Watch me grow up
Tony couldn’t take his eyes off of Peter.
He felt like crying for some strange reason.
Peter was going to have his first day of school today and Tony just wasn’t ready yet. It was way too soon and he wasn’t ready to send Peter to school for four hours a day. It was actually only three and a half hours but it was still too long.
Tony wasn’t ready yet.
Both him and Pepper had talked with Peter over the past few days to explain to him what was going to be happening and that he was going to start school so he had some idea but Tony didn’t think Peter knew what was actually going to happen.
When Morgan was four and had her first day of school, Tony remembers how proud and happy he was to send her off. He waved bye to his happy girl who didn’t hesitate to leave her parents side and walk into the school.
Now, Tony wasn’t ready.
He was about to send his five year old to school for the first time and he just wasn’t ready. Everything was happening so quickly.
Tony got out of the bed to go make himself another coffee. He couldn’t fall asleep last night so he was already ready for the day ahead. Mentally. Not physically.
Peter would be getting dropped off at school at 8:30am and picked up after he ate lunch at 12:00pm. It was barely four hours and Tony hated it.
He spotted Pepper in the kitchen so he took a seat next to her on the kitchen island stool and sighed loudly. “Is it too late to homeschool Peter?”
She turned to him with a sad look on her face. “Oh, Tony. It’ll be okay. Today will be the hardest day. It’ll get easier after today.”
Tony wasn’t so sure about that. “If Peter doesn’t want to go and cries when we drop him off, I don’t think I can do it. I think I’ll give in.”
She placed her hand on his thigh. “Kids cry on their first day of school. After a few minutes, they calm down and make friends. He’ll have a huge smile on his face when we pick him up later.”
“It’s just… with Morgan we had four whole years with her and I just got Peter back less than four months ago. I need longer with him. I’m not ready yet.” Tony felt like he couldn’t breathe just at the thought of Peter leaving.
“You know it’s not what you want. It’s what Peter wants. We both know that he is ready for school but after two weeks, if he’s still having a hard time then and not adjusting well, then we will pull him out of him and try again next year.” Pepper pressed a kiss to his cheek and stood up. “It’s okay, Tony. A little codependency is okay but don’t let it stop Peter from developing.”
Tony knew Pepper was right. She always was but this time, he wanted her to be wrong.
He really wanted her to be wrong so he didn’t have to send Peter to school and selfishly keep him at home. At least it was only going to be a half day. Then Tony could pick him up, feed him lunch and put him down for a nap.
It was going to be okay.
It was also time to wake his kids up so he went upstairs and walked into his bedroom to wake Peter up and get him ready for the day.
He opened the curtains and sat down on the edge of the bed, smiling fondly at Peter’s sleeping position. The five year old was stretched out like a starfish and had his arms thrown over his head and his messy chocolate brown curls that Tony loved so much sticking up in every direction.
“Wake up, Petey. Open your eyes.” Tony rubbed his bare stomach, slowly and gently trying to wake Peter up. He tried again which had Peter whining and then stretching before he opened his eyes and looked at Tony.
“Daddy. Mmm.” Peter rubbed at his eyes and sat up, crawling towards his dad. “Daddy, I dream ‘bout you last night. We-we were playin’ in the sand!”
Tony loved so much how Peter always woke up with so much energy and happiness. It was definitely Tony’s favourite part of starting the day.
“That sounds like a good dream then, baby. I’m so happy you had good dreams.” Tony didn’t know what he would do if Peter’s nights were purged with nightmares like his own. He would simply lose his mind.
Peter nodded. “Yeah. Daddy, I’m hungry. Is mommy making me breakfast?”
Tony helped Peter change out of his pyjamas and get dressed for the day. “Mommy’s making breakfast for everyone. Let’s see if we can beat Morgan down there.”
