I Love You 3000: The Road After the Endgame

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Pepper's POV

 It's been two weeks since Tony's funeral. It feels like it's been a year but yet it's only been two weeks. Time has come to a halt for me since Tony died. Morgan asks questions about her father everyday. She knows that he's dead (she's a smart girl), but she has yet to accept that. She'll ask to play his recording multiple times a day and it's too painful to watch it constantly. I know it's a keepsake for us but I can only bare to watch it here and there without breaking down emotionally. Maybe one day, I'll be able to watch it with her with only a small amount of tears glistening my eyes. 

   Happy and Rhodey have been doing their best to take care of Morgan and I, especially Morgan, in Tony's absence. Between the two of them, I'm closer with Rhodey and he can usually sense when I need some alone time. That's when he comes over, scoops Morgan up, and spends some one on one time with him. Happy enjoys cooking and has been making a lot of meals for us lately. He made this delicious cabbage stew for us last night. He also heated up some Italian bread to go with it. Morgan loved it. She had three helpings of both stew and bread. I'm now the CEO of Stark Industries, Tony left that title and his funding for it to me. He set aside money for a college fund for Morgan down the road. 

     Happy, Rhodey, and Morgan all went out for ice cream in the town center. I'm currently sitting on the porch overlooking the lake, doing some thinking. Not only did Tony die, but Natasha did too and Steve grew into an old man. Everything has changed so much in such a short amount of time. So many of our dear friends and allies were dead for five years and are trying to get used to being alive again. A lot of them are currently off world and/or unavailable. Everyone wants to get back to as much normalcy as possible. I'm just happy to have Happy and Rhodey around. Morgan is going to be five in two months. Our baby girl is growing up so fast. It's been an insane few years. I just wish Tony was around to see her reach her next milestone... *Sighs* It can't be undone sadly. Bruce tried to undue both his and Nat's deaths but was unsuccessful in several attempts. In other words, he politely told me that it's time to face the music. 

    I keep imagining myself falling in love with someone else down the line and it makes me sick to my stomach with guilt. I know I have the right to move on one day if I want to but I don't want anyone to hate me for doing so. Pepper, get it together. Don't worry about that bridge until you actually come to cross it, if you come to cross it.

A couple hours later...

 Rhodey and Happy come home with Morgan. For the first time in two weeks, she has a smile on her face. That warms my heart. I greet all of them happily, scooping Morgan back up into my arms. "Did you have a good time with your uncles Rhodey and Happy?" She nods her head. "I did. I got cotton candy ice cream, a very big dish full. Then, they took me to the toy store and bought me some new dolls." I laugh tiredly. "Did they now? Well thank you." Rhodey and Happy smile down at Morgan before Happy surprises me by pulling me off to the side. "Pepper, I just want to remind you that I'm here for you, any time, any hour of the day. Please don't forget that. I love you and Morgan just as much as I loved Tony." 

    I hug tightly. "I know Happy. We love you too. Thank you for sticking around. Not only do we miss Tony, but we also miss the other Avengers and heroes. It's weird not having them around after having been surrounded by them for so long. Maybe we could have a reunion at some point, once everyone is settled back into their new lives." He nods. "That would be nice." We follow Rhodey back inside and watch the news together before calling it a night. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention we have several guest bedrooms in this house, Rhodey and Happy occupy two of them regularly. It's a major help to have the company. Loneliness is eerie for us right now. 

Hoped that you guys liked chapter! :) -Mary