Chapter Text
Eleanor stood at the reception of Stark Tower, drumming her fingers against the granite top. It was February, almost March and NewYork was so god damn cold. Even as she stood in the fully, centrally heated reception area, gusts of cold air could be seen coming out of her mouth as she breathed. The glass walls of the tower were all fogged up, and almost everyone had a cup of coffee on their hands, and scarves wrapped around the necks, cocooned in thick warm coats. Eleanor too was no exception, while she did not have the cup of coffee with her, her clothing choices were quite similar. Though she regretted dressing to impress today with only sheer tights cover her legs, she was still shivering. Eleanor had been out all day applying for and giving job interviews. But no she wasn’t here to apply for a job in Stark Industries. She was actually here at the request of her long time and only friend Pepper Stark wife of Tony Stark, better known to the world as Stark’s PA,with a different last name. It came as a shock to her when the couple decided to not reveal the information to the world and settle on a small wedding, with only close family and friends in a private island. Even more so when they decided to hide their new born son Exton, now six months old from the world.
“How may I help you miss?” The lady at the desk snapped Eleanor out of her thoughts.
“Oh hey, I am here to meet Ms. Potts.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No I don’t, but I am sure she has the slot booked.“She replied.
"Yes, you do. Sorry for the inconvenience, here is your pass. Please make sure to keep it with you at all times and return it when you are leaving.”
Eleanor only smiled in return, making her way down to the elevator, fortunately empty. Some old rock music lightly played in the background, as the lift made its way up to the top most floor, the penthouse Stark suite. She wondered what was so urgent that Pepper wanted to talk to her about, the last time she met her was three weeks ago.
The elevator doors opened right into the living room.Right opposite was a whole wall made of glass, giving a view of the foggy New York skyline and the Empire State Building right adjacent to it. The sitting area was a huge circular step down portion where a couch wrapped around on one side, with huge chairs on the opposite side, and a cocktail table in between. A modern abstract chandelier hung up, with the fire place reflecting off of it.
“Look what the cat brought in."Tony greeted Eleanor as she entered. In his lap rested the little bundle of joy, better yet Exton, as he previously cooed and played with him.Tony Stark, a father and a good one. Who would have thought? She scoffed internally.
"Stark,"Eleanor nodded at him."Where is Pepper?"She asked, deciding to take a seat in the sitting and have a little talk with him.
"In bed, where else?"He looked at her.
"What about the reports?”
“Not better, if not worse."He stated cynically, with an undertone to his voice.
"How much time does she have?”
“She is not dying.” He snapped.
“Stark,” She sighed.
“No, she isn’t. I have got the best doctors on spot, I have research projects going on down in the lab with various others around the world. She will not die."He seethed. "Anyways why do you care?”
“Why do I care?” Eleanor got up,“She is my friend. For fuck’s sake, Tony!”
“It’s Mr. Stark to you.And no you aren’t. Why don’t you stop pretending that you are here for her and not for the charity?”
Eleanor’s heart panged at the thought, but she ignored it, there was a lot worse she had endured.This was nothing.
“You are unbelievable!” Eleanor exclaimed, storming out of the room and up the stairs that led to the bedrooms floor.
Is that what he really thought of her? That she was a gold digger, only caring for her best friend’s bank balance. It was true that Pepper had helped her settle down after the divorce, buying her an apartment and all, because she had nothing except her clothes at that point in life. And honestly she had tried to refuse the offer but Pep was just so damn persistent! But she had promised herself that one day she will pay back each and every single penny, even if it is ten years down the line she will, Eleanor promised herself.
Reaching the door of the master bed, El knocked loudly.
“Come in."A frail voice came from the other side.
Just as the precaution she peeped her head in before entering. "Hey!"Eleanor greeted.
There she was, the great Pepper Potts, bed ridden since the past few months. She was almost half of what she used to be, with even thinner frail hair than before. Her eyes seemed sunken, and her collar bones jutted out of the top she was wearing in an unhealthy manner.
"How are you?” Eleanor asked for Pepper’s well being, taking a seat in the lounge chair next to the bed.
“Dandy,"Pepper mumbled, as Eleanor placed her purse down on the floor.
"So..”
“So..” Pepper imitated her but ended up in a coughing fit.
“Here take some water."Eleanor immediately got up from her seat.handing her the glass from the well-organized nightstand.
As she waited for Pepper to settle down Eleanor played with the loose threads hanging from her black scarf.
"You said you wanted to talk to me about something?"She asked.
"Yeah, we kind need Tony here for that too."Pepper replied.
"Pep.What is it? You are worrying me."Eleanor spoke.
"Uh..”
“Pepper, it’s ok. I am pretty sure it’s not that bad."She assured.
Pepper took a deep breath.
"IamgoingtodivorceTony.”
“Huh?”
“I am going to.Divorce Tony. My Husband."Pepper stated with pauses in between, waiting for Eleanor to take in the information.
"WHAT?"Eleanor stood up in shock."Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind? Did he do something? Did he cheat? Because I swear if he did I am going to kick his ass and not even his Iron Man suit will be able to save him."Eleanor rambled.
"No, it’s nothing like that."She coughed."Take a seat El, please.”
So Eleanor plopped back in her seat. “Pepper, seriously what the hell?”
“Look, El. I was gonna tell the both of you at the same time, but I think telling you beforehand is better."She took a deep breath, not used to speaking so much in her condition.
"Pepper, honestly I am honoured that you decided to tell me before anyone.But I am not at all glad about what you are doing or why even? And all things aside, why would you wanna tell him as well as me at the same time?"You asked."But most importantly why?”
“I wanted to tell the both of you at the same time because when I divorce him, I want you to marry Tony.”
Eleanor’s eye’s widened in shock. She didn’t even have the temperament to process what she was saying and stand up in shock.What the actual hell? Was Pepper out of her god damn mind? She admitted that the redhead was sick, but not this much.
“What did you just say?”
“I said I want you to marry my husband.”
Eleanore broke out into hysterical laughter. “Rea-lly?"She spoke in between laughs. "Nice one Pepper. Glad to see you still have your humor."She stated, calming down.
"I am serious Eleanor.”
“You have got to be kidding me."She calmed down.
"No, I am not.”
“But why?”
“Becuase I am dying.You honestly don’t think I don’t know that?"Pepper’s voice broke."The pain gets worse every day. I know that the EXTREMIS is killing me. Tony doesn’t know but I have asked JARVIS to tell me about my vitals every three hours and they get worse every passing second.My organs are literally eating each other and a point will come when every nerve, every vein, every vessel in my body is going to burst. And there is nothing that can be done about it.Even right now as I speak it hurts so much, but I am doing it. I am doing all of this for the sake of my child and husband. When I die, I need to know someone will be looking after them, that I am leaving them in the right hands. And you are the only one I trust enough to do so. So I am asking you right now, as a mother, as a wife, as your friend, as a sister, and as the person who saved you all those months ago, will you do it? Will you marry my husband?”