Chapter 20

Pepperony

Abby ran around the house squealing with glee as Tony chased her around, their feet thumping against the floor in a pattern as they hurried around the rooms. Pepper was upstairs, and the noise of them running around and their laughter usually would have put her in a better mood, but this morning it only gave her a headache that wasn't going anywhere. She had taken a few migraine relief pills and laid down, but that still wasn't soothing her.

A few moments later, she heard a crashing of something in the living room, most likely a picture frame, and she couldn't even be bothered walking down to scold them for not being careful. She just didn't want to move, she felt so ill. It must have been one of those days, because she wasn't planning on getting out of bed until her head wasn't throbbing.

About an hour later when the house was quiet, Tony walked into the bedroom to find Pepper laying on the bed surrounded by pillow, a look of pain on her face.

''Pepper?'' he whispered, not knowing if she was asleep.

''What?'' she moaned.

''You okay?''

''No, I'm not okay Tony.'' she told him.

Tony fumbled nervously. ''What's wrong?''

''My. Head.'' she grumbled.

''Want me to get you anything?'' he asked, hoping to take away her anger at him.

''No.'' she sighed. ''If you could a littler bit quieter, that'd be great.''

Tony frowned. ''Sorry...'' he apologized, quickly realizing she wasn't in the mood to talk. ''I'll uh...we'll be in the shop then, let me know if you need anything.''

''Mm hmm.''

Two hours passed since Tony had gone up to see Pepper, and he was getting worried about her. She had starting picking up a bigger workload now, maybe she was working herself too hard as she used to, and her migraines were back. He tried to concentrate on his own work as Abby played with the holograms, chasing them around, but his mind was on Pepper the whole time.

''Come on, let's go watch some cartoons.'' Tony held her hand as they walked out the door. ''But you gotta be quiet, okay? Mommy's sleeping.''

Abby nodded, understanding, and then she ran ahead of him to the television, waiting for him to come in and turn on the cartoons for her. He got her a cup of juice and a snack before walking upstairs to check on Pepper.

When he walked in, she was standing near the wardrobe dressed in her professional attire, straightening out her coat. She looked over to him with a smile as if nothing had happened earlier.

''Where are you going?'' he asked.

''I got an e-mail from Heather, I just need to go into the office for about an hour or two.''

Tony shook his head. ''Okay, hold up. You have a raging migraine two hours ago, and now you're going to work?''

''I'm fine, I just woke up with a headache.'' she shrugged. ''It's all okay.''

''No, it's not. You're working too hard again, aren't you?'' he asked. ''You've been doing extra work and it's getting to you.''

Pepper sighed. ''It's not work Tony, I just had a headache, it happens.''

''Why are you denying it?'' he asked. ''I don't like you working so hard all the time, you get yourself all worked up and you get migraines.''

''I'm fine Tony. I promise.'' she walked over and put her hands on his shoulders. ''I haven't had a migraine for weeks, all I had this morning was a headache, it's no big deal. I don't think I got enough sleep, that's all.'' she explained.

Tony settled a little bit. ''You're sure it's not work?''

''I'm positive it's not work.'' she nodded. ''If it was, I would tell you, I promise.''

Tony let go of his anger. ''As long as you're okay.''

Pepper smiled and kissed his cheek. ''I'm fine. I'll see you when I get back.''

Tony let her go, but he reached for her wrist and pulled her back, holding her to him as she pressed his lips to hers. She didn't respond at first, but in a matter or seconds her arms were around his neck, falling deeper into the kiss. When they pulled apart, Pepper looked at him with a huge grin.

''What was that for?'' she asked with a giggle.

''To make up for not be able to do that earlier.''

Pepper drove herself from the house and down the driveway in her car, but she wasn't headed for the Stark Industries offices. Instead, she was on her way to the doctor. Something wasn't right with her, and she couldn't ease her worries until she found of for herself what it was. These headaches used to come and go whenever she was stressed out from work, but she hadn't lied to Tony, she really wasn't stressed out about work.

