Fury's Safe House, Tahiti

Steve sighed as he looked out at the surf from the safe house balcony. Tahiti really was a magical place. Natasha seemed so relaxed here. Steve wished he could take credit for that but he knew the Barton family's presence made the biggest difference. They'd been all the family she had for so long, and he hated that she couldn't just see them when she wanted. That was on him.

Of course, he and Natasha would probably still be in denial about their feelings if things hadn't gotten crazy. He couldn't imagine not having her by his side. She was, without a doubt, his perfect partner and the love of his life. He just needed to get the courage up to make things more official. That was why he was on the balcony alone at ten at night instead of curled up beside the woman he loved. He needed to have an important conversation.

"Sorry it took so long to get the kids down. You'd think they'd have fallen right to sleep after all the swimming we did today," Clint exclaimed as he joined Steve. "This place is something else. I have a feeling Fury used this as his private vacation house. Safe house, yeah, right. You wanted to talk to me?"

"I did, I mean, I do," Steve stammered. "It's about Nat."

"Can't say that surprises me. Need advise on how to handle your favorite assassin? Are you in the doghouse? You seemed pretty chummy on the beach earlier."

"Oh, no, it's nothing like that. We're good, really good. I love her Clint."

Clint laughed. "I know. It took you long enough. When Laura told me she thought Nat was into Banner, I was shocked. I figured if she fell for any Avenger, it would be you. I approve, Cap. You're what she needs, and, I think, she is exactly what you need, too."

"That means a lot, Clint. It makes what I was about to ask you much easier."

"Ask away, Cap."

"I'd like your blessing before I propose to Natasha."

Clint smiled. "She'd probably kill you for asking me. Nat is in charge of Nat."

"Well, maybe this conversation should stay between us, but it felt like the right thing to do. Do I have your blessing?"

"Cap, I've followed you into battle more times than I can count. You are a good man. If anyone is good enough for Nat, it's you. Of course, you have my blessing. When are you going to pop the question?"

"I'd like to do it here. Who knows when we'll be together again?"

"Are we talking proposing here or are you thinking about marrying her here?"

Steve smiled. "Both if she'll have me." He pulled a ring from his pocket. "It was my mother's. I wore it with my dog tags. I took it in to a jewelry store in Toronto and had the setting fixed."

"It's perfect, Cap," Clint replied, taking the ring in his hands to examine it. Unfortunately, Steve let go a fraction of a second to soon and the ring fell to the ground.

Steve saw it first and was still on his hands and knees with the ring in his hand when the door opened. Natasha stepped on to the balcony. Her eyes caught Steve's then she saw Clint standing in front of him. Steve was offering him the ring. "I was just coming to drag you to bed," she teased, "don't let me interrupt your special moment," she added with a smirk.

Steve turned red. Clint laughed hysterically. "I didn't even have time to let him down easy, Nat." He paused, "I think I'll go join Laura. Good luck, Cap."

"This wasn't for him," Steve replied sheepishly.

"Oh, I know," Natasha replied, her eyes still on him. "I saw the receipt from the jewelry store, Steve. I'm a spy. You can't just leave receipts lying around and expect me not to find them. You're still on your knees," she added.

Steve looked down then looked back up at Natasha. "I guess I am," he replied as he moved to one knee and took her hand in his. "Are you okay with what I'm about to do?" he asked.

"Uh uh, soldier, you aren't getting off that easy. I'm not answering until you ask the real question," she said with a smile.

"I know it probably seems too soon and the timing is terrible. We're on the run, wanted just about everywhere, and we haven't been together long, but I love you. I know what I want and I'm hoping you want the same thing. Natasha Romanoff, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"Yes, Steve. It's crazy. It's impulsive. But, I knew I was going to say yes as soon as I saw the receipt. I never thought I could feel what I feel for you, and the fact that you feel the same is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'll marry you anywhere, anytime."

"How about here and tomorrow?"

Natasha laughed. "Seriously?"

"I know what Clint, Laura, and the kids mean to you. They're your family. I want them at our wedding. I want it to be special for you."

"You're all my family, Steve. I love you for trying to make our wedding even better, but all I need is you. Everyone else is just a nice plus. Let's do it. Let's get married tomorrow."

Wedding day

Natasha took a deep breath as she put on her lipstick. This was her wedding day. She was the Black Widow. She shouldn't be so giddy about something like this, but she couldn't help herself. She felt like a normal bride on her wedding day. Who would have ever thought she'd ever want to commit herself to something as traditional as marriage? She sighed and took one last look in the mirror, searching for some remnant of the Natalia Romanova the Red Room had trained, and, for the first time in her life, she didn't see even a trace. This was something only real love could do and Natasha had no doubt about the love she and Steve shared.

Laura, holding Nathaniel, entered the room. Wanda and Lila were right behind her. "Are you ready to do this, Nat?" Laura asked.

"Very," Natasha replied with a smile.

"Good, Cooper is waiting outside to walk you down the aisle, and the others are already on the beach."

"Let's go."

Lila walked ahead of them throwing rose petals once they arrived at the beach. Wanda followed, a huge smile on her face and a bouquet in her hands. Laura, taking the role of matron of honor, was next. She held her bouquet in one hand and Nathaniel's tiny hand in the other.

As Natasha linked arms with Cooper and made her way down the aisle, she smiled at Steve. He was staring at her as she drew closer to him with each step. Sam was grinning at his side, and Clint was waiting to officiate the ceremony. Natasha knew Steve would have liked to have a priest, but being on the run did necessitate a few sacrifices. In the end, it didn't matter. Today, they would commit their lives to each other, and Natasha couldn't wait.

The ceremony was a blur, but at it's end, Clint ordered Steve to kiss his bride and Natasha enthusiastically returned his kiss. They finished their celebration with dinner and cake on the beach. It was their last night together in Tahiti, and it was perfect.

Clint walked over to where Natasha sat beside Steve. "Can I borrow your wife a few minutes, Cap?"

"Of course, Clint," Steve replied. "Take all the time you need," he said, looking at Natasha. "No rush."

Natasha kissed her husband on the cheek. She knew he was giving her permission to spend some time alone with her best friend before they were separated again then she followed Clint further down the beach.

"I'm really glad you and Cap finally got your act together, Nat. It will make things easier on me knowing you're not alone and that your happy."

"I'm still going to miss you, Clint. If you hadn't taken a chance on me-"

"Best chance I ever took," Clint assured her. "You deserve to be happy. I just wish I could watch you two navigate married life."

"Eventually, the Earth will need the Avengers, Clint. We won't be on the run forever."

"I don't doubt that, but I won't be with you next time, Nat. I meant it when I said I was done. Laura and the kids need me more than the Avengers ever did. I'm just a guy with a bow."

"Hey, you did your part over and over again. You're way more than just a guy with a bow."

"You're right about that. I'm a father, and being able to be a dad all the time showed me what I was missing when I was fighting aliens and robots. I'm done."

Natasha hugged him tightly. "You deserve the chance to enjoy being a dad, Clint. I understand. When the time comes, we won't ask you to do it again."

"Thank you," Clint replied. "I'm sure going to miss you, Nat. When it's safe to really visit, you and Steve will have to spend holidays at the farm, okay?" Natasha nodded. "Now, let's get back to the house. It's your wedding night. You don't need to spend anymore of it with me."

"I don't mind. Steve and I have the rest of our lives."