You Can Let Go Now Daddy

Valentines Day

 A/N: I normally have my authors notes at the bottom of the chapter but I needed this one to be seen so here it is on top. I wanted to say thank you to each and every one of you. For real. This story is what inspires me to try and do things in life. I can't believe all the support I've gotten on it. Part of me thinks it's trash and doesn't deserve all the love, but another part of me (the stronger part) keeps telling myself that it does. That this story is more than just my crappy writing, it's all of you coming here every time I upload (even though my upload schedule is kinda erratic) and voting on it. For commenting and sharing it with  the people around you. I've never written something that's blown up this big before and I probably never will again. I'm so lucky to be on this incredible journey with all of you. I hope this story inspires those of you who don't write to put yourself out there and give it a try. Sorry that this note is so long I just can't express in words how i'm feeling right now. But enough about me, enjoy the chapter! (also I'm going to add here that the Guardians have already left in this chapter since I don't think I mention it in chapter).

Valentine's Day. It's the one day of the year couples always look forward to. Tony didn't mind it, compared to Christmas and Easter, the celebration was a lot smaller and easier to manage. He loved using his money on the ones he loved, especially Pepper.

But this year, it wasn't just Pepper he had to think about. It was Peter. The small boy was obviously too young to really understand what the day meant. But he knew it was a day to show extra love and kindness for those around you. He got the gist.

Before he came to live with Tony, Valentine's Day was his favourite holiday (now it's Christmas). It was the one day of the year he was actually allowed to participate in the festivities, since the school put together valentine exchanges and dances and it's not like his guardian could pull him out. They were always under watchful eye after one of the teachers had noticed a bruise on Peter's arm.

It had meant he got candy and cards from the other kids. But he'd never actually given any out himself. He wouldn't even know who to give them to.

Now, he was ready to hand them out for the first time. He had wrapped a little bag around his body to carry all his cards and was prepared to hand them to people throughout the day as he saw them. Not that anyone knew, of course. He wanted it to be a surprise.

He had drawn them all himself and he had even figured out how to seal the envelopes. He hummed as he hopped down the steps to breakfast, ready to start the day by giving out his first two cards.

Peter climbed into a kitchen chair and set two of the envelopes addressed 'Mommy' and 'Daddy' scrawled in crude crayon down on the table. Then he set off to find the rest of the Avengers, knowing his parents would see his cards soon.

Tony and Pepper had spent the night before up late. Tony's fault of course. He refused to go to bed, working on a late night project and Pepper had accompanied him. Like hell she was going to sleep in the bedroom alone while Tony worked himself into sleep deprivation. She may hate staying up, but she hated sleeping alone even more.

"We should get up, Peter will be awake soon..." Tony mumbled gruffly, but his eyes remained closed and he didn't roll over to get out of bed. Pepper rolled her eyes and sat up, glancing at the clock.

"Peter is already awake. His alarm goes off at 9am and it's 10, Tony." She rolled her eyes, standing up and hurriedly beginning to get dressed. If they weren't up, chances are Peter was off somewhere playing, without an empty stomach. 

Tony followed suit after a couple minutes of complaining about kids and their early wake up times. Pepper was quick to remind him that he was the one who adopted the kid on a whim and he wouldn't be in this situation if he'd thought things through more but Tony waved it all away.