Ok, so here's the epilogue. The real end of this fic, and indeed the series. I'm going to move on from this now. I've enjoyed writing this so much, and I'm glad so many of you did too and I want to thank everyone that took the time to review – you all made this happen.

Tony stared out of the hospital window, gazing down at the hustle and bustle of daily life below him, holding the brand new one in his arms. His new born baby boy. Tony sighed happily as the baby stirred, blinking up at him. It amazed him how much had changed in a matter of months. Maria Hill had been arrested on the spot and was still awaiting trial, though why there needed to even be a trial was beyond Tony, everyone knew she was guilty seeing as Reed had presented damning evidence, not to mention the fact that Banner was in fact alive and well and ready to testify against her. She was going down, and that was all that mattered. Tony had been offered the position as Director, but had declined, deferring to Bruce. He was done playing the hero, even more so being the leader. He'd seen what could happen, and now more than ever he had a reason to step down, at least where Iron Man was concerned. The media had handled his retirement rather peacefully, spending more time over Banner's miraculous back-from-the-dead story, and his promotion.

He turned as he heard Pepper stirring behind him, smiling as she looked over at them both. He quietly made his way back to the side of her bed, easing himself down next to her on the bed as she shuffled over a little, handing the tiny bundle to her. She beamed and cooed softly, stroking a finger against the baby's cheek. He gurgled and reached out to grab her finger and she sighed softly.

"Have you taken a blood test?" she asked Tony quietly, not looking at him.

Tony's smile slipped a little, but he draped his arm around Pepper's shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "No, I haven't, and I don't plan on doing so." Pepper shot him a confused glance and he continued. "Look at him; black hair, brown eyes, he's mine, Pep. Though, to be honest, he could have come out green with six tentacles and I'd still love him like he was mine."

Pepper stared up at him for a second, her eyes shining, before leaning up slightly to press a soft kiss to his lips.

"Oh dear, not in front of the child." The couple broke apart as a voice came from the doorway. Blake stood there, grinning at them both, leaning heavily on his cane. The battle to bring Tony back from the dead had hit him hard, even now seven months later, and he tended to rely on Mjölnir a little more than he had done. "How are we feeling today?"

Tony and Pepper had been visiting Peter and Mary-Jane in New York when Pepper had gone into labour, and Blake's hospital being the nearest, they had gone there. Pepper smiled at Blake, rocking the baby in her arms.

"We're both fine. Tired, but fine."

Blake nodded and hobbled over to her, taking the baby as she offered him out and chuckling. "Do we have a name yet?"

Tony smiled and nodded. "Don, I'd like you to meet Benjamin Isaac."

Blake grinned. "Very nice to meet you, Ben. May the Norns* look down on you with a smile and forever keep you from harm. However, I see they have already given you your father's looks, and for that I must apologise." He winked at Tony and handed the baby back to Pepper. "Now, there's a fairly excitable Parker outside waiting to see his pseudo-nephew, shall I let him in?"

Pepper laughed and Tony nodded.

"Yeah, bring the lad in." he said, easing Pepper back to lean against him again. Blake turned to leave the room and Pepper sighed happily. Tony kissed the top of her head and rested her cheek against her hair.

"Pepper?"

"Mmm?" she mumbled, infatuated with Ben once more.

"Do you love me?"

That caught her attention. She craned her neck around to look at him.

"You know I do." She said softly. He smiled and dipped his head to kiss her, pulling back just enough to breath across her lips.

"Will you do something for me then?"

She arched her eyebrow. "You mean something other than push something the size of a watermelon-"

"Pep-"

"Fine." She sighed. "Yes, what is it?"

He kissed her again and pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket, presenting it to her, his eyes sparkling as he broke the kiss.

"Will you marry me?"

The End

(No, really)

*The Norns are like the Fates of the Norse world.