Chapter 72
By New Year's Eve, it was official. Harry was now officially Harry James Potter-Stark.
He had surprised Pepper and Tony by telling them that he wanted to accept the last name Stark. They knew how important the last name 'Potter' was to him, as he was the only member of the bloodline still alive.
But Harry had been adamant about taking the last name of his new parents. It gave the idea of adoption some permanence. While the title 'son' could be used, whether legal or not, having the same last name (or future last name) of his parents was important to him.
"About done in here, kiddo?" Tony popped his head into the kitchen at Lily's, where Harry was finishing up some baking. He had let the rest of his staff go early, in order to make it home safely before things got too crazy.
It was New Year's Eve, and people had been camped out in Time Square since noon of the previous day. Harry admired their commitment-- he didn't think he could last even three hours out in the chilled New York air.
"Almost, I just need to clean up," Harry nodded, smiling as his dad eyeballed some of the cookies that were cooling on a rack on the counter.
"Just one," he told his dad, watching as the billionaire eagerly snatched a cookie and took a big bite.
Peering outside the kitchen door, Harry waved his hand lazily at the mess on the counter, watching with satisfaction as it all began to clean itself up.
"Alright, I think that's everything," he announced, more to himself than anyone else as he glanced around the kitchen once more to double check everything. The shop would be closed for the next two days, and he wanted to make sure that everything was unplugged and turned off.
"Come on Lucy!" Harry called to the golden retriever, who had been given the afternoon 'off-duty' as he baked. She met him at his side, ready to work once more.
Tony handed him his coat, and they made their way out of the kitchen and into the lobby where Steve and Bucky were waiting. They had decided to come help out around the shop today, and Harry was glad that they had-- it had been packed, and there were tons of orders that had needed to be picked up.
Clint and Natasha had wanted to help out, but Fury had called them in for a meeting, so that had taken a raincheck. Bruce had decided to stay back and get some work done in the lab that morning so that he could enjoy the small party that Tony was hosting that evening. He had invited Caroline, and the team could tell how nervous he was to have her around, even though she had already met everyone.
"Ready?" Steve raised his eyebrows and smiled, rising to his feet.
"I think so-- oh!" Harry exclaimed, remembering something. He quickly darted behind the counter and retrieved a box that he had specially marked to be saved.
"For the party tonight," he held it up with a grin.
"Good. I feel like we've been cheated recently, with you selling all of your baking instead of giving it to us," Bucky mock-pouted.
"I, for one, should probably be grateful for that. We don't all have super-human metabolisms," Tony patted his stomach heartily, earning a laugh from the others.
"What time is Peter coming over later?" Bucky asked after the four of them (plus Lucy), had locked up and made their way outside.
"He's coming over around 6, so that should give me a time to throw together a few snack items for the evening and then get cleaned up," Harry replied, thinking ahead to all that needed to be done before the party that evening.
"Remember that it's a small party, pretty relaxed. Don't stress yourself out over it," Tony reminded him, and Harry forced himself to take a deep breath.
He knew his dad was right. It was going to be a small party full of people that he knew, but it didn't change the fact that he was nervous. Thor and Loki were making a special trip from Asgard to ring in the New Year with them, and Peter was bringing May. Tony had even invited Coulson and Fury, and while it was more of a curtesy invite, Harry knew that the two would at least make a polite appearance.
He wanted to make it as special as possible for his family and friends.
"Thor and Loki were able to contact Pepper earlier, and they said they'll be arriving around 8," Steve diverted the subject, seeing the panic that was beginning to appear on Harry's face.
Tony let out a small huff of laughter. "If you would have told me two years ago that we would be inviting the two of them into our home and being friendly with them, I would have told you that you were insane. Especially Loki."
Bucky snorted, "I think you could probably say the same thing about me, too."
There was a brief pause, and Harry waited to see if the joke would land, or if Steve would bring out the 'concerned-fiancé' voice.
But Steve and Tony both laughed and agreed, though Harry could see Steve's hand find it's way into Bucky's and give it a small squeeze.
The four of them, plus Lucy, piled into the truck that Steve had driven them to the bakery in. Tony had wanted to drive one of the Audi's, but the super soldier had reminded him that it was probably best to remain inconspicuous around the bakery, even though most of their regular customers knew that Tony was around quite often.
As they drove, Harry thought about the adoption. He had agreed with his mom and dad that it was going to be even more difficult now to hide from the press, like they had been doing for several months. Since Harry had kept his trips out of the apartment to a minimum, and they had S.H.I.E.L.D on their side to help sweep things under the rug, they had been successful thus far in keeping Harry out of the news.
So they had decided that, after they rang in the New Year together as a family, Pepper would arrange a small press conference for the major media crews that were constantly pestering Tony, and they would announce the adoption of Harry.
The thought of his adoption being broadcasted to everyone was terrifying, and he knew that his dad would be reinforcing security on every device in Stark Tower and the bakery, and making sure Friday could make reports on Harry at all times. Tony knew that he was being a bit overprotective, but Harry didn't think of it as being overbearing. It was endearing how much his dad was doing to keep him safe, and it made him feel loved.
There was also a sense of excitement at the idea of the world knowing that he was Tony and Pepper's son. He wouldn't have to hide anymore. He knew that the press would swarm him for the first several weeks, and would probably cause a disruption in business at the bakery, and while he wasn't keen on the idea of being harassed by so many strangers, the team had made it known that he didn't have to talk to anyone about anything if he didn't want to.
