Search for the Soul Gem

Epilogue

Sweetheart, 

I know you don't like expensive gifts but I found these and I couldn't resist. Please wear them tonight, I know you'll look stunning. 

Love, 

T

I looked back down at the dress. If Tony bought it, the least I could do was wear it. I shimmied into the dress, which I was delighted to find had pockets. I left the Louboutins on the bed and went back to the bathroom. After blow-drying my hair and curling it, I put makeup on. Once I looked presentable, I went back to collect the shoes. I slipped my feet into them and pulled the zipper up. With the shoes on, I grew at least four or five inches. It took me a minute to figure out how to walk in these shoes without breaking an ankle. As soon as I was sure, I made my way to the elevator. 

     "Where to tonight Miss?" JARVIS asked. 

     "Party deck, J," I said. 

     "Showing up fashionably late?" he asked. The elevator started down. 

     "It's a party for me. I don't think I can show up late, everyone else is early," I said. 

     "You sound just like Mr. Stark," JARVIS said. I rolled my eyes. 

     "Not this again," I groaned with a smile. The elevator doors slid open and revealed the same hallway leading to the party. I stepped out into the hallway, taking a deep breath. The elevator doors slid closed behind me. Laughing, light clinking, and soft music drifted down the hallway toward me from the party. I started down the hallway, careful not to get my heel stuck on anything and risk tripping. I rounded the corner on the third level of the party deck. The sun was casting a golden glow through the windows, obscuring some of the further building in the skyline. People were milling around like they always did at a Stark party, talking and laughing, almost all of them had alcohol in their hands. As I made my way through the party and toward the floating steps, I felt like people were turning to watch me walk. At the base of the steps, I found Tony standing with his back to me. He was in conversation with a man who seemed more eager about the conversation that Tony did. I started down the stairs carefully, holding the railing to keep from tumbling down them. As I reached the second story landing before the last, I could sense that everyone was turning to watch me descend the last set of stairs. The man that was talking to Tony looked over his shoulder to watch me too as I walked. Tony hesitated before he glanced over his shoulder at me. His confused expression broke into a smile as he turned to me fully. He held out his hand to me to help me down the last few steps. When I reached the lowest level, it was almost on cue, everyone went back to what they were doing. The laughing and talking resumed and Tony and I were lost in the sea of the party again. He wrapped his arms around my waist and looked me over. 

     "You looking amazing," he breathed. 

     "Well I had a good stylist," I smiled. He laughed before leaning down to kiss me. From the corner of my eyes, I saw the man who had been talking to Tony awkwardly step away and turn to walk further away into the party. I pressed my hand to his chest and leaned back from him, "Do you want something to drink?" Tony smiled. 

     "Sure, bourbon on the rocks. I'll meet you over there," he said, pressing a kiss to the side of my head. I walked over towards the bar where I found the team lounging in various positions. Nat was behind the bar when I walked up and stood in between Steve and Bruce at the bar. 

     "Wow, you look amazing Lucy," Steve said. I glanced over at him. 

     "Thanks, Tony had it set out," I said, blushing slightly. 

     "It's great to see you healing so well," he said. 

     "Yeah, I got my cast off and Tony has me in heels. It's almost like he wants me to break it again," I laughed. He smiled as Nat walked over. 

     "What'll it be kid?" she asked. 

     "Bourbon on the rocks for Tony and I'll have a glass of champagne," I said. She stepped back to start making the drinks. As I leaned there, I felt someone wedge themselves between me and Steve. I glanced over and found Peter smiling up at me. 

     "You look, beautiful Professor," he said. 

     "Thank you, but are you doing at a party on a school night?" I asked. 

     "Mr. Stark invited me," he said. 

     "Why do you think I'm bartending. Someone's gotta make sure the minor doesn't sneak a drink," Nat winked as she slid the drinks over to me. Before I could pick up either drink, someone cleared their throat behind me. 

     "Sweetheart," it was Tony, but he sounded off. Something was wrong. I turned around, expecting to see him standing behind me but he wasn't He was kneeling there in front of me, his face twisted into the familiar form of anxiety he got before he asked something important. He had his hands folded in front of him, concealing something from my view. For a second I couldn't breathe, I knew what this meant but my logical brain tried to press my hope down. 

     "Tony, what are you doing?" I asked, my voice wasn't more than a whisper.

     "Tying my shoe, what does it look like," he laughed. I rolled my eyes and suppressed the laugh. He took a deep breath, "Lucy, I've never met anyone like you and I don't know what I'd do without you. Now that you're completely healed, and here with our friends around, I would like to ask: will you make me the most undeservingly lucky and happy man on Earth, and marry me?" he asked, producing a little velvet box from his hands and opening it in front of me. Inside rested the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen. I took in a deep breath, trying to remember to breathe and trying not to cry. My voice couldn't seem to figure out how to get out of my body and all I could do at first was nod. His face lit up as he stood up. 

     "Yes, Tony yes!" I finally blurted out. A deafening roar of cheering and applause broke from all around the party as he stood and placed the ring on my waiting finger. He took my face in his hands and pulled me in for a kiss. It made my knees weak and took my breath away and I could feel myself crying before he pulled away. He placed his hands on either side of my face and wiped the tears away with his thumbs. He was smiling the bright smile that made me fall for him in the first place. 

     "This is our engagement party, I just wanted it to be a surprise...Surprise!" he said, voice low. I chocked on a laugh and sob. 

     "What if I had said no?" I asked. 

     "Then this would have all been very awkward," he laughed. I smiled and pulled him back into me for another kiss. 

*Thank everyone who's read and commented on this story. Please stay tuned, there will be a sequel coming to this story.*