Hey friends! I know it's been a long time but here's a new chapter for you! And it's quite long ;)
Thanks again for the the support, I love you guys!
Disclaimer: no, I don't own Marvel. I wish.
"One down, one more to go," Tony thinks to himself while he's sitting at a table at a fancy new café waiting for his guest, Pepper Potts. "This is gonna be a tough one," he adds to himself and props his head in his hands.
Well, Rhodey wasn't easy either. His best friend didn't really appreciate when Tony broke the news on Peter. It's not like he didn't understand or opposed the adoption. He just didn't like that Tony hadn't told him about Peter before. And when he asked Tony why, he couldn't really answer. But Rhodey immediately guessed it. He was his best friend, right? He understood that Tony hadn't told him because he had been afraid of Rhodey's opinion. He worried that Rhodey would try to convince him to help Peter in a different way. Try to convince him that taking Peter in and adopting him wasn't a good idea.
"But why would you think that, Tones?" Rhodey asked. "I think it's great. For both of you. I gotta admit I'm a bit surprised, no, I'm shocked but I think it's good."
Tony frowned at him. "See, that's why I didn't tell you, man. You're shocked. Which is not a good thing."
"Well, I never thought I would hear the words Tony Stark and adoption in the same sentence-"
"Because I'm not a parent material," Tony muttered looking down at his feet.
He could hear Rhodey sighing and taking a seat beside him.
"Oh, Tones. First, it's so damn obvious that you care for this kid very much. I think that actually makes you a good parent. This kid is lucky to have you."
Tony's eyes shot up at the man next to him and he gave him a disbelieving look. He opened his mouth to protest, but Rhodey held up a hand to stop him.
"I mean it, Tony. I've listened to you ranting about Peter for nearly two hours now. You love that kid. And your never-ending doubts about being a good enough parent? That just proves how much you care. And just let me tell you, a lot of parents wouldn't be classified as good parent material. I don't have kids, but I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as a perfect parent. So don't stress about it, okay? I'm sure you're doing great, man. Because whatever you believe, you're actually a good man, Tony."
Tony looked down again, shook his head and chuckled a bit. He didn't completely agree with Rhodey but decided not to argue with his friend anymore. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Now, will you finally introduce me to that kid of yours?" Rhodey demanded.
Well, in the end Tony felt satisfied. Everything turned out perfectly. Rhodey liked the kid and Peter liked Rhodey. Of course.
Tony made a mistake, though. He shouldn't have had that conversation with his friend at the Tower. Not while Peter was also there, obviously on the verge of a panic attack. He could see it on the kid's face when he left to meet Rhodey. He knew Peter would be freaking out and trying to eavesdrop. He would drive himself crazy. Kid's smart, he must have known Tony was discussing the adoption with Rhodey and he was probably worried about the outcome of that discussion. So Tony instructed Friday to make the conference room soundproof and texted Clint to distract Peter.
Gosh, when will the kid ever relax? When will he understand that the adoption is final and nothing can change that? He's safe with Tony; no one will ever take him away. Tony thought the adoption papers would convince Peter that he was serious about this. Maybe the kid just needs more time.
Anyway, now he's meeting Pepper and this time he's more careful. He's not meeting her at the Tower and Peter's at school, so it should be all good.
Until he breaks the news to Pepper, that is. He guesses she will call her reckless again. Yes, she wished him luck the last time they talked about Peter and she told him he would be fine and everything, but the adoption… It just makes this whole thing so big. Official. Final. Tony never thought of sending Peter into foster care before signing those papers – no matter what the kid might have thought – but this… this is big. He has really become a… father. For good. Wow. Yes, he has always considered himself being Peter's guardian or parent or whatever… Peter's family. And he has considered Peter family, a part of his crazy family, ever since the kid moved into the Tower. But now he has a paper on that, too.
And Peter might still not believe that this is final, but Tony does. And it makes him happy and nervous at the same time. Because family means love and responsibility. And he really doesn't want to screw this up.
"Hey, Tony."
He looks up to see Pepper standing at his table and smiling down at him. His stomach swoops with nerves, but he quickly stands up to greet her and then they both settle by the table.
"Thanks for meeting me on such short notice," Tony says.
"Well, I'm curious," Pepper smirks. "I mean you're actually inviting me somewhere, not just asking me to drop by at the Tower and you're not late. It must be really important."
Tony laughs nervously and starts fidgeting with his phone. Well, Pepper's not wrong. Since they broke up, they have never gone out for a dinner or something together. They swore to remain friends and Tony's sure they both meant it, but… well, they are both very busy, Pepper with SI and Tony with the Avengers and now more importantly, with Peter. They have never had the time. They usually meet in conference rooms before meetings and that's it.
How will things change between them once he tells about the adoption? Will they see each other even less? Tony briefly wonders why he is so afraid to talk to her. He was worried before his conversation with Rhodey, but now he feels scared. Terrified, even. Why?
Then he remembers what Pepper said to him when they broke up. Honestly, she dumped him and Tony accepted it. It just sounds a bit better if he says they broke up.
