Chapter 3: Heartbreak and Happiness

Pepper was sitting in her home office working on paperwork, it had been a few days since Steve's funeral. when the doorbell rang.

"Friday, who is at the door?" Pepper asked.

"It's Bruce Banner, Mrs. Stark." Friday responded.

Pepper smiled and walked towards the front door opening it.

"Bruce, Hi." Pepper said trying to hug his large frame.

"Hey Pepper, was in the neighborhood, was going to call but figured I'd stop."

"Of course, you know you are always family here. Come in." Pepper said. Bruce looked at her skeptical.

"Don't worry all the floors and furniture have been reinforced from last time." She said chuckling

Bruce and Pepper entered and sat in the living room.

"How are you holding up?" Bruce asked.

"I'm good, trying to be. The pain gets a little easier, but the sorrow never fades. I miss him." Pepper said looking at their photos on the fireplace mantle. "You know we sat on this exact couch when he was questioning about helping the team again. And he I told him he had to help, because he wouldn't rest until he did."

"Do you regret telling him that?" Bruce asked.

"No, because that's the man I loved, and I knew its what he wanted to do. Even if he didn't want to leave Morgan and me. I knew he wanted to help. I wish things could've ended differently but he is in a place where he doesn't have to fight every day, where he can rest."

"Do you think Nat is with him, so they are not alone?" Bruce asked.

"I do think that, I think Steve, Tony and Nat are sitting around a table laughing, at least that's what I hope they are doing."

"I miss them. I miss my science brother and Cap and …Nat." Bruce said tears welling up in his eyes.

"Do you want to talk about it, I'm pretty good with the heartbreak stuff."

Bruce chuckled softly. "I knew when Nat and Clint went to get the soul stone, that one of them wasn't coming back. It still hurt knowing that she didn't. I was in love with her. I know no one could love a monster like me, but Nat did."

"Yeah, she did." Pepper grabbed his hand which was like four times bigger and wrapped her hand around his.

"I wanted to thank you, for giving me the job at Stark Industries. It helps to have something to do and help with. I though after Tony you would sell it."

"That building, this house and my memories are all that I have of him. I could never part with anything that meant so much to him. He would want me to keep Stark Industries on the map. Besides, it gives me something to do too, besides taking care of Morgan."

"Where is She? Morgan." Bruce said.

"She's staying the weekend with Peter and May, may thought I could use a break, take a little Me-time."

"So, what were you doing, just hanging in this big old house by yourself?" Bruce asked.

"Pretty much, was working to keep me occupied. This house is too quiet."

"Do I mind if I stay for a little bit?" Bruce asked. "I could really use someone to talk to."

"Of course, I'm right here." They sat there in silence for a few minutes before Bruce spoke.

"When do you think I won't feel the pain anymore?"

"Pain from what losing Nat?"

"That, and also the pain of knowing I couldn't get the job done, and that's what caused Tony to die."

Pepper sighed. "Boy, you Avenger men and your guilt trips. You know Cap felt guilty too, you shouldn't feel guilty about what happened with Tony or Nat. They gave their lives to save others. You honor that and live the life they would want you to live. Nat would want you to move on."

"Are you? Going to move on from Tony?"

"Honestly, I don't see it happening. Tony was my only family when I didn't have one, he was there for me at some of the darkest moments of my life. I loved him more than I loved anyone before Morgan. I know he would want me to move on, but I just can't I don't think I ever could. It's hard to compete with a man like Tony Stark."

"He would want you to be happy Pep."

"I know that, but he made me happy, he made my life full. I won't be able to find that again. Ever."

"Do you think I will? Find love again?"

"Yes, and if you need someone to help set you up, I'm your girl."

"I'm sorry you lost the love of your life Pep."

"Yeah, I'm sorry you did too."

They cried together for a few minutes before Pepper sat up.

"You want to come does something with me?" Pepper asked

"Sure, anything."

