Chapter 145
The next morning I woke up the same way I loved waking up every morning. Curled up around Clint while he was wrapped around me like an octopus. He was still sound asleep snoring softly.
I listened to him for a minute. He moaned and groaned a bit. Must be having a good dream.
“Hales…” He muttered in his sleep. A really good dream.
I kissed his cheek and slowly kissed down his neck.
“Hmmm.” He hummed still asleep with a small smile on his face. I smiled and kissed down his chest. Kissed each of his abs making his breath hitch a bit. “Hales?” He mumbled waking up.
SMUT
“Shhh.” I shushed as I slowly worked to pull his pants down.
“What are you… Ah!” He moaned as I licked his tip. I traced circles on it while I gently grasped him and stroked up and down.
“Relax.” I whispered before taking him into my mouth.
“Ah! Shit! Hales.” He moaned moving one of his hands to my head keeping my hair out of my face as I bobbed my head up and down.
I ran my tongue up along his length as I moved up and down. Clint’s moans were getting louder.
“Hales…. Fuck I’m going to…” He warned. “Baby… Uh!”
I took him in all the way moving faster. Sucking until I felt Clint cum. I swallowed around him until he was done before letting go.
He was on his back panting. I moved so I was straddling his lap and leaned down to kiss him.
“Morning..” I said making him chuckle.
“Missed waking up next to you.” He said hugging me.
“Just waking up?” I asked smiling.
“Everything else too.” he said as his hands moved up my thighs lifting the dress slip up. I kissed him again grinding against him, feeling how ready he was to go again. Clint moved my panties to the side teasing me a bit before lining himself and lowering me onto him.
“Ah….” I moaned slowly taking him inch by inch.
“Hayley.” Clint moaned holding me close kissing me as I started moving. Ricking my hips against his.
“Clint…” I gasped as he hit just the right spot.
“Mh…” He hummed as he slipped the strap of the slip off my shoulder and sucked on my breast while his hand kneaded the other one.
“Fuck.” I moaned as I got closer and closer. I moved as fast as I could bouncing on him as he kissed me hard, thrusting up until we both came. I panted as I laid on Clint’s chest. He still hadn’t pulled out and kept his arms around me holding me.
END SMUT
“Happy Birthday.” I said kissing his cheek.
“Thanks.” He said kissing me again.
“Got any plans?” I asked.
“Not yet but I can think of a few.” He said.
“Clint…” I giggled as he kissed my neck. “I was going to wake you up with breakfast in bed but…”
“This was better.” Clint said. “I like waking up next to you.”
“How about I go make breakfast and start the coffee maker while you jump in the shower?” I offered. “Hashbrowns, bacon, pancakes, coffee?”
“Mhmmm coffee.” He moaned and I kissed him again before getting off of him. I pulled the slip off over my head leaving me naked. “Or we could stay in bed all day.” He said hugging me from behind and pulling me towards where he was sitting on the edge of the bed.
“We have all day and all night for that.” I said. “Besides I’m sure you’ve been living off pizza and whatever was in the freezer since I left.”
“Pizza and Chinese. Except for when I went over to the compound and Steve cooked.” He said.
“Exactly.” I said kissing him again before pulling away. I grabbed one of his tee shirts he had left at the foot of the bed and slipped it on before heading downstairs.
Lucky immediately ran out of his bed and started whining.
“I know buddy.” I said going to open the kitchen door to let him out. I started the coffee maker and looked through the fridge. Clint had probably made a grocery run yesterday before I got home. He even got a pint of my favorite ice cream.
I pulled out everything and started grating potatoes, cooking bacon and making scrambled eggs. Just as the coffee maker rang that the pot was ready Clint walking into the kitchen.
“Mhmmm, I love you so much.” Clint said.
“Are you talking to me or the coffee maker?” I asked.
“Would you be mad if I say both of you?” He said making me laugh. “I’ll take that.” He said taking the whisk and bowl of eggs out of my hand.
“Oh no you don’t.” I said taking it back. “It’s your birthday, you’re going to sit there and tell me what you’ve been up to the past two weeks.”
“Uh not much. I unpacked.” He said.
“Thank you.” I said.
“Helped everyone get settled in over there.” Clint said. “And that’s pretty much it. How was Bali?”
“Went to that monkey temple we read about. They stole a pair of Tony’s glasses.” I said smiling. “It was hilarious.”
“Please tell me you got a video of that.” Clint said.
“There are pictures, I’ll show you later.” I said flipping over the bacon. “the fruit there, no idea why but it tastes so much better than anything I’ve ever had. They made these cocktails, got really drunk. Crashed a party, might have been a wedding.”
“You sure it wasn’t yours?” Clint asked.
“Knew you were going to ask.” I said.
“Well since you brought it up, you got married?” He said.
“Not married, it was a commitment ceremony. Not legally binding.” I said. “We were at a temple and we walked in on one and marriage came up in the conversation. We started having out own little ceremony but one of the monks interrupted us and offered to give us our own so we figured why not. It was cute and Tony wanted to see if he could break the internet. He did, twice.”
