A/N: I am so, so, SO sorry everyone! I've been on a bit of a hiatus! I've been looking for a second job (which is not going well, might I add) and I've had killer writer's block! I finally have this chapter done! I hope you like it!
A very special thank you to ShadowBeats22107 for helping me through my writer's block! I needed your helpful pushes. This chapter is dedicated to you, my dear!
Enjoy everyone!
Hurt, Ch 11
Aria's screaming jolted Natasha from sleep. Reflexively, she grabbed her gun for the bedside table and crept towards her daughter's room. Peering around the corner, Natasha noticed nothing out of the ordinary. She moved into Aria's room, placing the gun on the dresser, out of the way of the child, making sure the safety was on.
Aria was still screaming across the room in her crib. She was six months old now and was usually good at sleeping through the night. For the times that she woke up crying, Clint was the one who would take care of her. She was 'Daddy's Little Girl'. Aria had her father wrapped around her tiny little fingers. In fact, she had everyone wrapped around her finger. Unfortunately, Clint was away on a week-long mission. He was still to be gone for another three days.
Natasha made her way over to the crib, wondering why her daughter was screaming so forcefully. She didn't typically cry this loudly or angrily. The last time she was this unhappy was when she had a fever a couple of months ago. Natasha sighed, realizing her daughter was probably not feeling well.
Natasha lifted Aria out of the crib. She held her hand against her daughter's forehead, checking to see if she was warm. Natasha noted that Aria felt warmer than usual.
"Shh, baby girl," Natasha soothed. "What's wrong?" She asked, even though she knew Aria could not answer her.
The six months old continued crying. Natasha rubbed a hand across Aria's back as she held the child against her body. She walked through the apartment to the bathroom, searching for the thermometer. Aria had stopped screaming, but was still whimpering against her mother's shoulder.
As soon as Natasha tried holding the thermometer to Aria's ear, she started screaming full force. She tried a couple of times, but soon gave up the fight. Aria was not having any of it.
"Shh, baby," Natasha cooed, "it's gonna be alright. We'll get you better okay?" Natasha rocked her daughter gently. "JARVIS?"
"Yes, Mrs. Barton?" the A.I. Replied.
"Can you ask Doctor Banner to come down here, please?" Natasha asked quietly.
"Of course," JARVIS answered. Natasha walked back out into the living-room of the apartment. As she walked, she tried to keep Aria calm. She was still crying and whimpering and her temperature seemed to be getting higher.
The elevator doors opened to reveal a rumpled and tired Bruce Banner. He made his way into the Barton's apartment.
"What's going on?" He asked Natasha, moving to stand next to her.
"Aria woke up screaming. She feels warm and won't let me take her temperature. I'm not really sure what to do." Natasha spoke uncertainly, but calmly. She wasn't going to worry until there was reason to. Though, when it came to her daughter, there was always reason to worry.
"Let's take her up to my quarters. I have some medical supplies up there. We can check her over," Bruce offered.
"Thank you," Natasha smiled gratefully, following Bruce to the elevator. The pressed the button and waited for it to arrive. When it did, Natasha stepped in, followed by Bruce. Aria started crying louder as the elevator moved upward. Apparently, she didn't like the movement.
"Shh, my love. It's alright," Natasha whispered. "Все в порядке, малыш." She rubbed her daughter's back soothingly, not having a better way to comfort Aria.
They got off at Bruce's floor. Natasha followed him through his apartment to his private lab, where he kept his medical bag. He rummaged through it for a few moments. Natasha sat in a swivel chair near him, waiting.
He produced a thermometer, but instead of putting it in her ear, he scanned it across Aria's forehead.
"102.4 degrees," Bruce announced. Natasha's eyes widened a fraction.
"How bad is that?" She asked. The last time Aria had a fever it was low grade, 100 degrees was the highest it had gotten.
