Here's a short epilogue then this one is really finished. Thanks for reading.

Steve had only been back from delivering the stone a few hours, and Natasha hadn't gotten the chance to ask her lingering questions. Having two children made private conversations difficult enough, but with one of those two children being a nearly nine year old not used to sharing her parents' attention, it was even harder.

Sophie's confusion over exactly how to feel about her new little sister was the reason Natasha was currently snuggled up with her older daughter in a twin sized bed. "Why so blue, princess?" she asked, suspecting she already knew the answer.

Sophie burrowed deeper under the covers and turned away from her mother. "I'm glad you got your baby back."

"You mean our baby," Natasha said softly. "She's yours, too. You always wanted to be a big sister."

"Yeah, but she's more yours than I am. You just got stuck with me."

Natasha gently turned Sophie to face her. "Is that what you think?"

"It's true. If my old mom and dad hadn't died, you wouldn't have had to take me. Now, you have your real daughter."

"I have two very real daughters," Natasha said, caressing the back of Sophie's head."

"It's not the same."

Natasha looked into Sophie's eyes. She couldn't tell her everything, but maybe it was time to tell her a little about where she came from and hope the child could understand. "Sophie, what color was your first mom's hair?"

"Blonde."

"What color is your hair?"

"Red."

"And mine?"

"Red, Mom. I'm not a little kid. I know my colors."

"But, you don't know genetics. Sophie, have you ever noticed that we have the same eyes? The same nose?"

"I guess," the child said.

"There's a really good reason for why you look so much like me. Your first mom was my friend. She knew how dangerous my life was and how many people wanted to hurt me. She also knew something I didn't know. She knew about the plan to make Sarah. We already explained how Sarah grew the same way David grew, remember?" Natasha paused long enough for Sophie to nod her head. "Sarah wasn't the first attempt the Red Room made. You were."

Sophie sat up. "You mean I'm yours?"

"More completely than you could possibly understand. We didn't tell you, because we wanted to keep you safe. Now that the Red Room is gone forever, I guess it doesn't hurt for you to know."

Sophie threw her arms around Natasha's neck. "So, Sarah really is my baby sister? And, I belong to you and Daddy?"

"Technically, just me on that end, but Daddy loves you just as much as he loves Sarah. We'll always love you. Sarah can't replace you. Nobody will ever take your place."

"I love you, Mom. I'm so sorry I've been mad at Sarah. I didn't know."

"Now you do," Natasha said, kissing the child's forehead. "Are you good to go to sleep now?"

"I think so. Goodnight, Mom."

"Goodnight, Sophie."

Natasha walked to the room she was sharing with Steve and the baby. He was feeding Sarah a bottle. "She okay?"

"Better now. How about you? How long did it take to return the stones?"

"Nearly a week. I missed you every second."

"And, the mission was successful?"

"Every stone is in place."

Natasha nodded and sat beside her husband. "Did you complete your side mission?"

"I did. We had our dance. I told her I was fine-that I had moved on. It was hard, but she needed the closure. She's going to be alright. Now, she knows there is someone out there for her."

Natasha smiled. "Good."

"Were you worried?"

"I always worry about you when I'm not there to watch your back," Natasha said, taking Sarah from his arms to burp her.

"Not what I meant and you know it. Were you worried I'd choose Peggy over you and the girls?"

"Not even for a minute. If there's one thing I know better than to doubt it is that you love me. I still haven't figured out why, but I know it's true."

Steve gave her a chaste kiss and pulled her and the baby in close. "Don't ever forget it."

The End (for real this time).