“So not married?” Clint said.
“Not married.” I said and he looked oddly relieved for some reason. I quickly finished up breakfast and served us both before sitting down in the breakfast knook.
“Mhmm, so good.” Clint moaned as he took a bite.
“So I have a few ideas about what we can do today but I want to know if there’s anything you wanted to do?” I said.
“I never really do anything for my birthday.” Clint said with a shrug as he took a bit of eggs.
“Is there anything you want to do?” I asked. “Coney Island’s open.”
“We can go if you want.” Clint said.
“Clint it’s your birthday, it’s what you want to do.” I said. “Do you want to go into the city? Go shooting? Movie marathon?”
“How about we just stay in? See if we can finish breaking in the house…” Clint suggested “maybe order takeout later.”
“Hmmm sounds like a plan.” I said leaning over to kiss him before my phone started ringing.
“Mhmm don’t answer it.” Clint said kissing me.
“Might be Will. If I don’t answer you know he’ll be here in thirty minutes.” I said.
“We can do a lot in thirty minutes. Clint said.
I smiled as I straddled his lap and reached for the phone as he started kissing down my neck.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hayley!” Rebekah said.
“Beks, hey! Sorry I haven’t checked in. Just got back last night.” I said as Clint slowly moved his hands up from my hips to under the shirt I was wearing.
“That’s great. I’m on my way to the hospital.” She said.
“What?!” I said and Clint stopped.
“Contractions started and time to go.” She said.
“We’ll be there in a few hours.” I said.
“I’d appreciate that.” She said. “Fuck…”
“Just breath.” I reminded her.
“What do you think I’m doing?!” She snapped. “Sorry just… Fuck that hurts.”
“Just hang tight, we’ll be there as soon as we can.” I said.
“Hurry.” She said before hanging up.
“So change of plans, Bekah’s in labor.” I said.
“Crap, we need to go.” Clint said as I moved off of him. “I’ll call ahead make sure we can use a jet.”
“Or I can call Tony and use his jet.” I said.
“Quinjet’s faster.” Clint said.
“I’ll go pack.” I said running upstairs. Good thing I hadn’t unpacked. I took out most of the dresses and replaced them with jeans, shorts and tops while also grabbing Clint’s clothes. We both kept travel sized toiletry bags for each of us packed so I grabbed those.
“Team’s out on an outdoor survival training exercise so we’re clear to use the jet.” Clint said going to our closet.
“I need to jump in the shower.” I said grabbing clothes quickly. “So would I be a horrible sister if I asked if you wanted to join me in the shower.”
“I already… oh!” Clint said as I smirked. “not if we make it a quickie”
“Five, ten minutes tops.” I said.
“We’ll speed, make up the time.” He said before we ran into the bathroom.
Fifteen minutes later we were dressed and ready to go. We let ourselves right in and Clint did his preflight checks before we got clearance to head out.
Clint probably broke a bunch of rules considering we made the trip in less than an hour.
We landed in the field outside the house and I was about to call Bekah to let her know we were close when we saw a car pull up to the house.
“Aunnie!!!” Adam cheered running over to us.
“Oh! Hey buddy.” I said lifting him up before we saw Bekah and John come out of the car.
“Botter still in mommy’s tummy.” Adam said.
“What is he doing taking a nap in there?” Clint said making Adam laugh.
“So false alarm?” I asked as we got closer to Bekah and John.
“Braxton hicks and… trapped gas.” John said trying not to laugh.
“It’s not funny.” Bekah said and were all smiling.
“Of course not.” I said hugging her. “Plus this was a good practice run, found the quickest way there…”
“There’s only one road.” John said.
“You got a good look at the facility…” I said.
“Didn’t make it past the receptionist.” Rebekah said.
“You got us here.” Clint said.
“How about I bake you some cookies?” I said, that always cheered her up.
“Cupcakes?” Adam asked.
“Red velvet?” Rebekah said.
“Might have to make a grocery run but sure.” I said.
Hours Later…
We had spent the day helping out around the house, taking care of Adam so Bekah and John could relax for a few hours.
Finally we finished dinner and I brought out a cake.
“Hales.” Clint said.
“You really thought I was going to let the day end without singing you happy birthday?” I said lighting the candle.
“One two three…” I said and we all sang. Clint blew out the candle and we ate before calling it a night. It was a great night, slow and uneventful with lots censoring on bedtime stories but it was still a perfect day and I don’t know what but something about seeing Clint with Adam, playing chasing him around, reading him a story and tucking him in…
“He’s going to make a great dad one day.” Rebekah said snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Thought you were in bed?” I said.
“It’s kind of hard to sleep with a watermelon kicking your back.” She said caressing her stomach gently.
“Well kid will come out any day now.” I said. “And when there’s two of them you’ll miss having him kick your spine.”
“Yeah, I’m going to go do some jumping jax see I that’ll get him out faster.” She said.
“Heard spicy foods help?” I suggested.
“I’ll go chug some hot sauce then.” She said heading downstairs before I headed to the guestroom.
