Chapter 24

Saturday morning, Laura was busy making salads, chili, and desserts. Clint wasn't going to be home until noon, so she had time to advance some of the cooking. She took out five plates, cups, and plastic ware. She also took out a bowl to put Nathaniel's baby food in. She set it on the counter so that Cooper and Lila could set the table just as soon as Clint sets up the table in the yard.

Right at noon, she heard Clint call out, "Honey, I'm home!"

"I'm in the kitchen!" Laura let him know.

She heard the thunder of footsteps on the stairs. "Daddy!" Lila shouted.

Clint swooped her in his arms. "Hey, Sweetheart! Have you been helping out Mommy?"

"Yes. I helped her make a salad and a pie."

"You did? I'll have to try that."

Cooper entered the room with Nathaniel at that moment. "Hi, Dad! How was work?"

"Hi, Buddy! Work was as boring as usual." Clint gave him a side hug and a kiss on his head. "Now, how's my little champ?" He put Lila down in order to hold Nathaniel. Nathaniel started to gurgle and had a wide smile when Clint held him. Clint made his way into the kitchen. "Hi, Honey."

Laura was moving around since she was still cooking and baking. "Hi, I'm glad you're here. Can you set up the table in the yard so that the kids can set the table?"

"Yes, I will, but not before you give me a kiss." He made her stop and pulled her in for a kiss.

Laura moaned into the kiss. When they pulled away, she said, "That was nice."

"We can continue later," he whispered in her ear.

Laura nodded. "The table, Clint," she said.

"Right." He took out the folding table and set it up in the backyard. "Cooper, Lila! You can set the table now!"

As obedient as they were, they came out and set the table while Clint took out the grill and all his grilling utensils. Cooper and Lila finished before Clint was done, and they went inside to help with Nathaniel. Once Clint was done setting up his grill, he went inside to make sure they had enough hamburgers and hotdogs. He took out the hamburgers and ribs so that they could begin to thaw. He went outside to make sure they had enough plates and chairs. They had enough chairs, but they were missing a plate. He went back inside to get it. "Honey, I think you miscounted the plates," he said as he was searching for them.

Laura looked up from her chopping. "No, Dear, I didn't."

"We're six, and there are only five plates."

"Six? I think you're counting Nathaniel." Laura laughed and continued chopping. "He gets his own bowl."

Clint was confused. "Wait, did you invite someone, Laura?"

Laura turned around again. "Did you?"

"Yes, I did. I thought I told you," Clint frowned.

"No, you didn't tell me anything, Dear. Who did you invite?"

"Steve and Livy," Clint casually replied while Laura gasped. The gasp caught Clint's attention. "Who did you invite?"

"I shouldn't tell you because it's supposed to be a surprise, but I guess if we're going to sort this out, I'd better tell you. I invited Nat."

"Tell me you didn't," Clint begged.

"I did. Surprise?"

"We don't even need Wanda telling us what to do because we do it ourselves. I don't even know if Steve knows Nat knows us and vice versa," Clint began panicking.

"Calm down. Everything will be fine. We're just hanging out as friends."

"Right. It's not like we're trying to set them up."

"Exactly. Now just set two more plates on the table," Laura said to Clint. To herself, she said, "I'm so glad I made lots of food."

Steve and Livy were the first ones to arrive. Livy practically bounced out of the car when they had parked. She was very excited to see Cooper, Lila, and Nathaniel but more excited to see Lila. Steve had to quickly get out of the car as well to catch up with Livy. It didn't take more than a few strides to actually catch up to her. "Hold your horses, Missy. I know you're excited to see your cousins, but you need to settle down a little."

"Yes, Daddy," she replied with her cute innocent voice.

They walked up the steps to the porch hand in hand, and Steve knocked on the door. A scurry of feet was heard, and Lila's voice saying, "I'll get it!" followed. The door swung opened to reveal an elated Lila. "Uncle Steve! Livy!" She first gave Steve a quick hug and kiss before giving Livy a huge hug. "Let's go to my room to play!"

