What is this?

Chapter eleven

"Tony, time to wake up", a warm feminine voice said while opening the curtains of Tony's room.

"Mmmh, five more minutes", Tony groaned, placing a pillow on his face.

"No, you need to get up now", Maria smiled sitting next to his son.

"Can't I just skip the first class?" Tony mumbled.

Maria laughed: "You aren't going to school today. But even if you were, the answer would be no."

Tony peeked from under his pillow with a sleepy, questioning face.

"We're gonna celebrate your birthday. Come downstairs, breakfast is waiting."

Maria left the room, but left the door open. Tony didn't wanna get up just yet, but he also didn't wanna disappoint his mother. After a few minutes of in-head battle Tony managed to get up. He didn't change yet, just dragged himself to the kitchen.

First, Tony slouched to the chair, then he straightened his posture for his mother. Maria smiled and gave Tony a big plate of pancakes topped with chocolate syrup along with fresh berries.

Tony started eating, then with his mouth full: "Can I have some coffee too?"

"Don't speak with your mouth full of food. And you do know coffee isn't really good for you?" Maria scolded.

"Give the boy his coffee. This day will be a pain in the ass even without a tired Tony", Howard scoffed.

"No, mom, you're right. Coffee isn't good for me, I really shouldn't drink it", Tony said eyeing his dad.

"Don't try me, I can cancel everything and you'll go to school", Howard advised.

Tony shrugged his shoulders, but Maria didn't like any of that: "Both of you will stop. I don't want you fighting today. Tony please don't try and annoy your dad, if nothing else, do it for me. And Howard, we're supposed to celebrate Tony's birthday for god's sake. Can't you at least today be a little more caring towards your son?"

Tony and Howard both glared at each other, but nodded. Neither of them wanted to let Maria down.

"I'll go continue my work. Tell me when you're ready", Howard said, gave Maira a peck on her cheek and headed towards his office.

"So, how was the party?" Maria hinted.

"It was okay. I mean at first everything was fine", Tony admitted.

"Did something happen?" a hint of worry could be heard in Maria's voice.

Tony shrugged his shoulders again: "Well, Pepper came. Nothing bad happened, but yeah."

Maria had a questioning face which made Tony continue: "Ugh, me and Pepper, we aren't in the best terms right now. I might've thrown some beverage at her, but nobody got hurt or anything like that."

"Tony.. Well I guess it's good if no one got hurt. But I'm not happy if you threw something at her, even if it was just liquid", Maria shook her head in disappointment.

"Yeah, not my proudest moment. But I wasn't really thinking straight.." Tony admitted.

"What even happened between you and Pepper?" Maria got a little worried again.

"Well, I really don't like remembering it, but I saw her cheating on me. And she accused of me cheating on her as well. I would never cheat on anyone. I might be a flirt, but cheating is not something I'd ever do!" Tony heated up.