A little too tired of just hanging on

Chapter 21

A wedding didn't need to be a big affair to be beautiful. May and Happy were simple people with simple tastes. Big venues and puffy white dresses weren't their styles. All the contrary. Tony had wanted to pay for a grand wedding. He couldn't be happier that they had refused. The genius never had a problem sharing his wealth. Money had become synonymous with his worth in the eyes of some people. There have always been some only interested in his fame and bank account. Tony had thought himself good at seeing right through them. How wrong he had been. Tony would have married Pepper in a heartbeat but she never wanted him for himself. Miss Potts had wanted the power, the money and the position. He could get her that.

Tony had been really surprised when Happy had asked him to be his best man. It took him quite some time to actually believe it. The genius had never been chosen for anything, not just for the pleasure of having him but for the family's name, fortune and influence. Happy and may had been clear. They wanted nothing of that. His presence was all that mattered. Tony was proud just being there, happier than he had ever been.

He would keep his presence a secret as much as possible. Friday would help. The press should not be around and ruin that special day. The media were ensensing him now. Those so-called journalists really had no shame. The ones who hated him the most once upon a time, not so long ago, were the ones who seemed to love him the most now. His AI kept on showing him news and talk shows about him. Most of them were just acting as if their past behaviour didn't happen. They didn't make excuses. Only Christine did. They were just moving on. People's memories tended to be short and the journalists were betting on that. They weren't totally wrong. The genius wasn't going to participate in all that though. He wasn't going to participate in all that though. He wasn't giving interviews anymore. The rare times he was caught on Earth by journalists, he would just never answer the many questions they were shouting his way.

The bride was beautiful. Her white dress was simple with a lace flowers accent. The same flowers were tied in her brown hair. More than that, May was glowing with happiness. Happy had gone for a simple dark grey suit without a tie. He would be comfortable during the best day of his life, not strangled and stuffed. Happy and Tony had spent the previous day together. The groom shouldn't see the bride before the ceremony. They had talked for quite some time. Happy ahd explained what had happened to him during Tony's absence and his falling in love with the most wonderful woman in the world. The happiness was contagious. Happy deserved all that and more. Friday beamed them down in front of the town hall. They would just sign the paperwork before going to the party. May was escorted by Peter, looking uncomfortable in his suit.

Peter looked so proud signing his name as a witness on the marriage certificate. This was an important task, the most important one ever. It brought a smile to Tony's face. Despite all the hardships and traumas, his children old and new were still finding the strength to smile and move on to a brighter future. That was what Tony had ever wanted, what he had been fighting. The genius could finally be sure that the future would be bright and secure for the people he loved. Peter had not lost his kind and caring personality.

"I made you a plate, Mr Stark, with a little bit of everything." Said Peter handing him a dish full to the brim with food.

"How much do you think I'm eating Kid? And how many times have I told you to call me Tony?"

"We can share Mr... Tony."

The kid was visibly happy and, as usual, over excited by everything happening. His good mood was contagious. Peter was babbling between two bites about his friends and school. Ned, MJ and he were applying to many different universities to keep their options open. May always told him not to put all his eggs in the same basket. Their university of choice would be MIT. They would study different specialities.