Like Otters Do
It’s early in the morning when you wake up to the feeling of little feet kicking your back. Your daughter, Ali’s, birthday is today and all she wanted for her birthday was to have a sleepover with you and Nat.
You hadn’t realized how much she’s grown since the last sleepover until she kicked you and Nat all night. She moves around now and you can tell her and Nat are both awake.
“Happy birthday, sweet girl,” you say as you turn around to face her. You kiss her cheek and she smiles at you.
“We can do anything you want today, detka. What will it be?” Natasha lifts her up and holds her against her chest. She rubs her back gently and kisses her head.
“I don’t know,” Ali says as she buries her head further into Nat’s chest.
“Movie day? Or maybe the zoo?” You ask her.
“Can we see the otters?” Ali perks up a bit.
“Oh yeah. We can see all the animals, malyshka,” Natasha says and Ali squirms out of her arms to run to her room.
“A zoo day, huh?” Natasha asks you and you just shrug. “I’ll go get Ivan ready if you want to handle breakfast and get Belle.”
“Sounds good,” you say and she moves to get out of bed but not before she kisses you good morning properly.
You all have Spider-Man shaped waffles for breakfast and drive to the zoo.
“Otters!” Ali says as she runs towards the entrance of the zoo. You chase after her as Nat loads the younger kids into a two seater stroller.
Despite being able to read on her own, Ali asks Natasha to read every word of the animal descriptions on the enclosures. Nat happily obliges and you watch the two of them interact in awe of how amazing Nat is with her.
You remember the day Ali was born. It was a long labor, but Natasha was by your side through it all. And you both cried as your daughter came into the world.
“Alright, we saved the best for last. Let’s go see the otters, love,” Natasha says to Ali and she runs along quickly.
Ali looks at them through the glass happily and you stand by Nat, interlocking your fingers with hers.
“Do you remember the day she was born?” You ask her and she smiles softly at the memory.
“Of course. It was one of the best days of my life,” she answers.
“Can I get stuffed otters for my birthday present?” Ali turns around and asks.
“Absolutely, detka,” Nat answers.
“Yay!” She turns back around to watch the otters again.
“You’re going to buy her like five of them aren’t you?” You tease Nat and she just laughs.
“If that’s how many my baby girl wants, then absolutely I will. I love her so much, y/n. I love all of you so much.”
“We love you too, Natasha. You’re the best mom to them and the best wife to me,” you tell her and she holds your hand even tighter.
“Right back at you, dorogoy.”
You spend the rest of the day at the zoo and make plans to see the rest of the team at the local diner. Nat did in fact buy Ali three otters, she would have gotten her more but she only asked for three.
The team floods her with gifts and love. And it’s a really great dinner just celebrating your daughter.
You and Nat tuck Ali in and she asks for a song. Natasha hums a soft melody as you run your hand through her hair, soothing her to sleep.
“I love you,” Ali says as her eyes start to droop closed.
“We love you, Ali,” Natasha says. You both kiss her forehead and leave her room.
As you settle down in bed, Natasha reaches for your hand. She holds it tight.
“So, we can fall asleep like otters do,” Natasha says and you both laugh. She wraps her arms around you and kisses you softly. It’s the perfect end to the perfect day.