View source for 4967/A New Year and A New Stark

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/01/01
|Location=Earth-199999
|Synopsis=A New Year's Eve party at the Stark mansion takes a sudden turn as there's a latecomer to the party!
|Cast of Characters=20, 204, 301, 1076
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;New Year's Eve! A day for celebrating a new year, a time for new beginnings, a time to better oneself... and a day that some people dislike for various reasons. For Toph? It's always been about those goddamn noisy rockets. So in the years that she's been a resident of Malibu it's been customary for the blind teenager with the sensitive ears to withdraw to her room nearing midnight, even when there have been guests over. Why would you need a specific time to say happy new year to anybody anyway? That's what she had claimed anyway before putting on her noise cancelling headphones, listening to loud rock music in attempt to cancel out the ear shattering ruckus going on in the skies outside.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tonight however it's a different story, and sometimes you have to go through some discomfort whether you like it or not.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This is one of the few times a year when Toph does dress up, and at least she has a comfy dress that Pepper got her, and bracelets aren't too annoying to wear. With the extended family here Toph is cheery enough, especially upon meeting Liz again, her young little cousin who gets scooped up and introduced to Sokka. And Stan, Pepper's step-father? He gets a hug like always as well as a /gentle/ punch to the arm. It's family time, after all. And it's nearing midnight and the new year is approaching steadily. As usual Toph does stick close to Sokka, chattering up a storm. Even if they did eat dinner earlier there's always the snacks that need to be eaten up. And it does stop her from chattering too much, she feels. Because man, does it feel like her guts are twisting around over and over...!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"So yeah, the fireworks are bound to start soon," she asides to Sokka, leaning back on the couch. "Goddamn noisy stuff..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, this year Pepper had taken precautions regarding Toph, and had sound-proofing installed in the livingroom. Because she's a good mom and would never, ever forget she was pregnant. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's afully hard though, considering the size of her belly, the discomfort she was feeling and the rather brave face she had on, padding around in flats with that pregnant person waddle going on as she supervises snacks (with a tut-tut from Georgie, she's got this), drinks (not that Carolina would let her touch anything -- she's pregnant!) and greeting the guests around (which Stan and Tony have marvelously handled). <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Liz is tagging around with Sokka and Toph. When introduced, she kicked Sokka in the shin, interpreting 'Sokka' as 'Soccer', which her dad was teaching her how to play by letting her kick balls around for their dogs. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Following Liz was the latest in-training, Moose, who was a big, brown lab who really, really liked sour cream dips. And carrot sticks. Yum! <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pepper herself leans back and sits down on the couch, gingerly, wearing a bright red dress with a maternity bubble.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>Tony is just sauntering down the stairs with Stan, after giving the old man a tour of the high tech nursery he'd presented to Pepper as a Christmas gift. Diaper changing robot -- will need some calibration obviously -- holographic mobiles, forcefields everywhere. This will be the safest kid on the planet. And of course the piece de resistance, the Lion King/Avengers mashup mural that takes up the whole back wall of the room. You and Dummy worked hard on that.<br><br>"Such language Toph," he scolds as he crosses over to the coffee table to pluck up a roast beef and cheddar cracker and pop it into his mouth. "If Steve were here he'd be shocked," he continues with his mouth full. Can't get through the night without a few digs at Cap, after all, especially with Stan in attendance.<br><br>He turns to beam a bright smile at Pepper, nevermind the cracker cumbs sticking to his facial hair. "Almost midnight, honey, shall we step outside to enjoy the explosions?" He holds out a hand to her, waggling his fingers in a little invitation. At the least, he needs to stay close by now so he can follow through on his promise to Toph to kiss Pepper at midnight. For... reasons.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka was, of course, still not having any clue what half this stuff was. Though, he still obviously felt touched about being invited. He'd even brought gifts! A shield, forge made by him, for Toph. As well as ten tickets for fre foot rubs. Yes he'd noticed she liked them. No he hadn't picked up on WHY. <br><br> For Pepper, true to Toph's suggestion, hand made toys from the water tribe! Made of wood! They wouldn't melt like his old ice ones(they were often told to keep their toys outside.). And for tony, booze. Southern water tribe booze, to be exact. The stuff could peel the paint off a canoe. <br><br> Aside from the kick, and his initial worry about the whole intruding on her family time. H'd found the whole holiday to be pretty awesome. Well, he'd been pretty disappointed by the whole... mistletoe not actually BEING missiles. But he'd gotten over it. He'd enjoyed the snoopy christmas, though. The tv was always cool. And once he'd warmed up to everyone he'd been more than happy to share all kinds of stories about their past deeds with them. By the end, he made it sound as if Toph had taken down the whole fire nation fleet with a single tap of her foot. Or might as well have. <br><br> But now, it was about time for fire works. He took Toph's hand and... started tugging her. "Come on, I can describe them to you," he said with a charming grin she would never see. "Hey, I bet we could get a really good view from the roof." .... He... he wasn't serious, was he?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's about time that Pepper takes it easy, but no... seems she'll never learn how to rest, not even when her belly is bigger than a humongous beach ball, huh?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Still, Toph did her best to make sure Liz was kept safe, not that the young girl is as small as she used to be, but that way Pepper will have less stress and Georgia, Liz's mom, can focus on the snacks and drinks. Besides, Liz seems to really enjoy bending, which Toph is happy to demonstrate as she bends various figures out of metal for the little girl. Including a Moose one, as she makes the dog move.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You've heard me say far worse!" the blind teen comments back to Tony, "And I know better when uncle Cap is around!" So there, she's not stupid, you know!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When the guys seem to be eager to see the fireworks though Toph blinks, her cheeks a faint red as Sokka takes her hand and starts tugging at her. "You know how I feel about fireworks," she comments, though she does let Sokka pull her up from the couch as she sets the metal aside on the coffee table. Swallowing, she notes how Tony too invites Pepper to come with him, and she shakes her head a bit at Sokka's suggestion. "N-not on the roof!" For... reasons. "I mean, hearing it all around me makes it even worse! Isn't the view good enough from the patio?" This is asked in Tony's direction. Come on, help her out here!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Actually, I thought I'd enjoy it right from here." Pepper states wisely, giving a puff of air out. "There is no way I'm going to go out there like this -- kid might get scared and stay in there /longer/." she protests. Georgia starts laughing. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Any longer than that, Gin, and you're gonna have to start charging the squirt rent. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stan eases himself down into a chair, and gives a wry little smile. "That is quite the nursary you have going on up there -- Tony said the mural was your idea, Pepper. How valiant of you choosing a movie that's... what... thirty years old? Thirty-five?" his eyes squint. "... maybe that was the year it came out?" <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To the dig at Cap, Stan gives a sniff of indignant old man. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well. If he were here, he wouldn't have heard it, because /I/ certainly didn't hear my granddaughter say anything terrible. I doubt she even knows any curse words." he states with confidence, and though he knows she can't see him, Stan gives a big ol' smile in Toph's direction and adjusts his glasses.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>"I think the patio will be sufficient," Tony agrees mildly, then makes a pouty face at Pepper as she elects to remain on the couch. Undeterred, he flops down beside her and nibbles at the neckline of her dress. "The Lion King," he turns his head and informs Stan with a severe look, "is timeless. And it remains the best movie Disney ever made." He rests a hand lightly on Pepper's roundness, and smirks. "And my son needs to know that everything the light touches will be his, someday." Hopefully he's not planning to be trampled by a stampede of wildebeest, though.<br><br>"You kids go on outside then," he makes a little shooing motion with his other hand. "You don't want to see us being oogie, anyway."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka chuckles and gives her hand a little squeeze. "Come on, Toph. It'll be fun. I promise I won't let you fall off and I'll keep you safe. If it makes you feel safer, you can sit in my lap even," he joked. <br><br> Of course, once they were outside, if she looked too nervous... "We can watch it from the patio, Toph. It's okay." Patting her head. "And you don't need to be scared. I promise I wouldn't let anything like fire works hurt you." He glanced to the roof and grinned, an idea forming in his mind. "Though... hmmmmm... maybe..." Once she made her decision... he'd still scoop her up sideways and hold her head to his chest, one arm around her head to cover her other ear. "There. Now I can tell you about them and they won't be as loud, okay?" <br><br> He had to be doing this on purpose, right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Pepper states her intent on staying inside on the couch Toph blinks, turning her head slightly as she halts in her tracks. "Or maybe the fireworks will persuade Bitchin' Camaro to evacuate the premises," she jokes.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for Stan's comment? Toph only smirks slightly, certain that Stan can't imagine half of the curse words she has learned over the years. Hanging out with big, burly men for a while does teach you certain terms and such. Then again, he does like to jest with Tony, be the cool grandpa and ignore stuff that doesn't really matter.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What? No! Tony and Pepper can't stay behind inside, can they? Not that she wants to 'see' them being ooige, but... There's a slightly panicked look on Toph's face where she stands, digging her heels into the floor. There's no way she can let Sokka drag her outside now, can she? And there he goes, talking about her sitting in his lap...! "And I'm not scared of fireworks, you know that!" she protests loudly, looking rather flustered. "It's just that... H-HEY!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Being scooped up doesn't sit well with her as she wriggles, though also reaching down to make sure her dress doesn't get hiked up. "L-LET ME DOWN!" Though her struggles cease slightly when he holds her head to his chest, her eyes wide as she swears her face is burning up.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Okay, this is pretty much hopeless... isn't it?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"S... Sokka, you don't have to..." she begins, although she trails off.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>Tony leans in a little further and murmurs to Pepper, "I kind of promised her I'd kiss you at midnight so she'd have an excuse to kiss Meathead without it seeming weird. Can we at least move to the doorway for moral support?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;".. you know, I had this place fitted to be sound proof right? So it wuoldn't bother her?" Potts turns and asks Tony, with a wry little smile on her face as she brushes a kiss by his forehead. Liz tottles her way to her mother and demands to be picked up. Her dad scoops her up and laughs, fuzzing a tummy. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pepper looks aruond, at her family, her fantastic family with all these people that she loves, about to be added to. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And her stomach cramped. Maybe oysters were not a good idea while /very/ pregnant, but she wanted to have just one. One couldn't hurt, right? <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"All right. But if this kid gets scared and hangs out there another week, you are carrying me everywhere." she states playfully, and draws herself up.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka nodded, glancing down. actually, now that he had here there he was beginning to doubt this was such a good idea. He really ,really hated to admit it. But she was adorable in that dress. He'd actually froze a little when he first saw it. He quickly pushed those thoughts out of his mind. It was the pool allll over again. <br><br> He gently smiled none the less. "Of course I don't have to, brat," he teased. Yes, call her a kid name! "But hey, you're light and worried, so what's it hurt? It's quieter, right?" <br><br> He glanced up and... then, softly so only she could hear. "You know, Toph. Your family is pretty awesome. And... so are you. I had plans for this year and... this isn't exactly how I imagined them. But... I... don't think there's anyone I'd rather have rung in the new year with than my best buddy." Pause. "Well, except maybe that cashier, but she was pretty cute. Shame about her already having a boyfriend. Better luck next year, right?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>"Deal, as long as you don't mind me wearing the suit to do it," Tony grins. He pops up quickly to his feet and offers Pepper both hands to help her stand. She's not alone in wanting that thing out of her. Anything else aside, he hates to see how uncomfortable she's been lately. Especially knowing it's his fault.<br><br>Well, half his fault. It's not like she wasn't a willing participant.<br><br>"It's our first new year, Mrs. Stark," he addresses her formally, and bends to grab another cracker and pop it in his mouth even as he settles his other hand at the small of her back to provide token support for the walk to the patio door. "Wouldn't want to miss any of the experience, would we?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Brat? It's not often that Toph frowns at being called that, but then again, having Sokka think of her as a kid isn't exactly what she wants. But sure, it is quieter when he's muffling her ears like this, except she's more focused on listening to his heartbeat and breathing.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then he goes all serious, talking about her family... yes, they are awesome. Tony himself seems to enjoy that fact the most of all, and Pepper is one hell of a guardian and rolemodel. And her family are people she's learned to care for over the years too. And Sokka is here too... just how she had wished to celebrate New Years.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Except he had other plans? It's most likely him joking, but... it still makes the blind teen go quiet, no longer struggling and trying to get her feet back onto the patio floor.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sure, she's aware of the others filing in after them on the patio, and the sound of the fireworks starting up isn't something that she's able to miss. Why is it so easy to chicken out about this when other stuff is so easy to go through with? Sure, Sokka might be as dense as a rock, but that doesn't mean it's easy like earthbending to handle him at times!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Y-yeah... this year might be better," she finally says a bit quietly, licking her lips. Okay, this isn't the time to be a yellowbellied airbender and dance around the topic, is it? There's fireworks, he's holding her, even if he is only doing so in a friendly way... come on Tony, just kiss Pepper already!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;... never in her life did she think she would /want/ her adoptive parents to be oogie.