Those two hours upstairs trying to get rid of her headache allowed her time to make an appointment right away, knowing she couldn't stand feeling like this with no explanation. It had been for a few days too, her headaches would come and go, but it wasn't for so long which is why she never put any thought to it.

It wasn't long before she arrived and got straight into the doctor's office, skipping the waiting room thanks to her earlier phone call. Dr. Tate had seen Pepper numerous times since Abby was born, but it was never for anything serious or for something that had Pepper so worried. Pepper took a seat and waited for her to walk into the room with her usual clipboard.

''How are you Mrs. Stark?'' Dr. Tate smiled politely when she walked into the room. ''How's little Abby?''

Pepper smiled at just the thought of her daughter. ''She's still perfect. But you were right about her being a handful.''

Dr. Tate chuckled. ''I know how to pick them.'' she sat down and looked over to Pepper. ''Now, what can I help you with?''

Pepper shifted. ''I'm not sure. I've been getting these horrible headaches.''

''Like your previous migraines?''

''No, these have only been happening for a few minutes at a time, but they're very painful. But this morning I had one for over an hour, and I don't know what's causing them. I'm not stressed, it's not work.'' Pepper explained.

Dr. Tate looked over Pepper's record. ''Hmm, all your past migraine and headache occurrences have been a result of high blood-pressure due to stress. You're sure you're not overworking yourself? You have to remember it's not work that can be at fault now, you're a mother, stress is an everyday thing now.''

''I'm sure it's not stress. Work's been fine, my workload is just enough and Abby, although a handful, doesn't stress me out as much as you would think so.''

Dr. Tate could see the worry in Pepper's eyes. ''I can run some tests for you, to ease your worries.'' she suggested, and Pepper nodded. ''Okay, well we'll do a few to cover all the possibilities.''

''What are the possibilities?'' Pepper asked worriedly.

''A few minor things are coming to mind, like high-blood pressure, maybe due to some foods or a change in eating habits.''

''And the major ones?''

Dr. Tate sighed. ''It's nothing to worry about just yet, but based on your history with migraines and strong headaches such as the one you described, it can be assumed that there might be some inflammation of the blood vessels around the brain, and in that case we'll have to run a few tests to see if the severity has the potential to cause a stroke.''

Pepper gasped. ''A stroke?''

''It's one possibility, out of many, many others Mrs. Stark, please don't worry over something we don't know about yet. Hopefully a few tests will rule out a number of possibilities, and there is treatment available, so don't worry.'' Pepper nodded sadly, hoping it was nothing serious. ''Would you like to do the tests now?''

''Absolutely, the sooner the better.'' Pepper told her confidently.

After some basic tests, Pepper was free to go home and await the results. However, she couldn't bring herself to drive home and tell Tony what could be wrong with her. He always worried over her having migraines and overworking, but telling him that she might be at risk of having a stroke was unbearable. She knew Dr. Tate assured her it was only a possibility, and Pepper did ask for all of the possibilities, but if she didn't tell Tony, she would feel as though she was hiding something from him even though it might not be what she thinks.

She drove home after a few minutes, thinking the whole way of what to tell him. She didn't want him to think she went to Stark Industries, she didn't want to lie after always telling him to tell her everything. He deserved the same in return.

''How was work?'' he asked her as she walked into the kitchen and sat her bag down.

Pepper shrugged her shoulders. ''Actually-''

''Mama!'' Abby rushed into the room, hugging Pepper's legs. ''Missed you.''

Pepper picked her up into her arms. ''I missed you too Ab.'' Then she caught a smell in the air, eyeing Tony suspiciously. ''Did...did you try and cook something?''

Tony bit his lip. ''I might have tried to make pasta.''

''Why would you do that?''

''We were hungry!'' Tony defended. ''And it looked easy.''

