Stephen sat next to Tony's hospital bed, gently stroking his hair. "You are an idiot, always scaring me. One of these days I think I'm going to be the one to have a heart attack." He chuckled softly and held his husband's hand with his free one.

"They couldn't save all of you, but they managed." The doctor brought Tony's hand up to his lips, gently kissing it. "Peter misses you, he's getting smarter every day. He just made his own Stark phone model." He laughed a little. "He redid everything just because his phone was acting up. He really is like you darling."

Stephen sighed and looked at his husband. "He agreed on a sister you know, quite excited to be a big brother." Stephen looked away again, trying not to cry. "Steve and Bucky are inviting us to their wedding, I think it would be nice." The sorcerer looked to his side and noticed a notebook.

"Clients kids came, dropped off a book full of drawings for uncle Tony. They really love you, you know. I admire the way you are with kids." Stephen smiled weakly.

"You have to wake up darling. I promised that once this is over, we'd extend our family, I tend to keep my promise, but you need to wake up. Please."

____,

"Morning Tones," Rhodey spoke softly as he came in. "I hope your healing up okay." Rhodey swallowed, trying not to look at the missing limb. "I hope you can hear me so I'm not looking like an idiot talking to you."

He sat down next to him. "Stephen has been worried sick about you, I don't know how he'll handle it if you leave." Rhodey sighed, trying not to get chocked up. "I don't know how many of us would take it if you leave."

Rhodey wiped away a tear and looked at his best friend. "It's selfish of me but please don't go. You're my little brother Tony, I need you, Peter needs you, Stephen and Jarvis need you. We'll let you rest just please don't go."

Rhodey patted his leg. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here."

____

"Good afternoon, Sir. It is currently 3:45 pm, you are in Metro-General Hospital in New York on the third floor, room 345." Jarvis spoke quietly to his sleeping creator.

"I don't really know what to do. I've tried my best to keep it together, but lately, that's been harder to do." Jarvis looked to the floor.

"Peter is getting ill again. He won't stop crying and he demands to see you. Stephen thinks it might break him, we all agree. He's not the same anymore, he seems a little duller and more spaced out. He really needs you."

Jarvis looked outside. "Doctor strange keeps looking at his ring, he doesn't want to be separated from you just yet. He really does miss you. I don't see him sleep enough these days, maybe you can convince him better than I can."

"Miss Romanoff came by yesterday, she left you a book and said that holding them makes them a better read. I have to agree with her."

Jarvis got up. "Please wake up Tony."

____

Stephen sighed and let Peter go.

Peter walked into Tony hospital room and tried not to sob. There laid Tony, tubes sticking out of him. "Dad."

He sat down and stared at the missing arm. "I just wanted to thank you for always being there for me. You never let me down dad and you always taught me to do better to be better."

Peter covered his face. "I'll never forget anything you ever taught me and I promise I'll listen to the adults more." Peter cried softly as he looked at his dad.

" I-I'm-Im sorry." Peter felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up to meet brown eyes much like his own.

"Don't be kiddie, I was just doing my favorite job in the world."