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This is no time to be a yellowbellied airbender and dance around the topic. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pep was leaning against Tony, her eyes were upswept. Stana nd Carrie, and Rodger and Georgia and Liz were com ing out to enjoy the fireworks, then Potts gets a peculiar feeling, truns, and brushes a little kiss to Tony's cheek. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This kid is tapdancing on my bladder." she mumbles to him in the most romantic voice she can muster in her position,a dn then turns to head back in. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Stan is there. Stan glances around to everyone, and then states, out loud: "I think of all the men here, I'm the luckiest. Not only do I have the fiestiest wife, but she gets more and more beautiful every day. Either that, or I'm going blind." he states, playfully. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then /Stan/ goes all oogie on Carrie! There's hooting and hollering and Liz goes "oooooogggiiiiiie!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>As the first blossoms of fire begin to poof against the night sky over the Pacific, Jarvis counts down the precise time to midnight on the west coast, his dry British delivery punctuated with a matter-of-fact, "Happy 2017," when he reaches zero.<br><br>Tony doesn't make a huge production of it; the point being to demonstrate how perfectly normal sharing a kiss at midnight is, after all. He just chuckles at Stan's announcement, murmurs, "He's wrong you know," and leans in to meet his wife halfway in a soft kiss. "And I AM sorry about your bladder," he adds, when their lips part some moments later. He sneaks a sidelong glance toward Toph and Sokka. Mission accomplished, on his part at least. "We can go back inside now," he offers Pepper an olive branch.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka nodded. "Yeah. I think this year will be better." Pause. "For one, I won't have to watch my sister and Aang get all oogie. I mean, come on. It's just like... no. Ew. I get it. You two love each other. And they tell me to knock when I come outside! I mean, really, who does that? Just don't make out outside, duh! No one wants to see that." <br><br> And then grinned. "And this time I get to spend the whole year with my bud, not going to drag my feet anymore. And who knows? I bet there's a cute girl out there right now, just waiting for me to come sweep her off her feet." <br><br> And then oogie. He laughs, momentarily distracted before looking up. "Oh, that's a big white one. Like a flower." And looked down. "Happy new year." It was now or never. <br><br> Would she have the guts?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's talking all around them. Stan and Carrie, Georgie and Rodger, Liz whining about oogies, such a good little kid... not that they really matter now. And as Jarvis begins counting down Toph becomes aware of one fact; she can't 'see' what Tony and Pepper are doing, considering Sokka is holding her and she's not in contact with the ground. Oh crud!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But surely Tony /is/ kissing Pepper, right? And the other married couples are kissing too, right? Oh shit oh shit oh shit...!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Okay, Sokka is babbling about something. About what? She's not really sure, as all she can hear is her own heart hammering against her rib cage, and the loud fireworks exploding all around them in the sky. Perhaps she looks a bit shocked where she's resting in Sokka's arms, her expression one of confusion and nervousness. Okay, okay, Toph Beifong... get it together! This is it! Even Sokka said that earlier this day, that this is the way to let a guy know! Tony told her that this was the right thing too, and even if he's made a lot of mistakes before it's not like he would want her to mess up, right? Or maybe... no. Just do this, all it takes is a couple of seconds...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Even as Sokka turns his head to look down Toph's arm is already moving as it reaches up behind his head and pulls him further down, her face red as a tomato. Tilting her own head up the blind girl somehow manages to not miss her target too much as her lips quickly and clumsily press against Sokka's, her fingers digging into his hair. Okay, perhaps not the most elegant kiss, but... at least it's a kiss as Toph seems frozen in place, pressing her eyes closed.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pepper had given a smile when Tony kissed her, and she gave him a little peck on the cheek in return, feeling still very uncomfortable. Once the fireworks begin, she is already waddling to the bathroom when she realizes that it wasn't a bladder problem. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks down. She looks up in the mirror, and somewhere, Captain America's language senses might be tingling. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THe door cracks open. "/Mom/." Pepper hisses. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carrie pokes her head back in. She looks to Georgie, who hands off the wee tot to her husband, and all the wo men begin to close ranks. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stan pauses. He looks at Tony. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You might want to grab the bags."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>The bags? Tony stares blankly at Stan for a moment, then his genius brain manages to put two and two together. "The bags!" he agrees, and dashes past his father-in-law, knocking shoulders as he charges toward the garage where he's had Pepper's hospital prep gear stowed in the Rolls for the last week. "I'll meet you out front!" he calls over his shoulder. "Toph!" he shouts more loudly even as his voice fades from the bottom of the stairs, "Let's go, your brother wants to join the party too!" Evidently he got his sense of timing from his father's side.<br><br>Less than a minute later, he's parking the big car next to the front door, leaving the engine running as he leaps out in readiness to escort Pepper to the vehicle. "Is she okay?" he asks Stan first, then looks anxiously past him. "It's okay honey, everything's ready!"<br><br>It seems like he may need that reassurance more than she does.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka looked down, a smile on his lips, ready to make another comment. <br><br> And then kiss. On the lips. Full on kiss. Toph? What? WHY? He pulled back instantly! <br><br> Except he didn't. He meant to. He was just shocked. That was it... which was why, after a few moments the shock faded and... this wasn't bad at all. His eyes drifted closed. Slowly, his hands, which had been around her, began to move. Rather than pulling away, his right hand moved down and... gently positioned on the small of her back, pulling her a little more to him. <br><br> What was he doing what was he doing?! This was toph! INSTNCTS TURN OFF! INSTINCTS TURN OFF! But alas, they did not. Slowly his left hand reached up and he, ever so delicately cupped the side of her cheek... and then moved his lips with hers. While she had no experience, he had plenty. He pushed in slightly, his lips capturing hers and gently his tongue would dip out, to gently stroke against her lip as he kissed her back. <br><br> AND THEN YELLING! "Huh?" he yelped, letting her go and performing, out of sheet panic, the yen yard Toph toss. "ACK! TOPH!" Wait, what? What was going on? WHAT? "The baby! Toph, are you okay? The baby, I tihnk it's, err, w-we're going!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The butterflies fluttering in her stomach doesn't ease down when... oh man, he's kissing her back?! A bit uncertain just what to do, Toph merely goes along with it as she feels Sokka's hands move, one to the small of her back and the other stroking her cheek in a way that makes her want to squirm. But she keeps still, just not wanting the moment to end.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sadly it does as suddenly she's aware of Tony shouting. Huh? What's going on?