Chapter 68: Iron Daddy

[June 2nd, 2008]

Leaning against the SUV I had ridden in, I waited and watched as Tony's private jet landed on the tarmac.

The man having finally arrived in New York, having handled all his business in Los Angeles surrounding his coming out as Iron Man to the entire world.

As well as that minor nuisance once known as Obidiah Stane.

The plane soon came to a full stop.

Once it did the cabin door opened and Tony stepped out.

Quickly followed by three other people.

Ho Yinsen.

Happy Hogan.

[Insert Image of Happy Hogan Here]

Then finally the miss Pepper Potts.

[Insert Image of Pepper Potts Here]

As they started walking toward their own SUV I began walking towards them.

Reaching them in no time.

Where once I did Tony and I shared a man's handshake.

"Doom." Tony said.

"Stark." I replied. "Thanks for outing me on television. I really enjoyed that." I sarcastically told him.

"No need to thank me, just doing a favor for a friend." Tony replied.

"You mean like how I saved your ass from getting beating into the ground by Stane." I retorted.

The two of us then shared a laugh.

"Oh no, now there's two of him." Pepper muttered.

As she did I turned my attention to her.

I then walked up, took her free hand, and gently placed a kiss on it before flashing her a charming smile. "A pleasure miss Potts. Victor Von Doom, at your service. And you have my utmost respect. Anyone able to of up with the shenanigans of Mr. Stark deserves at least that much."

"Hey!" Tony cried.

But I ignored him, in favor of watching Pepper blush a little bit at my words.

"Why, thank you. And it's a pleasure to meet you as well King Victor."

"Please, no need for such formalities. I get enough of that of it is already. If you wish, please simply address me as Victor or Mr. Doom." I told her.

"Okay." Pepper replied.

"Thank you." I said to her. I then turned my attention to Happy. "Mr. Hogan."

"Mr. Doom." He replied.

Once he did I turned to Yinsen. "Dr. Yinsen, glad to see you're doing well." I told him.

"Yes, thank you. I am." He replied.

"I'm sure Toni is very happy." I said.

"Someone call me?" Tony asked.

"Not you Tony, I'm referring to Yinsen's daughter who is currently in my employee." I said.

"Oh, you mean the chick those soldiers of yours showed us when they saved our asses?" Tony questioned.

"The very same." I replied.

"Cool." Tony said.

Once he did I focused my attention back on Yinsen. "So, I hear Tony has hired you?" I asked.

"He has." Yinsen replied.

"That's good." I said.

Very good.

Since now no other terrorist organization will be able to get their hands on Yinsen without going through Iron Man.

Meaning his genius is safe.

"Well, that remains to be seen." Yinsen replied.

"Hey, is this national bash Tony Day or something?" Tony asked.

"Or something." I replied.

Earning a laugh from everyone except Tony. Who is giving me the stink eye, which I am promptly ignoring.

Moving on.

After the laughter died down we got a move on.

Everyone got into their respective vehicles and we headed to our destination.

Arriving in no time.

Our destination being the newly constructed skyscraper that will serve as the main headquarters of the Future Foundation.

[Image Here]

After months its finally completed, and it looks magnificent.

"Woah, nice building." Tony said. Looking at the Future Foundation HQ.

"Thanks." I replied. "Now then, allow me to show you all around." I said.

I then started making my way inside of the skyscraper.

Whose grand opening party was this weekend.

Which I invited Tony to, since he was going to be in town anyway.

An invite he accepted.

Norman being the same.

Man, this party is shaping up to be quite something.

As I walked the others followed behind me.

Then once all of us were inside of the building I began showing them around just like I promised.

Everything from the conference rooms, to the state of the art labs the building houses for those accepted into the Foundation to work on their projects.

Tony practically drooling when we got to that part of the tour.

Thankfully Pepper was there to smack him back to reality.

Literally.

Since she slapped him on the back of the head to knock him out of his stupor.

Boy, Tony is lucky to have a woman like that by his side.

Now he just needs to get his shit together enough to seal the deal.

Good luck buddy.

Anyway.

In no time at all the tour came to an end.

Once it did I lead everyone back down to the main lobby.

Where I had a surprise waiting for our guests.

"Toni!" Yinsen exclaimed, the moment we returned to the main lobby.

Since his daughter was there waiting for us.

Arranged by yours truly.

She also wasn't alone.

Maya, Riri, Kristoff, Jessica, and the Fantastic Four were also all there.

Since I wanted all of us to meet and mingle before the party.

