Chapter 15
As Pepper said, Tony was doing great at being the old, charming Tony Stark. Everyone was excited to meet him, and he actually enjoyed being back in the spotlight.
"Mr. Stark, we missed your presence at the gala," someone said as Tony stood among a group of people.
"I know. What's a gala without me, isn't it?" Tony joked earning chuckles
"I missed this too. But, you know, life has other duties as well," Tony said, smiling.
As he was talking, Pepper came over to him.
"Hey, Pep," Tony said, grinning.
"Hey, enjoying the party, Mr. Stark?" Pepper asked smirking.
"Yes, I am," Tony replied.
"Good. I want you to meet my friend," Pepper said, calling a woman over.
"This is Helen. She works in our research team. She’s wanted to meet you for a long time, and I thought this was the best opportunity," Pepper said.
Tony looked at the woman—tall, with black hair, and undeniably beautiful.
"Hello, Miss Helen," Tony said, extending his hand.
"It's actually Doctor, Mr. Stark," the woman said, smiling as she shook his hand.
When she said that, Tony was reminded of his first meeting with Stephen. Stephen hated it when people called him “Mr.” But he pushed those thoughts aside as Pepper started speaking.
"Tony, you two talk. I have some calls to make," Pepper said, leaving them.
Suddenly, Tony felt awkward.
"So, what kind of doctor are you?" he asked, initiating a conversation.
"I have a PhD in physics. My research area is robotics," she said.
"Wow, no wonder you got into my research team," Tony said.
"Yeah, it’s been my dream to join SI for a long time," she replied.
"Right. Can I get you a drink?" Tony asked.
"Yeah, sure," she said.
Tony led her to the bar, and they talked a lot—mostly about their research. Tony knew what Pepper was trying to do. She’d found a person who was exactly his type: smart, very intelligent, and nice. But something was missing. She wasn’t Stephen.
With Stephen, Tony could talk all the intellectual and science stuff and still go crazy over it. With Stephen, his impulsive comments were met with equally witty retorts. Everything felt organic with him.
Tony drifted into his thoughts.
"Hello?" Helen called, waving her hand.
"Oh, sorry. You were saying?" Tony asked.
"I was asking about your son. Pepper once showed me his photo—he’s really cute," she said.
"Yes, he is. He’s three and just started kindergarten. How do you and Pepper know each other?" Tony asked.
"We went to the same school. After that, we went our separate ways but kept in touch. I got the job at SI through her. Don’t worry—it wasn’t an illegal favor. I have the grades and experience to back it up," she added, chuckling.
"Of course. I trust Pep. She cares about SI very much—sometimes even more than I do," Tony said.
"I heard about Doctor Strange’s accident. Is he okay now?" she asked.
"Yes, he’s better but isn’t practicing anymore," Tony replied.
"I’m sorry about your separation," she said, holding Tony’s hands.
"We’re good. There’s nothing to be sorry about," Tony said, pulling his hands away.
"I didn’t mean to pry," she said.
"It’s alright. I think I should call it a night," Tony said.
"Sure. Good night," Helen said and leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek.
Tony was a little surprised by the gesture but let it go and walked out of the hall. When he got back to his hotel room, he sat on the bed.
If this had been the old Tony Stark, Helen—or any other woman—would have been in his bed by now. But now, it all felt wrong. Or maybe it felt wrong because of one reason—Stephen.
Stephen was making breakfast for Peter.
"Pete, come fast. You’ll be late for school," Stephen called out.
But the boy didn’t reply. Stephen turned off the stove and went to check on him. The room was a mess. Peter had opened Stephen's old boxes and was rummaging through them.
"Pete, what are you doing here?" Stephen asked, tired.
"I saw my name written on this box and wanted to check what’s inside," Peter said.
"Pete, you can’t open Papa’s stuff like that. And what have you done? Who’s going to clean all this mess?" Stephen asked.
"I’m sorry," the boy said, pouting.
Stephen sighed and sat near the boy.
"Hey, it’s okay. But if you want to check something, ask Papa next time, okay? I’ll show you," Stephen said.
"Okay," the boy replied.
"What did you find inside it?" Stephen asked, smiling.
"My photos, this toy, some sensory books, and... I don’t understand what this is," Peter said, holding up a small object from the box.
Stephen took it. It was a pregnancy test.
"This little thing told me that I was having you," Stephen said, smiling.
"How?" Peter asked, confused.
"It shows if a person is pregnant or not," Stephen explained.
"Oh? And what are these?" Peter asked, holding some ultrasound reports.
"See, this is you when you were in my womb," Stephen said.
"This is me?" the boy asked, surprised.
"Yes. You were so tiny but still a troublemaker," Stephen said, bopping Peter’s nose.
The boy giggled at that.
"Come and have breakfast, or you’ll be late for school," Stephen said.
"Okay, Papa."
The boy was eating breakfast.
"Pete, hurry up. We’re going to be late," Stephen said.
"I’m eating, Papa!"
Stephen checked the clock. It was already 9 a.m. He quickly cleaned up Peter.
