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Pepper laughed softly, rubbing her belly. "Oh come on, it wasn't that bad. I just wanted walnut ice cream." Tony looked up at her, eyes half-open. "At two in the morning. From the store across town. In the rain." Natasha smirked. "You're lucky she didn't ask for something from another country this time."

"Don't give her ideas," Tony warned, pointing a fork at her before taking another bite of pancakes. Athena snorted, flipping a pancake onto her own plate. "You really love her, huh, Stark? 'Cause no sane man gets out of bed at two a.m. for walnut ice cream." "Love and self-preservation," Tony said dryly. "You ever seen what happens when a pregnant woman doesn't get what she wants?"

Pepper arched an eyebrow. "Careful, Tony." He grinned. "See? Exhibit A." The table broke into laughter, even Carol hiding a smile behind her mug. Lucy reached for more syrup and piped up, "So, what's on the agenda today? You've got that Stark Industries board call at nine, right?" Tony groaned. "Don't remind me. Bunch of old men arguing over who gets credit for something I built." He took another sip of coffee. "Nat, you up for running Athena through some defense drills after breakfast? I've got to tune the Mark 87."

"Already did," Natasha replied, smirking. "She's getting faster. Nearly had me on my back this morning." "Nearly," Athena corrected proudly, taking another bite of her pancake. "Nearly is still nearly, detka," Natasha teased, leaning over to bump her shoulder affectionately. Pepper smiled as she watched them. "You two are adorable. It's like watching a younger version of you, Nat."

"Except I talk more," Athena said. "And you sass more," Natasha shot back with a grin. Tony pointed his fork between them. "And now we know where she gets it." Athena shrugged. "Genetics, probably." Carol chuckled, shaking her head. "God help us all if she starts building suits too." "Don't tempt me," Athena said, her silver-gray eyes glinting with mischief. "I've already started sketching some upgrades for the training bots."

Tony froze mid-bite. "You what?" Natasha leaned on the counter, crossing her arms. "Oh, didn't I tell you? Your kid's a genius, too." Tony blinked, looking between the two redheads. "Oh great. One Romanoff brain and one Stark brain in the same person. We're doomed." Pepper laughed again, resting a hand on his arm. "Relax, Tony. At least she inherited your stubbornness and Nat's sense of control."

Athena smirked. "Control is optional." "God help us all," Tony muttered again, though the proud grin tugging at his lips betrayed him. Just then, FRIDAY's voice echoed through the room. "Boss, there's a call from Rhodey. He says it's urgent." Tony sighed, setting down his fork. "Of course it is. Can't even finish breakfast." Pepper smiled knowingly. "Go on. We'll save you some pancakes."

"Better save me the coffee, too," Tony said, heading for the lab with his mug in hand. As soon as he was gone, Athena looked at her mother. "Think it's another suit malfunction or something else?" Natasha's expression turned thoughtful. "Knowing Tony... probably both." Athena chuckled. "Guess I better go check in after this. Just in case."

Pepper raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You two sound like his unofficial crisis team." Natasha gave her a look of mock innocence. "We are his unofficial crisis team." And with that, the kitchen filled again with the sound of laughter, sizzling bacon, and the comforting hum of a family that—somehow—made chaos work.