Illegitimate Prodigy

I hate that I care so much.

His eyes focused on the scar left behind from where the arc reactor use to be. The red puffed up scar tissue between his pectoral muscles was beginning to fade quickly, as if nothing was there to begin with. Eyelids fluttering shut, images of Afghanistan passed through his mind like a film on a reel. So much history has been made since then, and for some reason what he was about to do seemed so much more stressful. It wasn't the continuous search for Captain, nor anything to do with Pepper but it was to meet his daughter for lunch. His daughter. The word was like a punch in the nose and tasted so bitter on the tip of his tongue. 

Fingertips finding there way to button the rest of his shirt, his brown hues snapped to the corner of mirror where he could see Pepper entering the room with his suit jacket. It was a work day, but her hair wasn't tied back. Ever since their breakup she avoid any other conversation that involved personal talk, and stuck to being professional. Which he hated. Meeting his back, she held the jacket up so he could extend his arms into the sleeves, and he quickly turned to meet her eyes. "How do I look? Charming?" Pepper rolled her eyes, adjusting his collar, swiping her fingertips briskly on the shoulders and then dropping them to her sides. "Maybe leave the egotistical comments behind when you have lunch with Annabelle. You are after all attempting to create a caring relationship with her." 

"Caring? Hm-m," Tony gave a slight smirk, his hands meeting the breast pocket of his suit and then letting it fall to his side. It was going to take a lot more than an afternoon to convince her of anything. Their last meeting didn't go so well, and he could see it in her eyes that she had so much disdain for him. Especially when she realized he knew all along that he was the other half of her genetic code. 

"Sir," F.R.I.D.A.Y.'s voice piercing the air around them. " Annabelle has just arrived." 

"Don't screw it up, Tony," Pepper said, her serious tone making it's way to the surface. "Please." 

A small sigh escaped his lips, his eyes unable to meet Pepper's because she had already turned to walk away. Nodding to himself, he buttoned his top button. 

"Send her up." 

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Tony stood in front of the four chaired table, waiting patiently for the elevator to ding. He could feel his blood pressure rising, and he felt more and more anxious. "Jesus," he whispered to himself, pacing away from the table, but then quickly stepping back when he finally heard the elevator. Right hand resting on the back of one of the chairs, he continued to move it back and forth between his side and the table. He heard multiple footsteps coming from the elevator meaning it wasn't just Annabelle. Was he expecting anyone else? 

He narrowed his eyes in on the entry way to the dining room, until he saw Happy leading the way. Honestly, Tony felt relieved that Happy escorted her up, because it made the introduction far less awkward. Annabelle followed, her hands tightly knotted together at her torso. She was nervous too. 

"Tony, I've brought your guest." He stopped, gesturing toward the shorter brunette girl next to him. "You know how this place can be such a maze, I just figured I'd show her the way." 

"Yes..the maze from the front door to the elevator--and now here," Annabelle said sarcastically, which caused Hogan shoot her a small glare. 

"Yeah--yeah..well you two have a good lunch," this time his voice sounded so much more displeased, and Tony noticed Annabelle's eyes roll so much he thought the brown irises would never reappear again. 

Once Happy made his way back to the elevator, Tony pointed to the chairs. "Thank you for coming. Please have a seat." He despised how robotic he sounded. Turning his back to her, he headed toward the kitchen. The food was already out on plate, undoubtedly Pepper's doing. Stark would have much preferred to have just eaten the Chinese right from the box, but this would have to do. Grabbing the evenly portioned plates, he made his way back to the dining room where his daughter had finally taken a seat. 

Tony never did organized dates or dinners. He didn't even make it to normal meetings about the Avengers on time--or even court dates. This wasn't his forte, and nor was having children. He didn't want children---but Annabelle? Annabelle was unexpected.  He was aware she existed since birth, and carefully watched over her every move since then. 

but now? This meeting with her after the unfortunate event of her mothers death? He was guilt ridden--and he needed to make it right.