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"Stephen!"
Turning, Stephen blinked to discover the man calling his name was the Metro General Hospital Administrator. How the man had ended up at Stephen's wedding reception, he didn't know; they hadn't spoken in six years. On the other hand, there were hundreds of people here, and Stephen didn't recognize well over half of them. They'd had a more private, personal reception the day before.
"Doctor Gibson," Stephen greeted him, grateful for the drink in his hand that saved him from shaking.
"It's good to see you happy," Gibson said. "After everything that happened."
Gibson, Stephen suddenly remembered, had actually been very helpful after Stephen had returned from Kamar-Taj and needed to sort out his employment status with half a dozen companies he'd ignored in his pursuit of a cure for his hands. Stephen felt his smile take on a more genuine slant. "Thank you," he said.
"It's almost enough to make me believe in fate," Gibson chuckled, looking over at Tony where he was glad handing some people Stephen suspected were Senators.
"Fate?" Stephen asked, eyebrows rising. Gibson was a practical man. "Why?"
"Do you remember operating on a young man with severe neurofibromatosis?" Gibson asked.
"Of course," Stephen said, brow furrowing. "Two of the tumors had grown into the spinal epidural space. One of the most difficult surgeries I've ever done."
Gibson nodded. "Do you remember the patient had compromised function in his arms after the surgery?"
Stephen nodded. "Some of the nerves were impacted. But the problem resolved with physical therapy."
"In the immediate aftermath of the operation, the young man's father was furious," Gibson said. "He expected his son to be cured, not compromised. His words, not mine; I'm aware that there's no cure for neurofibromatosis." Stephen nodded acknowledgement and Gibson went on. "He was a significant donor to the hospital. He told us that if we didn't fire you, he'd withdraw the funding."
"I had no idea," Stephen said, a little taken aback. "I take it the board sided with me."
Gibson shook his head. "It never got that far. Apparently he ranted about the whole business within earshot of Mr. Stark. I'm told that Stark gave him a one hell of a dressing down over believing in miracles instead of medicine. Then he contacted the board and committed to covering the funding gap if the gentleman pulled it."
Stephen felt his smile softening. He turned and took a long look at his husband. "Tony doesn't have much patience for irrational people."
"Maybe," Gibson said. When Stephen looked back at him, he was smiling. "Or maybe he knew, somehow, that you were going to be important."
"Once, I'd have argued with you," Stephen said, his eyes drawn inexorably back to Tony. His husband turned, as if he sensed Stephen's gaze, and smiled warmly. Vishanti, he was incredible. "But Tony makes me believe in things like happily ever after."