“Bekah okay?” Clint asked.
“Yeah, baby’s just moving a lot.” I said into bed. “Sorry we didn’t get to really celebrate your birthday.”
“Hales I got to spend the day with you, got to see Bekah and John, played with Adam and you made me a cake. Best birthday I’ve ever had.” He said.
“I love you.” I said before kissing me. He smiled and kissed me back.
“Love you too.” He said holding me close to him. Clint reached over and shut off the light.
Course we both happen to wake up early and since and John and Rebekah were going to have their hands full so Clint and I got started on breakfast.
“Mommy? Daddy?” Adam called out.
“Hey buddy.” I said and he ran over to hug me. “Sleep okay?”
“Hungry?” Clint asked.
“Mhm.” He nodded.
“How about waffles?” Clint asked and Adam nodded enthusiastically.
“Go play while we finish up here.” I said setting him down and he ran to the living room. “I got some strawberries and blueberries.”
“Bacon’s almost ready.” I said when I heard a knock at the front door. Clint was immediately on alert and pulled out a gun from one of the extremely childproof locked drawers.
“Wait here.” Clint said.
“I’ll get Adam.” I corrected going to the living room turning off the tv. “Hey buddy come here.” I said and he came over so I could pick him up.
I heard Clint open the door but no gunshot which was good. There were footsteps and then I saw someone I didn’t think I would ever see again.
“Cal…” dad said.
“Hey Dad.” I said before putting down Adam. Marcel walked over and hugged me tight.
“Don’t ever scare me like that again.” He said.
“Promise.” I said hugging him.
“Bloody hell.” Kol said.
“Hey stranger.” I said and he hugged me twirling me around.
“I thought we agreed to stay out of trouble.” He said.
“No one really agreed to that.” I said.
“I’ll go finish up breakfast.” Clint said.
“You know it’s common curtesy when you come back from the dead to call or send a text.” Nik said.
“Niklaus.” Elijah chastised.
“Technically wasn’t dead though it was a close call.” I said. “So not that I’m not happy to see you all but all of us in the same place…”
“We covered our tracks.” Marcel said.
“And we’re off the grid. Just came to meet the baby.” Kol said.
“Might have to wait a bit for that.” I said.
“Rebekah called yesterday said she was in labor…” Elijah said.
“False alarm.” I said. “Braxton hicks and… trapped gas.” I said in a lower voice making Kol snort. “They’re still asleep upstairs but breakfast is almost ready.”
“Oh great I’m starving.” Kol said heading straight to the kitchen. We all crowded in and poured ourselves some coffee. I helped Clint finish up and by the time we were done Bekah and John were up.
“I love when you two visit.” She said as Clint and I immediately got up opening up a spot for them and got their plates.
“Family together again.” Nik said as Adam climbed onto his dad’s lap.
“Guess now’s a good a time as any to talk about the elephant in the room.” Kol said and I knew it was coming, the what the hell were you thinking lecture. “I thought the little bugger would be out by now.”
“You and me both.” Rebekah said.
“Just a matter of time.” John reassured her.
After a while we had cleared out. I was out back watching Clint and John talk about how he wanted to redo the barn, maybe turn the top floor into a guest apartment or something while Kol and Nik played with Adam.
“Rebekah filled us in on Allison.” Marcel said. “I’ve been asking around…”
“Dad.” I said.
“She was in Moscow a few weeks ago, or at least someone that looked like her was seen having dinner with Oleg.” He said.
“Dad when we all left New Orleans we agreed that was the end of it. We were out.” I said.
“And we are but your mom faked her death for years and she chooses now of all times to finally pop up again? She’s up to something.” Marcel said.
“She’s always up to something. It’s what she does but that’s not our problem anymore. Hadrian’s gone, we’re retired, and for the first time in… well ever we don’t have targets on our backs.” I said.
“She was meeting with Oleg.” Marcel said.
“I always thought those two were…” I said giving him a look.
“They have a lot of history.” He said. “Never knew the exact story but must be something for him to still be helping her after all these years.”
“Well sucks to be him, she’s his problem now.” I said.
“You’re really not at all curious about what she’s been up to?” Dad said.
“Dad she faked her death, left me at Hadrian’s mercy and didn’t even bat an eyelash when I handed him over to be taken out. She’s as dead to me as the day we buried an empty casket.” I said. “We have a second chance, a clean slate,”
“Aunnie!” Adam said running over and I caught him before picking him up.
“Oh what’s that?” I said looking at the flowers in his hand.
“Fower.” He said putting one behind my ear.
“Oh thank you.” I said kissing his cheek before I put him down so he could run to his mom. I smiled as I waited for him to be out of earshot. “Leave it alone Dad,”
“I’m just making sure we’re all safe.” He said as Clint looked back and smiled at me just as I did the same.
“We are as far off the grid as we could get. Our debts have been paid. Oleg can be a lot of things but when he gives his word its iron clad.” I said keeping my eyes on Clint.
“Allison isn’t Oleg.” Marcel said.
