A/N: Second chapter for Christmas Eve! Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, SONY, ABC, or the Avengers. Just Sera.
Songs used in this chapter are Once Upon A December from Anastasia, and Where Are You Christmas by Faith Hill.
As I woke up the next morning, I had two kids practically bouncing in excitement, babbling about how it snowed again. I rolled over to see Steve grimacing.
"Your turn," I mumbled, as I noticed Bucky was still fast asleep.
"Okay," He sighed, ripping the covers off, as I snuggled into his pillow for warmth. I heard the kids giggling as he led them back to their room. Looking up and out the window, I noticed the amount of snow was almost three times what it was yesterday.
"Ugh," I said, rolling over and out of bed. Dashing to the toilet to relieve the morning sickness of the day I brushed my teeth and started to get ready.
Steve had the kids dressed and ready for breakfast by the time I did my face for the day. Slipping on a dressy pair of maternity jeans, with an elastic waist and a deep blue cashmere sweater, with a scoop neck and lace sleeves starting at the elbows, I paired it with a white statement necklace.
The kids took my hands, telling me about what they wished their aunts and uncles would bring them for presents. I kissed Steve sweetly as he crawled back into bed, and kissed Bucky's lips softly as he snored. I giggled with the kids before I led them out to the kitchen.
Natasha and Bruce were already up, sharing a sweet kiss at the kitchen island, as he held her in his arms. Callie giggled, and looked up at me with wide eyes.
"Go say good morning!" I whispered. The kids took off running towards Nat, attaching themselves to her legs, as she pretended to be scared.
"Morning," I smiled, as Natasha hugged my little ones.
"Good morning," she smiled in reply as she came up to rub my belly softly.
"Merry Christmas Eve," I smiled, saying, "Morning Bruce."
"Morning Sera. How's our little bean?" He said, looking confused if he should touch my belly or not.
"Doing just fine. Didn't wake me up with no warning this morning," I said, before nodding to him. Natasha was always around my belly, and I got that, but this must be weird for Bruce. I smiled, "It's okay if you want to touch my belly. Nat has no problems with cuddling herself next to my womb."
"Okay," He said, tentatively reaching for my belly. I took his hand gently and showed him where the hardness of my belly had formed. He smiled shyly as he watched himself rub my belly.
"So, what's needing to be done today?" Nat asked, getting out bowls for my kids cereal. Bruce motioned for a chair and I sighed, "I'm pregnant, not feeble."
"You shouldn't be on your feet too much anyways."
"I can still work, and cook. Okay, maybe not 'work' work, but I'm not sitting on my butt this whole pregnancy. I still have to go out and feed my horses today."
"Loki has graciously accepted the responsibilities of taking care of Sunchaser and Sweet Feet."
"Rats," I said under my breath, "But I can still go out to see them."
"Not unaccompanied until the snow and ice has cleared." Natasha said, pouring milk over the kid's cereal.
"Okay, that's fair," I said, as I yawned.
"They wake you up again?"
"Yes, but I had Steve dress them while I worshipped the porcelain goddess."
"I have not met this porcelain goddess. I do not believe such a thing exists," Thor said as he walked in with a sleepy Jane in tow.
"She means she was being sick this morning. Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy." Jane explained as she grabbed a pop tart out of the cupboard and placed it in the toaster. Thor's brow was furrowed as she explained, before nodding in understanding, and snatching his own box of pop tarts. He went through one box every day at breakfast.
"You'd think being the God of fertility, he'd clue in," Loki joked. I hadn't noticed him trailing in behind Thor and Jane, but he grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down across from me.
"How's Maria?" I asked softly.
"Sleeping after her own nasty bout of morning sickness," He said before sipping his coffee, "She'll be well in time for dinner. I just got back from the stables. Sunchaser and Sweet Feet, as you insist on calling her, are well. I need to ask, did you allow them to breed at all?"
