Cake Time

A/N: just an fyi this chapter takes place approx. 4 months after the last one.

It was rare thing for Natasha to get a moment to herself. Being a mother of four children, as well as an Avenger and SHIELD agent, made sure of that. In the 6 months since bringing home James and Melina, Clint had been restored to full duty and regularly went on mission that varied in length. Natasha had only returned to SHIELD part time and had only been on 2 missions since the babies were 4 months old. STRIKE team: Delta had yet to be reinstated.

"Melina's elephant is still on the common floor from when I took her to play with Morgan earlier, if she gets really cranky she may want it. James' pacifier is in his crib. And I put some teethers in the freezer for him." Natasha listed off nervously as she bounced a babbling Melina on her hip.

"Nat." Steve gave her a look as he adjusted James on his own hip.

"We can handle the gangle of mini spies for the afternoon, Natasha." Bucky said firmly as he motioned to take Melina.

"I know." Natasha sighed. "I just… This is the first time I am going to be leaving them alone with anyone besides Clint." She handed a gurgling and laughing Melina over to Bucky reluctantly.

"It's only for a few hours. You'll be back before bedtime." Steve reassured her.

Natasha shook her head slightly "I'm being ridiculous, I know."

"Not at all." Steve shook his head. "Its normal to not want to leave your kids."

Natasha pulled a face. "But I remember it being so much easier going back to work when we got Wanda and Pietro. Why is it different?"

"If you remember… you refused to go on a mission for 2 whole months after Wanda and Pietro went 'missing' in Central Park." Steve pointed out.

"And?" Natasha raised an eyebrow as she grabbed her handbag.

"You're protective. You want to make 100% sure your kids are safe before you leave them." Steve explained. "While Melina and James never went missing… they did have a rough first few months because of how early the were born. You're just being protective."

Natasha smiled slightly "Thank you for that. Sometimes I feel like I'm being paranoid."

"No problem. Now, go have fun picking a wedding cake with Pepper." Steve said as he led her to the elevator.

At the bakery.

"I am so excited! Finally we get to do some of the fun stuff for the wedding!" Pepper was grinning as she wiggled in her seat.

"What finding my dress wasn't fun?" Natasha laughed.

"Natasha," Pepper gave her a look "You tried on one cream colored cocktail dress and said 'this will do'. No, I did not have fun going with you to find your dress."

Natasha shrugged "In my defense, I really do like my dress."

"It's a gorgeous dress." Pepper said reasonably "But you couldn't've tried on a couple more and indulged me? Come on!"

"You act as though you don't get to help Kate find a wedding dress next month." Natasha laughed as she grinned wryly at her best friend.

"Hello, ladies! Are we ready to taste some cake?" A surprisingly thin woman came out of the kitchen carrying a large tray of small samples of cake.

"Yes!" Pepper clapped her hands together excitedly.

Natasha rolled her eyes but responded anyways "Yes"

"Now, who's the bride?" The woman asked with a grin as she sat down in front of the pair, setting the tray down in front of her.

"That would be me." Natasha said, subtly flashing her engagement ring.

"Congratulations!" The other woman smiled brightly "We have lots of options here at SugarSpun Cakery. So please feel free to try."

Pepper and Natasha needed no further prompting before quickly and efficiently making their way through all the samples.

"Pepper, you have to try this one." Natasha said, pointing to a chocolate-looking piece.

"It tastes like coffee!" Pepper said in surprise around a mouthful of cake.

"That would be our espresso chocolate flavor!" The woman said enthusiastically. "Its mostly paired with a vanilla crème filling"

"Clint would love this!" Natasha said happily "Pepper the cake meeds to be this flavor."

"I can only guess that Clint is the groom." The woman from the bakery was grinning.

Natasha flushed slightly as she nodded. "We have been together for a very long time."

"So a wedding is long overdue!" The woman was bursting with excitement "So chocolate espresso flavor is our choice. Any ideas for decorations?"

"Yes. We discussed it before getting here. Natasha wants simple. Simple, simple, simple." Pepper cut in. "A simple four tier cake should suffice. White iced. With red and purple roses."

"Would you like to look at our toppers at all?" The woman smiled as she gestured to the generic bride and groom statuette toppers.

"No! That's alright!" Pepper grinned. "I already have one picked out."

Natasha looked at her friend in surprise. "I don't remember you telling me about that."

"It's a surprise." Pepper grinned cheekily.

Natasha rolled her eyes "Lets wrap up here so we can go get dinner before we have to go back to our kids."

Pepper nodded her response as she began filling out the paper work the bakery lady had handed to her.

A/N: Ok y'all we are getting close to wrapping this story up! It might just be a chapter or two more! Hope you enjoy!