A/N: I hope you all had a great Christmas! Here is your Christmas morning chapter. Next time we see Sera will be a time jump. She'll have been in Vienna for two weeks already, having her finger in a number of different projects and committees. So, enjoy the family fluff, because it's gonna get really interesting...

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC or the Avengers. Just Sera.


Like I suspected, Bucky and Steve moved the kids after they got in last night. I had rubbed my eyes and set to work. I had to set out all of the presents, made sure that all the food was prepped for tomorrow's brunch of sorts, and then curled up in bed with my husbands for Christmas Eve.

"Sera," I heard whispered as Bucky's sweet kisses woke me from my sleep. I sighed contently, "Is this heaven?"

"No, it's Bucky," He joked as Steve's hands got underneath me to pull me from the middle of the bed, to the edge, pulling me to a sitting position.

"Okay, slippers," Steve said as I heard something hitting the floor.

"Oooo, those are soft," I said quietly, as he slipped them on my feet.

"Merry Christmas Sera," Steve said, cupping my face softly, before kissing me.

"Mmm, Merry Christmas to me," I teased, as I kissed him back.

"Kids are still asleep. Do you want to wake them? Or wait until breakfast is ready?"

"Breakfast, because then they won't whine that they have to wait as long," I chuckled, getting up to hug him close. And when I heard a huff, I ran to Bucky to kiss him good morning.

"Mmm, Merry Christmas Doll," Bucky smiled, holding me close.

"Merry Christmas to me," I joked again, patting his butt, as Steve grabbed my bathrobe from the closet.

"Joey, come with me," I said quietly. He wagged his tail once and gave a soft growl as he sat down in next to me.

"Do you need any help?" Steve said, helping me into my bathrobe.

"Thank you but no. Jemma and Wanda are coming in early to help. Should be there by now too," I smiled, as Bucky came up to wrap an arm around Steve's waist.

"I'm the luckiest woman in the world," I chuckled as I watched the pair exchange a sweet kiss.

"We are all very lucky," Buck said as I got up and tucked myself in between them for a hug.

"I love you both, so much," I sighed as I was held gently.

"We love you too," Steve said, kissing the crown of my head as Bucky kissed my forehead.

"Okay. Christmas hugs can wait. I need to go make our breakfast feast," I smiled as I felt them release me.

"Have fun. We'll wait until 7am to bring the kids out."

As I walked out, I found a familiar smell of cooking food and thought, "Damn it. They started without me."

Joey kept up with me as I fast walked to the kitchen, only to find Jemma and Wanda almost done.

"Sera, sit there, I'll bring you your green tea," Wanda said, bringing over a steaming mug and hugging me, "Merry Christmas sister."

"Merry Christmas sister. I was expecting to be cooking this morning," I said, giving Jemma a look as she came to hug me.

"We wanted you to relax for the morning. You can cook as much as you want after lunch. By the way, we already brought the Turkey's in this morning. Do you want to dress them?"

"No, I will after present opening. They should go in around noon. I'll stuff them before then." I smiled, as I grabbed a quick plate of toast.

"Have some eggs before Natasha gets here," Wanda smiled, sliding some scrambled onto my plate and laying down a fork.

"You know I'm pregnant, non an invalid." I smirked. Silence stretched out after that, with the girls working as a team to complete breakfast. I was texting Steve to bring my camera, and they put everything in the warming drawers as I finished my tea.

"Okay, everyone should be here in the next 15 minutes." I said, as they started setting out the buffet dishes on the island counter.

"Perfect. All we need is juice and the syrup," Jemma said with a happy note to her voice.

"I'll get them," I smiled, sliding my chair back, and pushing myself out of it.

"I've already set the plates out and cutlery. Now we wait for everyone to show up." Wanda said as I heard a rumble in the distance.

"Here comes the family," I chuckled as I watched from the table.

"Momma!" The kids said, running to hug my legs.

"Merry Christmas my darlings," I said, bending down and hugging them tightly.

