Christmas Surprise
(lame title I couldn't think of anything else)
Tony and Pepper's first Christmas as a couple, as fluffy as fluff can get.
Tony Stark loves Christmas. It isn't just his somewhat childish glee at getting presents; it's also the nearly insane joy he gets out of giving people presents.
It's pretty selfish, actually. He's an inventor and loves giving people his feats of mechanical genius to wonder at as gifts as he crosses his arms and mentally gloats at his own brilliance.
Last year he made Rhodey a watch so complicated it took him 3 months at least to figure out how to set the time. Of course the watch also had a GPS system, a breathalyzer and a holographic photo slideshow of pictures of them, but even Tony had to admit it was a bit overly complicated.
Obi always got something for the company, something to make the board happy, but of course, he won't be around this Christmas.
JARVIS always gets a spiffy new upgrade, that he usually helps plan secretly through his connections to all the computers in the house, along with the sound of jingles bells after he speaks. Of course, that's just because Tony has a lot of holiday spirit and if JARVIS had eyes he would roll them.
That just leaves Pepper, who usually takes care of it herself, just like she does on her birthday. Except most years she's just his assistant, but this year isn't like most years.
-
"Sometimes, I wish it would snow in Malibu," Tony whispers to Pepper who is curled up in front of him, half asleep, his arm around her waist. The lights of the city are the only illumination in the dark and shimmer along her golden red waves of hair. She turns her head to look at him curiously.
"Somehow, I'm not looking forward to that sign of global warming." She says then closes her eyes and snuggles further into his arms. It's been six months since their--- whatever this is, started, all because of that kiss in front of the paparazzi. And the funny thing is that Pepper doesn't regret it a bit.
True at first she was a little worried about what her mother would say, about how people at work would treat her. But when she told them, they only smiled in a way that said "well it's about time". Even her mother, who is a bit overbearing and old fashioned, had congratulated her, if only because she'd "caught" a wealthy man.
She realized that they'd all expected it. In fact, she realized that in a way she had expected it. After the initial mortification of the social taboo wore off she realized how comfortable she was just where she was. She still worked for him, and he still playfully disregarded the important things. In most ways nothing had changed. The flirting was, of course, more obvious, and there was more touching, a lot more touching. Not that Pepper minded, and Tony certainly didn't.
"But, can't you imagine it, Potts?" he whispers, words sinking into her ear, that voice of his that makes her insides melt, "The whole hustle and bustle of that big city out there, slowed to a crawl in awe of the snow."
She's half asleep now, and his words are a lullaby, before she drifts off completely one thought drifts up from her foggy mind "Mmmmm… Never seen real snow before."
With that, Tony is startled. Never seen snow before? What kind of deprived child was she? But then again, he's the son of one of the richest men in the world, and went skiing in Aspen every winter since he could walk. "Really?" she nods as consciousness fades and as he settles down next to her the gears in his brain start whirring.
Finally he has a Christmas present idea for her. It involves no fancy gadgetry, no machines or cars, he won't get her jewelry like he's gotten previous "girlfriends" because Pepper is different, Pepper is special, and Pepper deserves the best.
-
Apparently the weather agrees with him. As he's checking it for the zillionth time he finally sees what he wants. Christmas Day, 3-6 inches of snowfall, in the most perfect place in the world to celebrate Christmas: New York City.
Pepper suspects something; for a few days prior to his discovery he'd been sneaking around with this little sideways grin on his face like a kid in a candy store.
"What are you up to?" she asks teasing with her dimples showing and instead of responding with words he just kisses her.
-
"Do I have to wear the blindfold?" It's Christmas Eve, and they're standing by the door, bags packed, by Tony surprisingly, with him holding out the blindfold. He nods and she decides to change the subject
"You packed for me?" she asks, kissing him on the cheek but a little confused, then goes to pick up her bag. He swipes it before she can reach it and hands it to Happy who's got the car motor running.
"Nu-uh," he admonishes, waving his finger back and forth "The contents of the bag are part of the surprise. Now, for the rest of it to work you have to put this," he gestures with the blindfold "on."
"Okay…" she lifts it over her eyes and turns around for him to tie it over her hair. He does then lifts her hair and kisses the nape of her neck. Then he leads her out of the house, down the walkway and into the car.
-
An hour later they're air born, but all the plane windows are shut and the Captain has been instructed not to announce their destination on pain of firing. Pepper is sitting back in one of the lounge chairs with an exasperated smile and a martini.
"The blindfold was unnecessary," she tells him.
"Was it really?" he pretends innocence and grins. "Huh, maybe it was nice for you to have to depend on me for a change."
"Do you really think so Mr. Stark?"
"Yes, yes I do Ms. Potts."
"Then perhaps I agree." She winks.
-
During their final descent to wherever Tony tells her she can finally open her bag. Inside are a knee length red velvet dress and a white pea coat, along with new black leather boots and a few days worth of her regular clothing.
"Thank you," her eyes light up at the present and she twines her fingers through his.
"Don't mention it," he responds then gets up to change into his suit.
-
They land in New York and as the limo pulls up at the Plaza she turns to him.
"So, what's the big surprise?" she asks. The city has a different dynamic than Malibu and he purposefully told the driver to go the scenic route; the most she's seen of the city is the business district because of work trips. He can tell that she's getting a kick out of it, and he's glad, and relieved.
"All in good time." It's Tony's turn to wink.
-
They spend the rest of the day shopping and carrying on to the flash of photographers' bulbs like most high profile couples out on the town. They both secretly enjoy it, Tony perhaps more than Pepper.
In the evening they eat in the hotel's restaurant by candlelight, and before going to bed Pepper thanks Tony once more for her Christmas present. "It's not over yet, Potts."
"Tony, you really don't have to do anything else." She insists.
He just raises his eyebrows and says mysteriously, "Trust me I'm not."
-
On Christmas day it starts snowing around 3 AM. Tony wakes Pepper.
"What are you doing?" She glares angrily through half closed eyes.
"Trust me. Now up and at 'em."
Hazily they both dress and take the elevator downstairs. Tony is thankful that she isn't asking too many questions and that he took the precaution of closing the blinds in their room.
-
The lobby is silent with only a few sleepy hotel night staff awake that pay no attention to them.
As they walk across the lobby, Tony reaches out and puts an arm around her waist.
As they step outside and the first snowflakes melt into her hair he whispers "Merry Christmas".
Alrighty then, you know the deal comments and criticism please (help me with those damn tenses)!
Peace, Love,
Glitzy