Pepper chuckled and sat Abby down, walking over to the stove. ''I'll make some dinner then.''

''No, don't worry about it, you've been working all afternoon.'' Tony told her.

Pepper felt a wave of guilt, but she didn't want to tell him about her doctor's visit while Abby was in the room.

''I want to cook dinner.'' she told him. ''It's relaxing, believe it or not.''

Tony threw his hands up in defense. ''Well, if you say so.''

That night, Pepper walked out of the shower and slipped into her pajamas, lazily making her way over to the bed where Tony was sitting up yawning. She done her usual routine of applying moisturizer on her skin, letting her hair fall out messily, and climbing underneath the blankets. They talked about small things for a while, and then Tony asked her about work.

''Do you need to go in tomorrow?'' he asked.

Pepper shook her head. ''No.''

''It's weird they just called you in like that.''

Pepper sighed. ''I didn't go to work Tony.''

He raised his eyebrows in confusion. ''I..thought that's where you went?''

''I went to to the doctors.'' she told him truthfully.

Tony sat up, instantly worrying. ''You went to th- What's wrong?''

Pepper sat up as well. ''I don't know. I've been getting those headaches-''

''I told you to ease up on work. Pepper, come on, you can't keep doing this.'' he told her.

''Tony, would you just listen to me.'' she pleaded. ''It's not like I've had migraines everyday, I would have let you know. I've been getting these short pains in my head, like a headache, and it really hurts, but then it goes away after a minute or two. They've been on and off for a few days, I just didn't know how worried I should be.''

Tony listened to her, nodding his head. ''You should have told me.''

''I didn't want you to worry.''

''Isn't that my excuse for when I don't tell you things? And you usually yell at me.''

Pepper felt so hypocritical. ''I know, I should have told you. But I didn't know what was wrong, I didn't know what to tell you and I just...I needed to do this myself.''

''You don't have to do anything yourself Pepper, that's what I'm here for.''

''I know, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I was in a whole other mood. I was worried, and a little scared.''

Tony looked at her worry. ''Wait, is there something wrong? What did the doctor say?''

Pepper grabbed his hand, and Tony knew he was in for bad news. ''Don't worry,'' she told him, seeing his worry. ''She said it could be high-blood pressure from some foods, or it could be...'' Tony squeezed her hand, bracing himself. ''It could have the potential to trigger a stroke, because of my migraine history and blood pressure.''

Tony shook his head. ''You can't have a stroke, th-that happens when we're old, way, way older.'' he denied.

''It's just a possibility, it might not even be that bad. I just wanted to tell you, so I didn't feel so guilty, and I'm kind of scared.'' she told him honestly, his arms wrapping around her now. ''I mean, that's the worst case scenario, but I can't help it.'' Tony pulled her closer and hugged her gently. ''I had some tests, just to see what it is.''

''You're gonna be fine.'' he assured her. ''I promise.''

''But what if it's-''

''You're gonna be fine.'' he kissed the top of her head.

Pepper realized he didn't want to talk about if that happened. He didn't want to imagine her going through that. It was hard enough to hear her say how bad the headaches were hurting her, he hated her in pain.

''I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I know I give you hell about that.''

''You're allowed this one. After all I've done...I'll let you off.'' he told her. ''But next time something is hurting you, tell me. I want to help.''

''I know.'' she nodded, looking up at him in his arms. ''And I love you for it.''

That's how they spent the rest of the night. Pepper in Tony's arms as he held her as close as he could, resting his head on her shoulder. He couldn't stand for something to be hurting Pepper, he hated the very thought, and he hoped with everything he had that she was going to be okay.

Breakfast the next morning was different. Tony cooked while Pepper was still asleep, so when she woke up, everything was on the bench ready, and it wasn't even burnt. Pancakes were his specialty, the one thing he could cook well enough, and she appreciated his efforts. He tried to do everything for her since he found out she had been suffering these headaches, but it didn't annoy her this time.

