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*****
Mike remained vigilant regarding the arrival of the Phoenix Force.
However, what concerned him more were the words the Phoenix had said to him back then.
She had said that when the Phoenix Force began to aggregate, many "interesting" things would happen.
Interesting?
Mike didn't think that what the Phoenix considered interesting would be the same definition he had in mind.
"What are you thinking about?"
Raven leaned gently against Mike's back, whispering into his ear.
Mike snapped back to reality, smiled slightly at Raven, and asked, "Have the kids all left?"
"Yeah."
Raven nodded, then suddenly asked, "Are you okay?"
Although Mike hid his emotions well, when Charles had mentioned the Phoenix Force earlier, she had caught the fleeting worry in the depths of his eyes.
Mike paused for a moment, then turned his head to plant a light kiss on Raven's cheek. He smiled. "Don't worry. I just feel like it might be a bit troublesome, that's all."
Raven gazed into Mike's eyes. "Really?"
"Really."
Seeing the sincerity in Mike's expression, Raven finally relaxed.
"Where's Gwen?"
Not seeing Gwen around, Mike asked casually.
Raven pointed outside. "She went out with Peter."
Mike frowned. "Going out this late?"
Late?
Raven looked outside at the sky, which was still bright with daylight. She laughed softly and reached out to poke Mike's forehead. "Oh, you."
Several months later.
"According to the latest statistics, since the emergence of the Superhero Association, crime rates in various countries have been steadily declining. As of today, they have reached a historical low. However, conversely, premeditated and organized super-powered crimes are slowly increasing, bringing new crises..."
Ring, ring, ring!
Mike picked up his phone and casually turned off the TV.
"Tony?"
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Mike answered the call.
"What's up?"
"Uncle Mike! Get to the hospital, quick! Pepper is in labor!"
The corner of Mike's mouth twitched. "She's having a baby, so she's having a baby. Why are you calling me?"
"I'll only feel at ease if you're here!"
I'm not a midwife!
"I heard from Raven that Pepper's check-up results were good, weren't they?"
"But when Steve's family had their baby, didn't you go?"
Tony muttered, and a distinct trace of resentment drifted through the phone, causing Mike to roll his eyes several times.
"Fine, fine! I'll go!"
"I'll send you the hospital address."
Tony spoke happily, and immediately after hanging up, he sent the address he had prepared long ago.
Mike put down his phone, sighed helplessly, and after letting Raven know, left the house and headed for the hospital.
A considerable amount of time had passed since the establishment of the Superhero Association. It had even been several months since their family had gathered regarding the Phoenix Force.
This period had been the most relaxed time Mike had experienced in recent years.
Peaceful, ordinary...
No super villains, no alien invasions, just the mundane necessities of daily life.
Mike enjoyed this kind of life very much, though he was quietly preparing for the Phoenix Force matter.
What made Mike happy was that his ability level—thanks to the children constantly fighting crime and helping others—had been gaining experience points. It was almost full and about to reach the next level.
What changes would his abilities undergo at the next level?
Mike was very much looking forward to it.
Meanwhile, inside a high-end private hospital.
"Phew!"
Tony let out a sigh of relief.
Seeing this, Pepper Potts, who was beside him, laughed softly. "Tony, is it really necessary to have Mr. Kent come?"
"Of course!" Tony nodded solemnly, then suddenly lowered his voice. "If Uncle Mike comes and sees the baby born, won't he have to give a greeting gift?"
"You're doing this just for that?"
Pepper Potts looked at Tony, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Tony gave a light snort and said, "I remember when Steve's kid was born, he gave that brat a lot of things."
Why is there such a sour smell of jealousy?
Pepper muttered inwardly, then chuckled. "Is that so?"
"It sure is!" Tony counted on his fingers, looking exactly like a child listing an adult's 'crimes'. "Strength, courage, justice, health... He gave that kid a lot of blessings!"
"Pfft!" Pepper was amused. "They were just some blessings, weren't they?"
"Just!?"
Tony's voice went up an octave, but then he immediately lowered it again, looking at Pepper speechlessly. "Those blessings aren't just talk!"
Seeing that Pepper still looked puzzled, Tony paused, tapped his forehead, and his eyes lit up. "You know about those fairies and witches who can do magic in fairy tales, right?"
"You actually know fairy tales?"
Pepper Potts looked at Tony in surprise.
"I was a child once too!"
Tony muttered with dissatisfaction.
"Heh heh heh!" Pepper Potts laughed low, then frowned slightly as the pain gradually intensified. She continued, "You mean to say Uncle Mike's blessings are magic? That they have actual effects?"
"Of course!"
"Tony!"
"Hmm?"
"You're awesome!"
Pepper couldn't help but praise him, but she finally couldn't withstand the increasing pain and cried out.
Tony's heart tightened. He hurriedly called in the doctor waiting outside. After the doctor confirmed the situation, Tony followed closely behind as they moved to the delivery room.
Half an hour later, Mike arrived at the hospital. He found Tony pacing back and forth like a spinning top in front of the delivery room, and he chuckled inwardly.
It seemed that even Iron Man couldn't stay calm when faced with this situation and the thought of meeting his child soon.
"Mike!"
Maria, who was also waiting nearby, saw Mike and greeted him happily. She pointed at Tony and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Tony, however, grabbed Mike anxiously. "Uncle Mike, Pepper, she..."
"She's fine."
Mike said calmly. Then he turned to Maria and said, "Seeing Tony like this, I can imagine what Howard looked like back then."
Maria looked at Tony, the wrinkles on her face curving with the passage of time, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. "Indeed, very similar."
Suddenly, a smile appeared on Mike's face. He said to Tony, "She's born. Mother and daughter are safe."
Tony froze. A sense of relief rushed from the soles of his feet straight to his brain, leaving his whole body limp. A massive wave of excitement and satisfaction quietly emerged from the bottom of his heart. At the same time, Tony felt a sense of responsibility called 'fatherhood' quietly settle upon him.
But the person even more excited than Tony was Maria, standing to the side.
"That's wonderful! Tony! You finally served a little bit of a purpose!"
Tony: "?"
He felt like he had just been insulted.
Taking a deep breath, he said to Mike, "Uncle Mike, it's all up to you in a bit!"
Mike was puzzled. "What is?"
"The blessings! I called you here just for that! That's the only use you have right now!"
The corner of Mike's mouth twitched. "That's my only use? I think you're looking for a beating!"
Saying that, Mike raised his hand.
Tony laughed sheepishly and backed away.
Just then, the surgery doors pushed open, and a doctor walked out.
She took off her mask, revealing a smile. "Congratulations, Mr. Stark! It's a lovely little girl!"
(End of Chapter)