Memories - an Irondad and Spiderson story

3. What's an Adoption?

They both laughed at the picture. It was pretty cute. „Oh god. It was when I insisted on signing my own adoption papers." Peter said between giggles. Tony nodded. „And believe me, no one could stop you from making it official." Peter shot him an amused glare. „Nobody tried to stop me"!

Heels were clicking on the stone floor of Tony Stark's office. Said man looked up from something he was currently writing to look at Pepper Potts as she dropped a heavy pile of documents on his desk. "I got them." She said with a wide smile. On Tony's face also appeared a big smile and he stood up to hug his girlfriend, spinning her around joyfully. She let out a squeak, but her eyes were full of happiness as he set her down again. "We are still sure it's the right decision. Aren't we?" she asked to make sure they thought enough about this. "Of course! I won't let him go anywhere else!" Tony assured her and instead of a response she kissed him passionately.

The same moment, the door opened and a small, brown haired figure came running in. "Tony, Tony! Look what uncle Happy got me!" the kid shouted and waved around with a Captain America action figure, a huge smile on his face. Pepper and Tony parted from their kiss and Tony crouched down to catch Peter who was literally jumping into the older mans open arms. Tony brought them up again so they were now face to face with Pepper. Peter loved being in this 'height'. "I'm offended by your uncle Happy. Iron Man is so much better than Captain America!" said Tony, playing hurt. "But I already have all of the Iron Man action figures." Peter answered innocent, still grinning. Pepper laughed and placed a gentle kiss on the kids forehead. "Peter, why don't you go up to the living room and tell JARVIS what to order for dinner? We have something to celebrate." She suggested and the seven-year-old squeaked in excitement. Tony let him down and the boy ran out the room to do as he was told.

An hour later the three of them had dinner exceptionally on the couch. That was a fact which let Peter know that it was a really special evening and the thing they had to celebrate was huge! After they finished their pizzas and cleaned away the trash Tony turned to Peter. "Look Peter, we have something to ask you..." The genius started and Pepper, sitting on Peters other side continued: "And it's completely up to you to decide whether you want to or not." The kids face was only a big question mark. "For the past few months our lawsuits set up papers. Adoption papers to be exact. And that's our question. Peter, do you want Pepper and me to adopt you?" Tony spoke again. His heart was racing at the thought the kid could say no. Tony Stark definitely DIDN'T already imagine their life as a family. No he absolutely DIDN'T. Peters face turned from Tony to Pepper and back as they were looking at him expectantly. At this point Tony was sure Peter would say no as the kid opened his mouth: "What is an adoption?" he asked, and the two adults looked at each other before they broke out in laughter. They both had expected the worst. "If we adopt you Peter, we would legally be your parents. We would be your Mom and Dad." Pepper explained and the kids face lit up. "Can I call you Dad then?" he asked, facing Tony. The man smiled. "Of course. I would feel honored." He said. It was true. His heart jumped as he heard Peter call him Dad. "So I can call you Mom then?" He said in Peppers direction and she nodded smilingly. Peter grinned. "Then I want you to adopt me!" He shouted and jumped up from the couch to hug Tony and then Pepper. Nobody could tell how happy they all were in this moment.

Only minutes later, Pepper had gotten the documents, she had dropped earlier on Tony's desk, and placed them on the coffee table. "What are you doing?" Little Peter asked. "I'm making it official. Tony and I have to sign these papers, then we are not longer your guardians but your parents." She explained, and Peter watched excited as she signed. Tony also set his signature on the papers and was about to close them when Peter interrupted him. "Why don't I have to sign them? You said it was my decision if you become my parents. So I have to sign them too." He said crossing his arms. Tony looked at Pepper. "He's right. Here..." he said and handed Peter a pen, pointing next to the adults signatures. "Wait a sec..." Pepper said and took her phone out. "Now." She said and Peter scribbled down his name where Tony had pointed. "Now you're my Mom and you're my Dad!" Peter yelled and Tony couldn't have a bigger smile plastered on his face.

Tony smiled at the memory. He had been so relieved when Peter said yes, it was like when he had asked Pepper to marry him. "And from then we were a family." Tony said and Peter nodded agreeingly as he turned the page to look at the next picture.

Both men smiled at this one. It showed an advanced in pregnancy Pepper sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, while the eight year old Peter had his ear on her big belly, listening what the baby inside was doing. "I remember that." Peter said. "It was about six hours before my sister was born." He smiled, and Tony nodded, remembering back...