Although life will never be the same, it can somehow still be good.

"Get up," Aphrodite demanded upon entering the office where Natasha liked to hole herself away and cry.

"What?" The redhead said looking up after wiping her eyes.

"Get up," Aphrodite repeated placing the picnic basket she'd brought along on the desk, "Steve has taken Cassie to the cinema so you and I are going on an afternoon picnic."

"Are you serious?"

"Deadly," the pregnant goddess responded with a smile, "Steve cooked our favourites and I had to suffer through the scent of them the entire ride up here. So now I'm hungry, and do you really want to upset a hungry pregnant woman?"

"Definitely not." The redhead said finally letting a smile crawl onto her face as she got to her feet.

"Smart girl." Aphrodite joked taking her friends hand and letting her take the basket from her and led them from the conference room.


"Thank you for this blue."

"Your welcome," Aphrodite responded sincerely, "Someone has to keep you from getting to deep into your own head."

"That's what family is for right?" Natasha mumbled laying her head onto her friends shoulder gazing out at the still lake, forever thankful that her best friend, practically her sister hadn't given up on her.

"Speaking of family," the pregnant women said prompting Natasha to lift her head, "Steve and I have been talking, and we want you to be a godmother."

For a moment Natasha was rendered speechless as she blinked, "What?"

"I mean," Aphrodite began bashfully ducking her head slightly, "I can't think of a better person, honestly between you and Thor I'm not sure who's more excited of the birth of a baby that isn't theirs."

That was very true, Natasha thought to herself as she felt her eyes begin to water slightly, "Who else?" she asked clearing her throat.

"Posthumously, Wanda, Sam and Bucky. I haven't quite sold Steve on Ares as yet." She joked and Natasha laughed swiping a finger under her eye.

"Good luck with that one, Rogers is as stubborn as they come."

"If there's one thing I hope this one doesn't inherit," she said placing her hands on her stomach, "It's that." She finished before her eyes lit up, "Oh, here,"

Eagerly Natasha placed her hands upon her stomach and seconds later felt the thumps against her hands, the redhead smiled, "You're gonna be great parents Blue."

"I can only hope so."


In the days that followed the snaps, the Avengers and those adjacent stayed quite low for the most part. Similar to the way the world all but stopped after Thanos' snap, it seemed to kick-start once more after Bruce's.

But it wasn't an easy or simple transition, not in the slightest. The world's population doubling in the blink of an eye was both cause for celebration, as well as devastation. Some people came back to broken homes and even more broken families, some came back to families that held onto hope for five long years, and some came back to nothing at all.

It seemed like for a good while no one was really sure what to do, there were suicides once again, looting, people were homeless and jobless, and block parties were seemingly endless. Yet selfishly, the Avengers and friends ignored it all.

Colonel James Rhodes met with President Ellis a few days post snap to release a statement on behalf of the Avengers, and with said statement being backed by Captain America himself, and Dr. Bruce Banner along with a couple of God's, he couldn't exactly say no.

So while Ellis addressed the nation, along with the other world leaders as best they could. Rhodey went back to the Stark lake house to stay with Pepper, Morgan and Happy.

Thor introduced the old Asgardians to New Asgard, the Guardians of the Galaxy and the God of War joined him. King T'Challa and his people went back to Wakanda, who happily offered assistance wherever was needed in rebuilding the new world.

Scott Lang, along with his daughter went back to San Francisco with the Pym family, Peter Parker reunited with his aunt in Queens and Clint was all too happy to retreat back to his farm and be with his family.

To no one's surprise Bucky, Wanda and Sam stayed at the Rogers' home just outside of Brooklyn making the modest two-story house feel crowded in the best of ways.

Aphrodite flitted back and forth between her own home and the Stark lake house helping Pepper and Happy, mostly Happy remove Tony's belongings. During those times Pepper took Morgan and sometimes Arina down to Morgan's little campsite to play for a little while.

"We'll bring the jet over around 9, then head over to the farm."

"Alright," Happy said with a nod opening the front door, for her to exit as he followed.

"You know, you don't have to make the drive to Brooklyn and back every time we come out here." She reminded him as he led them over to Morgan's little campsite.

"I don't mind it," he responded easily with a shrug, "Besides I don't think Cap would appreciate if I let his family alone in the chaos out there."

