Natasha is catching up on her files, dismissing the third interview of the hour. With the second floor under construction, the kids have been living it up over at the tower; Late night sleepovers, an unhealthy amount of ice cream provided by both Starks.
Galina has moved on with a family in Kansas, Michael to Kentucky, and Kat to Connecticut.
Amelia is back from her venture with a family and her wide smiles upon returning to the center tells Natasha that she's happy enough to move forward with them.
Iris finds a home with Timothy. And Brock heads to New Jersey…
Their list is dwindling but Natasha is far too focused on the one who wants it most; Riley Park-Proctor.
Day in and day out Riley sits with the Banners at the desk and voluntarily contributes her powers to expose the potential parents and judge their honesty. It's Natasha's idea, hoping to show off the child she favors the most.
The redhead is ready to wrap up for the day a week after the more recent adoption. Riley remains the last figure and Natasha is debating on adopting her herself.
Bruce is aware of her undeniable affection for the girl, mentally prepared to open their home to a daughter whenever Romanoff decides to make the call.
Natasha triple checks her sheet mumbling with a quick check on her clock;
"We have one more meeting...and it's for you, Riley."
The younger girl's eyebrows lift in complete surprise, "Woah. For me?"
She nearly trips trying to run toward Natasha's voice, caught and steadied by Bruce.
She flushes with a squeak full of disgust and touches the space behind her to locate a chair, "Who is it?"
"Miss Hayes? Her bio is suspicious. I'm not sure how I feel about this application, Vrach ."
Natasha reaches to pass the tablet to Bruce who already has a hand extended, "Mary Hayes...detective for the NYPD. It's definitely fake…Sorry Riley."
Romanoff frowns with a heavy sigh full of disappointment. Bruce is lifting his eyebrows waiting for Natasha to drop the bomb of adoption.
Riley's heart drops, Natasha can see the moment it happens, and the grand reveal never comes.
Natasha makes eye contact with her husband, trying to decide what to do. Her foot props up onto the desk, "I think we should wait and see if Miss Hayes shows up. She has about twenty minutes?"
Bruce shrugs, unimpressed. He glares over Natasha's foot on top of their work area. "She better be on time and with a valid New York ID."
Natasha seems to agree with a silent exhale.
She can feel Riley trying to prod her mind so she gently swats her hand, "Oh my gosh, will you please stop it. For the billionth time; That's NOT how you make friends."
"We'll you're acting weird so," Riley snickers and bites her lip.
Of course the woman finally interested in adopting her would be a fraud. That's just her luck.
The three of them wait in the silence until Tony walks in with Antonia, running his mouth about how he was bored and happens to be in the area.
Anna runs to her 'Uncle' and requests a pick up, reaching for his glasses the instant Banner complies with an obligatory scoop.
He cautiously hands over his lenses, chuckling when she tries to put them on, "You don't need them."
"Where's my Anna? Do you want your Auntie Tasha?" Natasha reaches to tickle their young friend's back and Bruce dips with the intention of handing her over.
Bruce pulls Anna back when she squeals, "Sorry, Tasha."
She scowls over the girl preferring Bruce's attention. Her eyes narrow on the toddler, "Traitor."
Romanoff checks the clock, determined to wait until the last possible minute for this mystery woman.
A look of pure shock spreads across the faces of the three adults when Maria Hill walks pointedly through the door and takes a seat across from Natasha at the desk.
Romanoff folds her hands, and Antonia breaks the tension with a giggle.
The corners of Riley's mouth curve up to a knowing grin when she picks up on two things;
Maria is nervous, and she is there for something...or someone.
Hills coughs to clear her throat, adjusts her plain mauve flowy t-shirt and white jeans. She can't hold eye contact with Natasha who's jaw has gone completely slack so she looks up toward the science nerds who look equally horrified.
Maria clears her throat one final time, "I'm here to apply for the role as Riley's caretaker."
Romanoff finally closes her mouth and checks her sheet.
Maria rolls her eyes with a confession, "I'm sorry about the name. I just thought you would automatically deny me if I wrote 'Maria'."
Natasha looks up, tilting her head with a sarcastic tone, "So we're still lying to each other. This is a great start."
Maria reaches into her bag and opens a folder, "I have 18 references, all from people you personally know and trust. My full application along with a four page essay on how I plan to care for and parent Miss Park are all included."