"Ah, ah, ah, not so fast young lady. You need to say hello to Uncle Clint and Aunt Laura first," reminded Steve.

"Oh yeah."

Clint came to the door to greet them. "Hey, Steve. How are you doing?"

"I've been very busy preparing Livy's stuff for school. Work has settled down a little though."

"That's good to hear. Little Miss Magpie, how are you?"

Livy laughed. "Good."

"Well, aren't you going to give Uncle Clint a big bear hug?" Livy jumped on him catching him a little off guard. "Wow! You're getting heavier! It must be all that muscle you built in ballet."

Livy just laughed. "Where's Aunt Laura?"

"She's in the kitchen putting the last finishing touches on her cake."

Livy wriggled out of Clint's hold and skipped to the kitchen. "Hi, Aunt Laura."

"Hello, Sweetie! How are you?"

"I'm good. Is that cake going to be for us?"

"Yes, it is, but only those who eat all of their food will eat dessert."

"Ok."

"Livy, let's go play now," Lila urged pulling her.

"Can I go now, Daddy?" she asked using her puppy eyes just in case.

"Yes, you may."

Lila and Livy scrambled up the steps to go play with Cooper.

"Hello, Laura. Do you need help with anything?" Steve asked.

"Hello to you too, Steve. No, Clint's already done all the heavy work. I'll just need your help to eat it."

Clint and Steve laughed at the comment. "I can assure you, Laura, I'll eat until I burst. Your food is delicious."

"Why thank you, Steve. At least someone appreciates my cooking," she joked.

"Hey, I tell you I love your food," Clint defended himself.

Laura just rolled her eyes.

"So, Steve, Laura and I didn't communicate well, and she ended up inviting someone else for the cook-out," Clint began to inform.

"Oh? Who is it?" Steve asked with his eyebrow raised.

"It's-" He didn't get to finish because they heard the front door open.

"Hey, Clint, Laura!" Natasha called out while walking into the living room. "Why is Steve's car in the-" She stopped when she saw Steve standing in the living room with Clint. "Well, that explains the car."

"Wait a minute. You guys know each other?" Steve asked confused.

"I was just about to say the same thing," Natasha said.

Clint nervously laughed. "Well, we've known Cap here since we were kids. We've known Natasha for about a year now."

"Now your story makes sense," Steve mentioned when he put two and two together. "Why didn't I see it before?"

"You didn't tell me that you knew the Bartons," Natasha said a little accusingly.

"I didn't feel the need to because I didn't think you'd know them either," Steve remarked.

"Well, the world gets smaller every day," Clint put in before an argument started. "How about we all go outside and eat?"

"That's a great idea, Clint. I'll go call the kids down while you three take a seat at the table," said Laura.

She disappeared quickly as she went upstairs.

"Any of you would like a drink?" offered Clint.

"A beer," Steve answered.

"Did Laura make lemonade?" inquired Natasha.

"As a matter of fact, she did. It's outside on the table. Here's your beer, Steve," he said, throwing the bottle to Steve which he thankfully caught. "Now, let's go outside. Steve, will you help me start the grill?"

"Of course, just let me take a sip first." He opened the bottle and took a sip. "I feel like I'm gonna need it," he muttered to himself.

While Steve and Clint started up the grill, Natasha sat down to wait for Laura and the kids. She was watching the men as they worked, and Natasha couldn't help but notice Steve's build in the gray shirt he was wearing. "Why did he have to wear such a tight one?" she thought to herself.

Soon Laura and the kids were outside as well. Steve and Clint had managed to start up the grill and were now ready to start on the hamburgers, hotdogs, and ribs. "Steve, why don't you go take the orders?"

"Why me? Can't you do it? It's your house," Steve countered.

"It's my grill, and I happen to make the best grill food," Clint gloated.

"Fine." Steve went over to the table. "So what would you guys like? Hamburgers, hotdogs, or ribs?"

