"Steve ..." She paused, considering and choosing her words carefully. "On this Island there is such a thing as having your cake and eating it to. But you have to know where to set your boundaries and make your own rules, to protect your heart. Both Peggy and Natasha will have to do the same."
The only way Pepper knew how to explain what she meant was by telling her own story. "I came here because I wanted a family and Tony didn't. I knew I could get what I wanted living on this Island, but I'd have to find someone willing to share that with, though I was resigned to have and raise a child on my own ... you, well, the other you, was almost my baby's father but that's a story for another day ... when I did find someone, we both willingly agreed that we wanted this baby and would raise it together, but that it was okay to still have relations with other people. We talked it out, we set ground rules, and we stick to those rules out of love and respect for each other."
She looked up at him, standing, and then leaned in to kiss his cheek. "You have to talk to them both, you have to communicate what you want and if they're truly your friends, then they'll both work to meet you half way. And who knows, you might have a child of your own too. If that's what you want."