Chapter 51
Nobody said anything. Pepper tried to stay calm and not jump to conclusions. Maybe she just heard wrong…
"I guess we should go," Natasha said softly, staring at Rhodey and Bucky, who didn't even protest and immediately got up and went to sit at another table. "Try to solve it calmly," she said to Tony and Peter before she got up as well. "If you need me, I'll be there," she added to Pep, pointing to the table where Rhodey and Bucky sat.
Pepper sat down beside Peter without a word, where Nat had sat before, waiting patiently for one of them to speak. And in the meantime, she cursed in her mind for her evening foolishness. Of course, their happiness did not last forever. That's not how it works for them. It never worked and probably never will. They were always given only a limited amount of happiness and carefree moments before something went wrong again.
"Do you want a reason? Okay, I'll give you a reason. She's my sister!” Peter hissed. He knew it probably wasn't for the best to continue, but he couldn't help himself. He didn't want the topic of their conversation to change. The topic couldn’t be changed. There was too much at stake. He had to protect every member of his family, not just those he grew up with. He volunteered with Teresa yesterday to protect his family. But he must also protect her. She is his family too.
"I'm really trying not to panic, but I'm not doing well right now, so I'll ask you one more time - what are you talking about?" she asked in a level voice, and it cost her all her strength.
Tony sighed and rubbed his face wearily. "We've figured out who's behind Peter's last abduction," he whispered. "Another attempt was made yesterday-"
"It wasn't quite a kidnapping," Peter interrupted, earning a warning look from Tony.
"Stop it!" Exclaimed Pepper, who couldn't stand it anymore. "Stop arguing and finally tell me what's going on!"
"Looks like there's some Teresa behind it all. She is said to be Peter's sister," Tony explained reluctantly. He himself had not yet had the opportunity to process this new information, and he had no idea how Pepper might react to it.
"Sister? What are you talking about? What do you mean a sister?” She didn't understand, glancing alternately between Tony and Peter.
"It turns out that Peter wasn't the only child Mary had. I understand it's shocking to you-"
"What do you mean she's not the only child Mary had? Do you have a daughter somewhere?” She said, trying to keep her breathing regular. She felt her panic slowly take over and the anxiety attack was not exactly something she wanted to experience the day after the wedding.
"What?! No! That's not my daughter!”
"You don't have to sound so disgusted," Peter snapped irritably.
"Stay out of it! You'll still have something to explain," Tony silenced him.
Pepper stopped noticing them after this. She thought they would have peace from Mary, but even though she had been dead for a year, she still made their lives uncomfortable. But that wasn't the only thing she was thinking about. She couldn't understand how Mary could have two children. Why was she so lucky? What did Mary do to deserve it? Why could she have children and Pepper not? The woman deprived her of her baby, while she herself was a double mother! How could she? Did she really have no conscience?
She glanced at Peter. Tony and he were arguing, but Pepper couldn't tell what they were saying. She felt like she wasn't even here with them, but just watching them from a distance. She suddenly felt like a disappointment. Maybe if it turned out differently back then… If she could protect her child from Mary, Peter could have siblings who would love him and not try to kill him. Maybe then he wouldn't try so hard to save his sister, about whom he had no idea all his life. And if she could breathe, she'd probably realize how irrational she was. But she literally couldn't catch her breath, and all she could think about was that she had failed.
"Pep, love, are you listening to me?" Tony said cautiously, grabbing her hand.
"I," she hissed, giving them a confused look. They were both watching her with worries in their eyes, which was too much for her at the moment. She slowly freed herself from Tony's grip. "I-I probably need to be on the air now," she said, getting up quickly. Her head spun a little, but she stopped.
"Mom-" Peter began, but Pepper didn't stay to hear what was on his mind. Instead, she ran out.
Tony stood up and was about to follow her, but Natasha stood in his way. "You should let her absorb it," she told him.
"Have you seen her? I don't think she should be alone right now," Tony sighed worriedly.
"It's a big shock, Tony, give her time. We have to decide what to do next. You have to fly on the honeymoon tomorrow, you will relax there. Bruce and I will stay with Peter and keep an eye on him as we planned-"
"Are you out of your mind?! Do you really think we're going to fly somewhere?”
"Let's talk about it with others. If Teresa comes after you, you should disappear," she said in a firm voice, forcing him to sit up again. Everyone was too emotional now, and she was quite happy to have Bucky here, who worked just like her. At least she didn't feel so much pressure.
The dining room slowly began to fill with other guests, so they decided to wait for the other members of the team before embarking on further planning. Michelle was also getting ready for breakfast, returning from her morning photographing. And she was very surprised to find Pepper in front of the entrance, restlessly pacingback and forth.
"Pepper!" She greeted her, but the strawberry-blond-haired woman didn't even notice her presence. "Are you all right?" She asked nervously. "Should I come for someone? For Peter? For your husband?” She asked, still getting no answer.
"No!" She shouted but said no more.
"Okay," the brown hair girl muttered. "Neither Peter nor Tony," she assured her, trying to figure out what to do. She knew Pepper was having an anxiety attack, but she didn't know what to do to help her.
And then it occurred to her.
"I'll be right back," she said hurriedly, running inside. The man she was looking for had a room on the first floor, so she ran quite quickly to the door of his room, where she began to knock frantically without hesitation.
"I'm not here!" Came a muffled voice from the other side.
"Please, it's Pepper," she shouted at him through the door. She had to smile a little when a dark-haired man appeared at her side for almost a second. And only because she mentioned her name.
"What's going on?" he asked carefully, giving her an impatient look.
"Follow me," she urged, running back outside.