Chapter Text
*Tony pov • December, 2009*
Everyday in the penthouse was chaos, but today probably won the title for most chaotic. There was tinsel and string lights hung across every surface, paper snowflakes that the twins made at school hung from the shelves, and the tree had so many ornaments you could hardly see the leaves. And yet, Tony wouldn’t trade this life for anything.
In the kitchen, Pepper had her back turned, humming a tune while mixing what he guessed was icing for the cookies. Morgan was on the couch with Happy with Mickey Mouse playing on the TV, though she wasn’t actually paying attention. He allowed himself this moment and of peace before making his way to the kitchen and ruining it. “Anthony Edward Stark, get your hands off the cookies or this icing ends up in your hair.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” He stilled, but didn’t let go of the cookie, even though he knew full well his wife would definitely follow up with her threat. “Try me.” She said with a smile. Before he could counter, they heard the elevator come up, signaling the twins arrival. If there was one thing that could rival his own chaotic energy, it was that of the twins. “MOM, DAD YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED!”
“Well, judging from the way Harley looks like he got coal for Christmas, I’m guessing something bad?” He said with a smirk. His daughter rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t anyone’s fault but Harley’s. We were making pies, and I told Harley the piping bag was near his arm, but he didn’t listen and put his elbow on it. Then it exploded on him. AND HE BLAMES ME FOR IT! How unfair is that?” “Mhm super unfair. What kinda pies did you make.” Once Sam got started with a story, it was impossible to get her to stop.
Although they were twins, Sam and Harley were polar opposites when it came to speaking. His daughter would word-vomit sentences with a rapid fire. Meanwhile Harley was more… reclusive. Loudmouthed when he wanted to be, but he was always the quieter one. Tony was dreading when Morgan learned to talk.
Naturally, the second they learned their mom was in the kitchen, all their pie mishaps went out the window. He could hear Pepper chiding them to at least wash their hands first. “You know Tony,” Rhodey started, “back at MIT, I could never picture this as your future. What three kids and a healthy relationship. It didn’t strike me as the way Playboy Tony Stark would end up.”
Tony couldn’t exactly say he was wrong. His college self and his current self may as well be two different people, “what can I say Rhodes? Pepper has that effect on people.” Upon entering the kitchen, he saw Sam making goofy faces, trying to make Morgan laugh, while Harley was trying to educate his mother on why sandwiches should be dinosaur shaped. To most people, this alone would be too much, but for Tony, this is just right. “All right, all right. Sam, if Morgan chokes on her sandwiches I’m cutting your lab time, Harley, dino sandwiches sound wonderful, but how about we leave the dino shaped food at nuggets. Not both of you get in your chairs and eat so we can get a movie started or something.”
“Your dad’s right. And, if you make it through dinner without any mishaps, I’ll maybe even let you taste test Santa’s cookies.” Although her back was turned, he could probably hear the smirk on Pepper’s face with that sentence. She knew how much of a man-child he was. Now she was just taunting him for earlier today.
Somehow, they did indeed make it through dinner without any extra chaos (come on, when you have Tony Stark and two seven year olds, a little chaos is inevitable), and twenty minutes later, all five of them plus Happy and Rhodey, were sprawled across the couch watching The Grinch. The coffee table was littered with plates, cookies crumbs, and because they were Starks, glasses of hot chocolate.
He looked around and saw he and Rhodey were the only ones still awake. Pepper was cuddled with Sam on her lad and Morgan on her chest, and Harley was cuddling with Happy on the armchair. With the help of Rhodey, he managed to get all three kids to bed without waking anyone up. “The crazy ain’t over. We get to repeat all of this tomorrow. And since it’s winter break, we get to do this for two whole weeks.”
“I know Tony. I know.” He watched as Tony shot one last glance to the twins before shutting the door. “You put Morgan down?” “Yea. She is now in stuffed animal heaven. Surrounded by unicorns of all shapes and colors.” Tony let out a small groan. Morgan was currently in her unicorns phase meaning EVERYTHING had to be unicorn themed. He literally had to repaint her room pink with little unicorns on it or she would throw a tantrum. “Well, I stay up any longer, I’ll be tempted to head to the lab, so good night. Or morning I guess.”
“Night Tony.” And with that, he went one way, and Tony went the other. Unbeknownst to how their lives were about to be upturned in just a few hours.