Life’s a crazy ride
Peter sat on the kitchen counter, eating pieces of the watermelon that his mom was cutting up for them to put into the juicer that they just got.
He sucked some of the juice out of the piece his dad gave him then dropped it into the juicer. “It’s my turn then Morgan gets another turn.”
Tony was happy to see Peter taking turns, he knew it was hard for Peter to get used to not being the only child but he was adjusting very well. “Good job, bud. Add in some more pieces.”
Pepper cut the watermelon in half and handed some more chopped up pieces to Peter to put in but Peter decided to taste test most of the pieces. “If you eat it all, we won’t have any left.”
“I’m not, mommy. Just a little.” Peter smiled and took another bite, the front of his shirt soaked with watermelon juice. Morgan reached over to grab a piece and eat it but Peter screamed. “Nooo! You have to wait your turn, don’t!”
Tony looked over to see what the problem was and how angry Peter was getting. “Okay, Morgan, give that piece back to your brother and mommy will cut you another piece for you to eat.”
Morgan slid the watermelon slice back over to Peter so Peter happily accepted it then the smile was back on his face. “Now can I put them in, daddy?”
“Yeah, go for it.” Tony plugged it back in once he made sure Peter’s fingers weren’t anywhere near the blade so Peter could dump them in and watch the juice come out the other end. He unplugged it after and handed Peter the jar to pour the juice. “You pour it.”
Peter sat up on his knees and squatted down to pour it into the cup but he accidentally split some. “Uh oh. I split.”
“That’s okay. Just wipe it up.” Tony handed him the dish cloth for him to do it by himself just as Harley walked down.
“Dad, can I use your car to drive to pick my friend up?” Asked Harley, a bit hesitant.
Tony looked over at him. “Who’s your friend? Is it a girl?”
Harley walked over to the counter to lean against it. “Yeah… so can I?”
Tony wasn’t sure if Harley was serious or not. “What? No. Absolutely not. You don’t even have your full license yet. You can’t drive alone.”
“Are you serious? Who even cares.”
Peter tried to show Tony the watermelon so he tried shoving it in his face, unaware of the tension of the situation rising. “Daddy, look, this one looks like a heart.”
“Wow, I know, Peter.” Tony moved the watermelon out of his face to focus on Harley. “Yes I am being serious. You’re sixteen and you just got your G1, you’re not driving alone. You legally can’t.”
Harley threw his arms up, annoyed at the situation. “You’re so ridiculous. It’s a quick drive, I’ll pick her up, we’ll watch a movie in the car then I’ll drop her off at home. I’ll barely be driving.”
Tony washed his hands at the sink. He had a feeling he was done with the watermelon for now. “What? You guys are gonna watch a movie in the car? Put the seats down, huh? No. You’re not doing that.”
Pepper bud in at that point. “Harley, listen to your father. The answer is no.”
Harley crossed his arms over his chest and breathed heavily. “Dad, I can drive, I don’t care if I don’t have my full license.”
Peter and Morgan were both looking between the three, sucking on bits of watermelon and not fully understanding what was going on but being uncomfortable nonetheless.
Tony grabbed a dish towel to wipe Peter’s hands and face. “Pepper, can you take them upstairs for showers? I’ll be up soon to help.” He lifted Peter off the counter, causing him to start crying and reach for the juicer. “We’re all done for tonight. Put your tears away.”
Pepper grabbed onto Peter’s hand to take him upstairs, leaving Tony to deal with Harley although she didn’t know what task was harder, bathing both their youngests by herself or talking with Harley about that.
Once they were gone, Tony leaned against the counter and looked at Harley. “What you’re asking me is ridiculous. You’re sixteen years old, you’re too young to be watching a movie, and you don’t have your full license yet. It’s a no.”
Harley ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “But why? I already told you I’ll just drive to pick her up and drop her off then we’ll come back home.”
Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. He was tired since he was already up basically all night with Peter then had to deal with the fit Morgan had first thing in the morning by himself since Pepper had a meeting and he was by himself all day with the kids. He had a long day and was ready for bed.
“No. The answer is a firm no. I don’t care if you hate me for it, no. A big fat no.”
Harley groaned. “Can’t I just drive by myself?”
“No, I think you’re a good driver, but you’re not great. You need a lot more practice and you aren’t ready to drive by yourself just yet. End of discussion.” Tony watched Harley glare at him so he tried to make it better. “If you want, we can drive together to pick her up and she can come over here and you guys can hang out. But you’re not driving alone. Don’t even try it.”
Tony and Pepper had to hide the keys from Peter anyway since he liked to play with them so they were locked away and hidden in a drawer.
Harley rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” He stomped his way upstairs and Tony waited until he was gone then went up and walked into his bathroom where he found Peter lying on the bathroom floor in nothing but socks on and Morgan with a towel wrapped around her shoulders, fresh out of the shower and about to get her hair brushed.
