This is a very special chapter. Not only because I enjoyed writing it immensely, but also because it will be the last one of this story. It has been such a crazy journey ever since I started working on 'Only a Job' at the beginning of 2021. I can't thank all of you enough for sticking with me for all this time. I know that it took me quite long to update sometimes, but now it's all done! We have reached the end of this series.
I know that I announced ending this quite suddenly and that many of you were disappointed. I'm sorry for that. But it's time for me to focus on new projects. I hope we will see each other there. I'm not sure if I'll write another story about Tony and Pepper in the near future, but who knows, maybe I'll be back with those two sooner than expected?
From all the stories I have written about Tony and Pepper, this series has by far been my favourite. I love all those characters so much and it makes me sad to end it right here. But I have also noticed that not so many people seem to be interested in reading it anymore and I didn't want to stretch the plot then. Yes, we could have also met Sattler or Joe again, but I decided not to include that in the story anymore. Sorry for that too.
But I also want to say THANK YOU! Thank you for all the views and reviews. For the discussions about the plot. For making me smile so many times once I saw a comment. Thank you so much, you're incredible!
One last song to this story: 'Forever Ain't Enough' by Ronan Keating.
I don't own the characters or places!
Tony
I was nervous. No, I was completely terrified.
In less than one hour, Pepper and her team would arrive in Los Angeles for Pepper's next stop on her tour through the US. They would stay in the city for one week, in which she had to attend several events. Like another one of those galas, two interviews and she would also visit the university where she'd been teaching to chat with her former students. Not to forget that we would visit Rosa Gonzales, who had been the best friend of my mother and who was also active in politics and many other areas.
Those weren't the things that made me nervous, though. Because we had some other plans. Well, I had some other plans, of which Pepper didn't know a single thing.
For example the big press conference at Stark Industries in three days (which was the day where Pepper didn't have to attend any appointments), where I would finally announce what I've been working on those past months. Or the romantic dinner when I'd show her the house in Malibu, which was finally finished. Or...
"Tony, did you even listen to what I just said?" Steve ripped me out of my thoughts, snapping his fingers in front of my face.
"Oh no, it's bad. He already stopped paying attention." Loki threw in, pretending to look shocked.
"I can't even blame him." This came from Bucky. "After all, Pepper will be here soon."
"Could we please concentrate on the meeting?" Rhodey sighed. "There's still so much planning to do and we need this event to be a huge success."
"It will be." I said simply. "Everyone's waiting for me to reveal what Stark Industries will be doing. I think there aren't many things we could do wrong."
"And that's where you are wrong." Steve argued. "Everything has to go according to plan."
"It would be easier if we could actually tell Pepper about the press conference beforehand." Rhodey narrowed his eyes at me. "Does it really have to be a surprise until that very day? You could tell her tomorrow. Or today."
"She'll be busy on those days and you know that." I ran a hand through my hair. "I want it to be a surprise."
"I think you shouldn't surprise her too often this week. Otherwise, she might get a heart attack." Rhodey muttered.
"Not helping." Now I stared at him darkly.
"Alright, we shouldn't have this conversation now." Loki threw in quickly. "Or maybe not ever. We'll have to leave soon. Otherwise, Pepper and the others will have to wait at the airport." He'd offered to accompany me there. When we'd spent a few days with Pepper on her tour a few weeks ago, Loki had used the time to catch up with her. Ever since, they talked very much. It still surprised me that they'd become such good friends. I was happy for both of them.
I nodded and stood up. "Stop worrying so much, it will all work out. We've been through worse."
"Like the time you told the world that you've just pretended to be a politician for nearly a year?" Bucky raised his eyebrows in interest.
"Don't remind me of that." I groaned. "Let's get going, Loki. At this time of the day, the streets will be full." While we made our way to the door, Loki waved at the others. Just before the door closed behind us, I could hear Steve and Rhodey talking about the timetable again.
"Just ignore them. They're far too stressed because of this." Loki said while we walked through the long hallways of Stark Industries.
"It's an important day, I totally get it." I threw in. "It's just -"
"That you have other things on your mind at the moment. Which is totally understandable." He grinned widely. "I think I'd be completely terrified in your place."
I rolled my eyes. "Which I am." I sighed. "Stop mentioning it."
"You were the one who made all the plans for this week. You could have also waited with a few of them."
"It's not that easy." I shook my head. "And I want to do it now."
"Everything will work out. She could never say no to you, Tony." Loki tired to cheer me up.
