It had been a long nine months for Pepper, she remembered everything about being pregnant, and she remembered counting down the days until their daughter was finally born. Those first few months were terrifying, and both Pepper and Tony were surprised by how they handled parenthood. Tony especially had been terrified of being a father, he didn't know how to deal with being responsible for another person when, before Pepper, he could barely take care of himself. But now it was finally here, it had come out of nowhere, it happened so fast. It was Abby's first birthday.
''Tony, I need to know what's going on otherwise I can't organize it.'' Pepper told him as they lay in bed the night before.
Tony smirked. ''I can't tell you, it would ruin everything.''
''Please don't tell me you've planned something massive.'' she sighed. ''This is not going to be a big party. It's just us for the day, okay? We're having the day completely off work and we're going to spend it with our daughter, who is one by the way.''
''I know that Pepper. Geez, what do you think I'm planning to do?''
''Honestly, I don't know and I can never guess.''
''Well you can calm down, I know what I'm doing.'' he smiled, happy with his plans. ''Goodnight.'' Pepper huffed in annoyance and rolled over, turning her back to Tony before she felt his hands snake around her waist and pull her closer. ''Trust me.''
Pepper sighed into the pillow and nodded her head. ''Fine.''
The next morning, Pepper woke up at around 8am and realized that Tony was no longer in bed. She pushed her face into the pillow, wondering what he had planned for today and dreading the fact that it was most likely something far too big for a one year old's birthday. He never did anything short of extravagant, and he had been talking about Abby's birthday for weeks now. She knew he was excited, but they had enough media attention already, they didn't need a big party to draw any more.
Pepper dragged herself out of bed and down the stairs, straight to the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee. Instead, she found Tony sitting at the kitchen table with Abby in her high chair, and he had made her breakfast all on his own. There were all sorts of fruit on her little platter, and judging by the mess all over her face and down her shirt, she was enjoying every last bit of it.
''Who's birthday is it today?'' Pepper grinned, walking over to her daughter and kissing her playfully. ''Abby's birthday, yes it is!''
Abby laughed at her mom playing with her, lifting up a piece of banana and putting it to Pepper's lips. ''Num num.''
Pepper chuckled and opened her mouth, eating the banana. ''Mm, this is num num. Did daddy make all of this for you?''
''Yes he did,'' Tony answered proudly. ''I made a healthy and fun breakfast.''
Pepper was about to comment that it was only cutting up fruit and making a smoothie, but she saw his failed attempt at pancakes sitting over near the sink, and she kept it to herself.
''Well done,'' she praised him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. ''Are you going to tell me what's going on now?''
Tony smirked. ''Not yet, you'll see.''
Pepper groaned in annoyance and poured herself a cup of coffee. ''You know I won't be able to stop stressing until you tell me.''
''There is no need to stress, I'm telling you I have it under control.''
''You've said that plenty of times, and on no occasion was everything 'under control.'''
Tony frowned. ''I admit, a few times were a bit...over the top, yes, but I promise this is going to be perfect.''
''Hmm, I just wish you'd tell me.''
''Told you, it's a surprise.''
After breakfast, Abby was in dire need of a wash since her clothes, face and hair was covered with the food she had eaten. Mushed fruit and smoothie was all over her, but she seemed very content with the way she looked. Nevertheless, Pepper took her upstairs and they got ready for whatever Tony had planned for his daughter's first birthday. Pepper kept telling him that she was only one, and that she wouldn't remember anything about it when she was older, and to keep it small, but she knew he wouldn't listen. He didn't care if she wouldn't remember, he just wanted her to enjoy it now.
Pepper walked downstairs with Abby in her arms until they got to the last step, and then she set her down on her feet. Tony was sitting at the kitchen bench and he looked over to see Abby waving over at him, and so he got up to make his way over to her.
''Wait there,'' Pepper told him before he got to her.
Abby moved her feet forward, tottering over to her dad with her pink shoes on that lit up when she walked on them. She was getting better and better at walking distances, and she quickly gained speed, rushing over to Tony with arms eager to hug him. She ran straight into his leg with her speed and clutched it tight, smiling up at him as her arms lifted.
''Daddy! Up!''
Tony smiled and pulled her into his arms. ''God, soon you'll be running around the house like a crazy person.'' he commented. ''Nice shoes Ab, I wonder who picked them out, they've got great taste.'' Tony winked over to Pepper. He had made the decision to get the shoes that lit up, knowing Abby would like them, and he always prided himself with the decisions he made in regards to what she would and wouldn't like. ''Oh that's right, I did.''
Pepper rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag. ''Is it time to go to whatever it is you've planned?''
Tony looked at Pepper. ''You have to get changed.''
Pepper looked down at her attire. ''What? Why?''
''Because it's not appropriate for what we're doing.'' he told her with a smirk, knowing she was hating not knowing.
''Tony, where are we going?''
''Give it up Pepper, I'm not telling you.'' he laughed as he walked to the stairs. ''Now, you might want to hurry 'cause we're leaving soon.''
Pepper scowled and headed back up to the bedroom to get changed. She had no idea what Tony had planned but she was growing increasingly worried about what it was.
Pepper was looking around nervously as they continued driving down the long highway they had been on for over an hour, wondering where they were going and what Tony had planned. It honestly worried her having no control over the situation, but there was nothing she could do once Tony got an idea.
''Are we nearly there yet?'' she asked, unable to resist asking.
''Almost.''
Pepper sighed and turned in her seat to check on Abby in the back. She was tucked into her little seat and was looking out the window at the different trees they were passing. Every now and then she would call out to Pepper or Tony, just because she wanted to hear them talk, but otherwise she was quiet for the entire ride.
