Most of the characters in this story belong to Marvel Comics and whoever else has current legal ownership of Iron Man and not to me, even in my wildest dreams. No infringement on anyone's rights is intended in any way. This story is not being written for profit.
This story was written for all of you who wanted a sequel to my story "The Sense of Touch". I sincerely appreciated your kind words and encouragement and I hope that you enjoy this story. :)
Pepper's hands moved to grip his thighs again. He knew that he was going to have some bruises tomorrow, but right now he just ignored the pain and focused on his daughter. Anna Maria felt so light in his hand. He thought that she couldn't weigh more than 6 pounds. But she had long arms and legs, just like her mother. Yes indeed, she was going to be a heart breaker when she got older. He knew that he was going to have to be a real ball-breaker in order to keep the boys away from her. He was definitely going to use his previous promiscuous lifestyle as a 'how not to act' example for his children. He could already imagine himself answering the front door dressed in his Iron Man suit when Anna Maria's dates showed up to pick her up. Oh yeah, Iron Man would be the ultimate cock blocker!
As he continued to watch Anna Maria, he noticed that Karen had started massaging Pepper's remaining baby bump intently.
"Come on you little darling, turn for Aunti Karen." Karen implored as she moved her hands around. "Stubborn just like your mama aren't you little one." She prodded a few more seconds until she was satisfied. "There now, that's better."
Ten more minutes passed with Pepper holding on to Tony's thighs for dear life as contraction after contraction racked her body. Suddenly it seemed that the contractions had stopped, but the break would soon be short lived.
Charlotte smiled broadly at Karen who returned the smile. "OK granddaughter" Charlotte started "it's time to give me another great grand son."
"Pepper." Karen said quietly and calmly "It's time to push now."
Tony felt Pepper lean forward as the next contraction started and her fingers once again dug into his thighs as he held on to his daughter trying his best not to let his pain transfer into her body through his arm. Anna Maria just continued to alternate sucking on her fists and looking at the world around her. She seemed content just to be lying next to Pepper's chest, securely nestled within Tony's arm despite all the activity and noise around her. Calm and collected amid the chaos: she was definitely Pepper's child.
Karen and Charlotte again focused their attention on the spot below Pepper. They had already replaced the sanitary gauze pad that Anna Maria had landed on with a new pad. As Pepper continued to strain, pushing with all her might with the contraction, Karen reached down suddenly, her hands catching James Edward Stark as he made his appearance into the world. Karen triumphantly held him for a second before handing him gently to Pepper who immediately starting talking to their baby boy in a low, loving voice, while counting his fingers and toes just like she did with Anna Maria.
Tony immediately stopped massaging Pepper's back and brought his left arm around to cradle James Edward's wet head full of curly dark hair as their baby boy lay within Pepper's arms.
"How about that, Starks" Karen said breathing an audible sigh of relief "in the space of only 16 minutes you are now officially a family. Congratulations!"
Tony looked down on his son and found a pair of ocean blue eyes staring right back at him. He also had Pepper's nose and his mouth. He was quite the handsome boy all right and would no doubt break his fair share of hearts when he got older. But Tony was determined that his sons would never spend their 16th birthday at a brothel, like Obie had done with him. No, that Tony was gone forever. Tony smiled as he gently stroked his son's dark and wavy head of hair. Suddenly James Edward yawned and moved his hands up to rub at his eyes.
"Apparently we must have interrupted a nap." Karen laughed stroking the top of James Edward's head with her thumb. "That's why he wouldn't turn for me. He must have been asleep."
Charlotte stroked James Edward's cheek and he immediately turned his mouth upward. "Like two little baby birds. Pepper, you need to nurse right now, sweetheart so your placenta will detach quickly."
Tony was still pressed up to Pepper's back as he supported her and the babies. "Do I need to move?" he asked as he continued to stroke his babies' heads.
"No, just stay where you are." Karen said quickly "Pepper needs to deliver the afterbirth, and then we can cut the cords and get your babies cleaned up." Karen then walked purposefully around the bed and stood now face to face with Tony, a stern look on her face. "Here are the ground rules for you, Iron Man. Pepper's breasts are, as of this moment and for the next 9 months or so, no longer recreational….they are functional. Which means that you will, as of this moment and for the next 9 months or so, adopt a hands-off, as well as mouth-off policy towards Pepper's breasts. Her breasts are going to get quite a work out trying to feed your babies. She will need help keeping her breasts from getting sore and you can help put ointment on them if she lets you, but other than that: no touching!" Karen smiled tightly at him. "Understand?"
"Understood." Tony replied as he felt Pepper chuckle.
"Let me show you some different ways of holding the twins so they can nurse." Charlotte softly said to Pepper as Tony watched fascinated over her shoulder. "When they are small like this you can have them head to head, supporting their bodies on your forearms." She said as she repositioned the twins in Pepper's arms. "When they get bigger, you can use two pillows or a nursing pad at chest level and place each baby with their body along your rib cage."
The babies began nursing immediately. Tony watched transfixed as their mouths' hungrily suckled at Pepper's breasts. After a minute Tony gently reached around her and helped to support her arms while she held the nursing babies. He knew that Pepper was exhausted and he felt her lean back into his chest in relief as her shoulders relaxed.
