REVAMPED!

[It's felt like forever since I last updated. It probably was]. [2019: Even on this end as well].

[STUPID MOCKINGJAY PART ONE HAS RUINED MY LIFE!]

Mark XVI: Honeymoon's Over

Tony trudges back into Stark Towers, throwing suitcases out of the elevator. They bounce and roll against the floor as Pepper walks out. She's wearing a buttoned-up flannel with ripped jeans, sandals, and round sunglasses. Unlike Tony, she was still on a honeymoon (turned babymoon) mindset.

Despite being four-months along and her bump being almost non-existent, that didn't stop Tony from treating her like a piece of sugar glass. He didn't even let her carry her purse. It was slung over his shoulder. But she let him do this. Not only was it a nice gesture on his part, but having a baby was his dream for as long as she can remember. Even before he proposed, he was already thinking of being a parent.

Jarvis: Welcome back Sir, Missus.

"Hello, Jarvis!" Pepper exclaims as she takes off her sunglasses and sits down on the couch.

Jarvis: Before I deal with the bags, how was the wedding?

"Perfect!" Pepper informs. Right as she says that, Tony plops on the couch beside her. He moans in exhaustion as he rests his head in Pepper's lap. She combs her fingers through his hair and it feels like a massage to him.

Jarvis: And might I add, I noticed some tabloid headlines and articles that were taken during your honeymoon. A lot of them noticed the flowy clothing Mrs. Stark was wearing and Mr. Stark resting his hand on Mrs. Stark's abdomen. Now, might I inquire, are you expecting?

Tabloids do what tabloids do. They already confirmed their private wedding by snapping photos of their rings. Tony and Pepper neither confirmed or denied. They ignored all questions and comments. They wanted to relax and rejuvenate in the newlywed phase before parenthood. This was their last vacation together before their baby would be born. They only have five months. (Hell, they got the idea to deem this as their babymoon from a tabloid headline they saw in the hotel lobby).

Tony raises his head with a bright smile on his face. "We are! Jarvis, pop some champagne and celebrate with us." He looks over at Pepper. "Don't worry, Pep, I will drink the alcohol you're missing out on."

Pepper narrows her eyes at him as Jarvis plays some celebratory music in the background. "Thanks."

Tony gets up and starts circling around the couch. He speedwells in a way that shows he has important business to get done. "Actually, hold the champagne for a moment. Pepper found out about the baby at the wedding. She's already in the second trimester so we need doctor appointments. Stat."

Jarvis: Right away, Sir.

Before Tony could continue on, he sees movement in his peripheral vision. He looks over and sees Pepper searching her bags for her laptop. And if she gets that, Tony knows what she'll be doing next. He thought she was still on vacation but, clearly not.

"Oh no," Tony says. He walks over and zips the suitcase right back up.

"Hey!" Pepper yells.

"You can't start working now. We just got here."

"Exactly. Honeymoon's over. I got to get back to work." She looks up at her husband. "I'm pregnant, Tony, not crippled."

Tony puts his hands up defensively. "I never said you were."

"You're acting like it."

"Well, that's because I don't want you to stress out. If you're stressed, the baby's stressed, and then I'm stressed. It's not that I don't want you to work because I do. I want you to keep busy but not burn yourself out. Remember, it's my name on the company so let me have more responsibilities. I can sleep - I mean sit through meetings and business calls. I can make executive decisions. I can let you go on maternity leave right when you go into labour if that's what you want. With the doctor's permission, of course."

Pepper's face softens up as she gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. She loves how he didn't object to her going back to work so soon. He wanted her to put her own health and their baby's health first. Considering those points, she plans to answer urgent emails and return calls. And then continue working after their series of appointments. She didn't want her entire pregnancy to be yoga and ultrasound appointments. She wanted to be on her feet and pass those traits down to the baby.

But she married an exceptional man who just wants to take care of the woman he loves. He will be an amazing father and pass that down to their baby as well.

Pepper grins at him. "My name is on the company as well, Mr. Stark."

Tony raises a brow, remembering how Pepper is now Mrs. Stark. "Look at us fighting like an old married couple."

"It's how we always fought."

"In that case, our son - "

"Daughter," Pepper immediately corrects.

Tony pauses for a moment, biting the inside of his cheek as he looks at his wife. As he was confident in their baby being a boy, she was the same on a girl. Oh, so this was how this is going to go. He immediately forgot what he was going to say but it suddenly doesn't matter.

"Wanna bet?" Pepper questions, eager for him to play along.

"Yes," Tony responds without thinking. He has a 50/50 chance. "What's your wager?"

"I get to go on mat-leave whenever I want."

"I already said you could."

"You did, but you'll eat your words once you see this."

Tony looks down and sees Pepper making hand motions the shape a baby bump over her flat stomach. Before Tony could argue, he realizes that she does have a point. Being able to see more of the baby will sway his opinion. He hopes that Pepper's clairvoyance doesn't impact her winning chances. (And if that happened to be true, which he doesn't want, he hopes that the baby bump will make Pepper relax more). Pepper has a slight hunch that Tony will do all the resting for her.

"What do you want out of it?" Pepper asks.

"Name the baby after me." If Tony had hair, he would flip it over his shoulder.

"She's already getting our last name."

Tony rolls his eyes. "I want him to be Tony Jr."

Pepper cringes. "Not on my watch. I hope you pass out after the delivery just so I could fill out the birth certificate."

Tony gasps dramatically due to being offended. "That's mean. But, fine, that's fair. How about if I win, we have to announce to all our friends that I was right."

Pepper smiles only because she knows he won't be. "Deal."

"I should handle these bags and hide your computer." Tony puts his hands on her shoulders and quickly plants one on her. "But whatever gender our baby will be, they will be absolutely beautiful and we're going to be the best damn parents."

[*my giggling in the background* *my crying from Mockingjay Part One in the background* *my sighs in the background because this is also a short chapter*]