"About 3 months ago, yeah. I'm aware she's pregnant. I have a vet coming around once a week to keep track of things. She's probably not like Asgardian horses. Her pregnancy should be nearly a year in length."
"Wonderful. She should birth in time for Christmas next year." He smiled. I knew he was bored around here, as he wasn't technically an Avenger. So it was good for him to have something to do other than make it snow for my kids. And I was glad it was taking care of my horses.
"Yeah, I think she's going to be Callie's Christmas present next year." I whispered, as my kids babbled to Natasha and Bruce about what they thought their Christmas presents were this year.
"Now you just have to figure out something for Eli," Loki smiled as a bed-headed Steve came in the kitchen.
"Morning Sunshine," Natasha said, giving him a smirk. He made a face, before grabbing a cup of coffee and saying, "Too chipper."
"Awe, but you look so cute," I said, sneaking a quick picture of him in his flannel pajama pants and extra tight t-shirt, as he sat down and rested his face on one fist. Quickly throwing it on my Instagram account, with the hashtags #Superhusband, #ChristmasEveMorning #HisSmileIsLikeSunshine, he grumbled as he realized what I was doing.
"Oh stop, I do it to Bucky too," I smirked.
"What about the kids?" He said, giving me a pointed look. I shook my head, "The media would have a firestorm if they saw how much they have grown."
"We can deal with that later then," He sighed, as Callie crawled into his lap and said, "Dad, can I have one of my presents now?"
"Not now sweet pea. You know you only get one gift today and that's after dinner when the rest of your aunts and uncles are here." He said, petting her hair back on her head.
"Where's Daddy?" Elijah asked, looking around the kitchen confused.
"He's coming. He just wanted to finish getting ready for the day. I needed coffee though," Steve smiled at our son. Laughing, I got up to start working on the turkey brine. Rubbing the bump softly, Steve realized where I was going, "Uh, no lifting."
"I know. I'm just filling the cooler for the brine!" I said as Natasha blocked my way.
"Tell me what you need." She said, and I huffed, "Okay. The cooled brine is already made. Did that yesterday morning. The pots are in the pantry room, sitting on the floor. I made Bucky move them for me!"
Natasha's unimpressed look melted away when she realized I was telling the truth. She grabbed one pot, and Steve got up to get the other. I showed them downstairs to the cooler I had placed outside when the delivery came last week.
After the brine was dumped in, I had them get the four 20 lbs. turkeys from the walk in fridge, gently placing them in the brine and closing the lid for the next 24 hours. I saw a Quinjet landing as we started walking back inside. I waited to see who it was, as they taxied inside the hangar.
"Dad! Dad!" I said excited as he and Pepper exited with Phil and Audrey.
"She's mine Agent," My Dad said, hugging me tightly and holding me away from Phil.
"Hey, let the pregnant woman go!" I laughed, quickly hugging Pepper before hugging Phil and Audrey.
"We picked up Peter's Aunt." Phil smiled as an older woman, more around Phil's age came shakily down the ramp.
"Aunt May, it's a pleasure to meet you." I smiled, holding a hand out to her.
"So you are the sister Peter hasn't stopped talking about. Thank you for helping him come clean to me about his, other job."
"I don't believe secrets are meant for families. And it was one of my conditions of him coming into the fold. He and the people closest to him need to know the risks and decided for themselves if it is for them. We can go over things in a while, for now, let's get you settled in your suite."
"Aunt May!" Peter's voice said as he skidded to a stop in the hangar.
"Young man, have you been eating?" May Parker said, hands on her hips and looking him over.
"Yes, Sera's been stuffing me for Christmas Day." Peter joked, but he kind of wasn't. I was trying to get him used to our work out schedule, and he burned just as many, if not more calories than most of the agents. He wasn't as bad as Bucky, Steve or Thor in his appetite, but it was close enough that I needed to order that much more food.
