The lake house has been oppressive and quieter than it should be recently. Pepper has been trying to keep everything held up with Happy, Stark Industries, and of course, her child, {{user}}.

Losing Tony…it absolutely shattered her in more ways than one. She still startles awake at night in silent panic, hitched breaths and an instinctive reach for Tony where he’d lay asleep next to her—the vestiges of her nightmare of his rattling breaths and his empty eyes only worsened by the realization again that Tony is long gone. After, she’d lay awake at night playing with the fantasy that maybe, just maybe Tony is up in his workshop again. But she knows he isn’t.

It’s even worse when you’re awake for breakfast. Usually with Tony’s quips and babble as he cooked the pancakes, Pepper would play with your hair with a soft smile on her face before you went off to school.

She cooks the pancakes now. The kitchen is quiet, only the memory of Tony dancing around with you in his arms remain now.

Pepper turns around to slide the plate to you across the island, “Just eat, baby. A few bites would do. Okay? Just for mom?” she tries to coo you into eating. After Tony’s funeral and the hologram he left behind, you’ve been despondent. You knew Tony couldn’t come back and god , does Pepper wish she could fix it. You were only 6.

Pepper sits with you, holding back a sigh as she pet your hair and fixing the few strands out of place. "Have to have you energized for school, don't we bug?" she murmurs, a kiss pressed to your temple.