Chapter 6

Tony's POV

Time Skip... Next Week... Party Night...

  It's party night amigos, one of my favorite nights. I love me a good party. I don't mean to toot my own horn but my parties are some of the best extravaganzas around. Pepper has been working hard on planning the finite details all week long, sending out invites, catering, etc. Everything is up to par. When the guests begin streaming in, I try not to make it obvious that I'm ready for the second half of the party so I can finally see Peter. I keep a look out for his friends MJ and Ned. I spot them within a few minutes and head over to them. I smile sincerely at them. "You two must be MJ and Ned. It's nice to meet any friends of Peter." I extend a hand for them to shake and they both do so." 

     Ned seems to be the more star struck of the two so MJ does most of the talking. "It's nice to meet you too Mr. Stark. Both Peter and the media have told us a lot about you. We've looked up to you for a long time. I don't happen to agree with all of the decisions you make but I admire the empire you've built for yourself over the years. Even though you inherited Stark Industries from your father Howard Stark, you've still made it your own. You've kept it up and running successfully all these years. Congrats on that." I nod. "Thank you. It hasn't been an easy journey but it's one I'm proud of nonetheless." Ned smiles. "Peter texted me a few minutes ago. He said he's feeding Morgan supper. She wanted mac and cheese apparently." I chuckle. "That's my girl. She's been on a mac and cheese kick lately." 

      MJ raises an eyebrow at me. "Mr. Stark, how much do you like Peter?" I raise an eyebrow back at her. "How should I interpret that question?" She leans closer. "In the most honest way." I feel like the air is getting knocked out of my lungs. This girl is smart, too smart for her own good. She obviously knows that I have a thing for Peter. She's like a bloodthirsty hound sniffing around for clues to confirm the evidence of the truth that she already knows about. "MJ, I love Peter. He's like a son to me." She shakes her head and makes a weird sound. "I'm not buying that. As soon as Ned said Peter's name, your face light up like fireworks were dancing across the sky. You have feelings for him, which is problem given that you're married to Pepper and have a child with her. Having a child with her complicates the situation even further."

       Ned stands there uncomfortable not knowing what to say. He looks like he wants to diffuse this from turning into an argument but is having trouble gathering the thoughts to do so. Instead, he lets MJ and I duke it out verbally. "MJ, we're not having this discussion right now. We can gladly so at a later point in private but I have a party to attend to, other guests to mingle with and please. If you would excuse me, I'd like to get to that." I leave a smirking MJ and stunned Ned behind in a sea of people. The two of them have each other and will have Peter one he shows up. They'll be just fine. 

Peter's POV

   Morgan had a large bowl of mac and cheese, brushed her teeth, and demanded for me to read her four bedtime stories. This girl has so much energy. I love her dearly but I wish she'd go to bed for the night. Happy called me a few minutes ago to let me know he'll be here soon to take the second shift. Morgan beams her eyelashes at me. I melt at her expression and cave in to read one more bedtime story. I swear this is the last one. Hopefully Happy shows up by the end of it. This one is about two kids who dream of being an astronaut duo in space. It's a cute story actually. By the end of it, not only does Happy show up, but Morgan is asleep. I whisper to him the rundown of the evening so far and to feel free to text me with any questions he has. He gives me a pat on the shoulder and I head downstairs to change real quick. I brought my attire with me so I could get to the party quicker. 

    I do a double in the mirror and wolf whistle at myself. I look good for once. I take a couple of selfies and head out. When I get up to the top of the tower, I can hear some 80s music blaring through the hallway. I strut into the party like a dork, making cheesy finger guns at MJ and Ned who are hanging out near the bar. The both of them envelop me in a hug and invite me over for a drink. I have a feeling we're going to get wasted tonight. When I make eye contact with Tony a few minutes later, my heart stops. The way he look at me and the way I look at him isn't normal, it's so much more than a normal look. I look at him like he's a God and he looks at me like a fine specimen he could devour. I wish I could get a moment alone with him but with us looking at each other like this, it would easily lead to something that shouldn't happen, at least not right now while he's still married.

     I sound ridiculous. Like he would ever actually leave his wife for me, some guy who's barely a man. Not to mention that he'd purposely destroy his family in the process, turning the people I've loved for years against me. Can I really risk that? Can he really risk all of that? I doubt it...

Hoped that you guys liked this chapter! :) -Mary