Chapter Two, Home Sweet Home and a Surprise

"And why should I let you marry my precious niece?" Regulus asked Tony with a raised eyebrow. They were all on Tony's private jet two weeks later after Ana and Luna had completed their N.E.W.Ts and everyone was fast asleep so Tony took his chance to ask Regulus who was putting the younger man through his paces. Secretly he would agree to Tony marrying Ana as there was no one else better for her or could love her as much as Tony always has; but Tony didn't need to know that. So for the next half hour he explained and rambled how much he's always loved Ana and that he already loves Teddy as his own until Regulus finally took pity on him.

"Tony. Tony!" Regulus called in a loud whisper, pulling the mechanic out of his rambling. "Of course you can marry Ana. We can think of no one better for her or who can love her like you do, apart from us. But I had to play the bad unrelenting uncle otherwise Sirius and James would haunt me. Have you got the ring?" Tony slumped boneless back into the white leather chair with relief at such a level that he couldn't even begin to think about explaining how he felt. All he could manage was a croaked but no less heartfelt thank you and immediately brought up the picture of the ring he was having commissioned and would be due to be picked up the afternoon that they arrived back in Malibu.

It was a beautiful ring: it was a London Blue Topaz ring set in a unique pear shaped leaf.
"That's beautiful, Tony, Ana's going to love it." Regulus told him. Tony smiled at Regulus before looking back at the ring with a happy satisfied smile before the pair settled in for a nap for the rest of the journey.

* * *

The moment they landed in California and stepped out into the bright sunshine both Ana and Tony tilted their heads back forwards the sun with their eyes closed absorbing the bright sunshine, it was only the others laughing that pulled them back to reality that they realised Teddy had copied them which made both Ana and Tony laugh bestowing kisses to the little boy's head who giggled happily against Ana's shoulder.
"Hiya Happy!" Tony beamed brightly. "Hiya Rhodey!" Happy was startled for only a moment but Rhodey had a bright smile on his face, it warmed his soul to see his friend so happy; however, as the esteemed Colonel went to greet his best friend/his little brother, his eyes were caught by the beautiful ethereal blonde who literally took his breath away.

Noticing that Luna was also enthralled by Rhodey, Ana and Tony shared a smile that they tried and failed to hold back.
"Tony, there's a few things that you need to do right now." Pepper interrupted rather briskly and without any sign of apology causing Andromeda and Regulus to frown at the strawberry blonde woman not liking her attitude, especially as she interrupted Luna and Rhodey's moment; bringing them back to earth with a mighty bump.
"Which I have already completed on the plane." Tony snapped. "My schedule is clear to spend time with my family for the day.

So, if you refresh your inbox or actually check it, you'll see what has been completed. But a word of advice Miss Potts," he added sternly, a fierce look on his face as he pulled off his sunglasses, "you are my PA my EMPLOYEE, not the other way around and nothing more, is that clear?" He asked, enunciating 'employee'.
"Yes Dr Stark." Pepper muttered mulishly, glaring at Ana as if all of this was her fault and no fault of her own.
"Good. Now, Rhodey, Happy, Miss Potts, I'd like to introduce you to my lovely and beautiful girlfriend Lady Anastasia Tiana Potter-Black and yes she is an actual aristocratic Lady two times over in Britain." He added at Pepper's scoff.

"Her uncle Regulus Black, her aunt and grandmother to our adoptive son, Andromeda Tonks and Teddy Lupin-Potter, and last but no means least, the gorgeous woman my honey bear was staring enthralled at is Lady Luna Pandora Lovegood. Also an aristocratic Lady." Tony introduced smiling as both Luna and Rhodey flushed pink, matchmaking ideas forming in his brain. "My beautiful girlfriend is also CEO and owner of Marauders Co. and Blossom Beauty." He smirked secretly to himself as Pepper blanched at that information as she had been singing the praises of whoever had created the beauty boxes, so really she had no leg to stand on other than jealousy and unrequited love that he had never ever encouraged. And would never ever encourage.

Ana has been it for him since he was sixteen years old when he met her at that gala. "Regulus, Andromeda, Ana, Luna, little man, I'd like to introduce my best friend Colonel James Rhodes, my friend, driver and bodyguard Harold Hogan but we call him Happy, and my PA Miss Virgina Potts." Tony introduced his two friends and his employee.
"It's wonderful to finally meet you, Ana. Tony has told me so much about you." Rhodey greeted. "You can all call me Rhodey."
"It's nice to finally meet you too, Rhodey." Ana returned with a smile while Teddy hid his head in her neck. "Sorry he's shy." Ana apologised for her son, which Rhodey waved off with a smile. "Tony's talked so much about you we feel as if we already know you."

