Rolling around on the carpet wasn't enough for little Tony Stark.

Tony raced around on his pudgy little hands and knees following after Jarvis around the manner. When he's get tired, Tony would collapse on his tummy and wait for Jarvis to pick him up like he always did. It didn't matter if the linens were dry or the soup was done. Tony found out that if he laid on the floor and stopped crawling after Jarvis he'd be picked up immediately and put in Jarvis' arms.

The stairs were horrible and Tony could never follow his Jarvis up them. Screaming until Jarvis raced down the stairs and got him always proved effective.

The only problem was how crawling wasn't the fastest mode of locomotion. Jarvis walked quickly in strides as he went about doing his daily duties. Tony did his best to keep up with him, but his knees would and hands would get sore and Jarvis' legs were long and seemed never ending to the young toddler.

Maria walked slowly and gracefully. She'd giggle when she found Tony crawling after her and he'd always be able to catch the hem of her dress and she'd pick him up when he told her too holding him against her. She always smelled really nice. Maria would usually pass him off to Jarvis, but she was easy to catch.

Howard was more difficult.

Tony couldn't find his father so much as catch him.

Howard told Tony he didn't come with a manual, which would've been useful, or an emergency hotline, basically Jarvis, so he told Tony to stop following him around when he did manage to find his daddy outside the workshop. Tony wasn't allowed in the workshop anymore now that he could get into things, but Howard always came out eventually. He'd usually be too busy fiddling with something, reading something, or hurrying somewhere to notice Tony was underfoot. He'd come close to stepping on Tony once, but since Opal screamed before it happened, startling Tony, he heard crying near his foot. He ran away from Tony as fast as he could realizing he'd almost stepped on him while Opal took Tony into her arms and went in search of Jarvis.

Quadrupedalism wasn't good enough for little Tony. He saw how quickly everyone else got around bipedal and wanted to try it for himself. Jarvis had whipped out the camera when he found Tony had managed to pull himself up and bounced on his chubby legs as he held into the couch. He stomped his little feet and giggled as Maria cooed over him when he stood up, but motion on two legs still eluded him. Everytime he tried he always fell back onto his bottom or fell forward. Jarvis usually caught him before he fell onto his face, but when Jarvis didn't he'd always come running and comfort Tony when he cried after doing so.

For Jarvis, Tony's mission to learn how to walk was even more stressful than learning how to crawl; he'd be less likely to get hurt when crawling. Still, he had to encourage it. Tony was moving along in his development splendidly and Peggy would be thrilled to see Tony walking when she came to visit after she returned from London.

Jarvis sat down on the floor and made Cappy dance. Tony sat across from him only a few feet away with four fingers in his mouth, "Come now, Young Sir, come get Cappy."

Tony took his wet hand out of his mouth and grabbed at the far away toy, "My Cappy, Ja Ja. Gib To-ie."

"It's 'Give Tony' although 'Give Cappy to me' would be more correct, Young Sir, but we can work on articulation once all your teeth have come now

Tony clapped his hands, "Gimme! Ja Ja! Gimme."

Jarvis pretended to gasp, "Young Sir, where might our manners be?"

Tony considered it for a moment before he grinned, "Gimme, Peeze!"

Tony got onto his feet and hands and pushed himself off the floor. He nearly fell over but caught his balance and rushed towards Jarvis and Cappy. Jarvis was too stunned to do anything but watch in amazement as Tony scampered over to him. Tony stumbled when he almost walked the whole way to Jarvis, but Jarvis dropped Cappy and caught Tony before he hit the floor. Tony grabbed Cappy's arm and pulled the plush close to him, "My Cappy, Ja Ja."

Jarvis chuckled as he situated Tony's small body against his chest, "Yes, Young Sir, that is your Cappy. Good lord, you just walked. Sir and Madam might be disappointed they hadn't seen your first steps. I hadn't the forethought to get the camera since I didn't really think you'd be ready yet. So full of suprises you are. Well, perhaps this can be our little secret then? You can take your 'first steps again' perhaps in Sir and Madam presence next time. I'll try my best to pencil it in."

Tony buried his face into Jarvis' vest and said, "My Ja Ja."

