A/N: Message me if you want me to do any other chapters!
Tony and Pepper woke up to crying. This usually didn't happen; not that Anastasia wasn't a normal baby but JARVIS was usually able to calm her down.
Tony rolled over, staring at the ceiling. "JARVIS, what the hell is wrong with Anastasia?" His voice was rougher than usual, and he sounded exhausted.
JARVIS' soothing voice responded. "I have tried everything that usually works, sir, and she is not responding. I suggest either you or Mrs. Stark attempt to calm her down."
Pepper yawned, sitting up drowsily and reaching for her robe. "I'll take care of her."
Tony shoved his face back into the pillows. "Thanks, angel," he said. Or at least that's what Pepper heard.
She shuffled down the hall, yawning expansively. JARVIS opened the nursery door for her, and when she walked in she was greeted by the sounds of whimpering. In her cradle, Anastasia was helplessly tangled up in her blankets, crying and flailing her arms. Pepper crossed the room, straightening out the blankets and picking her daughter up. She couldn't smell anything, so she assumed Anastasia was either hungry or restful.
"Hey sweetie." She had always promised herself she wouldn't succumb to using baby-speech, but she couldn't help herself. "How're you? Are you okay?"
Anastasia sniffled a little bit more, comforted by the familiar smell of her mother. Pepper grabbed a tissue and wiped at Anastasia's tears. "Baby, it'll be okay. C'mere." She walked her over to the huge window looking out at the city. Sometimes, Pepper thought it might be more beautiful than real stars.
She pointed at the Empire State Building. "See? That's a big building, and your daddy wanted to have it light up red and gold for his birthday."
Anastasia cooed, and although Pepper knew that it wasn't possible, she liked to think that it was because she was laughing about Tony and his impressive ego. "And see? There's a bridge, and a subway… and if you look over there, the apartment building where mommy grew up is right over there."
Anastasia made another little noise and nestled into her neck. Pepper looked down and smiled softly at her daughter. "You tired?" She moved to put her back in her cradle but the baby fussed when she tried to lay her back down, arms reaching out for her mother.
Pepper frowned, picking her back up again. "Here…come with me." She carried the baby back into the master bedroom, where Tony was sprawling on his side of the bed. She had never done this before, but she and Tony were pretty solid sleeper so she was almost positive that they wouldn't, you know, squish the baby.
Pepper laid down carefully, placing Anastasia next to her and covering her with a blanket. Anastasia stared at her with wide brown eyes, obviously confused by the change but not protesting. Pepper just yawned, stroking her daughter's cheek. "Go to sleep, sweetie," she whispered.
Tony's muffled voice came from the pillow. "Are you talking to the baby again?"
"Yeah."
His face turned to look at them, and he smiled. "Hey princess," he said.
"You talking to me or the baby?" Pepper asked.
Tony shrugged. "Both."
Pepper sighed, half happily half resigned. "Okay then. Don't roll over when you fall asleep, or you'll squish Anastasia."
"And that would be bad."
"Yeah."
Tony nodded. "No squishing the baby. Gotcha."
"A role model for parents everywhere."
"You bet."