'Park' impresses Bruce, she's done her research on the young girl enough not to call her Proctor...or has at least paid attention these past few years.
Natasha bites her cheek and takes the folder with a tug, going through her questions emotionlessly, "And. Do you have a next of kin? Some other legal guardian who can support and look after Riley should something happen to you."
"Nick Fury."
Natasha looks up, Tony scoffs, but Maria is quite serious when she elaborates;
"Should something happen to me, Fury would take her."
The redhead scans the page, surprised to locate the signature of her mentor completely backing Maria Hill's application.
"You realize, this contract means you cannot use her as a weapon?" Natasha lifts the page.
"Yes ma'am."
Natasha scans her tablet and flips through the pages before abandoning all structure, "Why? And why now?...I thought you hated children?"
"Riley's not a child,' Maria nods, Riley's grin gets wider, 'She's becoming a strong independent woman who inspires me to want to be better. She reminds me of myself...if I can guide her, provide for her, care for her, I imagine she has a brighter future."
"And her powers?"
"Irrelevant. She's valuable with or without her abilities. I see this young lady for what she is and believe she deserves a loving home. I believe I can be a mother to her."
Bruce looks over his shoulder, checking in with the girl, "Riley? What do you think?"
Riley keeps her focus low, fully aware of Natasha's nerves. Riley has a choice so she makes it, breaching Maria's mind and judging her sincerity;
"I like Agent Hill."
Natasha pushes, "Do you trust her?"
Riley thinks for a moment, clearly using her powers, before she talks, "Yeah. I trust her. And I think she'd be a pretty cool mom."
Maria smiles kindly, trying hard not to get ahead of herself.
Natasha narrows her focus with a muttered threat that exposes her accent;
"If you ever betray her, I will find you, I will torture you, and then I will end you, slowly...You know I'm good with knives."
"Knives!" Antonia tries to repeat, still in Banner's arms.
Tony reaches to cover his daughter's ears and glares at Bruce;
"No no! Olaf, flowers, and fairies! No knives. Is this what you and Red teach my child when you babysit?!"
"You should see what Nat's taught her to do with a machete,' Bruce jokes, Tony's eyes widen in fear, 'I'm kidding."
" Vrach ,' Natasha takes up the pen for her tablet, briefly acknowledging the peanut gallery behind her though never breaking eye contact with Maria, 'We will try it for 30 days. Randomized check ins; twice a week, at least. Mandatory employment evaluations…And I get to see the home twice before she moves in. Vy ponimayete ?"
Maria tilts her head and bites back confidently, "... Vse, chto neobkhodimo ."
Bruce chimes in with a reminder, "Guitar lessons-."
"-Guitar lessons! They're mandatory," Natasha repeats and directs her remark to Maria.
Hill smirks, "I have an instructor lined up for every Friday 5-6pm. She specializes in Korean pop."
Natasha scribbles in her private notes with a mumble, "I'll need a cleared background check before you bring her."
Riley swings her feet in anticipation, about ready to cry over knowing she's finally wanted. Nay, being fought over. It'll be a process, but she's ready for a family of her own.
Izabella is hosting a final sleepover with her new bestie, sad to be seeing her friend leave.
They're in their pajamas on Izabella's elegant bed, painting their nails with a film playing in the background.
Brody has been evicted and sent downstairs with Svetlana post playful argument over whether or not the movie selection was in fact too 'girlie' for his liking.
Lucy is sloppily painting her nails a jet back while Izabella toys with a reflective purple shade.
"Do you like California?" Izabella asks almost sadly.
Lucy snorts and lowers her brush, "You realize it's just a four hour flight between us, right?"
"It is five and a half hours," Izabella corrects with an eyebrow lift.
"Whatever. You can stay at my house. Like! We have a huge guest room. And a huge swimming pool. And you can come visit whenever you want."
"Okay," Izabella smirks, meticulous in her nail work.
Lucy brazenly dips her brush on Izabella's thumbnail, "Come on. Live a little."
Izabella's jaw drops, lifting her hand, "You ruin my purple."
"You really like purple."
Izabella chuckles, "It your Uncle's favorite."
Lucy shakes her head, foot swinging off the ledge of the bed, "You need some green in your life. You're going to make the hulk jealous, he's your mentor too, y'know?"
"Maybe so,' she digs in her small box, 'Like this?"