Jarvis patted Tony's back"Yes, your Ja Ja. We'll work on saying Jarvis another time."

"Jabis! Ja Ja!"

Jarvis stood up pressed a gentle kiss on top of Tony's head, "Close enough, Young Sir."

Tony's usual day revolved around Jarvis.

When Tony would wake up early, stand up in his crib, and either cry or call for Jarvis depending on the day. When he was younger he would try to call for his mother or father, but when he learned it was ineffective it stopped for simply calling for Jarvis. Even if his mother came into his room when he woke up he'd just be passed off to Jarvis anyway. Jarvis was always awake early anyway. He'd come into the nursery only in his slacks and undershirt and console the young toddler. Tony would be changed, bathed, clothed before Jarvis took him to his own bedroom to finish up his routine.

Tony would watch as Jarvis' shaved, washed his face, and picked out his tie for the day. Jarvis always wore an immaculate three piece suit and polished shoes. The last part of Jarvis routine was to comb back his hair making it as neat and tidy as possible. Tony watched Jarvis' actions intensely as he took an extra comb and tried to make his hair look like Jarvis'. Jarvis smiled and tried to help Tony in his efforts but only received a stubborn, "I do it!"

. Maria and Jarvis both knew well Tony's hair would undoubtedly not stay that way and would seemingly talk on a life of it's own after a while. He still put Tony in front of the mirror and showed Tony his reflection, "Look at that so very handsome young man. How about we show Madam this handsome young gentleman?"

Tony giggled nearly the whole way to the dining room. For once, Howard was also at the table across from Maria even if he was reading the newspaper. Tony said, "Mama! Me Handsome! Ja Ja say. I do it!"

Maria smiled as Jarvis put Tony and Cappy into his high chair next to her seat, "Oh, yes, such a handsome boy. Did you fix his hair Jarvis?"

Jarvis shook his head, "No, Young Sir took it upon himself to mimic my own hair."
Howard peered over his paper, "Why'd he do that? Your hair's not that hip."

"Like your mustache, Sir?"

"Rude, Jar. Here I thought you were my friend."

Jarvis replied, "Friend's tell one another of horrid mustaches."

Howard put down his paper when the chef came out with breakfast, "Yeah, well-your mustache is horrid."

Maria said, "Edwin doesn't have a mustache, Dear."

Tony evaded the spoonful of porridge Jarvis tried to feed him, "Pewin!"

Howard nodded, "Yeah, Tony, Jarvis does look like a penguin."
"That's enough boys." Maria said, " Jarvis, The Einaudi Gala is coming up soon and I was thinking Anthony should go this time. He's gotten so big and I think the gala would be a wonderful time for Tony to make his official debut to the public."

Howard poked at his eggs, "His birth was splattered on every magazine. That's a pretty official debut, not to mention that one time I took him to Mcdonald's."

Jarvis wiped Tony's mouth before giving him another spoonful of porridge, "Madam, it very well might be a wonderful idea, but I am just now sure how Young Sir will respond to it. He very rarely leaves the manor and most of his interactions are secluded to family and the staff. He's a very sweet boy, but I'm not sure how he would behave in that situation."
"If you come along I'm sure he'd be very well behaved, Edwin. Anthony's so adorable the media will immediately fall in love with him. Howard, what do you think."

Howard looked up at them from his tower which he'd made of bacon and sausage, "Uh, what were we talking about."
Maria frowned, "Anthony going with us to the gala."

"There's a gala?"

Jarvis sat down Tony's spoon not noticed Tony pick it up, "Sir, we were just discussing the matter of Young Sir attending the Einaudi Gala that is coming up. Madam believes it will do good as Young Sir's public debut since his birth. I simply am unsure how Young Sir will react to being out surrounded by people who will attempt to interact with him."

Howard asked, "Can Tony go instead of me?"

"No, Howie."

"I guess we can try taking the kid out." Howard shrugged, "Tony's getting bigger. He'll be able to handle it. You baby him, Jarvis. Tony's growing up. See, he's even trying to feed his toy. Next he'll be eating on his own."

Jarvis gave a long sigh when he saw Tony had the spoon in his hand and Cappy's face was covered in porridge, "Sir, I apologize, but Young Sir is still very much a baby. We can think of him growing up at a later date. Time for another bath, Young Sir. If you'll both excuse me."

