Bath time and sleeping arrangements
Hey guys, sorry this one isn't as long but I'm on a cruise and needed to get this chapter out of the way to set up for the next one, which will be longer but if I put them together it will be WAY too long. Thank you all for the kind reviews, I honestly didn't expect much from this story but you all continue to shock and amaze me! Will try to update soon and I am almost done with the second chapter of my blind Kate story with a few one shots along that story line as well so stay tuned for more!
Once all the pizza and cinnamon sticks had been eaten, the girls relaxed contently before Kate and Yelena both let out mighty yawns.
“I think it may be time for baths and pajamas, don’t you?” Wanda asked lightly as Yelena rubs her eyes tiredly.
“Can we have bubbles?” Yelena asked as she leaned on Natasha.
“Not tonight, but I have some little ducks who need some help in the water,” Natasha told her as she stood up, stretching before moving to get the bathing supplies, rubber ducks, and some pajamas for both girls. Yelena gave a small whine but didn’t say anything else as she slid off the couch to follow like a tiny shadow.
“Ready for a bath, Katie girl?” Wanda asked, bouncing her lightly on her hip as they all made their way to the bathroom.
Kate just gave a sleepy huff as she rested her head on Wanda’s shoulder, wiggling a bit to get comfortable. Wanda patted her back as she leaned against the sink, watching Natasha fill the tub while checking the water to make sure it wasn’t too hot. Yelena dumped some of the rubber duckies into the water, giggling when Natasha stopped her from emptying the entire container.
“We want a few ducks, not a duck army!” she scolded teasingly while tickling the little girl’s side.
“Tasha, no!” Yelena squealed as she moved away.
“Ok rooskaya, clothes off,” Natasha ordered as she started to help her undress.
Wanda chuckled at the sisters before setting Kate on the toilet, booping her nose at the sleepy grumbles as she began to pull the shirt off. Her breath hitched as she saw the extent of the damage. They had gotten the all clear to wait for a full exam with Dr. Cho until the next day, and Natasha hadn’t been there when the girls were initially found so had not been the one to find clothes for them. Bruises were spread out along her sides and upper back, the worst being along her ribcage. As she pulled the tiny jeans off, she had to force back tears at seeing the back of her thighs and buttocks almost purple with bruises, some spots chafed and scabbed over. She also had a pretty serious diaper rash, thankfully not bleeding but probably wasn’t too far from getting to that point. Thankfully they had a large bottle of rash cream, although now she understood why they had told Pepper to get quite a bit of it. Natasha was silent behind her, but she could feel the anger rolling off of her even as she kept her face calm. Wanda shook herself out of her thoughts before subtly using her magic to cover Kate’s cast before she got in the water. Kate herself didn’t seem overly bothered, although that may have been due to how tired she was. Giving her a small smile and kiss on the head, Wanda lifted her into the tub next to Yelena who was frowning as she looked over her new friend.
“Kate’s hurt,” she told her sister, tiny lip pouting out slightly.
“She is, so it’s up to us to make sure she feels better while her owies heal up,” Natasha cooed soothingly as she ran her hand through the soft curls.
“I’ll help!” Yelena promised, reaching over to pull Kate toward her, startling the dozy toddler slightly before she relaxed against the older girl.
“I know you will detka, but now it’s time for someone to get a bath,” Natasha grinned at her before taking a cup to carefully wet her hair.
Yelena squealed happily as she splashed around, handing a duck to Kate before making two of them zoom through the water. Natasha could barely get her hair washed as the girl splashed, but didn’t have the heart to stop her when was having so much fun. Kate was more resigned, half heartedly moving her own duck through the water as Wanda carefully washed her. Her relatively long hair took a bit to get clean, but soon it was done and she was almost ready to be out. Wanda put a finger under her chin and lifted to make sure she had her attention.
“Kate sweetheart, I’m going to wash your legs and bottom now. It probably isn’t going to feel very good but we have to make sure your nice and clean before we get dressed. I will be as quick as I can, ok? Just let me know if it is too much and we will stop, ok?” she said seriously, keeping her voice gentle but firm to make sure she understood.