"That's perfect." Lucy pauses, biting her cheek when she asks, "Why do you like my uncle so much anyways? Is it just the science stuff or like…is he like, the dad you never had or something? Did you know your dad?"
"I never meet my father,' Izabella confesses as if she's calling the sky blue, with little emotion, 'I imagine my dad would be like your Uncle. Kind. Smart. Good."
"He's cool I guess, when he's not freaking out over Aunt Nat dying and all that."
Izabella looks up at her small television while Lucy rugs at her floppy blue pixie cut and continues to pry;
"Did you know your mom?"
"Not really. I remember small things..because I was small. She died after…um…It hurts to say,' Izabella looks as though she's trying to find the words, holding her soft expression, 'Your family help me to find the hope again. Your Uncle and your Aunt Natasha. They are like my family. My aunt and Brody- you. Nothing else matters much anymore."
"Got it," Lucy nods awkwardly, "Are you hungry? Do you want me to make us popcorn or something? Would your aunt mind if we eat in your room?"
"No," Izabella huffs out a laugh.
Lucy looks at her nails, eager to pick at the chip in the corner of her fourth finger once her hand is released from its captive state, "You're like, so positive... It's kind of annoying? But it's also kind of awesome?"
Izabella huffs another forced laugh as ofitssomethong she's obligated to do, "Thank you."
"Sorry, I didn't want to make you cry, or like, anything like that. I know you're a crier-which is totally fine by the way."
"I don't cry."
"You do. But that's okay-."
"I do not cry, I'm Russian."
"Ooh! We should get matching charms or something. Before I have to go home. I wanna like! Harness the summer. Some days were like, really bad, but…some of it was really good too. Like meeting you."
"Bad? What was bad?"
"Well, you know," she's yet to tell Izabella she's the cause for Riley's injuries, expose her abilities, or even bring them up.
Lucy's eyes gloss over and she goes silent...a rare occurrence. She's hiding facts from her friend, believing she'll be viewed differently, completely unaware that Izabella is currently doing the same when it comes to her obscure 'visions'.
Izabella misunderstands, curious when she asks, "Are you okay? After the capture?"
Lucy bounces back quickly, "Okay-Like! That was awesome. The guards were so like! Chill! I mean! I got free pizza!"
Izabella blows on her nails and tumbles over into her pillow laughing.
"What?" Lucy laughs with a push to Izabella's shoulder.
Izabella sits up and shakes her head, "You are so brave."
"Eh! I would've been braver if you were there because you would've made me laugh or something-. And now I want pizza. Pizza and a latte."
"Bozhe moi,' Izabella fans herself mid Natasha-ism, 'Are we friends? For always?"
"Totally,' Lucy snorts and lifts a pinky to swear it, 'No matter what, chic! We're sisters now. We'll always be B. ."
"Totally sisters," Izabella lifts her own pinky finger, locking it with Lucy's.
Riley packs up her suitcase with a little help from Natasha who is sad- the mind reader can tell.
The younger girl throws her head back, "You realize I'm going to be here every day for training, right? Just like Violet and Garrett? You better not start crying."
"Promise me one thing Riley,' Natasha stands, tapping the girl's shoulder, 'Don't ever forget, that you got where you are today by being kind. By seeing the good in others. By being a leader."
"I'm no leader."
Romanoff snorts, lifting the guitar secure in its case and tucking and arm under Riley, "You most certainly are. And I'm proud of you."
The girls brave the staircase, lead down carefully with Romanoff's assistance.
Maria takes over almost metaphorically once Natasha reaches the halfway point.
Hill cracks a joke that makes Riley laugh immediately, passing Garrett on the way who bids her a 'congratulations' as he sands down a wood block in the corner of the center with Clint.
Natasha bites her lip and rubs over her eye as Maria takes Riley's bags for her.
The spy pivots to look at the empty staircase behind her. She takes a deep inhale.
Some children will be back, most of them will. Eager to learn and hone their skills.
Some won't, busy living a normal life with their newfound parents.
Natasha breaks out of her fog when she feels a soft kiss on her cheek. She wraps an arm around Banner's waist.
The spy mumbles, "We did it. They have homes."
He wraps his arms around her and holds her close in the quiet space, "Are you okay?"
She answers with a grin and red eyes due to suppressed tears, "You know."
He kisses her forehead.
She hates adoption day…
"…I know."