Chapter 12
Dinner with Harley, his sister, and little Kyle was pleasant. They shared stories, laughed until their stomachs hurt, and in the end helped clean the kitchen and had a wonderful piece of lemon pound cake.
“So, what’s the plan now? You know, now that you’re back and everything.” Harley asked as he took another piece of cake and topped off his glass of milk.
“Well first I’m going to take a vacation,” Tony said with a laugh, “Then we, meaning the Avengers, are probably going to go around the world, making sure everyone is okay.”
“We’re also going to set up help funds for people. Those who lost their homes, cars, jobs, and whatnot. We also have to get in contact with government officials about what they are going to do with those who were snapped; such as the change on their drivers license or birth certificate.” Pepper quickly added in.
“T’Challa is having a victory celebration in Wakanda in a few weeks, you all should come.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that Mr. Stark,” Lindsey quickly said, shaking her head, “while we appreciate the offer, I do believe that you all should attend. After all you all were the ones who saved the world.”
“Non sense, you’re just as much as family.” Pepper waved off.
“Plus, it would be good for you to hang out with Peter and see Natasha.”
“Natasha is alive?” Harley asked with hope in his voice and eyebrows raised. Although they weren’t as close as he and Tony was, Natasha was always kind to him when the billionaire came to visit, and they got along great. They kept in touch over the years as well.
“Oh yeah! And auntie Nat and uncle Steve are going to get married! You should come to the wedding!” Morgan said excitedly.
“Well it’s about time they got together.”
“You’re telling us. Trying living with them while they made heart eyes at each other, but doing nothing about it.” The table irrupted in laughter until tears were coming out of their eyes. After all it was the truth.
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Clint sighed as he and Steve took out the last of the trash bags that was filled with weeds that have grown. The house itself was not in bad shape, it turns out the elder that lived down the road, Mr. Jameston, came by after his wife was snapped to see if anyone was home, the only living creature he came across was Lucky. Jameston knew that Clint was an Avenger and thought he would’ve came back after he had gotten help from the others. When he didn’t came back, the older man came down to clean out the house of food, so they didn’t have any unwanted rats and bugs, and every winter he turned on the hot water, so the pipes didn’t rust, opened the windows every summer so the house wasn’t so hot, and took Lucky in his car.
“I would’ve cut the yard, but I don’t have the same strength like this young man.” Mr. Jameston said with a smile and a pat on Steve’s back. Everyone kept thanking the older man and invited him for dinner, but he declined.
“The Mrs. and I are going to head down to Florida for a vacation and to see the grandkids. Lucky was great company in the five years, so nothing to worry about.” When he left, Clint, Steve, and Cooper when about trimming the weeds down so they could cut the yard; while Lila, Natasha, and Laura cleaned the house from dust and cobb webs. Nate’s job was to help clean the tight corners that the ladies couldn’t get.
In total it took the men four hours to clean the yard and the ladies three to clean the house. While the men were still hard at work, the ladies and Nate went to Walmart to pick up all the needed groceries, plus it was an excuse for Laura to get new pots, pans, and cook wear and for Natasha to get so clothes, shoes, and undergarments for her and Steve, since they would be staying a while. (Also, their stuff was destroyed by Thanos when he attacked so everyone needed clothes and whatnot.)
An hour later the ladies returned to find the guys spread out on the couch with ice packs over their foreheads trying to cool down. When Natasha entered the house with Nate and some bags, Clint started to rise up from his position on the sofa.
“Come on buddies, let's help with the groceries.” Clint said as he began to get up and put on his shoes.
“No, you guys rest and go shower, we got the stuff.” Laura said as she pushed her husband back down on the couch.
“Yeah, please go shower. You guys smell.” Lila said as she unloaded the cold things.
“Hush, little lady.” The archer told his daughter as he began to help unload. Although Laura told them to rest, Clint, Steve, and Cooper put their shoes back on and helped with the bags.
“I got us some clothes, toiletries, underwear, and shoes, since we’re going to be here for a while.” Natasha said as she and her fiancé (gosh she loved saying that) walked back to the truck to gather more things.
“That’s fine. I really appreciate it because I forgot we had nothing, and I knew I was going to be tired from the yard work.” Steve said with a laugh, she joined him in the laughter and grabbed a few more bags. The kids grabbed the last couple of bags and the adults unloaded the last things before the family went their separate ways to shower for the night.
They ended up ordering a pizza for dinner, with a side of breadsticks and brownies (as requested by the children). After dinner they talked about anything (except Natasha dying and Clint’s five-year disappearance). It was getting well into the early morning hours and the children were falling asleep, so the adults decided to call it a night. Steve helped Clint carry the kids to bed while Nat and Laura cleaned up the kitchen.
“It seems as if Nate didn’t want to let you go.” Laura said as she wrapped up the leftover pizzas.
“I didn’t mind, I missed him.”
“You know you’re not allowed to leave ever, again right?” Natasha paused her doing of collecting the cups, and turned to look at the older woman.
“Laura?”
“I mean you’ve been gone since the whole Civil War event; only stopping in here and there,” she said as she played with the hem of her sweater, not able to meet her friend in the eye, “I know you were on the run because you helped Clint and others escape the Raft and I know you like to fight for justice with Steve and Sam, but you know I needed you too.”
“Laura I’m sorry I left you. I-“
“No,” the older woman said while shaking her head, “I can’t expect you to retire like Clint did and I can’t expect you to stay around helping out with the kids, but it-“
“If you wanted to me to have stayed, I would’ve stayed.”
“I couldn’t have asked that of you.”
“Yes, you could’ve. I love you guys more than anything and if I hurt you or the kids or Clint by not coming around than I’m really sorry,” the red head said as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and stepped closer to Laura. When the older woman didn’t say or do anything, Natasha took her hand in hers and give it a squeeze. “I never wanted to hurt you guys and you’re right I should’ve came around more. This time though I’m retiring for real and I’ll stay as long as you need me. Okay?”
Laura smiled and pulled the shorter woman into a hug. “Okay, but just know that I’m not asking you to move in, I just want you around more.”
“Deal.” When the two pulled apart they shared another smile, before resuming cleaning up the kitchen.
“Any plans for the wedding? Is there a date yet?”
“No and no. I just want to sleep before I start any wedding planning.”
“Well just know I’m doing the cake.”
“Who else would touch my cake?”
“This is true.”