His world changed in that instant. There was no going back.

Within hours the guest room closest to his was stripped of furniture and a nursery built. He assembled the crib and all the new furniture himself, unwilling to leave the safety of his sweet little girl in the hands of an unknown factory assistant. No, she was his. All of her life rested on his shoulders. And yet somehow, it was no burden- somehow, it even eased the weight that rested there already.

He called Obadiah and took an immediate leave of absence, much to the mentors shock, and strange disdain.

Nannies were searched for. Books on parenting devoured. Milestone expectations logged in the system. Clothes purchased, diapers and wipes and creams of all sorts by the box.

In the weeks that followed, Astrid was awake, he was with her. Her keen eyes followed him wherever he moved- if he was in the workshop, she was in the carrier on his chest, or in her bouncer if he was under a car or machining something dangerous. She looked so sweet with her little welding goggles and protective gear.

He explained every little thing to her, responding to her coos and gurgles as if they were the most interesting conversation he had ever had.

Even asleep he was with her.

Sometimes he would watch her sleep for hours, falling asleep in the rocking chair beside her crib.

At 5 months, after extensive searching, he found two nannies he finally felt he could trust, and he'd begun to plan his return to Stark- 3 hours a day to start. Though he wondered how he'd be away from his precious girl for so long. He wondered why he didn't just hand over his role to Obadiah, but then he still wanted to show his girl the value of hard work.

During the day, the nannies took over taking her to a playgroup with other babies, and other activities like baby gym, baby sensory and music, and baby library- he had tried but press had been alerted after the first session and he just wanted her to be able to play, make tiny little friends, not be turned into a circus.

The two Nanny's alternated between shifts, each doing 2.5 days, and one night, so that he could attend what night events he had to, but also spend his weekends with his girl, and he insisted on taking care of her entirely on nights he was home.

He knew he had the option to not be as heavily involved. Obidiah was pressuring him intensely to be back at work, to have the nanny's and Jarvis take care of everything so he could 'return to normal'.

But how could he return to 'normal' when his tiny little girl looked at him like he was the best thing in the world?

True she also looked at her bottles like that, but he was sure it was a close tie.

After weeks of cajoling, Tony had finally snapped that he wasn't going to be his father, and he wanted Astrid to know she was the greatest achievement of his life- Obi had finally dropped it.

Soon, he called a press conference. In a room to the side, Astrid waited with her nanny and Jarvis, babbling away happily. She was 6 and a half months old, cutting a tooth and still an absolute delight of a child.

'Good morning' he hadn't felt this nervous to do press in years. Was he making the right choice? Yes. He had to do this, so he could be allowed space with his girl, instead of being treated like spectacles.

'There has been a lot of speculation regarding my leave of absence. I appreciate the concerns for my health- I'm fit as a fiddle. I will be returning to work in the coming weeks. Today I would like to explain to you the reason for my absence. I must ask for you to stay very quiet' he held his hand up 'one moment please' all eyes and cameras followed him as he disappeared from view into the room aside.

Half a minute later, he returned, Astrid in a tiny suit that matched his own, pink bow headband holding her shaggy black hair back from her face. In the last few weeks the brilliant green of her eyes had really begun to come out. A gift from her mother.

Whispers rustled through the crowd, flashes so constant it was one bright light. Shielding her face, he frowned at the assembly 'No flashes until the end please. We'll happily do photos but please don't overwhelm us at the start' he waited for the barrage to stop.

'Thank you' he turned her towards the press 'I'd like to introduce Astrid Maria Stark, my daughter. She is 6 months old, and an absolute delight. Her mother, Ms Annabelle Ibanez, succumbed to a terminal brain cancer 3 months ago. Her young life was cut far too short, her rising tennis career and beautiful spirit were inspiring. In choosing to have our daughter, she knowingly deferred treatments which might have extended her life- though sad for my daughter I also have never been more grateful to a person in my life. These past months with Astrid have given me a new view of the world' he smiled down at his girl, who was watching him with wide green eyes, clearly hesitant in the new environment. His smile drew out her own and he tickled her gently, her joyful giggle raising a chorus of 'aww' through the assembled media from cameramen to journalists.

