Iron Man: It's A Wonderful Life
Chapter Seventeen
December 25
"Matters at Stark Industries took yet another unexpected turn last night when C.E.O. Tony Stark, after several months absence from public view, returned to media attention with a dramatic re-assumption of his role as majority shareholder. Hundreds of Stark Industries shareholders sold their shares to Mr. Stark to help him regain control; the mastermind behind this brilliant maneuver - none other than Mr. Stark's personal assistant, and girlfriend of two years, Ms. Pepper Potts.
"In yet another series of events, Stark announced that Potts would soon be assuming the role of co-C.E.O., alongside him, just seconds before proposing to her on camera, and announcing that she was carrying his child…"
December 26
" -playboy Tony Stark is going to be a father!"
"I'm surprised it hasn't happened before now."
"That we know of."
"That we know of, right."
"So, let me get this straight, he's known this woman how long?"
"Ms. Potts - she's been his assistant for twelve years."
"But they've only been in a relationship for two. Do you find that hard to believe?"
"By all accounts… it seems to be true. He's not the same guy he used to be. She seems to be a good influence."
"If you've been working with someone for twelve years, even if you've only been dating for two - isn't that the same as being in a relationship for twelve? I know we've been working together for five years, and sometimes I feel like we're married."
(laughter)
"I'm curious to know what kind of woman stays with Tony Stark? I don't mean now, I mean before - what kind of person do you have to be to put up with him? And then start a relationship with him?"
"She's having a baby with him now."
"She's going to be co-C.E.O., too. I guess we'll get a chance to see exactly what she's made of."
January 1
"Ms. Potts assumed her position as co-C.E.O. at Stark Industries today with little fanfare, presiding over a meeting with the Board of Directors. This meeting was notable, as it featured promotion from within of Mrs. Deitrich to Board President, after the former president stepped down amid the Sunset Bain scandal. His role in that situation is unrevealed.
"Ms. Potts' first order of business was to return all stock accumulated during the buyout to their previous owners, with the exception of her own, which will be held jointly with her partner and fiance, as insurance. Between them, they hold more than a large enough percentage to maintain a majority.
February 8
"-completely unfit to be a father."
"You have to admit, he's cleaned up his act, Bill."
"You can wash a pig, that doesn't make it any less a pig."
"Pigs are actually quite hygienic."
"My point, Jon, is that the man has swam in filth. Just because he isn't now, doesn't erase that. How do we know he won't be drawn back into the lifestyle that he found so appealing for so long? And how do you explain to an - an - innocent child, how your father was infamous for sleeping with supermodels, and getting wasted? Not to mention blowing things up?"
"I thought you were in support of the blowing things up?"
"Don't change the subject."
"I think you use it as a teaching lesson. He obviously found that unfulfilling if he moved away from that."
"That reminds me, this Pepper Potts. She seems like a reasonable woman, what possessed her to have a child with this man?"
"I'm gonna guess love. I'm also going to venture that she knows him far better than either of us do. And good for him for doing what more men in this country should do, and taking responsibility for their families."
"Hnh. I guess we'll have to wait and see."
"Bill, stop fighting it. You know you're impressed."
March 16
S: "Oh, and did you hear? It's official - Anthony Edward Stark will marry Virginia Grace "Pepper" Potts on Christmas Day, at Gotham Hall in Manhattan, this year."
K: "Wow, look at you with the names and everything."
S: "Girl, I am all over this wedding, it is going to be the event of the decade."
A: "So you think it's actually going to happen? They're booking it pretty quick, don't you think?"
S: "Of course it's gonna happen! That there is true, fairy tale romance."
L: "Oh come on. I admit, I think the wedding will happen, but fairy tale? Really?
S: "That girl worked for him for ten years while he's running around with every floozy that's got legs and breasts. That man was all over the Colonel's special. Then suddenly - there she is, and no more floozys. Two years, no other women, no pictures of him in the paper exposing himself, or drunk off his ass, or getting into situations. He's home with her. You see it on TV, he's got eyes only for her. She's either a witch, or it's a damn miracle, or it's true love."
R: "I wish them luck. She's going to have her hands full, but it sounds like she's used to it."
L: "We should have her on the show!"
May 10
"The verdict was handed down from the Senate floor today that in spite of Senator Stern's allegations, there is no evidence that Tony Stark of Stark Industries is working, or ever has worked, with a terrorist organization. Furthermore, in summation, the Senate described Stern's repeated slander of Mr. Stark as little more than a 'witch hunt', and offered their apologies.
"Negotiations are rumored to have begun between the government and Mr. Stark in regards to the long debated Defense Contract, in the hopes of seeking a satisfying end for all parties involved. Mr. Stark has repeatedly asserted that he will not return Stark Industries to the production of weapons, but will be happy to assist any military efforts that arise in other ways."
June 13
"With unrest in the Middle East rising, the team known as the Avengers, has agreed to act as a military liaison in Afghanistan, in the hopes of preventing a much bigger conflict before it starts. This at the suggestion of Tony Stark, Iron Man, who arranged and agreed to it as part of the fulfillment of his Defense Contract with the U.S. military.
"Captain America reported that he was, 'Happy to do my part for my country,' when asked about the deal, and the others expressed a desire to support their teammate, a recent father, and soon-to-be husband. 'If all goes well, he'll be home in time to help plan the seating arrangements. If not, we can only hope he doesn't have to postpone the wedding to get the job done.' "
"He's reported to have stated he'll be at that church on Christmas Day, if he has to show up in the armor, so I think we can agree that whatever happens, this will be one heck of an event."
July 28
Announcement
Victoria Howard Stark
Born: July 28th
Time: 5:20am
Weight: 7lbs., 6oz.
Length: 19.6 in.
Hair: Red
Eyes: Brown
Mother and baby are healthy. Father is in shock. Friends are welcome, press are not.
September 24
"Sunset Bain, C.E.O. of Baintronics, was arraigned today on charges of corporate fraud against Stark Industries C.E.O., Tony Stark-"
"-allegedly, 'induced him into an advanced state of intoxication, then manipulated him into signing documents while deliberately, and with malice of forethought, withholding the identity of several items, up to and including…' "
"-two years probation, plus $845,436 in fees-"
"-rumors of a thirty-year old theft, also perpetrated by Ms. Bain against Stark Industries have emerged…"
December 20
"We have confirmed that the Stark-Potts wedding will be continuing as scheduling. As threatened, it looks like Iron Man, Tony Stark, may be arriving at Gotham Hall in the Iron Man armor, but sources say that Ms. Potts is confident that he will be there, and is refusing advice that she postpone. If her instincts are correct, this wedding may be a sensation, for yet one more reason.