Jennifer couldn't help but admire the way the diamond of her ring shined in the low lamp light of Steve's apartment before she removed it from her finger and placed it delicately back in its box. She sighed and sat it up on a bookshelf near the door. She was so attached to her engagement ring already, though she'd only had it for two days.
"I personally still think you should wear it..." Steve complained playfully. Jennifer rolled her eyes and stooped down to pick up the package needed for the party.
"I know, but our turn will come. This is for the Banner family, heaven knows they deserve it. I'd hate for one of those reporters to notice it and somehow any of the attention be taken from Natasha and Bruce. Especially Natasha." Jennifer smiled, kissing Steve on the cheek as he opened the door.
"Think Bruce's heart can handle it?" Steve ask quietly as they walked down the halls.
"I think he's going to be fine. Its a fifty-fifty shot. Its not like you can get anything besides pink or blue at one of these shindigs." Jennifer reminded him.
"I still don't fully understand. We didn't have these back in my day. Hell- Men were not even allowed at baby showers when I was growing up." Steve replied.
Jennifer paused in the hallway and looked her fiancé over with amusement.
"Yes, grandpa, we know." She laughed, and he stuck his tongue out at her, then held his hand out for her to catch up and keep walking with him.
"I just meant having such an intimate moment with press present. Natasha and Sam both explained the premise of a gender reveal party- Sam had lots of pictures of his sister's when she found out she was having her son. I think it's kind of odd, but adorable." Steve leaned forward and pressed the elevator button. "I'm honestly surprised either of them agreed to have press."
"Well-" Jennifer reasoned, "I mean it is time. Neither of them have even been in the public eye since Bruce got home. He didn't even attend the press conference Tony made me speak at letting everyone know he was no longer missing. They've been calling here, bugging anyone they can that works on staff that goes out for answers- I think in order to get a little more privacy, they need to give a little. You saw how long they milked us. Which, by the way- is why I cannot wear my beautiful new ring. It's their time- its a huge thing. Pepper didn't even tell the members of the press that she invited- which were only 5 people, by the way- that Nat and Bruce picked themselves- what it was. Just a 'big announcement' from some of the team. They have no idea."
"Sound be fun, then." Steve nodded. "So- there is no chance you'll tell me what the babies are? You know I love secrets."
"No." Jennifer said overly seriously.
"Afraid not." Steve shrugged. "Worth a shot. Why does Pepper get to know but I don't?"
"For the same reason Tony doesn't get to know..." Jennifer paused for a second and tilted her head. "Not exactly the same reason. Pepper had to help me plan and buy things."
The doors opened to the ground floor, and hand in hand Steve and Jennifer headed out to the garden.
The party was already set up with balloons of pink and blue and white making an arch over the walkway, a theme that carried over all over. There was a place on the table where guests could make a guess or suggest a name, and a table full of gifts which Natasha be gender neutral or duel use, such as diapers and bottles. Tony had yet to allow press inside, so they were waiting out at the gates with Vision, who would let them in later. Steve leaned into Jennifer and whispered in her ear.
"I didn't know Dr. Banner had it in him to look so happy." Steve complimented. Jennifer looked over where Bruce had one hand laced through Natasha's, the other moving as he was telling a very animated story to Tony and Colonel Rhodes. Bruce and Natasha had both dressed in yellow- Bruce a yellow button down dress shirt and light grey slacks, Natasha in a pastel yellow sundress that showed off her baby bump, having chose yellow as a neutral ground color.
"Both of them. Look." Jennifer gushed, happy for her friends. Tony glanced briefly away from the his friend toward the steps, and gave a grin and a wave.
"Well! If it isn't the secret keeper!" Tony called above the noise of small talk that filled their patio. Natasha looked over and also grinned excitedly.
"Finally!" The spy called.
"We're still ten minutes early by my watch!" Steve retorted, laughing. He and Jennifer continued down the steps to the patio ground level.
"Says the man who went for a nap and pulled a Rip Van Winkle." Tony jest.
"Enough! I think I get to speak for us all- especially us four..." Bruce looked over, beaming, and he squeezed Natasha's hand, "When I say let's get this show on the road."
Tony nodded and placed a finger to his ear to block out outside noise. "Hey Vis? Yeah. Bring our esteemed guests in. But please remind them that respect and professionalism are expected to be on the highest level or they get no snacks."
