After the tears dried, I slowly, and unsteadily got up from the floor and washed my face before exiting the bathroom quietly.
I noticed it was quieter than earlier, as I headed down the hallway to check on Becca. When I got to her room, I found her and Jamie both asleep in their cribs.
As soon as I made sure they were still sleeping alright, I made my way down the stairs and out the back door to sit on the back porch swing with a sigh.
I stared at the trees, as I slowly swung back forth with the breeze,allowing it blow around me, and serve calm my nerves.
I don't know for how long I had been sitting there, when I heard footsteps and the chain of the swing clink as someone sat next to me.
"What's on your mind, doll?"
I looked over at him, before letting out a sigh. Shaking my head at him before looking away again.
"What's wrong? Are you scared?" He asked as he sat down next to me with a sigh.
I snorted, shaking my head, "No. At least, not about this situation…" I murmured, looking away, as I instinctively touched my stomach.
"Hm. Well, I brought you some ginger ale, a Sprite and some saltine crackers… you know to help you, hopefully." He said as I dropped my head onto his shoulder, tiredly.
I smiled sadly in response, remembering he wasn't there during the twins' pregnancy.
"Thank you… that was really sweet of you, krasivyy." I whispered, grabbing his right hand and weaving my fingers through it. (handsome)
"I read somewhere that that helps with nausea and vomiting… something called morning sickness…" he said shrugging as he wrapped his arm around me.
"Morning sickness is usually nausea, vomiting and a few other things combined. Happens during the first three months of the pregnancy, but can continue on throughout the pregnancy and any time of day." I explained.
"Other things like what?" He asked, as his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Well, there is increasing urination, sensitive breasts, cravings, heartburn, back pains, dizzy spells, fainting spells, mood swings… amongst other things." I said, shrugged, as he winced.
"Oof. Sorry I missed that with the twins." He said, kissing my hair, with a concerned expression on his face.
"You didn't miss much. To tell you the truth, I almost killed Tony for eating one of my ranch and marinara dipped pizza knots a couple of times, then I also cried because Steve bought me Shawarma and donuts one day… yes, it was a lot to take in. I was always hungry too." I said, groaning as I felt my mouth begin to water.
"Shawarma? From where?" He asked, surprised, before frowning.
"Uptown New York. Someone opened a Shawarma place. It was alright but nothing compares to the food in Russia. That food was delicious." I groaned, thinking about the food from there.
"Well, don't worry, this time around I'll be here to fulfill all of your cravings… Also, I already called Tony earlier and explained the situation and why we left... Well not you being pregnant, because I don't want anyone to know, quite yet. I also told him we were retiring for the time being." He said.
I stared at him in disbelief. "But working with the Avengers was something you liked doing..." I said surprised.
"That's true, but I have priorities now. These past few years have really served to open up my eyes to what's really important. Your' safety, along with the kids' are more important right now. You three, well now four, matter more to me than some job in New York." He said.
I smiled up at him, before closing my eyes.
"I also went ahead and set up the safety gates on the stairs, near the kitchen, and living room. The rest of the things should be here sometime tomorrow." He said.
"How did you—?" I asked, surprised, as I turned to look at him.
"I woke up at three in the morning. " He said, shrugging.
I frowned, remembering that he moved off the bed sometime after the kids fell asleep, onto the floor.
I made a mental note to get one of the futons or a firmer bed at a later date. I hated when he tried to act like everything was fine, when I knew he still has recurring nightmares, and I did too.
"I ordered the stuff online and paid more for same day delivery for the gates, and I paid for the next day delivery for the rest of the things." He shrugged. "I set up the safety gates while you were distracted out here." He added with a smirk.
"Who knows where we are?" I asked, frowning.
"No one, besides your brothers..." He said.
I sighed nodding, biting the inside of my cheek as I stared at the backyard.
Wondering if we were actually going to stop going on missions and helping the Avengers so we could live a normal life. Is that what he wanted?
"Are we really going to do this?" I asked, nervously.
"We sure are, doll." He said, kissing my forehead.
"But what about Steve.. he's your best friend. Do you really want to stop seeing him?" I asked, concerned.
He sighed. "No, I don't. I'll tell him where we are, eventually. But for now, I just want some sort of semblance of peace. Away from all the missions, away from all the actions, and away from all the drama. I want us to be a family. To spend some much needed quality time together. Just us." He said as he placed his hand on my thigh, lightly squeezing it.
"If you're sure about that…" I said, as I felt my stomach growl, causing me to bite my lip.
"I am . Now, I believe you two are hungry ?" He asked me.
I nodded in response, biting my lip and looking away.
"Come on, doll. Let's go feed the little one." He said, as he stood up and offered me his hand.
I stared out back for a moment, before letting him pull me inside.
Just as we walked inside I froze, gaping at the sight before me.
Sitting there in the corner of the room was a large playpen for the twins, and beside it was a smaller one.
Next to that were two highchairs, and a large box full of clothes for the kids and toys.
How had he managed to get all of these things in here without me noticing?
"You've been busy." I commented, as I went to sit on the overstuffed couch.
"Not really. All this was done in a matter of minutes, an hour or two at the most." He said, shrugging in response.
"How did you set all of this up so quickly?" I asked, shocked.
"I was very handy with tools back in the day…." He replied, shrugging.
"Oh right, I forgot I married a fossil…" I muttered, shaking my head in amusement.
"Oh, we're back to calling me a fossil now?" He asked, raising a brow as he sat next to me.
"Maybe ..." I snorted.
He rolled his eyes at me, before getting up. "Come on, milaya, let's go get some food in you, before the little ankle-biters wake up." He said.
I chuckled, nodding, before getting up and following him to the kitchen.
"So, what do you feel like eating?" He asked me.
I hummed, closing my eyes as I tried to think of something to eat. " Cheesy bacon fries…?" I asked.
He turned to look at me with a raised brow. "Craving?" He asked.
I nodded, "Oh, an Oreo milkshake sounds good right now too." I added.
"I think there was a burger joint a few miles down. Do you want anything else?" He asked as he grabbed the keys off the counter.
I closed my eyes, "Chocolate cake? Or some chocolate chip cookies? No, wait. A double cheeseburger with bacon..." I groaned, licking my lips.
"Got it. Call me if you want anything else." He said, as he grabbed his coat, and kissed my lips, before kissing my forehead and making his way out.
As he walked out, I slowly made my way towards the door, closing my eyes in concentration, before I began walking around the place, fingertips gracing the walls, windows, and doors.
Nothing could walk or get in here without our permission. My kids and my husband were going to be protected no matter what.
Even if it killed me.