"I hope you're right." Holding back another sigh, I decided that it was best just to concentrate on the present.
"So where are we going?" Pepper asked, raising her eyebrows at me and trying to hide her excitement. It was early in the evening and we were in the car, driving through the countryside outside LA.
"You know exactly where we're going." I rolled my eyes, even if she couldn't see it behind the sunglasses I was wearing. "Don't pretend otherwise." I smiled slightly.
"How long will it take us to reach the house?" She changed her question immediately, looking out of the window.
"A few minutes. Depends on how many questions you're asking." To prove my point, I slowed down a little.
"Stop teasing me!" Pepper ordered loudly. "You know I've been waiting to see this house for ages!"
I laughed at her impatience. "Alright, you win." I placed my foot on the gas pedal once more. Only minutes later, we finally arrived at the house in Malibu. When we got out of the car, I glanced at Pepper nervously. She wasn't the only one who'd been waiting for this moment until now.
"Wow." Pepper whispered, turning to me with wide eyes. "This isn't a house but a mansion!" She looked around and her hair fell into her face. She wiped it away impatiently. "Not a single house close by."
"No neighbours." I nodded. "Makes it quite peaceful here, which I like." I didn't mention that my father had bought all land where houses could be built within two miles reach so that couldn't happen.
"You can hear the ocean." Her gaze wandered back to the house. "It's beautiful here."
I smiled softly. "I'm glad you like it. Let's go inside." I held out my hand and she took it. Together, we walked towards the house and I held up my key. "I've also got one for you." Once we were inside, I took off the sunglasses and waited for Pepper's reaction.
What had been an old-fashioned interior before had completely changed now. Wide hallways with dark grey floors and mostly white walls made everything look modern and friendly. On the walls, I'd placed a few pictures, but there was still lots of empty space. For example for one of Horatio Slade's paintings he was working on at the moment. Or other photographs.
The hallway led to a big, wide and open living area. This time, the floor was made of wood and the walls were a light shade of green. It reminded me of Pepper's eyes. The architect had outdone himself and combined modern with old furniture, making the place look quite comfortable. He'd also decorated everything in a fashion that resembled the one in Pepper's house in LA. I hoped she liked it.
The kitchen also wasn't separated from the living area anymore. A wall had been removed and now, the new found space made everything look even bigger. There was even space for a big dining table, which was far too big for only two people.
While Pepper was taking in everything, I just stood there nervously and waited for her reaction. After what felt like hours, she turned to me. "This is amazing, Tony." She whispered.
"You like it?" I couldn't help sounding hopeful.
She chuckled. "I love it. It's amazing." Her gaze wandered to the big windows with a look at the ocean again and when she went there, I followed and wrapped my arms around her from behind.
"I wanted to create a space we both enjoy being in." I didn't have to say what this meant. That I wanted to live here together with her in the future. Instead of answering, Pepper placed her hands on mine and I knew she understood.
"Can you also show me the lab?" Her voice was quiet.
"You want to see it?" I repeated in surprise, but led her towards the stairs anyway.
"It's important to you, so yes, I want to see it." She emphasized. "I want to see what your father did before he died." So I showed her the lab. And also the other parts of the house, like the bathroom, guest rooms, the big balcony upstairs and of course the bedroom. In which we spent quite some time, considering that Pepper couldn't help wanting to try out the bed...
It felt good to have her with me in the house. Before, the place had felt far too empty. I just hoped that one day, Pepper would live here with me.
"How was your day?" I asked once Pepper entered the house the next day, looking tired from all the work. She'd decided to stay with me in Malibu instead of living in her own house in LA. Somehow, I was glad about it.
"It was amazing. It felt so good to be back at university and see all my students again. And of course the other professors!" She smiled widely while I led her to the kitchen, where food was already waiting on the table.
"You cooked?" She didn't even try to hide her surprise.
"Yes, I did. Or I tried, anyway. And no, it's not poisoned." She knew fully well that I wasn't good in the kitchen. However, I was trying. Very hard. And maybe Steve had shown me how to prepare this dish about twenty times before.
"It looks delicious." Pepper quirked an eyebrow. "I bet you got the recipe from Steve?"
I held up my hands. "Guilty. He had to show me how to make it."
"I bet not just once?" Pepper smiled in amusement when I filled a glass with her favourite wine while she sat down.
"Please let's not talk about this!" I groaned. "I've prepared this romantic dinner and all you can do is mocking me for being terrible in the kitchen!"