“What’s going on? What happened to the rest of your clothes, Pete?” Tony walked in and shrugged at Peter on the floor.
Peter put his feet together and went to speak but Morgan did first. “Peter was being bad. He’s not listening.”
Pepper was stressed. “I told him to shower but he just laid there. Daddy’s turn.”
Tony looked down at Peter and shrugged again. “Tried to do the two for one shower. Those are hard,” He bent down to pull Peter’s socks off. Usually he tried to wash both their hair together but it never worked out so Pepper usually did Morgan’s hair and he did Peter’s. “Stand up. Time for a shower because you’re all sticky.”
Peter shook his head and tried to kick Tony away while laughing. “No, I’m already cleaned. I licked myself clean like Asier.”
Harley walked into the bathroom to try asking again. “Her parents can’t drive her. Can I please just go? We’ll come here, we won't even watch a movie in the car.”
Tony sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Harley, can’t you see that I’m busy right now? I said no, I’m not changing my mind. This isn’t up for discussion.” He picked Peter up and placed him on his feet in the shower to get this over with.
Peter looked at him. “Can I go pee?”
Tony didn’t know how he was having such different conversations right now with his sons. “Yes, if you want to.” He turned back to look at Harley. “The answer is still no-”
Tony felt his shirt getting wet and not from the shower. He turned and saw Peter peeing on him. “Peter, stop peeing on me.”
“What? I can’t help it. It just goes that way.”
“At least aim it.” Tony moved Peter to face the wall of the shower and sighed, he was so exhausted and now he was covered in pee. “Harley, no, okay? I’m sorry if you don’t like the answer but that’s the only answer you’re going to get.”
Harley groaned loudly. “Mom.” He tried. “Tell dad he’s being ridiculous.”
Tony looked at his oldest son. “I’m standing right here.”
Pepper shook her head and finished brushing her daughter's hair. “You don’t have your full license yet, Harley. I don’t know what to tell you. Legally you can’t drive alone and you also need more practice on the roads. So it’s a no.”
“Oh my god. You guys are gonna be busy with Peter and Morgan all night so why can't I just go?” Harley walked over to Tony, speaking to him mostly, knowing his dad made most of the final decisions.
“Because I already said-”
“Daddy?” Peter tried to grab the shower handle from Tony. “I want to spray you now.”
“One second, Peter.” Tony sighed again. This was the worst possible time to be having this conversation with Harley. He didn’t want anything to change but going from two to three kids was hard. They were outnumbered and were dealing with a lot emotionally so it was hard.
They went from zero to one and that was difficult because they had nine months to prepare and they still weren’t ready by the time Harley came along. Then going from one to two was even harder since Peter was a difficult baby and only wanted Pepper’s breast or for Tony to hold him, often at the same time which was hard. No one could have prepared them for going from two to one though… by the time Morgan came along, Tony was basically a walking shell and she was an extremely easy baby anyways, rarely cried and was happy to do her own thing at a young age.
Now they were outnumbered and Tony loved it but that still didn’t mean it wasn’t hard for him.
He turned to Harley, trying not to snap and scare his kids, especially Peter who was still learning to trust him and get to know who he was as a person and as a father.
“No. End of discussion.” Tony handed the shower handle to Peter when he was trying to take it from him. “I gave you the opportunity for me to drive and pick the girl up but now that offer is off the table because of your persistent attitude towards me and your mother.”
Harley rolled his eyes and walked out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Peter gasped. “Oh no. Is he mad?”
Tony didn’t know how Peter didn’t notice before, he was having too much fun in the water. Tony grabbed the shower handle from him and put it back up then turned the shower off. “Yeah, he’s upset because he didn’t get what he wanted.” He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around Peter, watching him run off into the bedroom and climbing onto his parents bed.
Tony was so tired.
He was really drained these past few days and although he wouldn’t change having three kids for anything, it was definitely starting to take a toll on him.
He felt extremely guilty for even feeling tired but it was still really hard.
Tony looked over at Pepper. “I’m so tired. Am I doing the wrong thing? Should I let him go?”
She immediately shut that idea down. “Absolutely not. He’s sixteen. He hasn’t driven on the highway before and still needs lots of practice on the roads. He’s not going. You gave him the option to pick the girl up and he refused. He’s not going.”
Tony grabbed clean pyjamas from the laundry bin and placed them on the bed, next to Peter who spotted them and immediately crawled away. “Hey. Come put these on so we can settle down for the night.”
Peter crawled further away and screamed and it put a smile on Tony’s face, despite himself being exhausted and having to put up with Harley, he simply looked at Peter and couldn’t help but smile.
He walked to the other side of the bed and grabbed him, pulling him into his arms and pressing a ton of kisses all over his face. “I got you! Now the tickle monster will get you dressed.” He laid Peter on the bed, pinning him down with one hand as he grabbed his pyjama top and got it on his head. “There. Arms now.”
