You are not alone

I've been here the whole time, singing you a song

I will carry you

I will carry you - Ruelle and Fleurie- Carry You

Pepper laughed, for the first time in months she felt genuinely happy.

Her and Tony were eating sandwiches and candy in a gorgeous meadow, having a good time and talking about whatever, as if nothing bad had ever happened. It was absolute bliss. Pepper would be more than happy to live like this for eternity.

Tony put another orange skittle in his mouth while flashing his usual charming grin.

"So Miss Potts, what's been going on at the house lately? How're you? How's our daughter? Has she set anything on fire yet?"

"Great! I mean yeah everything's great. Morgan is fine, although she asks where you are sometimes. She misses you...," Pepper trailed off, immediately hating the response she came up with.

Tony's expression sobered, he took her hand in his gently.

"I'm sorry Pep, I hate that I can't go back with you and give you and Morgan a big ol' bear hug," Tony says with a pained look in his eyes. "I know how hard this is for you, but please know that even though I can't be with you physically, I'm with you in your heart. In both your hearts. And I know that's cheesy as heck but it's true."

Despite the few tears that rolled down her face, she was able to give him a small smile.

"That is cheesy honey, and you'll always be in our hearts but...I-I want you, I need you," Pepper whispered, all of her emotions crashing down.

"Come here," Tony moved quickly and gathered his beautiful wife in his arms. He held her steadily as she cried out, cursing the mad titan once more for making the love of his life suffer.

"You're so strong, the strongest person I know, you don't deserve any of this. I'm so sorry baby," he pressed a kiss to her head and started rubbing her back comfortingly.

Pepper hugged him tighter than she ever had before, terrified he would vanish again. For a moment she was worried that she was hurting him, since her nails were harshly digging against his skin, but then realized he couldn't feel pain anymore.

"Shhh, it's gonna be okay, I promise. I love you so much, you have no idea. Tell Morgan I love and miss her too, I'll be waiting right here for you guys," Tony says, looking at her with total adoration.

"I'll tell her, I love you Tony," Pepper stared at him with equal adoration.

"Pepper come on, wake up, Pepper!"

Pepper startled awake and almost crashed right into Rhodey's head.

"Whoa sorry, man you scared me. Do you know what time it is? I went to your house earlier but no one was there, and then I found out that Happy had Morgan. Then both of us tried contacting you but you weren't answering. It's already like 7:50, it's pretty late. Were you here the whole time?" Rhodey questions, helping Pepper stand.

Pepper groaned, feeling completely disoriented as she tried to figure out Rhodey's questions. It took her several more seconds before she remembered everything.

After Happy took Morgan early that morning, she came to visit Tony in the cemetery. She fixed the new bouquet of flowers she brought him, and lay down by his grave, eventually crying herself to sleep.

Her dream. . .

It felt so real.

She could touch and kiss him again.

He told her he loved her and Morgan. . .

"Hey, are you okay?" Rhodey asks, concern laced in his voice.

A bright red/yellow butterfly suddenly fluttered past her, and landed right on top of Tony's tombstone. Somehow, that little butterfly brought her an immense feeling of peace, and she looked at her friend with a reassuring smile.

"Yes, yeah I think I finally sorta am."