Happy Saturday

This time jump may seem big, and I would personally love to write dozens of these vignettes of Morgan's childhood and Peter with his family, but I have to keep my eyes on the prize which is the final story.

I hope you enjoy xxx

First Steps

"Boss, it is seven-thirty and almost time for Peter to arrive," Friday said, pulling Tony from sleep.

"Huh?" he mumbled, rolling over.

"Seven-thirty," she replied. "Peter will be here soon."

Tony's heart lurched and he leaped out of bed, bare feet hitting the floor with force that reverberated up to his knees. He didn't feel the ache of his aging body, though. He was consumed by the coming arrival of his son.

He rushed out of the room to the head of the stairs where he shouted, "Pep, is he here yet?"

"No," she called back. "You've got time to shower first. I'm just giving Morgan a breakfast."

She was right, but he still rushed down the stairs and into the living room where Pepper was sitting on the couch, Morgan cradled in her arms and lips working around the bottle in her mouth.

Tony kissed Pepper and said, "Good morning," then bent his head and kissed Morgan's forehead, earning a huff around the bottle in her mouth as he interrupted her breakfast.

Pepper laughed. "You know better than to expect attention from her when she's eating."

"I know," he sighed. "I'm pretty sure she's got her brother's appetite."

"I certainly hope not," Pepper laughed. "Once she's on real solids, it'll be a lot harder feeding two of them."

Tony laughed. "You're not wrong. I'll be right back."

He raced upstairs and into the bathroom, set the shower running and stripped off his clothes with fumbling fingers. Peter was coming. Peter came almost every weekend, but this one was special. They had something to show him. He could only hope Morgan delivered.

He rushed through his shower then stood in front of the mirror to shave and then trim his goatee into neatness. He towelled his hair dry, combed it, and then went into the bathroom to dress. The whole time, his ears were attuned to the sound of a knock on the front door, but none came. He checked his watch and saw Peter was running a little late. It was understandable that he would, since he was passing through the Soul Plane and earth, space and occasionally time, so keeping track had to be tough.

He went downstairs and poured coffee for him and Pepper, then checked the fridge to see what he could make for breakfast. Whatever it was, it needed to be a lot with Peter eating.

He saw a pack of bacon, which he thought he could combine with eggs for them, and he headed back into the living room to ask Pepper if she wanted that.

She'd finished feeding Morgan now and was checking emails on her phone while Morgan sat on the play-mat, a rattle in her hand which she was thumping against her knee and laughing at the sound it made.

"You want bacon and eggs?" he asked.

Pepper looked up from her phone. "Scrambled?"

"If that's what you want."

"That sounds perfect," she said.

"I'll make it when Pete gets here."

Pepper nodded her agreement, and Tony stood leaning his hip against the back of the couch, watching his daughter as she abandoned the rattle and crawled towards Pepper.

With a look of intense concentration, Morgan gripped the couch cushions and pulled herself upright. She wavered a little, her legs still not used to this new skill, and patted her hands on Pepper's knees.

"Who's my clever little girl," Pepper said, stroking Morgan's cheek. "You ready to show your brother what you can do?"

Morgan smiled, showing the tooth that was peeking through on the top.

"You ready to see Peter?" Tony asked.

Morgan's eyes snapped to him and her smile grew. She made a squealing sound and slapped Pepper's knees.

"Yep, you said the magic word," Pepper said with a fond smile. "Is Peter coming today, Morgan? Do you get to see your big brother?"

Though Morgan hadn't yet started talking, still speaking in baby gibberish, she always managed to show what she wanted and was feeling, and her reaction to Peter's name was expected and endearing. She bobbed up and down and clapped Pepper's knees then reached a little along the couch to take a few steps towards Tony.

He knelt to meet her, hands reaching for her, and she squealed again, coming faster, and then stopping dead, her head snapping right when there was a knock on the door and it opened, Peter coming in.

Morgan's squeal was more like a screech this time, and she immediately abandoned Tony to make her way in Peter's direction, her excitement clear in her fast breaths and squinting eyes.

Peter stared at her, gaping. "Is she walking? Am I seeing Morgan walk? When did this happen?"

"Tuesday," Pepper said. "We've all been waiting for you to see it, too. I think Morgan's been waiting, too."

"It's just furniture surfing right now," Tony said. "But it's a big step towards walking. She's getting there."

Peter nodded, wordless, and knelt down to meet Morgan. He was a few feet away from the edge of the couch, and Tony was about to tell him she wasn't going to get that far, but Pepper held up a hand and said, "Wait. Watch."

Tony obeyed, sitting beside her on the couch, and watching his daughter as she made steady progress towards Peter. She reached the end of the couch, her last handhold, and her brow furrowed with a frown.

"Come on, Mo," Peter said, stretching his hands towards her. "You can do it."

Morgan moved one hand from the couch and reached it towards Peter, fingers spread and trembling. She babbled a little, sounding frustrated, and Tony was about to step in again, tell Peter to go to her, when she moved her other hand and took one unsteady step towards Peter unaided.

Pepper beamed. "I knew it."

"How did you know?" Tony asked, eyes fixed on Morgan as she took another shaky step towards her brother, hands reaching for him, fingers spread.

"He's magic," Pepper said.

Tony nodded, unable to speak, absorbed in his children, one of which was making slow and steady progress, independent on her own feet for the first time and Peter whose face was shining with excitement and eyes brimming with pride.

"You can do it, Mo," he said. "Just a little further."

Morgan's breaths came quick, and there was nothing but impatience on her face. Her legs wavered, and Tony thought she was going to drop, but she gained control again, took two more steps, and fell into Peter's waiting arms.

He lifted her against his chest and peppered kisses on her cheeks. "Mo! You're so clever! You can walk!"

Morgan laughed and placed her hands on Peter's cheeks, patting them and babbling to him in unintelligible words that clearly demonstrated the excitement she was feeling.

Peter tucked his head into her neck and swung her from side to side.

"Hey, Pete," Tony said, amused when Peter looked up and started, as if he'd completely forgotten Tony and Pepper were there.

"Hey, Dad," he said, getting to his feet and holding Morgan close. "Pep."

"Hello, honey," Pepper said. "Come sit. Your dad's making breakfast for us. You hungry?"

"He's always hungry," Tony said, getting to his feet, knees popping. "It's eggs and bacon. That okay?"

"Perfect," Peter said. "Give me another minute of Mo cuddles and I'll come help."

"No need," Tony said. "If you put her down now, after only just arriving, we'll have her screams as backing music to cooking."

Peter chuckled and said in a loud whisper, "Do you hear that. Mo? You got me out of breakfast duty. That's why you're the best sister in the world."

Morgan squealed in response, and Tony turned back at the door to see her tucking her face into his neck and patting his chest, and Pepper watching them fondly.

So… First steps done.

It was a bit of a slog to get this chapter up today, so if you enjoy it, please do take a moment to say. I could really do with the boost.

Until next time…

Jadey xxx