"Oh high praise indeed." Rhodey joked, nudging Tony's shoulder.
"Oh shush." Tony jibes back, nudging his friend with a laugh. "Sweet Luna, Rhodes can I have your help with something please? It's for tonight." Tony asked nervously.
"Of course Tony." Luna agreed, a giddy smile upon her lips as she already knew what it was for. Whereas, Rhodey was confused but ultimately agreed to help his friend anyway.
"Excellent." Tony beamed happily. "Happy, we're dropping Ana, Teddy, Regulus and Andy off at their manor first then if Luna wishes to return home afterwards, honey bear can drop her off."

Tony ignored Rhodey's look as he helped Ana with Teddy in her arms into the car, followed by Andy before entering himself after he'd put the bags in the car while Regulus was giving Happy directions.
"Come on honey bear, we're waiting on you now." Tony teased his best friend who was standing in a shocked stupor outside the car not realising he was the only one not in the car.
"Shut up." Rhodey grumbled as he entered the car, an embarrassed flush on his cheeks.
"I didn't say anything." Tony refuted.
"You didn't have to Tones." Rhodey argued, making everyone laugh at the pair; several hearts clenched painfully as they reminded them of James Potter and Sirius Black.

* * *

"So, what was it you needed our help with, Tones?" Rhodey asked his friend, sipping his cold beer once they'd finally arrived back at Tony's mansion after a detour into town once they'd dropped Ana and the others off.
"This." Tony said simply, pulling the box out of his trouser pocket. Seeing what Tony had in his hand Rhodey suddenly sat up straight on the sun lounger, a shocked but extremely happy and proud grin on his face.
"You ready for this, Tones?" Rhodey asked suddenly serious. Despite never getting the chance to personally meet Ana until now Rhodey has known all about her. How could he not?

He has been best friends with Tony since he - Tony - was a thirteen year old lost boy starting M.I.T with seventeen year old students; they were even roommates with their other friend who is now a doctor, Dr. Stephen Strange. And like he'd told Pepper when she came demanding questions from him, and the same with Stane, just because they didn't know about Ana or their relationship doesn't mean that Tony's actual close loved ones (himself, Stephen and Hope) didn't know.

With how much Tony talked about Ana over the years there was no way they couldn't not know; even Howard - Rhodey has never hated a man more than that man - had known and wanted Tony to marry Ana before she was even eighteen, so with his tinted misogynistic views, Stark Industries could control Marauders Co. Thankfully Ana's father, uncle and Tony himself had put a stop to that, Howard had even been sued by the Black brothers. Other than that pompous misogynistic arse, Tony's godparents Peggy Carter-Sousa and her husband Daniel, Nick Fury, Ana and Edwin Jarvis, Hope Van Dyne, Tony's mother Maria, Stephen Strange, Rhodey himself and Carol all knew, loved and had wanted to meet her. Unfortunately for some, it wasn't meant to be.

"I'm sure." Tony's voice pulled Rhodey from his thoughts. "I've never been more sure about anything." Rhodey beamed proudly at the younger man clapping him on the shoulder with a firm but soft squeeze.
"Then I'm happy for you, Tones." Rhodey stated happily, clinking his beer bottle against Tony's tumbler of whiskey.
"That is a beautiful ring, Tony. Ana is going to love it and I think you should do it on the beach at sunset with a picnic." Luna told him, passing the ring box back to him.

"Thanks Moon." Tony beamed, hugging the girl in a sideways hug. "Oh, and Rhodes, I noticed that you and Luna have hit it off really well on the drive over so just know that my Ana and Luna have been through a lot and they're incredibly protective of each other so you best not hurt her." The 'or else' went unsaid but it was loud and clear leaving Rhodey no other option but not to nod.

* * *

As evening dawned, Ana was getting ready for her date on the beach with the help of Andy who had insisted on doing her hair. Rhodey had dropped Luna off earlier that afternoon with a sweet heartfelt and romantic letter from Tony asking her to go on a date, while she had not only been comforting Teddy as he adjusted to the time change but also going over the plans with Uncle Regulus for the Grand Re-Opening of her company as her as CEO; after reading the letter with tears in her eyes Ana had called Tony excitedly agreeing to their date.

"There we go, all done, Ana!" Andromeda announced, stepping back and looking over the beautiful young woman. She wore a beautiful red floral dress that had a low plunging v-neckline and a slit up the middle of the dress showing off her toned legs clad in brown Roman-style sandals. Her hair and makeup were done to perfection with her hair in a half-up-half-down curled space bun style, and for her makeup: she had pink, white and grey floral nails, natural eyeshadow with a hint of mauve, black slightly winged eyeliner, black mascara and red lipstick. A curl of excitement sat low in Ana's belly feeling like an intense fade of butterflies but it wasn't a bad feeling. It has been a long time since their last date and Ana was really looking forward to it.