"Thanks" Pepper whispered to him as he leaned over to kiss the side of her head.
Charlotte and Karen had turned around to speak with the nurses and Tony had figured they were trying to give his family a little private time.
"You did fantastic, Pepper." He whispered back "I love you so very much. Thank you for putting up with me for all those years and giving me a family. I promise to be the best husband and father that I can be and protect and love all of you forever."
"Oh, Tony." Pepper replied tears filling her eyes as she leaned her head gently into his, closing her eyes tightly as he hugged her and the babies closer to him. "You will be the best dad on the planet. You are already the best husband."
Tony closed his eyes as a few tears escaped and fell onto Pepper's shoulder. He continued to hug his family close as the babies continued to nurse noisily.
Charlotte and Karen turned around and walked back to Pepper's bed, Karen pushing an instrument tray ahead of her. Tony blinked rapidly trying to rid his eyes of his tears. Karen of course noticed, but she surprised Tony when she gave him a rare, genuine smile.
"We are going to clamp off the umbilical cords now and cut them while we wait for the placenta to be delivered." Karen said as she picked up two clamps.
"We are going to wait for the babies to finish nursing before we cut the cord. Not that this will hurt them or Pepper." Charlotte continued. "But once we get the cords cut, Betty and Trudy will burp them, measure and weigh them, get them cleaned up a little bit, and check their vitals."
As if on cue, Anna Maria audibly popped the nipple out of her mouth. Charlotte and Karen reached out and quickly clamped and cut her umbilical cord. About 10 seconds later James Edward let go of his nipple with a big yawn. Tony smiled at his son as the baby rubbed his eyes and let out a contented sigh. Charlotte and Karen reached in immediately and clamped and cut his umbilical cord.
Betty and Trudy moved in quickly, picking up the babies and carrying them over to a large table in the corner of the room. Tony never took his eyes off of his children, staring intently at what was happening to them.
Karen had started to massage Pepper's belly gently as Pepper laid her head back onto Tony's shoulder. Tony gently massaged Pepper's hips as he watched his children being cared for. Pepper suddenly trembled in his arms as her placenta dropped onto another sterile pad. Karen quickly picked it up and carried over to small table with a large examination light attached to it.
"Karen's going to inspect the placenta and make sure that it's intact and in good shape." Charlotte reassured Pepper. "And Tony's going to get off the bed now, so he can go stand guard over his children like he's wanted to do ever since Betty and Trudy took them." She teased patting Pepper on the arm tenderly. "He's already the protective Daddy."
"I'm going to help you get settled first, Pepper" he said as he gently got up, his hands never leaving Pepper's body. "Can I just help her lay back on the bed on her back, or does she need to be in a different position?" he quickly asked Charlotte.
"No, back is fine, grandson." Charlotte replied also helping Pepper to slide down further into bed. Pepper lay her head down on the pillow that Charlotte put down for her with a huge sigh of relief. "You done good, granddaughter. You too, grandson!"
Pepper smiled broadly for Charlotte as Tony covered her up with a light blanket, kissing her on the forehead tenderly. "Pepper did great!" he replied smiling at Pepper.
Pepper smiled back at him. "We did great. All of us." She replied closing her eyes briefly. "I am so tired. I don't think I can keep my eyes open much longer."
Karen walked up to stand at her bedside next to Charlotte. "Then close your eyes and take a nap. Your placenta was perfect. Your babies are perfect. Your husband is not so perfect, but oh well; you can't have everything can you?" Karen teased. "Seriously you need to sleep. Tony will keep an Iron Man eye on your babies. We are going to swaddle them and put them in a crib next to your bed so you all can be close. I even think I can smuggle in some apple and sausage kolaches in here for both of you. Perhaps some green tea for you and some strong coffee for Daddy." And with that said Charlotte and Karen moved aside as the crib with the twins was wheeled up next to Pepper's bed. Within ten seconds only the new Stark family remained in the room. The twins were already asleep. Pepper fought to stay awake as she propped herself up on one elbow as she gazed lovingly at their babies.
Tony now stood on the other side of the crib looking at the two tiny creatures that he now called his. He was so proud he felt like shouting out at the top of his lungs. Instead he took out his camera and took a picture of their babies. He emailed the picture to Jarvis as he called him. "Jarvis take a look at that picture and tell me what you see." He spoke into his cell phone.
"I see two very tiny humans that appear to have your hair, your mouth, Mrs. Stark's nose, and hopefully Mrs. Stark's temperament." Jarvis replied.
"They also have Mrs. Stark's gorgeous blue eyes, Jarvis." Tony replied proudly "They are totally perfect."
"I am so very glad to hear that, sir." Jarvis replied "I trust Mrs. Stark is well."
"She's better than well…she's totally perfect too." Tony replied smiling at Pepper who rolled her eyes tiredly at him. "That pic is for you and the bots only…don't send it out to anyone. Debbie's going to take some good pictures and email them to you later."
"Understood, sir." Jarvis replied "And congratulations to you both. We will be awaiting your arrival back home."
Tony put his cell phone back in his pocket as he leaned down to kiss Pepper on the lips tenderly.