I'm so sorry for taking so long to update. Exams took over my life so I have been unable to write.
We fell asleep fairly quickly; it had been a long day, after all. Luckily, the kids accepted our company straightaway. It feels good to be wanted. Yes, we still had training to complete but we would go back relaxed and happy. My dreams were all happy, of my potential future; taking a leaf out of Barton's book.
The next morning, we were woken up at nine by Lila and Cooper informing us that breakfast was ready. As they were still in their pyjamas, we took that as a sign that we could as well. Heading downstairs, Clint was in his dressing gown, as was Laura. They were fussing over the stove and the gorgeous smell of sausages and bacon wafted its way into my senses.
We sat ourselves down in the same places as yesterday, figuring it would be easier. Clint placed plates in front of all of us that were full to the brim. Two sausages, two bacon, a hash brown, beans and scrambled eggs for each plate plus spare in the middle. They've been busy this.
"Eat up, guys, we've got plenty more."
"Thank you, Clint," Wanda tucked into the eggs.
"Well, food at the training base is pretty minimal so we figured that we'd feed you up while we can." I grinned.
"So, what are you guys planning on doing today?" Laura started the conversation.
"Well, we could read with Lila, play in the yard with Cooper, help you guys out if we were needed?"
"Well, I've got to finish mending the tractor but that shouldn't take too long so while I'm doing that you can keep yourselves busy. But after that, how about a stroll in the fields?" Clint asked.
"Sounds great."
After breakfast, we all got washed and dressed and then went our separate ways while Barton was busy. Clint really didn't take long but while he was working, Wanda and Lila sat by the massive tree, reading, and I played football with Cooper. He beat me three to one but, it didn't matter much as we both had fun.
Laura prepped food for our walk and then went to sit with her daughter and Wanda, holding Nathaniel. We heard the tractor splutter to life and then Clint came out, riding it. We all cheered at his mechanical abilities. He rolled his eyes and climbed off, walking into the house to shower.
I turned back to Cooper to continue our game of keeping the ball in the air for as long as possible and he grinned. We kept it going until Clint came into the middle and caught it. I glared at him playfully.
"We're going for our walk? The other four are ready." We turned to see them all waiting to go. Wanda was laughing at me, clearly amused.
"I'm not that funny, Maximoff."
"You are when you get into a game with someone half your age and lose."
I glared at the girl. "Oh, that's just mean."
"You love me, though," she smirked.
"We'll see," I replied, cheekily.
Cooper and I quickly got ourselves dressed appropriately for the walk. We joined the others outside and then set off, Clint leading the way with baby Nate and Cooper who was trying to read a map, Laura held Lila's hand while Wanda and I were bringing up the rear, chatting and laughing. The scenery was fantastic, blossoming tree's adorned with different leaves. The multitude of colour and scent was overwhelming. I've never seen such a beautiful area before. Central Park was something but it had nothing on this.
As we followed the Barton clan along, Wanda took my hand and laced our fingers together. We continued on like this for the rest of the walk; Laura grinning when she noticed just how much we care about each other and how affectionate we were. She muttered something to Clint and he laughed. I raised an eyebrow at her when she turned to face us and she smiled innocently.
"Keep up, you two," Hawkeye called. We had started to trail a bit and so we jogged to catch up.
"How far have we gone?" I asked.
"A mile and a half, bit over maybe."
"How far have we still got to go?"
"We're gonna stop in about 300 feet."
"Why?"
"You'll see," he smiled mischievously.
We eventually came to a stop at a massive space by a small lake that was clearly privately owned. There was a small picnic table right by the lake and a small wooden hut off to the side. Clint pulled a BBQ out of said hut along with bags of coal and gas canisters. I peered inside. There was a fridge with plenty of food, enough drink to feed a small army.
There was a tent tucked away in the corner, should they want to camp out. Clint kept weapons hidden around; a spare bow and arrows, rifles, handguns taped to the bottom of shelves and then a beautiful hunting knife, with Swiss metal for the blade, a hand-carved mahogany handle and leather sheath with straps to attach to a belt or limb.
"Keep it," Clint appeared behind me. "I have no use for it and it would suit you better. A stylish knife for a stylish person."
"Are you sure?" I grinned
"Of course I am."
"Thank you, Clint."
"Which reminds me, I have a present for my other adopted daughter as well." Wanda looked up at him, raising an eyebrow at the adopted daughter part. He pulled something out his backpack and went over to her.
"This was my great grandfather's and seeing as you're technically now my eldest, I have to pass this on you," he started, handing her a box. I wandered over to discover the contents. Inside sat a small pendant, with St. George on it.
"It's wonderful. Can you help me put it on, Piper?"
"Sure." I stepped behind her, undoing the clasps of the chain and placed it around her neck gently. I came back around and admired the necklace. "It's beautiful." Her hands came up to the pendant and smiled.
"It will protect you when you're out on missions, I always wore when I first started."
"I love it."
After wonderful food, and playing games, we left just before the sun set, so it wouldn't be too dark by the time we made it back. Lila stayed with us this time and Cooper walked with his father, Laura carrying Nate. Halfway through the walk, Lila complained her legs ached so I picked her up and carried her. She started falling asleep and I smiled, switching her to a bridal position, making her easier to carry.
Wanda and I helped her into her pyjamas when we got back and then settled her into bed while Laura and Clint sorted out Nate. We were the elder siblings now, we figured we should help out. We then checked on Cooper and found him brushing his teeth. I waited for him to finish and then tucked him as well. I heard the two parents checking on their daughter and then they came in here.
I left them to it and went back to our room. Wanda was finishing packing and I had only a few things to put back. I tucked the hunting knife into the secret compartment of my bag and packed up my dirty clothes; Wanda doing the same. Once I was all done I sat on the bed, waiting for Wanda. Clint and Laura walked in with smiles.
"They'll be sad to see you both go tomorrow. Thanks for getting Lila into bed," Clint
"We are their older siblings, we felt we should help out."
"You've both been great these past couple of days. I've never seen them take to people so quickly."
"We will miss them greatly but we will come back and visit," The young Sokovian next to me grinned.
"What's happening tomorrow?"
"We'll leave at about ten. Are you both ready to go?"
"Yeah, we're all packed," I gestured to the bags in the corner of the room.
"Get some sleep then, we'll see you in the morning." I pulled the covers over my body and the elder Barton's kissed us on the forehead and left the room.
Wanda and I took up our usual sleeping positions and fell asleep with smiles on our faces. This trip had been truly relaxing.
How'd it go?