This Is Home
Disclaimer: I don't own.
Chapter 2: Laura
Clint eased the door open, grinning at the array of baby toys scattered everywhere. His smile grew even wider at the sound of little hands and feet crawling toward him. He leaned over and swept the baby into his arms. "Hi, Cooper!" He cuddled him close. "How's my baby boy?"
"I good, Dada."
Clint's jaw dropped. "When did you start talking?"
"A few weeks ago; you've been gone awhile," another voice said. Laura walked up, gently pressing her lips to Clint's. "Hi."
"Hi," he answered. "Sorry about that; since HYDRA suddenly showed up again, SHIELD's been busy with damage control."
She nodded. "I know. You know I understand." She sighed. "Doesn't mean I like it, though. Speaking of work, why are you here now?"
"Well...about that. You might want to sit down."
Laura closed her eyes. "What did you do?"
"Why do you automatically assume I did something?"
"Clint. What. Happened?"
He guided her to the couch. "Well...I...sort of told Fury that we would take in two kids that HYDRA messed with and experimented on and now have superpowers." He finally let it all out in a rush.
She blinked. "What?"
"Sorry?"
"You...agreed or volunteered?"
He groaned. "Volunteered."
"You volunteered to bring a pair of kids with superpowers to live with us without asking me first? A pair of kids indoctrinated by HYDRA, might I add? We have a baby around here, Clint, in case you forgot!"
He winced. "Yes, I know. But...Laura...if you had seen them...they were so scared. Just regular kids, superpowered or not. I just...I looked at them and thought, What if this was Cooper? I don't know; maybe I did something stupid. But I couldn't bear to see them locked up or worse, killed, for something they really have no control over and don't understand yet."
She bit her lip. "I wouldn't want that either."
"So you're...somewhat all right with it?"
She sighed. "Well, I can see your reasoning...and you know I could never bear to stand back and let two innocent kids be hurt, so...I suppose I am."
He nodded. "Good, cause Nat's bringing them here tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" she asked, a dangerous glint entering her eyes.
"Yeah, that was as long as I could talk Fury into letting them stay on the base."
"Well, if two kids are coming to stay here for an indefinite amount of time with no warning whatsoever, you, mister, have to help me straighten up the house and prepare the guest rooms for children."
He gulped. "Yes, ma'am."
*T*I*H*
The next day, Natasha and the kids arrived, and Clint went out to meet them (Cooper had needed a diaper change right as they pulled up, so Laura was handling that.). "Hey. Thanks, Nat. You staying?"
"For a day or two, anyway. Fury says to take all the time you need and not to forget his orders."
Clint huffed. "Not likely."
"Do I want to-"
"No."
"I didn't think so." She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Where's my darling?"
"Laura's changing him." Clint held out his hands to the two kids. "Come on, Wanda, Pietro. Come meet my wife and son."
They slowly lifted their hands and took his, lightly, barely even holding on. He still counted it as a success as he led them into the house. "Honey? Company's here!"
"I'm coming!" Laura descended the steps, the baby on her hip. "Hello; you must be Wanda and Pietro."
*T*I*H*
When Clint Barton told Wanda and Pietro that they were going to stay with him and his wife, Wanda hadn't really known what to expect. Clint was a scary SHIELD agent who was clearly capable of killing; what kind of woman would his wife be? However, the woman looked nothing like Wanda had imagined (and that was a good thing). The lady, a squirming baby in her arms, smiled at them kindly. She shoved-yes, Wanda realized, that was the right word-the baby into Clint's arms. "Oh, you poor dears. You look so tired. Are you hungry? Do you want a nap, food, a bath-"
"Laura, honey, let them breathe for a moment. Kids, my wife Laura."
"Hi…" Pietro hesitated, while Wanda's wide eyes were the only communication she could manage. He continued after a moment, "To answer your questions, I'm hungry. And maybe a little tired. But more hungry."
"Pietro!" Wanda hissed, elbowing him in the side.
"What? She asked!"
Laura chuckled. "Yes, I did. What about you, Wanda? Are you hungry?"
"Well…I suppose I am."
She smiled, reaching for the children's hands. "Come with me, then. I was planning to have sandwiches for lunch; is that all right?"
"Sounds good," Pietro declared happily.
"Whatever is easiest for you; we don't want to be any trouble," Wanda quickly added.
"Don't even worry about that, sweetheart." She glanced over her shoulder as they went into the kitchen. "Hey, Nat."
"Hey, Laura."
"You staying for a while?"
"If you'll have me."
"Of course we will." They entered the kitchen, and Laura ushered the twins to the table, saying, "Now, you two just sit down, and I'll fix our lunch. Do you want ham, bologna, turkey, or peanut butter?"
"Uh…" Wanda's brain was spinning at the options. She had never had bologna or peanut butter (that she could remember), so she just said, "turkey, I think?"
Her brother, of course, asked, "Can-can I have all of them?"
Laura laughed. "Well, I don't think peanut butter would go well with the other meats, but, yes, you can have all of the others. Do you want cheese?"
"Yes!" Pietro shrieked.
"Pietro!" Wanda snapped. "Don't shout inside. And, yes, please, Mrs. Barton, if it's not too much trouble."
"No trouble at all," Laura said pleasantly. As she set the sandwiches down on the table, Wanda realized that she was starting to like this woman. It's been so long since we've had a mom…maybe…just maybe…
A/N: No, this is not a oneshot. I can't promise how quickly it will be updated again, but…here's this for now.