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Toph blinks and blushes as she pulls her head back, about to ask what the crud is going on. But then she's aware of not being held anymore... and she yelps as she hits the floor, wincing and letting out a string of words that girls should not say out loud. And once on the floor she becomes aware of what's going on, her eyes going wide. "Oh, you've /got/ to be shitting me...!" she grumbles as she gets to her feet, rushing over towards Pepper to help her out to the car as well when Tony rushes back inside. First the kid won't arrive in time for Christmas, and now he picks /this/ time to pop on out? Damnit, maybe Pepper should have stayed inside after all...!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We've got you, mom!" Toph assures Pepper, doing her best to help Pepper out and into the passenger seat of the waiting car. "Should you call the hospital or something?!" she then asks Tony. They're not closed on New Year's, are they?!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"She already sent a text to the hospital, they were on watch." Carolina states to Toph gently as she eases Pepper -- who's changed from that lovely maternity dress to an oversized T-shirt and sweats, and is squeezing her mother's hand as she goes. "He has your sense of timing, dear." she replies through grit teeth to Tony, and as she's eased out, Georgia's taking her own ponytail holder out to sweep Pepper's up into one. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Just you waituntil your contractions start in earnest, Ginny." Georgia teases. "Then you'll start shocking maybe even TOph." she laughs, and the grouping eases outside, and Pepper's lead right into the car. She reaches up, and ruffles Toph's hair. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'll apologize for the poor timing. You'll miss the after party."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>"Jarvis--" Tony blurts, only to be interrupted coolly by the AI's measured tones from the car speaker. "Confirmed, sir. The reserved suite will be ready by the time you arrive."<br><br>Tony relaxes just enough to grin at Pepper's complaint. "Hey, what can I say, I always did like to be /fashionably/ late." He gets in the way more than he helps in the matter of making sure Pepper is comfortably seated and buckled in. "Kid must have heard the fireworks and thought that was his cue," he quips, then dashes back around to the driver's side and throws himself in. "It's kind of appropriate. I mean, explosions and all." Raising his voice, "Everyone in! Stan, you'll follow us?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm driving. He said Carrie was the most beautiful woman, obviously his eyesight is going." Rodger pipes up, holding up his keys. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which Carrie grabs on her way by, tossing a thick scarf over her shoulder. "Like hell. My grandchild. You get to sit back and shut up." <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;... Rodger looks /deflated/, but follows. Georgia finishes clipping the young Liz in.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka was in mild panic mode. Which, in this situation, meant he just kind of... stood there, on the patio, watching in a stunned stupor as people did... things. And stuff. And things. He didn't know what to do in this situation! he was a guy with a fancy sword! He was NOT equipped to deal with this kind of thing! NO ONE WAS! <br><br> He hugged himself nervously and...<br><br> Was likely promptly dragged off. He didn't have any idea what was going on anymore, so didn't even offer objections! He just followed obediently. His mind struggling to reboot. Okay, so toph was a woman, there was a baby, wait, was toph having a baby?!!! <br><br> ... wait, no, wires crossed. Pepper was having a baby. Toph was a woman and had KISSED him! And it had felt good. And... and he'd kissed her back and WHAT WAS GOING ON?!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pepper's in a lot of discomfort, isn't she? Toph bites down on her lower lip, looking concerned. Even when Pepper reaches up to ruffle her hair doesn't Toph smile. "Mom, you'll be okay!" It's not that far to the hospital, and Tony's not a slow driver at all.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Though there's some hesitation there as Toph stands still by the side of the car, turning her head slightly towards Sokka. And then the blind girl kicks the ground, making the concrete underneath Sokka's feet move until he was standing next to the car, and then Toph grabbed his wrist, her cheeks flaring up in full intensity as she yanked him into the car with her. "Move your butt, Meat Head!" she yells, getting into the seat behind Tony, and making sure Sokka gets seated behind Pepper. And once Toph gets her seat belt on she hits the seat in front of her. "Let's get going before Bitchin' Camaro decides to get born on the road!" And yes, she's still blushing like mad.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pepper's sitting back, her hands around her stomach before she reaches up, and brushes her hands over Toph. "Everything's going to be fine, Toph. I'm uncomfortable at the moment, but once we get to the hospital I'll be all right. Until then --" she winces, and she blinks as the girl kicks the ground, and brings Sokka into the car. She purses her lips, glancing to the kids in the back suit, thent o Tony. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"She's right."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>Tony barely notices Sokka being piled into the car with him; his attention is all for Pepper, with a little bit spared for the road ahead. "We're going," he agrees, and the Rolls leaps forward before Sokka can have a chance to figure out his seat belt. The car can go 0-60 in about 6 seconds and it isn't at a pace much slower than that, that Tony races down the long drive. "Just keep breathing, honey," he coaches, although Pepper seems to be taking this quite a bit more in stride than he is, over all.<br><br>It's a half hour drive to the hospital. The car screeches to a halt at the main entrance twelve and a half minutes later, thanks to Tony's maniacal driving and Jarvis helping out by persuading some stoplights to stay green for them.<br><br>And yet, despite the breakneck pace to get there, Tony sits frozen behind the wheel for a few seconds after braking to a stop, knuckles white on the wheel as he tries to remember what comes next. Oh yeah. "Toph," he commands, glancing over his shoulder -- he does a bit of a doubletake seeing Sokka in the back seat with her -- "Find out what room number we're in and wait here to let everyone else know when they get here." He lurches out of the car and tosses the keys to a smirking valet who has seen more than his fair share of anxious fathers-to-be. He does a bit of a doubletake of his own, though, when he recognizes Tony Stark as the one in question tonight. "Keep it quiet," Tony instructs him firmly, and presses a hundred dollar bill into the young man's hand as he jogs around the car. Some nurses are already heading to the car with a wheelchair for Pepper, and Tony hurries to get the door for her and help her as much as they'll allow his interference.<br><br>"You know what to do if any paparazzi show up," he adds to Toph with a meaningful look.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka would just sit there. He didn't say anything. He just sat there. His mind was trying to make some kind of sense of what happened. Did she trip? No, no, no one kisses like THAT when they trip. Did she... Did she what? Think he was someone else? <br><br> Walls across his mind began to crumble away as he struggled to process the what and why. Mostly the why. She was TOPH. The amazing TOPH. And he was just Sokka. <br><br> Wait, when did he get in the car and... he was near toph. He cringed, but didn't move much. He was just... so... confused. <br><br> Why? Just... why? He wanted to ask, but there was a BABY! He couldn't ask now, even HE had more tact than that(barely). <br><br> And then he was left alone in the car with toph. Oh, and their valet. Who probably left them alone. He jsut stared at the chair ahead of him and finally... "So... a baby."