Kate watched her for a moment before giving a small nod. Wanda stood her up, keeping a hand on her arm to keep her balanced before quickly cleaning her. Kate whined and squirmed a bit but stayed still as best she could, letting out a tiny sob when it was done. Yelena watched for a moment before taking her hand, letting her squeeze it as she needed.
“I bet those hurt real bad, Katie. You’re being super brave!” Yelena praised as Natasha finished washing her up, handing her the rag so she could clean her own private areas since she was old enough.
Kate just sniffled as she stood stiffly, only relaxing when she was lifted out and wrapped in a fluffy towel. Yelena soon followed, laughing as she spun a bit and made her own towel twirl around her like a cape. Natasha watched her with a fond smile before clapping her hands together. “Ok, rooskaya. Time for pajamas, let’s go!”
Yelena gave a small squeak before darting out of the bathroom, water dripping from her hair as Natasha ran after her. Kate watched them before turning to Wanda with a small pout.
“Up please?” she asked, raising one arm slightly.
“Of course, sweet girl, let’s get your dried off and in some warm cozy pajamas,” Wanda soothed as she scooped up the tiny girl, patting her back lightly as she followed after the other two.
By the time they got into the living room Yelena was already half dressed, pants pulled on as she struggled with her top. Natasha went to help untangle her, laughing when her head popped through the hole. Pressing a kiss to the small button nose, she smoothed down the shirt before turning Yelena around to comb out her hair. Yelena waved and called out a hello as Wanda laid Kate out on the other end of the couch, carefully drying her before applying a thick layer of the cream. Once she deemed it sufficient, she wiped her hands clean before helping Kate step into a pull up and applying lotion all over. She made quick work of dressing her into some warm footy pajamas and combing her hair, handing Kate her pacifier when it was all done along with her puppy. Kate just gives a tired grunt as she snuggles close, clutching her puppy as her eyes close. Yelena is doing the same with Natasha, arms firmly around her horse while she leans against Natasha who absently runs her nails up and down her back lightly. It takes barely a few minutes before both girls are out like a light.
“So where are we going to put them? I know we can lower Yelena’s bed, but does Kate need a crib or guard rails? Should they share?” Natasha asked as she looked at Wanda.
“I think they can share tonight, I can put up a small barrier so they can’t fall off but with how small Kate is… A crib may be better but we can ask Dr. Cho tomorrow. I can make a small monitor with the mirrors as well so we know if they need us,” Wanda told her as she cuddled Kate close, hand on her small belly as she breathed.
“Ok, that sounds great love. I know it’s a lot especially after the boys and you didn’t ask to be thrown into this,” Natasha started before Wanda firmly cut her off.
“No, we are in this together. They are our family, and we stick together no matter what. Don’t get me wrong, I miss them every day and wish they were with us here but I also know they are happy with their mother. I just… how could anyone do this? I know her family was awful but I never imagined they could do this. She’s just a baby,” Wanda choked out as tears fell from her eyes. The thought that someone could do this to any child let alone their own, she couldn’t fathom even considering it.
“I know but she has us now, even if just for a while. I don’t know what’s going to happen once we fix this but we can make their time with us as enjoyable as possible,” Natasha soothed as she rubbed her lover’s arm comfortingly.
“Should… should we change them back? Or would we be better leaving them like this, giving them a second chance?” Wanda wondered, her gaze firmly on the sleeping toddler in her arms.
Natasha stayed silent for few moments, considering her response. She had wondered this as well, seeing how innocent and carefree Yelena had been at that age made her want to protect her like when they were children. She wanted to protect that innocence as long as she could, keep her from having to go through the Red Room. But that wasn’t their choice to make.
“I think, that we have to give them that choice when they are old enough to make it. Would I love to keep them like this and let them relive their childhood as they deserve? Yes, but I also know we can’t make that decision for them. Yelena especially has had so many choices taken away from her, I can’t bring myself to take one like this away. When we get them back and they want to be children again we can discuss it, obviously we have ways to return them to this state, but it should be their choice and not ours,” Natasha said carefully as she watched Wanda’s reaction, fingers absentmindedly running through Yelena’s hair as she slept.
Wanda bit her lip as she kept her gaze on Kate, watching her hand rise and fall with the tiny breaths. She knew Natasha was right but couldn’t help but yearn to keep them this way. “I know you’re right, and all we can do is make their time with us as good as we possibly can, but a part of me still wants to give them all they should have had.”