He clearly remembers that conversation. He remembers Peppers saying words like irresponsible, immature, unreliable. Fear of commitment. And because Tony actually agreed with her and believed these words described him perfectly, he didn't stop her when she left. She promised him to stay in his life, but not like his girlfriend. She said she couldn't do that anymore. Tony wanted her to be happy and he thought if he couldn't make her feel like that, he had to let her go. That was the fair thing to do.
Suddenly, Pepper's voice breaks into Tony's thoughts.
"How's Peter?"
Tony glances up at her. Her smirk is gone, she looks serious and… worried. Of course. She has always worried that this whole thing with the kid wouldn't end up well. She has told him many times.
"He's good," Tony shrugs, looking down at his phone again. "School's great, his grades are excellent, he's just got adopted-"
"Adopted?" she asks surprised. Tony doesn't dare to look at her but he has known Pepper for ages and he knows this tone. So he's absolutely sure that she is staring at him right now with eyes wide as saucers. Then she finally finds her voice again. "That's great news. Who adopted him?"
"Me," Tony mutters. Getting straight to the point, like always.
Silence. There's complete silence at their table and it lasts so long that Tony decides to risk a glimpse at Pepper and he slowly raises his head. She is sitting there, her mouth wide open in shock and she's staring at him as if he has grown a second head.
Then she leans back in her chair and shakes her head. "You're joking," she laughs nervously.
"I'm not," Tony claims, trying to sound as serious as possible.
"Yes, you are."
Okay, this is a bit ridiculous. But Tony knows he can't smile now, not even a tiny grin is allowed, because that would definitely undermine his statement about being serious. So he leans closer and looks Pepper in the eye.
"I know I'm always joking around and I'm practically the king of sarcasm, but I'm not joking, Pep. Not this time," he explains calmly.
"You're not just his guardian anymore, you have adopted him," Pepper states, but it sounds like a question.
"Yes, I have," Tony nods.
She narrows her eyes, watching him suspicious. Tony can practically see the wheels turning in her head. He lets out a big breath.
"You can ask my lawyers. They can show you the documents. It's official. I'm Peter's father."
He flinches. It still feels weird to say that out loud. Then he smiles. Because it actually sounds really nice. He's Peter's father. Wow.
Of course Pepper notices that smile. "You are… happy," she says slowly, as if she couldn't quite believe it.
Tony props his elbows on the table and gives her a full grin. "I guess I am. I think I'm doing the right thing and it feels good. Plus, Peter's a great kid and I'm lucky to be his father."
"Huh," Pepper snorts. She folds her arms and her eyes shoot up at the ceiling. "Wow. All those years… I tried to convince you to be more responsible, more serious and I never succeeded. And here comes this kid and changes you immediately."
Tony furrows his brow. Is she… jealous?
But when Pepper turns her head to meet his eyes, she smiles at him. She gives him an honest, warm smile. "I want to meet this kid who has managed to domesticate you."
"He didn't domesticate me," Tony protests vehemently. "I'm still Iron Man and cool and-"
"Sure, sure," Pepper waves him off laughing. "So when can I meet Peter?"
"As soon as you can find some free time between your meeting and business trips," he replies.
He doesn't want to remind her that she could have already met Peter. It's not like Tony didn't allow it. But she never had the time. Or maybe she didn't think it was necessary because she didn't believe it was permanent. That the kid would remain a permanent part of Tony's life and not just a temporary visitor like most people. Maybe the adoption has made her realize her mistake.
Pepper grins. "You mean between the meetings and business trips that you avoid?"
"Hey, you're the CEO," he retorts in mock annoyance.
She sighs. "Seriously, though. I'm happy for you, Tony, I really am. It's wonderful news. And makes me think that I might have been wrong when I said you were afraid of commitment."
Now it's Tony's turn to stare in shock and the color drains from his face. "You mean that conversation before we…?"
"Before we broke up, yes."
He can't believe this. "Are you saying…?"
Pepper looks down at the table. She seems uncomfortable. "That I might have been wrong," she confirms softly.
"To break up with me?" Tony tries to clarify. What does it mean? Shit, why is she saying this now?
Pepper rolls her eyes. "God, Tony, really? Okay, yes. I'm saying it again. Breaking up with you might have been a mistake. Turns out you're not such an irresponsible guy after all. But in my defense, you do everything to look reckless."
"Part of my image," he shrugs. Then he smiles at her smugly. "But seriously, Miss Potts, are you asking me out?"
"No, of course not," she protests. "I'm just saying if you asked me out, I might say yes."
"You know I'm a single parent now. That complicates things. I mean if the kid doesn't like you…"
Pepper rolls her eyes. "You know what, Tony? Forget it."
"No, I'm kidding, I'm kidding," he laughs holding up his hands. He remembers how stressed he was before this conversation, but now? He really like where this is going. "I'm sure Peter will like you. And you will adore him, he's great, he's smart and kind and polite… geez, no one will ever believe he's actually my kid," he chuckles to himself. Then he looks at Pepper. "Anyway, tomorrow at 7pm?"