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“Hey, Rhodey! This is a little… out of the blue, but I’ve got a big favour to ask you. Remember that kid Pepper and I were watching for a few days? Peter? Yeah, well, change of plans, we’re adopting him!… Surprise! We’ve filled out most of the paper work, but we still need a letter of recommendation from a friend, and you’ve known me for the longest, so… could you write me one? All you’ve gotta do is big me and Pep up, and say how wonderful we are, which shouldn’t be hard. Oh! And uhh, we really want to give Peter the final certificate for Christmas which… is two weeks away, so chop chop. Thanks Honey Bear!”
Rhodey blinked at his phone as the voicemail ended, mouth opening and closing as he processed what he’d just heard. Then, speechlessly, he placed down the coffee mug he’d been holding and walked over to where his phone lay on the kitchen counter, picking it up and immediately pressing Tony’s number.
He tapped at the counter as it rung, cursing his best friend when it went through to voicemail (FRIDAY told the man whenever he had calls, so he was no doubt just giving Rhodey a taste of his own medicine for not answering straightaway earlier) before calling again.
As soon as he got through, he began talking, cutting off the billionaire’s greeting.
“You’re adopting Peter?”
He heard shuffling on the other end of the phone, and when Tony spoke he could literally hear the smirk in his voice. “Really? No hello, no how are you, no nice to hear from you-”
“Tony just answer the question.” Rhodey continued to tap impatiently on the counter as he waited and listened to Tony grumbling under his breath as he moved into another room. The thought that it could be to get out of ear shot of Peter, the kid who last he’d heard of was when Tony had called him heartbroken to tell him that the teen had been moved into another home… That had been around two months ago, what had happened between then and now for this to happen?
A door clicked shut and Tony’s voice filled the phone again. “So I’m assuming you listened to my voicemail. We’re adopting Peter. There’s not much else to say, really.”
“Not much else to- Tony, are you serious? You’re adopting this kid, like, adopting, as in making him your son. How-”
“Rhodey, let me cut you off there, if you’re going to be a judgmental dick about this don’t bother, I’ve already had an earful from Pepper’s parents.”
James immediately closed his mouth, heart softening at the barely hidden hurt in his friend’s voice. “Michael and Linda on your ass again?” He didn’t need an answer, he knew Pepper’s parents were always bashing Tony over something, and Rhodey felt angry at the idea of the couple making any sort of snide comments about their decision to adopt a kid, knowing that they’d had a lot to say about Pepper’s decision to carry Tony’s baby and his friend's already high anxiety about being a father. “I didn’t mean it like that, I was just… surprised. Last I heard Peter had moved to another family, how did this happen?”
“He did move out… but he only actually ended up staying there for a day and then he- he umm, he called us just before going on a fun surprise trip to the hospital for a week.”
“What? He was in hospital for a week? Why? Did they hurt him?!” An indescribable anger overtook him at the idea, partly because what little he knew of the boy was that he'd been severely abused, so he did not deserve to go through that again, and also because he knew how much he mattered to Tony and Pepper- clearly, if they were actually adopting him.
“No, no they didn’t hurt him… at least not physically. To be honest I don’t really know what went on there, he didn’t want to say. I— I don’t think he’d want me to tell people why he was in hospital.”
The implications and unanswered question hung heavy in the air, but Rhodey didn’t press because he knew Tony would have a good reason to be holding information back, since he usually had no such filter.
“So, what, he’s been staying with you ever since? Does anyone else know?”
“Just Happy, Pepper’s parents found out today… and the spy twins; they did us a favour at Peter’s trial against Carson.” he sounded hesitant to say that last bit, probably feeling bad about not sharing all of this with Rhodey beforehand.
“Trial?” He was surprised that that much had happened, and he hadn’t even known.
“Yeah, funny story, remember when we had you babysit Morgan all day? That was because we were taking Peter to court against his former foster father."
"Oh..." Rhodey knew he had no right to feel betrayed, he just didn't understand why it had been kept secret from him. Did they not trust him? "Why didn't you tell me?"
Tony sighed, and there was more shuffling on his end of the phone. "We just really wanted to keep things to ourselves for a little while. Everything is always public with us, and Peter's not ready to be thrown in front of people yet, even if it is family... but, I think once we've properly adopted him, he might be ready to meet another uncle?"
"Really?" he really wanted to meet Peter again, he hadn't properly introduced himself last time because he'd been too excited to meet Morgan and hadn't thought the teen would be around that long... and now he felt bad for not bring the kid a present, when he'd gotten Morgan loads of things.
"Yeah, provided you write that recommendation letter I asked you for, otherwise the deals off."
"Of course I will." Rhodey smiled, he already had a niece from his sister, so the idea of having a nephew to spoil was just as amazing as seeing Tony with a teenager was going to be. "Tell me about him."
