Don't leave me behind
Robin reads through the files that were left for her while the girls were gone.
More Widows. They were being sent to Robin this time. They’d come in groups of two or three.
These Widows were younger than the first set. They were fourteen to sixteen years of age.
The photos attached are of teenagers with blank faces and a vacant stare.
Robin sifts through them. Most of them had been with the Red Room for seven or eight years.
There’s a girl with wild red hair that reminds Robin of Natasha and Robin closed the folder abruptly, needing to take a break.
She doesn’t know how much longer she can do this.
Robin lets out a sigh, stacking the files and setting them aside before leaving her office.
She picks up Yelena from daycare, the toddler enthusiastically greeting Robin covered in pain. “Did art, mama!”
The worker had the decency to seem sheepish and told Robin where the bathroom was. Cleaning Yelena up made Robin late to pick up Natasha.
Natasha was waiting with a boy in her class and his parents.
“Mama!” Natasha looked relieved when she sees Robin.
“Mrs. Lewis,” The woman extends a hand. “I’m Elliot’s mother. You must be Natasha’s other mother.”
“Pleasure,” Robin takes the hand extended out to her. “I’m Robin.”
Robin makes small talk, noticing Natasha presses against her side as she talks with Elliot.
Robin runs her hand over Natasha’s hair as she agrees to set up another playdate between the children. Elliot’s father mentions the fair coming to town and suggests that they all go together.
Robin agrees before politely excusing herself.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Robin asks Natasha as she settles Yelena into her car seat.
Natasha shrugs slightly. “Didn’t know if you were coming.”
“Aw, sweetheart,” Robin said softly, moving around to Natasha’s side of the car. “You’ll know if I don’t come.”
Natasha refuses to look at Robin. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Robin reaches out and runs her hand over Natasha’s hair before grasping her chin to tilt her head up to look at her. “I’m not going to abandon you. You would know.”
“Promise?” Natasha asked quietly, the recent visit from Belka and the soldiers unsettling her.
“I can’t promise,” Robin said softly. “But you would know. I promise that if I knew that I would tell you.”
Natasha nods her head. “Okay…” She said quietly.
Robin lets the subject drop, ensuring that Natasha’s belt was secure and kissing her head before closing the door.
“Radio, mama?” Yelena prompts and Robin reaches out to turn the radio up.
Yelena rambles on along with the music as Robin drives. They finally arrive home and Robin pulls Yelena out of her car seat.
“Carry me too?” Natasha asked quietly and Robin frowns at the odd request but hoists the child up onto her other hip. It takes a bit of balancing for Robin to get the door open but she finally sets the two down on the couch in the living room.
“Did something happen at school today?” Robin asked Natasha, crouching in front of the couch.
“No.” Natasha shakes her head.
“You’re being really clingy,” Robin said before quickly continuing when Natasha shrinks in on herself. “I don’t mind you being clingy. I’m just worried, sweetheart.”
“Don’t be. I just… I just want you,” Natasha said, running her thumb over the sticker on her cast. “Can I not want that?”
Robin shifts to sit on the couch between them and pulled Natasha up onto her lap. “Of course you can. You only have to say so.”
Natasha slumps against Robin, pulling her knees up to her chest to curl into a tiny ball. “I just want to forget about Madam right now.”
“Madam.” Yelena echoes, not quite sure what the conversation was about but wanting to be included.
Robin shifts so she can raise an arm and Yelena snuggles under her hold with a happy hum.
Robin turns the television on and flicks through the channels until one playing cartoons turns on. Yelena settles down and Natasha glances at the television to watch from her place tucked against Robin’s chest.
Robin plays with the child’s hair, her other hand rubbing Yelena’s back. She holds her little ones close until Melina arrives back home.
Yelena slides off the couch with an elated cry. “Mommy!” She darts off toward the front door.
“You okay?” Robin checks in with Natasha. Natasha gives a small shrug, leaning against Robin.
Melina enters the living room carrying Yelena. Concern briefly flickers over her face when she sees Natasha. “How was your day?” Melina asked, leaning down to kiss Robin.
Melina takes a seat next to Robin, settling Yelena in her lap.
“We have an invite to the fair with Natasha’s friend's family,” Robin said, shifting to wrap an arm around Melina’s shoulders. “How was your day?”
“There’s a company cookout in my division,” Melina said. “They’re raising money for Christmas.”
Yelena lets out an excited gasp, wiggling excitedly in Melina’s lap. “Mommy, Santa gonna come?”
Robin hadn’t celebrated Christmas since she was a child. She hadn’t even thought of it. December was just another month.
She supposed that they’d need to celebrate.
Melina glances up at Robin, unsure about how to answer Yelena’s question.
“I don’t see why not,” Robin replies, reaching out to tap Yelena’s nose.
Yelena laughs. “I’ve been good!” She announced.
“My very good little girl,” Robin hums in agreement.
Robin supposed she’d have to buy Christmas decorations and presents while the girls were away.
Because if they were going to do Christmas then they were going to do it right.