"I think it's sweet that you tried to make something." She said quickly. "And I already said it looks good!"
"So no more talking about other men at this table!" I ordered and sat down as well. Pepper was still chuckling.
"Why did you even make all this effort? Did I miss something special?" She frowned and glanced at the calendar on the wall.
"Do I need a reason to spoil my partner?" This time, I raised my eyebrows.
"No, of course not." There was a faint blush on her cheeks. "But you've planned something, I can see it."
"You know me too well." I sighed theatrically. "Fine. There's something I want to tell you."
"Should I be nervous?" She moved the wine glass in her hand carefully.
"No. It's something good, I promise." I smiled slightly. "In two days, Stark Industries will go public."
She stared at me. "The reactor is working?"
I nodded proudly. "It's time to tell the world about our new purpose."
Pepper grinned. "About time! They've been running wild with speculations." She looked curious now. "So you want me to be there for the press conference?"
"That's why we planned it this week." I smiled softly. "I wouldn't want to do this without you, Pep."
"Those are amazing news, Tony!" She exclaimed and reached over the table to squeeze my hands. "I'm so proud of you."
"Without you, I'd have never been able to do all this." My voice was serious while I said it.
"Don't be modest. You can do anything you want." Then she took a bite of her food and moaned in surprise. "Wow, this is amazing! Maybe Steve should teach you some more so you can cook every day!"
I rolled my eyes. "No way! I'm still terrible in the kitchen and you know it!"
This made her laugh. "I love you anyway."
The press conference was a huge success. It felt good to finally tell the world what I'd been working on for so long. The reactions were all positive, something that made me very proud. I couldn't have been happier, especially when Pepper stepped next to me when I officially turned on the first Arc reactor. I knew that not everyone believed me when I said that this reactor alone could produce enough energy to keep Los Angeles going for a few months, but I didn't care. With time, they could all be convinced.
All employees of Stark Industries were also there and I could see it on their faces that they were happy as well. Most of them didn't agree with my father when he'd started to produce more weapons every year. This was also their chance to do something good in their lives.
After talking to the press, there was a small celebration for everyone working at SI. Pepper and her team were also invited and it was a very nice afternoon. I introduced her to Hope van Dyne and it didn't surprise me that the two women got along well. Phil couldn't stop talking to Brian Wilbur and even Pepper's team was included without problems.
When the celebration came to an end, I gestured for Pepper to follow me towards my car. "Are we going somewhere?" She asked in surprise and looked down at herself. She was wearing a dark blue dress that wasn't too elegant, but looked formal nonetheless. It matched my tie perfectly.
"You're perfect like that." I reassured her and then we left. Through the rear mirror, I could see my team waving at us. Steve even held his thumbs up as a sign that everything would be alright. I hoped that Pepper didn't see it. If she did, she didn't let it show.
Our destination was Santa Monica and when I parked the car not too far away from the pier, Pepper looked at me in surprise. "What are we doing here?"
"Enjoying the sunset." I said simply and took her hand, leading her past the amusement park and as close to the water as possible. Luckily, not too many people were there at this time of the day and we found a spot where no one would bother us.
"It's beautiful." Pepper whispered and leaned against me. "I've always enjoyed coming here. But I didn't do it very often in the past years. It always reminded me of my parents. We were here so often when I was a child."
"We never came here." I replied softly. "My parents were far too busy for that. They also said it was too crowded."
"And here we are, nearly alone." She sounded thoughtful.
I tried to push away my nervousness and smiled at her. "I always wanted to come here with you. From the moment I first saw you." I took her hands. "I already told you what I thought about you when we first met. And I couldn't have been more wrong. But even then, something was pulling me towards you. I wanted to spend as much time with you as possible. I think deep inside, I already knew how important you are to me."
"Tony..." Pepper whispered, but I shook my head softly and she fell silent again.
"I love you, Pepper Potts. I fell for you slowly, but then all at once. You're everything to me, Pep. You're so smart and strong, it still amazes me that you chose someone like me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." My heart was beating wildly in my chest when I got down on my knee and pulled a small box from my pocket. "Virginia Potts, will you marry me?"
Instantly, Pepper's eyes filled with tears and she nodded. "Yes! Oh my god, yes!" I slid the ring on her finger and then her hands grabbed my suit jacket, pulling me to my feet again. Our lips collided and I wrapped my arms around Pepper's waist, pulling her closer. I noticed that my eyes had also filled with tears, but I didn't care. We've been through so much together and finally we would take this next step in our relationship.