“We don’t have anything she wants, there’s no reason for her to show up.” I said. “The only thing we need to worry about is Keeping Bekah calm and relaxed until it’s time for her to push out the watermelon.”
That made him chuckle.
“Kid’s going to be as stubborn as she is.” Marcel said. “What about you? I heard something about a wedding in Bali and another one that doesn’t really count?”
“Okay Bali was just a commitment ceremony, not legally binding, it’s more like a romantic gesture, and I’ve technically been married to Thor for years now it’s just that I finally let him call me his wife and I call him my husband.” I said.
“So you’re not married?” Marcel asked.
“We’re married to each other in the only way that matters.” I answered.
“That still doesn’t clear anything up.” He said and I just gave him a look and he laughed. “If he makes you happy then that’s all that matters. Though I would have thought Clint would’ve proposed by now. For what it’s worth I approve.”
“You barely know him… hell you only met once in passing.” I said.
“We met a few more times.” He said. “While you were in the hospital. He spent a lot of time here, ran into him when we visited. He’s a good man.”
“I know.” I said watching Clint in the field chasing Adam.
“Loves you.” Marcel said. “Obviously you do too.”
“I don’t know how I got so lucky.” I admitted. “With all of them. We’re in a really good place, just moved into the house, settling into retirement might travel for a while. Neither of us ever really went anywhere that wasn’t work or survival related.”
A while later I went to go check on Rebekah who was in the kitchen cooking even though I offered to do it for her but she was getting bored just sitting around.
“Hey Bek’s Clint wants to know if there’s anything else you want fixed up. Said something about brass or silver handles…” I started.
“Ah….” She groaned leaning against the kitchen counter.
“Beks.” I said immediately running over to her.
“Uh… I think it might be time to go to the hospital.” She said and I noticed the puddle on the floor.
“Oh shit.” I said. “Okay, I’m going to call Clint and john and get them to meet us over there. Kol!”
“Ah!!” Rebekah shouted as Adam ran in.
“Mommy?” Adam said worried.
“Buddy go call your uncles.” I said as I dialed Clint.
“So the brass?” he said.
“Clint put John on the phone.” I said as Bekah sneezed and cried out again.
“Hayley?” John said.
“Bekah’s water just broke and the contractions seem close so we’ll meet you at the…” I said.
“No!” She said.
“Beks…” I said putting the phone on speaker.
“We’re not going to make it to the hospital.” She said. “I can feel the head.”
“John?” I said.
“You won’t make it to the hospital. Okay Hayley…” John said as everyone walked in. “you need to heat up some water, and get all the towels we’ve got… Keep him warm. I’m going to stay on the line and walk you through both through this.”
“You mean I’m…” I said hoping he didn’t mean what I think he did.
“You’re delivering the baby. Honey remember the breathing technique slow and even.” He said. “Hayley…”
“Washing my hands.” I said.
“The baby blankets in the laundry room.
“Got it.” Kol said running over.
“I got the couch cushions get you ore comfortable.” Kol and Elijah said setting them down.
“Got john’s medical kit and a pot of water heating up.” Marcel said.
“Great, now you guys should probably take Adam outside or upstairs.” I said.
“You sure?” Nik said.
“Go!” Rebekah said immediately as another contraction hit her. I dried my hands and helped my sister take off her underwear before lifting up the skirt of her dress.
“That’s definitely a head.” I said.
“Okay Bekah on the next one you need to push as hard as you can, get the head as far out as you can, Hayley you need to support his head.” John said as we could hear a car start.
“Ow ow… ah!” She pushed out and the head came out immediately. I supported the head and I could see his shoulders.
“Heads out, just one last big one.” I said.
“Shoulders and the rest will come out.” John seconded.
“Ah….” She groaned. “Ah!!!”
She pushed out and the shoulders came out before the rest slipped out on it’s own. I quickly wiped the amniotic fluid off of the baby’s face and cleared his airways.
“Hayley pat his back gently.” I said before doing as he said and the baby started fussing and let out a loud cry. “You have one handsome baby boy.” I said lifting him up so Bekah could see and she started crying.
“Oh my god…” She cried.
“Hayley?” John asked.
“He’s perfect, just tell me what to do with the cord.” I said and he quickly walked me through it. I bundled him up before putting him on Rebekah’s chair before waiting for the placenta to detach. Lucky that happened on its own and by then Clint and John were back.
Nathaniel Mikael Hale, Born June 14th, 2015, 6 pounds seven ounces, 19 inches long.
John took Bekah and the baby to the hospital to get checked out but they were both perfectly healthy. Got released a few days later like normal.
“He is beautiful Beks.” I said.
“He is.” She said smiling down adoringly at the sleeping baby. “Heading back already?”
“Yeah, Time to head home and let you guys get settled.” I said. “Also I’ve seen like way too much of you, like more than I ever wanted to.”
That made her laugh.
“For what it’s worth you did a great job.” She said.
“I just caught him you did all the hard work.” I said before we headed down.
The trip home was pretty quiet and uneventful. Which was nice after the last couple of days. We landed and were immediately greeted by Natasha.