“And we will, together, we will be there and try and make their time with us the best we can give,” Natasha urged as she carefully grabbed Wanda’s hand.
Wanda gave it a squeeze before carefully rising to her feet.
“We should get them to bed.”
Natasha nodded while scooping Yelena up, humming a bit when the little blonde whined tiredly before snuggling closer. They made their way to the spare bedroom, or really what was Yelena’s room when she had been living on their floor before moving in the with Kate. They had kept it the same for the few nights the girls stayed over, the deep purple comforter going well with the light blue walls. Wanda used her magic to pull the blanket and sheets down before placing Kate down, waiting for Yelena to get settled in before tucking them in. She made a barrier around the bed, able to keep them from accidentally rolling off while also letting them leave if they need to. One more small spell on the mirror to show on the one in their own bedroom and they were done. Both women kissed each child good night before leaving the room, keeping the door open partway with the hall light on so they weren’t in complete darkness. They would need to get a night light for them, Natasha remembered Yelena had been afraid of the dark at this age.
After checking on the dogs and making sure they were good for the night, Natasha and Wanda hurried through their evening routine and collapsed into bed. They stayed silent before Wanda begun laughing to herself.
“What is it?” Natasha asked, wondering if it finally sunk in what had happened.
“I just realized I had promised to teach Kate how to make homemade macaroni and cheese tonight as a surprise for Yelena,” she chuckled, unable to believe the craziness that had happened to them.
Natasha pondered this a moment before laughing herself. Bless her, Kate was a truly horrible cook. She was the only person she knew who managed to burn ready-made cookies. All you had to do was put them in the oven! Even Yelena had been close to banning her from the kitchen, but one look into those puppy eyes of hers and she had held back. Never let it be said that Kate didn’t know how to use those baby blues to her advantage.
“What time did Cho say she would be here? I know the jet was delayed due to storms,” Wanda asked while playing with Natasha’s fingers.
“No later than 9, although I’m not sure what time she wants to see the girls. Kate got the all clear for tonight and Bruce took care of her major injuries but she still needs an actual exam. Yelena also needs some blood work done but we would rather do them both at the same time,” Natasha told her as her eyes began to slip closed.
Wanda gave a hum as she let this sink in, her own eyes closing as the events of the day set in. She was almost asleep when she felt a small tug on the blanket. Eyes shooting open, she turned to see Yelena holding a teary-eyed Kate’s hand.
“She had a bad dream but didn’t wanna say nothin’, so I’ll tell you for her,” Yelena said solemnly as Kate gave a small sniffle. Wanda gave a quick glance at the mirror and mentally cursed when she realized she had made it for visual only, they wouldn’t have been able to hear anything.
“Thank you darling, that was very kind of you. Do you two want to sleep here?” Wanda asked, smiling at the two nods before lifting first Yelena then Kate into the middle of the bed. Lucky and Fanny soon padded in, both taking up spots around the bed as they guarded their people.
Natasha gave a small grunt when Yelena accidentally kneed her in the stomach, reaching an arm out to give her a comforting squeeze before laying it over Wanda so she held all three of them close.
“Tasha?”
“Yes rooskaya?”
“Where is we? And where are Mama and Papa?”
Natasha was silent as she thought for a moment, looking down at those bright green eyes she loved so much. “We’re in New York and Mama and Papa are in Ohio. It’s been a long time since we lived there when we were both kids, but just know they love you very much just like I do, and we will ALL be there to take care of you.”
Yelena gave a hum as she tapped her chain, mulling this over before shrugging with a tiny grin. “Ok, I was just wondering but I knew since you were here that everything was ok!”
Natasha’s heart clenched at the easy trust she received, feeling the guilt of leaving her behind all those years ago resurface before she forced them down. There was nothing she could do about the past, all she could do now was make sure the present didn’t go down a similar path. She smiled when Yelena snuggled closer with a massive yawn, one hand clutching her horse while the other reached over for Kate’s tiny hand. The toddler in question was already down for the count, small snores filling the room as she slept in the safety of their arms. Wanda just chuckled as she linked her fingers with Nat’s, both women lightly resting their arms on the two children while keeping them close. Tomorrow would bring new problems but for now they would enjoy the safety and love from each other.