"You know that I can move things with my mind right?" Aphrodite quipped before they were interrupted.

"Mommy!" Arina said running up to her mother hugging her legs, "Me and Mo-mo drew pictures for Auntie Nat's tree." She gushed showing off her drawing while Morgan did the same for Happy.

"I'm sure she's gonna love it."

"Can Momo sleep at our house tonight?"

"Not tonight honey," Aphrodite said running her hand over her head, "Mo-mo needs to stay with auntie Pepper tonight."

The little girl sighed but nodded, "Okay."

Then she turned around and began telling her best friend a long winded goodbye considering they wouldn't be seeing each other until the next day. Basically a short forever in the eyes of a couple of toddlers.

"You gonna be alright hun?" She asked Pepper next.

"Yeah." Pepper nodded after a moment.

"You call me if you need anything alright?" Pepper nodded again, and the two shared a small hug, Arina told gave Pepper a hug as well before the two of them were being guided by Happy to the car.

Half an hour later they were pulling up at the Rogers Brooklyn home, and Steve was immediately out to greet them. Surprisingly Arina didn't fall asleep on the ride over despite being sleepy, but immediately caught her second wind upon seeing her father.

As the mother and daughter climbed out of the car, Steve thanked Happy for bringing his family home safe once again, as usual Happy replied that it was his pleasure and with a few more goodbyes was on his way back to the lake house.

"Hi daddy," Arina chirped taking his hand in hers as he led them up to the house.

"Hi sweetheart."

"Is Auntie Wanda making dinner tonight?"

"Yeah, she just started. How about you wash up and go help her?"

With that Arina dashed the rest of the short distance to the house, in a hurry to help her newest favourite person in the world.

Steve smiled fondly at the sight closing the door behind his wife as they entered the house, "You alright?" He asked placing a gentle hand on the back of her neck and squeezing gently.

Aphrodite sighed leaning into his touch for a moment, "I'm fine, just tired."

He nodded pressing a kiss to the top of her head, "I wanna tell you to rest up, but your brother's here."

"Really?" she asked letting him help her out of her coat, "What? Does he want his hammer back?"

Steve smiled but it didn't reach his eyes, "You should talk to him, he's out back."

"Alright," Aphrodite responded with a sigh, moving quickly through the house, overhearing Wanda patiently instructing Arina in the kitchen while Sam and Bucky were on the couch watching the television. Sure enough Thor was waiting in the backyard sitting at the picnic table looking uncharacteristically nervous, she knew instantly why he was hear without even having to read his mind, "When do you leave?" she asked bluntly sliding into the seat across from him.

"How?" he stammered for a moment and she only raised an eyebrow in response, "Soon, not soon. But soon enough, after the funeral as a matter of fact."

She nodded, "I was wondering how much longer you were planning on sticking around."

"I've spent a long time being who I was supposed to be. Now I just want to be who I am."

"Brother, I'm not mad at you." she said placing her hand over top of his.

"You're not?"

"Of course not." She responded sincerely, "And too be honest Brunnhilde and I have been pretty much running things ourselves anyway." She joked and was happy to see him smile in response.

"If you ever need me, you know-"

"You're just a shout away." She finished, "Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself, because if those Guardians decide to stir up trouble you'll be the one dealing with it."

"And as soon as the little ones are born, I'll be visiting," She raised a brow wondering how he knew she was expecting twins, "Steve told me." He explained and she nodded.

"I expect to see you the moment my water breaks."

"Not a second later." He agreed, squeezing her hand, "I love you sister."

"I love you too." She responded immediately as they both stood and he pulled her into a tight hug resting his head on top of hers, "But you're telling Arina."


It was a good thing that Clint's farm was so large and virtually in the middle of nowhere, seen as the number of aircrafts both alien and not, that were gathered could have rivalled a small airport.

Despite her namesake, Clint and Aphrodite decided that there would be no black clothing at Natasha's celebration. Because that's what it was, a celebration of the life that Natasha Romanoff had lived, not a funeral for the Black Widow. Clint had a beautiful red maple tree planted on the property and Aphrodite casted a spell on it so that it would remain in bloom all year round. In the middle of the trunk was a plaque with the Black Widow symbol, then above and below read, Natasha Romanoff. Avenger, Friend, Family.

