9
Steve called her again the following morning but she didn’t answer and instead chose to ignore him. She knew that maybe she should have picked up but she honestly didn’t want to speak to him. She only wanted to have a fun week with Natasha before she had to go back to work and the only time they would see each other was when she took Natasha back home.
Maria had even woken up early to make them breakfast and she herself wasn’t a typical type to eat breakfast but Natasha had to eat and she needed to take better care of herself.
She had decided that for the day she would take Natasha around the city and probably to the mall and let her pick up some toys and books she wanted to read. The soft patter of feet and her bedroom door opening alerted Maria that Natasha was up,” Good morning sleepyhead.” Maria said once she felt Natasha burying her head into her thigh,” Good morning Mommy.” A yawn escaped the still-sleepy redhead,” Go brush your teeth, food is almost ready.” Maria got a quiet okay from Natasha before she let go and went to the bathroom. The bathroom water was running as Maria started plating the food.
It was when Maria had begun pouring Natasha juice that the little girl appeared. Maria helped her up to the stool and handed the girl her food,” Thank you, Mommy.” Maria smiled; she had never thought she would hear someone call her mommy,” Your welcome baby.” Breakfast went fine with Natasha asking about what they were going to do today and her listing things.
“Okay, I picked out your clothes for today. Do you think you can dress yourself?” Natasha nodded as she vanished into her room. Maria started loading the dishes in the dishwasher. Before she left for her room to get dressed she didn’t have to do much with her hair and unlike most days when she was wearing serious business clothes, Maria wore a regular t-shirt and jeans.
When Maria went to Natasha’s room she was surprised to see her staring in the mirror. She was fully dressed in the simple white t-shirt that Maria had put out and denim overalls,” Natasha what's wrong?” Maria was standing behind Natasha as she looked at her through the mirror,” I don’t know what to do with my hair.” Maria chuckled as she took the brush that was in one of the drawers connected to the vanity,” You little missy don’t have to worry about that.” Maria brushed Natasha's hair out, getting out all the tangles before putting Natasha's hair into a ponytail.
“Can we go to the mall now?” Natasha turned to Maria giving her the most adorable puppy eyes she has seen,” After you put on your shoes. Not in the house. At the door.” Maria added as she saw Natasha start to try and put on her shoes they were going to the mall to get her shoes for when she spent time at Maria’s apartment.
“Help.” Natasha stood in front of Maria with her shoes unlaced,” Yeah give me a second.” Maria said as she slipped into her own sneakers,” Hold on to the threshold.” Maria instructed as she bent down to tie Natasha's shoes.
“Okay let's go. We’re going to have a lot of fun today.” Maria made sure to hold Natasha's hand as she closed the door to her apartment,” Yeah!” Natasha jumped up and down. Maria didn't think she knew what the Mall was; she thinks Natasha is just happy to be out of the house. Steve did mention they mostly stayed in the tower.
She scoffed when she heard that of course, Natasha would have so much pent-up energy no wonder she would run wild when they were at the park and no doubt to the mall as well,”Okay in the car we go.” Maria grunted as she lifted Natasha into her booster seat and buckled her in,” What has your dad been feeding you?” Maria's question made Natasha giggle. The older Natasha never giggled, maybe a hollow chuckle here and there but never a full laugh that just wasn’t the type of person Natasha Romanoff was.
“Food Mommy.”
“Yummy food?” Maria turned back to look at Natasha and to look behind her before she pulled out into the street.”Really yummy food Mommy.” Maria has never had Steve’s food so she couldn’t know if he was a great cook but she would take Natasha’s word for now.
“Yeah well, we're going to eat even better yummy food.” Maria looked at Natasha through the rearview mirror smiling at the little girl whose eyes were stuck to what was going on out the window,” Nothing can be yummier than daddy’s food Mommy.” Natasha didn’t even look at her when she said that. She had only spent 2 weeks with Steve and she was already a daddy's girl.
Yeah, Maria’s going to have to change that.