A/N: I have been a horrible author... Sorry for the delay in updates. School is about to begin again so the motivation to write will return again! In the mean time enjoy this late Christmas chapter :)
please review!
Chapter 9
It was snowing.
The entire city was blanketed in white with Christmas lights shining brightly on every block.
Clint really couldn't have asked for a more perfect Christmas morning. Everyone had gathered on the meeting floor where the gigantic Christmas tree was set up. The fire place was crackling with a warm fire. The presents were piled up underneath the tree just begging to be torn open.
Clint and Natasha sat curled up on the corner of the couch with Lucy sitting at their feet on the floor playing with her stocking. Peggy and Steve took the other part of the couch with Lida fidgeting on the floor, trying desperately to contain her excitement. Pepper had claimed the armchair and Tony sat on the floor leaning against her legs. Bruce and Anya were snuggled up by the fire with Anya struggling to keep her eyes open. Jane and Thor had decided to spend Christmas day with Erik and Darcy, but had left their gifts for everyone to open.
Lida groaned a little and tilted her head back to look up at Steve.
"Can we open them now, Papa?" she asked her patience fading.
Steve looked over at Tony then to Natasha for their approval. Natasha nodded.
"Okay, but who's going to pass out the gifts?" Tony asked.
"I can do that!" Lida exclaimed bouncing up and down.
"You have to wear the special hat though," Tony said pulling out a Santa hat.
"Special hat?" Lida asked crawling over to him.
"Yep, whoever passes out the gifts has to wear the Santa hat," Tony explained pulling the hat down on Lida's head.
The brim stopped just above her eyebrows.
"Okay so what do I do?" Lida asked crawling over to the tree.
"You read the name on the tag and give it to the person," Pepper said.
Lida nodded and picked up the first bag.
"Um, this one is for Lucy," she said giving it to the little girl.
Lucy dropped her stocking and took the bag into both of her hands. She looked at Lida, waiting for instructions on what to do.
"Open it," Lida said smiling brightly.
Lucy looked back down and ripped the bag apart. A stuffed bunny flopped out of the shredded bag causing Lucy to squeal with excitement. She immediately shoved one floppy ear into her mouth and held the rest close to her body.
Lida nodded and moved on to the next box, "This is for Natalia from Clint," she said handing it to Natasha.
"I thought we agreed we weren't getting each other presents," Natasha said giving Clint a pointed look.
"I couldn't resist," Clint replied with a shrug.
Natasha rolled her eyes and tore away at the paper. When she saw what the gift was she sighed and looked back at Clint.
It was a photo frame with a picture of herself, Clint, and a newborn Lucy in the Quinjet. They all looked terrible, but it was the moment that was beautiful.
"I love it, thank you," She said giving him a quick kiss on the lips.
"This one is for Clint from Natalia," Lida said holding out another package.
"What was that about not getting gifts?" Clint said raising an eyebrow.
"I couldn't resist," she mocked.
Clint tore away the paper found your typical white clothing box. He pulled off the top and grabbed the garment that sat in the tissue paper. It was a purple t-shirt had said '#1 Dad' in white lettering.
"Aw, you really think so?" he asked Natasha.
"Yep," She replied.
Clint put on a goofy grin and yanked the shirt on over what he was already wearing.
Lida handed two more gifts to Lucy then turned to Anya and Bruce. Slowly a rather large pile of wrapping paper began to build. Lida had become distracted with her own gifts so Steve had taking over the passing out of the others.
Natasha had pulled Lucy up into her lap and was flipping through the new picture book Bruce had given her.
Steve laid flat on his belly crawling up under the tree to the very back.
"This is the last one," he said reemerging with a small box and tree needles all in his hair.
He brushed the needles away and peered down at label. "It's for you, Tony."
Tony took the box and turned it over in has looking for the label. "Pepper, now what did you get?" he groaned plopping down practically in the middle of the floor.
Pepper smiled and gently rubbed circles on her belly, "Just open it."
Tony rolled his eyes and tore into it. He pulled out the first tissue paper wrapped object and held it up. It was a red and gold onesie that said 'Iron Baby' on the front and '1' on the back. He smiled and laid it across his knee. He pulled out the second object and opened it as well. It was another red and gold onesie that said 'Iron Baby' on the front, but on the back was a '2'. Tony furrowed his brow confused.
"Okay so do I get an explanation with this?" he asked looking at Pepper.
Natasha chuckled, giving Pepper a knowing smile.
"Think Mr. Genius," Pepper said.
Tony looked back down at the two onesies. His eyes shifted from one to the other and back again. Then it hit him, there was only one explanation for the two numbers.
"Pepper…." He said slowly trying to calm his racing heart.
"Yes?" Pepper replied smiling down at her husband.
"Are we having twins?" Tony whispered.
"Yes, dear," Pepper said putting both hands on her belly.
Tony smiled and then fell back into the pile of wrapping paper. Steve peered over him waving his hand in front of the other man's face.
"He's out," Steve laughed.
"Oh we know how to deal with this one, don't we Steve?" Bruce chuckled.
Lida giggled and let out a roar. Tony gasped and sat up quickly.
"Oh God, tell me no one kissed me!" He exclaimed.
Lucy giggled, "Roooooar!"
Tony turned to Pepper and crawled back over to her. He put both of his hands on her belly and looked up at her.
"Are we really having twins?" he asked softly.
"Yes, Tony, a boy and a girl. Natasha went with me to the last appointment," Pepper replied.
"A boy and a girl!" Tony exclaimed. He let out a laugh then kissed Pepper's belly.
Clint pulled both Natasha and Lucy closer to his body, burying his face in Natasha's hair.
"See we don't need another baby when everyone else is having them for us," Clint whispered.
"Much less painful way," Natasha replied relaxing against her husband's chest.
Lucy snuggled up against both of her parents. Clint wrapped his arms around both of them and held them tight.
"Merry Christmas, my girls," he murmured softly just taking in the moment.