''Good morning,'' he kissed her forehead as she walked into the kitchen.

She kissed him back affectionately. ''Morning.'' Then she leaned on the bench and pressed a kiss to Abby's cheek as she munched on her little pancakes with jelly on top. ''Good morning Abby.''

Abby smiled widely. ''Morning mama.'' she repeated.

It was such a nice morning. They were all happy, sharing breakfast together and forgetting the day's tasks. Although Pepper knew Tony was scared, she could tell by the way he acted, she said no more about anything and enjoyed the moment

It was the next day when Pepper finally heard back from Dr. Tate. She was working in her office when Jarvis informed her of the call, and she put her straight through, closing her office door so that she had privacy for whatever the news was.

''Dr. Tate?'' Pepper answered.

''Hello Mrs. Stark, I just called to let you know your tests have come back and I have the results.'' Dr. Tate informed her. ''Would you like me to tell you over the phone?''

Pepper took a long, deep breath. ''Yes.''

Tony could usually hear the sound of heels approaching down the stairs and he would have time to turn around just as Pepper walked in, but this afternoon he didn't hear her at all. He didn't hear her sneak up behind him, it was only when he saw her reflection in his screen that he turned around in shock.

''Geez Pepper, are you trying to give me a heart attack?'' Tony gasped in shock.

''Sorry.'' she told him, but her expression was unreadable.

Tony instantly know something was wrong. ''Pepper? Are you alright?'' She nodded her head, but Tony stood up and put his hands on her shoulders. ''Come on, what's wrong?''

Pepper finally met his gaze. ''Dr. Tate called. I got my results.''

Tony's mouth dropped, but Pepper gave off no indication of what those results were. ''And? What's going on?'' She didn't say anything again, and it was as if she was having an internal conflict over what to say or how to say it, and that made Tony much more anxious. ''Pepper, please give me something here.'' She went to speak, but she look away as if searching for the words. ''You know I hate silences, you're kind of freaking me out right now Pepper, I have no idea what you're-''

''I'm pregnant.'' she spat out quickly, biting her lip nervously.

Tony froze, he was not expecting that. There was a long pause before he spoke. ''You mean...''

''That's why my blood pressure was high.'' she began explaining. ''There's nothing wrong up here,'' she pointed to her head. ''But the blood tests...I'm pregnant.'' Tony didn't say anything, the realization not hitting him yet. The possibility that Pepper was pregnant didn't cross his mind, certainly not after being told it could be warning signs for something terrible. Pepper looked at his blank expression. ''I know we never talked about having another baby, and I-I'm not even sure if we're ready...but it's happening.'' she told him. ''And I get it if you're not exactly...on board with the idea.''

Tony's head snapped up from his musings, looking straight to Pepper. ''On board with the idea?'' he repeated. ''Pepper...do you think I don't want this or something?''

Pepper shrugged her shoulders. ''I honestly don't know. We haven't even considered having another-''

''That doesn't matter.'' he shook his head. ''Pepper, look at our life, the best things that have happened to us haven't been considered or expected, they just happen.''

Pepper walked closer to him. ''So...you're happy?''

Tony shook his head in disbelief that she had to even ask him that. ''Well, yeah! Aren't you?''

Pepper's lips tugged into a small smile. ''I am now.'' she told him. ''I didn't know how you felt about it.''

Tony wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her lips adoringly. ''I'm happy.'' Pepper hugged him back, relieved. She knew he took the first pregnancy pretty well, but the news of a second made her wonder how he would react again. ''Another one, huh?''

Pepper chuckled. ''Think we can handle it?''

''I think we could handle triplets.'' he told her.

''Don't get too ahead of yourself.'' she laughed, looking back up at him admiringly. He dipped his head down and kissed her once more, longer and deeper this time. ''We can do this, right? We're ready.'' she asked, needing reassurance.

Tony grinned, pushing her hair back from her forehead. ''For anything.''

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