Chapter 11

Pepperony

''Come on, we can do this,'' Tony encouraged as he sat on the floor in the living room, Abby on her blanket and resting against her soft toys behind her.

Pepper had a doctor's appointment and had to rush out of the house, leaving Tony with the duty of feeding their daughter. He had fed her many times before, but this time Abby was making things a lot harder than they needed to be. She was three months old now, and she was very cheeky for her age already. Tony would often play with her and make her laugh, and right now she thought it was a game instead of actually eating her food.

''Yum, mm,'' Tony make noises, trying to coax her to open her mouth for the spoonful of food, but she only laughed and ignored his efforts. ''You're being terribly difficult.''

''Sir, Colonel Rhodes has arrived.'' Jarvis informed.

Tony sighed, forgetting that he was supposed to talk to Rhodey about some stuff today, but he forgot about Pepper's appointment and now he had too many things to do. He heard the front door open and he managed to feed Abby one whole spoonful of baby food while she stopped laughing for a moment, proud of his effort to do so.

Rhodey walked down the hall and spotted the father and daughter in the living room, making his way in to sit on the couch. He smiled at the fact that most of the toys Abby was leaning against were from him. He realized he went a little overboard with the gifts, but he had never been honored with such a title as godfather, so he was making sure he served it well.

''Where's Pepper?'' he asked, looking around the rooms.

Tony had his mouth open, mimicking the movements he was trying to make Abby do. ''Doctors.'' he told him as he successfully spooned more food into Abby's mouth, but not before she giggled and it ended up all over her mouth. ''So close.''

Rhodey laughed. ''Do you know what you're doing there?''

Tony looked over to him with a roll of the eyes. ''Excuse me, I happen to have mastered all of the elements of parenting.'' he defended before Abby smacked the spoon down onto the floor, thankfully nothing was on it though. ''This just happens to be Pepper's main area of expertise.''

Rhodey smiled at Abby looking over to him, a look of complete innocence on her face as she giggled at absolutely nothing. She was such a happy baby, she made everyone around her happy. She was a ray of joy.

''Hey man I can come by another time, you're busy.''

''Hey, you're here now, we can talk.'' Tony shook his head, using a wipe to clean Abby's face of the food she had rejected thanks to her laughter. He gathered all of the food, spoons and everything else he had and stood up. ''I'll be back in a minute, can you watch her?''

Rhodey looked baffled. ''Do you really need to ask me to watch my goddaughter?'' he said proudly.

Tony chuckled and hurried into the kitchen to put things away before Pepper got home. Rhodey scooted down off the couch and onto the floor with Abby, picking up one of the toys and playing with it. Abby would laugh at anything, and watching as her toy giraffe walked around in front of her made her giggle hysterically. Rhodey smiled at how happy she was, laughing along with her.

''Yeah, I gotta say the giraffe's my favorite too.'' he nodded, looking at the toy.

Abby reached her hands out and grabbed the toy, moving it about, trying to do so as Rhodey had, but instead she just pulled it closer to her and played with it's ears. By this time, Tony walked back into the room and took a seat on the couch.

''So, what's up?'' he asked.

Rhodey looked over to him. ''It's just this operation the military's working on, they need some...people, to go in a scope out weapons and explosives to see what they're up against.''

''And they want my help?''

Rhodey nodded. ''They've held off for a while now, but they're calling for you now.'' he explained. ''I get it if you don't want to go, I don't blame you either.''

''No, no.'' Tony shook his head. ''It seems simple enough. Get in, see what's going on, get out, right?''

''Apparently.''

Tony narrowed his eyes. ''What do you mean?''

''They always say that, and then we end up flying into it and getting hit.'' he told him, referring back to their previous missions together. ''I'm just saying, if you agree to it, remember things can change when we get there.''

Tony nodded. ''I get it. When can I let you know by?''

''Tonight. They've been working on this for a while, this group is the one suspected of taking a weapons import and terrorizing a village. Nothing unusual, but I heard the weapons bulk might be bigger. That's why they need us.''

Abby looked over to her dad and reached her arms out, resulting in Tony walking over and picking her up. ''I'll do it.''

''Tony, you don't have to-''

''I want to.'' he assured.

