During the Easter holiday that year, Tony and Pepper decided to take a trip to Vancouver with their daughters to spend a few days with Sasha. They were excited to tell the eldest the news: she was going to be a grandmother again. Upon their arrival, they were warmly welcomed by her, and upon hearing the news, she didn't hide the fact that she had already been expecting something like this. For her, it was no surprise that a new baby was on the way, nor would it be if a wedding happened soon. The real surprise for Sasha was how Tony and Pepper were surprised at each new stage of their relationship, as if they weren't destined to be together.
The following weeks were peaceful. Potts had been slowing down at work, as had Stark, to be able to devote more time to the family and preparing for the new baby's arrival. Despite all the attention they received, the twins began to show the first signs of jealousy towards their new sibling, though it was still under control for now. A few more days passed, and then, on a Wednesday, Tony called an emergency meeting at the Avengers compound. At first, no one understood what it was about, as everyone knew how Tony had become extremely opposed to last-minute trips and unscheduled meetings.
"Alright, Tony. What do you have that's so important to tell us that it couldn't wait until the weekend?" Steve asked once everyone was seated around the large table in the conference room.
"We all know how much you missed me, no need to disguise it, popsicle," Tony teased his friend. Over the years, with maturity, the two decided it was time to resolve any existing issues between them. It took long conversations and countless arguments before they finally reconciled.
"You're not dying, are you, Tony?" Bruce asked worriedly, and all the colleagues turned to the scientist.
"Is that the only reason you can imagine? Seriously." Stark said, rolling his eyes and heading to the counter in the corner of the room to pour himself a glass of water.
"Why don't you just tell us why you're here, Tony?" Natasha asked impatiently.
"Did you create another super robot?" Vision wanted to know, and Wanda gave him a reproachful look.
"I don't remember you being that funny, Vision. But your impatience I clearly remember, Agent Romanoff."
"Tony..." Rhodes called his friend's attention. Everyone was curious about the reason for the meeting and was starting to show impatience.
"Okay, here's the thing. Fury approached me a few days ago; he's stepping down as director of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"He what?" The Avengers asked almost in unison. They really weren't expecting that.
Tony sighed, noticing the collective shock. "As it happened a few years ago, he thought about giving the job to Hill, but she didn't accept and recommended me. This time, for the permanent position."
"That's a lot to take in," Scott, one of the newer team members, murmured while massaging his temples.
"But I turned down the offer. There's no way to keep the company in order and also run S.H.I.E.L.D. without risking what I've achieved in the last two years," Iron Man's alter ego continued.
"But what does that mean for us?" Hope asked.
"I recommended a new name," Tony paused. "Yours, Steve."
"Mine?" Steve was surprised.
"We all know you're the most suited for the job. You're Fury's trusted man, and you've been leading the Avengers for so long that this next step was inevitable."
"Tony, I don't even know what to say."
"Just say you'll accept. I really can't handle Fury calling me and trying to make me change my mind anymore. I need a replacement soon, and we both know Bruce won't leave the labs, and Natasha won't leave the training field," Tony pointed out as the two mentioned friends nodded silently. It wasn't a position they wanted.
"It's a big decision; I need to think about it," Steve said.
"You have until the end of the week, but I speak for everyone when I say you're perfect for the job. Besides, I'm also leaving the Avengers."
"You what?" everyone asked in unison, staring at Tony. The surprise was clear on their faces. They were feeling just like Scott, overwhelmed with too much information.
"It's not like I'm abandoning you. I'm sure you'd miss me if I did the same as Clint and moved to a farm far away from all this... But I can't be an Avenger anymore. I'll still be the tech guy. I'll continue with innovations for the suits, for the complex, I'll keep consulting and mentoring Parker. But I won't be going on missions."
"But Tony, this is who you are."
"I'll always be Iron Man, even without my armor. Besides, you know where to find me. If the universe really needs me, I'll be there. But it's in good hands."
The Avengers were silent, absorbing everything the man had said.
"But why? Why now?" Wanda questioned.
"Things have changed. It's not like it was a decade ago. You know I have a lot to lose now, that I have a reason to come back home, and I can't keep risking myself when soon, Pepper and I will be outnumbered."
"Outnumbered?" Rhodes didn't understand at first.
