It's been quite some time since I've updated. But I've been so busy! My mother was in the hospital and I just got back from vacation this morning. Enjoy the update!

- Love-Me-Some-Pie

*Before Adoption*

Tony's nervous, he knows he is, but he won't let it show. He can't let it show.

"Sir," JARVIS says. "The adoption agent is here."

Tony nods and finishes buttoning up his shirt. He's nervous, beyond nervous, but he can't let it show. He's Anthony Edward Stark, he does not get nervous.

He rushes down the steps and races toward the door. This meeting has to be perfect, if it isn't, he won't get what he wants.

"Mr. Stark?" A lady with glasses asks.

Tony nods and motions for the lady to come inside his home. She walks inside, seating herself on the couch. "I'm going to cut right to the chase Mr. Stark."

"You can call me Tony." The billionaire offers, giving the agent a very charming smile as he places a cup of coffee in front of her.

She blinks up at him. "Mr. Stark." She says again. "Is this a two parent household?"

Tony sits in the armchair farthest from the couch. "Does JARVIS count as a second parent? Or Pepper?" He's trying to make light of the situation because that's what he needs, it's too serious for him.

The lady gives him a blank look, writing something down on her clipboard. "That wasn't a joke Mr. Stark."

"I wasn't trying to be funny." Tony says. He bites his nails, a horrible habit he's picked up recently. He is trying to be funny, but she doesn't need to know that.

The agent rolls her eyes, blue eyes Tony notices. "Do you drink Mr. Stark? I've read about multiple accounts of your drunken antics. And I noticed the bar."

Tony can't deny the fact that he drinks, everyone knows he does. "I do. But I can cut back; I will cut back for my child."

She writes something on her clipboard and Tony frowns, that clipboard can't be good. "Mr. Stark, there is no cutting back; you don't drink when you have a child, a young child like you're wanting. Especially one that may come from a drinking home. Will you have time for a child Mr. Stark? You do own a company. And we suggest new parents take six months off for a good transition."

Tony's nervous again, it seems like he's giving all the wrong answers. He bites his nails again, fiddling with his own coffee cup. "I can take as long as I want off."

She writes something again and taps her pen against her cheek. "The company, you can take time from that. But being a superhero, can you take time from that Mr. Stark?"

Tony stops all his movements; he knows he's going to give the wrong answer to this question. He bites his nails again, drawing blood from one of his fingers; he really needs to quit biting his nails. "I can't guarantee that I'll get six months off from that. But I'll take as much time as possible." He hopes that's what she's looking for; he can't give a better answer. The agent scribbles something down and Tony wishes she would stop writing, every time she does it looks bad.

"Noted Mr. Stark." She says, readjusting her glasses. "We normally ask our clients parents about if they think they'll make a good parent but..." She trails off, looking at Tony.

"Right." He says. "My parents aren't around."

"Do you think they would've recommended you for adoption?"

Tony seriously thinks about the question, did either of his parents know him well enough to actually answer that question? He's nervous again, this isn't going the way it should at all. "Honestly, probably not. Neither one of my parents knew me well enough to know."

She writes something down again and Tony bites his lip, he really wishes she would stop writing. "Well, it's been nice talking to you Mr. Stark." She gets up, fixes her skirt and heads for the door.

Tony can't stop himself from speaking; the words come out before he actually knows he's talking. "This didn't go well, did it?"

The adoption agent gives Tony a confused look, raising an eyebrow at him. "What are you talking about Mr. Stark?"

"This meeting," Tony replies, rubbing his eyes. "It didn't go well, I'm not going to get to adopt am I?"

"I can't answer that now Mr. Stark." The lady replies, putting her clipboard under her arm and grabbing for the doorknob.

"You don't have to lie to me." Tony shoots back, a spot of venom evident in his voice. "I'm not stupid Miss, I'm sure you knew that, I can read people. You just don't want to tell me I bombed this interview." Before the young lady can speak again Tony is continuing. "I'm sorry you don't think I deserve this child, I truly am. Sure, it'll be just a one parent household, and I can't always be a stay at home mom, but I can guarantee that this child will get all the love and care in the world." Tony's almost angry, almost. "I've got an entire team that will love this child, just as much as I will. This child would never do without and would always have someone there to love them." He takes a deep breathe and turns away from the agent, heading toward his lab, he needs time to think. He turns back slightly, looking at the lady standing in front of the door. "I'm sorry you don't think I deserve this child. You can show yourself out."

"Mr. Stark." The agent says and Tony stops, turning toward her. "Tony, we'll be in touch." She smiles at him and walks out the door.

Tony grins; he knows that's good news. Maybe he'll get to adopt after all.