A little conversation between the adults.

"So Wanda told me there hasn't been a woman in your life."

Steve chuckled and glanced at his sleeping daughter on the couch behind them. He was glad that she'd been napping for the past hour because it gave him some time to talk with Natasha privately. "Has she? I guess I shouldn't be surprised. She's taken to you very quickly and it's easy for her to be open with people she likes."

"I'm glad to hear it and I'm fond of her too. Why hasn't there been anyone? I may sound bold, but from what I've learned about you, I think plenty of women would go out with you if you asked."

"That's why I don't ask."

"Too shy or too scared?" She hoped she wasn't being overstepping her bounds, but she was genuinely curious about Steve's reasons for not dating.

"Too busy. I had a lot of commissions back in Brooklyn and sometimes, I'd find myself driving around thirty minutes for a session. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the work, but it's a challenge to raise a child when you're running back and forth. Wanda and I spent plenty of time together, but we started to feel a strain."

"City life doesn't suit her, does it?"

"Not really. She likes it well enough, but it isn't the best place to raise a child, particularly when you're a single parent. My personal life was nonexistent thanks to all of my commissions and I decided that we needed a slower change of pace. I contacted Bucky since I knew he lived in Texas and I asked him if he knew any work I could do out here."

"And that's how you got a job at the new art gallery downtown."

"Yeah. Bucky's in real estate agent and he's friends with a lot of people in that world. When he heard about a new property being built, he put in a good word for me to the guy who purchased the land. His name is Nick Fury."

"Oh, I know him!"

"Really?"

"Mmhm. He's an old family friend and I've known him back when I was just a little kid. Nick's a good man."

"I believe you." Steve grinned. "He accepted my resume without meeting me face to face. He shared a long distance call with me on Skype for half an hour. He said since Bucky recommended me, he was willing to give me a shot. You can't imagine how grateful I was. I mean, I'd been prepared to go job hunting if I had to, but everything just up perfectly."

Natasha cupped her chin in one hand. "Life rarely gives us exactly what we need right when we need it, but if it happens, it's the best feeling in the world."

"Damn right. I don't see how it can be any better."

"Maybe you'll be able to have more of a personal life. Go out and do some things, meet new people. From what you've told me about Bucky, he probably has plenty of women he could introduce you to."

"I'm not sure if I'm ready for that."

Natasha covered his hand with hers and gave him an encouraging smile. "You know, they say sharing your thoughts with strangers is cathartic."

Steve's blue eyes zeroed in on her hand, but he didn't pull away. He looked up at her, smiling. "You're not a stranger anymore. We're neighbors and I know Wanda thinks of you as a friend, like I do."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"And another friend couldn't hurt, especially where Wanda is concerned."

Natasha glanced back at the still sleeping brunette and turned her eyes to Steve again. "I think she's doing a great job adapting."

"Wanda's always been like that, although I have a feeling that she wants me to get a girlfriend."

"You're not wrong. We had a little discussion before lunch and she was pretty certain that you both need a feminine influence in your lives."

"A feminine influence?"

"I kid you not. Those were her exact words. Something tells me that she won't let up until you get one." Natasha's eyes twinkled with mischief. It was funny how nosey the girl had been as she talked to Natasha about her father.

"All I can say is I'll think about it, but there's no way I'm getting involved with a woman who is not right for me."

"I'm the same way about dating. I've had five different boyfriends in my life and all they did was waste my time, money and emotions. The right guy is out there for me, but I'm not gonna go out hunting for him."

"That's smart. You should enjoy being single because when you have a significant other, they take up a lot of room in your life. I haven't experienced it personally, but that's the endgame." Steve's voice grew soft as he continued. "My dad once told me he hadn't been alone for more than ten minutes at a time after he married my ma. Never regretted it for a second, though. He said their life got better each passing day and I refuse to settle for less than that."

From the emotion in his voice, it was clear to Natasha that Steve loved his parents very much. "You'll have to tell me more about them."

"I will." Steve parted his lips to speak again, but the sound of a small alarm went off first.

"Oh! That's my phone." Natasha picked up her cell and quickly turned off the chiming bell sound so it wouldn't disturb Wanda. She briefly looked at her screen and sighed. "I gotta go. I have a babysitting job in three hours and I need to get a nap beforehand." She slid off the stool and gave Steve an apologetic smile. "I've had a nice time with you today."

"Ditto. I wish you could stay longer."

"I'm sure I'll be here again soon."

"If Wanda has anything to say about it, and she will, you can count on it."

And I certainly won't object to any future visits from you.

Steve walked Natasha to the door and when he opened it, she turned and shook his hand. "Thank you for lunch."

"It was my pleasure."

Their hands stayed connected and Natasha took a step forward to place a soft kiss on Steve's cheek. Then she drew back, letting his hand go. "See you around."

"Bye," he replied, heart thumping in his chest.

Once he closed the door, he locked it and leaned against the wood.

Steve felt kind of silly admitting this to himself, but he had a bit of a crush on Natasha. Who wouldn't, though? She was quite a woman.