A/N: Okay I wasn't expecting so many reviews for chapter 5 but I must say I'm completely ecstatic :) :) :) . Thank you very much for all the reviews. I hope you all enjoy this chapter...told in Pepper's POV. enjoy.

The only thing she can think of as she watches him is how much he looks like his father. It was the way his brown hair fell callously over his brows and the intent and serious stare of his eyes fixed on the paper before him. He was the splitting image of his father, the exact replica in every way, shape and form. If she wasn't so sure of herself she was sure she was looking at the younger version of Tony. The little boy with the knowledge of a man and the soul of a scholar. She always heard about those old wives tales that some people were just born with an old soul. That inside they were wise and knew and saw things differently to the average person.

He's sitting at his father's desk seriously scribbling away at some piece of paper. He's missing his sixth birthday party they're throwing for him upstairs. All his favourite people like Uncle Rhodey and Uncle Happy are there and yet he's here. He's a very strange little boy to her, very resolute, reserved and very serious. But there's always a twinkle in his eye when his father is around. There's always that boyish and childish gleam in both father and son that warms her heart. There's something about both of them that warms her heart and lightens her soul. They define her and slowly they've become her world and her life.

She never thought she would ever find such content in having a family of her own. That was something she never sought out for. But here she was and she didn't think she'd have it any other way. Being a mother and watching her son grow into this astute little boy filled her heart with joy. She had to admit there were times when listening to him talk about his latest findings in number theory mind boggled her, but the fact that he was so much like his father amused her at the same time.

There were times when Tony had told her how jealous he was of Jared's ability to comprehend numbers. He said it was beyond his own abilities when he was at that age. But she always reminded him that this was his son and being a child protégée was something she was sure their son would be. She punched in the number at the keypad and offered him a smile when he glanced at her. He looked as if he had been caught doing something extremely wrong.

"You're missing your party," she said softly as she made her way to him.

He lowered his eyes for a moment and glanced to the pedestal where his father suited up to be Ironman. She had a dire feeling this was what it was all about. That he couldn't quite enjoy his sixth birthday party without his father being there. The both of them were inseparable pairs, she should have known.

"It's not the same without daddy here," he mumbled softly.

"I know," she replied. "But you know why daddy had to go."

"To save the world again," he sighed.

"He'll be home soon," she murmured as she ran her hand into his messy hair. She brushed it back a few times much to his discomforted gaze flickering across his expression. He was so much like his father.

"But it isn't fair," he explained softly, "Why can't the world be safe for just one day?"

"Because the world wouldn't be the world if everything stopped for a single day," she replied calmly.

He mumbled, "But it's my birthday."

She sighed and lowered her gaze to the paper in front of him. Sometimes trying to cheer him up was the most difficult thing she could ever do. He was so much like his father, so much like his determined father she had fallen in love with. Her eyes traced over the stick figured people he drew on the paper and she smiled warmly when she realized it was the three of them.

"Maybe when daddy gets home we can have our own little party," she started as she turned her eyes to him.

"But won't he be tired?"

"I think daddy won't mind," she said softly, "It's not every day you turn six is it?"

She watched as the smile curled at his lips.

"Tell you what, I'll send the guests home and we'll do whatever you want until daddy gets home, then we can have our own family birthday party, just you, me and daddy. How does that sound?"

"Anything?" he asked, his eyes gleaming as he looked at her.

"Anything."

"Can we draw then, just you and me?"

She smiled and nodded. He wasn't so much like his father, he was exactly like his father she thought as she briefly instructed Jarvis to send the guests home. There were many things that defined her, that made her the woman she was today. But sitting here colouring with their son, that was perfect.

"Can I help patch daddy up if he's hurt again?" he asked.

She stared at her son for a moment, just basking in the thought that his concern for his father's wellbeing exceeded his own birthday party. Maybe that was what made them so special she thought as she looked at him. And she thanks whatever it is that has led her here because she couldn't imagine herself without her little family. She couldn't imagine a life without them and as much as she hates him having to be Ironman, she thanks it too because it's what led them here.