“So?” She asked.
“Healthy baby boy.” I said showing her the photo.
“Fat.” She said with a small smiled.
“And guess who delivered him?” Clint said.
“John?” Natasha said.
“Nope.” Clint said with a smirk before he looked at me.
“Really? I had to go get eaten alive by mosquitos and you got to catch a baby?” She said.
“Never sneeze after your water breaks.” I said kissing her cheek and noticing a blotchy red dot on her neck.
“Pizza just got here if you’re hungry.” She said.
“Pizza?” Clint said perking up.
“That’s a yes.” I said as we headed to the common room. We walked in and everyone was already digging in.
“Hey,” They all greeted.
“Hey guys, how was camping?” I asked and they all groaned. “Wow that bad.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” Steve said.
“The camp site was infested with fire ants.” Rhodey said.
“I’ve never been bitten by so many mosquitos.” Wanda said.
“At least you guys didn’t have to do Artic or jungle survival like they made us do at SHIELD.” Clint said.
“Diving into a half frozen lake in the dead of winter…” Natasha said shivering a bit. I hugged her making her smile. Steve shifted a bit at the interaction before clearing his throat.
“I’ll admit it probably wasn’t perfect but we got to brush up on basic outdoor survival and we bonded.” He said.
“Can we just stay in and watch survivor next time?” Sam said.
“That could work.” Rhodey said.
“Where’s Bucky?” I said looking around and noticing he wasn’t around.
“I think he’s in his room.” Steve said.
“He’s in the gym.” Natasha said.
“I’m gonna go say hi.” I said excusing myself and walking to the gym. I walked in expecting to see Bucky pulling a Steve and punching holes in sandbags but he was actually bench pressing a ton of weights.
“Mhmmm.” He grunted.
I didn’t want to scare him so instead I purposely made my footsteps a bit louder. He definitely noticed but he kept going.
“Pretty sure you’re supposed to have a spotter.” I said.
“Mhm.” He said. “I’ve done more.”
I took a seat on the bench next to him waiting for him to finish. And when he did he sat up breathing deeply.
“How was camping?” I asked and Bucky shrugged. “Mosquitos didn’t bite?”
“Didn’t bite.” He said.
“Was it the long sleeves?” I asked. He looked at me and gave me a brief nod. We didn’t say anything for a while. Bucky looked up a couple of times and when he did I gave him a small smile. He kept messing with his hair annoyed it was in his face. I got up and walked over to him. “May I?”
Bucky looked at me skeptically. I pulled off a hair tie I had on my wrist so he could see it.
“It’s for your hair.” I said and he nodded. I moved so I was behind him and gently started to move my fingers through his hair. He started relaxing and I gently gathered his hair up and tied it so it was out of the way. “How’s it feel? Not too tight?”
“It’s good. Thank you.” He said.
“No problem.” I said. “There’s pizza in the common room, pretty sure you worked up an appetite.”
“I’ll eat later.” Bucky said.
“Okay then.” I said “I’m going to stop bugging you, but in case you ever need a break or feel like a movie marathon you know where I live.”
Just as I was about to leave Bucky said something.
“I watched that movie about the guy that goes into people’s dreams.” He said. “It was good but I’m still confused about the ending.”
“Inception. Yeah I’m not really too sure about it myself.” I said. “I actually thought he got his happy ending but the top kept spinning.”
“So he was still in the dream.” Bucky said. “But does that mean that everything else in the movie was a dream?”
“I think so, there are a bunch of fan theories online but I like to make my own assumptions.” I said. “Though its probably one of the most confusing movies I’ve ever seen. That and Donnie Darko. Which is also good.”
“I’ll put it on the list.” Bucky said giving me a small smile or at least it looked like one.
“Hey…” Steve said walking in with a plate of pizza. “Brought some pizza.”
“I’m going to shower.” Bucky said walking out without another word.
“I’m going to go grab a bite before we head out.” I said.
“He talks to you.” Steve said and I looked at him. “Bucky, he actually talks to you.”
“A bit. Talked about movies. He was also confused at the ending of Inception.” I said.
“I can barely get him to say a word to me.” Steve said.
“Guess he’s having a good day.” I said with a shrug.
“Yeah. Hey I was wondering if we could do something tomorrow.” Steve said sounding unsure.
“I actually have plans with Will tomorrow, but maybe another day?” I said.
“Uh yeah but I just think we need to talk about… well us.” He said.
“We do just… another day. You obviously have your hands full with everything.” I said.
“Yeah.” He said and we both stood there awkwardly.
“I’m gonna…” I said.
“Right.” He said stepping aside before I left.
By the time I got back to the common room, Sam and Rhodey were already gone, Vision was chatting with Wanda about some show they were watching and Clint and Nat were talking.
“Mhmm cold pizza.” I said biting my slice.
“Just filling Nat in on everything.” Clint said.
“Crazy turn of events.” I said finishing my slice.
“Can’t wait to get home.” Clint said.
“Empty house.” I seconded. “Big tub…”
“That does sound nice.” Natasha said.
