Chapter 5
over the next two weeks maria spent time getting yelena used to the daycare, though the little girl usually left in tears with maria they had made progress.
maria continued to pester clint and barney about what yelena's mother, natasha, was doing all during the day, and when she would be done.
the mother, natasha, had remained in handcuffs for almost all of her stay. maria was used to see natasha pick up her daughter with her hands still cuffed, but today was different.
as she led the blonde to where they would meet her mother every day the girl ran as always, but instead of stopping before her mother to wait to be lifted, natasha extended her arms just in time to lift the girl into the air and onto her hip.
maria looked towards barney who seemed... proud? no. content? no...
she couldn't name it, but barney was overall, happy to see the woman out of her cuffs. barney whispered something to natasha and maria could have sworn she saw a small smile crossed the women's face.
"mama! you have free arms!"
natasha nodded, "yes, that is good news, it means i will get to train in the spring."
"more? mama you have already done that stuff! we don't- we don't have to go away again right? i didn't like it last time, and i like miss maria, and clint."
"we won't go away," natasha looked to barney, "training is here correct? they don't send us different locations?"
barney shook his head, "you'll be here training."
maria looked back and fourth between the three, feeling out of place as she always did when dropping yelena off. she was flattered that yelena said she liked her, even though the blonde sometimes acted like maria may be the devil itself.
"mama? can we have maria play at our room? i don't like the daycare, she can't stay there."
natasha glanced up at maria a little hesitant, she looked back a yelena and her face- no her body- no her entire being softened at the sight of yelena's pouty face.
natasha set yelena down, "why don't you go ask her?"
maria braced herself, somehow expecting to get yelled at by the red head for.. she doesn't even know. it's not like natasha has yelled at her much, she'll just never forget how the woman can change in a blink of an eye.
yelena jumped towards maria, "maria maria maria," she jumped up and down.
maria almost rolled her eyes before she thought better if it with a certain scary mother watching her, "yes yelena?"
"can you come play at my room today?" yelena was literally bouncing on her toes waiting for her response.
maria nodded, "give me one second so i can check my calendar." she fake checked it, part of her wishing something was genuinely filling the spot, before giving yelena a thumbs up, "as long as your mom says it's okay i can come over."
yelena all but squealed and quickly hugged maria before running back to her mama.
"can she? can she?"
natasha nodded, no words needed, and yelena was over the moon. maria tried not to look apprehensive.
natasha turned to maria and the supposed younger one bit her cheek.
"room 1256, 7 o'clock?"
maria nodded, waved goodbye to yelena, and tried not to look like she wanted to run while she walked away.
as she walked back to her and her brothers room she thought about what she just got herself into. she ate dinner with at the table and left as soon as she realized it was already 6:45. without another word she hustled out the door.
a faint click of a lock was heard, then two more seemed to be undone and the door opened slowly. maria had been expect natasha to open the door, instead it was yelena.
maria immediately went to question yelena where her mom was before she was cut off.
"yelena! Вы не можете открыть дверь, не спросив!" natasha shouted out as she came into view.
"но мама, это мисс Мария"
"это мог быть кто угодно, ты недостаточно высок, чтобы проверить. в следующий раз я открою дверь! никогда больше так не делай, пожалуйста." natasha came up to the door opening it a little wider, "i apologize ma'am." she stepped to the side to allow maria in.
"huh?" maria gaped at natasha's words. ma'am? what.
"I am sorry. we will do better to be more prepared for your arrival next time." natasha started to bow her head before quickly rising it again, she seemed to be holding her breath. maria wasn't sur show to respond.
"umm okay? i mean i think i'm early anyways."
natasha nodded and stepped back, yelena jumped up and down. “come on maria i want to show you around!”
maria ended up leaving two hours later after yelena fell asleep on the couch. on her way to the door natasha stopped her.
“thank you… maria.”
“you’re welcome- natalia.”
natasha blinked, not fast enough to be a flinch but it was obviously a reaction to her name.
“call me natasha, the barton’s do as well.”
“okay, good night then natasha. will i be getting yelena tomorrow?”
natasha nodded, “tomorrow will be the last day for some time i believe, unless i have been misinformed.” natasha looks back at her daughter, “she likes you.”
“oh um, thanks.”
the door shut behind maria softly and she heard the clicks of the locks once again.