Four years later

Two years after their small wedding they'd decided to start their family. They'd wanted to adopt a child, but it hadn't been easy. There had been so many steps and tests, but five months ago they had finally been able to take their daughter home. They had met Mia almost a year ago at her foster home and Natasha couldn't really explain it, but she had known that she was supposed to be this little girl's mother. She'd looked at Steve and she'd known he felt the same way about her.

Mia was their whole world. The most amazing seven year old there ever was. She was so little and just perfect. Her perfect dark brown hair and her pretty hazel eyes. And she had the cutest little button nose. Natasha was so in love with her. Mia was smart, kind, curious and a little shy. It had taken her some time until she'd opened up to them and she was still too polite.

Now don't get her wrong, Natasha didn't mind that Mia was a polite child, not at all, but Mia did everything she was told and never acted out because she was scared that she would be send away if Natasha and Steve were unhappy with her. Which would never happen, Mia was the piece that had been missing. Natasha and Steve had been happy in their house as a married couple, but now with Mia...It was perfect, a real home.

There were no words to describe how happy they were. They both loved their little girl so much. Everyone did. Aunt Yelena and Uncle Bucky adored Mia, and Yelena had been the first one to get Mia to really laugh out loud. She'd laughed so much that she'd snorted apple juice through her nose and onto her clothes and she'd looked so worried that she would be in trouble, but she and Steve had just smiled warmly at her and she'd relaxed.

Natasha was waiting in front of Mia's school for her. The school wasn't far away from their house and some people would probably let their child go home alone, but it wasn't an option for the Rogers family. Either Steve or Natasha were picking her up and if they were unavailable because of work, then Yelena or James picked her up. She and Steve had a dangerous past and they had to protect their daughter.

The door opened and kids were rushing out. Natasha spotted her daughter after a few seconds. Mia waved and walked faster when she saw Natasha. She had to chuckle a bit. Steve had done Mia's hair today and her bun had not survived the day.

"Hi, sunshine." Natasha knelt down to give her girl a hug.

"Hello, Natasha." She was smiling at her.

Mia didn't call them mom and dad yet, and Natasha had to be honest it did hurt a little, but she knew that Mia needed time and if she'd never call her mom then she would also be okay with that. The only thing that mattered was that Mia was comfortable.

"Do you want me to fix your hair?" She asked Mia who nodded. She undid the bun and quickly redid it. "There, much better."

Her heart fluttered when Mia took her hand and walked right beside her. Mia told her all about her school day and Natasha listened intensely. She'd lived a dozens lives, but nothing was more interesting to her than to hear about her daughter's day.

"Is Steve home yet?" Mia asked when they were in front of their house.

"No, sunny. He's still at work. He'll be home for dinner though."

They always had breakfast and dinner together. This was important to her and Steve. This was something they wanted to give Mia. Every day would start and end with her parents by her side.

Mia was helping her with dinner when Steve came home. He greeted them both with a big smile and a kiss, Natasha got one on the lips and Mia on top of her head. She showed her dad very proudly how she was cutting the cucumbers for the salad. Steve praised her and she smiled happily.

They ate outside on the patio and Mia told Steve all about her day. He listened with a smile on his face and asked Mia questions. This was truly Natasha's favorite time of the day. All three of them together, telling each other about their day.

Today was movie night and Mia was allowed to pick out a movie. There were still so many kid movies she hadn't seen yet. Tonight she chose The Sword in the Stone and they were all cuddling together on the couch to watch the movie. Natasha ran her fingers through Mia's hair who had leaned her cheek against Steve's arm. She met Steve's gaze and they both smiled at each other. Steve mouthed an "I love you" and she mouthed it back.

Mia got ready for bed and then her parents tucked her in. They read her a bedtime story and both kissed her forehead before they left her room.

Steve took her hand and they went back to the living room to enjoy the rest of the night as a couple. Natasha loved being his wife, getting married had changed their relationship. Their love got even deeper and stronger.

"I see you redid Mia's hair?" Steve gave her a knowing look while he filled her wine glass.

"The bun was barely still there after school." Natasha chuckled and thanked him for her drink.

"It's like witchcraft to me, Nat!"

"I know, honey. It's okay. You don't have to be perfect at everything. Mia doesn't care about stuff like that!"

"I know." He sat down next to her and pulled her against him. "It's just...It can't be that hard if Buck can do it!"

Natasha grinned. As it turned out, James was very good at braiding hair. Well, it wasn't really a surprise since he'd grown up with a little sister. After James had once braided Mia's hair around her hair like a crown, she regularly asked him shyly if he could do it again. And he always did.

"Your birthday's coming up next month." Natasha reminded him. "How do you wanna celebrate?"

"A little party here is more than enough." He kissed her temple. "As long as my two girls will be there I will be happy."

Maybe a little barbecue with their closest friends would do. James, Sam, Yelena, Rhodey and Clint. Mia knew them and wouldn't feel uncomfortable around them.

Steve sat suddenly straight up. He'd heard something.

"What is it?"

"Mia's coming downstairs."

It was pretty late, Natasha hoped that Mia was okay. Their daughter appeared in the door frame, looking upset.

"What's wrong, sunny?"

"I had a nightmare, mommy." Natasha's breath got caught in her throat. "I dreamed about the evil witch from the movie. Can I stay here with you and daddy?"

"Of course, sunshine." Steve said, his voice full of emotion. He'd grabbed Natasha's hand the second Mia had called her mommy.

Natasha blinked her tears away. Their daughter had accepted them as her mother and father. This was the happiest moment of her life. Their little sunshine felt safe with them, she knew that they loved her.

"Come here." Natasha opened her arms and Mia snuggled herself against her body. Steve pulled them both against his chest and he ran his hand across Mia's back. "We all have nightmares sometimes, Mia. But you can always come to us."

"I know." She nodded and then pressed her perfect little face into Natasha's neck. "You protect me." She mumbled into her skin. "Because you love me. I love you, too."

Natasha kissed her baby's hair. "Yes, we love you so much."

"So, so much, sunny." Steve agreed.

"Do you want to sleep in our room tonight?"

"Please, mommy." Mia replied sleepily and Natasha's heart almost burst out of her chest. She was someone's mommy. "Um...does daddy snore?"

She laughed. "He does not. But if he does, we'll just kick him out of the bed."

"Hey!" Steve acclaimed and Mia giggled.