''I know how hard it is leaving Pepper when we go on these things, and now Abby...''

Tony looked down at his daughter in his arms who was staring back up at him with a smile. ''This is all to keep her safe, so she won't even have to go through anything like this.'' he told him. ''Tell them I'm in.''

That night, Pepper was in the kitchen cooking while Tony watched on from the bench, looking over the recipe she was making. Since she had been at home for a while now, not working, she had a lot of time to read numerous recipes through many books and websites. When she was pregnant, she was reading the recipes to try and find something that would fix her cravings, but it had paid off since now she could cook actual meals at home.

''What's this stuff?'' Tony picked up some vegetables Pepper had in a grocery bag.

Pepper gave him a weird look. ''Those are tomatoes, Tony.''

Tony looked at the contents in the bag and nodded. ''So they are.''

Pepper continued stirring something in the frying pan. ''What's up?'' she asked, catching onto his odd mood.

''Nothing, nothing at all.'' he walked over to her, placing a kiss on her cheek as she cooked, his arms resting on her sides behind her. ''You never told me how the doctor's went.''

''Fine, everything's all good.'' she smiled as Tony's breath tickled behind her ear where he rest his head on her shoulder before he kissed her again on her neck. ''Hey, I'm trying to cook here.''

''Am I bothering you?'' he asked, his voice coming out muffled.

''Do you want a perfectly cooked dinner?''

''Anything you cook is perfect.''

Pepper turned around to face him with a skeptical expression. ''What's going on?''

''What do you mean?''

''Hmm,'' she narrowed her eyes.

''What?'' he pulled back. ''I can't compliment my wife?''

Instead of saying anything in return, Pepper leaned forward and pressed her lips against his for a few moments, taking a little break from her cooking. She still had the cooking utensil in her hands, but Tony wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in closer, making the moment go one longer than she intended. Just as Pepper went to set down whatever was in her hand, they heard a noise coming from upstairs. It was Abby, waking up from her nap. They both pulled away from each other with a laugh.

''We shouldn't complain, she slept through her entire nap without waking up.'' Pepper stated, her forehead resting against Tony's.

''She has the best timing, too.'' Tony laughed. ''I'll get her.''

He kissed Pepper once more before walking off to the stairs. It was true what they said about being married and juggling a baby. It was hard to find time for themselves, but they hardly complained when they had their daughter in their arms. They were a family, that's all they wanted.

Pepper turned back to her cooking, glad nothing had burnt while she wasn't paying attention. She added a few more ingredients, stirring and checking on the other food in the oven, making sure everything was just right. She had grown fond of cooking, it was relaxing and made the house smell like a home. She turned away from the food once again when she heard footsteps at the bottom of the stairs, making their way to the kitchen.

''Mm, smell's good doesn't it?'' Tony spoke to Abby in his arms, walking over to the kitchen. ''Let's go bother mommy.''

Pepper smiled as she turned off the stove, finally finished with what she was cooking.

''What was that? Bother me?'' Pepper walked over to them.

''Look who's awake and full of energy.''

Pepper kissed Abby on her forehead, smoothing her hand over her cheek. ''Did you have a good sleep?'' Abby's wide eyes were her answer, looking back at her happily and refreshed, Pepper knew they wouldn't be having dinner for a while yet. ''I bet you're hungry.''

Tony walked into the bedroom that night after checking on Abby, meeting Pepper as she walked out of the bathroom from her shower, dressed in her pajamas. She didn't know how she would cope with going back to work sometime in the future, she had grown so comfortable being at home and she was sleeping better than she ever did. She thought about working from home, doing all of the paperwork and more detailed work of a CEO. But for now, she was just enjoying her time off.

''Sleeping?'' Pepper looked over to him.

''Yeah, she's out to the world.'' he assured her. ''She won't let that giraffe toy that Rhodey gave her out of her sight.''

Pepper chuckled before remembering something. ''Oh, did he stop by today?''

Tony nodded. ''Uh, yeah he did.''

''What did he want? He sounded...concerned.'' Pepper asked.

Tony sighed, accepting that this was the time to tell her. ''The military want me in.''