"You look beautiful." Andromeda complimented, resting her hands on Ana's shoulders smiling at the young woman through the mirror.
"Thanks Andy." Ana smiled, a light blush on her cheeks that she quickly beat away as she turned to her Blood-Sister with a sly smile. "So, Luna, I see you and a certain Colonel were getting along well." Luna, who had been choosing jewellery for Ana (and seeing if there was any she could borrow as they both borrowed each other's clothes and jewellery) turned to face her sister with a scarlet flush to her porcelain cheeks.
"Well...he is actually very kind, funny and caring. I can see why he's Tony's best friend. He is also very handsome." Luna gushed, an ethereal look passing over her face as she went into a daydream.

Andy and Ana laughed good naturedly with bright smiles on their faces.
"As long as he makes my Moon, my little sister happy and won't hurt you then I'm really happy for you, Luna." Ana told her earnestly..
"You girls have been through so much and deserve all the happiness in the world." Andromeda stated firmly, a living smile on her lips as she looked at the two teens.
"Thanks Andy." Ana and Luna said happily, hugging the older woman tightly who was more than happy to return the hug. She knew she was the only mother figure both girls have had in a long time (Ana more so) and after losing Nymphadora it helped heal the wound in her heart a little.

A few minutes had passed when Kreacher with Teddy in his arms appeared, interrupting the moment.
"I'm sorry Mistress," Kreacher apologised with a bow, "but Master Tony is here, he's downstairs talking to Master Regulus, and Master Teddy has just woken from his nap and wanted you."
"It's alright. Thank you, Kreacher." Ana smiled at him accepting Teddy into her arms and pressing a kiss to his forehead only having to wipe away the red lipstick stain. "Mama is going to go on a picnic with Tony so I want you to be a good boy for Nana, auntie Luna, Kreacher and uncle Regulus." Ana warned the toddler, smiling as he snuggles into her. "But when I come back we can have lots of cuddles and okay in your new room." Ana continued, her smile widening at Teddy's happy cheer.

"Wow!" Tony whispered, stunned. The second Ana entered the living room his eyes fixed upon her as if drawn to her by some cosmic force. He stepped forwards brushing a strand behind her ear, admiring the beauty before him. Tony didn't know how he got so lucky but he would forever count his lucky stars. "You look beautiful Ana. So beautiful."
"You look handsome Tony." Ana returned, looking over the handsome man wearing a light blue button-up shirt tucked into white shorts and paired with white tennis shoes.
"Ti amo, baby." Tony whispered, kissing her tenderly, lovingly before kissing Teddy on his forehead. "I love you Ana and I love you Teddy. So much."

"We love you so much too Tony." Ana whispered.
"Ready for our date, sweetheart?" Tony asked Ana after Teddy had muttered his own shy reply but with a cute smile on his face. "Walking along the seafront from here to mine."
"Sounds perfect." Ana replied, pecking his lips, whispering a 'thank you' before she handed Teddy to Luna as they said their goodbyes.

The pair were in heaven as they walked hand in hand down the beach talking about anything and everything: from how much they missed and loved each other, how they were glad they were home together at last,
how proud they were of each other in general and in the new departments and inventions they'd created, and how well Luna and Rhodey have gotten along (Tony laughing at his little matchmaker; although he was just as bad).

At comfortable lulls in conversation they enjoyed each other's company, kissing, taking pictures (or both). Having taken off their shoes at the start of their walk they decided to play in the swash of the waves as they rolled against the shore splashing each other or Tony spinning her around gleefully listening to her screams and laughter; until they came to the stretch of beach hidden beneath the cliff Tony's manor was sat on where incidentally a romantic picnic was set up just as the sun was setting creating a beautiful backdrop.
"Oh! Tony! This is beautif-" Ana trailed off with a gasp as she turned around, noting Tony in one knee holding out a ring box with a beautiful ring inside.

"Ana, I love you more than anything in the world. I knew from the moment that we met at that gala that you were special. I couldn't believe how beautiful you were, the most beautiful woman in the entire gala. You're my best friend, and I can't imagine my life without you. Seeing you every day, I know will be the best part of waking up in the morning." Both Ana and Tony had tears coursing down their cheeks as they let out wet laughs. "Hearing your laugh, is music to my ears, like how hearing Teddy's laugh is quickly becoming music to my ears. I want to spend the rest of my life with you both. So, Anastasia Tiana Potter-Black, will you marry me?" Tony asked hopefully.

"YES! A million times yes!" Ana cried ecstatic, jumping into his arms wrapping her arms and legs around Tony kissing him passionately. As Tony pulled back momentarily to slip the ring on her finger feeling like he was in cloud nine as Ana peppered his face with kisses. He knew that he had never been happier than when he was with Ana and this would definitely be in his top five with only a handful of times that would and could replace it. Tony laid her down on the blanket, their kissing quickly turned into a make out session as a fierce fire was lit within them.

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Italian to English translation:

• Ti amo = I love you
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Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update in any way shape or form. There are other ways of telling me what you thought of this.