"Still not too bad, but if it gets much higher, we will have take her to her doctor." Bruce checked her lungs next, then her ears. After he was finished examining her, he put away his tools and turned to Natasha. "She has some congestion in her chest. Has she not been feeling well? Runny nose, perhaps?"
"Um, yeah. The last two days or so. She also been sleeping more than usual and a bit more fussy." Natasha recalled her daughter's behavior over the last couple of days.
Bruce nodded thoughtfully. "She probably has a cold and it's caused fluid to back up in her ears causing pain and discomfort."
"What can I do to help her? Do you need to prescribe anything?" Natasha asked. She was new to all of this. Aria hadn't gotten sick much since she was born. She was healthier than most infants and the last time she was sick, Clint took care of her for the most part. Natasha had been on a mission for the worst of it that time. Now she had no idea how to handle her sick baby girl.
"I'm going to prescribe some antibiotics for her. She needs to take the correct amount until it's all gone. She has to finish all of it. You can give her children's Tylenol or ibuprofen for the pain." He made a note on his tablet as he spoke to Natasha. "Also, when you feed her, try to keep her in a somewhat upright position. It will keep more fluid from building up. Same goes for sleeping." Bruce suggested.
"Thank you, Bruce." Natasha smiled gratefully. She stood with Aria in her arms, ready to go back to their apartment. Aria had fallen asleep listening to her mother's heartbeat. One of her little hands clutched the fabric of Natasha's shirt, the other ball into a fist tucked against her body.
"If you need anything else, or if she gets worse, don't hesitate to call me." Bruce directed as she left.
"I will. Thank you." With that, she left back to her own floor.
Aria was, thankfully, still asleep when they got back to the apartment. Natasha remembered what Bruce said about letting her sleep upright, so she put her daughter in her bouncer. It had a mobile attached to the top that played music. Natasha placed Aria in the bouncer and turned the music on soft. The inclined position would help keep her ears from getting backed up any more.
Once she was sure Aria was asleep and okay, Natasha got everything out that she would need for Aria. She lined the kitchen counter with baby Tylenol, the thermometer (the forehead scanner). She wasn't sure what else she should do, so she decided to send Clint a quick text to let him know what was going on.
Clint, Aria has an ear infection. 102 fever. Bruce is putting her on antibiotics. -Nat
Hopefully he would text her back soon, or better yet, call her. She was nervous at having to handle Aria alone while she was sick. She didn't think she would be able to help her like Clint always seemed to be able to.
Natasha thought about how great of a father Clint was. Since the moment they brought Aria home from the hospital, he had been the primary care-taker. Not that Natasha held back from her daughter. Not at all. But Clint just seemed to be better at it than Natasha. At least, that was what she thought.
In truth, Natasha had been so prepared to fail, that she missed how well she was actually doing. When he was around to see, Clint was always so impressed with how great of a mother Natasha had become.
After Aria had been born, Natasha stayed out of the field for a full three months before even considering going back. She wanted her daughter to be safe and happy and healthy. Clint was impressed that she had waited a full three months before bringing up the subject of going back. He was even more surprised when she announced she would only work at SHIELD as a handler and trainer. Natasha was not going to leave for a mission unless they absolutely needed her. Which had only happened twice since she returned.
Aria started fussing again, so Natasha gently lifted her out of the bouncy seat and held her. She gave her the suggested dose of Tylenol to ease the pain a bit. Natasha checked the time to make sure she knew when she could give Aria more medicine. It was just after four in the morning. Natasha didn't much care how early it was. She was up now and didn't feel the need to go back to sleep.
The next two days went by without much change. Aria's fever didn't get much higher, the highest being 103 degrees. Natasha had spoken to Clint, who assured her she would do fine. He also reminded her that she wasn't alone. Bruce, Pepper, Steve and Tony were all around to help out and he would be home soon.
Aria was finally feeling better and was currently sleeping in her room without the help of pain relief. The antibiotics were doing their job and Aria was well on her way to getting better. Natasha was exhausted, but didn't let it show too much. She hadn't gotten much sleep, but once Clint came back she would be alright.