“Well its big so…” I said leaving room for interpretation.
“I’ll go pack a bag.” She said going to her room.
The Following Morning…
Nat had to wake up before dawn to go meet the team for training. I never really understood why they couldn’t train at a reasonable hour but I’m sure they had their reasons. I slept in for a bit longer before going on my morning run and Clint worked out in the home gym. He really did think if everything.
“So I’m heading into the city early to check in on Tony, maybe have a short lab session before lunch with Will. Want me to bring you anything back? Bagels? Donuts? Extra meat lovers pizza?” I asked.
“Mhm,” Clint said putting his arms around me. “How about you grab us something for dessert and I make us dinner?”
“Like really make dinner? Using the stove and the oven?” I said.
“I do know how to cook.” Clint said.
“I know, I’m just a little worried you’re going to burn down our house.” I said. “With you in it.”
“There’s a fire extinguisher under the sink.” He said. “Along with a first aid kit.”
“Okay.” I said. “But call me if anything happens. And if the house does catch fire get out. There are millions of houses but only one of you.”
“We could always rebuild.” He said kissing me. “Say hi to Will and Tony for me.”
“Will do.” I said before grabbing my keys.
The best part of living outside the city was that there was never traffic of course once you got close it was bumper to bumper. I got to the tower and let myself into the underground garage.
“Welcome Miss Adams.” Friday greeted.
“Thanks Friday. Is Tony in the lab?” I asked.
“Boss is actually still in his room.” She said.
“Mind taking me up there and turn on the coffee maker.” I said.
“Already did ma’am.” She said before the elevator started moving.
Once up there I headed straight to the coffee maker and took out two mugs. I made Tony’s coffee the way he liked it before making mine.
“I smell coffee.” Tony said.
“Just the way you like it.” I said putting it in front of him before he leaned forward and kissed me.
“Missed you.” He said.
“Missed you too.” I said.
“What’s new?” Tony asked.
“I delivered Rebekah’s baby.” I said.
“You did?” Tony said surprised before I filled him in.
“What have you been up to?” I asked.
“Since we got back? I slept… a lot. Then got in the lab and stayed there.” He said.
“Any cool projects?” I asked.
“Bored in retirement already?” Tony teased.
“Dude I delivered a baby, boring is the last word I’d use to describe retirement.” I said.
“I’m working on something. Small side project.” He said.
“Is it another suit?” I asked.
“No… well kind off…” He said.
“Bored in retirement already?” I teased.
“No just a safety precaution. So I don’t have to carry around a suit all the time. A watch I can turn into a small gauntlet.” Tony said.
“Oh, that sounds cool.” I said.
“Come on I’ll show you what I’ve got so far.” Tony said putting an arm around me.
“Sure just one thing, Friday can you remind me when it’s time to go meet Will for lunch please?” I asked.
“Yes Ma’am.” Friday answered.
“Okay lets go.” I said headed down to the lab with Tony. Just like every other time we started working on something in the lab we lost complete track of time. We were so in-sync with each other we had entire conversations with incomplete sentences and when we moved around we could predict each others movements.
I caught Tony watching me a few times just smiling as he watched me type in code or he’d get this really sexy smirk on his face when I started ranting about code or when I got an idea.
I never realized how much I missed being in the lab. Then my thoughts started drifting to all the times I was in this very lab in my coma dream and one very specific incident on a lab table.
“Hales?” Tony said waving his hand in front of me to get my attention.
“Huh?” I said snapping out of it.
“Something on your mind?” Tony asked.
“Uh… no just day dreaming a bit.” I answered.
“What about?” He said smirking.
“Nothing really…” I said but Tony wasn’t buying it. “I was remembering my… coma dream.”
“Oh…” Tony said as the smile fell of his face.
“It sucked but there were a few good parts… I kinda hooked up with my boss.” I said.
“Really?” He said surprised. I never really told anyone the specifics of the coma dream. I shared a few tidbits here and there but only Bruce got the full story.
“Yeah, he was one of my best friends. Funny, charming. Really sexy. Cheated on my fake fiancé with him.” I said.
“Fiance?” Tony said.
“Yeah… left him at the altar.” I said.
“You left out a few details.” Tony said.
“Not really important. And real life is way better.” I said putting my arms on his shoulder as he put his arms around my waist.
“So you were day dreaming about…?” Tony said.
“Well, we were in the lab and I was trying to figure out what was going on with us. Really stressed. Planning a wedding, having an affair, the guilt was eating away at me so you noticed how tense I was and decided to help me with that.” I said.
“Hmmm.” Tony said kissing my neck. “And how did I do that?”
“Well you picked me up and put me on that table over there and…” I said kissing along his jaw before whispering the rest on his ear.
“How much time before lunch?” Tony asked.
“Miss Adams time for lunch.” Friday said.
“Uh…” Tony groaned into my neck.
“I know.” I said. “If I don’t get down there he’s coming up here.” I said.
“I know.” Tony said still not letting go and just stared at me. We stayed like that until my phone started ringing. “Time to go.”
“Yeah.” I said hesitantly letting go. “Want to come with?”
