A/N: First and foremost, I am SOOOOOO TERRIBLY sorry for such a late update. I've been so busy and tired lately that I hardly had a moments peace to sit down and write this. But finally tonight I found some time to actually sit here and write this so here it is. Again I'm very sorry for the super late update. I promise to update weekly (on weekends) from now on.

The first thing he noticed as she stepped into their presidential suite was the very exasperated expression plastered across her face. Her eyes were distant and she seemed clearly deep in thought as she walked past him and disappeared into the adjoining bathroom.

He frowned as he followed after her.

"Pepper, is everything-"

He paused when he found her very narrowed eyes staring at him.

"Are you-"

"I just spent 30 mins listening to your son explain to me why a raven is like a writing desk."

"Oh..." he cringed slightly and instantly regretted having that deep and meaningful discussion with Jared earlier.

"Yes..." she replied sharply and glared plainly at him, "Oh..."

"Pepper," he started with that delightful grin he knew always weakened her knees.

"Oh no you don't," she murmured and glanced away from him. "Don't give me that look."

"Pepper, I just-"

"You just couldn't leave the riddle alone could you?"

"You have to admit that riddle really does make you wonder."

"Wonder..." she mustered, "Wonder what? The author even clearly stated that there is no answer for that riddle."

"Well, one can argue that-"

"Don't even go there..." she sighed and leaned against the counter.

"You know how Jared is," he started softly as he carefully stepped toward her.

"Curious and always questioning," she mumbled and rolled her eyes at him again. "Just like you."

He smiled widely before he placed a hand at either side of her. "Just like you actually."

"Like me? I don't see how."

"You question everything I do and you're always curious no matter how clear the picture is."

"Well," she eyed him carefully and said with a lingering smile, "When you marry a billionaire, a hero and a world renowned playboy, you really can't stop questioning things around you."

He winced and murmured, "That hit me right here." He briefly touched the left side of his chest.

"As it should," she said as she slid her arms up his chest, "A good reminding does you some good."

"Hmmm..." he lulled as he leaned toward her, "I believe I need some more reminding. But as for being good...Pepper darling, I've been good ever since I became Ironman."

"Hardly...the partying and drinking-"

"-was all a disguise and that was like 10 years ago."

"Eight years to be exact," she replied. "And it was your supposed last birthday."

He sighed and explained, "We already went through this...I couldn't find a fix for the Palladium poisoning and I was running out of options. I couldn't think of any other way to make Rhodey take the suit so I-"

She smiled warmly at him as she circled her hands around his neck. "Tony...you're unbelievably easy to stir sometimes you know."

He mimicked her smile after a moment of composing himself. If there was one thing he completely disliked it was being reminded of his past. It was remembering the things he put her through. The women she saw him with and the lifestyle he lived so blatantly without care in front of her. He hated how he dismissed her feelings and the care and utter respect she had for him even though he gave her none in return. He hated having her see him at his lowest because when you love someone you're supposed to be at your best.

"I know you've been good, Tony," she murmured softly when he stilled in silence. "That was never in question."

"You know...I'd buy the world if I thought it would be enough to show you how much I love you," he said softly.

"You don't need too," she replied. "You've given me your heart and your trust. You've given me Jared and now this one as well," she smiled as she was sure he felt the slight bump at her stomach.

He smiled and murmured softly, "Well, I may not have bought the world for you but Pepper darling, I think you've given me the world without even trying."

"Mhmm..." she smiled warmly as she leaned toward him.