"Does this mean what I think it means?" Natasha asked.
"Well, Pepper and I were waiting for her to pass the third month to tell everyone, and it's still a secret from the media, only our closest friends know... But yes, we're having a baby," Tony said, smiling.
"Oh my God! Tony, that's amazing!" Rhodes immediately stood up to congratulate his friend.
"Congratulations!" Sam said.
"A new Stark for the world," Bucky added.
"I hope the baby is as charming as Pepper and the twins. I don't think the world is ready for a mini version of you," Bruce said, making everyone laugh.
One by one, they got up to congratulate Tony, offering their best wishes and making jokes about his domestic life. They also took the opportunity to ask how Pepper and the twins were doing.
"We need to celebrate," Nat said.
"And we will," Stark affirmed. "But next week, at our house in Toronto. Pepper is insisting on throwing a dinner to celebrate my birthday, and as you shouldn't argue with a pregnant woman, you're all required to attend."
"Then we'll definitely be there," Wanda confirmed.
The Avengers spent several more minutes talking before they started to disperse.
"I never thought I'd see you so fatherly. Three kids, stepping back from the Avengers, turning down the S.H.I.E.L.D. directorship... In love with the same woman for years..." Bruce said as he walked with Tony towards the car at the entrance of the complex.
"You know, I just needed to find the right person, and Pepper is an extraordinary woman. I'd be crazy to choose the life I used to have over the life I have now."
"I'm really happy for you guys. Seriously. You both deserve all the happiness in the world. You make an amazing couple."
"Thanks, Bruce... But things don't seem to be going too badly between you and Romanoff either."
"Don't start. We're just getting to know each other."
"Having sex with someone is a great way to get to know them."
"Why are you like this, huh?" Banner asked, stopping and shaking his head.
"What? I'm just trying to be a friend. You know, someone you can talk to."
"In some ways, you really haven't changed at all..."
"I just want to know how you guys are doing. You know Nat is my friend. I don't want to have to choose between you two if things don't work out."
"Relax, Tony. We're doing fine. And if it does go wrong, I think we can all handle it like adults," Bruce said, smiling to ease the tension. "None of us expect you to choose between us."
"Good, but I really don't want my future child to deal with godparents who don't get along. It's not healthy for a child. So, don't mess things up with Nat."
"Wait, what?"
"What?"
"What did you say about the godparents of your child?"
"Oh, that... Okay, Pepper and I will formalize it at a dinner. Lately, everything for her boils down to dinners..."
"Tony..." Bruce said, trying to bring his friend back on topic.
"As I was saying, we'll still formalize it, but we want you and Nat to be the godparents."
"You're what?"
"I'm starting to think you have a hearing problem."
"Is this serious?"
"Why wouldn't it be? You're our friends, the twins love you, so it would be no different with the new baby. You've always been there for us, even when Natasha was Natalie," he said, rolling his eyes. "Seems like a very sensible choice to me."
"Of course, Nat and I accept," Bruce said, hugging his friend.
"You're just getting to know each other and you're already speaking for her?" The scientist rolled his eyes, and Tony laughed.
They chatted for a few more minutes, and soon Stark had to say his goodbyes. He needed to be at the airport soon, as he would be heading back to Toronto later that afternoon. Although he was already missing the twins terribly, he'd have to wait a bit longer to see them, as the girls would be spending the night at a friend's house for her birthday party. And of course, Tony and Pepper took advantage of the situation to indulge in their missing each other.
"How was New York?" Pepper asked after they had recovered from their second round of sex that night. They were lying in bed, Pepper's head resting on Tony's chest, and his hand lightly caressing her bare back. Only a thin cream-colored sheet covered their bodies.
"It was good. I told them about the baby, and we already have babysitters available for the job until the kid is at least 10."
"I'm glad you two have worked things out and resolved any issues that were between you."
"Yeah, me too. We couldn't keep going like we were," Tony replied. He knew that although it sounded like he was speaking in general terms, Pepper was referring to Steve and Bucky. "And since you brought it up, there's something I need to tell you."
Pepper sighed. She hated it when Tony started conversations like this. "Okay…"
"It's not something bad," he reassured her as she moved from his chest to sit up in bed.
"Why don't you just tell me what it is, and then we can decide from there?"
