Family

Chapter 9

"Buckle up".

"Oh".

I put on my seatbelt, blushing a bit.

It was kind of strange how she acted so much like a mom to me, just like Gwen. Does everyone just see me as a child? I'm always the son, not the father. Sure I'm fine with it but I just don't exactly feel the same way with Gwen and Ms. Potts. I love how much they care for me, but they don't feel like a parent to me. I don't feel like their son.

"So Peter, what grade are you in?" Pepper asked, moving into traffic.

"I'm a sophomore" I responded, looking out the window.

I've never been in a car as much since I became spiderman. The view from the sky had always been a new prospective for me. Everything seemed more...calm. Sure, looking out at the window seemed relaxing but wasn't the same. The swinging in the city is where I belong, not a car...maybe I'm just impatient.

"Taking college level classes as a sophomore...not even Tony did that. At least that I know of" Pepper laughed, equally feeling impressed.

"Really?" I asked, feeling concerned if I was right, feeling the form in my pocket.

"Yeah. Tony had told me he had been finished in high school by Junior year. I never thought it was possible. I guess the nerd has always had it in him. So did Howard".

Name sounds familiar.

"Who's that?" I asked, looking at Pepper.

"Tony's father. He isn't alive anymore. He died in a accident with his wife. Tony never believed in that though".

Why was she telling me this? She seems to be very comfortable with me, or with something else. It's hard to understand.

"Oh".

I didn't know what to say.

"He was a genius, like Tony. He fought back in WW2. He worked in many projects, being one of the smartest men in the U.S., or even the world" Pepper explained, seeming very serious.

"He created Captain America" I remembered, looking forward in traffic.

I knew who Howard Stark was. I may of forgotten but I know now. I knew him more than Tony but I was always interested. I had studied about him. His ideas, theories, and inventions. All seemed genius but mad.

"Yes" Pepper confirms, keeping attention to the road.

"Did you ever know him?" I ask, not looking towards her.

"Howard? No. It happened when I was young. When Tony was young. I just knew he was...brilliant. Maybe not in many ways but he was brilliant".

The conversation stayed shy as we drove to the center.

I felt excited but also nervous. It wasn't a normal nervousness. My spider sense wasn't going off but not in danger. I've learned to understand it. My feeling was more butterflies than nerves.

I look at some of the damage on the buildings, remembering from this morning. Man, It felt like weeks ago. I know I keep saying it but today seemed very long and full. So many things have happened. Also very dramatic. I got a feeling this could just be the beginning, and it's not the butterflies talking.

The collapsed buildings made me wonder.

"Where were you during the attack?" I ask out of the blue.

"...I was in a plane. I was coming back from D.C., returning from the pentagon. The whole country was in a blur, panic. The airport security wouldn't let me through but I got verified. I needed to get back...I saw Tony with the nuke...I though he was going to die" Pepper told, started to cry.

"I watched him go through the portal. I saw him die! I couldn't do anything!". Pepper held my hand tightly, not realizing she was even holding my hand.

A knock clicked on the window, wanting attention. Pepper regained herself, opening the window. I let go of her hand, hoping I didn't regret it.

"You okay, mam?" The security guard asked.

"Yes, I'm fine" Pepper responded, hiding her tears.

"...I'm going to need to see your ID" the guard informed, retaining his duty.

Pepper showed her ID, giving a smile.

"You have a good day".

"You too".

Pepper moved forward, trying to control her emotions.

"I'm sorry" I whisper.

"Peter, it's not your fault. It's just...Tony".

I hold her hand, knowing it would comfort her.

"It's gonna be fine".
-
"Hello Ladies...and some Gentlemen".

Pepper and I sat together at the top of the audience, on the balcony. We watched the great man stand, accepting his reward. What really stood there, however, was his ego.

"Thank you for coming and giving me an award for almost killing myself".

The crowd always seemed to laugh, admiring their hero, Iron Man.

"Many have told me that I was a hero. Some have called me a stupid bastard. I'm not going to confirm which one is true".

Pepper and I laughed as well, enjoying the humor.

"In all seriousness, mostly, I have been mentioned as making a great sacrifice. I don't know if it still counts but I still take it as one. It wasn't meant to be selfish, however. When I heard there was a nuke coming in, I knew it wouldn't save anything. So using my Stark wits, I knew how to save the world...or you know, maybe just New York".

I smiled, appreciating Tonys speech. I looked over at Pepper, not too happy. She didn't see the truth in Tony's words. She knew the truth.

"And with that, I would love to accept this award".

The crowd applauded, cheering as the medal was brought out. A lady in dark red dress blonde hair held the metal, walking over to Tony. She placed the metal in Tony's hand.

Tony looked at the medal, acting as if he was confused.

"Looks nothing like me".

Laughter spread all around, filling the room. I was busting out with laughter. Just because I'm a nerd, doesn't mean I only like nerd jokes...even if Tony was kind of a nerd himself, but how would I know that.

Pepper clapped, not exactly laughing.

"Thank you, love" Tony thanked, kissing both of the blondes cheeks, making the crowd whistle.

Pepper sat with a straight face, still clapping. I didn't know how she felt but I knew she knew something.

"Thank you, NYC!"