Even after so many years, there were some habits that just couldn't shake, like paranoia, that's why there weren't many pictures of Natasha to be found. At least not many of her alone, the two that rested on the tree were from her early days at SHIELD and Aphrodite's wedding respectively, the rest of the memorial that surrounded the tree filled with candles and mementos from her time with her family and friends. Clint invited everyone to leave their souvenir and even say a few words if they wanted to.

He went first of course, having known Natasha the longest out of everyone. He spoke about the first time he'd seen her, fought her, and then met her. About how he'd made the decision to recruit her into SHEILD, because even then when she might have been considered too far gone, or too dangerous to be a part of an organization like SHEILD, he saw something in her.

Nick Fury spoke next, despite always having been a man of few words. Like Clint he'd known Natasha quite well, he described her as the very definition of a flight risk at first, but much like Clint, he knew she was something special.

Maria Hill was much the same, her words landing somewhere in between Fury's and Clint's since she knew her personally as well as professionally, albeit not to the same degree that either man did. Still, their friendship blooming from being a couple of the top women in SHEILD made them quite the pair.

Thor spoke about Natasha as passionately as he would any Asgardian warrior and friend, he wasn't especially close to her personally there's being a friendship of convenience more than anything still, he'd come to care for her very much. Bruce was an interesting take being in an almost/sort of relationship with the redhead, and while they never got the chance to fully explore their feelings for one another, he did love her.

When Okoye spoke she reminded everyone how formidable and loyal Natasha was, how much she pushed to help get the world back together when it seemed all was lost for a time. Which took an unimaginable amount of strength. The Wakandan General proud to have considered the woman an ally, as well as a friend. Carol and Rocket shared similar remarks having formed their own friendships with her during their time spent working together post snap.

Sam thought it appropriate to tell everyone how the first time he met Natasha he'd thrown out possibly one of the worst pickup lines in history. But that didn't stop him from forming an easy friendship with Natasha, because it's not every day you invite the Black Widow, Captain America and a Goddess in to your home and live to tell the tale. Not only was Natasha his friend but she'd talked him into joining the Avengers when he'd had slight reservations and had saved him life a couple times over. She was the type of friend that everyone should be lucky to have. Wanda echoed his sentiments, and spoke about how much Natasha had helped her grow and learn both in the Avengers and as outlaws.

Together Steve and Aphrodite choked their way through their dedication to Natasha, since right after Clint they were closet to her. Arina perhaps being overwhelmed by the emotions around her, perhaps feeling dismayed by seeing her parents cry, had crawled up into Bucky's arms and ducked her head into his neck. All Bucky could do to hook his metal arm beneath her and let her cry into his shoulder, Wanda on his side peeking to make sure the little girl was alright and Sam on his other, while his oldest friend and his best girl stood an remarked about the woman he'd regret remembering so well, he didn't feel if was appropriate to speak on the Natasha he knew, instead just said his final goodbyes to himself and whatever God he might still believe in that might be listening in.

Finally after everyone had said their piece, there was a long moment of silence kept.


". . . And I know right now might not be the best time to talk about it, but-"

"The sooner we get those stones back the better," Steve said interrupting Bruce's explanation, "How much longer?"

"A week at most." Bruce responded shrugging his good arm. He, Rocket and Scott had been working long hours to put together the second quantum tunnel to make sure the stones went back the same way they came. "I know it's a lot to ask but, one of us is gonna have to make sure that those stones get back where they came from."

"I'll talk to Aphrodite." He said, "Thanks Bruce." Steve said before shaking the man's much larger had before making his way back over to his wife's side. "You good?" he asked sliding his arm around her waist after she paused her conversation with Laura.

"Yeah," she responded easily leaning into his side, "You?" when he nodded she went onto ask, "What did Bruce want?"

"I'll tell you when we get home." He answered pressing a kiss to the side of her head.

"Congratulations to you too Cap," Laura said to him suddenly, "Aphrodite just told me the big news."

Steve turned an amused questioning glance to his wife, "Mother's intuition." She said with a shrug.

"Thank you Laura, I really appreciate it."


Aphrodite was exhausted from the day's events, emotionally more so than anything else, so upon returning home she immediately went upstairs, Wanda went along with her and naturally Arina of course. That left the men downstairs, along with Loki the cat. Steve handed Sam a beer from the fridge then dipped into the Asgardian ale for him and Bucky.