To Tony’s surprise, Morgan beat them downstairs and was dressed and ready to go. Tony knew he shouldn’t be that surprised since Peter had ever so slowly picked out his outfit for the day and wanted Tony to help but when Tony did help, apparently he was doing it all wrong.
At least Peter was dressed.
Breakfast was a messy affair. It resulted in Tony having to change Peter’s shirt and rinse the front of his hair in the sink while trying to balance Peter on his knee.
Once Tony got Peter strapped into his car seat and everyone was ready to go, that was when it really hit for Tony.
Peter was starting school today and Tony wasn’t ready.
He wasn’t ready to say goodbyes to sleeping in during the mornings together and then having lazy days doing nothing but everything together. Tony knew that Peter was only going to school for a total of three and a half hours a day but that was three and a half hours too long for Tony.
Part of him, the selfish part of him wanted to wait until next year and start when Peter is older but he knew it was important for Peter to start now.
It was important for them to start an everyday routine that was going to help them all adjust to their crazy life.
Going from one kid to two kids was like going from owning one wild animal to a thousand. That was the best way Tony could describe it but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
By the time they got to the school, Peter had become significantly more quiet and was looking out his window with wide eyes, trying to determine where they were and what was going to happen.
Tony parked the car and shut it off, getting out and opening up the back door for Peter. “Are you ready?”
Peter curled in on himself. “No. Where we goin’?”
Tony caressed Peter’s delicate face. “Remember mommy and I talked to you about school? We’ll drop you off everyday with Morgan and we’ll pick you up before lunch.”
“No… I wan’ you to stay with me though. Not go away.” Peter stuck out his bottom lip in a pout and Tony felt his heart break. He wanted to take Peter home with him but Peter was ready to go back to school, well, not necessarily back, but all the way back, back to kindergarten.
Peter was ready even if he didn’t know it yet. Tony wasn’t ready and he knew it but he would get ready for Peter.
He unbuckled Peter from his car seat and lifted him onto his hip, swinging his backpack over with his other hand. Peter had some snacks in his bag, extra change of clothes, his water bottle and some notepads with markers.
It was a big day for them and as hard as it was going to be, Tony wanted to remember every second of it.
They said their goodbyes to Morgan since they would see her after school at three then both parents walked into the kindergarten playground to drop their baby boy off.
Peter stuck his thumb in his mouth and looked around at some of the other kids playing with curious eyes. Tony hoped so badly that Peter had a good day and made some friends.
There was one of Peter’s teachers at the door so they walked towards her. She was also Morgan’s kindergarten teacher all those years ago, both Tony and Pepper adored her.
She had the patience of an angel.
Morgan walked into school on her first day with zero crying but it was going to be the complete opposite with Peter this time around.
“Ms. Walt, it’s so nice to see you again.” Pepper greeted the teacher who smiled widely once she saw her.
“Mrs. Stark, Mr. Stark, it’s so lovely to see you guys again. And this must be Peter. Hi sweet boy. How are you?” Ms. Walt asked, rubbing a hand over Peter’s leg to comfort him.
Peter buried his face in his dad’s neck with a whimper. “He’s a bit shy so this might be hard. After we leave, if he’s still having a really hard time, can you call us and we’ll come early.”
Ms. Walt nodded. “Of course but once he gets inside and sees the other kids, he’ll warm up soon enough.”
“Is it only his first day or are there other dusteds starting today?” Pepper asked. School had already started back up a few months ago but then went on hold after the second snap, they recently started back up again but it was impossible to tell if someone was part of the snap.
“We had seven new dusteds start two weeks ago and another one will be starting next week.” The teacher explained to the Starks.
It was time so Tony kneeled down so he could stand Peter up in front of him. “Hi, baby. You’re going to go into your new classroom now and mommy and I will pick you up later so you can tell us how much fun you had.”
Peter shook his head, rubbing at his eye with his hand that wasn’t sucking his thumb. “No, daddy. Don’ go.”