Jennifer held her bag up as she came over to where the largest group of their friends had gathered. "These are confetti cannons. They are loaded with either pink or blue holographic style shiny pieces of confetti, which is really just like... huge glitter. The plan is to have you two both take one- one for each twin, because I can neither confirm nor deny the sexes of your children are the same- and on the count of three, you pull... here." Jennifer showed them the trigger point on the cannons.
The press arrived at the gate with Vision, who called ahead to Tony. He and Pepper met them as they walked up the stairs.
"I hope by the looks of the decorations, you understand the event you've been invited to." Pepper smiled.
"Are congratulations in order for you and Mr. Stark?" a young man ask meekly from the back.
"Oh!" Pepper chuckled, glancing at Tony, who looked liked a deer caught in headlights. "No- no not to us. Just, hold your questions. You're here to observe, mostly, and then you've permission to make an announcement, that is all."
The press all gave a murmur of agreement as they made their way up the stairs, and caught sight of Natasha and Bruce. A couple of them froze briefly, and the sound of a camera shutter clicked from the small crowd. Pepper turned and halted them all before getting any closer. She looked to Tony and nodded.
"So-" Tony started, clearing his throat. "I want it noted now that NOBODY is to ask questions about genetics, about the Hulk, any of that. Understood?" His voice was firm and threatening as he looked over his sunglasses at them.
"Understood." The young man from the back spoke up again.
"A nod is fine, kid. Nobody likes a suck up." Tony retorted as he ushered them on into the party. "Please, grab a plate, grab a drink, Mingle- But don't bug anyone."
Tony and Pepper left the very awkward crowd near the snack table and wandered back to where their friends stood, still making small talk and waiting. Jennifer was staring hard at Bruce, and finally, Natasha noticed and elbowed him in the ribs.
"Ow! What?" He cried, laughing slightly as he rubbed his ribs.
"Doc is noticing something." She said, looking to Jennifer for answers.
"Oh." Jennifer looked down, embarrassed she was caught. "I'm afraid I was taking your pulse while I watched you talk. You have this really prominent artery right..." She gestured a mirror of where it was on Steve, who instinctively turned his head to be her model. "Its the one that-"
"Turns green first, yeah..." Bruce snorted. "You can see it?"
"You're nervous, of course she can see it." Natasha piped up.
"I- I am not." Bruce defended.
"You are. I keep dropping your hand to wipe my palm off, you're sweating so much..." Natasha explained.
"Oh gross. Honey, I'm so sorry..." Bruce jerked away from Natasha's grip and frantically rubbed his palms down his pants leg.
"Hey- Shhh. Stop." Natasha comforted him, and Tony disappeared and reappeared with a glass of water, which Bruce took and began to sip. "Don't apologize. This is a big day- a happy day- but a big one. It's okay. I love you- I don't care you're a little sweaty. You understand I've lived with Barton, right? Sweat doesn't bother me."
"That's true, I ooze." Clint shook his head. "It's bad."
"Shut up, Clint." Natasha snapped playfully.
"Poor Laura, you should see a doctor about that. Not me, though- because gross..." Jennifer joked with a smile.
The whole team sat on edge as Bruce and Natasha aimed their cannons skyward- all anxious to see what the new babies joining their odd little family would be, but also concerned about their favorite physicist's heart.
Tony flexed his hand, activating the bracelet he wore at all times that could bring his suit to him in less than thirty seconds, a smile on his face but concern in his eyes.
Jennifer nudged Steve forward to start the countdown.
"5!"...
Bruce's hand fidgeted as he gripped at the confetti cannon.
The crowd gathered joined the Captain in his count.
"4!"...
Natasha's smile faltered slightly as she looked over at her lover, and she gave him a small nod of reassurance. She lifted her cannon higher toward the sky, and Bruce swallowed and followed suit.
"3... 2..."
On the count of one, the confetti flew and the entirety of the crowd present cheered, including the members of the press. Natasha dropped her cannon and covered her mouth with her hands, but her eyes showed how large her smile was. Bruce wrapped one arm around her, and held the other up to catch pink glitter as it rained down on them.
Girls. Twin girls.
"My God Bruce, you'll be outnumbered three to one." Colonel Rhodes laughed from the back.
"Three to two." Natasha corrected quickly, her protective streak for the Hulk flashing. Bruce smiled sheepishly at her, his deep brown eyes flashing green for an instant.
Bruce held Natasha close to his chest, both arms dipped down and cradling the bump that housed their daughters. The two lay in Natasha's bed silence, resting from the excitement of the party, the gifts they had opened, the interview with the press. Natasha stoked her fingers along Bruce's arms.