Pepper looked back at him blankly, probably expecting that as an answer but wishing it wasn't. Tony hadn't left to do military operations since Abby was born, although he did leave during the day sometimes. She didn't want him to go, she was too comfortable that way things were, but she knew life had to return to normal sooner or later.

''Oh,'' was all she said.

Tony stared back at her, waiting for more. ''Are you...okay with this?''

Pepper shrugged. ''It's what you do, Tony, I'm okay with it.''

''But what about now? I mean, I haven't left on one of this in months.''

''It's fine.'' she told him with a smile. ''You had to go back one day, right?''

Tony nodded, knowing she wasn't taking this well. She never liked him backing out of things because of her, it made her feel guilty and she always felt like she was stopping him from doing what he had worked so hard to create. She wanted him to go, that was true, but she wasn't okay with it. Not now anyway, not when she was so used to him being there with her and Abby.

''Pepper-''

''It's fine, Tony, really. You know how I am, I get in a routine and I can't exactly shake it off.'' she shrugged, getting into bed. ''But that's my problem.''

Tony climbed in next to her. ''You know I hate going.''

''No,'' she shook her head. ''You hate leaving. There's a difference.''

''I hate leaving,'' he nodded. ''And I'm sorry I have to.''

''Don't be. I know what all of this means to you, and I understand why you have to do it, so don't apologize for doing it.'' she reached her hand out to cup his face. ''I just miss you, that's all.''

''I know, that's why I hate leaving.'' he whined, holding her hand in his.

She moved closer to him. ''When do you have to go?''

Tony sighed. ''Tomorrow.''

Pepper nodded, holding in whatever emotion she was feeling. ''That's okay,''

''I'm sorry,''

''Shh,'' she put her hand over his mouth. ''Stop apologizing.''

Pepper turned the lights off and tried to get comfortable, although she kept thinking of how sad she would be when he did leave. Tony wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, knowing that she would be a mess when he left, and he hated it.

The next afternoon came by quicker than they thought it would, with Pepper following Tony down to the workshop with Abby in her arms. Tony had cleared most of his workshop up, making sure there was nothing too dangerous in there in case something happened. Neither of them wanted him to go, but he had to, it was his job to do so.

''Go over the list,'' Pepper reminded him, referring to the list of things he had to prepare before he left.

''Pepper, I have that list memorized, trust me.'' he said as he transferred data to the HUD.

''Then you'll go over it again,'' she insisted.

Tony relented and went over the list, trying not to show Pepper that he actually did forget one thing. After he had everything prepared, he walked over to Pepper and Abby, feeling terrible that he had to leave them. He took Abby from Pepper's arms and she settled into his warm chest, looking up at him with those big brown eyes that made him want to stay even more.

''You go to sleep for mommy tonight, okay?'' he told her, knowing Pepper would struggle getting her to sleep without Tony there. ''Be good.'' Tony pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, handing her back to Pepper. ''I'll be back as soon as I can.'' he assured.

''I know,'' she nodded sadly. ''Be careful, please.''

''Always am.'' he nodded before pulling her in and kissing her, knowing as soon as he stopped he would miss her.

Pepper looked into his eyes when they parted. ''I love you.''

''I love you too.'' he pressed another kiss to Abby's head. ''And I love you.''

A few moments later, Tony was suited up and ready to go, taking one last glance back at his wife and daughter, watching them stare at him sadly. Even though Abby had no idea what was going on, it was as if she could sense the feeling in the room, misery. Pepper grabbed her hand and waved, telling her to say bye to her dad, and it made Tony's heart ache. Soon enough, he had to go, leaving Pepper standing in the workshop with Abby, wishing he would come back as soon as he left. It would be a long night, and she knew she was getting no sleep.

''Shh, shh,'' Pepper held Abby in her arms, trying to soothe her. ''It's okay, shh,''

Nothing she did could calm her daughter's cries, she couldn't do what Tony did. His voice soothed her, and she sounded nothing like him. It had been almost an hour since Pepper had tried to put her down to sleep, but she just wouldn't go to sleep for Pepper. It was because, like Pepper, Abby was in a routine. She couldn't sleep unless Tony was the one soothing her to sleep, but she would have to learn to sleep for her mother instead, because Tony couldn't always be there.