Tony removed his thumb from his mouth. “You’ll be okay. We’ll see you soon. Give me a kiss.”
Tony pulled his little boy in for a tight hug and pressed a kiss onto his cheek. “I love you so much. We’ll see you soon.”
As soon as Tony pulled away, Peter started crying for him and refused to let go. Pepper said her own goodbyes to Peter then the parents had to stand up to leave their boy.
Peter reached back for them, crying. “Mommy! Daddy! Don’ go! Don’ leave me!”
“We’ll see you later, Peter.” Tony waved bye, plastering a fake smile on his face for Peter. He was going to miss his kid like crazy.
Ms. Walt grabbed onto Peter’s hand and walked him into the classroom as Peter looked back and continued to cry for his parents. “Would you like a hug, Peter?”
Peter pointed back at the door. “I wan’ mommy daddy.”
She smiled, kneeling down in front of Peter. “Your mommy and daddy will pick you up at lunch time. Right now, we will have circle time then we will sit for morning snack and do some fun activities before free play.”
Peter rubbed at his eyes and looked around the classroom. “Wan’ mommy daddy.”
“Do you want a hug until they come back?” She asked, Peter nodded so his teacher gave him a hug to calm him down. Peter lifted his arms up to be picked up after but she shook her head so he put his arms down and looked around the classroom.
“Let’s hang your bag and take off your coat. Your cubby will be right here.”
Peter followed his teacher towards his cubby and grabbed onto her hand after, sticking his thumb in his mouth.
She led him over to the carpet where the other kids were and sat him down next to another boy who was also sucking on his thumb. Peter crossed his legs and pulled his thumb out of his mouth. “Is your mommy daddy coming?”
The boy pulled his own thumb from his mouth and took one of his shoes off to show Peter. “When- yesterday Uh- during yesterday I goes shopping with mommy and got new socks.”
Peter looked at them. They had tiny sharks on them. “I like them. Is-is your mommy nice?”
The boy nodded. “Uh huh. Last time I ate ice cream on her birthday.”
“When one time I eats ice cream- when I eat it and daddy and sissy too.” Peter told the boy and looked at his nose, pointing at it. “You got a boogie.”
The boy stuck his finger in his nose and that had Peter giggling, already feeling a lot better at being away from his parents for the first time.
After circle time, Peter took the boys hand and let him over to the table to have their snack. Peter pulled out his lunch bag and opened it up, grabbing a cheese string and taking a bite out of it.
“I have one too. Look!” The boy exclaimed, showing Peter a matching one.
“What’s your name?” Peter asked, spitting in the process.
“Uhh… my name's Robby.” Robby said, taking another bite. “What’s your name?”
“Peter. My daddy’s names daddy and mommy’s name is mommy and my sister's name is Uh, it’s Morgan.” Peter explained to his new friend, proud to show off his family.
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Tony was counting down the hours.
It wasn’t even that long.
It was just enough time for Pepper to collect all the dirty clothes from around the house, throw one load of laundry in and load up the dishwasher while Tony stared at the time.
It was only three and a half hours minus the twenty minute drive back and twenty minute drive there.
Tony missed Peter way too much so when it was finally time to pick his boy up, he was over the moon.
He waited in the kindergarten schoolyard with Pepper, eagerly anticipating the doors opening up and seeing Peter run out.
When he finally got to see that, Tony kneeled down and held his arms out for his boy whose eyes widened upon seeing his parents. He then made a mad dash towards them. Tony picked Peter up and pressed a ton of kisses all over his face.
“Oh, baby boy, I missed you so much. How was your first day of school?” Tony asked, he could tell it was a good day because Peter had a smile plastered across his face.
“Good! I made a new friend!” Peter explained, proud of himself.
Tony placed Peter on his feet and ruffled his hair. “Wow! That’s amazing, baby. I’m so so proud of you.”
Pepper leaned down to press a kiss across Peter’s forehead. “What’s your new friend's name, Pete?”
