony was immediately given sounds of protests and whines, mostly from Morgan. Peter was actually pretty tired, so he put no argument up and went right to bed. Tony gave Peter a quick hug, "Goodnight, kiddo."

"Come on, Mo. I'll tell you a story." Peter said.

Morgan hugged Tony, Pepper, and Bruce goodnight. Tony gave her a big kiss on the head, which elicited an 'ew, daddy'.

When Peter got Morgan settled in the bed, she asked for a story.

"A story. Uh, once upon time, Mahuna went to bed. The end."

"That is a horrible story."

"Na, come one. That's your favorite story." Peter said. He got up and turned out her light, "Go to sleep, missy."

Peter went to his bed and immediately fell asleep. Tony went in to check on Peter awhile later. The teen was sound asleep and seemed to be at peace. So different from how he was when he first came to live with Tony. Peter was such a good kid!

Author's Note: I loved writing this chapter! One more chapter, yall! I already have another story at work in my mind, which I will be working on in the next few weeks! Hope everyone has enjoyed reading this story as much as I have enjoyed writing it!