“Mhm… no. I’ve got to stop hogging you.” Tony said.
“You don’t hog me.” I said.
“I took you to Bali for two weeks.” He said.
“Long overdue vacation.” I corrected as my phone started again. “I really should go.”
“Have fun.” Tony said kissing me.
“Don’t blow anything up.” I said heading out. I found Will in the lobby leaving me a voicemail.
“Hayley Elizabeth Chauncey Adams if you’re standing me up…” Will said into the phone.
“I’m here sorry.” I said interrupting his rant. “Lost track of time in the lab.”
“I bet you did…” He said with a smirk.
“Hey I’ll have you know we were working.” I said. “There was only a bit of flirting and kissing.”
“Yeah right. I can see the glow. I used to have the glow. I used to get laid regularly.” Will said with his arm around me as we walked out of the lobby.
“That’s actually a tan from my vacation in Bali which went pretty great thanks for asking.” I said as we got some looks. “Take it you ended things with Footsie?”
“He got a gig in LA, sock puppeting for a TV show.” He said making me laugh.
“Are you serious?” I asked.
“Can we just go? I’m hungry.” He said.
“Yeah I got us lunch reservations at your favorite place.” I said as we started walking.
Meanwhile…
Across the street Alison rolled down the window of her car to see her daughter laughing as her friend… William she remembered him being called put an arm around her. She was completely care free happy. She watched as they made their way down the street.
“Follow them.” She ordered her driver.
Hayley and Will kept talking as they made it through the crowd. Joking around arms linked together. Finally they stopped at a restaurant and spoke to the hostess. It seemed that they were very familiar with each other or it could just be her working her charm.
They were escorted out to the patio where Will and Hayley took their seats and ordered their drinks.
Allison headed to the small café across the street and watched them. It was obvious they were close. She watched Hayley closely. Same smile. The green eyes. She took after her. Shame her attitude was the one thing she did not get from her.
Hayley’s need to be good. To do the right thing. Sympathy and empathy for others… Lack of ambition. So much talent and gifts wasted on her.
Alison couldn’t help but tsk at the thought.
When they were done she left enough money to cover her bill and a tip at the table before getting up and following them back.
The two continued down the block for a bit until they got to Magnolia Bakery. They were in there for a bit before Hayley walked out with boxes of treats.
“Uh…” Allison groaned. “She’s going to get fat again.”
The two friends walked back to the tower and that’s when Alison decided to head back to her house.
Hayley’s POV-
Lunch was great and I managed to get some cupcakes for everyone at the compound as well as a chocolate cake for dessert.
“I’m back.” I said walking into the lab.
“Lunch go okay?” Tony asked.
“Yeah.” I said. “Brought you lunch because I know you didn’t eat anything, and some desert.”
“Thank you.” Tony said kissing me before he took the bag and went straight for the mac and cheese. I sat across from him and kept him company. “So how’s everything?”
“Good,” I said.
“Have you talked to spangles yet?” Tony asked and my smile fell at that.
“Not really, I mean I saw him when we got back and he said we should talk because we didn’t really leave things in a great place which is true.” I said. “I’m kind of dreading it.”
“Cap is great at giving pep talks but he really sucks at communicating.” He said.
“No kidding.” I said. “I don’t even get why he’s mad. I’m staying out of trouble. Being very open about everything.”
“But he isn’t. Communication has to go both ways.” Tony said.
“Look at you,” I said smiling proudly. “Giving good relationship advice.”
“What can I say? You bring it out in me.” Tony said smiling.
“I have to head out soon… traffic is going to be hell.” I said.
“I can fly you?” Tony offered.
“Thanks but I did bring the car.” I said going to hug him. “Do me a favor?”
“Anything.” Tony said.
“Get out of here every once in a while. Get some fresh air,” I said.
“Promise.” He said. “I actually have this thing in a few weeks. A gala or fundraiser thing. Come with me?”
“Course. Burgers and shakes after?” I said.
“It’s a date.” He said kissing me. “Text me when you get home.”
“Will do.” I said kissing him one last time before heading out. I loaded everything into the car and headed back. It was still early and Clint wasn’t expecting me back for a while so I stopped by the compound.
Think the team was still training so I let myself into the common room. I walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see Bucky standing there quietly drinking water.
“Hey you.” I said.
“Hi…” Bucky said.
“Finished training early?” I asked.
“I had… therapy.” He said awkwardly.
“I bet it’s just as tiring as training.” I said putting down the boxes on the counter. Bucky eyed them curiously. “But good thing you’re here, you get first dibs on cupcakes.”
I opened the box and showed them to Bucky. His eyes brightened up.
“I did say I was going to help you catch up on everything you missed and being from New York you missed the rise of the cupcake and Magnolia Bakery.” I said. Bucky looked at them and I swear I almost saw a grin on his face.
He looked at each cupcake trying to figure out what each one was. Finally he carefully picked up the chocolate one and took a careful bite. He moaned.
“So good.” He whispered.
