Scared To Be Lonely

Chapter 13: Night Of Surprises

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Nick wasn't allowed to leave the hospital for two weeks, and in those two weeks, Tony only left maybe four days and only for a few hours, and only if one of the people he trusts were there. Happy and Nick even bonded over certain shows and movies.

Pepper and Tony were the ones to bring her back to the mansion, with Pepper laughing at the two as Tony and Nick went back and forth about the fact that if she was going to be living there, then there had to be something done about the worst carpet ever in the guest bedroom. But also on the ride to the mansion, Pepper kept having to check her phone for updates on a certain thing, after Tony brought up an idea to surprise Nick with.

When they began walking up to the front door though, Nick's hands hanging onto Tony and Pepper (just for the fun of it since most her injuries were healed up by now). Tony did give her a pointed look, "Alright, little miss accident prone, you need to be careful and calm for a bit since you've still got a broken rib." (The only two things now left over from her trip back to Cuba was a reddened healing scar on her forehead, and her now slightly bruised torso because of her still broken ribs.)

"I know, I know." Nick sighed as the two adults led her inside, and she began rambling on about the fact that this shouldn't mean that she needs a full time babysitter, because she (teasingly) was getting a bit sick of them.

"You know what, that really hurts. Especially after the surprise I had for you." Tony mocks hurt, and when she looked at him confused, just as they entered the living room, Tony just smiled and nodded forward. When Nick finally looked forward, she froze, not even sure if she was breathing, as she saw who all stood in the living room. 

Tony wanted to laugh at her reaction, as he looked up to Pepper. "That's the quietest I think I've ever seen her when she was conscious."

But then she finally registered it, and suddenly there were two shouts. "Bubba!" and "Monkey!"

And suddenly Nick forgot all about her broken ribs as she let go of the two adults hands and ran towards Quincy, just as the boy ran towards her. The two kids immediately engulfing in a hug, which was one that made Pepper grimace a bit as she reminded them. "Careful, please."

Tony gave her a look, a small grin on his lips. "Now, come on, Pepper. You should already know that, by the end of the week, we're going to probably have to take her back into the ER."

Pepper frowned as she looked at him, before groaning. "How am I finally just registering that I'm going to have to deal with two of you now?"

"Because apparently you're very slow this week." Tony teased, making her give him a glare, but couldn't help the smile that forced it's way onto her lips. 

After the two kids hugged tightly and definitely for a couple minutes without letting go, having a bit PTSD from what they went through the last two times they saw each other. Both of which they had believed was the last time they'd ever see each other.