"I want a hamburger and ribs," Cooper answered.

"I do too!" Livy exclaimed.

Steve chuckled, "Oh no, Livy. You're not going to be able to eat all of that. One thing only."

Livy frowned. "I want both."

"Livy, we have chili if you want to eat chili dogs," Laura cut in.

Livy's eyes brightened. "Yes! I want a chili dog!"

Steve mouthed a thank you to Laura. "Ok, so far one hamburger, ribs, and one hot dog. What else?"

"I want a chili dog to please," Lila said.

"I'll have a hamburger, Steve," said Laura.

Steve turned to Natasha. "What will you be having?"

"Hmm, it's really hard to choose, but I think I'll go with the hotdog and ribs."

"Ok. So two hamburgers, three hotdogs, and plenty of ribs, right?"

They all nodded. "It'll be right up." He walked back to Clint.

"I heard. Pass me the barbecue so that I can put it on the ribs."

Steve searched for the barbecue on the table by the grill and gave it to Clint.

"What are you going to have?" asked Clint.

"A hamburger and ribs."

Clint nodded. "So what's up with you and Nat, huh?"

"There's nothing going on with me and Natasha. We're just friends."

Clint smiled. "Right because just friends dance with each other the way you two danced at the gala."

"You saw that?" Steve asked.

"I have it on video. Thought I'd video it just in case we need it for the future."

"Clint, it's not what it looked like. I just asked her to dance. She went with Bruce, and I went with Sharon. Besides, I've only known Natasha for a couple of months, and I'm going to propose to Sharon."

"Oh?" Clint raised his eyebrows. "When did you decide that?"

"When I went to Malibu." Clint opened his mouth to say something, but Steve cut him off before he could get anything out. "If you're going to tell me what a bad idea it is for me to propose to her, I don't want to hear it. I've already heard it from Stark and from Bucky. I don't want to hear it again. I can make my own decisions."

"Fine, if you don't want to listen to wisdom, don't listen to it. We're just friends that really care about you and Livy. I'll just tell you this and I'll drop the subject. You never danced like that since Peggy died."

Steve knew that very well himself. For goodness' sake, he had flirted with her and sang to her something he wouldn't ever do with Sharon. He pondered what everyone around him had told him about Sharon, yet he didn't want to let her go. He didn't know why though. He shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts. This was a time to be happy and hang out as friends. He could think about this another time.

As soon as Clint and Steve finished grilling, they sat down at the table with the rest. The kids were having a great time talking about movies, toys, and cartoons while the adults were having a conversation of their own. Clint and Steve had a good time reminiscing about their childhood and teenage years together.

"You know, this man right here before he hit his incredible growth spurt would try to take on all the bullies in school. Of course, he would get the living daylights beaten out of him. Good thing his mother was a nurse because every day he would get home with either a bloody nose or a black eye. One time he went home with a broken arm. I have no idea how Miss Sarah handled this guy," Clint was saying.

Natasha shook her head. "You could have gotten seriously hurt."

"I know, but someone had to stand up for the little guys," Steve said. "Clint here wasn't ever much help. I mean, he's so good at archery, but it never once dawned on him that he could use it on them."

"The thought would cross my mind, but I didn't want to kill anyone," Clint defended himself. "Because of you, I went into the police force."

"Come on, Clint. We all know you wanted to be a policeman since you were a little kid," joked Steve.

"I'm sure you two would have tons of fun playing cops and robbers with your friends," Natasha put in.

"You wouldn't believe how obsessed they were with that game!" Laura exclaimed. "One time, my friends and I were playing outside when, I think it was Tony, came and grabbed me pretending to put a gun to my forehead and asking me for all of my money."

Steve and Clint snickered remembering that day.

"Clint came to 'save' me from Tony, and that was the day I fell in love with Clint," Laura concluded.

"Aww!" said Natasha.

"You fell in love with me that day!" Clint asked in disbelief.

"Yes, I did."