Peter tried to remember. “Um… his name is Robby.”
“Robby, huh? Well, he sounds like a nice little boy.” Tony grabbed onto Peter’s hand, so proud of his boy. Judging from how the morning drop off went, Tony was worried that Peter was going to have a bad day but it turned out so much better than Tony thought.
He was grateful for that.
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Peter ran down the hallway with a pull-up on his head, giggling loudly.
Tony looked over and laughed as he watched Peter making a naked dash around the house. He rolled his eyes fondly and took the tray out of the oven.
“Hey, birthday suit boy, get over here and put that on, it’s not a hat.” Tony tried to grab Peter as he ran by but Peter wiggled out of his grip and started running back down the hallway and into the playroom with Morgan chasing after him.
“C’mon, kids. Dinner time. Peter, put some clothes on.” Tony dried his hands and walked down the hallway to find both children.
He found Peter rocking on the rocking horse and Morgan trying to do a handstand on the wall so he picked Peter up and pointed his finger at Morgan. “Dinner time. Go wash up.”
When Tony walked into the living room, he placed Peter on the couch but grabbed his arm so he couldn’t run away. “Stay here. It’s dinner and we’re not at the beach so you have to put a top on.”
Peter giggled. “I want to go to the beach.”
Tony stopped what he was doing and looked at Peter. “What? What did you just say?”
The five year old shrugged shyly. “I want to go to the beach, daddy. That’s it.”
Tony couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Just after one day at school and Peter was pronouncing his ‘want’ with a t. His baby was already growing up so fast.
“Wow, buddy. Oh my gosh. Say it again.”
Peter sighed. “I sayed I want to go to the beach, daddy.”
Tony pressed a kiss to Peter’s cheek. “I’m so proud of you. Pepper, come here.”
Pepper rushed into the living room, copying Tony’s smile. “What? What is it?”
“Say it again, baby boy.” Tony told Peter who was clearly annoyed by now.
Peter crossed his arms over his chest. “I sayed I want to go to the beach.”
Peppers eyes went wide. “Oh my gosh! Peter, you pronounced your t! Oh, Pete.” Pepper pulled her five year old in for a hug, holding him tightly.
Peter looked at his parents like they had five heads with the way they were acting. “What? You guys actin’ crazy.”
Tony knew that. He was just too proud to care. “Well, you got some crazy parents, baby.” Tony pulled the pull-up off Peter’s head, he definitely got his craziness from them.
He then lifted Peter onto the floor so he had better balance to step into his pull-up. Once it was on, Tony pulled a shirt over Peter’s head and sat him in his booster seat at the table with the rest of the family.
Peter saw that his sippy cup wasn’t there so he frowned. “I want my sippy cup, mommy.”
Pepper shook her head. For the past few days, Tony and Pepper had been discussing getting rid of sippy cups for Peter unless in the car or in the living room but during meal times, they wanted him using an actual cup. “You’re a big boy and big boys use cups.”
Peter looked at Tony. “I want my sippy cup, daddy.”
Tony looked away. Peter knew he always gave in but he couldn’t this time.
“Daddy isn’t going to give it to you. Nice try.” Pepper grabbed Peter’s cup and tried to hold it up to his lips but he pushed it away. “That’s your choice. No juice at dinner for you then.”
Peter started crying so Tony pulled him onto his lap. “How about you try again? I’ll help you.”
Pepper gave Tony a look that told him she was not impressed. “You’re undermining me, Tony.”
He didn’t think so. He was doing what was best for Peter. “He wants his sippy cup. You can’t expect him to give into an actual cup the first time.”
She shook her head and poured the juice into a sippy cup, handing it to Tony. “You won. You can wean him off of it then.”
Tony didn’t know what he did wrong. He handed Peter his sippy cup and sat back down. He didn’t want to fight in front of their kids. “Pep, let’s just talk later. It was Peter’s first day of school today.”