Howard waved Jarvis off as two other servants took the highchair to the kitchen to be cleaned. Tony put his porridge covered toy right up against Jarvis' shirt. Tony giggled, "Baf for Ja Ja?"

Jarvis tried not to smile, but couldn't help it, "I suppose we'll both need to change our clothes now."

"Cappy!"

"Yes, and Cappy too."

After yet another bath it was playtime with learning. Jarvis was a strong feeling Tony would grow to be even smarter than his father, although he never spoke of his convictions, but Tony easily count count to 10 and could almost say the alphabet. He knew all his colors and even though he lacked the dexterity still for holding a pencil Tony was adamant about drawing with his crayons. Much of the time the pictures just turned out to be scribbles, but on occasion they'd resemble animals or people. On one occasion Tony had held up a humanoid resembling creature with what resembled a suit and claimed it was Jarvis. Jarvis couldn't help the tears come to his eyes and he framed and hung the picture up in his bedroom.

Although, Tony was always Jarvis first priority and his duties almost always surrounded the baby. That didn't mean he didn't have some other chores and duties with the rest of the household and ensuring on a day to day basis the other child of the house (ie. Howard Stark) did not injure himself or others due to experiments, actually went about Howard's work as Stark Industries CEO, and went about his daily business being a functional adult as much as Howard resisted the notion.

Tony had taken to copying almost everything Jarvis did: like answering the phone, attempting to drink out of a regular cup instead of his sippie, fixing things like the television when Howard was too busy, or instructing the other staff what to do when they required guidance. With Tony's newfound favorite game he absolutely detested being away from Jarvis and it took some convincing involving a bit of bribery for Jarvis to leave Tony in the playroom with Elisabetta. Maria was adamant Tony learn to speak Italian early on anyway.

Tony's fingers were not yet ready for an erector set, much to Howard's displeasure, but Tony loved playing with his building blocks. Jarvis came back to the playroom after assisting the tailor in getting Howard's new measurements; he didn't know who would be more fussy about it Howard or Tony. They wouldn't get Tony's until the last minute with how quickly he grew. Jarvis watched as Tony focused on building his tower as Elisabetta sang Capra Capretta to him. Tony quietly hummed along to the tune. Tony was such a well behaved boy. Perhaps his doubts about the gala would be for naught.

Tony was more excited about going to the gala. Howard claimed it was because he didn't know what a gala was. He let Jarvis put on his little suit without being so difficult, even if he wasn't overly fond of the hair stylist Maria insisted for. It took a lot more convincing to get Howard out of his workshop, clean, hair styled, and presentable for the public eye. Jarvis dressed in his best suit, since an unkempt butler would not be good for the family's image, making sure he had no blemishes or a single hair out of place.

Maria was stunning in her jewels and ball gown and walked with on Howard's arm, more so to prevent him from running away, to the car where the driver waited. Howard insisted Jarvis sit in the back with them rather than the front with the driver where he usually sat. Jarvis didn't mind it so much so he could keep Tony entertained and hopefully in good spirits for the event. Howard would laugh at Jarvis' silly faces and try to discreetly sip from his flask. Jarvis knew how much Howard didn't like having to go to events and speak with other socialites, smile, and be on his best for the press, so he didn't comment on the flask. The gala would surely have the rich and elite consuming amble amounts of wine anyway.

Howard and Maria were all practiced smiles and waves as they entered the gala Maria had Tony in her arms who smiled and waved when he saw his parents doing so. Jarvis followed behind quietly and unobtrusive as any good butler would. Tony was wide eyed and curious as he saw the elegant glamoring ballroom with the social elite of America conversing business, charity, connections and the like. Maria had a few other ladies in one of the kind dresses cooing and gawking at the Stark heir with his little suit and big brown eyes. Howard sipped a glass of imported champagne as he spoke with the head of the Ganizani Cooperation. Jarvis stood off to the side along with many other butlers, nannies, and bodyguards. A few trailed after the more rambunctious children when their parents were too busy or had little interest in them. Jarvis caught the eye of Sébastien and gave him a nod when Jarvis saw him across the room near the wall not far from Hadrian Perilloux and his wife with their son who was even younger than Tony, Cain, in her arms.

