A/N Hello dear readers. I know it's been a while and I don't really know whether I'm back but I brought you another fluffy oneshot which I hope you enjoy. I don't know yet when the next oneshot will be finished, but after finishing my studies in autumn, I intend to write more again. Enjoy and stay safe wherever you are.

Love

"Are you sure?"

Natasha changed Amy from one hip to the other and held her securely with one arm. "I am. You have fun tonight and enjoy whatever the guys thought of."

James sighed. "I bet Tony is dragging us into a strip club."

"I hope so." She grinned at him and kissed Amy's head. "I snuck a wad of bucks in your bag and I'll be very disappointed if you bring them back home."

James stuffed a shirt in his duffle bag and shook his head. "How about you go and I take care of Amy?"

"Nope. I already hat my hen party with the girls, it's your turn now. You wanted to get married."

He stepped closer and wrapped her in his arms, mindful of their little daughter. "Well, to be honest, when I proposed I didn't think of that part." Carefully, he stroked the soft tufts of hair on Amelia's head, only to lean his forehead against Natasha's. A smile crept on his lips as Amelia's tiny hands smacked against his cheek. "I'd rather spend the evening with my girls."

Natasha's brow furrowed with concern. "If you really don't want to go, I'm sure the boys will understand. No one's forcing you."

James smiled and leant down to kiss her. "I'm just whining. I managed to wind my way out of any longer absence since her birth and I guess I'm just afraid I'll miss you both terribly."

"We'll miss you, too." Natasha tipped her head to kiss him. "How about I greet you with pancakes when you return? To help you over the nightlong absence?"

"I knew there's a reason I asked you to marry me," James sighed happily and returned the kiss before planting one on Amy's head. "You'll be good for mama, right, baby girl?" He smiled as Amy cooed in response.

The ringing doorbell interrupted their little moment. Natasha nudged James with her elbow. "Pack up, Soldier. We'll buy you some time." She kissed him one last time, then left their bedroom with Amy to open the door. As expected, Steve waited on the other side, his gaze softening inevitably when he saw Amy who gurgled happily at him.

"Hey, little one. How have you been?" Steve asked and accepted her without hesitation when Natasha offered him to hold her. Amy took the chance to pull at Steve's beard with the surprising force of a newborn.

Natasha smiled at their interaction and let Steve inside. "Since you saw her yesterday? She just ate a lot and filled even more diapers. Nothing unusual for a baby."

Steve carefully loosened Amy's hand from his beard and offered her his finger instead to hold, which Amy immediately tried to stick in her mouth. "So, normal baby business." He lifted his gaze to look at Natasha. "How are you, Nat?"

"Good. Bit tired, all the time, but Laura said that's due to feeding her. Nothing I can't deal with, though. We do a lot of napping together. And once she's ready to take the bottle, James can do the late-night shifts from time to time."

"You know I would already do that now, if I could," James chimed in as he came down the stairs. "Hey, punk."

"Jerk." Steve grinned.

Natasha rolled her eyes fondly. "And I appreciate the sentiment, but you know I hate those pumps. I much rather get up in the middle of the night." She turned towards Steve and nodded at James. "You take good care of him, alright? I don't want to see him sober when you get back."

Steve stood to attention and saluted but couldn't help the broad grin. "Yes, ma'am. I'll do my best."

James scoffed good-naturedly. "How 'bout you don't talk about me as if I'm not in the same room? Really, Amy, can you believe that?"

The baby gurgled happy as she was spoken to and hid her face at Natasha's collarbone. Natasha smiled involuntarily and kissed Amy's head, holding her gently, and walked the few steps over to James. "Have fun, alright? Maria's coming over in a few, so there's no need for you to worry."

"There's almost never a reason for me to worry, but I cannot help it when it's about you," James responded in a soft voice. "Never really could. But I know you're in good hands with Maria so I'll try." He gently laid his right hand at her cheek and leant in to kiss her chastely. "I'll miss you."

"Miss you, too." Natasha smiled against his lips, before lightly slapping his behind. "Now go, Soldier. Last day in freedom, as they say."

Steve took his cue and James's arm and pulled him towards the door. "I'll bring him back sometime tomorrow, Nat. Don't wait up." Then he closed the door behind them.

Natasha sighed and pressed a kiss to Amy's temple while rocking her in her arms. "What do you think, little one? Will they manage to distract your dad enough? Or will he be home in a few hours?"

~#~#~#~#~#~

"I mean, can you believe that?" Maria groaned theatrically and sipped from her wine. Natasha laughed at her story but sobered up when her phone rang. Maria tried to sneak a peek. "Is that Barnes?"

"Yeah. Lemme just answer that real quickly, okay?"

"Sure, sure." Maria leaned back on the sofa.

Natasha threw her a thankful smile and accepted the call. To her surprise, she was greeted by a video. "What's up, Soldier?" she asked, holding the phone so that James could see her. The picture she saw from him was slightly askew.

"Nat… I jus' needed t' call ya. I miss ya." His voice sounded as blurry as his gaze was.

Natasha fought to suppress an amused smile. "I miss you too, James. You're having a good night?"

He frowned at her. "I think 'm drunk. Thor brought some stuff an' I… I only had one shot of it. I think. I think I'm drunk. I told you that already, right?" He frowned again. "I wanted t' tell ya something, but I… I don' think I can remember." His gaze shifted to being really concerned.

Natasha smiled at him. "That's okay. I guess you haven't been drunk in some time. It doesn't matter if you don't remember. That's okay."

"'m really proud of Amy, ya know. I never thought I could be a dad, but I love her so damn much an' bein' with ya makes me so happy an' I… I can't wait t' marry ya, Nat. Ya making me the happiest man alive."

"I'm looking forward to it, too. Stay safe tonight, alright?"

James nodded and the video tilted a bit more. Then his face lit up. "I know why I called, Nat! I wanted t' say that I love you. I really do love you. So, so much. You're the best that-"

"Hey!" Steve's voice could be heard off screen, then he tackled James. The phone clattered to the ground. There were sounds of muffled fighting, albeit no video, until Steve picked up the phone again, only slightly less drunk than James. "Gotta get your fiancé back to the party, Nat. Have a nice evening."

"Take good care of him, Steve, alright?"

"Always." The promise was delivered definitely more sober. "G'night."

"Goodnight, you two." Natasha smiled softly as she put the now silent phone away.

Maria grinned at her knowingly over the brim of her wine glass. "Who'd have thought that Barnes was a sappy drunk?"

Natasha laughed. "You can't tell me that surprises you? Honestly."

"No, not really. Still, it goes straight into my blackmail box. Especially if he's so drunk he can't remember it tomorrow."