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pepper breathes, wincing at contractions, btu over all is taking things very much in stride, keeping her eyes on the road as the buildings whizz by. She's mentally going through her packed bags, considering if they have any safety pins in the glove box in case they get halted. Tony's mad pace driving delivers faster than Dominos, and soon she's being helped out of the car and into a wheel chair. THere is not a person here who doesn't know who they are, what's going on, but the nurses all cheerily greet Pepper as Mrs. Smith, and they begin to cart her in saying that the birthing floor is being prepped as they speak, and what marvelous timing on little 'Baby Smith's' part<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The ride to the hospital is one of Toph's least favourite rides as she hangs onto the seat in front of her, gritting her teeth and really putting her trust in Tony getting them all there safely. He's used to mach speeds after all, and well, this time of night it's not like there are many cars on the road. Finally they do arrive though, and Toph lets out a sigh of relief as she unbuckles her seatbelt, getting out of the car. Getting some solid earth under her feet does help, even if she's still nervous for several reasons. So it helps when Tony gives her something to do, a way to be helpful in all of this. "Got it!" She'll lead the others to the room that Pepper will get in, and she'll protect the privacy of the family in this time. Paparazzi should recognise her well enough to know that they shouldn't go near. But of course they might wonder at seeing Toph outside the hospital, won't they? Oh well, time to deal with that later.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For now she grabs Sokka by the hand, blushing as she drags him inside after the nurses wheel Pepper and lead Tony away. She herself drags Sokka with her to the front desk. "Y-yeah... the baby's arriving. So don't faint again like you did the last time, huh?" she jokes weakly, laughing a little nervously before she turns to the clerk. "I need to know which room my mom's in... Mrs. Sta--- Smith." Hopefully the clerk will recognise Toph, considering her celebrity status in this place.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once that is done, Toph drags Sokka back outside, then lets go of his hand as she wraps her arms around herself, waiting for the other car to arrive. And just being all too aware of being /alone/ with Sokka, not knowing just what to feel or to do for the first time since knowing him.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>Tony Smith, meanwhile, doesn't leave Pepper's side or indeed even let go of her hand once he's able to grab hold of it and squeeze for support. Whether the support is for her or for him is up for debate. They're here /together/ and that's the important thing.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka stared. Stared. Stared. He finally... "Toph. You... you kissed me," he said finally. <br><br> "Why?" It was a simple enough word. But it was all his mind could process. He looked spooked. Empty headed. As empty headed as most seemed to think he was...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Sokka finally decides to talk, he is Captain Obvious it appears. How absolutely great for her, as she's already embarrassed and trying to deal with it. It would have been easier if they hadn't been alone right now, but... "I... did," she nods, swallowing as she leans back against the wall. As for why she kissed him? The blind girl licks her lips slightly, tightening her grip on her arms where she stands. "B-because you told me to, Meat Head," she states, thinking back to the thing he said earlier that day. Or was it yesterday now? That the best way for a girl to let a guy know she loves him was to kiss him.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka blinked a few more times. "I... I did? When I..." And then leaned back against the wall and slid back. "Oh. When I told... w-wait. Toph, I'm not... I don't do those things for you... I-I was... jsut telling Eve that so she... I wasn't trying to make you think you were in love with me or a-anything!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sokka's words don't make it all easier, and Toph bites down on her lower lip, letting her head hang where she stands. Okay, this is confusing! Didn't he kiss her back? It felt like that at least... "I always know what I think!" she interjects. "I don't need other people to tell me what to feel! I..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This is exactly what she was afraid would happen.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka slowly hugged his knees to his chest. He... didn't have any idea what was going on. Half his mind was on 'BABY!', the other half trying to proess... this. "How... long? I mean... did this happen... today... or? Was it because I joined you in the union? Or because of what happened to the Union? Toph... I'm not going anywhere. You don't need to try and... sacrifice yourself like that so I'll stay. I wouldn't do that to you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;You know those scenes in movies, and TV, and the spare moments where the woman is on the table, scremaing because she's pushing SO HARD -- <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;IT's all a lie. Pepper's epidural took, thankfully, but that long-ass needle made her get second thoughts at first. She certainly did /not/ want her mother, her sister, her stepdad in there with her, but Tony was okay. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They don't prepare you that birth can be messy. That it can be gross. That Things can happen. Potts is in pain and a whole lot of discomfort sitting there on the table, with the doctors and nurses and techs around. Holding Tony's hand and squeezing it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>Tony thought he was prepared for the Gross Things, but actually being there in the room with them is a bit unnerving. He majored in physics and engineering, not biology. He's glad he's considered 'okay' to be there, all things considered. "So hey," he tries to keep the mood light, for his wife's sake. "We made it. You're gonna get this watermelon out of you, finally, that'll be a relief, right? Before you know it you'll be able to wear your favorite shoes again and everything."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's kind of hard to imagine a time she didn't feel this way. As Sokka sits down and hugs his knees close Toph remains standing, looking smaller than she usually does. And at his question whether this is a receont thing she can only shake her head, her bangs flying back and forth. "No!" she protests, looking like she is contemplating bending a hole in the ground that she can disappear into. But she doesn't. Instead she clears her throat. "... since we went through the Serpent's Pass..." she mutters weakly. "I..." Okay, she has to say this, doesn't she?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I... love you." With that she turns her back to Sokka. Ugh, why can't Carrie and the others get here already?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1076|Sokka (1076)}} has posed:'''<br>Sokka blinked a few times, staring at her. "Serpants pass? As in... that was years ago! How did you... you've... that's not.... what?" He stared at her. Then... his eyes lowered. "I just... I... I need some time to... to process this... Toph. I..." Paused. He did love her. <br><br> But not in that way. <br><br> Right? He glanced up at her, staring at her in that dress. She... was hurting. A lot. He wanted to walk forward and hug her, to hold her to his chest, to tell her it'd be okay. That they'd work all this out. <br><br> But what if they couldn't? "I... don't know... how to feel. About this. Toph. I'm.... sorry."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"EVERYBODY OUT OF THE BOAT!" Roars Carrie, as she abandons the car, and everyone starts disembarking looking positively frazzled. Liz is crying. Stan looks pale. Rodger may be sick. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Georgia meanwhile chirps completely at ease with her mother's driving, "Does anyone need a pitstop before we start storming the birthing floor?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes, years ago. Years that she's been harboring feelings for the older boy from afar, not saying a word. Not wanting to mess things up between him and Suki, because that would have been mean of her to ruin things for her friends. People she cares a whole lot about. But with Suki not being here, with Sokka not being with her for a while, it was okay, wasn't it?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Sokka speaks, it /stings/. Stings to the point where her breath stops and she stands as if petrified.