Hello everyone, back again. And can you believe we only have six more chapters and then an epilogue left? This story will be finished by the end of July. So i take it most of you are on vacation or you all just really didn't like the last chapter as i got half the amount of reviews i usually do. Anyways i hope you all are enjoying your summer. I'm loving how i have alot more time to write now. But that also means i keep pushing off my summer assignments. I think its a crime to have school work to do over the summer. anyways,

read, enjoy, review.

Chapter 14: The Spencer's

DAY 9: 3/29/31

All traces of tension had been erased. The light energy and flow of their atmosphere together returned. Conversation was playful and dirty (on Tony's behalf anyway) and the touches were soft and loving. Smiles followed them everywhere and there wasn't a moment when they didn't have their hand on the other; whether it was from holding hands, draping an arm, leading by the small of her back, or an arm wrapped around the waist. All their uneasiness was washed away with morning sex and coffee on the balcony. Each wore their ring proudly with a happy smile. It truly was all smiles with them and even though they had only been apart for a day it seemed like an eternity without the other nearby. The memory of an ache in her heart made Pepper wonder how she was supposed to survive months without Tony by her side for even a fraction of the time they had been spending together. She was already dreading next Wednesday when they would be forced to say their goodbyes. For now though she focused on the wine tasting tour with Tony.

She'd always wanted to do one but they were always so expensive, especially for a college student. The perks of dating Tony Stark, going on dates to expensive wine tours. As they came to the end of the tour Tony sidled up to the owner and tour guide and began talking the winery and business language. The next thing she knew they were being invited to dinner by the man and his wife.

So at six p.m. they were pulling up to the mansion in the Audi that Tony insisted on having. He wore a nice blue collared shirt and navy dinner jacket while she wore a light green dress and black heels. The dress brought out her vibrant hair and freckles that Tony admired while the heels were worn purely out of habit and comfort. It was a modest dress that exposed very little and cut off at the knees. Formalities were quickly gotten out of the way.

Alexander Spencer and his wife Shirley had been married fifteen years and had two kids. Alexander stood tall and slender at 6 '2'. He was a brunette just like Tony and the twinkle in his blue eyes and smile on his face made it clear the atmosphere surrounding him had never emitted negative energy. His wife was nearly the same in that way. The energy coming from her was warm and inviting and her smile was contagious. She was 5 '9', blonde, and also slim. Her eyes were a vibrant hazelnut that sparkled. Their daughter Samantha or Sam as they called her was thirteen and their son Anthony was eight. They had first been partners in their co-owned winery for five years before marrying and slowly but surely built their business up so it was the success they had seen earlier. Shirley loved the wine business, but even more she loved interior decorating which was why their house was so elegant and spacious yet friendly, warm, and inviting. While they were very rich, they both insisted on doing their own cooking and cleaning to keep them humble while they left the landscaping and maintenance to professionals.

Alex and Shirley were also Pentecostal and attended church every Sunday while simultaneously staying involved with all of their kids' activities like softball, baseball, swimming, theatre, and soccer as well as church activities. Pepper was amazed at how they balanced everything and still had time leftover for themselves. At seven they all gathered around the table and sat down. While neither Pepper nor Tony shared the Spencer's beliefs they joined in prayer then began to pass around the roast, green beans, potatoes, salad, and dinner rolls. Everyone, including their children Sam and Anthony, had a glass of wine sitting beside a glass of water. It was family tradition to have a glass of wine with every meal.

"So Tony, how long ago did you propose?" Shirley asked taking note of the ring on Pepper's hand before taking a bite of roast.

"Oh uh, actually, I haven't yet."

"Then what about the-" She began confused before Tony interrupted to explain.

"They're promise rings. We want to get married but it's not the right time yet so we have them to symbolize our pre-engagement."

"Oh, okay. That's so sweet." Shirley said.

"So how long have you been dating?" Alex asked.

"Um…" Tony answered and looked to Pepper for help.

"Seriously?" She asked with an amused roll of her eyes.

"Hey, I just know I haven't ever felt this way." Tony defended. "That's what I have assistants for."

Pepper smiled and answered, "Today makes a week and a day."

"Wow, and you've already talked about getting married?" Shirley asked incredulously.

"When you know, you know. Plus, that's not the real story." Tony said with a smile.

"The real story begins nine days ago when we first met." Pepper input.

"Now that I remember." Tony said with a proud smile. "Pepper collided with me. She was looking at her phone and I wasn't paying attention and for a moment when I saw her face, for the first time I understood what people always say that everyone around them just disappeared. She stole my breath away and that's never happened to me before I met her." Tony explained glancing every so often at Pepper with a dazzling expression hidden in his eyes. "I just became so fixated on her that she never left my mind. Then, that same day, we ran into each other again and I could hardly believe my luck. I was so nervous though that I retreated to my normal arrogant self and was a complete…well, you know. I was so mad at myself that I had blown it. So then even later that day, I'm at the bar with my best friend and this fierce, red-head Virginia is at the forefront of my mind and just as I'm about to call it quits and find someone, I see her red hair and I know I can't let her go without getting her number. We end up having a few drinks after I apologize and it seemed like we were getting along quite nice and then suddenly she bailed. My heart was hammering and I chased after her. That's when I tricked her into getting her number by asking her on not a date. She however then called it a date as she gave me her number and I just about fainted right there. So by the time I texted her it was like one in the morning but I couldn't stop myself and we talked for about half an hour. After I asked her what her favorite vegetable was and she answered pepper, it kinda clicked in my brain that that could be my own personal name for her and now it's kinda stuck amongst both our friends. But, I've fallen so hard for her that it'd be hard to believe I'm still the same guy on TV. and on magazines. Only one thing has changed and that is that I'm no longer a …womanizer." Tony finished shooting a look of adoration towards Pepper.

"Wow, that's amazing, and so sweet." Shirley gushed.

Pepper just smiled and kissed his cheek. "Yeah, I've fallen head over heels for him too."

The night ended with key lime pie and the exchanging of numbers so they could stay in touch. When they finally got in bed they just snuggled up close to each other too exhausted to do anything else for the night. Pepper hoped she would be able to balance everything when she married Tony like Shirley and Alex were able to.

XxxxxSpring BreakxxxxX

Alright guys, so i don't know about you but while i was writing this i was thinking, hey, i really like these people i just created. haha. anyways, leave a review if you please, let me know if you all are still digging this story.