"Mrs. Barton, there is a call for you," JARVIS interrupted her thoughts as she sipped on her coffee in the kitchen.
"Put it through, JARVIS," she said.
"Of course, Miss," the A.I. Replied. A screen appeared on the tablet in front of her and a moment later, a video of Clint popped up.
"Nat? How's Aria doing?" He asked.
"She's doing better. She's sleeping right now." Natasha answered. "She misses you," Natasha smirked. "Miss her daddy."
"Yeah," Clint smiled fondly. "I miss her too." he said. "And you, Mama Spider." He smirked.
"Hmm, yeah?"She smirked mischievously. "Maybe when you get back you can show me just how much you missed me."
Clint groaned, "Oh you bet I will."
Natasha glanced up when she heard a whimper come from Aria's room. It didn't happen again so she let it be for now. She would check on Aria in a few minutes.
"So when will you be home?" Natasha asked, turning her attention back to the screen.
"Should be home really late tonight. Probably after you two are asleep." Clint answered.
"Okay," Natasha said. "I have to go check on Aria. I love you, мой ястреб ." She smiled.
"I love you, too, мое сердце," He blew a kiss a the camera and said. "I'll see you tonight, Tasha. Give a kiss to Aria for me."
"I will. Bye, Clint."
"Bye Nat," he smiled. The screen turned black as the call ended and Natasha turned off the tablet. She made her way through the apartment to Aria's room. Aria was sleeping restlessly. She was squirming, her forehead pinched in a frown.
Natasha stroked her hand over the creased skin, over her hair. "Shh," she soothed, "you are safe, моя любовь," she brushed her nails lightly through the short blonde hair on her daughter's head. "Daddy's coming home soon. He misses you," Natasha whispered to her.
Natasha was finally able to fall asleep around midnight. Aria had been asleep for a couple of hours already and she seemed to be doing well enough that she wouldn't be waking up soon. When Clint came home around two hours later, he found Natasha curled up on his side of the bed. Something she only did when she was exhausted.. Clint smiled fondly and, after changing into sweatpants and a t-shirt, he crossed the hallway to his daughter's room.
Aria was sleeping when he walked in, but somehow she must have known he was there because she opened her eyes as he approached.
"Hey, Princess," Clint smiled, reaching to lift her up. "Daddy's home. Did you miss me, baby? Were you good for Mommy?" He rocked her gently as she cooed in his ear. "I heard you weren't feeling well. All better now?" He asked. "Did you let Mommy get any sleep?"
"Not enough," Natasha answered from the doorway. Clint hadn't heard her get up. He turned to face her and smiled. She walked over to him, curling into his body when he held and arm out to her. Now he had Natasha tucked under one arm and Aria resting on his other shoulder.
"Now I have both my girls," she smiled and kissed Natasha's temple. "Yo she be getting sleep. You must be exhausted."
"Mhm, I am." She agreed. "Wanted to say hi, though." She mumbled into his shirt. He chuckled and pulled her closer.
"Well then, you've said hi." He carefully set Aria down in her crib and turn on her musical mobile. The little girl was already half asleep as her parents turned out of the room.
"You promised to show me how much you missed me," Natasha smirked.
"Yeah, I did," Clint admitted. "But that can wait until you've actually had some rest. You're too tired Nat. You haven't gotten enough sleep with Aria being sick." He crawled into bed bedside Natasha. "I promise, tomorrow I will show you just how much I've missed you." He kissed her lovingly before settling back on the bed,
"Mmm, fine." Natasha conceded. She curled up against his body, laying her head over his heart, listening to it beat. She twined her legs with his and surrendered to the steady rhythm of his heart.
"I love you, Tasha," Clint whispered once he knew she was asleep. He kissed the top of her head before drifting off into a peaceful sleep.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Please leave me a review with feedback-good or bad. (preferably good)