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Before she gets to say anything the other car comes screeching up the road, coming to a stop as Carrie announces their arrival, and Toph pushes quickly away from the wall. "They're in room 106," she announces before she quickly hurries inside, this time not dragging Sokka with her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We made it." Pepper agrees, a nurse dabbing at her forehead. "And so help me, if he's born wearing a goatee, I'm divorcing you." she replies, wincing, and giving another push. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's it, Virginia. Another push." the midwife says calmly. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I AM PUSHING." Pepper replies in the exact opposite tone. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, as everyone else bustles in, Stan pauses, tipping the valet and then tailing the bender. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"... need to vent, bubbeleh?" he asks, hanging back with Toph a moment, watching as the others go.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>"With a cigar in his mouth?" Tony continues the mental image cheekily, squeezing Pepper's hand supportively as she strains. "Look, it's not MY fault if you can't handle our kid being the suavest infant in history. But I think you're gonna be ok on this one." He didn't grow his beard out until he was in his early 20s, after all.<br><br>"Bet he looks just like you," he continues, keeping up a stream of chatter just to keep her mind occupied. As long as she's annoyed with him she isn't focused on any discomfort. Or at least, not as much. "Without the boobs though. That'd be weird."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Keeping her own pace Toph doesn't seem to register that Carrie, Georgia and the others are hurrying past her to the delivery room, hugging herself as she keeps her head lowered. When she hears the familiar voice of Stan speaking up next to her she slows her pace for just a fraction of a second, then she halts, not raising her head as she seems to consider his offer. Sure, he's talked with her before. But that was about things that she wasn't still trying to process had just happened.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shaking her head, Toph hurries onward. "Not now," she manages to croak out weakly as she follows the rest of the family, though she'll be keeping her distance for a little bit.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hopefully it won't take long for Pepper, and maybe they don't have to sit out in the hallway for long.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ah, well, then I shall. Your grandmother is a madwoman behind the wheel. I had no idea that minivan was capable of doing zero to seventy, let alone in eight seconds." Stan replies, and then he gives a soft 'oh!' sound. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He pats himself down. He pauses, and then gives a frown, "now where did I -- ah, yes." he states, and he's holding something out to Toph. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I myself was an older sibling. Though I had six older sisters. /Six/. This little pupik is lucky not only that he's just got the one, but that she is an amazing young lady, so I hope you don't mind that I got you something." <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a flat box. There's some kind of jewelery inside it. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Pepper is trying not to laugh, because it hurts. "Don't you dare start making me laugh, Tony Stark, this kid will NEVER get out!" she laughs, and then gives a cry as the muscles contract, hard.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>"You got this, you got it," Tony sucks in a breath in sympathetic tandem with Pepper's cry of pain. And then, "I don't know," he counters, flashing a wink to one of the nurses who is politely trying to hold back a giggle herself. "It might be kind of like when you sneeze, and things just kind of... slide out? What is it they say, better out than in? Although I don't know, putting him in there was pretty fun if you ask me." He can keep this up all night if he has to. He kisses Pepper's sweaty temple and tucks some loose hair behind her ear. "I love you, honey," he whispers. "You're a rockstar."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Strange... it does help when Stan vents, actually. Anything to get her mind off of recent events and to focus on what's happening now. "I think Pepper got her driving from her mom," Toph agrees carefully as they reach the area of the hallway where the Potts women have settled down along with Rodger and Liz. "I think Carrie is eager to get another grandkid," she adds with a weak chuckle, reaching up to brush some hair behind her ear.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When he's holding out something for her though, Toph blinks and listens. Wait, he... got her something? Silently Toph reaches out and takes the flat box... and begins opening it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The box is foil on the outside. It has foil on the inside -- probably Stan's attempt to stop her from 'seeing' into it. Inside there is an old gold chain with a new gold locket. The gold locket has a pair of gemstones and a relief on the front of a woman in profile, very small -- maybe the size of a pinky nail, but the chain is very, very strong and finely made. There is also a metal hair pick with two fine chains and little silver flowers hanging from it. Not too awful feminine, but pretty enough for formal occasions. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Happy new year, Toph. May your accomplishments this year be far more awesome than last year's." Stan gives a smile, scoots down just a tad and gives Toph a hug. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then, provided she lets him, picks her up and swings her around. Because he can. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Potts, meanwhile, vies another cry out, this time at the mention of the putting it in. "/ANthony Edward Stark if You Do Not St--/" <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But she 's cut short, and there's another hard contraction. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THeres a gurgling, crying sound as a new set of lungs takes in hair. And thankfully it does not have a goatee. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Congratulations, it's a boy." <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Outside, in the waiting room, 'Rock-a-bye-Baby' plays in a musicbox style through the speakers.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a silly attempt at making her not see what's in the box really, but Toph won't let Stan know that. It doesn't really matter, and she can act surprised after she gets a decent 'look' at the item inside. Jewelry, huh? Toph runs her fingers over the gold locket, feeling the gems in it as well as its general shape. Something meant to put pictures inside? Maybe she could put something else inside it. And the metal hair pick is something she seems to study carefully, all while smiling carefully.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She doesn't pull back when Stan moves in to hug her, wrapping her arms around his waist as she buries her face against his chest. "Thanks, grandpa... you're the best." And she lets out a slight eep when she's picked up and swung around, though she doesn't protest, only clinging onto Stan and the jewelry in her hands. Not many people can give Toph jewelry and have her actually be happy about it!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Though the moment the sound of tiny lungs cries out, Toph jerks her head upright, blinking as her sensitive ears pick up the sound. Bitchin' Camaro...! Immediately Toph pulls away from Stan, stuffing the jewelry into the sash of her dress before she hurries towards the doors, waiting with baited breath as she presses her lips together. Carrie might get a contender for the first person to rush in here!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>Tony just giggles insanely at Pepper's rage, because he'd rather have her mad at him than in pain. He /squeezes/ hard on her hand along with the contraction, and stares with wild anxiety at the doctor who seems to be doing something serious at the other end of his wife. And then he hears his son cry out for the first time.<br><br>His son. He made that. Him and Pepper. It's both of them. He cranes his neck anxiously to see, but they're whisking him off and cleaning him up and all he can catch is a glimpse of wrinkled pink skin and a shock of dark hair.<br><br>He's a dad.