A/N:
Well, here it is...I finally finished the story. I am so sorry for the EPIC delay. I started my first job and school decided to start back up so life got really complicated. However, I would like to thank each and everyone of you that has waited for this final chapter. I hope it lives up to what you expected it to be.
Epilogue:
Natasha sat quietly at the kitchen counter sipping her coffee and starring out across the New York skyline. Waking up like this was still something that felt strange and out of place. She had grown so used to waking up in some safe house in some godforsaken country that had a name no one could pronounce.
The beds had always been a plank of wood with a piece of paper for a mattress and a tissue for a sheet. There never was coffee and there was never time to watch the sunrise, only time for one single purpose; the mission. Get in and get out. That was all.
But that changed when Clint entered her life. Of course the archer was sent to kill her, but that didn't mean it changed the scenery she woke up to. From then on she woke up to the man that became her partner, watching over her and just simply waiting for her.
Slowly Clint watching her morphed into him waking up next to her and holding her till she woke up too. The beds still sucked, but waking up with Clint at her side made the missions that much more bearable.
All those years ago, Natasha never would have thought she would be where she was at that moment. She never would have thought she would ever have found love, better yet gotten married. She never dreamed of having a child nor did she dream of losing said child. But that child had come home.
Natasha smiled softly and took another sip of her coffee. She felt a pair of lips press on the back of her head.
"Morning," Clint said his voice still raspy with sleep.
"Morning," she replied.
"Good you made coffee," Clint said pouring himself a cup.
Natasha rolled her eyes, "Of course."
"So how are you?" he asked slipping into the seat next to her.
"It's her birthday. How do you think I am?" Natasha sighed.
Lucy had fully recovered from the incident with Loki and things had slowly shifted into a normal schedule.
Today was Lucy's birthday. Clint and Natasha had planned out a surprise that would certainly thrill her. But the surprise was for later.
"Yeah I feel the same way, but we can't stop her from growing up." Clint said.
"I know that. It's just that we missed out on most of her life and now the time just continues to tick away. Its just life mocking me." Natasha said.
"Life is mocking me this morning," Clint grumbled.
Natasha raised an eyebrow.
"I found a couple more grey hairs this morning," Clint mumbled.
Natasha snorted and ran a hand through her husband's hair spotting a few of said hairs.
"Oh it's not that bad. I like the new salt and pepper look," Natasha mocked.
Clint swatted away Natasha's hand.
"Oh shut up," Clint said.
Both turned around when the heard the familiar shuffling of footsteps. Lucy had stopped just inside the living room and was rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Morning," she mumbled as she started moving forward again.
Clint was on his feet in a moment closing the distance between his self and Lucy. He wrapped his arms around his daughter and pulled her close to his chest.
"Happy Birthday," he said just before planting a kiss on the top of her head.
Lucy smiled and nuzzled her father's chest happily, "Thanks Dad."
Natasha set down her mug and got up as well, "Move over, my turn."
Clint chuckled and let go of Lucy, who turned to hug her mother.
"So you hungry? It's your day you get to pick breakfast," Clint said walking into the kitchen.
"Mm, some of your pancakes sound good to me," Lucy said smiling at Clint.
"Coming right up!" he exclaimed pulling out a pan.
Natasha tucked a stray hair behind Lucy's ear, "I know you said you didn't want a big party, but I can't make any promises with Tony."
Lucy chuckled, "I figured. It's okay I'm just happy I get to be here with my family."
"Which is all that matters," Clint added as he poured the batter into the pan.
"Now your father and I do have our own present for you, but you won't get it till the party," Natasha said.
"I said no presents either," Lucy said sitting down at the counter.
"Everyone needs presents!" Tony exclaimed as he came out of the elevator. He crossed over to Lucy and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Now, everything is ready for the party at 12 and don't worry I listened its only just the family," Tony continued.
"Let the girl eat breakfast first!" Clint said waving a spatula at Tony.
"Alright, alright, breakfast first, then party," Tony replied with a smile as he backed away to the elevator.
Once Tony was gone, Natasha sat down next to Lucy and started on her own plate of pancakes.
The three savored their pancakes before Natasha left Clint and Lucy to go do their usual morning range practice. Natasha went to her bedroom and pulled on a pair of jeans and a simple blouse before heading to Thor's floor.
Thor was waiting by the elevator when Natasha arrived.
"So how is the birthday girl this morning?" Thor asked giving Natasha a small hug.
"She's hanging out with her dad, so good I guess. Have you gotten in contact with Sif?" Natasha asked.
