Chapter 84
AN: Thank you for the support, please let me know what you think.
"My Dad's a genius?" Tony asks, saying what he just read as he looks at Mary with an amazed look on his face and Mary nods.
"I'm pregnant," Mary confirms. "I found out when I was in New York," Mary reveals. "I know it's soon, but…" Mary starts to say, sounding nervous about how Tony is going to react as while she knows how she feels she doesn't know how Tony's going to feel and that worries her.
"But nothing," Tony says, cutting her off. "I love you, and I love that we're going to have a baby," Tony says before leaning over and kissing her, knowing that while he is happy, he is also incredibly nervous, but he isn't going to let Mary realises that, at least not yet. "Are you happy?" Tony asks once they break apart, knowing what he is feeling, but wanting to know what Mary thinks, what she feels about this.
"Yeah, I'm happy," Mary says, before hugging Tony and the two of them spend the rest of the night talking about what it means, and what their future will look like.
January 2001
A few days have passed since Mary told Tony she is pregnant and as there is one person he wants to tell before anyone else Tony, after figuring out where the person he wants to tell is, has gotten Gordon to take him to Afterlife.
"Thanks, I'll see you later," Tony says to Gordon, who is curious about why Tony wanted to bring him to Afterlife, and while Gordon goes in one direction Tony goes in another as he knows exactly where he is going to find the person he is looking for.
A couple of minutes after he walked away from Gordon Tony gets to the office his mother uses when she is at Afterlife, which is quite often, and just like he expected he finds his mother sitting at the table reading a file.
"How do you have so much work to do when you're retired?" Tony asks his mother when he sees what she is doing, being sure that whatever she is reading is need to know so he doesn't ask for specifics.
"Because I didn't choose to retire," Peggy tells her son as she turns to look at him. "So, there are still things I have to do," Peggy explains, as considering the way she doesn't age she is sure that she will never stop working.
"Of course," Tony says, a little amused, realising he should have guessed his mother would say something like that. "Can you pause what I'm sure is a fascinating read so we can talk?" Tony asks his mother, hoping he is not interesting world ending serious.
"Of course," Peggy says, knowing that whatever brought Tony to Afterlife must be serious, as she gestures to the seat next to her inviting Tony to sit down. "What's going on?" Peggy asks her son, feeling curious, but not worried as it doesn't seem like something is wrong with Tony, but he definitely seems to have something on his mind, and she has no idea what it could be.
"When I got back to LA after the holidays Mary had news for me," Tony says, and Peggy becomes incredibly curious about that. "Mom, she told me she's pregnant," Tony reveals, it being clear to Peggy that her son is feeling a lot of emotions about that.
"Tony, that's amazing, congratulations," Peggy says before leaning forward and hugging her son.
"Thanks Mom," Tony says to his mother, as he leans into the hug, taking comfort from her.
"Are you happy?" Peggy asks her son, as they break apart.
"Very, but I'm also…" Tony starts to say.
"Nervous," Peggy supplies, understanding what is going on with her son.
"Extremely," Tony admits. "Mom, what if I'm not good at being a father? What if I screw up?" Tony asks, showing the vulnerability he only shows around his family.
"Ever parent screws up at some point," Peggy tells her son, as that is something she has learnt over the years. "What matters is how you respond when you screw up, what you do next," Peggy tells her son. "Tony, I have watched you with Hope, with Bobbi, with Daisy, with Yelena, with Sharon and Antoine, you have nothing to worry about," Peggy assures her son. "You're going to be a great parent," Peggy assures her son.
"If I am, it's only because I had you as an example," Tony assures his mother, knowing that. "I love you so much, Mom," Tony tells her.
"I love you too, Honey," Peggy says before hugging her son once more.
"So, Nanna or grandma?" Tony asks his mother as he hugs her.
"Nanna," Peggy answers with a laugh, though it feels extremely odd, and Peggy continues to hold her son, both feeling amazed about what is to come.
After staying with his mom for a while Tony called Melinda and Natasha to make sure it was okay before Gordon teleported him to the Lebanon house.
"Thanks G," Tony says to him, as Gordon teleported him into the mudroom, as he felt it was the politest place to teleport Tony into.
"No problem," Gordon responds and while Tony heads into the main living area of the house Gordon teleports back to Afterlife.
Walking into the kitchen/dinning area Tony finds Melinda, Natasha, Bobbi, Daisy and Yelena doing a puzzle together on the table together, looking around Tony is surprised that Hope isn't there, then he remembers she would have gone back to school the day before.
"Hi Uncle Tony," Yelena greats.
"Hi Lena," Tony says, smiling at her.
"Are you going to help us with the puzzle Uncle Tony?" Daisy asks, looking at her uncle.
"In a little while, but right now I need to talk to Mom and Mama," Tony reveals, and from the look Melinda is giving him he knows that she feels exactly what he is feeling.