<br><br>"That's it?" he asks, stupidly. "I mean -- he's okay? Everything's okay?"<br><br>"Everything is FINE," one of the nurses assures him, smiling beatifically at Pepper as he pats her forehead with a warm damp cloth. "They just need a minute to get him cleaned up for you and then you can hold him," he tells her calmly.<br><br>Tony is still clutching her hand though, and has to make a conscious effort to let go of it so she can take the baby when he's finally handed over. He hovers, staring as if his eyes will bug out of his face. "...Are you okay?" he asks her, belatedly. She did all the work after all.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh my god. Let's not do that again. Ever." Potts states, feeling completely drained. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Temperature's good, reaction is good, ten fingers, ten toes, three eyes, two noses..." the doctor states, and then the Midwife glares. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Everything is fine, Tony and Pepper. What's the name you want on the official paperwork? ... it's not Bitchin-apostrophe-Camero, is it?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Are they going to let us in or what?" Toph mutters, nearly bouncing in place where she stands by the door. She does look rather restless, with a determined look on her face. The concrete of the wall is starting to get cracks as Toph drums her fingers impatiently against it. Okay, if Carrie tries to push ahead of her then she can always use her bending, because damnit she's going in first...! Pepper is okay, isn't she? Why isn't Tony out here dragging them inside yet?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Damnit, she needs something to say and do instead of just standing here...!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>Tony glances at Pepper for confirmation. They have discussed this, but god knows if she may have changed her mind in the last hour. "Robert James Stark," he replies, a little dry mouthed, and gulps. "Bitchin' Camaro is a family name," he adds, in a whispered laugh.<br><br>"I'll get my tubes tied," he promises Pepper, planting a kiss on her cheek. Nevermind that that's... not how that works. "I should go... ride herd on the minions," he stammers, running a hand through his hair as if he's forgotten quite what else to do with it. "I'll hold them off, give you a chance to get--" cleaned up, "--situated, and then I don't think I'll be able to withstand Hurricane Carolina any longer." He kisses her again. "God. I love you so much, you're amazing, I'll be back -- I'll be right back!"<br><br>A minute later he bursts into the hallway where Toph is vandalizing the wall and Carrie is ready to spit nails, disheveled and wild-eyed. He stares around at everyone for a second, then blurts the obvious, "I'm a dad!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The moment Toph feels familiar vibrations on the floor approaching the door she halts, standing still even before Tony opens the door. And once he blurts out that silly line Toph snorts, reaching out to punch him in the arm before attempting to hurry in past him. "A biological dad, dunderhead," she corrects him. She didn't call him 'dad' all this time for nothing! Okay, now to rush in before Carrie! Otherwise she might hog the baby and not let Toph see him. The others have eyes to see with, after all!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>"Right, that's... what I meant," Tony amends, dropping a hand to Toph's shoulder to give it a squeeze as she tries to get past him. "Just... wait a minute, okay? They need to do some doctor stuff and then we can all go back in." He'll spare them the details of the mess.<br><br>In the meantime, he stares at his in-laws. "I made a human being," he states hoarsely. "Oh god, tell me I can handle this. He's... he's got my hair," he runs his hand through his own again, clutching at the roots for support.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The hand on her shoulder does stop Toph from rushing in. Though she is a bit quiet before she nods, instead crossing her arms again as she stands next to Tony, her face turned towards the door. She's aware of Tony talking, though she only speaks up after his hair comment. "Does he have your beard too? If so then I'm not hugging him," she jokes, moving one hand to rest it on Tony's arm. He'll do okay, of that she's certain. Otherwise she wouldn't have settled down in Malibu in the first place.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But just in case she will remind him, lowering her voice just for him. "You're an awesome dad, remember? You haven't failed any of the tests so far." He did all right with her, and this time he'll get to start from the beginning and hopefully have an easier job with a kid he doesn't have to explain periods to, not to mention the kid most likely doesn't have super powers. Besides an inherited super ego, perhaps.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The women are all happy. Liz says 'Oogie!'. Stan is already standing, having swung Toph around and then come back to Tony. He reaches up. He takes him by the shoulders and shakes him a moment before he says "Run as fast as you can, it's almost too late!" and hten blinks, then shaeks his head 'Wrong script!' he mutters playfully, and then just embraces TOny. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Congratulations, boy. You're a father." <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And with great reverence, Stan hands Tony... a pack of big red gum. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No smoking in the hospital." he states, patting his hand, and hums in amusement. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Doctor comes out, and the midwife is all smiles. "She'll take visitors, but she might be a itsy bitsy bit... cranky."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>Tony smiles appreciatively down at Toph, and tugs her against his side for a one-armed hug. "I got you after after all the hard parts though," is his opinion. There's nothing /easy/ about taking care of a baby! "You were already awesome, I just... pointed it in the right direction." He realizes something and his brow furrows slightly as he gives another glance around the hallway. "Where'd Sokka get to? I wasn't hallucinating him in the car, was I? How did the plan-- oh, tell me later," he interrupts himself, at the news they can see Pepper and... and baby Robert now.<br><br>"I don't smoke," he replies to Stan with some mystification, before he draws the connection to the traditional cigars, and chuckles. "Oh. Right. Thanks." And this makes Stan a grandfather again, though he isn't actually related to any of his three grandkids, oddly enough.<br><br>But why should Pepper be cranky? She finally has that basketball out of her, she should be feeling better now, right? "Okay go on," he grins at Toph, releasing his hold on her so she can charge into the room. And he stands well out of Carrie's way.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carrie and Georgia are hanging back a bit -- mostly because Liz won't be allowed to see the baby. Stan and Rodger stand back so that Toph can have first dibs. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pep's in a nursing johnny now, the bundle of wrinkled snoozing sleep as Robert lays nestled against her chest, swaddled in a blanket. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, Toph. " Pep gives a smile, "Meet your baby brother, Robert."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's not often Toph doesn't let Tony pull her in for a hug, it's one of the rights he's earned. "I'm more stubborn than most, though," she admits with a shrug. Not many people get to give her orders and have her follow them without too many questions. Babies just sleep, drink, poop and pee, how hard can it be to taking care of them? When Tony asks about Sokka however he might notice how Toph immediately goes tense, her expression deadpan. It's a good thing he doesn't pry further, as it looks like Toph isn't about to respond to that question.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Trust Stan to add humour to any situation. Heck, it makes Toph's lip draw up into a slight smile for a brief second where she stands, waiting. And once the physician and the midwife give them permission to enter again, Toph isn't slow, especially when Tony tells her to go ahead. Heck, she's used to Pepper cranky. And Pepper wouldn't be too cranky with her, right?