Steve woke up the next morning completely content. Natasha was still sleeping beside him with her hand resting on his chest. She loved him. They were finally on the same page, and they were having another baby.

He was still just enjoying the moment when Natasha opened her eyes. "See something you like, soldier?"

"No," he said with a smirk, "but I see something I love." Steve pulled Natasha onto his chest and kissed her soundly. They were still enjoying their impromptu make out session, when the door to their room opened.

"You fighting again?" Nicole asked, with her little hands on her hips.

Natasha rolled off of Steve. "You want to take this one?"

"Um, not really," he replied, but Natasha just flashed him a smile and headed to the bathroom. Nicole was still standing there waiting for an answer, so Steve just cleared his throat. "Mommy and Daddy weren't fighting. We were cuddling. You know how you like to cuddle between us on the couch. Well, we were just doing that."

"Without me?" the child pouted.

"Sometimes mommies and daddies like to cuddle with just each other. It's what people do when they are in love."

"You in love?"

"Yes, we are and that's a good thing. Mommy and Daddy were fighting so much because we, well Mommy, didn't know we were in love."

"Way to sell me out, soldier," Natasha smirked from the bedroom door. "What Daddy is trying to say is that Mommy and Daddy are going to stay here together. Daddy won't be sleeping on the couch anymore," she paused, "unless he says something really stupid."

Steve smiled. Nicole looked from one parent to the other, trying to determine whether or not they were being honest. "Okay," she said. "No more crying, Mommy?"

"No more crying," Natasha assured her.

"No more of you friend that not Mommy's friend?"

Steve gave Natasha a puzzled look. She shook her head. "It turns out Daddy's friend was our friend after all, Nicole. Ms. Sharon isn't trying to take Daddy away."

"Nobody is going to separate our family," Steve said firmly. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I hungry."

"Let's go make you some breakfast," Natasha said as she took her daughter's hand, "then Mommy needs to go make an overdue apology to Ms. Sharon, okay?"

"Okay, I say sorry when I broke Lila's dolly. You can do it, Mommy."

Nicole took off for the kitchen, but Natasha remained in the doorway. Steve smiled. "She really liked the farm, didn't she?"

"She did," Natasha paused, "Clint actually tried to talk us into staying. He said he'd build us a house."

Steve gave her a panicked look. "What did you say?" he asked, his throat suddenly dry.

"I said no. I said I wouldn't take Nicole away from you. He suggested it might be a good place for all three of us. With the baby coming, maybe we should consider it."

"I didn't think you were ready to retire from saving the world."

"I'm not. I don't think I'll ever be ready honestly. I don't want other people making sure the planet stays safe for our kids. I trust us," she paused, "but, is it really fair to keep Nicole cooped up here all the time? This isn't exactly normal, and we have another one on the way."

"We should probably do some thinking and talk about this, huh?" Steve replied.

"We do need to work on our communication skills," Natasha agreed. "Either way, we stick together, right?"

"Absolutely."

"We should probably decide when to tell people about the baby and, well, us."

"No time like the present for one little person," Steve smiled and got out of bed.

Natasha poured a bowl of Lucky Charms for Nicole and put some toast in the toaster for herself, while Steve sat down beside Nicole. Natasha quickly joined them and looked at Steve expectantly. Apparently, she wanted him to break the news.

"Nicole, Mommy and I have something special to tell you."

"What?" the child asked, her mouth still full of cereal.

"Well, you know how much we love you right?" Nicole nodded. "And, we love being your parents so much that we are going to have another baby. What do you think about that?"

"Why?" Nicole asked.

Steve looked to Natasha for help. "Because, we know you will be a great big sister," Natasha replied. "This baby won't just be Mommy and Daddy's baby. It'll be your baby, too."

"Is my baby with the bad guys?"

"No, it's right here," Natasha said putting her hand on her stomach.

Nicole looked horrified. "Did you eat my baby?"

"No, no, the baby is still growing inside of me. You won't get to meet the baby for a long time, but it's here."

Nicole gave her a puzzled look. "How did my baby get in there?"

Natasha laughed. "I think that particular explanation needs to wait until you're older."

"Much older," Steve agreed. "We just want you to know that we love you and we will still love you when the new baby gets here."

"Okay, Daddy. I take care of baby. I go pow pow and keep baby safe."

