"Boss, the test is a match."
"Oh come on, Fri. Not you too.", Tony jokingly pleaded, smirking at Rhodey.
"I have ran through the data multiple times. It's a match. Would you like to see the data?"
"Yes ple...", he dragged, lighthearted tone gone wh...
*This part is dedicated to my own Iron Dad, who had his birthday a while but whatever the sentiment still stands.*
It was one of those instances where Tony woke up on his own for once. And when he did, he didn't feel like going back to sleep or death. It was kind of refreshing, actually.
The man took a deep breath, glancing around the room. The sky was still dark, littered with stars. Pepper was against him, still peacefully asleep. He smiled, listening to her even breaths as he glanced at the clock. His body must be getting the gist of the recently implemented sleep schedule because Morgan, according to hers, would be up and hungry in a couple of minutes.
Tony started shifting slowly, as to not accidentally wake up his wife. She was still on maternity leave, which she deserved completely because that woman does not get a break; despite the fact that it wasn't really a break. Because taking care of infants is, in fact, a lot of work. The narrator has siblings, they can tell you.
By the time Tony was out of bed, he could hear Morgan's hungry cries begin at a soft whimper. "Hmm?", Pepper hummed quietly. "No, no. I've got her this time. Go back to sleep, honey.", her husband murmured closely. "Kay.", she responded, not needing to be told twice.
The father quietly walked up to the crib as his daughter's cries grew louder. "Hey, sweetheart.", he greeted, picking her up. "I know, I know.", Tony cooed on their way up to the kitchen. Not even bouncing would appease the child right now. "Just a few more seconds, ok?", he asked quietly.
Morgan seemed more than pleased when given her milk. Her father smiled down with all the fondness only a dad who loved his family more than anything else in the world could have. While waiting for her to finish, Tony started aimlessly walking around the room. While trying to burp her, the man glanced at all of the pictures of his family he's acquired over the years. Pictures of Pepper. Pictures of Peter. Of Happy (sometimes in his knowledge, sometimes without), of Rhodey, of all the damn Avengers, smiling or laughing during the few times where the world could handle itself, and recently adding Morgan into the mix.
That was his family. And by god, did he love them all.
After Morgan was in that phase where she was settled but still awake, Tony bounced his daughter lightly and drifted to the window. His gaze broke as he looked at the stars sprinkled across the night sky. Morgan followed his line of sight, blue eyes staring at the celestial bodies in the same way she looked at her stuffed animal, or Peter with a new invention or web shooter combination. That look of pure awe and wonder Tony will remember and cherish until his last breath.
It's hard to think that there was once a time in his life when he didn't want a family.
"Pretty, huh.", he muttered to the infant. "From far away, stars are all pretty.", the father thought aloud. Morgan reached a hand upward, towards the window. Towards the stars. "You wanna touch them?", Tony asked playfully. "I'm sure you'll be able to; one day. No doubt about it. And on much better circumstances than I did, too.", he mused, shifting his thoughts away before he spiraled down.
Morgan pulled her hand back in, eyes slowly shutting with content. "Goodnight, luce stellare.", Tony mumbled, making his way back to the bedroom.
"Hey Fri? Is there something going on today?", he whispered. "Well, Boss, you have meetings at 10, 3, and 5, a conference call at noon, Peter is supposed to be coming by with university pamphlets, and it's your birthday.", the AI responded with the same volume.
Huh., Tony thought. That's today? Must've forgotten. Oh well.
"I know it's early, but Happy Birthday, Boss.", Friday said afterward. "Thanks dearest.", he responded, though genuinely shrugging it off. At this age, there wasn't much luster for him left when it came to these. Especially when he had bigger things to be worried about. Like getting back to bed so he doesn't fall asleep during the ten o'clock meeting.
He kissed Morgan's temple, and crawled back into bed, letting sleep overtake him once again.
*(SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION BECAUSE I'M AN ATTENTION TSUNDERE ONCE AGAIN.
Heyyyyyyyy, remember when I asked you for advice? Well, the people have spoken and so...(pauses with drumroll for dramatic effect)
I made a thing.
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It's basically a one-shot book for the random ideas that pop into my head that have enough substance for a word barf. It's all just Spider-Man right now, but variety comes when it wants to.
(Shameless self-promo over)
Also, I have a definite way of ending it, but when are we gonna get there?, you may ask.