For various reasons.

"Yeah dad. It's me." Toni replied.

She then ran up to Yinsen and wrapped him in a hug, which he reciprocated.

"So that's the other Toni huh?" Tony mused. "She's quite the looker."

"She also plays for the other team." I whispered to him.

Tony simply nodding at my words.

He then focused his attention on Maya who walked up to him, Riri by her side. The latter sporting a cramped expression on her face, while the latter wore a bright smile.

Since Riri is one of Tony's biggest fans.

Which is a huge irony.

"Hey Tony." Maya said.

"Hey." He replied. "Sorry, but do I know you?" He asked.

When he did Maya gave him a flat look, while Pepper facepalmed.

Happy, the knowledgeable man that he is, decided to immediately step away from the situation and go mingle with the F4.

"Bern, Switzerland. 1999. New Years. Ringing any bells?" Maya asked, with slight anger in her voice.

Though if I were her I would be a little angry as well.

Tony didn't reply for a moment, until I saw he got a lightbulb moment. "Ah, yes. Dr. Hansen. Weird formula." Tony muttered.

"Yeah, that's me." Maya replied. "And this is my daughter, Ruri." She said.

Riri stepping up to Tony.

"Hello Mr. Stark." Riri said to him.

"Hey there kid." Tony replied to her. He then stared at Riri for a few moments, before he got a slightly cramped expression on his face. He then quickly turned his attention back to Maya. "Sorry, you said this is your daughter?"

"Yep." Maya replied. "Born in the year 2000." She spoke. "Why?"

"Well she sort of looks like my mother..." Tony trailed off.

A look of realization passing over his face as he finally put all the clues together.

Pepper getting the same look.

While Maya sent Tony a smirk and a nod.

Likely confirming the man's own thoughts that Riri is his kid.

When this happened Tony suddenly got an 'Oh shit!' look on his face.

*Click*

Which I immediately captured as a picture using my phone.

Once I did I quickly moved away from the group of four.

Not wanting to be around for the mess that happened next.

Since shit was definitely about to hit the fan.

So instead of stepping in it I joined the F4, Happy, and Kristoff.

The four suddenly giving me a strange look as I joined their little group.

"What's up guys, something on my face?" I asked them.

"No. But why didn't you tell us you had a son?" Susan asked me.

"Oh, I didn't tell you that. I'm sure I did." I replied.

"You didn't." Johnny said.

"Yeah Doom, we would've remembered something like that." Ben added. "So, where's his mother?"

"Dead." I immediately replied. "But before you all start getting any strange ideas let me tell you Kristoff is my adopted son." I explained.

When I did the four dropped the strange looks on their faces.

While Susan breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay, please don't tell me you guys thought I got together with Kristoff mother and then abandoned her?" I asked the Four.

Since that was likely along the lines of what they were thinking about me.

When none of them answered my question and worked to avoid eye contact I knew my guess at their thoughts was correct.

Upon realizing this I leveled a deadpan stare at the then. "Wow, really guys. Do you all truly think so little of me? Even you Susan?"

"It's not like that Victor." Susan immediately replied. "It's just, you show up with a boy who says he's your son, and you never mentioned him before so..."

"It's alright, I understand." I replied. "But talk to me before jumping to conclusions next time."

"Okay." All the four replied in unison.

"Excellent." I said.

I then walked up to Susan and placed my arm around her waist, before planting a quick kiss on her lips. "Now then, let's stop with all the doom and gloom. We've got a party to plan." I said.

Only to start earning strange looks from the rest of the Four again a second later.

Meanwhile Susan was blushing like a school girl.

Don't tell me...

"Susan dear, did you not tell the rest of them about us?" I asked her.

Only for Susan's face to get even redder at my question.

Confirming she did not.

Well it could be worse.

I could be in Tony's shoes at the moment.

Who is looking like he would rather be anywhere else right now.

So in this regard I win.

Sorry not sorry Iron Man.

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(3rd Person: POV)

'Susan and Victor. Susan and Victor. Susan and Victor...' Reed continued to think.

As the two of them told him and the rest of the Four they had taken a new step in their relationship.

A more intimate one.

Listening to this Reed couldn't help but feel a tightening in chest.

Looking at Susan in Victor's arm he couldn't help but start to think.

That should be him holding her.

'Susan, why?' Reed suddenly began to think.

He wanted to know why she had chosen Victor over him.

In that moment Reed Richards started to experience an emotion he had never felt before.

Jealousy.