Like a cockfight.
"Léa is the most incredible girl I've ever met", Tony says in a categorical tone.
" But Eva is the cuttiest little girl I've ever seen", Thor replies, smiling with tenderness.
"Hey guys", Pepper laughs, "stop this silly competition ! Since the beginning of the dinner, Jane has been unable to get a word in edgeways !"
Tony bows and kisses Pepper's hand.
"Sorry love", he gestures to his guest, "Jane, please, tell us what you did with Luke. We're listening to you."
Jane chews her lip, wondering how to put words to what she has shared with the boy.
"Well, we talked. A lot" ,she explains flatly, "and we watched the stars".
Silence.
Tony's the first to react.
"Stars...there were stars in Léa's eyes after our flight. Thanks to me, she has realised her dream: flying."
Thor doesn't want to back off.
"But thanks to me, Eva has had more than a dream fulfilled: she has learnt how to defend herself and will never be mistrated again at school."
Pepper gives Jane a knowing wink.
Useless to get them to listen to reason !
"Come with me", Pepper whispers, "I want to show you something ."
Pepper takes her best friend to Tony's laboratory.
"Look", she says with a shy smile,"this is Tony's new project."
Jane grins broadly.
"Is it what I believe it is ?...A cradle ?"
Pepper nods and Jane flies into her arms.
"Fantastic, dearest ! Are you already pregnant ?"
Pepper shakes her head, still smiling timidly.
"Not yet. But I have stopped my pill. Spending time with Léa made Tony realised that he's ready to start a family."
"These children are incredible", Jane muses aloud,"they have brought us so much !"
She adds pensively.
"Léa has opened Tony's eyes and Luke has changed my life as well."
Pepper looks at her with attention.
"Do you mean that you want to have a baby too ?"
She can't help but lets loose a couple of danse steps.
"It would be fun if we were pregnant at the same time, don't you think ?"
Jane clears her throat and keeps silent.
A baby is the recognition of a true love.
Is Thor her other half ?
As Tony is for Pepper ?
A few hours later, back to their flat, Jane notices immediately that Thor wants to tell her something.
He's running his hand through his hair and is looking awkward.
"Jane", he mumbles,"this child...Eva...Or maybe it's Christmas Spirit..."
He fumbles for words.
"I have understood that family is essential..."
Jane freezes.
Oh my god.
Does he dream of a family life, just like Tony ?
She holds her breath, waiting for him to speak.
"Would you mind inviting my brother for Christmas Eve dinner ?"