"Clint, when did you fall in love with Laura?" Steve asked.

"I think it was prom," he answered.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Laura said.

"I mean, we did date before then, but I just liked her. She was my crush. When I laid eyes on her the night I picked her up for prom, I knew I was in love," he explained.

"That's different, Clint. That's the time you realized you were in love. When did you actually fall in love with her?"

Clint thought for a moment. "I think it was our sophomore year in high school. I hadn't seen her all summer long, and she just looked so beautiful that first day of school."

"Why haven't I heard this story?" questioned Natasha. "I've known you two for a year, and I've heard none of this."

"Believe me, I haven't heard it either, and I've known them for as long as I can remember," Steve let her know.

"I think you two should come more often so that we actually talk about these things," Laura suggested.

They continued talking until Livy and Lila came up to them. "Daddy, can you play with us?" Livy asked.

"I don't know, Princess," Steve replied.

"Please, Uncle Steve. Come play with us," Lila pleaded.

"Only if Clint plays too."

"Please play, Daddy," Lila begged.

"Of course I'll play," Clint readily agreed.

"We're going to play Frisbee then football," Cooper informed.

"Let's go play!" Clint shouted.

They all ran out into the field so that the Frisbee wouldn't go flying into the ladies' faces. Soon, you could hear the giggles of the girls as they were having fun. They got bored of Frisbee pretty quickly so they were soon playing catch with the football.

Laura and Natasha had been talking until Laura had to put Nathaniel down for his afternoon nap. She found Natasha sighing contentedly as she watched Clint, Steve, and the kids playing.

"Someone seems to be in a good mood," Laura commented as she took a seat next to Natasha.

"It's so peaceful out here and watching them play is so relaxing. I never knew how good Steve was with children until now."

"He loves children. Livy is his pride and joy, but sometimes it seems like he needs a little boy running around as well. It was really heartbreaking to watch Steve in turmoil after Peggy died. I wish we could have helped out more, but we knew you needed us at that time. Steve has a brother and sister and some incredible friends, and you had no one. I only really ever heard how Steve was doing in the months after the funeral. It wasn't that pretty. No one recognized his behavior. We knew it had hit him hard, but it wasn't until after that we found out how hard."

"What happened?" asked Natasha curiously.

"It's not my place to tell you. You'd have to ask him, but he doesn't like talking about it. It wasn't one of his best times. He's rather embarrassed about it."

Natasha hummed in understanding.

"It seems like you care for him."

Natasha turned around a bit alarmed. "Is it that noticeable?"

"It's more noticeable that you may have a little crush, and by that look you're giving me, it's true."

Natasha hung her head. "I know, it's wrong. He has a girlfriend, one that he's set on proposing to."

Laura nodded. "Since when have you liked him?"

"Probably since I first laid eyes on him, but at the time, I thought he was married. I shrugged off the feeling until I met Sharon. And then, one day, he invited me to hang out with Livy and him which was the same day we had planned to talk about the poster and flier for my ballet show. He dropped me off at my apartment, and we kissed." Natasha whispered the last part. She was clearly ashamed of it.

Laura only raised her eyebrows at that.

"The worst thing is that I enjoyed it, and I haven't thought about anything else. Well, that is, until we danced at the gala. He flirted with me while we danced. He even sang to me. Then we spent a moment together on the balcony. I felt like I was in a dream. Now, my conscience is bothering me."

"Are you planning on talking about it?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure when."

"It better be soon, Honey, before things get too far."

"I know," Natasha quietly acknowledged.

They observed the guys playing catch/football for some time longer making small talk to fill the silence. Later on in the day, while the kids were resting some, they decided to finally have dessert. Laura had made an apple pie and chocolate cake which were both very delicious. Lila very proudly announced that she had helped to make the pie.

As night began to fall, Clint suggested they make s'mores. Lila and Livy got excited to hear that. It was their favorite part of a cook-out. After devouring as many s'mores their parents let them, they started to get sleepy. Livy, who was sitting on Steve's lap, let out a big yawn.