"Like what?" Tony sounded reluctant, clearly not wanting to be asked anything personal about the boy’s past, and rightfully so. Rhodey wasn't interested in any of that stuff though.
"What's he like? What does he enjoy? I want to get him a present, what should I get him?"
"Oh..."
Rhodey tilted his head as he wondered why his friend sounded so surprised that he actually wanted to know about Peter, what exactly had Michael and Linda Potts said to him to have him believe that no one else would agree with their decision to adopt?
"He's... he's amazing, Rhodey. He's so sweet, and kind, and despite everything that happened he's still so trusting. You should see him with Morgan, he's incredibly gentle and protective of her, it's the sweetest. Oh, and he's a certifiable genius. I gave him some of my old college textbooks, and he was able to answer the advanced questions with minimal prompting and help from me, but he's still somehow so humble about it. Whenever he gets a compliment he blushes bright red and ducks his head all bashfully, it's adorable actually." Tony chuckled, voice undeniably fond.
Rhodey's smile increased as he listened to his friend talk, shaking his head with a huffed laugh of his own at the end, "Man, he's got you good." It was crazy to him- someone who had been there through Tony's worst and his best, through all the shit, ever since the man had been around Peter's age and just wanted to build robots and annoy his father in order to get his attention- to see him as a dad. Now don't get him wrong, despite what Tony believed about himself Rhodey had always known he had all the makings to be a great father. He was endlessly generous and had a personality that naturally attracted young kids without even trying. If it had been ten years ago, he may have had some worries about whether he'd let himself be emotionally available to his kids, but hearing the way he spoke about Peter just then and seeing him with Morgan has erased any concerns about that. It was clear being a father had fulfilled him in ways nothing else ever could.
"You didn't answer my other question, though. What do you think he'd like for Christmas?" Rhodey wanted to win best presents this year, since he and Tony had always had this sort of silent competition where they both tried to out-buy each other on gifts for Rhodey's niece in order to become the favourite. He knew it would no doubt be impossible to win this year though, since it was the man's first Christmas with kids so he'd no doubt go overboard, but still.
"He likes Star Wars, he can talk for hours about it, which is a lot considering he's usually so quiet. He also likes Harry Potter, he said this Potter-quiz thing told him he was in the Huffle House, you know the yellow one? We watched a few Hawking documentaries together yesterday, he finds space really cool and he was particularly fascinated by the idea of there being an infinite amount of universes, so maybe some books on that? He also likes Lord of the Rings, and the Back to the Future franchise. Oh, and he's currently rereading this book series about greek mythology? You know Poseidon and all that jazz? I forgot what it's called."
"Percy Jackson?"
"Yeah, that. But only the books, he said that the movies don't live up to them."
"Kid's got good taste, and he likes a lot of classics. Maybe we could have a movie night together? That way we can hang out but he won't feel like he has to make conversation?"
"Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Also if you're getting him anything Star Wars related make sure to send us a picture first incase we've already got it him, because I'm pretty sure Pepper’s already bought all of the merch there is for it. We're also getting him a gaming console, so maybe you could get him some games for that? Nothing R15 or over though, 'cause Pep will flip and I don't think he'll like ones with too much violence. And we're sorting out getting him an ESA, because he's always wanted a dog and we think it could really help him. There's a two year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier that's already trained we're thinking of getting. Her name's currently Tessa but he might want to change it so don't get anything personalised, maybe a few toys to play with?"
"You're getting a dog?" Rhodey was trying not to laugh, it was just funny to him seeing the once playboy come this big family man, living in a cabin with a dog. "But you hate dogs."
"I don't hate them,” he spluttered before continuing “I just think that if you're going to have an animal running around making a mess, it should at least be a cool one- like an Alpaca!... Plus, Pepper said no to getting a cat because they 'shed too much fur' so..."
Rhodey could hear the pout in his voice at the last bit and started laughing. His laughter was cut off, however, by a shrill cry in the background of the phone.
"Mo's awake, I'd better go sort her out."
"Wrapped around their fingers." Rhodey remarked jokingly, "That's fine, I've got that super important letter to be writing, haven't I?”
"Yeah, you'd better get on that. Thanks, Row Row, love yah." He started making kissing noises down the phone, making the Colonel move it away from his ear.
"Goodbye, Tony. Thanks for the homework."
~~~~~
They didn’t quite get Peter the final papers for Christmas Day, the Adoption agency insisting on having another look through everything to make sure there were no errors and nothing was left out (which was a bit dumb; Pepper Potts didn’t make paper work mistakes and she never forgot anything). However they did manage to get everything together for New Years Eve, wordlessly handing Peter the final adoption certificate just seconds before the clock struck midnight and the fireworks started showing on the TV, going into the new year as a family.
They were so glad they had FRIDAY to record, as the shock soon followed by overwhelming joy crossed the teen’s face. As he jumped up from his seat, just as the clock struck midnight, and wrapped his arms around both of their necks.
