8 – (Six years old) Everything Falls into Place

Pepper sniffled and more tears escaped her eyes. She was alone at her hospital room and everything was just too quiet. A broken sob left her lips as she fought for control of her emotions. Apparently, her hormones were having none of it. A soft knock on the door, warned her of a visitor. Pepper cleaned her tears and mumbled a quiet 'come in'. Natasha's red curls were the first thing she saw. The spy smiled softly and walked in, closing the door behind her.

"Pepper, how are you feeling?" Natasha asked approaching the bed and sitting beside Pepper.

The other woman shrugged. "I really, really don't want to cry, because I should be happy, right? I mean, Andrew is alright, but I…" she closed her mouth as more tears flooded.

Natasha sighed and pulled the other woman for a hug. "Tony told me. I'm sorry you had to go through that, Pepper."

"It was necessary to save my son and myself," Pepper breathed. "I'm not going to think about this too much. It's just my hormones running wild because I gave birth, you know what I'm talking about."

"I do. But Pepper, it's normal that you are feeling a little down. After all…you can't have any more children," Natasha said softly. "That's hurtful to any woman."

"I already have three beautiful children who, I'm sure, will give me a lot of headaches in their teens. They are after all, half Stark. I'm alright, Natasha, I really am," Pepper smiled weakly. "Thanks for coming."

"Someone had to. The rest of the team is glued to the nursery's glass wall trying to get a good glimpse at your new heir," Natasha smiled. "He's really beautiful."

"Thank you," Pepper replied. "After the scare I had a few months back, I'm just glad he's ok and nothing big happened to him. I would never forgive myself."

"Don't think about that anymore, Pepper, you have a gorgeous and healthy baby. That's all that matters."

Pepper nodded and smiled. A few seconds later, the door was opened and two six year olds rushed inside. Natasha laughed and moved out of the day, so the twins could climb into their mother's bed.

"Mommy, are you ok?"

"Mom, Andrew is so small!"

"When are you coming home?"

"Can we play with Andrew real soon?"

"Kids, give your Mother a break, she had a baby today," Tony chuckled walking in after his children. "Thanks for coming, Natasha," he turned to his colleague.

"A pleasure, Tony, I'm going to see if my husband fed our daughter," she chuckled. "Be here for her, she needs you," Natasha whispered before leaving.

Tony nodded. He figured as much. When the Doctor told him what he had to do to save his son and wife, Tony quickly realized that it was going to take a toll on Pepper, even if they already had three beautiful children.

"Mom, did it hurt?"

"Mommy, I want to hold him!"

Pepper sighed before gathering the twins in a hug. "I love you both so much!"

The twins were quiet for a few seconds, before wrapping their arms around their mother. "We love you too, Mommy!" Sarah said.

"Yeah, you're the coolest Mom ever!" Sebastian supported.

"Good," Pepper smiled squeezing them a bit before letting go. "Answering to some of your questions: yes, Andrew is small and it will be a while before you guys can play with him. I am ok, just tired. I'll be going home in two days and yes, Sebastian, childbirth hurts, but it's worth it," Pepper said.

"Satisfied?" Tony asked sitting near Pepper.

They bobbed their heads up and down and grinned.

"Then why don't you go find Happy or Uncle Rhodey? Pretty sure they miss you already," Tony suggested with a mean gleam in his eyes.

The twins nodded and after kissing their Mother's cheek, jumped off the bed and ran out of the room.

"Non-stop energy," Tony chuckled.

"Andrew's really ok?" Pepper asked quietly, squeezing Tony's hand.

"He is," Tony replied softly. "The Doctor just assured me that he's in perfect health. A nurse will bring him here soon."

"Good," Pepper nodded and her lip quivered.

"Come here," Tony said and pulled Pepper in for a hug.

She broke down on his shoulder and the only thing Tony could do, was tell her how much he loved her and they were going to get through this together.

Andrew's big blue eyes scanned the room around him. He kicked his little legs and gurgled. Pepper chuckled and bent down to take him out of his plastic crib. "We'll be going home soon, love," she whispered patting his back and kissing his cheek.

She returned to the bed where she fed him and right as she was burping him, Tony entered with the twins trailing him.

"Mommy, we got your bag," Sarah smiled setting the brown bag on the couch.

"Thanks hon, your father just forgets the bag every time," Pepper said turning to her husband who was ignoring the discussing and looking out of the window. "Isn't that right, Tony?" She pressed.

"Who? Me? It's just never in place for me to get it, and I'm more busy getting you in the Hospital in time," he shrugged smiling.

Sebastian climbed to the bed and took a peek at his brother. "I'm dying to play with him and teach him how to play ball with me!"

"Hey, I want to play with him too," Sarah crossed her arms.

"You both can play with Andrew, but right now, he's little and fragile, you have to wait for him to be older, alright?" Pepper explained softly.

"That's alright Mom, we know, Dad explained to us!" Sebastian said.

"Yes and we will be always here to protect Andrew," Sarah smiled touching her little brother's hand. "He has such a soft skin," she mumbled in awe. "I'm going to help you take care of him, Mommy, I promise!"

"You two are so grown up," Pepper's eyes filled with tears.

"Don't cry," Sebastian widened his eyes and shot a panic look at his Dad.

Tony approached and sat behind Pepper. "Mom's fine, champ, it's just hormones!"

"Yes and I'm so proud of you two, I know you will be the greatest older siblings to Andrew!" Pepper smiled and breathed deeply trying to keep the tears at bay.

"I'm so happy right now, Mommy," Sarah grinned from ear to ear leaning into her father.

"So am I," Sebastian hi fived his sister and Tony chuckled.

"Me too," Pepper whispered and looked at Tony. "I really, really am. We have an amazing family."

"That we do, Mrs. Stark," he raised an eyebrow.

"Will that be all, Mr. Stark?" She said softly as Andrew's eyes started to close.

"Three is my perfect number, Ms. Potts," Tony replied.

Ta-dah! It's over *snif*snif* But I promise that my Avengers fanfics won't stop. I already have two finished for you. Both Clintasha though, and I'm working on a Pepperony one. Thank you for sticking with me through this journey, guys, I love you, stay tuned for more! xoxo