Growing Up

Chapter Fifteen

A knock at the door startled (Y/n). She set her book on the bed and called to the person at the door to come in. Tony slid inside the door and shut it behind him. He crossed the room silently and sat on the edge of her bed, eyeing her book for a minute.

"Are you okay?" He asked gently, lifting his gaze to meet hers.

"What do you mean?"

"You've been distant from everyone all day." Her eyes averted to the covers. "She'll be okay, she'll still have you, and me."

"That isn't the issue. It's just..." (Y/n) sighed. "I'm sure all mothers get emotional before their little girls weddings. It's the moment that shows the world that maybe you did an okay job at raising them."

"You did a phenomenal job, (Y/n)." Tony scooted closer to her and pulled her into a hug. She returned the gesture, hands digging slightly into his back. He felt her shake as she cried into his neck. "That's all you can do. You give them the tools and set them on the path to their own lives." He said into her hair, rubbing her back as she cried.

"I think all I've done since coming back is cry on you." (Y/n) laughed, not moving from his arms. Her breath was hot against his skin. "I've probably told you already but just in case I haven't, I forgive you. For everything." Her words sent a warmth through his chest and he hugged her tighter.

"Thank you." He pulled away enough that he could see her face. She blinked those clear (e/c) eyes and a soft smile settled on her lips.

"We give our little girl away tomorrow, Tony." Tony grinned at her inclusion of him in the statement.

"Yeah, we do. Mom would have loved to have a granddaughter." He laid down, pulling her with him, still clutching each other as they settled down under the covers.

"Howard would have spoiled her." (Y/n) closed her eyes and snuggled in close to the man she had once loved...still loved. He chuckled at the thought of his stoic father doting over his little girl.

"I bet he would have." He placed a kiss to her hair.

"Hey, when this is all over," Her voice was low and sleepy. "You want to maybe go get a burger with me?" Was she asking him out on a date?

"Of course."

"Good, good. Just be on time this time." Her sentence trailed off and she was asleep. Tony looked at the woman in his arms and smiled.

"I wouldn't miss a second of being with you, not again."