"I love you too, Tony." Pepper smiled widely and kissed me again. "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into by marrying me."
I chuckled softly. "Nothing could stop me from being with you."
"You're amazing." She whispered and looked at her hand in wonder. I knew what she was seeing. A platinum band surrounded by six small diamonds. "The ring is beautiful."
"It belonged to my mother." I explained softly. "And now it belongs to you."
"I can't wait to marry you." Pepper whispered with a wide smile. "Then everyone knows that you belong to me."
I leaned in to kiss her again. "I've been yours since the day we met." And I meant it. I might not have seen it straight away, but I belonged to her side. Together, we could face anything.
Four years later
"Why does moving has to be so exhausting?" Pepper asked when she sat down on the couch next to me. When I handed her a glass of lemonade, she smiled gratefully and took a sip.
"You were the one who wanted to unpack all those boxes by yourself." I reminded her with a smile. "I would have hired someone to do that."
"I won't let anyone rummage through my private belongings ever again!" She protested immediately. "It was bad enough they had to do it when we moved out of the White House! As if I would even think of stealing papers."
"It was a security measure." I reminded her softly and kissed her cheek.
"I didn't like it anyway." She pouted and crossed her arms. "The others also weren't thrilled."
"Now it's done, love." I tried to calm her. "You're officially living in Malibu now, Mrs. Stark."
"I didn't change my last name yet, remember?" Her voice was soft. We'd married while she was President and back then, it would have been too complicated for her to take my last name. Now, however, nothing could stop us.
"The appointment is next week." I grinned at her.
"I can't wait." She'd never told me, but I knew she'd been disappointed when the change of her last name hadn't been possible. Pepper moved closer to me and I wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"There's something I need to show you." I held up my phone and waited for her to read the email I showed her.
"You... it is... the publishing date is next month?!" Pepper shrieked, turning to me with wide eyes. "How is that even possible?"
I laughed softly. "You've been a very popular President for four years, Pepper. Of course no one wants to wait for the book you wrote any longer." In the last year as President, Pepper had started to work on her biography, including the truth about the threats on her and how we met.
"And this doesn't have to do anything with the fact that you know the owner of the publishing house?" She raised her eyebrows, but since she was still smiling, I knew that the publishing date excited her.
"I didn't do anything." I said quickly and tried to look innocent.
"You're impossible, Tony!" She laughed.
"You love me." I reminded her softly.
"I do." She kissed me. "So when will we leave for dinner with the others?"
"They'll come here tomorrow." I smiled. "There's been a small change in the plan. Phil and Clint will arrive tomorrow morning, so they'll be able to join us as well."
"Tomorrow?" Her eyes widened. "But I thought they need a few more days."
"Nope. They'll be here tomorrow." I smiled at her excitement to see Phil again. Even if they'd moved out of Washington only two weeks ago, she'd missed him terribly. That would be over soon. He and Clint would move to Los Angeles together. Clint would work at the hospital in the city, while Phil would start working at Stark Industries with us.
"I can't wait to see them again!" Pepper smiled widely. "Then we'll all be together!" Her whole team was back in LA. Daisy was living with her wife and finally made her dream come true to work in the fashion industry, while Jim was happy to be finally reunited with his husband. They would leave in a week to go on a very long holiday around the world together. Only John had stayed in Washington to continue working at the White House. In the past years, we'd become friends and I knew that we would hear from him from time to time.
"Sir, there is an incoming phone call for you." JARVIS announced suddenly, making me sigh.
"Who is it?"
"It's Justin Hammer, sir. From Hammer Industries." This made me groan in annoyance.
"He tries calling every day." I explained to Pepper. "He knew my father. Hammer Industries produces weapons that don't even work properly. I don't know why he wants to talk to me. We stopped producing weapons ages ago! Tell him that I'm busy, JARVIS."
"As you wish, sir." JARVIS replied and then the room was filled with silence.
"So considering that we'll meet our friends tomorrow, does this mean that we have the entire evening to ourselves?" Pepper asked curiously.
"Why are you asking?" I quirked an eyebrow, even as her hands wandered to the top button of my shirt.
"Well, we didn't see each other that often in the past years and we still have to make up for so much lost time..." Her fingers moved to the next button slowly, a sharp contrast to the innocent expression on her face.
"I like the way you think." I muttered and pulled her closer to kiss her deeply.