Just continue on with my life, I suppose, Cam replied. She hesitated with the second text. I don’t know that I want to tell Tony yet. But I should tell Pepper.

Tell Pepper, was Sabine's immediate response. Pepper will not tell Tony if you ask and will also be super helpful.

Okay, Cam replied. Can you tell her I need to talk to her?

Consider it done, Sabine agreed.

Not even ten minutes later, Pepper sent Cam a text. Cam, what's going on? Sabine told me you needed to talk to me.

Cam blinked. That was quick.

Yeah. It's kind of important. She hesitated there, suddenly a bit unsure. Finally, she decided to just get it over with. I'm pregnant. It's Tony's.

Pepper stopped and stared at her phone. Then she did a double take. Then she gave up on texting and just called.

"What?" she asked, startled.

Cam wasn't surprised that Pepper decided to just call.

"Yeah, it's..." She sighed. "We slept together the night of the gala. And now I'm pregnant. I haven't told him yet, I haven't been able to bring myself to do it."

"Okay." Pepper took a moment to absorb this information before she nodded once. "Okay. Do you want him to know, or not?" Because that was really the first order of business.

“I don’t know,” Cam admitted. “I’m afraid of how he might react; you know he doesn’t want kids.”

"I know he thinks he would be a bad father," Pepper said cautiously. "I think you should tell him eventually. But if, for now, you want me to keep quiet, I will."

Cam hesitated.

“I’ll tell him soon,” she said. “Just... not now. But in the meantime, I’m keeping it and I have no idea what to do.”

"Okay. First we need to get you an exam. I'll find a doctor near you to start with. I'll have a few books delivered as well, so you can do some reading."

“You’re the best,” Cam said, relieved. “Not gonna lie, I was a little nervous about your reaction too.”

"Honestly, I've been waiting for Tony to have a surprise child for years now," Pepper told her, amusedly resigned. "You are far from worst case scenario, dear."

“That does kind of make me feel better,” Cam said. “I was, I don’t know, still freaking out about it all and I couldn’t help but imagine you might think I was just after Tony’s name or money or something.”

"No. With you, never." Pepper shook her head a bit. "I'll send those things along, we'll keep in touch. How is Sabine doing, by the way?"

“Bee is doing alright,” Cam replied. “Still getting used to things. Though I think she’s anxious to get back to work.”

"Of course she is." Pepper shook her head. "Well, let her know she can take as long as she needs. In case she actually listens to you."

“She won't, but I’ll try,” Cam replied. She was quiet for a moment. “Thanks Pepper. I mean it, thanks. I feel better knowing you’re on my side.”

Pepper smiled. "It's not a problem," she assured Cam. "Let me know if you need anything else, alright?"

“I will,” Cameron promised. “I’ll keep you updated on everything.”

Two months later, Sabine was back at work, mostly. Today she was taking a day off to spend with Cam.

"It's nice to get out of the tower for a while," she admitted.

“It really is nice to get out,” Cameron replied, nodding. She tugged her shirt down a bit as it started to ride up the slight swell of her belly.

Sabine grinned as she nodded to a cafe. "Feel like some tea?"

“Tea sounds great,” Cameron replied, smiling a bit. “I’m so glad the morning sickness faded, I feel like I can actually enjoy things again.”