"Okay. I'm leaving the Avengers," he said directly.
"You what? When? How? YOU WHAT?" Pepper asked, completely surprised.
"Can you stay calm? You're pregnant," Tony said, also sitting up. "Why do you always react like this?"
"Because it's about who you are. Leaving the Avengers is… How did this happen? Why?"
"You know Fury offered me the position of Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"And I thought you were considering accepting it."
"I was thinking about it, but then I started realizing a few things and changed my mind. Pep, we talked about this when I moved here," he reminded her.
"Tony, you said you'd continue being an Avenger; you didn't say you were leaving the group," she corrected him.
"I said I was practically no longer an Avenger. I hadn't been going on missions for so long that I was almost just a consultant."
"So you just decided to keep it that way?"
"That I'd maintain it," he corrected her.
"Tony, Iron Man is who you are. You're going to miss that."
"I'll always be Iron Man, and yes, I'll miss it, but Pep, I'm not giving up anything. I'm just considering what really matters to me, what's a priority in my life."
"Babe, you can have us and still keep your hero's life," she said calmly.
Pepper always hated this part of Tony's life. She hated the uncertainty that came when he went on missions. Would he come back? Would he be okay? Would he end up getting killed? She hated that he put himself in danger, that she could lose him, but Iron Man was who he was. She loved Tony completely, every part of him. She knew that being Iron Man was being Tony Stark and vice versa. She had chosen to spend her life with him, fully aware that it also meant accepting his hero's life.
"I know I can, and I will," Tony sighed, lifting Pepper's chin so she would look into his eyes, paying attention to every word he said. "I love my life as Iron Man, Pep. I enjoy putting on that suit, but nothing compares to creating suits, making technological innovations, discovering new elements, creating artificial intelligences…" The woman smiled as she saw the spark in his eyes while he spoke. "That's who I am. That's Iron Man. I'd rather train Peter to be the right-hand man at S.H.I.E.L.D. I'd rather stay in my workshop working on new projects than go on missions. I haven't given up anything; I've just decided to keep what really matters to me."
"So that means you won't be going on missions anymore?"
"Only when it's absolutely necessary. When the universe is in serious danger and nothing less will do."
"Are you sure?"
"Pep, you've known me for two decades. When have you seen me do something I didn't want to?" Tony asked, and she laughed.
"I just want you to be sure about your decision. I love you, and I just want to see you happy. I don't want you to give up anything for us. I want you to do what makes you feel good."
"I know, love. And believe me, you're not making me do anything. I'm doing this because I want to. Because it will make me happy. It's my choice."
"And what will truly make you happy, Anthony Edward Stark?"
"Everything I would never have considered ten years ago. Having an extremely domestic life. Taking care of the family business, being here for you and our kids. Waking up early on Sunday to eat Mickey-shaped pancakes and watch princess movies. Going to sleep and waking up next to you every day. Learning how to do braids and ballerina hairstyles. Having silly arguments like forgetting to take the wet towel off the bed or splattering toothpaste on the bathroom sink. Definitely creating amazing memories with our family, just like the ones we've already made. All of this without having to worry about leaving you at the last minute to go on a mission."
"Is that all, Mr. Stark?"
"And definitely marry you," he concluded.
"Do you really think I'm going to accept your proposal?"
"Oh, Mrs. Potts, we both know this is definitely going to happen."
He then pulled her close and kissed her. A slow, calm kiss that showed just how happy Tony was to be home.
"Babe, I hate to kill the mood, but your son is hungry," Pepper said as they pulled away.
"We burned a lot of calories a few minutes ago," Tony said with a mischievous look on his face.
"And you didn't even let me have dinner when you got here."
"You didn't complain," he said, kissing her neck.
"But now the baby is," she responded, a bit irritated, and Tony laughed. It was the hormones talking.
"Okay, let's make something for you to eat."
Tony got out of bed and put on his boxers, grabbing a shirt and handing it to Pepper. She put it on, and he gave her a loving smile. They then headed to the kitchen, where Tony made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Simple, but satisfying. As they ate, they chatted about trivial matters. The ease of their conversation and the comfort of being together made Tony realize he had made the right decision. He loved being Iron Man, but he loved even more being just Tony Stark, the man who had not just one, but four reasons to come home.
