Chapter 18(2)

Dinner was perfect, everything was perfect. The champagne bottles were gone in less than an hour as they reminisced together. Tony didn't think he would ever be this open with someone about his feelings, but to Pepper, he could tell her anything. He told her how he always regrets taking so long to let her know how he felt, and she said the same in return. They talked about how they both agreed to go on their first date, how stubborn they were, how he proposed to her, their wedding, their honeymoon, and then they spent the night talking about their daughter, and how lucky they were to have her. Pepper never imagined to have the perfect life, and although hers was hectic and never dull, it was perfect in it's own way, she knew it, and Tony felt the same. He never thought he would be married and have a family, yet here he was, and he didn't know how he got by without them before.

''I would have done this last year on our first anniversary, but-''

''I was too fat.'' Pepper pouted. ''I didn't even want to think about going out.''

''You were not fat. It's called being pregnant.'' he complained, hating when she talked like that about herself. ''And you would have still beat out all the other women in the room, hands down.''

Once all the meal courses were done, they both stood up, ready to go home. Tony knew Pepper loved the evening. Simple things like this was what Pepper loved, not the whole fireworks in the sky with a billion cameras watching on. Something small and intimate like this was just what she wanted.

On their way home, Pepper scooted over to sit right beside Tony and he slung his arm around her shoulders lovingly.

''Thank you Tony.'' she whispered in his ear. ''It was perfect.''

Tony kissed her forehead. ''You're perfect, you deserve it.''

She smiled and nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck, finding warmth and comfort until they arrived home.

A night without Abby in the house was always going to take a while to get used to, but tonight, Pepper didn't mind that their daughter was somewhere else. As long as she was safe, and with Rhodey she would be, Pepper didn't have to worry.

Tony took Pepper's hand as they walked inside, and he watched her face as Pepper walked ahead of him into the second part of his plan. There were rose petals on the ground, and the rooms were lit up with candles as she walked through the hall.

''Oh, Tony...'' she gaped.

''Now, I know I'm not much of a dancer, and neither are you if I may say so in defense, but,'' Tony clicked a button, and their wedding song came on the house audio system in every room, filling the house with it's tune. ''Care to join me, Mrs. Stark?''

Pepper grinned at him adoringly. ''Of course, Mr. Stark.''

Tony pulled her into his arms as they swayed in the living room. ''Y'know, it's been a while since you called me Mr. Stark.'' he commented. ''It takes me back.''

''Yes, back to when I organized your every move,'' she remembered. ''But then again, that was yesterday as well.''

Tony chuckled. ''What can I say? You're the best at it.''

''You don't listen to anyone else.''

''And for good reason.'' he continued swaying them around the room.

They fell into a comfortable silence, and Pepper laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes as they danced slowly, intimately. Tony had his hands on her back, moving them around gently as they swayed. It was perfect, just as the whole night had been.

''You're the only person I would want to have spent these past two years with.'' she told him quietly.

Tony warmed up inside at her confession. ''And you're the only one for me, too.''

They stayed that way for a while longer, kissing slowly, passionately to their wedding music before their movements became more eager. Pepper's hand slid up to his neck, her head sneaking in under his shirt. Tony's hands fell to her lower waist, tracing circles around her hips before he lifted her up off the ground, their lips still attached. He knew where to go, and his feet done the rest. The next minute, they were up the stairs and falling into the bedroom.

Tony sat Pepper down on the bed, gently tilting her back until she was laying down, and then he hovered on top of her, looking into her eyes filled with lust and love.

''This night's been perfect Tony, thank you.'' she told him as she played with his hair. ''I love you.''

He grinned. ''I love you too. Happy anniversary.''