Pepper smiled, it was a genuine smile. “I know and I’m so proud of him.”
Peter tossed his sippy cup off to the side and picked up his fork to eat his Mac and cheese. “It was fun cause I got to play lots.”
Morgan took a bite from her cheeseburger. “Mmmm. Yummy!”
Peter picked up his cheeseburger and took a bite. “Yummy!”
Morgan wiped at her face and smiled. “I love chopped up cow.”
Both Tony and Pepper eyed her. “Morgan. Stop it.”
Peter took another bite of his burger and frowned. “Where’s chopped up cow?”
“Morgan, don’t.” Tony warned her but it was too late.
“What you’re eating. Where do you think cheeseburgers come from?” The ten year old shrugged and took another bite as Peter spit his food out, pushing his plate away.
“No. I don’t wanna eat chopped up cow.” The five year old crossed his arms and sighed heavily. “I don’t want them to kill the cows.”
Tony and Pepper looked at each other. They didn’t want to lie to the boy and tell him it wasn’t cow, because it was and it was Peter’s choice as to whether or not he wanted to eat it. “If you don’t want to eat it because it’s an animal then that’s your choice.”
Peter crossed his arms and nodded. “Yeah. I saw no.”
“Okay. Eat all of your macaroni then and if you’re still hungry after then I’ll make you something else.” Pepper told her son, feeling a bit proud of him for choosing animals over himself.
After dinner, Tony was playing in Peter’s bedroom with him and Morgan.
Since Peter didn’t sleep in there, it was basically a separate playroom.
Morgan convinced Peter to put on a ballerina outfit and Peter hated it at first but after it was on, he started dancing away and spinning around.
Morgan grabbed onto his hands to spin with him just as Pepper was walking into the room. “I hate to break up the fun but it’s Peter’s bedtime.”
“Aww. Can’t help stay up for a little bit longer, mom. Please. We’re having so much fun.” Morgan used her best puppy dog eyes on her mom but it was nowhere near as good as Peter’s was.
Pepper wasn’t going to give in. “He’s younger and his body still needs more sleep than you so the answer is no. Let’s sit on the potty before we go to bed, Peter.”
Tony stood up. “I’ll take him.”
Pepper grabbed onto Peter’s hand. “I’ve got him, Tony.”
Tony didn’t know why he was jealous. It wasn’t like Pepper was a stranger with his kid, she was Peter’s mother but Tony wanted to do everything with his son.
He then started cleaning up the toys with Morgan. “Are you gonna tuck your brother in or do you want him to come say goodnight to you?”
Morgan thought about it. “I want to tuck him in. When will he sleep in his own bed, daddy?”
Tony wasn’t so sure about that. They weren’t in any rush. “Not anytime soon. He’s happy sleeping with me. And mom.”
The two of them walked into the bathroom to find Peter sitting on the toilet while Pepper sat on the stool in front of him. “Did you go pee yet?”
Peter shook his head at his dad. “No. I don’t even needa go.”
“You have to try.” Tony leaned against the counter and watched Peter but then he realized that everyone was staring at him, waiting for him to go pee and he wasn’t the least bit uncomfortable. He chuckled at that then lifted Peter off the toilet. “It’s okay if you don’t need to go but if you wake up and you need to go, wake me up and I’ll bring you to the bathroom.”
The four of them walked into the bedroom and closed the curtains and shut the lights off, getting Peter ready for bed.
Tony wasn’t tired but he was going to try and fall asleep with Peter just so he could fall asleep while having his boy cuddling him.
He covered Peter with the blankets and pressed three kisses to his face. “I love you. I love you so much.”
Peter giggled. “Too much?”
“Too much is never enough, baby boy.” Tony ran a gentle hand over Peter’s eyes just as Peter was putting his thumb into his mouth to fall asleep sucking on it.
“Close your eyes and have good dreams. I’ll see you tomorrow.”