Jarvis hid a smile behind his hand before regaining his composure when he heard Tony's twinkling laugh when Maria spun and danced playfully to the waltz. Maria was always in her element at galas, balls, and events such as those. She's been raised to be limelight darling as Tony would eventually be. Howard on the other hand- Jarvis saw him standing near a potted plant apparently hiding from Mr. Ganizani, was not. He could pass and charm and delight an audience, women into his bed back in the day, and a potential business partner to think he was the smartest man alive, but Howard was a bit awkward and tended to overcompensate for not being a heir to anything having built his own business. Jarvis knew he'd rather be in his workshop.

"No! No! No! Ja Ja!"

Jarvis' head shot up instantly and he tried to peer over the guest for his young sir. Tony nearly tugged down one woman's gown as he made his way through the crowd of people and ran for Jarvis with tear streaks down his cheeks. Jarvis picked Tony up and Tony tried to bury his face into Jarvis' neck. He whined, "No no no! Ja Ja. Wanna go home."

Jarvis rhythmically rubbed Tony's back and shushed him, "Now, now, it's alright. You must tell me what troubles you, Young Sir, or I cannot assist you."

Tony sniffled, "Home. Wanna go home. Mean man, and scary man. Wanna go home, Ja Ja."

Maria, with the hem of her skirt hitched up to allow her to walk without tripping, calmly but surely made her way over to Jarvis and the upset Tony. Jarvis asked her, "Madam, what happened? Young Sir keeps saying he wishes to go home and that there was a mean man and a scary man."

Maria brushed back a piece of her hair that had fallen out of her bun, "He was doing very well. He got a bit shy after meeting so many people. I was just introducing him to Obadiah, you remember Howard works with him, and Tony tried his hardest to get down."

Tony whimpered, "Scary man."

"Mr. Afanasyev I believe it was. He came over to me and wanted to discuss the possibility of organizing a playdate with his twin daughters, Vasilisa and Roksana, and Anthony. I was hesitant with Howard's work against the Soviets and Mr. Afanasyev being a Russian immigrant, but Mr. Afanasyev is very big in Oil right now. I suppose Tony was just too overwhelmed and wanted to see you."

Jarvis nodded and stroked Tony's hair when he murmured 'Mean man' into Jarvis' jacket. Jarvis had always a bad underlying feeling about Obadiah Stane and simply thinking of the man left a bad taste in his mouth, but he was unsure if Howard would listen to his doubts. The way Obadiah treated household staff was nauseating, but he was becoming quite close to Howard so there seemed nothing Jarvis could do.

On the other hand, Vasili Afanasyev was not just a disgusted feeling in the pit of his stomach. Jarvis didn't simply think he was a snake, like Stane, he knew he was. Hanna had been looking into the man since the daughters were becoming close to the Todd children. Even though he was no longer a Soviet he still held some unsavory ties with the Russian mafia. It was Hanna's job to take care of, not his, but he was glad to see Tony had a good judge of character.

"I'll calm Young Sir down, Madam. Do not worry. Please continue to enjoy the gala and converse as you were. I also think Young Sir is simply getting quite tired of all the people and busyness he isn't used to." Jarvis rocked Tony so gently one might not notice he was doing so, but Tony curled up to him a little closer and went a little more lax in his arms, "I'll attempt to notify Sir of the going on's, and if I cannot I will simply take Sir to a quiet, less crowded, space outside the ballroom for some reprieve."

Maria stroked Tony's hair and sighed, "Lord, what would we do without you, Edwin."

Jarvis smiled, "I am sure you would be fine, Madam. Although, I cannot say the same for Sir. Do enjoy yourself, Mrs. Stark, Young Sir will be fine in my care."

"I hadn't doubted that for a second." Maria replied.

Maria went back to the dancing and discussions while Jarvis went in search of Howard. It took a few times asking any waiter carrying an alcoholic drink before he found one who said he stopped giving them to Howard when he started looking a little too tipsy. He saw Howard walk towards one of the restrooms and had not seen him come out. Tony was calm, if not still wanting to go home, but easily accepted Jarvis' insisted they must find his father first.

