2 – (One Year and a Week Old) Baby Steps

They weren't expecting it in that moment. Sure, it was bound to happen since the twins had turned one year old last week, but they barely stood on their own two feet without help, walking without falling back on their butt wasn't an option.

Yet, they were able to surprise their parents.

It was one lazy Sunday morning. Pepper made breakfast while Tony fed the twins. They ate their breakfast in a content silent, watching amused as Sebastian tried to stuff his sister's mouth with food and Sarah just accidentally punched his cheek with her chubby fist. Sebastian sniffled and cried out for his Mom; Sarah just looked at him with wide brown eyes – "momma's boy" Tony mimicked a girl voice as to express his daughter's look. Pepper laughed and kissed her baby boy's cheek.

In the living room, they laid a blanket on the floor, spread the twins' favorite toys on it, and then sat side by side on the floor, backs to the couch, watching their children play. It was rare, these days.

"Dada," Sarah called.

"Yes, sweetheart?" Tony answered with a sweet smiled that warmed Pepper's heart every time.

"Dada, Dada," she repeated and pointed at the faraway corner where a forgotten plush giraffe stood.

"But, princess, you have an elephant right here," Tony showed her the pink elephant.

With a little frown she took the toy from her Dad's hand and gazed over at it. Sebastian was happily entertained with his Lego pieces.

Happy to have entertained his daughter, Tony relaxed back and kissed Pepper's forehead.

But, Sarah didn't want the pink elephant. She wanted the giraffe. In result, she threw the toy at her brother's wobbly construction, knocking all his work down. He pouted but slapped the pink thing away before focusing again.

Their parents laughed. Tony and Pepper loved doing this. Watching their children play was mesmerizing. They could sit on that spot for hours, capturing moments, talking quietly between themselves – being a normal family.

Pepper gasped when she saw Sarah stand up. "Tony," she called.

"Relax, Pepper, they're doing this more often," Tony smiled. "She's not going-oh, she's walking!"

As fast as her little legs took her, Sarah gave some much uncoordinated steps to the giraffe. She picked it up and then fell back on her butt. She didn't care, she had her toy.

"Oh my God, my baby walked," Pepper squealed getting up and running to Sarah picking her up.

Tony shook his head and turned to his son who was looking at him with a pout on his lips. "Don't worry buddy, you'll get the spotlight too," he kissed his dark brown locks and helped him make the Lego construction.

"Daddy, she walked," Pepper called for Tony.

"I knew I didn't get up to give her the toy for a reason," he smirked.

Pepper rolled her eyes and bounced Sarah on her hip. "Who's getting big?" she tickled Sarah's tummy making the baby giggle.

"JARVIS, email the video to my phone, please," Tony asked, slightly amused because his son was having trouble deciding between two Lego pieces and was making adorable faces.

"Right away, sir," JARVIS replied.

"Tony," Pepper whined. When Tony looked to his wife he saw his son's pout on her. "I don't want them to grow up. Growing up sucks!"

He chuckled. "Pep, we are here to make sure it doesn't suck that bad," he said before sticking a Lego man on the middle of the construction. Sebastian clapped happily. "But, yeah, I get what you mean," he whispered running a hand through his son's hair. "I don't want these moments to end either."

"When do you think he'll start to walk too?" Pepper wondered, returning to her place and sitting Sarah down.

"Maybe when he sees something that he really, really, wants," Tony replied giving her a quick kiss.

Later that night, Pepper had Sarah in the upstairs bedroom, she was bathing her and getting the girl ready for bed. Sebastian had been the first and Tony brought him to the workshop and sat him near his desk, with his favorite toys. They were both entertained on their own stuff, until JARVIS alerted Tony of something.

"Sir, it seems young Mr. Stark is ready to walk," he said.

Tony whipped his head around to watch his son leave his toys on the floor and waddle his way to the Iron Man suit. Sebastian slapped his hands on the glass and squealed. Tony grinned proudly and got up, walking to his son. Picking him up Tony kissed Sebastian chubby cheek.

"I guess you saw something you really want, huh, bud?" he looked to the suit. Would Pepper kill him if he made a baby Iron Man suit?...Yep, most likely! "Maybe one day, behind your Mother's back, I let you try it on!"

Sebastian clapped.

"JARVIS, email the video footage of Sebastian first real steps to Pepper, please," Tony asked returning to his desk, setting his son on his lap.

"Right away, sir," the AI complied.

Two minutes later, Pepper was entering the workshop with Sarah, all ready to sleep. "No, you cannot do a baby Iron Man suit, and as far as I'm concerned, my son will not wear the suit," she said very calmly. "The scares you give me are already enough," she muttered.

"Think how adorable it would be-"

"No," she cut him off.

"Fine," he pouted. "What if it was for Halloween?"

"Tony," she started as a warning.

"Nothing biggie, just some very cool and real masks…"

"Tony," Pepper repeated a bit more angrily.

"We have to do it-"

"Keep it up and I'm dressing them as Captain America, and Captain America female version," she threatened shutting Tony up immediately. "Good, now bring him upstairs, it's bedtime!"

Tony sighed. "Your Mommy is a big meanie sometimes," he whispered to Sebastian. "But you just wait, one of these years, for Halloween, I'll get my way," Tony went on getting up and leaving the workshop. "Captain America," he huffed. "He's not even the coolest Avenger, I am…"

"Tony, please stop boring our child with your ego rants, please?" Pepper chuckled.

Tony smiled and together, they tucked their children into their cribs.