Storm

On a chilly, rainy night, the Romanova-Maximoff family was nestled in the warmth of their beds, lost in peaceful slumber—everyone except for the youngest, Billy. Fear gripped him, and the sound of thunder prompted him to sprint to his mothers' room for solace.

"Mama," Billy called out, tiptoeing to Natasha's side of the bed. With a loud crack of lightning, he cried out, catching Natasha's attention. Startled, she sat up, discovering her tearful son at the bedside, clutching the stuffed husky his Uncle Jamie had gifted him.

Scooping him up, Natasha cradled Billy, soothing him with gentle back rubs. "What's wrong, baby?" she inquired, showering him with kisses.

"Storm scary, mama," Billy whimpered, huddling closer as thunder rolled in.

"They can't harm you, bud," Natasha reassured, planting a kiss on his forehead. "Remember Uncle Thor?"

Billy nodded. "Uncle Thor is funny. He speaks strange like us."

Natasha chuckled, uncertain how to respond to that observation about their accents, a blend of Russian and Sokovian. The diverse accents reflected the family's life experiences in different countries.

"Yeah, we do sound strange sometimes, don't we?" Natasha said, carefully leaving the bed to avoid waking Wanda. "C'mon, let's leave mommy to sleep."

Descending the stairs with Billy on her hip, Natasha prepared warm milk to ease him back to sleep. Billy hesitated, asking, "Mama, can I sleep with you and mommy?"

"Of course, darling," Natasha reassured, carrying him to the movie room. She turned on a movie for background noise, and Billy drifted into sleep halfway through. Natasha, then, returned upstairs, gently rocking Billy to deepen his slumber.

Entering the bedroom, Natasha found their other children sprawled on the bed, wrapped around Wanda. Alexa, the eldest, rested in her wolf form beside them. Natasha met Wanda's eyes as they settled in bed together.

Guess, we're sharing our bed tonight. Wanda's voice echoed in Natasha's mind, and she grinned in response.

Guess we are. Natasha's hand sought Wanda's, planting a kiss on it. It took some adjusting to find a comfortable position without disturbing the kids.

Wanda connected their minds to converse without waking the children.

You know we made some amazing kids here. Wanda sighed, gazing at Natasha.

Agreed. Thank you for sharing your life with me and our kids. Natasha smiled gently.

Thank you for letting us happen.

It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I hope our kids always come to us, even when they're adults.

Me too. I love this family we've created, this life we've made despite our jobs.

Me too. I never thought I could have this type of life before you. Never thought I'd get the same life as Clint, but then you came into my life and changed it.

Wanda leaned over the kids to kiss Natasha.

" Волим те," Natasha said in Wanda's native tongue, and Wanda replied in Russian, " Я люблю вас."

The night unfolded with the Romanov-Maximoff family entangled in each other's warmth, wearing smiles that spoke of contentment.