"Sure," Natasha says, feeling curious about what is going on, as she doesn't have the advantage of Melinda's gift telling her. "We'll be in the office," Natasha says, looking between the girls.
"Yes Mama," Bobbi, Daisy and Yelena say together, and once they do Melinda, Natasha and Tony head straight to the office and Melinda closes the door behind them as she knows, because of what she is feeling from Tony, that he isn't ready for the girls to know quite yet.
"Do you want to actually say it, or do you want me to just say what you need to hear?" Melinda asks Tony, knowing exactly what his news is because of her gift, because Tony is feeling such strong emotions about it, and the two of them are staring at each other.
"Hey!" Natasha exclaims, causing both Melinda and Tony to look at her. "Can one of you fill me in, please," Natasha requests, having no idea what is going on but being able to tell that whatever it is intense, and really wanting to know exactly it is that is going on, and Melinda gives Tony a look that says, 'your job'.
"Mary's pregnant," Tony reveals, and as he does everything falls into place and makes perfect sense to Natasha.
"And you're freaking out," Natasha realises, assuming that because she knows Tony.
"Oh yeah," Tony confirms, as while the conversation he had with his mother helped, he is still freaking out. "Don't get me wrong, I am really happy," Tony admits, wanting to make that clear.
"But you're also terrified," Melinda says.
"Yeah," Tony confirms. "Mellie you know the way we grew up, and I've seen what you and Nat have tried to do to give the girls something different, what if….." Tony starts to say, but then trails off, voicing what he couldn't say to his mother.
"You're not able to?" Natasha supplies. "What if give your child the childhood part of you hates your parents for giving you?" Natasha asks, not needing Melinda's gift to realise that is one of the things Tony is afraid of because she knows him so well.
"Exactly," Tony confirms, being glad that Natasha said it so he didn't have to. "I know my parents did the best they could, but that doesn't change the fact that I never want my child to have my childhood, just like I don't want that for the girls," Tony admits, knowing that he couldn't bare it if that happened.
"I think about that every day," Melinda admits. "Every decision Natalia and I make we consider how it well effects the girls, and I know I'm not capable of worrying in the same way you are, but what we went through still effects everything I do," Melinda says. "Tony there has never been a time in your life where you haven't excelled at something you put your incredible mind to. So, I know, without a doubt, that if you try, you're going to be an incredible dad, you won't give your kid the childhood we had," Melinda assures her oldest friend.
"You really have faith in me?" Tony asks, as he isn't sure he has faith in himself, especially because he knows there are a lot of things that are out of his control.
"We both do," Natasha assures him. "Because we've seen the father figure you've been to Hope, to our girls, if you are there for this child the way you are there for them, if you treat this child the way you treat them, you've got nothing to worry about," Natasha assures him, and Tony finds himself believing the words a little more because they are coming from Natasha, who he knows can be brutally honest when needed.
"And if you need anything Natalia and I are here, we've got you," Melinda assures him, knowing that because of the, sometimes extremely messed up, way she and Tony grew up there is going to certain things he can't share with Mary, but that doesn't mean he's alone.
"I… thank you," Tony says, feeling lost for words and while he knows Melinda can feel what he is feeling Natasha can't and so he walks the steps that separate the three of them and hugs them.
"Congratulations Tony," Melinda says, as Natasha kisses his cheek, and after a few moments the three of them break apart and they head back into the kitchen/dinning room where they re-join Bobbi, Yelena and Daisy and help them with the puzzle and once they finish the puzzle they have dinner together.
For a little over a day Tony stays with Melinda, Natasha and the girls, calling Mary frequently, before he leaves them to make his way to Massachusetts because he has a promise to keep. Having checked Hope's class schedule, that he always makes sure he has a copy of, Tony, using all the ways around campus he learnt when he was a student, plus a disguise so he can move around unnoticed as the day isn't about him, makes his way to Hope's dorm.
Once at the door, knowing that she doesn't share her dorm, so he doesn't have to worry about someone else answering, Tony reaches out and knocks. Seconds after Tony knocked the door opens to reveal Hope who doesn't look at all surprised to find him.
"Nice Dorm," Tony says as a form of greeting.
"Yeah, I was originally meant to be in one of the worse places on campus but when I got here last year, I had been moved to one of the best…. Any idea how that could have happened?" Hope asks, being pretty sure it was Tony who was behind her sudden room change, but she hasn't felt the need to confirm it until now.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Tony says, though they both know he does. "Happy Birthday, Kiddo," Tony says, giving her a hug.
"Thanks Uncle Tony," Hope says, feeling him kiss her cheek, and once they break apart Tony walks into the room, closing the door behind them.
"How's your day been so far?" Tony asks curious.
"Pretty good, everyone in the family called, except Dad, but whatever, it doesn't matter," Hope says, trying to make it seem like it doesn't bother her, but it does, which Tony realises. "Uncle G brought me chocolate cake from Belgum," Hope says, clearly trying to look on the bright side.