"ребенок паук," Natasha said, greeting Peter as he noticed the rest of our group. He looked confused as I snorted. The group was beginning to disperse so I turned back to Peter's Aunt.
"Aunt May, please follow me," I said, as Peter grabbed her suitcase and started on about how amazing it was here. Steve had snuck away after helping with the turkeys, realizing he need to be presentable, and bedhead wasn't presentable.
I walked her to her suite that was next to Peter's new accommodations, and said, "Just ask ARSENAL for anything you may need. She's available 24/7."
"Arsenal?" She asked, confused.
"Ma'am, how may I be of assistance?" My AI spoke up, startling Aunt May.
"ARSENAL, you know the drill. May Parker, Aunt of Peter Parker, clearance level Civilian."
"She's an AI Aunt May. She's amazing, and Sera is building her a sister for SHIELD. She runs the base, the electronics, and she can monitor the population of the base. She can't see in the rooms, but she has-"
"Okay, Peter. She's a helper, and she will be able to direct you anywhere you wish to go in the base. I just need your handprint to add the biometrics to the system," I said, holding out my tablet, ready to scan. She looked around, still apprehensive.
"She's harmless Aunt May."
"If you're sure," She said pressing her hand to the tablet. After the scan completed, I politely took my leave.
"Well, on behalf of our team, welcome. If you'll excuse me, I need to finish tomorrow's dinner prep." I smiled at the Parker's.
"Oh, do you need any help?" May asked. Peter had told her that she hadn't made a big family dinner since his Uncle Ben died.
"It will keep till tomorrow, which is when I will need some help," I said softly, giving her an encouraging smile, "Peter should give you the tour."
Her smile warmed my heart as she had a certain likeness to my own mother. Covering my pulled heartstring, I left the two to their tour, rubbing my belly softly. There was a commotion as I reached the common room, where Bucky was arguing with Sam about the placement of the gifts. I rolled my eyes and approached Bucky's side, giving Sam and him a look. Sam didn't quite catch it fast enough as he said, "You're being stubborn about this."
"Actually, I was waiting for my wife's input," Bucky said, getting defensive, and stepping forward.
"They are just presents! They don't need to be in a certain order," Sam said before catching my raised eyebrows.
"Okay, you two need to cool down. Yes they are just presents, but I had an order so that they are dispersed perfectly, with no one getting more than one present in a round. Christmas is when all they stress of the year boils down and turns families against one another. Now, apologize or separate. Or you can come back in an hour to apologize to each other, or do not show your faces out here until tomorrow morning. Got it?" I said, as I pointed to them to go in different directions. They nodded, with Sam saying, "I'm sorry man."
"I am too. First Christmas with the kids, and this ray of sunshine has our days scheduled down to bathroom breaks," Bucky teased, kissing my temple as I again gave him the raised brow.
"I get it. It's my first Christmas with Sharon, and I'm kind of nervous that…" Sam cleared his throat as my eyebrows disappeared into my hairline.
"Oooooh boy. You've got it bad. Not even seven months?" I smiled, punching his shoulder as I smiled.
"There must be something in the water," He smirked, "A lot more of our team have been doing so. I knew it the day of the Hydra takedown. She busted down a door and took out a goon I didn't see coming, gave me this little smirk and bounded down another hallway."
"Wow, that's sappy." Bucky deadpanned, and I hit his chest in response to his sarcasm.
"She'll say yes." I said softly, giving Sam a firm hug around his waist. He chuckled, "I hope so."
"Okay, so I arrange the gifts and you hide this beauty in her stocking," I smiled, excited.
"Actually better than the outdoor proposal I had planned. I didn't want a big audience, but she won't see it coming." He smiled. Stuffing it beneath all the iTunes gift cards, and little treats I had crammed in there, he was smiling the whole way back to the kitchen with Bucky and I.