Our breakfast feast was quick, as everyone wanted to watch the kids open their gifts. Everyone seemed to be in their pajama's from yesterday, as looked presentable for photos. But as I told everyone, we were opening stockings first. Steve and my Dad handed them out this morning, as the twins I was carrying caused me to run to the bathroom quickly. When I got back, everyone was laughing and waiting for me to sit down in front of my own.

It as a flurry as everyone spread out and dumped their contents onto their laps. There was a few cheers for different things they got, before I heard Sharon's squeak from across the room. Bucky had been taking pictures of the kids with my camera, before I snatched it out of his hands and started filming. Sharon was perched on the edge of the couch as Sam got on one knee. Steve was staring flabbergasted while I giggled.

"Yes!" She shouted before he opened his mouth, making us all laugh.

"Sorry. Yes," She said, as Sam tried to talk again, and he smiled so hard.

"Sharon Margaret Carter, will you marry me?" He asked simply. She launched herself at him shouting, "Yes!" again before tackling him to the floor.

I cheered the loudest as we congratulated the newest engaged couple, and the kids found their stash of chocolate I had hid in their stockings, making everyone laugh as they shrieked in joy. There was a lull as the girls huddled around Sharon to take a look at the ring. I had already ogled it the day previous, so I wasn't feeling left out as I got up to get everyone's attention.

"So, I decided, that the kids should all go first. And that they get to pick one box from their pile to start with, and then we will start on the grownups as they play with that new thing." I said as everyone settled back in his or her spots.

So, the kids all picked one box to open, and tore through the paper like it was hiding the secrets of the universe from them. Callie and Elijah were thrilled with their new tablets. They guys and I had decided that it would help in their learning, and that they wouldn't grow out of them like they would with clothes and everything else toy related. I would be passing on their stuff to Natasha, Audrey and Maria to use. It was only fair. I watched Natasha's eyes as she motioned not to give the big one to Bruce yet. I winked and kept doling out the gifts. I was surprised when Nat came up behind me with a gift of my own. Steve took the camera from me, as Bruce and her presented me with the box.

"For what you are doing for us, you deserve so much more than this. But this seemed appropriate," Bruce said, as I pulled back the wrapping. Opening the jewelry box slowly, I looked up at Nat in trepidation. She smiled motioning for me to look down.

I held back a sob as I found the most beautiful opal necklace that opened to a locket. It seemed that Natasha had snuck in a miniature of the ultrasound on one side, and an empty space for a picture for when the twins were born. Wiping away my tears, I whispered, "It's perfect. Thank you."

"No, we are thanking you." Natasha said, taking it out and carefully clasping it around my neck. Petting it down against my collarbone, I watched it sparkle against my skin.

"Momma, that's pretty," Callie said, staring at the gem with wide eyes.

"Isn't it pumpkin?" I said, admiring it. Hugging Natasha tightly, I let Steve take a picture of Nat, Bruce and I with their hands on my bump, and my head on her shoulder.

After, I managed to get through our whole motley crew, while keeping the biggest present to Bruce last. There were tears of joy as couples exchanged heartfelt gifts, and laughter as some gag gifts were thrown in there. I took great delight in getting my guys two old man sweaters, complete with elbow patches. That got a lot of laughter from our family.

But as I placed the box in front of Bruce, he looked confused. Reading the tag, he glanced over at Natasha with a small smile, ripping the paper off. We all watched in rapture as he tore into the box, expecting something else than what he found. Gently reaching down to pick up a soft blanket, folded and wrapped with another blanket. Another reach into the box, and he pulled out two onesies, each a soft crème. One said, "I was planned," while its twin said, "I was a surprise."

Bruce didn't start cluing in until he spotted the ultrasound picture. His whole face softened as he picked it up, looking over at Natasha for confirmation. She smiled, and everyone was on pins and needles to see how this would play out. Bruce's shout of joy was contagious as we all laughed and cheered. He ran to pick up Natasha and spin her around, which was out of character for Bruce, but no one seemed to mind his outburst. It was understandable that he would be so happy, as he was sure he would never get a family with the Hulk in his life.

"Anyone know what that big one outside is for?" Phil said, as I looked out the window. I already knew what it was, but watching everyone scramble to the window to look was hilarious.

