Epilogue

13th February 2008…

Natasha stuck her tongue out at Erik cheekily as they waited for Barney to come out of the room. Clint was sitting with Artyom in his lap, the latter sucking sleepily on his pacifier. The nine-month-old had learned how to walk with support only days earlier and was, like his big brother, keeping his parents on their toes. He often climbed where he shouldn't be, frightening the crap out of his parents on more than one occasion. He was exactly like his father when he did that, according to Natasha.

Clint smiled at his wife as Erik stuck out his tongue at Natasha. Then the four-year-old giggled at his mother and buried his face in the crook of her neck, nuzzling her neck before yawning sleepily. It was 22.56 and both boys refused to leave until they met their new cousins. They had waited to meet Maria and Nick's baby girl, Tara Kate and now they were going to wait to meet Uncle Barney and Auntie Ashley's babies.

Ashley had insisted on having a normal birth. She didn't mind the epidural but she was adamantly against having a C-section. Despite Barney arguing against her decision…

"I'm not letting them cut me up, Charles. End of discussion," Ashley told her husband as they entered the house on Christmas Day, carrying presents.

Barney followed his wife inside as Natasha exited the kitchen, raising an eyebrow at Clint. What the Hell was going on? "I don't know why you're so against this, Ashley. You're having twins. Having a C-section is normal," Barney argued, looking to Natasha and Clint for help.

Clint raised his hands and retreated into the hallway to head up to Artyom's bedroom to get his youngest son. Natasha rolled her eyes and turned to Barney. "Barney, it's Ashley's body. She should have to ask you how she wants to treat or not treat it," the red-head told her brother-in-law, raising an eyebrow when he opened his mouth to argue.

Erik ran into the kitchen before anything else could be said. "Auntie Ashley! Uncle Barney!" he shouted as he ran over to his Godparents. He threw his arms around Ashley's baby bump and whispered, "Hi, Babies."

The adults grinned at Erik. Everyone had thought that he would have had a hard time adjusting to city life and an ever-growing family. And yet, he had surprised them all. Again.

After he got his hugs, Erik led Barney out to the living-room where all the presents were set up and awaiting their other guests. Then Natasha turned to Ashley. "He's scared," the red-head stated bluntly, making Ashley raise an eyebrow.

"You see it too?" the brunette asked, looking out the kitchen window.

"Clint was as well. We both know why they're so protective," Natasha replied, earning a nod from Ashley. "Even though they try to act like they're not scared."

"He going to be extra protective over the last few months?" Ashley asked, sipping her herbal tea.

Natasha snorted. "If he's anything like his brother, most definitely…"

Natasha was brought out of her thoughts as Barney exited the room with a very proud grin on his face. "Hey guys. Want to meet my kids?"

Erik immediately sat more alert, glancing up at Natasha and Clint with big pleading eyes. They both chuckled and stood, following Barney inside the private room. Ashley sat up in bed with many pillows behind her. In her left arm, she held one of the twins while Barney gently took the other child from her right arm.

Erik gently climbed up onto the bed, careful not to hurt Ashley, to look at his new baby cousins. The four-year-old smiled as he looked at them. "What's their names?" he asked his aunt.

"This is Adam Nathaniel," Ashley replied with a smile, gesturing to the baby boy in her arms. "And Barney's holding James Clinton."

Both Natasha and Clint looked at the new parents with shock all over their faces. They never, in their wildest imagination, thought that Barney and Ashley would name their children after either of them. Let alone both of them.

"Ashley, Barney," they both started but Barney shut them up before they could say anything.

"Don't say anything. You knew you were going to be Godparents to a child each. Knowing my genes, they're going to be troublemakers. So you don't need to be thankful for that," the thirty-four-year-old stated, smirking when Ashley groaned playfully.

"And now I'm stuck with three of you," she teased, earning a hurt pout from her husband.

Natasha and Clint shook their heads; This was their family….

Okay, don't cry. This is the last of Fifty Shades of Barton. But Fifty Shades Darker will be ready to be put upon the 30th of August – I do need time to work on other stories too ;)

And, Christmas and moving does happen in the first two chapters of the next instalment ;)

To answer the reviews for the final chapter:

Kate: Yup, another story after this :) You're welcome :)

ClintBartonsGirl92: Thank you :) Ah, that makes sense :) I hope they live up to expectations :)

MelodyDaughterOfHecate: You're welcome :) I know it's sad but there's more to come in the sequels, I promise :) And thank you :)

beverlie4055: Thank you :)

JuliaAurelia; Thank you :) Oh, they're happy in the sequels… Just have separation issues. And missions. And new arrivials… and… No… Wait. I wasn't supposed to tell you all of that…. Ooops…
Thank you. Mark the 30th for an update :)
Thank you :)

thecoolshelby: Awh. Thank you. I hope I continue to live up to that praise :)

katara-zuko1714: Thank you :)