"Princess, I think it's time that we head home," Steve whispered in her ear while stroking her hair.

"I want to sleep here with Lila," she sleepily answered. "Please?"

Steve looked up at Clint and Laura. "You know you don't have to ask, Steve. She's more than welcome to stay here for the night," Laura told him.

"Ok, well, say goodnight to everyone, and I'll tuck you in."

"I can tuck her in," Laura offered. "Besides, I'm going to have to give her some pajamas. I think I still have some of Lila's old ones." She was already on her way to the house.

"I'll take her, Steve. You can help Nat by cleaning up a bit. We'll let you know when you can go up to say goodnight," Clint instructed.

Clint soon disappeared with Lila and Cooper trailing behind him leaving Natasha and Steve to clean up. They took all the dishes into the kitchen, and once the table was cleared, Steve cleaned it and folded it so that it could be put away. He even emptied the ashes from the grill and cleaned the utensils before Clint called him. He went to say goodnight to Livy and gave her a kiss on the forehead since she was already out like a light. He quietly shut the door to Lila's room and crept down the stairs. Clint and Laura were in their own little world in the kitchen where they were supposedly washing dishes together. He decided to go outside to gaze at the stars since it was something he couldn't do every day in the city.

When he got outside, he saw that someone was already out there. "I think our minds think alike," said Steve to make his presence known.

"The stars are beautiful out here. It's the best part of Clint's farm. I usually just come here to spend the night so that I can do this." She hadn't torn her gaze from the sky.

"I know what you mean. In the army, I had the privilege to stargaze most every night. It would comfort me on the days I missed Peggy the most."

Natasha nodded. She hadn't noticed how close Steve had gotten until she felt his breath on her neck. She slowly turned around to face him which she quickly realized it was a huge mistake. As other times, she instantly got lost in his blue orbs, and before she could process what was happening, Steve's lips were on hers. She wanted to stop it, but her heart had a different idea. She started kissing back much to Steve's delight, but once she felt he was starting to deepen it, she quickly broke away and put a little distance between them. Steve looked at her with confusion in his eyes. "What are we doing, Steve?"

Steve looked down at the ground knowing full well what she was referring to. "I don't know," he said quietly that it was barely audible.

"You know we can't keep doing this. You have a girlfriend, and you're cheating on her. You have every desire to propose to her, marry her, and start a family with her. Please stop doing this. It will only hurt her if she ever finds out." She mentally added, "And it will hurt me when you marry her."

Steve nodded. "I know, and I'm sorry. It's just, how can something so wrong feel so right?"

Natasha shrugged. "I don't have an answer for that, but just because something wrong feels right doesn't mean that it actually is."

Steve stayed silent not knowing what to say.

"I'm going to turn in for the night. If you're going back home, I hope you have a safe trip, and drive carefully. Have a good night." With that said, she walked back inside without another look back knowing that if she did, she wouldn't be able to go. She had done the right thing, but why did it hurt her so much?

Steve stayed outside contemplating Natasha's words. He knew she was right, but why didn't he want to let her go? After some time being outside alone, he walked back to the house. Laura was finishing cleaning up the kitchen, and Clint was sitting at the table reading a book. They both looked up at him when he entered the house.

"What's wrong, Steve? Did something happen out there?" Clint asked hoping he didn't sound too nosey.

"Nah, I'm just tired. I'm going to head home. I'll come by tomorrow afternoon to get Livy."

"Steve, I don't think it's such a good idea to drive home this late. You should stay here. We have room," Laura insisted.

"Thank you, Laura, but I have somethings to take care of tomorrow morning," he lied.

Both Clint and Laura knew it was not so but kept their mouths shut. They knew something had happened between Steve and Natasha since they both came in with the same sad look in their eyes. Whatever it was, they hoped it didn't affect Steve and Nat's friendship they had built.

Natasha is very brave for doing the right thing. Will Steve finally come to his senses, or will it take more than that?