"You know, we should probably talk about that, sometime." Bruce sighed, breaking the silence they'd fallen comfortably into.
"Hmmm?" Natasha hummed. "Talk about what?"
"The obvious dichotomy of the father of your children, Natasha." Bruce replied flatly.
"What?" Natasha almost snapped, her voice sharp. She pulled away and rolled herself to sit up and face him.
"I'm not alone in here. Therefore... These are, effectively, our children." Bruce interjected.
"You just now realize that?" Natasha furrowed her brow and tilted her head. She looked angry, and Bruce swallowed thickly.
"You don't seem to be bothered by that." Bruce almost whispered. Natasha took a moment to read him, the tight way he held his lips, the closed off body language he was exhibiting since she pulled away.
"Bruce- I'm me. I know how DID works, and newsflash, genius, I love you both... Differently, obviously, but I do. You and the big guy. I wouldn't say he's like their father, too. More like a very involved uncle. Honestly, honey, I would be willing to bet I know Hulk better than you do." She said calmly, keeping her tone even.
"How you figure?" Bruce snapped, crossing his arms.
"You fight him all the time. You two battle each other. But neither of you seem to mind letting me in-" She crawled over the empty space on the bed between them and gently stroked her hand down his jawline. "I love you so much. All of you, both of you. However you'd like me to put it. I'm all in, right here. Mother of your children. I'm not going to get scared of you, or run away... I should hope you'd know that- since I stayed right here waiting for you to come home to me. For us to be a family. I understand I will never understand how the two of you feel as you occupy this space..." She gently kissed between his eyes at the bottom of his forehead, "But I want to be here anyway. Forever."
"Marry me." Bruce said, so quick a reply he looked shocked himself that the words had came from his mouth. "I- I don't have a ring or anyth-"
Bruce's words were crushed in place as Natasha's mouth covered his, a deep kiss sinking in over them. He placed a hand on her cheek as her tongue parted his lips and they spent a moment lost in the taste of one another.
"So... Yes?" Bruce laughed as she pulled away for air.
"Yes. But let me get back in shape before I even begin looking at dresses." Natasha agreed. She leaned forward to kiss him again when the intercom overhead sounded and they both paused to look up.
"Doc- We need you in Steve's room. Now." Tony's voice sounded, fear ringing through his words. Bruce looked over at Natasha as he sprung up and moved to put his shoes back on.
"What's going on?" Bruce answered, worried. The connection between rooms on the coms system gave some background noise, and Steve's panicked voice could be heard in the background, his words unintelligible.
"Jennifer is- Jennifer needs a doctor." Tony replied. "Nat- don't... don't come."
The intercom clicked off, signalling that Tony had disconnected the call in, and Natasha's face grew pale as Bruce finished tying his other shoe.
"Stay here." Bruce repeated as he backed toward the door. "I'll have someone call you when everything is stable. I promise." With that, he disappeared through the door, leaving the newly engaged and worried spy alone.
By the time Bruce made it to the other side of the living quarters suites where Steve's apartment was, full blown chaos had broken out in the room. Steve and Sam were both desperately pulling on what appeared to be the young doctor in question, struggling to move her at all as she was suspended in the air. They were also trying and failing to shield their eyes from the blinding golden light that had consumed Jennifer's person.
"Uh-" Bruce sputtered as he came into the bedroom. He, too, shielded his eyes from the light coming from the young doctor.
"Bout time." Tony called, coming over from the bedside to Bruce. "Cap says she was on the couch just... talking. Her body went rigid and she started to glow from the heart-outward, and it took her over and got brighter and brighter. That is when the levitation started, I guess."
The Captain, who was in a near panic attack himself, winced into the light as he tried to turn to look at the other doctor. "Hey- I'm sorry to both you..."
"Are you kidding?!" Bruce scolded, coming over to join Sam and Steve, also attempting to lower her back down. Bruce noted you could moved her laterally in the air with great ease, but bringing her back down to obeying gravity was another feat entirely. He gently turned over her left wrist and felt her pulse rate.
"Her heartbeat is so steady- its almost like shes... asleep." Bruce commented, confused. "Look, guys- I can see how this..." He gestured to the glowing young physician with open arms, "Might LOOK bad. But honestly- I think she's fine. Whatever fine for Jennifer looks like. Have you tried getting in touch with her father or grandmother? Maybe one of them knows more about this than us- We can only hope."
