The pictures had been Steve's idea. Of course they had, Steve was the only one who ever thought of taking group pictures, real group pictures, ones that had to be developed in dark rooms and put in frames and hung on stairwells or wherever people hung pictures. In the end, however, it didn't matter who had suggested pictures – even though it was Steve – because that was how the Avengers found themselves outside the city limits, dressed casually, with a photographer in her mid-thirties, getting ready to take professional photographs.
"Why don't we start with the young ones?" suggested the photographer named Melissa. "That way they don't get too messy or cranky."
"That's not normally an issue," assured Steve, fixing Peter's button up plaid shirt. "They're pretty well behaved."
Emmy was busy hiding behind Tony, still unsure of what she thought about the new woman with the camera. Tony let her hide knowing that trying to force her out would end in disaster, and instead talked to Clint about the newest long range bow he was working on. He wanted to keep the power but lose the size, making it easier to pack and carry. Thor had already made himself at home on the picnic blanket they had brought, staring up at the clouds with Natasha and Bruce, content to let the brisk spring breeze blow over them.
"Okay, Peter, why don't you and your sister come over by this tree for a few shots," said Melissa, her round face smiling at the young kids.
"Come on, Emmy," said Peter, running over to Emmy and picking the toddler up. "Let's go take some pictures."
Reluctantly, Emmy allowed Peter to carry her, doing her best to keep her brother between Melissa and herself. Her dark wash blue jeans and tiny black boots hid the bandage on her foot and leg well but walking was still off limits, which was fine with everyone – especially Emmy – because Emmy was particularly clingy after the latest kidnapping episode. She was fine with the situation – not happy but fine – until Melissa reached out for her to position her for the picture.
Instantly the relaxed, careless atmosphere disappeared, replaced by a tense, alert group of superheros. Peter took a step back, turning away from Melissa so that his back was to her and Emmy was mostly out of reach. Tony and Steve both rushed forward and Melissa took a step back, shocked at the reactions from the group.
"Um, I'm sorry," said Melissa uncertainly, her northern accent coming out to play in her nerves. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, sorry, we should have warned you," said Steve, his hand on Peter's back while Tony kneeled beside the kids, talking softly to them. "Emmy doesn't do well with most strangers, especially women. It's better if you just ask her to turn a certain way, touching tends to give her a panic attack."
"Oh," was all Melissa could think to say.
"Maybe you should start with someone else," said Steve meaningfully.
"Oh, right, of course," said Melissa, her cheeks heating up. "Um, Mr. Thor, why don't we get a few shots of you?"
As Melissa moved away to photograph the god of thunder, Steve turned his attention fully on his small family. Tony had Emmy sitting on his lap, one of her hands gripping his tie in a such a way that it was sure to wrinkle, the other thumb in her mouth, but she wasn't crying and she appeared relatively calm. Peter was shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.
"Let's give Emmy another minute," said Steve, smiling down at Peter and holding out his hand. "Why don't you and I play some catch while we wait?"
"Yes!" cheered Peter, running and picking up his ball and glove from the nearby basket before charging a little further out into the field and waiting for Steve to take position before throwing him the ball.
Tony reached blindly over and dragged out the old robot toy, the only physical thing left from Emmy's time in the orphanage. Immediately Emmy reached for it and the screwdriver Tony offered her next and she began to systematically take apart the toy. Tony helped make a few adjustments to the wiring, tightening a few that had come loose in all the play the toy experienced, the two lost in their own little world. It was very similar to the first day they met, Tony explaining what they were doing, Emmy helping take apart and replace the different parts. A week after the kidnapping and Emmy still refused to speak, though she no longer panicked the moment she was out of reach of one of her family members.
By the end of the afternoon, when the sun was starting to set, all of the pictures had been taken, Melissa had long since packed up her equipment and left to edit the photographs, and the Avengers finally started to pack up their picnic supplies to head back into the city for the night.
"Papa," said Peter, looking up at Steve, Clint standing a few feet behind him. "You and Daddy take the small car."
"Don't you want us to ride with you?" asked Steve, pretending to look hurt.
"Nope," said Peter with a grin, popping the p sound at the end of the word. "You and Daddy need to go on a date. You haven't had a date in forever! Uncle Clint said he already made reservations and stuff. So you take the small car and we'll go home in the big one."
"I don't know," said Steve slowly, his brow furrowing as he thought it over. "I think Emmy might not handle that too well."
"I've got the brat," said Bucky simply, plucking Emmy out of Tony's arms. Emmy easily went to Bucky, both hands diving into his long hair to braid. "You two have fun."
"Steve's old rooms are open," said Natasha when she hugged Tony. "We'll be on nightmare watch."
"You sure?" said Tony, pulling back slightly to inspect the spy. She nodded. "Thank you."
Tony and Steve kissed their children and headed towards the smaller of the two vehicles the team had driven. They headed to the city before the rest of the team had finished loading the car, eager for their first night alone in a very long time.
"Do you feel like we're abandoning them?" said Steve, glancing behind them even though he knew he wouldn't be able to see his family anymore.
"A little," sighed Tony. "But I also think Clint was right. We need this. It's been hard, not having any time for just the two of us."
"I know," said Steve. "They'll be fine."
"Now, JARVIS," said Tony as he drove. "Where are we going?"