“Oh… my god. Oh my god! I’m- I’m adopted! You’re-” Peter pulled back a little from the hug he was giving both adults, before squealing in uncontainable delight, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He was adopted, he was adopted, he was adopted.
Tony laughed at the reaction, while Pepper shared an identical smile with the teen. They thought they’d seen Peter happy before, but that barely held a light to the utter joy on his face now.
“Thank you! Thank you, thank you so much!” He held the certificate tightly in both hands, head tilted upwards to look at them both with the toothiest of smiles. The fourteen year old never thought this would happen to him, never thought he'd get another family, that someone else would want him.
Sure, he'd known this had been coming for a while, the Starks hadn't been quiet about going through the adoption process and sharing their excitement for it to be complete, but it was different now that the official certificate was there in front of him. Clear as day, in cursive black font, 'To certify that Peter B. Parker, born Aug 10 2004, has been legally adopted into the Stark household on this date, Dec 30 2018, and is hereby entitled to all rights and privileges as their child.'
"I-I'm yours." the teen's mouth moved on it's own accord, as he looked stunned between the certificate and them.
Tony snorted, tugging him closer once again by a hand on the back of his head. "Yep, you're stuck with us, forever and ever and ever," he whispered conspiratorially into the boy's ear, before tickling him around his ribs. The teen squealed and reflexively jerked his foot at the feeling. Pepper laughed before pulling him away from her husband into her own arms for a hug, ending up with the boy squished happily between both parents.
"Or at least until you're eighteen." she stroked back his hair, as had become habit for her, before resting her chin on his head. None of them had stopped smiling since Peter read the letter, and she found herself wanting to stay in this moment forever. Her and Tony, with their son safe and happy between them, and their daughter peacefully asleep in the other room. Even their dog snoozing in front of the fire place.
As she thought about how 2018 had started, everyone regrouping after defeating Thanos and finally being allowed to move on and settle down, the renewal of their wedding vows for those who'd missed the wedding, finding out they were pregnant, the birth of their daughter, and then Peter joining their family to finally make it complete, words she'd been wanting to say for a while now came to her tongue.
"I love you, Peter." She physically felt him freeze, even the soft puffs of breath he'd been letting out onto her shoulder stopping as the boy listened intently. "We both do." she added, placing another kiss to his curls, as she said the one thing she knew, by the startled look on Tony's face, that he wasn't yet brave enough to admit himself. But she also knew by the way the teen tightened his grip on her to painful proportions and began to let out small sobs into her shoulder that he so desperately needed to hear it.
Peter was crying. He was crying tears of joy after hearing the words his not fully grown mind craved, but had been denied ever since he was eleven. Denied a right that all children should have, should be given in bucket loads. The right to be loved, and cared for, and the right to a family.
Peter could feel Tony rubbing awkwardly at his back as he panicked at the boy's cries, and could hear Pepper cooing softly in his ear, and all he could think was thank you thank you thank you. Thank you for wanting me. Thank you for choosing me.
No one said anything for a good five minutes, as Peter tried and failed to put words to how much he loved them too. How happy and grateful he was to finally be a part of a family, their family. Thankfully, neither of them seemed to be demanding or expecting an answer from him, clearly understanding how hard it must be for him to put his feelings into words when he'd be become so used to going silent at very strong emotions.
Tony was the first to break the silence, "So... happy 2019 everyone!"
"Happy 2019!" both Pepper and Peter chimed in, followed by FRIDAY's cheery response, which made them all laugh.
Tony grabbed his and Pepper's glasses of champagne, passing hers to her, before giving Peter his wine glass of apple juice, the teen wiping away the last of his tears. They all clunk glasses together, before Pepper ran to get her phone, and ushered them together to take a family photo, gently picking Morgan up and resting her on her shoulder on the way. Peter was stood in between them both, still clutching his adoption certificate tightly in his hands as though afraid to let it go. Just as the timer on the camera went down and flashed, both Pepper and Tony placed a kiss on each side of the teen's cheeks, causing a big grin to take over his face just as the picture was taken.
They took several photos, in one of them Tony ducked behind them and gave both Pepper and Peter ‘bunny ears’, and after that they had a full on silly photo shoot, grabbing props from all around the house to dress up in. Christmas tinsel, wine bottles, sunglasses, hats, and even the paper crowns they pulled out of the leftover Christmas crackers. They posed like they'd just come out of a wild party, Tony and Peter wrapped with gold and red tinsel around them, arms slung over each other’s shoulders like they were using each other for support to stand up, glasses of ‘champagne’ in their hands, while Pepper tipped her head back next to them with a bottle of wine pressed to her mouth, arm thrown up in the air.
Now, all of those pictures sat in a big picture frame, hung right by the stairs for them to see whenever they walked past, and remember the night their family was made whole.