"Yes he did," a woman replied walking out of the kitchen.
Sif smiled warmly at Natasha, "The other three will be here in a little bit. I chose to come ahead of them."
"You know she's going to be thrilled to see you all," Natasha said.
"Yet I know she is more thrilled to be here with you," Sif replied softly.
Natasha couldn't help but smile, "I'm happy to have her here."
The two women turned around at the sound of a door slamming open.
"Thor! You must tell us more about this baked breakfast pastry you speak of!" Fandral exclaimed clapping Thor hard on the back.
"Of course my friend, here is Lady Natasha. She is Lucy's mother," Thor said motioning to Natasha.
Fandral beamed at Natasha and strode over to her, taking her hand in his and kissing it lightly. "I am certainly honored. Lucy is a marvelous girl and I now see she gets her beauty from her mother."
Natasha chuckled slightly, "Nice to meet you too."
"Ah! And this is Volstagg and Hogun. Men this is Lady Natasha," Thor said as the other two members of the warriors three entered the room.
Both men greeted her in the same manner as Fandral. Jane was the last to enter the living room.
"Well, I managed to get them all here." She said looking to Natasha.
"Thank you Jane, I really appreciate it," Natasha replied.
"Now then how about we all sit and chat for a moment before the party?" Jane suggested.
"Damn girl! Stop making your old man look like a loser," Clint exclaimed as Lucy successfully landed another arrow in one of the most difficult training targets.
"Well, old man, I guess you just need to pick up your game," Lucy taunted.
"Maybe after the party, squirt." Clint replied pulled her into a head lock.
Lucy giggled and wriggled her way out of the head lock. "I'm holding you to that."
"Go get ready girl, I'll meet you in the living room," Clint chuckled.
He watched her jog out of the training room and let his shoulders relax after the door closed. He glanced back over his shoulder at the perfect targets Lucy had shot at. He couldn't believe that his little girl did that. When he looked in Lucy's eyes all he saw was the little itty bitty baby in her car seat calling him Dada for the first time. Or even her being held by Natasha in the Quinjet after she had been born.
But she was no longer that little baby. She was a beautiful young woman, who was gifted in many ways.
He sighed and set his bow down on the table and exited the range. He decided just to change his shirt for the party and run some water through his hair.
As he looked at himself in the mirror, he chuckled. It was hard to believe he started out as a carnie and now was a "superhero" and a father. He didn't know how he had gotten so lucky.
A knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Dad? You ready?" Lucy asked.
"Yep, I'm coming sweetheart," Clint called back. He opened the door and found Lucy standing there wearing a pair of skinny jeans and loose fitting sweater.
"Alright, let's go see how over the top Tony went," he said gesturing towards the door.
Natasha waited by the elevator on Tony's floor for Clint and Lucy. She couldn't help but bite the inside of her lip out of nervousness. Would Lucy really be happy to see Sif and the others? Had she made a mistake about asking them to come?
The elevator dinged telling her she would have her answer in a moment. Clint and Lucy stepped out and Natasha pulled Lucy into her arms.
"I hope you like it," she whispered in her daughter's ear before kissing her lightly on the cheek.
Lucy pulled back and gave her mother a questioning look.
Natasha gestured to the living room, "Go see."
Natasha stepped back and grabbed Clint's hand, squeezing it tightly.
"It'll be okay, breathe," Clint whispered kissing her lightly.
The two parents watched their daughter emotionally greet Sif who took her into her arms, hugging her tightly as a couple tears fell down her cheeks. Lucy was passed around through the Warrior's Three, each just as thrilled to see her as the last.
Natasha felt her chest tighten as she watched. These were the people that watched her daughter grow up. They got to see her walk for the first time, say complete sentences the first time, and watch her grow, learn, and become the woman she was. Part of her heart hated them, but at the same time she loved them because she knew her daughter had been loved in the way that she loved her.
Then Lucy turned back to her parents and flung herself into their arms. Natasha could feel Lucy's tears on her shirt as she held her tightly.
"Thank you. Thank you so much, you don't know how much this means to me. I love you both so much," Lucy sobbed into Natasha's shoulder.
Natasha finally let out the breath she had been holding, letting it turn into a small sob.
"We love you too, птичка. We love you so so much," Natasha replied feeling Clint hug both of them tighter in agreement.
"The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other."
MARIO PUZO
A/N: And there you have it. I will say that I am open to doing oneshots with any of the characters (like Lucy, oliver, etc.) just send me a PM. :) Thank you all once again for the support and keep an eye out for more stories to come