As dinner rolled around, I shoved the four lasagnas I had pre-made a few days ago, into the ovens. The rest of our team of misfits showed up, Bobby, Hunter and Mack rolling up in a SHIELD SUV, Scott, Hope and Hank coming in on a Quinjet that I sent out for them. Sharon was also aboard and Sam was enthusiastic about her return to base. Before long, the rest of our motley crew had arrived, with plenty of time to spare for getting ready for dinner. Jemma, and Wanda were busy helping me with the cookies, and hot chocolate for afterwards. The table was full, the conversation light and easy as everyone ate, and I felt a sense of pride for creating the atmosphere.
The kids were excited to sit with their cousins, as Laura and Clint had flown the kids in to spend the holidays with us. Laura was aware of their growth spurts, but she was surprised to the point of being speechless what she saw them. The kids didn't notice, but I had to snap her out of her staring. I was beginning to notice how happy everyone was. Fury and Rhodey were talking about recruiting more pilots and Brock had Wanda tucked under his arm possessively.
Everything was almost perfect. Just that I was missing someone.
Getting up while everyone was distracted was the easy part. I managed to sneak out to the common room, after I had eaten my daily caloric intake for the twins I carried. Kneeling in front of the tree, I sighed softly. I noticed the one ornament I painted my mother one year as a gift. I had tucked it far into the bottom branches, to make sure I was the only one who knew it was there. A tradition I couldn't leave behind.
A tear escaped my eye, falling to my lap as I thought about how much I missed her.
Dancing bears, painted wings
Things I almost remember
And a song someone sings
Once upon a December
Someone holds me safe and warm
Horses prance through a silver storm
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory
Far away, long ago
Glowing dim as an ember
Things my heart used to know
Once upon a December
Someone holds me safe and warm
Horses prance through a silver storm
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory
Far away, long ago
Glowing dim as an ember
Things my heart used to know
Things it yearns to remember
And a song someone sings
Once upon a December
I sang softly, so I didn't alert anyone to my presence her, but I wiped my eyes and felt a hand on my shoulder. Looking up, I found my Dad's eyes, soft and watery.
"I miss her too," He said, pulling me up to a standing position, and wrapping me in a hug.
"This was her favorite holiday," I choked a little.
"I remember. She wore that awful Christmas charm bracelet for all of November until December 31st. It made such a racket when she moved. it drove me crazy, but I knew it was something she loved, so I never mentioned it." He said, pulling me to the couch, still keeping his arm around me.
"The house would smell like cinnamon, pine and orange peel for weeks." I chuckled.
"She butchered sugar cookies," He laughed.
"And the tree was always over decorated," I responded, smiling.
"Tell me about it! The tinsel was everywhere after the holidays, and my maids were finding pine needles for weeks." He chuckled. I sighed, leaning back to look at the tree.
"We would light two candles for your parents. It was always on Christmas Eve, so I never suspected a thing. She said it was important I know about them, and my heritage. But she never gave away their names, or I would have come looking for you a long time ago. Only to give you shit for letting her walk away, but I'd have known you sooner. Maybe you might have reconciled with her."
"We can't change what happened, no matter how much I wish I could. You would have been the thing that set me on the right path much sooner. But everything happened for a reason."
"Okay, who's ready for your Christmas Eve gifts? I think Sera is ready for us." I heard Pepper say in the kitchen. Lifting my head from Dad's shoulder, I smiled, "Mom would be so proud of you. You've matured a lot, and done so much good. You found love again."
"She'd be even prouder of the woman you've become, because I couldn't be prouder," He said, kissing my temple and saying, "I know my greatest creation was you."
"I love you Dad," I sniffed.
"And I love you Seraphina," He said, making me smile. He rarely used my full name and I think it was a source of pride for him, me having a family name.
Our family started joining us, some on couches, others leaning against the couches as they sat on the floor, but the happy faces I saw was enough to make me swell with pride. I had the greatest family I could have ever wished for. My husbands were balancing our kids on their laps, and waiting for me to say something, as everyone was quieting down.