They finally arrived at the destination, and Pepper was still wondering where they were. There were no signs, no indications or hints as to what she was walking into, and it didn't ease her worries at all. She reached into the back seat and pulled Abby into her arms, resting her on her hip as she looked around where they were.
''What is this place?''
''This is where the party's at.''
Pepper shook her head. ''Tony...''
''Relax, seriously Pepper.'' he guided them to the door by the side.
That's when Pepper noticed a few cars in the lot next to the side of the building. She could see Rhodey's car, and Happy's, and a few more unknown cars that she knew would be a part of whatever was planned. Pepper walked alongside him to the door, and when she walked inside, she finally realized what he had planned.
They were inside a huge play center, it was like an enormous obstacle course full of toys and colors. It had ball pits and all sorts of activities, but the place was empty. Tony smiled at Pepper's reaction, and then he walked them over to the tables that were just around the corner. Rhodey and Happy sat there, next to a few friends from Stark Industries who had children as well.
''See? I can be adult when I want to be.'' Tony grinned. ''I organized a children's party.'
''Oh my god,'' Pepper smiled. ''Wait, is this place even open?''
''I booked it out.'' Tony shrugged. ''It's all ours for the day.''
''Are you kidding? Tony, this is perfect.'' she smiled, kissing his cheek. ''I'm impressed.''
''Well, it is one of my greater ideas.''
Rhodey stood up and walked over to them. ''Man, you told me to be hear an hour ago.''
''Relax, the party's starting now Rhodes.''
''The part for a one year old.''
''Exactly, so brace yourself.''
Pepper sat at the table with Rhodey, looking over at Tony and Abby in the ball-pit. The other children had been running around the obstacles for hours now, and Tony took his opportunity to steal the area and jump into it. Abby squealed and laughed as Tony threw the colored plastic balls around, letting them land on his head as she reached up to try and grab them.
''Ever wonder who's the actual child?'' Rhodey chuckled.
''All the time,'' Pepper nodded with a smile. ''They're even more hyper when they're together.''
They watched them continue to play, Tony lifting her up into the air and then pulling them both down into the assortment of colors in the pit. Abby's laugh was intoxicating, it made Pepper forget everything else in the world and just stare at her daughter in awe.
''Ever think about having more?'' Rhodey asked, looking over to her.
Pepper had thought about it before, wondering what it would be like with another child in the house. Their life was hectic enough as it was with one baby, but they coped so well through everything, the bad and the good. It was easier than they expected, but they hadn't really spoke about having another child. Pepper didn't have an answer, she never thought about having to answer that question.
''I don't know,'' she shook her head.
Rhodey got the hint that she hadn't really thought about it, and then he carried on looking over at the obstacles. Earlier, he had ran through the whole course on a bet from Tony that he couldn't do it, but his military training proved strong when he made it through at a quick pace. He even helped Abby make her way through the whole thing, and since she was getting better and better at walking fast, Rhodey had to fasten his pace to keep up with her speedy feet.
''Hey Pepper,'' Tony called out. ''Jump in!''
Pepper stood up and walked over to them. ''Having fun?''
''Mama, look!'' Abby picked up a ball and threw it at Tony's head.
Pepper couldn't help let out a chuckle at her amusement at throwing things at people, she certainly was a wild-tempered child. She relented to their whines and took off her flats, stepping into the ball pit as well. It was deeper than she thought, and she couldn't feel the bottom, only the plastic of the balls.
''Happy birthday Abby,'' Pepper kissed her daughter on the cheek when she lifted her into her arms. ''But don't grow up too quickly.''
Tony moved over to sit with them, enjoying the moment they had to themselves. ''Don't grow up at all, that sounds better doesn't it?''
Tony hated the thought of his daughter growing up. He hated picturing her in high-school, surrounded by all of the horrors those years brought, as well as the whole 'dating' phase beginning to start. There was no way he was letting her go out with any guy, he had already planned what he was going to do to deem them worthy enough to take her out to dinner, and he wasn't planning on letting any boy hurt her. If they did, they had Iron Man to deal with.
Abby jumped back into the plastic balls, throwing them around and giggling as her parents watched beside her. They would never tire of watching her smile and be happy, it made them happier and grateful for what they had.
''It's gone too quick.'' Tony commented.
''Mm, I know.'' Pepper agreed.
''I remember the whole thing, y'know. I mean, I can't remember much about yesterday, but I can remember everything about the day she was born.'' he began, and Pepper looked at him adoringly. ''I remember your voice when you told me she was coming, and I remember the feel of your nails digging into my hands, how long it took, how exhausted you were, and how unbelievable strong you were.''
Pepper loved when he would talk so intimately. ''I couldn't have done any of it without you there with me.''
Tony smiled. ''You could have, you can do anything.''
''Not as well as I do when you're with me.'' she nudged his side and looked over at Abby. ''A whole year.''
''I want it to start all over again.'' he told her.
''Really?''
He nodded. ''I miss it.''
Pepper chuckled lightly. ''Look at you, Iron Man, defender of the world, getting all sappy.''
Tony nudged her playfully. ''You can't tell me you don't miss it.''
Pepper quietened. ''Yeah, I do.''
They arrived home later that night, and Abby was exhausted from her day of fun at the play land. Tony pulled her into his arms carefully and gently, carrying her into the house as Pepper followed. They headed upstairs and Pepper managed to get her into her pajamas before setting her into her bed gently. She was instantly in a deep sleep once again as she rested, and her parents watched on adoringly.
''Happy birthday beautiful,'' Tony whispered as he pulled Pepper close to his side.
She looked down at her daughter, sleeping peacefully. ''We love you.''
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