''I miss him too baby,'' Pepper told her quietly. ''He'll be home later, I promise.''

It had taken almost an hour and a half, but Abby finally fell into a peaceful sleep, although Pepper knew she would be getting no such thing. It was hard enough to sleep without Tony before, but now she was guaranteed to stay awake all night and wait for him.

She walked out of the bathroom in her pajamas and laid down on the bed, testing her luck to see if she could fall asleep, but it was no use. She turned on the news as well, checking headlines and sightings, just making sure nothing was wrong. There was nothing to keep her mind occupied, she had done everything she needed to do not long after Tony left because she was so stressed out.

Pepper made her way down to the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea, hoping that might make her sleepy enough to doze off on the couch, but she ended up watching an old movie and listening closely for any noise in the workshop in case Tony did come home soon.

It was around three thirty in the morning when Tony arrived back home, removing his armor quicker than he thought he could and making his way upstairs to the main floor. The lights were on in the kitchen and the living room, but no one was in there. His face felt swollen from his helmet hitting against him, and there was blood on his upper forehead which he hoped he would be able to clean before Pepper noticed, but sure enough, when he reached the bedroom she was sitting up waiting for him.

The look on her eyes when he walked into the room pained him, he could tell she hadn't slept and was worrying over him, as usual. He hated being the one that did this to her, he hated that it was his fault she couldn't get any rest when she needed it and that her mind was on constant alert.

''How'd it go?'' she asked in a tired voice.

''According to plan,''

Pepper sighed as she noticed the blood on his face. ''Are you okay?''

''Yeah, I'm fine,'' he assured her with a smile. He walked into the bathroom and took a quick shower, and when he returned to the bedroom Pepper was sitting on the edge of the bed with the medical bag. ''Pepper, you don't have to-''

''Sit.'' she ordered, pointing at the area next to her.

Tony obliged, but he didn't like it. ''You don't have to do this.''

''I know that, but I want to.'' she began dabbing at his cuts with cotton tips that had been soaked with antiseptic, stinging him at the touch. ''Are you sure there's no other injuries I should know about?''

''I promise.'' he assured. ''You should get some sleep.''

''Me? You're the one who needs sleep.''

''So you're telling me you've slept, since I left?'' he asked, knowing the answer.

''I'm not the one who was out on an operation, you need rest.''

''Pepper, you haven't slept at all.'' he told her sadly.

She frowned, still dabbing at his face with antiseptic. ''I wasn't tired.''

''Yes, you were.''

''Tony, come on, don't get into this now.'' she shook her head.

''I just wish you didn't have to do this to yourself when I'm gone.'' he looked at her seriously, her hands resting on his face. ''I hate doing this to you.''

''It's not your f-''

''Yes it is, and don't say it's not.''

Pepper sighed. ''It doesn't matter Tony-''

''It does mat-''

''-because this is never going to change. I'm never going to get used to you leaving, but that's my problem, okay? I love that you go out there and help people, I do, and I don't want that to stop. But this is how it is, and I'm used to this, and it's okay.'' she explained with a smile to ease his worries. ''I'm okay Tony, as long as you're okay.''

Tony shook his head, still not okay with the situation, but not wanting to press the matter. ''How did you end up with me?'' he asked. ''You're amazing, you know that. After everything I've done, all of this Iron Man stuff and leaving for almost days sometimes, you're always the one telling me it's okay. You are the best wife ever, Pepper.''

She smiled as she packed away the medical bag, leaning in the kiss him softly. ''I know.'' she laughed.

They settled into bed a few moments later, Pepper finally feeling like she could sleep for weeks now that Tony was next to her, holding her in his arms protectively.

''How was Abby?'' he asked.

''She missed you. Wouldn't go to sleep for me, took over an hour.'' she sighed. ''But eventually she tired herself out. I'm not going to lie, she's very difficult when you're not here for naps and bedtime.'' she laughed.

''Well I'm here now,'' he kissed her shoulder as he held her. ''Go to sleep, you need it.''

It wasn't even a minute later before Pepper fell asleep, instantly comforted by Tony being next to her, and he soon fell into a slumber as well. It was a long day and night for both of them, but they knew they wouldn't get their sleep in, and they didn't mind.

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