"Careful," Steve warned dropping into his seat, "This stuff will go straight to your head."

Bucky was about to respond, probably with something snarky but was distracted by Loki hopping up onto the table and rubbing his body along his metal arm. "You sure that thing isn't actually her brother in disguise?" Sam questioned half joking half serious.

"Fairly certain," Steve responded grabbing the cat, who was none too happy about being moved, and berating him for being on the table before dropping him onto the floor, "Though I wouldn't even be surprised if he was." The cat looked annoyed and turned instead rubbing his body along their legs.

"What did you and Bruce talk about?"

Steve sighed, "We've got to put the stones back."


"She's truly something isn't she?" Wanda said with a soft gaze levelled on Arina as she slept with her head in Aphrodite's lap.

"You have no idea love," she responded with a smile running her hand over her head, "I was worried that today would overwhelm her, but she continues to show me how strong she is." She sighed looking over Wanda again, "How are you doing?"

Wanda took a deep breath, knowing what she was really asking. "There's lots of grief. It's hard. But there's something else that I can't describe."

"Hope maybe?"

She nodded, "Maybe. I know it's been five years for you all, but for me, it's only been days."

"You miss him, I get it." Aphrodite said reaching out to cover her hand, "And that's alright to miss him, too mourn for him, Vision, all of them. They live on through us. And we live for them, because if we don't then, what's the point?"


"You know she won't like you going back alone." Bucky said pointing out the obvious.

"I know, but I refuse to put our children in danger again."

"Hey give her a little bit more credit than that," Sam cut in defending his friend, "A, wouldn't have done any of this if she thought it might hurt your kids man."

"Still," Steve said shaking his head despite knowing that Sam was more than right, "Besides if what Bruce said is true, this mission will be over in no time flat."

"Then why are you still calling it a mission." Bucky asked suspiciously eyeing his best friend.

Calling it a night shortly after that Steve stood and left his best friends downstairs drinking since they weren't quite ready to call it quits. And what he saw in the master bedroom made his heart swell. The sight of his wife and daughter together would have done him in just fine, but toss Wanda into the mix and he was finished.

He carefully walked up to the bed and laid a gentle hand on Wanda's shoulder shaking her softly as he whispered her name she won't instantly slightly on edge with wide eyes, Steve maintained his gentle smile and helped her up. "You alright?" he whispered.

"I will be." She responded with a nod and Steve understood what she meant. Then she seemed to hesitate on something before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around his waist. Steve didn't waste a second in hugging her back, not recalling another time where he'd hugged Wanda. "Thank you." She mumbled into his shoulder and Steve only nodded hugging her tighter dropping a small kiss to the top of her head.

After Wanda left he scooped up Arina and carried her into her own room, she roused when he changed her into her pyjamas but immediately went right back to sleep when her head hit the pillow.

Back in the bedroom his wife had gone into the bathroom, so he changed in the room then crawled into bed. A few moments later she exited the bathroom and joined him. He wrapped his arm around her back toying with the ends of her hair, hers rested along his stomach and she rubbed her hand along the lower part of his abdomen.

They laid like that for a long while and Steve thought she had fallen back to sleep. "What are you thinking about?" She asked finally.

Steve sighed and wondered that if it was her powers reading him, or if she just knew, probably the latter. "Bruce is expected to have to next tunnel up and running in the next few days. We talked about putting the stones back where they belong."

"You want to be the one to go back." He sighed again, his girl knew him far to well, "I know you Steve," she continued, "You won't feel as if the job is truly done, unless you see it through."

"I don't want you to come with me."

"I know," she laughed, "I know I'd never get past the four of you," she smiled tilting her head to rest it on his chest, "If this is what you need to do, to finally put this mission to rest, I understand."

"Last mission," he said nodding, "I promise."

She nodded leaning up further to press a long kiss to his lips, "Last mission." She whispered into his mouth.


Y'all many apologies for the absurdly long delay on this chapter. I had such a hard time writing Natasha's funeral scene because I didn't wanna right full dialogues for people because each draft I did ended up sounding extremely repetitive.

On the bright side my mental health has been doing a lot better, a big thank you to all your kind words and understanding. On the dim side we have one more chapter before we close this book. On the bright-bright side the final chapter has already been posted.

Enjoy.