Peter was laughing so hard. He tried to squirm away but he couldn’t so he laughed harder and then Morgan ran into the bedroom, dressed in pyjamas with her hair in two braids. Peter rolled onto his stomach to see her. When she was close enough, he pulled on one of her pigtails.
“Owwww!”
Peter was curious about them. “Why’s it that?”
“Don’t pull my hair!”
Tony grabbed the pyjama pants to try and get them on Peter but he was too fascinated by Morgan’s hair. “Peter. Be gentle. Put your pyjama pants on.” He lifted him off the bed and bent over him to get them on.
“But why’s it that?”
“Why’s what that?” Tony didn’t understand what Peter was trying to say.
“Why’s in that in her hair?”
“It’s called braids. Mommy did it for me. You can’t have braids cause you’re a boy.” Morgan said, grabbing her long braids.
Peter immediately turned to Tony, his face in panic at being told he couldn’t do something. It was funny but Tony didn’t laugh at him. “Boys can have braids in their hair, Morgan. It’s not gender specific. It’s just not possible to braid his hair because it’s not as long as your hair.”
Peter leaned against him. “Put it in my hair.”
“No. Just me.”
“Noooo!” Peter stomped his feet and climbed onto Tony’s lap. “Not just cause I’m a boy not a girl.”
Tony nodded. “It’s okay, Pete. If you want to grow your hair out, we can.”
Peter shook his head and then started laughing, sliding off of Tony’s lap. “It looks like a jump rope.”
Harley walked into the bedroom at that moment so Tony didn’t move, knowing Harley wanted to talk to him. “Wanna talk about it?” He asked him.
Harley shrugged but sat down anyways.
“I’m not doing this to try and hurt you. I offered to drive with you to go pick her up. You guys can come back here, Peter and Morgan will be asleep so they won’t bug you. That offer still stands. But you’re not driving there by yourself.” Tony didn’t feel bad. As parents, it was his job to make these tough decisions. Just like it was his job to tell Peter he couldn’t eat the old chip found in the couch last night, Peter cried and probably thought Tony hated him but he was doing it for his own good.
“Still. It’s annoying.”
Tony chuckled. He noticed a big difference in Harley since Peter’s been back. Harley had always been mature for his age, Tony thought. Then when Peter was kidnapped, Harley seemed to mature overnight. Now that Peter was back, it was as if Harley was finally acting his age and Tony noticed his need for comfort and reassurance that Harley felt too embarrassed to ask for.
He wrapped his arm around his first born shoulders and pulled him against his chest. Harley was getting big. Tony missed when he could wrap him up in one arm and protect him from the evils of the world but now he was getting too big for that. One day sooner rather than later, Harley may be taller than Tony. Tony didn’t doubt in the next four years he’d be taller than him.
“I love you. Don’t hate me for not giving you my car keys. You’re just not ready yet.” Tony pulled away and stood up. Peter and Morgan ran out of the bedroom a few minutes ago and he had no idea where they went. He ruffled Harley's hair, causing him to groan and fix it.
“I know. It’s just annoying.”
Tony chuckled. “It’s annoying being an adult. Being a kid is fun.”
Harley rolled his eyes playfully and fell back on the bed. “Whatever.”
Tony left him to go find out where Peter and Morgan ran to. He followed the laughter into Morgan’s bedroom and smiled at it but when he walked in, the smile left his face.
Peter had a marker in his hand and was drawing on the walls. “Peter. No.” He grabbed it from him but the damage was already done. There was a smiley face on the wall and two stick figures.
Peter chewed on the tip of his finger and looked up at Tony. “I’m drawing us. See.”
“I know, baby, but we draw on paper. Not on walls.” Tony didn’t think he had to tell this to his ten year old but then again, he didn’t think he would have his son kidnapped from him at three. Life was full of surprises.
“Yeah.” Peter pointed at the wall. “Me and that's Morgan and I’m gonna draw you now.” He tried to take the marker from Tony so Tony capped it and smiled.
“No, Peter. Can you help me clean this up? We don’t draw on walls. If you want to draw, I’ll give you all the paper you want.”
“Oh.” Peter tilted his head. “You mad?”
Tony shook his head. Peter could carve his name into the side of his car and he still wouldn’t be mad. He’s been through hell and came out alive on the other end. Tony loved Peter too much to be angry at him. Ever. Although he knew he needed to teach him right from wrong.
He wasn’t going to yell at him over this, although he was going to make Peter help him clean it up. “No, Peter. But now you’re going to help me clean it up.”
Peter looked relieved that he wasn’t upset. He happily rose to his feet. “Okay, daddy.”
Morgan wanted to help too. “Daddy, Petey draw on the wall. I didn’t.”
“I know, thank you for not drawing on the walls, Morg.” He caressed her cheek and grabbed wet washcloths to clean up the marker.
Never in his life did Tony ever think he would be so happy to be cleaning up markers off a wall.