"Of course he did," Tony says amused, not at all surprised that Gordon did that. "Hope, it's okay to be hurt by the way your father acts, it's okay to be upset," Tony tells her, saying what he has said before but knowing that sometimes she needs the reminder.
"I know, but he clearly doesn't put any energy into thinking about me, why should I waste energy on him? it won't change anything," Hope says, as after years of experience she has reached a sense of peace when it comes to her father. "I rather put my energy into the people and the things that matter," Hope says the 'he doesn't,' being unsaid. "So where are we going for my first Legal Drink?" Hope asks curious, making it clear that she is done talking about her father.
"That Kiddo, is up for you, we'll go wherever you want to go," Tony says, and once he does, he knows he has to tell her about Mary bring pregnant, as even though he doesn't want to take attention off her birthday he thinks it will be worse if he doesn't tell her. "But before we go there's something I want to tell you," Tony says, feeling that it is important that Hope is one of the first people to know, as not even Bobbi, Daisy and Yelena know yet, as he is waiting to after the first doctor's appointment later in the month to tell the majority of the family.
"Is everything okay?" Hope asks concerned.
"Mary's pregnant," Tony reveals, and as soon as he says the words it is clear that Hope is overwhelmed by that. "Hope? Are you okay?" Tony asks, worried he hurt her.
"Yeah… that kid just hit the lottery," Hope says with an amazed look on her face.
"I…. you think so?" Tony asks, feeling surprised as that isn't the reaction he was expecting.
"I know so," Hope tells him. "From the time you were seventeen you've been a better father figure to me that Hank ever was, so I know exactly the kind of father you're going to be to your kid, you're going to be great," Hope assures him, fighting back tears as while she is incredibly happy for Tony there is apart of her that is jealous of the unborn baby and worried that he is going to forget about her, even though she has never seen anything that would indicate he would.
"Hope, you're my kid too, I promise that will never change," Tony says, voicing what has always been unsaid between them as he knows she needs to hear it, and hearing the words Hope walks over to Tony and hugs him once more.
"I love you, I'm so happy for you," Hope assures him.
"I love you too, Kid," Tony says, and for a few moments they hug before finally breaking apart.
Once they break apart Tony wipes away Hope's tears and the two of them proceed to go celebrate Hope's twenty first birthday together, putting into place what they have been planning for years.
After spending a couple of days with Hope Tony has finally made his way back to LA, back to Mary. As the two of them have just finished a nice, intimate, dinner at Tony's Malibu house they have moved into the living room where they are watching a movie together.
"I didn't just tell mom about the baby," Tony reveals as they sit together, Mary leaning against him.
"I figured that was going to be the case," Mary admits, as while she knew that Tony was going to tell Peggy she assumed that she wasn't the only member of the family he told while he was gone. "Natasha and Melinda?" Mary asks, as that's who she assumes he told.
"Hope too," Tony confirms. "I know I should have checked it was okay… but I needed to tell them," Tony admits.
"It's okay, I understand," Mary admits, as they are exactly who she expected Tony to tell. "I needed to tell Ben and May," Mary admits. "I've been really nervous," Mary admits.
"Me too," Tony admits. "Mom, Nat, Mellie, Hope, they all assured me that I'll be a great parent, but I'm still worried," Tony admits.
"I'm worried too," Mary admits. "But May said something that helped," Mary says, and Tony gives her an interested look. "She reminded me that we're not alone, we have each other, and we have your family," Mary says. "I think we're going to be okay because of that, all three of us," Mary says.
"Me too," Tony says, before leaning down and kissing Mary, after a few moments the two of them break apart, but they continue to sit together in comfortable silence, both feeling worried about what the future is going to bring but having faith that it's going to be okay.
Three weeks have pass since Tony and Mary decided that the two of them and their unborn baby are going to be okay, and since coming that that realisation they have both continued to believe that, but now as they wait for the doctor at Mary's first appointment to return, as she hastily left after seeing something in Mary's results, they both feel that faith wavering.
"Tony…" Mary says, looking up at him as they wait, having no idea what is going on but feeling very afraid.
"It will be okay," Tony says, squeezing Mary's hand, not sure if he believes that, but wanting Mary to. "Let's just wait for the doctor," Tony says, and even though it is difficult Mary nods.
For several more agonising minutes Tony and Mary wait, both wondering what is going on, until the door finally opens the doctor walks back in.
"I'm sorry about that," The Doctor said. "I needed to check something," The Doctor explains, and Tony has spent enough time around people who give bad news to recognize that they are about to get some from the look on the Doctors face.
"Doctor, what's wrong?" Tony asks, and he feels Mary squeeze his hands.
"First, I can assure you that your baby is completely heathy, it is growing well, and has a strong heartbeat," The Doctor says, looking between Tony and Mary. "But I do have some bad news," The Doctor says, and he proceeds to tell Tony and Mary news that shatters both of their hearts.