Bucky's voice snapped him back into the present as he became aware that they were pulling up to Stark Tower.
"I'm sorry, what?" Harry asked, blushing when he realized that he hadn't been paying attention to Bucky.
"Do you have something picked out to wear tonight, or would you like to come raid our sweaters?" Bucky asked patiently, not showing even a flicker annoyance at having to repeat himself.
Harry grinned, face heating up even more. He had received a lot of oversized sweaters for Christmas, but there was something about wearing sweaters that weren't his that Harry loved. And the super-soldier duo had the best sweater collection that threatened to swallow Harry whole, which was exactly how he liked to wear them.
"I'll take the look on your face as a yes, you would like to come raid our sweaters," Bucky laughed, taking in the sheepish, yet guilty, look on the teenager's face.
"You and your sweaters," Tony chuckled, shaking his head as Steve pulled down into the underground garage and parked.
Bucky got out of the truck before opening the back seat and helping Harry out. It wasn't a huge drop, but Harry was short enough and his body still got so stiff that he wanted to make sure that he wasn't going to hurt himself climbing out.
"You ready for the evening of chaos that is about to ensue?" Tony asked his son as he rounded the back of the truck, still holding the box of goodies from the bakery.
Harry grinned, face lighting up like the tree that was still up in Rockefeller Plaza.
"Bring it on."
*
Just as Tony had predicted, the night was chaotic. Thor and Loki had arrived in their typical 'over-dramatic' fashion, and breaking no less than three vases on their way into the penthouse to greet everyone.
Harry just wanted to know why there were so many vases around anyway, considering the team's track record with breakable items was not exactly the best.
To everyone's surprise, Agent Coulson and Nick Fury had arrived around 10:45 and were showing no signs of leaving any time soon. Even more surprising, his dad was amicably chatting with the two agents, and nobody looked as if they were about to strangle the other.
Peter had arrived around six, just like he had planned, and had helped Harry prepare the finger-food appetizers that everyone was now happily snacking on. Tony had insisted that they didn't need anything overly fancy, and they sure as hell weren't going to be called hors d'oeuvres because that screamed "pretentious"-- something this party very much wasn't.
Pepper had gone a bit crazy while decorating, with gold and black balloons, streamers and confetti spread all throughout the living room and kitchen.
Now, with the clock at 11:40 p.m, everyone was chatting excitedly, an almost electric feeling in the air as everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the new year.
Clint and Natasha were pouring champagne and sparkling grape juice into champagne flutes, preparing them for the when the clock struck twelve and transitioned the night into the following year. Pepper was playing the role of the perfect host, alternating her time with everyone, but also seeming more relaxed than Harry had ever seen her in a party setting.
Steve and Bucky were chatting with Thor, who was animatedly telling a story that Harry was only catching words of, but was thoroughly intrigued when he heard mention of Loki turning into a snake.
Tony and Loki were conversing, and while the conversation seemed a bit forced, Harry's heart filled with happiness at the idea of how far the two had come in six short months.
Bruce and Caroline were sitting on the couch, Caroline's legs tossed over Bruce's lap as they talked in soft voices to one another. Harry couldn't help but smile at the match that seemed to have been made in Heaven.
That left him and Peter, who were engaged in (Peter more so than Harry) an intense discussion with Coulson and Fury (admittedly, more Coulson than Fury) about Star Wars. Harry didn't know that he would have pegged the two as Star Wars fans, but he knew that Coulson was a closeted fan of Captain America, so the fact that he was a huge Star Wars geek shouldn't have been overly surprising.
The evening's festivities were hectic and loud, but it was a controlled chaos that seemed to be made better by the excitements of the celebration.
"Alright everyone, five minutes til midnight! Let's head up to the roof, and we can watch the ball drop and some fireworks!" Tony announced a few minutes later, and Harry's skin tingled with anticipation.
He had never had a New Year to celebrate before-- it had been like just any other night. But now, he had so many things to look forward to in the coming year. A new family. A loving boyfriend. An amazing job that he loved. Friends that supported him in everything he did.
He couldn't wait.
As everyone filed out onto the building's roof, the cool air nipping at their skin, Harry found himself pressed up against Peter.
Pepper had outdone herself up here, as well. Lights were strung, illuminating the rooftop enough that Harry could make out Peter's face.
"Are you ready for this?" Peter asked, and Harry knew he meant more than just the celebration that was sure to come as the clock hit midnight.
"I've never been more ready for anything in my life."
"Ten seconds!" Someone called.
"Are you sure about that?" Peter grinned, winking at Harry who's face flushed despite the cold air.
"Eight!"
"Positive," Harry smiled back.
"Seven!"
"Well then come here," Peter pulled Harry closer to his body so that they were facing one another, puffs of breath visible between their faces, mixing to become one in a way that seemed to be so symbolic that Harry couldn't help but laugh to himself.
"Five..."
Peter had one hand around Harry's waist, the other finding it's way to his cheek.
"Four..."
He pulled Harry even closer to him, and Harry looked up into Peter's big brown eyes.
"Three..."
Peter brushed away a strand of Harry's raven colored hair with his thumb lightly, taking in the beauty of his boyfriend's face.
"Two..."
Their faces drew closer together.
"One..."
Harry closed his eyes.
"Happy New Year!"
Their lips met, the tune of the Auld Lang Syne and the sounds of fireworks exploding behind them making the kiss feel even more magical and electric.
And Harry knew, this was going to be the best year he'd ever had.