'I'd like to ask that from now, when you see me in public with my girl, that you please keep your distance. She is a baby, not a news article. Anything relevant to her that the public should know, will be put out in a release, or in a conference like this. I would like to be able to attend her baby gym classes without the other parents being swarmed for gossip. Know that those who choose to ignore this request will be excluded from formal press conferences regarding myself, Astrid and Stark Industries. Do we have an understanding?'

A murmur of acceptance rose through the room, and Astrid babbled happily in response. Tony turned his attention to her, nodding enthusiastically 'yes, absolutely, well said my darling' Further babbling, with a few excited screeches 'I couldn't agree more!' He kissed her brow softly, and she put her head on his shoulder, chatting quietly.

'Any questions?' He looked across the sea of faces, all of them bursting with questions.

The noise rose, each reporter clamouring to have themselves heard.

Astrid straightened and gave a loud wail in response to the wall of sound 'yes that's right, we did ask for quietly' Tony looked out pointedly, and the noise receded 'like in school, please raise your hands' Astrid quieted again, chewing at her fist. Tony pointed at random.

'Mr Stark, did you know Ms Ibanez was expecting?'

'I did not. Unfortunately I was difficult to contact and was unaware of Astrid until Annabelle had passed'

'How did you find out about Astrid?'

'That's not an explanation for anyone but her, thanks'

'How has the adjustment to fatherhood been? After being a renowned playboy?'

'It's been absolute joy since I first laid eyes on her. I'm lucky to have wonderful support and the ability to have nannies when I do need to be working. As for the playboy reputation' he shrugged 'priorities have changed'

Astrid's voice rose, chatting happily. Again Tony gave her his full attention. He'd read that encouraging their communication from the start helped them develop good language and speech skills, and he wanted that for her. He wanted everything for her.

'I see' a small nod. She put her hands on his chin and pinched at the little hairs 'uh-uh, sweet pea' he gently moved her hands away 'we use gentle hands, no pinching' stroking his fingers on her cheek 'gentle hands'

'Dada-dada!' She squealed, chunky hands stroking his cheeks as gently as her coordination allowed.

'Her first dada!' He grinned to the room and smothered her face in kisses

'Mr Stark, what do you think the likelihood is, of little Astrid having inherited the Stark genius?'

'There is a certain genetic component, but of course all I want for her is to be happy and healthy' he swapped her from left to right arm 'if she shows no interest in the sciences, I'll understand'

'Why did you keep her a secret so long?'

'Well, there's been a lot for the both of us to learn in a short period of time. I wanted to be able to give us both time to settle into our new routines without thinking about anything else'

'How can you be sure she's your daughter?'

At this Tony stared, stunned, gesturing slowly between their faces 'well for one- aside from the facial hair and her being the most beautiful baby alive, we're very similar' she grabbed his finger and stuck it in her mouth to chew 'and two, DNA testing exists. Astrid is my daughter, without any question'

'Why is she in a suit?'

'It's a formal press conference, we wear suits. Work ethic starts young, like dad used to say'

'What do you think your father would have to say about being a grandpa?'

'I don't think the idea ever crossed his mind' Tony shrugged 'I can't speak for him, but I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with this sweet little girl'

'I think that's enough questions' he added 'my girl is due a nap shortly, and none of us needs another cranky Stark, do we?' He chuckled, straightening her little bow tie 'if you'd like photos, please move to the front so you can limit your flash'

For a few minutes, he stood with Astrid, letting the press get what photos they wanted, before taking her out.

Jarvis smiled, handing his youngest ward a rubber teething chew 'That seemed to go smoothly sir'

'It'll be interesting to see what comes out in the paper in the morning' Obadiah stepped into the room 'did you have to go with the suit, Tony? She's got so many pretty dresses!'

'Dad did it with me' he shrugged

'Okay then, I understand tradition, I suppose' he eyed him cautiously. Significant change had overcome the son of his business partner. The boy he had mentored. For better or worse remained to be seen, but so far, for the business, it seemed worse. Howard had never let his son come before business, before the greater good of weaponising America. With luck the shine of the distraction would pass and she would be handed to nannies as she should be- life could return to normal.