The silence in the penthouse was killing. Tony didn't know what do say and Pepper and Rhodes just sat next to him, not wanting to leave him alone.
"I -I don't know how to take care of a baby." Tony finally stuttered looking at Pepper in panic. Rhodes gently placed his hand on his friend's shoulder and said "Its okay Tony, we will help you through this. You are not alone, after all, I am not going to miss my only chances of being an Uncle." he mentally sighed when he saw the corner of Tony's mouth lifted a little.
Pepper smiled at the best friends and a coo made way out of her mouth when Peter began to squirm in his father's arms before his lips wobbled a little and he opened his eyes, watering a little. Tony looked at him in a panic which made Peter finally cry and Tony felt arrows through his heart seeing his baby cry and he could do nothing.
Pepper frowned at them and gently took Peter out of his hands and placed him on her chest and hummed a soft tune, rocking him a bit. Peter looked at her through tears and his crying quiet downed and a small whine would occasionally follow but he stopped crying after a few minutes. "Such a good Baby~" Pepper cooed at him as he looked at over her shoulder, around the room.
Tony watched in fascination, looking Pepper take care of him and he let out a deep breath before he finally spoke. "Mary... left a bag with his stuff but we need to get his room ready a-and diapers and baby stuff. I-I..." he groaned, now feeling the fear creeping in.
"Tony- Tony! I will take care of everything but before that, we need to feed him, he must be hungry."Pepper massaged his head, loving the feeling of soft baby hair under her fingers. She moved to hand him back Peter and Tony took him without a word, gulping when the brown eyes looked into his once again. Then, Peter did something that almost made Tony faint at the amount of cuteness. He giggled. A short, soft giggle which showed his toothless gums and crinkled eyes which brightened more when he laughed that Tony felt his own lips curve into a huge grin. "Hey there buddy. I am your Daddy, and I promise to take care of you forever." Tony whispered, smiling at Peter who babbled a bit and would occasionally smile a little.
"And I am your Godfather and your favourite Uncle Rhodes who is going to spoil you so much that you will love more than your dad." Rhodes booped the baby's nose making him wrinkle it in response and both the men aww at the sight. Once Pepper came back with a bottle she sat on the sofa and motioned Tony to give her Peter, he almost reluctantly passed him to her, ignoring her amused expression. Pepper adjusted him in her arms and fed him, all of them watching Peter suck the milk hungrily out of the bottle. His eyes were almost closed by the time he finished and Tony scooped him back in his arms, not wanting to give him to anyone else making both his friends laugh and him, roll his eyes.
"I already ordered everything we need for him and it will all be set by tomorrow morning, his clothes, diapers, baby stuff, toys and we need to baby proof this place so it will be busy for a few days. Now, anything I can get for you?" Pepper grabbed her phone and purse to get things done as soon as possible when Tony spoke. "Yeah... can you get rid of all the alcohol in the tower? I don't want to raise Peter with alcohol around." His eyes glazed at the memory of his childhood, making both the friends look at him in understanding.
It was 9 and Tony felt the current events take a toll on him because he was exhausted. Shifting on the couch into a comfortable Position so that Peter was lying on his chest he rubbed his back, watching as those big eyes droop down sleepily and the even rise and fall of Peter's chest indicated he was sound asleep now.
"You will be a good father Tons. I know you feel like you will be shitty dad like your's but you know what your father did to you and you know it is something you would not want for anyone. You are good for him and hell he is already good for you." Rhodes chuckled a bit, sitting next to his best friend who seemed too mesmerised by the bebe in his hands.
" I... Thanks, Rhodes." Tony whispered, looking at his friend who was smiling at him.
Wrapping a secure arm around Peter Tony continued to watch him until he felt his own eyes droop down.
neither less to say, Rhodes took plenty of photos before he left the new father and son to sleep in peace.
It was beyond Tony how Pepper managed to get everything done by the time he woke up, mostly because Peter started wiggling about and small whimpers left his lips and partially because he felt the pain in his back, sleeping on the couch.
It didn't take long for Tony to understand why Peter was crying and another spike of fear rose through him. 'How the fuck do you change a diaper?!'
Tony looked at the ceiling and talked as softly as he could without disturbing Peter. "JARVIS, Can you call Pepper please." Tony mentally cringed at how timid he sounded and how JARVIS actually might be recording all of this.
Tony tried his best to keep Peter calm but he grew more agitated by the end of almost dropped on the ground in front of Pepper when she finally came in but stopped seeing the lady behind her.
"Don't worry. She is just here to help." Pepper raised her hand making the billionaire shut his mouth. "This is Nina, she already signed an NDA and she will be teaching us how to take care of Peter, alright?" Peppers soothing voice calmed his nerves and he let out a deep sigh.
When Peter began to fuss Nina stepped closer and gave Tony a passive smile and put her arms forward. "Here, let me help." She grabbed Peter from under his arms and cooed slightly to calm him down. Pepper and Tony followed her to the room they made for Peter and Tony saw it for the first time.
The walls were plane but instead of the double bed, it not had a crib and a small bed near the wall, most probably for Tony and another section of the room filled with toys Peter was too young to play with. The rug was soft, just looking at it and the Ironman posters made him smirk at Pepper who grinned back.
Nina got down to business and showed the couple how to change Peters diapers and to properly clean him and then gave him a bath, both Tony and Pepper exchanging places while Nina gives instructions. Once Peter was bathed, fed and now head on Tony's shoulder who hummed a tune and rubbed his back, almost asleep.
Its only been one day and damn Toby loved being a father.
