"You wouldn't have really let him keep that thing, would you?"

Pepper shrugged, watching Peter, who was walking ahead of her and Stephen, chatting with Wong and Natasha as they headed back inside to gather once more at the lounge. No doubt talking about what he might spend the hundred dollar bill that Stephen had just given him on. The Cloak of Levitation was hitching a ride on the boy's shoulder, probably pleased that it didn't have to share his attentions with the flying horse any longer.

"He's pretty reasonable. I doubt that he would have genuinely asked to be allowed to have it. Not to mention, he's sensible enough to know that it's not the best place for a creature like that to be. It's much better off on Asgard, or wherever it lives, usually, than it would be here, and Peter would recognize that."

"He'd put what it needed before what he wanted, you're saying."

"You don't agree?" she asked, smiling as he held the door for her.

"Oh, I do. You guys definitely lucked out with that one, I think. Any other kid his age would probably be demanding expensive presents and designer apparel. Peter's pretty happy in jeans and t-shirts, I've noticed."

Pepper nodded.

"I think Tony would prefer that he was a little more demanding, just so he had more help when it came to buying him things. But you're definitely right. Any idea what they're planning now?"

The magician smirked.

"Even if I knew, I'd have been sworn to secrecy and wouldn't be able to tell you."

"So you're saying that you don't know?"

"I was in the loop on the Wakandan and Asgardian appearances because Tony needed help getting everyone here. They didn't ask me to bake your cake, so I'm not sure what's coming, next."

She shrugged; surprises were fun, too, she supposed.

OOOOOOO

The throne was still outside on the dais, so Pepper was able to seat herself in one of the regular chairs at the corner table. There were a few tables pushed together, which wasn't uncommon, and anther table under the far wall that was mostly empty but holding a stack of paper plates and forks, and it didn't take Pepper much to deduce that it was going to hold the cake that Peter and Stephen had both mentioned.

Peter wasn't at the table, just then, she noticed, looking around for him almost automatically as she seated herself. He was standing at the bar talking to Deena and to Bruce. Before she could wonder what they were talking about, Bruce suddenly transformed into the Hulk, and while Pepper was a little startled to see it happen, she was more surprised when she realized that the clothing that the scientist was wearing didn't rip as it normally did. A moment later the Hulk was gone, once more replaced by Banner, and the slacks and shirt that he'd been wearing once more fit him like a glove.

"Now we know what he's been working on," Natasha said, having watched the demonstration, as well. She was happy for her friend, and it showed. Of course, Pepper had noticed that Natasha looked extremely happy, lately, and had intended to corner her sometime soon to see if she could find out why. She just hadn't had a chance to do it, yet. "He's going to save a fortune on online shopping for pants and shirts."

"And shoes," Strange added, obviously impressed.

Tony walked into the room, then, before Pepper could reply. She smiled, because he didn't even mean to make an entrance, but he did. It was almost second nature to him, and he did it so well. He paused at the entrance to the room, automatically looking for Peter and then for her, and then waited as the large gathering noticed him and fell silent. Peter moved silently over to join Pepper at the table with the others, also watching Tony.

"Are we ready for cake?" Stark asked the room in general.

"I am," Peter replied, speaking up – as if on cue. "And ice cream."

That made many of them smile, no doubt remembering as Pepper was just how many times the toddler Peter had demanded cake sitting in this very room. And ice cream. Tony smiled, too.

"Then let's get this party started."

Pepper looked at Peter with an eyebrow raised.

"We're just getting started?"

The boy smiled.

"It's a figure of speech. But, yeah. We still have things to do."

Before she could ask what things he meant, the lights in the room dimmed a bit and a motion at the entrance to the lounge's kitchen caught everyone's attention. If it wasn't the motion, maybe it was the four foot high multi-tiered cake that was being rolled out on a cart. It was round, and covered with white frosting and multiple colored flowers, and little buntings and edible confetti. So large, in fact, that the side of each tier held a single word, written in frosting and 4 inch letters.

"Happy Birthday Pepper."

"Come on over, birthday girl," Tony invited, gesturing to Pepper, who rolled her eyes but couldn't help the flush of pleasure that made her blush, slightly, as she stood up.

Everyone liked to be the center of attention, sometimes, after all – and it was very easy to get lost in Tony Stark's shadow most of the time. Even if he wasn't doing it on purpose. With Peter walking with her, she went to stand by the cake – in front of the table she'd noticed before. Tony hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"Happy birthday, honey," he whispered in her ear, softly, before pulling away. "Ready, everyone?"

The lights came up a little as the group sang happy birthday to her, and then clapped, loudly. Now blushing almost furiously, despite herself, Pepper smiled at her friends and family, who were all watching her, expectantly.

"Thank you all, very much."

It was a short speech, but she didn't need to say more than that. Before anyone knew what was happening, previously unnoticed candles on each tier were suddenly lit, their gentle flames making the cake practically glow as white as the Pegasus's hide had been.

"Blow out the candles and make a wish," Peter said, moving a little so everyone could watch.

Pepper did as she was told, closing her eyes dramatically, holding the pose for a moment and then opening them and blowing out the candles, hoping as she did that they weren't the joke ones that would refuse to be extinguished. She wouldn't put it past Tony to do something like that, after all. They went out without issue, however, and she smiled and hugged her husband, and then her son, who kissed her cheek.

"What did you wish for?" Tony asked.

"She can't tell you," Peter told him. "Or it won't come true. Everyone knows that."

Pepper leaned into Tony, slightly.

"I didn't wish for anything," she whispered, softly enough that no one else could hear them – except maybe Peter with his incredible hearing. "I already have everything that I want."

OOOOOO

"They do this for every birthday?" Drax asked, looking slightly awed.

Peter Quill smiled, watching from the table he and the other guardians were sitting at. Out of the way, but still included in the festivities if they wanted to join in.

"They sing happy birthday," he confirmed. "And there is usually a cake and ice cream. I suppose from there it just depends on whose birthday it is – and who is doing the party planning. My mom used to make my cake every year. She made it into a big deal, even though there weren't a lot of us to celebrate."

Gamora smiled.

"We'll have to make it a tradition," she said. "Cake on everyone's birthday."

"I am groot."

"No, you don't have to be human to have a birthday," Quill assured the tree. "Just have to have been born, or hatched, or planted, I suppose."

"I would like a cake on my birthday," Drax announced, firmly, watching as the cake was transferred carefully from the cart over to the table, and several tubs of ice cream were produced to be served with it.

"And ice cream," Rocket added.

"We return that stone to the Collector, and we'll be eating cake every day," Quill reminded them, looking smug.

"That would not be very healthy," Mantis said, uncertainly.

Peter smiled.

"Fun, though."