"What is it?" Callie asked, as I watched the box with a giant red bow, being moved to the now roofed SHIELD building.

"That must be from Santa to SHIELD." I said, as Phil laughed.

"What did Santa give us?" Daisy asked, one eyebrow raised.

"I think it was the A.I. I asked for," I smirked, "Her name is LUCY."

"Lucy?" Phil asked, looking at my father.

"I made her," I said sheepishly, as everyone's eyes snapped to me.

"You haven't been allowed in the labs," Fitz said, confused.

"Yeah, but ARSENAL has. I've just been designing her and programming her from my tablet. Not a foot in the lab," I smiled cheekily.

"Does that stand for anything?" Dad asked.

"Nope. ARSENAL, FRIDAY AND LUCY are unique Dad. Jarvis was the only one that had an actual acronym. I just like the meaning behind the name Lucy. Light or illumination. SHIELD is the light in the darkness." I explained.

"Sounds perfect," Daisy, "Can't wait to hack some government servers with her."

Laughing, I turned to her and said, "ARSENAL is still your best bet. I have her strictly as security, Intel holding and a connection to ARSENAL. It's her uplink to the satellite you will need for that anyways."

"What satellite?" My Dad said, confused.

"The one I had sent up," I said quietly, looking at my fingers.

"How?" Steve asked confused.

"It's quite simple. You just call in a favor with Serge at the RFSA, and ship the satellite quietly into Russia with some help by a few of Natasha's ex-KGB contacts. Then have it go up on the May shuttle launch on their way to the International Space Station, detaching for orbit positioning, while everyone was busy with Ultron…"

There was a silence from the group was astounding, except the kids were playing with their new toys.

"Better to ask forgiveness, than permission?" I shrugged.

"You built a satellite…. Without me?" Dad said, sounding proud.

"Well, I had it made to my specifications, because I couldn't exactly leave the Playground. I just had twins." I smirked, as everyone relaxed a bit.

"You don't like rules, do you?" Steve sighed, shaking his head and giving me a smirk. Giving my cheekiest smile, I said, "Nope. Otherwise, we'd be lost. Rules were made to be bent. Especially when I bend them so well."

The conversation was put aside for later, as I had to go start our turkeys. They cooked, the kids played, the adults conversed. I had everything ready to go, so when dinner did roll around, the birds were crisp and juicy, fixings hot, and the beverages were chilled. We gathered around the table, laughing and celebrating together as a family. The kids crashed around 8pm from all the day's excitement, so the adults adjourned to the common room, where we all shared Christmas stories, memories of our pasts, and hope for our future.

As the evening drew to a close, I found myself crying. I had a week to say goodbye, to be ready for my next adventure. So instead of watching a movie with the team, I went back to our room, to watch my children sleep. They dreamed silently; the only sound was the gentle whoosh of their breathing.

I played on my tablet, tweaking LUCY as I watched her come online. She wouldn't be used for another few weeks as building wasn't quite complete, but I needed her to be ready.

Hearing the door open to Steve's and Bucky's voices, I got up, and tip toed out of the twin's room. The guys were talking about the training schedule for January, and who would be taking over Bucky's job. He was really serious about teaching the kids, and it made me so proud.

"Coming to bed, Doll?" Steve asked, pulling his shirt off his torso. My eyes dipped to take in that beautifully cut body, and licked my lips.

"Do I get my Christmas hugs yet?" I teased. The guys and I knew how much time we had left, before I left. This was going to be so hard on all three of us, and I was seriously regretting my decision to go. But we all agreed that they would visit, and I would as well when I could. We knew this was what was right for the Avengers, SHIELD and InHumans. They needed a voice, and I was going to be that voice. At least until I could find someone else to do it in my place.

They wrapped themselves around me, as I approached them. I felt my tears spill over, as I thought about how little time we had together. This week, and past New Years, I would be making sure I used my time well. I loved them, and I knew I was coming back to them.

So why did this hurt so much?


A/N: Remember, time jump three weeks from Christmas Day in the next chapter! Let me know if you liked this :)