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Within seconds the blind earthbender hurries inside, expecting Tony to follow her. And once she hears Pepper speak up she slows her pace a little, swallowing as she walks on over to the bed. Robert James, wasn't that? The name they had whispered between themselves when they thought she couldn't hear. Nothing is said as she slowly extends her hand, reaching towards Pepper's torso where she can hear the quick heartbeat she recognises from within Pepper's belly all these months. Carefully she touches the side of the baby's face, halting even as she holds her breath. And then a careful smile crosses her lips. "Robert...? I think I like Bitchin' Camaro better," she jokes, moving her fingers down the baby's arm towards his hand. Man, the baby's /tiny/ compared to how big Pepper's belly was!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>Tony comes into the room on Toph's heels, wearing a dopey grin as he crosses to Pepper's bedside and leans in to give her another kiss and extends a finger to tickle the baby's chin. God, he looks just like his old baby pictures, it's kind of eerie. "He's perfect, honey," he says softly, and how couldn't he be, considering the genetic lottery he won? "And you young man," he adds, mock-sternly, "It's about time you stopped kicking your mother." He sits down on the edge of the bed and slides an arm around Pepper. "How about you, you okay?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"They won't let us put it on the paperwork, but we can still call him Beecee. Because iI could like at least one of my children to have a clean vocabulary until at least highschool." Pepper replies, but she cuddles the baby a little closer, breathing out quietly. "Hey, take a seat. Tony gets to hold him first while I /finally/ get something to eat, and then Toph." <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stan comes in, careful not to crowd too many people and he leans in, kissing Pepper on the forehead. "Nice work, kid."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A slight laugh leaves Toph where she stands as Tony mock-tells the newest Stark to stop kicking his mother. "He'll be kicking you now that you'll be a stay-at-home dad," she says, her thumb gently stroking the back of the baby's hand. And then, a bit more brave, Toph leans forward to sniff at Robert. Babies... don't smell bad at all, considering where they came from. "And I guess he can kick me too, and I won't kick back until he's big enough to handle it," she adds with a quiet smile, letting her nose gently rest against Robert's cheek. Her baby bother. Who's getting tons of nicknames, some of which she's already thought up just now.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Are you okay, mom?" she asks, sounding a bit concerned. Didn't that... hurt? But Pepper does seem to be okay, if not a big hungry. Which isn't so weird. To hear that she will get to hold the baby after Tony, that makes her nod. Of course Tony gets to hold him first, since he's the dad and all.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So Toph moves to sit on the other side of the bed, brushing off the skirt of her dress, sitting still. Okay, this evening hasn't been /perfect/, but... at least this makes her feel better.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>Tony has just been itching for clearance to hold his son, and reaches eagerly to scoop the tiny human being off of Pepper's chest. "Beecee, Arjay, Robert, Rob, Bobby, Bobert, we're gonna give you a /complex/, aren't we?" he coos to the baby, who fusses at first at being moved but then seems to settle when Tony speaks to him. "He's so /light/," Tony exclaims softly in disbelief. Buster weighs more. Even if he's actually a bit on the heavy side for a newborn, having gotten a few extra days to cook before he decided to come out.<br><br>He tilts his head down and plants a tiny, careful kiss on baby Rob's forehead. And he's quiet for some minutes, just staring down at the little bundle in his arms. Then he squeezes his eyes shut tight and has to wipe at them with the back of one hand. "I just wish... Mom and Dad..." he takes a deep, steadying breath -- and Robert opens his eyes and looks up at him and gurgles. Tony chokes back a little sob and grins stupidly through tears still shining in his eyes. "He has your eyes," he declares in wonder, even if it isn't entirely true. They are that same stormy blue-grey he's stared into a thousand times, except around the pupils where there's a touch of darker pigment. Hazel, isn't that what they call it? "Hi buddy," he says softly. "I'm your daddy."<br><br>And he's going to be a better father than Howard. If his own experience growing up wasn't enough -- he just experienced what it was like to meet someone for the first time and know you'd die for them without a second thought. He's going to be the BEST dad. He has to.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stan gives a slight smile. And he puts his hand on Tony's shoulder. He just gives a small nod, understanding to what Tony was trying to say. Pep's hand brushes against Tony's elbow, and she gives an unsteady breath out. "Yeah." she agrees quietly. "Yeah he does." she replies in a whisper, and leans back against the pillows, giving an exhausted sounding sigh. Her head lists to one side. <br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're his daddy." she whispers, and then reaches over and holds Toph's hand. "And I'll be fine. I just... it felt like trying to pass a basketball." she gives a laugh. "I'm going to be sore the next few days."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's not what mom said," Toph jests, unable to keep herself from joking about all the times Pepper complained about how heavy the weight was. But she'll be quiet, letting Tony bond with his son. There will be enough jokes and snarkiness as he grows up, after all. And then... there's the sound of Tony's breath changing, a sound she usually doesn't hear from him. That makes Toph turn her head slightly towards him before she reaches her hand out, resting it on Tony's back. No, Robert won't ever meet his other grandparents, will he? But maybe it will be okay. Perhaps Tony will be able to move on now that he has more people he can depend on. Sure, let them talk about what the baby looks like and all that crud... Stuff like that doesn't matter to her. It's pretty much clear that the baby belongs with them. And... it's a bit different with Tony acting like this, but it's a good thing.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Pepper takes her hand Toph turns her focus towards her, and then... makes a face at the description of what giving birth felt like. "Okay, I'm never having kids," Toph snorts, wrapping her fingers around Pepper's. "I'll be a crazy old hermit lady and settle down in a forest with the badgermoles, they're better than cats." Ew, a basketball? That sounds unpleasant!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:'''<br>"And that's why we're going to be very good and take care of Mommy, aren't we?" Tony coos. "No more kicking. And definitely no biting." Robert wrinkles up his face and sneezes, then starts to whimper, because that was a new thing and he wasn't ready for it. Tony shushes him softly and strokes his cheeks with one finger until he quiets down again. Finally, he looks up and smiles at Toph. "Okay, time to let your big sister hold you now."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course they're going to be taking care of Pepper! By letting her rest and to help out with the baby as much as possible.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The whimpering makes Toph look a bit worried, at least until Tony manages to calm him down. And then Tony announces that it's her turn to hold the baby. Letting go of Pepper's hand, Toph nods. Okay, she remembers this from when Liz was a baby. Support the head, the neck muscles are weak... keep the baby close, they freeze easily and feel safer when they're held against somebody. Carefully the blind earthbender leans close, holding out her arms so Tony can place the baby there. And then she pulls him close, slowly and making sure his head is kept steady against her arm. "Heh... he's tiny," she says, reaching her right hand up to carefully trace her fingers across the baby's face. Does the baby have Tony or Pepper's nose?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I gotta say... at least you made him right."<br> <br>
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