First Time for Everything
Chapter 5
New York City
Two days later
One by one, the board members of Stark Industries filed out of the conference room. Tony waited by the door, shaking the hand of each member and giving them his million dollar smile. When the last one walked out the door, he turned that smile to Pepper. "That went well."
Pepper laughed. "Well? I thought Ferguson was going to pass the hat and give the first million himself."
"Which one was Ferguson? The old guy?"
Pepper laughed again. "They're all old. Lester Ferguson was the one who said 'I've been on this board for fifty years and I never heard Howard Stark be as impassioned about anything as this young man was today.'"
"That old guy. He's my new favorite."
"You did fantastic, just like I said you would. It was from the heart and they saw, like I did, it was something that means a lot to you."
Tony fairly beamed at the praise. He followed Pepper to the conference table and helped gather his presentation materials. "I say we celebrate. Your choice. Where do you want to go? No arguments, wherever you say. Italian. Thai. Mexican."
"French."
"French it is. That place down the street is good. You like the restaurant across from the hotel, too. Is there another place you would rather go?"
"Paris."
"Okay. Where is that? Fifth Avenue?"
"France."
"You mean Paris Paris?"
"The one with the Eiffel Tower," Pepper confirmed.
"Any particular reason?" Tony asked, stopping his work to look at her.
"I've been thinking since our talk in your office." Pepper stacked the papers she had in her hands before laying them on the table and facing Tony. "Maybe the dinner and candlelight near the Eiffel Tower wasn't the right setting for the first 'I love you,' but it would be the perfect preface for another first."
Tony pulled out a chair for both of them and sat. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Only if you're sure. Not because I don't want to, because, I do. I just…"
Pepper reached and touched his hand. "Tony, I know what you've been doing. You've not pushed or try to force the issue."
"I respect you. You're different." His answer was simple, direct, and honest. That's how he could be with Pepper, completely honest. Tony didn't have to hold anything back. She expected him to be this way. It's how their working relationship had been for years and now, it was even more important. "As much as I want this...want you...it had to be when you're ready." A hint of mischief sparkled in his eyes. "Although, I can promise, it will be well worth it."
"So modest."
"You know what they say..."
"Dare I ask?"
"It's not bragging if it's true."
"Guess I will find out sooner than later." Pepper drew circles on the back of his hand with her nail. "It may sound trite, but, I appreciate how you've treated me. It makes me feel, I don't know..."
"Important? You should because you are." He saw her cheeks flush as she averted her eyes. "Look at me, Pep. Let me be serious for...two minutes. Then, I will go back to the awesome guy who's gonna rock your world." Tony waited until she was watching him. "I know that no matter how much you love me, and I believe you do, you are going to have some, uh, initial reservations. You wouldn't be Pepper if you weren't cautious about what you are getting into. You, more than anyone else, saw how I was before, not that I'm proud but, it is what it is. You know better than anyone, though, that's not me anymore."
"I know. I wouldn't be with you if it were."
Tony rested both of his hands on her shoulders. "I promise you, I won't leave. I will be there when you wake up." He paused for a moment and added, "Which, you know, could be sometime tomorrow afternoon."
"Wow."
"Yeah. Start practicing. You will be saying that a lot for the next couple of days."
"Couple of days? Pretty confident, Stark. It's a good thing I cleared the schedules and made hotel reservations for the rest of the week."
"Rest of the week, huh? Now who's confident, Potts? Making all of those plans. You didn't even know if I would say 'yes' today." Pepper gave him a purely incredulous look. "I know," Tony said, holding up his hand. "Even I can't believe I just said that." Tony found himself unable to keep from touching her. Even if it was simply resting a hand on her shoulder, it was as if his body craved contact with Pepper. He let his fingers dance across her forearm. "When did you make the reservations? I didn't see you on your phone during the meeting."
"Last night." Pepper was prepared for a snappy comeback from Tony, but it didn't come. He just continued to stroke her arm.
"Which hotel?"
"Remember the one you got kicked out of for skinny-dipping in the fountain?"
"Vaguely."
"There's a new one across the street from it."
"Separate rooms?" he struggled to hide a smile.
"Penthouse, but I can change that if you're dead-set on separate rooms." Pepper picked up her BlackBerry and dialed a number.
Tony's hand stilled. "You wouldn't."
Her only response was a wicked grin. "Bon jour," she said when the other end answered. "There has been a slight change of plans." Pepper saw Tony squirm and decided to let him off the hook before he squeezed her free hand into deformity. "We won't need you to meet us at the airport tonight. Take the rest of the week off and I will call you when we leave Paris. Yes, Paris, France. Thank you, Happy. Au revoir."
"You are a mean woman, Pepper Potts."
"You deserved that for thinking I would actually book separate rooms, Tony Stark."
Tony tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "So, we're actually gonna do this."
"That sounded so romantic."
"I didn't mean... Please tell me you are joking again."
"At least you didn't say 'do it.' That would be a little too juvenile, even for you." Pepper could see he was getting flustered, a condition she found endearing. Tony Stark wasn't the type to get tongue-tied. To her, it showed how serious he truly was. She ran her hand through his hair, letting her fingers caress his scalp, an action Pepper discovered soothed Tony. "I know what you meant. I'm also glad to know I'm not the only one a little nervous."
"It's a big step."
"It is. For both of us."
"I won't hurt you."
"I know. I trust you."
"And, you know I love you."
"Yes, and you know I love you, too."
Tony leaned in and kissed Pepper gently. "You won't regret it." He picked up her hand off his shoulder and held it in both of his. "I don't mean the sex either."
"Then, let's go, Mr. Stark."
"Can't wait, Miss Potts."
Within the hour, they were on the Stark jet, New York City behind them. Ahead lay Paris. Tony had been there a dozen times. For most of them, Pepper had been a member of his entourage. However, this trip was different than any he had ever taken. It was the first trip he had taken with Pepper. Tony knew nothing would be the same after that night...and he was glad.
He looked across to where the object of his affection sat. The old Tony would be trying to figure out how to have them undressed and fooling around before she realized what he was doing. Tony smiled to himself. He wasn't that man anymore. He was perfectly content to see how everything played out.
Author's Note: How was it? This was supposed to be the Epilogue, but, it took on a life of its own. Chapter 6, then, will more than likely be the Epilogue. I hope that you enjoy this little peek into another Pepperony first. PLEASE let me know what you think. Reviews let me know I'm not wasting my time. Thanks, again, to NCISVILLE for all your support and to jewels1798 for your encouragement. Happy reading. PEPPERONY FOREVER!