Chapter 8
“Ugh, why the hell does my stomach hurt so bad?” Penny mumbled as she swung through Queens as she headed home from patrol.
“It appears you’re menstruating,” Karen told her easily. Penny nearly missed her next shot of web fluid.
“What are you talking about?” She asked in confusion, “No I’m not,” She told the AI.
“Unless something is wrong with my programming, you are,” Karen told her. Penny scrunched her face up. She supposed that would explain the ongoing cramping she’d been experiencing for the last few hours and the slight nausea that accompanied it.
“Well, that sucks,” Penny groaned as she swung closer and closer to SI. Pepper wasn’t in town, having left the night before for a conference in California.
She’d cried a ridiculous amount because she didn’t want to leave Penny. Tony had eventually lifted Penny into his arms to keep her away from the girl. Penny had giggled but settled onto her father’s hip as if she were much younger than she was. She didn’t mind though. Pepper had protested, saying she needed one last goodbye from the girl. “I’ll be okay, mama,” Penny had assured her from where she’d laid her head down on Tony’s shoulder. Pepper knew it was late and she was keeping them out and keeping Penny up too. She finally relented and boarded the plane tearfully.
Now, she wished she’d protested like she’d wanted to and insisted that Pepper stay. How was she supposed to tell Tony that she’d started her period for the first time ever? She zeroed in on the tower and swung into her room after asking her AI to open the window for her.
Penny paced back and forth after changing out of the suit before finally sighing, “FRIDAY?” She called.
“Yes, Penny?” The AI answered her.
“I need some help,” She told the AI.
“I believe that Mrs. Stark would be the best person to call in this situation,” The AI offered.
“I don’t want to bother mama,” Penny said as she chewed on her thumb nail, “Is Aunt Tasha in the tower?” She asked hopefully.
“Ms. Romanov has left for the evening,” Penny sighed and wracked her brain, “Boss is here.”
“Ugh,” Penny groaned and then bit her lip, “Fine, ask dad.”
0~0~0
Tony had freaked. Not in front of Penny, of course. But he’d definitely freaked. He’d pulled up research quickly, ordered what was most recommended and had it delivered to the tower within fifteen minutes. Once Penny had everything she needed, he’d grabbed Pepper’s blanket for her, knowing that Penny was just as attached to it as his wife was, and she’d grabbed Iron Moose and settled into the corner of the couch looking pitiful.
Tony stepped far enough away from the living room to call Pepper without Penny hearing. “Hey, Tones,” Came Pepper’s warm greeting over the line.
“Pep, I could use some advice,” He told her as he listened for any signs of movement from Penny.
“What happened?” She asked slightly panicked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” He assured her quickly, “Penny started her period, and I am not exactly qualified to help,” He told her.
“Oh, my poor baby,” Pepper cooed and Tony rolled his eyes though he had a fond smile on his face, “Tell me you didn’t give her the tampons I have in the bathroom,” Pepper said after a moment.
“No, Pep, I may not know a lot, but I know better than that,” He told her, “I did some research and ordered everything she might need. But she looks miserable, baby. What do I do?”
“First, you’re an adorable daddy,” She told him and Tony was just glad she wasn’t there to see him blush, “Second, there’s a heating pad on the top shelf of my closet. Get her that. It’ll work best on her lower stomach or lower back. She’ll need to see for herself which she prefers,” Pepper told him. Tony nodded, making a mental note, “Second, make her a cup of tea.”
“What kind?” Tony asked immediately.
“Doesn’t matter,” Pepper told him.
“What do you mean it doesn’t matter? The kid has to have a favorite,” Tony pointed out.
“She won’t drink it. It’s a comfort thing. She holds it and she likes the smell. So, I guess the lavender tea if you just need a recommendation,” Tony took a deep breath but nodded as she continued, “There’s also some really great chocolate hidden in the back of the fridge in a container marked ‘kale’,” She finished.
“Wait, that’s what that is?” He asked, “Why would you label it ‘kale’?”
“To keep you two out of my chocolate,” She laughed out, “Can I talk to her?” She asked softer.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll drop the phone off with her and grab everything else. Thank you, Pep. Don’t know what I’d do without you,” Tony told her as he headed to the living room.
“You never have to find out,” She said. Tony handed the phone to Penny who took it with a confused look on her face until she saw the caller ID.
“Mama,” She murmured as she put the phone to her ear. She vaguely registered Tony leaving the room as Pepper started to speak.
“Hey, baby bug,” She cooed and Penny could feel herself relax at her tone, “Not feeling too hot, huh?” She asked her.
“This sucks, mama,” Penny mumbled, “I have to do this every month for the next forty years?” She asked in distaste and heard Pepper’s sudden laugh at the unexpected question.
“Seems that way, Itsy Bitsy,” She told her, “I’m sorry I’m not there, baby girl.”
“It’s okay, mama. Dad has been surprisingly helpful,” She told her quietly, “I miss you though,” She said.
“Oh, I miss you so much, bug,” Pepper told her. Penny could hear that she was on the verge of tears again, “Shoot, I have to go, darling. Call me before you go to bed, okay? I love you, baby!”
“I love you too, mama,” Penny replied before hanging up. She looked up when Tony reappeared with his arms full. She smiled softly, “What are you doing?”
“Helping,” He said seriously. He handed her a mug of tea and Penny gave him a smile of thanks. He then handed her the container marked ‘kale’ which he earned a look of disgust for, “Just open it,” He said with a chuckle. She did and looked up at him in shock, “Your mama is a mess,” He said simply and shook his head. He finally plugged the heating pad in and handed it over to her. Penny gave him a confused look, “I don’t super get it either. She said lower stomach or lower back. I just do what Pep says. She’s normally right,” He told her.
Penny giggled and pulled the heating pad onto her stomach. She sighed and melted under the heat, “Heck, she’s always right,” She agreed.