"Pete, we’re going to use a portal to get to school. But don’t tell Wong about it, okay?" Stephen said.
"Why?" Peter asked.
"Because Wong doesn’t like me using magic for these kinds of things."
"Okay, I won’t tell Uncle Wong."
"Not just Wong. Don’t tell anyone, alright?" Stephen insisted.
"Okay," the boy agreed.
Stephen created a portal to a less crowded area near the school and walked through it. He knelt down before the boy and said,
"Have a good day, Pete. I’ll come in the evening to pick you up."
"By portal?" the boy asked excitedly.
"No, we’ll walk. Bye-bye," Stephen said, kissing his forehead.
"Bye, Papa," the boy said and ran toward his class.
Stephen walked back to the Sanctum. When he arrived, Wong was there.
"Hey, Wong. How did the meeting go?" Stephen asked.
"It went well. But the masters are unhappy that you’re not attending the meetings since you’re the Sorcerer Supreme," Wong said.
"I never asked for this position. I could be a regular sorcerer," Stephen replied.
"Stephen, being the Sorcerer Supreme isn’t something everyone gets," Wong said.
"I know. But I finally have the chance to take care of Peter. I don’t want to lose it by being busy with mystical meetings," Stephen said.
"I understand. I want you to have a personal life—not just Peter. You know what I mean," Wong said.
"I can’t find a partner while Tony is still..." Stephen started.
"Tony is seeing people, Stephen. He’s living his life, unlike you," Wong interrupted.
"What?" Stephen asked.
"Haven’t you seen the news? Read it."
Wong handed Stephen a paper. The headline read:
"Amidst the smoking rumors of the Iron Man, Tony Stark and his husband, renowned neurosurgeon Doctor Strange, the former has been seen with a woman at the gala, presumably his date for the night. The once-playboy Tony Stark, who had been away from the public eye, seems to be back in the game with a stunning plus one."
"Fucking Stark. He never changes. At least he should have waited until you two got divorced before lying with some randoms," Wong said angrily.
"Wong, we’re practically divorced. And it’s his life. He can do whatever he wants," Stephen said calmly.
But his heart broke into pieces seeing Tony with another woman—some other beautiful woman. But he had no reason to feel that way. What they had ended a long time ago.
"Wong, I need to go to my room," Stephen said, excusing himself.
Once in his room, he looked at the picture of himself, Tony, and Peter. This picture didn’t belong to him anymore. He threw it away. Stephen didn’t know why he felt this way. For the last three years, he had avoided thinking about Tony’s love life. He didn’t care. But now, it hurt—just like the day he found out Tony had cheated on him.
In the evening, Stephen went to pick up Peter. The boy ran to him.
"Hey, Pete, how was your day?" Stephen asked.
"It was good, Papa. Wait a minute," the boy said, opening his backpack and pulling out his book.
"See? I got an A in Math, and Miss Hayes gave me a star," the boy said proudly.
"Wow, Pete. I’m so proud of you," Stephen said, taking him into his arms.
"Thanks," the boy said.
"Shall we go?" Stephen asked.
"Yes," Peter said.
On the way home, the boy kept talking about his day, but Stephen was lost in thoughts of Tony.
When they reached the Sanctum, Stephen freshened Peter up and gave him some food. Stephen was reading an ancient text while Peter was playing with Levi.
"Papa?" the boy called.
"Yes?"
"How many days until Daddy comes back?" Peter asked.
"Three days," Stephen said.
"Three more days?" Pete said, whining.
"What happened? Do you miss Daddy?" Stephen asked, closing his book.
"Yes. Daddy didn’t even call me yesterday," the boy said, pouting.
"Your daddy must be busy, Pete," Stephen said.
"I know, but I miss him," Peter said.
"Pete, aren’t you happy with Papa?" Stephen asked, taking the boy into his lap.
"Yes, Papa. I love you. But I like it when Daddy is also here with us," Peter said.
"Pete, it’s going to be like this—me or Daddy, not us together. But you’ll always have us," Stephen said.
The boy pouted.
"Come, Pete. Let’s get you to bed," Stephen said.
"But Daddy didn’t call," Peter said.
"Daddy will call you tomorrow. Now, let’s go to sleep."
Stephen got him ready for bed, tucked him in, and lay down beside him.
"Papa?"
"Mmh?"
"When you and Daddy knew you were having me, were you happy?" Peter asked.
"Of course, we were so happy. When I told your daddy, he took me to the fanciest restaurant, and we had a very yummy dinner. From that day, he used to talk to you while lying on my lap," Stephen said.
"That’s funny," the boy said, giggling.
"Yes, it was. But after a few months, you started to react by kicking with your little feet," Stephen said, tickling his feet.
The boy giggled more.
"Your daddy planned everything for you—from your nursery to which college you would go to—even before you were here. We used to dream together about the life we’d have, the three of us, enjoying all the happy moments," Stephen said as his eyes started to tear up.
He looked at his boy. Peter had already fallen asleep.
Stephen kissed his head and hugged him closer.
He had his kid back. That’s all that mattered.