Just like you

Chapter 10: Heir?

Pepper stumbled out of the hallway with a yawn. "Haaay* Tony, what's with the muffins wrappers-" she did a double take "-and is that of a photo of you and the kid?" He had picked up the photo again to examine it closer. "Yeah, he dropped by earlier. The muffins and photo was his birthday presents." She frowned and sat down on the couch next her boyfriend. "Didn't his aunt forbid him to see you?" Tony ran his hands through his hair and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, yeah."

Pepper sighed and rested her head on her hand, "Why do you have to be a bad influence on everyone you met?" Tony rolled his eyes and kissed the ginger. "Hey, I haven't corrupt you yet." 

Pepper stood up and picked up the wrapping paper and the muffins wrapper. "True but that's my superpower." Tony smiled widely and followed her into the kitchen as she rolled her eyes at the machines that had made Peter's second breakfast, which were still out. "A huge muffin and a stake of pancakes?" Tony spread his hands, "Are you saying I don't burn enough calories to eat that? Anyway, that wasn't for me, it was for the kid. Super fast metabolism and all that."

"Ah, but could he have had it at his house?" she asked as she fried bacon and eggs, and Tony tried to work out what to say. He had a feeling that Peter wouldn't want just anyone to know and it felt strangely private. "Uhh, he didn't have money on him." Technically true while not giving away the sensitive information,  Pepper narrowed her eyes as if she knew he was keeping something from her. Pepper being Pepper, she probably did. Tony hurriedly changed the subject to a topic that he knew would keep his girlfriend busy. "No, happy birthday?"

Her stern expression softened and melted into a smile, "Happy Birthday, Tony." He sat on a chair at the kitchen next to the business-woman. "Sooo, Pep, I've been thinking..." Pepper smiled teasingly. "Wow, that's a first." Tony spread his hand in a familiar gesture and shrugged. "Has to happen once every few years, right? Anyway, I've been thinking..well, you know about that 'Peter Stark' thing? The press is going to hear about it somehow and I mean, why not bet them to the punch?"

Pepper choked on her coffee and turned to face it, hers was full of shock. "You want to ADOPT Peter! Uh, Tony..he's got living family so even if I was ready for a kid, it-it wouldn't be possible..." Tony stared back at her, equally shocked then burst out in laughing; "No, no, Pep. I want to make Peter heir to Stark Industry, I wanted to ask you first and I have to convince with May." Pepper's entire face broke into an enormous grin and kissed him. "YES! Yes, yes, yes! He's prefect for it!" Tony smiled widely even as he stared at her in shock.

Pepper leapt up. "WHAT are you waiting for? You convince Mrs Parker, I will prepare the documents and organize a meeting with the press for when you and Peter are ready." Tony continued to gap and Pepper scowled playfully, batting at him. "GO, go, go!"

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*meant to be like a yawn