"Morgan's tenth birthday is next month; she's been asking me for a puppy for like ever. I think it's I get her one, would you mind tagging along. It will get us of the house."

"Yeah. I'm in."

They drove down to the local shelter, Bruce stopping to take pictures every now and then, causing Pepper to laugh. As they walked down the rows and rows of dogs. Bruce stopped at one kennel.

"Bruce?" Pepper asked and walked up to see him staring at what looked to be a two-year-old German Shepherd.

"Hey, you okay?" Pepper said placing a hand on his arm.

"The name, The name."

Pepper looked at the name plate on the cage and tears welled in her eyes.

Natasha

"Hey. It's okay if you want to cry, I will not judge you."

"You go on ahead, I'll be right there." Bruce said sadly.

"Okay, take your time." Pepper said solemnly.

Pepper continued walking down the walkway, dogs were barking, and she looked at every one. She stopped when she saw a friendly Labrador. He immediately went up against the gate and sniffed her fingers before licking them through the metal.

"You are a sweetheart."

"Yeah, he is." A voice said behind her. Pepper turned and was met with a man who appeared to work at the shelter. "What happened, how did he end up here?"

"He had a family, but the y left him tied to the backyard when they moved away."

"Those animals."

"Yeah, we see it a lot here I'm just hoping this fella gets another chance."

"What's his name?"

"He doesn't have one yet, we've been trying to decide."

Pepper looked at the dog and back to the man "I want him."

"Really, are you sure?"

"I've learned in the past few years we all have one life to live, I don't want his to be in here, he's had it hard enough."

"That's great, follow me and we will start the paperwork."

Pepper sat in the office, filling out forms and checking her phone to make sure she would be there when Morgan got off the bus.

She signed her name, and paid the fee and went to stand,

"Thank you so much for your help, I'm sorry I never got your name."

The man stood and extended his hand "Oh, it's Tony."

Pepper stood still for a second.

"Ma'am are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry that was just my husband's name."

"I know Tony Stark; I saw your name when you signed it. I'm sorry for your loss, your husband was a hero. I know the pain of losing a person you love never goes away. Maybe this dog can fill a little bit of the emptiness he left behind. I'm sorry about your husband ma'am."

Tears started to well up in Pepper's eyes.

"Thank you, Tony."

"Let's go get your dog."

Pepper stood outside texting, Bruce when she walked back to get him, he was nowhere to be found.

"Hey, where are you? Did you leave?"

"No, will be out in a few minutes."

Pepper and the dog sat outside and waited when she saw Bruce walking out with the dog from earlier.

"You got Natasha."

"Yeah, my apartment is extremely empty, and I couldn't leave her behind, not again."

Pepper nodded "Well then shall be go make a little girl's day?"

"Let's do it."

Morgan got off the bus and smiled "Uncle Bruce!"

Morgan ran straight to him, and he picked her up with ease.

"You are getting so big, what have you been eating."

"Food, mostly juice pops." She said laughing.

"Figures."

"Where's Mommy? She usually picks me up."

"Well she's at the house, she asked that I get you."

"Is she okay?" Morgan asked worried.

"She's fine she has something for you."

"What is it?"

"I was sworn to secrecy, come on."

They walked up the hill, Morgan saw Natasha.

"A dog, is that my dog?" Morgan asked excited.

"No, that's my dog Natasha"

"Like Aunt Nat?"

"Yeah, just like Aunt Nat."

Morgan went over and petted Natasha. "I want a dog so bad."

"Well that's good because otherwise I got you the wrong birthday gift." Pepper said from the porch standing with the lab right by her side.

"A dog!" Morgan ran up and hugged him, with him giving her licks everywhere.

"Happy Early Birthday, baby."

"Thanks Mom, Thank you so much." Morgan said hugging Pepper.

"Hey, what do you say we play some fetch?" Bruce asked.

"I'm in." Morgan said

"Me too."

As the played fetch for hours and ate juice pops, Pepper watched her daughter smile more than she had since Tony died. And was grateful for the family she had and the family she lost.