Sighing and maneuvering myself to a standing position, I said, "Family has meant a lot to me. It has evolved from simply my mother and I, to my SHIELD family, to my biological family and finally to my Avenger family. So, as a new family, I thought we should start a new tradition. This year, I'm giving you guys no choice but to accept the first gift as one to you each individually from the group as a whole. I hope you like them, because I wasn't allowed to go pick them up."
The joke caused the pregnant women to smile and the men to chuckle as I patted my belly. Looking over to Brock, he nodded, releasing Wanda to help me pass out the gifts.
"These are for the movie night tonight, and for present opening tomorrow. I don't care if you have bad bed head, there will be pictures, so be prepared." I said, handing the soft packages out to their respective owners. The kids waited until I motioned for them to open them, and tore through the packaging to find soft, plaid flannel pajamas, lavender and beige for Callie, and grey and green for Elijah. Cooper and Lila had Barton purple as their tops and grey and purple plaid bottoms. Nathaniel even got a plaid onesie. Each Avenger had their respective sign on their flannel bottoms, and a color-matching top. Tank tops for the ladies, and t-shirts for the men. For the non-superhero's or agents. I found various women's and men's plaid flannel bottoms, and tried to give variety to the colors. A collective shout of approval at the soft nightclothes and everyone was shouting thanks as they inspected them.
"Okay. Now that that's over, go back to your rooms and change, and if you want to, come to the movie room to enjoy a few holiday classics." I smiled, as Steve and Bucky kissed my cheeks in tandem. As the group left in droves to try on their new pj's, I sighed and got up.
"What's up babe?" Steve asked, helping me.
"I'm gonna get the kids to bed, and go to bed myself. I have to play hostess tomorrow and the… this pregnancy is taking a lot out of me," I said, catching myself before I said babies.
"Okay Angel, you go sleep. We will entertain tonight," Steve said as Natasha gave a small nod in my direction. I smiled at her and said, "Goodnight everyone! I'll see everyone at 7am!"
"Night Sera!" I heard from a few as we walked back to our apartment.
The Super King sized bed was perfectly soft as I crawled in, with my munchkins handing me books and snuggling up beside me. Steve and Bucky kissed them goodnight, before putting on their own pajamas and going to join our family in the movie room. Callie had her head laid gently on my growing belly, talking to her baby cousins, and Elijah was reading his books as I crocheted a scarf.
"Momma? When does Santa come?" She asked, confused.
"When you are sleeping. He comes to all the children of the world, and he knows when you are sleeping and when you are awake." I explained, "We sang a song last week. Do you remember?"
"Not really. We did a lot of things last week." Callie sighed. I feel you kid, I thought, I'm exhausted too.
"Well, one of them was singing with the kids at the orphanage. You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why," I sang.
"Santa Claus is coming to town!" Elijah answered in song. Smiling I said, "That is right!"
"So, we need to go to bed before Santa can come?" Elijah said looking concerned.
"That is true. And Momma also needs her sleep. So, how about you two snuggle up to me, and we all settle down for a long Winter's nap?" I smiled softly.
"The faster we are asleep, the faster we can wake up and get to open presents!" Callie said, getting under the covers
Chuckling as I felt them burrow into my sides, I said, "A song for you my darlings?"
"Yes, please Momma," Elijah said, smiling up at me.
"Very well." I said, kissing their heads and settling back against my pillow myself.
Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play
My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too
Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go
Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh
If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time
I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love
Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love
And when I finished softly, I looked over to see Joey snoring away on the rug by the couch, and then down to find my kids passed out. Smiling to myself, I knew that whenever the guys would come back, they would transfer the kids to their beds, and would help me go put the rest of the presents under the tree. So I settled myself in for a nap, with my two babies.
A/N: For those of you that don't speak Russian, Natasha called Peter a baby spider in Russian. Thought is was cute :)
