Chapter 21
TONY
“He’ll be okay, darling,” he said, reading the blonde’s mind as he walked over and placed Emerson on the ground next to Peter. “We’ve got three other children to worry about. Speaking of, Wilson, what are you doing here?” the genius asked, turning his attention to his son-in-law.
“Miles told me my husband was a five year old! What did you expect me to do?” the vigilante asked incredulously.
“Stay home with your children and look at the video footage later?”
“Wade,” his husband suddenly spoke up. “Why is Peter mad at you?” He noticed Peter perk up at the mention of his name and suddenly joined the other’s conversation.
“What? I’m not mad at him, Papa?”
“Pete, his husband’s name is Peter too,” Tony answered for him. Then his son’s face scrunched up adorably before he held up two fingers in his tiny hand.
“Peter two?” he asked, getting a chuckle from the others.
“Oh man I forgot how stinking cute you were,” Tony said, unable to help himself and swinging the boy up into his arms before kissing his face repeatedly. Temporarily forgetting what his husband had said.
“Wait, yeah Wilson, why is your husband mad at you?” the brunette asked pointedly as he let the boy back down.
“For your information,” his son-in-law started before turning more serious, “it’s about having more children. And I admit I was a total shit-take mushroom...head about it…” Nice save, Tony thought as he sent the man a glare.
“So you want more kids and he doesn’t…?” his husband asked with a sad look on his face. Wade took a moment to look at his much smaller husband before shrugging his shoulders in response. A light bulb went off in the genius’ mind.
“Wade, do you have a kid in mind?” he asked the man whose demeanor had turned sad and slumped against the counter. Tony felt bad for him, he was still his son-in-law, after all.
“His name is Leonardo. He’s a ‘troubled seven year old’,” Wade said with air quotes. “But he’s super cute and we connected immediately! I saved him from a drug shootout and now he’s in the system.”
“Daddy?” Pete interrupted, pulling on Tony’s arm to get his attention. “Can Ashley and I go watch a movie? Please? And oh! Papa! Can you make popcorn? Pretty please?” his adorable kid cried in excitement as he literally bounced up and down with happy energy.
“Yeah, that’s fine Petey. Steve? Think you could arrange some popcorn for our kiddos?” he said, suddenly realizing his slip. He glanced at his daughter and breathed a sigh of relief when he realized she hadn’t noticed, as her gaze was on the cookies still on the kitchen island.
“Of course, what movie do you wanna watch, Pete?” the blonde asked with a smile while he walked towards the pantry. As he did, Tony walked over to grab another cookie and snuck over to Emerson, handing it to the beaming girl.
By then the super soldier had returned, multiple ingredients in hand as their son-in-law suddenly got curious.
“Are you making kettle corn?” the man child asked excitedly as the five year old began jumping in equal excitement.
“I was thinking of making some, yes. But I was going to ask if they,” he emphasized with a point to the de-aged children, “wanted kettle corn or buttered popcorn. Petey, any preference?”
“Both?!” he asked excitedly as he wrapped his tiny arms around his Pop. Tony couldn’t help smiling when his son-in-law danced in triumph behind him. The genius then felt a small tug on his shirt, looking down to see Emerson standing next to him.
“Misser Iron Man? I need’a use da potty,” Emerson whispered to him, dancing in place with her little legs crossed.
“You can call me Tony, sweetheart. And yeah, I’ll show you where it is,” Tony said, letting out a surprised noise when she grabbed his hand as they began walking away. He frowned as he waited outside the door, not liking the whimpers coming from the other side. “Hey, you okay kiddo?” he asked with concern.
“It hurts,” she whined as a memory clicked in his brain. And a retching realization that this four year old had a bladder infection.
“I’m sorry honey, but we do have some cranberry juice in the fridge,” he said to the door, not leaving her side. “And I’m sure I can sneak you some more cookies,” he added in a sing-song voice. He waited another moment before he heard the toilet flush and watched the door open.
Little Emerson was silently crying, eyes downcast in what seemed like embarrassment.
“Oh sweetheart, can I give you a hug?” Tony asked as he squatted down, hoping the little girl trusted him enough to accept it. She stood there another moment, little body shaking before eventually stepping into his embrace. He lifted her up into his arms, standing up and hugging his daughter close before walking the two back to the kitchen.
Steve was still in the kitchen, by himself which raised the brunette’s eyebrows.
“What happened to our other munchkin?” Tony asked, walking to the fridge to grab the cranberry juice they kept for just occasions.
“He and Wade are picking out the movie,” Steve answered, facing the stove as he finished cooking the popcorn. When he turned, his smile dropped as he saw how upset Emerson was in his arms. Steve raised a brow and looked at Tony, who showed him the bottle of juice.
Which had the blonde nod in sad understanding.
The two men silently went about the kitchen, Tony grabbing Emerson a straw and some cookies while Steve put the popcorn into bowls.
They were silent until Emerson whimpered again in his arms.
“Here honey, drink some of your juice,” Tony said as he placed her on the counter to open the bottle for her to drink. He stopped when she shook her head no, crying still and curling in on herself. He sent a panicked look to his husband, who looked equally concerned and shared the same panic eyes.
“What’s wrong Ashley?” Steve asked in concern, walking over to stand next to her as well. “Are you in pain?”
“When do I gotta go home?” their daughter asked quietly and with her head hanging, causing her fathers to share a look of shock and concern.
“Never,” Tony said immediately and fiercely, without thinking. It caused both Emerson and Steve to look at the man in shock. “You will never have to go back to them, you’re going to stay with us forever.”
“Really?” Emerson asked in shock. Steve quickly caught on, realizing that not only were they not lying to this kid, but the effects of her de-aging would wear off soon.
“Absolutely, sweetpea. Let’s go watch a movie and we can talk more after, okay?” Steve asked as he reached his arms out towards her in invitation. With a smile that melted Tony’s heart, she practically leapt into his arms in excitement. He watched his husband juggle their daughter and grab both bowls of popcorn before walking into the living room.
“JARVIS, you recording all this?” Tony asked with a smile, grabbing extra drinks and the carton of cookies before following his husband.
“Of course, sir.”