Who: All Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents When: Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 Where: Avengers Mansion What: Avengers Bi-Coastal Picnic and Steve Rogers Birthday Party!
Never let it be said that Pepper couldn't get things done. True, she was only just able to make it to and from the restroom in her quarters without assistance, and without completely tiring herself out, but she had other methods, other means of accomplishing her goals that didn't involve her running around like crazy.
A few months back, Pepper had promised Captain America a party, and while she knew he wouldn't begrudge her if it didn't happen - would maybe even prefer it, given everything that had happened recently - she was determined to bring together the members of their divided team, and honor the man who had already sacrificed so much for all of them.
The guests would be arriving around 10am, and already the grounds to one side of the Mansion, protected by the enormously high and ivy-covered stone walls, were prepared. Happy had been an enormous help, secretly letting in the help via the tradesmen's entrance and stringing up a hammock between the two sturdiest support structures nearest to the pool area as he could get so that Pepper could participate without having to wear herself out.
From here, she directed the decorators to bedeck the pool area in the festive colors of the holiday season - red, white, blue, and gold, with lanterns strung up to encircle and suffuse them with a colorful glow once the sun began to set.
Knowing her primary audience all too well, Pepper kept the catering simple, and ordered from small family restaurants or stands instead of those more affluent. Men and women who owed their own hot dog and hamburger carts, pretzel stands, popcorn carts, ice cream carts, all were here to serve the Avengers, fully paid for more than they'd make in a days worth of work on the street, and thrilled to be a part of this event. Having spent so long working in the heart of the city, these people knew the true value of their heroes.
A pizza chef had brought a portable oven from his family pizzaria, and was prepared to make pizza to order, by the slice or the pie. Another woman who ran a Jewish Delicatessen had brought refrigerated cases filled with all kinds of salads, including fruit, potato, and pasta. She had all sorts of breads and meats and was at the ready to make sandwiches, served with potato chips or even french fries.
For desserts - or just to satisfy the sweet tooth - there was a baker who had not only brought fresh donuts, but was prepared to make funnel cakes on-site. There was cotton candy, too, a pie stand with enough pie to feed an army (specifically because Pepper had requested enough for possible super-abled eating contests), and last but not least, hiding in the Avengers kitchen, a divine chocolate birthday cake.
It didn't take long to set up, and it was almost time for the guests to arrive. J.A.R.V.I.S. would send Steve down if he didn't wander out on his own at some point. She could only hope that he wouldn't be uncomfortable, and would enjoy himself with the people who care for him most.