Chapter 17
A few days had passed after that confrontation and Steve hadn’t shown himself, Nat immersed herself more in work so she could think about him less. She remembered Maria telling them that he probably won’t be showing himself after learning the aftermath of what he’s done, guilt was surely eating him up by now which is a good thing as Maria stated.
Natasha should’ve felt relieved after seeing that pain in his eyes while she was breaking down that night. “I should feel happy after seeing him in pain, but why don’t I feel that way?” she asked herself. “Maybe Maria was right I won’t be seeing him anymore and I should be glad about that and just go on”, She added to herself.
“Well, look who’s awake, I thought you were never gonna wake up.” Wanda greeted her with a grinning smile.
“So we going out tonight?” Maria asked them while handing Nat a peanut butter sandwich that looks well prepared with the crust cut off and carefully arranged on a plate.
“We’ll see,” she replied playfully giving her signature smirk accepting the plate of sandwich.
“Happy birthday Nat!” they greeted her heartwarmingly with Clint on the phone screen held up by Wanda.
Her day started good and they all got ready to head for the studio, no event was booked that day so they finally got Maria to stay in the studio which was a rare sight for she was almost out in the field most of the time. When they arrived at the studio they were greeted by the sight of Nick Fury carrying balloons, presents, and cake for Natasha. They rarely see their big boss in the studio, but he never misses any of their birthdays and would always show up with presents, but he went extra this time for he wanted to make it up to Nat and he owes her big time.
“Happy birthday Natasha.” He greeted and Nat came rushing on him with an embrace which he reciprocated willingly.
Anyone who doesn’t know Nick will never imagine him having this tender side, he appears cold and intimidating to others, but he treats them like his own daughters and can be a little overprotective. Nick was there when her world crumbled down when Steve left her he was one of those who helped her pick up the pieces when she was at her worst.
“Thank you, Nick,” she uttered in his embrace and Nick patted her head like he always does and gives her a warm smile.
When Nick left the day was just dragging by and nothing much was there to do a few customers comes in and out and Nat couldn’t help herself but think about the one person she shouldn’t think about. Every time the door chimes in she would unconsciously look up at the door hoping it was him. This didn’t go unnoticed by Wanda.
“Looks like someone’s missing someone.” Wanda teased her, which woke her up in her trance.
“We should go out tonight get drunk and be merry, doesn’t look like we’ll be doing anything here anyway,” Maria uttered out of boredom.
She was about to convince them some more when she saw Wanda holding up a hand sign for her to shut up while listening to the other side of the line.
“Looks like we have to hold off that celebration Nat, we have an event and it looks like a big one, it’s a three-person job so we gotta go,” Wanda informed them. Nat gave Maria a look that tells her “well there goes your celebration,” smirking at her.
When Wanda got the full details they began preparing the equipment and loaded them in the car.
When they got into the event they immediately saw the kid’s party set up and then they were greeted by none other than Pepper Potts.
“Hi, welcome my name is Pepper Potts-Stark I’m the one who booked you for this event.” Pepper greeted them warmly. She pulled Wanda and Maria to the side and instructed Natasha to start setting up her equipment in the center of the area which baffled her a bit, but followed as instructed.
Maria and Wanda were curious too but followed Pepper on the corner for she might have something important to say.
When she got to the center area she looked around and admired her surrounding, “that is one lucky kid,” she thought to herself. Indeed Pepper was great at organizing just anything and started setting up her tripod when she heard a yell.
“SURPRISE!” she heard everyone yell she looked like a deer caught in a headlight. Everybody was there, Steve and his friends which he treats as his family and even Wanda and Maria were there wearing a ridiculous kids' party hat. Somehow Pepper had talked them out to participate in this birthday surprise for her. What confused her though was the kid’s party theme.
Steve came to her holding a cake with a number one candle lit on it. “Happy birthday Nat, blow your candle?” he told her adorably.
She looked at him like he was ridiculous and blew the candle anyway. Steve looked ridiculously cute with his party hat and childish outfit which she just noticed all the guys were wearing too.
“You look ridiculous, and what is all this?” Nat scolded him like a child, Steve handed the cake over to Thor which he took gladly and started licking the frosting.
“It’s a surprise for your birthday?” he retorted innocently.
“Well, I didn’t ask for this, but thank you.” She told him turning her back planning to leave which made Steve move in a dash to block her way.
“Hey where are going?” he protested. “Leaving? We’re done here right?”
“You can’t just leave your party, and besides Pepper booked and paid you guys for this event already.” He used this as an excuse so she can’t refuse. “Besides, we’re just starting Nat, Happy first birthday.” He said smiling from ear to ear. This earned him a bright smile from her.
“28 years of your life was taken and forgotten when that man hurt and left you, I just want to give that back to you,” Steve told her with sincerity.
“Give what back?” she asked curiously.
“That,” he pointed whit his lips. Nat looked at him curiously again wanting to know what he was pointing out.
“Your smile Nat,” he said smiling genuinely.
Everybody gathered around them when they saw that Steve has convinced her to stay.
“Happy Birthday Natasha” they all greeted her again and Pepper couldn’t help herself from wanting to hug her, she had missed her so much they used to hang out a lot with the boys when she and Tony were dating.
“Hi Nat, I’m Pepper Tony’s wife welcome to your party.” She introduced herself while putting a birthday hat on her and gave her the warmest hug.
“Nat, it’s me Thor the best hugger you remember that right. Happy second birthday” He told Nat showing a cupcake and hugging her tightly after blowing the candle.
Everyone followed showing up with a cupcake letting her blow the candle and introducing themselves and giving her the warmest hug and welcome. Nat felt so overwhelmed by this but accepted them openly for she had missed them all dearly.
Steve watched them interact filled with gladness inside him, he was glad that she felt comfortable accepting all this love and warm hugs they were pouring over her. He realized how much he had taken from her and he wanted to give it all back.
“Let’s make up for all those memories you’ve lost, from now on all your memories will be new, happy, and filled with warmth from everyone that loves you.” He told her lovingly. Nat was genuinely happy she was filled with emotions and was so touched by Steve’s gesture.