In the lavatory, Jarvis found a very drunk Howard turning the water faucet on and off with a cigarette in his mouth. Jarvis sighed, "Sir, what might you be doing? I also ask you put that cigarette out since I have Young Sir here with me."

Howard crushed his cigarette into an ashtray, "Hey, Eddie! I was just testing them-uh for science. I was washing my hands and then I got really interested in them. Oh hey, that's Tony. My son Tony. What's cooking, Jar?"

Howard burped and covered his mouth, "Mixing the wine with my whiskey wasn't my best idea."

Jarvis pursed his lips, "Delightful. I must say, Sir, you're quite drunk and I am sure Madam would agree with my decision to take you to the car so you do not embrace yourself. I'm taking Young Sir there also because he is getting overwhelmed with the attention and he's tired."

Howard rubbed his eye with his fist, "Always taking care of me, Jar. You're really keen, you know. I guess the car doesn't sound too bad. I'm tired. Is Maria coming? Hey,Harushima Ed, you've got nice eyes. I almost punched Takashi Narushima cause he was being a bastard."

Jarvis fixed Howard's tie, straightened his collar, and fixed his hair, "Madam is enjoying the gala and will be with us soon enough. Thank you for the compliment and I think it's very good you did not punch Mr. Narushima. Back straight, eyes ahead, chin up; look presentable and put together as we go to the car."

Tony asked, "Go home?"

"Yes, we'll be going home soon enough, Young Sir."

With one baby in his arms and a baby of a man trailing not far behind him they actually managed to make it to the car without incident. It was partially due to Sébastien and an older butler of the Perilloux family, Masahiro, diverting anyone who attempted to draw Howard Stark into conversation, not that Jarvis would ever admit to the obnoxious man he was thankful for the help. The driver leaned on the hood of the car as he took a smoke and gave Jarvis a wave when he came out with Howard and Tony. Jarvis got Tony all buckled into his carseat when Howard vomited into the bushes. Tony was content in the familiar safe surroundings of the car with Cappy and a matchbox car the driver has given him specially for car rides. He helped Jarvis clean Howard up ease him into the back seat.

Jarvis gave into Howard's whining and instead of sitting next to Tony's car seat he sat next to Howard. Howard laid his head down on his thigh and groaned about his head hurting, being dizzy, and his stomach hurting, "This is what happens when one drinks too much. I do not believe Mrs. Stark will be very pleased."

"Yeah, that's why I'm laying on you. Maria would kill me if I got drool on her gown."

"I'd prefer you not drooling on me either, Sir, but I will allow you to rest your head." Jarvis replied.

Howard grumbled, "Damn Harushima. I don't even remember what that gala was for. I say no more galas."

"Yeah, Da Da, no more!" Tony agreed.

Howard stated, "No Galas."

"Yeah!"

"Hell yeah. You with us, Jarvis?"

Jarvis rolled his eyes, "Considering you are asking me to join a supposed side against galas considering of a baby and Tony I am unsure."

Howard asked, "Did you just call me a baby?"

Jarvis patted Howard's head, "Yes, Sir. now go to sleep before Madam gets here and scolds you. She'll go easier on you if you're asleep."

Howard made himself comfortable as a man curled up with his head in his butler's lap could be, "Right thanks, Jar."

Tony spoke around Cappy's arm in his mouth, "Nigh, Nigh, Da da."

"Night." Howard grumbled.

Jarvis smiled as he watched Howard and Tony start to drift off. One a baby up past his bedtime and the other quite drunk. Jarvis repeated the very question Maria had asked him, "What would you do without me?"

Tony was already asleep, but Howard heard him, "Don't know. You practically do everything for me. I think I would run around yelling for you until I couldn't anymore."

Jarvis chuckled, "Go to sleep, Sir."

"Will do, Ed."

Jarvis watched as the man he'd dedicated his life to fell asleep and the baby, who he'd give anything, for sleeping in his car seat with his Captain America plush acting as a pillow. He just knew that when Tony was older he was going to have his work cut out for him. He had considered resigning back when it was simply him and Howard, although he knew deep down he never would. Now he still would not leave the Starks, even if they gave him more gray hairs than he needed.