“I know.” I said smiling when I noticed he had some frosting on his nose. “You have a little…”
Bucky took his fingers and wiped a bit off his lips but missing his nose.
“It’s still…” I said and Bucky tried again. I picked up a napkin. “Here.” I said gesturing him over. He paused for a second before taking a step forward. I got on my tip toes and gently wiped the frosting off his nose. “There you go.”
“Thanks Doll.” He said shyly.
“Anytime.” I said. “How’s the list going?”
“I started watching Friends.” Bucky said. “There’s a lot of episodes.”
“It’s a classic.” I said. “How far are you?”
“I just started.” Bucky said. “I was going to start watching it.”
“Mind if I join in?” I asked. He smiled and nodded over to the couch. I took an edge seat while Bucky set everything up and sat down.
We watched a few episodes and he laughed quietly at some parts.
“Krasivaya.” Natasha greeted.
“Hey gorgeous.” I answered back in Russian as I stood up to hug her. “Brought cupcakes for everyone.”
Nat smiled before going to grab one.
“I actually have to get going.” I said looking at the time. “Big date.”
“I bet.” She said with a smirk.
“See you later.” I said kissing her cheek. Before going to the couch. “You’re not going to get this until later but they were on a break.”
Bucky just smiled like really smiled at me.
“See you later.” I said smiling back at him. I greeted Wanda and Vision as I passed by them on my way to the garage. The drive back home didn’t take long. Perks of no traffic and having the road to yourself. I parked the car in the driveway and just sat there for a minute, just taking in the quiet.
Then I heard Lucky started to bark and I got out of the car. I picked up the box with the cake and headed inside.
“Woof!” Lucky greeted. I quickly put the box on the counter.
“Oh how’s my little fur baby.” I said scratching behind his ears while Lucky tried jumping on me. Clint just laughed as he watched us.
“I was going to say ‘Honey I’m home’ but Lucky beat me to it.” I said kissing him.
“Still good to hear.” He said smiling.
“It smells great in here.” I said looking around to see the oven on and the beginnings of a salad. “And no burn marks.”
“Is that a Magnolia Bakery box?” Clint said.
“Uhuh.” I said. “Can I help with anything?”
“Nope.” He said with a smile as he pulled out a chair for me. “Just relax.”
I took the wine Clint poured for me and took a few small sips while he worked. Finally he finished up and brought over the mac and cheese and salad. Then he brought out the main dish.
“Chicken and waffles.” I said smiling.
“I realized we live here now and we still hadn’t made waffles.” Clint said.
“Thank you.” I said kissing him.
“So you haven’t told me, how’s Will?” Clint said as he sat down.
“Will’s good, a bit bummed that Footsie moved.” I said.
“He got a modeling gig?” Clint asked.
“No got a job in LA, Sock puppeteering.” I said and Clint almost choked on his food.
“Sock puppets? Really?” He said.
“I know.” I said. “He said he’s going to give online dating a try. Tony’s good too. Working on some fun stuff in the lab. Asked me to go to a fundraising thing with him in a few weeks. Should probably start looking for a dress.”
“Sounds fun…” Clint said obviously grateful he didn’t have to go.
“We’re getting burgers after.” I said. “What about you? What’d you get up to all day?”
“Well took Lucky for a run, worked out and went shooting for a bit before starting dinner.” He said.
“Well you can make dinner whenever you want because this is amazing.” I said. “And the waffles… mhmmm.”
“Since we’re both here I thought now might be a good time to plan out what we’re going to do now.” Clint said.
“Well if you want to book a trip somewhere you know I’m in but I’m happy to just stay here. Have a staycation.” I said. “Clint I’ve honestly never been as happy as I am with the way things are now. No looking over our shoulders for homicidal maniacs, Everyone is safe, we’re home, we’re in our home… I delivered a baby, I mean honestly it does not get any better than this. And I know things aren’t perfect. Thor’s out looking for whatever’s coming next and Bruce is MIA, and things with Steve could be better but I just know its all going to be okay. We’re going to figure it out.”
I know that at times I can be really oblivious especially when it comes to reading people but in hindsight this might be one of my stupidest moments.
I say this because during my rant I didn’t notice the look on Clint’s face. How he looked a bit sad and disappointed. How he quickly schooled his features to look happy.
“Yeah. We’re together, that’s all that matters.” Clint said smiling as I took his hand and smiled back at him.
We did decide that we wanted to go back to Naples again but also go to Spain or Greece. Budapest was still a huge no. I wasn’t going to argue that.
I started cleaning up but Clint took the plates out of my hands and told me to relax. There was a bit of a stare off before I gave in and went upstairs to get into my pjs.
Third Person POV-
Clint watched Hayley head upstairs. He waited until he heard her open the door upstairs before reaching into his pocket and taking out the velvet box. It was a bit banged up and the velvet was torn in one corner but it still did its job. He opened the box to look at the diamond ring inside.
“Looks like today’s not the day.” Clint said closing the box before hiding it up on one of the higher shelves behind the powder he used for his protein shakes where Hayley wouldn’t find it until he take it back up to his nightstand.