21st September 1998

'Hello Miss Stark' Pepper crouched and offered her hand, the little girl shaking it confidently 'I'm Virginia Potts'

'Hello Virginia, it's nice to meet you' she smiled, then looked to her father 'did you forget her name? You called her Pepper'

'It's a nickname kiddo. Just like I call you Sassa' he explained 'and like Happy's name is really Harold'

'HAROLD!' Pepper held in a laugh at the betrayal on the child's face 'his real name is Harold? And he never told me!' She marched out of the room huffily.

Rising, she checked Tony's face for how he'd take a comment. 'She's a firecracker' she smiled, a small laugh lilting her tone, listening to Astrid stomping down the C-suite hallway calling out for Happy angrily.

Tony nodded 'now I'm going to have to explain her Aunt isn't really Peggy, she's Margaret. Kid hates not knowing things'

'Sounds like she gets that from her father' she brushed her skirt straight of wrinkles and checked the agenda for the day in her hands, though it was already memorised 'you're in a board meeting in 15 minutes, Mr Stark, anything you need before then?'

'I'm good thanks Pepper, I need to go save Happy' he shook his head, shooting a quick wink at his newly appointed assistant 'you'll lunch with us? The nanny is on holiday, so she's with me today and I know Sass'll want to pick your brains'

'Sure, should I make a booking?'

'Yes!' Tony was already out the door and doubled back, his head poking around the door frame 'but no seafood! She's deathly allergic to shellfish'

'Noted' Pepper nodded, and watched him leave again, his footsteps faded quickly in the lush pile carpet. Just a few weeks ago she had threatened him with pepper spray, now here she was taking his business and personal affairs into her hands. He certainly knew what he wanted, though she had the distinct sense he had gained a lot more control of his impulses since his daughter's arrival.

Tony found Astrid standing on a coffee table in the foyer, shaking her finger at him semi angrily. He was holding in his laughter well, though the people passing weren't as skilled. She looked so determined and righteous, the scene was incredibly adorable- even if undeserved.

'I'm very sorry Miss Stark, I thought you knew that Happy was just a nickname' he met Tony's eyes and his lips twitched

'How would I know!? I'm 3 and 9 months!' She stamped her foot, and Tony grabbed her off the table, her squeal echoing the triple story foyer 'Daddy!'

'Astrid, I know you're upset but it's not kind to tell people off in public like this, okay?' He put her on the ground and crouched in front of her, the leather of his new shoes protesting the hard flex with a slight creak. Gently he pulled her headband off her head, smoothing her hair back from her face and putting it back in place. Unruly, just like his. So hard to get under control, thick and a natural frizz in any humidity. Hairdressers always suggested cutting it short to manage it easier, but Ana and Peggy had taught him a lot as soon as it became obvious her hair would be work, and though his braids weren't perfect, he could do a different hairstyle every day of the week and that was enough to keep it mostly tamed and presentable.

She crossed her arms and frowned 'but he wasn't honest and I get in trouble when I'm not honest'

'Yeah you do, but Happy wasn't being dishonest, sweetpea. I know it's a shock to find out he has a whole other name, but lots of people in our lives do. Sometimes, I forget that you don't know things like that yet, and so I haven't told you. That's my fault, and I'm sorry' carefully straightening the little suit jacket she wore- matching him of course 'I think we need to apologise to Hap, don't you?'

'Okay' she nodded, and turned back to Happy, holding her arms out for him to pick her up. He obliged her and she hugged him as tightly as her little arms allowed 'I'm very sorry Harold'

His soft expression in her embrace almost melted Tony, knowing there were people in her life who loved her reassured him. 'Thanks for apologising Miss Stark. And you can call me Happy, it's okay. Sometimes I don't even remember that I'm Harold too' he gently pat her back and put her back down when she released him, offering his hand 'peace?'

'Peace' she nodded and shook, her hand dwarfed by his. Tony glanced up to see Obadiah and Pepper watching on the mezzanine and gave them a bemused shrug, running his fingers through his hair. Pepper smiled, taken by the tiny Stark already. She'd heard rumours about her in her previous department, there were always rumours about the wild child set to inherit the company. But seeing her in the flesh, the earnest, honest, determined way she looked at the world and the clear love she had for her father... it was endearing beyond explanation.

'Alright kid, we've gotta go, we've got a meeting' Tony took her little hand in his and led her to the elevators. His little wildling.

"Tiny Stark Meltdown!"

"The future of Stark Industries was today seen giving a Stark employee a stern dressing down in front of his peers. Dressed in a custom Hugo Boss suit to match her father, CEO Tony Stark, she berated her future employee for a solid 5 minutes before her father intervened.
While the matter was apparently resolved, it leaves the public questioning if the diminutive Astrid Stark will gain control over her temper before taking over her grandfathers company in the future"

Tony hadn't laughed at an article in the paper so hard, in years. Paired with a photo of Astrid on the table, her tiny finger raised in accusation, and Happy standing and taking the scolding. He bought a hundred copies.

One he had preserved and framed to gift to Astrid when she inherited the company.

One he had clipped and framed for Happy. Happy put it in his kitchen, it made him smile every morning, usually on his way to pick up his small employer.