Steve looked over at Tony with his large blue eye's pleading. "Tony please... I-I can't-"
"It's okay, Cap. I got it." Tony reassured him, taking his own phone out. He dialed the number for Thomas that Pepper had given him when they were planning Jennifer's birthday. It rang and rang, and then the voicemail service picked up. Tony swallowed and hit redial, before the same thing happened once again.
"Let's hope that's just a coincidence." Sam mumbled, holding to Jennifer's other side.
"My phone is in my right hip pocket- Her sister's numbers are both in there." Steve said nodding downward. Tony took the phone out and flipped through his contacts, calling Alice first. Again, it rang through to voicemail. Tony flipped straight to Kierra's number after that and called. Again, it rang until voicemail. Tony took the phone from his ear and looked over at Sam pointedly.
"Wanna run to Tennessee for me?" Tony only half joked. Steve's phone started to ring in his hand, however, and Tony looked down. "It's Thomas." He clicked it on and put it to speaker, holding the phone up for Steve to speak without taking his grip loose from his fiancee.
"H-Hey Captain Rogers. Sorry we've all missed your calls- it's been kinda a rough day." The sound of the older man's voice was cracked with heavy emotion.
"Here, too." Steve sighed. "I'm sorry it's just-"
"Jennifer okay?" Thomas interrupted.
"No sir." Steve replied honestly. "She's lit up like the 4th of July- pardon the expression." Steve explained. "And hovering about six feet off the ground."
"Her Grandmother died." Thomas replied, giving almost no pause between what Steve was telling him and his response. "She was the last person in the family with it."
"It, sir?" Steve questioned.
"The Gift, as they all called it. My wife didn't have it- but she sure was proud when Jennifer started showing signs at a young age. Only one of our daughters that got it, I'm sure you know. The healing..." Thomas sighed. "It ran- runs- in their side of the family. Gramma died mid-morning- I guess Jen got the rest of hers."
"Hi- S-Sorry to interrupt..." Bruce chimed in- "Dr. Banner here. Mr. Ford- you say this ran in your wife's family; your mother-in-law died and now Jennifer has the 'rest'? How is that possible? Do you know more about that? It doesn't sound like your normal family trait..."
"The Gift? It isn't." Thomas sighed. "I'm afraid I was not allowed to know that much- nor did I want to. All I know is it doesn't always go in a direct line when being passed along, and that it can't cure things like cancer..."
Steve looked down, remembering that Jennifer had often cried about not being able to save her mother.
"Did she mention anything at all about Jennifer before she passed?" Tony ask.
"Just that she wished she'd be able to live long enough to see how much Jen would go on to do. When she died this morning, her last breath left her like a ray of pure white light. I guess that's when it made it's way up to Jennifer." Thomas guessed. "I wish I could do something, honestly. I've never understood The Gift. Never tried to- it's one of those things the world just doesn't have an explanation for, I'd reckon. But I'm sure she's fine- more than sure, actually. If I were a bettin' man I'd just about bet my bottom dollar her body is just learning how to house her new power."
"Is there more?" Bruce questioned.
"Always has been. Jennifer never tried to use anything else- though Gramma did always tell her that one day she'd have to." Thomas sighed. "Gramma could see things- knew things. Sometimes she'd call objects to her. It always seemed a little like magic to me. Folks around her called her a gran-"
"Granny witch." Sam finished with Thomas. "We have those where I'm from, too."
"Yeah, but that's why we didn't answer. The girls are pretty upset. Haven't decided how to tell Jennifer yet, but then, knowing this now- I'd say she'll know when she wakes up." Thomas sighed again. "Thank you for taking such good care of my girl, Captain Rogers."
"Steve is just fine, Mr. Ford." Steve said with a sad smile. "Thank you for trusting me."
"She belongs with y'all." Thomas said quietly. "Get her through this, then maybe bring her home. We'll be cremating Gramma and we need her here to plan the memorial."
"Yes, sir." Steve nodded as Thomas hung up the call. He gulped and looked around to his friends.
"Well- looks like Jennifer is about to get a lot more handy..." Tony attempted to joke. None of the other men seemed amused.
"Keep her over the bed, when she comes down she'll need something below her to land on." Bruce commanded.
"I'd never let her fall." Steve snapped back. Bruce raised and eyebrow at Steve. "Sorry, Doc."
"I'll let it slide." Bruce chuckled. "But otherwise, she just needs to be left alone. This is a family trait, her body knows what its doing. Leave her be."
"Alright- You all heard the good Doctor, get out..." Tony mumbled, ushering everyone out. "Call us if you need anything."
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