"Not your job, little girl," Natasha reminded her. "Mommy and Daddy can keep you both safe, got it?"

"I not a weapon no more," Nicole said. "You pow pow and keep us safe."

"That's right," Natasha replied with a smile. "Now, Mommy needs to get dressed and go see Ms. Sharon. Be good for Daddy."

"Okay, Mommy."

Natasha took a deep breath as she prepared to knock on Sharon's door. Apologies weren't exactly her forte, but she knew this one was necessary.

Sharon opened the door. She'd obviously been awake for awhile. "Natasha, um, good morning. Do you want to come in or are we headed back to the gym?" she said with a small smile.

"In would be good, if that's okay. I think I owe you an apology. I misjudged you, Sharon. I let my jealousy get the better of me."

"Well, in fairness, we did put it on a little thick over the phone, and I was wearing the man you love's shirt. I'm going to assume you two finally talked and worked things out."

"We did. We're going to be together."

"Good, Steve deserves a win," Sharon paused, "so do you."

"Thank you. How long are you staying?"

"Another week or two , I guess. Still trying to get rid of me?"

"Actually, the opposite. I'm not going to be fighting with the team for awhile, and I really don't trust those guys out there without me. You held your own pretty well yesterday, and you've certainly proven your worth helping Steve find Bucky. What do you say? Are you willing to stay for awhile?"

"Natasha, I'm really honored that you want me to help, but does Steve know your taking time off? You can have a family and still be an Avenger. Don't quit."

"Oh, I have no intention of quitting, and Steve and I haven't discussed me taking a break but it was kind of implied." Natasha took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

"Wow, I have to admit I didn't see that coming. Are congratulations okay? Is this good news?"

"Extremely good news," Natasha replied. "We are really happy about the baby. I'll be even happier if I know my team is safe out there without me. Say you'll think about it. Steve, Sam, and Bucky trust you. I trust you."

"I would be honored. Thank you for trusting me. I was a little afraid you were going to hurt me."

"Like I said, you held your own," Natasha paused, "but you did make a few errors. We'll work those out in training. I'll see you on the mat tomorrow, Carter."

Sharon grinned, "And, we are back to you challenging me to a fight."

"Yeah, but this time, the goal is to help you not hurt you. Are we good?"

"We're good, but should you be sparring with the, you know, baby and everything?"

"You're good, but you're not that good. I'll be fine and we'll be careful, but I need to whip you into shape. Somebody has to have these boys' backs while I'm out of commission. I'll see you later, Sharon."

Natasha made her way back to the apartment. Steve was sitting in the floor with Nicole's doll. Nicole was telling him how to hold the bottle to the baby's mouth, but Steve was pretending not to understand.

"That her ear, Daddy. Try again," Nicole demanded. Steve put the bottle to the doll's nose. "No, Daddy. You do it wrong," she declared before running to Natasha. "Daddy not good at babies."

Natasha grinned, "Oh, really."

Nicole nodded. "He need help."

Natasha took the baby doll from Steve and handed it to Nicole. "Well, it's a good thing he has you to teach him. Can you go practice with your doll for a minute? Mommy needs to talk to Daddy."

Nicole took off to her room, and Natasha leaned back against Steve. "Everything okay?"

"We talked. Everything is fine. There is the matter of the Avengers that we should discuss. Something could come up over the next few months."

"Please tell me you know you don't need to get out there right now."

"I am not fighting again until this little traitor makes it's arrival."

"Traitor?"

"It's my nickname for the baby. It's silly, but I mean it affectionately." Steve smiled and put his arm around Natasha. "I asked Sharon to take my place for a few months. I'm going to train her. I thought I would teach her the lullaby, too, if she's willing. You guys don't need to be understaffed just because Captain America knocked me up."

Steve's face turned red. "Don't put it that way when we tell the others."

"Sharon and Clint know. Maybe we should get everyone together tomorrow and just tell them."

"Probably a good idea. Besides, if we don't, Nicole will. I should probably tell Bucky sooner."

Natasha nodded. "We could have him over for dinner tonight. He probably could use the heads up. He's been through a lot."

"Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Not in the past few minutes. Why don't we tuck your daughter in for her nap so you can show me, Rogers?"

"Oh, you're on, Romanoff."