Pepper did not understand this at all. She had planned this whole party from top to bottom. But while Rhodey djed and Natasha and Steve sat back and relaxed she had to greet everyone with her Ex-Husband. Morgan giddily awaited the people that were to come.
"Unce Bucky! Uncle Sam!!!" Morgan screamed as the two men entered the house both wearing ridiculous Christmas sweaters. "Did you bring presents?" Pepper fixed a stern look on her daughter
"Morgan you can't just ask people that!" Bucky and Sam only chuckled
"You bet your sweet ass we did," Sam smirked handing her a unicorn-wrapped gift. Squealing she ran to her room disappearing once more. "Merry Christmas!!!" Sam said pouring himself a drink.
"I bet you ten dollars Wilson is drunk first," Tony said under his breath.
Pepper raised an eyebrow "I bet you twenty Barnes is drunk first." Tony let out a whistle as they awaited more guests. Thor's booming footsteps could be heard from outside.
"Merry Christmas!" He boomed startling Kai who burst into tears. Jane sighed flashing Pepper a quick smile.
"I can take him for you." Pepper offered, smiling at the chunky baby Jane held.
"Thank you." She said gratefully handing the baby to Pepper's arms.
"Jesus that baby is fat," Tony said looking at the baby in disgust.
"Tony!" Pepper exclaimed setting Kai down in the makeshift crib. Tony merely shrugged taking a sip of ginger ale.
"Tony Stark not drinking?" Sam questioned making a mock face of horror.
"Nope not tonight," Tony responded making Pepper's heart swell slightly.
"Abracadabra!!!" Pepper heard Billy shout as the twins ran past Pepper to see Morgan.
"Sorry!" Wanda apologized, she and Vision looked as though they hadn't slept in weeks "They got a little too excited." On most days Pepper would've sighed but something about today felt lighter. Today was Christmas. Instead, she sent the young woman a smile. A real genuine smile. Hope and Scott's twins were just as cute as Pepper imagined and Cassie provided great babysitting to the younger kids. Clint was already wasted as were Natasha and Sam.
"Pay up!" Tony demanded holding his hand out making Pepper laugh. Yelena and Kate were nearly passed out drunk alongside Loki. Laura, Vision, Steve, and Hope were the only ones left standing with Pepper and Tony.
"Sorry about him," Laura said as her husband shattered the bottle onto the ground.
"Scott!" Hope shouted as he passed out. Pepper let out a wry sigh at the people before her.
"Um, Miss. Potts?" Pepper nearly jumped at the sound of the teen's voice.
"You can call me Pepper sweetie." Pepper smiled fondly at Scott's daughter.
"I put the kids to sleep Kai, Janet and Hank are in the crib, Morgan, Billy, and Tommy are in her bed, Nate is in the trundle, and Cooper and Lila are watching TV ." Pepper gave the girl a grateful look
"Thank you so much Cassie we've all been having so much fun while you've been taking care of the kids." Cassie shrugged her smile looking exactly like her Fathers
"No problem." Pepper sighed glancing back to the dance floor. Rhodey was dead asleep on the couch, Kate and Yelena were lying on the ground alongside most of the others, Steve and Natasha had gone who knows where and Wanda was on drink number who knows what. Tony's voice suddenly rang through the room
"Okay Wanda chill out on the alcohol the rest of you can either stay here tonight or get lost and don't forget your kids!" Pepper sent him a small smile
"Why does everyone listen to everything you say?" Tony let out a smile of his own
"I'm a man of mysteries." Pepper stifled a yawn but failed miserably. "Get some sleep Pep I'll clean this all up." Pepper raised an eyebrow
"Tony I can't ask you to do that."
He shook his head "Get some shut up you look like your about to pass out."
Pepper smiled softly "Thank you, Tony."
He returned her smile kissing her on the cheek quickly "Merry Christmas Pep." He said as she walked away her heels clicking with every step she took. She turned her head, her blue eyes shining with emotion even she couldn't even process.
"Merry Christmas Tony." She forced herself to turn away from his gaze making her way towards her bedroom. She should've been relieved. Relieved that she hadn't kissed him. Relieved that she didn't relent and get back together with him. Relieved that she ignored the panging feeling eating her up. But she wasn't. Right now even if she refused to admit it she missed Tony Stark more than ever. She missed him a lot.
YOU ARE READING
Learn to Love Again
FanfictionPepperony AU. It had been a year. A year since Pepper finally caved. Since she'd left with Morgan. Since Tony had gotten himself so deep into alcohol he'd completely changed. The man Pepper once loved more than anything in this world was gone. He wa...
